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The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 1
The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 1

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 1 is here in full — 1781 sentences across 357 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 1
Context Illustration Reading 1/356 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
For this text version, numbered marginal footnotes have been moved to the end of their paragraphs.
The headers have been moved to appear on a separate line at the beginning of each section.
Redundant sidenotes merely indicating Part and Section numbers have been removed.
Those marginal notes which serve as paragraph descriptions, at or near the head of a paragraph, precede that paragraph.
Those which serve to annotate specific points are inserted parenthetically as [SN: notes].
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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 Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 1

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 1 is here in full — 1781 sentences across 357 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/356 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
For this text version, numbered marginal footnotes have been moved to the end of their paragraphs.
/fɔːr ðɪs tekst ˈvɜːrʒən ˈnʌmbərd ˈmɑːrdʒənəl ˈfʊtnoʊts hæv bɪn muːvd tuː ðə end ʌv ðer ˈpærəɡræfs/
Line 2
The headers have been moved to appear on a separate line at the beginning of each section.
/ðə ˈhedərz hæv bɪn muːvd tuː əˈpɪr ɑːn ə ˈsepəreɪt laɪn æt ðə bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ ʌv iːtʃ ˈsekʃən/
Line 3
Redundant sidenotes merely indicating Part and Section numbers have been removed.
Line 4
Those marginal notes which serve as paragraph descriptions, at or near the head of a paragraph, precede that paragraph.
/ðoʊz ˈmɑːrdʒənəl noʊts wɪtʃ sɜːrv æz ˈpærəɡræf dɪˈskrɪpʃənz æt ɔːr nɪr ðə hed ʌv ə ˈpærəɡræf prɪˈsiːd ðæt ˈpærəɡræf/
Line 5
Those which serve to annotate specific points are inserted parenthetically as [SN: notes].

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.

annotate verb US /ˈænəteɪt/

add explanatory notes to or supply with critical comments

From this reading “Those which serve to annotate specific points are inserted parenthetically as [SN: notes].”

headers noun US /ˈhedərz/

plural of “header” — a line of text serving to indicate what the passage below it is about

From this reading “The headers have been moved to appear on a separate line at the beginning of each section.”

marginal adjective US /ˈmɑːrdʒənəl/

at or constituting a border or edge

From this reading “For this text version, numbered marginal footnotes have been moved to the end of their paragraphs.”

paragraphs noun US /ˈpærəɡræfs/

plural of “paragraph” — one of several distinct subdivisions of a text intended to separate ideas; the beginning is usually marked by a new indented line

From this reading “For this text version, numbered marginal footnotes have been moved to the end of their paragraphs.”

parenthetically adverb US /pərenˈθetɪkəli/

in a parenthetical manner

From this reading “Those which serve to annotate specific points are inserted parenthetically as [SN: notes].”

precede verb US /prɪˈsiːd/

be earlier in time; go back further

From this reading “Those marginal notes which serve as paragraph descriptions, at or near the head of a paragraph, precede that paragraph.”

Redundant adjective US /rɪˈdʌndənt/

more than is needed, desired, or required

From this reading “Redundant sidenotes merely indicating Part and Section numbers have been removed.”

specific adjective US /spəˈsɪfɪk/

(sometimes followed by “to”) applying to or characterized by or distinguishing something particular or special or unique

From this reading “Those which serve to annotate specific points are inserted parenthetically as [SN: notes].”

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.

at the beginning preposition + article + noun counted as “at … beginning”

In this reading “The headers have been moved to appear on a separate line at the beginning of each section.”

appear on verb + particle

In this reading “The headers have been moved to appear on a separate line at the beginning of each section.”

All words in this reading · 53

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 The headers have been moved to appear on a separate line at the beginning of each section.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Redundant sidenotes merely indicating Part and Section numbers have been removed.

annotateverbUS /ˈænəteɪt/

add explanatory notes to or supply with critical comments

From this reading Those which serve to annotate specific points are inserted parenthetically as [SN: notes].

appearverbUS /əˈpɪr/

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The headers have been moved to appear on a separate line at the beginning of each section.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading Those which serve to annotate specific points are inserted parenthetically as [SN: notes].

