Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adjust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To adjust one's self to the enjoyment of these costs an intellectual effort, and an intellectual effort is what no ordinary person likes to make.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The artists are not alone to blame for the timidity that keeps them in the old furrows of the worn-out fields; most of those whom they live to please, or live by pleasing, prefer to have them remain there; it wants rare virtue to appreciate what is new, as well as to invent it; and the "easy things to understand" are the conventional things.
American
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is why the ordinary English novel, with its hackneyed plot, scenes, and figures, is more comfortable to the ordinary American than an American novel, which deals, at its worst, with comparatively new interests and motives.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading This is why the ordinary English novel, with its hackneyed plot, scenes, and figures, is more comfortable to the ordinary American than an American novel, which deals, at its worst, with comparatively new interests and motives.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The mass of creatures and of qualities are still hid and expectant," and to break new ground is still one of the uncommonest and most heroic of the virtues.
appreciate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The artists are not alone to blame for the timidity that keeps them in the old furrows of the worn-out fields; most of those whom they live to please, or live by pleasing, prefer to have them remain there; it wants rare virtue to appreciate what is new, as well as to invent it; and the "easy things to understand" are the conventional things.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "How few materials," says Emerson, "are yet used by our arts!
artists
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The artists are not alone to blame for the timidity that keeps them in the old furrows of the worn-out fields; most of those whom they live to please, or live by pleasing, prefer to have them remain there; it wants rare virtue to appreciate what is new, as well as to invent it; and the "easy things to understand" are the conventional things.
arts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "How few materials," says Emerson, "are yet used by our arts!
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The artists are not alone to blame for the timidity that keeps them in the old furrows of the worn-out fields; most of those whom they live to please, or live by pleasing, prefer to have them remain there; it wants rare virtue to appreciate what is new, as well as to invent it; and the "easy things to understand" are the conventional things.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading This is why the ordinary English novel, with its hackneyed plot, scenes, and figures, is more comfortable to the ordinary American than an American novel, which deals, at its worst, with comparatively new interests and motives.
blame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The artists are not alone to blame for the timidity that keeps them in the old furrows of the worn-out fields; most of those whom they live to please, or live by pleasing, prefer to have them remain there; it wants rare virtue to appreciate what is new, as well as to invent it; and the "easy things to understand" are the conventional things.
break
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mass of creatures and of qualities are still hid and expectant," and to break new ground is still one of the uncommonest and most heroic of the virtues.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "How few materials," says Emerson, "are yet used by our arts!
comfortable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is why the ordinary English novel, with its hackneyed plot, scenes, and figures, is more comfortable to the ordinary American than an American novel, which deals, at its worst, with comparatively new interests and motives.
comparatively
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is why the ordinary English novel, with its hackneyed plot, scenes, and figures, is more comfortable to the ordinary American than an American novel, which deals, at its worst, with comparatively new interests and motives.
conventional
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The artists are not alone to blame for the timidity that keeps them in the old furrows of the worn-out fields; most of those whom they live to please, or live by pleasing, prefer to have them remain there; it wants rare virtue to appreciate what is new, as well as to invent it; and the "easy things to understand" are the conventional things.
costs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To adjust one's self to the enjoyment of these costs an intellectual effort, and an intellectual effort is what no ordinary person likes to make.
creatures
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mass of creatures and of qualities are still hid and expectant," and to break new ground is still one of the uncommonest and most heroic of the virtues.
deals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is why the ordinary English novel, with its hackneyed plot, scenes, and figures, is more comfortable to the ordinary American than an American novel, which deals, at its worst, with comparatively new interests and motives.
easy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The artists are not alone to blame for the timidity that keeps them in the old furrows of the worn-out fields; most of those whom they live to please, or live by pleasing, prefer to have them remain there; it wants rare virtue to appreciate what is new, as well as to invent it; and the "easy things to understand" are the conventional things.
effort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To adjust one's self to the enjoyment of these costs an intellectual effort, and an intellectual effort is what no ordinary person likes to make.
