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An Irishman's Difficulties with the Dutch Language
An Irishman's Difficulties with the Dutch Language

Chapter VI

Chapter 6 of An Irishman's Difficulties with the Dutch Language is here in full — 135 sentences across 27 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for An Irishman's Difficulties with the Dutch Language
Context Illustration Reading 1/27 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A WASH-LIST IN DUTCH.
HOE TO SELECT YOUR WORD.--ETYMOLOGY AN UNSAFE GUIDE.--COMMON-SENSE MISLEADING.--ZIE-BENEDEN.--THE KERCHIEF OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.--A WORK OF ART.--VOOR EEN HOND.--MOET MIJNHEER NAAR DE GEVANGENIS?--QUEEN ELIZABETH IS UNKNOWN.--DON'T REASON.
It was a day or two after the purchase of the pens and I was beginning to feel my zeal for Dutch returning, when the landlady entered the sitting-room and fired my enthusiasm.
She had a collar and a pocket-handkerchief in her hand; she waved them in the air and said "Voor de waschvrouw."
I caught the idea at once, banished the landlady, and sat down to make out a wash-list with the help of the dictionary and by the light of nature.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

An Irishman's Difficulties with the Dutch Language

Chapter VI

Chapter 6 of An Irishman's Difficulties with the Dutch Language is here in full — 135 sentences across 27 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/27 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A WASH-LIST IN DUTCH.
Line 2
HOE TO SELECT YOUR WORD.--ETYMOLOGY AN UNSAFE GUIDE.--COMMON-SENSE MISLEADING.--ZIE-BENEDEN.--THE KERCHIEF OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.--A WORK OF ART.--VOOR EEN HOND.--MOET MIJNHEER NAAR DE GEVANGENIS?--QUEEN ELIZABETH IS UNKNOWN.--DON'T REASON.
Line 3
It was a day or two after the purchase of the pens and I was beginning to feel my zeal for Dutch returning, when the landlady entered the sitting-room and fired my enthusiasm.
Line 4
She had a collar and a pocket-handkerchief in her hand; she waved them in the air and said "Voor de waschvrouw."
Line 5
I caught the idea at once, banished the landlady, and sat down to make out a wash-list with the help of the dictionary and by the light of nature.

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.

banished verb US /ˈbænɪʃt/

past form of “banish” — expel from a community or group

From this reading “I caught the idea at once, banished the landlady, and sat down to make out a wash-list with the help of the dictionary and by the light of nature.”

dictionary noun US /ˈdɪkʃəneri/

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

From this reading “I caught the idea at once, banished the landlady, and sat down to make out a wash-list with the help of the dictionary and by the light of nature.”

etymology noun US /ˌetəˈmɑːlədʒi/

a history of a word

From this reading “HOE TO SELECT YOUR WORD.--ETYMOLOGY AN UNSAFE GUIDE.--COMMON-SENSE MISLEADING.--ZIE-BENEDEN.--THE KERCHIEF OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.--A WORK OF ART.--VOOR EEN HOND.--MOET MIJNHEER NAAR DE GEVANGENIS?--QUEEN ELIZABETH IS UNKNOWN.--DON'T REASON.”

hoe noun US /hoʊ/

a tool with a flat blade attached at right angles to a long handle

From this reading “HOE TO SELECT YOUR WORD.--ETYMOLOGY AN UNSAFE GUIDE.--COMMON-SENSE MISLEADING.--ZIE-BENEDEN.--THE KERCHIEF OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.--A WORK OF ART.--VOOR EEN HOND.--MOET MIJNHEER NAAR DE GEVANGENIS?--QUEEN ELIZABETH IS UNKNOWN.--DON'T REASON.”

kerchief noun US /ˈkɜːrtʃəf/

a square scarf that is folded into a triangle and worn over the head or about the neck

From this reading “HOE TO SELECT YOUR WORD.--ETYMOLOGY AN UNSAFE GUIDE.--COMMON-SENSE MISLEADING.--ZIE-BENEDEN.--THE KERCHIEF OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.--A WORK OF ART.--VOOR EEN HOND.--MOET MIJNHEER NAAR DE GEVANGENIS?--QUEEN ELIZABETH IS UNKNOWN.--DON'T REASON.”

