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 I dedicate to you, my dear friend, a work, principally composed under your hospitable roof; and to the materials of which your library, rich in the authorities I most needed, largely contributed.
advanced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it is an old habit of mine, to linger over the plan and subject of a work, for years, perhaps, before the work has, in truth, advanced a sentence; “busying myself,” as old Burton saith, “with this playing labour--otiosaque diligentia ut vitarem torporen feriendi.”
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The idea of founding an historical romance on an event so important and so national as the Norman Invasion, I had long entertained, and the chronicles of that time had long been familiar to me.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I dedicate to you, my dear friend, a work, principally composed under your hospitable roof; and to the materials of which your library, rich in the authorities I most needed, largely contributed.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The idea of founding an historical romance on an event so important and so national as the Norman Invasion, I had long entertained, and the chronicles of that time had long been familiar to me.
authorities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I dedicate to you, my dear friend, a work, principally composed under your hospitable roof; and to the materials of which your library, rich in the authorities I most needed, largely contributed.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The idea of founding an historical romance on an event so important and so national as the Norman Invasion, I had long entertained, and the chronicles of that time had long been familiar to me.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading But it is an old habit of mine, to linger over the plan and subject of a work, for years, perhaps, before the work has, in truth, advanced a sentence; “busying myself,” as old Burton saith, “with this playing labour--otiosaque diligentia ut vitarem torporen feriendi.”
Burton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it is an old habit of mine, to linger over the plan and subject of a work, for years, perhaps, before the work has, in truth, advanced a sentence; “busying myself,” as old Burton saith, “with this playing labour--otiosaque diligentia ut vitarem torporen feriendi.”
busying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it is an old habit of mine, to linger over the plan and subject of a work, for years, perhaps, before the work has, in truth, advanced a sentence; “busying myself,” as old Burton saith, “with this playing labour--otiosaque diligentia ut vitarem torporen feriendi.”
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But it is an old habit of mine, to linger over the plan and subject of a work, for years, perhaps, before the work has, in truth, advanced a sentence; “busying myself,” as old Burton saith, “with this playing labour--otiosaque diligentia ut vitarem torporen feriendi.”
C
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading C. T. D’EYNCOURT, M.P.
chronicles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The idea of founding an historical romance on an event so important and so national as the Norman Invasion, I had long entertained, and the chronicles of that time had long been familiar to me.
composed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I dedicate to you, my dear friend, a work, principally composed under your hospitable roof; and to the materials of which your library, rich in the authorities I most needed, largely contributed.
contributed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I dedicate to you, my dear friend, a work, principally composed under your hospitable roof; and to the materials of which your library, rich in the authorities I most needed, largely contributed.
D'EYNCOURT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading C. T. D’EYNCOURT, M.P.
dear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I dedicate to you, my dear friend, a work, principally composed under your hospitable roof; and to the materials of which your library, rich in the authorities I most needed, largely contributed.
dedicate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I dedicate to you, my dear friend, a work, principally composed under your hospitable roof; and to the materials of which your library, rich in the authorities I most needed, largely contributed.
DEDICATORY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEDICATORY EPISTLE TO THE RIGHT HON.
diligentia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it is an old habit of mine, to linger over the plan and subject of a work, for years, perhaps, before the work has, in truth, advanced a sentence; “busying myself,” as old Burton saith, “with this playing labour--otiosaque diligentia ut vitarem torporen feriendi.”
entertained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The idea of founding an historical romance on an event so important and so national as the Norman Invasion, I had long entertained, and the chronicles of that time had long been familiar to me.
EPISTLE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEDICATORY EPISTLE TO THE RIGHT HON.
event
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The idea of founding an historical romance on an event so important and so national as the Norman Invasion, I had long entertained, and the chronicles of that time had long been familiar to me.
familiar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The idea of founding an historical romance on an event so important and so national as the Norman Invasion, I had long entertained, and the chronicles of that time had long been familiar to me.
feriendi
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it is an old habit of mine, to linger over the plan and subject of a work, for years, perhaps, before the work has, in truth, advanced a sentence; “busying myself,” as old Burton saith, “with this playing labour--otiosaque diligentia ut vitarem torporen feriendi.”
