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Selina
Selina

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Selina is here in full — 390 sentences across 78 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Selina
Context Illustration Reading 1/78 · 5 lines
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[Page 20.]
_You have long urged me to an attempted portrayal of the American girl of the '80's.
I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.
Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.
Following where, you ask?
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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.

Selina

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Selina is here in full — 390 sentences across 78 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/78 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
[Page 20.]
Line 2
_You have long urged me to an attempted portrayal of the American girl of the '80's.
Line 3
I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.
/aɪ teɪk ɪt ðæt juː frʌm jɔːr ˈvjuːpɔɪnt ˈkʌmɪŋ frʌm lɔːŋ ˈæbsəns frʌm jɔːr oʊn ˈkʌntri lʊk əˈpɑːn hɜːr ənd hɜːr ˈmoʊmənt æz ɪn sʌm sens səɡˈnɪfɪkənt æz aɪ red ðɪs ɡɜːrl ənd ðə kənˈdɪʃənz sərˈaʊndɪŋ hɜːr bɔːrn leɪt vɪkˈtɔːriən ʃiː keɪm ˈɪntuː ˈbiːɪŋ wen ðoʊz sɪnˈsɪr ənd faɪn ˈtenəts əˈpɑːn wɪtʃ ðə vɪkˈtɔːriən ˈerə ˈfaʊndɪd ˌɪtˈself wɜːr bɪˈkʌm ðə ˈletər ʌv ðə ərˈɪdʒənəl ˈvaɪtəl aɪˈdiːə ənd ðə ˈmoʊmənt ˌɪtˈself ˌsentəˈmentəl traɪt ənd ˈpruːdɪʃ/
Line 4
Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.
Line 5
Following where, you ask?
/ˈfɑːloʊɪŋ wer juː æsk/

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.

inadequacies noun US /ˌɪˈnædəkwəsiz/

plural of “inadequacy” — lack of an adequate quantity or number

From this reading “Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.”

inefficiencies noun US /ˌɪnɪˈfɪʃənsiz/

plural of “inefficiency” — unskillfulness resulting from a lack of efficiency

From this reading “Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.”

portrayal noun US /pɔːrˈtreɪəl/

a word picture of a person's appearance and character

From this reading “_You have long urged me to an attempted portrayal of the American girl of the '80's.”

prudish adjective US /ˈpruːdɪʃ/

exaggeratedly proper

From this reading “I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.”

repudiated verb US /riˈpjuːdieɪtɪd/

past form of “repudiate” — cast off

From this reading “Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.”

tenets noun US /ˈtenəts/

plural of “tenet” — a religious doctrine that is proclaimed as true without proof

From this reading “I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.”

trite adjective US /traɪt/

repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse

From this reading “I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.”

viewpoint noun US /ˈvjuːpɔɪnt/

a mental position from which things are viewed

From this reading “I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.”

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.

young girl adjective + noun

a girl or young woman who is unmarried

In this reading “Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.”

long absence adjective + noun

In this reading “I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.”

own country verb + noun

In this reading “I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.”

look upon verb + particle

look on as or consider

In this reading “I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.”

came into verb + particle counted as “come into”

obtain, especially accidentally

In this reading “I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.”

some sense adjective + noun

In this reading “I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.”

All words in this reading · 105

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.

20

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

From this reading [Page 20.]

80

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

From this reading _You have long urged me to an attempted portrayal of the American girl of the '80's.

absencenounUS /ˈæbsəns/

the state of being absent

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

absurditiesnounUS /əbˈsɜːrdətiz/

plural of “absurdity” — a message whose content is at variance with reason

From this reading Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.

AmericannounUS /əˈmerəkən/

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading _You have long urged me to an attempted portrayal of the American girl of the '80's.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading _You have long urged me to an attempted portrayal of the American girl of the '80's.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

apparentlyadverbUS /əˈperəntli/

from appearances alone

From this reading Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.

armynounUS /ˈɑːrmi/

a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state

From this reading Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

askverbUS /æsk/

make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading Following where, you ask?

attemptedadjectiveUS /əˈtemptɪd/

tried unsuccessfully

From this reading _You have long urged me to an attempted portrayal of the American girl of the '80's.

becomeverbUS /bɪˈkʌm/

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

blazedverbUS /bleɪzd/

past form of “blaze” — shine brightly and intensively

From this reading Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.

bornadjectiveUS /bɔːrn/

brought into existence

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.

cameverbUS /keɪm/

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

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

comingnounUS /ˈkʌmɪŋ/

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

companionsnounUS /kəmˈpænjənz/

plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.

conditionnounUS /kənˈdɪʃən/

a state at a particular time

From this reading Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.

conditionsnounUS /kənˈdɪʃənz/

the prevailing context that influences the performance or the outcome of a process

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

countrynounUS /ˈkʌntri/

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.

eranounUS /ˈerə/

a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

fineadjectiveUS /faɪn/

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

flabbyadjectiveUS /ˈflæbi/

out of condition; not strong or robust; incapable of exertion or endurance

From this reading Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.

followingadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːloʊɪŋ/

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.

foundedverbUS /ˈfaʊndɪd/

past form of “found” — set up or found

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

futilities

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

From this reading Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.

