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A Poached Peerage
A Poached Peerage

Chapter XI

Chapter 11 of A Poached Peerage is here in full — 265 sentences across 53 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for A Poached Peerage
Context Illustration Reading 1/53 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"I don't quite see ourselves bluffing all and sundry that you are Lord Quorn," Peckover said doubtfully, as they finished the bottle.
"My good sir," replied Gage, "I don't see how we can help taking them in if we make up our minds to do it.
Just think; what man is there alive who could really, logically prove his own identity if he were put to it.
Not one of us.
We are just accepted by the world as William White and Henry Black, John Thompson or Thomas Johnson; and in most cases correctly so.
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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.

A Poached Peerage

Chapter XI

Chapter 11 of A Poached Peerage is here in full — 265 sentences across 53 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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

Line 1
"I don't quite see ourselves bluffing all and sundry that you are Lord Quorn," Peckover said doubtfully, as they finished the bottle.
Line 2
"My good sir," replied Gage, "I don't see how we can help taking them in if we make up our minds to do it.
Line 3
Just think; what man is there alive who could really, logically prove his own identity if he were put to it.
/dʒʌst θɪŋk wʌt mæn ɪz ðer əˈlaɪv huː kʊd ˈrɪli ˈlɑːdʒɪkli pruːv hɪz oʊn aɪˈdentɪtiː ɪf hiː wɜːr pʊt tuː ɪt/
Line 4
Not one of us.
/nɑːt wʌn ʌv ʌs/
Line 5
We are just accepted by the world as William White and Henry Black, John Thompson or Thomas Johnson; and in most cases correctly so.

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.

bluffing verb US /ˈblʌfɪŋ/

-ing form of “bluff” — deceive an opponent by a bold bet on an inferior hand with the result that the opponent withdraws a winning hand

From this reading “"I don't quite see ourselves bluffing all and sundry that you are Lord Quorn," Peckover said doubtfully, as they finished the bottle.”

correctly adverb US /kərˈektli/

in an accurate manner

From this reading “We are just accepted by the world as William White and Henry Black, John Thompson or Thomas Johnson; and in most cases correctly so.”

Gage noun US /ɡeɪdʒ/

street names for marijuana

From this reading “"My good sir," replied Gage, "I don't see how we can help taking them in if we make up our minds to do it.”

identity noun US /aɪˈdentɪtiː/

the distinct personality of an individual regarded as a persisting entity

From this reading “Just think; what man is there alive who could really, logically prove his own identity if he were put to it.”

Johnson noun US /ˈdʒɑːnsən/

English writer and lexicographer (1709-1784)

From this reading “We are just accepted by the world as William White and Henry Black, John Thompson or Thomas Johnson; and in most cases correctly so.”

logically adverb US /ˈlɑːdʒɪkli/

according to logical reasoning

From this reading “Just think; what man is there alive who could really, logically prove his own identity if he were put to it.”

sundry adjective US /ˈsʌndri/

consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds

From this reading “"I don't quite see ourselves bluffing all and sundry that you are Lord Quorn," Peckover said doubtfully, as they finished the bottle.”

Thompson noun US /ˈtɑːmpsən/

United States classical archaeologist (born in Canada) noted for leading the excavation of the Athenian agora (1906-2000)

From this reading “We are just accepted by the world as William White and Henry Black, John Thompson or Thomas Johnson; and in most cases correctly so.”

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.

own identity verb + noun

In this reading “Just think; what man is there alive who could really, logically prove his own identity if he were put to it.”

make up verb + adjective

form or compose

In this reading “"My good sir," replied Gage, "I don't see how we can help taking them in if we make up our minds to do it.”

good sir adjective + noun

In this reading “"My good sir," replied Gage, "I don't see how we can help taking them in if we make up our minds to do it.”

