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The Circle: A Comedy in Three Acts
The Circle: A Comedy in Three Acts

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Circle: A Comedy in Three Acts is here in full — 434 sentences across 87 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Circle: A Comedy in Three Acts
Context Illustration Reading 1/86 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.
SHENSTONE.
_The action takes place at Aston-Adey, Arnold Champion-Cheney's house in Dorset._ THE CIRCLE THE FIRST ACT _The Scene is a stately drawing-room at Aston-Adey, with fine pictures on the walls and Georgian furniture.
Aston-Adey has been described, with many illustrations, in Country Life.
It is not a house, but a place.
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.

The Circle: A Comedy in Three Acts

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Circle: A Comedy in Three Acts is here in full — 434 sentences across 87 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/86 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.
Line 2
SHENSTONE.
Line 3
_The action takes place at Aston-Adey, Arnold Champion-Cheney's house in Dorset._ THE CIRCLE THE FIRST ACT _The Scene is a stately drawing-room at Aston-Adey, with fine pictures on the walls and Georgian furniture.
Line 4
Aston-Adey has been described, with many illustrations, in Country Life.
Line 5
It is not a house, but a place.
/ɪt ɪz nɑːt ə haʊs bʌt ə pleɪs/

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.

Andalusia noun US /ˌændəˈluːʒə/

a region in southern Spain on the Atlantic and the Mediterranean; formerly a center of Moorish civilization

applications noun US /ˌæpləˈkeɪʃənz/

plural of “application” — the act of bringing something to bear; using it for a particular purpose

From this reading “THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.”

arnold noun US /ˈɑːrnəld/

English poet and literary critic (1822-1888)

From this reading “THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.”

catherine noun US /ˈkæθərən/

first wife of Henry VIII; Henry VIII's divorce from her was the initial step of the Reformation in England (1485-1536)

From this reading “THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.”

clive noun US /klaɪv/

British general and statesman whose victory at Plassey in 1757 strengthened British control of India (1725-1774)

From this reading “THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.”

Georgian noun US /ˈdʒɔːrdʒən/

a native or resident of the American state of Georgia

From this reading “_The action takes place at Aston-Adey, Arnold Champion-Cheney's house in Dorset._ THE CIRCLE THE FIRST ACT _The Scene is a stately drawing-room at Aston-Adey, with fine pictures on the walls and Georgian furniture.”

Impressions noun US /ˌɪmˈpreʃənz/

plural of “impression” — a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading “THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.”

Sketches noun US /ˈsketʃəz/

plural of “sketch” — preliminary drawing for later elaboration

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.

takes place verb + noun counted as “take place”

come to pass

In this reading “_The action takes place at Aston-Adey, Arnold Champion-Cheney's house in Dorset._ THE CIRCLE THE FIRST ACT _The Scene is a stately drawing-room at Aston-Adey, with fine pictures on the walls and Georgian furniture.”

fine pictures adjective + noun counted as “fine picture”

In this reading “_The action takes place at Aston-Adey, Arnold Champion-Cheney's house in Dorset._ THE CIRCLE THE FIRST ACT _The Scene is a stately drawing-room at Aston-Adey, with fine pictures on the walls and Georgian furniture.”

on the walls preposition + article + noun counted as “on … wall”

In this reading “_The action takes place at Aston-Adey, Arnold Champion-Cheney's house in Dorset._ THE CIRCLE THE FIRST ACT _The Scene is a stately drawing-room at Aston-Adey, with fine pictures on the walls and Georgian furniture.”

All words in this reading · 77

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.

33

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

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

42nd

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

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading _The action takes place at Aston-Adey, Arnold Champion-Cheney's house in Dorset._ THE CIRCLE THE FIRST ACT _The Scene is a stately drawing-room at Aston-Adey, with fine pictures on the walls and Georgian furniture.

ACTverbUS /ækt/

perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading _The action takes place at Aston-Adey, Arnold Champion-Cheney's house in Dorset._ THE CIRCLE THE FIRST ACT _The Scene is a stately drawing-room at Aston-Adey, with fine pictures on the walls and Georgian furniture.

actionnounUS /ˈækʃən/

something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading _The action takes place at Aston-Adey, Arnold Champion-Cheney's house in Dorset._ THE CIRCLE THE FIRST ACT _The Scene is a stately drawing-room at Aston-Adey, with fine pictures on the walls and Georgian furniture.

addressedadjectiveUS /əˈdrest/

(of mail) marked with a destination

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

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 THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

AmericannounUS /əˈmerəkən/

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

AndalusianounUS /ˌændəˈluːʒə/

a region in southern Spain on the Atlantic and the Mediterranean; formerly a center of Moorish civilization

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

applicationsnounUS /ˌæpləˈkeɪʃənz/

plural of “application” — the act of bringing something to bear; using it for a particular purpose

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

ARNOLDnounUS /ˈɑːrnəld/

English poet and literary critic (1822-1888)

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

Aston-Adey

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

From this reading _The action takes place at Aston-Adey, Arnold Champion-Cheney's house in Dorset._ THE CIRCLE THE FIRST ACT _The Scene is a stately drawing-room at Aston-Adey, with fine pictures on the walls and Georgian furniture.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading _The action takes place at Aston-Adey, Arnold Champion-Cheney's house in Dorset._ THE CIRCLE THE FIRST ACT _The Scene is a stately drawing-room at Aston-Adey, with fine pictures on the walls and Georgian furniture.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Aston-Adey has been described, with many illustrations, in Country Life.

