Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We have only to leave our studies, editorial and other, and go into the shops and fields to find the "spacious times" again; and from the beginning Realism, before she had put on her capital letter, had divined this near-at-hand truth along with the rest.
allow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lowell, almost the greatest and finest realist who ever wrought in verse, showed us that Elizabeth was still Queen where he heard Yankee farmers talk.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading We have only to leave our studies, editorial and other, and go into the shops and fields to find the "spacious times" again; and from the beginning Realism, before she had put on her capital letter, had divined this near-at-hand truth along with the rest.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
becoming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One need not invite slang into the company of its betters, though perhaps slang has been dropping its "s" and becoming language ever since the world began, and is certainly sometimes delightful and forcible beyond the reach of the dictionary.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading One need not invite slang into the company of its betters, though perhaps slang has been dropping its "s" and becoming language ever since the world began, and is certainly sometimes delightful and forcible beyond the reach of the dictionary.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading We have only to leave our studies, editorial and other, and go into the shops and fields to find the "spacious times" again; and from the beginning Realism, before she had put on her capital letter, had divined this near-at-hand truth along with the rest.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One need not invite slang into the company of its betters, though perhaps slang has been dropping its "s" and becoming language ever since the world began, and is certainly sometimes delightful and forcible beyond the reach of the dictionary.
beginningnounUS /ˈbeginning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading We have only to leave our studies, editorial and other, and go into the shops and fields to find the "spacious times" again; and from the beginning Realism, before she had put on her capital letter, had divined this near-at-hand truth along with the rest.
betters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One need not invite slang into the company of its betters, though perhaps slang has been dropping its "s" and becoming language ever since the world began, and is certainly sometimes delightful and forcible beyond the reach of the dictionary.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading One need not invite slang into the company of its betters, though perhaps slang has been dropping its "s" and becoming language ever since the world began, and is certainly sometimes delightful and forcible beyond the reach of the dictionary.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading We may comfort ourselves, however, unless we prefer a luxury of grief, by remembering that no language is ever old on the lips of those who speak it, no matter how decrepit it drops from the pen.
capital
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have only to leave our studies, editorial and other, and go into the shops and fields to find the "spacious times" again; and from the beginning Realism, before she had put on her capital letter, had divined this near-at-hand truth along with the rest.
certainly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One need not invite slang into the company of its betters, though perhaps slang has been dropping its "s" and becoming language ever since the world began, and is certainly sometimes delightful and forcible beyond the reach of the dictionary.
comfort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We may comfort ourselves, however, unless we prefer a luxury of grief, by remembering that no language is ever old on the lips of those who speak it, no matter how decrepit it drops from the pen.
company
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One need not invite slang into the company of its betters, though perhaps slang has been dropping its "s" and becoming language ever since the world began, and is certainly sometimes delightful and forcible beyond the reach of the dictionary.
decrepit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We may comfort ourselves, however, unless we prefer a luxury of grief, by remembering that no language is ever old on the lips of those who speak it, no matter how decrepit it drops from the pen.
delightful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One need not invite slang into the company of its betters, though perhaps slang has been dropping its "s" and becoming language ever since the world began, and is certainly sometimes delightful and forcible beyond the reach of the dictionary.
despair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
desperate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
dictionary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One need not invite slang into the company of its betters, though perhaps slang has been dropping its "s" and becoming language ever since the world began, and is certainly sometimes delightful and forcible beyond the reach of the dictionary.
divine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
divined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have only to leave our studies, editorial and other, and go into the shops and fields to find the "spacious times" again; and from the beginning Realism, before she had put on her capital letter, had divined this near-at-hand truth along with the rest.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
dropping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One need not invite slang into the company of its betters, though perhaps slang has been dropping its "s" and becoming language ever since the world began, and is certainly sometimes delightful and forcible beyond the reach of the dictionary.
drops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We may comfort ourselves, however, unless we prefer a luxury of grief, by remembering that no language is ever old on the lips of those who speak it, no matter how decrepit it drops from the pen.
editorial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have only to leave our studies, editorial and other, and go into the shops and fields to find the "spacious times" again; and from the beginning Realism, before she had put on her capital letter, had divined this near-at-hand truth along with the rest.