All words in this reading · 80

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.

acceptedadjectiveUS /ækˈseptɪd/

generally approved or compelling recognition

From this reading We are just accepted by the world as William White and Henry Black, John Thompson or Thomas Johnson; and in most cases correctly so.

aliveadjectiveUS /əˈlaɪv/

possessing life

From this reading Just think; what man is there alive who could really, logically prove his own identity if he were put to it.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading "I don't quite see ourselves bluffing all and sundry that you are Lord Quorn," Peckover said doubtfully, as they finished the bottle.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading "I don't quite see ourselves bluffing all and sundry that you are Lord Quorn," Peckover said doubtfully, as they finished the bottle.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading "I don't quite see ourselves bluffing all and sundry that you are Lord Quorn," Peckover said doubtfully, as they finished the bottle.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading "I don't quite see ourselves bluffing all and sundry that you are Lord Quorn," Peckover said doubtfully, as they finished the bottle.

BlackadjectiveUS /blæk/

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading We are just accepted by the world as William White and Henry Black, John Thompson or Thomas Johnson; and in most cases correctly so.

bluffingverbUS /ˈblʌfɪŋ/

-ing form of “bluff” — deceive an opponent by a bold bet on an inferior hand with the result that the opponent withdraws a winning hand

From this reading "I don't quite see ourselves bluffing all and sundry that you are Lord Quorn," Peckover said doubtfully, as they finished the bottle.

bottlenounUS /ˈbɑːtəl/

a glass or plastic vessel used for storing drinks or other liquids; typically cylindrical without handles and with a narrow neck that can be plugged or capped

From this reading "I don't quite see ourselves bluffing all and sundry that you are Lord Quorn," Peckover said doubtfully, as they finished the bottle.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading We are just accepted by the world as William White and Henry Black, John Thompson or Thomas Johnson; and in most cases correctly so.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading "My good sir," replied Gage, "I don't see how we can help taking them in if we make up our minds to do it.

casesnounUS /ˈkeɪsəz/

plural of “case” — an occurrence of something

From this reading We are just accepted by the world as William White and Henry Black, John Thompson or Thomas Johnson; and in most cases correctly so.

correctlyadverbUS /kərˈektli/

in an accurate manner

From this reading We are just accepted by the world as William White and Henry Black, John Thompson or Thomas Johnson; and in most cases correctly so.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading Just think; what man is there alive who could really, logically prove his own identity if he were put to it.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "My good sir," replied Gage, "I don't see how we can help taking them in if we make up our minds to do it.

don't

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

From this reading "I don't quite see ourselves bluffing all and sundry that you are Lord Quorn," Peckover said doubtfully, as they finished the bottle.

doubtfullyadverb

in a doubtful manner

From this reading "I don't quite see ourselves bluffing all and sundry that you are Lord Quorn," Peckover said doubtfully, as they finished the bottle.

finishedadjectiveUS /ˈfɪnɪʃt/

(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state

From this reading "I don't quite see ourselves bluffing all and sundry that you are Lord Quorn," Peckover said doubtfully, as they finished the bottle.

GagenounUS /ɡeɪdʒ/

street names for marijuana

From this reading "My good sir," replied Gage, "I don't see how we can help taking them in if we make up our minds to do it.

goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading "My good sir," replied Gage, "I don't see how we can help taking them in if we make up our minds to do it.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Just think; what man is there alive who could really, logically prove his own identity if he were put to it.

helpverbUS /help/

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading "My good sir," replied Gage, "I don't see how we can help taking them in if we make up our minds to do it.

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 We are just accepted by the world as William White and Henry Black, John Thompson or Thomas Johnson; and in most cases correctly so.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Just think; what man is there alive who could really, logically prove his own identity if he were put to it.

how

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

From this reading "My good sir," replied Gage, "I don't see how we can help taking them in if we make up our minds to do it.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "I don't quite see ourselves bluffing all and sundry that you are Lord Quorn," Peckover said doubtfully, as they finished the bottle.

identitynounUS /aɪˈdentɪtiː/

the distinct personality of an individual regarded as a persisting entity

From this reading Just think; what man is there alive who could really, logically prove his own identity if he were put to it.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "My good sir," replied Gage, "I don't see how we can help taking them in if we make up our minds to do it.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "My good sir," replied Gage, "I don't see how we can help taking them in if we make up our minds to do it.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Just think; what man is there alive who could really, logically prove his own identity if he were put to it.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "My good sir," replied Gage, "I don't see how we can help taking them in if we make up our minds to do it.

