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Christmas
Christmas

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Christmas is here in full — 365 sentences across 73 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Christmas
Context Illustration Reading 1/73 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Carets (^) indicate superscripts.
"* * * * *" is used as a divider between entries, and " - - - - -" as an internal divider within entries.
A detailed transcriber's note is at the end of the text.
A series of anthologies for the use of students and teachers in schools and colleges; consisting of the best verse, plays, stories, addresses, special articles, orations, etc. Applicable to the holidays listed as follows:
Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.
0:00 / 0:00
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.

Christmas

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Christmas is here in full — 365 sentences across 73 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/73 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Carets (^) indicate superscripts.
Line 2
"* * * * *" is used as a divider between entries, and " - - - - -" as an internal divider within entries.
/ɪz juːzd æz ə dɪˈvaɪdər bɪˈtwiːn ˈentriz ənd æz æn ˌɪnˈtɜːrnəl dɪˈvaɪdər wɪˈðɪn ˈentriz/
Line 3
A detailed transcriber's note is at the end of the text.
Line 4
A series of anthologies for the use of students and teachers in schools and colleges; consisting of the best verse, plays, stories, addresses, special articles, orations, etc. Applicable to the holidays listed as follows:
Line 5
Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.

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.

anthologies noun US /ænˈθɑːlədʒiz/

plural of “anthology” — a collection of selected literary passages

From this reading “A series of anthologies for the use of students and teachers in schools and colleges; consisting of the best verse, plays, stories, addresses, special articles, orations, etc. Applicable to the holidays listed as follows:”

Applicable adjective US /ˈæpləkəbəl/

capable of being applied; having relevance

From this reading “A series of anthologies for the use of students and teachers in schools and colleges; consisting of the best verse, plays, stories, addresses, special articles, orations, etc. Applicable to the holidays listed as follows:”

divider noun US /dɪˈvaɪdər/

a taxonomist who classifies organisms into many groups on the basis of relatively minor characteristics

From this reading “"* * * * *" is used as a divider between entries, and " - - - - -" as an internal divider within entries.”

entries noun US /ˈentriz/

plural of “entry” — an item inserted in a written record

From this reading “"* * * * *" is used as a divider between entries, and " - - - - -" as an internal divider within entries.”

Houghton noun US /ˈhɔːtən/

United States publisher who founded a printing shop that became an important book publisher (1823-1895)

From this reading “Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.”

listed adjective US /ˈlɪstəd/

on a list

From this reading “A series of anthologies for the use of students and teachers in schools and colleges; consisting of the best verse, plays, stories, addresses, special articles, orations, etc. Applicable to the holidays listed as follows:”

orations noun US /ɔːˈreɪʃənz/

plural of “oration” — an instance of oratory

From this reading “A series of anthologies for the use of students and teachers in schools and colleges; consisting of the best verse, plays, stories, addresses, special articles, orations, etc. Applicable to the holidays listed as follows:”

selections noun US /səˈlekʃənz/

plural of “selection” — the act of choosing or selecting

From this reading “Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.”

All words in this reading · 85

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 "* * * * *" is used as a divider between entries, and " - - - - -" as an internal divider within entries.

acknowledgeverbUS /ækˈnɑːlɪdʒ/

declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.

addressesnounUS /ˈæˈdresɪz/

plural of “address” — (computer science) the code that identifies where a piece of information is stored

From this reading A series of anthologies for the use of students and teachers in schools and colleges; consisting of the best verse, plays, stories, addresses, special articles, orations, etc. Applicable to the holidays listed as follows:

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading "* * * * *" is used as a divider between entries, and " - - - - -" as an internal divider within entries.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading "* * * * *" is used as a divider between entries, and " - - - - -" as an internal divider within entries.

anthologiesnounUS /ænˈθɑːlədʒiz/

plural of “anthology” — a collection of selected literary passages

From this reading A series of anthologies for the use of students and teachers in schools and colleges; consisting of the best verse, plays, stories, addresses, special articles, orations, etc. Applicable to the holidays listed as follows:

ApplicableadjectiveUS /ˈæpləkəbəl/

capable of being applied; having relevance

From this reading A series of anthologies for the use of students and teachers in schools and colleges; consisting of the best verse, plays, stories, addresses, special articles, orations, etc. Applicable to the holidays listed as follows:

articlesnounUS /ˈɑːrtəkəlz/

plural of “article” — nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication

From this reading A series of anthologies for the use of students and teachers in schools and colleges; consisting of the best verse, plays, stories, addresses, special articles, orations, etc. Applicable to the holidays listed as follows:

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading "* * * * *" is used as a divider between entries, and " - - - - -" as an internal divider within entries.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A detailed transcriber's note is at the end of the text.

bearingnounUS /ˈberɪŋ/

relevant relation or interconnection

From this reading Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.

bestnounUS /best/

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading A series of anthologies for the use of students and teachers in schools and colleges; consisting of the best verse, plays, stories, addresses, special articles, orations, etc. Applicable to the holidays listed as follows:

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading "* * * * *" is used as a divider between entries, and " - - - - -" as an internal divider within entries.

