Chapter 4 of Experience is here in full — 413 sentences across 83 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
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Chapter IV
Chapter 4 of Experience is here in full — 413 sentences across 83 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
’Then why are you in bed?’ I inquired politely. ’Matron’s orders,’ snapped the soldier bit of him. ’Drat the woman,’ said my brother. He hasn’t altered much, though the war has painted shadows and grim lines about his mouth; his eyes, too, are sterner than they used to be, otherwise he is the same good-looking, big, teasing, maddening brother.
Chapter 4 of Experience is here in full — 413 sentences across 83 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
Reading 1/82 · 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.
changed in form or character without becoming something else
From this reading “He hasn’t altered much, though the war has painted shadows and grim lines about his mouth; his eyes, too, are sterner than they used to be, otherwise he is the same good-looking, big, teasing, maddening brother.”
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading “He hasn’t altered much, though the war has painted shadows and grim lines about his mouth; his eyes, too, are sterner than they used to be, otherwise he is the same good-looking, big, teasing, maddening brother.”
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading “He hasn’t altered much, though the war has painted shadows and grim lines about his mouth; his eyes, too, are sterner than they used to be, otherwise he is the same good-looking, big, teasing, maddening brother.”
extremely annoying or displeasing
From this reading “He hasn’t altered much, though the war has painted shadows and grim lines about his mouth; his eyes, too, are sterner than they used to be, otherwise he is the same good-looking, big, teasing, maddening brother.”
in a polite manner
From this reading “I inquired politely.”
inflected form of “snap” — utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
From this reading “’Matron’s orders,’ snapped the soldier bit of him.”
comparative of “stern” — of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading “He hasn’t altered much, though the war has painted shadows and grim lines about his mouth; his eyes, too, are sterner than they used to be, otherwise he is the same good-looking, big, teasing, maddening brother.”
the act of harassing someone playfully or maliciously (especially by ridicule); provoking someone with persistent annoyances
From this reading “He hasn’t altered much, though the war has painted shadows and grim lines about his mouth; his eyes, too, are sterner than they used to be, otherwise he is the same good-looking, big, teasing, maddening brother.”
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 “He hasn’t altered much, though the war has painted shadows and grim lines about his mouth; his eyes, too, are sterner than they used to be, otherwise he is the same good-looking, big, teasing, maddening brother.”
In this reading “’Then why are you in bed?’”
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.
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He hasn’t altered much, though the war has painted shadows and grim lines about his mouth; his eyes, too, are sterner than they used to be, otherwise he is the same good-looking, big, teasing, maddening brother.
changed in form or character without becoming something else
From this reading He hasn’t altered much, though the war has painted shadows and grim lines about his mouth; his eyes, too, are sterner than they used to be, otherwise he is the same good-looking, big, teasing, maddening brother.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He hasn’t altered much, though the war has painted shadows and grim lines about his mouth; his eyes, too, are sterner than they used to be, otherwise he is the same good-looking, big, teasing, maddening brother.
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading ’Then why are you in bed?’
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He hasn’t altered much, though the war has painted shadows and grim lines about his mouth; his eyes, too, are sterner than they used to be, otherwise he is the same good-looking, big, teasing, maddening brother.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading ’Then why are you in bed?’
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He hasn’t altered much, though the war has painted shadows and grim lines about his mouth; his eyes, too, are sterner than they used to be, otherwise he is the same good-looking, big, teasing, maddening brother.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading ’Matron’s orders,’ snapped the soldier bit of him.
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading ’Drat the woman,’ said my brother.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ’Drat the woman,’ said my brother.
opinion or judgment
From this reading He hasn’t altered much, though the war has painted shadows and grim lines about his mouth; his eyes, too, are sterner than they used to be, otherwise he is the same good-looking, big, teasing, maddening brother.
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading He hasn’t altered much, though the war has painted shadows and grim lines about his mouth; his eyes, too, are sterner than they used to be, otherwise he is the same good-looking, big, teasing, maddening brother.
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading He hasn’t altered much, though the war has painted shadows and grim lines about his mouth; his eyes, too, are sterner than they used to be, otherwise he is the same good-looking, big, teasing, maddening brother.
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He hasn’t altered much, though the war has painted shadows and grim lines about his mouth; his eyes, too, are sterner than they used to be, otherwise he is the same good-looking, big, teasing, maddening brother.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He hasn’t altered much, though the war has painted shadows and grim lines about his mouth; his eyes, too, are sterner than they used to be, otherwise he is the same good-looking, big, teasing, maddening brother.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He hasn’t altered much, though the war has painted shadows and grim lines about his mouth; his eyes, too, are sterner than they used to be, otherwise he is the same good-looking, big, teasing, maddening brother.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading ’Matron’s orders,’ snapped the soldier bit of him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He hasn’t altered much, though the war has painted shadows and grim lines about his mouth; his eyes, too, are sterner than they used to be, otherwise he is the same good-looking, big, teasing, maddening brother.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I inquired politely.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ’Then why are you in bed?’