JohnnounUS /dʒɑːn/

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading We are just accepted by the world as William White and Henry Black, John Thompson or Thomas Johnson; and in most cases correctly so.

JohnsonnounUS /ˈdʒɑːnsən/

English writer and lexicographer (1709-1784)

From this reading We are just accepted by the world as William White and Henry Black, John Thompson or Thomas Johnson; and in most cases correctly so.

JustadverbUS /dʒʌst/

and nothing more

From this reading Just think; what man is there alive who could really, logically prove his own identity if he were put to it.

logicallyadverbUS /ˈlɑːdʒɪkli/

according to logical reasoning

From this reading Just think; what man is there alive who could really, logically prove his own identity if he were put to it.

LordnounUS /lɔːrd/

terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God

From this reading "I don't quite see ourselves bluffing all and sundry that you are Lord Quorn," Peckover said doubtfully, as they finished the bottle.

makeverbUS /meɪk/

engage in

From this reading "My good sir," replied Gage, "I don't see how we can help taking them in if we make up our minds to do it.

mannounUS /mæn/

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Just think; what man is there alive who could really, logically prove his own identity if he were put to it.

mindsnounUS /maɪndz/

plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason

From this reading "My good sir," replied Gage, "I don't see how we can help taking them in if we make up our minds to do it.

mostadverbUS /moʊst/

used to form the superlative

From this reading We are just accepted by the world as William White and Henry Black, John Thompson or Thomas Johnson; and in most cases correctly so.

MydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "My good sir," replied Gage, "I don't see how we can help taking them in if we make up our minds to do it.

NotadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Not one of us.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Not one of us.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Not one of us.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading We are just accepted by the world as William White and Henry Black, John Thompson or Thomas Johnson; and in most cases correctly so.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading "My good sir," replied Gage, "I don't see how we can help taking them in if we make up our minds to do it.

ourselvespronounUS /aʊərˈselvz/

used when we are both doing the action and receiving it

From this reading "I don't quite see ourselves bluffing all and sundry that you are Lord Quorn," Peckover said doubtfully, as they finished the bottle.

ownverbUS /oʊn/

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Just think; what man is there alive who could really, logically prove his own identity if he were put to it.

Peckover

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

From this reading "I don't quite see ourselves bluffing all and sundry that you are Lord Quorn," Peckover said doubtfully, as they finished the bottle.

proveverbUS /pruːv/

be shown or be found to be

From this reading Just think; what man is there alive who could really, logically prove his own identity if he were put to it.

putverbUS /pʊt/

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Just think; what man is there alive who could really, logically prove his own identity if he were put to it.

quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading "I don't quite see ourselves bluffing all and sundry that you are Lord Quorn," Peckover said doubtfully, as they finished the bottle.

Quorn

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

From this reading "I don't quite see ourselves bluffing all and sundry that you are Lord Quorn," Peckover said doubtfully, as they finished the bottle.

reallyadverbUS /ˈrɪli/

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading Just think; what man is there alive who could really, logically prove his own identity if he were put to it.

repliedverbUS /rɪˈplaɪd/

inflected form of “reply” — react verbally

From this reading "My good sir," replied Gage, "I don't see how we can help taking them in if we make up our minds to do it.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "I don't quite see ourselves bluffing all and sundry that you are Lord Quorn," Peckover said doubtfully, as they finished the bottle.

seeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading "I don't quite see ourselves bluffing all and sundry that you are Lord Quorn," Peckover said doubtfully, as they finished the bottle.

