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A Rogue's Life
A Rogue's Life

Chapter I

Cover illustration for A Rogue's Life
Context Illustration Reading 1/18 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
I AM going to try if I can’t write something about myself.
My life has been rather a strange one.
It may not seem particularly useful or respectable; but it has been, in some respects, adventurous; and that may give it claims to be read, even in the most prejudiced circles.
I am an example of some of the workings of the social system of this illustrious country on the individual native, during the early part of the present century; and, if I may say so without unbecoming vanity, I should like to quote myself for the edification of my countrymen.
Who am I.
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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.

A Rogue's Life

Chapter I

Reading 1/18 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
I AM going to try if I can’t write something about myself.
Line 2
My life has been rather a strange one.
Line 3
It may not seem particularly useful or respectable; but it has been, in some respects, adventurous; and that may give it claims to be read, even in the most prejudiced circles.
Line 4
I am an example of some of the workings of the social system of this illustrious country on the individual native, during the early part of the present century; and, if I may say so without unbecoming vanity, I should like to quote myself for the edification of my countrymen.
Line 5
Who am I.
/huː æm aɪ/

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “I AM going to try if I can’t write something about myself.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “My life has been rather a strange one.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “I am an example of some of the workings of the social system of this illustrious country on the individual native, during the early part of the present century; and, if I may say so without unbecoming vanity, I should like to quote myself for the edification of my countrymen.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It may not seem particularly useful or respectable; but it has been, in some respects, adventurous; and that may give it claims to be read, even in the most prejudiced circles.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

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

From this reading “My life has been rather a strange one.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “My life has been rather a strange one.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “It may not seem particularly useful or respectable; but it has been, in some respects, adventurous; and that may give it claims to be read, even in the most prejudiced circles.”

Myself pronoun US /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading “I AM going to try if I can’t write something about myself.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “My life has been rather a strange one.”

Part noun US /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I am an example of some of the workings of the social system of this illustrious country on the individual native, during the early part of the present century; and, if I may say so without unbecoming vanity, I should like to quote myself for the edification of my countrymen.”

Something pronoun US /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading “I AM going to try if I can’t write something about myself.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “I am an example of some of the workings of the social system of this illustrious country on the individual native, during the early part of the present century; and, if I may say so without unbecoming vanity, I should like to quote myself for the edification of my countrymen.”

All words in this reading · 72

Every word is available to listen to. 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 My life has been rather a strange one.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading I AM going to try if I can’t write something about myself.

adventurous

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

From this reading It may not seem particularly useful or respectable; but it has been, in some respects, adventurous; and that may give it claims to be read, even in the most prejudiced circles.

AMauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading I AM going to try if I can’t write something about myself.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading I am an example of some of the workings of the social system of this illustrious country on the individual native, during the early part of the present century; and, if I may say so without unbecoming vanity, I should like to quote myself for the edification of my countrymen.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading It may not seem particularly useful or respectable; but it has been, in some respects, adventurous; and that may give it claims to be read, even in the most prejudiced circles.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading It may not seem particularly useful or respectable; but it has been, in some respects, adventurous; and that may give it claims to be read, even in the most prejudiced circles.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading My life has been rather a strange one.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It may not seem particularly useful or respectable; but it has been, in some respects, adventurous; and that may give it claims to be read, even in the most prejudiced circles.

can't

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

From this reading I AM going to try if I can’t write something about myself.

century

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

From this reading I am an example of some of the workings of the social system of this illustrious country on the individual native, during the early part of the present century; and, if I may say so without unbecoming vanity, I should like to quote myself for the edification of my countrymen.

circles

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

From this reading It may not seem particularly useful or respectable; but it has been, in some respects, adventurous; and that may give it claims to be read, even in the most prejudiced circles.

claims

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

From this reading It may not seem particularly useful or respectable; but it has been, in some respects, adventurous; and that may give it claims to be read, even in the most prejudiced circles.

country

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

From this reading I am an example of some of the workings of the social system of this illustrious country on the individual native, during the early part of the present century; and, if I may say so without unbecoming vanity, I should like to quote myself for the edification of my countrymen.

