adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It is nearly twenty years since I proposed to myself to write a history of English prose fiction.
acknowledgeverbUS /ækˈnɑːlɪdʒ/
declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading I acknowledge that I broke down in the task, because I could not endure the labour in addition to the other labours of my life.
additionnounUS /əˈdɪʃən/
a component that is added to something to improve it
From this reading I acknowledge that I broke down in the task, because I could not endure the labour in addition to the other labours of my life.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ON NOVELS AND THE ART OF WRITING THEM.
ARTauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading ON NOVELS AND THE ART OF WRITING THEM.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I shall never do it now, but the subject is so good a one that I recommend it heartily to some man of letters, who shall at the same time be indefatigable and light-handed.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I shall never do it now, but the subject is so good a one that I recommend it heartily to some man of letters, who shall at the same time be indefatigable and light-handed.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading I acknowledge that I broke down in the task, because I could not endure the labour in addition to the other labours of my life.
booknounUS /bʊk/
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading Though the book might be charming, the work was very much the reverse.
brokeadjectiveUS /broʊk/
lacking funds
From this reading I acknowledge that I broke down in the task, because I could not endure the labour in addition to the other labours of my life.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I shall never do it now, but the subject is so good a one that I recommend it heartily to some man of letters, who shall at the same time be indefatigable and light-handed.
charmingadjectiveUS /ˈtʃɑːrmɪŋ/
pleasing or delighting
From this reading Though the book might be charming, the work was very much the reverse.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I acknowledge that I broke down in the task, because I could not endure the labour in addition to the other labours of my life.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading I shall never do it now, but the subject is so good a one that I recommend it heartily to some man of letters, who shall at the same time be indefatigable and light-handed.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading I acknowledge that I broke down in the task, because I could not endure the labour in addition to the other labours of my life.
endureverbUS /enˈdjʊr/
put up with something or somebody unpleasant
From this reading I acknowledge that I broke down in the task, because I could not endure the labour in addition to the other labours of my life.
EnglishnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading It is nearly twenty years since I proposed to myself to write a history of English prose fiction.
fictionnounUS /ˈfɪkʃən/
a literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact
From this reading It is nearly twenty years since I proposed to myself to write a history of English prose fiction.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading I shall never do it now, but the subject is so good a one that I recommend it heartily to some man of letters, who shall at the same time be indefatigable and light-handed.
heartilyadverbUS /ˈhɑːrtəli/
with gusto and without reservation
From this reading I shall never do it now, but the subject is so good a one that I recommend it heartily to some man of letters, who shall at the same time be indefatigable and light-handed.
historynounUS /ˈhɪstəri/
the aggregate of past events
From this reading It is nearly twenty years since I proposed to myself to write a history of English prose fiction.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading It is nearly twenty years since I proposed to myself to write a history of English prose fiction.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I acknowledge that I broke down in the task, because I could not endure the labour in addition to the other labours of my life.
indefatigableadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈfætɪɡəbəl/
showing sustained enthusiastic action with unflagging vitality
From this reading I shall never do it now, but the subject is so good a one that I recommend it heartily to some man of letters, who shall at the same time be indefatigable and light-handed.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is nearly twenty years since I proposed to myself to write a history of English prose fiction.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is nearly twenty years since I proposed to myself to write a history of English prose fiction.
labournounUS /ˈleɪbər/
a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
From this reading I acknowledge that I broke down in the task, because I could not endure the labour in addition to the other labours of my life.
labours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I acknowledge that I broke down in the task, because I could not endure the labour in addition to the other labours of my life.
lettersnounUS /ˈletərz/
the literary culture
From this reading I shall never do it now, but the subject is so good a one that I recommend it heartily to some man of letters, who shall at the same time be indefatigable and light-handed.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading I acknowledge that I broke down in the task, because I could not endure the labour in addition to the other labours of my life.
light-handedadjective
having a metaphorically delicate touch
From this reading I shall never do it now, but the subject is so good a one that I recommend it heartily to some man of letters, who shall at the same time be indefatigable and light-handed.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading I shall never do it now, but the subject is so good a one that I recommend it heartily to some man of letters, who shall at the same time be indefatigable and light-handed.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Though the book might be charming, the work was very much the reverse.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Though the book might be charming, the work was very much the reverse.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I acknowledge that I broke down in the task, because I could not endure the labour in addition to the other labours of my life.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading It is nearly twenty years since I proposed to myself to write a history of English prose fiction.
nearlyadverbUS /ˈnɪrli/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It is nearly twenty years since I proposed to myself to write a history of English prose fiction.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading I shall never do it now, but the subject is so good a one that I recommend it heartily to some man of letters, who shall at the same time be indefatigable and light-handed.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I acknowledge that I broke down in the task, because I could not endure the labour in addition to the other labours of my life.
