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The humour of Ireland
The humour of Ireland

Chapter III

Chapter 3 of The humour of Ireland is here in full — 29 sentences across 6 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/5 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
“Oh!”
--_Milton._ “Ah!”
--_Pope._ One evening, the Baroness de Violenci, having sprained her left leg in the composition of an ecstatic ode, resolved not to go to Lady Penthesilea Rouge’s rout.
While she was sitting alone at a plate of prawns, the footman entered with a basket, which had just been left for her.
“Lay it down, John,” said she, touching his forehead with her fork.
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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 humour of Ireland

Chapter III

Chapter 3 of The humour of Ireland is here in full — 29 sentences across 6 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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

Line 1
“Oh!”
/oʊ/
Line 2
--_Milton._ “Ah!”
Line 3
--_Pope._ One evening, the Baroness de Violenci, having sprained her left leg in the composition of an ecstatic ode, resolved not to go to Lady Penthesilea Rouge’s rout.
Line 4
While she was sitting alone at a plate of prawns, the footman entered with a basket, which had just been left for her.
/waɪl ʃiː wɑːz ˈsɪtɪŋ əˈloʊn æt ə pleɪt ʌv prɔːnz ðə ˈfʊtmən ˈentərd wɪð ə ˈbæskət wɪtʃ hæd dʒʌst bɪn left fɔːr hɜːr/
Line 5
“Lay it down, John,” said she, touching his forehead with her fork.
/leɪ ɪt daʊn dʒɑːn sed ʃiː ˈtʌtʃɪŋ hɪz ˈfɔːrhed wɪð hɜːr fɔːrk/

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.

Baroness noun US /ˈberənɪs/

a noblewoman who holds the rank of baron or who is the wife or widow of a baron

From this reading “--_Pope._ One evening, the Baroness de Violenci, having sprained her left leg in the composition of an ecstatic ode, resolved not to go to Lady Penthesilea Rouge’s rout.”

ecstatic adjective US /ekˈstætɪk/

feeling great rapture or delight

From this reading “--_Pope._ One evening, the Baroness de Violenci, having sprained her left leg in the composition of an ecstatic ode, resolved not to go to Lady Penthesilea Rouge’s rout.”

footman noun US /ˈfʊtmən/

a man employed as a servant in a large establishment (as a palace) to run errands and do chores

From this reading “While she was sitting alone at a plate of prawns, the footman entered with a basket, which had just been left for her.”

Milton noun US /ˈmɪltən/

English poet; remembered primarily as the author of an epic poem describing humanity's fall from grace (1608-1674)

ode noun US /oʊd/

a lyric poem with complex stanza forms

From this reading “--_Pope._ One evening, the Baroness de Violenci, having sprained her left leg in the composition of an ecstatic ode, resolved not to go to Lady Penthesilea Rouge’s rout.”

prawns noun US /prɔːnz/

plural of “prawn” — any of various edible decapod crustaceans

From this reading “While she was sitting alone at a plate of prawns, the footman entered with a basket, which had just been left for her.”

rout verb US /raʊt/

cause to flee

From this reading “--_Pope._ One evening, the Baroness de Violenci, having sprained her left leg in the composition of an ecstatic ode, resolved not to go to Lady Penthesilea Rouge’s rout.”

sprained verb US /spreɪnd/

past form of “sprain” — twist suddenly so as to sprain

From this reading “--_Pope._ One evening, the Baroness de Violenci, having sprained her left leg in the composition of an ecstatic ode, resolved not to go to Lady Penthesilea Rouge’s rout.”

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.

left leg noun + noun

In this reading “--_Pope._ One evening, the Baroness de Violenci, having sprained her left leg in the composition of an ecstatic ode, resolved not to go to Lady Penthesilea Rouge’s rout.”

All words in this reading · 56

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 While she was sitting alone at a plate of prawns, the footman entered with a basket, which had just been left for her.

Ah

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

From this reading --_Milton._ “Ah!”

aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/

Having no one else present.

From this reading While she was sitting alone at a plate of prawns, the footman entered with a basket, which had just been left for her.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading --_Pope._ One evening, the Baroness de Violenci, having sprained her left leg in the composition of an ecstatic ode, resolved not to go to Lady Penthesilea Rouge’s rout.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading While she was sitting alone at a plate of prawns, the footman entered with a basket, which had just been left for her.

