A lady of the last century

Chapter X

Chapter 10 of A lady of the last century is here in full — 207 sentences across 42 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Dr. (John) Doran • Curated US English Learning Edition

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_December 20, 1778._ Mrs. Scott to Mrs. Robinson, Denton.—“...

Miss Coke is a most extraordinary character, and, in my opinion, a most contemptible one, though I suppose she thinks herself a heroine.

I have great compassion on one who blushes at her frailties, or rather her vices, for I hate those mincing names, designed only to palliate wrong actions; but I detest a woman who glories in her shame, and sets the world at defiance.

Such desperate spirits should not be clad in feminine bodies.

They are fit only for Sixteen-string Jack and his brother ruffians.

Narrator

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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English

LEARNER DICTIONARY

Archivist

/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/

Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Chapter X Reading 1/41

A lady of the last century Dr. (John) Doran

Chapter X

Chapter 10 of A lady of the last century is here in full — 207 sentences across 42 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

_December 20, 1778._ Mrs. Scott to Mrs. Robinson, Denton.—“... Miss Coke is a most extraordinary character, and, in my opinion, a most contemptible one, though I suppose she thinks herself a heroine. I have great compassion on one who blushes at her frailties, or rather her vices, for I hate those mincing names, designed only to palliate wrong actions; but I detest a woman who glories in her shame, and sets the world at defiance. Such desperate spirits should not be clad in feminine bodies. They are fit only for Sixteen-string Jack and his brother ruffians.

A lady of the last century

Chapter X

Chapter 10 of A lady of the last century is here in full — 207 sentences across 42 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/41 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

_December 20, 1778._ Mrs. Scott to Mrs. Robinson, Denton.—“...

Line 2

Miss Coke is a most extraordinary character, and, in my opinion, a most contemptible one, though I suppose she thinks herself a heroine.

/mɪs koʊk ɪz ə moʊst ˌekstrəˈɔːrdəneri ˈkerɪktər ənd ɪn maɪ əˈpɪnjən ə moʊst kənˈtemptəbəl wʌn ðoʊ aɪ səˈpoʊz ʃiː θɪŋks hərˈself ə ˈheroʊən/

Line 3

Line 4

Such desperate spirits should not be clad in feminine bodies.

/sʌtʃ ˈdesprɪt ˈspɪrɪts ʃʊd nɑːt biː klæd ɪn ˈfemənən ˈbɑːdiz/

Line 5

They are fit only for Sixteen-string Jack and his brother ruffians.

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.

blushes noun US /ˈblʌʃəz/

plural of “blush” — a rosy color (especially in the cheeks) taken as a sign of good health

From this reading “I have great compassion on one who blushes at her frailties, or rather her vices, for I hate those mincing names, designed only to palliate wrong actions; but I detest a woman who glories in her shame, and sets the world at defiance.”

Coke noun US /koʊk/

carbon fuel produced by distillation of coal

From this reading “Miss Coke is a most extraordinary character, and, in my opinion, a most contemptible one, though I suppose she thinks herself a heroine.”

contemptible adjective US /kənˈtemptəbəl/

deserving of contempt or scorn

From this reading “Miss Coke is a most extraordinary character, and, in my opinion, a most contemptible one, though I suppose she thinks herself a heroine.”

detest verb US /dɪˈtest/

dislike intensely; feel antipathy or aversion towards

frailties noun US /ˈfreɪltiz/

plural of “frailty” — the state of being weak in health or body (especially from old age)

glories noun US /ˈɡlɔːriz/

plural of “glory” — a state of high honor

mincing adjective US /ˈmɪnsɪŋ/

affectedly dainty or refined

vices noun US /ˈvaɪsəz/

plural of “vice” — moral weakness

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.

most extraordinary adverb + adjective

In this reading “Miss Coke is a most extraordinary character, and, in my opinion, a most contemptible one, though I suppose she thinks herself a heroine.”

most contemptible adverb + adjective

In this reading “Miss Coke is a most extraordinary character, and, in my opinion, a most contemptible one, though I suppose she thinks herself a heroine.”

All words in this reading · 76

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.

