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The Wit and Humor of America, Volume III. (of X.)
The Wit and Humor of America, Volume III. (of X.)

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Wit and Humor of America, Volume III. (of X.) is here in full — 415 sentences across 83 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/83 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London When I saw the little house building, an eighth of a mile beyond my own, on the Old Bay Road, I wondered who were to be the tenants.
The modest structure was set well back from the road, among the trees, as if the inmates were to care nothing whatever for a view of the stylish equipages which sweep by during the summer season.
For my part, I like to see the passing, in town or country; but each has his own unaccountable taste.
The proprietor, who seemed to be also the architect of the new house, superintended the various details of the work with an assiduity that gave me a high opinion of his intelligence and executive ability, and I congratulated myself on the prospect of having some very agreeable neighbors.
It was quite early in the spring, if I remember, when they moved into the cottage--a newly married couple, evidently: the wife very young, pretty, and with the air of a lady; the husband somewhat older, but still in the first flush of manhood.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Wit and Humor of America, Volume III. (of X.)

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Wit and Humor of America, Volume III. (of X.) is here in full — 415 sentences across 83 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/83 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London When I saw the little house building, an eighth of a mile beyond my own, on the Old Bay Road, I wondered who were to be the tenants.
Line 2
The modest structure was set well back from the road, among the trees, as if the inmates were to care nothing whatever for a view of the stylish equipages which sweep by during the summer season.
Line 3
For my part, I like to see the passing, in town or country; but each has his own unaccountable taste.
/fɔːr maɪ pɑːrt aɪ laɪk tuː siː ðə ˈpæsɪŋ ɪn taʊn ɔːr ˈkʌntri bʌt iːtʃ hæz hɪz oʊn ˌʌnəˈkaʊntəbəl teɪst/
Line 4
The proprietor, who seemed to be also the architect of the new house, superintended the various details of the work with an assiduity that gave me a high opinion of his intelligence and executive ability, and I congratulated myself on the prospect of having some very agreeable neighbors.
Line 5
It was quite early in the spring, if I remember, when they moved into the cottage--a newly married couple, evidently: the wife very young, pretty, and with the air of a lady; the husband somewhat older, but still in the first flush of manhood.

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.

architect noun US /ˈɑːrkətekt/

someone who creates plans to be used in making something (such as buildings)

From this reading “The proprietor, who seemed to be also the architect of the new house, superintended the various details of the work with an assiduity that gave me a high opinion of his intelligence and executive ability, and I congratulated myself on the prospect of having some very agreeable neighbors.”

congratulated verb US /kənˈɡrætʃəleɪtɪd/

past form of “congratulate” — say something to someone that expresses praise

From this reading “The proprietor, who seemed to be also the architect of the new house, superintended the various details of the work with an assiduity that gave me a high opinion of his intelligence and executive ability, and I congratulated myself on the prospect of having some very agreeable neighbors.”

eighth adjective US /eɪtθ/

coming next after the seventh and just before the ninth in position

From this reading “Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London When I saw the little house building, an eighth of a mile beyond my own, on the Old Bay Road, I wondered who were to be the tenants.”

executive noun US /ɪɡˈzekjətɪv/

a person responsible for the administration of a business

From this reading “The proprietor, who seemed to be also the architect of the new house, superintended the various details of the work with an assiduity that gave me a high opinion of his intelligence and executive ability, and I congratulated myself on the prospect of having some very agreeable neighbors.”

Funk noun US /fʌŋk/

a state of nervous depression

From this reading “Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London When I saw the little house building, an eighth of a mile beyond my own, on the Old Bay Road, I wondered who were to be the tenants.”

inmates noun US /ˈɪnmeɪts/

plural of “inmate” — one of several resident of a dwelling (especially someone confined to a prison or hospital)

From this reading “The modest structure was set well back from the road, among the trees, as if the inmates were to care nothing whatever for a view of the stylish equipages which sweep by during the summer season.”

stylish adjective US /ˈstaɪlɪʃ/

having elegance or taste or refinement in manners or dress

From this reading “The modest structure was set well back from the road, among the trees, as if the inmates were to care nothing whatever for a view of the stylish equipages which sweep by during the summer season.”

tenants noun US /ˈtenənts/

plural of “tenant” — someone who pays rent to use land or a building or a car that is owned by someone else

From this reading “Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London When I saw the little house building, an eighth of a mile beyond my own, on the Old Bay Road, I wondered who were to be the tenants.”

