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The Lonely
The Lonely

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Lonely is here in full — 176 sentences across 36 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Lonely
Context Illustration Reading 1/35 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
If we practice our "Space Speech" and listen real hard--Is this the sort of thing we're going to hear?
TO: The Hon. Natarajan Roi Hennessy, Chairman, Committee on Intercultural Relations, Solar Council, Eros.
FROM: Dr. Shlomo Mouna, Sr. Anthropologist, Project Ozma XII, Pluto Station.
DATE: 10/9/92, TC.
Dear Nat: Herewith, a much condensed, heavily annotated, and topsecret coded transcript of a program we just picked up.
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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 Lonely

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Lonely is here in full — 176 sentences across 36 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/35 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
If we practice our "Space Speech" and listen real hard--Is this the sort of thing we're going to hear?
Line 2
TO: The Hon. Natarajan Roi Hennessy, Chairman, Committee on Intercultural Relations, Solar Council, Eros.
Line 3
FROM: Dr. Shlomo Mouna, Sr. Anthropologist, Project Ozma XII, Pluto Station.
Line 4
DATE: 10/9/92, TC.
Line 5
Dear Nat: Herewith, a much condensed, heavily annotated, and topsecret coded transcript of a program we just picked up.

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.

annotated verb US /ˌænəˈteɪtɪd/

past form of “annotate” — add explanatory notes to or supply with critical comments

From this reading “Dear Nat: Herewith, a much condensed, heavily annotated, and topsecret coded transcript of a program we just picked up.”

Anthropologist noun US /ˌænθrəˈpɑːlədʒəst/

a social scientist who specializes in anthropology

From this reading “FROM: Dr. Shlomo Mouna, Sr. Anthropologist, Project Ozma XII, Pluto Station.”

coded verb US /ˈkoʊdɪd/

past form of “code” — attach a code to

From this reading “Dear Nat: Herewith, a much condensed, heavily annotated, and topsecret coded transcript of a program we just picked up.”

Eros noun US /ˈɪrɑːs/

(Greek mythology) god of love; son of Aphrodite; identified with Roman Cupid

From this reading “TO: The Hon. Natarajan Roi Hennessy, Chairman, Committee on Intercultural Relations, Solar Council, Eros.”

Herewith adverb US /ˈhɪrˈwɪθ/

(formal) by means of this

From this reading “Dear Nat: Herewith, a much condensed, heavily annotated, and topsecret coded transcript of a program we just picked up.”

Pluto noun US /ˈpluːtoʊ/

a cartoon character created by Walt Disney

From this reading “FROM: Dr. Shlomo Mouna, Sr. Anthropologist, Project Ozma XII, Pluto Station.”

Roi noun US /rɔɪ/

(corporate finance) the amount, expressed as a percentage, that is earned on a company's total capital calculated by dividing the total capital into earnings before interest, taxes, or dividends are paid

From this reading “TO: The Hon. Natarajan Roi Hennessy, Chairman, Committee on Intercultural Relations, Solar Council, Eros.”

transcript noun US /ˈtrænskrɪpt/

something that has been transcribed; a written record (usually typewritten) of dictated or recorded speech

From this reading “Dear Nat: Herewith, a much condensed, heavily annotated, and topsecret coded transcript of a program we just picked up.”

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.

picked up verb + adjective counted as “pick up”

take and lift upward

In this reading “Dear Nat: Herewith, a much condensed, heavily annotated, and topsecret coded transcript of a program we just picked up.”

All words in this reading · 63

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.

10

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

From this reading DATE: 10/9/92, TC.

9

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

From this reading DATE: 10/9/92, TC.

92

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

From this reading DATE: 10/9/92, TC.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading Dear Nat: Herewith, a much condensed, heavily annotated, and topsecret coded transcript of a program we just picked up.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading If we practice our "Space Speech" and listen real hard--Is this the sort of thing we're going to hear?

annotatedverbUS /ˌænəˈteɪtɪd/

past form of “annotate” — add explanatory notes to or supply with critical comments

From this reading Dear Nat: Herewith, a much condensed, heavily annotated, and topsecret coded transcript of a program we just picked up.

AnthropologistnounUS /ˌænθrəˈpɑːlədʒəst/

a social scientist who specializes in anthropology

From this reading FROM: Dr. Shlomo Mouna, Sr. Anthropologist, Project Ozma XII, Pluto Station.

ChairmannounUS /ˈtʃermən/

the officer who presides at the meetings of an organization

From this reading TO: The Hon. Natarajan Roi Hennessy, Chairman, Committee on Intercultural Relations, Solar Council, Eros.

codedverbUS /ˈkoʊdɪd/

past form of “code” — attach a code to

From this reading Dear Nat: Herewith, a much condensed, heavily annotated, and topsecret coded transcript of a program we just picked up.

