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The Egoist: A Comedy in Narrative
The Egoist: A Comedy in Narrative

Chapter XVI · Chapter 16

Chapter 16 of The Egoist: A Comedy in Narrative is here in full — 336 sentences across 68 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/67 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
AN AGED AND A GREAT WINE THE leisurely promenade up and down the lawn with ladies and deferential gentlemen, in anticipation of the dinner-bell, was Dr. Middleton's evening pleasure.
He walked as one who had formerly danced (in Apollo's time and the young god Cupid's), elastic on the muscles of the calf and foot, bearing his broad iron-grey head in grand elevation.
The hard labour of the day approved the cooling exercise and the crowning refreshments of French cookery and wines of known vintages.
He was happy at that hour in dispensing wisdom or nugae to his hearers, like the Western sun whose habit it is, when he is fairly treated, to break out in quiet splendours, which by no means exhaust his treasury.
Blessed indeed above his fellows, by the height of the bow-winged bird in a fair weather sunset sky above the pecking sparrow, is he that ever in the recurrent evening of his day sees the best of it ahead and soon to come.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Egoist: A Comedy in Narrative

Chapter XVI · Chapter 16

Chapter 16 of The Egoist: A Comedy in Narrative is here in full — 336 sentences across 68 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/67 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
AN AGED AND A GREAT WINE THE leisurely promenade up and down the lawn with ladies and deferential gentlemen, in anticipation of the dinner-bell, was Dr. Middleton's evening pleasure.
Line 2
He walked as one who had formerly danced (in Apollo's time and the young god Cupid's), elastic on the muscles of the calf and foot, bearing his broad iron-grey head in grand elevation.
Line 3
The hard labour of the day approved the cooling exercise and the crowning refreshments of French cookery and wines of known vintages.
Line 4
He was happy at that hour in dispensing wisdom or nugae to his hearers, like the Western sun whose habit it is, when he is fairly treated, to break out in quiet splendours, which by no means exhaust his treasury.
Line 5
Blessed indeed above his fellows, by the height of the bow-winged bird in a fair weather sunset sky above the pecking sparrow, is he that ever in the recurrent evening of his day sees the best of it ahead and soon to come.

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.

Apollo's noun US /əˈpɑːloʊz/

possessive form of “apollo” — (Greek mythology) Greek god of light; god of prophecy and poetry and music and healing; son of Zeus and Leto; twin brother of Artemis

From this reading “He walked as one who had formerly danced (in Apollo's time and the young god Cupid's), elastic on the muscles of the calf and foot, bearing his broad iron-grey head in grand elevation.”

deferential adjective US /ˌdefərˈentʃəl/

showing deference

From this reading “AN AGED AND A GREAT WINE THE leisurely promenade up and down the lawn with ladies and deferential gentlemen, in anticipation of the dinner-bell, was Dr. Middleton's evening pleasure.”

dispensing verb US /dɪˈspensɪŋ/

-ing form of “dispense” — administer or bestow, as in small portions

From this reading “He was happy at that hour in dispensing wisdom or nugae to his hearers, like the Western sun whose habit it is, when he is fairly treated, to break out in quiet splendours, which by no means exhaust his treasury.”

exhaust verb US /ɪɡˈzɔːst/

wear out completely

From this reading “He was happy at that hour in dispensing wisdom or nugae to his hearers, like the Western sun whose habit it is, when he is fairly treated, to break out in quiet splendours, which by no means exhaust his treasury.”

pecking verb US /ˈpekɪŋ/

-ing form of “peck” — hit lightly with a picking motion

From this reading “Blessed indeed above his fellows, by the height of the bow-winged bird in a fair weather sunset sky above the pecking sparrow, is he that ever in the recurrent evening of his day sees the best of it ahead and soon to come.”

