A Brief History of the English Language — Vol. 2

Chapter XII · Chapter 12

Chapter 12 of A Brief History of the English Language — Vol. 2 is here in full — 248 sentences across 50 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By J. M. D. (John Miller Dow) Meiklejohn • Curated US English Learning Edition

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THE SECOND HALF OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.

+Prose-Writers.+-- The four greatest prose-writers of the latter half of the eighteenth century are +Johnson+, +Goldsmith+, +Burke+, and +Gibbon+.

Dr Johnson was the most prominent literary figure in London at this period; and filled in his own time much the same position that Carlyle lately held in literary circles.

He wrote on many subjects-- but chiefly on literature and morals; and hence he was called “The Great Moralist.”

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LEARNER DICTIONARY

Archivist

/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/

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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Chapter XII Reading 1/49

A Brief History of the English Language — Vol. 2 J. M. D. (John Miller Dow) Meiklejohn

Chapter XII

Chapter 12

Chapter 12 of A Brief History of the English Language — Vol. 2 is here in full — 248 sentences across 50 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

THE SECOND HALF OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 1. +Prose-Writers.+-- The four greatest prose-writers of the latter half of the eighteenth century are +Johnson+, +Goldsmith+, +Burke+, and +Gibbon+. Dr Johnson was the most prominent literary figure in London at this period; and filled in his own time much the same position that Carlyle lately held in literary circles. He wrote on many subjects-- but chiefly on literature and morals; and hence he was called “The Great Moralist.”

A Brief History of the English Language — Vol. 2

Chapter XII · Chapter 12

Chapter 12 of A Brief History of the English Language — Vol. 2 is here in full — 248 sentences across 50 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/49 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

THE SECOND HALF OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.

/ðə ˈsekənd hæf ʌv ðə eɪˈtiːnθ ˈsentʃəri/

Line 2

Line 3

+Prose-Writers.+-- The four greatest prose-writers of the latter half of the eighteenth century are +Johnson+, +Goldsmith+, +Burke+, and +Gibbon+.

Line 4

Dr Johnson was the most prominent literary figure in London at this period; and filled in his own time much the same position that Carlyle lately held in literary circles.

Line 5

He wrote on many subjects-- but chiefly on literature and morals; and hence he was called “The Great Moralist.”

/hiː roʊt ɑːn ˈmeni ˈsʌbdʒɪkts bʌt ˈtʃiːfli ɑːn ˈlɪtərətʃər ənd ˈmɔːrəlz ənd hens hiː wɑːz kɔːld ðə ɡreɪt ˈmɔːrəlɪst/

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.

Burke noun US /bɜːrk/

British statesman famous for his oratory; pleaded the cause of the American colonists in British Parliament and defended the parliamentary system (1729-1797)

From this reading “+Prose-Writers.+-- The four greatest prose-writers of the latter half of the eighteenth century are +Johnson+, +Goldsmith+, +Burke+, and +Gibbon+.”

Carlyle noun US /ˈkɑːrlaɪl/

Scottish historian who wrote about the French Revolution (1795-1881)

From this reading “Dr Johnson was the most prominent literary figure in London at this period; and filled in his own time much the same position that Carlyle lately held in literary circles.”

eighteenth adjective US /eɪˈtiːnθ/

coming next after the seventeenth in position

From this reading “THE SECOND HALF OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.”

Gibbon noun US /ˈɡɪbən/

English historian best known for his history of the Roman Empire (1737-1794)

From this reading “+Prose-Writers.+-- The four greatest prose-writers of the latter half of the eighteenth century are +Johnson+, +Goldsmith+, +Burke+, and +Gibbon+.”

Goldsmith noun US /ˈɡoʊldsmɪθ/

an artisan who makes jewelry and other objects out of gold

From this reading “+Prose-Writers.+-- The four greatest prose-writers of the latter half of the eighteenth century are +Johnson+, +Goldsmith+, +Burke+, and +Gibbon+.”

Moralist noun US /ˈmɔːrəlɪst/

a philosopher who specializes in morals and moral problems

From this reading “He wrote on many subjects-- but chiefly on literature and morals; and hence he was called “The Great Moralist.””

morals noun US /ˈmɔːrəlz/

motivation based on ideas of right and wrong

From this reading “He wrote on many subjects-- but chiefly on literature and morals; and hence he was called “The Great Moralist.””

prominent adjective US /ˈprɑːmənənt/

having a quality that thrusts itself into attention

From this reading “Dr Johnson was the most prominent literary figure in London at this period; and filled in his own time much the same position that Carlyle lately held in literary circles.”

