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Better Dead
Better Dead

Chapter I

Cover illustration for Better Dead
Context Illustration Reading 1/27 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.
I have seen several of these, bearing such titles as "Two of Them," "An Auld Licht Manse," "A Tillyloss Scandal," and some of them announce themselves as author's editions, or published by arrangement with the author.
They consist of scraps collected and published without my knowledge, and I entirely disown them.
I have written no books save those that appear in this edition.
I am asked to write a few lines on the front page of each of these volumes, to say something, as I take it, about how they came into being.
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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.

Better Dead

Chapter I

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

Line 1
This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.
Line 2
I have seen several of these, bearing such titles as "Two of Them," "An Auld Licht Manse," "A Tillyloss Scandal," and some of them announce themselves as author's editions, or published by arrangement with the author.
Line 3
They consist of scraps collected and published without my knowledge, and I entirely disown them.
Line 4
I have written no books save those that appear in this edition.
Line 5
I am asked to write a few lines on the front page of each of these volumes, to say something, as I take it, about how they came into being.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “I am asked to write a few lines on the front page of each of these volumes, to say something, as I take it, about how they came into being.”

Asked noun US /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I am asked to write a few lines on the front page of each of these volumes, to say something, as I take it, about how they came into being.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “I am asked to write a few lines on the front page of each of these volumes, to say something, as I take it, about how they came into being.”

Books noun US /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading “This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.”

Entirely noun US /ˈentirely/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “They consist of scraps collected and published without my knowledge, and I entirely disown them.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.”

Know noun US /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.”

Let auxiliary verb US /let/

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading “This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.”

Mine pronoun US /maɪn/

the one or ones belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.”

Reasons noun US /ˈreasons/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.”

Save preposition US /seɪv/

except for; apart from

From this reading “I have written no books save those that appear in this edition.”

Several noun US /ˈseveral/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “I have seen several of these, bearing such titles as "Two of Them," "An Auld Licht Manse," "A Tillyloss Scandal," and some of them announce themselves as author's editions, or published by arrangement with the author.”

Something pronoun US /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading “I am asked to write a few lines on the front page of each of these volumes, to say something, as I take it, about how they came into being.”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I am asked to write a few lines on the front page of each of these volumes, to say something, as I take it, about how they came into being.”

Themselves pronoun US /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading “I have seen several of these, bearing such titles as "Two of Them," "An Auld Licht Manse," "A Tillyloss Scandal," and some of them announce themselves as author's editions, or published by arrangement with the author.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “I have seen several of these, bearing such titles as "Two of Them," "An Auld Licht Manse," "A Tillyloss Scandal," and some of them announce themselves as author's editions, or published by arrangement with the author.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “I have written no books save those that appear in this edition.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “They consist of scraps collected and published without my knowledge, and I entirely disown them.”

All words in this reading · 97

Every word is available to listen to. 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 I have seen several of these, bearing such titles as "Two of Them," "An Auld Licht Manse," "A Tillyloss Scandal," and some of them announce themselves as author's editions, or published by arrangement with the author.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading I am asked to write a few lines on the front page of each of these volumes, to say something, as I take it, about how they came into being.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading I am asked to write a few lines on the front page of each of these volumes, to say something, as I take it, about how they came into being.

America

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

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

American

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

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

AndeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading I have seen several of these, bearing such titles as "Two of Them," "An Auld Licht Manse," "A Tillyloss Scandal," and some of them announce themselves as author's editions, or published by arrangement with the author.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

announce

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

From this reading I have seen several of these, bearing such titles as "Two of Them," "An Auld Licht Manse," "A Tillyloss Scandal," and some of them announce themselves as author's editions, or published by arrangement with the author.

appear

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

From this reading I have written no books save those that appear in this edition.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

arrangement

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

From this reading I have seen several of these, bearing such titles as "Two of Them," "An Auld Licht Manse," "A Tillyloss Scandal," and some of them announce themselves as author's editions, or published by arrangement with the author.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading I have seen several of these, bearing such titles as "Two of Them," "An Auld Licht Manse," "A Tillyloss Scandal," and some of them announce themselves as author's editions, or published by arrangement with the author.

askednounUS /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I am asked to write a few lines on the front page of each of these volumes, to say something, as I take it, about how they came into being.

Auld

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

From this reading I have seen several of these, bearing such titles as "Two of Them," "An Auld Licht Manse," "A Tillyloss Scandal," and some of them announce themselves as author's editions, or published by arrangement with the author.

author

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

From this reading I have seen several of these, bearing such titles as "Two of Them," "An Auld Licht Manse," "A Tillyloss Scandal," and some of them announce themselves as author's editions, or published by arrangement with the author.

author's

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

From this reading I have seen several of these, bearing such titles as "Two of Them," "An Auld Licht Manse," "A Tillyloss Scandal," and some of them announce themselves as author's editions, or published by arrangement with the author.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

bearing

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

From this reading I have seen several of these, bearing such titles as "Two of Them," "An Auld Licht Manse," "A Tillyloss Scandal," and some of them announce themselves as author's editions, or published by arrangement with the author.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading I am asked to write a few lines on the front page of each of these volumes, to say something, as I take it, about how they came into being.

booksnounUS /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

came

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

From this reading I am asked to write a few lines on the front page of each of these volumes, to say something, as I take it, about how they came into being.

circulation

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

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

collected

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

From this reading They consist of scraps collected and published without my knowledge, and I entirely disown them.

consist

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

From this reading They consist of scraps collected and published without my knowledge, and I entirely disown them.

