Alice's adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll- page 23

Pray, what is the reason of that?'

• Pray, what is the reason of that: Please tell me, what is the explanation for that [preɪ wət ɪz ðə ˈrizən əv ðət]

'In my youth,' said the sage, as he shook his grey locks,

• In my youth: When I was young [ɪn maɪ juθ]
• said the sage: said the wise man [sɛd ðə seɪʤ]
• as he shook his grey locks: while he moved his grey hair [ɛz hi ʃʊk hɪz greɪ lɑks]

'I kept all my limbs very supple

• I kept: I maintained [aɪ kɛpt]
• all my limbs: all my arms and legs [ɔl maɪ lɪmz]
• very supple: very flexible [ˈvɛri ˈsəpəl]

By the use of this ointment—one shilling the box—

• By the use of: Through the application of [baɪ ðə juz əv]
• this ointment: this medicinal cream [ðɪs ˈɔɪntmənt]
• one shilling the box: costing one shilling per box [wən ˈʃɪlɪŋ ðə bɑks]

Allow me to sell you a couple?'

• Allow me: a polite way of asking permission to do something [əˈlaʊ mi]
• to sell: to offer something for sale [tɪ sɛl]
• you: the person being addressed [ju]
• a couple: two items; in this context, likely referring to two of something being sold [ə ˈkəpəl]

'You are old,' said the youth, 'and your jaws are too weak

• You are old: statement acknowledging the person's advanced age [ju ər oʊld]
• said: the act of speaking or uttering words [sɛd]
• the youth: a young person [ðə juθ]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• your jaws: plural of jaw, either of the upper or lower bony structures in the mouth that hold the teeth [jʊr ʤɔz]
• are: present tense form of the verb 'to be' [ər]
• too weak: lacking physical strength or power to perform a task [tu wik]

For anything tougher than suet;

• For: used to indicate the reason or purpose of something [fər]
• anything: used to refer to one or some thing of any type [ˈɛniˌθɪŋ]
• tougher: more difficult to chew or break; more resilient [ˈtəfər]
• than: used to introduce the second element in a comparison [ðən]
• suet: the hard white fat on the loins and kidneys of cattle, sheep, and other animals, used to make foods such as puddings and dumplings [suet]

Yet you finished the goose, with the bones and the beak—

• Yet: nevertheless; despite something [jɛt]
• you: the person being addressed [ju]
• finished: completed; brought to an end [ˈfɪnɪʃt]
• the goose: a large waterbird with a long neck and webbed feet, often eaten as food [ðə gus]
• with: accompanied by; including [wɪθ]
• the bones: plural of bone, the rigid parts of the skeleton [ðə boʊnz]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• the beak: the projecting mouth of a bird [ðə bik]

Pray how did you manage to do it?'

• Pray: an old-fashioned way of saying 'please', used to make a polite request [preɪ]
• how: in what way or manner [haʊ]
• did: auxiliary verb used to form the past tense [dɪd]
• you: the person being addressed [ju]
• manage: succeed in doing something, especially with difficulty [ˈmænɪʤ]
• to do: to perform or carry out an action [tɪ du]
• it: referring to the act of finishing the goose with the bones and the beak [ɪt]

'In my youth,' said his father, 'I took to the law,

• In my youth: during the time when I was young [ɪn maɪ juθ]
• said: the act of speaking or uttering words [sɛd]
• his father: the male parent [hɪz ˈfɑðər]
• I took to the law: I decided to study and practice law [aɪ tʊk tɪ ðə lɔ]

And argued each case with my wife;

• And: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• argued: gave reasons or cited evidence in support of an idea, action, or theory, typically with the aim of persuading others to share one's view [ˈɑrgjud]
• each case: every instance or situation [iʧ keɪs]
• with: involving; against [wɪθ]
• my wife: the woman to whom I am married [maɪ waɪf]

And the muscular strength, which it gave to my jaw,

• And: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• the muscular strength: the physical power and force of the muscles [ðə ˈməskjələr strɛŋθ]
• which: used to introduce a relative clause referring to a thing or things previously mentioned [wɪʧ]
• it: referring to arguing each case with his wife [ɪt]
• gave: past tense of 'give', meaning to provide or impart something [geɪv]
• to my jaw: to the speaker's jaw, the bony structure of the mouth [tɪ maɪ ʤɔ]

Has lasted the rest of my life.'