Emerson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "How few materials," says Emerson, "are yet used by our arts!
English
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is why the ordinary English novel, with its hackneyed plot, scenes, and figures, is more comfortable to the ordinary American than an American novel, which deals, at its worst, with comparatively new interests and motives.
enjoyment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To adjust one's self to the enjoyment of these costs an intellectual effort, and an intellectual effort is what no ordinary person likes to make.
expectant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mass of creatures and of qualities are still hid and expectant," and to break new ground is still one of the uncommonest and most heroic of the virtues.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "How few materials," says Emerson, "are yet used by our arts!
fields
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The artists are not alone to blame for the timidity that keeps them in the old furrows of the worn-out fields; most of those whom they live to please, or live by pleasing, prefer to have them remain there; it wants rare virtue to appreciate what is new, as well as to invent it; and the "easy things to understand" are the conventional things.
figures
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is why the ordinary English novel, with its hackneyed plot, scenes, and figures, is more comfortable to the ordinary American than an American novel, which deals, at its worst, with comparatively new interests and motives.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The artists are not alone to blame for the timidity that keeps them in the old furrows of the worn-out fields; most of those whom they live to please, or live by pleasing, prefer to have them remain there; it wants rare virtue to appreciate what is new, as well as to invent it; and the "easy things to understand" are the conventional things.
furrows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The artists are not alone to blame for the timidity that keeps them in the old furrows of the worn-out fields; most of those whom they live to please, or live by pleasing, prefer to have them remain there; it wants rare virtue to appreciate what is new, as well as to invent it; and the "easy things to understand" are the conventional things.
ground
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mass of creatures and of qualities are still hid and expectant," and to break new ground is still one of the uncommonest and most heroic of the virtues.
hackneyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is why the ordinary English novel, with its hackneyed plot, scenes, and figures, is more comfortable to the ordinary American than an American novel, which deals, at its worst, with comparatively new interests and motives.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The artists are not alone to blame for the timidity that keeps them in the old furrows of the worn-out fields; most of those whom they live to please, or live by pleasing, prefer to have them remain there; it wants rare virtue to appreciate what is new, as well as to invent it; and the "easy things to understand" are the conventional things.
heroic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mass of creatures and of qualities are still hid and expectant," and to break new ground is still one of the uncommonest and most heroic of the virtues.
hid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mass of creatures and of qualities are still hid and expectant," and to break new ground is still one of the uncommonest and most heroic of the virtues.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "How few materials," says Emerson, "are yet used by our arts!
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The artists are not alone to blame for the timidity that keeps them in the old furrows of the worn-out fields; most of those whom they live to please, or live by pleasing, prefer to have them remain there; it wants rare virtue to appreciate what is new, as well as to invent it; and the "easy things to understand" are the conventional things.
intellectual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To adjust one's self to the enjoyment of these costs an intellectual effort, and an intellectual effort is what no ordinary person likes to make.
interests
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is why the ordinary English novel, with its hackneyed plot, scenes, and figures, is more comfortable to the ordinary American than an American novel, which deals, at its worst, with comparatively new interests and motives.
invent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The artists are not alone to blame for the timidity that keeps them in the old furrows of the worn-out fields; most of those whom they live to please, or live by pleasing, prefer to have them remain there; it wants rare virtue to appreciate what is new, as well as to invent it; and the "easy things to understand" are the conventional things.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The mass of creatures and of qualities are still hid and expectant," and to break new ground is still one of the uncommonest and most heroic of the virtues.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The artists are not alone to blame for the timidity that keeps them in the old furrows of the worn-out fields; most of those whom they live to please, or live by pleasing, prefer to have them remain there; it wants rare virtue to appreciate what is new, as well as to invent it; and the "easy things to understand" are the conventional things.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading This is why the ordinary English novel, with its hackneyed plot, scenes, and figures, is more comfortable to the ordinary American than an American novel, which deals, at its worst, with comparatively new interests and motives.
