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The Missing Link
The Missing Link

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Missing Link is here in full — 169 sentences across 34 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Missing Link
Context Illustration Reading 1/33 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
DR.
CRIPS'S HEALING MIXTURE.
HIS Christian name was Nicholas but his familiars called him Nickie the Kid.
The title did not imply that Nicholas possessed the artless gaiety, the nimbleness, or any of the simple virtues of the young of the common goat.
Kid was short for "kidder," a term that as gone out recently in favour of "smoodger," and which implies a quality of suave and ingratiating cunning backed by ulterior motives.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Missing Link

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Missing Link is here in full — 169 sentences across 34 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/33 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
DR.
Line 2
CRIPS'S HEALING MIXTURE.
Line 3
HIS Christian name was Nicholas but his familiars called him Nickie the Kid.
Line 4
The title did not imply that Nicholas possessed the artless gaiety, the nimbleness, or any of the simple virtues of the young of the common goat.
Line 5
Kid was short for "kidder," a term that as gone out recently in favour of "smoodger," and which implies a quality of suave and ingratiating cunning backed by ulterior motives.

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.

backed adjective US /bækt/

having a back or backing, usually of a specified type

From this reading “Kid was short for "kidder," a term that as gone out recently in favour of "smoodger," and which implies a quality of suave and ingratiating cunning backed by ulterior motives.”

goat noun US /ɡoʊt/

any of numerous agile ruminants related to sheep but having a beard and straight horns

From this reading “The title did not imply that Nicholas possessed the artless gaiety, the nimbleness, or any of the simple virtues of the young of the common goat.”

healing noun US /ˈhiːlɪŋ/

the natural process by which the body repairs itself

From this reading “CRIPS'S HEALING MIXTURE.”

implies verb US /ˌɪmˈplaɪz/

third-person singular of “imply” — express or state indirectly

From this reading “Kid was short for "kidder," a term that as gone out recently in favour of "smoodger," and which implies a quality of suave and ingratiating cunning backed by ulterior motives.”

imply verb US /ˌɪmˈplaɪ/

express or state indirectly

From this reading “The title did not imply that Nicholas possessed the artless gaiety, the nimbleness, or any of the simple virtues of the young of the common goat.”

ingratiating adjective US /ˌɪŋˈɡreɪʃieɪtɪŋ/

capable of winning favor

From this reading “Kid was short for "kidder," a term that as gone out recently in favour of "smoodger," and which implies a quality of suave and ingratiating cunning backed by ulterior motives.”

suave adjective US /swɑːv/

having a sophisticated charm

From this reading “Kid was short for "kidder," a term that as gone out recently in favour of "smoodger," and which implies a quality of suave and ingratiating cunning backed by ulterior motives.”

ulterior adjective US /əlˈtɪriər/

lying beyond what is openly revealed or avowed (especially being kept in the background or deliberately concealed)

From this reading “Kid was short for "kidder," a term that as gone out recently in favour of "smoodger," and which implies a quality of suave and ingratiating cunning backed by ulterior motives.”

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 Kid was short for "kidder," a term that as gone out recently in favour of "smoodger," and which implies a quality of suave and ingratiating cunning backed by ulterior motives.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Kid was short for "kidder," a term that as gone out recently in favour of "smoodger," and which implies a quality of suave and ingratiating cunning backed by ulterior motives.

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading The title did not imply that Nicholas possessed the artless gaiety, the nimbleness, or any of the simple virtues of the young of the common goat.

artlessadjective

characterized by an inability to mask your feelings; not devious

From this reading The title did not imply that Nicholas possessed the artless gaiety, the nimbleness, or any of the simple virtues of the young of the common goat.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Kid was short for "kidder," a term that as gone out recently in favour of "smoodger," and which implies a quality of suave and ingratiating cunning backed by ulterior motives.

backedadjectiveUS /bækt/

having a back or backing, usually of a specified type

From this reading Kid was short for "kidder," a term that as gone out recently in favour of "smoodger," and which implies a quality of suave and ingratiating cunning backed by ulterior motives.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading HIS Christian name was Nicholas but his familiars called him Nickie the Kid.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Kid was short for "kidder," a term that as gone out recently in favour of "smoodger," and which implies a quality of suave and ingratiating cunning backed by ulterior motives.

calledverbUS /kɔːld/

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading HIS Christian name was Nicholas but his familiars called him Nickie the Kid.