past form of “inquire” — address a question to and expect an answer from
From this reading I inquired politely.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He hasn’t altered much, though the war has painted shadows and grim lines about his mouth; his eyes, too, are sterner than they used to be, otherwise he is the same good-looking, big, teasing, maddening brother.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading He hasn’t altered much, though the war has painted shadows and grim lines about his mouth; his eyes, too, are sterner than they used to be, otherwise he is the same good-looking, big, teasing, maddening brother.
extremely annoying or displeasing
From this reading He hasn’t altered much, though the war has painted shadows and grim lines about his mouth; his eyes, too, are sterner than they used to be, otherwise he is the same good-looking, big, teasing, maddening brother.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ’Matron’s orders,’ snapped the soldier bit of him.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading He hasn’t altered much, though the war has painted shadows and grim lines about his mouth; his eyes, too, are sterner than they used to be, otherwise he is the same good-looking, big, teasing, maddening brother.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He hasn’t altered much, though the war has painted shadows and grim lines about his mouth; his eyes, too, are sterner than they used to be, otherwise he is the same good-looking, big, teasing, maddening brother.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading ’Drat the woman,’ said my brother.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ’Matron’s orders,’ snapped the soldier bit of him.
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading ’Matron’s orders,’ snapped the soldier bit of him.
in other respects or ways
From this reading He hasn’t altered much, though the war has painted shadows and grim lines about his mouth; his eyes, too, are sterner than they used to be, otherwise he is the same good-looking, big, teasing, maddening brother.
coated with paint
From this reading He hasn’t altered much, though the war has painted shadows and grim lines about his mouth; his eyes, too, are sterner than they used to be, otherwise he is the same good-looking, big, teasing, maddening brother.
in a polite manner
From this reading I inquired politely.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading ’Drat the woman,’ said my brother.
Identical; not different.
From this reading He hasn’t altered much, though the war has painted shadows and grim lines about his mouth; his eyes, too, are sterner than they used to be, otherwise he is the same good-looking, big, teasing, maddening brother.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading He hasn’t altered much, though the war has painted shadows and grim lines about his mouth; his eyes, too, are sterner than they used to be, otherwise he is the same good-looking, big, teasing, maddening brother.
inflected form of “snap” — utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
From this reading ’Matron’s orders,’ snapped the soldier bit of him.
an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading ’Matron’s orders,’ snapped the soldier bit of him.
comparative of “stern” — of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading He hasn’t altered much, though the war has painted shadows and grim lines about his mouth; his eyes, too, are sterner than they used to be, otherwise he is the same good-looking, big, teasing, maddening brother.
the act of harassing someone playfully or maliciously (especially by ridicule); provoking someone with persistent annoyances
From this reading He hasn’t altered much, though the war has painted shadows and grim lines about his mouth; his eyes, too, are sterner than they used to be, otherwise he is the same good-looking, big, teasing, maddening brother.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He hasn’t altered much, though the war has painted shadows and grim lines about his mouth; his eyes, too, are sterner than they used to be, otherwise he is the same good-looking, big, teasing, maddening brother.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ’Matron’s orders,’ snapped the soldier bit of him.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading ’Then why are you in bed?’
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He hasn’t altered much, though the war has painted shadows and grim lines about his mouth; his eyes, too, are sterner than they used to be, otherwise he is the same good-looking, big, teasing, maddening brother.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading He hasn’t altered much, though the war has painted shadows and grim lines about his mouth; his eyes, too, are sterner than they used to be, otherwise he is the same good-looking, big, teasing, maddening brother.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He hasn’t altered much, though the war has painted shadows and grim lines about his mouth; his eyes, too, are sterner than they used to be, otherwise he is the same good-looking, big, teasing, maddening brother.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading He hasn’t altered much, though the war has painted shadows and grim lines about his mouth; his eyes, too, are sterner than they used to be, otherwise he is the same good-looking, big, teasing, maddening brother.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading He hasn’t altered much, though the war has painted shadows and grim lines about his mouth; his eyes, too, are sterner than they used to be, otherwise he is the same good-looking, big, teasing, maddening brother.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading He hasn’t altered much, though the war has painted shadows and grim lines about his mouth; his eyes, too, are sterner than they used to be, otherwise he is the same good-looking, big, teasing, maddening brother.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading ’Then why are you in bed?’
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading ’Drat the woman,’ said my brother.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading ’Then why are you in bed?’
Chapter 4 of Experience by Catherine (Catherine M.) Cotton holds 413 sentences, grouped into 83 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 4 holds 413 sentences of Experience, unabridged, divided into 83 reading sections.
This page carries chapter 4 of Experience by Catherine (Catherine M.) Cotton exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 413 sentences, grouped into 83 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 83 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.
Each of the 83 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 4 can be played aloud in United States English.
Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.
Common questions about reading Experience by Catherine (Catherine M.) Cotton on this page, its source edition and its audio.
Yes. All 4075 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #49400 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.
Project Gutenberg eBook #49400, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.
About 339 minutes of reading across 815 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.
How to work through Experience section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.
Choose one of the 10 chapters of Experience 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 Experience, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.
