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Pierre
Pierre

Chapter XVIII

Chapter 18 of Pierre is here in full — 88 sentences across 18 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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PIERRE, AS A JUVENILE AUTHOR, RECONSIDERED.
I.
Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.
Nor need it be added, that, in the soberest earnest, those papers contained nothing uncommon; indeed--entirely now to drop all irony, if hitherto any thing like that has been indulged in--those fugitive things of Master Pierre's were the veriest common-place.
It is true, as I long before said, that Nature at Saddle Meadows had very early been as a benediction to Pierre;--had blown her wind-clarion to him from the blue hills, and murmured melodious secrecies to him by her streams and her woods.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Pierre

Chapter XVIII

Chapter 18 of Pierre is here in full — 88 sentences across 18 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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

Line 1
PIERRE, AS A JUVENILE AUTHOR, RECONSIDERED.
/piˈer æz ə ˈdʒuːvənəl ˈɔːθər ˌriːkənˈsɪdərd/
Line 2
I.
/aɪ/
Line 3
Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.
Line 4
Nor need it be added, that, in the soberest earnest, those papers contained nothing uncommon; indeed--entirely now to drop all irony, if hitherto any thing like that has been indulged in--those fugitive things of Master Pierre's were the veriest common-place.
Line 5
It is true, as I long before said, that Nature at Saddle Meadows had very early been as a benediction to Pierre;--had blown her wind-clarion to him from the blue hills, and murmured melodious secrecies to him by her streams and her woods.

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.

benediction noun US /ˌbenəˈdɪkʃən/

the act of praying for divine protection

From this reading “It is true, as I long before said, that Nature at Saddle Meadows had very early been as a benediction to Pierre;--had blown her wind-clarion to him from the blue hills, and murmured melodious secrecies to him by her streams and her woods.”

imputed verb US /ˌɪmˈpjuːtɪd/

past form of “impute” — attribute or credit to

From this reading “Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.”

inconsistency noun US /ˌɪnkənˈsɪstənsi/

the relation between propositions that cannot both be true at the same time

From this reading “Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.”

indirect adjective US /ˌɪndərˈekt/

having intervening factors or persons or influences

From this reading “Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.”

intimations noun US /ˌɪntəˈmeɪʃənz/

plural of “intimation” — an indirect suggestion

From this reading “Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.”

juvenile adjective US /ˈdʒuːvənəl/

of or relating to or characteristic of or appropriate for children or young people

From this reading “PIERRE, AS A JUVENILE AUTHOR, RECONSIDERED.”

Pierre's noun US /piˈerz/

possessive form of “pierre” — capital of the state of South Dakota; located in central South Dakota on the Missouri river

From this reading “Nor need it be added, that, in the soberest earnest, those papers contained nothing uncommon; indeed--entirely now to drop all irony, if hitherto any thing like that has been indulged in--those fugitive things of Master Pierre's were the veriest common-place.”

reconsidered verb US /ˌriːkənˈsɪdərd/

past form of “reconsider” — consider again; give new consideration to; usually with a view to changing

From this reading “PIERRE, AS A JUVENILE AUTHOR, RECONSIDERED.”

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.

natural genius adjective + noun

In this reading “Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.”

any thing adjective + noun

In this reading “Nor need it be added, that, in the soberest earnest, those papers contained nothing uncommon; indeed--entirely now to drop all irony, if hitherto any thing like that has been indulged in--those fugitive things of Master Pierre's were the veriest common-place.”

blue hills adjective + noun counted as “blue hill”

In this reading “It is true, as I long before said, that Nature at Saddle Meadows had very early been as a benediction to Pierre;--had blown her wind-clarion to him from the blue hills, and murmured melodious secrecies to him by her streams and her woods.”

much more adverb + adjective

In this reading “Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.”

All words in this reading · 98

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 PIERRE, AS A JUVENILE AUTHOR, RECONSIDERED.

addedverbUS /ˈædəd/

past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of

From this reading Nor need it be added, that, in the soberest earnest, those papers contained nothing uncommon; indeed--entirely now to drop all irony, if hitherto any thing like that has been indulged in--those fugitive things of Master Pierre's were the veriest common-place.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Nor need it be added, that, in the soberest earnest, those papers contained nothing uncommon; indeed--entirely now to drop all irony, if hitherto any thing like that has been indulged in--those fugitive things of Master Pierre's were the veriest common-place.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading It is true, as I long before said, that Nature at Saddle Meadows had very early been as a benediction to Pierre;--had blown her wind-clarion to him from the blue hills, and murmured melodious secrecies to him by her streams and her woods.