Bobbs-Merrill

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

From this reading Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.

BrownnounUS /braʊn/

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.

Carets

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

From this reading Carets (^) indicate superscripts.

CelebrationnounUS /ˌseləˈbreɪʃən/

a joyful occasion for special festivities to mark some happy event

From this reading Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.

CharlesnounUS /tʃɑːrlz/

King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)

From this reading Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.

collegesnounUS /ˈkɑːlɪdʒɪz/

plural of “college” — the body of faculty and students of a college

From this reading A series of anthologies for the use of students and teachers in schools and colleges; consisting of the best verse, plays, stories, addresses, special articles, orations, etc. Applicable to the holidays listed as follows:

CompanynounUS /ˈkʌmpəniː/

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.

consistingverbUS /kənˈsɪstɪŋ/

-ing form of “consist” — originate

From this reading A series of anthologies for the use of students and teachers in schools and colleges; consisting of the best verse, plays, stories, addresses, special articles, orations, etc. Applicable to the holidays listed as follows:

copyrightnounUS /ˈkɑːpiraɪt/

a document granting exclusive right to publish and sell literary or musical or artistic work

From this reading Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.

desirenounUS /dɪˈzaɪər/

the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state

From this reading Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.

detailedadjectiveUS /dɪˈteɪld/

developed or executed with care and in minute detail

From this reading A detailed transcriber's note is at the end of the text.

dividernounUS /dɪˈvaɪdər/

a taxonomist who classifies organisms into many groups on the basis of relatively minor characteristics

From this reading "* * * * *" is used as a divider between entries, and " - - - - -" as an internal divider within entries.

Dodd

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

From this reading Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.

EditedadjectiveUS /ˈedətəd/

improved or corrected by critical editing

From this reading Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.

endnounUS /end/

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading A detailed transcriber's note is at the end of the text.

entriesnounUS /ˈentriz/

plural of “entry” — an item inserted in a written record

From this reading "* * * * *" is used as a divider between entries, and " - - - - -" as an internal divider within entries.

etc

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

From this reading A series of anthologies for the use of students and teachers in schools and colleges; consisting of the best verse, plays, stories, addresses, special articles, orations, etc. Applicable to the holidays listed as follows:

followsverbUS /ˈfɑːloʊz/

third-person singular of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading A series of anthologies for the use of students and teachers in schools and colleges; consisting of the best verse, plays, stories, addresses, special articles, orations, etc. Applicable to the holidays listed as follows:

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A series of anthologies for the use of students and teachers in schools and colleges; consisting of the best verse, plays, stories, addresses, special articles, orations, etc. Applicable to the holidays listed as follows:

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.

grantedadjectiveUS /ˈɡræntəd/

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.

holidaysnounUS /ˈhɑːlədeɪz/

plural of “holiday” — leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure

From this reading A series of anthologies for the use of students and teachers in schools and colleges; consisting of the best verse, plays, stories, addresses, special articles, orations, etc. Applicable to the holidays listed as follows:

HoughtonnounUS /ˈhɔːtən/

United States publisher who founded a printing shop that became an important book publisher (1823-1895)

From this reading Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading A series of anthologies for the use of students and teachers in schools and colleges; consisting of the best verse, plays, stories, addresses, special articles, orations, etc. Applicable to the holidays listed as follows:

indicateverbUS /ˈɪndəkeɪt/

be a signal for or a symptom of

From this reading Carets (^) indicate superscripts.

internaladjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɜːrnəl/

happening or arising or located within some limits or especially surface

From this reading "* * * * *" is used as a divider between entries, and " - - - - -" as an internal divider within entries.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "* * * * *" is used as a divider between entries, and " - - - - -" as an internal divider within entries.

ItsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.

kindnessnounUS /ˈkaɪndnəs/

the quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic

From this reading Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.

listedadjectiveUS /ˈlɪstəd/

on a list

From this reading A series of anthologies for the use of students and teachers in schools and colleges; consisting of the best verse, plays, stories, addresses, special articles, orations, etc. Applicable to the holidays listed as follows:

LittleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.

MeadnounUS /miːd/

United States anthropologist noted for her claims about adolescence and sexual behavior in Polynesian cultures (1901-1978)

From this reading Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.

Messrs

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

From this reading Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.

Mifflin

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

From this reading Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.

NewadjectiveUS /nuː/

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.

notenounUS /noʊt/

a brief written record

From this reading A detailed transcriber's note is at the end of the text.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A detailed transcriber's note is at the end of the text.

orationsnounUS /ɔːˈreɪʃənz/

plural of “oration” — an instance of oratory

From this reading A series of anthologies for the use of students and teachers in schools and colleges; consisting of the best verse, plays, stories, addresses, special articles, orations, etc. Applicable to the holidays listed as follows:

OriginnounUS /ˈɔːrədʒən/

the place where something begins, where it springs into being

From this reading Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.

others

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

From this reading Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.

permissionnounUS /pərˈmɪʃən/

approval to do something

From this reading Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.

playsnounUS /pleɪz/

plural of “play” — a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

From this reading A series of anthologies for the use of students and teachers in schools and colleges; consisting of the best verse, plays, stories, addresses, special articles, orations, etc. Applicable to the holidays listed as follows:

ProsenounUS /proʊz/

ordinary writing as distinguished from verse

From this reading Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.

