Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04
Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04 is here in full — 436 sentences across 88 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04
Context Illustration Reading 31/87 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
His imagination gloats upon the fragrant invention, and he gulps at the cheating shadow until Elysium becomes a perfect Hades to his tortured spirit.
Mellow, rich, and toothsome compound!
Toothsome did we say?
Nay, even those who have lost their 'molares, incisores,' canine teeth, 'dentes sapientiae,' and all can masticate and inwardly digest thee!
Racy and recherche relish!
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04 is here in full — 436 sentences across 88 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 31/87 · 5 reading units · Lines 151–155

Line 1
His imagination gloats upon the fragrant invention, and he gulps at the cheating shadow until Elysium becomes a perfect Hades to his tortured spirit.
/hɪz ˌɪmædʒəˈneɪʃən ɡloʊts əˈpɑːn ðə ˈfreɪɡrənt ˌɪnˈvenʃən ənd hiː ɡʌlps æt ðə ˈtʃiːtɪŋ ˈʃæd.oʊ ənˈtɪl ɪˈlɪziəm bɪˈkʌmz ə pərˈfekt ˈheɪdiz tuː hɪz ˈtɔːrtʃərd ˈspɪrət/
Line 2
Mellow, rich, and toothsome compound!
Line 3
Toothsome did we say?
Line 4
Nay, even those who have lost their 'molares, incisores,' canine teeth, 'dentes sapientiae,' and all can masticate and inwardly digest thee!
Line 5
Racy and recherche relish!

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.

canine noun US /ˈkeɪnaɪn/

one of the four pointed conical teeth (two in each jaw) located between the incisors and the premolars

From this reading “Nay, even those who have lost their 'molares, incisores,' canine teeth, 'dentes sapientiae,' and all can masticate and inwardly digest thee!”

cheating adjective US /ˈtʃiːtɪŋ/

not faithful to a spouse or lover

From this reading “His imagination gloats upon the fragrant invention, and he gulps at the cheating shadow until Elysium becomes a perfect Hades to his tortured spirit.”

digest verb US /daɪˈdʒest/

convert food into absorbable substances

From this reading “Nay, even those who have lost their 'molares, incisores,' canine teeth, 'dentes sapientiae,' and all can masticate and inwardly digest thee!”

Elysium noun US /ɪˈlɪziəm/

a place or condition of ideal happiness

From this reading “His imagination gloats upon the fragrant invention, and he gulps at the cheating shadow until Elysium becomes a perfect Hades to his tortured spirit.”

gloats noun US /ɡloʊts/

plural of “gloat” — malicious satisfaction

From this reading “His imagination gloats upon the fragrant invention, and he gulps at the cheating shadow until Elysium becomes a perfect Hades to his tortured spirit.”

gulps noun US /ɡʌlps/

plural of “gulp” — a large and hurried swallow

From this reading “His imagination gloats upon the fragrant invention, and he gulps at the cheating shadow until Elysium becomes a perfect Hades to his tortured spirit.”

Hades noun US /ˈheɪdiz/

(Greek mythology) the god of the underworld in ancient mythology; brother of Zeus and husband of Persephone

From this reading “His imagination gloats upon the fragrant invention, and he gulps at the cheating shadow until Elysium becomes a perfect Hades to his tortured spirit.”

Racy adjective US /ˈreɪsi/

full of zest or vigor

From this reading “Racy and recherche relish!”

All words in this reading · 51

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading His imagination gloats upon the fragrant invention, and he gulps at the cheating shadow until Elysium becomes a perfect Hades to his tortured spirit.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

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

From this reading Nay, even those who have lost their 'molares, incisores,' canine teeth, 'dentes sapientiae,' and all can masticate and inwardly digest thee!

