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Introducing the American Spirit
Introducing the American Spirit

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Introducing the American Spirit is here in full — 515 sentences across 103 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Introducing the American Spirit
Context Illustration Reading 1/103 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE CONFESSION OF A HYPHENATED AMERICAN 12mo, boards net 50c.
INTRODUCING THE AMERICAN SPIRIT What it Means to a Citizen and How it Appears to an Alien.
12mo, cloth net $1.00 FROM ALIEN TO CITIZEN The Story of My Life in America.
Illustrated, 8vo, cloth net $1.50 THE BROKEN WALL Stories of the Mingling Folk.
Illustrated, 12mo, cloth net $1.00 AGAINST THE CURRENT Simple Chapters from a Complex Life.
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.

Introducing the American Spirit

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Introducing the American Spirit is here in full — 515 sentences across 103 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/103 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE CONFESSION OF A HYPHENATED AMERICAN 12mo, boards net 50c.
Line 2
INTRODUCING THE AMERICAN SPIRIT What it Means to a Citizen and How it Appears to an Alien.
Line 3
12mo, cloth net $1.00 FROM ALIEN TO CITIZEN The Story of My Life in America.
Line 4
Illustrated, 8vo, cloth net $1.50 THE BROKEN WALL Stories of the Mingling Folk.
Line 5
Illustrated, 12mo, cloth net $1.00 AGAINST THE CURRENT Simple Chapters from a Complex Life.

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.

Alien adjective US /ˈeɪliən/

not contained in or deriving from the essential nature of something

From this reading “INTRODUCING THE AMERICAN SPIRIT What it Means to a Citizen and How it Appears to an Alien.”

boards noun US /bɔːrdz/

(used in the plural) the stage of a theater

From this reading “THE CONFESSION OF A HYPHENATED AMERICAN 12mo, boards net 50c.”

Chapters noun US /ˈtʃæptərz/

plural of “chapter” — a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled

From this reading “Illustrated, 12mo, cloth net $1.00 AGAINST THE CURRENT Simple Chapters from a Complex Life.”

Citizen noun US /ˈsɪtəzən/

a native or naturalized member of a state or other political community

From this reading “INTRODUCING THE AMERICAN SPIRIT What it Means to a Citizen and How it Appears to an Alien.”

Complex noun US /ˈkɑːmpleks/

a conceptual whole made up of complicated and related parts

From this reading “Illustrated, 12mo, cloth net $1.00 AGAINST THE CURRENT Simple Chapters from a Complex Life.”

hyphenated verb US /ˈhaɪfəneɪtɪd/

past form of “hyphenate” — divide or connect with a hyphen

From this reading “THE CONFESSION OF A HYPHENATED AMERICAN 12mo, boards net 50c.”

introducing verb US /ˌɪntrəˈduːsɪŋ/

-ing form of “introduce” — cause to come to know personally

From this reading “INTRODUCING THE AMERICAN SPIRIT What it Means to a Citizen and How it Appears to an Alien.”

Mingling noun US /ˈmɪŋɡəlɪŋ/

the action of people mingling and coming into contact

From this reading “Illustrated, 8vo, cloth net $1.50 THE BROKEN WALL Stories of the Mingling Folk.”

Word partnerships in these lines

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.

AGAINST THE CURRENT preposition + article + noun counted as “against … current”

In this reading “Illustrated, 12mo, cloth net $1.00 AGAINST THE CURRENT Simple Chapters from a Complex Life.”

All words in this reading · 46

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.

1.00

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

From this reading 12mo, cloth net $1.00 FROM ALIEN TO CITIZEN The Story of My Life in America.

1.50

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

From this reading Illustrated, 8vo, cloth net $1.50 THE BROKEN WALL Stories of the Mingling Folk.

12

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

From this reading THE CONFESSION OF A HYPHENATED AMERICAN 12mo, boards net 50c.

50

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

From this reading THE CONFESSION OF A HYPHENATED AMERICAN 12mo, boards net 50c.