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Nor need it be added, that, in the soberest earnest, those papers contained nothing uncommon; indeed--entirely now to drop all irony, if hitherto any thing like that has been indulged in--those fugitive things of Master Pierre's were the veriest common-place.

ASconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading PIERRE, AS A JUVENILE AUTHOR, RECONSIDERED.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It is true, as I long before said, that Nature at Saddle Meadows had very early been as a benediction to Pierre;--had blown her wind-clarion to him from the blue hills, and murmured melodious secrecies to him by her streams and her woods.

AUTHORnounUS /ˈɔːθər/

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading PIERRE, AS A JUVENILE AUTHOR, RECONSIDERED.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Nor need it be added, that, in the soberest earnest, those papers contained nothing uncommon; indeed--entirely now to drop all irony, if hitherto any thing like that has been indulged in--those fugitive things of Master Pierre's were the veriest common-place.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It is true, as I long before said, that Nature at Saddle Meadows had very early been as a benediction to Pierre;--had blown her wind-clarion to him from the blue hills, and murmured melodious secrecies to him by her streams and her woods.

benedictionnounUS /ˌbenəˈdɪkʃən/

the act of praying for divine protection

From this reading It is true, as I long before said, that Nature at Saddle Meadows had very early been as a benediction to Pierre;--had blown her wind-clarion to him from the blue hills, and murmured melodious secrecies to him by her streams and her woods.

blownadjectiveUS /bloʊn/

being moved or acted upon by moving air or vapor

From this reading It is true, as I long before said, that Nature at Saddle Meadows had very early been as a benediction to Pierre;--had blown her wind-clarion to him from the blue hills, and murmured melodious secrecies to him by her streams and her woods.

blueadjectiveUS /bluː/

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading It is true, as I long before said, that Nature at Saddle Meadows had very early been as a benediction to Pierre;--had blown her wind-clarion to him from the blue hills, and murmured melodious secrecies to him by her streams and her woods.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.

common-place

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

From this reading Nor need it be added, that, in the soberest earnest, those papers contained nothing uncommon; indeed--entirely now to drop all irony, if hitherto any thing like that has been indulged in--those fugitive things of Master Pierre's were the veriest common-place.

containedadjectiveUS /kənˈteɪnd/

gotten under control

From this reading Nor need it be added, that, in the soberest earnest, those papers contained nothing uncommon; indeed--entirely now to drop all irony, if hitherto any thing like that has been indulged in--those fugitive things of Master Pierre's were the veriest common-place.

dropverbUS /drɑːp/

let fall to the ground

From this reading Nor need it be added, that, in the soberest earnest, those papers contained nothing uncommon; indeed--entirely now to drop all irony, if hitherto any thing like that has been indulged in--those fugitive things of Master Pierre's were the veriest common-place.

earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading It is true, as I long before said, that Nature at Saddle Meadows had very early been as a benediction to Pierre;--had blown her wind-clarion to him from the blue hills, and murmured melodious secrecies to him by her streams and her woods.

earnestadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrnɪst/

characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions

From this reading Nor need it be added, that, in the soberest earnest, those papers contained nothing uncommon; indeed--entirely now to drop all irony, if hitherto any thing like that has been indulged in--those fugitive things of Master Pierre's were the veriest common-place.

entirelyadverbUS /ɪnˈtaɪərli/

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading Nor need it be added, that, in the soberest earnest, those papers contained nothing uncommon; indeed--entirely now to drop all irony, if hitherto any thing like that has been indulged in--those fugitive things of Master Pierre's were the veriest common-place.

faradverbUS /fɑːr/

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It is true, as I long before said, that Nature at Saddle Meadows had very early been as a benediction to Pierre;--had blown her wind-clarion to him from the blue hills, and murmured melodious secrecies to him by her streams and her woods.

fugitivenounUS /ˈfjuːdʒətɪv/

someone who flees from an uncongenial situation

From this reading Nor need it be added, that, in the soberest earnest, those papers contained nothing uncommon; indeed--entirely now to drop all irony, if hitherto any thing like that has been indulged in--those fugitive things of Master Pierre's were the veriest common-place.

