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 AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
abandoned
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From this reading AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
advantage
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From this reading Shelton had the inestimable advantage of belonging to the same generation as Cervantes; “Don Quixote” had to him a vitality that only a contemporary could feel; it cost him no dramatic effort to see things as Cervantes saw them; there is no anachronism in his language; he put the Spanish of Cervantes into the English of Shakespeare.
all
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From this reading There are some—and I confess myself to be one—for whom Shelton’s racy old version, with all its defects, has a charm that no modern translation, however skilful or correct, could possess.
anachronism
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From this reading Shelton had the inestimable advantage of belonging to the same generation as Cervantes; “Don Quixote” had to him a vitality that only a contemporary could feel; it cost him no dramatic effort to see things as Cervantes saw them; there is no anachronism in his language; he put the Spanish of Cervantes into the English of Shakespeare.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There are some—and I confess myself to be one—for whom Shelton’s racy old version, with all its defects, has a charm that no modern translation, however skilful or correct, could possess.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Shelton had the inestimable advantage of belonging to the same generation as Cervantes; “Don Quixote” had to him a vitality that only a contemporary could feel; it cost him no dramatic effort to see things as Cervantes saw them; there is no anachronism in his language; he put the Spanish of Cervantes into the English of Shakespeare.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Shakespeare himself most likely knew the book; he may have carried it home with him in his saddle-bags to Stratford on one of his last journeys, and under the mulberry tree at New Place joined hands with a kindred genius in its pages.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There are some—and I confess myself to be one—for whom Shelton’s racy old version, with all its defects, has a charm that no modern translation, however skilful or correct, could possess.
become
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From this reading AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
belonging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shelton had the inestimable advantage of belonging to the same generation as Cervantes; “Don Quixote” had to him a vitality that only a contemporary could feel; it cost him no dramatic effort to see things as Cervantes saw them; there is no anachronism in his language; he put the Spanish of Cervantes into the English of Shakespeare.
book
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From this reading AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But it was soon made plain to me that to hope for even a moderate popularity for Shelton was vain.
carried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shakespeare himself most likely knew the book; he may have carried it home with him in his saddle-bags to Stratford on one of his last journeys, and under the mulberry tree at New Place joined hands with a kindred genius in its pages.
Cervantes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shelton had the inestimable advantage of belonging to the same generation as Cervantes; “Don Quixote” had to him a vitality that only a contemporary could feel; it cost him no dramatic effort to see things as Cervantes saw them; there is no anachronism in his language; he put the Spanish of Cervantes into the English of Shakespeare.
charm
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From this reading There are some—and I confess myself to be one—for whom Shelton’s racy old version, with all its defects, has a charm that no modern translation, however skilful or correct, could possess.
confess
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From this reading There are some—and I confess myself to be one—for whom Shelton’s racy old version, with all its defects, has a charm that no modern translation, however skilful or correct, could possess.
considerable
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From this reading AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
contemporary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shelton had the inestimable advantage of belonging to the same generation as Cervantes; “Don Quixote” had to him a vitality that only a contemporary could feel; it cost him no dramatic effort to see things as Cervantes saw them; there is no anachronism in his language; he put the Spanish of Cervantes into the English of Shakespeare.
correct
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are some—and I confess myself to be one—for whom Shelton’s racy old version, with all its defects, has a charm that no modern translation, however skilful or correct, could possess.
cost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shelton had the inestimable advantage of belonging to the same generation as Cervantes; “Don Quixote” had to him a vitality that only a contemporary could feel; it cost him no dramatic effort to see things as Cervantes saw them; there is no anachronism in his language; he put the Spanish of Cervantes into the English of Shakespeare.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading There are some—and I confess myself to be one—for whom Shelton’s racy old version, with all its defects, has a charm that no modern translation, however skilful or correct, could possess.
defects
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are some—and I confess myself to be one—for whom Shelton’s racy old version, with all its defects, has a charm that no modern translation, however skilful or correct, could possess.
DIED
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From this reading AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
Don
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From this reading AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
dramatic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shelton had the inestimable advantage of belonging to the same generation as Cervantes; “Don Quixote” had to him a vitality that only a contemporary could feel; it cost him no dramatic effort to see things as Cervantes saw them; there is no anachronism in his language; he put the Spanish of Cervantes into the English of Shakespeare.
edition
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From this reading AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
effort
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From this reading Shelton had the inestimable advantage of belonging to the same generation as Cervantes; “Don Quixote” had to him a vitality that only a contemporary could feel; it cost him no dramatic effort to see things as Cervantes saw them; there is no anachronism in his language; he put the Spanish of Cervantes into the English of Shakespeare.