CommitteenounUS /kəˈmɪti/

a special group delegated to consider some matter

From this reading TO: The Hon. Natarajan Roi Hennessy, Chairman, Committee on Intercultural Relations, Solar Council, Eros.

condensedverbUS /kənˈdenst/

past form of “condense” — undergo condensation; change from a gaseous to a liquid state and fall in drops

From this reading Dear Nat: Herewith, a much condensed, heavily annotated, and topsecret coded transcript of a program we just picked up.

CouncilnounUS /ˈkaʊnsəl/

a body serving in an administrative capacity

From this reading TO: The Hon. Natarajan Roi Hennessy, Chairman, Committee on Intercultural Relations, Solar Council, Eros.

DATEnounUS /deɪt/

the specified day of the month

From this reading DATE: 10/9/92, TC.

DearadjectiveUS /dɪr/

dearly loved

From this reading Dear Nat: Herewith, a much condensed, heavily annotated, and topsecret coded transcript of a program we just picked up.

Dr

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

From this reading FROM: Dr. Shlomo Mouna, Sr. Anthropologist, Project Ozma XII, Pluto Station.

ErosnounUS /ˈɪrɑːs/

(Greek mythology) god of love; son of Aphrodite; identified with Roman Cupid

From this reading TO: The Hon. Natarajan Roi Hennessy, Chairman, Committee on Intercultural Relations, Solar Council, Eros.

FROMprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading FROM: Dr. Shlomo Mouna, Sr. Anthropologist, Project Ozma XII, Pluto Station.

goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/

the act of departing

From this reading If we practice our "Space Speech" and listen real hard--Is this the sort of thing we're going to hear?

hardadjectiveUS /hɑːrd/

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

From this reading If we practice our "Space Speech" and listen real hard--Is this the sort of thing we're going to hear?

hearverbUS /hiːr/

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading If we practice our "Space Speech" and listen real hard--Is this the sort of thing we're going to hear?

heavilyadverbUS /ˈhevəli/

to a considerable degree

From this reading Dear Nat: Herewith, a much condensed, heavily annotated, and topsecret coded transcript of a program we just picked up.

Hennessy

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

From this reading TO: The Hon. Natarajan Roi Hennessy, Chairman, Committee on Intercultural Relations, Solar Council, Eros.

HerewithadverbUS /ˈhɪrˈwɪθ/

(formal) by means of this

From this reading Dear Nat: Herewith, a much condensed, heavily annotated, and topsecret coded transcript of a program we just picked up.

Hon

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

From this reading TO: The Hon. Natarajan Roi Hennessy, Chairman, Committee on Intercultural Relations, Solar Council, Eros.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If we practice our "Space Speech" and listen real hard--Is this the sort of thing we're going to hear?

Intercultural

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

From this reading TO: The Hon. Natarajan Roi Hennessy, Chairman, Committee on Intercultural Relations, Solar Council, Eros.

Isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading If we practice our "Space Speech" and listen real hard--Is this the sort of thing we're going to hear?

justadverbUS /dʒʌst/

and nothing more

From this reading Dear Nat: Herewith, a much condensed, heavily annotated, and topsecret coded transcript of a program we just picked up.

listenverbUS /ˈlɪsən/

hear with intention

From this reading If we practice our "Space Speech" and listen real hard--Is this the sort of thing we're going to hear?

Mouna

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

From this reading FROM: Dr. Shlomo Mouna, Sr. Anthropologist, Project Ozma XII, Pluto Station.

muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Dear Nat: Herewith, a much condensed, heavily annotated, and topsecret coded transcript of a program we just picked up.

Nat

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

From this reading Dear Nat: Herewith, a much condensed, heavily annotated, and topsecret coded transcript of a program we just picked up.

Natarajan

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

From this reading TO: The Hon. Natarajan Roi Hennessy, Chairman, Committee on Intercultural Relations, Solar Council, Eros.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading If we practice our "Space Speech" and listen real hard--Is this the sort of thing we're going to hear?

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading TO: The Hon. Natarajan Roi Hennessy, Chairman, Committee on Intercultural Relations, Solar Council, Eros.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading If we practice our "Space Speech" and listen real hard--Is this the sort of thing we're going to hear?

Ozma

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

From this reading FROM: Dr. Shlomo Mouna, Sr. Anthropologist, Project Ozma XII, Pluto Station.

pickedverbUS /pɪkt/

past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group

From this reading Dear Nat: Herewith, a much condensed, heavily annotated, and topsecret coded transcript of a program we just picked up.