recurrent adjective US /rɪˈkɜːrənt/

recurring again and again

From this reading “Blessed indeed above his fellows, by the height of the bow-winged bird in a fair weather sunset sky above the pecking sparrow, is he that ever in the recurrent evening of his day sees the best of it ahead and soon to come.”

refreshments noun US /rəˈfreʃmənts/

plural of “refreshment” — snacks and drinks served as a light meal

From this reading “The hard labour of the day approved the cooling exercise and the crowning refreshments of French cookery and wines of known vintages.”

vintages noun US /ˈvɪntɪdʒɪz/

plural of “vintage” — a season's yield of wine from a vineyard

From this reading “The hard labour of the day approved the cooling exercise and the crowning refreshments of French cookery and wines of known vintages.”

All words in this reading · 113

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 AN AGED AND A GREAT WINE THE leisurely promenade up and down the lawn with ladies and deferential gentlemen, in anticipation of the dinner-bell, was Dr. Middleton's evening pleasure.

aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Blessed indeed above his fellows, by the height of the bow-winged bird in a fair weather sunset sky above the pecking sparrow, is he that ever in the recurrent evening of his day sees the best of it ahead and soon to come.

AGEDadjectiveUS /eɪdʒd/

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading AN AGED AND A GREAT WINE THE leisurely promenade up and down the lawn with ladies and deferential gentlemen, in anticipation of the dinner-bell, was Dr. Middleton's evening pleasure.

aheadadverbUS /əˈhed/

at or in the front

From this reading Blessed indeed above his fellows, by the height of the bow-winged bird in a fair weather sunset sky above the pecking sparrow, is he that ever in the recurrent evening of his day sees the best of it ahead and soon to come.

ANdeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading AN AGED AND A GREAT WINE THE leisurely promenade up and down the lawn with ladies and deferential gentlemen, in anticipation of the dinner-bell, was Dr. Middleton's evening pleasure.

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading AN AGED AND A GREAT WINE THE leisurely promenade up and down the lawn with ladies and deferential gentlemen, in anticipation of the dinner-bell, was Dr. Middleton's evening pleasure.

anticipationnounUS /ænˌtɪsəˈpeɪʃən/

an expectation

From this reading AN AGED AND A GREAT WINE THE leisurely promenade up and down the lawn with ladies and deferential gentlemen, in anticipation of the dinner-bell, was Dr. Middleton's evening pleasure.

Apollo'snounUS /əˈpɑːloʊz/

possessive form of “apollo” — (Greek mythology) Greek god of light; god of prophecy and poetry and music and healing; son of Zeus and Leto; twin brother of Artemis

From this reading He walked as one who had formerly danced (in Apollo's time and the young god Cupid's), elastic on the muscles of the calf and foot, bearing his broad iron-grey head in grand elevation.

approvedadjectiveUS /əˈpruːvd/

established by authority; given authoritative approval

From this reading The hard labour of the day approved the cooling exercise and the crowning refreshments of French cookery and wines of known vintages.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading He walked as one who had formerly danced (in Apollo's time and the young god Cupid's), elastic on the muscles of the calf and foot, bearing his broad iron-grey head in grand elevation.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He was happy at that hour in dispensing wisdom or nugae to his hearers, like the Western sun whose habit it is, when he is fairly treated, to break out in quiet splendours, which by no means exhaust his treasury.

bearingnounUS /ˈberɪŋ/

relevant relation or interconnection

From this reading He walked as one who had formerly danced (in Apollo's time and the young god Cupid's), elastic on the muscles of the calf and foot, bearing his broad iron-grey head in grand elevation.

bestnounUS /best/

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading Blessed indeed above his fellows, by the height of the bow-winged bird in a fair weather sunset sky above the pecking sparrow, is he that ever in the recurrent evening of his day sees the best of it ahead and soon to come.

birdnounUS /bɜːrd/

warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading Blessed indeed above his fellows, by the height of the bow-winged bird in a fair weather sunset sky above the pecking sparrow, is he that ever in the recurrent evening of his day sees the best of it ahead and soon to come.

