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The Dogs and the Fleas By One of the Dogs
The Dogs and the Fleas By One of the Dogs

Chapter VI

Chapter 6 of The Dogs and the Fleas By One of the Dogs is here in full — 32 sentences across 7 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/6 · 5 lines
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THE “BATTLE OF LIFE.”—PUP MCPOODLE’S WICKED REIGN.—INVENTION OF THE PROTECTIVTARIF.—HOW IT WAS WORKED.—CONSTRUCTION OF THE BLOOD AND BONES GRINDERY.—SINGULAR BLOOD.
AT last it came to pass by reason of having forgotten that there ever had been better days than they now saw that the dogs grew to believe that the state of things they lived under was the only true and natural one.
True, they grew bad tempered and fierce and bit and tore one another in their daily “Battle of Life.”
True, every dog tried to snatch the meat out of every other dog’s mouth, and true, many a dog was murdered for the sake of any scrap of food he had succeeded in “saving up” and had “put by for a rainy day.”
True, canine society had become a hell upon earth, where every dog took for his motto, “Every dog for himself, and the devil take the hindmost,” but not one among them ever dreamed of doubting that their state was according to natural pre-ordination.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Dogs and the Fleas By One of the Dogs

Chapter VI

Chapter 6 of The Dogs and the Fleas By One of the Dogs is here in full — 32 sentences across 7 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/6 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE “BATTLE OF LIFE.”—PUP MCPOODLE’S WICKED REIGN.—INVENTION OF THE PROTECTIVTARIF.—HOW IT WAS WORKED.—CONSTRUCTION OF THE BLOOD AND BONES GRINDERY.—SINGULAR BLOOD.
Line 2
AT last it came to pass by reason of having forgotten that there ever had been better days than they now saw that the dogs grew to believe that the state of things they lived under was the only true and natural one.
/æt læst ɪt keɪm tuː pæs baɪ ˈriːzən ʌv ˈhævɪŋ fərˈɡɑːt.n̩ ðæt ðer ˈevər hæd bɪn ˈbetər deɪz ðæn ðeɪ naʊ sɔː ðæt ðə dɑːɡz ɡruː tuː bɪˈliːv ðæt ðə steɪt ʌv θɪŋz ðeɪ lɪvd ˈʌndər wɑːz ðə ˈoʊnli truː ənd ˈnætʃərəl wʌn/
Line 3
True, they grew bad tempered and fierce and bit and tore one another in their daily “Battle of Life.”
/truː ðeɪ ɡruː bæd ˈtempərd ənd fɪrs ənd bɪt ənd tɔːr wʌn əˈnʌðər ɪn ðer ˈdeɪli ˈbætəl ʌv laɪf/
Line 4
True, every dog tried to snatch the meat out of every other dog’s mouth, and true, many a dog was murdered for the sake of any scrap of food he had succeeded in “saving up” and had “put by for a rainy day.”
/truː ˈevəri dɔːɡ traɪd tuː snætʃ ðə miːt aʊt ʌv ˈevəri ˈʌðər dɔːɡz maʊθ ənd truː ˈmeni ə dɔːɡ wɑːz ˈmɜːrdərd fɔːr ðə seɪk ʌv ˈeni skræp ʌv fuːd hiː hæd səkˈsiːdɪd ɪn ˈseɪvɪŋ ʌp ənd hæd pʊt baɪ fɔːr ə ˈreɪni deɪ/
Line 5
True, canine society had become a hell upon earth, where every dog took for his motto, “Every dog for himself, and the devil take the hindmost,” but not one among them ever dreamed of doubting that their state was according to natural pre-ordination.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

canine noun US /ˈkeɪnaɪn/

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

From this reading “True, canine society had become a hell upon earth, where every dog took for his motto, “Every dog for himself, and the devil take the hindmost,” but not one among them ever dreamed of doubting that their state was according to natural pre-ordination.”

dog's noun US /dɔːɡz/

possessive form of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

doubting adjective US /ˈdaʊtɪŋ/

marked by or given to doubt

From this reading “True, canine society had become a hell upon earth, where every dog took for his motto, “Every dog for himself, and the devil take the hindmost,” but not one among them ever dreamed of doubting that their state was according to natural pre-ordination.”