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading His imagination gloats upon the fragrant invention, and he gulps at the cheating shadow until Elysium becomes a perfect Hades to his tortured spirit.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading His imagination gloats upon the fragrant invention, and he gulps at the cheating shadow until Elysium becomes a perfect Hades to his tortured spirit.

becomesverbUS /bɪˈkʌmz/

third-person singular of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading His imagination gloats upon the fragrant invention, and he gulps at the cheating shadow until Elysium becomes a perfect Hades to his tortured spirit.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading Nay, even those who have lost their 'molares, incisores,' canine teeth, 'dentes sapientiae,' and all can masticate and inwardly digest thee!

caninenounUS /ˈkeɪnaɪn/

one of the four pointed conical teeth (two in each jaw) located between the incisors and the premolars

From this reading Nay, even those who have lost their 'molares, incisores,' canine teeth, 'dentes sapientiae,' and all can masticate and inwardly digest thee!

cheatingadjectiveUS /ˈtʃiːtɪŋ/

not faithful to a spouse or lover

From this reading His imagination gloats upon the fragrant invention, and he gulps at the cheating shadow until Elysium becomes a perfect Hades to his tortured spirit.

compoundnounUS /ˈkɑːmpaʊnd/

a whole formed by a union of two or more elements or parts

From this reading Mellow, rich, and toothsome compound!

dentes

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

From this reading Nay, even those who have lost their 'molares, incisores,' canine teeth, 'dentes sapientiae,' and all can masticate and inwardly digest thee!

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading Toothsome did we say?

digestverbUS /daɪˈdʒest/

convert food into absorbable substances

From this reading Nay, even those who have lost their 'molares, incisores,' canine teeth, 'dentes sapientiae,' and all can masticate and inwardly digest thee!

ElysiumnounUS /ɪˈlɪziəm/

a place or condition of ideal happiness

From this reading His imagination gloats upon the fragrant invention, and he gulps at the cheating shadow until Elysium becomes a perfect Hades to his tortured spirit.

evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/

divisible by two

From this reading Nay, even those who have lost their 'molares, incisores,' canine teeth, 'dentes sapientiae,' and all can masticate and inwardly digest thee!

fragrantadjectiveUS /ˈfreɪɡrənt/

pleasant-smelling

From this reading His imagination gloats upon the fragrant invention, and he gulps at the cheating shadow until Elysium becomes a perfect Hades to his tortured spirit.

gloatsnounUS /ɡloʊts/

plural of “gloat” — malicious satisfaction

From this reading His imagination gloats upon the fragrant invention, and he gulps at the cheating shadow until Elysium becomes a perfect Hades to his tortured spirit.

gulpsnounUS /ɡʌlps/

plural of “gulp” — a large and hurried swallow

From this reading His imagination gloats upon the fragrant invention, and he gulps at the cheating shadow until Elysium becomes a perfect Hades to his tortured spirit.

HadesnounUS /ˈheɪdiz/

(Greek mythology) the god of the underworld in ancient mythology; brother of Zeus and husband of Persephone

From this reading His imagination gloats upon the fragrant invention, and he gulps at the cheating shadow until Elysium becomes a perfect Hades to his tortured spirit.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Nay, even those who have lost their 'molares, incisores,' canine teeth, 'dentes sapientiae,' and all can masticate and inwardly digest thee!

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading His imagination gloats upon the fragrant invention, and he gulps at the cheating shadow until Elysium becomes a perfect Hades to his tortured spirit.

HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading His imagination gloats upon the fragrant invention, and he gulps at the cheating shadow until Elysium becomes a perfect Hades to his tortured spirit.

imaginationnounUS /ˌɪmædʒəˈneɪʃən/

the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses

From this reading His imagination gloats upon the fragrant invention, and he gulps at the cheating shadow until Elysium becomes a perfect Hades to his tortured spirit.

incisores

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

From this reading Nay, even those who have lost their 'molares, incisores,' canine teeth, 'dentes sapientiae,' and all can masticate and inwardly digest thee!

inventionnounUS /ˌɪnˈvenʃən/

the creation of something in the mind

From this reading His imagination gloats upon the fragrant invention, and he gulps at the cheating shadow until Elysium becomes a perfect Hades to his tortured spirit.

inwardlyadverbUS /ˈɪnwərdli/

with respect to private feelings

From this reading Nay, even those who have lost their 'molares, incisores,' canine teeth, 'dentes sapientiae,' and all can masticate and inwardly digest thee!

lostadjectiveUS /lɔːst/

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading Nay, even those who have lost their 'molares, incisores,' canine teeth, 'dentes sapientiae,' and all can masticate and inwardly digest thee!

masticateverb

grind and knead

From this reading Nay, even those who have lost their 'molares, incisores,' canine teeth, 'dentes sapientiae,' and all can masticate and inwardly digest thee!

