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Measure for Measure The Works of William
Measure for Measure The Works of William

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of Measure for Measure The Works of William is here in full — 341 sentences across 69 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/68 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
SCENE IV.
_A nunnery._ _Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA._ _Isab._ And have you nuns no farther privileges?
_Fran._ Are not these large enough?
_Isab._ Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; But rather wishing a more strict restraint Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of Saint Clare.
5 _Lucio_ [_within_].
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
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/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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Measure for Measure The Works of William

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of Measure for Measure The Works of William is here in full — 341 sentences across 69 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/68 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
SCENE IV.
Line 2
_A nunnery._ _Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA._ _Isab._ And have you nuns no farther privileges?
Line 3
_Fran._ Are not these large enough?
Line 4
_Isab._ Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; But rather wishing a more strict restraint Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of Saint Clare.
Line 5
5 _Lucio_ [_within_].

Learner Dictionary

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

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

desiring verb US /dɪˈzaɪərɪŋ/

-ing form of “desire” — feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading “_Isab._ Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; But rather wishing a more strict restraint Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of Saint Clare.”

isabella noun US /ˌɪzəˈbelə/

the queen of Castile whose marriage to Ferdinand of Aragon in 1469 marked the beginning of the modern state of Spain; they instituted the Spanish Inquisition in 1478 and sponsored the voyages of Christopher Columbus in 1492 (1451-1504)

From this reading “_A nunnery._ _Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA._ _Isab._ And have you nuns no farther privileges?”

nunnery noun US /ˈnʌnəri/

the convent of a community of nuns

From this reading “_A nunnery._ _Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA._ _Isab._ And have you nuns no farther privileges?”

nuns noun US /nʌnz/

plural of “nun” — a woman religious

From this reading “_A nunnery._ _Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA._ _Isab._ And have you nuns no farther privileges?”

privileges noun US /ˈprɪvlədʒəz/

plural of “privilege” — a special advantage or immunity or benefit not enjoyed by all

From this reading “_A nunnery._ _Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA._ _Isab._ And have you nuns no farther privileges?”

restraint noun US /rɪˈstreɪnt/

the act of controlling by restraining someone or something

From this reading “_Isab._ Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; But rather wishing a more strict restraint Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of Saint Clare.”

sisterhood noun US /ˈsɪstərhʊd/

the kinship relation between a female offspring and the siblings

From this reading “_Isab._ Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; But rather wishing a more strict restraint Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of Saint Clare.”

strict adjective US /strɪkt/

rigidly accurate; allowing no deviation from a standard

From this reading “_Isab._ Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; But rather wishing a more strict restraint Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of Saint Clare.”

All words in this reading · 43

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

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

5

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

From this reading 5 _Lucio_ [_within_].

AdeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading _A nunnery._ _Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA._ _Isab._ And have you nuns no farther privileges?

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading _A nunnery._ _Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA._ _Isab._ And have you nuns no farther privileges?

Areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading _Fran._ Are not these large enough?

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading _Isab._ Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; But rather wishing a more strict restraint Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of Saint Clare.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading _Isab._ Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; But rather wishing a more strict restraint Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of Saint Clare.

Clare

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

From this reading _Isab._ Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; But rather wishing a more strict restraint Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of Saint Clare.

desiringverbUS /dɪˈzaɪərɪŋ/

-ing form of “desire” — feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading _Isab._ Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; But rather wishing a more strict restraint Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of Saint Clare.

enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading _Fran._ Are not these large enough?

EnterverbUS /ˈentər/

to come or go into

From this reading _A nunnery._ _Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA._ _Isab._ And have you nuns no farther privileges?

fartheradjectiveUS /ˈfɑːrðər/

more distant in especially space or time

From this reading _A nunnery._ _Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA._ _Isab._ And have you nuns no farther privileges?

Fran

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

From this reading _Fran._ Are not these large enough?

FRANCISCA

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

From this reading _A nunnery._ _Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA._ _Isab._ And have you nuns no farther privileges?

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading _A nunnery._ _Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA._ _Isab._ And have you nuns no farther privileges?

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading _Isab._ Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; But rather wishing a more strict restraint Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of Saint Clare.

Isab

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

From this reading _A nunnery._ _Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA._ _Isab._ And have you nuns no farther privileges?

