Chapter 2 of Dainty's Cruel Rivals is here in full — 87 sentences across 18 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter II
Chapter 2 of Dainty's Cruel Rivals is here in full — 87 sentences across 18 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
"THE PRETTIEST GIRL IN THE ROOM!" Golden curls, a snare for Cupid. Eyes of blue, a treacherous sea, Where Love's votaries sink drowning, Wrecked on hidden reefs; ah, me! Lips of bloom like June's red roses, Lily throat and dimpled chin, Glowing cheeks like fragrant posies, Made for smiles to gather in. --_Mrs. Alex McVeigh Miller_.
Chapter 2 of Dainty's Cruel Rivals is here in full — 87 sentences across 18 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
Reading 1/17 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5
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.
(Roman mythology) god of love; counterpart of Greek Eros
From this reading “Golden curls, a snare for Cupid.”
past form of “dimple” — mark with, or as if with, dimples
From this reading “Lips of bloom like June's red roses, Lily throat and dimpled chin, Glowing cheeks like fragrant posies, Made for smiles to gather in.”
-ing form of “drown” — cover completely or make imperceptible
From this reading “Eyes of blue, a treacherous sea, Where Love's votaries sink drowning, Wrecked on hidden reefs; ah, me!”
possessive form of “june” — the month following May and preceding July
From this reading “Lips of bloom like June's red roses, Lily throat and dimpled chin, Glowing cheeks like fragrant posies, Made for smiles to gather in.”
possessive form of “love” — a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading “Eyes of blue, a treacherous sea, Where Love's votaries sink drowning, Wrecked on hidden reefs; ah, me!”
superlative of “pretty” — pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading “"THE PRETTIEST GIRL IN THE ROOM!"”
plural of “reef” — a submerged ridge of rock or coral near the surface of the water
From this reading “Eyes of blue, a treacherous sea, Where Love's votaries sink drowning, Wrecked on hidden reefs; ah, me!”
something (often something deceptively attractive) that catches you unawares
From this reading “Golden curls, a snare for Cupid.”
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.
In this reading “Lips of bloom like June's red roses, Lily throat and dimpled chin, Glowing cheeks like fragrant posies, Made for smiles to gather in.”
In this reading “Lips of bloom like June's red roses, Lily throat and dimpled chin, Glowing cheeks like fragrant posies, Made for smiles to gather in.”
In this reading “"THE PRETTIEST GIRL IN THE ROOM!"”
In this reading “Lips of bloom like June's red roses, Lily throat and dimpled chin, Glowing cheeks like fragrant posies, Made for smiles to gather in.”
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.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Golden curls, a snare for Cupid.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Eyes of blue, a treacherous sea, Where Love's votaries sink drowning, Wrecked on hidden reefs; ah, me!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading --_Mrs. Alex McVeigh Miller_.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Lips of bloom like June's red roses, Lily throat and dimpled chin, Glowing cheeks like fragrant posies, Made for smiles to gather in.
the organic process of bearing flowers
From this reading Lips of bloom like June's red roses, Lily throat and dimpled chin, Glowing cheeks like fragrant posies, Made for smiles to gather in.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Eyes of blue, a treacherous sea, Where Love's votaries sink drowning, Wrecked on hidden reefs; ah, me!
plural of “cheek” — either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading Lips of bloom like June's red roses, Lily throat and dimpled chin, Glowing cheeks like fragrant posies, Made for smiles to gather in.
the protruding part of the lower jaw
From this reading Lips of bloom like June's red roses, Lily throat and dimpled chin, Glowing cheeks like fragrant posies, Made for smiles to gather in.
(Roman mythology) god of love; counterpart of Greek Eros
From this reading Golden curls, a snare for Cupid.
plural of “curl” — a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles (as formed by leaves or flower petals)
From this reading Golden curls, a snare for Cupid.
past form of “dimple” — mark with, or as if with, dimples
From this reading Lips of bloom like June's red roses, Lily throat and dimpled chin, Glowing cheeks like fragrant posies, Made for smiles to gather in.
-ing form of “drown” — cover completely or make imperceptible
From this reading Eyes of blue, a treacherous sea, Where Love's votaries sink drowning, Wrecked on hidden reefs; ah, me!
opinion or judgment
From this reading Eyes of blue, a treacherous sea, Where Love's votaries sink drowning, Wrecked on hidden reefs; ah, me!
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Golden curls, a snare for Cupid.
pleasant-smelling
From this reading Lips of bloom like June's red roses, Lily throat and dimpled chin, Glowing cheeks like fragrant posies, Made for smiles to gather in.
assemble or get together
From this reading Lips of bloom like June's red roses, Lily throat and dimpled chin, Glowing cheeks like fragrant posies, Made for smiles to gather in.
a young female
From this reading "THE PRETTIEST GIRL IN THE ROOM!"
highly enthusiastic
From this reading Lips of bloom like June's red roses, Lily throat and dimpled chin, Glowing cheeks like fragrant posies, Made for smiles to gather in.