MellowadjectiveUS /ˈmeloʊ/

unhurried and relaxed

From this reading Mellow, rich, and toothsome compound!

molares

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

From this reading Nay, even those who have lost their 'molares, incisores,' canine teeth, 'dentes sapientiae,' and all can masticate and inwardly digest thee!

NayexclamationUS /neɪ/

an old word for “no”

From this reading Nay, even those who have lost their 'molares, incisores,' canine teeth, 'dentes sapientiae,' and all can masticate and inwardly digest thee!

perfectadjectiveUS /pərˈfekt/

being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish

From this reading His imagination gloats upon the fragrant invention, and he gulps at the cheating shadow until Elysium becomes a perfect Hades to his tortured spirit.

RacyadjectiveUS /ˈreɪsi/

full of zest or vigor

From this reading Racy and recherche relish!

rechercheadjective

lavishly elegant and refined

From this reading Racy and recherche relish!

relishnounUS /ˈrelɪʃ/

vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment

From this reading Racy and recherche relish!

richadjectiveUS /rɪtʃ/

possessing material wealth

From this reading Mellow, rich, and toothsome compound!

sapientiae

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

From this reading Nay, even those who have lost their 'molares, incisores,' canine teeth, 'dentes sapientiae,' and all can masticate and inwardly digest thee!

sayverbUS /seɪ/

express in words

From this reading Toothsome did we say?

shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading His imagination gloats upon the fragrant invention, and he gulps at the cheating shadow until Elysium becomes a perfect Hades to his tortured spirit.

spiritnounUS /ˈspɪrət/

the vital principle or animating force within living things

From this reading His imagination gloats upon the fragrant invention, and he gulps at the cheating shadow until Elysium becomes a perfect Hades to his tortured spirit.

teethnounUS /tiːθ/

the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal

From this reading Nay, even those who have lost their 'molares, incisores,' canine teeth, 'dentes sapientiae,' and all can masticate and inwardly digest thee!

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading His imagination gloats upon the fragrant invention, and he gulps at the cheating shadow until Elysium becomes a perfect Hades to his tortured spirit.

theepronounUS /ðiː/

an old word for “you”, as the object, speaking to one person

From this reading Nay, even those who have lost their 'molares, incisores,' canine teeth, 'dentes sapientiae,' and all can masticate and inwardly digest thee!

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Nay, even those who have lost their 'molares, incisores,' canine teeth, 'dentes sapientiae,' and all can masticate and inwardly digest thee!

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading Nay, even those who have lost their 'molares, incisores,' canine teeth, 'dentes sapientiae,' and all can masticate and inwardly digest thee!

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading His imagination gloats upon the fragrant invention, and he gulps at the cheating shadow until Elysium becomes a perfect Hades to his tortured spirit.

toothsomeadjective

acceptable to the taste or mind

From this reading Mellow, rich, and toothsome compound!

torturedadjectiveUS /ˈtɔːrtʃərd/

experiencing intense pain especially mental pain

From this reading His imagination gloats upon the fragrant invention, and he gulps at the cheating shadow until Elysium becomes a perfect Hades to his tortured spirit.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading His imagination gloats upon the fragrant invention, and he gulps at the cheating shadow until Elysium becomes a perfect Hades to his tortured spirit.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading His imagination gloats upon the fragrant invention, and he gulps at the cheating shadow until Elysium becomes a perfect Hades to his tortured spirit.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Toothsome did we say?

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Nay, even those who have lost their 'molares, incisores,' canine teeth, 'dentes sapientiae,' and all can masticate and inwardly digest thee!

Chapter 1 of Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04 by Robert Seymour holds 436 sentences, grouped into 88 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 Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04 contain?

Chapter 1 holds 436 sentences of Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04, unabridged, divided into 88 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04 by Robert Seymour exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 436 sentences, grouped into 88 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 Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04?

Work through the 88 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 88 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 Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04

Common questions about reading Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04 by Robert Seymour on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04?

Yes. All 436 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #5648 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04 is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #5648, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04 take to read?

About 36 minutes of reading across 88 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04 section by section

How to work through Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04 section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 1 chapters of Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04 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 Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04

Words and structures a reader meets early in Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Patience
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Monument
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Smiling
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Grief
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.