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"My Novel" — Volume 04
"My Novel" — Volume 04

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of "My Novel" — Volume 04 is here in full — 86 sentences across 18 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for "My Novel" — Volume 04
Context Illustration Reading 1/17 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
BOOK FOURTH.
INITIAL CHAPTER.
COMPRISING MR.
CAXTON'S OPINIONS ON THE MATRIMONIAL STATE, SUPPORTED BY LEARNED AUTHORITIES.
"It was no bad idea of yours, Pisistratus," said my father, graciously, "to depict the heightened affections and the serious intention of Signor Riccabocca by a single stroke,-- /He left of his spectacles!/ Good."
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

"My Novel" — Volume 04

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of "My Novel" — Volume 04 is here in full — 86 sentences across 18 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/17 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
BOOK FOURTH.
/bʊk fɔːrθ/
Line 2
INITIAL CHAPTER.
/ˌɪˈnɪʃəl ˈtʃæptər/
Line 3
COMPRISING MR.
/kəmˈpraɪzɪŋ ˈmɪstər/
Line 4
CAXTON'S OPINIONS ON THE MATRIMONIAL STATE, SUPPORTED BY LEARNED AUTHORITIES.
Line 5
"It was no bad idea of yours, Pisistratus," said my father, graciously, "to depict the heightened affections and the serious intention of Signor Riccabocca by a single stroke,-- /He left of his spectacles!/ Good."

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.

authorities noun US /əˈθɔːrətiz/

the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit

From this reading “CAXTON'S OPINIONS ON THE MATRIMONIAL STATE, SUPPORTED BY LEARNED AUTHORITIES.”

comprising verb US /kəmˈpraɪzɪŋ/

-ing form of “comprise” — be composed of

From this reading “COMPRISING MR.”

depict verb US /dɪˈpɪkt/

show in, or as in, a picture

From this reading “"It was no bad idea of yours, Pisistratus," said my father, graciously, "to depict the heightened affections and the serious intention of Signor Riccabocca by a single stroke,-- /He left of his spectacles!/ Good."”

graciously adverb US /ˈɡreɪʃəsli/

in a gracious or graceful manner

From this reading “"It was no bad idea of yours, Pisistratus," said my father, graciously, "to depict the heightened affections and the serious intention of Signor Riccabocca by a single stroke,-- /He left of his spectacles!/ Good."”

heightened verb US /ˈhaɪtənd/

past form of “heighten” — become more extreme

From this reading “"It was no bad idea of yours, Pisistratus," said my father, graciously, "to depict the heightened affections and the serious intention of Signor Riccabocca by a single stroke,-- /He left of his spectacles!/ Good."”

initial noun US /ˌɪˈnɪʃəl/

the first letter of a word (especially a person's name)

From this reading “INITIAL CHAPTER.”

matrimonial adjective US /ˌmætrəˈmoʊniəl/

of or relating to the state of marriage

From this reading “CAXTON'S OPINIONS ON THE MATRIMONIAL STATE, SUPPORTED BY LEARNED AUTHORITIES.”

Signor noun US /ˈsiːnjɔːr/

used as an Italian courtesy title; can be prefixed to the name or used separately

From this reading “"It was no bad idea of yours, Pisistratus," said my father, graciously, "to depict the heightened affections and the serious intention of Signor Riccabocca by a single stroke,-- /He left of his spectacles!/ Good."”

All words in this reading · 45

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.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading "It was no bad idea of yours, Pisistratus," said my father, graciously, "to depict the heightened affections and the serious intention of Signor Riccabocca by a single stroke,-- /He left of his spectacles!/ Good."

affectionsnounUS /əˈfekʃənz/

plural of “affection” — a positive feeling of liking

From this reading "It was no bad idea of yours, Pisistratus," said my father, graciously, "to depict the heightened affections and the serious intention of Signor Riccabocca by a single stroke,-- /He left of his spectacles!/ Good."

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading "It was no bad idea of yours, Pisistratus," said my father, graciously, "to depict the heightened affections and the serious intention of Signor Riccabocca by a single stroke,-- /He left of his spectacles!/ Good."

AUTHORITIESnounUS /əˈθɔːrətiz/

the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit

From this reading CAXTON'S OPINIONS ON THE MATRIMONIAL STATE, SUPPORTED BY LEARNED AUTHORITIES.

badadjectiveUS /bæd/

having undesirable or negative qualities

From this reading "It was no bad idea of yours, Pisistratus," said my father, graciously, "to depict the heightened affections and the serious intention of Signor Riccabocca by a single stroke,-- /He left of his spectacles!/ Good."

BOOKnounUS /bʊk/

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading BOOK FOURTH.

BYprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading CAXTON'S OPINIONS ON THE MATRIMONIAL STATE, SUPPORTED BY LEARNED AUTHORITIES.

