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The Count of Monte Cristo
The Count of Monte Cristo

Chapter XIV

Noirtier—for it was, indeed, he who entered—looked after the servant until the door was closed, and then, fearing, no doubt, that he might be overheard in the antechamber, he opened the door again, nor was the precaution

Chapter 14, section 1: A year after Louis XVIII.’s restoration, a visit was made by the inspector-general of prisons. Dantès in his cell heard the noise of preparation,—sounds that at the depth where he
Context Illustration Reading 1/38 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A year after Louis XVIII.’s restoration, a visit was made by the inspector-general of prisons.
Dantès in his cell heard the noise of preparation,—sounds that at the depth where he lay would have been inaudible to any but the ear of a prisoner, who could hear the splash of the drop of water that every hour fell from the roof of his dungeon.
He guessed something uncommon was passing among the living; but he had so long ceased to have any intercourse with the world, that he looked upon himself as dead.
The inspector visited, one after another, the cells and dungeons of several of the prisoners, whose good behavior or stupidity recommended them to the clemency of the government.
He inquired how they were fed, and if they had any request to make.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Count of Monte Cristo

Chapter XIV

Reading 1/38 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A year after Louis XVIII.’s restoration, a visit was made by the inspector-general of prisons.
Line 2
Dantès in his cell heard the noise of preparation,—sounds that at the depth where he lay would have been inaudible to any but the ear of a prisoner, who could hear the splash of the drop of water that every hour fell from the roof of his dungeon.
Line 3
He guessed something uncommon was passing among the living; but he had so long ceased to have any intercourse with the world, that he looked upon himself as dead.
Line 4
The inspector visited, one after another, the cells and dungeons of several of the prisoners, whose good behavior or stupidity recommended them to the clemency of the government.
Line 5
He inquired how they were fed, and if they had any request to make.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

year noun US /jɪr/

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading “A year after Louis XVIII.’s restoration, a visit was made by the inspector-general of prisons.”

Collocations
A yearA source-grounded phrase from this reading.
year afterA source-grounded phrase from this reading.
All words in this reading · 94

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A year after Louis XVIII.’s restoration, a visit was made by the inspector-general of prisons.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading A year after Louis XVIII.’s restoration, a visit was made by the inspector-general of prisons.

amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading He guessed something uncommon was passing among the living; but he had so long ceased to have any intercourse with the world, that he looked upon himself as dead.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading The inspector visited, one after another, the cells and dungeons of several of the prisoners, whose good behavior or stupidity recommended them to the clemency of the government.

anothernounUS /ˈanother/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading The inspector visited, one after another, the cells and dungeons of several of the prisoners, whose good behavior or stupidity recommended them to the clemency of the government.

any

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Dantès in his cell heard the noise of preparation,—sounds that at the depth where he lay would have been inaudible to any but the ear of a prisoner, who could hear the splash of the drop of water that every hour fell from the roof of his dungeon.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading He guessed something uncommon was passing among the living; but he had so long ceased to have any intercourse with the world, that he looked upon himself as dead.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Dantès in his cell heard the noise of preparation,—sounds that at the depth where he lay would have been inaudible to any but the ear of a prisoner, who could hear the splash of the drop of water that every hour fell from the roof of his dungeon.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Dantès in his cell heard the noise of preparation,—sounds that at the depth where he lay would have been inaudible to any but the ear of a prisoner, who could hear the splash of the drop of water that every hour fell from the roof of his dungeon.

behavior

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The inspector visited, one after another, the cells and dungeons of several of the prisoners, whose good behavior or stupidity recommended them to the clemency of the government.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Dantès in his cell heard the noise of preparation,—sounds that at the depth where he lay would have been inaudible to any but the ear of a prisoner, who could hear the splash of the drop of water that every hour fell from the roof of his dungeon.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A year after Louis XVIII.’s restoration, a visit was made by the inspector-general of prisons.

ceased

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He guessed something uncommon was passing among the living; but he had so long ceased to have any intercourse with the world, that he looked upon himself as dead.

cellnounUS /sel/

A small stone room in a prison where an inmate is locked behind iron bars.

