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If I May
If I May

Chapter I

Cover illustration for If I May
Context Illustration Reading 1/80 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Named by _Life_ in its issue of October 28, 1920, as one of the best six current books.
"No better book for vacation reading."
--_Review_ AUTHOR OF "NOT THAT IT MATTERS," ETC.
_First Edition_, October, 1921 _New Popular Edition_, 1925 These essays are reprinted, with such alterations and additions as seemed proper, from _The Sphere_, _The Outlook_, _The Daily News_, _The Sunday Express_ (London) and _Vanity Fair_ (New York).
A. A. M.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

If I May

Chapter I

Reading 1/80 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Named by _Life_ in its issue of October 28, 1920, as one of the best six current books.
Line 2
"No better book for vacation reading."
Line 3
--_Review_ AUTHOR OF "NOT THAT IT MATTERS," ETC.
Line 4
_First Edition_, October, 1921 _New Popular Edition_, 1925 These essays are reprinted, with such alterations and additions as seemed proper, from _The Sphere_, _The Outlook_, _The Daily News_, _The Sunday Express_ (London) and _Vanity Fair_ (New York).
Line 5
A. A. M.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Books noun US /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading “Named by _Life_ in its issue of October 28, 1920, as one of the best six current books.”

Current noun US /ˈcurrent/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Named by _Life_ in its issue of October 28, 1920, as one of the best six current books.”

Express verb US /ɪkˈspres/

to show or communicate a feeling or idea

Fair noun US /fair/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Named by _Life_ in its issue of October 28, 1920, as one of the best six current books.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “_First Edition_, October, 1921 _New Popular Edition_, 1925 These essays are reprinted, with such alterations and additions as seemed proper, from _The Sphere_, _The Outlook_, _The Daily News_, _The Sunday Express_ (London) and _Vanity Fair_ (New York).”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “_First Edition_, October, 1921 _New Popular Edition_, 1925 These essays are reprinted, with such alterations and additions as seemed proper, from _The Sphere_, _The Outlook_, _The Daily News_, _The Sunday Express_ (London) and _Vanity Fair_ (New York).”

All words in this reading · 60

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

1920

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

From this reading Named by _Life_ in its issue of October 28, 1920, as one of the best six current books.

1921

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

From this reading _First Edition_, October, 1921 _New Popular Edition_, 1925 These essays are reprinted, with such alterations and additions as seemed proper, from _The Sphere_, _The Outlook_, _The Daily News_, _The Sunday Express_ (London) and _Vanity Fair_ (New York).

1925

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

From this reading _First Edition_, October, 1921 _New Popular Edition_, 1925 These essays are reprinted, with such alterations and additions as seemed proper, from _The Sphere_, _The Outlook_, _The Daily News_, _The Sunday Express_ (London) and _Vanity Fair_ (New York).

28

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

From this reading Named by _Life_ in its issue of October 28, 1920, as one of the best six current books.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A. A. M.

additions

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

From this reading _First Edition_, October, 1921 _New Popular Edition_, 1925 These essays are reprinted, with such alterations and additions as seemed proper, from _The Sphere_, _The Outlook_, _The Daily News_, _The Sunday Express_ (London) and _Vanity Fair_ (New York).

alterations

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

From this reading _First Edition_, October, 1921 _New Popular Edition_, 1925 These essays are reprinted, with such alterations and additions as seemed proper, from _The Sphere_, _The Outlook_, _The Daily News_, _The Sunday Express_ (London) and _Vanity Fair_ (New York).

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading _First Edition_, October, 1921 _New Popular Edition_, 1925 These essays are reprinted, with such alterations and additions as seemed proper, from _The Sphere_, _The Outlook_, _The Daily News_, _The Sunday Express_ (London) and _Vanity Fair_ (New York).

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading _First Edition_, October, 1921 _New Popular Edition_, 1925 These essays are reprinted, with such alterations and additions as seemed proper, from _The Sphere_, _The Outlook_, _The Daily News_, _The Sunday Express_ (London) and _Vanity Fair_ (New York).

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Named by _Life_ in its issue of October 28, 1920, as one of the best six current books.