keeps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The artists are not alone to blame for the timidity that keeps them in the old furrows of the worn-out fields; most of those whom they live to please, or live by pleasing, prefer to have them remain there; it wants rare virtue to appreciate what is new, as well as to invent it; and the "easy things to understand" are the conventional things.
likes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To adjust one's self to the enjoyment of these costs an intellectual effort, and an intellectual effort is what no ordinary person likes to make.
live
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The artists are not alone to blame for the timidity that keeps them in the old furrows of the worn-out fields; most of those whom they live to please, or live by pleasing, prefer to have them remain there; it wants rare virtue to appreciate what is new, as well as to invent it; and the "easy things to understand" are the conventional things.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To adjust one's self to the enjoyment of these costs an intellectual effort, and an intellectual effort is what no ordinary person likes to make.
mass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mass of creatures and of qualities are still hid and expectant," and to break new ground is still one of the uncommonest and most heroic of the virtues.
materials
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "How few materials," says Emerson, "are yet used by our arts!
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is why the ordinary English novel, with its hackneyed plot, scenes, and figures, is more comfortable to the ordinary American than an American novel, which deals, at its worst, with comparatively new interests and motives.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mass of creatures and of qualities are still hid and expectant," and to break new ground is still one of the uncommonest and most heroic of the virtues.
motives
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is why the ordinary English novel, with its hackneyed plot, scenes, and figures, is more comfortable to the ordinary American than an American novel, which deals, at its worst, with comparatively new interests and motives.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mass of creatures and of qualities are still hid and expectant," and to break new ground is still one of the uncommonest and most heroic of the virtues.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading To adjust one's self to the enjoyment of these costs an intellectual effort, and an intellectual effort is what no ordinary person likes to make.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The artists are not alone to blame for the timidity that keeps them in the old furrows of the worn-out fields; most of those whom they live to please, or live by pleasing, prefer to have them remain there; it wants rare virtue to appreciate what is new, as well as to invent it; and the "easy things to understand" are the conventional things.
novel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is why the ordinary English novel, with its hackneyed plot, scenes, and figures, is more comfortable to the ordinary American than an American novel, which deals, at its worst, with comparatively new interests and motives.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The mass of creatures and of qualities are still hid and expectant," and to break new ground is still one of the uncommonest and most heroic of the virtues.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The artists are not alone to blame for the timidity that keeps them in the old furrows of the worn-out fields; most of those whom they live to please, or live by pleasing, prefer to have them remain there; it wants rare virtue to appreciate what is new, as well as to invent it; and the "easy things to understand" are the conventional things.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The mass of creatures and of qualities are still hid and expectant," and to break new ground is still one of the uncommonest and most heroic of the virtues.
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To adjust one's self to the enjoyment of these costs an intellectual effort, and an intellectual effort is what no ordinary person likes to make.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The artists are not alone to blame for the timidity that keeps them in the old furrows of the worn-out fields; most of those whom they live to please, or live by pleasing, prefer to have them remain there; it wants rare virtue to appreciate what is new, as well as to invent it; and the "easy things to understand" are the conventional things.
ordinary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is why the ordinary English novel, with its hackneyed plot, scenes, and figures, is more comfortable to the ordinary American than an American novel, which deals, at its worst, with comparatively new interests and motives.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading "How few materials," says Emerson, "are yet used by our arts!
person
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To adjust one's self to the enjoyment of these costs an intellectual effort, and an intellectual effort is what no ordinary person likes to make.
please
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The artists are not alone to blame for the timidity that keeps them in the old furrows of the worn-out fields; most of those whom they live to please, or live by pleasing, prefer to have them remain there; it wants rare virtue to appreciate what is new, as well as to invent it; and the "easy things to understand" are the conventional things.
