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A motley jest
A motley jest

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of A motley jest is here in full — 463 sentences across 93 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Oscar Fay Adams • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for A motley jest
Context Illustration Reading 1/92 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
AUTHOR OF “A DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN AUTHORS,” “THE STORY OF JANE AUSTEN’S LIFE,” “SICUT PATRIBUS AND OTHER VERSE,” ETC.; AMERICAN EDITOR OF THE HENRY IRVING SHAKESPEARE, ETC.
The Sixth Act of _The Merchant of Venice_ was first printed in the _Cornhill Booklet_ for March, 1903.
The _Shakespearean Fantasy_ now appears for the first time in print.
_An island in the Middle Seas.
A cave is seen on the right and before it, under a palm tree_, CALIBAN _is discovered sleeping_.
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 motley jest

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of A motley jest is here in full — 463 sentences across 93 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/92 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
AUTHOR OF “A DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN AUTHORS,” “THE STORY OF JANE AUSTEN’S LIFE,” “SICUT PATRIBUS AND OTHER VERSE,” ETC.; AMERICAN EDITOR OF THE HENRY IRVING SHAKESPEARE, ETC.
Line 2
The Sixth Act of _The Merchant of Venice_ was first printed in the _Cornhill Booklet_ for March, 1903.
Line 3
The _Shakespearean Fantasy_ now appears for the first time in print.
/ðə ˌʃeɪkˈspɪriən ˈfæntəsi naʊ əˈpɪrz fɔːr ðə fɜːrst taɪm ɪn prɪnt/
Line 4
_An island in the Middle Seas.
/æn ˈaɪlənd ɪn ðə ˈmɪdəl siːz/
Line 5
A cave is seen on the right and before it, under a palm tree_, CALIBAN _is discovered sleeping_.

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.

austen's noun US /ˈɔːstɪnz/

possessive form of “austen” — English novelist noted for her insightful portrayals of middle-class families (1775-1817)

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Booklet noun US /ˈbʊklɪt/

a small book usually having a paper cover

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
dictionary noun US /ˈdɪkʃəneri/

a reference book containing an alphabetical list of words with information about them

From this reading “AUTHOR OF “A DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN AUTHORS,” “THE STORY OF JANE AUSTEN’S LIFE,” “SICUT PATRIBUS AND OTHER VERSE,” ETC.; AMERICAN EDITOR OF THE HENRY IRVING SHAKESPEARE, ETC.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Fantasy noun US /ˈfæntəsi/

imagination unrestricted by reality

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
irving noun US /ˈɜːrvɪŋ/

United States writer remembered for his stories (1783-1859)

From this reading “AUTHOR OF “A DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN AUTHORS,” “THE STORY OF JANE AUSTEN’S LIFE,” “SICUT PATRIBUS AND OTHER VERSE,” ETC.; AMERICAN EDITOR OF THE HENRY IRVING SHAKESPEARE, ETC.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Shakespearean noun US /ˌʃeɪkˈspɪriən/

a Shakespearean scholar

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Sixth adjective US /sɪksθ/

coming next after the fifth and just before the seventh in position

From this reading “The Sixth Act of _The Merchant of Venice_ was first printed in the _Cornhill Booklet_ for March, 1903.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Venice noun US /ˈvenəs/

the provincial capital of Veneto; built on 118 islands within a lagoon in the Gulf of Venice; has canals instead of streets; one of Italy's major ports and a famous tourist attraction

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.

palm tree noun + noun

any plant of the family Palmae having an unbranched trunk crowned by large pinnate or palmate leaves

In this reading “A cave is seen on the right and before it, under a palm tree_, CALIBAN _is discovered sleeping_.”

1,263 times in 426,211 chapters
first time adjective + noun

In this reading “The _Shakespearean Fantasy_ now appears for the first time in print.”

71,417 times in 426,211 chapters
in the Middle preposition + article + noun counted as “in … middle”

In this reading “_An island in the Middle Seas.”

40,811 times in 426,211 chapters
under a palm preposition + article + noun counted as “under … palm”

In this reading “A cave is seen on the right and before it, under a palm tree_, CALIBAN _is discovered sleeping_.”

277 times in 426,211 chapters
Act of verb + particle

In this reading “The Sixth Act of _The Merchant of Venice_ was first printed in the _Cornhill Booklet_ for March, 1903.”

28,018 times in 426,211 chapters

All words in this reading · 57

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.