PublishersnounUS /ˈpʌblɪʃərz/

plural of “publisher” — a firm in the publishing business

From this reading Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.

RelatedadjectiveUS /rɪˈleɪtɪd/

being connected either logically or causally or by shared characteristics

From this reading Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.

reproduceverbUS /ˌriːprəˈduːs/

make a copy or equivalent of

From this reading Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.

schoolsnounUS /skuːlz/

plural of “school” — an educational institution

From this reading A series of anthologies for the use of students and teachers in schools and colleges; consisting of the best verse, plays, stories, addresses, special articles, orations, etc. Applicable to the holidays listed as follows:

Scribner's

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

From this reading Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.

selectionsnounUS /səˈlekʃənz/

plural of “selection” — the act of choosing or selecting

From this reading Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.

seriesnounUS /ˈsɪriz/

similar things placed in order or happening one after another

From this reading A series of anthologies for the use of students and teachers in schools and colleges; consisting of the best verse, plays, stories, addresses, special articles, orations, etc. Applicable to the holidays listed as follows:

SignificancenounUS /səɡˈnɪfɪkəns/

the quality of being significant

From this reading Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.

SonsnounUS /sʌnz/

plural of “son” — a male human offspring

From this reading Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.

specialadjectiveUS /ˈspeʃəl/

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading A series of anthologies for the use of students and teachers in schools and colleges; consisting of the best verse, plays, stories, addresses, special articles, orations, etc. Applicable to the holidays listed as follows:

storiesnounUS /ˈstɔːriz/

plural of “story” — 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

From this reading A series of anthologies for the use of students and teachers in schools and colleges; consisting of the best verse, plays, stories, addresses, special articles, orations, etc. Applicable to the holidays listed as follows:

studentsnounUS /ˈstuːdənts/

plural of “student” — a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution

From this reading A series of anthologies for the use of students and teachers in schools and colleges; consisting of the best verse, plays, stories, addresses, special articles, orations, etc. Applicable to the holidays listed as follows:

superscripts

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

From this reading Carets (^) indicate superscripts.

teachersnounUS /ˈtiːtʃərz/

plural of “teacher” — a person whose occupation is teaching

From this reading A series of anthologies for the use of students and teachers in schools and colleges; consisting of the best verse, plays, stories, addresses, special articles, orations, etc. Applicable to the holidays listed as follows:

textnounUS /tekst/

the words of something written

From this reading A detailed transcriber's note is at the end of the text.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A detailed transcriber's note is at the end of the text.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading A series of anthologies for the use of students and teachers in schools and colleges; consisting of the best verse, plays, stories, addresses, special articles, orations, etc. Applicable to the holidays listed as follows:

transcriber's

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

From this reading A detailed transcriber's note is at the end of the text.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

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

From this reading Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.

usenounUS /juːs/

the act of using

From this reading A series of anthologies for the use of students and teachers in schools and colleges; consisting of the best verse, plays, stories, addresses, special articles, orations, etc. Applicable to the holidays listed as follows:

usedadjectiveUS /juːzd/

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading "* * * * *" is used as a divider between entries, and " - - - - -" as an internal divider within entries.

versenounUS /vɜːrs/

literature in metrical form

From this reading A series of anthologies for the use of students and teachers in schools and colleges; consisting of the best verse, plays, stories, addresses, special articles, orations, etc. Applicable to the holidays listed as follows:

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading "* * * * *" is used as a divider between entries, and " - - - - -" as an internal divider within entries.

worksnounUS /wɜːrks/

buildings for carrying on industrial labor

From this reading Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.

YorknounUS /jɔːrk/

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading Its Origin, Celebration and Significance As Related in Prose and Verse Edited by New York Dodd, Mead and Company The Publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; Little, Brown and Company; Dodd, Mead and Company; Bobbs-Merrill Company and others, who have granted us permission to reproduce selections from works bearing their copyright.

Chapter 1 of Christmas by Robert Haven [Editor] Schauffler holds 365 sentences, grouped into 73 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 1 of Christmas contain?

Chapter 1 holds 365 sentences of Christmas, unabridged, divided into 73 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Christmas by Robert Haven [Editor] Schauffler exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 365 sentences, grouped into 73 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 1 of Christmas?

Work through the 73 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 73 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 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 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 Christmas

Common questions about reading Christmas by Robert Haven [Editor] Schauffler on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Christmas?

Yes. All 2609 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #18908 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Christmas is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #18908, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Christmas take to read?

About 217 minutes of reading across 522 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Christmas section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 7 chapters of Christmas to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Christmas

Words and structures a reader meets early in Christmas, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Carets
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Christmas; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Indicate
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Christmas; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Superscripts
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Christmas; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Divider
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Christmas; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.