BlessedadjectiveUS /blest/

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

From this reading Blessed indeed above his fellows, by the height of the bow-winged bird in a fair weather sunset sky above the pecking sparrow, is he that ever in the recurrent evening of his day sees the best of it ahead and soon to come.

bow-winged

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

From this reading Blessed indeed above his fellows, by the height of the bow-winged bird in a fair weather sunset sky above the pecking sparrow, is he that ever in the recurrent evening of his day sees the best of it ahead and soon to come.

breakverbUS /breɪk/

terminate

From this reading He was happy at that hour in dispensing wisdom or nugae to his hearers, like the Western sun whose habit it is, when he is fairly treated, to break out in quiet splendours, which by no means exhaust his treasury.

broadadjectiveUS /brɔːd/

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading He walked as one who had formerly danced (in Apollo's time and the young god Cupid's), elastic on the muscles of the calf and foot, bearing his broad iron-grey head in grand elevation.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He was happy at that hour in dispensing wisdom or nugae to his hearers, like the Western sun whose habit it is, when he is fairly treated, to break out in quiet splendours, which by no means exhaust his treasury.

calfnounUS /kæf/

young of domestic cattle

From this reading He walked as one who had formerly danced (in Apollo's time and the young god Cupid's), elastic on the muscles of the calf and foot, bearing his broad iron-grey head in grand elevation.

comeverbUS /kʌm/

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Blessed indeed above his fellows, by the height of the bow-winged bird in a fair weather sunset sky above the pecking sparrow, is he that ever in the recurrent evening of his day sees the best of it ahead and soon to come.

cookerynoun

the act of preparing something (as food) by the application of heat

From this reading The hard labour of the day approved the cooling exercise and the crowning refreshments of French cookery and wines of known vintages.

coolingnounUS /ˈkuːlɪŋ/

the process of becoming cooler; a falling temperature

From this reading The hard labour of the day approved the cooling exercise and the crowning refreshments of French cookery and wines of known vintages.

crowningadjectiveUS /ˈkraʊnɪŋ/

representing a level of the highest possible achievement or attainment

From this reading The hard labour of the day approved the cooling exercise and the crowning refreshments of French cookery and wines of known vintages.

Cupid's

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

From this reading He walked as one who had formerly danced (in Apollo's time and the young god Cupid's), elastic on the muscles of the calf and foot, bearing his broad iron-grey head in grand elevation.

dancedverbUS /dænst/

past form of “dance” — move in a graceful and rhythmical way

From this reading He walked as one who had formerly danced (in Apollo's time and the young god Cupid's), elastic on the muscles of the calf and foot, bearing his broad iron-grey head in grand elevation.

daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The hard labour of the day approved the cooling exercise and the crowning refreshments of French cookery and wines of known vintages.

deferentialadjectiveUS /ˌdefərˈentʃəl/

showing deference

From this reading AN AGED AND A GREAT WINE THE leisurely promenade up and down the lawn with ladies and deferential gentlemen, in anticipation of the dinner-bell, was Dr. Middleton's evening pleasure.

dinner-bell

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

From this reading AN AGED AND A GREAT WINE THE leisurely promenade up and down the lawn with ladies and deferential gentlemen, in anticipation of the dinner-bell, was Dr. Middleton's evening pleasure.

dispensingverbUS /dɪˈspensɪŋ/

-ing form of “dispense” — administer or bestow, as in small portions

From this reading He was happy at that hour in dispensing wisdom or nugae to his hearers, like the Western sun whose habit it is, when he is fairly treated, to break out in quiet splendours, which by no means exhaust his treasury.

downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading AN AGED AND A GREAT WINE THE leisurely promenade up and down the lawn with ladies and deferential gentlemen, in anticipation of the dinner-bell, was Dr. Middleton's evening pleasure.

