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The Westminster Alice
The Westminster Alice

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Westminster Alice is here in full — 409 sentences across 82 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Westminster Alice
Context Illustration Reading 1/81 · 5 lines
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ILLUSTRATED BY F. CARRUTHERS GOULD.
_With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.
Figures flit across thy dream, Muddle through and flicker out Some in cocksure blessedness, Some in Philosophic Doubt.
Some in brackets, some in sulks, Some with latchkeys on the ramp, Living (in a sort of peace) In a Concentration Camp.
Party moves on either side, Checks and feints that don’t deceive, Knights and Bishops, Pawns and all, In a game of Make-Believe.
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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 Westminster Alice

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Westminster Alice is here in full — 409 sentences across 82 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/81 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
ILLUSTRATED BY F. CARRUTHERS GOULD.
Line 2
_With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.
Line 3
Figures flit across thy dream, Muddle through and flicker out Some in cocksure blessedness, Some in Philosophic Doubt.
Line 4
Some in brackets, some in sulks, Some with latchkeys on the ramp, Living (in a sort of peace) In a Concentration Camp.
Line 5
Party moves on either side, Checks and feints that don’t deceive, Knights and Bishops, Pawns and all, In a game of Make-Believe.

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.

blessedness noun US /ˈblesədnəs/

a state of supreme happiness

From this reading “Figures flit across thy dream, Muddle through and flicker out Some in cocksure blessedness, Some in Philosophic Doubt.”

brackets noun US /ˈbrækəts/

plural of “bracket” — a category falling within certain defined limits

From this reading “Some in brackets, some in sulks, Some with latchkeys on the ramp, Living (in a sort of peace) In a Concentration Camp.”

Carroll's noun US /ˈkærəlz/

possessive form of “carroll” — English author; Charles Dodgson was an Oxford don of mathematics who is remembered for the children's stories he wrote under the pen name Lewis Carroll (1832-1898)

gould noun US /ɡuːld/

United States paleontologist and popularizer of science (1941-2002)

From this reading “ILLUSTRATED BY F. CARRUTHERS GOULD.”

Muddle noun US /ˈmʌdəl/

a confused multitude of things

From this reading “Figures flit across thy dream, Muddle through and flicker out Some in cocksure blessedness, Some in Philosophic Doubt.”

Pawns noun US /pɔːnz/

plural of “pawn” — an article deposited as security

From this reading “Party moves on either side, Checks and feints that don’t deceive, Knights and Bishops, Pawns and all, In a game of Make-Believe.”

ramp noun US /ræmp/

an inclined surface connecting two levels

From this reading “Some in brackets, some in sulks, Some with latchkeys on the ramp, Living (in a sort of peace) In a Concentration Camp.”

Wonderland noun US /ˈwʌndərlænd/

a place or scene of great or strange beauty or wonder

From this reading “_With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.”

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.

flit across verb + particle

In this reading “Figures flit across thy dream, Muddle through and flicker out Some in cocksure blessedness, Some in Philosophic Doubt.”

ILLUSTRATED BY verb + particle counted as “illustrate by”

In this reading “ILLUSTRATED BY F. CARRUTHERS GOULD.”

flicker out verb + adjective

In this reading “Figures flit across thy dream, Muddle through and flicker out Some in cocksure blessedness, Some in Philosophic Doubt.”

moves on verb + particle counted as “move on”

move forward, also in the metaphorical sense

In this reading “Party moves on either side, Checks and feints that don’t deceive, Knights and Bishops, Pawns and all, In a game of Make-Believe.”

adventures of verb + particle counted as “adventure of”

In this reading “_With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.”

All words in this reading · 90

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 _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Figures flit across thy dream, Muddle through and flicker out Some in cocksure blessedness, Some in Philosophic Doubt.

adventuresnounUS /ædˈventʃərz/

plural of “adventure” — a wild and exciting undertaking (not necessarily lawful)

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

Alice

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

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Party moves on either side, Checks and feints that don’t deceive, Knights and Bishops, Pawns and all, In a game of Make-Believe.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

apologiesnounUS /əˈpɑːlədʒiːz/

plural of “apology” — an expression of regret at having caused trouble for someone

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

applicationsnounUS /ˌæpləˈkeɪʃənz/

plural of “application” — the act of bringing something to bear; using it for a particular purpose

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

BackwardsadverbUS /ˈbækwərdz/

at or to or toward the back or rear

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

BishopsnounUS /ˈbɪʃəps/

plural of “bishop” — a senior member of the Christian clergy having spiritual and administrative authority; appointed in Christian churches to oversee priests or ministers; considered in some churches to be successors of the twelve Apostles of Christ

From this reading Party moves on either side, Checks and feints that don’t deceive, Knights and Bishops, Pawns and all, In a game of Make-Believe.

blessednessnounUS /ˈblesədnəs/

a state of supreme happiness

From this reading Figures flit across thy dream, Muddle through and flicker out Some in cocksure blessedness, Some in Philosophic Doubt.

bracketsnounUS /ˈbrækəts/

plural of “bracket” — a category falling within certain defined limits

From this reading Some in brackets, some in sulks, Some with latchkeys on the ramp, Living (in a sort of peace) In a Concentration Camp.

BYprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading ILLUSTRATED BY F. CARRUTHERS GOULD.

CampnounUS /kæmp/

temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading Some in brackets, some in sulks, Some with latchkeys on the ramp, Living (in a sort of peace) In a Concentration Camp.

Carroll'snounUS /ˈkærəlz/

possessive form of “carroll” — English author; Charles Dodgson was an Oxford don of mathematics who is remembered for the children's stories he wrote under the pen name Lewis Carroll (1832-1898)

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

CARRUTHERS

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

From this reading ILLUSTRATED BY F. CARRUTHERS GOULD.

ChecksnounUS /tʃeks/

plural of “check” — a written order directing a bank to pay money

From this reading Party moves on either side, Checks and feints that don’t deceive, Knights and Bishops, Pawns and all, In a game of Make-Believe.

ChildnounUS /tʃaɪld/

a young person of either sex

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

ConounUS /koʊ/

an odorless very poisonous gas that is a product of incomplete combustion of carbon

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

cocksureadjective

marked by excessive confidence

From this reading Figures flit across thy dream, Muddle through and flicker out Some in cocksure blessedness, Some in Philosophic Doubt.

comeverbUS /kʌm/

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

ConcentrationnounUS /ˌkɑːnsənˈtreɪʃən/

the strength of a solution; number of molecules of a substance in a given volume

From this reading Some in brackets, some in sulks, Some with latchkeys on the ramp, Living (in a sort of peace) In a Concentration Camp.

concernedadjectiveUS /kənˈsɜːrnd/

feeling or showing worry or solicitude

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

courtesynounUS /ˈkɜːrtəsi/

a courteous or respectful or considerate act

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

deceiveverbUS /dɪˈsiːv/

be false to; be dishonest with

From this reading Party moves on either side, Checks and feints that don’t deceive, Knights and Bishops, Pawns and all, In a game of Make-Believe.

don't

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

From this reading Party moves on either side, Checks and feints that don’t deceive, Knights and Bishops, Pawns and all, In a game of Make-Believe.

DoubtnounUS /daʊt/

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading Figures flit across thy dream, Muddle through and flicker out Some in cocksure blessedness, Some in Philosophic Doubt.

dreamnounUS /driːm/

A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.

From this reading Figures flit across thy dream, Muddle through and flicker out Some in cocksure blessedness, Some in Philosophic Doubt.

dreamingnounUS /ˈdriːmɪŋ/

imaginative thoughts indulged in while awake

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading Party moves on either side, Checks and feints that don’t deceive, Knights and Bishops, Pawns and all, In a game of Make-Believe.

else

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

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

everybodypronounUS /ˈevribɑːdi/

every person

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

eyesnounUS /aɪz/

opinion or judgment

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

FnounUS /ef/

a degree on the Fahrenheit scale of temperature

From this reading ILLUSTRATED BY F. CARRUTHERS GOULD.

feints

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

From this reading Party moves on either side, Checks and feints that don’t deceive, Knights and Bishops, Pawns and all, In a game of Make-Believe.

FiguresnounUS /ˈfɪɡjərz/

plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading Figures flit across thy dream, Muddle through and flicker out Some in cocksure blessedness, Some in Philosophic Doubt.

flickerverbUS /ˈflɪkər/

move back and forth very rapidly

From this reading Figures flit across thy dream, Muddle through and flicker out Some in cocksure blessedness, Some in Philosophic Doubt.

flitverbUS /flɪt/

move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart

From this reading Figures flit across thy dream, Muddle through and flicker out Some in cocksure blessedness, Some in Philosophic Doubt.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

gamenounUS /ɡeɪm/

a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading Party moves on either side, Checks and feints that don’t deceive, Knights and Bishops, Pawns and all, In a game of Make-Believe.

GOULDnounUS /ɡuːld/

United States paleontologist and popularizer of science (1941-2002)

From this reading ILLUSTRATED BY F. CARRUTHERS GOULD.

ILLUSTRATEDverbUS /ˈɪləstreɪtəd/

past form of “illustrate” — clarify by giving an example of

From this reading ILLUSTRATED BY F. CARRUTHERS GOULD.

immortaladjUS /ɪˈmɔːr.t̬əl/

Living forever; never dying or decaying. (Bất tử, trường tồn vĩnh cửu.)

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

includingverbUS /ˌɪnˈkluːdɪŋ/

-ing form of “include” — have as a part, be made up out of

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

indebtedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdetɪd/

owing gratitude or recognition to another for help or favors etc

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

JohnnounUS /dʒɑːn/

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

KnightsnounUS /naɪts/

plural of “knight” — originally a person of noble birth trained to arms and chivalry; today in Great Britain a person honored by the sovereign for personal merit

From this reading Party moves on either side, Checks and feints that don’t deceive, Knights and Bishops, Pawns and all, In a game of Make-Believe.

latchkeys

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

From this reading Some in brackets, some in sulks, Some with latchkeys on the ramp, Living (in a sort of peace) In a Concentration Camp.

