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A lady of the last century
A lady of the last century

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of A lady of the last century is here in full — 269 sentences across 54 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Dr. (John) Doran • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for A lady of the last century
Context Illustration Reading 1/53 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A Lady of the Last Century A Lady of the Last Century BY JOHN DORAN, LL.
D.
_ÉDITION DE LUXE._ _Limited to One Thousand Copies._ TO Andreas J. G. Holtz, Esq. (TWYFORD ABBEY) THIS “BIT OF MOSAIC” IS DEDICATED, WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE MOST SINCERE ESTEEM AND CORDIAL REGARD.
In the year 1809, Mr. Matthew Montagu published the first two of four volumes of letters of his aunt, Elizabeth Montagu.
He was not only her nephew, he was also her adopted son and her executor.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A lady of the last century

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of A lady of the last century is here in full — 269 sentences across 54 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/53 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A Lady of the Last Century A Lady of the Last Century BY JOHN DORAN, LL.
Line 2
D.
/diː/
Line 3
_ÉDITION DE LUXE._ _Limited to One Thousand Copies._ TO Andreas J. G. Holtz, Esq. (TWYFORD ABBEY) THIS “BIT OF MOSAIC” IS DEDICATED, WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE MOST SINCERE ESTEEM AND CORDIAL REGARD.
Line 4
In the year 1809, Mr. Matthew Montagu published the first two of four volumes of letters of his aunt, Elizabeth Montagu.
Line 5
He was not only her nephew, he was also her adopted son and her executor.
/hiː wɑːz nɑːt ˈoʊnli hɜːr ˈnefjuː hiː wɑːz ˈɔːlsoʊ hɜːr əˈdɑːptɪd sʌn ənd hɜːr ɪɡˈzekjətər/

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

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

abbey noun US /ˈæbi/

a church associated with a monastery or convent

From this reading “_ÉDITION DE LUXE._ _Limited to One Thousand Copies._ TO Andreas J. G. Holtz, Esq. (TWYFORD ABBEY) THIS “BIT OF MOSAIC” IS DEDICATED, WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE MOST SINCERE ESTEEM AND CORDIAL REGARD.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Copies noun US /ˈkɑːpiz/

plural of “copy” — a reproduction of a written record (e.g. of a legal or school record)

From this reading “_ÉDITION DE LUXE._ _Limited to One Thousand Copies._ TO Andreas J. G. Holtz, Esq. (TWYFORD ABBEY) THIS “BIT OF MOSAIC” IS DEDICATED, WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE MOST SINCERE ESTEEM AND CORDIAL REGARD.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
cordial adjective US /ˈkɔːrdʒəl/

diffusing warmth and friendliness

From this reading “_ÉDITION DE LUXE._ _Limited to One Thousand Copies._ TO Andreas J. G. Holtz, Esq. (TWYFORD ABBEY) THIS “BIT OF MOSAIC” IS DEDICATED, WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE MOST SINCERE ESTEEM AND CORDIAL REGARD.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
dedicated adjective US /ˈdedəkeɪtəd/

devoted to a cause or ideal or purpose

From this reading “_ÉDITION DE LUXE._ _Limited to One Thousand Copies._ TO Andreas J. G. Holtz, Esq. (TWYFORD ABBEY) THIS “BIT OF MOSAIC” IS DEDICATED, WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE MOST SINCERE ESTEEM AND CORDIAL REGARD.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
executor noun US /ɪɡˈzekjətər/

a person appointed by a testator to carry out the terms of the will

From this reading “He was not only her nephew, he was also her adopted son and her executor.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Matthew noun US /ˈmæθjuː/

(New Testament) disciple of Jesus; traditionally considered to be the author of the first Gospel

From this reading “In the year 1809, Mr. Matthew Montagu published the first two of four volumes of letters of his aunt, Elizabeth Montagu.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Montagu noun US /ˈmɑːntəɡjuː/

United States anthropologist (born in England) who popularized anthropology (1905-)

From this reading “In the year 1809, Mr. Matthew Montagu published the first two of four volumes of letters of his aunt, Elizabeth Montagu.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mosaic noun US /moʊˈzeɪɪk/

art consisting of a design made of small pieces of colored stone or glass

From this reading “_ÉDITION DE LUXE._ _Limited to One Thousand Copies._ TO Andreas J. G. Holtz, Esq. (TWYFORD ABBEY) THIS “BIT OF MOSAIC” IS DEDICATED, WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE MOST SINCERE ESTEEM AND CORDIAL REGARD.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

adopted son adjective + noun

In this reading “He was not only her nephew, he was also her adopted son and her executor.”