All words in this reading · 122

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 Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London When I saw the little house building, an eighth of a mile beyond my own, on the Old Bay Road, I wondered who were to be the tenants.

abilitynounUS /əˈbɪlətiː/

the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment

From this reading The proprietor, who seemed to be also the architect of the new house, superintended the various details of the work with an assiduity that gave me a high opinion of his intelligence and executive ability, and I congratulated myself on the prospect of having some very agreeable neighbors.

agreeableadjectiveUS /əˈɡriːəbəl/

conforming to your own liking or feelings or nature

From this reading The proprietor, who seemed to be also the architect of the new house, superintended the various details of the work with an assiduity that gave me a high opinion of his intelligence and executive ability, and I congratulated myself on the prospect of having some very agreeable neighbors.

airnounUS /er/

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading It was quite early in the spring, if I remember, when they moved into the cottage--a newly married couple, evidently: the wife very young, pretty, and with the air of a lady; the husband somewhat older, but still in the first flush of manhood.

alsoadverbUS /ˈɔːlsoʊ/

in addition

From this reading The proprietor, who seemed to be also the architect of the new house, superintended the various details of the work with an assiduity that gave me a high opinion of his intelligence and executive ability, and I congratulated myself on the prospect of having some very agreeable neighbors.

amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading The modest structure was set well back from the road, among the trees, as if the inmates were to care nothing whatever for a view of the stylish equipages which sweep by during the summer season.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London When I saw the little house building, an eighth of a mile beyond my own, on the Old Bay Road, I wondered who were to be the tenants.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London When I saw the little house building, an eighth of a mile beyond my own, on the Old Bay Road, I wondered who were to be the tenants.

architectnounUS /ˈɑːrkətekt/

someone who creates plans to be used in making something (such as buildings)

From this reading The proprietor, who seemed to be also the architect of the new house, superintended the various details of the work with an assiduity that gave me a high opinion of his intelligence and executive ability, and I congratulated myself on the prospect of having some very agreeable neighbors.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The modest structure was set well back from the road, among the trees, as if the inmates were to care nothing whatever for a view of the stylish equipages which sweep by during the summer season.

assiduitynoun

great and constant diligence and attention

From this reading The proprietor, who seemed to be also the architect of the new house, superintended the various details of the work with an assiduity that gave me a high opinion of his intelligence and executive ability, and I congratulated myself on the prospect of having some very agreeable neighbors.

backadverbUS /bæk/

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading The modest structure was set well back from the road, among the trees, as if the inmates were to care nothing whatever for a view of the stylish equipages which sweep by during the summer season.

BaynounUS /beɪ/

an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf

From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London When I saw the little house building, an eighth of a mile beyond my own, on the Old Bay Road, I wondered who were to be the tenants.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London When I saw the little house building, an eighth of a mile beyond my own, on the Old Bay Road, I wondered who were to be the tenants.

beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London When I saw the little house building, an eighth of a mile beyond my own, on the Old Bay Road, I wondered who were to be the tenants.

buildingnounUS /ˈbɪldɪŋ/

a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London When I saw the little house building, an eighth of a mile beyond my own, on the Old Bay Road, I wondered who were to be the tenants.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading For my part, I like to see the passing, in town or country; but each has his own unaccountable taste.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The modest structure was set well back from the road, among the trees, as if the inmates were to care nothing whatever for a view of the stylish equipages which sweep by during the summer season.

carenounUS /ker/

the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading The modest structure was set well back from the road, among the trees, as if the inmates were to care nothing whatever for a view of the stylish equipages which sweep by during the summer season.

