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The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table

Chapter III · Chapter 3

Chapter 3 of The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table is here in full — 249 sentences across 50 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Oliver Wendell Holmes • Curated US English Learning Edition

Cover illustration for The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

[The “Atlantic” obeys the moon, and its LUNIVERSARY has come round again.

I have gathered up some hasty notes of my remarks made since the last high tides, which I respectfully submit.

Please to remember this is _talk_; just as easy and just as formal as I choose to make it.]

—I never saw an author in my life—saving, perhaps, one—that did not purr as audibly as a full-grown domestic cat, (_Felis Catus_, LINN.,) on having his fur smoothed in the right way by a skilful hand.

But let me give you a caution.

Narrator

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.

Chapter III Reading 1/49

The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table Oliver Wendell Holmes

Cover illustration for The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table

Chapter III

Chapter 3

Chapter 3 of The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table is here in full — 249 sentences across 50 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

[The “Atlantic” obeys the moon, and its LUNIVERSARY has come round again. I have gathered up some hasty notes of my remarks made since the last high tides, which I respectfully submit. Please to remember this is _talk_; just as easy and just as formal as I choose to make it.] —I never saw an author in my life—saving, perhaps, one—that did not purr as audibly as a full-grown domestic cat, (_Felis Catus_, LINN.,) on having his fur smoothed in the right way by a skilful hand. But let me give you a caution.

The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table

Chapter III · Chapter 3

Chapter 3 of The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table is here in full — 249 sentences across 50 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/49 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

[The “Atlantic” obeys the moon, and its LUNIVERSARY has come round again.

Line 2

I have gathered up some hasty notes of my remarks made since the last high tides, which I respectfully submit.

Line 3

Please to remember this is _talk_; just as easy and just as formal as I choose to make it.]

Line 4

—I never saw an author in my life—saving, perhaps, one—that did not purr as audibly as a full-grown domestic cat, (_Felis Catus_, LINN.,) on having his fur smoothed in the right way by a skilful hand.

Line 5

But let me give you a caution.

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.

Remember verb US /rɪˈmɛm.bər/

To recall to mind.

From this reading “Please to remember this is _talk_; just as easy and just as formal as I choose to make it.]”

All words in this reading · 79

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.

a

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

From this reading —I never saw an author in my life—saving, perhaps, one—that did not purr as audibly as a full-grown domestic cat, (_Felis Catus_, LINN.,) on having his fur smoothed in the right way by a skilful hand.

again

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

From this reading [The “Atlantic” obeys the moon, and its LUNIVERSARY has come round again.

an

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

From this reading —I never saw an author in my life—saving, perhaps, one—that did not purr as audibly as a full-grown domestic cat, (_Felis Catus_, LINN.,) on having his fur smoothed in the right way by a skilful hand.

and

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

From this reading [The “Atlantic” obeys the moon, and its LUNIVERSARY has come round again.

as

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

From this reading Please to remember this is _talk_; just as easy and just as formal as I choose to make it.]

Atlantic

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

From this reading [The “Atlantic” obeys the moon, and its LUNIVERSARY has come round again.

audibly

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

From this reading —I never saw an author in my life—saving, perhaps, one—that did not purr as audibly as a full-grown domestic cat, (_Felis Catus_, LINN.,) on having his fur smoothed in the right way by a skilful hand.

author

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

From this reading —I never saw an author in my life—saving, perhaps, one—that did not purr as audibly as a full-grown domestic cat, (_Felis Catus_, LINN.,) on having his fur smoothed in the right way by a skilful hand.

But

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

From this reading But let me give you a caution.

by

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

From this reading —I never saw an author in my life—saving, perhaps, one—that did not purr as audibly as a full-grown domestic cat, (_Felis Catus_, LINN.,) on having his fur smoothed in the right way by a skilful hand.

cat

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

From this reading —I never saw an author in my life—saving, perhaps, one—that did not purr as audibly as a full-grown domestic cat, (_Felis Catus_, LINN.,) on having his fur smoothed in the right way by a skilful hand.

Catus

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

From this reading —I never saw an author in my life—saving, perhaps, one—that did not purr as audibly as a full-grown domestic cat, (_Felis Catus_, LINN.,) on having his fur smoothed in the right way by a skilful hand.

caution

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

From this reading But let me give you a caution.

choose

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

From this reading Please to remember this is _talk_; just as easy and just as formal as I choose to make it.]

come

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

From this reading [The “Atlantic” obeys the moon, and its LUNIVERSARY has come round again.

did

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

From this reading —I never saw an author in my life—saving, perhaps, one—that did not purr as audibly as a full-grown domestic cat, (_Felis Catus_, LINN.,) on having his fur smoothed in the right way by a skilful hand.

domestic

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

From this reading —I never saw an author in my life—saving, perhaps, one—that did not purr as audibly as a full-grown domestic cat, (_Felis Catus_, LINN.,) on having his fur smoothed in the right way by a skilful hand.

easy

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

From this reading Please to remember this is _talk_; just as easy and just as formal as I choose to make it.]