sirnounUS /sɜːr/

term of address for a man

From this reading "My good sir," replied Gage, "I don't see how we can help taking them in if we make up our minds to do it.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading We are just accepted by the world as William White and Henry Black, John Thompson or Thomas Johnson; and in most cases correctly so.

sundryadjectiveUS /ˈsʌndri/

consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds

From this reading "I don't quite see ourselves bluffing all and sundry that you are Lord Quorn," Peckover said doubtfully, as they finished the bottle.

takingnounUS /ˈteɪkɪŋ/

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading "My good sir," replied Gage, "I don't see how we can help taking them in if we make up our minds to do it.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "I don't quite see ourselves bluffing all and sundry that you are Lord Quorn," Peckover said doubtfully, as they finished the bottle.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading "I don't quite see ourselves bluffing all and sundry that you are Lord Quorn," Peckover said doubtfully, as they finished the bottle.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading "My good sir," replied Gage, "I don't see how we can help taking them in if we make up our minds to do it.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading Just think; what man is there alive who could really, logically prove his own identity if he were put to it.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading "I don't quite see ourselves bluffing all and sundry that you are Lord Quorn," Peckover said doubtfully, as they finished the bottle.

thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading Just think; what man is there alive who could really, logically prove his own identity if he were put to it.

ThomasnounUS /ˈtɑːməs/

United States clockmaker who introduced mass production (1785-1859)

From this reading We are just accepted by the world as William White and Henry Black, John Thompson or Thomas Johnson; and in most cases correctly so.

ThompsonnounUS /ˈtɑːmpsən/

United States classical archaeologist (born in Canada) noted for leading the excavation of the Athenian agora (1906-2000)

From this reading We are just accepted by the world as William White and Henry Black, John Thompson or Thomas Johnson; and in most cases correctly so.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "My good sir," replied Gage, "I don't see how we can help taking them in if we make up our minds to do it.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading "My good sir," replied Gage, "I don't see how we can help taking them in if we make up our minds to do it.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Not one of us.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "My good sir," replied Gage, "I don't see how we can help taking them in if we make up our minds to do it.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Just think; what man is there alive who could really, logically prove his own identity if he were put to it.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Just think; what man is there alive who could really, logically prove his own identity if he were put to it.

WhitenounUS /waɪt/

a Caucasian

From this reading We are just accepted by the world as William White and Henry Black, John Thompson or Thomas Johnson; and in most cases correctly so.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Just think; what man is there alive who could really, logically prove his own identity if he were put to it.

William

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

From this reading We are just accepted by the world as William White and Henry Black, John Thompson or Thomas Johnson; and in most cases correctly so.

worldnounUS /wɜːrld/

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading We are just accepted by the world as William White and Henry Black, John Thompson or Thomas Johnson; and in most cases correctly so.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "I don't quite see ourselves bluffing all and sundry that you are Lord Quorn," Peckover said doubtfully, as they finished the bottle.

Chapter 11 of A Poached Peerage by William, Sir Magnay holds 265 sentences, grouped into 53 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 11 of A Poached Peerage contain?

Chapter 11 holds 265 sentences of A Poached Peerage, unabridged, divided into 53 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 11 of A Poached Peerage by William, Sir Magnay exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 265 sentences, grouped into 53 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 11 of A Poached Peerage?

Work through the 53 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 53 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 11 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 11 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 Poached Peerage

Common questions about reading A Poached Peerage by William, Sir Magnay on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of A Poached Peerage?

Yes. All 5783 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #34088 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of A Poached Peerage is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #34088, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does A Poached Peerage take to read?

About 481 minutes of reading across 1157 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read A Poached Peerage section by section

How to work through A Poached Peerage section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 40 chapters of A Poached Peerage 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 Poached Peerage

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

William
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Poached Peerage; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Magnay
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Poached Peerage; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Author
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Poached Peerage; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Fauconberg
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Poached Peerage; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.