Chapter 14 of Martin Chuzzlewit is here in full — 458 sentences across 92 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter XIV
Chapter 14 of Martin Chuzzlewit is here in full — 458 sentences across 92 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
‘That’s a good sign!’ cried Chuffey. ‘Ha! ha! The best sign in the world! You saw too well before.’ He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child, and drawing the old man’s arm still further through his own, shook his trembling fingers towards the spot where Jonas sat, as though he would wave him off.
Chapter 14 of Martin Chuzzlewit is here in full — 458 sentences across 92 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
Reading 1/91 · 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.
Roman general under Julius Caesar in the Gallic wars; repudiated his wife for the Egyptian queen Cleopatra; they were defeated by Octavian at Actium (83-30 BC)
From this reading “He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child, and drawing the old man’s arm still further through his own, shook his trembling fingers towards the spot where Jonas sat, as though he would wave him off.”
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading “He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child, and drawing the old man’s arm still further through his own, shook his trembling fingers towards the spot where Jonas sat, as though he would wave him off.”
an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper
From this reading “He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child, and drawing the old man’s arm still further through his own, shook his trembling fingers towards the spot where Jonas sat, as though he would wave him off.”
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
inflected form of “pat” — pat or squeeze fondly or playfully, especially under the chin
From this reading “He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child, and drawing the old man’s arm still further through his own, shook his trembling fingers towards the spot where Jonas sat, as though he would wave him off.”
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading “‘That’s a good sign!’ cried Chuffey.”
a shaky motion
From this reading “He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child, and drawing the old man’s arm still further through his own, shook his trembling fingers towards the spot where Jonas sat, as though he would wave him off.”
one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading “He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child, and drawing the old man’s arm still further through his own, shook his trembling fingers towards the spot where Jonas sat, as though he would wave him off.”
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 ‘That’s a good sign!’ cried Chuffey.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child, and drawing the old man’s arm still further through his own, shook his trembling fingers towards the spot where Jonas sat, as though he would wave him off.
Roman general under Julius Caesar in the Gallic wars; repudiated his wife for the Egyptian queen Cleopatra; they were defeated by Octavian at Actium (83-30 BC)
From this reading He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child, and drawing the old man’s arm still further through his own, shook his trembling fingers towards the spot where Jonas sat, as though he would wave him off.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child, and drawing the old man’s arm still further through his own, shook his trembling fingers towards the spot where Jonas sat, as though he would wave him off.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child, and drawing the old man’s arm still further through his own, shook his trembling fingers towards the spot where Jonas sat, as though he would wave him off.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading You saw too well before.’
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading The best sign in the world!
a young person of either sex
From this reading He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child, and drawing the old man’s arm still further through his own, shook his trembling fingers towards the spot where Jonas sat, as though he would wave him off.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘That’s a good sign!’ cried Chuffey.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child, and drawing the old man’s arm still further through his own, shook his trembling fingers towards the spot where Jonas sat, as though he would wave him off.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading ‘That’s a good sign!’ cried Chuffey.
an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper
From this reading He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child, and drawing the old man’s arm still further through his own, shook his trembling fingers towards the spot where Jonas sat, as though he would wave him off.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child, and drawing the old man’s arm still further through his own, shook his trembling fingers towards the spot where Jonas sat, as though he would wave him off.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child, and drawing the old man’s arm still further through his own, shook his trembling fingers towards the spot where Jonas sat, as though he would wave him off.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading ‘That’s a good sign!’ cried Chuffey.
(astronomy) the angular distance of a celestial point measured westward along the celestial equator from the zenith crossing; the right ascension for an observer at a particular location and time of day
From this reading ‘Ha! ha!