1778

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

From this reading _December 20, 1778._ Mrs. Scott to Mrs. Robinson, Denton.—“...

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

From this reading _December 20, 1778._ Mrs. Scott to Mrs. Robinson, Denton.—“...

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading Miss Coke is a most extraordinary character, and, in my opinion, a most contemptible one, though I suppose she thinks herself a heroine.

actionsnounUS /ˈækʃənz/

plural of “action” — something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading I have great compassion on one who blushes at her frailties, or rather her vices, for I hate those mincing names, designed only to palliate wrong actions; but I detest a woman who glories in her shame, and sets the world at defiance.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Miss Coke is a most extraordinary character, and, in my opinion, a most contemptible one, though I suppose she thinks herself a heroine.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading They are fit only for Sixteen-string Jack and his brother ruffians.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Such desperate spirits should not be clad in feminine bodies.

blushesnounUS /ˈblʌʃəz/

plural of “blush” — a rosy color (especially in the cheeks) taken as a sign of good health

bodiesnounUS /ˈbɑːdiz/

plural of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading Such desperate spirits should not be clad in feminine bodies.

brothernounUS /ˈbrʌðər/

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading They are fit only for Sixteen-string Jack and his brother ruffians.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

characternounUS /ˈkerɪktər/

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading Miss Coke is a most extraordinary character, and, in my opinion, a most contemptible one, though I suppose she thinks herself a heroine.

cladadjectiveUS /klæd/

wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination

From this reading Such desperate spirits should not be clad in feminine bodies.

CokenounUS /koʊk/

carbon fuel produced by distillation of coal

From this reading Miss Coke is a most extraordinary character, and, in my opinion, a most contemptible one, though I suppose she thinks herself a heroine.

compassionnounUS /kəmˈpæʃən/

a deep awareness of and sympathy for another's suffering

contemptibleadjectiveUS /kənˈtemptəbəl/

deserving of contempt or scorn

From this reading Miss Coke is a most extraordinary character, and, in my opinion, a most contemptible one, though I suppose she thinks herself a heroine.

DecembernounUS /dɪˈsembər/

the last (12th) month of the year

From this reading _December 20, 1778._ Mrs. Scott to Mrs. Robinson, Denton.—“...

defiancenounUS /dɪˈfaɪəns/

intentionally contemptuous behavior or attitude

Denton

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

From this reading _December 20, 1778._ Mrs. Scott to Mrs. Robinson, Denton.—“...

designedadjectiveUS /dɪˈzaɪnd/

done or made or performed with purpose and intent

desperateadjectiveUS /ˈdesprɪt/

arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope

From this reading Such desperate spirits should not be clad in feminine bodies.

detestverbUS /dɪˈtest/

dislike intensely; feel antipathy or aversion towards

extraordinaryadjectiveUS /ˌekstrəˈɔːrdəneri/

beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable

From this reading Miss Coke is a most extraordinary character, and, in my opinion, a most contemptible one, though I suppose she thinks herself a heroine.

feminineadjectiveUS /ˈfemənən/

associated with women and not with men

From this reading Such desperate spirits should not be clad in feminine bodies.

fitverbUS /fɪt/

be agreeable or acceptable to

From this reading They are fit only for Sixteen-string Jack and his brother ruffians.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

frailtiesnounUS /ˈfreɪltiz/

plural of “frailty” — the state of being weak in health or body (especially from old age)

gloriesnounUS /ˈɡlɔːriz/

plural of “glory” — a state of high honor

greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

hatenounUS /heɪt/

the emotion of intense dislike; a feeling of dislike so strong that it demands action

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

heroinenounUS /ˈheroʊən/

the main good female character in a work of fiction

From this reading Miss Coke is a most extraordinary character, and, in my opinion, a most contemptible one, though I suppose she thinks herself a heroine.

herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading Miss Coke is a most extraordinary character, and, in my opinion, a most contemptible one, though I suppose she thinks herself a heroine.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading They are fit only for Sixteen-string Jack and his brother ruffians.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading Miss Coke is a most extraordinary character, and, in my opinion, a most contemptible one, though I suppose she thinks herself a heroine.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Miss Coke is a most extraordinary character, and, in my opinion, a most contemptible one, though I suppose she thinks herself a heroine.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Miss Coke is a most extraordinary character, and, in my opinion, a most contemptible one, though I suppose she thinks herself a heroine.