countrymen

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

From this reading I am an example of some of the workings of the social system of this illustrious country on the individual native, during the early part of the present century; and, if I may say so without unbecoming vanity, I should like to quote myself for the edification of my countrymen.

duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading I am an example of some of the workings of the social system of this illustrious country on the individual native, during the early part of the present century; and, if I may say so without unbecoming vanity, I should like to quote myself for the edification of my countrymen.

early

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

From this reading I am an example of some of the workings of the social system of this illustrious country on the individual native, during the early part of the present century; and, if I may say so without unbecoming vanity, I should like to quote myself for the edification of my countrymen.

edification

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

From this reading I am an example of some of the workings of the social system of this illustrious country on the individual native, during the early part of the present century; and, if I may say so without unbecoming vanity, I should like to quote myself for the edification of my countrymen.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It may not seem particularly useful or respectable; but it has been, in some respects, adventurous; and that may give it claims to be read, even in the most prejudiced circles.

example

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

From this reading I am an example of some of the workings of the social system of this illustrious country on the individual native, during the early part of the present century; and, if I may say so without unbecoming vanity, I should like to quote myself for the edification of my countrymen.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I am an example of some of the workings of the social system of this illustrious country on the individual native, during the early part of the present century; and, if I may say so without unbecoming vanity, I should like to quote myself for the edification of my countrymen.

give

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

From this reading It may not seem particularly useful or respectable; but it has been, in some respects, adventurous; and that may give it claims to be read, even in the most prejudiced circles.

going

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

From this reading I AM going to try if I can’t write something about myself.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading My life has been rather a strange one.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I AM going to try if I can’t write something about myself.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading I AM going to try if I can’t write something about myself.

illustrious

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

From this reading I am an example of some of the workings of the social system of this illustrious country on the individual native, during the early part of the present century; and, if I may say so without unbecoming vanity, I should like to quote myself for the edification of my countrymen.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading It may not seem particularly useful or respectable; but it has been, in some respects, adventurous; and that may give it claims to be read, even in the most prejudiced circles.

individual

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

From this reading I am an example of some of the workings of the social system of this illustrious country on the individual native, during the early part of the present century; and, if I may say so without unbecoming vanity, I should like to quote myself for the edification of my countrymen.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It may not seem particularly useful or respectable; but it has been, in some respects, adventurous; and that may give it claims to be read, even in the most prejudiced circles.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading My life has been rather a strange one.

like

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

From this reading I am an example of some of the workings of the social system of this illustrious country on the individual native, during the early part of the present century; and, if I may say so without unbecoming vanity, I should like to quote myself for the edification of my countrymen.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading It may not seem particularly useful or respectable; but it has been, in some respects, adventurous; and that may give it claims to be read, even in the most prejudiced circles.

most

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

From this reading It may not seem particularly useful or respectable; but it has been, in some respects, adventurous; and that may give it claims to be read, even in the most prejudiced circles.

MydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading My life has been rather a strange one.

myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading I AM going to try if I can’t write something about myself.

native

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

From this reading I am an example of some of the workings of the social system of this illustrious country on the individual native, during the early part of the present century; and, if I may say so without unbecoming vanity, I should like to quote myself for the edification of my countrymen.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It may not seem particularly useful or respectable; but it has been, in some respects, adventurous; and that may give it claims to be read, even in the most prejudiced circles.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I am an example of some of the workings of the social system of this illustrious country on the individual native, during the early part of the present century; and, if I may say so without unbecoming vanity, I should like to quote myself for the edification of my countrymen.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading I am an example of some of the workings of the social system of this illustrious country on the individual native, during the early part of the present century; and, if I may say so without unbecoming vanity, I should like to quote myself for the edification of my countrymen.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading My life has been rather a strange one.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It may not seem particularly useful or respectable; but it has been, in some respects, adventurous; and that may give it claims to be read, even in the most prejudiced circles.

partnounUS /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I am an example of some of the workings of the social system of this illustrious country on the individual native, during the early part of the present century; and, if I may say so without unbecoming vanity, I should like to quote myself for the edification of my countrymen.

particularly

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

From this reading It may not seem particularly useful or respectable; but it has been, in some respects, adventurous; and that may give it claims to be read, even in the most prejudiced circles.

