Chapter 1 of Punch — Volume 107, October 27th, 1894 is here in full — 623 sentences across 125 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
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Chapter I
Chapter 1 of Punch — Volume 107, October 27th, 1894 is here in full — 623 sentences across 125 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
POLYCHROME ENGLISH. _A short suburban dialogue, illustrating the deplorable downward spread of the New Colour-descriptiveness, as exemplified in such works as the "Arsenic Buttonhole."_ SCENE--_Peckham._ CHARACTERS--BILL, _a Greengrocer_. JIM, _an Oil and Colour Man_. _Jim._ 'Ow are yer, BILL? Fine pink morning, yn't it?
Chapter 1 of Punch — Volume 107, October 27th, 1894 is here in full — 623 sentences across 125 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
Reading 1/124 · 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.
a white powdered poisonous trioxide of arsenic; used in manufacturing glass and as a pesticide (rat poison) and weed killer
From this reading “_A short suburban dialogue, illustrating the deplorable downward spread of the New Colour-descriptiveness, as exemplified in such works as the "Arsenic Buttonhole."_ SCENE--_Peckham._ CHARACTERS--BILL, _a Greengrocer_.”
a hole through which buttons are pushed
From this reading “_A short suburban dialogue, illustrating the deplorable downward spread of the New Colour-descriptiveness, as exemplified in such works as the "Arsenic Buttonhole."_ SCENE--_Peckham._ CHARACTERS--BILL, _a Greengrocer_.”
bad; unfortunate
From this reading “_A short suburban dialogue, illustrating the deplorable downward spread of the New Colour-descriptiveness, as exemplified in such works as the "Arsenic Buttonhole."_ SCENE--_Peckham._ CHARACTERS--BILL, _a Greengrocer_.”
a conversation between two persons
From this reading “_A short suburban dialogue, illustrating the deplorable downward spread of the New Colour-descriptiveness, as exemplified in such works as the "Arsenic Buttonhole."_ SCENE--_Peckham._ CHARACTERS--BILL, _a Greengrocer_.”
inflected form of “exemplify” — be characteristic of
From this reading “_A short suburban dialogue, illustrating the deplorable downward spread of the New Colour-descriptiveness, as exemplified in such works as the "Arsenic Buttonhole."_ SCENE--_Peckham._ CHARACTERS--BILL, _a Greengrocer_.”
-ing form of “illustrate” — clarify by giving an example of
From this reading “_A short suburban dialogue, illustrating the deplorable downward spread of the New Colour-descriptiveness, as exemplified in such works as the "Arsenic Buttonhole."_ SCENE--_Peckham._ CHARACTERS--BILL, _a Greengrocer_.”
a piece of work composed of or decorated in many colors
From this reading “POLYCHROME ENGLISH.”
relating to or characteristic of or situated in suburbs
From this reading “_A short suburban dialogue, illustrating the deplorable downward spread of the New Colour-descriptiveness, as exemplified in such works as the "Arsenic Buttonhole."_ SCENE--_Peckham._ CHARACTERS--BILL, _a Greengrocer_.”
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.
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 _A short suburban dialogue, illustrating the deplorable downward spread of the New Colour-descriptiveness, as exemplified in such works as the "Arsenic Buttonhole."_ SCENE--_Peckham._ CHARACTERS--BILL, _a Greengrocer_.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading JIM, _an Oil and Colour Man_.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading JIM, _an Oil and Colour Man_.
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading _Jim._ 'Ow are yer, BILL?
a white powdered poisonous trioxide of arsenic; used in manufacturing glass and as a pesticide (rat poison) and weed killer
From this reading _A short suburban dialogue, illustrating the deplorable downward spread of the New Colour-descriptiveness, as exemplified in such works as the "Arsenic Buttonhole."_ SCENE--_Peckham._ CHARACTERS--BILL, _a Greengrocer_.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading _A short suburban dialogue, illustrating the deplorable downward spread of the New Colour-descriptiveness, as exemplified in such works as the "Arsenic Buttonhole."_ SCENE--_Peckham._ CHARACTERS--BILL, _a Greengrocer_.
a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading _A short suburban dialogue, illustrating the deplorable downward spread of the New Colour-descriptiveness, as exemplified in such works as the "Arsenic Buttonhole."_ SCENE--_Peckham._ CHARACTERS--BILL, _a Greengrocer_.
a hole through which buttons are pushed
From this reading _A short suburban dialogue, illustrating the deplorable downward spread of the New Colour-descriptiveness, as exemplified in such works as the "Arsenic Buttonhole."_ SCENE--_Peckham._ CHARACTERS--BILL, _a Greengrocer_.
plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading _A short suburban dialogue, illustrating the deplorable downward spread of the New Colour-descriptiveness, as exemplified in such works as the "Arsenic Buttonhole."_ SCENE--_Peckham._ CHARACTERS--BILL, _a Greengrocer_.
having or capable of producing colors
From this reading JIM, _an Oil and Colour Man_.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _A short suburban dialogue, illustrating the deplorable downward spread of the New Colour-descriptiveness, as exemplified in such works as the "Arsenic Buttonhole."_ SCENE--_Peckham._ CHARACTERS--BILL, _a Greengrocer_.
bad; unfortunate
From this reading _A short suburban dialogue, illustrating the deplorable downward spread of the New Colour-descriptiveness, as exemplified in such works as the "Arsenic Buttonhole."_ SCENE--_Peckham._ CHARACTERS--BILL, _a Greengrocer_.
a conversation between two persons
From this reading _A short suburban dialogue, illustrating the deplorable downward spread of the New Colour-descriptiveness, as exemplified in such works as the "Arsenic Buttonhole."_ SCENE--_Peckham._ CHARACTERS--BILL, _a Greengrocer_.