misleading adjective US /mɪˈsliːdɪŋ/

designed to deceive or mislead either deliberately or inadvertently

From this reading “HOE TO SELECT YOUR WORD.--ETYMOLOGY AN UNSAFE GUIDE.--COMMON-SENSE MISLEADING.--ZIE-BENEDEN.--THE KERCHIEF OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.--A WORK OF ART.--VOOR EEN HOND.--MOET MIJNHEER NAAR DE GEVANGENIS?--QUEEN ELIZABETH IS UNKNOWN.--DON'T REASON.”

pens noun US /penz/

plural of “pen” — a writing implement with a point from which ink flows

From this reading “It was a day or two after the purchase of the pens and I was beginning to feel my zeal for Dutch returning, when the landlady entered the sitting-room and fired my enthusiasm.”

unsafe adjective US /ənˈseɪf/

lacking in security or safety

From this reading “HOE TO SELECT YOUR WORD.--ETYMOLOGY AN UNSAFE GUIDE.--COMMON-SENSE MISLEADING.--ZIE-BENEDEN.--THE KERCHIEF OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.--A WORK OF ART.--VOOR EEN HOND.--MOET MIJNHEER NAAR DE GEVANGENIS?--QUEEN ELIZABETH IS UNKNOWN.--DON'T REASON.”

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.

at once preposition + adverb

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

In this reading “I caught the idea at once, banished the landlady, and sat down to make out a wash-list with the help of the dictionary and by the light of nature.”

in the air preposition + article + noun counted as “in … air”

on everybody's mind

In this reading “She had a collar and a pocket-handkerchief in her hand; she waved them in the air and said "Voor de waschvrouw."”

make out verb + adjective

detect with the senses

In this reading “I caught the idea at once, banished the landlady, and sat down to make out a wash-list with the help of the dictionary and by the light of nature.”

All words in this reading · 83

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.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading A WASH-LIST IN DUTCH.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading It was a day or two after the purchase of the pens and I was beginning to feel my zeal for Dutch returning, when the landlady entered the sitting-room and fired my enthusiasm.

airnounUS /er/

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading She had a collar and a pocket-handkerchief in her hand; she waved them in the air and said "Voor de waschvrouw."

ANdeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading HOE TO SELECT YOUR WORD.--ETYMOLOGY AN UNSAFE GUIDE.--COMMON-SENSE MISLEADING.--ZIE-BENEDEN.--THE KERCHIEF OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.--A WORK OF ART.--VOOR EEN HOND.--MOET MIJNHEER NAAR DE GEVANGENIS?--QUEEN ELIZABETH IS UNKNOWN.--DON'T REASON.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading It was a day or two after the purchase of the pens and I was beginning to feel my zeal for Dutch returning, when the landlady entered the sitting-room and fired my enthusiasm.

ARTauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/

an old form of “are”, used with “thou”

From this reading HOE TO SELECT YOUR WORD.--ETYMOLOGY AN UNSAFE GUIDE.--COMMON-SENSE MISLEADING.--ZIE-BENEDEN.--THE KERCHIEF OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.--A WORK OF ART.--VOOR EEN HOND.--MOET MIJNHEER NAAR DE GEVANGENIS?--QUEEN ELIZABETH IS UNKNOWN.--DON'T REASON.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading I caught the idea at once, banished the landlady, and sat down to make out a wash-list with the help of the dictionary and by the light of nature.

banishedverbUS /ˈbænɪʃt/

past form of “banish” — expel from a community or group

From this reading I caught the idea at once, banished the landlady, and sat down to make out a wash-list with the help of the dictionary and by the light of nature.

beginningnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ/

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading It was a day or two after the purchase of the pens and I was beginning to feel my zeal for Dutch returning, when the landlady entered the sitting-room and fired my enthusiasm.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading I caught the idea at once, banished the landlady, and sat down to make out a wash-list with the help of the dictionary and by the light of nature.

caughtverbUS /kɑːt/

inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading I caught the idea at once, banished the landlady, and sat down to make out a wash-list with the help of the dictionary and by the light of nature.

collarnounUS /ˈkɑːlər/

a band that fits around the neck and is usually folded over

From this reading She had a collar and a pocket-handkerchief in her hand; she waved them in the air and said "Voor de waschvrouw."