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But it is an old habit of mine, to linger over the plan and subject of a work, for years, perhaps, before the work has, in truth, advanced a sentence; “busying myself,” as old Burton saith, “with this playing labour--otiosaque diligentia ut vitarem torporen feriendi.”
founding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The idea of founding an historical romance on an event so important and so national as the Norman Invasion, I had long entertained, and the chronicles of that time had long been familiar to me.
friend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I dedicate to you, my dear friend, a work, principally composed under your hospitable roof; and to the materials of which your library, rich in the authorities I most needed, largely contributed.
habit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it is an old habit of mine, to linger over the plan and subject of a work, for years, perhaps, before the work has, in truth, advanced a sentence; “busying myself,” as old Burton saith, “with this playing labour--otiosaque diligentia ut vitarem torporen feriendi.”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The idea of founding an historical romance on an event so important and so national as the Norman Invasion, I had long entertained, and the chronicles of that time had long been familiar to me.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But it is an old habit of mine, to linger over the plan and subject of a work, for years, perhaps, before the work has, in truth, advanced a sentence; “busying myself,” as old Burton saith, “with this playing labour--otiosaque diligentia ut vitarem torporen feriendi.”
historical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The idea of founding an historical romance on an event so important and so national as the Norman Invasion, I had long entertained, and the chronicles of that time had long been familiar to me.
HON
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEDICATORY EPISTLE TO THE RIGHT HON.
hospitable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I dedicate to you, my dear friend, a work, principally composed under your hospitable roof; and to the materials of which your library, rich in the authorities I most needed, largely contributed.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I dedicate to you, my dear friend, a work, principally composed under your hospitable roof; and to the materials of which your library, rich in the authorities I most needed, largely contributed.
idea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The idea of founding an historical romance on an event so important and so national as the Norman Invasion, I had long entertained, and the chronicles of that time had long been familiar to me.
important
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The idea of founding an historical romance on an event so important and so national as the Norman Invasion, I had long entertained, and the chronicles of that time had long been familiar to me.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I dedicate to you, my dear friend, a work, principally composed under your hospitable roof; and to the materials of which your library, rich in the authorities I most needed, largely contributed.
Invasion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The idea of founding an historical romance on an event so important and so national as the Norman Invasion, I had long entertained, and the chronicles of that time had long been familiar to me.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But it is an old habit of mine, to linger over the plan and subject of a work, for years, perhaps, before the work has, in truth, advanced a sentence; “busying myself,” as old Burton saith, “with this playing labour--otiosaque diligentia ut vitarem torporen feriendi.”
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But it is an old habit of mine, to linger over the plan and subject of a work, for years, perhaps, before the work has, in truth, advanced a sentence; “busying myself,” as old Burton saith, “with this playing labour--otiosaque diligentia ut vitarem torporen feriendi.”
labour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it is an old habit of mine, to linger over the plan and subject of a work, for years, perhaps, before the work has, in truth, advanced a sentence; “busying myself,” as old Burton saith, “with this playing labour--otiosaque diligentia ut vitarem torporen feriendi.”
largely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I dedicate to you, my dear friend, a work, principally composed under your hospitable roof; and to the materials of which your library, rich in the authorities I most needed, largely contributed.
library
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I dedicate to you, my dear friend, a work, principally composed under your hospitable roof; and to the materials of which your library, rich in the authorities I most needed, largely contributed.
linger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it is an old habit of mine, to linger over the plan and subject of a work, for years, perhaps, before the work has, in truth, advanced a sentence; “busying myself,” as old Burton saith, “with this playing labour--otiosaque diligentia ut vitarem torporen feriendi.”
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The idea of founding an historical romance on an event so important and so national as the Norman Invasion, I had long entertained, and the chronicles of that time had long been familiar to me.
