adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Behind these comes a good troop of dear acquaintances; _The Pilgrim’s Progress_ in the front rank, _The Bible in Spain_ not far behind.
acquaintancesnounUS /əˈkweɪntənsɪz/
plural of “acquaintance” — personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading Behind these comes a good troop of dear acquaintances; _The Pilgrim’s Progress_ in the front rank, _The Bible in Spain_ not far behind.
admireverbUS /ædˈmaɪr/
feel admiration for
From this reading The books that we re-read the oftenest are not always those that we admire the most; we choose and we re-visit them for many and various reasons, as we choose and revisit human friends.
alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading The books that we re-read the oftenest are not always those that we admire the most; we choose and we re-visit them for many and various reasons, as we choose and revisit human friends.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading I am on these sad terms (and blush to confess it) with Wordsworth, Horace, Burns and Hazlitt.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The books that we re-read the oftenest are not always those that we admire the most; we choose and we re-visit them for many and various reasons, as we choose and revisit human friends.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The books that we re-read the oftenest are not always those that we admire the most; we choose and we re-visit them for many and various reasons, as we choose and revisit human friends.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The books that we re-read the oftenest are not always those that we admire the most; we choose and we re-visit them for many and various reasons, as we choose and revisit human friends.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There are besides a certain number that look at me with reproach as I pass them by on my shelves: books that I once thumbed and studied: houses which were once like home to me, but where I now rarely visit.
BehindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Behind these comes a good troop of dear acquaintances; _The Pilgrim’s Progress_ in the front rank, _The Bible in Spain_ not far behind.
besidesprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪdz/
in addition to; as well as
From this reading There are besides a certain number that look at me with reproach as I pass them by on my shelves: books that I once thumbed and studied: houses which were once like home to me, but where I now rarely visit.
BiblenounUS /ˈbaɪbəl/
the sacred writings of the Christian religions
From this reading Behind these comes a good troop of dear acquaintances; _The Pilgrim’s Progress_ in the front rank, _The Bible in Spain_ not far behind.
blushverbUS /blʌʃ/
turn red, as if in embarrassment or shame
From this reading I am on these sad terms (and blush to confess it) with Wordsworth, Horace, Burns and Hazlitt.
booksnounUS /bʊks/
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading The books that we re-read the oftenest are not always those that we admire the most; we choose and we re-visit them for many and various reasons, as we choose and revisit human friends.
Bragelonne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One or two of Scott’s novels, Shakespeare, Molière, Montaigne, _The Egoist_, and the _Vicomte de Bragelonne_, form the inner circle of my intimates.
BurnsnounUS /bɜːrnz/
United States comedian and film actor (1896-1996)
From this reading I am on these sad terms (and blush to confess it) with Wordsworth, Horace, Burns and Hazlitt.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There are besides a certain number that look at me with reproach as I pass them by on my shelves: books that I once thumbed and studied: houses which were once like home to me, but where I now rarely visit.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There are besides a certain number that look at me with reproach as I pass them by on my shelves: books that I once thumbed and studied: houses which were once like home to me, but where I now rarely visit.
certainadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtən/
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading There are besides a certain number that look at me with reproach as I pass them by on my shelves: books that I once thumbed and studied: houses which were once like home to me, but where I now rarely visit.
chooseverbUS /tʃuːz/
pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading The books that we re-read the oftenest are not always those that we admire the most; we choose and we re-visit them for many and various reasons, as we choose and revisit human friends.
circlenounUS /ˈsɜːrkəl/
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading One or two of Scott’s novels, Shakespeare, Molière, Montaigne, _The Egoist_, and the _Vicomte de Bragelonne_, form the inner circle of my intimates.
comesnounUS /kʌmz/
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading Behind these comes a good troop of dear acquaintances; _The Pilgrim’s Progress_ in the front rank, _The Bible in Spain_ not far behind.
confessverbUS /kənˈfes/
confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading I am on these sad terms (and blush to confess it) with Wordsworth, Horace, Burns and Hazlitt.
denounUS /diː/
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading One or two of Scott’s novels, Shakespeare, Molière, Montaigne, _The Egoist_, and the _Vicomte de Bragelonne_, form the inner circle of my intimates.
dearadjectiveUS /dɪr/
dearly loved
From this reading Behind these comes a good troop of dear acquaintances; _The Pilgrim’s Progress_ in the front rank, _The Bible in Spain_ not far behind.