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child, and drawing the old man’s arm still further through his own, shook his trembling fingers towards the spot where Jonas sat, as though he would wave him off.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child, and drawing the old man’s arm still further through his own, shook his trembling fingers towards the spot where Jonas sat, as though he would wave him off.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child, and drawing the old man’s arm still further through his own, shook his trembling fingers towards the spot where Jonas sat, as though he would wave him off.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child, and drawing the old man’s arm still further through his own, shook his trembling fingers towards the spot where Jonas sat, as though he would wave him off.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The best sign in the world!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child, and drawing the old man’s arm still further through his own, shook his trembling fingers towards the spot where Jonas sat, as though he would wave him off.
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child, and drawing the old man’s arm still further through his own, shook his trembling fingers towards the spot where Jonas sat, as though he would wave him off.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child, and drawing the old man’s arm still further through his own, shook his trembling fingers towards the spot where Jonas sat, as though he would wave him off.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child, and drawing the old man’s arm still further through his own, shook his trembling fingers towards the spot where Jonas sat, as though he would wave him off.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child, and drawing the old man’s arm still further through his own, shook his trembling fingers towards the spot where Jonas sat, as though he would wave him off.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child, and drawing the old man’s arm still further through his own, shook his trembling fingers towards the spot where Jonas sat, as though he would wave him off.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child, and drawing the old man’s arm still further through his own, shook his trembling fingers towards the spot where Jonas sat, as though he would wave him off.
inflected form of “pat” — pat or squeeze fondly or playfully, especially under the chin
From this reading He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child, and drawing the old man’s arm still further through his own, shook his trembling fingers towards the spot where Jonas sat, as though he would wave him off.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child, and drawing the old man’s arm still further through his own, shook his trembling fingers towards the spot where Jonas sat, as though he would wave him off.
cut with a saw
From this reading You saw too well before.’
a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
From this reading He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child, and drawing the old man’s arm still further through his own, shook his trembling fingers towards the spot where Jonas sat, as though he would wave him off.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading ‘That’s a good sign!’ cried Chuffey.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child, and drawing the old man’s arm still further through his own, shook his trembling fingers towards the spot where Jonas sat, as though he would wave him off.
not in physical motion
From this reading He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child, and drawing the old man’s arm still further through his own, shook his trembling fingers towards the spot where Jonas sat, as though he would wave him off.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘That’s a good sign!’ cried Chuffey.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The best sign in the world!
in spite of the fact that
From this reading He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child, and drawing the old man’s arm still further through his own, shook his trembling fingers towards the spot where Jonas sat, as though he would wave him off.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child, and drawing the old man’s arm still further through his own, shook his trembling fingers towards the spot where Jonas sat, as though he would wave him off.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading You saw too well before.’
in the direction of
From this reading He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child, and drawing the old man’s arm still further through his own, shook his trembling fingers towards the spot where Jonas sat, as though he would wave him off.
a shaky motion
From this reading He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child, and drawing the old man’s arm still further through his own, shook his trembling fingers towards the spot where Jonas sat, as though he would wave him off.
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child, and drawing the old man’s arm still further through his own, shook his trembling fingers towards the spot where Jonas sat, as though he would wave him off.
one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child, and drawing the old man’s arm still further through his own, shook his trembling fingers towards the spot where Jonas sat, as though he would wave him off.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading You saw too well before.’
in or at the place that
From this reading He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child, and drawing the old man’s arm still further through his own, shook his trembling fingers towards the spot where Jonas sat, as though he would wave him off.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading The best sign in the world!
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child, and drawing the old man’s arm still further through his own, shook his trembling fingers towards the spot where Jonas sat, as though he would wave him off.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading You saw too well before.’
Chapter 14 of Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens holds 458 sentences, grouped into 92 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.
Chapter 14 holds 458 sentences of Martin Chuzzlewit, unabridged, divided into 92 reading sections.
This page carries chapter 14 of Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 458 sentences, grouped into 92 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 92 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.
Each of the 92 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 14 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 Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens on this page, its source edition and its audio.
Yes. All 18057 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #968 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.
Project Gutenberg eBook #968, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.
About 600 minutes of reading across 3612 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.
How to work through Martin Chuzzlewit section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.
Choose one of the 40 chapters of Martin Chuzzlewit 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 Martin Chuzzlewit, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.