All words in this reading · 53

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

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

From this reading 1.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading +Prose-Writers.+-- The four greatest prose-writers of the latter half of the eighteenth century are +Johnson+, +Goldsmith+, +Burke+, and +Gibbon+.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading +Prose-Writers.+-- The four greatest prose-writers of the latter half of the eighteenth century are +Johnson+, +Goldsmith+, +Burke+, and +Gibbon+.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Dr Johnson was the most prominent literary figure in London at this period; and filled in his own time much the same position that Carlyle lately held in literary circles.

BurkenounUS /bɜːrk/

British statesman famous for his oratory; pleaded the cause of the American colonists in British Parliament and defended the parliamentary system (1729-1797)

From this reading +Prose-Writers.+-- The four greatest prose-writers of the latter half of the eighteenth century are +Johnson+, +Goldsmith+, +Burke+, and +Gibbon+.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He wrote on many subjects-- but chiefly on literature and morals; and hence he was called “The Great Moralist.”

calledverbUS /kɔːld/

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading He wrote on many subjects-- but chiefly on literature and morals; and hence he was called “The Great Moralist.”

CarlylenounUS /ˈkɑːrlaɪl/

Scottish historian who wrote about the French Revolution (1795-1881)

From this reading Dr Johnson was the most prominent literary figure in London at this period; and filled in his own time much the same position that Carlyle lately held in literary circles.

CENTURYnounUS /ˈsentʃəri/

a period of 100 years

From this reading THE SECOND HALF OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.

chieflyadverbUS /ˈtʃiːfli/

for the most part

From this reading He wrote on many subjects-- but chiefly on literature and morals; and hence he was called “The Great Moralist.”

circlesnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəlz/

plural of “circle” — ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point

From this reading Dr Johnson was the most prominent literary figure in London at this period; and filled in his own time much the same position that Carlyle lately held in literary circles.

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

From this reading Dr Johnson was the most prominent literary figure in London at this period; and filled in his own time much the same position that Carlyle lately held in literary circles.

EIGHTEENTHadjectiveUS /eɪˈtiːnθ/

coming next after the seventeenth in position

From this reading THE SECOND HALF OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.

figurenounUS /ˈfɪɡjər/

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading Dr Johnson was the most prominent literary figure in London at this period; and filled in his own time much the same position that Carlyle lately held in literary circles.

filledadjectiveUS /fɪld/

(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with

From this reading Dr Johnson was the most prominent literary figure in London at this period; and filled in his own time much the same position that Carlyle lately held in literary circles.

fournounUS /fɔːr/

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading +Prose-Writers.+-- The four greatest prose-writers of the latter half of the eighteenth century are +Johnson+, +Goldsmith+, +Burke+, and +Gibbon+.

GibbonnounUS /ˈɡɪbən/

English historian best known for his history of the Roman Empire (1737-1794)

From this reading +Prose-Writers.+-- The four greatest prose-writers of the latter half of the eighteenth century are +Johnson+, +Goldsmith+, +Burke+, and +Gibbon+.

GoldsmithnounUS /ˈɡoʊldsmɪθ/

an artisan who makes jewelry and other objects out of gold

From this reading +Prose-Writers.+-- The four greatest prose-writers of the latter half of the eighteenth century are +Johnson+, +Goldsmith+, +Burke+, and +Gibbon+.

GreatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

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

From this reading He wrote on many subjects-- but chiefly on literature and morals; and hence he was called “The Great Moralist.”

greatestadjectiveUS /ˈɡreɪtəst/

highest in quality

From this reading +Prose-Writers.+-- The four greatest prose-writers of the latter half of the eighteenth century are +Johnson+, +Goldsmith+, +Burke+, and +Gibbon+.

HALFadjectiveUS /hæf/

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading THE SECOND HALF OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.

HepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He wrote on many subjects-- but chiefly on literature and morals; and hence he was called “The Great Moralist.”

heldadjectiveUS /held/

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading Dr Johnson was the most prominent literary figure in London at this period; and filled in his own time much the same position that Carlyle lately held in literary circles.

henceadverbUS /hens/

for this reason

From this reading He wrote on many subjects-- but chiefly on literature and morals; and hence he was called “The Great Moralist.”

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Dr Johnson was the most prominent literary figure in London at this period; and filled in his own time much the same position that Carlyle lately held in literary circles.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Dr Johnson was the most prominent literary figure in London at this period; and filled in his own time much the same position that Carlyle lately held in literary circles.