CompanynounUS /ˈkʌmpəniː/

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London When I saw the little house building, an eighth of a mile beyond my own, on the Old Bay Road, I wondered who were to be the tenants.

congratulatedverbUS /kənˈɡrætʃəleɪtɪd/

past form of “congratulate” — say something to someone that expresses praise

From this reading The proprietor, who seemed to be also the architect of the new house, superintended the various details of the work with an assiduity that gave me a high opinion of his intelligence and executive ability, and I congratulated myself on the prospect of having some very agreeable neighbors.

cottagenounUS /ˈkɑːtədʒ/

a small house with a single story

From this reading It was quite early in the spring, if I remember, when they moved into the cottage--a newly married couple, evidently: the wife very young, pretty, and with the air of a lady; the husband somewhat older, but still in the first flush of manhood.

countrynounUS /ˈkʌntri/

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading For my part, I like to see the passing, in town or country; but each has his own unaccountable taste.

couplenounUS /ˈkʌpəl/

a pair who associate with one another

From this reading It was quite early in the spring, if I remember, when they moved into the cottage--a newly married couple, evidently: the wife very young, pretty, and with the air of a lady; the husband somewhat older, but still in the first flush of manhood.

detailsnounUS /dɪˈteɪlz/

true confidential information

From this reading The proprietor, who seemed to be also the architect of the new house, superintended the various details of the work with an assiduity that gave me a high opinion of his intelligence and executive ability, and I congratulated myself on the prospect of having some very agreeable neighbors.

duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading The modest structure was set well back from the road, among the trees, as if the inmates were to care nothing whatever for a view of the stylish equipages which sweep by during the summer season.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading For my part, I like to see the passing, in town or country; but each has his own unaccountable taste.

earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading It was quite early in the spring, if I remember, when they moved into the cottage--a newly married couple, evidently: the wife very young, pretty, and with the air of a lady; the husband somewhat older, but still in the first flush of manhood.

eighthadjectiveUS /eɪtθ/

coming next after the seventh and just before the ninth in position

From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London When I saw the little house building, an eighth of a mile beyond my own, on the Old Bay Road, I wondered who were to be the tenants.

equipages

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

From this reading The modest structure was set well back from the road, among the trees, as if the inmates were to care nothing whatever for a view of the stylish equipages which sweep by during the summer season.

evidentlyadverbUS /ˈevədəntli/

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading It was quite early in the spring, if I remember, when they moved into the cottage--a newly married couple, evidently: the wife very young, pretty, and with the air of a lady; the husband somewhat older, but still in the first flush of manhood.

executivenounUS /ɪɡˈzekjətɪv/

a person responsible for the administration of a business

From this reading The proprietor, who seemed to be also the architect of the new house, superintended the various details of the work with an assiduity that gave me a high opinion of his intelligence and executive ability, and I congratulated myself on the prospect of having some very agreeable neighbors.

firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading It was quite early in the spring, if I remember, when they moved into the cottage--a newly married couple, evidently: the wife very young, pretty, and with the air of a lady; the husband somewhat older, but still in the first flush of manhood.

flushnounUS /flʌʃ/

the period of greatest prosperity or productivity

From this reading It was quite early in the spring, if I remember, when they moved into the cottage--a newly married couple, evidently: the wife very young, pretty, and with the air of a lady; the husband somewhat older, but still in the first flush of manhood.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The modest structure was set well back from the road, among the trees, as if the inmates were to care nothing whatever for a view of the stylish equipages which sweep by during the summer season.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The modest structure was set well back from the road, among the trees, as if the inmates were to care nothing whatever for a view of the stylish equipages which sweep by during the summer season.

FunknounUS /fʌŋk/

a state of nervous depression

From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London When I saw the little house building, an eighth of a mile beyond my own, on the Old Bay Road, I wondered who were to be the tenants.

gaveverbUS /ɡeɪv/

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading The proprietor, who seemed to be also the architect of the new house, superintended the various details of the work with an assiduity that gave me a high opinion of his intelligence and executive ability, and I congratulated myself on the prospect of having some very agreeable neighbors.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading For my part, I like to see the passing, in town or country; but each has his own unaccountable taste.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading The proprietor, who seemed to be also the architect of the new house, superintended the various details of the work with an assiduity that gave me a high opinion of his intelligence and executive ability, and I congratulated myself on the prospect of having some very agreeable neighbors.

highadjectiveUS /haɪ/

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The proprietor, who seemed to be also the architect of the new house, superintended the various details of the work with an assiduity that gave me a high opinion of his intelligence and executive ability, and I congratulated myself on the prospect of having some very agreeable neighbors.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading For my part, I like to see the passing, in town or country; but each has his own unaccountable taste.