1903

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

From this reading The Sixth Act of _The Merchant of Venice_ was first printed in the _Cornhill Booklet_ for March, 1903.

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 AUTHOR OF “A DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN AUTHORS,” “THE STORY OF JANE AUSTEN’S LIFE,” “SICUT PATRIBUS AND OTHER VERSE,” ETC.; AMERICAN EDITOR OF THE HENRY IRVING SHAKESPEARE, ETC.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ActverbUS /ækt/

perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading The Sixth Act of _The Merchant of Venice_ was first printed in the _Cornhill Booklet_ for March, 1903.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
AMERICANnounUS /əˈmerəkən/

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading AUTHOR OF “A DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN AUTHORS,” “THE STORY OF JANE AUSTEN’S LIFE,” “SICUT PATRIBUS AND OTHER VERSE,” ETC.; AMERICAN EDITOR OF THE HENRY IRVING SHAKESPEARE, ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
AndeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading _An island in the Middle Seas.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF “A DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN AUTHORS,” “THE STORY OF JANE AUSTEN’S LIFE,” “SICUT PATRIBUS AND OTHER VERSE,” ETC.; AMERICAN EDITOR OF THE HENRY IRVING SHAKESPEARE, ETC.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
appearsverbUS /əˈpɪrz/

third-person singular of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The _Shakespearean Fantasy_ now appears for the first time in print.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
AUSTEN'SnounUS /ˈɔːstɪnz/

possessive form of “austen” — English novelist noted for her insightful portrayals of middle-class families (1775-1817)

From this reading AUTHOR OF “A DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN AUTHORS,” “THE STORY OF JANE AUSTEN’S LIFE,” “SICUT PATRIBUS AND OTHER VERSE,” ETC.; AMERICAN EDITOR OF THE HENRY IRVING SHAKESPEARE, ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
AUTHORnounUS /ˈɔːθər/

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading AUTHOR OF “A DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN AUTHORS,” “THE STORY OF JANE AUSTEN’S LIFE,” “SICUT PATRIBUS AND OTHER VERSE,” ETC.; AMERICAN EDITOR OF THE HENRY IRVING SHAKESPEARE, ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
AUTHORSnounUS /ˈɔːθərz/

plural of “author” — writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading AUTHOR OF “A DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN AUTHORS,” “THE STORY OF JANE AUSTEN’S LIFE,” “SICUT PATRIBUS AND OTHER VERSE,” ETC.; AMERICAN EDITOR OF THE HENRY IRVING SHAKESPEARE, ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading A cave is seen on the right and before it, under a palm tree_, CALIBAN _is discovered sleeping_.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
BookletnounUS /ˈbʊklɪt/

a small book usually having a paper cover

From this reading The Sixth Act of _The Merchant of Venice_ was first printed in the _Cornhill Booklet_ for March, 1903.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
CALIBAN

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

From this reading A cave is seen on the right and before it, under a palm tree_, CALIBAN _is discovered sleeping_.

Pending verification
cavenounUS /keɪv/

a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea

From this reading A cave is seen on the right and before it, under a palm tree_, CALIBAN _is discovered sleeping_.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Cornhill

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

From this reading The Sixth Act of _The Merchant of Venice_ was first printed in the _Cornhill Booklet_ for March, 1903.

Pending verification
DICTIONARYnounUS /ˈdɪkʃəneri/

a reference book containing an alphabetical list of words with information about them

From this reading AUTHOR OF “A DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN AUTHORS,” “THE STORY OF JANE AUSTEN’S LIFE,” “SICUT PATRIBUS AND OTHER VERSE,” ETC.; AMERICAN EDITOR OF THE HENRY IRVING SHAKESPEARE, ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
discoveredadjectiveUS /dɪˈskʌvərd/

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading A cave is seen on the right and before it, under a palm tree_, CALIBAN _is discovered sleeping_.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
EDITORnounUS /ˈedətər/

a person responsible for the editorial aspects of publication; the person who determines the final content of a text (especially of a newspaper or magazine)

From this reading AUTHOR OF “A DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN AUTHORS,” “THE STORY OF JANE AUSTEN’S LIFE,” “SICUT PATRIBUS AND OTHER VERSE,” ETC.; AMERICAN EDITOR OF THE HENRY IRVING SHAKESPEARE, ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ETC

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF “A DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN AUTHORS,” “THE STORY OF JANE AUSTEN’S LIFE,” “SICUT PATRIBUS AND OTHER VERSE,” ETC.; AMERICAN EDITOR OF THE HENRY IRVING SHAKESPEARE, ETC.