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Those marginal notes which serve as paragraph descriptions, at or near the head of a paragraph, precede that paragraph.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The headers have been moved to appear on a separate line at the beginning of each section.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading For this text version, numbered marginal footnotes have been moved to the end of their paragraphs.

beginningnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ/

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading The headers have been moved to appear on a separate line at the beginning of each section.

descriptionsnounUS /dɪˈskrɪpʃənz/

plural of “description” — a statement that represents something in words

From this reading Those marginal notes which serve as paragraph descriptions, at or near the head of a paragraph, precede that paragraph.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

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

From this reading The headers have been moved to appear on a separate line at the beginning of each section.

endnounUS /end/

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading For this text version, numbered marginal footnotes have been moved to the end of their paragraphs.

footnotesnounUS /ˈfʊtnoʊts/

plural of “footnote” — a printed note placed below the text on a printed page

From this reading For this text version, numbered marginal footnotes have been moved to the end of their paragraphs.

ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For this text version, numbered marginal footnotes have been moved to the end of their paragraphs.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading For this text version, numbered marginal footnotes have been moved to the end of their paragraphs.

headnounUS /hed/

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Those marginal notes which serve as paragraph descriptions, at or near the head of a paragraph, precede that paragraph.

headersnounUS /ˈhedərz/

plural of “header” — a line of text serving to indicate what the passage below it is about

From this reading The headers have been moved to appear on a separate line at the beginning of each section.

indicatingverbUS /ˈɪndəkeɪtɪŋ/

-ing form of “indicate” — be a signal for or a symptom of

From this reading Redundant sidenotes merely indicating Part and Section numbers have been removed.

insertedverbUS /ˌɪnˈsɜːrtəd/

past form of “insert” — put or introduce into something

From this reading Those which serve to annotate specific points are inserted parenthetically as [SN: notes].

linenounUS /laɪn/

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading The headers have been moved to appear on a separate line at the beginning of each section.

marginaladjectiveUS /ˈmɑːrdʒənəl/

at or constituting a border or edge

From this reading For this text version, numbered marginal footnotes have been moved to the end of their paragraphs.

merelyadverbUS /ˈmɪrli/

and nothing more

From this reading Redundant sidenotes merely indicating Part and Section numbers have been removed.

movedadjectiveUS /muːvd/

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading For this text version, numbered marginal footnotes have been moved to the end of their paragraphs.

nearadverbUS /nɪr/

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading Those marginal notes which serve as paragraph descriptions, at or near the head of a paragraph, precede that paragraph.

notesnounUS /noʊts/

plural of “note” — a brief written record

From this reading Those marginal notes which serve as paragraph descriptions, at or near the head of a paragraph, precede that paragraph.

numberedverbUS /ˈnʌmbərd/

past form of “number” — add up in number or quantity

From this reading For this text version, numbered marginal footnotes have been moved to the end of their paragraphs.

numbersnounUS /ˈnʌmbərz/

the fourth book of the Old Testament; contains a record of the number of Israelites who followed Moses out of Egypt

From this reading Redundant sidenotes merely indicating Part and Section numbers have been removed.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading For this text version, numbered marginal footnotes have been moved to the end of their paragraphs.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The headers have been moved to appear on a separate line at the beginning of each section.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Those marginal notes which serve as paragraph descriptions, at or near the head of a paragraph, precede that paragraph.

paragraphnounUS /ˈpærəɡræf/

one of several distinct subdivisions of a text intended to separate ideas; the beginning is usually marked by a new indented line

From this reading Those marginal notes which serve as paragraph descriptions, at or near the head of a paragraph, precede that paragraph.

paragraphsnounUS /ˈpærəɡræfs/

plural of “paragraph” — one of several distinct subdivisions of a text intended to separate ideas; the beginning is usually marked by a new indented line

From this reading For this text version, numbered marginal footnotes have been moved to the end of their paragraphs.

parentheticallyadverbUS /pərenˈθetɪkəli/

in a parenthetical manner

From this reading Those which serve to annotate specific points are inserted parenthetically as [SN: notes].