housenounUS /haʊs/

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London When I saw the little house building, an eighth of a mile beyond my own, on the Old Bay Road, I wondered who were to be the tenants.

husbandnounUS /ˈhʌzbənd/

a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading It was quite early in the spring, if I remember, when they moved into the cottage--a newly married couple, evidently: the wife very young, pretty, and with the air of a lady; the husband somewhat older, but still in the first flush of manhood.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London When I saw the little house building, an eighth of a mile beyond my own, on the Old Bay Road, I wondered who were to be the tenants.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The modest structure was set well back from the road, among the trees, as if the inmates were to care nothing whatever for a view of the stylish equipages which sweep by during the summer season.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading For my part, I like to see the passing, in town or country; but each has his own unaccountable taste.

inmatesnounUS /ˈɪnmeɪts/

plural of “inmate” — one of several resident of a dwelling (especially someone confined to a prison or hospital)

From this reading The modest structure was set well back from the road, among the trees, as if the inmates were to care nothing whatever for a view of the stylish equipages which sweep by during the summer season.

intelligencenounUS /ˌɪnˈtelədʒəns/

the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience

From this reading The proprietor, who seemed to be also the architect of the new house, superintended the various details of the work with an assiduity that gave me a high opinion of his intelligence and executive ability, and I congratulated myself on the prospect of having some very agreeable neighbors.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading It was quite early in the spring, if I remember, when they moved into the cottage--a newly married couple, evidently: the wife very young, pretty, and with the air of a lady; the husband somewhat older, but still in the first flush of manhood.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was quite early in the spring, if I remember, when they moved into the cottage--a newly married couple, evidently: the wife very young, pretty, and with the air of a lady; the husband somewhat older, but still in the first flush of manhood.

ladynounUS /ˈleɪdi/

a polite name for any woman

From this reading It was quite early in the spring, if I remember, when they moved into the cottage--a newly married couple, evidently: the wife very young, pretty, and with the air of a lady; the husband somewhat older, but still in the first flush of manhood.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading For my part, I like to see the passing, in town or country; but each has his own unaccountable taste.

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

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

From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London When I saw the little house building, an eighth of a mile beyond my own, on the Old Bay Road, I wondered who were to be the tenants.

LondonnounUS /ˈlʌndən/

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London When I saw the little house building, an eighth of a mile beyond my own, on the Old Bay Road, I wondered who were to be the tenants.

manhoodnounUS /ˈmænhʊd/

the state of being a man; manly qualities

From this reading It was quite early in the spring, if I remember, when they moved into the cottage--a newly married couple, evidently: the wife very young, pretty, and with the air of a lady; the husband somewhat older, but still in the first flush of manhood.

marriedadjectiveUS /ˈmerid/

joined in matrimony

From this reading It was quite early in the spring, if I remember, when they moved into the cottage--a newly married couple, evidently: the wife very young, pretty, and with the air of a lady; the husband somewhat older, but still in the first flush of manhood.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The proprietor, who seemed to be also the architect of the new house, superintended the various details of the work with an assiduity that gave me a high opinion of his intelligence and executive ability, and I congratulated myself on the prospect of having some very agreeable neighbors.

milenounUS /maɪl/

a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London When I saw the little house building, an eighth of a mile beyond my own, on the Old Bay Road, I wondered who were to be the tenants.

modestadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːdəst/

marked by simplicity; having a humble opinion of yourself

From this reading The modest structure was set well back from the road, among the trees, as if the inmates were to care nothing whatever for a view of the stylish equipages which sweep by during the summer season.

movedadjectiveUS /muːvd/

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading It was quite early in the spring, if I remember, when they moved into the cottage--a newly married couple, evidently: the wife very young, pretty, and with the air of a lady; the husband somewhat older, but still in the first flush of manhood.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London When I saw the little house building, an eighth of a mile beyond my own, on the Old Bay Road, I wondered who were to be the tenants.

myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading The proprietor, who seemed to be also the architect of the new house, superintended the various details of the work with an assiduity that gave me a high opinion of his intelligence and executive ability, and I congratulated myself on the prospect of having some very agreeable neighbors.

neighborsnounUS /ˈneɪbərz/

plural of “neighbor” — a person who lives (or is located) near another

From this reading The proprietor, who seemed to be also the architect of the new house, superintended the various details of the work with an assiduity that gave me a high opinion of his intelligence and executive ability, and I congratulated myself on the prospect of having some very agreeable neighbors.