COMMON-SENSE

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

From this reading HOE TO SELECT YOUR WORD.--ETYMOLOGY AN UNSAFE GUIDE.--COMMON-SENSE MISLEADING.--ZIE-BENEDEN.--THE KERCHIEF OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.--A WORK OF ART.--VOOR EEN HOND.--MOET MIJNHEER NAAR DE GEVANGENIS?--QUEEN ELIZABETH IS UNKNOWN.--DON'T REASON.

daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading It was a day or two after the purchase of the pens and I was beginning to feel my zeal for Dutch returning, when the landlady entered the sitting-room and fired my enthusiasm.

DEnounUS /diː/

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

From this reading HOE TO SELECT YOUR WORD.--ETYMOLOGY AN UNSAFE GUIDE.--COMMON-SENSE MISLEADING.--ZIE-BENEDEN.--THE KERCHIEF OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.--A WORK OF ART.--VOOR EEN HOND.--MOET MIJNHEER NAAR DE GEVANGENIS?--QUEEN ELIZABETH IS UNKNOWN.--DON'T REASON.

dictionarynounUS /ˈdɪkʃəneri/

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

From this reading I caught the idea at once, banished the landlady, and sat down to make out a wash-list with the help of the dictionary and by the light of nature.

DON'T

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

From this reading HOE TO SELECT YOUR WORD.--ETYMOLOGY AN UNSAFE GUIDE.--COMMON-SENSE MISLEADING.--ZIE-BENEDEN.--THE KERCHIEF OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.--A WORK OF ART.--VOOR EEN HOND.--MOET MIJNHEER NAAR DE GEVANGENIS?--QUEEN ELIZABETH IS UNKNOWN.--DON'T REASON.

downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading I caught the idea at once, banished the landlady, and sat down to make out a wash-list with the help of the dictionary and by the light of nature.

DUTCHadjectiveUS /dʌtʃ/

of or relating to the Netherlands or its people or culture

From this reading A WASH-LIST IN DUTCH.

EEN

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

From this reading HOE TO SELECT YOUR WORD.--ETYMOLOGY AN UNSAFE GUIDE.--COMMON-SENSE MISLEADING.--ZIE-BENEDEN.--THE KERCHIEF OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.--A WORK OF ART.--VOOR EEN HOND.--MOET MIJNHEER NAAR DE GEVANGENIS?--QUEEN ELIZABETH IS UNKNOWN.--DON'T REASON.

ELIZABETHnounUS /ɪˈlɪzəbəθ/

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

From this reading HOE TO SELECT YOUR WORD.--ETYMOLOGY AN UNSAFE GUIDE.--COMMON-SENSE MISLEADING.--ZIE-BENEDEN.--THE KERCHIEF OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.--A WORK OF ART.--VOOR EEN HOND.--MOET MIJNHEER NAAR DE GEVANGENIS?--QUEEN ELIZABETH IS UNKNOWN.--DON'T REASON.

enteredverbUS /ˈentərd/

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading It was a day or two after the purchase of the pens and I was beginning to feel my zeal for Dutch returning, when the landlady entered the sitting-room and fired my enthusiasm.

enthusiasmnounUS /ɪnˈθuːziæzəm/

a feeling of excitement

From this reading It was a day or two after the purchase of the pens and I was beginning to feel my zeal for Dutch returning, when the landlady entered the sitting-room and fired my enthusiasm.

ETYMOLOGYnounUS /ˌetəˈmɑːlədʒi/

a history of a word

From this reading HOE TO SELECT YOUR WORD.--ETYMOLOGY AN UNSAFE GUIDE.--COMMON-SENSE MISLEADING.--ZIE-BENEDEN.--THE KERCHIEF OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.--A WORK OF ART.--VOOR EEN HOND.--MOET MIJNHEER NAAR DE GEVANGENIS?--QUEEN ELIZABETH IS UNKNOWN.--DON'T REASON.

feelverbUS /fiːl/

undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind

From this reading It was a day or two after the purchase of the pens and I was beginning to feel my zeal for Dutch returning, when the landlady entered the sitting-room and fired my enthusiasm.

firedadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪərd/

having lost your job

From this reading It was a day or two after the purchase of the pens and I was beginning to feel my zeal for Dutch returning, when the landlady entered the sitting-room and fired my enthusiasm.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was a day or two after the purchase of the pens and I was beginning to feel my zeal for Dutch returning, when the landlady entered the sitting-room and fired my enthusiasm.