ChristianadjectiveUS /ˈkrɪstʃən/

relating to or characteristic of Christianity

From this reading HIS Christian name was Nicholas but his familiars called him Nickie the Kid.

commonadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmən/

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading The title did not imply that Nicholas possessed the artless gaiety, the nimbleness, or any of the simple virtues of the young of the common goat.

CRIPS'S

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

From this reading CRIPS'S HEALING MIXTURE.

cunningadjectiveUS /ˈkʌnɪŋ/

attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness

From this reading Kid was short for "kidder," a term that as gone out recently in favour of "smoodger," and which implies a quality of suave and ingratiating cunning backed by ulterior motives.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading The title did not imply that Nicholas possessed the artless gaiety, the nimbleness, or any of the simple virtues of the young of the common goat.

DR

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

From this reading DR.

familiars

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

From this reading HIS Christian name was Nicholas but his familiars called him Nickie the Kid.

favournounUS /ˈfeɪvər/

a feeling of favorable regard

From this reading Kid was short for "kidder," a term that as gone out recently in favour of "smoodger," and which implies a quality of suave and ingratiating cunning backed by ulterior motives.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Kid was short for "kidder," a term that as gone out recently in favour of "smoodger," and which implies a quality of suave and ingratiating cunning backed by ulterior motives.

gaietynoun

a gay feeling

From this reading The title did not imply that Nicholas possessed the artless gaiety, the nimbleness, or any of the simple virtues of the young of the common goat.

goatnounUS /ɡoʊt/

any of numerous agile ruminants related to sheep but having a beard and straight horns

From this reading The title did not imply that Nicholas possessed the artless gaiety, the nimbleness, or any of the simple virtues of the young of the common goat.

goneadjectiveUS /ɡɔːn/

destroyed or killed

From this reading Kid was short for "kidder," a term that as gone out recently in favour of "smoodger," and which implies a quality of suave and ingratiating cunning backed by ulterior motives.

HEALINGnounUS /ˈhiːlɪŋ/

the natural process by which the body repairs itself

From this reading CRIPS'S HEALING MIXTURE.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading HIS Christian name was Nicholas but his familiars called him Nickie the Kid.

HISdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading HIS Christian name was Nicholas but his familiars called him Nickie the Kid.

impliesverbUS /ˌɪmˈplaɪz/

third-person singular of “imply” — express or state indirectly

From this reading Kid was short for "kidder," a term that as gone out recently in favour of "smoodger," and which implies a quality of suave and ingratiating cunning backed by ulterior motives.

implyverbUS /ˌɪmˈplaɪ/

express or state indirectly

From this reading The title did not imply that Nicholas possessed the artless gaiety, the nimbleness, or any of the simple virtues of the young of the common goat.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Kid was short for "kidder," a term that as gone out recently in favour of "smoodger," and which implies a quality of suave and ingratiating cunning backed by ulterior motives.

ingratiatingadjectiveUS /ˌɪŋˈɡreɪʃieɪtɪŋ/

capable of winning favor

From this reading Kid was short for "kidder," a term that as gone out recently in favour of "smoodger," and which implies a quality of suave and ingratiating cunning backed by ulterior motives.

KidverbUS /kɪd/

tell false information to for fun

From this reading HIS Christian name was Nicholas but his familiars called him Nickie the Kid.

kidder

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

From this reading Kid was short for "kidder," a term that as gone out recently in favour of "smoodger," and which implies a quality of suave and ingratiating cunning backed by ulterior motives.

MIXTUREnounUS /ˈmɪkstʃər/

(chemistry) a substance consisting of two or more substances mixed together (not in fixed proportions and not with chemical bonding)

From this reading CRIPS'S HEALING MIXTURE.

motivesnounUS /ˈmoʊtɪvz/

plural of “motive” — the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior

From this reading Kid was short for "kidder," a term that as gone out recently in favour of "smoodger," and which implies a quality of suave and ingratiating cunning backed by ulterior motives.

nameverbUS /neɪm/

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading HIS Christian name was Nicholas but his familiars called him Nickie the Kid.

NicholasnounUS /ˈnɪkələs/

a bishop in Asia Minor who is associated with Santa Claus (4th century)

From this reading HIS Christian name was Nicholas but his familiars called him Nickie the Kid.

