adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Literary criticism in the present day has become a profession,--but it has ceased to be an art.
ableadjectiveUS /ˈeɪbəl/
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
accordancenounUS /əˈkɔːrdəns/
concurrence of opinion
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
acquaintedadjectiveUS /əˈkweɪntɪd/
having fair knowledge of
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Literary criticism in the present day has become a profession,--but it has ceased to be an art.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading Literary criticism in the present day has become a profession,--but it has ceased to be an art.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading English criticism at present rarely even pretends to go so far as this.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading English criticism at present rarely even pretends to go so far as this.
attemptsnounUS /əˈtempts/
plural of “attempt” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
attentionnounUS /əˈtenʃən/
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
badadjectiveUS /bæd/
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Literary criticism in the present day has become a profession,--but it has ceased to be an art.
becomeverbUS /bɪˈkʌm/
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Literary criticism in the present day has become a profession,--but it has ceased to be an art.
booknounUS /bʊk/
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Literary criticism in the present day has become a profession,--but it has ceased to be an art.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
ceasedverbUS /siːst/
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading Literary criticism in the present day has become a profession,--but it has ceased to be an art.
certainadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtən/
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
contentsnounUS /ˈkɑːntents/
(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
criticnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪk/
a person who is professionally engaged in the analysis and interpretation of works of art
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
CRITICISMnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪsɪzəm/
disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings
From this reading ON CRITICISM.
cutverbUS /kʌt/
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Literary criticism in the present day has become a profession,--but it has ceased to be an art.
defineverbUS /dɪˈfaɪn/
determine the essential quality of
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
describeverbUS /dɪˈskraɪb/
give a description of
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
enableverbUS /eˈneɪbəl/
render capable or able for some task
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
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 English criticism at present rarely even pretends to go so far as this.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading English criticism at present rarely even pretends to go so far as this.
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading English criticism at present rarely even pretends to go so far as this.
feelverbUS /fiːl/
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
goverbUS /ɡoʊ/
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading English criticism at present rarely even pretends to go so far as this.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Literary criticism in the present day has become a profession,--but it has ceased to be an art.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Literary criticism in the present day has become a profession,--but it has ceased to be an art.
inclinationnounUS /ˌɪnkləˈneɪʃən/
an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Literary criticism in the present day has become a profession,--but it has ceased to be an art.
ItsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
LiteraryadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəreri/
of or relating to or characteristic of literature
From this reading Literary criticism in the present day has become a profession,--but it has ceased to be an art.
longeradverbUS /ˈlɔːŋɡər/
for more time
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
objectnounUS /ˈɑːbdʒekt/
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
ONprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ON CRITICISM.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
placenounUS /pleɪs/
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
presentverbUS /ˈprezənt/
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Literary criticism in the present day has become a profession,--but it has ceased to be an art.
pretendsnounUS /priˈtendz/
plural of “pretend” — the enactment of a pretense
From this reading English criticism at present rarely even pretends to go so far as this.
professionnounUS /prəˈfeʃən/
the body of people in a learned occupation
From this reading Literary criticism in the present day has become a profession,--but it has ceased to be an art.
provingverbUS /ˈpruːvɪŋ/
-ing form of “prove” — be shown or be found to be
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
publicnounUS /ˈpʌblɪk/
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
purportverbUS /ˈpɜːrpɔːrt/
have the often specious appearance of being, intending, or claiming
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
rarelyadverbUS /ˈrerli/
not often
From this reading English criticism at present rarely even pretends to go so far as this.
readingnounUS /ˈriːdɪŋ/
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
rulesnounUS /ruːlz/
plural of “rule” — a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
secondnounUS /ˈsekənd/
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔːrt/
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading English criticism at present rarely even pretends to go so far as this.
tellverbUS /tel/
express in words
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Literary criticism in the present day has become a profession,--but it has ceased to be an art.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading English criticism at present rarely even pretends to go so far as this.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Literary criticism in the present day has become a profession,--but it has ceased to be an art.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
workverbUS /wɜːrk/
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
worthnounUS /wɜːrθ/
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