Dr

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

From this reading AN AGED AND A GREAT WINE THE leisurely promenade up and down the lawn with ladies and deferential gentlemen, in anticipation of the dinner-bell, was Dr. Middleton's evening pleasure.

elasticadjectiveUS /ɪˈlæstɪk/

capable of resuming original shape after stretching or compression; springy

From this reading He walked as one who had formerly danced (in Apollo's time and the young god Cupid's), elastic on the muscles of the calf and foot, bearing his broad iron-grey head in grand elevation.

elevationnounUS /ˌeləˈveɪʃən/

the event of something being raised upward

From this reading He walked as one who had formerly danced (in Apollo's time and the young god Cupid's), elastic on the muscles of the calf and foot, bearing his broad iron-grey head in grand elevation.

eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading AN AGED AND A GREAT WINE THE leisurely promenade up and down the lawn with ladies and deferential gentlemen, in anticipation of the dinner-bell, was Dr. Middleton's evening pleasure.

everadverbUS /ˈevər/

at any time

From this reading Blessed indeed above his fellows, by the height of the bow-winged bird in a fair weather sunset sky above the pecking sparrow, is he that ever in the recurrent evening of his day sees the best of it ahead and soon to come.

exercisenounUS /ˈeksərsaɪz/

the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit

From this reading The hard labour of the day approved the cooling exercise and the crowning refreshments of French cookery and wines of known vintages.

exhaustverbUS /ɪɡˈzɔːst/

wear out completely

From this reading He was happy at that hour in dispensing wisdom or nugae to his hearers, like the Western sun whose habit it is, when he is fairly treated, to break out in quiet splendours, which by no means exhaust his treasury.

fairadjectiveUS /fer/

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading Blessed indeed above his fellows, by the height of the bow-winged bird in a fair weather sunset sky above the pecking sparrow, is he that ever in the recurrent evening of his day sees the best of it ahead and soon to come.

fairlyadverbUS /ˈferli/

to certain extent or degree

From this reading He was happy at that hour in dispensing wisdom or nugae to his hearers, like the Western sun whose habit it is, when he is fairly treated, to break out in quiet splendours, which by no means exhaust his treasury.

fellowsnounUS /ˈfeloʊz/

plural of “fellow” — a boy or man

From this reading Blessed indeed above his fellows, by the height of the bow-winged bird in a fair weather sunset sky above the pecking sparrow, is he that ever in the recurrent evening of his day sees the best of it ahead and soon to come.

footnounUS /fʊt/

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading He walked as one who had formerly danced (in Apollo's time and the young god Cupid's), elastic on the muscles of the calf and foot, bearing his broad iron-grey head in grand elevation.

formerlyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrmərli/

at a previous time

From this reading He walked as one who had formerly danced (in Apollo's time and the young god Cupid's), elastic on the muscles of the calf and foot, bearing his broad iron-grey head in grand elevation.

FrenchnounUS /frentʃ/

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading The hard labour of the day approved the cooling exercise and the crowning refreshments of French cookery and wines of known vintages.

gentlemennounUS /ˈdʒentəlmɪn/

plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement

From this reading AN AGED AND A GREAT WINE THE leisurely promenade up and down the lawn with ladies and deferential gentlemen, in anticipation of the dinner-bell, was Dr. Middleton's evening pleasure.

godnounUS /ɡɑːd/

the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading He walked as one who had formerly danced (in Apollo's time and the young god Cupid's), elastic on the muscles of the calf and foot, bearing his broad iron-grey head in grand elevation.

grandadjectiveUS /ɡrænd/

of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope

From this reading He walked as one who had formerly danced (in Apollo's time and the young god Cupid's), elastic on the muscles of the calf and foot, bearing his broad iron-grey head in grand elevation.

GREATadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading AN AGED AND A GREAT WINE THE leisurely promenade up and down the lawn with ladies and deferential gentlemen, in anticipation of the dinner-bell, was Dr. Middleton's evening pleasure.

habitnounUS /ˈhæbət/

an established custom

From this reading He was happy at that hour in dispensing wisdom or nugae to his hearers, like the Western sun whose habit it is, when he is fairly treated, to break out in quiet splendours, which by no means exhaust his treasury.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He walked as one who had formerly danced (in Apollo's time and the young god Cupid's), elastic on the muscles of the calf and foot, bearing his broad iron-grey head in grand elevation.

happyadjectiveUS /ˈhæpi/

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading He was happy at that hour in dispensing wisdom or nugae to his hearers, like the Western sun whose habit it is, when he is fairly treated, to break out in quiet splendours, which by no means exhaust his treasury.

hardadjectiveUS /hɑːrd/

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading The hard labour of the day approved the cooling exercise and the crowning refreshments of French cookery and wines of known vintages.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He walked as one who had formerly danced (in Apollo's time and the young god Cupid's), elastic on the muscles of the calf and foot, bearing his broad iron-grey head in grand elevation.

headnounUS /hed/

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading He walked as one who had formerly danced (in Apollo's time and the young god Cupid's), elastic on the muscles of the calf and foot, bearing his broad iron-grey head in grand elevation.

hearersnounUS /ˈhiːrərz/

plural of “hearer” — someone who listens attentively

From this reading He was happy at that hour in dispensing wisdom or nugae to his hearers, like the Western sun whose habit it is, when he is fairly treated, to break out in quiet splendours, which by no means exhaust his treasury.

heightnounUS /haɪt/

the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top

From this reading Blessed indeed above his fellows, by the height of the bow-winged bird in a fair weather sunset sky above the pecking sparrow, is he that ever in the recurrent evening of his day sees the best of it ahead and soon to come.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He walked as one who had formerly danced (in Apollo's time and the young god Cupid's), elastic on the muscles of the calf and foot, bearing his broad iron-grey head in grand elevation.

hournounUS /ˈaʊər/

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading He was happy at that hour in dispensing wisdom or nugae to his hearers, like the Western sun whose habit it is, when he is fairly treated, to break out in quiet splendours, which by no means exhaust his treasury.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading AN AGED AND A GREAT WINE THE leisurely promenade up and down the lawn with ladies and deferential gentlemen, in anticipation of the dinner-bell, was Dr. Middleton's evening pleasure.

indeedadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdiːd/

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading Blessed indeed above his fellows, by the height of the bow-winged bird in a fair weather sunset sky above the pecking sparrow, is he that ever in the recurrent evening of his day sees the best of it ahead and soon to come.

iron-greynoun

the color of freshly broken cast iron

From this reading He walked as one who had formerly danced (in Apollo's time and the young god Cupid's), elastic on the muscles of the calf and foot, bearing his broad iron-grey head in grand elevation.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading He was happy at that hour in dispensing wisdom or nugae to his hearers, like the Western sun whose habit it is, when he is fairly treated, to break out in quiet splendours, which by no means exhaust his treasury.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He was happy at that hour in dispensing wisdom or nugae to his hearers, like the Western sun whose habit it is, when he is fairly treated, to break out in quiet splendours, which by no means exhaust his treasury.

knownadjectiveUS /noʊn/

apprehended with certainty

From this reading The hard labour of the day approved the cooling exercise and the crowning refreshments of French cookery and wines of known vintages.

labournounUS /ˈleɪbər/

a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages

From this reading The hard labour of the day approved the cooling exercise and the crowning refreshments of French cookery and wines of known vintages.

ladiesnounUS /ˈleɪdiz/

plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading AN AGED AND A GREAT WINE THE leisurely promenade up and down the lawn with ladies and deferential gentlemen, in anticipation of the dinner-bell, was Dr. Middleton's evening pleasure.

