Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
1783
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From this reading THE TENTATIVE PERIOD WASHINGTON IRVING 1783–1859 For a discussion of Irving in general, and of _Rip Van Winkle_ in particular, see pages 6–9 of the Introduction.
1819
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From this reading The text is that of the first edition (1819).
1859
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From this reading THE TENTATIVE PERIOD WASHINGTON IRVING 1783–1859 For a discussion of Irving in general, and of _Rip Van Winkle_ in particular, see pages 6–9 of the Introduction.
6
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From this reading THE TENTATIVE PERIOD WASHINGTON IRVING 1783–1859 For a discussion of Irving in general, and of _Rip Van Winkle_ in particular, see pages 6–9 of the Introduction.
9
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From this reading THE TENTATIVE PERIOD WASHINGTON IRVING 1783–1859 For a discussion of Irving in general, and of _Rip Van Winkle_ in particular, see pages 6–9 of the Introduction.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE TENTATIVE PERIOD WASHINGTON IRVING 1783–1859 For a discussion of Irving in general, and of _Rip Van Winkle_ in particular, see pages 6–9 of the Introduction.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The pseudo-documentary notes before and after the tale show incidentally the strong contemporary influence of Scott.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading (The following tale was found among the papers of the late Diedrich Knickerbocker, an old gentleman of New York, who was very curious in the Dutch history of the province, and the manners of the descendants from its primitive settlers.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading (The following tale was found among the papers of the late Diedrich Knickerbocker, an old gentleman of New York, who was very curious in the Dutch history of the province, and the manners of the descendants from its primitive settlers.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE TENTATIVE PERIOD WASHINGTON IRVING 1783–1859 For a discussion of Irving in general, and of _Rip Van Winkle_ in particular, see pages 6–9 of the Introduction.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His historical researches, however, did not lie so much among books as among men; for the former are lamentably scanty on his favourite topics; whereas he found the old burghers, and still more their wives, rich in that legendary lore so invaluable to true history.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading His historical researches, however, did not lie so much among books as among men; for the former are lamentably scanty on his favourite topics; whereas he found the old burghers, and still more their wives, rich in that legendary lore so invaluable to true history.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The pseudo-documentary notes before and after the tale show incidentally the strong contemporary influence of Scott.
booksnounUS /bʊks/
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading His historical researches, however, did not lie so much among books as among men; for the former are lamentably scanty on his favourite topics; whereas he found the old burghers, and still more their wives, rich in that legendary lore so invaluable to true history.
burghers
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From this reading His historical researches, however, did not lie so much among books as among men; for the former are lamentably scanty on his favourite topics; whereas he found the old burghers, and still more their wives, rich in that legendary lore so invaluable to true history.
contemporary
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From this reading The pseudo-documentary notes before and after the tale show incidentally the strong contemporary influence of Scott.
curious
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From this reading (The following tale was found among the papers of the late Diedrich Knickerbocker, an old gentleman of New York, who was very curious in the Dutch history of the province, and the manners of the descendants from its primitive settlers.
descendants
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From this reading (The following tale was found among the papers of the late Diedrich Knickerbocker, an old gentleman of New York, who was very curious in the Dutch history of the province, and the manners of the descendants from its primitive settlers.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading His historical researches, however, did not lie so much among books as among men; for the former are lamentably scanty on his favourite topics; whereas he found the old burghers, and still more their wives, rich in that legendary lore so invaluable to true history.
Diedrich
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From this reading (The following tale was found among the papers of the late Diedrich Knickerbocker, an old gentleman of New York, who was very curious in the Dutch history of the province, and the manners of the descendants from its primitive settlers.
discussion
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From this reading THE TENTATIVE PERIOD WASHINGTON IRVING 1783–1859 For a discussion of Irving in general, and of _Rip Van Winkle_ in particular, see pages 6–9 of the Introduction.
