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The Spectator, Volumes 1, 2 and 3
The Spectator, Volumes 1, 2 and 3

Chapter IV · Chapter 4

Chapter 4 of The Spectator, Volumes 1, 2 and 3 is here in full — 890 sentences across 178 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Spectator, Volumes 1, 2 and 3
Context Illustration Reading 1/178 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
[Footnote 3: are several Impostors] [Footnote 4: take upon them] [Footnote 5: Counterfeits] [Footnote 6: any of these Pretenders] [Footnote 7: that is about him] * * * * * No. 36.
Wednesday, April 11, 1711.
Steele.
Immania monstra Perferimus ...'
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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 Spectator, Volumes 1, 2 and 3

Chapter IV · Chapter 4

Chapter 4 of The Spectator, Volumes 1, 2 and 3 is here in full — 890 sentences across 178 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/178 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
[Footnote 3: are several Impostors] [Footnote 4: take upon them] [Footnote 5: Counterfeits] [Footnote 6: any of these Pretenders] [Footnote 7: that is about him] * * * * * No. 36.
Line 2
Wednesday, April 11, 1711.
Line 3
Steele.
/stiːl/
Line 4
Line 5
Immania monstra Perferimus ...'

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.

April noun US /ˈeɪprəl/

the month following March and preceding May

From this reading “Wednesday, April 11, 1711.”

Counterfeits noun US /ˈkaʊntərfɪts/

plural of “counterfeit” — a copy that is represented as the original

From this reading “[Footnote 3: are several Impostors] [Footnote 4: take upon them] [Footnote 5: Counterfeits] [Footnote 6: any of these Pretenders] [Footnote 7: that is about him] * * * * * No. 36.”

Footnote noun US /ˈfʊtnoʊt/

a printed note placed below the text on a printed page

From this reading “[Footnote 3: are several Impostors] [Footnote 4: take upon them] [Footnote 5: Counterfeits] [Footnote 6: any of these Pretenders] [Footnote 7: that is about him] * * * * * No. 36.”

Impostors noun US /ˌɪmˈpɔːstərz/

plural of “impostor” — a person who makes deceitful pretenses

From this reading “[Footnote 3: are several Impostors] [Footnote 4: take upon them] [Footnote 5: Counterfeits] [Footnote 6: any of these Pretenders] [Footnote 7: that is about him] * * * * * No. 36.”

Pretenders noun US /priˈtendərz/

plural of “pretender” — a claimant to the throne or to the office of ruler (usually without just title)

From this reading “[Footnote 3: are several Impostors] [Footnote 4: take upon them] [Footnote 5: Counterfeits] [Footnote 6: any of these Pretenders] [Footnote 7: that is about him] * * * * * No. 36.”

several adjective US /ˈsevrəl/

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading “[Footnote 3: are several Impostors] [Footnote 4: take upon them] [Footnote 5: Counterfeits] [Footnote 6: any of these Pretenders] [Footnote 7: that is about him] * * * * * No. 36.”

Steele noun US /stiːl/

English writer (1672-1729)

From this reading “Steele.”

Wednesday noun US /ˈwenzdi/

the fourth day of the week; the third working day

From this reading “Wednesday, April 11, 1711.”

All words in this reading · 31

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.

11

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

From this reading Wednesday, April 11, 1711.

1711

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

From this reading Wednesday, April 11, 1711.

3

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

From this reading [Footnote 3: are several Impostors] [Footnote 4: take upon them] [Footnote 5: Counterfeits] [Footnote 6: any of these Pretenders] [Footnote 7: that is about him] * * * * * No. 36.

36

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

From this reading [Footnote 3: are several Impostors] [Footnote 4: take upon them] [Footnote 5: Counterfeits] [Footnote 6: any of these Pretenders] [Footnote 7: that is about him] * * * * * No. 36.

4

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

From this reading [Footnote 3: are several Impostors] [Footnote 4: take upon them] [Footnote 5: Counterfeits] [Footnote 6: any of these Pretenders] [Footnote 7: that is about him] * * * * * No. 36.

5

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

From this reading [Footnote 3: are several Impostors] [Footnote 4: take upon them] [Footnote 5: Counterfeits] [Footnote 6: any of these Pretenders] [Footnote 7: that is about him] * * * * * No. 36.

6

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

From this reading [Footnote 3: are several Impostors] [Footnote 4: take upon them] [Footnote 5: Counterfeits] [Footnote 6: any of these Pretenders] [Footnote 7: that is about him] * * * * * No. 36.

7

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

From this reading [Footnote 3: are several Impostors] [Footnote 4: take upon them] [Footnote 5: Counterfeits] [Footnote 6: any of these Pretenders] [Footnote 7: that is about him] * * * * * No. 36.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading [Footnote 3: are several Impostors] [Footnote 4: take upon them] [Footnote 5: Counterfeits] [Footnote 6: any of these Pretenders] [Footnote 7: that is about him] * * * * * No. 36.

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading [Footnote 3: are several Impostors] [Footnote 4: take upon them] [Footnote 5: Counterfeits] [Footnote 6: any of these Pretenders] [Footnote 7: that is about him] * * * * * No. 36.

AprilnounUS /ˈeɪprəl/

the month following March and preceding May

From this reading Wednesday, April 11, 1711.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading [Footnote 3: are several Impostors] [Footnote 4: take upon them] [Footnote 5: Counterfeits] [Footnote 6: any of these Pretenders] [Footnote 7: that is about him] * * * * * No. 36.

