adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This literature is so great in amount that the student who approaches the study without a guide is usually bewildered.
achievementsnounUS /əˈtʃiːvmənts/
plural of “achievement” — the action of accomplishing something
From this reading For more than twelve hundred years the Anglo-Saxon race has been producing this great literature, which includes among its achievements the incomparable work of Shakespeare.
AimverbUS /eɪm/
point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards
From this reading Subject Matter and Aim.--The history of English literature traces the development of the best poetry and prose written in English by the inhabitants of the British Isles.
alsoadverbUS /ˈɔːlsoʊ/
in addition
From this reading Such a history should do more than indicate where the choicest treasures of literature may be found; it should also show the interesting stages of development; it should emphasize some of the ideals that have made the Anglo-Saxons one of the most famous races in the world; and it should inspire a love for the reading of good literature.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading For more than twelve hundred years the Anglo-Saxon race has been producing this great literature, which includes among its achievements the incomparable work of Shakespeare.
amountnounUS /əˈmaʊnt/
a quantity of money
From this reading This literature is so great in amount that the student who approaches the study without a guide is usually bewildered.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Subject Matter and Aim.--The history of English literature traces the development of the best poetry and prose written in English by the inhabitants of the British Isles.
Anglo-Saxonnoun
a native or inhabitant of England prior to the Norman Conquest
From this reading For more than twelve hundred years the Anglo-Saxon race has been producing this great literature, which includes among its achievements the incomparable work of Shakespeare.
Anglo-Saxons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such a history should do more than indicate where the choicest treasures of literature may be found; it should also show the interesting stages of development; it should emphasize some of the ideals that have made the Anglo-Saxons one of the most famous races in the world; and it should inspire a love for the reading of good literature.
approachesnounUS /əˈproʊtʃəz/
plural of “approach” — ideas or actions intended to deal with a problem or situation
From this reading This literature is so great in amount that the student who approaches the study without a guide is usually bewildered.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Such a history should do more than indicate where the choicest treasures of literature may be found; it should also show the interesting stages of development; it should emphasize some of the ideals that have made the Anglo-Saxons one of the most famous races in the world; and it should inspire a love for the reading of good literature.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading For more than twelve hundred years the Anglo-Saxon race has been producing this great literature, which includes among its achievements the incomparable work of Shakespeare.
bestnounUS /best/
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Subject Matter and Aim.--The history of English literature traces the development of the best poetry and prose written in English by the inhabitants of the British Isles.
bewilderedadjectiveUS /bɪˈwɪldərd/
perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment
From this reading This literature is so great in amount that the student who approaches the study without a guide is usually bewildered.
BritishnounUS /ˈbrɪtɪʃ/
the people of Great Britain
From this reading Subject Matter and Aim.--The history of English literature traces the development of the best poetry and prose written in English by the inhabitants of the British Isles.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Subject Matter and Aim.--The history of English literature traces the development of the best poetry and prose written in English by the inhabitants of the British Isles.
choicestadjectiveUS /ˈtʃɔɪsəst/
superlative of “choice” — of superior grade
From this reading Such a history should do more than indicate where the choicest treasures of literature may be found; it should also show the interesting stages of development; it should emphasize some of the ideals that have made the Anglo-Saxons one of the most famous races in the world; and it should inspire a love for the reading of good literature.
developmentnounUS /dɪˈveləpmənt/
act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining
From this reading Subject Matter and Aim.--The history of English literature traces the development of the best poetry and prose written in English by the inhabitants of the British Isles.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Such a history should do more than indicate where the choicest treasures of literature may be found; it should also show the interesting stages of development; it should emphasize some of the ideals that have made the Anglo-Saxons one of the most famous races in the world; and it should inspire a love for the reading of good literature.
emphasizeverbUS /ˈemfəsaɪz/
to stress, single out as important
From this reading Such a history should do more than indicate where the choicest treasures of literature may be found; it should also show the interesting stages of development; it should emphasize some of the ideals that have made the Anglo-Saxons one of the most famous races in the world; and it should inspire a love for the reading of good literature.
EnglandnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlənd/
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading He needs a history of English literature for the same reason that a traveler in England requires a guidebook.
EnglishnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading Subject Matter and Aim.--The history of English literature traces the development of the best poetry and prose written in English by the inhabitants of the British Isles.
famousadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪməs/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading Such a history should do more than indicate where the choicest treasures of literature may be found; it should also show the interesting stages of development; it should emphasize some of the ideals that have made the Anglo-Saxons one of the most famous races in the world; and it should inspire a love for the reading of good literature.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For more than twelve hundred years the Anglo-Saxon race has been producing this great literature, which includes among its achievements the incomparable work of Shakespeare.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading Such a history should do more than indicate where the choicest treasures of literature may be found; it should also show the interesting stages of development; it should emphasize some of the ideals that have made the Anglo-Saxons one of the most famous races in the world; and it should inspire a love for the reading of good literature.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Such a history should do more than indicate where the choicest treasures of literature may be found; it should also show the interesting stages of development; it should emphasize some of the ideals that have made the Anglo-Saxons one of the most famous races in the world; and it should inspire a love for the reading of good literature.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading For more than twelve hundred years the Anglo-Saxon race has been producing this great literature, which includes among its achievements the incomparable work of Shakespeare.
guidenounUS /ɡaɪd/
someone employed to conduct others
From this reading This literature is so great in amount that the student who approaches the study without a guide is usually bewildered.
guidebooknounUS /ˈɡaɪdbʊk/
something that offers basic information or instruction
From this reading He needs a history of English literature for the same reason that a traveler in England requires a guidebook.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For more than twelve hundred years the Anglo-Saxon race has been producing this great literature, which includes among its achievements the incomparable work of Shakespeare.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Such a history should do more than indicate where the choicest treasures of literature may be found; it should also show the interesting stages of development; it should emphasize some of the ideals that have made the Anglo-Saxons one of the most famous races in the world; and it should inspire a love for the reading of good literature.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He needs a history of English literature for the same reason that a traveler in England requires a guidebook.
historynounUS /ˈhɪstəri/
the aggregate of past events
From this reading Subject Matter and Aim.--The history of English literature traces the development of the best poetry and prose written in English by the inhabitants of the British Isles.
hundrednounUS /ˈhʌndrəd/
ten 10s
From this reading For more than twelve hundred years the Anglo-Saxon race has been producing this great literature, which includes among its achievements the incomparable work of Shakespeare.
idealsnounUS /aɪˈdiːlz/
plural of “ideal” — the idea of something that is perfect; something that one hopes to attain
From this reading Such a history should do more than indicate where the choicest treasures of literature may be found; it should also show the interesting stages of development; it should emphasize some of the ideals that have made the Anglo-Saxons one of the most famous races in the world; and it should inspire a love for the reading of good literature.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Subject Matter and Aim.--The history of English literature traces the development of the best poetry and prose written in English by the inhabitants of the British Isles.
includesverbUS /ˌɪnˈkluːdz/
third-person singular of “include” — have as a part, be made up out of
From this reading For more than twelve hundred years the Anglo-Saxon race has been producing this great literature, which includes among its achievements the incomparable work of Shakespeare.
incomparableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkɑːmpərəbəl/
such that comparison is impossible; unsuitable for comparison or lacking features that can be compared
From this reading For more than twelve hundred years the Anglo-Saxon race has been producing this great literature, which includes among its achievements the incomparable work of Shakespeare.
indicateverbUS /ˈɪndəkeɪt/
be a signal for or a symptom of
From this reading Such a history should do more than indicate where the choicest treasures of literature may be found; it should also show the interesting stages of development; it should emphasize some of the ideals that have made the Anglo-Saxons one of the most famous races in the world; and it should inspire a love for the reading of good literature.
inhabitantsnounUS /ɪnˈhæbətənts/
plural of “inhabitant” — a person who inhabits a particular place
From this reading Subject Matter and Aim.--The history of English literature traces the development of the best poetry and prose written in English by the inhabitants of the British Isles.
inspireverbUS /ˌɪnˈspaɪr/
heighten or intensify
From this reading Such a history should do more than indicate where the choicest treasures of literature may be found; it should also show the interesting stages of development; it should emphasize some of the ideals that have made the Anglo-Saxons one of the most famous races in the world; and it should inspire a love for the reading of good literature.
interestingadjectiveUS /ˈɪntrəstɪŋ/
arousing or holding the attention
From this reading Such a history should do more than indicate where the choicest treasures of literature may be found; it should also show the interesting stages of development; it should emphasize some of the ideals that have made the Anglo-Saxons one of the most famous races in the world; and it should inspire a love for the reading of good literature.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This literature is so great in amount that the student who approaches the study without a guide is usually bewildered.