BLESSEDadjectiveUS /blest/

highly favored or fortunate (as e.g. by divine grace)

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It is not a house, but a place.

CATHERINEnounUS /ˈkæθərən/

first wife of Henry VIII; Henry VIII's divorce from her was the initial step of the Reformation in England (1485-1536)

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

CHAMPION-CHENEY

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

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

Champion-Cheney's

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

From this reading _The action takes place at Aston-Adey, Arnold Champion-Cheney's house in Dorset._ THE CIRCLE THE FIRST ACT _The Scene is a stately drawing-room at Aston-Adey, with fine pictures on the walls and Georgian furniture.

CIRCLEnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəl/

ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point

From this reading _The action takes place at Aston-Adey, Arnold Champion-Cheney's house in Dorset._ THE CIRCLE THE FIRST ACT _The Scene is a stately drawing-room at Aston-Adey, with fine pictures on the walls and Georgian furniture.

CLIVEnounUS /klaɪv/

British general and statesman whose victory at Plassey in 1757 strengthened British control of India (1725-1774)

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

CompanynounUS /ˈkʌmpəniː/

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

CountrynounUS /ˈkʌntri/

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading Aston-Adey has been described, with many illustrations, in Country Life.

describedadjectiveUS /dɪˈskraɪbd/

represented in words especially with sharpness and detail

From this reading Aston-Adey has been described, with many illustrations, in Country Life.

Dorset

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

From this reading _The action takes place at Aston-Adey, Arnold Champion-Cheney's house in Dorset._ THE CIRCLE THE FIRST ACT _The Scene is a stately drawing-room at Aston-Adey, with fine pictures on the walls and Georgian furniture.

drawing-room

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

From this reading _The action takes place at Aston-Adey, Arnold Champion-Cheney's house in Dorset._ THE CIRCLE THE FIRST ACT _The Scene is a stately drawing-room at Aston-Adey, with fine pictures on the walls and Georgian furniture.

EDWARDnounUS /ˈedwərd/

King of England and Ireland in 1936; his marriage to Wallis Warfield Simpson created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication (1894-1972)

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

ELIZABETHnounUS /ɪˈlɪzəbəθ/

daughter of George VI who became the Queen of England and Northern Ireland in 1952 on the death of her father (1926-)

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

fineadjectiveUS /faɪn/

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading _The action takes place at Aston-Adey, Arnold Champion-Cheney's house in Dorset._ THE CIRCLE THE FIRST ACT _The Scene is a stately drawing-room at Aston-Adey, with fine pictures on the walls and Georgian furniture.

FIRSTadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading _The action takes place at Aston-Adey, Arnold Champion-Cheney's house in Dorset._ THE CIRCLE THE FIRST ACT _The Scene is a stately drawing-room at Aston-Adey, with fine pictures on the walls and Georgian furniture.

furniturenounUS /ˈfɜːrnɪtʃər/

furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy

From this reading _The action takes place at Aston-Adey, Arnold Champion-Cheney's house in Dorset._ THE CIRCLE THE FIRST ACT _The Scene is a stately drawing-room at Aston-Adey, with fine pictures on the walls and Georgian furniture.

GeorgiannounUS /ˈdʒɔːrdʒən/

a native or resident of the American state of Georgia

From this reading _The action takes place at Aston-Adey, Arnold Champion-Cheney's house in Dorset._ THE CIRCLE THE FIRST ACT _The Scene is a stately drawing-room at Aston-Adey, with fine pictures on the walls and Georgian furniture.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading Aston-Adey has been described, with many illustrations, in Country Life.

housenounUS /haʊs/

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading _The action takes place at Aston-Adey, Arnold Champion-Cheney's house in Dorset._ THE CIRCLE THE FIRST ACT _The Scene is a stately drawing-room at Aston-Adey, with fine pictures on the walls and Georgian furniture.

illustrationsnounUS /ˌɪləˈstreɪʃənz/

plural of “illustration” — artwork that helps make something clear or attractive

From this reading Aston-Adey has been described, with many illustrations, in Country Life.

ImpressionsnounUS /ˌɪmˈpreʃənz/

plural of “impression” — a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading _The action takes place at Aston-Adey, Arnold Champion-Cheney's house in Dorset._ THE CIRCLE THE FIRST ACT _The Scene is a stately drawing-room at Aston-Adey, with fine pictures on the walls and Georgian furniture.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is not a house, but a place.