Nickie

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

From this reading HIS Christian name was Nicholas but his familiars called him Nickie the Kid.

nimblenessnoun

intelligence as revealed by quickness and alertness of mind

From this reading The title did not imply that Nicholas possessed the artless gaiety, the nimbleness, or any of the simple virtues of the young of the common goat.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The title did not imply that Nicholas possessed the artless gaiety, the nimbleness, or any of the simple virtues of the young of the common goat.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The title did not imply that Nicholas possessed the artless gaiety, the nimbleness, or any of the simple virtues of the young of the common goat.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The title did not imply that Nicholas possessed the artless gaiety, the nimbleness, or any of the simple virtues of the young of the common goat.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Kid was short for "kidder," a term that as gone out recently in favour of "smoodger," and which implies a quality of suave and ingratiating cunning backed by ulterior motives.

possessedadjectiveUS /pəˈzest/

influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion

From this reading The title did not imply that Nicholas possessed the artless gaiety, the nimbleness, or any of the simple virtues of the young of the common goat.

qualitynounUS /ˈkwɑːləti/

an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone

From this reading Kid was short for "kidder," a term that as gone out recently in favour of "smoodger," and which implies a quality of suave and ingratiating cunning backed by ulterior motives.

recentlyadverbUS /ˈriːsəntli/

in the recent past

From this reading Kid was short for "kidder," a term that as gone out recently in favour of "smoodger," and which implies a quality of suave and ingratiating cunning backed by ulterior motives.

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔːrt/

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading Kid was short for "kidder," a term that as gone out recently in favour of "smoodger," and which implies a quality of suave and ingratiating cunning backed by ulterior motives.

simpleadjectiveUS /ˈsɪmpəl/

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading The title did not imply that Nicholas possessed the artless gaiety, the nimbleness, or any of the simple virtues of the young of the common goat.

smoodger

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

From this reading Kid was short for "kidder," a term that as gone out recently in favour of "smoodger," and which implies a quality of suave and ingratiating cunning backed by ulterior motives.

suaveadjectiveUS /swɑːv/

having a sophisticated charm

From this reading Kid was short for "kidder," a term that as gone out recently in favour of "smoodger," and which implies a quality of suave and ingratiating cunning backed by ulterior motives.

termnounUS /tɜːrm/

a word or expression used for some particular thing

From this reading Kid was short for "kidder," a term that as gone out recently in favour of "smoodger," and which implies a quality of suave and ingratiating cunning backed by ulterior motives.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The title did not imply that Nicholas possessed the artless gaiety, the nimbleness, or any of the simple virtues of the young of the common goat.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading HIS Christian name was Nicholas but his familiars called him Nickie the Kid.

titlenounUS /ˈtaɪtəl/

a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with

From this reading The title did not imply that Nicholas possessed the artless gaiety, the nimbleness, or any of the simple virtues of the young of the common goat.

ulterioradjectiveUS /əlˈtɪriər/

lying beyond what is openly revealed or avowed (especially being kept in the background or deliberately concealed)

From this reading Kid was short for "kidder," a term that as gone out recently in favour of "smoodger," and which implies a quality of suave and ingratiating cunning backed by ulterior motives.

virtuesnounUS /ˈvɜːrtʃuːz/

plural of “virtue” — the quality of doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong

From this reading The title did not imply that Nicholas possessed the artless gaiety, the nimbleness, or any of the simple virtues of the young of the common goat.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading HIS Christian name was Nicholas but his familiars called him Nickie the Kid.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Kid was short for "kidder," a term that as gone out recently in favour of "smoodger," and which implies a quality of suave and ingratiating cunning backed by ulterior motives.

youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/

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

From this reading The title did not imply that Nicholas possessed the artless gaiety, the nimbleness, or any of the simple virtues of the young of the common goat.

Chapter 1 of The Missing Link by Edward Dyson holds 169 sentences, grouped into 34 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 Missing Link contain?

Chapter 1 holds 169 sentences of The Missing Link, unabridged, divided into 34 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Missing Link by Edward Dyson exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 169 sentences, grouped into 34 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 Missing Link?

Work through the 34 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 34 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 Missing Link

Common questions about reading The Missing Link by Edward Dyson on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Missing Link?

Yes. All 2483 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #17129 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Missing Link is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #17129, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Missing Link take to read?

About 206 minutes of reading across 497 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Missing Link section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 20 chapters of The Missing Link 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 Missing Link

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

Crips's
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Missing Link; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Healing
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Missing Link; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Mixture
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Missing Link; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Christian
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Missing Link; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.