GEVANGENIS

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

From this reading HOE TO SELECT YOUR WORD.--ETYMOLOGY AN UNSAFE GUIDE.--COMMON-SENSE MISLEADING.--ZIE-BENEDEN.--THE KERCHIEF OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.--A WORK OF ART.--VOOR EEN HOND.--MOET MIJNHEER NAAR DE GEVANGENIS?--QUEEN ELIZABETH IS UNKNOWN.--DON'T REASON.

GUIDEnounUS /ɡaɪd/

someone employed to conduct others

From this reading HOE TO SELECT YOUR WORD.--ETYMOLOGY AN UNSAFE GUIDE.--COMMON-SENSE MISLEADING.--ZIE-BENEDEN.--THE KERCHIEF OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.--A WORK OF ART.--VOOR EEN HOND.--MOET MIJNHEER NAAR DE GEVANGENIS?--QUEEN ELIZABETH IS UNKNOWN.--DON'T REASON.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading She had a collar and a pocket-handkerchief in her hand; she waved them in the air and said "Voor de waschvrouw."

handnounUS /hænd/

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading She had a collar and a pocket-handkerchief in her hand; she waved them in the air and said "Voor de waschvrouw."

helpverbUS /help/

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading I caught the idea at once, banished the landlady, and sat down to make out a wash-list with the help of the dictionary and by the light of nature.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading She had a collar and a pocket-handkerchief in her hand; she waved them in the air and said "Voor de waschvrouw."

HOEnounUS /hoʊ/

a tool with a flat blade attached at right angles to a long handle

From this reading HOE TO SELECT YOUR WORD.--ETYMOLOGY AN UNSAFE GUIDE.--COMMON-SENSE MISLEADING.--ZIE-BENEDEN.--THE KERCHIEF OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.--A WORK OF ART.--VOOR EEN HOND.--MOET MIJNHEER NAAR DE GEVANGENIS?--QUEEN ELIZABETH IS UNKNOWN.--DON'T REASON.

HOND

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

From this reading HOE TO SELECT YOUR WORD.--ETYMOLOGY AN UNSAFE GUIDE.--COMMON-SENSE MISLEADING.--ZIE-BENEDEN.--THE KERCHIEF OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.--A WORK OF ART.--VOOR EEN HOND.--MOET MIJNHEER NAAR DE GEVANGENIS?--QUEEN ELIZABETH IS UNKNOWN.--DON'T REASON.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading It was a day or two after the purchase of the pens and I was beginning to feel my zeal for Dutch returning, when the landlady entered the sitting-room and fired my enthusiasm.

ideanounUS /aɪˈdiːə/

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading I caught the idea at once, banished the landlady, and sat down to make out a wash-list with the help of the dictionary and by the light of nature.

INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading A WASH-LIST IN DUTCH.

ISauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading HOE TO SELECT YOUR WORD.--ETYMOLOGY AN UNSAFE GUIDE.--COMMON-SENSE MISLEADING.--ZIE-BENEDEN.--THE KERCHIEF OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.--A WORK OF ART.--VOOR EEN HOND.--MOET MIJNHEER NAAR DE GEVANGENIS?--QUEEN ELIZABETH IS UNKNOWN.--DON'T REASON.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a day or two after the purchase of the pens and I was beginning to feel my zeal for Dutch returning, when the landlady entered the sitting-room and fired my enthusiasm.

KERCHIEFnounUS /ˈkɜːrtʃəf/

a square scarf that is folded into a triangle and worn over the head or about the neck

From this reading HOE TO SELECT YOUR WORD.--ETYMOLOGY AN UNSAFE GUIDE.--COMMON-SENSE MISLEADING.--ZIE-BENEDEN.--THE KERCHIEF OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.--A WORK OF ART.--VOOR EEN HOND.--MOET MIJNHEER NAAR DE GEVANGENIS?--QUEEN ELIZABETH IS UNKNOWN.--DON'T REASON.

landladynounUS /ˈlændleɪdi/

a landlord who is a woman

From this reading It was a day or two after the purchase of the pens and I was beginning to feel my zeal for Dutch returning, when the landlady entered the sitting-room and fired my enthusiasm.

lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading I caught the idea at once, banished the landlady, and sat down to make out a wash-list with the help of the dictionary and by the light of nature.

makeverbUS /meɪk/

engage in

From this reading I caught the idea at once, banished the landlady, and sat down to make out a wash-list with the help of the dictionary and by the light of nature.