LewisnounUS /ˈluːɪs/

United States rock star singer and pianist (born in 1935)

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

LimitedadjectiveUS /ˈlɪmətəd/

small in range or scope

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

LivingnounUS /ˈlɪvɪŋ/

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading Some in brackets, some in sulks, Some with latchkeys on the ramp, Living (in a sort of peace) In a Concentration Camp.

Looking-Glass

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

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

Macmillan

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

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

Make-Believenoun

imaginative intellectual play

From this reading Party moves on either side, Checks and feints that don’t deceive, Knights and Bishops, Pawns and all, In a game of Make-Believe.

Messrs

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

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

movesnounUS /muːvz/

plural of “move” — the act of deciding to do something

From this reading Party moves on either side, Checks and feints that don’t deceive, Knights and Bishops, Pawns and all, In a game of Make-Believe.

MuddlenounUS /ˈmʌdəl/

a confused multitude of things

From this reading Figures flit across thy dream, Muddle through and flicker out Some in cocksure blessedness, Some in Philosophic Doubt.

NotingverbUS /ˈnoʊtɪŋ/

-ing form of “note” — make mention of

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Some in brackets, some in sulks, Some with latchkeys on the ramp, Living (in a sort of peace) In a Concentration Camp.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Figures flit across thy dream, Muddle through and flicker out Some in cocksure blessedness, Some in Philosophic Doubt.

PartynounUS /ˈpɑːrti/

an organization to gain political power

From this reading Party moves on either side, Checks and feints that don’t deceive, Knights and Bishops, Pawns and all, In a game of Make-Believe.

passverbUS /pæs/

go across or through

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

PawnsnounUS /pɔːnz/

plural of “pawn” — an article deposited as security

From this reading Party moves on either side, Checks and feints that don’t deceive, Knights and Bishops, Pawns and all, In a game of Make-Believe.

peacenounUS /piːs/

the state prevailing during the absence of war

From this reading Some in brackets, some in sulks, Some with latchkeys on the ramp, Living (in a sort of peace) In a Concentration Camp.

permissionnounUS /pərˈmɪʃən/

approval to do something

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

PhilosophicadjectiveUS /ˌfɪləˈsɑːfɪk/

of or relating to philosophy or philosophers

From this reading Figures flit across thy dream, Muddle through and flicker out Some in cocksure blessedness, Some in Philosophic Doubt.

politicaladjectiveUS /pəˈlɪtəkəl/

involving or characteristic of politics or parties or politicians

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

publishverbUS /ˈpʌblɪʃ/

put into print

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

rampnounUS /ræmp/

an inclined surface connecting two levels

From this reading Some in brackets, some in sulks, Some with latchkeys on the ramp, Living (in a sort of peace) In a Concentration Camp.

sidenounUS /saɪd/

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading Party moves on either side, Checks and feints that don’t deceive, Knights and Bishops, Pawns and all, In a game of Make-Believe.

SirnounUS /sɜːr/

term of address for a man

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

SomeadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Figures flit across thy dream, Muddle through and flicker out Some in cocksure blessedness, Some in Philosophic Doubt.

sortnounUS /sɔːrt/

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading Some in brackets, some in sulks, Some with latchkeys on the ramp, Living (in a sort of peace) In a Concentration Camp.

sulks

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

From this reading Some in brackets, some in sulks, Some with latchkeys on the ramp, Living (in a sort of peace) In a Concentration Camp.

Tennielnoun

English cartoonist (1820-1914)

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

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

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

throughprepositionUS /θruː/

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

thydeterminerUS /ðaɪ/

an old word for “your”, speaking to one person

From this reading Figures flit across thy dream, Muddle through and flicker out Some in cocksure blessedness, Some in Philosophic Doubt.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

Turvey-wise

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

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

whosedeterminerUS /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

WithprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

WonderlandnounUS /ˈwʌndərlænd/

a place or scene of great or strange beauty or wonder

From this reading _With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice._ “Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.

Chapter 1 of The Westminster Alice by Saki holds 409 sentences, grouped into 82 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 Westminster Alice contain?

Chapter 1 holds 409 sentences of The Westminster Alice, unabridged, divided into 82 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Westminster Alice by Saki exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 409 sentences, grouped into 82 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 Westminster Alice?

Work through the 82 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 82 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 Westminster Alice

Common questions about reading The Westminster Alice by Saki on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Westminster Alice?

Yes. All 409 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #58201 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Westminster Alice is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #58201, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Westminster Alice take to read?

About 34 minutes of reading across 82 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Westminster Alice section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 1 chapters of The Westminster Alice 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 Westminster Alice

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

Illustrated
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Westminster Alice; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Carruthers
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Westminster Alice; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Gould
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Westminster Alice; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Apologies
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Westminster Alice; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.