English
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shelton had the inestimable advantage of belonging to the same generation as Cervantes; “Don Quixote” had to him a vitality that only a contemporary could feel; it cost him no dramatic effort to see things as Cervantes saw them; there is no anachronism in his language; he put the Spanish of Cervantes into the English of Shakespeare.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But it was soon made plain to me that to hope for even a moderate popularity for Shelton was vain.
favour
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From this reading AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
favourite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
feel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shelton had the inestimable advantage of belonging to the same generation as Cervantes; “Don Quixote” had to him a vitality that only a contemporary could feel; it cost him no dramatic effort to see things as Cervantes saw them; there is no anachronism in his language; he put the Spanish of Cervantes into the English of Shakespeare.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There are some—and I confess myself to be one—for whom Shelton’s racy old version, with all its defects, has a charm that no modern translation, however skilful or correct, could possess.
generation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shelton had the inestimable advantage of belonging to the same generation as Cervantes; “Don Quixote” had to him a vitality that only a contemporary could feel; it cost him no dramatic effort to see things as Cervantes saw them; there is no anachronism in his language; he put the Spanish of Cervantes into the English of Shakespeare.
genius
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shakespeare himself most likely knew the book; he may have carried it home with him in his saddle-bags to Stratford on one of his last journeys, and under the mulberry tree at New Place joined hands with a kindred genius in its pages.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading Shakespeare himself most likely knew the book; he may have carried it home with him in his saddle-bags to Stratford on one of his last journeys, and under the mulberry tree at New Place joined hands with a kindred genius in its pages.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Shakespeare himself most likely knew the book; he may have carried it home with him in his saddle-bags to Stratford on one of his last journeys, and under the mulberry tree at New Place joined hands with a kindred genius in its pages.
HEpronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Shelton had the inestimable advantage of belonging to the same generation as Cervantes; “Don Quixote” had to him a vitality that only a contemporary could feel; it cost him no dramatic effort to see things as Cervantes saw them; there is no anachronism in his language; he put the Spanish of Cervantes into the English of Shakespeare.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Shakespeare himself most likely knew the book; he may have carried it home with him in his saddle-bags to Stratford on one of his last journeys, and under the mulberry tree at New Place joined hands with a kindred genius in its pages.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Shelton had the inestimable advantage of belonging to the same generation as Cervantes; “Don Quixote” had to him a vitality that only a contemporary could feel; it cost him no dramatic effort to see things as Cervantes saw them; there is no anachronism in his language; he put the Spanish of Cervantes into the English of Shakespeare.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shakespeare himself most likely knew the book; he may have carried it home with him in his saddle-bags to Stratford on one of his last journeys, and under the mulberry tree at New Place joined hands with a kindred genius in its pages.
hope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was soon made plain to me that to hope for even a moderate popularity for Shelton was vain.
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading There are some—and I confess myself to be one—for whom Shelton’s racy old version, with all its defects, has a charm that no modern translation, however skilful or correct, could possess.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
inestimable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shelton had the inestimable advantage of belonging to the same generation as Cervantes; “Don Quixote” had to him a vitality that only a contemporary could feel; it cost him no dramatic effort to see things as Cervantes saw them; there is no anachronism in his language; he put the Spanish of Cervantes into the English of Shakespeare.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Shelton had the inestimable advantage of belonging to the same generation as Cervantes; “Don Quixote” had to him a vitality that only a contemporary could feel; it cost him no dramatic effort to see things as Cervantes saw them; there is no anachronism in his language; he put the Spanish of Cervantes into the English of Shakespeare.
INTRODUCTION
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Shelton had the inestimable advantage of belonging to the same generation as Cervantes; “Don Quixote” had to him a vitality that only a contemporary could feel; it cost him no dramatic effort to see things as Cervantes saw them; there is no anachronism in his language; he put the Spanish of Cervantes into the English of Shakespeare.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading There are some—and I confess myself to be one—for whom Shelton’s racy old version, with all its defects, has a charm that no modern translation, however skilful or correct, could possess.
joined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shakespeare himself most likely knew the book; he may have carried it home with him in his saddle-bags to Stratford on one of his last journeys, and under the mulberry tree at New Place joined hands with a kindred genius in its pages.
journeys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shakespeare himself most likely knew the book; he may have carried it home with him in his saddle-bags to Stratford on one of his last journeys, and under the mulberry tree at New Place joined hands with a kindred genius in its pages.