CounterfeitsnounUS /ˈkaʊntərfɪts/

plural of “counterfeit” — a copy that is represented as the original

From this reading [Footnote 3: are several Impostors] [Footnote 4: take upon them] [Footnote 5: Counterfeits] [Footnote 6: any of these Pretenders] [Footnote 7: that is about him] * * * * * No. 36.

FootnotenounUS /ˈfʊtnoʊt/

a printed note placed below the text on a printed page

From this reading [Footnote 3: are several Impostors] [Footnote 4: take upon them] [Footnote 5: Counterfeits] [Footnote 6: any of these Pretenders] [Footnote 7: that is about him] * * * * * No. 36.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading [Footnote 3: are several Impostors] [Footnote 4: take upon them] [Footnote 5: Counterfeits] [Footnote 6: any of these Pretenders] [Footnote 7: that is about him] * * * * * No. 36.

Immania

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

From this reading Immania monstra Perferimus ...'

ImpostorsnounUS /ˌɪmˈpɔːstərz/

plural of “impostor” — a person who makes deceitful pretenses

From this reading [Footnote 3: are several Impostors] [Footnote 4: take upon them] [Footnote 5: Counterfeits] [Footnote 6: any of these Pretenders] [Footnote 7: that is about him] * * * * * No. 36.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading [Footnote 3: are several Impostors] [Footnote 4: take upon them] [Footnote 5: Counterfeits] [Footnote 6: any of these Pretenders] [Footnote 7: that is about him] * * * * * No. 36.

monstra

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

From this reading Immania monstra Perferimus ...'

NodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading [Footnote 3: are several Impostors] [Footnote 4: take upon them] [Footnote 5: Counterfeits] [Footnote 6: any of these Pretenders] [Footnote 7: that is about him] * * * * * No. 36.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading [Footnote 3: are several Impostors] [Footnote 4: take upon them] [Footnote 5: Counterfeits] [Footnote 6: any of these Pretenders] [Footnote 7: that is about him] * * * * * No. 36.

Perferimus

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

From this reading Immania monstra Perferimus ...'

PretendersnounUS /priˈtendərz/

plural of “pretender” — a claimant to the throne or to the office of ruler (usually without just title)

From this reading [Footnote 3: are several Impostors] [Footnote 4: take upon them] [Footnote 5: Counterfeits] [Footnote 6: any of these Pretenders] [Footnote 7: that is about him] * * * * * No. 36.

severaladjectiveUS /ˈsevrəl/

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading [Footnote 3: are several Impostors] [Footnote 4: take upon them] [Footnote 5: Counterfeits] [Footnote 6: any of these Pretenders] [Footnote 7: that is about him] * * * * * No. 36.

SteelenounUS /stiːl/

English writer (1672-1729)

From this reading Steele.

takeverbUS /teɪk/

carry out

From this reading [Footnote 3: are several Impostors] [Footnote 4: take upon them] [Footnote 5: Counterfeits] [Footnote 6: any of these Pretenders] [Footnote 7: that is about him] * * * * * No. 36.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading [Footnote 3: are several Impostors] [Footnote 4: take upon them] [Footnote 5: Counterfeits] [Footnote 6: any of these Pretenders] [Footnote 7: that is about him] * * * * * No. 36.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading [Footnote 3: are several Impostors] [Footnote 4: take upon them] [Footnote 5: Counterfeits] [Footnote 6: any of these Pretenders] [Footnote 7: that is about him] * * * * * No. 36.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading [Footnote 3: are several Impostors] [Footnote 4: take upon them] [Footnote 5: Counterfeits] [Footnote 6: any of these Pretenders] [Footnote 7: that is about him] * * * * * No. 36.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading [Footnote 3: are several Impostors] [Footnote 4: take upon them] [Footnote 5: Counterfeits] [Footnote 6: any of these Pretenders] [Footnote 7: that is about him] * * * * * No. 36.

WednesdaynounUS /ˈwenzdi/

the fourth day of the week; the third working day

From this reading Wednesday, April 11, 1711.

Chapter 4 of The Spectator, Volumes 1, 2 and 3 by Joseph Addison holds 890 sentences, grouped into 178 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 4 of The Spectator, Volumes 1, 2 and 3 contain?

Chapter 4 holds 890 sentences of The Spectator, Volumes 1, 2 and 3, unabridged, divided into 178 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 4 of The Spectator, Volumes 1, 2 and 3 by Joseph Addison exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 890 sentences, grouped into 178 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 4 of The Spectator, Volumes 1, 2 and 3?

Work through the 178 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 178 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 4 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 4 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 Spectator, Volumes 1, 2 and 3

Common questions about reading The Spectator, Volumes 1, 2 and 3 by Joseph Addison on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Spectator, Volumes 1, 2 and 3?

Yes. All 33306 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #12030 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Spectator, Volumes 1, 2 and 3 is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #12030, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Spectator, Volumes 1, 2 and 3 take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 6662 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Spectator, Volumes 1, 2 and 3 section by section

How to work through The Spectator, Volumes 1, 2 and 3 section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

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Vocabulary met early in The Spectator, Volumes 1, 2 and 3

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Spectator, Volumes 1, 2 and 3, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Three
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Spectator, Volumes 1, 2 and 3; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Price
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Spectator, Volumes 1, 2 and 3; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Charles
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Spectator, Volumes 1, 2 and 3; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Knight's
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Spectator, Volumes 1, 2 and 3; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.