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Life of Johnson, Volume 1 1709-1765
Life of Johnson, Volume 1 1709-1765

Chapter XXVII · Chapter 27

Chapter 27 of Life of Johnson, Volume 1 1709-1765 is here in full — 393 sentences across 79 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Life of Johnson, Volume 1 1709-1765
Context Illustration Reading 1/78 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Let me, however, do them justice.
One is a wit and one a scholar.'
[773] To Johnson might be applied what he himself said of Dryden:--'He appears to have known in its whole extent the dignity of his character, and to have set a very high value on his own powers and performances.'
_Works_, vii.
291.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Life of Johnson, Volume 1 1709-1765

Chapter XXVII · Chapter 27

Chapter 27 of Life of Johnson, Volume 1 1709-1765 is here in full — 393 sentences across 79 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/78 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Let me, however, do them justice.
/let miː ˌhaʊˈevər duː ðem ˈdʒʌstəs/
Line 2
One is a wit and one a scholar.'
/wʌn ɪz ə wɪt ənd wʌn ə ˈskɒl.ər/
Line 3
[773] To Johnson might be applied what he himself said of Dryden:--'He appears to have known in its whole extent the dignity of his character, and to have set a very high value on his own powers and performances.'
Line 4
_Works_, vii.
Line 5
291.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

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

appears verb US /əˈpɪrz/

third-person singular of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading “[773] To Johnson might be applied what he himself said of Dryden:--'He appears to have known in its whole extent the dignity of his character, and to have set a very high value on his own powers and performances.'”

applied adjective US /əˈplaɪd/

concerned with concrete problems or data rather than with fundamental principles

From this reading “[773] To Johnson might be applied what he himself said of Dryden:--'He appears to have known in its whole extent the dignity of his character, and to have set a very high value on his own powers and performances.'”

Dryden noun US /ˈdraɪdən/

the outstanding poet and dramatist of the Restoration (1631-1700)

From this reading “[773] To Johnson might be applied what he himself said of Dryden:--'He appears to have known in its whole extent the dignity of his character, and to have set a very high value on his own powers and performances.'”

extent noun US /ɪkˈstent/

the point or degree to which something extends

From this reading “[773] To Johnson might be applied what he himself said of Dryden:--'He appears to have known in its whole extent the dignity of his character, and to have set a very high value on his own powers and performances.'”

Johnson noun US /ˈdʒɑːnsən/

English writer and lexicographer (1709-1784)

From this reading “[773] To Johnson might be applied what he himself said of Dryden:--'He appears to have known in its whole extent the dignity of his character, and to have set a very high value on his own powers and performances.'”

performances noun US /pərˈfɔːrmənsəz/

plural of “performance” — a dramatic or musical entertainment

From this reading “[773] To Johnson might be applied what he himself said of Dryden:--'He appears to have known in its whole extent the dignity of his character, and to have set a very high value on his own powers and performances.'”

powers noun US /ˈpaʊərz/

plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence

From this reading “[773] To Johnson might be applied what he himself said of Dryden:--'He appears to have known in its whole extent the dignity of his character, and to have set a very high value on his own powers and performances.'”

scholar noun US /ˈskɒl.ər/

A specialist in a particular branch of study; a distinguished student.

From this reading “One is a wit and one a scholar.'”

All words in this reading · 46

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

291

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

From this reading 291.

773

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

From this reading [773] To Johnson might be applied what he himself said of Dryden:--'He appears to have known in its whole extent the dignity of his character, and to have set a very high value on his own powers and performances.'

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading One is a wit and one a scholar.'

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading One is a wit and one a scholar.'

appearsverbUS /əˈpɪrz/

third-person singular of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading [773] To Johnson might be applied what he himself said of Dryden:--'He appears to have known in its whole extent the dignity of his character, and to have set a very high value on his own powers and performances.'

appliedadjectiveUS /əˈplaɪd/

concerned with concrete problems or data rather than with fundamental principles

From this reading [773] To Johnson might be applied what he himself said of Dryden:--'He appears to have known in its whole extent the dignity of his character, and to have set a very high value on his own powers and performances.'

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading [773] To Johnson might be applied what he himself said of Dryden:--'He appears to have known in its whole extent the dignity of his character, and to have set a very high value on his own powers and performances.'

characternounUS /ˈkerɪktər/

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading [773] To Johnson might be applied what he himself said of Dryden:--'He appears to have known in its whole extent the dignity of his character, and to have set a very high value on his own powers and performances.'

dignitynounUS /ˈdɪɡnəti/

the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect

From this reading [773] To Johnson might be applied what he himself said of Dryden:--'He appears to have known in its whole extent the dignity of his character, and to have set a very high value on his own powers and performances.'

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Let me, however, do them justice.

DrydennounUS /ˈdraɪdən/

the outstanding poet and dramatist of the Restoration (1631-1700)

From this reading [773] To Johnson might be applied what he himself said of Dryden:--'He appears to have known in its whole extent the dignity of his character, and to have set a very high value on his own powers and performances.'

extentnounUS /ɪkˈstent/

the point or degree to which something extends

From this reading [773] To Johnson might be applied what he himself said of Dryden:--'He appears to have known in its whole extent the dignity of his character, and to have set a very high value on his own powers and performances.'

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading [773] To Johnson might be applied what he himself said of Dryden:--'He appears to have known in its whole extent the dignity of his character, and to have set a very high value on his own powers and performances.'

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading [773] To Johnson might be applied what he himself said of Dryden:--'He appears to have known in its whole extent the dignity of his character, and to have set a very high value on his own powers and performances.'

highadjectiveUS /haɪ/

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading [773] To Johnson might be applied what he himself said of Dryden:--'He appears to have known in its whole extent the dignity of his character, and to have set a very high value on his own powers and performances.'

