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

Chapter XXXI · Chapter 31

Chapter 31 of Life of Johnson, Volume 1 1709-1765 is here in full — 399 sentences across 80 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By James Boswell • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for Life of Johnson, Volume 1 1709-1765
Context Illustration Reading 1/79 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
[1056] See _post_, Oct.
19, 1769, and May 15, 1783, for Johnson's measure of emotion, by eating.
[1057] Mr. Croker points out that Murphy's _Epistle_ was an imitation of Boileau's _Epître à Molière_.
[1058] The paper mentioned in the text is No. 38 of the second series of the _Grays Inn Journal_, published on June 15, 1754; which is a translation from the French version of Johnson's _Rambler_, No. 190.
MALONE.
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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 XXXI · Chapter 31

Chapter 31 of Life of Johnson, Volume 1 1709-1765 is here in full — 399 sentences across 80 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/79 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
[1056] See _post_, Oct.
Line 2
19, 1769, and May 15, 1783, for Johnson's measure of emotion, by eating.
Line 3
[1057] Mr. Croker points out that Murphy's _Epistle_ was an imitation of Boileau's _Epître à Molière_.
Line 4
[1058] The paper mentioned in the text is No. 38 of the second series of the _Grays Inn Journal_, published on June 15, 1754; which is a translation from the French version of Johnson's _Rambler_, No. 190.
Line 5
MALONE.
/məˈloʊn/

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.

Epistle noun US /ɪˈpɪsəl/

a specially long, formal letter

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Grays noun US /ɡreɪz/

plural of “gray” — a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Johnson's noun US /ˈdʒɑːnsənz/

possessive form of “johnson” — English writer and lexicographer (1709-1784)

From this reading “19, 1769, and May 15, 1783, for Johnson's measure of emotion, by eating.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
malone noun US /məˈloʊn/

English scholar remembered for his chronology of Shakespeare's plays and his editions of Shakespeare and Dryden (1741-1812)

From this reading “MALONE.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Murphy's noun US /ˈmɜːrfiz/

possessive form of “murphy” — an edible tuber native to South America; a staple food of Ireland

From this reading “[1057] Mr. Croker points out that Murphy's _Epistle_ was an imitation of Boileau's _Epître à Molière_.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Oct noun US /ɔːkt/

the month following September and preceding November

From this reading “[1056] See _post_, Oct.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Rambler noun US /ˈræmblər/

a person who takes long walks in the country

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
translation noun US /trænzˈleɪʃən/

a written communication in a second language having the same meaning as the written communication in a first language

From this reading “[1058] The paper mentioned in the text is No. 38 of the second series of the _Grays Inn Journal_, published on June 15, 1754; which is a translation from the French version of Johnson's _Rambler_, No. 190.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

All words in this reading · 59

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.

1056

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

From this reading [1056] See _post_, Oct.

Pending verification
1057

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

From this reading [1057] Mr. Croker points out that Murphy's _Epistle_ was an imitation of Boileau's _Epître à Molière_.

Pending verification
1058

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

From this reading [1058] The paper mentioned in the text is No. 38 of the second series of the _Grays Inn Journal_, published on June 15, 1754; which is a translation from the French version of Johnson's _Rambler_, No. 190.

Pending verification
15

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

From this reading 19, 1769, and May 15, 1783, for Johnson's measure of emotion, by eating.

Pending verification
1754

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

From this reading [1058] The paper mentioned in the text is No. 38 of the second series of the _Grays Inn Journal_, published on June 15, 1754; which is a translation from the French version of Johnson's _Rambler_, No. 190.

Pending verification
1769

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

From this reading 19, 1769, and May 15, 1783, for Johnson's measure of emotion, by eating.

Pending verification
1783

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

From this reading 19, 1769, and May 15, 1783, for Johnson's measure of emotion, by eating.

Pending verification
19

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

From this reading 19, 1769, and May 15, 1783, for Johnson's measure of emotion, by eating.

Pending verification
190

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

From this reading [1058] The paper mentioned in the text is No. 38 of the second series of the _Grays Inn Journal_, published on June 15, 1754; which is a translation from the French version of Johnson's _Rambler_, No. 190.

Pending verification
38

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

From this reading [1058] The paper mentioned in the text is No. 38 of the second series of the _Grays Inn Journal_, published on June 15, 1754; which is a translation from the French version of Johnson's _Rambler_, No. 190.

Pending verification
adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading [1058] The paper mentioned in the text is No. 38 of the second series of the _Grays Inn Journal_, published on June 15, 1754; which is a translation from the French version of Johnson's _Rambler_, No. 190.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading [1057] Mr. Croker points out that Murphy's _Epistle_ was an imitation of Boileau's _Epître à Molière_.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading 19, 1769, and May 15, 1783, for Johnson's measure of emotion, by eating.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
Boileau's

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

From this reading [1057] Mr. Croker points out that Murphy's _Epistle_ was an imitation of Boileau's _Epître à Molière_.