From this reading Dantès in his cell heard the noise of preparation,—sounds that at the depth where he lay would have been inaudible to any but the ear of a prisoner, who could hear the splash of the drop of water that every hour fell from the roof of his dungeon.

cells

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The inspector visited, one after another, the cells and dungeons of several of the prisoners, whose good behavior or stupidity recommended them to the clemency of the government.

clemency

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The inspector visited, one after another, the cells and dungeons of several of the prisoners, whose good behavior or stupidity recommended them to the clemency of the government.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Dantès in his cell heard the noise of preparation,—sounds that at the depth where he lay would have been inaudible to any but the ear of a prisoner, who could hear the splash of the drop of water that every hour fell from the roof of his dungeon.

Dantès

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Dantès in his cell heard the noise of preparation,—sounds that at the depth where he lay would have been inaudible to any but the ear of a prisoner, who could hear the splash of the drop of water that every hour fell from the roof of his dungeon.

deadnounUS /dead/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He guessed something uncommon was passing among the living; but he had so long ceased to have any intercourse with the world, that he looked upon himself as dead.

depth

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Dantès in his cell heard the noise of preparation,—sounds that at the depth where he lay would have been inaudible to any but the ear of a prisoner, who could hear the splash of the drop of water that every hour fell from the roof of his dungeon.

drop

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Dantès in his cell heard the noise of preparation,—sounds that at the depth where he lay would have been inaudible to any but the ear of a prisoner, who could hear the splash of the drop of water that every hour fell from the roof of his dungeon.

dungeon

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Dantès in his cell heard the noise of preparation,—sounds that at the depth where he lay would have been inaudible to any but the ear of a prisoner, who could hear the splash of the drop of water that every hour fell from the roof of his dungeon.

dungeons

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The inspector visited, one after another, the cells and dungeons of several of the prisoners, whose good behavior or stupidity recommended them to the clemency of the government.

ear

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Dantès in his cell heard the noise of preparation,—sounds that at the depth where he lay would have been inaudible to any but the ear of a prisoner, who could hear the splash of the drop of water that every hour fell from the roof of his dungeon.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Dantès in his cell heard the noise of preparation,—sounds that at the depth where he lay would have been inaudible to any but the ear of a prisoner, who could hear the splash of the drop of water that every hour fell from the roof of his dungeon.

fed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He inquired how they were fed, and if they had any request to make.

fell

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Dantès in his cell heard the noise of preparation,—sounds that at the depth where he lay would have been inaudible to any but the ear of a prisoner, who could hear the splash of the drop of water that every hour fell from the roof of his dungeon.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Dantès in his cell heard the noise of preparation,—sounds that at the depth where he lay would have been inaudible to any but the ear of a prisoner, who could hear the splash of the drop of water that every hour fell from the roof of his dungeon.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The inspector visited, one after another, the cells and dungeons of several of the prisoners, whose good behavior or stupidity recommended them to the clemency of the government.

government

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The inspector visited, one after another, the cells and dungeons of several of the prisoners, whose good behavior or stupidity recommended them to the clemency of the government.

guessed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He guessed something uncommon was passing among the living; but he had so long ceased to have any intercourse with the world, that he looked upon himself as dead.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading He guessed something uncommon was passing among the living; but he had so long ceased to have any intercourse with the world, that he looked upon himself as dead.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Dantès in his cell heard the noise of preparation,—sounds that at the depth where he lay would have been inaudible to any but the ear of a prisoner, who could hear the splash of the drop of water that every hour fell from the roof of his dungeon.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Dantès in his cell heard the noise of preparation,—sounds that at the depth where he lay would have been inaudible to any but the ear of a prisoner, who could hear the splash of the drop of water that every hour fell from the roof of his dungeon.

hearnounUS /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Dantès in his cell heard the noise of preparation,—sounds that at the depth where he lay would have been inaudible to any but the ear of a prisoner, who could hear the splash of the drop of water that every hour fell from the roof of his dungeon.

heard

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Dantès in his cell heard the noise of preparation,—sounds that at the depth where he lay would have been inaudible to any but the ear of a prisoner, who could hear the splash of the drop of water that every hour fell from the roof of his dungeon.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He guessed something uncommon was passing among the living; but he had so long ceased to have any intercourse with the world, that he looked upon himself as dead.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Dantès in his cell heard the noise of preparation,—sounds that at the depth where he lay would have been inaudible to any but the ear of a prisoner, who could hear the splash of the drop of water that every hour fell from the roof of his dungeon.