638 times in 426,211 chapters
Last Century adjective + noun

In this reading “A Lady of the Last Century A Lady of the Last Century BY JOHN DORAN, LL.”

2,170 times in 426,211 chapters
MOST SINCERE adverb + adjective

In this reading “_ÉDITION DE LUXE._ _Limited to One Thousand Copies._ TO Andreas J. G. Holtz, Esq. (TWYFORD ABBEY) THIS “BIT OF MOSAIC” IS DEDICATED, WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE MOST SINCERE ESTEEM AND CORDIAL REGARD.”

593 times in 426,211 chapters
four volumes noun + noun counted as “four volume”

In this reading “In the year 1809, Mr. Matthew Montagu published the first two of four volumes of letters of his aunt, Elizabeth Montagu.”

384 times in 426,211 chapters

All words in this reading · 64

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

1809

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

From this reading In the year 1809, Mr. Matthew Montagu published the first two of four volumes of letters of his aunt, Elizabeth Montagu.

Pending verification
AdeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading A Lady of the Last Century A Lady of the Last Century BY JOHN DORAN, LL.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ABBEYnounUS /ˈæbi/

a church associated with a monastery or convent

From this reading _ÉDITION DE LUXE._ _Limited to One Thousand Copies._ TO Andreas J. G. Holtz, Esq. (TWYFORD ABBEY) THIS “BIT OF MOSAIC” IS DEDICATED, WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE MOST SINCERE ESTEEM AND CORDIAL REGARD.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
adoptedadjectiveUS /əˈdɑːptɪd/

acquired as your own by free choice

From this reading He was not only her nephew, he was also her adopted son and her executor.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
alsoadverbUS /ˈɔːlsoʊ/

in addition

From this reading He was not only her nephew, he was also her adopted son and her executor.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading _ÉDITION DE LUXE._ _Limited to One Thousand Copies._ TO Andreas J. G. Holtz, Esq. (TWYFORD ABBEY) THIS “BIT OF MOSAIC” IS DEDICATED, WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE MOST SINCERE ESTEEM AND CORDIAL REGARD.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
Andreas

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

From this reading _ÉDITION DE LUXE._ _Limited to One Thousand Copies._ TO Andreas J. G. Holtz, Esq. (TWYFORD ABBEY) THIS “BIT OF MOSAIC” IS DEDICATED, WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE MOST SINCERE ESTEEM AND CORDIAL REGARD.

Pending verification
auntnounUS /ænt/

the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle

From this reading In the year 1809, Mr. Matthew Montagu published the first two of four volumes of letters of his aunt, Elizabeth Montagu.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
BITnounUS /bɪt/

a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading _ÉDITION DE LUXE._ _Limited to One Thousand Copies._ TO Andreas J. G. Holtz, Esq. (TWYFORD ABBEY) THIS “BIT OF MOSAIC” IS DEDICATED, WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE MOST SINCERE ESTEEM AND CORDIAL REGARD.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
BYprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A Lady of the Last Century A Lady of the Last Century BY JOHN DORAN, LL.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
CenturynounUS /ˈsentʃəri/

a period of 100 years

From this reading A Lady of the Last Century A Lady of the Last Century BY JOHN DORAN, LL.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
CopiesnounUS /ˈkɑːpiz/

plural of “copy” — a reproduction of a written record (e.g. of a legal or school record)

From this reading _ÉDITION DE LUXE._ _Limited to One Thousand Copies._ TO Andreas J. G. Holtz, Esq. (TWYFORD ABBEY) THIS “BIT OF MOSAIC” IS DEDICATED, WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE MOST SINCERE ESTEEM AND CORDIAL REGARD.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
CORDIALadjectiveUS /ˈkɔːrdʒəl/

diffusing warmth and friendliness

From this reading _ÉDITION DE LUXE._ _Limited to One Thousand Copies._ TO Andreas J. G. Holtz, Esq. (TWYFORD ABBEY) THIS “BIT OF MOSAIC” IS DEDICATED, WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE MOST SINCERE ESTEEM AND CORDIAL REGARD.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
DnounUS /diː/

a fat-soluble vitamin that prevents rickets

From this reading D.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
DEnounUS /diː/