8

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

From this reading Illustrated, 8vo, cloth net $1.50 THE BROKEN WALL Stories of the Mingling Folk.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading THE CONFESSION OF A HYPHENATED AMERICAN 12mo, boards net 50c.

AGAINSTprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Illustrated, 12mo, cloth net $1.00 AGAINST THE CURRENT Simple Chapters from a Complex Life.

AlienadjectiveUS /ˈeɪliən/

not contained in or deriving from the essential nature of something

From this reading INTRODUCING THE AMERICAN SPIRIT What it Means to a Citizen and How it Appears to an Alien.

AmericanounUS /əˈmerəkə/

North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776

From this reading 12mo, cloth net $1.00 FROM ALIEN TO CITIZEN The Story of My Life in America.

AMERICANnounUS /əˈmerəkən/

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading THE CONFESSION OF A HYPHENATED AMERICAN 12mo, boards net 50c.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading INTRODUCING THE AMERICAN SPIRIT What it Means to a Citizen and How it Appears to an Alien.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading INTRODUCING THE AMERICAN SPIRIT What it Means to a Citizen and How it Appears to an Alien.

AppearsverbUS /əˈpɪrz/

third-person singular of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading INTRODUCING THE AMERICAN SPIRIT What it Means to a Citizen and How it Appears to an Alien.

boardsnounUS /bɔːrdz/

(used in the plural) the stage of a theater

From this reading THE CONFESSION OF A HYPHENATED AMERICAN 12mo, boards net 50c.

BROKENadjectiveUS /ˈbroʊkən/

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading Illustrated, 8vo, cloth net $1.50 THE BROKEN WALL Stories of the Mingling Folk.

cnounUS /siː/

a degree on the centigrade scale of temperature

From this reading THE CONFESSION OF A HYPHENATED AMERICAN 12mo, boards net 50c.

ChaptersnounUS /ˈtʃæptərz/

plural of “chapter” — a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled

From this reading Illustrated, 12mo, cloth net $1.00 AGAINST THE CURRENT Simple Chapters from a Complex Life.

CitizennounUS /ˈsɪtəzən/

a native or naturalized member of a state or other political community

From this reading INTRODUCING THE AMERICAN SPIRIT What it Means to a Citizen and How it Appears to an Alien.

clothnounUS /klɔːθ/

artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers

From this reading 12mo, cloth net $1.00 FROM ALIEN TO CITIZEN The Story of My Life in America.

ComplexnounUS /ˈkɑːmpleks/

a conceptual whole made up of complicated and related parts

From this reading Illustrated, 12mo, cloth net $1.00 AGAINST THE CURRENT Simple Chapters from a Complex Life.

CONFESSIONnounUS /kənˈfeʃən/

an admission of misdeeds or faults

From this reading THE CONFESSION OF A HYPHENATED AMERICAN 12mo, boards net 50c.

CURRENTnounUS /ˈkɜːrənt/

a flow of electricity through a conductor

From this reading Illustrated, 12mo, cloth net $1.00 AGAINST THE CURRENT Simple Chapters from a Complex Life.

FolknounUS /foʊk/

people in general (often used in the plural)

From this reading Illustrated, 8vo, cloth net $1.50 THE BROKEN WALL Stories of the Mingling Folk.

FROMprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading 12mo, cloth net $1.00 FROM ALIEN TO CITIZEN The Story of My Life in America.

How

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

From this reading INTRODUCING THE AMERICAN SPIRIT What it Means to a Citizen and How it Appears to an Alien.

HYPHENATEDverbUS /ˈhaɪfəneɪtɪd/

past form of “hyphenate” — divide or connect with a hyphen

From this reading THE CONFESSION OF A HYPHENATED AMERICAN 12mo, boards net 50c.

IllustratedverbUS /ˈɪləstreɪtəd/

past form of “illustrate” — clarify by giving an example of

From this reading Illustrated, 8vo, cloth net $1.50 THE BROKEN WALL Stories of the Mingling Folk.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading 12mo, cloth net $1.00 FROM ALIEN TO CITIZEN The Story of My Life in America.

