Chapter 1 of Grim Tales is here in full — 420 sentences across 84 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter I
Chapter 1 of Grim Tales is here in full — 420 sentences across 84 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
GRIM TALES. BY E. NESBIT. London: A. D. INNES & CO., 31 & 32, BEDFORD STREET, STRAND, W.C. 1893. My thanks are due to the Editors of _Longman's Magazine_, _Temple Bar_, the _Argosy_, _Home Chimes_, and the _Illustrated London News_, in which periodicals these stories first appeared.
Chapter 1 of Grim Tales is here in full — 420 sentences across 84 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
Reading 1/84 · 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.
one or more large merchant ships
plural of “chime” — a percussion instrument consisting of a set of tuned bells that are struck with a hammer; used as an orchestral instrument
plural of “editor” — a person responsible for the editorial aspects of publication; the person who determines the final content of a text (especially of a newspaper or magazine)
From this reading “My thanks are due to the Editors of _Longman's Magazine_, _Temple Bar_, the _Argosy_, _Home Chimes_, and the _Illustrated London News_, in which periodicals these stories first appeared.”
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading “GRIM TALES.”
past form of “illustrate” — clarify by giving an example of
a periodic publication containing pictures and stories and articles of interest to those who purchase it or subscribe to it
plural of “periodical” — a publication that appears at fixed intervals
From this reading “My thanks are due to the Editors of _Longman's Magazine_, _Temple Bar_, the _Argosy_, _Home Chimes_, and the _Illustrated London News_, in which periodicals these stories first appeared.”
a pattern forming a unity within a larger structural whole
From this reading “London: A. D. INNES & CO., 31 & 32, BEDFORD STREET, STRAND, W.C.”
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.
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.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 1893.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading London: A. D. INNES & CO., 31 & 32, BEDFORD STREET, STRAND, W.C.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading London: A. D. INNES & CO., 31 & 32, BEDFORD STREET, STRAND, W.C.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading London: A. D. INNES & CO., 31 & 32, BEDFORD STREET, STRAND, W.C.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading My thanks are due to the Editors of _Longman's Magazine_, _Temple Bar_, the _Argosy_, _Home Chimes_, and the _Illustrated London News_, in which periodicals these stories first appeared.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading My thanks are due to the Editors of _Longman's Magazine_, _Temple Bar_, the _Argosy_, _Home Chimes_, and the _Illustrated London News_, in which periodicals these stories first appeared.
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading My thanks are due to the Editors of _Longman's Magazine_, _Temple Bar_, the _Argosy_, _Home Chimes_, and the _Illustrated London News_, in which periodicals these stories first appeared.
one or more large merchant ships
From this reading My thanks are due to the Editors of _Longman's Magazine_, _Temple Bar_, the _Argosy_, _Home Chimes_, and the _Illustrated London News_, in which periodicals these stories first appeared.
a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter
From this reading My thanks are due to the Editors of _Longman's Magazine_, _Temple Bar_, the _Argosy_, _Home Chimes_, and the _Illustrated London News_, in which periodicals these stories first appeared.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading London: A. D. INNES & CO., 31 & 32, BEDFORD STREET, STRAND, W.C.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading BY E. NESBIT.
a degree on the centigrade scale of temperature
From this reading London: A. D. INNES & CO., 31 & 32, BEDFORD STREET, STRAND, W.C.
plural of “chime” — a percussion instrument consisting of a set of tuned bells that are struck with a hammer; used as an orchestral instrument
From this reading My thanks are due to the Editors of _Longman's Magazine_, _Temple Bar_, the _Argosy_, _Home Chimes_, and the _Illustrated London News_, in which periodicals these stories first appeared.
an odorless very poisonous gas that is a product of incomplete combustion of carbon
From this reading London: A. D. INNES & CO., 31 & 32, BEDFORD STREET, STRAND, W.C.
a fat-soluble vitamin that prevents rickets
From this reading London: A. D. INNES & CO., 31 & 32, BEDFORD STREET, STRAND, W.C.
owed and payable immediately or on demand
From this reading My thanks are due to the Editors of _Longman's Magazine_, _Temple Bar_, the _Argosy_, _Home Chimes_, and the _Illustrated London News_, in which periodicals these stories first appeared.
a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for normal reproduction; an important antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals in the body
From this reading BY E. NESBIT.
plural of “editor” — a person responsible for the editorial aspects of publication; the person who determines the final content of a text (especially of a newspaper or magazine)
From this reading My thanks are due to the Editors of _Longman's Magazine_, _Temple Bar_, the _Argosy_, _Home Chimes_, and the _Illustrated London News_, in which periodicals these stories first appeared.
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading My thanks are due to the Editors of _Longman's Magazine_, _Temple Bar_, the _Argosy_, _Home Chimes_, and the _Illustrated London News_, in which periodicals these stories first appeared.
