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The Red Acorn
The Red Acorn

Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

Chapter 17 of The Red Acorn is here in full — 313 sentences across 63 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/62 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
This is the very ecstacy of love, Whose violent property foredoes itself.
And leads the will to desperate undertakings As often as any passion under Heaven That does afflict our natures.--Hamlet Endurance is made possible by reason of the element of divisibility.
Metaphysical mathematicians imagine that there is possibly a fourth dimension,” by the existence of which many hitherto inexplicable phenomena may be explained.
They think that probably this fourth dimension is SUCCESSION OF TIME.
So endurance of unendurable things is explainable on the ground that but a small portion of them has to be endured in any given space of time.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Red Acorn

Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

Chapter 17 of The Red Acorn is here in full — 313 sentences across 63 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/62 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
This is the very ecstacy of love, Whose violent property foredoes itself.
Line 2
And leads the will to desperate undertakings As often as any passion under Heaven That does afflict our natures.--Hamlet Endurance is made possible by reason of the element of divisibility.
Line 3
Metaphysical mathematicians imagine that there is possibly afourth dimension,” by the existence of which many hitherto inexplicable phenomena may be explained.
/ˌmetəˈfɪzɪkəl ˌmæθəməˈtɪʃənz ˌɪˈmædʒən ðæt ðer ɪz ˈpɑːsəbli ə fɔːrθ dɪˈmenʃən baɪ ðə eɡˈzɪstəns ʌv wɪtʃ ˈmeni ˈhɪðɜːrˈtuː ˌɪnəkˈsplɪsəbəl fəˈnɑːmənə meɪ biː ɪkˈspleɪnd/
Line 4
They think that probably this fourth dimension is SUCCESSION OF TIME.
/ðeɪ θɪŋk ðæt ˈprɑːbəbliː ðɪs fɔːrθ dɪˈmenʃən ɪz səkˈseʃən ʌv taɪm/
Line 5
So endurance of unendurable things is explainable on the ground that but a small portion of them has to be endured in any given space of time.

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.

afflict verb US /əˈflɪkt/

cause great unhappiness for; distress

From this reading “And leads the will to desperate undertakings As often as any passion under Heaven That does afflict our natures.--Hamlet Endurance is made possible by reason of the element of divisibility.”

dimension noun US /dɪˈmenʃən/

the magnitude of something in a particular direction (especially length or width or height)

From this reading “Metaphysical mathematicians imagine that there is possibly a “fourth dimension,” by the existence of which many hitherto inexplicable phenomena may be explained.”

explainable adjective US /ɪkˈspleɪnəbəl/

capable of being understood

From this reading “So endurance of unendurable things is explainable on the ground that but a small portion of them has to be endured in any given space of time.”

inexplicable adjective US /ˌɪnəkˈsplɪsəbəl/

incapable of being explained or accounted for

From this reading “Metaphysical mathematicians imagine that there is possibly a “fourth dimension,” by the existence of which many hitherto inexplicable phenomena may be explained.”

mathematicians noun US /ˌmæθəməˈtɪʃənz/

plural of “mathematician” — a person skilled in mathematics

From this reading “Metaphysical mathematicians imagine that there is possibly a “fourth dimension,” by the existence of which many hitherto inexplicable phenomena may be explained.”

Metaphysical adjective US /ˌmetəˈfɪzɪkəl/

pertaining to or of the nature of metaphysics

From this reading “Metaphysical mathematicians imagine that there is possibly a “fourth dimension,” by the existence of which many hitherto inexplicable phenomena may be explained.”

phenomena noun US /fəˈnɑːmənə/

plural of “phenomenon” — any state or process known through the senses rather than by intuition or reasoning

From this reading “Metaphysical mathematicians imagine that there is possibly a “fourth dimension,” by the existence of which many hitherto inexplicable phenomena may be explained.”

undertakings noun US /ˈʌndərteɪkɪŋz/

plural of “undertaking” — any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

From this reading “And leads the will to desperate undertakings As often as any passion under Heaven That does afflict our natures.--Hamlet Endurance is made possible by reason of the element of divisibility.”

All words in this reading · 74

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 Metaphysical mathematicians imagine that there is possibly a “fourth dimension,” by the existence of which many hitherto inexplicable phenomena may be explained.

afflictverbUS /əˈflɪkt/

cause great unhappiness for; distress

From this reading And leads the will to desperate undertakings As often as any passion under Heaven That does afflict our natures.--Hamlet Endurance is made possible by reason of the element of divisibility.

AndconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading And leads the will to desperate undertakings As often as any passion under Heaven That does afflict our natures.--Hamlet Endurance is made possible by reason of the element of divisibility.

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading And leads the will to desperate undertakings As often as any passion under Heaven That does afflict our natures.--Hamlet Endurance is made possible by reason of the element of divisibility.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading And leads the will to desperate undertakings As often as any passion under Heaven That does afflict our natures.--Hamlet Endurance is made possible by reason of the element of divisibility.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Metaphysical mathematicians imagine that there is possibly a “fourth dimension,” by the existence of which many hitherto inexplicable phenomena may be explained.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading So endurance of unendurable things is explainable on the ground that but a small portion of them has to be endured in any given space of time.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading And leads the will to desperate undertakings As often as any passion under Heaven That does afflict our natures.--Hamlet Endurance is made possible by reason of the element of divisibility.

desperateadjectiveUS /ˈdesprɪt/

arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope

From this reading And leads the will to desperate undertakings As often as any passion under Heaven That does afflict our natures.--Hamlet Endurance is made possible by reason of the element of divisibility.

dimensionnounUS /dɪˈmenʃən/

the magnitude of something in a particular direction (especially length or width or height)

From this reading Metaphysical mathematicians imagine that there is possibly a “fourth dimension,” by the existence of which many hitherto inexplicable phenomena may be explained.

divisibilitynoun

the quality of being divisible; the capacity to be divided into parts or divided among a number of persons

From this reading And leads the will to desperate undertakings As often as any passion under Heaven That does afflict our natures.--Hamlet Endurance is made possible by reason of the element of divisibility.

doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/

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

From this reading And leads the will to desperate undertakings As often as any passion under Heaven That does afflict our natures.--Hamlet Endurance is made possible by reason of the element of divisibility.

ecstacy

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

From this reading This is the very ecstacy of love, Whose violent property foredoes itself.

elementnounUS /ˈeləmənt/

an abstract part of something

From this reading And leads the will to desperate undertakings As often as any passion under Heaven That does afflict our natures.--Hamlet Endurance is made possible by reason of the element of divisibility.

EndurancenounUS /ˈendərəns/

the power to withstand hardship or stress

From this reading And leads the will to desperate undertakings As often as any passion under Heaven That does afflict our natures.--Hamlet Endurance is made possible by reason of the element of divisibility.

enduredverbUS /enˈdjʊrd/

past form of “endure” — put up with something or somebody unpleasant

From this reading So endurance of unendurable things is explainable on the ground that but a small portion of them has to be endured in any given space of time.

existencenounUS /eɡˈzɪstəns/

the state or fact of existing

From this reading Metaphysical mathematicians imagine that there is possibly a “fourth dimension,” by the existence of which many hitherto inexplicable phenomena may be explained.

explainableadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspleɪnəbəl/

capable of being understood

From this reading So endurance of unendurable things is explainable on the ground that but a small portion of them has to be endured in any given space of time.

explainedverbUS /ɪkˈspleɪnd/

past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible

From this reading Metaphysical mathematicians imagine that there is possibly a “fourth dimension,” by the existence of which many hitherto inexplicable phenomena may be explained.

foredoes

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

From this reading This is the very ecstacy of love, Whose violent property foredoes itself.

fourthnounUS /fɔːrθ/

following the third position; number four in a countable series

From this reading Metaphysical mathematicians imagine that there is possibly a “fourth dimension,” by the existence of which many hitherto inexplicable phenomena may be explained.

givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading So endurance of unendurable things is explainable on the ground that but a small portion of them has to be endured in any given space of time.

groundnounUS /ɡraʊnd/

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading So endurance of unendurable things is explainable on the ground that but a small portion of them has to be endured in any given space of time.

HamletnounUS /ˈhæmlət/

a community of people smaller than a village

From this reading And leads the will to desperate undertakings As often as any passion under Heaven That does afflict our natures.--Hamlet Endurance is made possible by reason of the element of divisibility.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading So endurance of unendurable things is explainable on the ground that but a small portion of them has to be endured in any given space of time.