geniusnounUS /ˈdʒiːnjəs/

someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality

From this reading Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading It is true, as I long before said, that Nature at Saddle Meadows had very early been as a benediction to Pierre;--had blown her wind-clarion to him from the blue hills, and murmured melodious secrecies to him by her streams and her woods.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading It is true, as I long before said, that Nature at Saddle Meadows had very early been as a benediction to Pierre;--had blown her wind-clarion to him from the blue hills, and murmured melodious secrecies to him by her streams and her woods.

hillsnounUS /hɪlz/

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading It is true, as I long before said, that Nature at Saddle Meadows had very early been as a benediction to Pierre;--had blown her wind-clarion to him from the blue hills, and murmured melodious secrecies to him by her streams and her woods.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading It is true, as I long before said, that Nature at Saddle Meadows had very early been as a benediction to Pierre;--had blown her wind-clarion to him from the blue hills, and murmured melodious secrecies to him by her streams and her woods.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.

hithertoadverbUS /ˈhɪðɜːrˈtuː/

used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time

From this reading Nor need it be added, that, in the soberest earnest, those papers contained nothing uncommon; indeed--entirely now to drop all irony, if hitherto any thing like that has been indulged in--those fugitive things of Master Pierre's were the veriest common-place.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Nor need it be added, that, in the soberest earnest, those papers contained nothing uncommon; indeed--entirely now to drop all irony, if hitherto any thing like that has been indulged in--those fugitive things of Master Pierre's were the veriest common-place.

imputedverbUS /ˌɪmˈpjuːtɪd/

past form of “impute” — attribute or credit to

From this reading Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Nor need it be added, that, in the soberest earnest, those papers contained nothing uncommon; indeed--entirely now to drop all irony, if hitherto any thing like that has been indulged in--those fugitive things of Master Pierre's were the veriest common-place.

Inasmuch

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

From this reading Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.

inconsistencynounUS /ˌɪnkənˈsɪstənsi/

the relation between propositions that cannot both be true at the same time

From this reading Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.

indeedadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdiːd/

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading Nor need it be added, that, in the soberest earnest, those papers contained nothing uncommon; indeed--entirely now to drop all irony, if hitherto any thing like that has been indulged in--those fugitive things of Master Pierre's were the veriest common-place.

indirectadjectiveUS /ˌɪndərˈekt/

having intervening factors or persons or influences

From this reading Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.

indulgedverbUS /ˌɪnˈdʌldʒd/

past form of “indulge” — give free rein to

From this reading Nor need it be added, that, in the soberest earnest, those papers contained nothing uncommon; indeed--entirely now to drop all irony, if hitherto any thing like that has been indulged in--those fugitive things of Master Pierre's were the veriest common-place.

intimationsnounUS /ˌɪntəˈmeɪʃənz/

plural of “intimation” — an indirect suggestion

From this reading Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.

ironynounUS /ˈaɪrəni/

witty language used to convey insults or scorn

From this reading Nor need it be added, that, in the soberest earnest, those papers contained nothing uncommon; indeed--entirely now to drop all irony, if hitherto any thing like that has been indulged in--those fugitive things of Master Pierre's were the veriest common-place.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading It is true, as I long before said, that Nature at Saddle Meadows had very early been as a benediction to Pierre;--had blown her wind-clarion to him from the blue hills, and murmured melodious secrecies to him by her streams and her woods.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.

JUVENILEadjectiveUS /ˈdʒuːvənəl/

of or relating to or characteristic of or appropriate for children or young people

From this reading PIERRE, AS A JUVENILE AUTHOR, RECONSIDERED.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Nor need it be added, that, in the soberest earnest, those papers contained nothing uncommon; indeed--entirely now to drop all irony, if hitherto any thing like that has been indulged in--those fugitive things of Master Pierre's were the veriest common-place.

longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading It is true, as I long before said, that Nature at Saddle Meadows had very early been as a benediction to Pierre;--had blown her wind-clarion to him from the blue hills, and murmured melodious secrecies to him by her streams and her woods.

magazinenounUS /ˈmæɡəziːn/

a periodic publication containing pictures and stories and articles of interest to those who purchase it or subscribe to it

From this reading Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.

