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Intentions
Intentions

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Intentions is here in full — 161 sentences across 33 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Chapter 1 of Intentions by Oscar Wilde holds 161 sentences, grouped into 33 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, 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.

What does chapter 1 of Intentions contain?

Chapter 1 holds 161 sentences of Intentions, unabridged, divided into 33 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Intentions by Oscar Wilde exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 161 sentences, grouped into 33 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.

How do I study chapter 1 of Intentions?

Work through the 33 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 33 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.

Can chapter 1 be read aloud to me?

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.

Questions about reading Intentions

Common questions about reading Intentions by Oscar Wilde on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Intentions?

Yes. All 2733 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #887 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Intentions is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #887, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Intentions take to read?

About 227 minutes of reading across 547 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Intentions section by section

How to work through Intentions section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 17 chapters of Intentions to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Intentions

Words and structures a reader meets early in Intentions, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

First
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Intentions; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Published
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Intentions; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Second
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Intentions; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Edition
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Intentions; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Cover illustration for Intentions
Context Illustration Reading 1/33 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
_First Published_, _at 1s. net_, _in 1913_ _This Book was First Published_ _1891_ _Second Edition_ _1894_ _First Published_ (_Third Edition_) _by Methuen _1908_ and Co._ _Fourth Edition_ _1909_ _Fifth Edition_ _1911_ _A DIALOGUE_.
_Persons_: _Cyril and_ _Vivian_.
_Scene_: _the Library of a country_ _house in Nottinghamshire_.
CYRIL (_coming in through the open window from the terrace_).
My dear Vivian, don’t coop yourself up all day in the library.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Intentions

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Intentions is here in full — 161 sentences across 33 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/33 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
_First Published_, _at 1s. net_, _in 1913_ _This Book was First Published_ _1891_ _Second Edition_ _1894_ _First Published_ (_Third Edition_) _by Methuen _1908_ and Co._ _Fourth Edition_ _1909_ _Fifth Edition_ _1911_ _A DIALOGUE_.
Line 2
_Persons_: _Cyril and_ _Vivian_.
Line 3
_Scene_: _the Library of a country_ _house in Nottinghamshire_.
Line 4
CYRIL (_coming in through the open window from the terrace_).
Line 5
My dear Vivian, don’t coop yourself up all day in the library.

Learner Dictionary

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.

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “CYRIL (_coming in through the open window from the terrace_).”

All words in this reading · 51

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

1

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

From this reading _First Published_, _at 1s. net_, _in 1913_ _This Book was First Published_ _1891_ _Second Edition_ _1894_ _First Published_ (_Third Edition_) _by Methuen _1908_ and Co._ _Fourth Edition_ _1909_ _Fifth Edition_ _1911_ _A DIALOGUE_.

1891

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

From this reading _First Published_, _at 1s. net_, _in 1913_ _This Book was First Published_ _1891_ _Second Edition_ _1894_ _First Published_ (_Third Edition_) _by Methuen _1908_ and Co._ _Fourth Edition_ _1909_ _Fifth Edition_ _1911_ _A DIALOGUE_.

1894

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

From this reading _First Published_, _at 1s. net_, _in 1913_ _This Book was First Published_ _1891_ _Second Edition_ _1894_ _First Published_ (_Third Edition_) _by Methuen _1908_ and Co._ _Fourth Edition_ _1909_ _Fifth Edition_ _1911_ _A DIALOGUE_.

1908

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

From this reading _First Published_, _at 1s. net_, _in 1913_ _This Book was First Published_ _1891_ _Second Edition_ _1894_ _First Published_ (_Third Edition_) _by Methuen _1908_ and Co._ _Fourth Edition_ _1909_ _Fifth Edition_ _1911_ _A DIALOGUE_.

1909

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

From this reading _First Published_, _at 1s. net_, _in 1913_ _This Book was First Published_ _1891_ _Second Edition_ _1894_ _First Published_ (_Third Edition_) _by Methuen _1908_ and Co._ _Fourth Edition_ _1909_ _Fifth Edition_ _1911_ _A DIALOGUE_.

1911

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

From this reading _First Published_, _at 1s. net_, _in 1913_ _This Book was First Published_ _1891_ _Second Edition_ _1894_ _First Published_ (_Third Edition_) _by Methuen _1908_ and Co._ _Fourth Edition_ _1909_ _Fifth Edition_ _1911_ _A DIALOGUE_.