MIJNHEER

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

From this reading HOE TO SELECT YOUR WORD.--ETYMOLOGY AN UNSAFE GUIDE.--COMMON-SENSE MISLEADING.--ZIE-BENEDEN.--THE KERCHIEF OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.--A WORK OF ART.--VOOR EEN HOND.--MOET MIJNHEER NAAR DE GEVANGENIS?--QUEEN ELIZABETH IS UNKNOWN.--DON'T REASON.

MISLEADINGadjectiveUS /mɪˈsliːdɪŋ/

designed to deceive or mislead either deliberately or inadvertently

From this reading HOE TO SELECT YOUR WORD.--ETYMOLOGY AN UNSAFE GUIDE.--COMMON-SENSE MISLEADING.--ZIE-BENEDEN.--THE KERCHIEF OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.--A WORK OF ART.--VOOR EEN HOND.--MOET MIJNHEER NAAR DE GEVANGENIS?--QUEEN ELIZABETH IS UNKNOWN.--DON'T REASON.

MOET

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

From this reading HOE TO SELECT YOUR WORD.--ETYMOLOGY AN UNSAFE GUIDE.--COMMON-SENSE MISLEADING.--ZIE-BENEDEN.--THE KERCHIEF OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.--A WORK OF ART.--VOOR EEN HOND.--MOET MIJNHEER NAAR DE GEVANGENIS?--QUEEN ELIZABETH IS UNKNOWN.--DON'T REASON.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading It was a day or two after the purchase of the pens and I was beginning to feel my zeal for Dutch returning, when the landlady entered the sitting-room and fired my enthusiasm.

NAAR

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

From this reading HOE TO SELECT YOUR WORD.--ETYMOLOGY AN UNSAFE GUIDE.--COMMON-SENSE MISLEADING.--ZIE-BENEDEN.--THE KERCHIEF OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.--A WORK OF ART.--VOOR EEN HOND.--MOET MIJNHEER NAAR DE GEVANGENIS?--QUEEN ELIZABETH IS UNKNOWN.--DON'T REASON.

naturenounUS /ˈneɪtʃər/

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading I caught the idea at once, banished the landlady, and sat down to make out a wash-list with the help of the dictionary and by the light of nature.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading HOE TO SELECT YOUR WORD.--ETYMOLOGY AN UNSAFE GUIDE.--COMMON-SENSE MISLEADING.--ZIE-BENEDEN.--THE KERCHIEF OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.--A WORK OF ART.--VOOR EEN HOND.--MOET MIJNHEER NAAR DE GEVANGENIS?--QUEEN ELIZABETH IS UNKNOWN.--DON'T REASON.

onceadverbUS /wʌns/

on one occasion

From this reading I caught the idea at once, banished the landlady, and sat down to make out a wash-list with the help of the dictionary and by the light of nature.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It was a day or two after the purchase of the pens and I was beginning to feel my zeal for Dutch returning, when the landlady entered the sitting-room and fired my enthusiasm.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading I caught the idea at once, banished the landlady, and sat down to make out a wash-list with the help of the dictionary and by the light of nature.

pensnounUS /penz/

plural of “pen” — a writing implement with a point from which ink flows

From this reading It was a day or two after the purchase of the pens and I was beginning to feel my zeal for Dutch returning, when the landlady entered the sitting-room and fired my enthusiasm.

pocket-handkerchiefnoun

a handkerchief that is carried in a pocket

From this reading She had a collar and a pocket-handkerchief in her hand; she waved them in the air and said "Voor de waschvrouw."

purchasenounUS /ˈpɜːrtʃəs/

the acquisition of something for payment

From this reading It was a day or two after the purchase of the pens and I was beginning to feel my zeal for Dutch returning, when the landlady entered the sitting-room and fired my enthusiasm.

QUEENnounUS /kwiːn/

the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs

From this reading HOE TO SELECT YOUR WORD.--ETYMOLOGY AN UNSAFE GUIDE.--COMMON-SENSE MISLEADING.--ZIE-BENEDEN.--THE KERCHIEF OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.--A WORK OF ART.--VOOR EEN HOND.--MOET MIJNHEER NAAR DE GEVANGENIS?--QUEEN ELIZABETH IS UNKNOWN.--DON'T REASON.