MasternounUS /ˈmæstər/

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading Nor need it be added, that, in the soberest earnest, those papers contained nothing uncommon; indeed--entirely now to drop all irony, if hitherto any thing like that has been indulged in--those fugitive things of Master Pierre's were the veriest common-place.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.

MeadowsnounUS /ˈmedoʊz/

plural of “meadow” — a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay

From this reading It is true, as I long before said, that Nature at Saddle Meadows had very early been as a benediction to Pierre;--had blown her wind-clarion to him from the blue hills, and murmured melodious secrecies to him by her streams and her woods.

melodiousadjectiveUS /məˈloʊdiəs/

having a musical sound; especially a pleasing tune

From this reading It is true, as I long before said, that Nature at Saddle Meadows had very early been as a benediction to Pierre;--had blown her wind-clarion to him from the blue hills, and murmured melodious secrecies to him by her streams and her woods.

merestadjectiveUS /ˈmerəst/

superlative of “mere” — being nothing more than specified

From this reading Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.

mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.

muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.

murmuredverbUS /ˈmɜːrmərd/

past form of “murmur” — speak softly or indistinctly

From this reading It is true, as I long before said, that Nature at Saddle Meadows had very early been as a benediction to Pierre;--had blown her wind-clarion to him from the blue hills, and murmured melodious secrecies to him by her streams and her woods.

naturaladjectiveUS /ˈnætʃərəl/

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.

NaturenounUS /ˈneɪtʃər/

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading It is true, as I long before said, that Nature at Saddle Meadows had very early been as a benediction to Pierre;--had blown her wind-clarion to him from the blue hills, and murmured melodious secrecies to him by her streams and her woods.

neednounUS /niːd/

a condition requiring relief

From this reading Nor need it be added, that, in the soberest earnest, those papers contained nothing uncommon; indeed--entirely now to drop all irony, if hitherto any thing like that has been indulged in--those fugitive things of Master Pierre's were the veriest common-place.

NorconjunctionUS /nɔːr/

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading Nor need it be added, that, in the soberest earnest, those papers contained nothing uncommon; indeed--entirely now to drop all irony, if hitherto any thing like that has been indulged in--those fugitive things of Master Pierre's were the veriest common-place.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Nor need it be added, that, in the soberest earnest, those papers contained nothing uncommon; indeed--entirely now to drop all irony, if hitherto any thing like that has been indulged in--those fugitive things of Master Pierre's were the veriest common-place.

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Nor need it be added, that, in the soberest earnest, those papers contained nothing uncommon; indeed--entirely now to drop all irony, if hitherto any thing like that has been indulged in--those fugitive things of Master Pierre's were the veriest common-place.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.

ordinarynounUS /ˈɔːrdəneri/

a judge of a probate court

From this reading Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.

papersnounUS /ˈpeɪpərz/

writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

From this reading Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.

PIERREnounUS /piˈer/

capital of the state of South Dakota; located in central South Dakota on the Missouri river

From this reading PIERRE, AS A JUVENILE AUTHOR, RECONSIDERED.

Pierre'snounUS /piˈerz/

possessive form of “pierre” — capital of the state of South Dakota; located in central South Dakota on the Missouri river

From this reading Nor need it be added, that, in the soberest earnest, those papers contained nothing uncommon; indeed--entirely now to drop all irony, if hitherto any thing like that has been indulged in--those fugitive things of Master Pierre's were the veriest common-place.

productionsnounUS /prəˈdʌkʃənz/

plural of “production” — the act or process of producing something

From this reading Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.

RECONSIDEREDverbUS /ˌriːkənˈsɪdərd/

past form of “reconsider” — consider again; give new consideration to; usually with a view to changing

From this reading PIERRE, AS A JUVENILE AUTHOR, RECONSIDERED.

