Barren Honour: A Novel

Chapter IV

Chapter 4 of Barren Honour: A Novel is here in full — 140 sentences across 28 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By George A. (George Alfred) Lawrence • Curated US English Learning Edition

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A WAIF FROM A WRECK.

"Look into a man's Past, if you would understand his Present, or guess at his Future."

So spake some sage, name unknown, but probably intermediate in date between the Great King and Mr. M. F. Tupper.

The rule is not implicitly to be relied on, but perhaps there is as much of truth in it as in most apophthegms of proverbial philosophy.

So it may save some time and trouble hereafter, if we sketch briefly now some of Alan Wyverne's antecedents; for he is to be the chief character in this story, which has no _hero_, properly so-called, nor heroine either.

Narrator

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.

Chapter IV Reading 1/28

Barren Honour: A Novel George A. (George Alfred) Lawrence

Chapter IV

Chapter 4 of Barren Honour: A Novel is here in full — 140 sentences across 28 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

A WAIF FROM A WRECK. "Look into a man's Past, if you would understand his Present, or guess at his Future." So spake some sage, name unknown, but probably intermediate in date between the Great King and Mr. M. F. Tupper. The rule is not implicitly to be relied on, but perhaps there is as much of truth in it as in most apophthegms of proverbial philosophy. So it may save some time and trouble hereafter, if we sketch briefly now some of Alan Wyverne's antecedents; for he is to be the chief character in this story, which has no _hero_, properly so-called, nor heroine either.

Barren Honour: A Novel

Chapter IV

Chapter 4 of Barren Honour: A Novel is here in full — 140 sentences across 28 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/28 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

A WAIF FROM A WRECK.

/ə weɪf frʌm ə rek/

Line 2

"Look into a man's Past, if you would understand his Present, or guess at his Future."

/lʊk ˈɪntuː ə mænz pæst ɪf juː wʊd ˌʌndərˈstænd hɪz ˈprezənt ɔːr ɡes æt hɪz ˈfjuːtʃər/

Line 3

So spake some sage, name unknown, but probably intermediate in date between the Great King and Mr. M. F. Tupper.

Line 4

The rule is not implicitly to be relied on, but perhaps there is as much of truth in it as in most apophthegms of proverbial philosophy.

Line 5

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.

antecedents noun US /ˌæntɪˈsiːdənts/

plural of “antecedent” — someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)

From this reading “So it may save some time and trouble hereafter, if we sketch briefly now some of Alan Wyverne's antecedents; for he is to be the chief character in this story, which has no _hero_, properly so-called, nor heroine either.”

heroine noun US /ˈheroʊən/

the main good female character in a work of fiction

implicitly adverb US /ˌɪmˈplɪsətli/

without doubting or questioning

From this reading “The rule is not implicitly to be relied on, but perhaps there is as much of truth in it as in most apophthegms of proverbial philosophy.”

intermediate adjective US /ˌɪntərˈmiːdiɪt/

lying between two extremes in time or space or state

From this reading “So spake some sage, name unknown, but probably intermediate in date between the Great King and Mr. M. F. Tupper.”

proverbial adjective US /prəˈvɜːrbiəl/

of or relating to or resembling or expressed in a proverb

From this reading “The rule is not implicitly to be relied on, but perhaps there is as much of truth in it as in most apophthegms of proverbial philosophy.”

relied verb US /rɪˈlaɪd/

inflected form of “rely” — have faith or confidence in

From this reading “The rule is not implicitly to be relied on, but perhaps there is as much of truth in it as in most apophthegms of proverbial philosophy.”

so-called adjective US /ˈsoʊˈkɔːld/

doubtful or suspect

waif noun US /weɪf/

a homeless child especially one forsaken or orphaned

From this reading “A WAIF FROM A WRECK.”

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.

relied on verb + particle counted as “rely on”

put trust in with confidence

In this reading “The rule is not implicitly to be relied on, but perhaps there is as much of truth in it as in most apophthegms of proverbial philosophy.”

some time adjective + noun

In this reading “So it may save some time and trouble hereafter, if we sketch briefly now some of Alan Wyverne's antecedents; for he is to be the chief character in this story, which has no _hero_, properly so-called, nor heroine either.”

FROM A WRECK preposition + article + noun counted as “from … wreck”

In this reading “A WAIF FROM A WRECK.”

chief character noun + noun

Look into verb + particle

investigate scientifically

In this reading “"Look into a man's Past, if you would understand his Present, or guess at his Future."”

guess at verb + particle

In this reading “"Look into a man's Past, if you would understand his Present, or guess at his Future."”

Great King adjective + noun

In this reading “So spake some sage, name unknown, but probably intermediate in date between the Great King and Mr. M. F. Tupper.”