Dutch
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From this reading (The following tale was found among the papers of the late Diedrich Knickerbocker, an old gentleman of New York, who was very curious in the Dutch history of the province, and the manners of the descendants from its primitive settlers.
edition
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From this reading The text is that of the first edition (1819).
favourite
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From this reading His historical researches, however, did not lie so much among books as among men; for the former are lamentably scanty on his favourite topics; whereas he found the old burghers, and still more their wives, rich in that legendary lore so invaluable to true history.
first
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From this reading The text is that of the first edition (1819).
following
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From this reading (The following tale was found among the papers of the late Diedrich Knickerbocker, an old gentleman of New York, who was very curious in the Dutch history of the province, and the manners of the descendants from its primitive settlers.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE TENTATIVE PERIOD WASHINGTON IRVING 1783–1859 For a discussion of Irving in general, and of _Rip Van Winkle_ in particular, see pages 6–9 of the Introduction.
former
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From this reading His historical researches, however, did not lie so much among books as among men; for the former are lamentably scanty on his favourite topics; whereas he found the old burghers, and still more their wives, rich in that legendary lore so invaluable to true history.
found
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From this reading (The following tale was found among the papers of the late Diedrich Knickerbocker, an old gentleman of New York, who was very curious in the Dutch history of the province, and the manners of the descendants from its primitive settlers.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading (The following tale was found among the papers of the late Diedrich Knickerbocker, an old gentleman of New York, who was very curious in the Dutch history of the province, and the manners of the descendants from its primitive settlers.
general
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From this reading THE TENTATIVE PERIOD WASHINGTON IRVING 1783–1859 For a discussion of Irving in general, and of _Rip Van Winkle_ in particular, see pages 6–9 of the Introduction.
gentleman
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From this reading (The following tale was found among the papers of the late Diedrich Knickerbocker, an old gentleman of New York, who was very curious in the Dutch history of the province, and the manners of the descendants from its primitive settlers.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His historical researches, however, did not lie so much among books as among men; for the former are lamentably scanty on his favourite topics; whereas he found the old burghers, and still more their wives, rich in that legendary lore so invaluable to true history.
HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His historical researches, however, did not lie so much among books as among men; for the former are lamentably scanty on his favourite topics; whereas he found the old burghers, and still more their wives, rich in that legendary lore so invaluable to true history.
historical
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From this reading His historical researches, however, did not lie so much among books as among men; for the former are lamentably scanty on his favourite topics; whereas he found the old burghers, and still more their wives, rich in that legendary lore so invaluable to true history.
history
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From this reading (The following tale was found among the papers of the late Diedrich Knickerbocker, an old gentleman of New York, who was very curious in the Dutch history of the province, and the manners of the descendants from its primitive settlers.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading His historical researches, however, did not lie so much among books as among men; for the former are lamentably scanty on his favourite topics; whereas he found the old burghers, and still more their wives, rich in that legendary lore so invaluable to true history.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE TENTATIVE PERIOD WASHINGTON IRVING 1783–1859 For a discussion of Irving in general, and of _Rip Van Winkle_ in particular, see pages 6–9 of the Introduction.
incidentally
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From this reading The pseudo-documentary notes before and after the tale show incidentally the strong contemporary influence of Scott.
influence
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From this reading The pseudo-documentary notes before and after the tale show incidentally the strong contemporary influence of Scott.
Introduction
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From this reading THE TENTATIVE PERIOD WASHINGTON IRVING 1783–1859 For a discussion of Irving in general, and of _Rip Van Winkle_ in particular, see pages 6–9 of the Introduction.
invaluable
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From this reading His historical researches, however, did not lie so much among books as among men; for the former are lamentably scanty on his favourite topics; whereas he found the old burghers, and still more their wives, rich in that legendary lore so invaluable to true history.
IRVING
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From this reading THE TENTATIVE PERIOD WASHINGTON IRVING 1783–1859 For a discussion of Irving in general, and of _Rip Van Winkle_ in particular, see pages 6–9 of the Introduction.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The text is that of the first edition (1819).
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading (The following tale was found among the papers of the late Diedrich Knickerbocker, an old gentleman of New York, who was very curious in the Dutch history of the province, and the manners of the descendants from its primitive settlers.
Knickerbocker
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From this reading (The following tale was found among the papers of the late Diedrich Knickerbocker, an old gentleman of New York, who was very curious in the Dutch history of the province, and the manners of the descendants from its primitive settlers.
lamentably
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From this reading His historical researches, however, did not lie so much among books as among men; for the former are lamentably scanty on his favourite topics; whereas he found the old burghers, and still more their wives, rich in that legendary lore so invaluable to true history.
late
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From this reading (The following tale was found among the papers of the late Diedrich Knickerbocker, an old gentleman of New York, who was very curious in the Dutch history of the province, and the manners of the descendants from its primitive settlers.
legendary
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From this reading His historical researches, however, did not lie so much among books as among men; for the former are lamentably scanty on his favourite topics; whereas he found the old burghers, and still more their wives, rich in that legendary lore so invaluable to true history.