INTRODUCINGverbUS /ˌɪntrəˈduːsɪŋ/

-ing form of “introduce” — cause to come to know personally

From this reading INTRODUCING THE AMERICAN SPIRIT What it Means to a Citizen and How it Appears to an Alien.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading INTRODUCING THE AMERICAN SPIRIT What it Means to a Citizen and How it Appears to an Alien.

LifenounUS /laɪf/

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading 12mo, cloth net $1.00 FROM ALIEN TO CITIZEN The Story of My Life in America.

MeansnounUS /miːnz/

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading INTRODUCING THE AMERICAN SPIRIT What it Means to a Citizen and How it Appears to an Alien.

MinglingnounUS /ˈmɪŋɡəlɪŋ/

the action of people mingling and coming into contact

From this reading Illustrated, 8vo, cloth net $1.50 THE BROKEN WALL Stories of the Mingling Folk.

monounUS /moʊ/

an indefinitely short time

From this reading THE CONFESSION OF A HYPHENATED AMERICAN 12mo, boards net 50c.

MydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading 12mo, cloth net $1.00 FROM ALIEN TO CITIZEN The Story of My Life in America.

netnounUS /net/

a computer network consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks that use the TCP/IP network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange

From this reading THE CONFESSION OF A HYPHENATED AMERICAN 12mo, boards net 50c.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE CONFESSION OF A HYPHENATED AMERICAN 12mo, boards net 50c.

SimpleadjectiveUS /ˈsɪmpəl/

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading Illustrated, 12mo, cloth net $1.00 AGAINST THE CURRENT Simple Chapters from a Complex Life.

SPIRITnounUS /ˈspɪrət/

the vital principle or animating force within living things

From this reading INTRODUCING THE AMERICAN SPIRIT What it Means to a Citizen and How it Appears to an Alien.

StoriesnounUS /ˈstɔːriz/

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 Illustrated, 8vo, cloth net $1.50 THE BROKEN WALL Stories of the Mingling Folk.

StorynounUS /ˈstɔːri/

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 12mo, cloth net $1.00 FROM ALIEN TO CITIZEN The Story of My Life in America.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE CONFESSION OF A HYPHENATED AMERICAN 12mo, boards net 50c.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading INTRODUCING THE AMERICAN SPIRIT What it Means to a Citizen and How it Appears to an Alien.

vo

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

From this reading Illustrated, 8vo, cloth net $1.50 THE BROKEN WALL Stories of the Mingling Folk.

WALLnounUS /wɔːl/

an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading Illustrated, 8vo, cloth net $1.50 THE BROKEN WALL Stories of the Mingling Folk.

WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading INTRODUCING THE AMERICAN SPIRIT What it Means to a Citizen and How it Appears to an Alien.

Chapter 1 of Introducing the American Spirit by Edward Alfred Steiner holds 515 sentences, grouped into 103 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.

What does chapter 1 of Introducing the American Spirit contain?

Chapter 1 holds 515 sentences of Introducing the American Spirit, unabridged, divided into 103 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Introducing the American Spirit by Edward Alfred Steiner exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 515 sentences, grouped into 103 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 Introducing the American Spirit?

Work through the 103 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 103 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 Introducing the American Spirit

Common questions about reading Introducing the American Spirit by Edward Alfred Steiner on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Introducing the American Spirit?

Yes. All 1537 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #41898 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Introducing the American Spirit is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #41898, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Introducing the American Spirit take to read?

About 128 minutes of reading across 308 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Introducing the American Spirit section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 3 chapters of Introducing the American Spirit 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 Introducing the American Spirit

Words and structures a reader meets early in Introducing the American Spirit, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Confession
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Introducing the American Spirit; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Hyphenated
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Introducing the American Spirit; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
American
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Introducing the American Spirit; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Boards
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Introducing the American Spirit; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.