All words in this reading · 84

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 WAIF FROM A WRECK.

Alan

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

From this reading So it may save some time and trouble hereafter, if we sketch briefly now some of Alan Wyverne's antecedents; for he is to be the chief character in this story, which has no _hero_, properly so-called, nor heroine either.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading So spake some sage, name unknown, but probably intermediate in date between the Great King and Mr. M. F. Tupper.

antecedentsnounUS /ˌæntɪˈsiːdənts/

plural of “antecedent” — someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)

apophthegms

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

From this reading The rule is not implicitly to be relied on, but perhaps there is as much of truth in it as in most apophthegms of proverbial philosophy.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The rule is not implicitly to be relied on, but perhaps there is as much of truth in it as in most apophthegms of proverbial philosophy.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "Look into a man's Past, if you would understand his Present, or guess at his Future."

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading The rule is not implicitly to be relied on, but perhaps there is as much of truth in it as in most apophthegms of proverbial philosophy.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading So spake some sage, name unknown, but probably intermediate in date between the Great King and Mr. M. F. Tupper.

brieflyadverbUS /ˈbriːfli/

for a short time

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading So spake some sage, name unknown, but probably intermediate in date between the Great King and Mr. M. F. Tupper.

characternounUS /ˈkerɪktər/

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

chiefnounUS /tʃiːf/

a person who is in charge

datenounUS /deɪt/

the specified day of the month

From this reading So spake some sage, name unknown, but probably intermediate in date between the Great King and Mr. M. F. Tupper.

eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

FnounUS /ef/

a degree on the Fahrenheit scale of temperature

From this reading So spake some sage, name unknown, but probably intermediate in date between the Great King and Mr. M. F. Tupper.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

FROMprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A WAIF FROM A WRECK.

FutureadjectiveUS /ˈfjuːtʃər/

yet to be or coming

From this reading "Look into a man's Past, if you would understand his Present, or guess at his Future."

GreatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

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

From this reading So spake some sage, name unknown, but probably intermediate in date between the Great King and Mr. M. F. Tupper.

guessverbUS /ɡes/

expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading "Look into a man's Past, if you would understand his Present, or guess at his Future."

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

hereafteradverbUS /hɪˈræftər/

in a subsequent part of this document or statement or matter etc.

heronounUS /ˈhɪroʊ/

a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength

heroinenounUS /ˈheroʊən/

the main good female character in a work of fiction

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading "Look into a man's Past, if you would understand his Present, or guess at his Future."

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "Look into a man's Past, if you would understand his Present, or guess at his Future."

implicitlyadverbUS /ˌɪmˈplɪsətli/

without doubting or questioning

From this reading The rule is not implicitly to be relied on, but perhaps there is as much of truth in it as in most apophthegms of proverbial philosophy.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading So spake some sage, name unknown, but probably intermediate in date between the Great King and Mr. M. F. Tupper.

intermediateadjectiveUS /ˌɪntərˈmiːdiɪt/

lying between two extremes in time or space or state

From this reading So spake some sage, name unknown, but probably intermediate in date between the Great King and Mr. M. F. Tupper.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading "Look into a man's Past, if you would understand his Present, or guess at his Future."

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading The rule is not implicitly to be relied on, but perhaps there is as much of truth in it as in most apophthegms of proverbial philosophy.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The rule is not implicitly to be relied on, but perhaps there is as much of truth in it as in most apophthegms of proverbial philosophy.

KingnounUS /kɪŋ/

a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading So spake some sage, name unknown, but probably intermediate in date between the Great King and Mr. M. F. Tupper.

LookverbUS /lʊk/

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading "Look into a man's Past, if you would understand his Present, or guess at his Future."

MnounUS /em/

the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)

From this reading So spake some sage, name unknown, but probably intermediate in date between the Great King and Mr. M. F. Tupper.

man'snounUS /mænz/

possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading "Look into a man's Past, if you would understand his Present, or guess at his Future."

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

mostadverbUS /moʊst/

used to form the superlative

From this reading The rule is not implicitly to be relied on, but perhaps there is as much of truth in it as in most apophthegms of proverbial philosophy.

MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/

a form of address for a man

From this reading So spake some sage, name unknown, but probably intermediate in date between the Great King and Mr. M. F. Tupper.

muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/

to a great degree or extent

From this reading The rule is not implicitly to be relied on, but perhaps there is as much of truth in it as in most apophthegms of proverbial philosophy.

nameverbUS /neɪm/

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading So spake some sage, name unknown, but probably intermediate in date between the Great King and Mr. M. F. Tupper.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The rule is not implicitly to be relied on, but perhaps there is as much of truth in it as in most apophthegms of proverbial philosophy.