Pending verification
FantasynounUS /ˈfæntəsi/

imagination unrestricted by reality

From this reading The _Shakespearean Fantasy_ now appears for the first time in print.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The Sixth Act of _The Merchant of Venice_ was first printed in the _Cornhill Booklet_ for March, 1903.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The Sixth Act of _The Merchant of Venice_ was first printed in the _Cornhill Booklet_ for March, 1903.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
HENRYnounUS /ˈhenri/

a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second

From this reading AUTHOR OF “A DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN AUTHORS,” “THE STORY OF JANE AUSTEN’S LIFE,” “SICUT PATRIBUS AND OTHER VERSE,” ETC.; AMERICAN EDITOR OF THE HENRY IRVING SHAKESPEARE, ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The Sixth Act of _The Merchant of Venice_ was first printed in the _Cornhill Booklet_ for March, 1903.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
IRVINGnounUS /ˈɜːrvɪŋ/

United States writer remembered for his stories (1783-1859)

From this reading AUTHOR OF “A DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN AUTHORS,” “THE STORY OF JANE AUSTEN’S LIFE,” “SICUT PATRIBUS AND OTHER VERSE,” ETC.; AMERICAN EDITOR OF THE HENRY IRVING SHAKESPEARE, ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading A cave is seen on the right and before it, under a palm tree_, CALIBAN _is discovered sleeping_.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
islandnounUS /ˈaɪlənd/

a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water

From this reading _An island in the Middle Seas.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A cave is seen on the right and before it, under a palm tree_, CALIBAN _is discovered sleeping_.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
JANE

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF “A DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN AUTHORS,” “THE STORY OF JANE AUSTEN’S LIFE,” “SICUT PATRIBUS AND OTHER VERSE,” ETC.; AMERICAN EDITOR OF THE HENRY IRVING SHAKESPEARE, ETC.

Pending verification
LIFEnounUS /laɪf/

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading AUTHOR OF “A DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN AUTHORS,” “THE STORY OF JANE AUSTEN’S LIFE,” “SICUT PATRIBUS AND OTHER VERSE,” ETC.; AMERICAN EDITOR OF THE HENRY IRVING SHAKESPEARE, ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MarchverbUS /mɑːrtʃ/

march in a procession

From this reading The Sixth Act of _The Merchant of Venice_ was first printed in the _Cornhill Booklet_ for March, 1903.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MerchantnounUS /ˈmɜːr.tʃənt/

A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.

From this reading The Sixth Act of _The Merchant of Venice_ was first printed in the _Cornhill Booklet_ for March, 1903.

Velmora curated lexicon
MiddlenounUS /ˈmɪdəl/

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading _An island in the Middle Seas.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
nowadverbUS /naʊ/

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading The _Shakespearean Fantasy_ now appears for the first time in print.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AUTHOR OF “A DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN AUTHORS,” “THE STORY OF JANE AUSTEN’S LIFE,” “SICUT PATRIBUS AND OTHER VERSE,” ETC.; AMERICAN EDITOR OF THE HENRY IRVING SHAKESPEARE, ETC.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A cave is seen on the right and before it, under a palm tree_, CALIBAN _is discovered sleeping_.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
OTHERadjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading AUTHOR OF “A DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN AUTHORS,” “THE STORY OF JANE AUSTEN’S LIFE,” “SICUT PATRIBUS AND OTHER VERSE,” ETC.; AMERICAN EDITOR OF THE HENRY IRVING SHAKESPEARE, ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
palmnounUS /pɑːm/

the inner surface of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers

From this reading A cave is seen on the right and before it, under a palm tree_, CALIBAN _is discovered sleeping_.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
PATRIBUS

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF “A DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN AUTHORS,” “THE STORY OF JANE AUSTEN’S LIFE,” “SICUT PATRIBUS AND OTHER VERSE,” ETC.; AMERICAN EDITOR OF THE HENRY IRVING SHAKESPEARE, ETC.