JacknounUS /dʒæk/

a small worthless amount

From this reading They are fit only for Sixteen-string Jack and his brother ruffians.

mincingadjectiveUS /ˈmɪnsɪŋ/

affectedly dainty or refined

MissverbUS /mɪs/

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading Miss Coke is a most extraordinary character, and, in my opinion, a most contemptible one, though I suppose she thinks herself a heroine.

mostadverbUS /moʊst/

used to form the superlative

From this reading Miss Coke is a most extraordinary character, and, in my opinion, a most contemptible one, though I suppose she thinks herself a heroine.

MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading _December 20, 1778._ Mrs. Scott to Mrs. Robinson, Denton.—“...

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Miss Coke is a most extraordinary character, and, in my opinion, a most contemptible one, though I suppose she thinks herself a heroine.

namesnounUS /neɪmz/

verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Such desperate spirits should not be clad in feminine bodies.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Miss Coke is a most extraordinary character, and, in my opinion, a most contemptible one, though I suppose she thinks herself a heroine.

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

opinionnounUS /əˈpɪnjən/

a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty

From this reading Miss Coke is a most extraordinary character, and, in my opinion, a most contemptible one, though I suppose she thinks herself a heroine.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

palliateverb

lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of

ratheradverbUS /ˈræðər/

on the contrary

RobinsonnounUS /ˈrɑːbənsən/

English chemist noted for his studies of molecular structures in plants (1886-1975)

From this reading _December 20, 1778._ Mrs. Scott to Mrs. Robinson, Denton.—“...

ruffians

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

From this reading They are fit only for Sixteen-string Jack and his brother ruffians.

ScottnounUS /skɑːt/

award-winning United States film actor (1928-1999)

From this reading _December 20, 1778._ Mrs. Scott to Mrs. Robinson, Denton.—“...

setsnounUS /sets/

plural of “set” — a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used

shamenounUS /ʃeɪm/

a painful emotion resulting from an awareness of inadequacy or guilt

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Miss Coke is a most extraordinary character, and, in my opinion, a most contemptible one, though I suppose she thinks herself a heroine.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Such desperate spirits should not be clad in feminine bodies.

Sixteen-string

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

From this reading They are fit only for Sixteen-string Jack and his brother ruffians.

spiritsnounUS /ˈspɪrɪts/

an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented

From this reading Such desperate spirits should not be clad in feminine bodies.

SuchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Such desperate spirits should not be clad in feminine bodies.

supposeverbUS /səˈpoʊz/

express a supposition

From this reading Miss Coke is a most extraordinary character, and, in my opinion, a most contemptible one, though I suppose she thinks herself a heroine.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading They are fit only for Sixteen-string Jack and his brother ruffians.

thinksnounUS /θɪŋks/

plural of “think” — an instance of deliberate thinking

From this reading Miss Coke is a most extraordinary character, and, in my opinion, a most contemptible one, though I suppose she thinks herself a heroine.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Miss Coke is a most extraordinary character, and, in my opinion, a most contemptible one, though I suppose she thinks herself a heroine.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading _December 20, 1778._ Mrs. Scott to Mrs. Robinson, Denton.—“...

vicesnounUS /ˈvaɪsəz/

plural of “vice” — moral weakness

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

womannounUS /ˈwʊmən/

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

worldnounUS /wɜːrld/

everything that exists anywhere

wrongadjectiveUS /rɔːŋ/

not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth

Chapter 10 of A lady of the last century by Dr. (John) Doran holds 207 sentences, grouped into 42 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 10 of A lady of the last century contain?

Chapter 10 holds 207 sentences of A lady of the last century, unabridged, divided into 42 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 10 of A lady of the last century by Dr. (John) Doran exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 207 sentences, grouped into 42 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.

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Work through the 42 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

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Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 10 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.

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

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

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

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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.
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Chapter X

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