• Has lasted: has continued or remained in effect [həz ˈlæstɪd]
• the rest: the remaining part [ðə rɛst]
• of my life: of the speaker's lifetime [əv maɪ laɪf]

'You are old,' said the youth, 'one would hardly suppose

• You are old: statement acknowledging the person's advanced age [ju ər oʊld]
• said: the act of speaking or uttering words [sɛd]
• the youth: a young person [ðə juθ]
• one: referring to a person in general [wən]
• would hardly suppose: would not easily believe or imagine [wʊd ˈhɑrdli səˈpoʊz]

That your eye was as steady as ever;

• That: introducing a clause [ðət]
• your eye: the organ of sight [jʊr aɪ]
• was: past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]
• as steady: stable and unwavering [ɛz ˈstɛdi]
• as ever: to the same degree as at any time in the past [ɛz ˈɛvər]

Yet you balanced an eel on the end of your nose—

• Yet: Nevertheless; despite something [jɛt]
• you: the person being addressed [ju]
• balanced: kept steady in an upright position [ˈbælənst]
• an eel: a snake-like fish [ən il]
• on the end of your nose: placed precariously at the tip of your nose [ɔn ðə ɛnd əv jʊr noʊz]

What made you so awfully clever?'

• What: asking for information specifying something [wət]
• made: caused to be or do something [meɪd]
• you: the person being addressed [ju]
• so awfully: to such a great extent; very [soʊ ˈɔfəli]
• clever: intelligent and quick-witted [ˈklɛvər]

'I have answered three questions, and that is enough,'

• I have answered: I've provided responses to [aɪ hæv ˈænsərd]
• three questions: a set of three inquiries [θri kˈwɛsʧənz]
• and: conjunction indicating addition [ənd]
• that: referring to the previous statement [ðət]
• is: verb 'to be' [ɪz]
• enough: sufficient; adequate [ɪˈnəf]

Said his father; 'don't give yourself airs!

• Said: past tense of 'say', used for narration [sɛd]
• his father: the speaker's male parent [hɪz ˈfɑðər]
• don't: contraction of 'do not', expressing a negative command [doʊnt]
• give yourself airs: behave as if you are more important than you really are [gɪv ˈjɔrsɛlf ɛrz]

Do you think I can listen all day to such stuff?

• Do you think: Are you of the opinion [du ju θɪŋk]
• I: the speaker [aɪ]
• can: able to [kən]
• listen: pay attention to sound [ˈlɪsən]
• all day: the entire day [ɔl deɪ]
• to such stuff: to such nonsense or rubbish [tɪ səʧ stəf]

Be off, or I'll kick you down stairs!'

• Be off: Go away; leave [bi ɔf]
• or: otherwise [ər]
• I'll: contraction of 'I will', indicating a future action [aɪl]
• kick: strike with the foot [kɪk]
• you: the person being addressed [ju]
• down stairs: to a lower level using the staircase [daʊn stɛrz]

'That is not said right,' said the Caterpillar.

• That: referring to something previously mentioned [ðət]
• is: verb 'to be' [ɪz]
• not: negative particle [nɑt]
• said: spoken [sɛd]
• right: correctly [raɪt]
• said: past tense of 'say', used for narration [sɛd]
• the Caterpillar: a specific character, a caterpillar [ðə ˈkætəˌpɪlər]

'Not QUITE right, I'm afraid,' said Alice, timidly; 'some of the words have got altered.'