HeavennounUS /ˈhevən/

any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

From this reading And leads the will to desperate undertakings As often as any passion under Heaven That does afflict our natures.--Hamlet Endurance is made possible by reason of the element of divisibility.

hithertoadverbUS /ˈhɪðɜːrˈtuː/

used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time

From this reading Metaphysical mathematicians imagine that there is possibly a “fourth dimension,” by the existence of which many hitherto inexplicable phenomena may be explained.

imagineverbUS /ˌɪˈmædʒən/

form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case

From this reading Metaphysical mathematicians imagine that there is possibly a “fourth dimension,” by the existence of which many hitherto inexplicable phenomena may be explained.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading So endurance of unendurable things is explainable on the ground that but a small portion of them has to be endured in any given space of time.

inexplicableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnəkˈsplɪsəbəl/

incapable of being explained or accounted for

From this reading Metaphysical mathematicians imagine that there is possibly a “fourth dimension,” by the existence of which many hitherto inexplicable phenomena may be explained.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading This is the very ecstacy of love, Whose violent property foredoes itself.

itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading This is the very ecstacy of love, Whose violent property foredoes itself.

leadsnounUS /liːdz/

plural of “lead” — an advantage held by a competitor in a race

From this reading And leads the will to desperate undertakings As often as any passion under Heaven That does afflict our natures.--Hamlet Endurance is made possible by reason of the element of divisibility.

lovenounUS /lʌv/

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading This is the very ecstacy of love, Whose violent property foredoes itself.

madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading And leads the will to desperate undertakings As often as any passion under Heaven That does afflict our natures.--Hamlet Endurance is made possible by reason of the element of divisibility.

manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Metaphysical mathematicians imagine that there is possibly a “fourth dimension,” by the existence of which many hitherto inexplicable phenomena may be explained.

mathematiciansnounUS /ˌmæθəməˈtɪʃənz/

plural of “mathematician” — a person skilled in mathematics

From this reading Metaphysical mathematicians imagine that there is possibly a “fourth dimension,” by the existence of which many hitherto inexplicable phenomena may be explained.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Metaphysical mathematicians imagine that there is possibly a “fourth dimension,” by the existence of which many hitherto inexplicable phenomena may be explained.

MetaphysicaladjectiveUS /ˌmetəˈfɪzɪkəl/

pertaining to or of the nature of metaphysics

From this reading Metaphysical mathematicians imagine that there is possibly a “fourth dimension,” by the existence of which many hitherto inexplicable phenomena may be explained.

naturesnounUS /ˈneɪtʃərz/

plural of “nature” — the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading And leads the will to desperate undertakings As often as any passion under Heaven That does afflict our natures.--Hamlet Endurance is made possible by reason of the element of divisibility.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading This is the very ecstacy of love, Whose violent property foredoes itself.

oftenadverbUS /ˈɔːfən/

many times at short intervals

From this reading And leads the will to desperate undertakings As often as any passion under Heaven That does afflict our natures.--Hamlet Endurance is made possible by reason of the element of divisibility.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading So endurance of unendurable things is explainable on the ground that but a small portion of them has to be endured in any given space of time.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading And leads the will to desperate undertakings As often as any passion under Heaven That does afflict our natures.--Hamlet Endurance is made possible by reason of the element of divisibility.

passionnounUS /ˈpæʃən/

a strong feeling or emotion

From this reading And leads the will to desperate undertakings As often as any passion under Heaven That does afflict our natures.--Hamlet Endurance is made possible by reason of the element of divisibility.

phenomenanounUS /fəˈnɑːmənə/

plural of “phenomenon” — any state or process known through the senses rather than by intuition or reasoning

From this reading Metaphysical mathematicians imagine that there is possibly a “fourth dimension,” by the existence of which many hitherto inexplicable phenomena may be explained.

portionnounUS /ˈpɔːrʃən/

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading So endurance of unendurable things is explainable on the ground that but a small portion of them has to be endured in any given space of time.

possibleadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːsəbəl/

capable of happening or existing

From this reading And leads the will to desperate undertakings As often as any passion under Heaven That does afflict our natures.--Hamlet Endurance is made possible by reason of the element of divisibility.

possiblyadverbUS /ˈpɑːsəbli/

by chance

From this reading Metaphysical mathematicians imagine that there is possibly a “fourth dimension,” by the existence of which many hitherto inexplicable phenomena may be explained.

