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Ernest Maltravers — Complete
Ernest Maltravers — Complete

Chapter VIII

Cover illustration for Ernest Maltravers — Complete
Context Illustration Reading 1/17 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
“Sagacious, bold, and turbulent of wit, Restless--unfixed in principles and place.”--DRYDEN.
“Whoever acquires a very great number of ideas interesting to the society in which he lives, will be regarded in that society as a man of abilities.”--HELVETIUS.
IT was just when Ernest Maltravers was so bad that he could not be worse that a young man visited Temple Grove.
The name of this young man was Lumley Ferrers, his age was about twenty-six, his fortune about eight hundred a year--he followed no profession.
Lumley Ferrers had not what is usually called genius; that is, he had no enthusiasm; and if the word talent be properly interpreted as meaning the talent of doing something better than others, Ferrers had not much to boast of on that score.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Ernest Maltravers — Complete

Chapter VIII

Reading 1/17 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
“Sagacious, bold, and turbulent of wit, Restless--unfixed in principles and place.”--DRYDEN.
Line 2
“Whoever acquires a very great number of ideas interesting to the society in which he lives, will be regarded in that society as a man of abilities.”--HELVETIUS.
Line 3
IT was just when Ernest Maltravers was so bad that he could not be worse that a young man visited Temple Grove.
Line 4
The name of this young man was Lumley Ferrers, his age was about twenty-six, his fortune about eight hundred a year--he followed no profession.
Line 5
Lumley Ferrers had not what is usually called genius; that is, he had no enthusiasm; and if the word talent be properly interpreted as meaning the talent of doing something better than others, Ferrers had not much to boast of on that score.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “The name of this young man was Lumley Ferrers, his age was about twenty-six, his fortune about eight hundred a year--he followed no profession.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “IT was just when Ernest Maltravers was so bad that he could not be worse that a young man visited Temple Grove.”

Fortune noun US /ˈfortune/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “The name of this young man was Lumley Ferrers, his age was about twenty-six, his fortune about eight hundred a year--he followed no profession.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Whoever acquires a very great number of ideas interesting to the society in which he lives, will be regarded in that society as a man of abilities.”--HELVETIUS.”

Name noun US /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The name of this young man was Lumley Ferrers, his age was about twenty-six, his fortune about eight hundred a year--he followed no profession.”

Score noun US /score/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Lumley Ferrers had not what is usually called genius; that is, he had no enthusiasm; and if the word talent be properly interpreted as meaning the talent of doing something better than others, Ferrers had not much to boast of on that score.”

Something pronoun US /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading “Lumley Ferrers had not what is usually called genius; that is, he had no enthusiasm; and if the word talent be properly interpreted as meaning the talent of doing something better than others, Ferrers had not much to boast of on that score.”

All words in this reading · 86

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 “Whoever acquires a very great number of ideas interesting to the society in which he lives, will be regarded in that society as a man of abilities.”--HELVETIUS.

abilities

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Whoever acquires a very great number of ideas interesting to the society in which he lives, will be regarded in that society as a man of abilities.”--HELVETIUS.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The name of this young man was Lumley Ferrers, his age was about twenty-six, his fortune about eight hundred a year--he followed no profession.

acquires

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Whoever acquires a very great number of ideas interesting to the society in which he lives, will be regarded in that society as a man of abilities.”--HELVETIUS.

age

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The name of this young man was Lumley Ferrers, his age was about twenty-six, his fortune about eight hundred a year--he followed no profession.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading “Sagacious, bold, and turbulent of wit, Restless--unfixed in principles and place.”--DRYDEN.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading “Whoever acquires a very great number of ideas interesting to the society in which he lives, will be regarded in that society as a man of abilities.”--HELVETIUS.

bad

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading IT was just when Ernest Maltravers was so bad that he could not be worse that a young man visited Temple Grove.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading “Whoever acquires a very great number of ideas interesting to the society in which he lives, will be regarded in that society as a man of abilities.”--HELVETIUS.

better

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Lumley Ferrers had not what is usually called genius; that is, he had no enthusiasm; and if the word talent be properly interpreted as meaning the talent of doing something better than others, Ferrers had not much to boast of on that score.

boast

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Lumley Ferrers had not what is usually called genius; that is, he had no enthusiasm; and if the word talent be properly interpreted as meaning the talent of doing something better than others, Ferrers had not much to boast of on that score.

bold

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Sagacious, bold, and turbulent of wit, Restless--unfixed in principles and place.”--DRYDEN.

called

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Lumley Ferrers had not what is usually called genius; that is, he had no enthusiasm; and if the word talent be properly interpreted as meaning the talent of doing something better than others, Ferrers had not much to boast of on that score.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading IT was just when Ernest Maltravers was so bad that he could not be worse that a young man visited Temple Grove.

doing

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Lumley Ferrers had not what is usually called genius; that is, he had no enthusiasm; and if the word talent be properly interpreted as meaning the talent of doing something better than others, Ferrers had not much to boast of on that score.