Egoistnoun
a conceited and self-centered person
From this reading One or two of Scott’s novels, Shakespeare, Molière, Montaigne, _The Egoist_, and the _Vicomte de Bragelonne_, form the inner circle of my intimates.
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Behind these comes a good troop of dear acquaintances; _The Pilgrim’s Progress_ in the front rank, _The Bible in Spain_ not far behind.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The books that we re-read the oftenest are not always those that we admire the most; we choose and we re-visit them for many and various reasons, as we choose and revisit human friends.
formnounUS /fɔːrm/
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading One or two of Scott’s novels, Shakespeare, Molière, Montaigne, _The Egoist_, and the _Vicomte de Bragelonne_, form the inner circle of my intimates.
friendsnounUS /frendz/
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading The books that we re-read the oftenest are not always those that we admire the most; we choose and we re-visit them for many and various reasons, as we choose and revisit human friends.
frontnounUS /frʌnt/
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Behind these comes a good troop of dear acquaintances; _The Pilgrim’s Progress_ in the front rank, _The Bible in Spain_ not far behind.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Behind these comes a good troop of dear acquaintances; _The Pilgrim’s Progress_ in the front rank, _The Bible in Spain_ not far behind.
Hazlittnoun
English essayist and literary critic (1778-1830)
From this reading I am on these sad terms (and blush to confess it) with Wordsworth, Horace, Burns and Hazlitt.
homenounUS /hoʊm/
where you live at a particular time
From this reading There are besides a certain number that look at me with reproach as I pass them by on my shelves: books that I once thumbed and studied: houses which were once like home to me, but where I now rarely visit.
HoracenounUS /ˈhɔːrəs/
Roman lyric poet said to have influenced English poetry (65-8 BC)
From this reading I am on these sad terms (and blush to confess it) with Wordsworth, Horace, Burns and Hazlitt.
housesnounUS /ˈhaʊsəz/
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading There are besides a certain number that look at me with reproach as I pass them by on my shelves: books that I once thumbed and studied: houses which were once like home to me, but where I now rarely visit.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading The books that we re-read the oftenest are not always those that we admire the most; we choose and we re-visit them for many and various reasons, as we choose and revisit human friends.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading There are besides a certain number that look at me with reproach as I pass them by on my shelves: books that I once thumbed and studied: houses which were once like home to me, but where I now rarely visit.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Behind these comes a good troop of dear acquaintances; _The Pilgrim’s Progress_ in the front rank, _The Bible in Spain_ not far behind.
inneradjectiveUS /ˈɪnər/
located inward
From this reading One or two of Scott’s novels, Shakespeare, Molière, Montaigne, _The Egoist_, and the _Vicomte de Bragelonne_, form the inner circle of my intimates.
intimatesnounUS /ˈɪntəməts/
plural of “intimate” — someone to whom private matters are confided
From this reading One or two of Scott’s novels, Shakespeare, Molière, Montaigne, _The Egoist_, and the _Vicomte de Bragelonne_, form the inner circle of my intimates.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I am on these sad terms (and blush to confess it) with Wordsworth, Horace, Burns and Hazlitt.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading There are besides a certain number that look at me with reproach as I pass them by on my shelves: books that I once thumbed and studied: houses which were once like home to me, but where I now rarely visit.
lookverbUS /lʊk/
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading There are besides a certain number that look at me with reproach as I pass them by on my shelves: books that I once thumbed and studied: houses which were once like home to me, but where I now rarely visit.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading The books that we re-read the oftenest are not always those that we admire the most; we choose and we re-visit them for many and various reasons, as we choose and revisit human friends.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There are besides a certain number that look at me with reproach as I pass them by on my shelves: books that I once thumbed and studied: houses which were once like home to me, but where I now rarely visit.
