Chapter 1 of Rip Van Winkle is here in full — 271 sentences across 55 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter I
Chapter 1 of Rip Van Winkle is here in full — 271 sentences across 55 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
AESOP’S FABLES A New Translation by V. S. VERNON JONES, with an Introduction by G. K. CHESTERTON 6s. net THE SPRINGTIDE OF LIFE Poems of Childhood by A. C. Swinburne 10s. 6d. net UNDINE By DE LA MOTTE FOUQUÉ Adapted from the German by W. L. COURTNEY. 10s. 6d. A MIDSUMMER-NIGHT’S DREAM By WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE.
Chapter 1 of Rip Van Winkle is here in full — 271 sentences across 55 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
Reading 1/54 · 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.
changed in order to improve or made more fit for a particular purpose
From this reading “6d. net UNDINE By DE LA MOTTE FOUQUÉ Adapted from the German by W. L. COURTNEY.”
possessive form of “aesop” — Greek author of fables (circa 620-560 BC)
conservative English writer of the Roman Catholic persuasion; in addition to volumes of criticism and polemics he wrote detective novels featuring Father Brown (1874-1936)
From this reading “AESOP’S FABLES A New Translation by V. S. VERNON JONES, with an Introduction by G. K. CHESTERTON 6s. net THE SPRINGTIDE OF LIFE Poems of Childhood by A. C. Swinburne 10s.”
plural of “fable” — a deliberately false or improbable account
From this reading “AESOP’S FABLES A New Translation by V. S. VERNON JONES, with an Introduction by G. K. CHESTERTON 6s. net THE SPRINGTIDE OF LIFE Poems of Childhood by A. C. Swinburne 10s.”
the act of beginning something new
From this reading “AESOP’S FABLES A New Translation by V. S. VERNON JONES, with an Introduction by G. K. CHESTERTON 6s. net THE SPRINGTIDE OF LIFE Poems of Childhood by A. C. Swinburne 10s.”
a computer network consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks that use the TCP/IP network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange
From this reading “AESOP’S FABLES A New Translation by V. S. VERNON JONES, with an Introduction by G. K. CHESTERTON 6s. net THE SPRINGTIDE OF LIFE Poems of Childhood by A. C. Swinburne 10s.”
a written communication in a second language having the same meaning as the written communication in a first language
From this reading “AESOP’S FABLES A New Translation by V. S. VERNON JONES, with an Introduction by G. K. CHESTERTON 6s. net THE SPRINGTIDE OF LIFE Poems of Childhood by A. C. Swinburne 10s.”
any of various female water spirits
From this reading “6d. net UNDINE By DE LA MOTTE FOUQUÉ Adapted from the German by W. L. COURTNEY.”
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.
In this reading “6d. net UNDINE By DE LA MOTTE FOUQUÉ Adapted from the German by W. L. COURTNEY.”
In this reading “AESOP’S FABLES A New Translation by V. S. VERNON JONES, with an Introduction by G. K. CHESTERTON 6s. net THE SPRINGTIDE OF LIFE Poems of Childhood by A. C. Swinburne 10s.”
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.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AESOP’S FABLES A New Translation by V. S. VERNON JONES, with an Introduction by G. K. CHESTERTON 6s. net THE SPRINGTIDE OF LIFE Poems of Childhood by A. C. Swinburne 10s.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AESOP’S FABLES A New Translation by V. S. VERNON JONES, with an Introduction by G. K. CHESTERTON 6s. net THE SPRINGTIDE OF LIFE Poems of Childhood by A. C. Swinburne 10s.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AESOP’S FABLES A New Translation by V. S. VERNON JONES, with an Introduction by G. K. CHESTERTON 6s. net THE SPRINGTIDE OF LIFE Poems of Childhood by A. C. Swinburne 10s.
changed in order to improve or made more fit for a particular purpose
From this reading 6d. net UNDINE By DE LA MOTTE FOUQUÉ Adapted from the German by W. L. COURTNEY.
possessive form of “aesop” — Greek author of fables (circa 620-560 BC)
From this reading AESOP’S FABLES A New Translation by V. S. VERNON JONES, with an Introduction by G. K. CHESTERTON 6s. net THE SPRINGTIDE OF LIFE Poems of Childhood by A. C. Swinburne 10s.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AESOP’S FABLES A New Translation by V. S. VERNON JONES, with an Introduction by G. K. CHESTERTON 6s. net THE SPRINGTIDE OF LIFE Poems of Childhood by A. C. Swinburne 10s.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading AESOP’S FABLES A New Translation by V. S. VERNON JONES, with an Introduction by G. K. CHESTERTON 6s. net THE SPRINGTIDE OF LIFE Poems of Childhood by A. C. Swinburne 10s.