hour

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Dantès in his cell heard the noise of preparation,—sounds that at the depth where he lay would have been inaudible to any but the ear of a prisoner, who could hear the splash of the drop of water that every hour fell from the roof of his dungeon.

how

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He inquired how they were fed, and if they had any request to make.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He inquired how they were fed, and if they had any request to make.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Dantès in his cell heard the noise of preparation,—sounds that at the depth where he lay would have been inaudible to any but the ear of a prisoner, who could hear the splash of the drop of water that every hour fell from the roof of his dungeon.

inaudible

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Dantès in his cell heard the noise of preparation,—sounds that at the depth where he lay would have been inaudible to any but the ear of a prisoner, who could hear the splash of the drop of water that every hour fell from the roof of his dungeon.

inquirednounUS /ˈinquired/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading He inquired how they were fed, and if they had any request to make.

inspector

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The inspector visited, one after another, the cells and dungeons of several of the prisoners, whose good behavior or stupidity recommended them to the clemency of the government.

inspector-general

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A year after Louis XVIII.’s restoration, a visit was made by the inspector-general of prisons.

intercourse

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He guessed something uncommon was passing among the living; but he had so long ceased to have any intercourse with the world, that he looked upon himself as dead.

lay

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Dantès in his cell heard the noise of preparation,—sounds that at the depth where he lay would have been inaudible to any but the ear of a prisoner, who could hear the splash of the drop of water that every hour fell from the roof of his dungeon.

living

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He guessed something uncommon was passing among the living; but he had so long ceased to have any intercourse with the world, that he looked upon himself as dead.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He guessed something uncommon was passing among the living; but he had so long ceased to have any intercourse with the world, that he looked upon himself as dead.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He guessed something uncommon was passing among the living; but he had so long ceased to have any intercourse with the world, that he looked upon himself as dead.

Louis

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A year after Louis XVIII.’s restoration, a visit was made by the inspector-general of prisons.

made

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A year after Louis XVIII.’s restoration, a visit was made by the inspector-general of prisons.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He inquired how they were fed, and if they had any request to make.

noise

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Dantès in his cell heard the noise of preparation,—sounds that at the depth where he lay would have been inaudible to any but the ear of a prisoner, who could hear the splash of the drop of water that every hour fell from the roof of his dungeon.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A year after Louis XVIII.’s restoration, a visit was made by the inspector-general of prisons.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The inspector visited, one after another, the cells and dungeons of several of the prisoners, whose good behavior or stupidity recommended them to the clemency of the government.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The inspector visited, one after another, the cells and dungeons of several of the prisoners, whose good behavior or stupidity recommended them to the clemency of the government.

passing

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He guessed something uncommon was passing among the living; but he had so long ceased to have any intercourse with the world, that he looked upon himself as dead.

preparation

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Dantès in his cell heard the noise of preparation,—sounds that at the depth where he lay would have been inaudible to any but the ear of a prisoner, who could hear the splash of the drop of water that every hour fell from the roof of his dungeon.

prisoner

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Dantès in his cell heard the noise of preparation,—sounds that at the depth where he lay would have been inaudible to any but the ear of a prisoner, who could hear the splash of the drop of water that every hour fell from the roof of his dungeon.

prisoners

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The inspector visited, one after another, the cells and dungeons of several of the prisoners, whose good behavior or stupidity recommended them to the clemency of the government.

prisons

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A year after Louis XVIII.’s restoration, a visit was made by the inspector-general of prisons.

recommended

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The inspector visited, one after another, the cells and dungeons of several of the prisoners, whose good behavior or stupidity recommended them to the clemency of the government.

request

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He inquired how they were fed, and if they had any request to make.

restoration

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A year after Louis XVIII.’s restoration, a visit was made by the inspector-general of prisons.

roof

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Dantès in his cell heard the noise of preparation,—sounds that at the depth where he lay would have been inaudible to any but the ear of a prisoner, who could hear the splash of the drop of water that every hour fell from the roof of his dungeon.