kindred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shakespeare himself most likely knew the book; he may have carried it home with him in his saddle-bags to Stratford on one of his last journeys, and under the mulberry tree at New Place joined hands with a kindred genius in its pages.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shakespeare himself most likely knew the book; he may have carried it home with him in his saddle-bags to Stratford on one of his last journeys, and under the mulberry tree at New Place joined hands with a kindred genius in its pages.
language
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shelton had the inestimable advantage of belonging to the same generation as Cervantes; “Don Quixote” had to him a vitality that only a contemporary could feel; it cost him no dramatic effort to see things as Cervantes saw them; there is no anachronism in his language; he put the Spanish of Cervantes into the English of Shakespeare.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Shakespeare himself most likely knew the book; he may have carried it home with him in his saddle-bags to Stratford on one of his last journeys, and under the mulberry tree at New Place joined hands with a kindred genius in its pages.
likely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shakespeare himself most likely knew the book; he may have carried it home with him in his saddle-bags to Stratford on one of his last journeys, and under the mulberry tree at New Place joined hands with a kindred genius in its pages.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
MADE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Shakespeare himself most likely knew the book; he may have carried it home with him in his saddle-bags to Stratford on one of his last journeys, and under the mulberry tree at New Place joined hands with a kindred genius in its pages.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But it was soon made plain to me that to hope for even a moderate popularity for Shelton was vain.
moderate
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From this reading But it was soon made plain to me that to hope for even a moderate popularity for Shelton was vain.
modern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are some—and I confess myself to be one—for whom Shelton’s racy old version, with all its defects, has a charm that no modern translation, however skilful or correct, could possess.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shakespeare himself most likely knew the book; he may have carried it home with him in his saddle-bags to Stratford on one of his last journeys, and under the mulberry tree at New Place joined hands with a kindred genius in its pages.
mulberry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shakespeare himself most likely knew the book; he may have carried it home with him in his saddle-bags to Stratford on one of his last journeys, and under the mulberry tree at New Place joined hands with a kindred genius in its pages.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading There are some—and I confess myself to be one—for whom Shelton’s racy old version, with all its defects, has a charm that no modern translation, however skilful or correct, could possess.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading There are some—and I confess myself to be one—for whom Shelton’s racy old version, with all its defects, has a charm that no modern translation, however skilful or correct, could possess.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are some—and I confess myself to be one—for whom Shelton’s racy old version, with all its defects, has a charm that no modern translation, however skilful or correct, could possess.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Shakespeare himself most likely knew the book; he may have carried it home with him in his saddle-bags to Stratford on one of his last journeys, and under the mulberry tree at New Place joined hands with a kindred genius in its pages.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There are some—and I confess myself to be one—for whom Shelton’s racy old version, with all its defects, has a charm that no modern translation, however skilful or correct, could possess.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shelton had the inestimable advantage of belonging to the same generation as Cervantes; “Don Quixote” had to him a vitality that only a contemporary could feel; it cost him no dramatic effort to see things as Cervantes saw them; there is no anachronism in his language; he put the Spanish of Cervantes into the English of Shakespeare.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading There are some—and I confess myself to be one—for whom Shelton’s racy old version, with all its defects, has a charm that no modern translation, however skilful or correct, could possess.
pages
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From this reading Shakespeare himself most likely knew the book; he may have carried it home with him in his saddle-bags to Stratford on one of his last journeys, and under the mulberry tree at New Place joined hands with a kindred genius in its pages.
Place
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From this reading Shakespeare himself most likely knew the book; he may have carried it home with him in his saddle-bags to Stratford on one of his last journeys, and under the mulberry tree at New Place joined hands with a kindred genius in its pages.
plain
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From this reading But it was soon made plain to me that to hope for even a moderate popularity for Shelton was vain.
popularity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was soon made plain to me that to hope for even a moderate popularity for Shelton was vain.
possess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are some—and I confess myself to be one—for whom Shelton’s racy old version, with all its defects, has a charm that no modern translation, however skilful or correct, could possess.
PREFARATORY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
present
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
project
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shelton had the inestimable advantage of belonging to the same generation as Cervantes; “Don Quixote” had to him a vitality that only a contemporary could feel; it cost him no dramatic effort to see things as Cervantes saw them; there is no anachronism in his language; he put the Spanish of Cervantes into the English of Shakespeare.
