alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Had all been like this—but every part cannot be the best.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The second consists of hyperbolical commonplaces, easily to be found, and perhaps without much difficulty to be as well expressed.
antagonistnounUS /ænˈtæɡənəst/
someone who offers opposition
From this reading In the third, however, there are numbers, images, harmony, and rigour, not unworthy the antagonist of Dryden.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In the third, however, there are numbers, images, harmony, and rigour, not unworthy the antagonist of Dryden.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The second consists of hyperbolical commonplaces, easily to be found, and perhaps without much difficulty to be as well expressed.
attendsverbUS /əˈtendz/
third-person singular of “attend” — be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.
From this reading The next stanzas place and detain us in the dark and dismal regions of mythology, where neither hope nor fear, neither joy nor sorrow can be found: the poet, however, faithfully attends us; we have all that can be performed by elegance of diction or sweetness of versification; but what can form avail without better matter?
availverbUS /əˈveɪl/
use to one's advantage
From this reading The next stanzas place and detain us in the dark and dismal regions of mythology, where neither hope nor fear, neither joy nor sorrow can be found: the poet, however, faithfully attends us; we have all that can be performed by elegance of diction or sweetness of versification; but what can form avail without better matter?
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading If Pope’s ode be particularly inspected, it will be found that the first stanza consists of sounds well chosen indeed, but only sounds.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Had all been like this—but every part cannot be the best.
bestnounUS /best/
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Had all been like this—but every part cannot be the best.
betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading The next stanzas place and detain us in the dark and dismal regions of mythology, where neither hope nor fear, neither joy nor sorrow can be found: the poet, however, faithfully attends us; we have all that can be performed by elegance of diction or sweetness of versification; but what can form avail without better matter?
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading If Pope’s ode be particularly inspected, it will be found that the first stanza consists of sounds well chosen indeed, but only sounds.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The next stanzas place and detain us in the dark and dismal regions of mythology, where neither hope nor fear, neither joy nor sorrow can be found: the poet, however, faithfully attends us; we have all that can be performed by elegance of diction or sweetness of versification; but what can form avail without better matter?
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading The next stanzas place and detain us in the dark and dismal regions of mythology, where neither hope nor fear, neither joy nor sorrow can be found: the poet, however, faithfully attends us; we have all that can be performed by elegance of diction or sweetness of versification; but what can form avail without better matter?
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had all been like this—but every part cannot be the best.
chosennounUS /ˈtʃoʊzən/
one who is the object of choice; who is given preference
From this reading If Pope’s ode be particularly inspected, it will be found that the first stanza consists of sounds well chosen indeed, but only sounds.
commonplaces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second consists of hyperbolical commonplaces, easily to be found, and perhaps without much difficulty to be as well expressed.
consistsverbUS /kənˈsɪsts/
third-person singular of “consist” — originate
From this reading If Pope’s ode be particularly inspected, it will be found that the first stanza consists of sounds well chosen indeed, but only sounds.
darknounUS /dɑːrk/
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The next stanzas place and detain us in the dark and dismal regions of mythology, where neither hope nor fear, neither joy nor sorrow can be found: the poet, however, faithfully attends us; we have all that can be performed by elegance of diction or sweetness of versification; but what can form avail without better matter?
detainverbUS /dɪˈteɪn/
deprive of freedom; take into confinement
From this reading The next stanzas place and detain us in the dark and dismal regions of mythology, where neither hope nor fear, neither joy nor sorrow can be found: the poet, however, faithfully attends us; we have all that can be performed by elegance of diction or sweetness of versification; but what can form avail without better matter?
dictionnounUS /ˈdɪkʃən/
the articulation of speech regarded from the point of view of its intelligibility to the audience
From this reading The next stanzas place and detain us in the dark and dismal regions of mythology, where neither hope nor fear, neither joy nor sorrow can be found: the poet, however, faithfully attends us; we have all that can be performed by elegance of diction or sweetness of versification; but what can form avail without better matter?
difficultynounUS /ˈdɪfəkəlti/
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading The second consists of hyperbolical commonplaces, easily to be found, and perhaps without much difficulty to be as well expressed.
dismaladjectiveUS /ˈdɪzməl/
causing dejection
From this reading The next stanzas place and detain us in the dark and dismal regions of mythology, where neither hope nor fear, neither joy nor sorrow can be found: the poet, however, faithfully attends us; we have all that can be performed by elegance of diction or sweetness of versification; but what can form avail without better matter?
