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Punch — Volume 99, November 29, 1890
Punch — Volume 99, November 29, 1890

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Punch — Volume 99, November 29, 1890 is here in full — 514 sentences across 103 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Punch — Volume 99, November 29, 1890
Context Illustration Reading 89/102 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Hadn't heard OLD MORALITY was going to look in.
Expect he wasn't sure he could get away from Cabinet Council, and so didn't write.
When I came upon him he was standing absorbed in contemplation of ARPACHSHAD.
ARPACHSHAD, himself, so engrossed in problem occupying his mind, that he did not notice our visitor.
Had started yesterday cutting grass on lawn with machine.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Punch — Volume 99, November 29, 1890

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Punch — Volume 99, November 29, 1890 is here in full — 514 sentences across 103 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 89/102 · 5 reading units · Lines 441–445

Line 1
Hadn't heard OLD MORALITY was going to look in.
Line 2
Expect he wasn't sure he could get away from Cabinet Council, and so didn't write.
Line 3
When I came upon him he was standing absorbed in contemplation of ARPACHSHAD.
Line 4
ARPACHSHAD, himself, so engrossed in problem occupying his mind, that he did not notice our visitor.
Line 5
Had started yesterday cutting grass on lawn with machine.
/hæd ˈstɑːrtɪd ˈjestərdeɪ ˈkʌtɪŋ ɡræs ɑːn lɔːn wɪð məˈʃiːn/

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.

absorbed adjective US /əbˈzɔːrbd/

giving or marked by complete attention to

From this reading “When I came upon him he was standing absorbed in contemplation of ARPACHSHAD.”

Cabinet noun US /ˈkæbənət/

a piece of furniture resembling a cupboard with doors and shelves and drawers; for storage or display

From this reading “Expect he wasn't sure he could get away from Cabinet Council, and so didn't write.”

contemplation noun US /ˌkɑːntəmˈpleɪʃən/

a long and thoughtful observation

From this reading “When I came upon him he was standing absorbed in contemplation of ARPACHSHAD.”

engrossed adjective US /ɪnˈɡroʊst/

giving or marked by complete attention to

From this reading “ARPACHSHAD, himself, so engrossed in problem occupying his mind, that he did not notice our visitor.”

lawn noun US /lɔːn/

a field of cultivated and mowed grass

From this reading “Had started yesterday cutting grass on lawn with machine.”

morality noun US /mərˈæləti/

concern with the distinction between good and evil or right and wrong; right or good conduct

From this reading “Hadn't heard OLD MORALITY was going to look in.”

occupying verb US /ˈɑːkjəpaɪɪŋ/

-ing form of “occupy” — keep busy with

From this reading “ARPACHSHAD, himself, so engrossed in problem occupying his mind, that he did not notice our visitor.”

problem noun US /ˈprɑːbləm/

a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved

From this reading “ARPACHSHAD, himself, so engrossed in problem occupying his mind, that he did not notice our visitor.”

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.

get away verb + particle

run away from confinement

In this reading “Expect he wasn't sure he could get away from Cabinet Council, and so didn't write.”

came upon verb + particle counted as “come upon”

find unexpectedly

In this reading “When I came upon him he was standing absorbed in contemplation of ARPACHSHAD.”

All words in this reading · 54

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.

absorbedadjectiveUS /əbˈzɔːrbd/

giving or marked by complete attention to

From this reading When I came upon him he was standing absorbed in contemplation of ARPACHSHAD.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Expect he wasn't sure he could get away from Cabinet Council, and so didn't write.

ARPACHSHAD

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

From this reading When I came upon him he was standing absorbed in contemplation of ARPACHSHAD.

awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Expect he wasn't sure he could get away from Cabinet Council, and so didn't write.

CabinetnounUS /ˈkæbənət/

a piece of furniture resembling a cupboard with doors and shelves and drawers; for storage or display

From this reading Expect he wasn't sure he could get away from Cabinet Council, and so didn't write.

cameverbUS /keɪm/

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading When I came upon him he was standing absorbed in contemplation of ARPACHSHAD.

contemplationnounUS /ˌkɑːntəmˈpleɪʃən/

a long and thoughtful observation

From this reading When I came upon him he was standing absorbed in contemplation of ARPACHSHAD.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Expect he wasn't sure he could get away from Cabinet Council, and so didn't write.

CouncilnounUS /ˈkaʊnsəl/

a body serving in an administrative capacity

From this reading Expect he wasn't sure he could get away from Cabinet Council, and so didn't write.

cuttingnounUS /ˈkʌtɪŋ/

the activity of selecting the scenes to be shown and putting them together to create a film

From this reading Had started yesterday cutting grass on lawn with machine.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading ARPACHSHAD, himself, so engrossed in problem occupying his mind, that he did not notice our visitor.

didn't

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

From this reading Expect he wasn't sure he could get away from Cabinet Council, and so didn't write.

engrossedadjectiveUS /ɪnˈɡroʊst/

giving or marked by complete attention to

From this reading ARPACHSHAD, himself, so engrossed in problem occupying his mind, that he did not notice our visitor.

ExpectverbUS /ɪkˈspekt/

regard something as probable or likely

From this reading Expect he wasn't sure he could get away from Cabinet Council, and so didn't write.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Expect he wasn't sure he could get away from Cabinet Council, and so didn't write.

getverbUS /ɡet/

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading Expect he wasn't sure he could get away from Cabinet Council, and so didn't write.

goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/

the act of departing

From this reading Hadn't heard OLD MORALITY was going to look in.

grassverbUS /ɡræs/

shoot down, of birds

From this reading Had started yesterday cutting grass on lawn with machine.

Hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Had started yesterday cutting grass on lawn with machine.

Hadn't

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

From this reading Hadn't heard OLD MORALITY was going to look in.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Expect he wasn't sure he could get away from Cabinet Council, and so didn't write.

heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading Hadn't heard OLD MORALITY was going to look in.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading When I came upon him he was standing absorbed in contemplation of ARPACHSHAD.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading ARPACHSHAD, himself, so engrossed in problem occupying his mind, that he did not notice our visitor.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading ARPACHSHAD, himself, so engrossed in problem occupying his mind, that he did not notice our visitor.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading When I came upon him he was standing absorbed in contemplation of ARPACHSHAD.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Hadn't heard OLD MORALITY was going to look in.

lawnnounUS /lɔːn/

a field of cultivated and mowed grass

From this reading Had started yesterday cutting grass on lawn with machine.

lookverbUS /lʊk/

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Hadn't heard OLD MORALITY was going to look in.

machinenounUS /məˈʃiːn/

any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks

From this reading Had started yesterday cutting grass on lawn with machine.

mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading ARPACHSHAD, himself, so engrossed in problem occupying his mind, that he did not notice our visitor.

MORALITYnounUS /mərˈæləti/

concern with the distinction between good and evil or right and wrong; right or good conduct

From this reading Hadn't heard OLD MORALITY was going to look in.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading ARPACHSHAD, himself, so engrossed in problem occupying his mind, that he did not notice our visitor.

noticenounUS /ˈnoʊtəs/

an announcement containing information about an event

From this reading ARPACHSHAD, himself, so engrossed in problem occupying his mind, that he did not notice our visitor.

occupyingverbUS /ˈɑːkjəpaɪɪŋ/

-ing form of “occupy” — keep busy with

From this reading ARPACHSHAD, himself, so engrossed in problem occupying his mind, that he did not notice our visitor.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading When I came upon him he was standing absorbed in contemplation of ARPACHSHAD.

OLDadjectiveUS /oʊld/

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Hadn't heard OLD MORALITY was going to look in.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Had started yesterday cutting grass on lawn with machine.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading ARPACHSHAD, himself, so engrossed in problem occupying his mind, that he did not notice our visitor.

problemnounUS /ˈprɑːbləm/

a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved

From this reading ARPACHSHAD, himself, so engrossed in problem occupying his mind, that he did not notice our visitor.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Expect he wasn't sure he could get away from Cabinet Council, and so didn't write.

standingadjectiveUS /ˈstændɪŋ/

having a supporting base

From this reading When I came upon him he was standing absorbed in contemplation of ARPACHSHAD.

startedverbUS /ˈstɑːrtɪd/

past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Had started yesterday cutting grass on lawn with machine.

sureadjectiveUS /ʃʊr/

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading Expect he wasn't sure he could get away from Cabinet Council, and so didn't write.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading ARPACHSHAD, himself, so engrossed in problem occupying his mind, that he did not notice our visitor.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Hadn't heard OLD MORALITY was going to look in.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading When I came upon him he was standing absorbed in contemplation of ARPACHSHAD.

visitornounUS /ˈvɪzɪtər/

someone who visits

From this reading ARPACHSHAD, himself, so engrossed in problem occupying his mind, that he did not notice our visitor.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Hadn't heard OLD MORALITY was going to look in.

wasn't

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

From this reading Expect he wasn't sure he could get away from Cabinet Council, and so didn't write.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When I came upon him he was standing absorbed in contemplation of ARPACHSHAD.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Had started yesterday cutting grass on lawn with machine.

writeverbUS /raɪt/

produce a literary work

From this reading Expect he wasn't sure he could get away from Cabinet Council, and so didn't write.

yesterdaynounUS /ˈjestərdeɪ/

the day immediately before today

From this reading Had started yesterday cutting grass on lawn with machine.

Chapter 1 of Punch — Volume 99, November 29, 1890 by Various holds 514 sentences, grouped into 103 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 1 of Punch — Volume 99, November 29, 1890 contain?

Chapter 1 holds 514 sentences of Punch — Volume 99, November 29, 1890, unabridged, divided into 103 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Punch — Volume 99, November 29, 1890 by Various exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 514 sentences, grouped into 103 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 1 of Punch — Volume 99, November 29, 1890?

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

Each of the 103 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading Punch — Volume 99, November 29, 1890

Common questions about reading Punch — Volume 99, November 29, 1890 by Various on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Punch — Volume 99, November 29, 1890?

Yes. All 514 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #12738 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Punch — Volume 99, November 29, 1890 is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #12738, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Punch — Volume 99, November 29, 1890 take to read?

About 42 minutes of reading across 103 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Punch — Volume 99, November 29, 1890 section by section

How to work through Punch — Volume 99, November 29, 1890 section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 1 chapters of Punch — Volume 99, November 29, 1890 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 Punch — Volume 99, November 29, 1890

Words and structures a reader meets early in Punch — Volume 99, November 29, 1890, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

London
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Punch — Volume 99, November 29, 1890; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Charivari
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Punch — Volume 99, November 29, 1890; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
November
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Punch — Volume 99, November 29, 1890; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Punch's
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Punch — Volume 99, November 29, 1890; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.