Chapter 1 of Henry D. Thoreau is here in full — 61 sentences across 13 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
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Chapter I
Chapter 1 of Henry D. Thoreau is here in full — 61 sentences across 13 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
American Men of Letters. HENRY D. THOREAU. F. B. SANBORN. _REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind. We better knew thee, loyal citizen!
Chapter 1 of Henry D. Thoreau is here in full — 61 sentences across 13 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
Reading 1/12 · 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.
believing the worst of human nature and motives; having a sneering disbelief in e.g. selflessness of others
From this reading “_REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.”
praise somewhat dishonestly
From this reading “_REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.”
treat with contemptuous disregard
From this reading “_REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.”
the act of forsaking
From this reading “_REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.”
any of several mostly spotted fishes that resemble groupers
From this reading “_REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.”
showing a brooding ill humor
From this reading “_REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.”
improved or brought up to date
United States writer and social critic (1817-1862)
From this reading “HENRY D. THOREAU.”
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 “_REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.”
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 _REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading American Men of Letters.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.
aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; found primarily in soil
From this reading F. B. SANBORN.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading We better knew thee, loyal citizen!
make by combining materials and parts
From this reading _REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.
a native or naturalized member of a state or other political community
From this reading We better knew thee, loyal citizen!
applying to ordinary citizens as contrasted with the military
From this reading _REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.
believing the worst of human nature and motives; having a sneering disbelief in e.g. selflessness of others
From this reading _REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.
a fat-soluble vitamin that prevents rickets
From this reading HENRY D. THOREAU.
the habitation of wild animals
From this reading _REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading _REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.
the form in which a text (especially a printed book) is published
From this reading _REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.
a degree on the Fahrenheit scale of temperature
From this reading F. B. SANBORN.
praise somewhat dishonestly
From this reading _REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.
treat with contemptuous disregard
From this reading _REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.
the act of forsaking
From this reading _REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.
a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second
From this reading HENRY D. THOREAU.
any of several mostly spotted fishes that resemble groupers
From this reading _REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading _REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading We better knew thee, loyal citizen!
the literary culture
From this reading American Men of Letters.
steadfast in allegiance or duty
From this reading We better knew thee, loyal citizen!
social deportment
From this reading _REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.
the force of workers available
From this reading American Men of Letters.
showing a brooding ill humor
From this reading _REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading _REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading _REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading American Men of Letters.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading _REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.
(used of persons and their behavior) cultivated and genteel
From this reading _REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.
improved or brought up to date
From this reading _REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.
socially incorrect in behavior
From this reading _REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading F. B. SANBORN.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading _REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.
an old word for “you”, as the object, speaking to one person
From this reading _REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading _REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading _REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.
United States writer and social critic (1817-1862)
From this reading HENRY D. THOREAU.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We better knew thee, loyal citizen!
which person or people
From this reading _REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.
having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading _REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading _REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.
not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth
From this reading _REVISED EDITION._ Much do they wrong our Henry wise and kind, Morose who name thee, cynical to men, Forsaking manners civil and refined To build thyself in Walden woods a den,-- Then flout society, flatter the rude hind.
Chapter 1 of Henry D. Thoreau by F. B. (Franklin Benjamin) Sanborn holds 61 sentences, grouped into 13 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 61 sentences of Henry D. Thoreau, unabridged, divided into 13 reading sections.
This page carries chapter 1 of Henry D. Thoreau by F. B. (Franklin Benjamin) Sanborn exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 61 sentences, grouped into 13 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 13 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.
Each of the 13 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.
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Yes. All 2612 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #51426 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.
Project Gutenberg eBook #51426, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.
About 217 minutes of reading across 523 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.
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Choose one of the 14 chapters of Henry D. Thoreau to begin.
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Words and structures a reader meets early in Henry D. Thoreau, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.