girlnounUS /ɡɜːrl/

a young female

From this reading _You have long urged me to an attempted portrayal of the American girl of the '80's.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading _You have long urged me to an attempted portrayal of the American girl of the '80's.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

hournounUS /ˈaʊər/

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

ideanounUS /aɪˈdiːə/

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

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

inadequaciesnounUS /ˌɪˈnædəkwəsiz/

plural of “inadequacy” — lack of an adequate quantity or number

From this reading Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.

inefficienciesnounUS /ˌɪnɪˈfɪʃənsiz/

plural of “inefficiency” — unskillfulness resulting from a lack of efficiency

From this reading Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

lapsedadjectiveUS /læpst/

no longer active or practicing

From this reading Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.

lateadjectiveUS /leɪt/

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

letternounUS /ˈletər/

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

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 _You have long urged me to an attempted portrayal of the American girl of the '80's.

lookverbUS /lʊk/

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.

maturitynounUS /məˈtʃʊrəti/

the period of time in your life after your physical growth has stopped and you are fully developed

From this reading Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading _You have long urged me to an attempted portrayal of the American girl of the '80's.

momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/

a particular point in time

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

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

From this reading Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _You have long urged me to an attempted portrayal of the American girl of the '80's.

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.

originaladjectiveUS /ərˈɪdʒənəl/

preceding all others in time or being as first made or performed

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

OutcomenounUS /ˈaʊtkʌm/

something that results

From this reading Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.

ownverbUS /oʊn/

have ownership or possession of

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

PagenounUS /peɪdʒ/

one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains

From this reading [Page 20.]

pioneernounUS /ˌpaɪəˈnɪr/

someone who helps to open up a new line of research or technology or art

From this reading Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.

platitudinousadjective

dull and tiresome but with pretensions of significance or originality

From this reading Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.

portrayalnounUS /pɔːrˈtreɪəl/

a word picture of a person's appearance and character

From this reading _You have long urged me to an attempted portrayal of the American girl of the '80's.

post-Victorian

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

From this reading Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.

prudishadjectiveUS /ˈpruːdɪʃ/

exaggeratedly proper

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

readverbUS /red/

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

repudiatedverbUS /riˈpjuːdieɪtɪd/

past form of “repudiate” — cast off

From this reading Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.

snounUS /es/

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading _You have long urged me to an attempted portrayal of the American girl of the '80's.

sensenounUS /sens/

a general conscious awareness

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

sentimentaladjectiveUS /ˌsentəˈmentəl/

given to or marked by sentiment or sentimentality

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

significantadjectiveUS /səɡˈnɪfɪkənt/

important in effect or meaning

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

sincereadjectiveUS /sɪnˈsɪr/

open and genuine; not deceitful

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

surroundingadjectiveUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋ/

closely encircling

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

takeverbUS /teɪk/

carry out

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

tenetsnounUS /ˈtenəts/

plural of “tenet” — a religious doctrine that is proclaimed as true without proof

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading _You have long urged me to an attempted portrayal of the American girl of the '80's.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading _You have long urged me to an attempted portrayal of the American girl of the '80's.

triteadjectiveUS /traɪt/

repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

urgedverbUS /ɜːrdʒd/

past form of “urge” — force or impel in an indicated direction

From this reading _You have long urged me to an attempted portrayal of the American girl of the '80's.

victimnounUS /ˈvɪktəm/

an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance

From this reading Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.

VictorianadjectiveUS /vɪkˈtɔːriən/

of or relating to Queen Victoria of Great Britain or to the age in which she ruled

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

viewpointnounUS /ˈvjuːpɔɪnt/

a mental position from which things are viewed

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

vitaladjectiveUS /ˈvaɪtəl/

urgently needed; absolutely necessary

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

waynounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading Following where, you ask?

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.

womennounUS /ˈwɪmən/

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.

YoupronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading _You have long urged me to an attempted portrayal of the American girl of the '80's.

youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Outcome and victim of the inefficiencies of an hour so flabby and platitudinous, this young girl of these Victorian '80's apparently not only repudiated her condition made up of absurdities, futilities and inadequacies, but in her maturity has lapsed over into the post-Victorian era as pioneer, she and her companions of that day, who blazed the way for the army of women now following.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading I take it that you from your viewpoint coming from long absence from your own country, look upon her and her moment as in some sense significant._ _As I read this girl and the conditions surrounding her, born late, Victorian, she came into being when those sincere and fine tenets upon which the Victorian era founded itself, were become the letter of the original vital idea, and the moment itself sentimental, trite and prudish.

Chapter 1 of Selina by George Madden Martin holds 390 sentences, grouped into 78 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 Selina contain?

Chapter 1 holds 390 sentences of Selina, unabridged, divided into 78 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Selina by George Madden Martin exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 390 sentences, grouped into 78 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 Selina?

Work through the 78 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 78 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 Selina

Common questions about reading Selina by George Madden Martin on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Selina?

Yes. All 5287 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #46292 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Selina is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #46292, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Selina take to read?

About 440 minutes of reading across 1058 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Selina section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 13 chapters of Selina 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 Selina

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

Urged
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Selina; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Attempted
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Selina; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Portrayal
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Selina; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
American
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Selina; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.