BaronessnounUS /ˈberənɪs/

a noblewoman who holds the rank of baron or who is the wife or widow of a baron

From this reading --_Pope._ One evening, the Baroness de Violenci, having sprained her left leg in the composition of an ecstatic ode, resolved not to go to Lady Penthesilea Rouge’s rout.

basketnounUS /ˈbæskət/

a container that is usually woven and has handles

From this reading While she was sitting alone at a plate of prawns, the footman entered with a basket, which had just been left for her.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading While she was sitting alone at a plate of prawns, the footman entered with a basket, which had just been left for her.

compositionnounUS /ˌkɑːmpəˈzɪʃən/

the spatial property resulting from the arrangement of parts in relation to each other and to the whole

From this reading --_Pope._ One evening, the Baroness de Violenci, having sprained her left leg in the composition of an ecstatic ode, resolved not to go to Lady Penthesilea Rouge’s rout.

denounUS /diː/

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading --_Pope._ One evening, the Baroness de Violenci, having sprained her left leg in the composition of an ecstatic ode, resolved not to go to Lady Penthesilea Rouge’s rout.

downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading “Lay it down, John,” said she, touching his forehead with her fork.

ecstaticadjectiveUS /ekˈstætɪk/

feeling great rapture or delight

From this reading --_Pope._ One evening, the Baroness de Violenci, having sprained her left leg in the composition of an ecstatic ode, resolved not to go to Lady Penthesilea Rouge’s rout.

enteredverbUS /ˈentərd/

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading While she was sitting alone at a plate of prawns, the footman entered with a basket, which had just been left for her.

eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/

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

From this reading --_Pope._ One evening, the Baroness de Violenci, having sprained her left leg in the composition of an ecstatic ode, resolved not to go to Lady Penthesilea Rouge’s rout.

footmannounUS /ˈfʊtmən/

a man employed as a servant in a large establishment (as a palace) to run errands and do chores

From this reading While she was sitting alone at a plate of prawns, the footman entered with a basket, which had just been left for her.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading While she was sitting alone at a plate of prawns, the footman entered with a basket, which had just been left for her.

foreheadnounUS /ˈfɔːrhed/

the part of the face above the eyes

From this reading “Lay it down, John,” said she, touching his forehead with her fork.

forknounUS /fɔːrk/

cutlery used for serving and eating food

From this reading “Lay it down, John,” said she, touching his forehead with her fork.

goverbUS /ɡoʊ/

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading --_Pope._ One evening, the Baroness de Violenci, having sprained her left leg in the composition of an ecstatic ode, resolved not to go to Lady Penthesilea Rouge’s rout.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading While she was sitting alone at a plate of prawns, the footman entered with a basket, which had just been left for her.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading --_Pope._ One evening, the Baroness de Violenci, having sprained her left leg in the composition of an ecstatic ode, resolved not to go to Lady Penthesilea Rouge’s rout.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading --_Pope._ One evening, the Baroness de Violenci, having sprained her left leg in the composition of an ecstatic ode, resolved not to go to Lady Penthesilea Rouge’s rout.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading “Lay it down, John,” said she, touching his forehead with her fork.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading --_Pope._ One evening, the Baroness de Violenci, having sprained her left leg in the composition of an ecstatic ode, resolved not to go to Lady Penthesilea Rouge’s rout.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “Lay it down, John,” said she, touching his forehead with her fork.

JohnnounUS /dʒɑːn/

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading “Lay it down, John,” said she, touching his forehead with her fork.

justadverbUS /dʒʌst/

and nothing more

From this reading While she was sitting alone at a plate of prawns, the footman entered with a basket, which had just been left for her.

LadynounUS /ˈleɪdi/

a polite name for any woman

From this reading --_Pope._ One evening, the Baroness de Violenci, having sprained her left leg in the composition of an ecstatic ode, resolved not to go to Lady Penthesilea Rouge’s rout.

LayverbUS /leɪ/

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading “Lay it down, John,” said she, touching his forehead with her fork.

leftnounUS /left/

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading --_Pope._ One evening, the Baroness de Violenci, having sprained her left leg in the composition of an ecstatic ode, resolved not to go to Lady Penthesilea Rouge’s rout.

legnounUS /leɡ/

a human limb; commonly used to refer to a whole limb but technically only the part of the limb between the knee and ankle

From this reading --_Pope._ One evening, the Baroness de Violenci, having sprained her left leg in the composition of an ecstatic ode, resolved not to go to Lady Penthesilea Rouge’s rout.

MiltonnounUS /ˈmɪltən/

English poet; remembered primarily as the author of an epic poem describing humanity's fall from grace (1608-1674)

From this reading --_Milton._ “Ah!”

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading --_Pope._ One evening, the Baroness de Violenci, having sprained her left leg in the composition of an ecstatic ode, resolved not to go to Lady Penthesilea Rouge’s rout.

odenounUS /oʊd/

a lyric poem with complex stanza forms

From this reading --_Pope._ One evening, the Baroness de Violenci, having sprained her left leg in the composition of an ecstatic ode, resolved not to go to Lady Penthesilea Rouge’s rout.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading --_Pope._ One evening, the Baroness de Violenci, having sprained her left leg in the composition of an ecstatic ode, resolved not to go to Lady Penthesilea Rouge’s rout.