NewadjectiveUS /nuː/

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London When I saw the little house building, an eighth of a mile beyond my own, on the Old Bay Road, I wondered who were to be the tenants.

newlyadverbUS /ˈnuːli/

very recently

From this reading It was quite early in the spring, if I remember, when they moved into the cottage--a newly married couple, evidently: the wife very young, pretty, and with the air of a lady; the husband somewhat older, but still in the first flush of manhood.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading The modest structure was set well back from the road, among the trees, as if the inmates were to care nothing whatever for a view of the stylish equipages which sweep by during the summer season.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London When I saw the little house building, an eighth of a mile beyond my own, on the Old Bay Road, I wondered who were to be the tenants.

OldadjectiveUS /oʊld/

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London When I saw the little house building, an eighth of a mile beyond my own, on the Old Bay Road, I wondered who were to be the tenants.

olderadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldər/

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading It was quite early in the spring, if I remember, when they moved into the cottage--a newly married couple, evidently: the wife very young, pretty, and with the air of a lady; the husband somewhat older, but still in the first flush of manhood.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London When I saw the little house building, an eighth of a mile beyond my own, on the Old Bay Road, I wondered who were to be the tenants.

opinionnounUS /əˈpɪnjən/

a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty

From this reading The proprietor, who seemed to be also the architect of the new house, superintended the various details of the work with an assiduity that gave me a high opinion of his intelligence and executive ability, and I congratulated myself on the prospect of having some very agreeable neighbors.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading For my part, I like to see the passing, in town or country; but each has his own unaccountable taste.

ownverbUS /oʊn/

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London When I saw the little house building, an eighth of a mile beyond my own, on the Old Bay Road, I wondered who were to be the tenants.

partnounUS /pɑːrt/

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading For my part, I like to see the passing, in town or country; but each has his own unaccountable taste.

passingnounUS /ˈpæsɪŋ/

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading For my part, I like to see the passing, in town or country; but each has his own unaccountable taste.

prettyadjectiveUS /ˈprɪti/

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading It was quite early in the spring, if I remember, when they moved into the cottage--a newly married couple, evidently: the wife very young, pretty, and with the air of a lady; the husband somewhat older, but still in the first flush of manhood.

proprietornounUS /prəˈpraɪətər/

(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business

From this reading The proprietor, who seemed to be also the architect of the new house, superintended the various details of the work with an assiduity that gave me a high opinion of his intelligence and executive ability, and I congratulated myself on the prospect of having some very agreeable neighbors.

prospectnounUS /ˈprɑːspekt/

the possibility of future success

From this reading The proprietor, who seemed to be also the architect of the new house, superintended the various details of the work with an assiduity that gave me a high opinion of his intelligence and executive ability, and I congratulated myself on the prospect of having some very agreeable neighbors.

quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading It was quite early in the spring, if I remember, when they moved into the cottage--a newly married couple, evidently: the wife very young, pretty, and with the air of a lady; the husband somewhat older, but still in the first flush of manhood.

rememberverbUS /rɪˈmɛm.bər/

To recall to mind.

From this reading It was quite early in the spring, if I remember, when they moved into the cottage--a newly married couple, evidently: the wife very young, pretty, and with the air of a lady; the husband somewhat older, but still in the first flush of manhood.

RoadnounUS /roʊd/

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London When I saw the little house building, an eighth of a mile beyond my own, on the Old Bay Road, I wondered who were to be the tenants.

sawverbUS /sɔː/

cut with a saw

From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London When I saw the little house building, an eighth of a mile beyond my own, on the Old Bay Road, I wondered who were to be the tenants.

seasonnounUS /ˈsiːzən/

a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field

From this reading The modest structure was set well back from the road, among the trees, as if the inmates were to care nothing whatever for a view of the stylish equipages which sweep by during the summer season.

seeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading For my part, I like to see the passing, in town or country; but each has his own unaccountable taste.

seemedverbUS /siːmd/

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The proprietor, who seemed to be also the architect of the new house, superintended the various details of the work with an assiduity that gave me a high opinion of his intelligence and executive ability, and I congratulated myself on the prospect of having some very agreeable neighbors.