motto noun US /ˈmɑːtoʊ/

a favorite saying of a sect or political group

From this reading “True, canine society had become a hell upon earth, where every dog took for his motto, “Every dog for himself, and the devil take the hindmost,” but not one among them ever dreamed of doubting that their state was according to natural pre-ordination.”

pup noun US /pʌp/

young of any of various canines such as a dog or wolf

From this reading “THE “BATTLE OF LIFE.”—PUP MCPOODLE’S WICKED REIGN.—INVENTION OF THE PROTECTIVTARIF.—HOW IT WAS WORKED.—CONSTRUCTION OF THE BLOOD AND BONES GRINDERY.—SINGULAR BLOOD.”

rainy adjective US /ˈreɪni/

(of weather) wet by periods of rain

From this reading “True, every dog tried to snatch the meat out of every other dog’s mouth, and true, many a dog was murdered for the sake of any scrap of food he had succeeded in “saving up” and had “put by for a rainy day.””

snatch verb US /snætʃ/

to grasp hastily or eagerly

From this reading “True, every dog tried to snatch the meat out of every other dog’s mouth, and true, many a dog was murdered for the sake of any scrap of food he had succeeded in “saving up” and had “put by for a rainy day.””

tempered adjective US /ˈtempərd/

made hard or flexible or resilient especially by heat treatment

From this reading “True, they grew bad tempered and fierce and bit and tore one another in their daily “Battle of Life.””

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.

rainy day adjective + noun

a (future) time of financial need

In this reading “True, every dog tried to snatch the meat out of every other dog’s mouth, and true, many a dog was murdered for the sake of any scrap of food he had succeeded in “saving up” and had “put by for a rainy day.””

ever dreamed adverb + adjective

In this reading “True, canine society had become a hell upon earth, where every dog took for his motto, “Every dog for himself, and the devil take the hindmost,” but not one among them ever dreamed of doubting that their state was according to natural pre-ordination.”

for the sake preposition + article + noun counted as “for … sake”

In this reading “True, every dog tried to snatch the meat out of every other dog’s mouth, and true, many a dog was murdered for the sake of any scrap of food he had succeeded in “saving up” and had “put by for a rainy day.””

succeeded in verb + particle counted as “succeed in”

In this reading “True, every dog tried to snatch the meat out of every other dog’s mouth, and true, many a dog was murdered for the sake of any scrap of food he had succeeded in “saving up” and had “put by for a rainy day.””

upon earth preposition + noun

In this reading “True, canine society had become a hell upon earth, where every dog took for his motto, “Every dog for himself, and the devil take the hindmost,” but not one among them ever dreamed of doubting that their state was according to natural pre-ordination.”

by reason preposition + noun

In this reading “AT last it came to pass by reason of having forgotten that there ever had been better days than they now saw that the dogs grew to believe that the state of things they lived under was the only true and natural one.”

lived under verb + particle counted as “live under”

In this reading “AT last it came to pass by reason of having forgotten that there ever had been better days than they now saw that the dogs grew to believe that the state of things they lived under was the only true and natural one.”

better days adjective + noun

In this reading “AT last it came to pass by reason of having forgotten that there ever had been better days than they now saw that the dogs grew to believe that the state of things they lived under was the only true and natural one.”

All words in this reading · 106

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

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

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading True, every dog tried to snatch the meat out of every other dog’s mouth, and true, many a dog was murdered for the sake of any scrap of food he had succeeded in “saving up” and had “put by for a rainy day.”

accordingadjectiveUS /əˈkɔːrdɪŋ/

(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with

From this reading True, canine society had become a hell upon earth, where every dog took for his motto, “Every dog for himself, and the devil take the hindmost,” but not one among them ever dreamed of doubting that their state was according to natural pre-ordination.

amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading True, canine society had become a hell upon earth, where every dog took for his motto, “Every dog for himself, and the devil take the hindmost,” but not one among them ever dreamed of doubting that their state was according to natural pre-ordination.