a degree on the centigrade scale of temperature
From this reading AESOP’S FABLES A New Translation by V. S. VERNON JONES, with an Introduction by G. K. CHESTERTON 6s. net THE SPRINGTIDE OF LIFE Poems of Childhood by A. C. Swinburne 10s.
conservative English writer of the Roman Catholic persuasion; in addition to volumes of criticism and polemics he wrote detective novels featuring Father Brown (1874-1936)
From this reading AESOP’S FABLES A New Translation by V. S. VERNON JONES, with an Introduction by G. K. CHESTERTON 6s. net THE SPRINGTIDE OF LIFE Poems of Childhood by A. C. Swinburne 10s.
the time of person's life when they are a child
From this reading AESOP’S FABLES A New Translation by V. S. VERNON JONES, with an Introduction by G. K. CHESTERTON 6s. net THE SPRINGTIDE OF LIFE Poems of Childhood by A. C. Swinburne 10s.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 6d. net UNDINE By DE LA MOTTE FOUQUÉ Adapted from the German by W. L. COURTNEY.
a fat-soluble vitamin that prevents rickets
From this reading 6d. net UNDINE By DE LA MOTTE FOUQUÉ Adapted from the German by W. L. COURTNEY.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading 6d. net UNDINE By DE LA MOTTE FOUQUÉ Adapted from the German by W. L. COURTNEY.
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading A MIDSUMMER-NIGHT’S DREAM By WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE.
plural of “fable” — a deliberately false or improbable account
From this reading AESOP’S FABLES A New Translation by V. S. VERNON JONES, with an Introduction by G. K. CHESTERTON 6s. net THE SPRINGTIDE OF LIFE Poems of Childhood by A. C. Swinburne 10s.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 6d. net UNDINE By DE LA MOTTE FOUQUÉ Adapted from the German by W. L. COURTNEY.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading 6d. net UNDINE By DE LA MOTTE FOUQUÉ Adapted from the German by W. L. COURTNEY.
a metric unit of weight equal to one thousandth of a kilogram
From this reading AESOP’S FABLES A New Translation by V. S. VERNON JONES, with an Introduction by G. K. CHESTERTON 6s. net THE SPRINGTIDE OF LIFE Poems of Childhood by A. C. Swinburne 10s.
a person of German nationality
From this reading 6d. net UNDINE By DE LA MOTTE FOUQUÉ Adapted from the German by W. L. COURTNEY.
the act of beginning something new
From this reading AESOP’S FABLES A New Translation by V. S. VERNON JONES, with an Introduction by G. K. CHESTERTON 6s. net THE SPRINGTIDE OF LIFE Poems of Childhood by A. C. Swinburne 10s.
United States labor leader (born in Ireland) who helped to found the Industrial Workers of the World (1830-1930)
From this reading AESOP’S FABLES A New Translation by V. S. VERNON JONES, with an Introduction by G. K. CHESTERTON 6s. net THE SPRINGTIDE OF LIFE Poems of Childhood by A. C. Swinburne 10s.
the basic unit of thermodynamic temperature adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading AESOP’S FABLES A New Translation by V. S. VERNON JONES, with an Introduction by G. K. CHESTERTON 6s. net THE SPRINGTIDE OF LIFE Poems of Childhood by A. C. Swinburne 10s.
a metric unit of capacity, formerly defined as the volume of one kilogram of pure water under standard conditions; now equal to 1,000 cubic centimeters (or approximately 1.75 pints)
From this reading 6d. net UNDINE By DE LA MOTTE FOUQUÉ Adapted from the German by W. L. COURTNEY.
a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth
From this reading 6d. net UNDINE By DE LA MOTTE FOUQUÉ Adapted from the German by W. L. COURTNEY.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading AESOP’S FABLES A New Translation by V. S. VERNON JONES, with an Introduction by G. K. CHESTERTON 6s. net THE SPRINGTIDE OF LIFE Poems of Childhood by A. C. Swinburne 10s.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MIDSUMMER-NIGHT’S DREAM By WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 6d. net UNDINE By DE LA MOTTE FOUQUÉ Adapted from the German by W. L. COURTNEY.