IslesnounUS /aɪlz/
plural of “isle” — a small island
From this reading Subject Matter and Aim.--The history of English literature traces the development of the best poetry and prose written in English by the inhabitants of the British Isles.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Such a history should do more than indicate where the choicest treasures of literature may be found; it should also show the interesting stages of development; it should emphasize some of the ideals that have made the Anglo-Saxons one of the most famous races in the world; and it should inspire a love for the reading of good literature.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading For more than twelve hundred years the Anglo-Saxon race has been producing this great literature, which includes among its achievements the incomparable work of Shakespeare.
literaturenounUS /ˈlɪtərətʃər/
creative writing of recognized artistic value
From this reading Subject Matter and Aim.--The history of English literature traces the development of the best poetry and prose written in English by the inhabitants of the British Isles.
lovenounUS /lʌv/
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading Such a history should do more than indicate where the choicest treasures of literature may be found; it should also show the interesting stages of development; it should emphasize some of the ideals that have made the Anglo-Saxons one of the most famous races in the world; and it should inspire a love for the reading of good literature.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Such a history should do more than indicate where the choicest treasures of literature may be found; it should also show the interesting stages of development; it should emphasize some of the ideals that have made the Anglo-Saxons one of the most famous races in the world; and it should inspire a love for the reading of good literature.
MatternounUS /ˈmætər/
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Subject Matter and Aim.--The history of English literature traces the development of the best poetry and prose written in English by the inhabitants of the British Isles.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Such a history should do more than indicate where the choicest treasures of literature may be found; it should also show the interesting stages of development; it should emphasize some of the ideals that have made the Anglo-Saxons one of the most famous races in the world; and it should inspire a love for the reading of good literature.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading For more than twelve hundred years the Anglo-Saxon race has been producing this great literature, which includes among its achievements the incomparable work of Shakespeare.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading Such a history should do more than indicate where the choicest treasures of literature may be found; it should also show the interesting stages of development; it should emphasize some of the ideals that have made the Anglo-Saxons one of the most famous races in the world; and it should inspire a love for the reading of good literature.
needsadverbUS /niːdz/
in such a manner as could not be otherwise
From this reading He needs a history of English literature for the same reason that a traveler in England requires a guidebook.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Subject Matter and Aim.--The history of English literature traces the development of the best poetry and prose written in English by the inhabitants of the British Isles.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Such a history should do more than indicate where the choicest treasures of literature may be found; it should also show the interesting stages of development; it should emphasize some of the ideals that have made the Anglo-Saxons one of the most famous races in the world; and it should inspire a love for the reading of good literature.
poetrynounUS /ˈpoʊətri/
literature in metrical form
From this reading Subject Matter and Aim.--The history of English literature traces the development of the best poetry and prose written in English by the inhabitants of the British Isles.
producingverbUS /prəˈduːsɪŋ/
-ing form of “produce” — bring forth or yield
From this reading For more than twelve hundred years the Anglo-Saxon race has been producing this great literature, which includes among its achievements the incomparable work of Shakespeare.
prosenounUS /proʊz/
ordinary writing as distinguished from verse
From this reading Subject Matter and Aim.--The history of English literature traces the development of the best poetry and prose written in English by the inhabitants of the British Isles.
racenounUS /reɪs/
any competition
From this reading For more than twelve hundred years the Anglo-Saxon race has been producing this great literature, which includes among its achievements the incomparable work of Shakespeare.
racesnounUS /ˈreɪsəz/
plural of “race” — any competition
From this reading Such a history should do more than indicate where the choicest treasures of literature may be found; it should also show the interesting stages of development; it should emphasize some of the ideals that have made the Anglo-Saxons one of the most famous races in the world; and it should inspire a love for the reading of good literature.
readingnounUS /ˈriːdɪŋ/
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading Such a history should do more than indicate where the choicest treasures of literature may be found; it should also show the interesting stages of development; it should emphasize some of the ideals that have made the Anglo-Saxons one of the most famous races in the world; and it should inspire a love for the reading of good literature.
reasonnounUS /ˈriːzən/
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading He needs a history of English literature for the same reason that a traveler in England requires a guidebook.
requiresverbUS /riˈkwaɪərz/
third-person singular of “require” — require as useful, just, or proper
From this reading He needs a history of English literature for the same reason that a traveler in England requires a guidebook.
sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/
Identical; not different.
From this reading He needs a history of English literature for the same reason that a traveler in England requires a guidebook.
