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The Comic Almanack, Volume 2
The Comic Almanack, Volume 2

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Comic Almanack, Volume 2 is here in full — 398 sentences across 80 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By William Makepeace Thackeray • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for The Comic Almanack, Volume 2
Context Illustration Reading 1/79 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
_NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—
☞_The First Series and the present (or Second Series) comprise_ THE COMPLETE WORK, _extending from 1835 to 1853_.
2ND SERIES, 1844-1853.
THE COMIC ALMANACK AN EPHEMERIS IN JEST AND EARNEST, CONTAINING MERRY TALES, HUMOROUS POETRY.
QUIPS, AND ODDITIES.
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 Comic Almanack, Volume 2

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Comic Almanack, Volume 2 is here in full — 398 sentences across 80 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/79 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
_NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—
Line 2
☞_The First Series and the present (or Second Series) comprise_ THE COMPLETE WORK, _extending from 1835 to 1853_.
Line 3
2ND SERIES, 1844-1853.
Line 4
THE COMIC ALMANACK AN EPHEMERIS IN JEST AND EARNEST, CONTAINING MERRY TALES, HUMOROUS POETRY.
Line 5
QUIPS, AND ODDITIES.
/kwɪps ənd ˈɑːdətiz/

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.

comic adjective US /ˈkɑːmɪk/

arousing or provoking laughter

From this reading “_NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
comprise verb US /kəmˈpraɪz/

be composed of

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Engravings noun US /ɪnˈɡreɪvɪŋz/

plural of “engraving” — a print made from an engraving

From this reading “_NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
inimitable adjective US /ˌɪˈnɪmətəbəl/

defying imitation; matchless

From this reading “_NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
oddities noun US /ˈɑːdətiz/

plural of “oddity” — eccentricity that is not easily explained

From this reading “QUIPS, AND ODDITIES.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Quips noun US /kwɪps/

plural of “quip” — a witty saying

From this reading “_NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sayings noun US /ˈseɪɪŋz/

plural of “saying” — a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations

From this reading “_NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thackeray noun US /ˈθækəri/

English writer (born in India) (1811-1863)

From this reading “_NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

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.

Steel Engravings noun + noun counted as “steel engraving”

an impression taken from an engraved steel plate

In this reading “_NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—”

292 times in 426,211 chapters
Second Series noun + noun

In this reading “☞_The First Series and the present (or Second Series) comprise_ THE COMPLETE WORK, _extending from 1835 to 1853_.”

477 times in 426,211 chapters
MERRY TALES adjective + noun counted as “merry tale”

In this reading “THE COMIC ALMANACK AN EPHEMERIS IN JEST AND EARNEST, CONTAINING MERRY TALES, HUMOROUS POETRY.”

178 times in 426,211 chapters
extending from verb + particle counted as “extend from”

In this reading “☞_The First Series and the present (or Second Series) comprise_ THE COMPLETE WORK, _extending from 1835 to 1853_.”

1,456 times in 426,211 chapters

All words in this reading · 65

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.

1835

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

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

Pending verification
1843

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

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

Pending verification
1844

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

From this reading 2ND SERIES, 1844-1853.

Pending verification
1853

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

From this reading ☞_The First Series and the present (or Second Series) comprise_ THE COMPLETE WORK, _extending from 1835 to 1853_.

Pending verification
2

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

From this reading 2ND SERIES, 1844-1853.

Pending verification
adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
A'BECKETT

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

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

Pending verification
ALBERTnounUS /ˈælbərt/

prince consort of Queen Victoria of England (1819-1861)

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ALMANACK

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

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

Pending verification
ANdeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading THE COMIC ALMANACK AN EPHEMERIS IN JEST AND EARNEST, CONTAINING MERRY TALES, HUMOROUS POETRY.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
BESTnounUS /best/

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
BROUGH

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

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

Pending verification
byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
COMICadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmɪk/

arousing or provoking laughter

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
COMPLETEverbUS /kəmˈpliːt/

come or bring to a finish or an end

From this reading ☞_The First Series and the present (or Second Series) comprise_ THE COMPLETE WORK, _extending from 1835 to 1853_.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
compriseverbUS /kəmˈpraɪz/

be composed of

From this reading ☞_The First Series and the present (or Second Series) comprise_ THE COMPLETE WORK, _extending from 1835 to 1853_.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
CONTAININGverbUS /kənˈteɪnɪŋ/

-ing form of “contain” — include or contain; have as a component

From this reading THE COMIC ALMANACK AN EPHEMERIS IN JEST AND EARNEST, CONTAINING MERRY TALES, HUMOROUS POETRY.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
CRUIKSHANK

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

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

Pending verification
Drollest

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

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

Pending verification
EARNESTadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrnɪst/

characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions

From this reading THE COMIC ALMANACK AN EPHEMERIS IN JEST AND EARNEST, CONTAINING MERRY TALES, HUMOROUS POETRY.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
EngravingsnounUS /ɪnˈɡreɪvɪŋz/

plural of “engraving” — a print made from an engraving

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
EPHEMERISnoun

an annual publication containing astronomical tables that give the positions of the celestial bodies throughout the year

From this reading THE COMIC ALMANACK AN EPHEMERIS IN JEST AND EARNEST, CONTAINING MERRY TALES, HUMOROUS POETRY.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
extendingverbUS /ɪkˈstendɪŋ/