s

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A year after Louis XVIII.’s restoration, a visit was made by the inspector-general of prisons.

several

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The inspector visited, one after another, the cells and dungeons of several of the prisoners, whose good behavior or stupidity recommended them to the clemency of the government.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He guessed something uncommon was passing among the living; but he had so long ceased to have any intercourse with the world, that he looked upon himself as dead.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading He guessed something uncommon was passing among the living; but he had so long ceased to have any intercourse with the world, that he looked upon himself as dead.

sounds

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Dantès in his cell heard the noise of preparation,—sounds that at the depth where he lay would have been inaudible to any but the ear of a prisoner, who could hear the splash of the drop of water that every hour fell from the roof of his dungeon.

splash

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Dantès in his cell heard the noise of preparation,—sounds that at the depth where he lay would have been inaudible to any but the ear of a prisoner, who could hear the splash of the drop of water that every hour fell from the roof of his dungeon.

stupidity

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The inspector visited, one after another, the cells and dungeons of several of the prisoners, whose good behavior or stupidity recommended them to the clemency of the government.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Dantès in his cell heard the noise of preparation,—sounds that at the depth where he lay would have been inaudible to any but the ear of a prisoner, who could hear the splash of the drop of water that every hour fell from the roof of his dungeon.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading A year after Louis XVIII.’s restoration, a visit was made by the inspector-general of prisons.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The inspector visited, one after another, the cells and dungeons of several of the prisoners, whose good behavior or stupidity recommended them to the clemency of the government.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He inquired how they were fed, and if they had any request to make.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Dantès in his cell heard the noise of preparation,—sounds that at the depth where he lay would have been inaudible to any but the ear of a prisoner, who could hear the splash of the drop of water that every hour fell from the roof of his dungeon.

uncommon

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He guessed something uncommon was passing among the living; but he had so long ceased to have any intercourse with the world, that he looked upon himself as dead.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading He guessed something uncommon was passing among the living; but he had so long ceased to have any intercourse with the world, that he looked upon himself as dead.

visit

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A year after Louis XVIII.’s restoration, a visit was made by the inspector-general of prisons.

visited

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The inspector visited, one after another, the cells and dungeons of several of the prisoners, whose good behavior or stupidity recommended them to the clemency of the government.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading A year after Louis XVIII.’s restoration, a visit was made by the inspector-general of prisons.

water

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Dantès in his cell heard the noise of preparation,—sounds that at the depth where he lay would have been inaudible to any but the ear of a prisoner, who could hear the splash of the drop of water that every hour fell from the roof of his dungeon.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading He inquired how they were fed, and if they had any request to make.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading Dantès in his cell heard the noise of preparation,—sounds that at the depth where he lay would have been inaudible to any but the ear of a prisoner, who could hear the splash of the drop of water that every hour fell from the roof of his dungeon.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Dantès in his cell heard the noise of preparation,—sounds that at the depth where he lay would have been inaudible to any but the ear of a prisoner, who could hear the splash of the drop of water that every hour fell from the roof of his dungeon.

whosedeterminerUS /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading The inspector visited, one after another, the cells and dungeons of several of the prisoners, whose good behavior or stupidity recommended them to the clemency of the government.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading He guessed something uncommon was passing among the living; but he had so long ceased to have any intercourse with the world, that he looked upon himself as dead.

world

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He guessed something uncommon was passing among the living; but he had so long ceased to have any intercourse with the world, that he looked upon himself as dead.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Dantès in his cell heard the noise of preparation,—sounds that at the depth where he lay would have been inaudible to any but the ear of a prisoner, who could hear the splash of the drop of water that every hour fell from the roof of his dungeon.

XVIII

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A year after Louis XVIII.’s restoration, a visit was made by the inspector-general of prisons.

yearnounUS /jɪr/

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading A year after Louis XVIII.’s restoration, a visit was made by the inspector-general of prisons.

Chapter Quiz

What is the central narrative or theme conveyed in this section of Chapter 012: Father and Son?

Which core linguistic virtue or character attribute is emphasized in this passage?

According to the text: "M....", what tone does the author establish?

Shadowing Practice

Narrator: M.
Narrator: “My dear fellow, the emperor is at this moment on the way to Grenoble;