DRYDEN

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Sagacious, bold, and turbulent of wit, Restless--unfixed in principles and place.”--DRYDEN.

eight

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The name of this young man was Lumley Ferrers, his age was about twenty-six, his fortune about eight hundred a year--he followed no profession.

enthusiasm

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Lumley Ferrers had not what is usually called genius; that is, he had no enthusiasm; and if the word talent be properly interpreted as meaning the talent of doing something better than others, Ferrers had not much to boast of on that score.

Ernest

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading IT was just when Ernest Maltravers was so bad that he could not be worse that a young man visited Temple Grove.

Ferrers

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The name of this young man was Lumley Ferrers, his age was about twenty-six, his fortune about eight hundred a year--he followed no profession.

followed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The name of this young man was Lumley Ferrers, his age was about twenty-six, his fortune about eight hundred a year--he followed no profession.

fortunenounUS /ˈfortune/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading The name of this young man was Lumley Ferrers, his age was about twenty-six, his fortune about eight hundred a year--he followed no profession.

genius

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Lumley Ferrers had not what is usually called genius; that is, he had no enthusiasm; and if the word talent be properly interpreted as meaning the talent of doing something better than others, Ferrers had not much to boast of on that score.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Whoever acquires a very great number of ideas interesting to the society in which he lives, will be regarded in that society as a man of abilities.”--HELVETIUS.

Grove

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading IT was just when Ernest Maltravers was so bad that he could not be worse that a young man visited Temple Grove.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Lumley Ferrers had not what is usually called genius; that is, he had no enthusiasm; and if the word talent be properly interpreted as meaning the talent of doing something better than others, Ferrers had not much to boast of on that score.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading “Whoever acquires a very great number of ideas interesting to the society in which he lives, will be regarded in that society as a man of abilities.”--HELVETIUS.

HELVETIUS

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Whoever acquires a very great number of ideas interesting to the society in which he lives, will be regarded in that society as a man of abilities.”--HELVETIUS.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading The name of this young man was Lumley Ferrers, his age was about twenty-six, his fortune about eight hundred a year--he followed no profession.

hundred

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The name of this young man was Lumley Ferrers, his age was about twenty-six, his fortune about eight hundred a year--he followed no profession.

ideas

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Whoever acquires a very great number of ideas interesting to the society in which he lives, will be regarded in that society as a man of abilities.”--HELVETIUS.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Lumley Ferrers had not what is usually called genius; that is, he had no enthusiasm; and if the word talent be properly interpreted as meaning the talent of doing something better than others, Ferrers had not much to boast of on that score.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading “Sagacious, bold, and turbulent of wit, Restless--unfixed in principles and place.”--DRYDEN.

interesting

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Whoever acquires a very great number of ideas interesting to the society in which he lives, will be regarded in that society as a man of abilities.”--HELVETIUS.

interpreted

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Lumley Ferrers had not what is usually called genius; that is, he had no enthusiasm; and if the word talent be properly interpreted as meaning the talent of doing something better than others, Ferrers had not much to boast of on that score.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Lumley Ferrers had not what is usually called genius; that is, he had no enthusiasm; and if the word talent be properly interpreted as meaning the talent of doing something better than others, Ferrers had not much to boast of on that score.

ITpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading IT was just when Ernest Maltravers was so bad that he could not be worse that a young man visited Temple Grove.

just

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading IT was just when Ernest Maltravers was so bad that he could not be worse that a young man visited Temple Grove.

lives

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Whoever acquires a very great number of ideas interesting to the society in which he lives, will be regarded in that society as a man of abilities.”--HELVETIUS.

Lumley

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The name of this young man was Lumley Ferrers, his age was about twenty-six, his fortune about eight hundred a year--he followed no profession.

Maltravers

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading IT was just when Ernest Maltravers was so bad that he could not be worse that a young man visited Temple Grove.

man

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Whoever acquires a very great number of ideas interesting to the society in which he lives, will be regarded in that society as a man of abilities.”--HELVETIUS.

meaning

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Lumley Ferrers had not what is usually called genius; that is, he had no enthusiasm; and if the word talent be properly interpreted as meaning the talent of doing something better than others, Ferrers had not much to boast of on that score.

much

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Lumley Ferrers had not what is usually called genius; that is, he had no enthusiasm; and if the word talent be properly interpreted as meaning the talent of doing something better than others, Ferrers had not much to boast of on that score.

namenounUS /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The name of this young man was Lumley Ferrers, his age was about twenty-six, his fortune about eight hundred a year--he followed no profession.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading The name of this young man was Lumley Ferrers, his age was about twenty-six, his fortune about eight hundred a year--he followed no profession.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading IT was just when Ernest Maltravers was so bad that he could not be worse that a young man visited Temple Grove.

number

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Whoever acquires a very great number of ideas interesting to the society in which he lives, will be regarded in that society as a man of abilities.”--HELVETIUS.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “Sagacious, bold, and turbulent of wit, Restless--unfixed in principles and place.”--DRYDEN.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Lumley Ferrers had not what is usually called genius; that is, he had no enthusiasm; and if the word talent be properly interpreted as meaning the talent of doing something better than others, Ferrers had not much to boast of on that score.