lie
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From this reading His historical researches, however, did not lie so much among books as among men; for the former are lamentably scanty on his favourite topics; whereas he found the old burghers, and still more their wives, rich in that legendary lore so invaluable to true history.
lore
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From this reading His historical researches, however, did not lie so much among books as among men; for the former are lamentably scanty on his favourite topics; whereas he found the old burghers, and still more their wives, rich in that legendary lore so invaluable to true history.
manners
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From this reading (The following tale was found among the papers of the late Diedrich Knickerbocker, an old gentleman of New York, who was very curious in the Dutch history of the province, and the manners of the descendants from its primitive settlers.
men
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From this reading His historical researches, however, did not lie so much among books as among men; for the former are lamentably scanty on his favourite topics; whereas he found the old burghers, and still more their wives, rich in that legendary lore so invaluable to true history.
more
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From this reading His historical researches, however, did not lie so much among books as among men; for the former are lamentably scanty on his favourite topics; whereas he found the old burghers, and still more their wives, rich in that legendary lore so invaluable to true history.
much
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From this reading His historical researches, however, did not lie so much among books as among men; for the former are lamentably scanty on his favourite topics; whereas he found the old burghers, and still more their wives, rich in that legendary lore so invaluable to true history.
New
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From this reading (The following tale was found among the papers of the late Diedrich Knickerbocker, an old gentleman of New York, who was very curious in the Dutch history of the province, and the manners of the descendants from its primitive settlers.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading His historical researches, however, did not lie so much among books as among men; for the former are lamentably scanty on his favourite topics; whereas he found the old burghers, and still more their wives, rich in that legendary lore so invaluable to true history.
notes
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From this reading The pseudo-documentary notes before and after the tale show incidentally the strong contemporary influence of Scott.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE TENTATIVE PERIOD WASHINGTON IRVING 1783–1859 For a discussion of Irving in general, and of _Rip Van Winkle_ in particular, see pages 6–9 of the Introduction.
old
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From this reading (The following tale was found among the papers of the late Diedrich Knickerbocker, an old gentleman of New York, who was very curious in the Dutch history of the province, and the manners of the descendants from its primitive settlers.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading His historical researches, however, did not lie so much among books as among men; for the former are lamentably scanty on his favourite topics; whereas he found the old burghers, and still more their wives, rich in that legendary lore so invaluable to true history.
pages
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From this reading THE TENTATIVE PERIOD WASHINGTON IRVING 1783–1859 For a discussion of Irving in general, and of _Rip Van Winkle_ in particular, see pages 6–9 of the Introduction.
papers
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From this reading (The following tale was found among the papers of the late Diedrich Knickerbocker, an old gentleman of New York, who was very curious in the Dutch history of the province, and the manners of the descendants from its primitive settlers.
particular
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From this reading THE TENTATIVE PERIOD WASHINGTON IRVING 1783–1859 For a discussion of Irving in general, and of _Rip Van Winkle_ in particular, see pages 6–9 of the Introduction.
PERIOD
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From this reading THE TENTATIVE PERIOD WASHINGTON IRVING 1783–1859 For a discussion of Irving in general, and of _Rip Van Winkle_ in particular, see pages 6–9 of the Introduction.
primitive
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From this reading (The following tale was found among the papers of the late Diedrich Knickerbocker, an old gentleman of New York, who was very curious in the Dutch history of the province, and the manners of the descendants from its primitive settlers.
province
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From this reading (The following tale was found among the papers of the late Diedrich Knickerbocker, an old gentleman of New York, who was very curious in the Dutch history of the province, and the manners of the descendants from its primitive settlers.
pseudo-documentary
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From this reading The pseudo-documentary notes before and after the tale show incidentally the strong contemporary influence of Scott.
researches
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From this reading His historical researches, however, did not lie so much among books as among men; for the former are lamentably scanty on his favourite topics; whereas he found the old burghers, and still more their wives, rich in that legendary lore so invaluable to true history.
rich
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From this reading His historical researches, however, did not lie so much among books as among men; for the former are lamentably scanty on his favourite topics; whereas he found the old burghers, and still more their wives, rich in that legendary lore so invaluable to true history.
Rip
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From this reading THE TENTATIVE PERIOD WASHINGTON IRVING 1783–1859 For a discussion of Irving in general, and of _Rip Van Winkle_ in particular, see pages 6–9 of the Introduction.
scantyadjectiveUS /ˈskænti/
small or barely sufficient in amount
From this reading His historical researches, however, did not lie so much among books as among men; for the former are lamentably scanty on his favourite topics; whereas he found the old burghers, and still more their wives, rich in that legendary lore so invaluable to true history.