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading THE “BATTLE OF LIFE.”—PUP MCPOODLE’S WICKED REIGN.—INVENTION OF THE PROTECTIVTARIF.—HOW IT WAS WORKED.—CONSTRUCTION OF THE BLOOD AND BONES GRINDERY.—SINGULAR BLOOD.

anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading True, they grew bad tempered and fierce and bit and tore one another in their daily “Battle of Life.”

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading True, every dog tried to snatch the meat out of every other dog’s mouth, and true, many a dog was murdered for the sake of any scrap of food he had succeeded in “saving up” and had “put by for a rainy day.”

ATprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading AT last it came to pass by reason of having forgotten that there ever had been better days than they now saw that the dogs grew to believe that the state of things they lived under was the only true and natural one.

badadjectiveUS /bæd/

having undesirable or negative qualities

From this reading True, they grew bad tempered and fierce and bit and tore one another in their daily “Battle of Life.”

BATTLEnounUS /ˈbætəl/

a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading THE “BATTLE OF LIFE.”—PUP MCPOODLE’S WICKED REIGN.—INVENTION OF THE PROTECTIVTARIF.—HOW IT WAS WORKED.—CONSTRUCTION OF THE BLOOD AND BONES GRINDERY.—SINGULAR BLOOD.

becomeverbUS /bɪˈkʌm/

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading True, canine society had become a hell upon earth, where every dog took for his motto, “Every dog for himself, and the devil take the hindmost,” but not one among them ever dreamed of doubting that their state was according to natural pre-ordination.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading AT last it came to pass by reason of having forgotten that there ever had been better days than they now saw that the dogs grew to believe that the state of things they lived under was the only true and natural one.

believeverbUS /bɪˈliːv/

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading AT last it came to pass by reason of having forgotten that there ever had been better days than they now saw that the dogs grew to believe that the state of things they lived under was the only true and natural one.

betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading AT last it came to pass by reason of having forgotten that there ever had been better days than they now saw that the dogs grew to believe that the state of things they lived under was the only true and natural one.

bitnounUS /bɪt/

a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading True, they grew bad tempered and fierce and bit and tore one another in their daily “Battle of Life.”

BLOODnounUS /blʌd/

The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.

From this reading THE “BATTLE OF LIFE.”—PUP MCPOODLE’S WICKED REIGN.—INVENTION OF THE PROTECTIVTARIF.—HOW IT WAS WORKED.—CONSTRUCTION OF THE BLOOD AND BONES GRINDERY.—SINGULAR BLOOD.

BONESnounUS /boʊnz/

(used in the plural) a percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held between the thumb and fingers) that are made to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in rhythm with the dance

From this reading THE “BATTLE OF LIFE.”—PUP MCPOODLE’S WICKED REIGN.—INVENTION OF THE PROTECTIVTARIF.—HOW IT WAS WORKED.—CONSTRUCTION OF THE BLOOD AND BONES GRINDERY.—SINGULAR BLOOD.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading True, canine society had become a hell upon earth, where every dog took for his motto, “Every dog for himself, and the devil take the hindmost,” but not one among them ever dreamed of doubting that their state was according to natural pre-ordination.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading AT last it came to pass by reason of having forgotten that there ever had been better days than they now saw that the dogs grew to believe that the state of things they lived under was the only true and natural one.

cameverbUS /keɪm/

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

From this reading AT last it came to pass by reason of having forgotten that there ever had been better days than they now saw that the dogs grew to believe that the state of things they lived under was the only true and natural one.

caninenounUS /ˈkeɪnaɪn/

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

From this reading True, canine society had become a hell upon earth, where every dog took for his motto, “Every dog for himself, and the devil take the hindmost,” but not one among them ever dreamed of doubting that their state was according to natural pre-ordination.