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading [773] To Johnson might be applied what he himself said of Dryden:--'He appears to have known in its whole extent the dignity of his character, and to have set a very high value on his own powers and performances.'

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading [773] To Johnson might be applied what he himself said of Dryden:--'He appears to have known in its whole extent the dignity of his character, and to have set a very high value on his own powers and performances.'

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading Let me, however, do them justice.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading [773] To Johnson might be applied what he himself said of Dryden:--'He appears to have known in its whole extent the dignity of his character, and to have set a very high value on his own powers and performances.'

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading One is a wit and one a scholar.'

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading [773] To Johnson might be applied what he himself said of Dryden:--'He appears to have known in its whole extent the dignity of his character, and to have set a very high value on his own powers and performances.'

JohnsonnounUS /ˈdʒɑːnsən/

English writer and lexicographer (1709-1784)

From this reading [773] To Johnson might be applied what he himself said of Dryden:--'He appears to have known in its whole extent the dignity of his character, and to have set a very high value on his own powers and performances.'

justicenounUS /ˈdʒʌstəs/

the quality of being just or fair

From this reading Let me, however, do them justice.

knownadjectiveUS /noʊn/

apprehended with certainty

From this reading [773] To Johnson might be applied what he himself said of Dryden:--'He appears to have known in its whole extent the dignity of his character, and to have set a very high value on his own powers and performances.'

Letauxiliary verbUS /let/

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading Let me, however, do them justice.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Let me, however, do them justice.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading [773] To Johnson might be applied what he himself said of Dryden:--'He appears to have known in its whole extent the dignity of his character, and to have set a very high value on his own powers and performances.'

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading [773] To Johnson might be applied what he himself said of Dryden:--'He appears to have known in its whole extent the dignity of his character, and to have set a very high value on his own powers and performances.'

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading [773] To Johnson might be applied what he himself said of Dryden:--'He appears to have known in its whole extent the dignity of his character, and to have set a very high value on his own powers and performances.'

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One is a wit and one a scholar.'

ownverbUS /oʊn/

have ownership or possession of

From this reading [773] To Johnson might be applied what he himself said of Dryden:--'He appears to have known in its whole extent the dignity of his character, and to have set a very high value on his own powers and performances.'

performancesnounUS /pərˈfɔːrmənsəz/

plural of “performance” — a dramatic or musical entertainment

From this reading [773] To Johnson might be applied what he himself said of Dryden:--'He appears to have known in its whole extent the dignity of his character, and to have set a very high value on his own powers and performances.'

powersnounUS /ˈpaʊərz/

plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence

From this reading [773] To Johnson might be applied what he himself said of Dryden:--'He appears to have known in its whole extent the dignity of his character, and to have set a very high value on his own powers and performances.'

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading [773] To Johnson might be applied what he himself said of Dryden:--'He appears to have known in its whole extent the dignity of his character, and to have set a very high value on his own powers and performances.'

scholarnounUS /ˈskɒl.ər/

A specialist in a particular branch of study; a distinguished student.

From this reading One is a wit and one a scholar.'

setverbUS /set/

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading [773] To Johnson might be applied what he himself said of Dryden:--'He appears to have known in its whole extent the dignity of his character, and to have set a very high value on his own powers and performances.'

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading [773] To Johnson might be applied what he himself said of Dryden:--'He appears to have known in its whole extent the dignity of his character, and to have set a very high value on his own powers and performances.'

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Let me, however, do them justice.

ToparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading [773] To Johnson might be applied what he himself said of Dryden:--'He appears to have known in its whole extent the dignity of his character, and to have set a very high value on his own powers and performances.'

valuenounUS /ˈvæljuː/

a numerical quantity measured or assigned or computed

From this reading [773] To Johnson might be applied what he himself said of Dryden:--'He appears to have known in its whole extent the dignity of his character, and to have set a very high value on his own powers and performances.'

veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading [773] To Johnson might be applied what he himself said of Dryden:--'He appears to have known in its whole extent the dignity of his character, and to have set a very high value on his own powers and performances.'

viinoun

the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one

From this reading _Works_, vii.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading [773] To Johnson might be applied what he himself said of Dryden:--'He appears to have known in its whole extent the dignity of his character, and to have set a very high value on his own powers and performances.'

wholeadjectiveUS /hoʊl/

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading [773] To Johnson might be applied what he himself said of Dryden:--'He appears to have known in its whole extent the dignity of his character, and to have set a very high value on his own powers and performances.'

witnounUS /wɪt/

a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter

From this reading One is a wit and one a scholar.'

WorksnounUS /wɜːrks/

buildings for carrying on industrial labor

From this reading _Works_, vii.

Chapter 27 of Life of Johnson, Volume 1 1709-1765 by James Boswell holds 393 sentences, grouped into 79 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 27 of Life of Johnson, Volume 1 1709-1765 contain?

Chapter 27 holds 393 sentences of Life of Johnson, Volume 1 1709-1765, unabridged, divided into 79 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 27 of Life of Johnson, Volume 1 1709-1765 by James Boswell exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 393 sentences, grouped into 79 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 27 of Life of Johnson, Volume 1 1709-1765?

Work through the 79 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 79 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

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Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 27 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

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Project Gutenberg eBook #8918, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

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About 600 minutes of reading across 2853 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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Vocabulary met early in Life of Johnson, Volume 1 1709-1765

Words and structures a reader meets early in Life of Johnson, Volume 1 1709-1765, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Authours
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Life of Johnson, Volume 1 1709-1765; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Universal
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Life of Johnson, Volume 1 1709-1765; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
History
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Life of Johnson, Volume 1 1709-1765; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Deposited
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Life of Johnson, Volume 1 1709-1765; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.