1913

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

From this reading _First Published_, _at 1s. net_, _in 1913_ _This Book was First Published_ _1891_ _Second Edition_ _1894_ _First Published_ (_Third Edition_) _by Methuen _1908_ and Co._ _Fourth Edition_ _1909_ _Fifth Edition_ _1911_ _A DIALOGUE_.

A

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

From this reading _First Published_, _at 1s. net_, _in 1913_ _This Book was First Published_ _1891_ _Second Edition_ _1894_ _First Published_ (_Third Edition_) _by Methuen _1908_ and Co._ _Fourth Edition_ _1909_ _Fifth Edition_ _1911_ _A DIALOGUE_.

all

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

From this reading My dear Vivian, don’t coop yourself up all day in the library.

and

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

From this reading _First Published_, _at 1s. net_, _in 1913_ _This Book was First Published_ _1891_ _Second Edition_ _1894_ _First Published_ (_Third Edition_) _by Methuen _1908_ and Co._ _Fourth Edition_ _1909_ _Fifth Edition_ _1911_ _A DIALOGUE_.

at

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

From this reading _First Published_, _at 1s. net_, _in 1913_ _This Book was First Published_ _1891_ _Second Edition_ _1894_ _First Published_ (_Third Edition_) _by Methuen _1908_ and Co._ _Fourth Edition_ _1909_ _Fifth Edition_ _1911_ _A DIALOGUE_.

Book

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

From this reading _First Published_, _at 1s. net_, _in 1913_ _This Book was First Published_ _1891_ _Second Edition_ _1894_ _First Published_ (_Third Edition_) _by Methuen _1908_ and Co._ _Fourth Edition_ _1909_ _Fifth Edition_ _1911_ _A DIALOGUE_.

by

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

From this reading _First Published_, _at 1s. net_, _in 1913_ _This Book was First Published_ _1891_ _Second Edition_ _1894_ _First Published_ (_Third Edition_) _by Methuen _1908_ and Co._ _Fourth Edition_ _1909_ _Fifth Edition_ _1911_ _A DIALOGUE_.

Co

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

From this reading _First Published_, _at 1s. net_, _in 1913_ _This Book was First Published_ _1891_ _Second Edition_ _1894_ _First Published_ (_Third Edition_) _by Methuen _1908_ and Co._ _Fourth Edition_ _1909_ _Fifth Edition_ _1911_ _A DIALOGUE_.

coming

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

From this reading CYRIL (_coming in through the open window from the terrace_).

coop

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

From this reading My dear Vivian, don’t coop yourself up all day in the library.

country

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

From this reading _Scene_: _the Library of a country_ _house in Nottinghamshire_.

Cyril

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

From this reading _Persons_: _Cyril and_ _Vivian_.

day

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

From this reading My dear Vivian, don’t coop yourself up all day in the library.

dear

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

From this reading My dear Vivian, don’t coop yourself up all day in the library.

DIALOGUE

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

From this reading _First Published_, _at 1s. net_, _in 1913_ _This Book was First Published_ _1891_ _Second Edition_ _1894_ _First Published_ (_Third Edition_) _by Methuen _1908_ and Co._ _Fourth Edition_ _1909_ _Fifth Edition_ _1911_ _A DIALOGUE_.

don't

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

From this reading My dear Vivian, don’t coop yourself up all day in the library.

Edition

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

From this reading _First Published_, _at 1s. net_, _in 1913_ _This Book was First Published_ _1891_ _Second Edition_ _1894_ _First Published_ (_Third Edition_) _by Methuen _1908_ and Co._ _Fourth Edition_ _1909_ _Fifth Edition_ _1911_ _A DIALOGUE_.

Fifth

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

From this reading _First Published_, _at 1s. net_, _in 1913_ _This Book was First Published_ _1891_ _Second Edition_ _1894_ _First Published_ (_Third Edition_) _by Methuen _1908_ and Co._ _Fourth Edition_ _1909_ _Fifth Edition_ _1911_ _A DIALOGUE_.

First

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

From this reading _First Published_, _at 1s. net_, _in 1913_ _This Book was First Published_ _1891_ _Second Edition_ _1894_ _First Published_ (_Third Edition_) _by Methuen _1908_ and Co._ _Fourth Edition_ _1909_ _Fifth Edition_ _1911_ _A DIALOGUE_.