setverbUS /set/

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The modest structure was set well back from the road, among the trees, as if the inmates were to care nothing whatever for a view of the stylish equipages which sweep by during the summer season.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

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

From this reading The proprietor, who seemed to be also the architect of the new house, superintended the various details of the work with an assiduity that gave me a high opinion of his intelligence and executive ability, and I congratulated myself on the prospect of having some very agreeable neighbors.

somewhatadverbUS /ˈsʌmˈwʌt/

to a small degree or extent

From this reading It was quite early in the spring, if I remember, when they moved into the cottage--a newly married couple, evidently: the wife very young, pretty, and with the air of a lady; the husband somewhat older, but still in the first flush of manhood.

springnounUS /sprɪŋ/

the season of growth

From this reading It was quite early in the spring, if I remember, when they moved into the cottage--a newly married couple, evidently: the wife very young, pretty, and with the air of a lady; the husband somewhat older, but still in the first flush of manhood.

stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/

not in physical motion

From this reading It was quite early in the spring, if I remember, when they moved into the cottage--a newly married couple, evidently: the wife very young, pretty, and with the air of a lady; the husband somewhat older, but still in the first flush of manhood.

structurenounUS /ˈstrʌktʃər/

a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts

From this reading The modest structure was set well back from the road, among the trees, as if the inmates were to care nothing whatever for a view of the stylish equipages which sweep by during the summer season.

stylishadjectiveUS /ˈstaɪlɪʃ/

having elegance or taste or refinement in manners or dress

From this reading The modest structure was set well back from the road, among the trees, as if the inmates were to care nothing whatever for a view of the stylish equipages which sweep by during the summer season.

summernounUS /ˈsʌmər/

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading The modest structure was set well back from the road, among the trees, as if the inmates were to care nothing whatever for a view of the stylish equipages which sweep by during the summer season.

superintended

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

From this reading The proprietor, who seemed to be also the architect of the new house, superintended the various details of the work with an assiduity that gave me a high opinion of his intelligence and executive ability, and I congratulated myself on the prospect of having some very agreeable neighbors.

sweepverbUS /swiːp/

sweep across or over

From this reading The modest structure was set well back from the road, among the trees, as if the inmates were to care nothing whatever for a view of the stylish equipages which sweep by during the summer season.

tasteverbUS /teɪst/

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading For my part, I like to see the passing, in town or country; but each has his own unaccountable taste.

tenantsnounUS /ˈtenənts/

plural of “tenant” — someone who pays rent to use land or a building or a car that is owned by someone else

From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London When I saw the little house building, an eighth of a mile beyond my own, on the Old Bay Road, I wondered who were to be the tenants.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The proprietor, who seemed to be also the architect of the new house, superintended the various details of the work with an assiduity that gave me a high opinion of his intelligence and executive ability, and I congratulated myself on the prospect of having some very agreeable neighbors.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London When I saw the little house building, an eighth of a mile beyond my own, on the Old Bay Road, I wondered who were to be the tenants.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading It was quite early in the spring, if I remember, when they moved into the cottage--a newly married couple, evidently: the wife very young, pretty, and with the air of a lady; the husband somewhat older, but still in the first flush of manhood.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London When I saw the little house building, an eighth of a mile beyond my own, on the Old Bay Road, I wondered who were to be the tenants.

townnounUS /taʊn/

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading For my part, I like to see the passing, in town or country; but each has his own unaccountable taste.

treesnounUS /triːz/

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading The modest structure was set well back from the road, among the trees, as if the inmates were to care nothing whatever for a view of the stylish equipages which sweep by during the summer season.

unaccountableadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈkaʊntəbəl/

not to be accounted for or explained

From this reading For my part, I like to see the passing, in town or country; but each has his own unaccountable taste.

variousadjectiveUS /ˈveriəs/

of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity

From this reading The proprietor, who seemed to be also the architect of the new house, superintended the various details of the work with an assiduity that gave me a high opinion of his intelligence and executive ability, and I congratulated myself on the prospect of having some very agreeable neighbors.

veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading The proprietor, who seemed to be also the architect of the new house, superintended the various details of the work with an assiduity that gave me a high opinion of his intelligence and executive ability, and I congratulated myself on the prospect of having some very agreeable neighbors.

viewnounUS /vjuː/

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading The modest structure was set well back from the road, among the trees, as if the inmates were to care nothing whatever for a view of the stylish equipages which sweep by during the summer season.