Pending verification
byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading 19, 1769, and May 15, 1783, for Johnson's measure of emotion, by eating.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
Croker

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

From this reading [1057] Mr. Croker points out that Murphy's _Epistle_ was an imitation of Boileau's _Epître à Molière_.

Pending verification
eatingnounUS /ˈiːtɪŋ/

the act of consuming food

From this reading 19, 1769, and May 15, 1783, for Johnson's measure of emotion, by eating.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
emotionnounUS /ɪˈmoʊʃən/

any strong feeling

From this reading 19, 1769, and May 15, 1783, for Johnson's measure of emotion, by eating.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
EpistlenounUS /ɪˈpɪsəl/

a specially long, formal letter

From this reading [1057] Mr. Croker points out that Murphy's _Epistle_ was an imitation of Boileau's _Epître à Molière_.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Epître

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

From this reading [1057] Mr. Croker points out that Murphy's _Epistle_ was an imitation of Boileau's _Epître à Molière_.

Pending verification
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading 19, 1769, and May 15, 1783, for Johnson's measure of emotion, by eating.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
FrenchnounUS /frentʃ/

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading [1058] The paper mentioned in the text is No. 38 of the second series of the _Grays Inn Journal_, published on June 15, 1754; which is a translation from the French version of Johnson's _Rambler_, No. 190.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading [1058] The paper mentioned in the text is No. 38 of the second series of the _Grays Inn Journal_, published on June 15, 1754; which is a translation from the French version of Johnson's _Rambler_, No. 190.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
GraysnounUS /ɡreɪz/

plural of “gray” — a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading [1058] The paper mentioned in the text is No. 38 of the second series of the _Grays Inn Journal_, published on June 15, 1754; which is a translation from the French version of Johnson's _Rambler_, No. 190.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
imitationnounUS /ˌɪməˈteɪʃən/

the doctrine that representations of nature or human behavior should be accurate imitations

From this reading [1057] Mr. Croker points out that Murphy's _Epistle_ was an imitation of Boileau's _Epître à Molière_.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading [1058] The paper mentioned in the text is No. 38 of the second series of the _Grays Inn Journal_, published on June 15, 1754; which is a translation from the French version of Johnson's _Rambler_, No. 190.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
InnnounUS /ɪn/

a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers

From this reading [1058] The paper mentioned in the text is No. 38 of the second series of the _Grays Inn Journal_, published on June 15, 1754; which is a translation from the French version of Johnson's _Rambler_, No. 190.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading [1058] The paper mentioned in the text is No. 38 of the second series of the _Grays Inn Journal_, published on June 15, 1754; which is a translation from the French version of Johnson's _Rambler_, No. 190.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
Johnson'snounUS /ˈdʒɑːnsənz/

possessive form of “johnson” — English writer and lexicographer (1709-1784)

From this reading 19, 1769, and May 15, 1783, for Johnson's measure of emotion, by eating.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
JournalnounUS /ˈdʒɜːrnəl/

a daily written record of (usually personal) experiences and observations

From this reading [1058] The paper mentioned in the text is No. 38 of the second series of the _Grays Inn Journal_, published on June 15, 1754; which is a translation from the French version of Johnson's _Rambler_, No. 190.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
JunenounUS /dʒuːn/

the month following May and preceding July

From this reading [1058] The paper mentioned in the text is No. 38 of the second series of the _Grays Inn Journal_, published on June 15, 1754; which is a translation from the French version of Johnson's _Rambler_, No. 190.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MALONEnounUS /məˈloʊn/

English scholar remembered for his chronology of Shakespeare's plays and his editions of Shakespeare and Dryden (1741-1812)

From this reading MALONE.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading 19, 1769, and May 15, 1783, for Johnson's measure of emotion, by eating.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
measurenounUS /ˈmeʒər/

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading 19, 1769, and May 15, 1783, for Johnson's measure of emotion, by eating.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mentionedverbUS /ˈmenʃənd/

past form of “mention” — make reference to

From this reading [1058] The paper mentioned in the text is No. 38 of the second series of the _Grays Inn Journal_, published on June 15, 1754; which is a translation from the French version of Johnson's _Rambler_, No. 190.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Molière

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

From this reading [1057] Mr. Croker points out that Murphy's _Epistle_ was an imitation of Boileau's _Epître à Molière_.