DrydennounUS /ˈdraɪdən/
the outstanding poet and dramatist of the Restoration (1631-1700)
From this reading In the third, however, there are numbers, images, harmony, and rigour, not unworthy the antagonist of Dryden.
easilyadverbUS /ˈiːzəli/
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading The second consists of hyperbolical commonplaces, easily to be found, and perhaps without much difficulty to be as well expressed.
elegancenounUS /ˈeləɡəns/
a refined quality of gracefulness and good taste
From this reading The next stanzas place and detain us in the dark and dismal regions of mythology, where neither hope nor fear, neither joy nor sorrow can be found: the poet, however, faithfully attends us; we have all that can be performed by elegance of diction or sweetness of versification; but what can form avail without better matter?
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Had all been like this—but every part cannot be the best.
expressedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsprest/
communicated in words
From this reading The second consists of hyperbolical commonplaces, easily to be found, and perhaps without much difficulty to be as well expressed.
faithfullyadverbUS /ˈfeɪθfəli/
in a faithful manner
From this reading The next stanzas place and detain us in the dark and dismal regions of mythology, where neither hope nor fear, neither joy nor sorrow can be found: the poet, however, faithfully attends us; we have all that can be performed by elegance of diction or sweetness of versification; but what can form avail without better matter?
fearverbUS /fɪr/
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading The next stanzas place and detain us in the dark and dismal regions of mythology, where neither hope nor fear, neither joy nor sorrow can be found: the poet, however, faithfully attends us; we have all that can be performed by elegance of diction or sweetness of versification; but what can form avail without better matter?
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading If Pope’s ode be particularly inspected, it will be found that the first stanza consists of sounds well chosen indeed, but only sounds.
formnounUS /fɔːrm/
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading The next stanzas place and detain us in the dark and dismal regions of mythology, where neither hope nor fear, neither joy nor sorrow can be found: the poet, however, faithfully attends us; we have all that can be performed by elegance of diction or sweetness of versification; but what can form avail without better matter?
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading If Pope’s ode be particularly inspected, it will be found that the first stanza consists of sounds well chosen indeed, but only sounds.
Hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Had all been like this—but every part cannot be the best.
harmonynounUS /ˈhɑːrməni/
compatibility in opinion and action
From this reading In the third, however, there are numbers, images, harmony, and rigour, not unworthy the antagonist of Dryden.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The next stanzas place and detain us in the dark and dismal regions of mythology, where neither hope nor fear, neither joy nor sorrow can be found: the poet, however, faithfully attends us; we have all that can be performed by elegance of diction or sweetness of versification; but what can form avail without better matter?
hopenounUS /hoʊp/
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading The next stanzas place and detain us in the dark and dismal regions of mythology, where neither hope nor fear, neither joy nor sorrow can be found: the poet, however, faithfully attends us; we have all that can be performed by elegance of diction or sweetness of versification; but what can form avail without better matter?
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading In the third, however, there are numbers, images, harmony, and rigour, not unworthy the antagonist of Dryden.
hyperbolical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second consists of hyperbolical commonplaces, easily to be found, and perhaps without much difficulty to be as well expressed.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If Pope’s ode be particularly inspected, it will be found that the first stanza consists of sounds well chosen indeed, but only sounds.
imagesnounUS /ˈɪmədʒəz/
plural of “image” — an iconic mental representation
From this reading In the third, however, there are numbers, images, harmony, and rigour, not unworthy the antagonist of Dryden.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the third, however, there are numbers, images, harmony, and rigour, not unworthy the antagonist of Dryden.
indeedadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdiːd/
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading If Pope’s ode be particularly inspected, it will be found that the first stanza consists of sounds well chosen indeed, but only sounds.
inspectedverbUS /ˌɪnˈspektɪd/
past form of “inspect” — look over carefully
From this reading If Pope’s ode be particularly inspected, it will be found that the first stanza consists of sounds well chosen indeed, but only sounds.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If Pope’s ode be particularly inspected, it will be found that the first stanza consists of sounds well chosen indeed, but only sounds.
joynounUS /dʒɔɪ/
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading The next stanzas place and detain us in the dark and dismal regions of mythology, where neither hope nor fear, neither joy nor sorrow can be found: the poet, however, faithfully attends us; we have all that can be performed by elegance of diction or sweetness of versification; but what can form avail without better matter?