lawnnounUS /lɔːn/

a field of cultivated and mowed grass

From this reading AN AGED AND A GREAT WINE THE leisurely promenade up and down the lawn with ladies and deferential gentlemen, in anticipation of the dinner-bell, was Dr. Middleton's evening pleasure.

leisurelyadverbUS /ˈliːzərli/

in an unhurried way or at one's convenience

From this reading AN AGED AND A GREAT WINE THE leisurely promenade up and down the lawn with ladies and deferential gentlemen, in anticipation of the dinner-bell, was Dr. Middleton's evening pleasure.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading He was happy at that hour in dispensing wisdom or nugae to his hearers, like the Western sun whose habit it is, when he is fairly treated, to break out in quiet splendours, which by no means exhaust his treasury.

meansnounUS /miːnz/

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading He was happy at that hour in dispensing wisdom or nugae to his hearers, like the Western sun whose habit it is, when he is fairly treated, to break out in quiet splendours, which by no means exhaust his treasury.

Middleton's

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

From this reading AN AGED AND A GREAT WINE THE leisurely promenade up and down the lawn with ladies and deferential gentlemen, in anticipation of the dinner-bell, was Dr. Middleton's evening pleasure.

musclesnounUS /ˈmʌsəlz/

plural of “muscle” — one of the contractile organs of the body

From this reading He walked as one who had formerly danced (in Apollo's time and the young god Cupid's), elastic on the muscles of the calf and foot, bearing his broad iron-grey head in grand elevation.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading He was happy at that hour in dispensing wisdom or nugae to his hearers, like the Western sun whose habit it is, when he is fairly treated, to break out in quiet splendours, which by no means exhaust his treasury.

nugae

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

From this reading He was happy at that hour in dispensing wisdom or nugae to his hearers, like the Western sun whose habit it is, when he is fairly treated, to break out in quiet splendours, which by no means exhaust his treasury.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AN AGED AND A GREAT WINE THE leisurely promenade up and down the lawn with ladies and deferential gentlemen, in anticipation of the dinner-bell, was Dr. Middleton's evening pleasure.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He walked as one who had formerly danced (in Apollo's time and the young god Cupid's), elastic on the muscles of the calf and foot, bearing his broad iron-grey head in grand elevation.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He walked as one who had formerly danced (in Apollo's time and the young god Cupid's), elastic on the muscles of the calf and foot, bearing his broad iron-grey head in grand elevation.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He was happy at that hour in dispensing wisdom or nugae to his hearers, like the Western sun whose habit it is, when he is fairly treated, to break out in quiet splendours, which by no means exhaust his treasury.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading He was happy at that hour in dispensing wisdom or nugae to his hearers, like the Western sun whose habit it is, when he is fairly treated, to break out in quiet splendours, which by no means exhaust his treasury.

peckingverbUS /ˈpekɪŋ/

-ing form of “peck” — hit lightly with a picking motion

From this reading Blessed indeed above his fellows, by the height of the bow-winged bird in a fair weather sunset sky above the pecking sparrow, is he that ever in the recurrent evening of his day sees the best of it ahead and soon to come.

pleasurenounUS /ˈpleʒər/

a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience

From this reading AN AGED AND A GREAT WINE THE leisurely promenade up and down the lawn with ladies and deferential gentlemen, in anticipation of the dinner-bell, was Dr. Middleton's evening pleasure.

promenadenounUS /ˌprɑːməˈneɪd/

a formal ball held for a school class toward the end of the academic year

From this reading AN AGED AND A GREAT WINE THE leisurely promenade up and down the lawn with ladies and deferential gentlemen, in anticipation of the dinner-bell, was Dr. Middleton's evening pleasure.

quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading He was happy at that hour in dispensing wisdom or nugae to his hearers, like the Western sun whose habit it is, when he is fairly treated, to break out in quiet splendours, which by no means exhaust his treasury.