M
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading C. T. D’EYNCOURT, M.P.
materials
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I dedicate to you, my dear friend, a work, principally composed under your hospitable roof; and to the materials of which your library, rich in the authorities I most needed, largely contributed.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The idea of founding an historical romance on an event so important and so national as the Norman Invasion, I had long entertained, and the chronicles of that time had long been familiar to me.
minepronounUS /maɪn/
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading But it is an old habit of mine, to linger over the plan and subject of a work, for years, perhaps, before the work has, in truth, advanced a sentence; “busying myself,” as old Burton saith, “with this playing labour--otiosaque diligentia ut vitarem torporen feriendi.”
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I dedicate to you, my dear friend, a work, principally composed under your hospitable roof; and to the materials of which your library, rich in the authorities I most needed, largely contributed.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I dedicate to you, my dear friend, a work, principally composed under your hospitable roof; and to the materials of which your library, rich in the authorities I most needed, largely contributed.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading But it is an old habit of mine, to linger over the plan and subject of a work, for years, perhaps, before the work has, in truth, advanced a sentence; “busying myself,” as old Burton saith, “with this playing labour--otiosaque diligentia ut vitarem torporen feriendi.”
national
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The idea of founding an historical romance on an event so important and so national as the Norman Invasion, I had long entertained, and the chronicles of that time had long been familiar to me.
needed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I dedicate to you, my dear friend, a work, principally composed under your hospitable roof; and to the materials of which your library, rich in the authorities I most needed, largely contributed.
Norman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The idea of founding an historical romance on an event so important and so national as the Norman Invasion, I had long entertained, and the chronicles of that time had long been familiar to me.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I dedicate to you, my dear friend, a work, principally composed under your hospitable roof; and to the materials of which your library, rich in the authorities I most needed, largely contributed.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it is an old habit of mine, to linger over the plan and subject of a work, for years, perhaps, before the work has, in truth, advanced a sentence; “busying myself,” as old Burton saith, “with this playing labour--otiosaque diligentia ut vitarem torporen feriendi.”
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The idea of founding an historical romance on an event so important and so national as the Norman Invasion, I had long entertained, and the chronicles of that time had long been familiar to me.
otiosaque
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it is an old habit of mine, to linger over the plan and subject of a work, for years, perhaps, before the work has, in truth, advanced a sentence; “busying myself,” as old Burton saith, “with this playing labour--otiosaque diligentia ut vitarem torporen feriendi.”
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading But it is an old habit of mine, to linger over the plan and subject of a work, for years, perhaps, before the work has, in truth, advanced a sentence; “busying myself,” as old Burton saith, “with this playing labour--otiosaque diligentia ut vitarem torporen feriendi.”
P
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading C. T. D’EYNCOURT, M.P.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it is an old habit of mine, to linger over the plan and subject of a work, for years, perhaps, before the work has, in truth, advanced a sentence; “busying myself,” as old Burton saith, “with this playing labour--otiosaque diligentia ut vitarem torporen feriendi.”
plan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it is an old habit of mine, to linger over the plan and subject of a work, for years, perhaps, before the work has, in truth, advanced a sentence; “busying myself,” as old Burton saith, “with this playing labour--otiosaque diligentia ut vitarem torporen feriendi.”
playing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it is an old habit of mine, to linger over the plan and subject of a work, for years, perhaps, before the work has, in truth, advanced a sentence; “busying myself,” as old Burton saith, “with this playing labour--otiosaque diligentia ut vitarem torporen feriendi.”
principally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I dedicate to you, my dear friend, a work, principally composed under your hospitable roof; and to the materials of which your library, rich in the authorities I most needed, largely contributed.
rich
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I dedicate to you, my dear friend, a work, principally composed under your hospitable roof; and to the materials of which your library, rich in the authorities I most needed, largely contributed.
RIGHTnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading DEDICATORY EPISTLE TO THE RIGHT HON.
romance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The idea of founding an historical romance on an event so important and so national as the Norman Invasion, I had long entertained, and the chronicles of that time had long been familiar to me.
roof
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I dedicate to you, my dear friend, a work, principally composed under your hospitable roof; and to the materials of which your library, rich in the authorities I most needed, largely contributed.
saith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it is an old habit of mine, to linger over the plan and subject of a work, for years, perhaps, before the work has, in truth, advanced a sentence; “busying myself,” as old Burton saith, “with this playing labour--otiosaque diligentia ut vitarem torporen feriendi.”
sentence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it is an old habit of mine, to linger over the plan and subject of a work, for years, perhaps, before the work has, in truth, advanced a sentence; “busying myself,” as old Burton saith, “with this playing labour--otiosaque diligentia ut vitarem torporen feriendi.”
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The idea of founding an historical romance on an event so important and so national as the Norman Invasion, I had long entertained, and the chronicles of that time had long been familiar to me.
subject
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it is an old habit of mine, to linger over the plan and subject of a work, for years, perhaps, before the work has, in truth, advanced a sentence; “busying myself,” as old Burton saith, “with this playing labour--otiosaque diligentia ut vitarem torporen feriendi.”
T
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading C. T. D’EYNCOURT, M.P.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The idea of founding an historical romance on an event so important and so national as the Norman Invasion, I had long entertained, and the chronicles of that time had long been familiar to me.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading DEDICATORY EPISTLE TO THE RIGHT HON.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But it is an old habit of mine, to linger over the plan and subject of a work, for years, perhaps, before the work has, in truth, advanced a sentence; “busying myself,” as old Burton saith, “with this playing labour--otiosaque diligentia ut vitarem torporen feriendi.”
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The idea of founding an historical romance on an event so important and so national as the Norman Invasion, I had long entertained, and the chronicles of that time had long been familiar to me.
TOparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading DEDICATORY EPISTLE TO THE RIGHT HON.
torporen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it is an old habit of mine, to linger over the plan and subject of a work, for years, perhaps, before the work has, in truth, advanced a sentence; “busying myself,” as old Burton saith, “with this playing labour--otiosaque diligentia ut vitarem torporen feriendi.”
truth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it is an old habit of mine, to linger over the plan and subject of a work, for years, perhaps, before the work has, in truth, advanced a sentence; “busying myself,” as old Burton saith, “with this playing labour--otiosaque diligentia ut vitarem torporen feriendi.”
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading I dedicate to you, my dear friend, a work, principally composed under your hospitable roof; and to the materials of which your library, rich in the authorities I most needed, largely contributed.
ut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it is an old habit of mine, to linger over the plan and subject of a work, for years, perhaps, before the work has, in truth, advanced a sentence; “busying myself,” as old Burton saith, “with this playing labour--otiosaque diligentia ut vitarem torporen feriendi.”
vitarem
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it is an old habit of mine, to linger over the plan and subject of a work, for years, perhaps, before the work has, in truth, advanced a sentence; “busying myself,” as old Burton saith, “with this playing labour--otiosaque diligentia ut vitarem torporen feriendi.”
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I dedicate to you, my dear friend, a work, principally composed under your hospitable roof; and to the materials of which your library, rich in the authorities I most needed, largely contributed.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading But it is an old habit of mine, to linger over the plan and subject of a work, for years, perhaps, before the work has, in truth, advanced a sentence; “busying myself,” as old Burton saith, “with this playing labour--otiosaque diligentia ut vitarem torporen feriendi.”
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I dedicate to you, my dear friend, a work, principally composed under your hospitable roof; and to the materials of which your library, rich in the authorities I most needed, largely contributed.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it is an old habit of mine, to linger over the plan and subject of a work, for years, perhaps, before the work has, in truth, advanced a sentence; “busying myself,” as old Burton saith, “with this playing labour--otiosaque diligentia ut vitarem torporen feriendi.”
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading I dedicate to you, my dear friend, a work, principally composed under your hospitable roof; and to the materials of which your library, rich in the authorities I most needed, largely contributed.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading I dedicate to you, my dear friend, a work, principally composed under your hospitable roof; and to the materials of which your library, rich in the authorities I most needed, largely contributed.