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading Golden curls, a snare for Cupid.
not accessible to view
From this reading Eyes of blue, a treacherous sea, Where Love's votaries sink drowning, Wrecked on hidden reefs; ah, me!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "THE PRETTIEST GIRL IN THE ROOM!"
possessive form of “june” — the month following May and preceding July
From this reading Lips of bloom like June's red roses, Lily throat and dimpled chin, Glowing cheeks like fragrant posies, Made for smiles to gather in.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Lips of bloom like June's red roses, Lily throat and dimpled chin, Glowing cheeks like fragrant posies, Made for smiles to gather in.
any liliaceous plant of the genus Lilium having showy pendulous flowers
From this reading Lips of bloom like June's red roses, Lily throat and dimpled chin, Glowing cheeks like fragrant posies, Made for smiles to gather in.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading Lips of bloom like June's red roses, Lily throat and dimpled chin, Glowing cheeks like fragrant posies, Made for smiles to gather in.
possessive form of “love” — a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading Eyes of blue, a treacherous sea, Where Love's votaries sink drowning, Wrecked on hidden reefs; ah, me!
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Lips of bloom like June's red roses, Lily throat and dimpled chin, Glowing cheeks like fragrant posies, Made for smiles to gather in.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading --_Mrs. Alex McVeigh Miller_.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Eyes of blue, a treacherous sea, Where Love's votaries sink drowning, Wrecked on hidden reefs; ah, me!
United States bandleader of a popular big band (1909-1944)
From this reading --_Mrs. Alex McVeigh Miller_.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading --_Mrs. Alex McVeigh Miller_.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Eyes of blue, a treacherous sea, Where Love's votaries sink drowning, Wrecked on hidden reefs; ah, me!
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Eyes of blue, a treacherous sea, Where Love's votaries sink drowning, Wrecked on hidden reefs; ah, me!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lips of bloom like June's red roses, Lily throat and dimpled chin, Glowing cheeks like fragrant posies, Made for smiles to gather in.
superlative of “pretty” — pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading "THE PRETTIEST GIRL IN THE ROOM!"
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading Lips of bloom like June's red roses, Lily throat and dimpled chin, Glowing cheeks like fragrant posies, Made for smiles to gather in.
plural of “reef” — a submerged ridge of rock or coral near the surface of the water
From this reading Eyes of blue, a treacherous sea, Where Love's votaries sink drowning, Wrecked on hidden reefs; ah, me!
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading "THE PRETTIEST GIRL IN THE ROOM!"
plural of “rose” — any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Lips of bloom like June's red roses, Lily throat and dimpled chin, Glowing cheeks like fragrant posies, Made for smiles to gather in.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Eyes of blue, a treacherous sea, Where Love's votaries sink drowning, Wrecked on hidden reefs; ah, me!
fall or descend to a lower place or level
From this reading Eyes of blue, a treacherous sea, Where Love's votaries sink drowning, Wrecked on hidden reefs; ah, me!
plural of “smile” — a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading Lips of bloom like June's red roses, Lily throat and dimpled chin, Glowing cheeks like fragrant posies, Made for smiles to gather in.
something (often something deceptively attractive) that catches you unawares
From this reading Golden curls, a snare for Cupid.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "THE PRETTIEST GIRL IN THE ROOM!"
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading Lips of bloom like June's red roses, Lily throat and dimpled chin, Glowing cheeks like fragrant posies, Made for smiles to gather in.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Lips of bloom like June's red roses, Lily throat and dimpled chin, Glowing cheeks like fragrant posies, Made for smiles to gather in.
dangerously unstable and unpredictable
From this reading Eyes of blue, a treacherous sea, Where Love's votaries sink drowning, Wrecked on hidden reefs; ah, me!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Eyes of blue, a treacherous sea, Where Love's votaries sink drowning, Wrecked on hidden reefs; ah, me!
in or at the place that
From this reading Eyes of blue, a treacherous sea, Where Love's votaries sink drowning, Wrecked on hidden reefs; ah, me!
destroyed in an accident
From this reading Eyes of blue, a treacherous sea, Where Love's votaries sink drowning, Wrecked on hidden reefs; ah, me!
Chapter 2 of Dainty's Cruel Rivals by Alex. McVeigh, Mrs. Miller holds 87 sentences, grouped into 18 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.
Chapter 2 holds 87 sentences of Dainty's Cruel Rivals, unabridged, divided into 18 reading sections.
This page carries chapter 2 of Dainty's Cruel Rivals by Alex. McVeigh, Mrs. Miller exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 87 sentences, grouped into 18 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.
Work through the 18 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.
Each of the 18 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.
Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 2 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.
Common questions about reading Dainty's Cruel Rivals by Alex. McVeigh, Mrs. Miller on this page, its source edition and its audio.
Yes. All 2450 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #31257 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.
Project Gutenberg eBook #31257, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.
About 204 minutes of reading across 490 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.
How to work through Dainty's Cruel Rivals section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.
Choose one of the 40 chapters of Dainty's Cruel Rivals to begin.
Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.
Words and structures a reader meets early in Dainty's Cruel Rivals, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.