Elizabeth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
English
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We may comfort ourselves, however, unless we prefer a luxury of grief, by remembering that no language is ever old on the lips of those who speak it, no matter how decrepit it drops from the pen.
farmers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lowell, almost the greatest and finest realist who ever wrought in verse, showed us that Elizabeth was still Queen where he heard Yankee farmers talk.
feel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
fields
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have only to leave our studies, editorial and other, and go into the shops and fields to find the "spacious times" again; and from the beginning Realism, before she had put on her capital letter, had divined this near-at-hand truth along with the rest.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have only to leave our studies, editorial and other, and go into the shops and fields to find the "spacious times" again; and from the beginning Realism, before she had put on her capital letter, had divined this near-at-hand truth along with the rest.
finest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lowell, almost the greatest and finest realist who ever wrought in verse, showed us that Elizabeth was still Queen where he heard Yankee farmers talk.
forcible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One need not invite slang into the company of its betters, though perhaps slang has been dropping its "s" and becoming language ever since the world began, and is certainly sometimes delightful and forcible beyond the reach of the dictionary.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading We may comfort ourselves, however, unless we prefer a luxury of grief, by remembering that no language is ever old on the lips of those who speak it, no matter how decrepit it drops from the pen.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have only to leave our studies, editorial and other, and go into the shops and fields to find the "spacious times" again; and from the beginning Realism, before she had put on her capital letter, had divined this near-at-hand truth along with the rest.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
greatest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lowell, almost the greatest and finest realist who ever wrought in verse, showed us that Elizabeth was still Queen where he heard Yankee farmers talk.
grief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We may comfort ourselves, however, unless we prefer a luxury of grief, by remembering that no language is ever old on the lips of those who speak it, no matter how decrepit it drops from the pen.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading We have only to leave our studies, editorial and other, and go into the shops and fields to find the "spacious times" again; and from the beginning Realism, before she had put on her capital letter, had divined this near-at-hand truth along with the rest.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One need not invite slang into the company of its betters, though perhaps slang has been dropping its "s" and becoming language ever since the world began, and is certainly sometimes delightful and forcible beyond the reach of the dictionary.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading We have only to leave our studies, editorial and other, and go into the shops and fields to find the "spacious times" again; and from the beginning Realism, before she had put on her capital letter, had divined this near-at-hand truth along with the rest.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Lowell, almost the greatest and finest realist who ever wrought in verse, showed us that Elizabeth was still Queen where he heard Yankee farmers talk.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lowell, almost the greatest and finest realist who ever wrought in verse, showed us that Elizabeth was still Queen where he heard Yankee farmers talk.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading We have only to leave our studies, editorial and other, and go into the shops and fields to find the "spacious times" again; and from the beginning Realism, before she had put on her capital letter, had divined this near-at-hand truth along with the rest.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We may comfort ourselves, however, unless we prefer a luxury of grief, by remembering that no language is ever old on the lips of those who speak it, no matter how decrepit it drops from the pen.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading We may comfort ourselves, however, unless we prefer a luxury of grief, by remembering that no language is ever old on the lips of those who speak it, no matter how decrepit it drops from the pen.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading We have only to leave our studies, editorial and other, and go into the shops and fields to find the "spacious times" again; and from the beginning Realism, before she had put on her capital letter, had divined this near-at-hand truth along with the rest.
invite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One need not invite slang into the company of its betters, though perhaps slang has been dropping its "s" and becoming language ever since the world began, and is certainly sometimes delightful and forcible beyond the reach of the dictionary.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading We may comfort ourselves, however, unless we prefer a luxury of grief, by remembering that no language is ever old on the lips of those who speak it, no matter how decrepit it drops from the pen.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading One need not invite slang into the company of its betters, though perhaps slang has been dropping its "s" and becoming language ever since the world began, and is certainly sometimes delightful and forcible beyond the reach of the dictionary.
language
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
leave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have only to leave our studies, editorial and other, and go into the shops and fields to find the "spacious times" again; and from the beginning Realism, before she had put on her capital letter, had divined this near-at-hand truth along with the rest.
letter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have only to leave our studies, editorial and other, and go into the shops and fields to find the "spacious times" again; and from the beginning Realism, before she had put on her capital letter, had divined this near-at-hand truth along with the rest.
lips
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We may comfort ourselves, however, unless we prefer a luxury of grief, by remembering that no language is ever old on the lips of those who speak it, no matter how decrepit it drops from the pen.