Felis

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

From this reading —I never saw an author in my life—saving, perhaps, one—that did not purr as audibly as a full-grown domestic cat, (_Felis Catus_, LINN.,) on having his fur smoothed in the right way by a skilful hand.

formal

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

From this reading Please to remember this is _talk_; just as easy and just as formal as I choose to make it.]

full-grown

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

From this reading —I never saw an author in my life—saving, perhaps, one—that did not purr as audibly as a full-grown domestic cat, (_Felis Catus_, LINN.,) on having his fur smoothed in the right way by a skilful hand.

fur

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

From this reading —I never saw an author in my life—saving, perhaps, one—that did not purr as audibly as a full-grown domestic cat, (_Felis Catus_, LINN.,) on having his fur smoothed in the right way by a skilful hand.

gathered

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

From this reading I have gathered up some hasty notes of my remarks made since the last high tides, which I respectfully submit.

give

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

From this reading But let me give you a caution.

hand

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

From this reading —I never saw an author in my life—saving, perhaps, one—that did not purr as audibly as a full-grown domestic cat, (_Felis Catus_, LINN.,) on having his fur smoothed in the right way by a skilful hand.

has

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

From this reading [The “Atlantic” obeys the moon, and its LUNIVERSARY has come round again.

hasty

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

From this reading I have gathered up some hasty notes of my remarks made since the last high tides, which I respectfully submit.

have

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

From this reading I have gathered up some hasty notes of my remarks made since the last high tides, which I respectfully submit.

having

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

From this reading —I never saw an author in my life—saving, perhaps, one—that did not purr as audibly as a full-grown domestic cat, (_Felis Catus_, LINN.,) on having his fur smoothed in the right way by a skilful hand.

high

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

From this reading I have gathered up some hasty notes of my remarks made since the last high tides, which I respectfully submit.

his

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

From this reading —I never saw an author in my life—saving, perhaps, one—that did not purr as audibly as a full-grown domestic cat, (_Felis Catus_, LINN.,) on having his fur smoothed in the right way by a skilful hand.

I

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

From this reading I have gathered up some hasty notes of my remarks made since the last high tides, which I respectfully submit.

in

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

From this reading —I never saw an author in my life—saving, perhaps, one—that did not purr as audibly as a full-grown domestic cat, (_Felis Catus_, LINN.,) on having his fur smoothed in the right way by a skilful hand.

is

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

From this reading Please to remember this is _talk_; just as easy and just as formal as I choose to make it.]

it

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

From this reading Please to remember this is _talk_; just as easy and just as formal as I choose to make it.]

its

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

From this reading [The “Atlantic” obeys the moon, and its LUNIVERSARY has come round again.

just

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

From this reading Please to remember this is _talk_; just as easy and just as formal as I choose to make it.]

last

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

From this reading I have gathered up some hasty notes of my remarks made since the last high tides, which I respectfully submit.

let

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

From this reading But let me give you a caution.

life

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

From this reading —I never saw an author in my life—saving, perhaps, one—that did not purr as audibly as a full-grown domestic cat, (_Felis Catus_, LINN.,) on having his fur smoothed in the right way by a skilful hand.

LINN

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

From this reading —I never saw an author in my life—saving, perhaps, one—that did not purr as audibly as a full-grown domestic cat, (_Felis Catus_, LINN.,) on having his fur smoothed in the right way by a skilful hand.

LUNIVERSARY

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

From this reading [The “Atlantic” obeys the moon, and its LUNIVERSARY has come round again.

made

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

From this reading I have gathered up some hasty notes of my remarks made since the last high tides, which I respectfully submit.

make

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

From this reading Please to remember this is _talk_; just as easy and just as formal as I choose to make it.]

me

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

From this reading But let me give you a caution.

moon

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

From this reading [The “Atlantic” obeys the moon, and its LUNIVERSARY has come round again.

my

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

From this reading I have gathered up some hasty notes of my remarks made since the last high tides, which I respectfully submit.

never

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

From this reading —I never saw an author in my life—saving, perhaps, one—that did not purr as audibly as a full-grown domestic cat, (_Felis Catus_, LINN.,) on having his fur smoothed in the right way by a skilful hand.

not

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

From this reading —I never saw an author in my life—saving, perhaps, one—that did not purr as audibly as a full-grown domestic cat, (_Felis Catus_, LINN.,) on having his fur smoothed in the right way by a skilful hand.

notes

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

From this reading I have gathered up some hasty notes of my remarks made since the last high tides, which I respectfully submit.

obeys

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

From this reading [The “Atlantic” obeys the moon, and its LUNIVERSARY has come round again.

of

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

From this reading I have gathered up some hasty notes of my remarks made since the last high tides, which I respectfully submit.

on

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

From this reading —I never saw an author in my life—saving, perhaps, one—that did not purr as audibly as a full-grown domestic cat, (_Felis Catus_, LINN.,) on having his fur smoothed in the right way by a skilful hand.

one

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

From this reading —I never saw an author in my life—saving, perhaps, one—that did not purr as audibly as a full-grown domestic cat, (_Felis Catus_, LINN.,) on having his fur smoothed in the right way by a skilful hand.

perhaps

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

From this reading —I never saw an author in my life—saving, perhaps, one—that did not purr as audibly as a full-grown domestic cat, (_Felis Catus_, LINN.,) on having his fur smoothed in the right way by a skilful hand.