recurrentadjectiveUS /rɪˈkɜːrənt/

recurring again and again

From this reading Blessed indeed above his fellows, by the height of the bow-winged bird in a fair weather sunset sky above the pecking sparrow, is he that ever in the recurrent evening of his day sees the best of it ahead and soon to come.

refreshmentsnounUS /rəˈfreʃmənts/

plural of “refreshment” — snacks and drinks served as a light meal

From this reading The hard labour of the day approved the cooling exercise and the crowning refreshments of French cookery and wines of known vintages.

seesnounUS /siːz/

plural of “see” — the seat within a bishop's diocese where his cathedral is located

From this reading Blessed indeed above his fellows, by the height of the bow-winged bird in a fair weather sunset sky above the pecking sparrow, is he that ever in the recurrent evening of his day sees the best of it ahead and soon to come.

skynounUS /skaɪ/

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading Blessed indeed above his fellows, by the height of the bow-winged bird in a fair weather sunset sky above the pecking sparrow, is he that ever in the recurrent evening of his day sees the best of it ahead and soon to come.

soonadverbUS /suːn/

in the near future

From this reading Blessed indeed above his fellows, by the height of the bow-winged bird in a fair weather sunset sky above the pecking sparrow, is he that ever in the recurrent evening of his day sees the best of it ahead and soon to come.

sparrownounUS /ˈsperoʊ/

any of several small dull-colored singing birds feeding on seeds or insects

From this reading Blessed indeed above his fellows, by the height of the bow-winged bird in a fair weather sunset sky above the pecking sparrow, is he that ever in the recurrent evening of his day sees the best of it ahead and soon to come.

splendours

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

From this reading He was happy at that hour in dispensing wisdom or nugae to his hearers, like the Western sun whose habit it is, when he is fairly treated, to break out in quiet splendours, which by no means exhaust his treasury.

sunnounUS /sʌn/

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading He was happy at that hour in dispensing wisdom or nugae to his hearers, like the Western sun whose habit it is, when he is fairly treated, to break out in quiet splendours, which by no means exhaust his treasury.

sunsetnounUS /ˈsʌnset/

the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon

From this reading Blessed indeed above his fellows, by the height of the bow-winged bird in a fair weather sunset sky above the pecking sparrow, is he that ever in the recurrent evening of his day sees the best of it ahead and soon to come.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He was happy at that hour in dispensing wisdom or nugae to his hearers, like the Western sun whose habit it is, when he is fairly treated, to break out in quiet splendours, which by no means exhaust his treasury.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading AN AGED AND A GREAT WINE THE leisurely promenade up and down the lawn with ladies and deferential gentlemen, in anticipation of the dinner-bell, was Dr. Middleton's evening pleasure.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading He walked as one who had formerly danced (in Apollo's time and the young god Cupid's), elastic on the muscles of the calf and foot, bearing his broad iron-grey head in grand elevation.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading He was happy at that hour in dispensing wisdom or nugae to his hearers, like the Western sun whose habit it is, when he is fairly treated, to break out in quiet splendours, which by no means exhaust his treasury.

treasurynounUS /ˈtreʒəri/

the funds of a government or institution or individual

From this reading He was happy at that hour in dispensing wisdom or nugae to his hearers, like the Western sun whose habit it is, when he is fairly treated, to break out in quiet splendours, which by no means exhaust his treasury.

treatedadjectiveUS /ˈtriːtɪd/

subjected to a physical (or chemical) treatment or action or agent

From this reading He was happy at that hour in dispensing wisdom or nugae to his hearers, like the Western sun whose habit it is, when he is fairly treated, to break out in quiet splendours, which by no means exhaust his treasury.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

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

From this reading AN AGED AND A GREAT WINE THE leisurely promenade up and down the lawn with ladies and deferential gentlemen, in anticipation of the dinner-bell, was Dr. Middleton's evening pleasure.

vintagesnounUS /ˈvɪntɪdʒɪz/

plural of “vintage” — a season's yield of wine from a vineyard

From this reading The hard labour of the day approved the cooling exercise and the crowning refreshments of French cookery and wines of known vintages.

