absurdadjectiveUS /əbˈsɜːrd/
inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense
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.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
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.
authornounUS /ˈɔːθər/
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
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.
avoidedverbUS /əˈvɔɪdɪd/
past form of “avoid” — stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
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.
believedverbUS /bɪˈliːvd/
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
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.
ChaucernounUS /ˈtʃɔːsər/
English poet remembered as author of the Canterbury Tales (1340-1400)
From this reading But this was long after I read Macaulay, who was one of my grand passions before Dickens or Chaucer.
conceivedverbUS /kənˈsiːvd/
past form of “conceive” — have the idea for
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.
deploredverbUS /dɪˈplɔːrd/
past form of “deplore” — express strong disapproval of
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.
devoutlyadverbUS /dɪˈvaʊtli/
in a devout and pious manner
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.
DickensnounUS /ˈdɪkənz/
a word used in exclamations of confusion
From this reading But this was long after I read Macaulay, who was one of my grand passions before Dickens or Chaucer.
dictionnounUS /ˈdɪkʃən/
the articulation of speech regarded from the point of view of its intelligibility to the audience
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'snounUS /ˈdɑːktərz/
possessive form of “doctor” — a licensed medical practitioner
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.
emulousadjective
characterized by or arising from emulation or imitation
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.
endeavornounUS /ɪnˈdevər/
a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)
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.
EnglishnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading 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/
the trait of acting stupidly or rashly
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.
grandadjectiveUS /ɡrænd/
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading But this was long after I read Macaulay, who was one of my grand passions before Dickens or Chaucer.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others 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.
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.
infiniteadjectiveUS /ˈɪnfənət/
having no limits or boundaries in time or space or extent or magnitude
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.
JohnsonnounUS /ˈdʒɑːnsən/
English writer and lexicographer (1709-1784)
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.
labornounUS /ˈleɪbər/
a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
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.
learnedadjectiveUS /lɜːrnd/
having or showing profound knowledge
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 /leŋkθ/
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
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.
lessadverbUS /les/
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
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.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading But this was long after I read Macaulay, who was one of my grand passions before Dickens or Chaucer.
MacaulaynounUS /məˈkɔːli/
English historian noted for his history of England (1800-1859)
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.
medicinenounUS /ˈmedəsən/
the branches of medical science that deal with nonsurgical techniques
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.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree 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.
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.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
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.
painsnounUS /peɪnz/
an effortful attempt to attain a goal
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.
passionsnounUS /ˈpæʃənz/
plural of “passion” — a strong feeling or emotion
From this reading But this was long after I read Macaulay, who was one of my grand passions before Dickens or Chaucer.
pedantrynounUS /ˈpedəntri/
an ostentatious and inappropriate display of learning
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.
phrasesnounUS /ˈfreɪzəz/
plural of “phrase” — an expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence
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.
physiciannounUS /fəˈzɪʃən/
a licensed medical practitioner
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/
a geometric element that has position but no extension
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.
preparingverbUS /priˈperɪŋ/
-ing form of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
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.
quixoticadjectiveUS /kwɪkˈsɑːtɪk/
not sensible about practical matters; idealistic and unrealistic
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.
readverbUS /red/
interpret something that is written or printed
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.
sacrificedverbUS /ˈsækrəfaɪst/
past form of “sacrifice” — endure the loss of
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.
seeverbUS /siː/
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
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.
senselessadjectiveUS /ˈsensləs/
not marked by the use of reason
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.
shunverbUS /ʃʌn/
avoid and stay away from deliberately; stay clear of
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.
simplicitynounUS /sɪmˈplɪsəti/
the quality of being simple or uncompounded
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.
soundnounUS /saʊnd/
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
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.
spendverbUS /spend/
use up a period of time in a specific way
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.
taughtverbUS /tɔːt/
inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to
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.
termsnounUS /tɜːrmz/
status with respect to the relations between people or groups
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.
ThomasnounUS /ˈtɑːməs/
United States clockmaker who introduced mass production (1785-1859)
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.
thunderingadjectiveUS /ˈθʌndərɪŋ/
sounding like thunder
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.
vainadjectiveUS /veɪn/
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
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.
wentverbUS /went/
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
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.
wondernounUS /ˈwʌndər/
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
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.
XVIInoun
the cardinal number that is the sum of sixteen and one
From this reading XVII.