• Not: negative particle [nɑt]
• QUITE: completely; entirely [kwaɪt]
• right: correct [raɪt]
• I'm afraid: I suspect; I think it's likely [əm əˈfreɪd]
• said: past tense of 'say', used for narration [sɛd]
• Alice: a proper noun, a name [ˈælɪs]
• timidly: in a shy or hesitant manner [ˈtɪmədli]
• some of the words: a few of the terms [səm əv ðə wərdz]
• have got altered: have been changed [hæv gɑt ˈɔltərd]

'It is wrong from beginning to end,' said the Caterpillar decidedly, and there was silence for some minutes.

• It: referring to something previously mentioned, likely the statement [ɪt]
• is: verb 'to be' [ɪz]
• wrong: incorrect [rɔŋ]
• from beginning to end: completely incorrect from start to finish [frəm bɪˈgɪnɪŋ tɪ ɛnd]
• said: past tense of 'say', used for narration [sɛd]
• the Caterpillar: a specific character, a caterpillar [ðə ˈkætəˌpɪlər]
• decidedly: without hesitation; definitely [ˌdɪˈsaɪdədli]
• and: conjunction indicating addition [ənd]
• there was silence: a period of no sound [ðɛr wɑz ˈsaɪləns]
• for some minutes: lasting a few minutes [fər səm ˈmɪnəts]

The Caterpillar was the first to speak.

• The Caterpillar: Refers to a specific caterpillar, likely a character in a story [ðə ˈkætəˌpɪlər]
• was: Past tense of the verb 'to be' [wɑz]
• the first: Indicates that this caterpillar was the initial one [ðə fərst]
• to speak: To utter words; to be the first to talk [tɪ spik]

'What size do you want to be?' it asked.

• What size: Inquiring about the dimensions or magnitude [wət saɪz]
• do you want: Expressing a desire or preference [du ju wɔnt]
• to be: To exist in a certain state or condition [tɪ bi]
• it: Referring to the Caterpillar [ɪt]
• asked: Inquired or posed a question [æst]

'Oh, I'm not particular as to size,' Alice hastily replied; 'only one doesn't like changing so often, you know.'

• Oh: An exclamation, often expressing surprise or mild emphasis [oʊ]
• I'm not particular: Expressing that one does not have strong preferences [əm nɑt ˌpɑˈtɪkjələr]
• as to size: Regarding the dimension or magnitude [ɛz tɪ saɪz]
• Alice: Name of the character [ˈælɪs]
• hastily: Done with speed or urgency [ˈheɪstəli]
• replied: Answered or responded [rɪˈplaɪd]
• only one: Referring to a person in general [ˈoʊnli wən]
• doesn't like: Expressing a dislike or aversion [ˈdəzənt laɪk]
• changing: Transforming or altering [ˈʧeɪnʤɪŋ]
• so often: Frequently or repeatedly [soʊ ˈɔfən]
• you know: An expression used to seek agreement or understanding [ju noʊ]

'I DON'T know,' said the Caterpillar.

• I DON'T know: Expressing a lack of awareness or understanding, with emphasis on 'DON'T' [aɪ doʊnt noʊ]
• said: Spoke or uttered [sɛd]
• the Caterpillar: Referring to the character [ðə ˈkætəˌpɪlər]

Alice said nothing: she had never been so much contradicted in her life before, and she felt that she was losing her temper.

• Alice: Name of the character [ˈælɪs]
• said: Spoke or uttered [sɛd]
• nothing: No words or statements [ˈnəθɪŋ]
• she: Referring to Alice [ʃi]
• had never been: Expressing a past experience [hæd ˈnɛvər bɪn]
• so much: To a great extent or degree [soʊ məʧ]
• contradicted: Opposed or disagreed with [ˌkɑntrəˈdɪktəd]
• in her life: During her existence [ɪn hər laɪf]
• before: Previously or earlier [ˌbiˈfɔr]
• and: Conjunction used to connect clauses or phrases [ənd]
• she: Referring to Alice [ʃi]
• felt: Experienced an emotion or sensation [fɛlt]
• that: Conjunction used to introduce a subordinate clause [ðət]
• she: Referring to Alice [ʃi]
• was losing: In the process of losing [wɑz ˈluzɪŋ]
• her temper: Becoming angry or irritated [hər ˈtɛmpər]

'Are you content now?' said the Caterpillar.