SaddleverbUS /ˈsædəl/

put a saddle on

From this reading It is true, as I long before said, that Nature at Saddle Meadows had very early been as a benediction to Pierre;--had blown her wind-clarion to him from the blue hills, and murmured melodious secrecies to him by her streams and her woods.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading It is true, as I long before said, that Nature at Saddle Meadows had very early been as a benediction to Pierre;--had blown her wind-clarion to him from the blue hills, and murmured melodious secrecies to him by her streams and her woods.

secrecies

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

From this reading It is true, as I long before said, that Nature at Saddle Meadows had very early been as a benediction to Pierre;--had blown her wind-clarion to him from the blue hills, and murmured melodious secrecies to him by her streams and her woods.

seemedverbUS /siːmd/

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.

soberest

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

From this reading Nor need it be added, that, in the soberest earnest, those papers contained nothing uncommon; indeed--entirely now to drop all irony, if hitherto any thing like that has been indulged in--those fugitive things of Master Pierre's were the veriest common-place.

solenounUS /soʊl/

the underside of footwear or a golf club

From this reading Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.

streamsnounUS /striːmz/

plural of “stream” — a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading It is true, as I long before said, that Nature at Saddle Meadows had very early been as a benediction to Pierre;--had blown her wind-clarion to him from the blue hills, and murmured melodious secrecies to him by her streams and her woods.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.

thingnounUS /θɪŋ/

a special situation

From this reading Nor need it be added, that, in the soberest earnest, those papers contained nothing uncommon; indeed--entirely now to drop all irony, if hitherto any thing like that has been indulged in--those fugitive things of Master Pierre's were the veriest common-place.

thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading Nor need it be added, that, in the soberest earnest, those papers contained nothing uncommon; indeed--entirely now to drop all irony, if hitherto any thing like that has been indulged in--those fugitive things of Master Pierre's were the veriest common-place.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Nor need it be added, that, in the soberest earnest, those papers contained nothing uncommon; indeed--entirely now to drop all irony, if hitherto any thing like that has been indulged in--those fugitive things of Master Pierre's were the veriest common-place.

thusadverbUS /ðʌs/

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.

trueadjectiveUS /truː/

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading It is true, as I long before said, that Nature at Saddle Meadows had very early been as a benediction to Pierre;--had blown her wind-clarion to him from the blue hills, and murmured melodious secrecies to him by her streams and her woods.

uncommonadjectiveUS /ənˈkɑːmən/

not common or ordinarily encountered; unusually great in amount or remarkable in character or kind

From this reading Nor need it be added, that, in the soberest earnest, those papers contained nothing uncommon; indeed--entirely now to drop all irony, if hitherto any thing like that has been indulged in--those fugitive things of Master Pierre's were the veriest common-place.

variousadjectiveUS /ˈveriəs/

of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity

From this reading Inasmuch as by various indirect intimations much more than ordinary natural genius has been imputed to Pierre, it may have seemed an inconsistency, that only the merest magazine papers should have been thus far the sole productions of his mind.

veriest

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

From this reading Nor need it be added, that, in the soberest earnest, those papers contained nothing uncommon; indeed--entirely now to drop all irony, if hitherto any thing like that has been indulged in--those fugitive things of Master Pierre's were the veriest common-place.

veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading It is true, as I long before said, that Nature at Saddle Meadows had very early been as a benediction to Pierre;--had blown her wind-clarion to him from the blue hills, and murmured melodious secrecies to him by her streams and her woods.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Nor need it be added, that, in the soberest earnest, those papers contained nothing uncommon; indeed--entirely now to drop all irony, if hitherto any thing like that has been indulged in--those fugitive things of Master Pierre's were the veriest common-place.

wind-clarion

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

From this reading It is true, as I long before said, that Nature at Saddle Meadows had very early been as a benediction to Pierre;--had blown her wind-clarion to him from the blue hills, and murmured melodious secrecies to him by her streams and her woods.

woodsnounUS /wʊdz/

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading It is true, as I long before said, that Nature at Saddle Meadows had very early been as a benediction to Pierre;--had blown her wind-clarion to him from the blue hills, and murmured melodious secrecies to him by her streams and her woods.

Chapter 18 of Pierre by Herman Melville holds 88 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 18 of Pierre contain?

Chapter 18 holds 88 sentences of Pierre, unabridged, divided into 18 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 18 of Pierre by Herman Melville exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 88 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 18 of Pierre?

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 18 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 18 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 Pierre

Common questions about reading Pierre by Herman Melville on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Pierre?

Yes. All 6047 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #34970 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Pierre is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #34970, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Pierre take to read?

About 503 minutes of reading across 1210 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Pierre section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 26 chapters of Pierre 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 Pierre

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

Pierre
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Pierre; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Ambiguities
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Pierre; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Herman
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Pierre; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Melville
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Pierre; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.