CONSTRUCTIONnounUS /kənˈstrʌkʃən/

the act of constructing something

From this reading THE “BATTLE OF LIFE.”—PUP MCPOODLE’S WICKED REIGN.—INVENTION OF THE PROTECTIVTARIF.—HOW IT WAS WORKED.—CONSTRUCTION OF THE BLOOD AND BONES GRINDERY.—SINGULAR BLOOD.

dailyadverbUS /ˈdeɪli/

every day; without missing a day

From this reading True, they grew bad tempered and fierce and bit and tore one another in their daily “Battle of Life.”

daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading True, every dog tried to snatch the meat out of every other dog’s mouth, and true, many a dog was murdered for the sake of any scrap of food he had succeeded in “saving up” and had “put by for a rainy day.”

daysnounUS /deɪz/

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading AT last it came to pass by reason of having forgotten that there ever had been better days than they now saw that the dogs grew to believe that the state of things they lived under was the only true and natural one.

devilnounUS /ˈdevəl/

(Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell

From this reading True, canine society had become a hell upon earth, where every dog took for his motto, “Every dog for himself, and the devil take the hindmost,” but not one among them ever dreamed of doubting that their state was according to natural pre-ordination.

dognounUS /dɔːɡ/

a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

From this reading True, every dog tried to snatch the meat out of every other dog’s mouth, and true, many a dog was murdered for the sake of any scrap of food he had succeeded in “saving up” and had “put by for a rainy day.”

dog'snounUS /dɔːɡz/

possessive form of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

From this reading True, every dog tried to snatch the meat out of every other dog’s mouth, and true, many a dog was murdered for the sake of any scrap of food he had succeeded in “saving up” and had “put by for a rainy day.”

dogsnounUS /dɑːɡz/

plural of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

From this reading AT last it came to pass by reason of having forgotten that there ever had been better days than they now saw that the dogs grew to believe that the state of things they lived under was the only true and natural one.

doubtingadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊtɪŋ/

marked by or given to doubt

From this reading True, canine society had become a hell upon earth, where every dog took for his motto, “Every dog for himself, and the devil take the hindmost,” but not one among them ever dreamed of doubting that their state was according to natural pre-ordination.

dreamedadjectiveUS /driːmd/

conceived of or imagined or hoped for

From this reading True, canine society had become a hell upon earth, where every dog took for his motto, “Every dog for himself, and the devil take the hindmost,” but not one among them ever dreamed of doubting that their state was according to natural pre-ordination.

earthnounUS /ɜːrθ/

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading True, canine society had become a hell upon earth, where every dog took for his motto, “Every dog for himself, and the devil take the hindmost,” but not one among them ever dreamed of doubting that their state was according to natural pre-ordination.

everadverbUS /ˈevər/

at any time

From this reading AT last it came to pass by reason of having forgotten that there ever had been better days than they now saw that the dogs grew to believe that the state of things they lived under was the only true and natural one.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading True, every dog tried to snatch the meat out of every other dog’s mouth, and true, many a dog was murdered for the sake of any scrap of food he had succeeded in “saving up” and had “put by for a rainy day.”

fierceadjectiveUS /fɪrs/

marked by extreme and violent energy

From this reading True, they grew bad tempered and fierce and bit and tore one another in their daily “Battle of Life.”

foodnounUS /fuːd/

any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue

From this reading True, every dog tried to snatch the meat out of every other dog’s mouth, and true, many a dog was murdered for the sake of any scrap of food he had succeeded in “saving up” and had “put by for a rainy day.”

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading True, every dog tried to snatch the meat out of every other dog’s mouth, and true, many a dog was murdered for the sake of any scrap of food he had succeeded in “saving up” and had “put by for a rainy day.”

forgottenadjectiveUS /fərˈɡɑːt.n̩/

Not remembered; lapsed from memory.

From this reading AT last it came to pass by reason of having forgotten that there ever had been better days than they now saw that the dogs grew to believe that the state of things they lived under was the only true and natural one.

grewverbUS /ɡruː/

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading AT last it came to pass by reason of having forgotten that there ever had been better days than they now saw that the dogs grew to believe that the state of things they lived under was the only true and natural one.