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading _ÉDITION DE LUXE._ _Limited to One Thousand Copies._ TO Andreas J. G. Holtz, Esq. (TWYFORD ABBEY) THIS “BIT OF MOSAIC” IS DEDICATED, WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE MOST SINCERE ESTEEM AND CORDIAL REGARD.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
DEDICATEDadjectiveUS /ˈdedəkeɪtəd/

devoted to a cause or ideal or purpose

From this reading _ÉDITION DE LUXE._ _Limited to One Thousand Copies._ TO Andreas J. G. Holtz, Esq. (TWYFORD ABBEY) THIS “BIT OF MOSAIC” IS DEDICATED, WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE MOST SINCERE ESTEEM AND CORDIAL REGARD.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
DORAN

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

From this reading A Lady of the Last Century A Lady of the Last Century BY JOHN DORAN, LL.

Pending verification
ElizabethnounUS /ɪˈlɪzəbəθ/

daughter of George VI who became the Queen of England and Northern Ireland in 1952 on the death of her father (1926-)

From this reading In the year 1809, Mr. Matthew Montagu published the first two of four volumes of letters of his aunt, Elizabeth Montagu.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Esqnoun

a title of respect for a member of the English gentry ranking just below a knight; placed after the name

From this reading _ÉDITION DE LUXE._ _Limited to One Thousand Copies._ TO Andreas J. G. Holtz, Esq. (TWYFORD ABBEY) THIS “BIT OF MOSAIC” IS DEDICATED, WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE MOST SINCERE ESTEEM AND CORDIAL REGARD.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ESTEEMnounUS /əˈstiːm/

the condition of being honored (esteemed or respected or well regarded)

From this reading _ÉDITION DE LUXE._ _Limited to One Thousand Copies._ TO Andreas J. G. Holtz, Esq. (TWYFORD ABBEY) THIS “BIT OF MOSAIC” IS DEDICATED, WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE MOST SINCERE ESTEEM AND CORDIAL REGARD.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
executornounUS /ɪɡˈzekjətər/

a person appointed by a testator to carry out the terms of the will

From this reading He was not only her nephew, he was also her adopted son and her executor.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading In the year 1809, Mr. Matthew Montagu published the first two of four volumes of letters of his aunt, Elizabeth Montagu.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
fournounUS /fɔːr/

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading In the year 1809, Mr. Matthew Montagu published the first two of four volumes of letters of his aunt, Elizabeth Montagu.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
GnounUS /dʒiː/

a metric unit of weight equal to one thousandth of a kilogram

From this reading _ÉDITION DE LUXE._ _Limited to One Thousand Copies._ TO Andreas J. G. Holtz, Esq. (TWYFORD ABBEY) THIS “BIT OF MOSAIC” IS DEDICATED, WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE MOST SINCERE ESTEEM AND CORDIAL REGARD.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He was not only her nephew, he was also her adopted son and her executor.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading He was not only her nephew, he was also her adopted son and her executor.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading In the year 1809, Mr. Matthew Montagu published the first two of four volumes of letters of his aunt, Elizabeth Montagu.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
Holtz

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

From this reading _ÉDITION DE LUXE._ _Limited to One Thousand Copies._ TO Andreas J. G. Holtz, Esq. (TWYFORD ABBEY) THIS “BIT OF MOSAIC” IS DEDICATED, WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE MOST SINCERE ESTEEM AND CORDIAL REGARD.

Pending verification
InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading In the year 1809, Mr. Matthew Montagu published the first two of four volumes of letters of his aunt, Elizabeth Montagu.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ISauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading _ÉDITION DE LUXE._ _Limited to One Thousand Copies._ TO Andreas J. G. Holtz, Esq. (TWYFORD ABBEY) THIS “BIT OF MOSAIC” IS DEDICATED, WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE MOST SINCERE ESTEEM AND CORDIAL REGARD.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
JnounUS /dʒeɪ/

a unit of electrical energy equal to the work done when a current of one ampere passes through a resistance of one ohm for one second

From this reading _ÉDITION DE LUXE._ _Limited to One Thousand Copies._ TO Andreas J. G. Holtz, Esq. (TWYFORD ABBEY) THIS “BIT OF MOSAIC” IS DEDICATED, WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE MOST SINCERE ESTEEM AND CORDIAL REGARD.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
JOHNnounUS /dʒɑːn/