prejudiced

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

From this reading It may not seem particularly useful or respectable; but it has been, in some respects, adventurous; and that may give it claims to be read, even in the most prejudiced circles.

present

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

From this reading I am an example of some of the workings of the social system of this illustrious country on the individual native, during the early part of the present century; and, if I may say so without unbecoming vanity, I should like to quote myself for the edification of my countrymen.

quote

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

From this reading I am an example of some of the workings of the social system of this illustrious country on the individual native, during the early part of the present century; and, if I may say so without unbecoming vanity, I should like to quote myself for the edification of my countrymen.

rather

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

From this reading My life has been rather a strange one.

read

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

From this reading It may not seem particularly useful or respectable; but it has been, in some respects, adventurous; and that may give it claims to be read, even in the most prejudiced circles.

respectable

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

From this reading It may not seem particularly useful or respectable; but it has been, in some respects, adventurous; and that may give it claims to be read, even in the most prejudiced circles.

respects

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

From this reading It may not seem particularly useful or respectable; but it has been, in some respects, adventurous; and that may give it claims to be read, even in the most prejudiced circles.

say

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

From this reading I am an example of some of the workings of the social system of this illustrious country on the individual native, during the early part of the present century; and, if I may say so without unbecoming vanity, I should like to quote myself for the edification of my countrymen.

seem

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

From this reading It may not seem particularly useful or respectable; but it has been, in some respects, adventurous; and that may give it claims to be read, even in the most prejudiced circles.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading I am an example of some of the workings of the social system of this illustrious country on the individual native, during the early part of the present century; and, if I may say so without unbecoming vanity, I should like to quote myself for the edification of my countrymen.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading I am an example of some of the workings of the social system of this illustrious country on the individual native, during the early part of the present century; and, if I may say so without unbecoming vanity, I should like to quote myself for the edification of my countrymen.

social

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

From this reading I am an example of some of the workings of the social system of this illustrious country on the individual native, during the early part of the present century; and, if I may say so without unbecoming vanity, I should like to quote myself for the edification of my countrymen.

some

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

From this reading It may not seem particularly useful or respectable; but it has been, in some respects, adventurous; and that may give it claims to be read, even in the most prejudiced circles.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading I AM going to try if I can’t write something about myself.

strange

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

From this reading My life has been rather a strange one.

system

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

From this reading I am an example of some of the workings of the social system of this illustrious country on the individual native, during the early part of the present century; and, if I may say so without unbecoming vanity, I should like to quote myself for the edification of my countrymen.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It may not seem particularly useful or respectable; but it has been, in some respects, adventurous; and that may give it claims to be read, even in the most prejudiced circles.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading It may not seem particularly useful or respectable; but it has been, in some respects, adventurous; and that may give it claims to be read, even in the most prejudiced circles.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading I am an example of some of the workings of the social system of this illustrious country on the individual native, during the early part of the present century; and, if I may say so without unbecoming vanity, I should like to quote myself for the edification of my countrymen.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading I AM going to try if I can’t write something about myself.

try

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

From this reading I AM going to try if I can’t write something about myself.

unbecoming

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

From this reading I am an example of some of the workings of the social system of this illustrious country on the individual native, during the early part of the present century; and, if I may say so without unbecoming vanity, I should like to quote myself for the edification of my countrymen.

useful

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

From this reading It may not seem particularly useful or respectable; but it has been, in some respects, adventurous; and that may give it claims to be read, even in the most prejudiced circles.

vanity

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

From this reading I am an example of some of the workings of the social system of this illustrious country on the individual native, during the early part of the present century; and, if I may say so without unbecoming vanity, I should like to quote myself for the edification of my countrymen.

WhopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Who am I.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading I am an example of some of the workings of the social system of this illustrious country on the individual native, during the early part of the present century; and, if I may say so without unbecoming vanity, I should like to quote myself for the edification of my countrymen.

workings

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

From this reading I am an example of some of the workings of the social system of this illustrious country on the individual native, during the early part of the present century; and, if I may say so without unbecoming vanity, I should like to quote myself for the edification of my countrymen.

write

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

From this reading I AM going to try if I can’t write something about myself.