NOVELSnounUS /ˈnɑːvəlz/
plural of “novel” — an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story
From this reading ON NOVELS AND THE ART OF WRITING THEM.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading I shall never do it now, but the subject is so good a one that I recommend it heartily to some man of letters, who shall at the same time be indefatigable and light-handed.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ON NOVELS AND THE ART OF WRITING THEM.
ONprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ON NOVELS AND THE ART OF WRITING THEM.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I shall never do it now, but the subject is so good a one that I recommend it heartily to some man of letters, who shall at the same time be indefatigable and light-handed.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading I acknowledge that I broke down in the task, because I could not endure the labour in addition to the other labours of my life.
proposedverbUS /prəˈpoʊzd/
past form of “propose” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading It is nearly twenty years since I proposed to myself to write a history of English prose fiction.
prosenounUS /proʊz/
ordinary writing as distinguished from verse
From this reading It is nearly twenty years since I proposed to myself to write a history of English prose fiction.
recommendverbUS /ˌrekəˈmend/
push for something
From this reading I shall never do it now, but the subject is so good a one that I recommend it heartily to some man of letters, who shall at the same time be indefatigable and light-handed.
reverseverbUS /rɪˈvɜːrs/
change to the contrary
From this reading Though the book might be charming, the work was very much the reverse.
sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/
Identical; not different.
From this reading I shall never do it now, but the subject is so good a one that I recommend it heartily to some man of letters, who shall at the same time be indefatigable and light-handed.
shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading I shall never do it now, but the subject is so good a one that I recommend it heartily to some man of letters, who shall at the same time be indefatigable and light-handed.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading It is nearly twenty years since I proposed to myself to write a history of English prose fiction.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I shall never do it now, but the subject is so good a one that I recommend it heartily to some man of letters, who shall at the same time be indefatigable and light-handed.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading I shall never do it now, but the subject is so good a one that I recommend it heartily to some man of letters, who shall at the same time be indefatigable and light-handed.
subjectnounUS /səbˈdʒekt/
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading I shall never do it now, but the subject is so good a one that I recommend it heartily to some man of letters, who shall at the same time be indefatigable and light-handed.
tasknounUS /tæsk/
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading I acknowledge that I broke down in the task, because I could not endure the labour in addition to the other labours of my life.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I shall never do it now, but the subject is so good a one that I recommend it heartily to some man of letters, who shall at the same time be indefatigable and light-handed.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ON NOVELS AND THE ART OF WRITING THEM.
THEMpronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading ON NOVELS AND THE ART OF WRITING THEM.
ThoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Though the book might be charming, the work was very much the reverse.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading I shall never do it now, but the subject is so good a one that I recommend it heartily to some man of letters, who shall at the same time be indefatigable and light-handed.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It is nearly twenty years since I proposed to myself to write a history of English prose fiction.
twentynounUS /ˈtwenti/
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading It is nearly twenty years since I proposed to myself to write a history of English prose fiction.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading Though the book might be charming, the work was very much the reverse.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Though the book might be charming, the work was very much the reverse.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading I shall never do it now, but the subject is so good a one that I recommend it heartily to some man of letters, who shall at the same time be indefatigable and light-handed.
workverbUS /wɜːrk/
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Though the book might be charming, the work was very much the reverse.
writeverbUS /raɪt/
produce a literary work
From this reading It is nearly twenty years since I proposed to myself to write a history of English prose fiction.
WRITINGnounUS /ˈraɪtɪŋ/
the act of creating written works
From this reading ON NOVELS AND THE ART OF WRITING THEM.
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/
a late time of life
From this reading It is nearly twenty years since I proposed to myself to write a history of English prose fiction.
