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Literature and Life (Complete)
Literature and Life (Complete)

Chapter XXIX

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Context Illustration Reading 1/28 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.
I wonder now that I did not see how my physician avoided his medicine, but I did not, and I went on to spend myself in an endeavor as vain and senseless as any that pedantry has conceived.
It was none the less absurd because I believed in it so devoutly, and sacrificed myself to it with such infinite pains and labor.
But this was long after I read Macaulay, who was one of my grand passions before Dickens or Chaucer.
XVII.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Literature and Life (Complete)

Chapter XXIX

Reading 1/28 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.
Line 2
I wonder now that I did not see how my physician avoided his medicine, but I did not, and I went on to spend myself in an endeavor as vain and senseless as any that pedantry has conceived.
Line 3
It was none the less absurd because I believed in it so devoutly, and sacrificed myself to it with such infinite pains and labor.
Line 4
But this was long after I read Macaulay, who was one of my grand passions before Dickens or Chaucer.
Line 5
XVII.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “But this was long after I read Macaulay, who was one of my grand passions before Dickens or Chaucer.”

Because conjunction US /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading “It was none the less absurd because I believed in it so devoutly, and sacrificed myself to it with such infinite pains and labor.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “But this was long after I read Macaulay, who was one of my grand passions before Dickens or Chaucer.”

Folly noun US /ˈfɑːli/

an action or decision that shows a lack of good judgment

From this reading “An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

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

From this reading “I wonder now that I did not see how my physician avoided his medicine, but I did not, and I went on to spend myself in an endeavor as vain and senseless as any that pedantry has conceived.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.”

Length noun US /leŋθ/

a period of time or extent

From this reading “An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But this was long after I read Macaulay, who was one of my grand passions before Dickens or Chaucer.”

Myself pronoun US /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading “I wonder now that I did not see how my physician avoided his medicine, but I did not, and I went on to spend myself in an endeavor as vain and senseless as any that pedantry has conceived.”

None pronoun US /nʌn/

not one, and not any

From this reading “It was none the less absurd because I believed in it so devoutly, and sacrificed myself to it with such infinite pains and labor.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “But this was long after I read Macaulay, who was one of my grand passions before Dickens or Chaucer.”

Point noun US /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading “An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I wonder now that I did not see how my physician avoided his medicine, but I did not, and I went on to spend myself in an endeavor as vain and senseless as any that pedantry has conceived.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.”

All words in this reading · 95

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

absurd

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

From this reading It was none the less absurd because I believed in it so devoutly, and sacrificed myself to it with such infinite pains and labor.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading But this was long after I read Macaulay, who was one of my grand passions before Dickens or Chaucer.

AndeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

any

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

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

author

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

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

avoided

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

From this reading I wonder now that I did not see how my physician avoided his medicine, but I did not, and I went on to spend myself in an endeavor as vain and senseless as any that pedantry has conceived.

Babington

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

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading It was none the less absurd because I believed in it so devoutly, and sacrificed myself to it with such infinite pains and labor.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading But this was long after I read Macaulay, who was one of my grand passions before Dickens or Chaucer.

believed

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

From this reading It was none the less absurd because I believed in it so devoutly, and sacrificed myself to it with such infinite pains and labor.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I wonder now that I did not see how my physician avoided his medicine, but I did not, and I went on to spend myself in an endeavor as vain and senseless as any that pedantry has conceived.

Chaucer

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

From this reading But this was long after I read Macaulay, who was one of my grand passions before Dickens or Chaucer.

conceived

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

From this reading I wonder now that I did not see how my physician avoided his medicine, but I did not, and I went on to spend myself in an endeavor as vain and senseless as any that pedantry has conceived.

deplored

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

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

devoutly

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

From this reading It was none the less absurd because I believed in it so devoutly, and sacrificed myself to it with such infinite pains and labor.

Dickens

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

From this reading But this was long after I read Macaulay, who was one of my grand passions before Dickens or Chaucer.

diction

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

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading I wonder now that I did not see how my physician avoided his medicine, but I did not, and I went on to spend myself in an endeavor as vain and senseless as any that pedantry has conceived.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

doctor's

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

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

emulous

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

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

endeavor

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

From this reading I wonder now that I did not see how my physician avoided his medicine, but I did not, and I went on to spend myself in an endeavor as vain and senseless as any that pedantry has conceived.

English

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

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

follynounUS /ˈfɑːli/

an action or decision that shows a lack of good judgment

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

grand

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

From this reading But this was long after I read Macaulay, who was one of my grand passions before Dickens or Chaucer.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading I wonder now that I did not see how my physician avoided his medicine, but I did not, and I went on to spend myself in an endeavor as vain and senseless as any that pedantry has conceived.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading I wonder now that I did not see how my physician avoided his medicine, but I did not, and I went on to spend myself in an endeavor as vain and senseless as any that pedantry has conceived.

how

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

From this reading I wonder now that I did not see how my physician avoided his medicine, but I did not, and I went on to spend myself in an endeavor as vain and senseless as any that pedantry has conceived.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I wonder now that I did not see how my physician avoided his medicine, but I did not, and I went on to spend myself in an endeavor as vain and senseless as any that pedantry has conceived.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

infinite

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

From this reading It was none the less absurd because I believed in it so devoutly, and sacrificed myself to it with such infinite pains and labor.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was none the less absurd because I believed in it so devoutly, and sacrificed myself to it with such infinite pains and labor.