CAXTON'S

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

From this reading CAXTON'S OPINIONS ON THE MATRIMONIAL STATE, SUPPORTED BY LEARNED AUTHORITIES.

CHAPTERnounUS /ˈtʃæptər/

a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled

From this reading INITIAL CHAPTER.

COMPRISINGverbUS /kəmˈpraɪzɪŋ/

-ing form of “comprise” — be composed of

From this reading COMPRISING MR.

depictverbUS /dɪˈpɪkt/

show in, or as in, a picture

From this reading "It was no bad idea of yours, Pisistratus," said my father, graciously, "to depict the heightened affections and the serious intention of Signor Riccabocca by a single stroke,-- /He left of his spectacles!/ Good."

fathernounUS /ˈfɑːðər/

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading "It was no bad idea of yours, Pisistratus," said my father, graciously, "to depict the heightened affections and the serious intention of Signor Riccabocca by a single stroke,-- /He left of his spectacles!/ Good."

FOURTHnounUS /fɔːrθ/

following the third position; number four in a countable series

From this reading BOOK FOURTH.

GoodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading "It was no bad idea of yours, Pisistratus," said my father, graciously, "to depict the heightened affections and the serious intention of Signor Riccabocca by a single stroke,-- /He left of his spectacles!/ Good."

graciouslyadverbUS /ˈɡreɪʃəsli/

in a gracious or graceful manner

From this reading "It was no bad idea of yours, Pisistratus," said my father, graciously, "to depict the heightened affections and the serious intention of Signor Riccabocca by a single stroke,-- /He left of his spectacles!/ Good."

HepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "It was no bad idea of yours, Pisistratus," said my father, graciously, "to depict the heightened affections and the serious intention of Signor Riccabocca by a single stroke,-- /He left of his spectacles!/ Good."

heightenedverbUS /ˈhaɪtənd/

past form of “heighten” — become more extreme

From this reading "It was no bad idea of yours, Pisistratus," said my father, graciously, "to depict the heightened affections and the serious intention of Signor Riccabocca by a single stroke,-- /He left of his spectacles!/ Good."

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading "It was no bad idea of yours, Pisistratus," said my father, graciously, "to depict the heightened affections and the serious intention of Signor Riccabocca by a single stroke,-- /He left of his spectacles!/ Good."

ideanounUS /aɪˈdiːə/

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading "It was no bad idea of yours, Pisistratus," said my father, graciously, "to depict the heightened affections and the serious intention of Signor Riccabocca by a single stroke,-- /He left of his spectacles!/ Good."

INITIALnounUS /ˌɪˈnɪʃəl/

the first letter of a word (especially a person's name)

From this reading INITIAL CHAPTER.

intentionnounUS /ˌɪnˈtentʃən/

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading "It was no bad idea of yours, Pisistratus," said my father, graciously, "to depict the heightened affections and the serious intention of Signor Riccabocca by a single stroke,-- /He left of his spectacles!/ Good."

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "It was no bad idea of yours, Pisistratus," said my father, graciously, "to depict the heightened affections and the serious intention of Signor Riccabocca by a single stroke,-- /He left of his spectacles!/ Good."

LEARNEDadjectiveUS /lɜːrnd/

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading CAXTON'S OPINIONS ON THE MATRIMONIAL STATE, SUPPORTED BY LEARNED AUTHORITIES.

leftnounUS /left/

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading "It was no bad idea of yours, Pisistratus," said my father, graciously, "to depict the heightened affections and the serious intention of Signor Riccabocca by a single stroke,-- /He left of his spectacles!/ Good."

MATRIMONIALadjectiveUS /ˌmætrəˈmoʊniəl/

of or relating to the state of marriage

From this reading CAXTON'S OPINIONS ON THE MATRIMONIAL STATE, SUPPORTED BY LEARNED AUTHORITIES.

MRnounUS /ˈmɪstər/

a form of address for a man

From this reading COMPRISING MR.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "It was no bad idea of yours, Pisistratus," said my father, graciously, "to depict the heightened affections and the serious intention of Signor Riccabocca by a single stroke,-- /He left of his spectacles!/ Good."

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading "It was no bad idea of yours, Pisistratus," said my father, graciously, "to depict the heightened affections and the serious intention of Signor Riccabocca by a single stroke,-- /He left of his spectacles!/ Good."

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "It was no bad idea of yours, Pisistratus," said my father, graciously, "to depict the heightened affections and the serious intention of Signor Riccabocca by a single stroke,-- /He left of his spectacles!/ Good."

ONprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading CAXTON'S OPINIONS ON THE MATRIMONIAL STATE, SUPPORTED BY LEARNED AUTHORITIES.