Lowell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lowell, almost the greatest and finest realist who ever wrought in verse, showed us that Elizabeth was still Queen where he heard Yankee farmers talk.
luxury
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We may comfort ourselves, however, unless we prefer a luxury of grief, by remembering that no language is ever old on the lips of those who speak it, no matter how decrepit it drops from the pen.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We may comfort ourselves, however, unless we prefer a luxury of grief, by remembering that no language is ever old on the lips of those who speak it, no matter how decrepit it drops from the pen.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
music
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
near-at-hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have only to leave our studies, editorial and other, and go into the shops and fields to find the "spacious times" again; and from the beginning Realism, before she had put on her capital letter, had divined this near-at-hand truth along with the rest.
neednounUS /need/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One need not invite slang into the company of its betters, though perhaps slang has been dropping its "s" and becoming language ever since the world began, and is certainly sometimes delightful and forcible beyond the reach of the dictionary.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading We may comfort ourselves, however, unless we prefer a luxury of grief, by remembering that no language is ever old on the lips of those who speak it, no matter how decrepit it drops from the pen.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading One need not invite slang into the company of its betters, though perhaps slang has been dropping its "s" and becoming language ever since the world began, and is certainly sometimes delightful and forcible beyond the reach of the dictionary.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We may comfort ourselves, however, unless we prefer a luxury of grief, by remembering that no language is ever old on the lips of those who speak it, no matter how decrepit it drops from the pen.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading We may comfort ourselves, however, unless we prefer a luxury of grief, by remembering that no language is ever old on the lips of those who speak it, no matter how decrepit it drops from the pen.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One need not invite slang into the company of its betters, though perhaps slang has been dropping its "s" and becoming language ever since the world began, and is certainly sometimes delightful and forcible beyond the reach of the dictionary.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have only to leave our studies, editorial and other, and go into the shops and fields to find the "spacious times" again; and from the beginning Realism, before she had put on her capital letter, had divined this near-at-hand truth along with the rest.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have only to leave our studies, editorial and other, and go into the shops and fields to find the "spacious times" again; and from the beginning Realism, before she had put on her capital letter, had divined this near-at-hand truth along with the rest.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading We have only to leave our studies, editorial and other, and go into the shops and fields to find the "spacious times" again; and from the beginning Realism, before she had put on her capital letter, had divined this near-at-hand truth along with the rest.
ourselvespronounUS /aʊərˈselvz/
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading We may comfort ourselves, however, unless we prefer a luxury of grief, by remembering that no language is ever old on the lips of those who speak it, no matter how decrepit it drops from the pen.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
pass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
pen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We may comfort ourselves, however, unless we prefer a luxury of grief, by remembering that no language is ever old on the lips of those who speak it, no matter how decrepit it drops from the pen.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One need not invite slang into the company of its betters, though perhaps slang has been dropping its "s" and becoming language ever since the world began, and is certainly sometimes delightful and forcible beyond the reach of the dictionary.
poets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
prefer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We may comfort ourselves, however, unless we prefer a luxury of grief, by remembering that no language is ever old on the lips of those who speak it, no matter how decrepit it drops from the pen.
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have only to leave our studies, editorial and other, and go into the shops and fields to find the "spacious times" again; and from the beginning Realism, before she had put on her capital letter, had divined this near-at-hand truth along with the rest.
Queen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lowell, almost the greatest and finest realist who ever wrought in verse, showed us that Elizabeth was still Queen where he heard Yankee farmers talk.
reach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One need not invite slang into the company of its betters, though perhaps slang has been dropping its "s" and becoming language ever since the world began, and is certainly sometimes delightful and forcible beyond the reach of the dictionary.
Realism
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have only to leave our studies, editorial and other, and go into the shops and fields to find the "spacious times" again; and from the beginning Realism, before she had put on her capital letter, had divined this near-at-hand truth along with the rest.
realist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lowell, almost the greatest and finest realist who ever wrought in verse, showed us that Elizabeth was still Queen where he heard Yankee farmers talk.
remembering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We may comfort ourselves, however, unless we prefer a luxury of grief, by remembering that no language is ever old on the lips of those who speak it, no matter how decrepit it drops from the pen.
restnounUS /rest/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We have only to leave our studies, editorial and other, and go into the shops and fields to find the "spacious times" again; and from the beginning Realism, before she had put on her capital letter, had divined this near-at-hand truth along with the rest.
