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A Brief History of the English Language — Vol. 2
A Brief History of the English Language — Vol. 2

Chapter VII · Chapter 7

Chapter 7 of A Brief History of the English Language — Vol. 2 is here in full — 101 sentences across 21 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By J. M. D. (John Miller Dow) Meiklejohn • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for A Brief History of the English Language — Vol. 2
Context Illustration Reading 1/20 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY.
1.
The opening of the fourteenth century saw the death of the great and able king, Edward I., the “Hammer of the Scots,” the “Keeper of his word.”
The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.
This century saw also many striking events, and many still more striking changes.
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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 Brief History of the English Language — Vol. 2

Chapter VII · Chapter 7

Chapter 7 of A Brief History of the English Language — Vol. 2 is here in full — 101 sentences across 21 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/20 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY.
/ðə ˈfɔːrˈtiːnθ ˈsentʃəri/
Line 2
1.
Line 3
The opening of the fourteenth century saw the death of the great and able king, Edward I., the “Hammer of the Scots,” the “Keeper of his word.”
/ðə ˈoʊpənɪŋ ʌv ðə ˈfɔːrˈtiːnθ ˈsentʃəri sɔː ðə deθ ʌv ðə ɡreɪt ənd ˈeɪbəl kɪŋ ˈedwərd aɪ ðə ˈhæmər ʌv ðə skɑːts ðə ˈkiːpər ʌv hɪz wɜːrd/
Line 4
The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.
Line 5
This century saw also many striking events, and many still more striking changes.
/ðɪs ˈsentʃəri sɔː ˈɔːlsoʊ ˈmeni ˈstraɪkɪŋ ɪˈvents ənd ˈmeni stɪl mɔːr ˈstraɪkɪŋ ˈtʃeɪndʒəz/

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.

disastrous adjective US /dɪˈzæstrəs/

(of events) having extremely unfortunate or dire consequences; bringing ruin

From this reading “The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
dynasty noun US /ˈdaɪnəsti/

a sequence of powerful leaders in the same family

From this reading “The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
eventful adjective US /ɪˈventfəl/

full of events or incidents

From this reading “The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
fourteenth adjective US /ˈfɔːrˈtiːnθ/

coming next after the thirteenth in position

From this reading “THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Lancaster noun US /ˈlænkæstər/

a city in northwestern England

From this reading “The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
prosperous adjective US /ˈprɑːspərəs/

in fortunate circumstances financially; moderately rich

From this reading “The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
repetition noun US /ˌrepəˈtɪʃən/

an event that repeats

From this reading “The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Scots noun US /skɑːts/

the dialect of English used in Scotland

From this reading “The opening of the fourteenth century saw the death of the great and able king, Edward I., the “Hammer of the Scots,” the “Keeper of his word.””

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

All words in this reading · 63

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.

1

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

From this reading 1.

Pending verification
adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ableadjectiveUS /ˈeɪbəl/

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading The opening of the fourteenth century saw the death of the great and able king, Edward I., the “Hammer of the Scots,” the “Keeper of his word.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
alsoadverbUS /ˈɔːlsoʊ/

in addition

From this reading This century saw also many striking events, and many still more striking changes.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ambitiousadjectiveUS /æmˈbɪʃəs/

having a strong desire for success or achievement

From this reading The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The opening of the fourteenth century saw the death of the great and able king, Edward I., the “Hammer of the Scots,” the “Keeper of his word.”

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
appearancenounUS /əˈpɪrəns/

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
CENTURYnounUS /ˈsentʃəri/

a period of 100 years

From this reading THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
changesnounUS /ˈtʃeɪndʒəz/

plural of “change” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another

From this reading This century saw also many striking events, and many still more striking changes.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
deathnounUS /deθ/

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading The opening of the fourteenth century saw the death of the great and able king, Edward I., the “Hammer of the Scots,” the “Keeper of his word.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
disastrousadjectiveUS /dɪˈzæstrəs/

(of events) having extremely unfortunate or dire consequences; bringing ruin

From this reading The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
dynastynounUS /ˈdaɪnəsti/

a sequence of powerful leaders in the same family

From this reading The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
EdwardnounUS /ˈedwərd/

King of England and Ireland in 1936; his marriage to Wallis Warfield Simpson created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication (1894-1972)

From this reading The opening of the fourteenth century saw the death of the great and able king, Edward I., the “Hammer of the Scots,” the “Keeper of his word.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
eventfuladjectiveUS /ɪˈventfəl/

full of events or incidents

From this reading The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
eventsnounUS /ɪˈvents/

plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading This century saw also many striking events, and many still more striking changes.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
exhibitedverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪbətəd/

past form of “exhibit” — show an attribute, property, knowledge, or skill

From this reading The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
faultsnounUS /fɔːlts/

plural of “fault” — a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention

From this reading The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
feebleadjectiveUS /ˈfiːbəl/

pathetically lacking in force or effectiveness

From this reading The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
fiftynounUS /ˈfɪfti/

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five

From this reading The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
FOURTEENTHadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrˈtiːnθ/

coming next after the thirteenth in position

From this reading THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading The opening of the fourteenth century saw the death of the great and able king, Edward I., the “Hammer of the Scots,” the “Keeper of his word.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
HammernounUS /ˈhæmər/

the part of a gunlock that strikes the percussion cap when the trigger is pulled

From this reading The opening of the fourteenth century saw the death of the great and able king, Edward I., the “Hammer of the Scots,” the “Keeper of his word.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
HenrynounUS /ˈhenri/

a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second

From this reading The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The opening of the fourteenth century saw the death of the great and able king, Edward I., the “Hammer of the Scots,” the “Keeper of his word.”