• Are you content: Asking if someone is satisfied or pleased [ər ju ˈkɑntɛnt]
• now: At the present time [naʊ]
• said: Spoke or uttered [sɛd]
• the Caterpillar: Referring to the character [ðə ˈkætəˌpɪlər]

'Well, I should like to be a LITTLE larger, sir, if you wouldn't mind,' said Alice: 'three inches is such a wretched height to be.'

• Well: An introductory word, often used to express hesitation or mild surprise [wɛl]
• I should like: Expressing a polite desire or preference [aɪ ʃʊd laɪk]
• to be: To exist in a certain state or condition [tɪ bi]
• a LITTLE larger: Slightly bigger in size [ə ˈlɪtəl ˈlɑrʤər]
• sir: A polite form of address to a man [sər]
• if you wouldn't mind: A polite expression asking for consideration [ɪf ju ˈwʊdənt maɪnd]
• said: Spoke or uttered [sɛd]
• Alice: Name of the character [ˈælɪs]
• three inches: A measurement of length [θri ˈɪnʧɪz]
• is: Present tense of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]
• such a wretched height: A very undesirable or pitiful height [səʧ ə ˈrɛʧɪd haɪt]
• to be: To exist in a certain state or condition [tɪ bi]

'It is a very good height indeed!' said the Caterpillar angrily, rearing itself upright as it spoke (it was exactly three inches high).

• It is: Contraction of 'It is', used for emphasis or to state a fact [ɪt ɪz]
• a very good height: an above-average or desirable height [ə ˈvɛri gʊd haɪt]
• indeed: an intensifier, emphasizing the preceding statement [ˌɪnˈdid]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• the Caterpillar: referring to a specific character, a caterpillar [ðə ˈkætəˌpɪlər]
• angrily: in an angry manner [ˈæŋgrəli]
• rearing itself upright: raising its body to stand on its hind legs [ˈrɪrɪŋ ˌɪtˈsɛlf ˈəˌpraɪt]
• as it spoke: while it was speaking [ɛz ɪt spoʊk]
• it was exactly three inches high: parenthetical statement indicating the caterpillar's height [(ɪt wɑz ɪgˈzæktli θri ˈɪnʧɪz haɪ)]

'But I'm not used to it!' pleaded poor Alice in a piteous tone.

• But I'm: Contraction of 'but I am', indicating a contrast to a previous statement [bət əm]
• not used to it: not accustomed or familiar with the situation [nɑt juzd tɪ ɪt]
• pleaded: begged or requested earnestly [ˈplidɪd]
• poor Alice: Alice is described as poor, implying sympathy [pur ˈælɪs]
• in a piteous tone: in a manner expressing sorrow or suffering [ɪn ə piteous toʊn]

'You'll get used to it in time,' said the Caterpillar; and it put the hookah into its mouth and began smoking again.

• You'll: Contraction of 'you will', indicating a future action [jul]
• get used to it: become accustomed to something [gɪt juzd tɪ ɪt]
• in time: eventually; after a period of time [ɪn taɪm]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• the Caterpillar: referring to a specific character, a caterpillar [ðə ˈkætəˌpɪlər]
• and it: referring to the Caterpillar [ənd ɪt]
• put: past tense of 'put', meaning to place something [pʊt]
• the hookah: a type of water pipe [ðə hookah]
• into its mouth: placing the hookah in its mouth [ˈɪntu ɪts maʊθ]
• and began: started to [ənd bɪˈgæn]
• smoking again: continuing to smoke [sˈmoʊkɪŋ əˈgɛn]