PlutonounUS /ˈpluːtoʊ/

a cartoon character created by Walt Disney

From this reading FROM: Dr. Shlomo Mouna, Sr. Anthropologist, Project Ozma XII, Pluto Station.

practicenounUS /ˈpræktəs/

a customary way of operation or behavior

From this reading If we practice our "Space Speech" and listen real hard--Is this the sort of thing we're going to hear?

programnounUS /ˈproʊɡræm/

a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished

From this reading Dear Nat: Herewith, a much condensed, heavily annotated, and topsecret coded transcript of a program we just picked up.

ProjectverbUS /ˈprɑːdʒekt/

communicate vividly

From this reading FROM: Dr. Shlomo Mouna, Sr. Anthropologist, Project Ozma XII, Pluto Station.

realadjectiveUS /riːl/

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading If we practice our "Space Speech" and listen real hard--Is this the sort of thing we're going to hear?

RelationsnounUS /riˈleɪʃənz/

mutual dealings or connections or communications among persons or groups

From this reading TO: The Hon. Natarajan Roi Hennessy, Chairman, Committee on Intercultural Relations, Solar Council, Eros.

RoinounUS /rɔɪ/

(corporate finance) the amount, expressed as a percentage, that is earned on a company's total capital calculated by dividing the total capital into earnings before interest, taxes, or dividends are paid

From this reading TO: The Hon. Natarajan Roi Hennessy, Chairman, Committee on Intercultural Relations, Solar Council, Eros.

Shlomo

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

From this reading FROM: Dr. Shlomo Mouna, Sr. Anthropologist, Project Ozma XII, Pluto Station.

SolaradjectiveUS /ˈsoʊlər/

relating to or derived from the sun or utilizing the energies of the sun

From this reading TO: The Hon. Natarajan Roi Hennessy, Chairman, Committee on Intercultural Relations, Solar Council, Eros.

sortnounUS /sɔːrt/

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading If we practice our "Space Speech" and listen real hard--Is this the sort of thing we're going to hear?

SpacenounUS /speɪs/

the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

From this reading If we practice our "Space Speech" and listen real hard--Is this the sort of thing we're going to hear?

SpeechnounUS /spiːtʃ/

the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience

From this reading If we practice our "Space Speech" and listen real hard--Is this the sort of thing we're going to hear?

SrnounUS /ˈsiːnjər/

a soft silver-white or yellowish metallic element of the alkali metal group; turns yellow in air; occurs in celestite and strontianite

From this reading FROM: Dr. Shlomo Mouna, Sr. Anthropologist, Project Ozma XII, Pluto Station.

StationnounUS /ˈsteɪʃən/

a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose

From this reading FROM: Dr. Shlomo Mouna, Sr. Anthropologist, Project Ozma XII, Pluto Station.

TCnoun

a crystalline metallic element not found in nature; occurs as one of the fission products of uranium

From this reading DATE: 10/9/92, TC.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading If we practice our "Space Speech" and listen real hard--Is this the sort of thing we're going to hear?

thingnounUS /θɪŋ/

a special situation

From this reading If we practice our "Space Speech" and listen real hard--Is this the sort of thing we're going to hear?

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading If we practice our "Space Speech" and listen real hard--Is this the sort of thing we're going to hear?

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading If we practice our "Space Speech" and listen real hard--Is this the sort of thing we're going to hear?

topsecret

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

From this reading Dear Nat: Herewith, a much condensed, heavily annotated, and topsecret coded transcript of a program we just picked up.

transcriptnounUS /ˈtrænskrɪpt/

something that has been transcribed; a written record (usually typewritten) of dictated or recorded speech

From this reading Dear Nat: Herewith, a much condensed, heavily annotated, and topsecret coded transcript of a program we just picked up.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

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

From this reading Dear Nat: Herewith, a much condensed, heavily annotated, and topsecret coded transcript of a program we just picked up.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading If we practice our "Space Speech" and listen real hard--Is this the sort of thing we're going to hear?

we're

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

From this reading If we practice our "Space Speech" and listen real hard--Is this the sort of thing we're going to hear?

XIInoun

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading FROM: Dr. Shlomo Mouna, Sr. Anthropologist, Project Ozma XII, Pluto Station.

Chapter 1 of The Lonely by Judith Merril holds 176 sentences, grouped into 36 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 1 of The Lonely contain?

Chapter 1 holds 176 sentences of The Lonely, unabridged, divided into 36 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Lonely by Judith Merril exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 176 sentences, grouped into 36 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 1 of The Lonely?

Work through the 36 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 36 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 can be played aloud in United States English.

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

Questions about reading The Lonely

Common questions about reading The Lonely by Judith Merril on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Lonely?

Yes. All 176 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #53102 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Lonely is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #53102, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Lonely take to read?

About 14 minutes of reading across 36 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Lonely section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 1 chapters of The Lonely 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 Lonely

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

Practice
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Lonely; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Space
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Lonely; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Speech
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Lonely; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Listen
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Lonely; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.