ISABELLAnounUS /ˌɪzəˈbelə/

the queen of Castile whose marriage to Ferdinand of Aragon in 1469 marked the beginning of the modern state of Spain; they instituted the Spanish Inquisition in 1478 and sponsored the voyages of Christopher Columbus in 1492 (1451-1504)

From this reading _A nunnery._ _Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA._ _Isab._ And have you nuns no farther privileges?

IVnoun

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading SCENE IV.

largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading _Fran._ Are not these large enough?

Lucio

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

From this reading 5 _Lucio_ [_within_].

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading _Isab._ Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; But rather wishing a more strict restraint Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of Saint Clare.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading _A nunnery._ _Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA._ _Isab._ And have you nuns no farther privileges?

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading _Fran._ Are not these large enough?

nunnerynounUS /ˈnʌnəri/

the convent of a community of nuns

From this reading _A nunnery._ _Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA._ _Isab._ And have you nuns no farther privileges?

nunsnounUS /nʌnz/

plural of “nun” — a woman religious

From this reading _A nunnery._ _Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA._ _Isab._ And have you nuns no farther privileges?

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _Isab._ Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; But rather wishing a more strict restraint Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of Saint Clare.

privilegesnounUS /ˈprɪvlədʒəz/

plural of “privilege” — a special advantage or immunity or benefit not enjoyed by all

From this reading _A nunnery._ _Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA._ _Isab._ And have you nuns no farther privileges?

ratheradverbUS /ˈræðər/

on the contrary

From this reading _Isab._ Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; But rather wishing a more strict restraint Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of Saint Clare.

restraintnounUS /rɪˈstreɪnt/

the act of controlling by restraining someone or something

From this reading _Isab._ Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; But rather wishing a more strict restraint Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of Saint Clare.

SaintnounUS /seɪnt/

a person who has died and has been declared a saint by canonization

From this reading _Isab._ Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; But rather wishing a more strict restraint Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of Saint Clare.

SCENEnounUS /siːn/

the place where some action occurs

From this reading SCENE IV.

sisterhoodnounUS /ˈsɪstərhʊd/

the kinship relation between a female offspring and the siblings

From this reading _Isab._ Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; But rather wishing a more strict restraint Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of Saint Clare.

speakverbUS /spiːk/

express in speech

From this reading _Isab._ Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; But rather wishing a more strict restraint Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of Saint Clare.

strictadjectiveUS /strɪkt/

rigidly accurate; allowing no deviation from a standard

From this reading _Isab._ Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; But rather wishing a more strict restraint Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of Saint Clare.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading _Isab._ Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; But rather wishing a more strict restraint Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of Saint Clare.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading _Fran._ Are not these large enough?

trulyadverbUS /ˈtruːli/

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading _Isab._ Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; But rather wishing a more strict restraint Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of Saint Clare.

UponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading _Isab._ Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; But rather wishing a more strict restraint Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of Saint Clare.

votarists

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

From this reading _Isab._ Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; But rather wishing a more strict restraint Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of Saint Clare.

wishingnounUS /ˈwɪʃɪŋ/

a specific feeling of desire

From this reading _Isab._ Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; But rather wishing a more strict restraint Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of Saint Clare.

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading 5 _Lucio_ [_within_].

YesnounUS /jes/

an affirmative

From this reading _Isab._ Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more; But rather wishing a more strict restraint Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of Saint Clare.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading _A nunnery._ _Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA._ _Isab._ And have you nuns no farther privileges?

Chapter 2 of Measure for Measure The Works of William by William Shakespeare holds 341 sentences, grouped into 69 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 2 of Measure for Measure The Works of William contain?

Chapter 2 holds 341 sentences of Measure for Measure The Works of William, unabridged, divided into 69 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of Measure for Measure The Works of William by William Shakespeare exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 341 sentences, grouped into 69 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 2 of Measure for Measure The Works of William?

Work through the 69 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 69 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 2 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 2 can be played aloud in United States English.

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

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Is this the complete text of Measure for Measure The Works of William?

Yes. All 0 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #? are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Measure for Measure The Works of William is used?

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

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Vocabulary met early in Measure for Measure The Works of William

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Chapter 1
One of the 0 chapters of Measure for Measure The Works of William, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.
Chapter 2
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Chapter 3
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