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Had all been like this—but every part cannot be the best.
matternounUS /ˈmætər/
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading The next stanzas place and detain us in the dark and dismal regions of mythology, where neither hope nor fear, neither joy nor sorrow can be found: the poet, however, faithfully attends us; we have all that can be performed by elegance of diction or sweetness of versification; but what can form avail without better matter?
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The second consists of hyperbolical commonplaces, easily to be found, and perhaps without much difficulty to be as well expressed.
mythologynounUS /məˈθɑːlədʒiː/
myths collectively; the body of stories associated with a culture or institution or person
From this reading The next stanzas place and detain us in the dark and dismal regions of mythology, where neither hope nor fear, neither joy nor sorrow can be found: the poet, however, faithfully attends us; we have all that can be performed by elegance of diction or sweetness of versification; but what can form avail without better matter?
neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/
not one and not the other of two
From this reading The next stanzas place and detain us in the dark and dismal regions of mythology, where neither hope nor fear, neither joy nor sorrow can be found: the poet, however, faithfully attends us; we have all that can be performed by elegance of diction or sweetness of versification; but what can form avail without better matter?
nextadjectiveUS /nekst/
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The next stanzas place and detain us in the dark and dismal regions of mythology, where neither hope nor fear, neither joy nor sorrow can be found: the poet, however, faithfully attends us; we have all that can be performed by elegance of diction or sweetness of versification; but what can form avail without better matter?
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading The next stanzas place and detain us in the dark and dismal regions of mythology, where neither hope nor fear, neither joy nor sorrow can be found: the poet, however, faithfully attends us; we have all that can be performed by elegance of diction or sweetness of versification; but what can form avail without better matter?
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading In the third, however, there are numbers, images, harmony, and rigour, not unworthy the antagonist of Dryden.
numbersnounUS /ˈnʌmbərz/
the fourth book of the Old Testament; contains a record of the number of Israelites who followed Moses out of Egypt
From this reading In the third, however, there are numbers, images, harmony, and rigour, not unworthy the antagonist of Dryden.
odenounUS /oʊd/
a lyric poem with complex stanza forms
From this reading If Pope’s ode be particularly inspected, it will be found that the first stanza consists of sounds well chosen indeed, but only sounds.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading If Pope’s ode be particularly inspected, it will be found that the first stanza consists of sounds well chosen indeed, but only sounds.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading If Pope’s ode be particularly inspected, it will be found that the first stanza consists of sounds well chosen indeed, but only sounds.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The next stanzas place and detain us in the dark and dismal regions of mythology, where neither hope nor fear, neither joy nor sorrow can be found: the poet, however, faithfully attends us; we have all that can be performed by elegance of diction or sweetness of versification; but what can form avail without better matter?
partnounUS /pɑːrt/
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Had all been like this—but every part cannot be the best.
particularlyadverbUS /ˌpɑːrˈtɪkjələrli/
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading If Pope’s ode be particularly inspected, it will be found that the first stanza consists of sounds well chosen indeed, but only sounds.
performedverbUS /pərˈfɔːrmd/
past form of “perform” — carry out or perform an action
From this reading The next stanzas place and detain us in the dark and dismal regions of mythology, where neither hope nor fear, neither joy nor sorrow can be found: the poet, however, faithfully attends us; we have all that can be performed by elegance of diction or sweetness of versification; but what can form avail without better matter?
perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/
by chance
From this reading The second consists of hyperbolical commonplaces, easily to be found, and perhaps without much difficulty to be as well expressed.
placenounUS /pleɪs/
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The next stanzas place and detain us in the dark and dismal regions of mythology, where neither hope nor fear, neither joy nor sorrow can be found: the poet, however, faithfully attends us; we have all that can be performed by elegance of diction or sweetness of versification; but what can form avail without better matter?
poetnounUS /ˈpoʊət/
a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)
From this reading The next stanzas place and detain us in the dark and dismal regions of mythology, where neither hope nor fear, neither joy nor sorrow can be found: the poet, however, faithfully attends us; we have all that can be performed by elegance of diction or sweetness of versification; but what can form avail without better matter?