others

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Lumley Ferrers had not what is usually called genius; that is, he had no enthusiasm; and if the word talent be properly interpreted as meaning the talent of doing something better than others, Ferrers had not much to boast of on that score.

place

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Sagacious, bold, and turbulent of wit, Restless--unfixed in principles and place.”--DRYDEN.

principles

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Sagacious, bold, and turbulent of wit, Restless--unfixed in principles and place.”--DRYDEN.

profession

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The name of this young man was Lumley Ferrers, his age was about twenty-six, his fortune about eight hundred a year--he followed no profession.

properly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Lumley Ferrers had not what is usually called genius; that is, he had no enthusiasm; and if the word talent be properly interpreted as meaning the talent of doing something better than others, Ferrers had not much to boast of on that score.

regarded

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Whoever acquires a very great number of ideas interesting to the society in which he lives, will be regarded in that society as a man of abilities.”--HELVETIUS.

Restless

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Sagacious, bold, and turbulent of wit, Restless--unfixed in principles and place.”--DRYDEN.

Sagacious

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Sagacious, bold, and turbulent of wit, Restless--unfixed in principles and place.”--DRYDEN.

scorenounUS /score/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Lumley Ferrers had not what is usually called genius; that is, he had no enthusiasm; and if the word talent be properly interpreted as meaning the talent of doing something better than others, Ferrers had not much to boast of on that score.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading IT was just when Ernest Maltravers was so bad that he could not be worse that a young man visited Temple Grove.

society

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Whoever acquires a very great number of ideas interesting to the society in which he lives, will be regarded in that society as a man of abilities.”--HELVETIUS.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading Lumley Ferrers had not what is usually called genius; that is, he had no enthusiasm; and if the word talent be properly interpreted as meaning the talent of doing something better than others, Ferrers had not much to boast of on that score.

talent

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Lumley Ferrers had not what is usually called genius; that is, he had no enthusiasm; and if the word talent be properly interpreted as meaning the talent of doing something better than others, Ferrers had not much to boast of on that score.

Temple

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading IT was just when Ernest Maltravers was so bad that he could not be worse that a young man visited Temple Grove.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Lumley Ferrers had not what is usually called genius; that is, he had no enthusiasm; and if the word talent be properly interpreted as meaning the talent of doing something better than others, Ferrers had not much to boast of on that score.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “Whoever acquires a very great number of ideas interesting to the society in which he lives, will be regarded in that society as a man of abilities.”--HELVETIUS.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading “Whoever acquires a very great number of ideas interesting to the society in which he lives, will be regarded in that society as a man of abilities.”--HELVETIUS.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading The name of this young man was Lumley Ferrers, his age was about twenty-six, his fortune about eight hundred a year--he followed no profession.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading “Whoever acquires a very great number of ideas interesting to the society in which he lives, will be regarded in that society as a man of abilities.”--HELVETIUS.

turbulent

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Sagacious, bold, and turbulent of wit, Restless--unfixed in principles and place.”--DRYDEN.

twenty-six

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The name of this young man was Lumley Ferrers, his age was about twenty-six, his fortune about eight hundred a year--he followed no profession.

unfixed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Sagacious, bold, and turbulent of wit, Restless--unfixed in principles and place.”--DRYDEN.

usually

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Lumley Ferrers had not what is usually called genius; that is, he had no enthusiasm; and if the word talent be properly interpreted as meaning the talent of doing something better than others, Ferrers had not much to boast of on that score.

very

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Whoever acquires a very great number of ideas interesting to the society in which he lives, will be regarded in that society as a man of abilities.”--HELVETIUS.

visited

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading IT was just when Ernest Maltravers was so bad that he could not be worse that a young man visited Temple Grove.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading IT was just when Ernest Maltravers was so bad that he could not be worse that a young man visited Temple Grove.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Lumley Ferrers had not what is usually called genius; that is, he had no enthusiasm; and if the word talent be properly interpreted as meaning the talent of doing something better than others, Ferrers had not much to boast of on that score.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading IT was just when Ernest Maltravers was so bad that he could not be worse that a young man visited Temple Grove.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading “Whoever acquires a very great number of ideas interesting to the society in which he lives, will be regarded in that society as a man of abilities.”--HELVETIUS.

Whoever

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Whoever acquires a very great number of ideas interesting to the society in which he lives, will be regarded in that society as a man of abilities.”--HELVETIUS.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading “Whoever acquires a very great number of ideas interesting to the society in which he lives, will be regarded in that society as a man of abilities.”--HELVETIUS.

wit

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Sagacious, bold, and turbulent of wit, Restless--unfixed in principles and place.”--DRYDEN.

word

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Lumley Ferrers had not what is usually called genius; that is, he had no enthusiasm; and if the word talent be properly interpreted as meaning the talent of doing something better than others, Ferrers had not much to boast of on that score.

worse

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading IT was just when Ernest Maltravers was so bad that he could not be worse that a young man visited Temple Grove.

year

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The name of this young man was Lumley Ferrers, his age was about twenty-six, his fortune about eight hundred a year--he followed no profession.

young

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading IT was just when Ernest Maltravers was so bad that he could not be worse that a young man visited Temple Grove.