GRINDERY

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

From this reading THE “BATTLE OF LIFE.”—PUP MCPOODLE’S WICKED REIGN.—INVENTION OF THE PROTECTIVTARIF.—HOW IT WAS WORKED.—CONSTRUCTION OF THE BLOOD AND BONES GRINDERY.—SINGULAR BLOOD.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading AT last it came to pass by reason of having forgotten that there ever had been better days than they now saw that the dogs grew to believe that the state of things they lived under was the only true and natural one.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading AT last it came to pass by reason of having forgotten that there ever had been better days than they now saw that the dogs grew to believe that the state of things they lived under was the only true and natural one.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading True, every dog tried to snatch the meat out of every other dog’s mouth, and true, many a dog was murdered for the sake of any scrap of food he had succeeded in “saving up” and had “put by for a rainy day.”

hellnounUS /hel/

any place of pain and turmoil

From this reading True, canine society had become a hell upon earth, where every dog took for his motto, “Every dog for himself, and the devil take the hindmost,” but not one among them ever dreamed of doubting that their state was according to natural pre-ordination.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading True, canine society had become a hell upon earth, where every dog took for his motto, “Every dog for himself, and the devil take the hindmost,” but not one among them ever dreamed of doubting that their state was according to natural pre-ordination.

hindmostadjective

located farthest to the rear

From this reading True, canine society had become a hell upon earth, where every dog took for his motto, “Every dog for himself, and the devil take the hindmost,” but not one among them ever dreamed of doubting that their state was according to natural pre-ordination.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading True, canine society had become a hell upon earth, where every dog took for his motto, “Every dog for himself, and the devil take the hindmost,” but not one among them ever dreamed of doubting that their state was according to natural pre-ordination.

HOW

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

From this reading THE “BATTLE OF LIFE.”—PUP MCPOODLE’S WICKED REIGN.—INVENTION OF THE PROTECTIVTARIF.—HOW IT WAS WORKED.—CONSTRUCTION OF THE BLOOD AND BONES GRINDERY.—SINGULAR BLOOD.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading True, they grew bad tempered and fierce and bit and tore one another in their daily “Battle of Life.”

INVENTIONnounUS /ˌɪnˈvenʃən/

the creation of something in the mind

From this reading THE “BATTLE OF LIFE.”—PUP MCPOODLE’S WICKED REIGN.—INVENTION OF THE PROTECTIVTARIF.—HOW IT WAS WORKED.—CONSTRUCTION OF THE BLOOD AND BONES GRINDERY.—SINGULAR BLOOD.

ITpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE “BATTLE OF LIFE.”—PUP MCPOODLE’S WICKED REIGN.—INVENTION OF THE PROTECTIVTARIF.—HOW IT WAS WORKED.—CONSTRUCTION OF THE BLOOD AND BONES GRINDERY.—SINGULAR BLOOD.

lastadjectiveUS /læst/

immediately past

From this reading AT last it came to pass by reason of having forgotten that there ever had been better days than they now saw that the dogs grew to believe that the state of things they lived under was the only true and natural one.

LIFEnounUS /laɪf/

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading THE “BATTLE OF LIFE.”—PUP MCPOODLE’S WICKED REIGN.—INVENTION OF THE PROTECTIVTARIF.—HOW IT WAS WORKED.—CONSTRUCTION OF THE BLOOD AND BONES GRINDERY.—SINGULAR BLOOD.

livedverbUS /lɪvd/

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading AT last it came to pass by reason of having forgotten that there ever had been better days than they now saw that the dogs grew to believe that the state of things they lived under was the only true and natural one.

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 True, every dog tried to snatch the meat out of every other dog’s mouth, and true, many a dog was murdered for the sake of any scrap of food he had succeeded in “saving up” and had “put by for a rainy day.”

MCPOODLE'S

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

From this reading THE “BATTLE OF LIFE.”—PUP MCPOODLE’S WICKED REIGN.—INVENTION OF THE PROTECTIVTARIF.—HOW IT WAS WORKED.—CONSTRUCTION OF THE BLOOD AND BONES GRINDERY.—SINGULAR BLOOD.

meatnounUS /miːt/

the flesh of animals (including fishes and birds and snails) used as food

From this reading True, every dog tried to snatch the meat out of every other dog’s mouth, and true, many a dog was murdered for the sake of any scrap of food he had succeeded in “saving up” and had “put by for a rainy day.”

mottonounUS /ˈmɑːtoʊ/

a favorite saying of a sect or political group

From this reading True, canine society had become a hell upon earth, where every dog took for his motto, “Every dog for himself, and the devil take the hindmost,” but not one among them ever dreamed of doubting that their state was according to natural pre-ordination.