extending or moving from a higher to a lower place
From this reading _A short suburban dialogue, illustrating the deplorable downward spread of the New Colour-descriptiveness, as exemplified in such works as the "Arsenic Buttonhole."_ SCENE--_Peckham._ CHARACTERS--BILL, _a Greengrocer_.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading POLYCHROME ENGLISH.
inflected form of “exemplify” — be characteristic of
From this reading _A short suburban dialogue, illustrating the deplorable downward spread of the New Colour-descriptiveness, as exemplified in such works as the "Arsenic Buttonhole."_ SCENE--_Peckham._ CHARACTERS--BILL, _a Greengrocer_.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading Fine pink morning, yn't it?
a grocer who sells fresh fruits and vegetables
From this reading _A short suburban dialogue, illustrating the deplorable downward spread of the New Colour-descriptiveness, as exemplified in such works as the "Arsenic Buttonhole."_ SCENE--_Peckham._ CHARACTERS--BILL, _a Greengrocer_.
-ing form of “illustrate” — clarify by giving an example of
From this reading _A short suburban dialogue, illustrating the deplorable downward spread of the New Colour-descriptiveness, as exemplified in such works as the "Arsenic Buttonhole."_ SCENE--_Peckham._ CHARACTERS--BILL, _a Greengrocer_.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _A short suburban dialogue, illustrating the deplorable downward spread of the New Colour-descriptiveness, as exemplified in such works as the "Arsenic Buttonhole."_ SCENE--_Peckham._ CHARACTERS--BILL, _a Greengrocer_.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Fine pink morning, yn't it?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JIM, _an Oil and Colour Man_.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading JIM, _an Oil and Colour Man_.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Fine pink morning, yn't it?
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading _A short suburban dialogue, illustrating the deplorable downward spread of the New Colour-descriptiveness, as exemplified in such works as the "Arsenic Buttonhole."_ SCENE--_Peckham._ CHARACTERS--BILL, _a Greengrocer_.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _A short suburban dialogue, illustrating the deplorable downward spread of the New Colour-descriptiveness, as exemplified in such works as the "Arsenic Buttonhole."_ SCENE--_Peckham._ CHARACTERS--BILL, _a Greengrocer_.
A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.
From this reading JIM, _an Oil and Colour Man_.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Jim._ 'Ow are yer, BILL?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _A short suburban dialogue, illustrating the deplorable downward spread of the New Colour-descriptiveness, as exemplified in such works as the "Arsenic Buttonhole."_ SCENE--_Peckham._ CHARACTERS--BILL, _a Greengrocer_.
a light shade of red
From this reading Fine pink morning, yn't it?
a piece of work composed of or decorated in many colors
From this reading POLYCHROME ENGLISH.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading _A short suburban dialogue, illustrating the deplorable downward spread of the New Colour-descriptiveness, as exemplified in such works as the "Arsenic Buttonhole."_ SCENE--_Peckham._ CHARACTERS--BILL, _a Greengrocer_.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading _A short suburban dialogue, illustrating the deplorable downward spread of the New Colour-descriptiveness, as exemplified in such works as the "Arsenic Buttonhole."_ SCENE--_Peckham._ CHARACTERS--BILL, _a Greengrocer_.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading _A short suburban dialogue, illustrating the deplorable downward spread of the New Colour-descriptiveness, as exemplified in such works as the "Arsenic Buttonhole."_ SCENE--_Peckham._ CHARACTERS--BILL, _a Greengrocer_.
relating to or characteristic of or situated in suburbs
From this reading _A short suburban dialogue, illustrating the deplorable downward spread of the New Colour-descriptiveness, as exemplified in such works as the "Arsenic Buttonhole."_ SCENE--_Peckham._ CHARACTERS--BILL, _a Greengrocer_.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading _A short suburban dialogue, illustrating the deplorable downward spread of the New Colour-descriptiveness, as exemplified in such works as the "Arsenic Buttonhole."_ SCENE--_Peckham._ CHARACTERS--BILL, _a Greengrocer_.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _A short suburban dialogue, illustrating the deplorable downward spread of the New Colour-descriptiveness, as exemplified in such works as the "Arsenic Buttonhole."_ SCENE--_Peckham._ CHARACTERS--BILL, _a Greengrocer_.
buildings for carrying on industrial labor
From this reading _A short suburban dialogue, illustrating the deplorable downward spread of the New Colour-descriptiveness, as exemplified in such works as the "Arsenic Buttonhole."_ SCENE--_Peckham._ CHARACTERS--BILL, _a Greengrocer_.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Jim._ 'Ow are yer, BILL?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fine pink morning, yn't it?
Chapter 1 of Punch — Volume 107, October 27th, 1894 by Various holds 623 sentences, grouped into 125 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.
Chapter 1 holds 623 sentences of Punch — Volume 107, October 27th, 1894, unabridged, divided into 125 reading sections.
This page carries chapter 1 of Punch — Volume 107, October 27th, 1894 by Various exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 623 sentences, grouped into 125 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 125 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.
Each of the 125 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 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.
Common questions about reading Punch — Volume 107, October 27th, 1894 by Various on this page, its source edition and its audio.
Yes. All 623 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #46784 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.
Project Gutenberg eBook #46784, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.
About 51 minutes of reading across 125 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.
How to work through Punch — Volume 107, October 27th, 1894 section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.
Choose one of the 1 chapters of Punch — Volume 107, October 27th, 1894 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 Punch — Volume 107, October 27th, 1894, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.
