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28
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From this reading _Sept._ 28.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I was all yesterday revising, and found a lot of slacknesses and (what is worse in this kind of thing) some literaryisms.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading When I began I allowed myself a few liberties, because I was afraid of the end; now the end proved quite easy, and could be done in the pace; so the beginning remains about a quarter tone out (in places); but I have rather decided to let it stay so.
adventure
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From this reading One of the puzzles is this: It is a first person story—a trader telling his own adventure in an island.
afraid
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From this reading When I began I allowed myself a few liberties, because I was afraid of the end; now the end proved quite easy, and could be done in the pace; so the beginning remains about a quarter tone out (in places); but I have rather decided to let it stay so.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was all yesterday revising, and found a lot of slacknesses and (what is worse in this kind of thing) some literaryisms.
allowed
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From this reading When I began I allowed myself a few liberties, because I was afraid of the end; now the end proved quite easy, and could be done in the pace; so the beginning remains about a quarter tone out (in places); but I have rather decided to let it stay so.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading One of the puzzles is this: It is a first person story—a trader telling his own adventure in an island.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading When I began I allowed myself a few liberties, because I was afraid of the end; now the end proved quite easy, and could be done in the pace; so the beginning remains about a quarter tone out (in places); but I have rather decided to let it stay so.
Beach
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From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading When I began I allowed myself a few liberties, because I was afraid of the end; now the end proved quite easy, and could be done in the pace; so the beginning remains about a quarter tone out (in places); but I have rather decided to let it stay so.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When I began I allowed myself a few liberties, because I was afraid of the end; now the end proved quite easy, and could be done in the pace; so the beginning remains about a quarter tone out (in places); but I have rather decided to let it stay so.
beginningnounUS /ˈbeginning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading When I began I allowed myself a few liberties, because I was afraid of the end; now the end proved quite easy, and could be done in the pace; so the beginning remains about a quarter tone out (in places); but I have rather decided to let it stay so.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading When I began I allowed myself a few liberties, because I was afraid of the end; now the end proved quite easy, and could be done in the pace; so the beginning remains about a quarter tone out (in places); but I have rather decided to let it stay so.
COLVIN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading When I began I allowed myself a few liberties, because I was afraid of the end; now the end proved quite easy, and could be done in the pace; so the beginning remains about a quarter tone out (in places); but I have rather decided to let it stay so.
DEAR
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
decided
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From this reading When I began I allowed myself a few liberties, because I was afraid of the end; now the end proved quite easy, and could be done in the pace; so the beginning remains about a quarter tone out (in places); but I have rather decided to let it stay so.
domestic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When I began I allowed myself a few liberties, because I was afraid of the end; now the end proved quite easy, and could be done in the pace; so the beginning remains about a quarter tone out (in places); but I have rather decided to let it stay so.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
easy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I began I allowed myself a few liberties, because I was afraid of the end; now the end proved quite easy, and could be done in the pace; so the beginning remains about a quarter tone out (in places); but I have rather decided to let it stay so.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I began I allowed myself a few liberties, because I was afraid of the end; now the end proved quite easy, and could be done in the pace; so the beginning remains about a quarter tone out (in places); but I have rather decided to let it stay so.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
Falesá
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
feel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I began I allowed myself a few liberties, because I was afraid of the end; now the end proved quite easy, and could be done in the pace; so the beginning remains about a quarter tone out (in places); but I have rather decided to let it stay so.
fiction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One of the puzzles is this: It is a first person story—a trader telling his own adventure in an island.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I was all yesterday revising, and found a lot of slacknesses and (what is worse in this kind of thing) some literaryisms.
got
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading One of the puzzles is this: It is a first person story—a trader telling his own adventure in an island.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I was all yesterday revising, and found a lot of slacknesses and (what is worse in this kind of thing) some literaryisms.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
island
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the puzzles is this: It is a first person story—a trader telling his own adventure in an island.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was all yesterday revising, and found a lot of slacknesses and (what is worse in this kind of thing) some literaryisms.
laid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
lengthnounUS /leŋθ/
a period of time or extent
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading When I began I allowed myself a few liberties, because I was afraid of the end; now the end proved quite easy, and could be done in the pace; so the beginning remains about a quarter tone out (in places); but I have rather decided to let it stay so.
liberties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I began I allowed myself a few liberties, because I was afraid of the end; now the end proved quite easy, and could be done in the pace; so the beginning remains about a quarter tone out (in places); but I have rather decided to let it stay so.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
literaryisms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was all yesterday revising, and found a lot of slacknesses and (what is worse in this kind of thing) some literaryisms.