disown

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

From this reading They consist of scraps collected and published without my knowledge, and I entirely disown them.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading I am asked to write a few lines on the front page of each of these volumes, to say something, as I take it, about how they came into being.

edition

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

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

editions

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

From this reading I have seen several of these, bearing such titles as "Two of Them," "An Auld Licht Manse," "A Tillyloss Scandal," and some of them announce themselves as author's editions, or published by arrangement with the author.

entirelynounUS /ˈentirely/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading They consist of scraps collected and published without my knowledge, and I entirely disown them.

few

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

From this reading I am asked to write a few lines on the front page of each of these volumes, to say something, as I take it, about how they came into being.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

front

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

From this reading I am asked to write a few lines on the front page of each of these volumes, to say something, as I take it, about how they came into being.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

how

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

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading I am asked to write a few lines on the front page of each of these volumes, to say something, as I take it, about how they came into being.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

knownounUS /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

knowledge

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

From this reading They consist of scraps collected and published without my knowledge, and I entirely disown them.

letauxiliary verbUS /let/

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

Licht

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

From this reading I have seen several of these, bearing such titles as "Two of Them," "An Auld Licht Manse," "A Tillyloss Scandal," and some of them announce themselves as author's editions, or published by arrangement with the author.

lines

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

From this reading I am asked to write a few lines on the front page of each of these volumes, to say something, as I take it, about how they came into being.

Manse

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

From this reading I have seen several of these, bearing such titles as "Two of Them," "An Auld Licht Manse," "A Tillyloss Scandal," and some of them announce themselves as author's editions, or published by arrangement with the author.

many

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

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

Messrs

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

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

minepronounUS /maɪn/

the one or ones belonging to the person speaking

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading I am asked to write a few lines on the front page of each of these volumes, to say something, as I take it, about how they came into being.

only

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

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading I have seen several of these, bearing such titles as "Two of Them," "An Auld Licht Manse," "A Tillyloss Scandal," and some of them announce themselves as author's editions, or published by arrangement with the author.

page

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

From this reading I am asked to write a few lines on the front page of each of these volumes, to say something, as I take it, about how they came into being.

produced

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

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

publication

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

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

published

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

From this reading I have seen several of these, bearing such titles as "Two of Them," "An Auld Licht Manse," "A Tillyloss Scandal," and some of them announce themselves as author's editions, or published by arrangement with the author.

purporting

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

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

reasonsnounUS /ˈreasons/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

sanction

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

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

saveprepositionUS /seɪv/

except for; apart from

From this reading I have written no books save those that appear in this edition.

say

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

From this reading I am asked to write a few lines on the front page of each of these volumes, to say something, as I take it, about how they came into being.

Scandal

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

From this reading I have seen several of these, bearing such titles as "Two of Them," "An Auld Licht Manse," "A Tillyloss Scandal," and some of them announce themselves as author's editions, or published by arrangement with the author.

scraps

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

From this reading They consist of scraps collected and published without my knowledge, and I entirely disown them.

Scribner

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

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

seen

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

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

several

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

From this reading I have seen several of these, bearing such titles as "Two of Them," "An Auld Licht Manse," "A Tillyloss Scandal," and some of them announce themselves as author's editions, or published by arrangement with the author.

some

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

From this reading I have seen several of these, bearing such titles as "Two of Them," "An Auld Licht Manse," "A Tillyloss Scandal," and some of them announce themselves as author's editions, or published by arrangement with the author.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading I am asked to write a few lines on the front page of each of these volumes, to say something, as I take it, about how they came into being.

special

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

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading I have seen several of these, bearing such titles as "Two of Them," "An Auld Licht Manse," "A Tillyloss Scandal," and some of them announce themselves as author's editions, or published by arrangement with the author.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I am asked to write a few lines on the front page of each of these volumes, to say something, as I take it, about how they came into being.

thanking

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

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I have written no books save those that appear in this edition.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

ThempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading I have seen several of these, bearing such titles as "Two of Them," "An Auld Licht Manse," "A Tillyloss Scandal," and some of them announce themselves as author's editions, or published by arrangement with the author.

themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading I have seen several of these, bearing such titles as "Two of Them," "An Auld Licht Manse," "A Tillyloss Scandal," and some of them announce themselves as author's editions, or published by arrangement with the author.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading I have seen several of these, bearing such titles as "Two of Them," "An Auld Licht Manse," "A Tillyloss Scandal," and some of them announce themselves as author's editions, or published by arrangement with the author.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading I have written no books save those that appear in this edition.

Tillyloss

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

From this reading I have seen several of these, bearing such titles as "Two of Them," "An Auld Licht Manse," "A Tillyloss Scandal," and some of them announce themselves as author's editions, or published by arrangement with the author.

titles

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

From this reading I have seen several of these, bearing such titles as "Two of Them," "An Auld Licht Manse," "A Tillyloss Scandal," and some of them announce themselves as author's editions, or published by arrangement with the author.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

Two

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

From this reading I have seen several of these, bearing such titles as "Two of Them," "An Auld Licht Manse," "A Tillyloss Scandal," and some of them announce themselves as author's editions, or published by arrangement with the author.

volumes

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

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading This is the only American edition of my books produced with my sanction, and I have special reasons for thanking Messrs. Scribner for its publication; they let it be seen, by this edition, what are my books, for I know not how many volumes purporting to be by me, are in circulation in America which are no books of mine.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading They consist of scraps collected and published without my knowledge, and I entirely disown them.

write

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

From this reading I am asked to write a few lines on the front page of each of these volumes, to say something, as I take it, about how they came into being.

written

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

From this reading I have written no books save those that appear in this edition.