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

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

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The rule is not implicitly to be relied on, but perhaps there is as much of truth in it as in most apophthegms of proverbial philosophy.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The rule is not implicitly to be relied on, but perhaps there is as much of truth in it as in most apophthegms of proverbial philosophy.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading "Look into a man's Past, if you would understand his Present, or guess at his Future."

PastnounUS /pæst/

the time that has elapsed

From this reading "Look into a man's Past, if you would understand his Present, or guess at his Future."

perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/

by chance

From this reading The rule is not implicitly to be relied on, but perhaps there is as much of truth in it as in most apophthegms of proverbial philosophy.

philosophynounUS /fɪˈlɑː.sə.fi/

The study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence. (Triết học, đạo lý nhân sinh.)

From this reading The rule is not implicitly to be relied on, but perhaps there is as much of truth in it as in most apophthegms of proverbial philosophy.

PresentverbUS /ˈprezənt/

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading "Look into a man's Past, if you would understand his Present, or guess at his Future."

probablyadverbUS /ˈprɑːbəbliː/

with considerable certainty; without much doubt

From this reading So spake some sage, name unknown, but probably intermediate in date between the Great King and Mr. M. F. Tupper.

properlyadverbUS /ˈprɑːpərli/

in the right manner; correctly; suitably

proverbialadjectiveUS /prəˈvɜːrbiəl/

of or relating to or resembling or expressed in a proverb

From this reading The rule is not implicitly to be relied on, but perhaps there is as much of truth in it as in most apophthegms of proverbial philosophy.

reliedverbUS /rɪˈlaɪd/

inflected form of “rely” — have faith or confidence in

From this reading The rule is not implicitly to be relied on, but perhaps there is as much of truth in it as in most apophthegms of proverbial philosophy.

rulenounUS /ruːl/

a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior

From this reading The rule is not implicitly to be relied on, but perhaps there is as much of truth in it as in most apophthegms of proverbial philosophy.

sagenounUS /seɪdʒ/

a mentor in spiritual and philosophical topics who is renowned for profound wisdom

From this reading So spake some sage, name unknown, but probably intermediate in date between the Great King and Mr. M. F. Tupper.

saveprepositionUS /seɪv/

except for; apart from

sketchnounUS /sketʃ/

preliminary drawing for later elaboration

SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So spake some sage, name unknown, but probably intermediate in date between the Great King and Mr. M. F. Tupper.

so-calledadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊˈkɔːld/

doubtful or suspect

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading So spake some sage, name unknown, but probably intermediate in date between the Great King and Mr. M. F. Tupper.

spake

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

From this reading So spake some sage, name unknown, but probably intermediate in date between the Great King and Mr. M. F. Tupper.

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

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading So spake some sage, name unknown, but probably intermediate in date between the Great King and Mr. M. F. Tupper.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading The rule is not implicitly to be relied on, but perhaps there is as much of truth in it as in most apophthegms of proverbial philosophy.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The rule is not implicitly to be relied on, but perhaps there is as much of truth in it as in most apophthegms of proverbial philosophy.

troublenounUS /ˈtrʌbəl/

a source of difficulty

truthnounUS /truːθ/

a fact that has been verified

From this reading The rule is not implicitly to be relied on, but perhaps there is as much of truth in it as in most apophthegms of proverbial philosophy.

Tupper

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

From this reading So spake some sage, name unknown, but probably intermediate in date between the Great King and Mr. M. F. Tupper.

understandverbUS /ˌʌndərˈstænd/

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading "Look into a man's Past, if you would understand his Present, or guess at his Future."

unknownadjectiveUS /ənˈnoʊn/

not known

From this reading So spake some sage, name unknown, but probably intermediate in date between the Great King and Mr. M. F. Tupper.

WAIFnounUS /weɪf/

a homeless child especially one forsaken or orphaned

From this reading A WAIF FROM A WRECK.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading "Look into a man's Past, if you would understand his Present, or guess at his Future."

WRECKnounUS /rek/

something or someone that has suffered ruin or dilapidation

From this reading A WAIF FROM A WRECK.

Wyverne's

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

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Look into a man's Past, if you would understand his Present, or guess at his Future."

Chapter 4 of Barren Honour: A Novel by George A. (George Alfred) Lawrence holds 140 sentences, grouped into 28 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 4 of Barren Honour: A Novel contain?

Chapter 4 holds 140 sentences of Barren Honour: A Novel, unabridged, divided into 28 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 4 of Barren Honour: A Novel by George A. (George Alfred) Lawrence exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 140 sentences, grouped into 28 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

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Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 4 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

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Chapter IV

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