Johnson

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

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

labor

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

From this reading It was none the less absurd because I believed in it so devoutly, and sacrificed myself to it with such infinite pains and labor.

Latinistic

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

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

learned

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

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

lengthnounUS /leŋθ/

a period of time or extent

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

less

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

From this reading It was none the less absurd because I believed in it so devoutly, and sacrificed myself to it with such infinite pains and labor.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But this was long after I read Macaulay, who was one of my grand passions before Dickens or Chaucer.

Macaulay

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

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

medicine

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

From this reading I wonder now that I did not see how my physician avoided his medicine, but I did not, and I went on to spend myself in an endeavor as vain and senseless as any that pedantry has conceived.

much

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

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I wonder now that I did not see how my physician avoided his medicine, but I did not, and I went on to spend myself in an endeavor as vain and senseless as any that pedantry has conceived.

myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading I wonder now that I did not see how my physician avoided his medicine, but I did not, and I went on to spend myself in an endeavor as vain and senseless as any that pedantry has conceived.

nonepronounUS /nʌn/

not one, and not any

From this reading It was none the less absurd because I believed in it so devoutly, and sacrificed myself to it with such infinite pains and labor.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I wonder now that I did not see how my physician avoided his medicine, but I did not, and I went on to spend myself in an endeavor as vain and senseless as any that pedantry has conceived.

now

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

From this reading I wonder now that I did not see how my physician avoided his medicine, but I did not, and I went on to spend myself in an endeavor as vain and senseless as any that pedantry has conceived.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading I wonder now that I did not see how my physician avoided his medicine, but I did not, and I went on to spend myself in an endeavor as vain and senseless as any that pedantry has conceived.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading But this was long after I read Macaulay, who was one of my grand passions before Dickens or Chaucer.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading But this was long after I read Macaulay, who was one of my grand passions before Dickens or Chaucer.

orotundity

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

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

pains

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

From this reading It was none the less absurd because I believed in it so devoutly, and sacrificed myself to it with such infinite pains and labor.

passions

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

From this reading But this was long after I read Macaulay, who was one of my grand passions before Dickens or Chaucer.

pedantry

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

From this reading I wonder now that I did not see how my physician avoided his medicine, but I did not, and I went on to spend myself in an endeavor as vain and senseless as any that pedantry has conceived.

phrases

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

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

physician

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

From this reading I wonder now that I did not see how my physician avoided his medicine, but I did not, and I went on to spend myself in an endeavor as vain and senseless as any that pedantry has conceived.

pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

preparing

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

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

quixotic

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

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

read

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

From this reading But this was long after I read Macaulay, who was one of my grand passions before Dickens or Chaucer.

ronderosity

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

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

sacrificed

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

From this reading It was none the less absurd because I believed in it so devoutly, and sacrificed myself to it with such infinite pains and labor.

see

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

From this reading I wonder now that I did not see how my physician avoided his medicine, but I did not, and I went on to spend myself in an endeavor as vain and senseless as any that pedantry has conceived.

senseless

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

From this reading I wonder now that I did not see how my physician avoided his medicine, but I did not, and I went on to spend myself in an endeavor as vain and senseless as any that pedantry has conceived.

shun

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

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

simplicity

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From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It was none the less absurd because I believed in it so devoutly, and sacrificed myself to it with such infinite pains and labor.

sound

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From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

spend

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From this reading I wonder now that I did not see how my physician avoided his medicine, but I did not, and I went on to spend myself in an endeavor as vain and senseless as any that pedantry has conceived.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading It was none the less absurd because I believed in it so devoutly, and sacrificed myself to it with such infinite pains and labor.

taught

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

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

terms

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

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading But this was long after I read Macaulay, who was one of my grand passions before Dickens or Chaucer.

Thomas

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

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

thundering

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

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

vain

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

From this reading I wonder now that I did not see how my physician avoided his medicine, but I did not, and I went on to spend myself in an endeavor as vain and senseless as any that pedantry has conceived.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I wonder now that I did not see how my physician avoided his medicine, but I did not, and I went on to spend myself in an endeavor as vain and senseless as any that pedantry has conceived.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

wonder

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

From this reading I wonder now that I did not see how my physician avoided his medicine, but I did not, and I went on to spend myself in an endeavor as vain and senseless as any that pedantry has conceived.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading An author who had much to do with preparing me for the quixotic folly in point was that Thomas Babington Macaulay, who taught simplicity of diction in phrases of as “learned length and thundering sound,” as any he would have had me shun, and who deplored the Latinistic English of Johnson in terms emulous of the great doctor’s orotundity and ronderosity.

XVII

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

From this reading XVII.