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading A Lady of the Last Century A Lady of the Last Century BY JOHN DORAN, LL.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
LadynounUS /ˈleɪdi/

a polite name for any woman

From this reading A Lady of the Last Century A Lady of the Last Century BY JOHN DORAN, LL.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
LastadjectiveUS /læst/

immediately past

From this reading A Lady of the Last Century A Lady of the Last Century BY JOHN DORAN, LL.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
lettersnounUS /ˈletərz/

the literary culture

From this reading In the year 1809, Mr. Matthew Montagu published the first two of four volumes of letters of his aunt, Elizabeth Montagu.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
LimitedadjectiveUS /ˈlɪmətəd/

small in range or scope

From this reading _ÉDITION DE LUXE._ _Limited to One Thousand Copies._ TO Andreas J. G. Holtz, Esq. (TWYFORD ABBEY) THIS “BIT OF MOSAIC” IS DEDICATED, WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE MOST SINCERE ESTEEM AND CORDIAL REGARD.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
LL

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

From this reading A Lady of the Last Century A Lady of the Last Century BY JOHN DORAN, LL.

Pending verification
LUXEadjective

elegant and sumptuous

From this reading _ÉDITION DE LUXE._ _Limited to One Thousand Copies._ TO Andreas J. G. Holtz, Esq. (TWYFORD ABBEY) THIS “BIT OF MOSAIC” IS DEDICATED, WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE MOST SINCERE ESTEEM AND CORDIAL REGARD.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MatthewnounUS /ˈmæθjuː/

(New Testament) disciple of Jesus; traditionally considered to be the author of the first Gospel

From this reading In the year 1809, Mr. Matthew Montagu published the first two of four volumes of letters of his aunt, Elizabeth Montagu.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MontagunounUS /ˈmɑːntəɡjuː/

United States anthropologist (born in England) who popularized anthropology (1905-)

From this reading In the year 1809, Mr. Matthew Montagu published the first two of four volumes of letters of his aunt, Elizabeth Montagu.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MOSAICnounUS /moʊˈzeɪɪk/

art consisting of a design made of small pieces of colored stone or glass

From this reading _ÉDITION DE LUXE._ _Limited to One Thousand Copies._ TO Andreas J. G. Holtz, Esq. (TWYFORD ABBEY) THIS “BIT OF MOSAIC” IS DEDICATED, WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE MOST SINCERE ESTEEM AND CORDIAL REGARD.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MOSTadverbUS /moʊst/

used to form the superlative

From this reading _ÉDITION DE LUXE._ _Limited to One Thousand Copies._ TO Andreas J. G. Holtz, Esq. (TWYFORD ABBEY) THIS “BIT OF MOSAIC” IS DEDICATED, WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE MOST SINCERE ESTEEM AND CORDIAL REGARD.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/

a form of address for a man

From this reading In the year 1809, Mr. Matthew Montagu published the first two of four volumes of letters of his aunt, Elizabeth Montagu.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
nephewnounUS /ˈnefjuː/

a son of your brother or sister

From this reading He was not only her nephew, he was also her adopted son and her executor.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He was not only her nephew, he was also her adopted son and her executor.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A Lady of the Last Century A Lady of the Last Century BY JOHN DORAN, LL.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading _ÉDITION DE LUXE._ _Limited to One Thousand Copies._ TO Andreas J. G. Holtz, Esq. (TWYFORD ABBEY) THIS “BIT OF MOSAIC” IS DEDICATED, WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE MOST SINCERE ESTEEM AND CORDIAL REGARD.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading He was not only her nephew, he was also her adopted son and her executor.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
publishedadjectiveUS /ˈpʌblɪʃt/

prepared and printed for distribution and sale

From this reading In the year 1809, Mr. Matthew Montagu published the first two of four volumes of letters of his aunt, Elizabeth Montagu.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
REGARDnounUS /rɪˈɡɑːrd/