Fourth

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

From this reading _First Published_, _at 1s. net_, _in 1913_ _This Book was First Published_ _1891_ _Second Edition_ _1894_ _First Published_ (_Third Edition_) _by Methuen _1908_ and Co._ _Fourth Edition_ _1909_ _Fifth Edition_ _1911_ _A DIALOGUE_.

from

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

From this reading CYRIL (_coming in through the open window from the terrace_).

house

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

From this reading _Scene_: _the Library of a country_ _house in Nottinghamshire_.

in

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

From this reading _First Published_, _at 1s. net_, _in 1913_ _This Book was First Published_ _1891_ _Second Edition_ _1894_ _First Published_ (_Third Edition_) _by Methuen _1908_ and Co._ _Fourth Edition_ _1909_ _Fifth Edition_ _1911_ _A DIALOGUE_.

Library

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

From this reading _Scene_: _the Library of a country_ _house in Nottinghamshire_.

Methuen

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

From this reading _First Published_, _at 1s. net_, _in 1913_ _This Book was First Published_ _1891_ _Second Edition_ _1894_ _First Published_ (_Third Edition_) _by Methuen _1908_ and Co._ _Fourth Edition_ _1909_ _Fifth Edition_ _1911_ _A DIALOGUE_.

My

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

From this reading My dear Vivian, don’t coop yourself up all day in the library.

net

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

From this reading _First Published_, _at 1s. net_, _in 1913_ _This Book was First Published_ _1891_ _Second Edition_ _1894_ _First Published_ (_Third Edition_) _by Methuen _1908_ and Co._ _Fourth Edition_ _1909_ _Fifth Edition_ _1911_ _A DIALOGUE_.

Nottinghamshire

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

From this reading _Scene_: _the Library of a country_ _house in Nottinghamshire_.

of

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

From this reading _Scene_: _the Library of a country_ _house in Nottinghamshire_.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading CYRIL (_coming in through the open window from the terrace_).

Persons

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

From this reading _Persons_: _Cyril and_ _Vivian_.

Published

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

From this reading _First Published_, _at 1s. net_, _in 1913_ _This Book was First Published_ _1891_ _Second Edition_ _1894_ _First Published_ (_Third Edition_) _by Methuen _1908_ and Co._ _Fourth Edition_ _1909_ _Fifth Edition_ _1911_ _A DIALOGUE_.

s

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

From this reading _First Published_, _at 1s. net_, _in 1913_ _This Book was First Published_ _1891_ _Second Edition_ _1894_ _First Published_ (_Third Edition_) _by Methuen _1908_ and Co._ _Fourth Edition_ _1909_ _Fifth Edition_ _1911_ _A DIALOGUE_.

Scene

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

From this reading _Scene_: _the Library of a country_ _house in Nottinghamshire_.

Second

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

From this reading _First Published_, _at 1s. net_, _in 1913_ _This Book was First Published_ _1891_ _Second Edition_ _1894_ _First Published_ (_Third Edition_) _by Methuen _1908_ and Co._ _Fourth Edition_ _1909_ _Fifth Edition_ _1911_ _A DIALOGUE_.

terrace

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

From this reading CYRIL (_coming in through the open window from the terrace_).

the

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

From this reading _Scene_: _the Library of a country_ _house in Nottinghamshire_.

Third

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

From this reading _First Published_, _at 1s. net_, _in 1913_ _This Book was First Published_ _1891_ _Second Edition_ _1894_ _First Published_ (_Third Edition_) _by Methuen _1908_ and Co._ _Fourth Edition_ _1909_ _Fifth Edition_ _1911_ _A DIALOGUE_.

This

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

From this reading _First Published_, _at 1s. net_, _in 1913_ _This Book was First Published_ _1891_ _Second Edition_ _1894_ _First Published_ (_Third Edition_) _by Methuen _1908_ and Co._ _Fourth Edition_ _1909_ _Fifth Edition_ _1911_ _A DIALOGUE_.

through

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

From this reading CYRIL (_coming in through the open window from the terrace_).

up

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

From this reading My dear Vivian, don’t coop yourself up all day in the library.

Vivian

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

From this reading _Persons_: _Cyril and_ _Vivian_.

was

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

From this reading _First Published_, _at 1s. net_, _in 1913_ _This Book was First Published_ _1891_ _Second Edition_ _1894_ _First Published_ (_Third Edition_) _by Methuen _1908_ and Co._ _Fourth Edition_ _1909_ _Fifth Edition_ _1911_ _A DIALOGUE_.

window

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

From this reading CYRIL (_coming in through the open window from the terrace_).

yourself

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

From this reading My dear Vivian, don’t coop yourself up all day in the library.