Please

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

From this reading Please to remember this is _talk_; just as easy and just as formal as I choose to make it.]

purr

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

From this reading —I never saw an author in my life—saving, perhaps, one—that did not purr as audibly as a full-grown domestic cat, (_Felis Catus_, LINN.,) on having his fur smoothed in the right way by a skilful hand.

remarks

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

From this reading I have gathered up some hasty notes of my remarks made since the last high tides, which I respectfully submit.

rememberverbUS /rɪˈmɛm.bər/

To recall to mind.

From this reading Please to remember this is _talk_; just as easy and just as formal as I choose to make it.]

respectfully

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

From this reading I have gathered up some hasty notes of my remarks made since the last high tides, which I respectfully submit.

right

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

From this reading —I never saw an author in my life—saving, perhaps, one—that did not purr as audibly as a full-grown domestic cat, (_Felis Catus_, LINN.,) on having his fur smoothed in the right way by a skilful hand.

round

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

From this reading [The “Atlantic” obeys the moon, and its LUNIVERSARY has come round again.

saving

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

From this reading —I never saw an author in my life—saving, perhaps, one—that did not purr as audibly as a full-grown domestic cat, (_Felis Catus_, LINN.,) on having his fur smoothed in the right way by a skilful hand.

saw

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

From this reading —I never saw an author in my life—saving, perhaps, one—that did not purr as audibly as a full-grown domestic cat, (_Felis Catus_, LINN.,) on having his fur smoothed in the right way by a skilful hand.

since

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

From this reading I have gathered up some hasty notes of my remarks made since the last high tides, which I respectfully submit.

skilful

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

From this reading —I never saw an author in my life—saving, perhaps, one—that did not purr as audibly as a full-grown domestic cat, (_Felis Catus_, LINN.,) on having his fur smoothed in the right way by a skilful hand.

smoothed

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

From this reading —I never saw an author in my life—saving, perhaps, one—that did not purr as audibly as a full-grown domestic cat, (_Felis Catus_, LINN.,) on having his fur smoothed in the right way by a skilful hand.

some

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

From this reading I have gathered up some hasty notes of my remarks made since the last high tides, which I respectfully submit.

submit

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

From this reading I have gathered up some hasty notes of my remarks made since the last high tides, which I respectfully submit.

talk

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

From this reading Please to remember this is _talk_; just as easy and just as formal as I choose to make it.]

that

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

From this reading —I never saw an author in my life—saving, perhaps, one—that did not purr as audibly as a full-grown domestic cat, (_Felis Catus_, LINN.,) on having his fur smoothed in the right way by a skilful hand.

The

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

From this reading [The “Atlantic” obeys the moon, and its LUNIVERSARY has come round again.

this

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

From this reading Please to remember this is _talk_; just as easy and just as formal as I choose to make it.]

tides

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

From this reading I have gathered up some hasty notes of my remarks made since the last high tides, which I respectfully submit.

to

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

From this reading Please to remember this is _talk_; just as easy and just as formal as I choose to make it.]

up

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

From this reading I have gathered up some hasty notes of my remarks made since the last high tides, which I respectfully submit.

way

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

From this reading —I never saw an author in my life—saving, perhaps, one—that did not purr as audibly as a full-grown domestic cat, (_Felis Catus_, LINN.,) on having his fur smoothed in the right way by a skilful hand.

which

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

From this reading I have gathered up some hasty notes of my remarks made since the last high tides, which I respectfully submit.

you

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

From this reading But let me give you a caution.

Chapter 3 of The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table by Oliver Wendell Holmes holds 249 sentences, grouped into 50 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, 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 3 of The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table contain?

Chapter 3 holds 249 sentences of The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table, unabridged, divided into 50 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 3 of The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table by Oliver Wendell Holmes exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 249 sentences, grouped into 50 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 3 of The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table?

Work through the 50 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 50 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 3 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 3 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 The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table

Common questions about reading The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table by Oliver Wendell Holmes on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table?

Yes. All 3590 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #751 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #751, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table take to read?

About 299 minutes of reading across 718 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table section by section

How to work through The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

Open a chapter

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Vocabulary met early in The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Going: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Interrupted: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Classifying: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Minds: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.