mouthnounUS /maʊθ/

the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading True, every dog tried to snatch the meat out of every other dog’s mouth, and true, many a dog was murdered for the sake of any scrap of food he had succeeded in “saving up” and had “put by for a rainy day.”

murderedadjectiveUS /ˈmɜːrdərd/

killed unlawfully

From this reading True, every dog tried to snatch the meat out of every other dog’s mouth, and true, many a dog was murdered for the sake of any scrap of food he had succeeded in “saving up” and had “put by for a rainy day.”

naturaladjectiveUS /ˈnætʃərəl/

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading AT last it came to pass by reason of having forgotten that there ever had been better days than they now saw that the dogs grew to believe that the state of things they lived under was the only true and natural one.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading True, canine society had become a hell upon earth, where every dog took for his motto, “Every dog for himself, and the devil take the hindmost,” but not one among them ever dreamed of doubting that their state was according to natural pre-ordination.

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

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

From this reading AT last it came to pass by reason of having forgotten that there ever had been better days than they now saw that the dogs grew to believe that the state of things they lived under was the only true and natural one.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE “BATTLE OF LIFE.”—PUP MCPOODLE’S WICKED REIGN.—INVENTION OF THE PROTECTIVTARIF.—HOW IT WAS WORKED.—CONSTRUCTION OF THE BLOOD AND BONES GRINDERY.—SINGULAR BLOOD.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading AT last it came to pass by reason of having forgotten that there ever had been better days than they now saw that the dogs grew to believe that the state of things they lived under was the only true and natural one.

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading AT last it came to pass by reason of having forgotten that there ever had been better days than they now saw that the dogs grew to believe that the state of things they lived under was the only true and natural one.

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading True, every dog tried to snatch the meat out of every other dog’s mouth, and true, many a dog was murdered for the sake of any scrap of food he had succeeded in “saving up” and had “put by for a rainy day.”

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading True, every dog tried to snatch the meat out of every other dog’s mouth, and true, many a dog was murdered for the sake of any scrap of food he had succeeded in “saving up” and had “put by for a rainy day.”

passverbUS /pæs/

go across or through

From this reading AT last it came to pass by reason of having forgotten that there ever had been better days than they now saw that the dogs grew to believe that the state of things they lived under was the only true and natural one.

pre-ordination

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

From this reading True, canine society had become a hell upon earth, where every dog took for his motto, “Every dog for himself, and the devil take the hindmost,” but not one among them ever dreamed of doubting that their state was according to natural pre-ordination.

PROTECTIVTARIF

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

From this reading THE “BATTLE OF LIFE.”—PUP MCPOODLE’S WICKED REIGN.—INVENTION OF THE PROTECTIVTARIF.—HOW IT WAS WORKED.—CONSTRUCTION OF THE BLOOD AND BONES GRINDERY.—SINGULAR BLOOD.

PUPnounUS /pʌp/

young of any of various canines such as a dog or wolf

From this reading THE “BATTLE OF LIFE.”—PUP MCPOODLE’S WICKED REIGN.—INVENTION OF THE PROTECTIVTARIF.—HOW IT WAS WORKED.—CONSTRUCTION OF THE BLOOD AND BONES GRINDERY.—SINGULAR BLOOD.

putverbUS /pʊt/

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading True, every dog tried to snatch the meat out of every other dog’s mouth, and true, many a dog was murdered for the sake of any scrap of food he had succeeded in “saving up” and had “put by for a rainy day.”

rainyadjectiveUS /ˈreɪni/

(of weather) wet by periods of rain

From this reading True, every dog tried to snatch the meat out of every other dog’s mouth, and true, many a dog was murdered for the sake of any scrap of food he had succeeded in “saving up” and had “put by for a rainy day.”

reasonnounUS /ˈriːzən/

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading AT last it came to pass by reason of having forgotten that there ever had been better days than they now saw that the dogs grew to believe that the state of things they lived under was the only true and natural one.