Pending verification
printnounUS /prɪnt/

the text appearing in a book, newspaper, or other printed publication

From this reading The _Shakespearean Fantasy_ now appears for the first time in print.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
printedverbUS /ˈprɪntɪd/

past form of “print” — put into print

From this reading The Sixth Act of _The Merchant of Venice_ was first printed in the _Cornhill Booklet_ for March, 1903.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
rightadverbUS /raɪt/

precisely, exactly

From this reading A cave is seen on the right and before it, under a palm tree_, CALIBAN _is discovered sleeping_.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SeasnounUS /siːz/

plural of “sea” — a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading _An island in the Middle Seas.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
seenverbUS /siːn/

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading A cave is seen on the right and before it, under a palm tree_, CALIBAN _is discovered sleeping_.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SHAKESPEAREnounUS /ˈʃeɪkspiːr/

English poet and dramatist considered one of the greatest English writers (1564-1616)

From this reading AUTHOR OF “A DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN AUTHORS,” “THE STORY OF JANE AUSTEN’S LIFE,” “SICUT PATRIBUS AND OTHER VERSE,” ETC.; AMERICAN EDITOR OF THE HENRY IRVING SHAKESPEARE, ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ShakespeareannounUS /ˌʃeɪkˈspɪriən/

a Shakespearean scholar

From this reading The _Shakespearean Fantasy_ now appears for the first time in print.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SICUT

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF “A DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN AUTHORS,” “THE STORY OF JANE AUSTEN’S LIFE,” “SICUT PATRIBUS AND OTHER VERSE,” ETC.; AMERICAN EDITOR OF THE HENRY IRVING SHAKESPEARE, ETC.

Pending verification
SixthadjectiveUS /sɪksθ/

coming next after the fifth and just before the seventh in position

From this reading The Sixth Act of _The Merchant of Venice_ was first printed in the _Cornhill Booklet_ for March, 1903.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sleepingnounUS /ˈsliːpɪŋ/

the state of being asleep

From this reading A cave is seen on the right and before it, under a palm tree_, CALIBAN _is discovered sleeping_.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
STORYnounUS /ˈstɔːri/

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading AUTHOR OF “A DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN AUTHORS,” “THE STORY OF JANE AUSTEN’S LIFE,” “SICUT PATRIBUS AND OTHER VERSE,” ETC.; AMERICAN EDITOR OF THE HENRY IRVING SHAKESPEARE, ETC.

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 AUTHOR OF “A DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN AUTHORS,” “THE STORY OF JANE AUSTEN’S LIFE,” “SICUT PATRIBUS AND OTHER VERSE,” ETC.; AMERICAN EDITOR OF THE HENRY IRVING SHAKESPEARE, ETC.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The _Shakespearean Fantasy_ now appears for the first time in print.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
treenounUS /triː/

a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading A cave is seen on the right and before it, under a palm tree_, CALIBAN _is discovered sleeping_.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading A cave is seen on the right and before it, under a palm tree_, CALIBAN _is discovered sleeping_.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
VenicenounUS /ˈvenəs/

the provincial capital of Veneto; built on 118 islands within a lagoon in the Gulf of Venice; has canals instead of streets; one of Italy's major ports and a famous tourist attraction

From this reading The Sixth Act of _The Merchant of Venice_ was first printed in the _Cornhill Booklet_ for March, 1903.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
VERSEnounUS /vɜːrs/

literature in metrical form

From this reading AUTHOR OF “A DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN AUTHORS,” “THE STORY OF JANE AUSTEN’S LIFE,” “SICUT PATRIBUS AND OTHER VERSE,” ETC.; AMERICAN EDITOR OF THE HENRY IRVING SHAKESPEARE, ETC.

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 The Sixth Act of _The Merchant of Venice_ was first printed in the _Cornhill Booklet_ for March, 1903.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

Chapter 1 of A motley jest by Oscar Fay Adams holds 463 sentences, grouped into 93 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 motley jest contain?

Chapter 1 holds 463 sentences of A motley jest, unabridged, divided into 93 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of A motley jest by Oscar Fay Adams exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 463 sentences, grouped into 93 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 motley jest?

Work through the 93 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 93 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 motley jest

Common questions about reading A motley jest by Oscar Fay Adams on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of A motley jest?

Yes. All 924 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #72515 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of A motley jest is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #72515, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does A motley jest take to read?

About 77 minutes of reading across 185 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read A motley jest section by section

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  3. Listen and tap

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Vocabulary met early in A motley jest

Words and structures a reader meets early in A motley jest, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Author
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A motley jest; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Dictionary
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A motley jest; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
American
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A motley jest; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Authors
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A motley jest; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.