pleasing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The artists are not alone to blame for the timidity that keeps them in the old furrows of the worn-out fields; most of those whom they live to please, or live by pleasing, prefer to have them remain there; it wants rare virtue to appreciate what is new, as well as to invent it; and the "easy things to understand" are the conventional things.
plot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is why the ordinary English novel, with its hackneyed plot, scenes, and figures, is more comfortable to the ordinary American than an American novel, which deals, at its worst, with comparatively new interests and motives.
prefer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The artists are not alone to blame for the timidity that keeps them in the old furrows of the worn-out fields; most of those whom they live to please, or live by pleasing, prefer to have them remain there; it wants rare virtue to appreciate what is new, as well as to invent it; and the "easy things to understand" are the conventional things.
qualities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mass of creatures and of qualities are still hid and expectant," and to break new ground is still one of the uncommonest and most heroic of the virtues.
rare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The artists are not alone to blame for the timidity that keeps them in the old furrows of the worn-out fields; most of those whom they live to please, or live by pleasing, prefer to have them remain there; it wants rare virtue to appreciate what is new, as well as to invent it; and the "easy things to understand" are the conventional things.
remain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The artists are not alone to blame for the timidity that keeps them in the old furrows of the worn-out fields; most of those whom they live to please, or live by pleasing, prefer to have them remain there; it wants rare virtue to appreciate what is new, as well as to invent it; and the "easy things to understand" are the conventional things.
says
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "How few materials," says Emerson, "are yet used by our arts!
scenes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is why the ordinary English novel, with its hackneyed plot, scenes, and figures, is more comfortable to the ordinary American than an American novel, which deals, at its worst, with comparatively new interests and motives.
self
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To adjust one's self to the enjoyment of these costs an intellectual effort, and an intellectual effort is what no ordinary person likes to make.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The mass of creatures and of qualities are still hid and expectant," and to break new ground is still one of the uncommonest and most heroic of the virtues.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading This is why the ordinary English novel, with its hackneyed plot, scenes, and figures, is more comfortable to the ordinary American than an American novel, which deals, at its worst, with comparatively new interests and motives.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The artists are not alone to blame for the timidity that keeps them in the old furrows of the worn-out fields; most of those whom they live to please, or live by pleasing, prefer to have them remain there; it wants rare virtue to appreciate what is new, as well as to invent it; and the "easy things to understand" are the conventional things.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The mass of creatures and of qualities are still hid and expectant," and to break new ground is still one of the uncommonest and most heroic of the virtues.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The artists are not alone to blame for the timidity that keeps them in the old furrows of the worn-out fields; most of those whom they live to please, or live by pleasing, prefer to have them remain there; it wants rare virtue to appreciate what is new, as well as to invent it; and the "easy things to understand" are the conventional things.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The artists are not alone to blame for the timidity that keeps them in the old furrows of the worn-out fields; most of those whom they live to please, or live by pleasing, prefer to have them remain there; it wants rare virtue to appreciate what is new, as well as to invent it; and the "easy things to understand" are the conventional things.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading To adjust one's self to the enjoyment of these costs an intellectual effort, and an intellectual effort is what no ordinary person likes to make.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The artists are not alone to blame for the timidity that keeps them in the old furrows of the worn-out fields; most of those whom they live to please, or live by pleasing, prefer to have them remain there; it wants rare virtue to appreciate what is new, as well as to invent it; and the "easy things to understand" are the conventional things.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The artists are not alone to blame for the timidity that keeps them in the old furrows of the worn-out fields; most of those whom they live to please, or live by pleasing, prefer to have them remain there; it wants rare virtue to appreciate what is new, as well as to invent it; and the "easy things to understand" are the conventional things.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This is why the ordinary English novel, with its hackneyed plot, scenes, and figures, is more comfortable to the ordinary American than an American novel, which deals, at its worst, with comparatively new interests and motives.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The artists are not alone to blame for the timidity that keeps them in the old furrows of the worn-out fields; most of those whom they live to please, or live by pleasing, prefer to have them remain there; it wants rare virtue to appreciate what is new, as well as to invent it; and the "easy things to understand" are the conventional things.