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading GRIM TALES.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading My thanks are due to the Editors of _Longman's Magazine_, _Temple Bar_, the _Argosy_, _Home Chimes_, and the _Illustrated London News_, in which periodicals these stories first appeared.
past form of “illustrate” — clarify by giving an example of
From this reading My thanks are due to the Editors of _Longman's Magazine_, _Temple Bar_, the _Argosy_, _Home Chimes_, and the _Illustrated London News_, in which periodicals these stories first appeared.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading My thanks are due to the Editors of _Longman's Magazine_, _Temple Bar_, the _Argosy_, _Home Chimes_, and the _Illustrated London News_, in which periodicals these stories first appeared.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading London: A. D. INNES & CO., 31 & 32, BEDFORD STREET, STRAND, W.C.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading London: A. D. INNES & CO., 31 & 32, BEDFORD STREET, STRAND, W.C.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My thanks are due to the Editors of _Longman's Magazine_, _Temple Bar_, the _Argosy_, _Home Chimes_, and the _Illustrated London News_, in which periodicals these stories first appeared.
a periodic publication containing pictures and stories and articles of interest to those who purchase it or subscribe to it
From this reading My thanks are due to the Editors of _Longman's Magazine_, _Temple Bar_, the _Argosy_, _Home Chimes_, and the _Illustrated London News_, in which periodicals these stories first appeared.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My thanks are due to the Editors of _Longman's Magazine_, _Temple Bar_, the _Argosy_, _Home Chimes_, and the _Illustrated London News_, in which periodicals these stories first appeared.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BY E. NESBIT.
information about recent and important events
From this reading My thanks are due to the Editors of _Longman's Magazine_, _Temple Bar_, the _Argosy_, _Home Chimes_, and the _Illustrated London News_, in which periodicals these stories first appeared.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading My thanks are due to the Editors of _Longman's Magazine_, _Temple Bar_, the _Argosy_, _Home Chimes_, and the _Illustrated London News_, in which periodicals these stories first appeared.
plural of “periodical” — a publication that appears at fixed intervals
From this reading My thanks are due to the Editors of _Longman's Magazine_, _Temple Bar_, the _Argosy_, _Home Chimes_, and the _Illustrated London News_, in which periodicals these stories first appeared.
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 My thanks are due to the Editors of _Longman's Magazine_, _Temple Bar_, the _Argosy_, _Home Chimes_, and the _Illustrated London News_, in which periodicals these stories first appeared.
a pattern forming a unity within a larger structural whole
From this reading London: A. D. INNES & CO., 31 & 32, BEDFORD STREET, STRAND, W.C.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading London: A. D. INNES & CO., 31 & 32, BEDFORD STREET, STRAND, W.C.
plural of “tale” — 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 GRIM TALES.
place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity
From this reading My thanks are due to the Editors of _Longman's Magazine_, _Temple Bar_, the _Argosy_, _Home Chimes_, and the _Illustrated London News_, in which periodicals these stories first appeared.
an acknowledgment of appreciation
From this reading My thanks are due to the Editors of _Longman's Magazine_, _Temple Bar_, the _Argosy_, _Home Chimes_, and the _Illustrated London News_, in which periodicals these stories first appeared.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading My thanks are due to the Editors of _Longman's Magazine_, _Temple Bar_, the _Argosy_, _Home Chimes_, and the _Illustrated London News_, in which periodicals these stories first appeared.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading My thanks are due to the Editors of _Longman's Magazine_, _Temple Bar_, the _Argosy_, _Home Chimes_, and the _Illustrated London News_, in which periodicals these stories first appeared.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading My thanks are due to the Editors of _Longman's Magazine_, _Temple Bar_, the _Argosy_, _Home Chimes_, and the _Illustrated London News_, in which periodicals these stories first appeared.
a heavy grey-white metallic element; the pure form is used mainly in electrical applications; it is found in several ores including wolframite and scheelite
From this reading London: A. D. INNES & CO., 31 & 32, BEDFORD STREET, STRAND, W.C.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading My thanks are due to the Editors of _Longman's Magazine_, _Temple Bar_, the _Argosy_, _Home Chimes_, and the _Illustrated London News_, in which periodicals these stories first appeared.
Chapter 1 of Grim Tales by E. (Edith) Nesbit holds 420 sentences, grouped into 84 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 1 holds 420 sentences of Grim Tales, unabridged, divided into 84 reading sections.
This page carries chapter 1 of Grim Tales by E. (Edith) Nesbit exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 420 sentences, grouped into 84 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 84 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.
Each of the 84 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 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.
Common questions about reading Grim Tales by E. (Edith) Nesbit on this page, its source edition and its audio.
Yes. All 1647 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #40321 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.
Project Gutenberg eBook #40321, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.
About 137 minutes of reading across 330 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.
How to work through Grim Tales section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.
Choose one of the 4 chapters of Grim Tales 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 Grim Tales, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.