Quixote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
racy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are some—and I confess myself to be one—for whom Shelton’s racy old version, with all its defects, has a charm that no modern translation, however skilful or correct, could possess.
reluctance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
saddle-bags
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shakespeare himself most likely knew the book; he may have carried it home with him in his saddle-bags to Stratford on one of his last journeys, and under the mulberry tree at New Place joined hands with a kindred genius in its pages.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Shelton had the inestimable advantage of belonging to the same generation as Cervantes; “Don Quixote” had to him a vitality that only a contemporary could feel; it cost him no dramatic effort to see things as Cervantes saw them; there is no anachronism in his language; he put the Spanish of Cervantes into the English of Shakespeare.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shelton had the inestimable advantage of belonging to the same generation as Cervantes; “Don Quixote” had to him a vitality that only a contemporary could feel; it cost him no dramatic effort to see things as Cervantes saw them; there is no anachronism in his language; he put the Spanish of Cervantes into the English of Shakespeare.
scarceadjectiveUS /skɛrs/
hard to find or in short supply
From this reading AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shelton had the inestimable advantage of belonging to the same generation as Cervantes; “Don Quixote” had to him a vitality that only a contemporary could feel; it cost him no dramatic effort to see things as Cervantes saw them; there is no anachronism in his language; he put the Spanish of Cervantes into the English of Shakespeare.
Shakespeare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shelton had the inestimable advantage of belonging to the same generation as Cervantes; “Don Quixote” had to him a vitality that only a contemporary could feel; it cost him no dramatic effort to see things as Cervantes saw them; there is no anachronism in his language; he put the Spanish of Cervantes into the English of Shakespeare.
Shelton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shelton had the inestimable advantage of belonging to the same generation as Cervantes; “Don Quixote” had to him a vitality that only a contemporary could feel; it cost him no dramatic effort to see things as Cervantes saw them; there is no anachronism in his language; he put the Spanish of Cervantes into the English of Shakespeare.
Shelton's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
skilful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are some—and I confess myself to be one—for whom Shelton’s racy old version, with all its defects, has a charm that no modern translation, however skilful or correct, could possess.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are some—and I confess myself to be one—for whom Shelton’s racy old version, with all its defects, has a charm that no modern translation, however skilful or correct, could possess.
somewhat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was soon made plain to me that to hope for even a moderate popularity for Shelton was vain.
Spanish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shelton had the inestimable advantage of belonging to the same generation as Cervantes; “Don Quixote” had to him a vitality that only a contemporary could feel; it cost him no dramatic effort to see things as Cervantes saw them; there is no anachronism in his language; he put the Spanish of Cervantes into the English of Shakespeare.
Stratford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shakespeare himself most likely knew the book; he may have carried it home with him in his saddle-bags to Stratford on one of his last journeys, and under the mulberry tree at New Place joined hands with a kindred genius in its pages.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Shelton had the inestimable advantage of belonging to the same generation as Cervantes; “Don Quixote” had to him a vitality that only a contemporary could feel; it cost him no dramatic effort to see things as Cervantes saw them; there is no anachronism in his language; he put the Spanish of Cervantes into the English of Shakespeare.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are some—and I confess myself to be one—for whom Shelton’s racy old version, with all its defects, has a charm that no modern translation, however skilful or correct, could possess.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shelton had the inestimable advantage of belonging to the same generation as Cervantes; “Don Quixote” had to him a vitality that only a contemporary could feel; it cost him no dramatic effort to see things as Cervantes saw them; there is no anachronism in his language; he put the Spanish of Cervantes into the English of Shakespeare.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There are some—and I confess myself to be one—for whom Shelton’s racy old version, with all its defects, has a charm that no modern translation, however skilful or correct, could possess.
translation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are some—and I confess myself to be one—for whom Shelton’s racy old version, with all its defects, has a charm that no modern translation, however skilful or correct, could possess.
tree
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shakespeare himself most likely knew the book; he may have carried it home with him in his saddle-bags to Stratford on one of his last journeys, and under the mulberry tree at New Place joined hands with a kindred genius in its pages.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Shakespeare himself most likely knew the book; he may have carried it home with him in his saddle-bags to Stratford on one of his last journeys, and under the mulberry tree at New Place joined hands with a kindred genius in its pages.
undertakingnounUS /ˌʌndərˈteɪkɪŋ/
a serious task, project, or venture that someone agrees to do
From this reading AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
vain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was soon made plain to me that to hope for even a moderate popularity for Shelton was vain.
version
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are some—and I confess myself to be one—for whom Shelton’s racy old version, with all its defects, has a charm that no modern translation, however skilful or correct, could possess.
vitality
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shelton had the inestimable advantage of belonging to the same generation as Cervantes; “Don Quixote” had to him a vitality that only a contemporary could feel; it cost him no dramatic effort to see things as Cervantes saw them; there is no anachronism in his language; he put the Spanish of Cervantes into the English of Shakespeare.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There are some—and I confess myself to be one—for whom Shelton’s racy old version, with all its defects, has a charm that no modern translation, however skilful or correct, could possess.
WILLmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book.