REASONnounUS /ˈriːzən/

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading HOE TO SELECT YOUR WORD.--ETYMOLOGY AN UNSAFE GUIDE.--COMMON-SENSE MISLEADING.--ZIE-BENEDEN.--THE KERCHIEF OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.--A WORK OF ART.--VOOR EEN HOND.--MOET MIJNHEER NAAR DE GEVANGENIS?--QUEEN ELIZABETH IS UNKNOWN.--DON'T REASON.

returningadjectiveUS /rɪˈtɜːrnɪŋ/

tending to return to an earlier state

From this reading It was a day or two after the purchase of the pens and I was beginning to feel my zeal for Dutch returning, when the landlady entered the sitting-room and fired my enthusiasm.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading She had a collar and a pocket-handkerchief in her hand; she waved them in the air and said "Voor de waschvrouw."

satnounUS /sæt/

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading I caught the idea at once, banished the landlady, and sat down to make out a wash-list with the help of the dictionary and by the light of nature.

SELECTadjectiveUS /səˈlekt/

of superior grade

From this reading HOE TO SELECT YOUR WORD.--ETYMOLOGY AN UNSAFE GUIDE.--COMMON-SENSE MISLEADING.--ZIE-BENEDEN.--THE KERCHIEF OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.--A WORK OF ART.--VOOR EEN HOND.--MOET MIJNHEER NAAR DE GEVANGENIS?--QUEEN ELIZABETH IS UNKNOWN.--DON'T REASON.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading She had a collar and a pocket-handkerchief in her hand; she waved them in the air and said "Voor de waschvrouw."

sitting-room

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

From this reading It was a day or two after the purchase of the pens and I was beginning to feel my zeal for Dutch returning, when the landlady entered the sitting-room and fired my enthusiasm.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading HOE TO SELECT YOUR WORD.--ETYMOLOGY AN UNSAFE GUIDE.--COMMON-SENSE MISLEADING.--ZIE-BENEDEN.--THE KERCHIEF OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.--A WORK OF ART.--VOOR EEN HOND.--MOET MIJNHEER NAAR DE GEVANGENIS?--QUEEN ELIZABETH IS UNKNOWN.--DON'T REASON.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading She had a collar and a pocket-handkerchief in her hand; she waved them in the air and said "Voor de waschvrouw."

TOparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading HOE TO SELECT YOUR WORD.--ETYMOLOGY AN UNSAFE GUIDE.--COMMON-SENSE MISLEADING.--ZIE-BENEDEN.--THE KERCHIEF OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.--A WORK OF ART.--VOOR EEN HOND.--MOET MIJNHEER NAAR DE GEVANGENIS?--QUEEN ELIZABETH IS UNKNOWN.--DON'T REASON.

twonounUS /tuː/

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

From this reading It was a day or two after the purchase of the pens and I was beginning to feel my zeal for Dutch returning, when the landlady entered the sitting-room and fired my enthusiasm.

UNKNOWNadjectiveUS /ənˈnoʊn/

not known

From this reading HOE TO SELECT YOUR WORD.--ETYMOLOGY AN UNSAFE GUIDE.--COMMON-SENSE MISLEADING.--ZIE-BENEDEN.--THE KERCHIEF OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.--A WORK OF ART.--VOOR EEN HOND.--MOET MIJNHEER NAAR DE GEVANGENIS?--QUEEN ELIZABETH IS UNKNOWN.--DON'T REASON.

UNSAFEadjectiveUS /ənˈseɪf/

lacking in security or safety

From this reading HOE TO SELECT YOUR WORD.--ETYMOLOGY AN UNSAFE GUIDE.--COMMON-SENSE MISLEADING.--ZIE-BENEDEN.--THE KERCHIEF OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.--A WORK OF ART.--VOOR EEN HOND.--MOET MIJNHEER NAAR DE GEVANGENIS?--QUEEN ELIZABETH IS UNKNOWN.--DON'T REASON.

VOOR

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

From this reading HOE TO SELECT YOUR WORD.--ETYMOLOGY AN UNSAFE GUIDE.--COMMON-SENSE MISLEADING.--ZIE-BENEDEN.--THE KERCHIEF OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.--A WORK OF ART.--VOOR EEN HOND.--MOET MIJNHEER NAAR DE GEVANGENIS?--QUEEN ELIZABETH IS UNKNOWN.--DON'T REASON.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was a day or two after the purchase of the pens and I was beginning to feel my zeal for Dutch returning, when the landlady entered the sitting-room and fired my enthusiasm.

waschvrouw

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

From this reading She had a collar and a pocket-handkerchief in her hand; she waved them in the air and said "Voor de waschvrouw."