-ing form of “extend” — extend in scope or range or area

From this reading ☞_The First Series and the present (or Second Series) comprise_ THE COMPLETE WORK, _extending from 1835 to 1853_.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
FIRSTadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
gatheringnounUS /ˈɡæðərɪŋ/

a group of persons together in one place

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
HINE

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

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

Pending verification
HOODnounUS /hʊd/

an aggressive and violent young criminal

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
HUMOROUSadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmərəs/

full of or characterized by humor

From this reading THE COMIC ALMANACK AN EPHEMERIS IN JEST AND EARNEST, CONTAINING MERRY TALES, HUMOROUS POETRY.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
HUMOURnounUS /ˈhjuːmər/

a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading THE COMIC ALMANACK AN EPHEMERIS IN JEST AND EARNEST, CONTAINING MERRY TALES, HUMOROUS POETRY.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
inimitableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnɪmətəbəl/

defying imitation; matchless

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
JESTnounUS /dʒest/

a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter

From this reading THE COMIC ALMANACK AN EPHEMERIS IN JEST AND EARNEST, CONTAINING MERRY TALES, HUMOROUS POETRY.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
LANDELLS

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

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

Pending verification
MAYHEW

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

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

Pending verification
MERRYadjectiveUS /ˈmeri/

full of or showing high-spirited merriment

From this reading THE COMIC ALMANACK AN EPHEMERIS IN JEST AND EARNEST, CONTAINING MERRY TALES, HUMOROUS POETRY.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
NDnoun

a yellow trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group; occurs in monazite and bastnasite in association with cerium and lanthanum and praseodymium

From this reading 2ND SERIES, 1844-1853.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
nearlyadverbUS /ˈnɪrli/

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ninenounUS /naɪn/

the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
NOTICEnounUS /ˈnoʊtəs/

an announcement containing information about an event

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ODDITIESnounUS /ˈɑːdətiz/

plural of “oddity” — eccentricity that is not easily explained

From this reading QUIPS, AND ODDITIES.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading ☞_The First Series and the present (or Second Series) comprise_ THE COMPLETE WORK, _extending from 1835 to 1853_.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
POETRYnounUS /ˈpoʊətri/

literature in metrical form

From this reading THE COMIC ALMANACK AN EPHEMERIS IN JEST AND EARNEST, CONTAINING MERRY TALES, HUMOROUS POETRY.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
presentverbUS /ˈprezənt/

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading ☞_The First Series and the present (or Second Series) comprise_ THE COMPLETE WORK, _extending from 1835 to 1853_.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
QuipsnounUS /kwɪps/

plural of “quip” — a witty saying

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ROBERTnounUS /ˈrɑːbərt/

United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SAYINGSnounUS /ˈseɪɪŋz/

plural of “saying” — a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SecondnounUS /ˈsekənd/

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

From this reading ☞_The First Series and the present (or Second Series) comprise_ THE COMPLETE WORK, _extending from 1835 to 1853_.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SERIESnounUS /ˈsɪriz/

similar things placed in order or happening one after another

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SMITHnounUS /smɪθ/

Rhodesian statesman who declared independence of Zimbabwe from Great Britain (born in 1919)

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SteelnounUS /stiːl/

an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
TALESnounUS /teɪlz/

plural of “tale” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading THE COMIC ALMANACK AN EPHEMERIS IN JEST AND EARNEST, CONTAINING MERRY TALES, HUMOROUS POETRY.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
THACKERAYnounUS /ˈθækəri/

English writer (born in India) (1811-1863)

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ThingsnounUS /θɪŋz/

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thousandnounUS /ˈθaʊzənd/

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
WITTIEST

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

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

Pending verification
Woodcuts

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

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

Pending verification
WORKverbUS /wɜːrk/

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading ☞_The First Series and the present (or Second Series) comprise_ THE COMPLETE WORK, _extending from 1835 to 1853_.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/

a late time of life

From this reading _NOTICE._ The FIRST SERIES of "_THE COMIC ALMANACK_," from 1835 to 1843, a nine years' gathering of the BEST HUMOUR, the WITTIEST SAYINGS, the Drollest Quips, and the Best Things of THACKERAY, HOOD, MAYHEW, ALBERT SMITH, A'BECKETT, ROBERT BROUGH, with nearly one thousand Woodcuts and Steel Engravings by the inimitable CRUIKSHANK, HINE, LANDELLS—

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Chapter 1 of The Comic Almanack, Volume 2 by William Makepeace Thackeray holds 398 sentences, grouped into 80 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 Comic Almanack, Volume 2 contain?

Chapter 1 holds 398 sentences of The Comic Almanack, Volume 2, unabridged, divided into 80 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Comic Almanack, Volume 2 by William Makepeace Thackeray exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 398 sentences, grouped into 80 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 The Comic Almanack, Volume 2?

Work through the 80 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 80 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 The Comic Almanack, Volume 2

Common questions about reading The Comic Almanack, Volume 2 by William Makepeace Thackeray on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Comic Almanack, Volume 2?

Yes. All 7034 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #52204 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Comic Almanack, Volume 2 is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #52204, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Comic Almanack, Volume 2 take to read?

About 586 minutes of reading across 1407 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Comic Almanack, Volume 2 section by section

How to work through The Comic Almanack, Volume 2 section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 17 chapters of The Comic Almanack, Volume 2 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 The Comic Almanack, Volume 2

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Comic Almanack, Volume 2, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Notice
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Comic Almanack, Volume 2; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
First
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Comic Almanack, Volume 2; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Series
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Comic Almanack, Volume 2; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Comic
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Comic Almanack, Volume 2; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.