LADYnounUS /ˈleɪdi/

a polite name for any woman

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

LANDnounUS /lænd/

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

LifenounUS /laɪf/

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Aston-Adey has been described, with many illustrations, in Country Life.

LORDnounUS /lɔːrd/

terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

LUTON

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

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

MnounUS /em/

the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Aston-Adey has been described, with many illustrations, in Country Life.

MRSnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

NewadjectiveUS /nuː/

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It is not a house, but a place.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading _The action takes place at Aston-Adey, Arnold Champion-Cheney's house in Dorset._ THE CIRCLE THE FIRST ACT _The Scene is a stately drawing-room at Aston-Adey, with fine pictures on the walls and Georgian furniture.

PnounUS /piː/

a multivalent nonmetallic element of the nitrogen family that occurs commonly in inorganic phosphate rocks and as organic phosphates in all living cells; is highly reactive and occurs in several allotropic forms

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

PerformancenounUS /pərˈfɔːrməns/

a dramatic or musical entertainment

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

PERSONSnounUS /ˈpɜːrsənz/

plural of “person” — a human being

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

picturesnounUS /ˈpɪktʃərz/

plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading _The action takes place at Aston-Adey, Arnold Champion-Cheney's house in Dorset._ THE CIRCLE THE FIRST ACT _The Scene is a stately drawing-room at Aston-Adey, with fine pictures on the walls and Georgian furniture.

placenounUS /pleɪs/

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading _The action takes place at Aston-Adey, Arnold Champion-Cheney's house in Dorset._ THE CIRCLE THE FIRST ACT _The Scene is a stately drawing-room at Aston-Adey, with fine pictures on the walls and Georgian furniture.

playverbUS /pleɪ/

participate in games or sport

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

PORTEOUS

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

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

regardingverbUS /rɪˈɡɑːrdɪŋ/

-ing form of “regard” — deem to be

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

RightsnounUS /raɪts/

plural of “right” — an abstract idea of that which is due to a person or governmental body by law or tradition or nature

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

ScenenounUS /siːn/

the place where some action occurs

From this reading _The action takes place at Aston-Adey, Arnold Champion-Cheney's house in Dorset._ THE CIRCLE THE FIRST ACT _The Scene is a stately drawing-room at Aston-Adey, with fine pictures on the walls and Georgian furniture.

SHENSTONE

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

From this reading SHENSTONE.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

SketchesnounUS /ˈsketʃəz/

plural of “sketch” — preliminary drawing for later elaboration

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

statelyadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪtli/

impressive in appearance

From this reading _The action takes place at Aston-Adey, Arnold Champion-Cheney's house in Dorset._ THE CIRCLE THE FIRST ACT _The Scene is a stately drawing-room at Aston-Adey, with fine pictures on the walls and Georgian furniture.

StreetnounUS /striːt/

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

takesnounUS /teɪks/

plural of “take” — the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property

From this reading _The action takes place at Aston-Adey, Arnold Champion-Cheney's house in Dorset._ THE CIRCLE THE FIRST ACT _The Scene is a stately drawing-room at Aston-Adey, with fine pictures on the walls and Georgian furniture.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

VIRGINnounUS /ˈvɜːrdʒɪn/

a person who has never had sex

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

wallsnounUS /wɔːlz/

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading _The action takes place at Aston-Adey, Arnold Champion-Cheney's house in Dorset._ THE CIRCLE THE FIRST ACT _The Scene is a stately drawing-room at Aston-Adey, with fine pictures on the walls and Georgian furniture.

WestnounUS /west/

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading _The action takes place at Aston-Adey, Arnold Champion-Cheney's house in Dorset._ THE CIRCLE THE FIRST ACT _The Scene is a stately drawing-room at Aston-Adey, with fine pictures on the walls and Georgian furniture.

YorknounUS /jɔːrk/

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (_Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia_) _All applications regarding the Performance Rights of this play should be addressed to The American Play Company, 33 West 42nd Street, New York._ PERSONS OF THE PLAY CLIVE CHAMPION-CHENEY ARNOLD CHAMPION-CHENEY, M.P. LORD PORTEOUS EDWARD LUTON LADY CATHERINE CHAMPION-CHENEY ELIZABETH MRS.

Chapter 1 of The Circle: A Comedy in Three Acts by W. Somerset (William Somerset) Maugham holds 434 sentences, grouped into 87 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 The Circle: A Comedy in Three Acts contain?

Chapter 1 holds 434 sentences of The Circle: A Comedy in Three Acts, unabridged, divided into 87 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Circle: A Comedy in Three Acts by W. Somerset (William Somerset) Maugham exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 434 sentences, grouped into 87 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.

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Work through the 87 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

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Chapter 1
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Chapter 2
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Chapter 3
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