s
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One need not invite slang into the company of its betters, though perhaps slang has been dropping its "s" and becoming language ever since the world began, and is certainly sometimes delightful and forcible beyond the reach of the dictionary.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading We have only to leave our studies, editorial and other, and go into the shops and fields to find the "spacious times" again; and from the beginning Realism, before she had put on her capital letter, had divined this near-at-hand truth along with the rest.
shops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have only to leave our studies, editorial and other, and go into the shops and fields to find the "spacious times" again; and from the beginning Realism, before she had put on her capital letter, had divined this near-at-hand truth along with the rest.
showed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lowell, almost the greatest and finest realist who ever wrought in verse, showed us that Elizabeth was still Queen where he heard Yankee farmers talk.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading One need not invite slang into the company of its betters, though perhaps slang has been dropping its "s" and becoming language ever since the world began, and is certainly sometimes delightful and forcible beyond the reach of the dictionary.
slang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One need not invite slang into the company of its betters, though perhaps slang has been dropping its "s" and becoming language ever since the world began, and is certainly sometimes delightful and forcible beyond the reach of the dictionary.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
sometimes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One need not invite slang into the company of its betters, though perhaps slang has been dropping its "s" and becoming language ever since the world began, and is certainly sometimes delightful and forcible beyond the reach of the dictionary.
spacious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
speak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We may comfort ourselves, however, unless we prefer a luxury of grief, by remembering that no language is ever old on the lips of those who speak it, no matter how decrepit it drops from the pen.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Lowell, almost the greatest and finest realist who ever wrought in verse, showed us that Elizabeth was still Queen where he heard Yankee farmers talk.
stops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
studies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have only to leave our studies, editorial and other, and go into the shops and fields to find the "spacious times" again; and from the beginning Realism, before she had put on her capital letter, had divined this near-at-hand truth along with the rest.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
surprises
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lowell, almost the greatest and finest realist who ever wrought in verse, showed us that Elizabeth was still Queen where he heard Yankee farmers talk.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
thinkingnounUS /thinking/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading We may comfort ourselves, however, unless we prefer a luxury of grief, by remembering that no language is ever old on the lips of those who speak it, no matter how decrepit it drops from the pen.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading One need not invite slang into the company of its betters, though perhaps slang has been dropping its "s" and becoming language ever since the world began, and is certainly sometimes delightful and forcible beyond the reach of the dictionary.
thrilling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
times
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
truth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have only to leave our studies, editorial and other, and go into the shops and fields to find the "spacious times" again; and from the beginning Realism, before she had put on her capital letter, had divined this near-at-hand truth along with the rest.
trying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
unlessconjunctionUS /ənˈles/
except if; if not
From this reading We may comfort ourselves, however, unless we prefer a luxury of grief, by remembering that no language is ever old on the lips of those who speak it, no matter how decrepit it drops from the pen.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Lowell, almost the greatest and finest realist who ever wrought in verse, showed us that Elizabeth was still Queen where he heard Yankee farmers talk.
verse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lowell, almost the greatest and finest realist who ever wrought in verse, showed us that Elizabeth was still Queen where he heard Yankee farmers talk.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Lowell, almost the greatest and finest realist who ever wrought in verse, showed us that Elizabeth was still Queen where he heard Yankee farmers talk.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading Lowell, almost the greatest and finest realist who ever wrought in verse, showed us that Elizabeth was still Queen where he heard Yankee farmers talk.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading We may comfort ourselves, however, unless we prefer a luxury of grief, by remembering that no language is ever old on the lips of those who speak it, no matter how decrepit it drops from the pen.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One need not invite slang into the company of its betters, though perhaps slang has been dropping its "s" and becoming language ever since the world began, and is certainly sometimes delightful and forcible beyond the reach of the dictionary.
wrought
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lowell, almost the greatest and finest realist who ever wrought in verse, showed us that Elizabeth was still Queen where he heard Yankee farmers talk.
Yankee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lowell, almost the greatest and finest realist who ever wrought in verse, showed us that Elizabeth was still Queen where he heard Yankee farmers talk.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will never do to allow that we are at such a desperate pass in English, but something of this divine despair we may feel too in thinking of "the spacious times of great Elizabeth," when the poets were trying the stops of the young language, and thrilling with the surprises of their own music.
