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 THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.
account
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is settling, as it were, a debtor and creditor account with the past, before we plunge into new speculations.
active
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From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.
AlasexclamationUS /əˈlæs/
used to show sadness, pity, or regret
From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.
Amaryllis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Such an interval of repose did Maltravers now enjoy.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It is settling, as it were, a debtor and creditor account with the past, before we plunge into new speculations.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"
boots
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"
capable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.
care
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"
conscious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.
creditor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is settling, as it were, a debtor and creditor account with the past, before we plunge into new speculations.
debtor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is settling, as it were, a debtor and creditor account with the past, before we plunge into new speculations.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Such an interval of repose did Maltravers now enjoy.
doing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"
enjoy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such an interval of repose did Maltravers now enjoy.
examine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.
hair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.
hold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"
incessant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"
insensibly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.
instead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.
interval
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such an interval of repose did Maltravers now enjoy.
intervals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It is settling, as it were, a debtor and creditor account with the past, before we plunge into new speculations.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.
Lycidas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MILTON'S /Lycidas/.
Maltravers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such an interval of repose did Maltravers now enjoy.
meditate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.
MILTON'S
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From this reading MILTON'S /Lycidas/.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.
Muse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"
Neaera's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is settling, as it were, a debtor and creditor account with the past, before we plunge into new speculations.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such an interval of repose did Maltravers now enjoy.
occasional
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"
OrconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"
past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is settling, as it were, a debtor and creditor account with the past, before we plunge into new speculations.
plunge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is settling, as it were, a debtor and creditor account with the past, before we plunge into new speculations.
rarer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.
repose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.
salutary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.
self-scrutiny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.
settling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is settling, as it were, a debtor and creditor account with the past, before we plunge into new speculations.
shade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"
speculations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is settling, as it were, a debtor and creditor account with the past, before we plunge into new speculations.
sport
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"
strict
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.
strictly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"
SuchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Such an interval of repose did Maltravers now enjoy.
suspect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.
tangles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.
thankless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"
THERE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.
ToparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"
use
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.
Wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Alas! what boots it with incessant care To strictly meditate the thankless Muse; Were I not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair?"
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading THERE is nothing more salutary to active men than occasional intervals of repose,--when we look within, instead of without, and examine almost /insensibly/ (for I hold strict and conscious self-scrutiny a thing much rarer than we suspect)--what we have done--what we are capable of doing.