lot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was all yesterday revising, and found a lot of slacknesses and (what is worse in this kind of thing) some literaryisms.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
MYdeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading When I began I allowed myself a few liberties, because I was afraid of the end; now the end proved quite easy, and could be done in the pace; so the beginning remains about a quarter tone out (in places); but I have rather decided to let it stay so.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One of the puzzles is this: It is a first person story—a trader telling his own adventure in an island.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I began I allowed myself a few liberties, because I was afraid of the end; now the end proved quite easy, and could be done in the pace; so the beginning remains about a quarter tone out (in places); but I have rather decided to let it stay so.
overhaul
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the puzzles is this: It is a first person story—a trader telling his own adventure in an island.
pace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I began I allowed myself a few liberties, because I was afraid of the end; now the end proved quite easy, and could be done in the pace; so the beginning remains about a quarter tone out (in places); but I have rather decided to let it stay so.
pen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
person
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From this reading One of the puzzles is this: It is a first person story—a trader telling his own adventure in an island.
places
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I began I allowed myself a few liberties, because I was afraid of the end; now the end proved quite easy, and could be done in the pace; so the beginning remains about a quarter tone out (in places); but I have rather decided to let it stay so.
proved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I began I allowed myself a few liberties, because I was afraid of the end; now the end proved quite easy, and could be done in the pace; so the beginning remains about a quarter tone out (in places); but I have rather decided to let it stay so.
puzzles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the puzzles is this: It is a first person story—a trader telling his own adventure in an island.
quarter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I began I allowed myself a few liberties, because I was afraid of the end; now the end proved quite easy, and could be done in the pace; so the beginning remains about a quarter tone out (in places); but I have rather decided to let it stay so.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When I began I allowed myself a few liberties, because I was afraid of the end; now the end proved quite easy, and could be done in the pace; so the beginning remains about a quarter tone out (in places); but I have rather decided to let it stay so.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I began I allowed myself a few liberties, because I was afraid of the end; now the end proved quite easy, and could be done in the pace; so the beginning remains about a quarter tone out (in places); but I have rather decided to let it stay so.
remains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I began I allowed myself a few liberties, because I was afraid of the end; now the end proved quite easy, and could be done in the pace; so the beginning remains about a quarter tone out (in places); but I have rather decided to let it stay so.
revising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was all yesterday revising, and found a lot of slacknesses and (what is worse in this kind of thing) some literaryisms.
rewritten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
Sept
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From this reading _Sept._ 28.
SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
sixty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
slacknesses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was all yesterday revising, and found a lot of slacknesses and (what is worse in this kind of thing) some literaryisms.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was all yesterday revising, and found a lot of slacknesses and (what is worse in this kind of thing) some literaryisms.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
sorrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
stay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I began I allowed myself a few liberties, because I was afraid of the end; now the end proved quite easy, and could be done in the pace; so the beginning remains about a quarter tone out (in places); but I have rather decided to let it stay so.
sterling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
telling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the puzzles is this: It is a first person story—a trader telling his own adventure in an island.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I was all yesterday revising, and found a lot of slacknesses and (what is worse in this kind of thing) some literaryisms.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading I was all yesterday revising, and found a lot of slacknesses and (what is worse in this kind of thing) some literaryisms.
thousand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
tone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I began I allowed myself a few liberties, because I was afraid of the end; now the end proved quite easy, and could be done in the pace; so the beginning remains about a quarter tone out (in places); but I have rather decided to let it stay so.
trader
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the puzzles is this: It is a first person story—a trader telling his own adventure in an island.
understandnounUS /understand/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
want
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I was all yesterday revising, and found a lot of slacknesses and (what is worse in this kind of thing) some literaryisms.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading I was all yesterday revising, and found a lot of slacknesses and (what is worse in this kind of thing) some literaryisms.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When I began I allowed myself a few liberties, because I was afraid of the end; now the end proved quite easy, and could be done in the pace; so the beginning remains about a quarter tone out (in places); but I have rather decided to let it stay so.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
words
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
worse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was all yesterday revising, and found a lot of slacknesses and (what is worse in this kind of thing) some literaryisms.
write
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
written
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
yesterday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was all yesterday revising, and found a lot of slacknesses and (what is worse in this kind of thing) some literaryisms.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading MY DEAR COLVIN,—Since I last laid down my pen, I have written and rewritten _The Beach of Falesá_; something like sixty thousand words of sterling domestic fiction (the story, you will understand, is only half that length); and now I don’t want to write any more again for ever, or feel so; and I’ve got to overhaul it once again to my sorrow.