timidity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The artists are not alone to blame for the timidity that keeps them in the old furrows of the worn-out fields; most of those whom they live to please, or live by pleasing, prefer to have them remain there; it wants rare virtue to appreciate what is new, as well as to invent it; and the "easy things to understand" are the conventional things.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The mass of creatures and of qualities are still hid and expectant," and to break new ground is still one of the uncommonest and most heroic of the virtues.
uncommonest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mass of creatures and of qualities are still hid and expectant," and to break new ground is still one of the uncommonest and most heroic of the virtues.
understandnounUS /understand/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The artists are not alone to blame for the timidity that keeps them in the old furrows of the worn-out fields; most of those whom they live to please, or live by pleasing, prefer to have them remain there; it wants rare virtue to appreciate what is new, as well as to invent it; and the "easy things to understand" are the conventional things.
used
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "How few materials," says Emerson, "are yet used by our arts!
virtuenounUS /ˈvɝː.tʃuː/
Moral excellence and goodness of character; the highest human attainment in Stoic philosophy.
From this reading The artists are not alone to blame for the timidity that keeps them in the old furrows of the worn-out fields; most of those whom they live to please, or live by pleasing, prefer to have them remain there; it wants rare virtue to appreciate what is new, as well as to invent it; and the "easy things to understand" are the conventional things.
virtues
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mass of creatures and of qualities are still hid and expectant," and to break new ground is still one of the uncommonest and most heroic of the virtues.
wants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The artists are not alone to blame for the timidity that keeps them in the old furrows of the worn-out fields; most of those whom they live to please, or live by pleasing, prefer to have them remain there; it wants rare virtue to appreciate what is new, as well as to invent it; and the "easy things to understand" are the conventional things.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The artists are not alone to blame for the timidity that keeps them in the old furrows of the worn-out fields; most of those whom they live to please, or live by pleasing, prefer to have them remain there; it wants rare virtue to appreciate what is new, as well as to invent it; and the "easy things to understand" are the conventional things.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The artists are not alone to blame for the timidity that keeps them in the old furrows of the worn-out fields; most of those whom they live to please, or live by pleasing, prefer to have them remain there; it wants rare virtue to appreciate what is new, as well as to invent it; and the "easy things to understand" are the conventional things.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading This is why the ordinary English novel, with its hackneyed plot, scenes, and figures, is more comfortable to the ordinary American than an American novel, which deals, at its worst, with comparatively new interests and motives.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The artists are not alone to blame for the timidity that keeps them in the old furrows of the worn-out fields; most of those whom they live to please, or live by pleasing, prefer to have them remain there; it wants rare virtue to appreciate what is new, as well as to invent it; and the "easy things to understand" are the conventional things.
why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is why the ordinary English novel, with its hackneyed plot, scenes, and figures, is more comfortable to the ordinary American than an American novel, which deals, at its worst, with comparatively new interests and motives.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading This is why the ordinary English novel, with its hackneyed plot, scenes, and figures, is more comfortable to the ordinary American than an American novel, which deals, at its worst, with comparatively new interests and motives.
worn-out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The artists are not alone to blame for the timidity that keeps them in the old furrows of the worn-out fields; most of those whom they live to please, or live by pleasing, prefer to have them remain there; it wants rare virtue to appreciate what is new, as well as to invent it; and the "easy things to understand" are the conventional things.
worst
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is why the ordinary English novel, with its hackneyed plot, scenes, and figures, is more comfortable to the ordinary American than an American novel, which deals, at its worst, with comparatively new interests and motives.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading "How few materials," says Emerson, "are yet used by our arts!