(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point

From this reading _ÉDITION DE LUXE._ _Limited to One Thousand Copies._ TO Andreas J. G. Holtz, Esq. (TWYFORD ABBEY) THIS “BIT OF MOSAIC” IS DEDICATED, WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE MOST SINCERE ESTEEM AND CORDIAL REGARD.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SENTIMENTSnounUS /ˈsentəmənts/

plural of “sentiment” — tender, romantic, or nostalgic feeling or emotion

From this reading _ÉDITION DE LUXE._ _Limited to One Thousand Copies._ TO Andreas J. G. Holtz, Esq. (TWYFORD ABBEY) THIS “BIT OF MOSAIC” IS DEDICATED, WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE MOST SINCERE ESTEEM AND CORDIAL REGARD.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SINCEREadjectiveUS /sɪnˈsɪr/

open and genuine; not deceitful

From this reading _ÉDITION DE LUXE._ _Limited to One Thousand Copies._ TO Andreas J. G. Holtz, Esq. (TWYFORD ABBEY) THIS “BIT OF MOSAIC” IS DEDICATED, WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE MOST SINCERE ESTEEM AND CORDIAL REGARD.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sonnounUS /sʌn/

a male human offspring

From this reading He was not only her nephew, he was also her adopted son and her executor.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A Lady of the Last Century A Lady of the Last Century BY JOHN DORAN, LL.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
THISdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading _ÉDITION DE LUXE._ _Limited to One Thousand Copies._ TO Andreas J. G. Holtz, Esq. (TWYFORD ABBEY) THIS “BIT OF MOSAIC” IS DEDICATED, WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE MOST SINCERE ESTEEM AND CORDIAL REGARD.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ThousandnounUS /ˈθaʊzənd/

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading _ÉDITION DE LUXE._ _Limited to One Thousand Copies._ TO Andreas J. G. Holtz, Esq. (TWYFORD ABBEY) THIS “BIT OF MOSAIC” IS DEDICATED, WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE MOST SINCERE ESTEEM AND CORDIAL REGARD.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading _ÉDITION DE LUXE._ _Limited to One Thousand Copies._ TO Andreas J. G. Holtz, Esq. (TWYFORD ABBEY) THIS “BIT OF MOSAIC” IS DEDICATED, WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE MOST SINCERE ESTEEM AND CORDIAL REGARD.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
twonounUS /tuː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading In the year 1809, Mr. Matthew Montagu published the first two of four volumes of letters of his aunt, Elizabeth Montagu.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
TWYFORD

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

From this reading _ÉDITION DE LUXE._ _Limited to One Thousand Copies._ TO Andreas J. G. Holtz, Esq. (TWYFORD ABBEY) THIS “BIT OF MOSAIC” IS DEDICATED, WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE MOST SINCERE ESTEEM AND CORDIAL REGARD.

Pending verification
volumesnounUS /ˈvɑːljuːmz/

plural of “volume” — the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object

From this reading In the year 1809, Mr. Matthew Montagu published the first two of four volumes of letters of his aunt, Elizabeth Montagu.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading He was not only her nephew, he was also her adopted son and her executor.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
WITHprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading _ÉDITION DE LUXE._ _Limited to One Thousand Copies._ TO Andreas J. G. Holtz, Esq. (TWYFORD ABBEY) THIS “BIT OF MOSAIC” IS DEDICATED, WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE MOST SINCERE ESTEEM AND CORDIAL REGARD.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
yearnounUS /jɪr/

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading In the year 1809, Mr. Matthew Montagu published the first two of four volumes of letters of his aunt, Elizabeth Montagu.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ÉDITION

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

From this reading _ÉDITION DE LUXE._ _Limited to One Thousand Copies._ TO Andreas J. G. Holtz, Esq. (TWYFORD ABBEY) THIS “BIT OF MOSAIC” IS DEDICATED, WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE MOST SINCERE ESTEEM AND CORDIAL REGARD.

Pending verification

Chapter 1 of A lady of the last century by Dr. (John) Doran holds 269 sentences, grouped into 54 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 1 of A lady of the last century contain?

Chapter 1 holds 269 sentences of A lady of the last century, unabridged, divided into 54 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of A lady of the last century by Dr. (John) Doran exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 269 sentences, grouped into 54 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 1 of A lady of the last century?

Work through the 54 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 54 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading A lady of the last century

Common questions about reading A lady of the last century by Dr. (John) Doran on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of A lady of the last century?

Yes. All 3089 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #74300 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of A lady of the last century is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #74300, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does A lady of the last century take to read?

About 257 minutes of reading across 618 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read A lady of the last century section by section

How to work through A lady of the last century section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 13 chapters of A lady of the last century to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in A lady of the last century

Words and structures a reader meets early in A lady of the last century, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Century
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A lady of the last century; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Doran
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A lady of the last century; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Dition
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A lady of the last century; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Limited
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A lady of the last century; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.