Wagnalls

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

From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London When I saw the little house building, an eighth of a mile beyond my own, on the Old Bay Road, I wondered who were to be the tenants.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The modest structure was set well back from the road, among the trees, as if the inmates were to care nothing whatever for a view of the stylish equipages which sweep by during the summer season.

welladverbUS /wel/

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading The modest structure was set well back from the road, among the trees, as if the inmates were to care nothing whatever for a view of the stylish equipages which sweep by during the summer season.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London When I saw the little house building, an eighth of a mile beyond my own, on the Old Bay Road, I wondered who were to be the tenants.

whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading The modest structure was set well back from the road, among the trees, as if the inmates were to care nothing whatever for a view of the stylish equipages which sweep by during the summer season.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London When I saw the little house building, an eighth of a mile beyond my own, on the Old Bay Road, I wondered who were to be the tenants.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The modest structure was set well back from the road, among the trees, as if the inmates were to care nothing whatever for a view of the stylish equipages which sweep by during the summer season.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London When I saw the little house building, an eighth of a mile beyond my own, on the Old Bay Road, I wondered who were to be the tenants.

wifenounUS /waɪf/

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading It was quite early in the spring, if I remember, when they moved into the cottage--a newly married couple, evidently: the wife very young, pretty, and with the air of a lady; the husband somewhat older, but still in the first flush of manhood.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The proprietor, who seemed to be also the architect of the new house, superintended the various details of the work with an assiduity that gave me a high opinion of his intelligence and executive ability, and I congratulated myself on the prospect of having some very agreeable neighbors.

wonderedverbUS /ˈwʌndərd/

past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something

From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London When I saw the little house building, an eighth of a mile beyond my own, on the Old Bay Road, I wondered who were to be the tenants.

workverbUS /wɜːrk/

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading The proprietor, who seemed to be also the architect of the new house, superintended the various details of the work with an assiduity that gave me a high opinion of his intelligence and executive ability, and I congratulated myself on the prospect of having some very agreeable neighbors.

YorknounUS /jɔːrk/

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London When I saw the little house building, an eighth of a mile beyond my own, on the Old Bay Road, I wondered who were to be the tenants.

youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/

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

From this reading It was quite early in the spring, if I remember, when they moved into the cottage--a newly married couple, evidently: the wife very young, pretty, and with the air of a lady; the husband somewhat older, but still in the first flush of manhood.

Chapter 1 of The Wit and Humor of America, Volume III. (of X.) by Marshall P. (Marshall Pinckney) [Editor] Wilder holds 415 sentences, grouped into 83 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 Wit and Humor of America, Volume III. (of X.) contain?

Chapter 1 holds 415 sentences of The Wit and Humor of America, Volume III. (of X.), unabridged, divided into 83 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Wit and Humor of America, Volume III. (of X.) by Marshall P. (Marshall Pinckney) [Editor] Wilder exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 415 sentences, grouped into 83 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 Wit and Humor of America, Volume III. (of X.)?

Work through the 83 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 83 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 Wit and Humor of America, Volume III. (of X.)

Common questions about reading The Wit and Humor of America, Volume III. (of X.) by Marshall P. (Marshall Pinckney) [Editor] Wilder on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Wit and Humor of America, Volume III. (of X.)?

Yes. All 2598 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #18734 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Wit and Humor of America, Volume III. (of X.) is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #18734, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Wit and Humor of America, Volume III. (of X.) take to read?

About 216 minutes of reading across 520 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Wit and Humor of America, Volume III. (of X.) section by section

How to work through The Wit and Humor of America, Volume III. (of X.) section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 6 chapters of The Wit and Humor of America, Volume III. (of X.) 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 Wit and Humor of America, Volume III. (of X.)

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Wit and Humor of America, Volume III. (of X.), each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Wagnalls
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Wit and Humor of America, Volume III. (of X.); the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Company
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Wit and Humor of America, Volume III. (of X.); the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
London
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Wit and Humor of America, Volume III. (of X.); the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Little
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Wit and Humor of America, Volume III. (of X.); the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.