a computer network consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks that use the TCP/IP network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange
From this reading AESOP’S FABLES A New Translation by V. S. VERNON JONES, with an Introduction by G. K. CHESTERTON 6s. net THE SPRINGTIDE OF LIFE Poems of Childhood by A. C. Swinburne 10s.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading AESOP’S FABLES A New Translation by V. S. VERNON JONES, with an Introduction by G. K. CHESTERTON 6s. net THE SPRINGTIDE OF LIFE Poems of Childhood by A. C. Swinburne 10s.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AESOP’S FABLES A New Translation by V. S. VERNON JONES, with an Introduction by G. K. CHESTERTON 6s. net THE SPRINGTIDE OF LIFE Poems of Childhood by A. C. Swinburne 10s.
plural of “poem” — a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines
From this reading AESOP’S FABLES A New Translation by V. S. VERNON JONES, with an Introduction by G. K. CHESTERTON 6s. net THE SPRINGTIDE OF LIFE Poems of Childhood by A. C. Swinburne 10s.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading AESOP’S FABLES A New Translation by V. S. VERNON JONES, with an Introduction by G. K. CHESTERTON 6s. net THE SPRINGTIDE OF LIFE Poems of Childhood by A. C. Swinburne 10s.
English poet and dramatist considered one of the greatest English writers (1564-1616)
From this reading A MIDSUMMER-NIGHT’S DREAM By WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE.
a swelling rush of anything
From this reading AESOP’S FABLES A New Translation by V. S. VERNON JONES, with an Introduction by G. K. CHESTERTON 6s. net THE SPRINGTIDE OF LIFE Poems of Childhood by A. C. Swinburne 10s.
English poet (1837-1909)
From this reading AESOP’S FABLES A New Translation by V. S. VERNON JONES, with an Introduction by G. K. CHESTERTON 6s. net THE SPRINGTIDE OF LIFE Poems of Childhood by A. C. Swinburne 10s.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AESOP’S FABLES A New Translation by V. S. VERNON JONES, with an Introduction by G. K. CHESTERTON 6s. net THE SPRINGTIDE OF LIFE Poems of Childhood by A. C. Swinburne 10s.
a written communication in a second language having the same meaning as the written communication in a first language
From this reading AESOP’S FABLES A New Translation by V. S. VERNON JONES, with an Introduction by G. K. CHESTERTON 6s. net THE SPRINGTIDE OF LIFE Poems of Childhood by A. C. Swinburne 10s.
any of various female water spirits
From this reading 6d. net UNDINE By DE LA MOTTE FOUQUÉ Adapted from the German by W. L. COURTNEY.
a unit of potential equal to the potential difference between two points on a conductor carrying a current of 1 ampere when the power dissipated between the two points is 1 watt
From this reading AESOP’S FABLES A New Translation by V. S. VERNON JONES, with an Introduction by G. K. CHESTERTON 6s. net THE SPRINGTIDE OF LIFE Poems of Childhood by A. C. Swinburne 10s.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AESOP’S FABLES A New Translation by V. S. VERNON JONES, with an Introduction by G. K. CHESTERTON 6s. net THE SPRINGTIDE OF LIFE Poems of Childhood by A. C. Swinburne 10s.
a heavy grey-white metallic element; the pure form is used mainly in electrical applications; it is found in several ores including wolframite and scheelite
From this reading 6d. net UNDINE By DE LA MOTTE FOUQUÉ Adapted from the German by W. L. COURTNEY.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MIDSUMMER-NIGHT’S DREAM By WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE.
in the company of; together with
From this reading AESOP’S FABLES A New Translation by V. S. VERNON JONES, with an Introduction by G. K. CHESTERTON 6s. net THE SPRINGTIDE OF LIFE Poems of Childhood by A. C. Swinburne 10s.
Chapter 1 of Rip Van Winkle by Washington Irving holds 271 sentences, grouped into 55 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 271 sentences of Rip Van Winkle, unabridged, divided into 55 reading sections.
This page carries chapter 1 of Rip Van Winkle by Washington Irving exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 271 sentences, grouped into 55 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 55 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.
Each of the 55 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 Rip Van Winkle by Washington Irving on this page, its source edition and its audio.
Yes. All 271 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #60976 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.
Project Gutenberg eBook #60976, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.
About 22 minutes of reading across 55 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.
How to work through Rip Van Winkle section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.
Choose one of the 1 chapters of Rip Van Winkle 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 Rip Van Winkle, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.