REIGNverbUS /reɪn/

have sovereign power

From this reading THE “BATTLE OF LIFE.”—PUP MCPOODLE’S WICKED REIGN.—INVENTION OF THE PROTECTIVTARIF.—HOW IT WAS WORKED.—CONSTRUCTION OF THE BLOOD AND BONES GRINDERY.—SINGULAR BLOOD.

sakenounUS /seɪk/

a reason for wanting something done

From this reading True, every dog tried to snatch the meat out of every other dog’s mouth, and true, many a dog was murdered for the sake of any scrap of food he had succeeded in “saving up” and had “put by for a rainy day.”

savingnounUS /ˈseɪvɪŋ/

an act of economizing; reduction in cost

From this reading True, every dog tried to snatch the meat out of every other dog’s mouth, and true, many a dog was murdered for the sake of any scrap of food he had succeeded in “saving up” and had “put by for a rainy day.”

sawverbUS /sɔː/

cut with a saw

From this reading AT last it came to pass by reason of having forgotten that there ever had been better days than they now saw that the dogs grew to believe that the state of things they lived under was the only true and natural one.

scrapnounUS /skræp/

a small fragment of something broken off from the whole

From this reading True, every dog tried to snatch the meat out of every other dog’s mouth, and true, many a dog was murdered for the sake of any scrap of food he had succeeded in “saving up” and had “put by for a rainy day.”

SINGULARadjectiveUS /ˈsɪŋɡjələr/

unusual or striking

From this reading THE “BATTLE OF LIFE.”—PUP MCPOODLE’S WICKED REIGN.—INVENTION OF THE PROTECTIVTARIF.—HOW IT WAS WORKED.—CONSTRUCTION OF THE BLOOD AND BONES GRINDERY.—SINGULAR BLOOD.

snatchverbUS /snætʃ/

to grasp hastily or eagerly

From this reading True, every dog tried to snatch the meat out of every other dog’s mouth, and true, many a dog was murdered for the sake of any scrap of food he had succeeded in “saving up” and had “put by for a rainy day.”

societynounUS /səˈsaɪəti/

an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

From this reading True, canine society had become a hell upon earth, where every dog took for his motto, “Every dog for himself, and the devil take the hindmost,” but not one among them ever dreamed of doubting that their state was according to natural pre-ordination.

statenounUS /steɪt/

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading AT last it came to pass by reason of having forgotten that there ever had been better days than they now saw that the dogs grew to believe that the state of things they lived under was the only true and natural one.

succeededverbUS /səkˈsiːdɪd/

past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal

From this reading True, every dog tried to snatch the meat out of every other dog’s mouth, and true, many a dog was murdered for the sake of any scrap of food he had succeeded in “saving up” and had “put by for a rainy day.”

takeverbUS /teɪk/

carry out

From this reading True, canine society had become a hell upon earth, where every dog took for his motto, “Every dog for himself, and the devil take the hindmost,” but not one among them ever dreamed of doubting that their state was according to natural pre-ordination.

temperedadjectiveUS /ˈtempərd/

made hard or flexible or resilient especially by heat treatment

From this reading True, they grew bad tempered and fierce and bit and tore one another in their daily “Battle of Life.”

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading AT last it came to pass by reason of having forgotten that there ever had been better days than they now saw that the dogs grew to believe that the state of things they lived under was the only true and natural one.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading AT last it came to pass by reason of having forgotten that there ever had been better days than they now saw that the dogs grew to believe that the state of things they lived under was the only true and natural one.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE “BATTLE OF LIFE.”—PUP MCPOODLE’S WICKED REIGN.—INVENTION OF THE PROTECTIVTARIF.—HOW IT WAS WORKED.—CONSTRUCTION OF THE BLOOD AND BONES GRINDERY.—SINGULAR BLOOD.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading True, they grew bad tempered and fierce and bit and tore one another in their daily “Battle of Life.”