Pope'snounUS /poʊps/
possessive form of “pope” — the head of the Roman Catholic Church
From this reading If Pope’s ode be particularly inspected, it will be found that the first stanza consists of sounds well chosen indeed, but only sounds.
regionsnounUS /ˈriːdʒənz/
plural of “region” — the extended spatial location of something
From this reading The next stanzas place and detain us in the dark and dismal regions of mythology, where neither hope nor fear, neither joy nor sorrow can be found: the poet, however, faithfully attends us; we have all that can be performed by elegance of diction or sweetness of versification; but what can form avail without better matter?
rigournoun
the quality of being valid and rigorous
From this reading In the third, however, there are numbers, images, harmony, and rigour, not unworthy the antagonist of Dryden.
secondnounUS /ˈsekənd/
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading The second consists of hyperbolical commonplaces, easily to be found, and perhaps without much difficulty to be as well expressed.
sorrownounUS /ˈsɑːroʊ/
an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement
From this reading The next stanzas place and detain us in the dark and dismal regions of mythology, where neither hope nor fear, neither joy nor sorrow can be found: the poet, however, faithfully attends us; we have all that can be performed by elegance of diction or sweetness of versification; but what can form avail without better matter?
soundsnounUS /saʊndz/
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading If Pope’s ode be particularly inspected, it will be found that the first stanza consists of sounds well chosen indeed, but only sounds.
stanzanounUS /ˈstænzə/
a fixed number of lines of verse forming a unit of a poem
From this reading If Pope’s ode be particularly inspected, it will be found that the first stanza consists of sounds well chosen indeed, but only sounds.
stanzasnounUS /ˈstænzəz/
plural of “stanza” — a fixed number of lines of verse forming a unit of a poem
From this reading The next stanzas place and detain us in the dark and dismal regions of mythology, where neither hope nor fear, neither joy nor sorrow can be found: the poet, however, faithfully attends us; we have all that can be performed by elegance of diction or sweetness of versification; but what can form avail without better matter?
sweetnessnounUS /ˈswiːtnəs/
the taste experience when sugar dissolves in the mouth
From this reading The next stanzas place and detain us in the dark and dismal regions of mythology, where neither hope nor fear, neither joy nor sorrow can be found: the poet, however, faithfully attends us; we have all that can be performed by elegance of diction or sweetness of versification; but what can form avail without better matter?
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading If Pope’s ode be particularly inspected, it will be found that the first stanza consists of sounds well chosen indeed, but only sounds.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading If Pope’s ode be particularly inspected, it will be found that the first stanza consists of sounds well chosen indeed, but only sounds.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading In the third, however, there are numbers, images, harmony, and rigour, not unworthy the antagonist of Dryden.
thirdnounUS /θɜːrd/
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading In the third, however, there are numbers, images, harmony, and rigour, not unworthy the antagonist of Dryden.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Had all been like this—but every part cannot be the best.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The second consists of hyperbolical commonplaces, easily to be found, and perhaps without much difficulty to be as well expressed.
unworthyadjectiveUS /ənˈwɜːrði/
lacking in value or merit
From this reading In the third, however, there are numbers, images, harmony, and rigour, not unworthy the antagonist of Dryden.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The next stanzas place and detain us in the dark and dismal regions of mythology, where neither hope nor fear, neither joy nor sorrow can be found: the poet, however, faithfully attends us; we have all that can be performed by elegance of diction or sweetness of versification; but what can form avail without better matter?
versificationnoun
a metrical adaptation of something (e.g., of a prose text)
From this reading The next stanzas place and detain us in the dark and dismal regions of mythology, where neither hope nor fear, neither joy nor sorrow can be found: the poet, however, faithfully attends us; we have all that can be performed by elegance of diction or sweetness of versification; but what can form avail without better matter?
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The next stanzas place and detain us in the dark and dismal regions of mythology, where neither hope nor fear, neither joy nor sorrow can be found: the poet, however, faithfully attends us; we have all that can be performed by elegance of diction or sweetness of versification; but what can form avail without better matter?
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading If Pope’s ode be particularly inspected, it will be found that the first stanza consists of sounds well chosen indeed, but only sounds.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The next stanzas place and detain us in the dark and dismal regions of mythology, where neither hope nor fear, neither joy nor sorrow can be found: the poet, however, faithfully attends us; we have all that can be performed by elegance of diction or sweetness of versification; but what can form avail without better matter?
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading The next stanzas place and detain us in the dark and dismal regions of mythology, where neither hope nor fear, neither joy nor sorrow can be found: the poet, however, faithfully attends us; we have all that can be performed by elegance of diction or sweetness of versification; but what can form avail without better matter?
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading If Pope’s ode be particularly inspected, it will be found that the first stanza consists of sounds well chosen indeed, but only sounds.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The second consists of hyperbolical commonplaces, easily to be found, and perhaps without much difficulty to be as well expressed.