Scott
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From this reading The pseudo-documentary notes before and after the tale show incidentally the strong contemporary influence of Scott.
see
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From this reading THE TENTATIVE PERIOD WASHINGTON IRVING 1783–1859 For a discussion of Irving in general, and of _Rip Van Winkle_ in particular, see pages 6–9 of the Introduction.
settlers
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From this reading (The following tale was found among the papers of the late Diedrich Knickerbocker, an old gentleman of New York, who was very curious in the Dutch history of the province, and the manners of the descendants from its primitive settlers.
show
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From this reading The pseudo-documentary notes before and after the tale show incidentally the strong contemporary influence of Scott.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading His historical researches, however, did not lie so much among books as among men; for the former are lamentably scanty on his favourite topics; whereas he found the old burghers, and still more their wives, rich in that legendary lore so invaluable to true history.
still
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From this reading His historical researches, however, did not lie so much among books as among men; for the former are lamentably scanty on his favourite topics; whereas he found the old burghers, and still more their wives, rich in that legendary lore so invaluable to true history.
strong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pseudo-documentary notes before and after the tale show incidentally the strong contemporary influence of Scott.
tale
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From this reading The pseudo-documentary notes before and after the tale show incidentally the strong contemporary influence of Scott.
TENTATIVE
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From this reading THE TENTATIVE PERIOD WASHINGTON IRVING 1783–1859 For a discussion of Irving in general, and of _Rip Van Winkle_ in particular, see pages 6–9 of the Introduction.
text
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From this reading The text is that of the first edition (1819).
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The text is that of the first edition (1819).
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE TENTATIVE PERIOD WASHINGTON IRVING 1783–1859 For a discussion of Irving in general, and of _Rip Van Winkle_ in particular, see pages 6–9 of the Introduction.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading His historical researches, however, did not lie so much among books as among men; for the former are lamentably scanty on his favourite topics; whereas he found the old burghers, and still more their wives, rich in that legendary lore so invaluable to true history.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His historical researches, however, did not lie so much among books as among men; for the former are lamentably scanty on his favourite topics; whereas he found the old burghers, and still more their wives, rich in that legendary lore so invaluable to true history.
topics
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From this reading His historical researches, however, did not lie so much among books as among men; for the former are lamentably scanty on his favourite topics; whereas he found the old burghers, and still more their wives, rich in that legendary lore so invaluable to true history.
true
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From this reading His historical researches, however, did not lie so much among books as among men; for the former are lamentably scanty on his favourite topics; whereas he found the old burghers, and still more their wives, rich in that legendary lore so invaluable to true history.
Van
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From this reading THE TENTATIVE PERIOD WASHINGTON IRVING 1783–1859 For a discussion of Irving in general, and of _Rip Van Winkle_ in particular, see pages 6–9 of the Introduction.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading (The following tale was found among the papers of the late Diedrich Knickerbocker, an old gentleman of New York, who was very curious in the Dutch history of the province, and the manners of the descendants from its primitive settlers.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading (The following tale was found among the papers of the late Diedrich Knickerbocker, an old gentleman of New York, who was very curious in the Dutch history of the province, and the manners of the descendants from its primitive settlers.
WASHINGTON
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From this reading THE TENTATIVE PERIOD WASHINGTON IRVING 1783–1859 For a discussion of Irving in general, and of _Rip Van Winkle_ in particular, see pages 6–9 of the Introduction.
whereasconjunctionUS /weˈræz/
in contrast with the fact that
From this reading His historical researches, however, did not lie so much among books as among men; for the former are lamentably scanty on his favourite topics; whereas he found the old burghers, and still more their wives, rich in that legendary lore so invaluable to true history.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading (The following tale was found among the papers of the late Diedrich Knickerbocker, an old gentleman of New York, who was very curious in the Dutch history of the province, and the manners of the descendants from its primitive settlers.
Winkle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TENTATIVE PERIOD WASHINGTON IRVING 1783–1859 For a discussion of Irving in general, and of _Rip Van Winkle_ in particular, see pages 6–9 of the Introduction.
wives
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His historical researches, however, did not lie so much among books as among men; for the former are lamentably scanty on his favourite topics; whereas he found the old burghers, and still more their wives, rich in that legendary lore so invaluable to true history.
York
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading (The following tale was found among the papers of the late Diedrich Knickerbocker, an old gentleman of New York, who was very curious in the Dutch history of the province, and the manners of the descendants from its primitive settlers.