JohnsonnounUS /ˈdʒɑːnsən/

English writer and lexicographer (1709-1784)

From this reading +Prose-Writers.+-- The four greatest prose-writers of the latter half of the eighteenth century are +Johnson+, +Goldsmith+, +Burke+, and +Gibbon+.

latelyadverbUS /ˈleɪtli/

in the recent past

From this reading Dr Johnson was the most prominent literary figure in London at this period; and filled in his own time much the same position that Carlyle lately held in literary circles.

latteradjectiveUS /ˈlætər/

referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)

From this reading +Prose-Writers.+-- The four greatest prose-writers of the latter half of the eighteenth century are +Johnson+, +Goldsmith+, +Burke+, and +Gibbon+.

literaryadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəreri/

of or relating to or characteristic of literature

From this reading Dr Johnson was the most prominent literary figure in London at this period; and filled in his own time much the same position that Carlyle lately held in literary circles.

literaturenounUS /ˈlɪtərətʃər/

creative writing of recognized artistic value

From this reading He wrote on many subjects-- but chiefly on literature and morals; and hence he was called “The Great Moralist.”

LondonnounUS /ˈlʌndən/

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading Dr Johnson was the most prominent literary figure in London at this period; and filled in his own time much the same position that Carlyle lately held in literary circles.

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 He wrote on many subjects-- but chiefly on literature and morals; and hence he was called “The Great Moralist.”

MoralistnounUS /ˈmɔːrəlɪst/

a philosopher who specializes in morals and moral problems

From this reading He wrote on many subjects-- but chiefly on literature and morals; and hence he was called “The Great Moralist.”

moralsnounUS /ˈmɔːrəlz/

motivation based on ideas of right and wrong

From this reading He wrote on many subjects-- but chiefly on literature and morals; and hence he was called “The Great Moralist.”

mostadverbUS /moʊst/

used to form the superlative

From this reading Dr Johnson was the most prominent literary figure in London at this period; and filled in his own time much the same position that Carlyle lately held in literary circles.

muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Dr Johnson was the most prominent literary figure in London at this period; and filled in his own time much the same position that Carlyle lately held in literary circles.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE SECOND HALF OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He wrote on many subjects-- but chiefly on literature and morals; and hence he was called “The Great Moralist.”

ownverbUS /oʊn/

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Dr Johnson was the most prominent literary figure in London at this period; and filled in his own time much the same position that Carlyle lately held in literary circles.

periodnounUS /ˈpɪriəd/

an amount of time

From this reading Dr Johnson was the most prominent literary figure in London at this period; and filled in his own time much the same position that Carlyle lately held in literary circles.

positionnounUS /pəˈzɪʃən/

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading Dr Johnson was the most prominent literary figure in London at this period; and filled in his own time much the same position that Carlyle lately held in literary circles.

prominentadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːmənənt/

having a quality that thrusts itself into attention

From this reading Dr Johnson was the most prominent literary figure in London at this period; and filled in his own time much the same position that Carlyle lately held in literary circles.

Prose-Writers

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

From this reading +Prose-Writers.+-- The four greatest prose-writers of the latter half of the eighteenth century are +Johnson+, +Goldsmith+, +Burke+, and +Gibbon+.

sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/

Identical; not different.

From this reading Dr Johnson was the most prominent literary figure in London at this period; and filled in his own time much the same position that Carlyle lately held in literary circles.

SECONDnounUS /ˈsekənd/

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading THE SECOND HALF OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.

subjectsnounUS /ˈsʌbdʒɪkts/

plural of “subject” — the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading He wrote on many subjects-- but chiefly on literature and morals; and hence he was called “The Great Moralist.”

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Dr Johnson was the most prominent literary figure in London at this period; and filled in his own time much the same position that Carlyle lately held in literary circles.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE SECOND HALF OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Dr Johnson was the most prominent literary figure in London at this period; and filled in his own time much the same position that Carlyle lately held in literary circles.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Dr Johnson was the most prominent literary figure in London at this period; and filled in his own time much the same position that Carlyle lately held in literary circles.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Dr Johnson was the most prominent literary figure in London at this period; and filled in his own time much the same position that Carlyle lately held in literary circles.

wroteverbUS /roʊt/

inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work

From this reading He wrote on many subjects-- but chiefly on literature and morals; and hence he was called “The Great Moralist.”

Chapter 12 of A Brief History of the English Language — Vol. 2 by J. M. D. (John Miller Dow) Meiklejohn holds 248 sentences, grouped into 50 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 12 of A Brief History of the English Language — Vol. 2 contain?

Chapter 12 holds 248 sentences of A Brief History of the English Language — Vol. 2, unabridged, divided into 50 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 12 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 248 sentences, grouped into 50 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.

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Chapter XII · Chapter 12

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