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
HousenounUS /haʊs/

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

From this reading The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading The opening of the fourteenth century saw the death of the great and able king, Edward I., the “Hammer of the Scots,” the “Keeper of his word.”

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
IInoun

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
IIInoun

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
IVnoun

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
KeepernounUS /ˈkiːpər/

someone in charge of other people

From this reading The opening of the fourteenth century saw the death of the great and able king, Edward I., the “Hammer of the Scots,” the “Keeper of his word.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
kingnounUS /kɪŋ/

a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading The opening of the fourteenth century saw the death of the great and able king, Edward I., the “Hammer of the Scots,” the “Keeper of his word.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
LancasternounUS /ˈlænkæstər/

a city in northwestern England

From this reading The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading This century saw also many striking events, and many still more striking changes.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading This century saw also many striking events, and many still more striking changes.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mostadverbUS /moʊst/

used to form the superlative

From this reading The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
newadjectiveUS /nuː/

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

From this reading The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The opening of the fourteenth century saw the death of the great and able king, Edward I., the “Hammer of the Scots,” the “Keeper of his word.”

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
openingnounUS /ˈoʊpənɪŋ/

an open or empty space in or between things

From this reading The opening of the fourteenth century saw the death of the great and able king, Edward I., the “Hammer of the Scots,” the “Keeper of his word.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
periodnounUS /ˈpɪriəd/

an amount of time

From this reading The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
personnounUS /ˈpɜːrsən/

a human being

From this reading The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
powerfuladjectiveUS /ˈpaʊərfəl/

having great power or force or potency or effect

From this reading The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
prosperousadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːspərəs/

in fortunate circumstances financially; moderately rich

From this reading The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
reignverbUS /reɪn/

have sovereign power

From this reading The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
repetitionnounUS /ˌrepəˈtɪʃən/

an event that repeats

From this reading The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Richard

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

From this reading The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.

Pending verification
rulenounUS /ruːl/

a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior

From this reading The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sawverbUS /sɔː/

cut with a saw

From this reading The opening of the fourteenth century saw the death of the great and able king, Edward I., the “Hammer of the Scots,” the “Keeper of his word.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ScotsnounUS /skɑːts/

the dialect of English used in Scotland

From this reading The opening of the fourteenth century saw the death of the great and able king, Edward I., the “Hammer of the Scots,” the “Keeper of his word.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/

not in physical motion

From this reading This century saw also many striking events, and many still more striking changes.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
strikingadjectiveUS /ˈstraɪkɪŋ/

sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect

From this reading This century saw also many striking events, and many still more striking changes.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading This century saw also many striking events, and many still more striking changes.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
timesnounUS /taɪmz/

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
troubledadjectiveUS /ˈtrʌbəld/

characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need

From this reading The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
witnessedverbUS /ˈwɪtnəst/

past form of “witness” — be a witness to

From this reading The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wordnounUS /wɜːrd/

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading The opening of the fourteenth century saw the death of the great and able king, Edward I., the “Hammer of the Scots,” the “Keeper of his word.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/

a late time of life

From this reading The century itself-- a most eventful period-- witnessed the feeble and disastrous reign of Edward II.; the long and prosperous rule-- for fifty years-- of Edward III.; the troubled times of Richard II., who exhibited almost a repetition of the faults of Edward II.; and the appearance of a new and powerful dynasty-- the House of Lancaster-- in the person of the able and ambitious Henry IV.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Chapter 7 of A Brief History of the English Language — Vol. 2 by J. M. D. (John Miller Dow) Meiklejohn holds 101 sentences, grouped into 21 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 7 of A Brief History of the English Language — Vol. 2 contain?

Chapter 7 holds 101 sentences of A Brief History of the English Language — Vol. 2, unabridged, divided into 21 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 7 of A Brief History of the English Language — Vol. 2 by J. M. D. (John Miller Dow) Meiklejohn exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 101 sentences, grouped into 21 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 7 of A Brief History of the English Language — Vol. 2?

Work through the 21 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 21 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 7 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 7 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 A Brief History of the English Language — Vol. 2

Common questions about reading A Brief History of the English Language — Vol. 2 by J. M. D. (John Miller Dow) Meiklejohn on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of A Brief History of the English Language — Vol. 2?

Yes. All 4412 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #21665 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of A Brief History of the English Language — Vol. 2 is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #21665, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does A Brief History of the English Language — Vol. 2 take to read?

About 367 minutes of reading across 883 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read A Brief History of the English Language — Vol. 2 section by section

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Vocabulary met early in A Brief History of the English Language — Vol. 2

Words and structures a reader meets early in A Brief History of the English Language — Vol. 2, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Periods
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Brief History of the English Language — Vol. 2; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
English
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Brief History of the English Language — Vol. 2; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Living
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Brief History of the English Language — Vol. 2; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Languages
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Brief History of the English Language — Vol. 2; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.