probablyadverbUS /ˈprɑːbəbliː/

with considerable certainty; without much doubt

From this reading They think that probably this fourth dimension is SUCCESSION OF TIME.

propertynounUS /ˈprɑːpərti/

something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone

From this reading This is the very ecstacy of love, Whose violent property foredoes itself.

reasonnounUS /ˈriːzən/

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading And leads the will to desperate undertakings As often as any passion under Heaven That does afflict our natures.--Hamlet Endurance is made possible by reason of the element of divisibility.

smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading So endurance of unendurable things is explainable on the ground that but a small portion of them has to be endured in any given space of time.

SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So endurance of unendurable things is explainable on the ground that but a small portion of them has to be endured in any given space of time.

spacenounUS /speɪs/

the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

From this reading So endurance of unendurable things is explainable on the ground that but a small portion of them has to be endured in any given space of time.

SUCCESSIONnounUS /səkˈseʃən/

a following of one thing after another in time

From this reading They think that probably this fourth dimension is SUCCESSION OF TIME.

ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading And leads the will to desperate undertakings As often as any passion under Heaven That does afflict our natures.--Hamlet Endurance is made possible by reason of the element of divisibility.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading This is the very ecstacy of love, Whose violent property foredoes itself.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading So endurance of unendurable things is explainable on the ground that but a small portion of them has to be endured in any given space of time.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading Metaphysical mathematicians imagine that there is possibly a “fourth dimension,” by the existence of which many hitherto inexplicable phenomena may be explained.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading They think that probably this fourth dimension is SUCCESSION OF TIME.

thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading So endurance of unendurable things is explainable on the ground that but a small portion of them has to be endured in any given space of time.

thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading They think that probably this fourth dimension is SUCCESSION OF TIME.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading This is the very ecstacy of love, Whose violent property foredoes itself.

TIMEnounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading They think that probably this fourth dimension is SUCCESSION OF TIME.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading And leads the will to desperate undertakings As often as any passion under Heaven That does afflict our natures.--Hamlet Endurance is made possible by reason of the element of divisibility.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading And leads the will to desperate undertakings As often as any passion under Heaven That does afflict our natures.--Hamlet Endurance is made possible by reason of the element of divisibility.

undertakingsnounUS /ˈʌndərteɪkɪŋz/

plural of “undertaking” — any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

From this reading And leads the will to desperate undertakings As often as any passion under Heaven That does afflict our natures.--Hamlet Endurance is made possible by reason of the element of divisibility.

unendurableadjective

incapable of being tolerated or endured

From this reading So endurance of unendurable things is explainable on the ground that but a small portion of them has to be endured in any given space of time.

veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading This is the very ecstacy of love, Whose violent property foredoes itself.

violentadjectiveUS /ˈvaɪələnt/

acting with or marked by or resulting from great force or energy or emotional intensity

From this reading This is the very ecstacy of love, Whose violent property foredoes itself.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Metaphysical mathematicians imagine that there is possibly a “fourth dimension,” by the existence of which many hitherto inexplicable phenomena may be explained.

WhosedeterminerUS /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading This is the very ecstacy of love, Whose violent property foredoes itself.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading And leads the will to desperate undertakings As often as any passion under Heaven That does afflict our natures.--Hamlet Endurance is made possible by reason of the element of divisibility.

Chapter 17 of The Red Acorn by John McElroy holds 313 sentences, grouped into 63 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, 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 17 of The Red Acorn contain?

Chapter 17 holds 313 sentences of The Red Acorn, unabridged, divided into 63 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 17 of The Red Acorn by John McElroy exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 313 sentences, grouped into 63 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 17 of The Red Acorn?

Work through the 63 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 63 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 17 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 17 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 Red Acorn

Common questions about reading The Red Acorn by John McElroy on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Red Acorn?

Yes. All 4141 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #2766 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Red Acorn is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #2766, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Red Acorn take to read?

About 345 minutes of reading across 829 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Red Acorn section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 19 chapters of The Red Acorn 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 Red Acorn

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

Perfect
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Red Acorn; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Heaven
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Red Acorn; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Tries
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Red Acorn; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Earth
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Red Acorn; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.