walkedverbUS /wɔːkt/

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading He walked as one who had formerly danced (in Apollo's time and the young god Cupid's), elastic on the muscles of the calf and foot, bearing his broad iron-grey head in grand elevation.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading AN AGED AND A GREAT WINE THE leisurely promenade up and down the lawn with ladies and deferential gentlemen, in anticipation of the dinner-bell, was Dr. Middleton's evening pleasure.

weathernounUS /ˈweðər/

the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading Blessed indeed above his fellows, by the height of the bow-winged bird in a fair weather sunset sky above the pecking sparrow, is he that ever in the recurrent evening of his day sees the best of it ahead and soon to come.

WesternadjectiveUS /ˈwestərn/

relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts

From this reading He was happy at that hour in dispensing wisdom or nugae to his hearers, like the Western sun whose habit it is, when he is fairly treated, to break out in quiet splendours, which by no means exhaust his treasury.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading He was happy at that hour in dispensing wisdom or nugae to his hearers, like the Western sun whose habit it is, when he is fairly treated, to break out in quiet splendours, which by no means exhaust his treasury.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading He was happy at that hour in dispensing wisdom or nugae to his hearers, like the Western sun whose habit it is, when he is fairly treated, to break out in quiet splendours, which by no means exhaust his treasury.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading He walked as one who had formerly danced (in Apollo's time and the young god Cupid's), elastic on the muscles of the calf and foot, bearing his broad iron-grey head in grand elevation.

whosedeterminerUS /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading He was happy at that hour in dispensing wisdom or nugae to his hearers, like the Western sun whose habit it is, when he is fairly treated, to break out in quiet splendours, which by no means exhaust his treasury.

WINEnounUS /waɪn/

fermented juice (of grapes especially)

From this reading AN AGED AND A GREAT WINE THE leisurely promenade up and down the lawn with ladies and deferential gentlemen, in anticipation of the dinner-bell, was Dr. Middleton's evening pleasure.

winesnounUS /waɪnz/

plural of “wine” — fermented juice (of grapes especially)

From this reading The hard labour of the day approved the cooling exercise and the crowning refreshments of French cookery and wines of known vintages.

wisdomnounUS /ˈwɪzdəm/

accumulated knowledge or erudition or enlightenment

From this reading He was happy at that hour in dispensing wisdom or nugae to his hearers, like the Western sun whose habit it is, when he is fairly treated, to break out in quiet splendours, which by no means exhaust his treasury.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading AN AGED AND A GREAT WINE THE leisurely promenade up and down the lawn with ladies and deferential gentlemen, in anticipation of the dinner-bell, was Dr. Middleton's evening pleasure.

youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading He walked as one who had formerly danced (in Apollo's time and the young god Cupid's), elastic on the muscles of the calf and foot, bearing his broad iron-grey head in grand elevation.

Chapter 16 of The Egoist: A Comedy in Narrative by George Meredith holds 336 sentences, grouped into 68 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 16 of The Egoist: A Comedy in Narrative contain?

Chapter 16 holds 336 sentences of The Egoist: A Comedy in Narrative, unabridged, divided into 68 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 16 of The Egoist: A Comedy in Narrative by George Meredith exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 336 sentences, grouped into 68 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 16 of The Egoist: A Comedy in Narrative?

Work through the 68 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 68 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.

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Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 16 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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Project Gutenberg eBook #1684, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

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About 600 minutes of reading across 2663 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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Vocabulary met early in The Egoist: A Comedy in Narrative

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Egoist: A Comedy in Narrative, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Ominously
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Egoist: A Comedy in Narrative; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Anxious
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Egoist: A Comedy in Narrative; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Watch
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Egoist: A Comedy in Narrative; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Visible
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Egoist: A Comedy in Narrative; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.