ShakespearenounUS /ˈʃeɪkspiːr/
English poet and dramatist considered one of the greatest English writers (1564-1616)
From this reading For more than twelve hundred years the Anglo-Saxon race has been producing this great literature, which includes among its achievements the incomparable work of Shakespeare.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Such a history should do more than indicate where the choicest treasures of literature may be found; it should also show the interesting stages of development; it should emphasize some of the ideals that have made the Anglo-Saxons one of the most famous races in the world; and it should inspire a love for the reading of good literature.
showverbUS /ʃoʊ/
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Such a history should do more than indicate where the choicest treasures of literature may be found; it should also show the interesting stages of development; it should emphasize some of the ideals that have made the Anglo-Saxons one of the most famous races in the world; and it should inspire a love for the reading of good literature.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading This literature is so great in amount that the student who approaches the study without a guide is usually bewildered.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Such a history should do more than indicate where the choicest treasures of literature may be found; it should also show the interesting stages of development; it should emphasize some of the ideals that have made the Anglo-Saxons one of the most famous races in the world; and it should inspire a love for the reading of good literature.
stagesnounUS /ˈsteɪdʒəz/
plural of “stage” — any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading Such a history should do more than indicate where the choicest treasures of literature may be found; it should also show the interesting stages of development; it should emphasize some of the ideals that have made the Anglo-Saxons one of the most famous races in the world; and it should inspire a love for the reading of good literature.
studentnounUS /ˈstuːdənt/
a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution
From this reading This literature is so great in amount that the student who approaches the study without a guide is usually bewildered.
studynounUS /ˈstʌdi/
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading This literature is so great in amount that the student who approaches the study without a guide is usually bewildered.
SubjectnounUS /səbˈdʒekt/
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading Subject Matter and Aim.--The history of English literature traces the development of the best poetry and prose written in English by the inhabitants of the British Isles.
SuchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Such a history should do more than indicate where the choicest treasures of literature may be found; it should also show the interesting stages of development; it should emphasize some of the ideals that have made the Anglo-Saxons one of the most famous races in the world; and it should inspire a love for the reading of good literature.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading For more than twelve hundred years the Anglo-Saxon race has been producing this great literature, which includes among its achievements the incomparable work of Shakespeare.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading This literature is so great in amount that the student who approaches the study without a guide is usually bewildered.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Subject Matter and Aim.--The history of English literature traces the development of the best poetry and prose written in English by the inhabitants of the British Isles.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading For more than twelve hundred years the Anglo-Saxon race has been producing this great literature, which includes among its achievements the incomparable work of Shakespeare.
tracesnounUS /ˈtreɪsəz/
plural of “trace” — a just detectable amount
From this reading Subject Matter and Aim.--The history of English literature traces the development of the best poetry and prose written in English by the inhabitants of the British Isles.
travelernounUS /ˈtrævələr/
a person who changes location
From this reading He needs a history of English literature for the same reason that a traveler in England requires a guidebook.
treasuresnounUS /ˈtreʒərz/
plural of “treasure” — accumulated wealth in the form of money or jewels etc.
From this reading Such a history should do more than indicate where the choicest treasures of literature may be found; it should also show the interesting stages of development; it should emphasize some of the ideals that have made the Anglo-Saxons one of the most famous races in the world; and it should inspire a love for the reading of good literature.
twelvenounUS /twelv/
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading For more than twelve hundred years the Anglo-Saxon race has been producing this great literature, which includes among its achievements the incomparable work of Shakespeare.
usuallyadverbUS /ˈjuːʒəwəli/
under normal conditions
From this reading This literature is so great in amount that the student who approaches the study without a guide is usually bewildered.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading Such a history should do more than indicate where the choicest treasures of literature may be found; it should also show the interesting stages of development; it should emphasize some of the ideals that have made the Anglo-Saxons one of the most famous races in the world; and it should inspire a love for the reading of good literature.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading For more than twelve hundred years the Anglo-Saxon race has been producing this great literature, which includes among its achievements the incomparable work of Shakespeare.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading This literature is so great in amount that the student who approaches the study without a guide is usually bewildered.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading This literature is so great in amount that the student who approaches the study without a guide is usually bewildered.
workverbUS /wɜːrk/
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading For more than twelve hundred years the Anglo-Saxon race has been producing this great literature, which includes among its achievements the incomparable work of Shakespeare.
worldnounUS /wɜːrld/
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Such a history should do more than indicate where the choicest treasures of literature may be found; it should also show the interesting stages of development; it should emphasize some of the ideals that have made the Anglo-Saxons one of the most famous races in the world; and it should inspire a love for the reading of good literature.
writtenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪtən/
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading Subject Matter and Aim.--The history of English literature traces the development of the best poetry and prose written in English by the inhabitants of the British Isles.
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/
a late time of life
From this reading For more than twelve hundred years the Anglo-Saxon race has been producing this great literature, which includes among its achievements the incomparable work of Shakespeare.