PartnounUS /pɑːrt/

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading Redundant sidenotes merely indicating Part and Section numbers have been removed.

pointsnounUS /pɔɪnts/

plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading Those which serve to annotate specific points are inserted parenthetically as [SN: notes].

precedeverbUS /prɪˈsiːd/

be earlier in time; go back further

From this reading Those marginal notes which serve as paragraph descriptions, at or near the head of a paragraph, precede that paragraph.

RedundantadjectiveUS /rɪˈdʌndənt/

more than is needed, desired, or required

From this reading Redundant sidenotes merely indicating Part and Section numbers have been removed.

removedadjectiveUS /riˈmuːvd/

separated in relationship by a given degree of descent

From this reading Redundant sidenotes merely indicating Part and Section numbers have been removed.

sectionnounUS /ˈsekʃən/

a self-contained part of a larger composition (written or musical)

From this reading The headers have been moved to appear on a separate line at the beginning of each section.

separateverbUS /ˈsepəreɪt/

act as a barrier between; stand between

From this reading The headers have been moved to appear on a separate line at the beginning of each section.

serveverbUS /sɜːrv/

serve a purpose, role, or function

From this reading Those marginal notes which serve as paragraph descriptions, at or near the head of a paragraph, precede that paragraph.

sidenotes

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

From this reading Redundant sidenotes merely indicating Part and Section numbers have been removed.

SNnoun

a silvery malleable metallic element that resists corrosion; used in many alloys and to coat other metals to prevent corrosion; obtained chiefly from cassiterite where it occurs as tin oxide

From this reading Those which serve to annotate specific points are inserted parenthetically as [SN: notes].

specificadjectiveUS /spəˈsɪfɪk/

(sometimes followed by “to”) applying to or characterized by or distinguishing something particular or special or unique

From this reading Those which serve to annotate specific points are inserted parenthetically as [SN: notes].

textnounUS /tekst/

the words of something written

From this reading For this text version, numbered marginal footnotes have been moved to the end of their paragraphs.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Those marginal notes which serve as paragraph descriptions, at or near the head of a paragraph, precede that paragraph.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading For this text version, numbered marginal footnotes have been moved to the end of their paragraphs.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading For this text version, numbered marginal footnotes have been moved to the end of their paragraphs.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading For this text version, numbered marginal footnotes have been moved to the end of their paragraphs.

ThosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Those marginal notes which serve as paragraph descriptions, at or near the head of a paragraph, precede that paragraph.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading For this text version, numbered marginal footnotes have been moved to the end of their paragraphs.

versionnounUS /ˈvɜːrʒən/

an interpretation of a matter from a particular viewpoint

From this reading For this text version, numbered marginal footnotes have been moved to the end of their paragraphs.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Those marginal notes which serve as paragraph descriptions, at or near the head of a paragraph, precede that paragraph.

Chapter 1 of The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 1 by Thomas, Sir Browne holds 1781 sentences, grouped into 357 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 Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 1 contain?

Chapter 1 holds 1781 sentences of The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 1, unabridged, divided into 357 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 1 by Thomas, Sir Browne exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 1781 sentences, grouped into 357 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 Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 1?

Work through the 357 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 357 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 Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 1

Common questions about reading The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 1 by Thomas, Sir Browne on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 1?

Yes. All 3594 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #39960 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 1 is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #39960, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 1 take to read?

About 299 minutes of reading across 719 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 1 section by section

How to work through The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 1 section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 29 chapters of The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 1 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 Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 1

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 1, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Version
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 1; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Numbered
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 1; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Marginal
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 1; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Footnotes
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 1; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.