OPINIONSnounUS /əˈpɪnjənz/

plural of “opinion” — a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty

From this reading CAXTON'S OPINIONS ON THE MATRIMONIAL STATE, SUPPORTED BY LEARNED AUTHORITIES.

Pisistratus

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

From this reading "It was no bad idea of yours, Pisistratus," said my father, graciously, "to depict the heightened affections and the serious intention of Signor Riccabocca by a single stroke,-- /He left of his spectacles!/ Good."

Riccabocca

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

From this reading "It was no bad idea of yours, Pisistratus," said my father, graciously, "to depict the heightened affections and the serious intention of Signor Riccabocca by a single stroke,-- /He left of his spectacles!/ Good."

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "It was no bad idea of yours, Pisistratus," said my father, graciously, "to depict the heightened affections and the serious intention of Signor Riccabocca by a single stroke,-- /He left of his spectacles!/ Good."

seriousadjectiveUS /ˈsɪriəs/

concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities

From this reading "It was no bad idea of yours, Pisistratus," said my father, graciously, "to depict the heightened affections and the serious intention of Signor Riccabocca by a single stroke,-- /He left of his spectacles!/ Good."

SignornounUS /ˈsiːnjɔːr/

used as an Italian courtesy title; can be prefixed to the name or used separately

From this reading "It was no bad idea of yours, Pisistratus," said my father, graciously, "to depict the heightened affections and the serious intention of Signor Riccabocca by a single stroke,-- /He left of his spectacles!/ Good."

singleadjectiveUS /ˈsɪŋɡəl/

being or characteristic of a single thing or person

From this reading "It was no bad idea of yours, Pisistratus," said my father, graciously, "to depict the heightened affections and the serious intention of Signor Riccabocca by a single stroke,-- /He left of his spectacles!/ Good."

spectaclesnounUS /ˈspektəkəlz/

(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision

From this reading "It was no bad idea of yours, Pisistratus," said my father, graciously, "to depict the heightened affections and the serious intention of Signor Riccabocca by a single stroke,-- /He left of his spectacles!/ Good."

STATEnounUS /steɪt/

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading CAXTON'S OPINIONS ON THE MATRIMONIAL STATE, SUPPORTED BY LEARNED AUTHORITIES.

strokenounUS /stroʊk/

(sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand

From this reading "It was no bad idea of yours, Pisistratus," said my father, graciously, "to depict the heightened affections and the serious intention of Signor Riccabocca by a single stroke,-- /He left of his spectacles!/ Good."

SUPPORTEDadjectiveUS /səˈpɔːrtɪd/

sustained or maintained by aid (as distinct from physical support)

From this reading CAXTON'S OPINIONS ON THE MATRIMONIAL STATE, SUPPORTED BY LEARNED AUTHORITIES.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading CAXTON'S OPINIONS ON THE MATRIMONIAL STATE, SUPPORTED BY LEARNED AUTHORITIES.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "It was no bad idea of yours, Pisistratus," said my father, graciously, "to depict the heightened affections and the serious intention of Signor Riccabocca by a single stroke,-- /He left of his spectacles!/ Good."

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading "It was no bad idea of yours, Pisistratus," said my father, graciously, "to depict the heightened affections and the serious intention of Signor Riccabocca by a single stroke,-- /He left of his spectacles!/ Good."

yourspronounUS /jʊrz/

the one or ones belonging to the person spoken to

From this reading "It was no bad idea of yours, Pisistratus," said my father, graciously, "to depict the heightened affections and the serious intention of Signor Riccabocca by a single stroke,-- /He left of his spectacles!/ Good."

Chapter 1 of "My Novel" — Volume 04 by Edward Bulwer Lytton, Baron Lytton holds 86 sentences, grouped into 18 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 "My Novel" — Volume 04 contain?

Chapter 1 holds 86 sentences of "My Novel" — Volume 04, unabridged, divided into 18 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of "My Novel" — Volume 04 by Edward Bulwer Lytton, Baron Lytton exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 86 sentences, grouped into 18 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 "My Novel" — Volume 04?

Work through the 18 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 18 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 "My Novel" — Volume 04

Common questions about reading "My Novel" — Volume 04 by Edward Bulwer Lytton, Baron Lytton on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of "My Novel" — Volume 04?

Yes. All 0 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #? are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of "My Novel" — Volume 04 is used?

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

How long does "My Novel" — Volume 04 take to read?

About 5 minutes of reading across 0 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read "My Novel" — Volume 04 section by section

How to work through "My Novel" — Volume 04 section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

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Vocabulary met early in "My Novel" — Volume 04

Words and structures a reader meets early in "My Novel" — Volume 04, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Chapter 1
One of the 0 chapters of "My Novel" — Volume 04, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.
Chapter 2
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Chapter 3
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