OhnounUS /oʊ/

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading “Oh!”

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading --_Pope._ One evening, the Baroness de Violenci, having sprained her left leg in the composition of an ecstatic ode, resolved not to go to Lady Penthesilea Rouge’s rout.

Penthesilea

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

From this reading --_Pope._ One evening, the Baroness de Violenci, having sprained her left leg in the composition of an ecstatic ode, resolved not to go to Lady Penthesilea Rouge’s rout.

platenounUS /pleɪt/

(baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score

From this reading While she was sitting alone at a plate of prawns, the footman entered with a basket, which had just been left for her.

PopenounUS /poʊp/

the head of the Roman Catholic Church

From this reading --_Pope._ One evening, the Baroness de Violenci, having sprained her left leg in the composition of an ecstatic ode, resolved not to go to Lady Penthesilea Rouge’s rout.

prawnsnounUS /prɔːnz/

plural of “prawn” — any of various edible decapod crustaceans

From this reading While she was sitting alone at a plate of prawns, the footman entered with a basket, which had just been left for her.

resolvedadjectiveUS /riˈzɑːlvd/

determined

From this reading --_Pope._ One evening, the Baroness de Violenci, having sprained her left leg in the composition of an ecstatic ode, resolved not to go to Lady Penthesilea Rouge’s rout.

Rouge's

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

From this reading --_Pope._ One evening, the Baroness de Violenci, having sprained her left leg in the composition of an ecstatic ode, resolved not to go to Lady Penthesilea Rouge’s rout.

routverbUS /raʊt/

cause to flee

From this reading --_Pope._ One evening, the Baroness de Violenci, having sprained her left leg in the composition of an ecstatic ode, resolved not to go to Lady Penthesilea Rouge’s rout.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “Lay it down, John,” said she, touching his forehead with her fork.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading While she was sitting alone at a plate of prawns, the footman entered with a basket, which had just been left for her.

sittingnounUS /ˈsɪtɪŋ/

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading While she was sitting alone at a plate of prawns, the footman entered with a basket, which had just been left for her.

sprainedverbUS /spreɪnd/

past form of “sprain” — twist suddenly so as to sprain

From this reading --_Pope._ One evening, the Baroness de Violenci, having sprained her left leg in the composition of an ecstatic ode, resolved not to go to Lady Penthesilea Rouge’s rout.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading --_Pope._ One evening, the Baroness de Violenci, having sprained her left leg in the composition of an ecstatic ode, resolved not to go to Lady Penthesilea Rouge’s rout.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading --_Pope._ One evening, the Baroness de Violenci, having sprained her left leg in the composition of an ecstatic ode, resolved not to go to Lady Penthesilea Rouge’s rout.

touchingadjectiveUS /ˈtʌtʃɪŋ/

arousing affect

From this reading “Lay it down, John,” said she, touching his forehead with her fork.

Violenci

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

From this reading --_Pope._ One evening, the Baroness de Violenci, having sprained her left leg in the composition of an ecstatic ode, resolved not to go to Lady Penthesilea Rouge’s rout.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading While she was sitting alone at a plate of prawns, the footman entered with a basket, which had just been left for her.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading While she was sitting alone at a plate of prawns, the footman entered with a basket, which had just been left for her.

WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading While she was sitting alone at a plate of prawns, the footman entered with a basket, which had just been left for her.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading While she was sitting alone at a plate of prawns, the footman entered with a basket, which had just been left for her.

Chapter 3 of The humour of Ireland by D. J. (David James) [Editor] O'Donoghue holds 29 sentences, grouped into 6 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 3 of The humour of Ireland contain?

Chapter 3 holds 29 sentences of The humour of Ireland, unabridged, divided into 6 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 3 of The humour of Ireland by D. J. (David James) [Editor] O'Donoghue exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 29 sentences, grouped into 6 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 3 of The humour of Ireland?

Work through the 6 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 6 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 3 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 3 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading The humour of Ireland

Common questions about reading The humour of Ireland by D. J. (David James) [Editor] O'Donoghue on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The humour of Ireland?

Yes. All 5249 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #68835 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The humour of Ireland is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #68835, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The humour of Ireland take to read?

About 437 minutes of reading across 1050 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The humour of Ireland section by section

How to work through The humour of Ireland section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 4 chapters of The humour of Ireland 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 humour of Ireland

Words and structures a reader meets early in The humour of Ireland, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Walter
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The humour of Ireland; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Scott
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The humour of Ireland; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Publishing
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The humour of Ireland; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Paternoster
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The humour of Ireland; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.