Pending verification
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/

a form of address for a man

From this reading [1057] Mr. Croker points out that Murphy's _Epistle_ was an imitation of Boileau's _Epître à Molière_.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Murphy'snounUS /ˈmɜːrfiz/

possessive form of “murphy” — an edible tuber native to South America; a staple food of Ireland

From this reading [1057] Mr. Croker points out that Murphy's _Epistle_ was an imitation of Boileau's _Epître à Molière_.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
NodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading [1058] The paper mentioned in the text is No. 38 of the second series of the _Grays Inn Journal_, published on June 15, 1754; which is a translation from the French version of Johnson's _Rambler_, No. 190.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
OctnounUS /ɔːkt/

the month following September and preceding November

From this reading [1056] See _post_, Oct.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading 19, 1769, and May 15, 1783, for Johnson's measure of emotion, by eating.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading [1058] The paper mentioned in the text is No. 38 of the second series of the _Grays Inn Journal_, published on June 15, 1754; which is a translation from the French version of Johnson's _Rambler_, No. 190.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading [1057] Mr. Croker points out that Murphy's _Epistle_ was an imitation of Boileau's _Epître à Molière_.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
papernounUS /ˈpeɪpər/

a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses

From this reading [1058] The paper mentioned in the text is No. 38 of the second series of the _Grays Inn Journal_, published on June 15, 1754; which is a translation from the French version of Johnson's _Rambler_, No. 190.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
pointsnounUS /pɔɪnts/

plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading [1057] Mr. Croker points out that Murphy's _Epistle_ was an imitation of Boileau's _Epître à Molière_.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
postverbUS /poʊst/

affix in a public place or for public notice

From this reading [1056] See _post_, Oct.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
publishedadjectiveUS /ˈpʌblɪʃt/

prepared and printed for distribution and sale

From this reading [1058] The paper mentioned in the text is No. 38 of the second series of the _Grays Inn Journal_, published on June 15, 1754; which is a translation from the French version of Johnson's _Rambler_, No. 190.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
RamblernounUS /ˈræmblər/

a person who takes long walks in the country

From this reading [1058] The paper mentioned in the text is No. 38 of the second series of the _Grays Inn Journal_, published on June 15, 1754; which is a translation from the French version of Johnson's _Rambler_, No. 190.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
secondnounUS /ˈsekənd/

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading [1058] The paper mentioned in the text is No. 38 of the second series of the _Grays Inn Journal_, published on June 15, 1754; which is a translation from the French version of Johnson's _Rambler_, No. 190.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SeeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading [1056] See _post_, Oct.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
seriesnounUS /ˈsɪriz/

similar things placed in order or happening one after another

From this reading [1058] The paper mentioned in the text is No. 38 of the second series of the _Grays Inn Journal_, published on June 15, 1754; which is a translation from the French version of Johnson's _Rambler_, No. 190.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
textnounUS /tekst/

the words of something written

From this reading [1058] The paper mentioned in the text is No. 38 of the second series of the _Grays Inn Journal_, published on June 15, 1754; which is a translation from the French version of Johnson's _Rambler_, No. 190.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading [1057] Mr. Croker points out that Murphy's _Epistle_ was an imitation of Boileau's _Epître à Molière_.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading [1058] The paper mentioned in the text is No. 38 of the second series of the _Grays Inn Journal_, published on June 15, 1754; which is a translation from the French version of Johnson's _Rambler_, No. 190.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
translationnounUS /trænzˈleɪʃən/

a written communication in a second language having the same meaning as the written communication in a first language

From this reading [1058] The paper mentioned in the text is No. 38 of the second series of the _Grays Inn Journal_, published on June 15, 1754; which is a translation from the French version of Johnson's _Rambler_, No. 190.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
versionnounUS /ˈvɜːrʒən/

an interpretation of a matter from a particular viewpoint

From this reading [1058] The paper mentioned in the text is No. 38 of the second series of the _Grays Inn Journal_, published on June 15, 1754; which is a translation from the French version of Johnson's _Rambler_, No. 190.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading [1057] Mr. Croker points out that Murphy's _Epistle_ was an imitation of Boileau's _Epître à Molière_.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading [1058] The paper mentioned in the text is No. 38 of the second series of the _Grays Inn Journal_, published on June 15, 1754; which is a translation from the French version of Johnson's _Rambler_, No. 190.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
à

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

From this reading [1057] Mr. Croker points out that Murphy's _Epistle_ was an imitation of Boileau's _Epître à Molière_.

Pending verification

Chapter 31 of Life of Johnson, Volume 1 1709-1765 by James Boswell holds 399 sentences, grouped into 80 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 31 of Life of Johnson, Volume 1 1709-1765 contain?

Chapter 31 holds 399 sentences of Life of Johnson, Volume 1 1709-1765, unabridged, divided into 80 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 31 of Life of Johnson, Volume 1 1709-1765 by James Boswell exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 399 sentences, grouped into 80 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 31 of Life of Johnson, Volume 1 1709-1765?

Work through the 80 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 80 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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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.