WASH-LIST

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

From this reading A WASH-LIST IN DUTCH.

wavedverbUS /weɪvd/

past form of “wave” — signal with the hands or nod

From this reading She had a collar and a pocket-handkerchief in her hand; she waved them in the air and said "Voor de waschvrouw."

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading It was a day or two after the purchase of the pens and I was beginning to feel my zeal for Dutch returning, when the landlady entered the sitting-room and fired my enthusiasm.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading I caught the idea at once, banished the landlady, and sat down to make out a wash-list with the help of the dictionary and by the light of nature.

WORDnounUS /wɜːrd/

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading HOE TO SELECT YOUR WORD.--ETYMOLOGY AN UNSAFE GUIDE.--COMMON-SENSE MISLEADING.--ZIE-BENEDEN.--THE KERCHIEF OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.--A WORK OF ART.--VOOR EEN HOND.--MOET MIJNHEER NAAR DE GEVANGENIS?--QUEEN ELIZABETH IS UNKNOWN.--DON'T REASON.

WORKverbUS /wɜːrk/

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading HOE TO SELECT YOUR WORD.--ETYMOLOGY AN UNSAFE GUIDE.--COMMON-SENSE MISLEADING.--ZIE-BENEDEN.--THE KERCHIEF OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.--A WORK OF ART.--VOOR EEN HOND.--MOET MIJNHEER NAAR DE GEVANGENIS?--QUEEN ELIZABETH IS UNKNOWN.--DON'T REASON.

YOURdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading HOE TO SELECT YOUR WORD.--ETYMOLOGY AN UNSAFE GUIDE.--COMMON-SENSE MISLEADING.--ZIE-BENEDEN.--THE KERCHIEF OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.--A WORK OF ART.--VOOR EEN HOND.--MOET MIJNHEER NAAR DE GEVANGENIS?--QUEEN ELIZABETH IS UNKNOWN.--DON'T REASON.

zealnounUS /ziːl/

a feeling of strong eagerness (usually in favor of a person or cause)

From this reading It was a day or two after the purchase of the pens and I was beginning to feel my zeal for Dutch returning, when the landlady entered the sitting-room and fired my enthusiasm.

ZIE-BENEDEN

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

From this reading HOE TO SELECT YOUR WORD.--ETYMOLOGY AN UNSAFE GUIDE.--COMMON-SENSE MISLEADING.--ZIE-BENEDEN.--THE KERCHIEF OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.--A WORK OF ART.--VOOR EEN HOND.--MOET MIJNHEER NAAR DE GEVANGENIS?--QUEEN ELIZABETH IS UNKNOWN.--DON'T REASON.

Chapter 6 of An Irishman's Difficulties with the Dutch Language by J. Irwin (John Irwin) Brown holds 135 sentences, grouped into 27 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 6 of An Irishman's Difficulties with the Dutch Language contain?

Chapter 6 holds 135 sentences of An Irishman's Difficulties with the Dutch Language, unabridged, divided into 27 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 6 of An Irishman's Difficulties with the Dutch Language by J. Irwin (John Irwin) Brown exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 135 sentences, grouped into 27 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 6 of An Irishman's Difficulties with the Dutch Language?

Work through the 27 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 27 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 6 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 6 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 An Irishman's Difficulties with the Dutch Language

Common questions about reading An Irishman's Difficulties with the Dutch Language by J. Irwin (John Irwin) Brown on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of An Irishman's Difficulties with the Dutch Language?

Yes. All 1269 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #43349 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

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Project Gutenberg eBook #43349, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does An Irishman's Difficulties with the Dutch Language take to read?

About 105 minutes of reading across 254 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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How to work through An Irishman's Difficulties with the Dutch Language section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

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Vocabulary met early in An Irishman's Difficulties with the Dutch Language

Words and structures a reader meets early in An Irishman's Difficulties with the Dutch Language, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Humour
A word that appears in the opening chapter of An Irishman's Difficulties with the Dutch Language; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Pathos
A word that appears in the opening chapter of An Irishman's Difficulties with the Dutch Language; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Imagination
A word that appears in the opening chapter of An Irishman's Difficulties with the Dutch Language; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Poetry
A word that appears in the opening chapter of An Irishman's Difficulties with the Dutch Language; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.