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading True, canine society had become a hell upon earth, where every dog took for his motto, “Every dog for himself, and the devil take the hindmost,” but not one among them ever dreamed of doubting that their state was according to natural pre-ordination.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading AT last it came to pass by reason of having forgotten that there ever had been better days than they now saw that the dogs grew to believe that the state of things they lived under was the only true and natural one.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading AT last it came to pass by reason of having forgotten that there ever had been better days than they now saw that the dogs grew to believe that the state of things they lived under was the only true and natural one.

thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading AT last it came to pass by reason of having forgotten that there ever had been better days than they now saw that the dogs grew to believe that the state of things they lived under was the only true and natural one.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading AT last it came to pass by reason of having forgotten that there ever had been better days than they now saw that the dogs grew to believe that the state of things they lived under was the only true and natural one.

tookverbUS /tʊk/

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading True, canine society had become a hell upon earth, where every dog took for his motto, “Every dog for himself, and the devil take the hindmost,” but not one among them ever dreamed of doubting that their state was according to natural pre-ordination.

torenounUS /tɔːr/

commonly the lowest molding at the base of a column

From this reading True, they grew bad tempered and fierce and bit and tore one another in their daily “Battle of Life.”

triedadjectiveUS /traɪd/

tested and proved useful or correct

From this reading True, every dog tried to snatch the meat out of every other dog’s mouth, and true, many a dog was murdered for the sake of any scrap of food he had succeeded in “saving up” and had “put by for a rainy day.”

trueadjectiveUS /truː/

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading AT last it came to pass by reason of having forgotten that there ever had been better days than they now saw that the dogs grew to believe that the state of things they lived under was the only true and natural one.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading AT last it came to pass by reason of having forgotten that there ever had been better days than they now saw that the dogs grew to believe that the state of things they lived under was the only true and natural one.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

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

From this reading True, every dog tried to snatch the meat out of every other dog’s mouth, and true, many a dog was murdered for the sake of any scrap of food he had succeeded in “saving up” and had “put by for a rainy day.”

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading True, canine society had become a hell upon earth, where every dog took for his motto, “Every dog for himself, and the devil take the hindmost,” but not one among them ever dreamed of doubting that their state was according to natural pre-ordination.

WASauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading THE “BATTLE OF LIFE.”—PUP MCPOODLE’S WICKED REIGN.—INVENTION OF THE PROTECTIVTARIF.—HOW IT WAS WORKED.—CONSTRUCTION OF THE BLOOD AND BONES GRINDERY.—SINGULAR BLOOD.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading True, canine society had become a hell upon earth, where every dog took for his motto, “Every dog for himself, and the devil take the hindmost,” but not one among them ever dreamed of doubting that their state was according to natural pre-ordination.

WICKEDadjectiveUS /ˈwɪkəd/

morally bad in principle or practice

From this reading THE “BATTLE OF LIFE.”—PUP MCPOODLE’S WICKED REIGN.—INVENTION OF THE PROTECTIVTARIF.—HOW IT WAS WORKED.—CONSTRUCTION OF THE BLOOD AND BONES GRINDERY.—SINGULAR BLOOD.

WORKEDverbUS /wɜːrkt/

past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading THE “BATTLE OF LIFE.”—PUP MCPOODLE’S WICKED REIGN.—INVENTION OF THE PROTECTIVTARIF.—HOW IT WAS WORKED.—CONSTRUCTION OF THE BLOOD AND BONES GRINDERY.—SINGULAR BLOOD.

Chapter 6 of The Dogs and the Fleas By One of the Dogs by Frederic Scrimshaw holds 32 sentences, grouped into 7 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 6 of The Dogs and the Fleas By One of the Dogs contain?

Chapter 6 holds 32 sentences of The Dogs and the Fleas By One of the Dogs, unabridged, divided into 7 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 6 of The Dogs and the Fleas By One of the Dogs by Frederic Scrimshaw exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 32 sentences, grouped into 7 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 6 of The Dogs and the Fleas By One of the Dogs?

Work through the 7 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 7 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 6 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 6 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.

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Common questions about reading The Dogs and the Fleas By One of the Dogs by Frederic Scrimshaw on this page, its source edition and its audio.

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Yes. All 2213 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #62292 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

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Project Gutenberg eBook #62292, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Dogs and the Fleas By One of the Dogs take to read?

About 184 minutes of reading across 443 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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Vocabulary met early in The Dogs and the Fleas By One of the Dogs

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Dogs and the Fleas By One of the Dogs, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Electrotyped
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Dogs and the Fleas By One of the Dogs; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Libby
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Dogs and the Fleas By One of the Dogs; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Sherwood
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Dogs and the Fleas By One of the Dogs; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Printing
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Dogs and the Fleas By One of the Dogs; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.