AUTHOR

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

From this reading --_Review_ AUTHOR OF "NOT THAT IT MATTERS," ETC.

best

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

From this reading Named by _Life_ in its issue of October 28, 1920, as one of the best six current books.

better

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

From this reading "No better book for vacation reading."

book

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

From this reading "No better book for vacation reading."

booksnounUS /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading Named by _Life_ in its issue of October 28, 1920, as one of the best six current books.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Named by _Life_ in its issue of October 28, 1920, as one of the best six current books.

currentnounUS /ˈcurrent/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Named by _Life_ in its issue of October 28, 1920, as one of the best six current books.

Daily

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

From this reading _First Edition_, October, 1921 _New Popular Edition_, 1925 These essays are reprinted, with such alterations and additions as seemed proper, from _The Sphere_, _The Outlook_, _The Daily News_, _The Sunday Express_ (London) and _Vanity Fair_ (New York).

Edition

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

From this reading _First Edition_, October, 1921 _New Popular Edition_, 1925 These essays are reprinted, with such alterations and additions as seemed proper, from _The Sphere_, _The Outlook_, _The Daily News_, _The Sunday Express_ (London) and _Vanity Fair_ (New York).

essays

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

From this reading _First Edition_, October, 1921 _New Popular Edition_, 1925 These essays are reprinted, with such alterations and additions as seemed proper, from _The Sphere_, _The Outlook_, _The Daily News_, _The Sunday Express_ (London) and _Vanity Fair_ (New York).

ETC

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

From this reading --_Review_ AUTHOR OF "NOT THAT IT MATTERS," ETC.

ExpressverbUS /ɪkˈspres/

to show or communicate a feeling or idea

From this reading _First Edition_, October, 1921 _New Popular Edition_, 1925 These essays are reprinted, with such alterations and additions as seemed proper, from _The Sphere_, _The Outlook_, _The Daily News_, _The Sunday Express_ (London) and _Vanity Fair_ (New York).

FairnounUS /fair/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading _First Edition_, October, 1921 _New Popular Edition_, 1925 These essays are reprinted, with such alterations and additions as seemed proper, from _The Sphere_, _The Outlook_, _The Daily News_, _The Sunday Express_ (London) and _Vanity Fair_ (New York).

FirstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading _First Edition_, October, 1921 _New Popular Edition_, 1925 These essays are reprinted, with such alterations and additions as seemed proper, from _The Sphere_, _The Outlook_, _The Daily News_, _The Sunday Express_ (London) and _Vanity Fair_ (New York).

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "No better book for vacation reading."

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading _First Edition_, October, 1921 _New Popular Edition_, 1925 These essays are reprinted, with such alterations and additions as seemed proper, from _The Sphere_, _The Outlook_, _The Daily News_, _The Sunday Express_ (London) and _Vanity Fair_ (New York).

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Named by _Life_ in its issue of October 28, 1920, as one of the best six current books.

issue

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

From this reading Named by _Life_ in its issue of October 28, 1920, as one of the best six current books.

ITpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading --_Review_ AUTHOR OF "NOT THAT IT MATTERS," ETC.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Named by _Life_ in its issue of October 28, 1920, as one of the best six current books.

LifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Named by _Life_ in its issue of October 28, 1920, as one of the best six current books.

London

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

From this reading _First Edition_, October, 1921 _New Popular Edition_, 1925 These essays are reprinted, with such alterations and additions as seemed proper, from _The Sphere_, _The Outlook_, _The Daily News_, _The Sunday Express_ (London) and _Vanity Fair_ (New York).

M

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

From this reading A. A. M.

MATTERS

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

From this reading --_Review_ AUTHOR OF "NOT THAT IT MATTERS," ETC.

Named

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

From this reading Named by _Life_ in its issue of October 28, 1920, as one of the best six current books.

New

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

From this reading _First Edition_, October, 1921 _New Popular Edition_, 1925 These essays are reprinted, with such alterations and additions as seemed proper, from _The Sphere_, _The Outlook_, _The Daily News_, _The Sunday Express_ (London) and _Vanity Fair_ (New York).

News

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

From this reading _First Edition_, October, 1921 _New Popular Edition_, 1925 These essays are reprinted, with such alterations and additions as seemed proper, from _The Sphere_, _The Outlook_, _The Daily News_, _The Sunday Express_ (London) and _Vanity Fair_ (New York).

NodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading "No better book for vacation reading."

NOTadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading --_Review_ AUTHOR OF "NOT THAT IT MATTERS," ETC.

October

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

From this reading Named by _Life_ in its issue of October 28, 1920, as one of the best six current books.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Named by _Life_ in its issue of October 28, 1920, as one of the best six current books.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Named by _Life_ in its issue of October 28, 1920, as one of the best six current books.

Outlook

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

From this reading _First Edition_, October, 1921 _New Popular Edition_, 1925 These essays are reprinted, with such alterations and additions as seemed proper, from _The Sphere_, _The Outlook_, _The Daily News_, _The Sunday Express_ (London) and _Vanity Fair_ (New York).

Popular

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

From this reading _First Edition_, October, 1921 _New Popular Edition_, 1925 These essays are reprinted, with such alterations and additions as seemed proper, from _The Sphere_, _The Outlook_, _The Daily News_, _The Sunday Express_ (London) and _Vanity Fair_ (New York).

proper

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

From this reading _First Edition_, October, 1921 _New Popular Edition_, 1925 These essays are reprinted, with such alterations and additions as seemed proper, from _The Sphere_, _The Outlook_, _The Daily News_, _The Sunday Express_ (London) and _Vanity Fair_ (New York).

reading

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

From this reading "No better book for vacation reading."

reprinted

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

From this reading _First Edition_, October, 1921 _New Popular Edition_, 1925 These essays are reprinted, with such alterations and additions as seemed proper, from _The Sphere_, _The Outlook_, _The Daily News_, _The Sunday Express_ (London) and _Vanity Fair_ (New York).

Review

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

From this reading --_Review_ AUTHOR OF "NOT THAT IT MATTERS," ETC.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading _First Edition_, October, 1921 _New Popular Edition_, 1925 These essays are reprinted, with such alterations and additions as seemed proper, from _The Sphere_, _The Outlook_, _The Daily News_, _The Sunday Express_ (London) and _Vanity Fair_ (New York).

six

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

From this reading Named by _Life_ in its issue of October 28, 1920, as one of the best six current books.

Sphere

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

From this reading _First Edition_, October, 1921 _New Popular Edition_, 1925 These essays are reprinted, with such alterations and additions as seemed proper, from _The Sphere_, _The Outlook_, _The Daily News_, _The Sunday Express_ (London) and _Vanity Fair_ (New York).

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading _First Edition_, October, 1921 _New Popular Edition_, 1925 These essays are reprinted, with such alterations and additions as seemed proper, from _The Sphere_, _The Outlook_, _The Daily News_, _The Sunday Express_ (London) and _Vanity Fair_ (New York).

Sunday

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

From this reading _First Edition_, October, 1921 _New Popular Edition_, 1925 These essays are reprinted, with such alterations and additions as seemed proper, from _The Sphere_, _The Outlook_, _The Daily News_, _The Sunday Express_ (London) and _Vanity Fair_ (New York).

THATconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading --_Review_ AUTHOR OF "NOT THAT IT MATTERS," ETC.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Named by _Life_ in its issue of October 28, 1920, as one of the best six current books.

ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading _First Edition_, October, 1921 _New Popular Edition_, 1925 These essays are reprinted, with such alterations and additions as seemed proper, from _The Sphere_, _The Outlook_, _The Daily News_, _The Sunday Express_ (London) and _Vanity Fair_ (New York).

vacation

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

From this reading "No better book for vacation reading."

Vanity

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

From this reading _First Edition_, October, 1921 _New Popular Edition_, 1925 These essays are reprinted, with such alterations and additions as seemed proper, from _The Sphere_, _The Outlook_, _The Daily News_, _The Sunday Express_ (London) and _Vanity Fair_ (New York).

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading _First Edition_, October, 1921 _New Popular Edition_, 1925 These essays are reprinted, with such alterations and additions as seemed proper, from _The Sphere_, _The Outlook_, _The Daily News_, _The Sunday Express_ (London) and _Vanity Fair_ (New York).

York

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

From this reading _First Edition_, October, 1921 _New Popular Edition_, 1925 These essays are reprinted, with such alterations and additions as seemed proper, from _The Sphere_, _The Outlook_, _The Daily News_, _The Sunday Express_ (London) and _Vanity Fair_ (New York).