Molière
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One or two of Scott’s novels, Shakespeare, Molière, Montaigne, _The Egoist_, and the _Vicomte de Bragelonne_, form the inner circle of my intimates.
Montaignenoun
French writer regarded as the originator of the modern essay (1533-1592)
From this reading One or two of Scott’s novels, Shakespeare, Molière, Montaigne, _The Egoist_, and the _Vicomte de Bragelonne_, form the inner circle of my intimates.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading The books that we re-read the oftenest are not always those that we admire the most; we choose and we re-visit them for many and various reasons, as we choose and revisit human friends.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading One or two of Scott’s novels, Shakespeare, Molière, Montaigne, _The Egoist_, and the _Vicomte de Bragelonne_, form the inner circle of my intimates.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The books that we re-read the oftenest are not always those that we admire the most; we choose and we re-visit them for many and various reasons, as we choose and revisit human friends.
novelsnounUS /ˈnɑːvəlz/
plural of “novel” — an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story
From this reading One or two of Scott’s novels, Shakespeare, Molière, Montaigne, _The Egoist_, and the _Vicomte de Bragelonne_, form the inner circle of my intimates.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading There are besides a certain number that look at me with reproach as I pass them by on my shelves: books that I once thumbed and studied: houses which were once like home to me, but where I now rarely visit.
numbernounUS /ˈnʌmbər/
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading There are besides a certain number that look at me with reproach as I pass them by on my shelves: books that I once thumbed and studied: houses which were once like home to me, but where I now rarely visit.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading One or two of Scott’s novels, Shakespeare, Molière, Montaigne, _The Egoist_, and the _Vicomte de Bragelonne_, form the inner circle of my intimates.
oftenest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The books that we re-read the oftenest are not always those that we admire the most; we choose and we re-visit them for many and various reasons, as we choose and revisit human friends.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There are besides a certain number that look at me with reproach as I pass them by on my shelves: books that I once thumbed and studied: houses which were once like home to me, but where I now rarely visit.
onceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading There are besides a certain number that look at me with reproach as I pass them by on my shelves: books that I once thumbed and studied: houses which were once like home to me, but where I now rarely visit.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One or two of Scott’s novels, Shakespeare, Molière, Montaigne, _The Egoist_, and the _Vicomte de Bragelonne_, form the inner circle of my intimates.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading One or two of Scott’s novels, Shakespeare, Molière, Montaigne, _The Egoist_, and the _Vicomte de Bragelonne_, form the inner circle of my intimates.
passverbUS /pæs/
go across or through
From this reading There are besides a certain number that look at me with reproach as I pass them by on my shelves: books that I once thumbed and studied: houses which were once like home to me, but where I now rarely visit.
Pilgrim'snounUS /ˈpɪlɡrəmz/
possessive form of “pilgrim” — someone who journeys in foreign lands
From this reading Behind these comes a good troop of dear acquaintances; _The Pilgrim’s Progress_ in the front rank, _The Bible in Spain_ not far behind.
ProgressnounUS /ˈprɑːɡres/
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading Behind these comes a good troop of dear acquaintances; _The Pilgrim’s Progress_ in the front rank, _The Bible in Spain_ not far behind.
ranknounUS /ræŋk/
a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
From this reading Behind these comes a good troop of dear acquaintances; _The Pilgrim’s Progress_ in the front rank, _The Bible in Spain_ not far behind.
rarelyadverbUS /ˈrerli/
not often
From this reading There are besides a certain number that look at me with reproach as I pass them by on my shelves: books that I once thumbed and studied: houses which were once like home to me, but where I now rarely visit.
re-read
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The books that we re-read the oftenest are not always those that we admire the most; we choose and we re-visit them for many and various reasons, as we choose and revisit human friends.
re-visit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The books that we re-read the oftenest are not always those that we admire the most; we choose and we re-visit them for many and various reasons, as we choose and revisit human friends.
reasonsnounUS /ˈriːzənz/
plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading The books that we re-read the oftenest are not always those that we admire the most; we choose and we re-visit them for many and various reasons, as we choose and revisit human friends.
reproachnounUS /riˈproʊtʃ/
a mild rebuke or criticism
From this reading There are besides a certain number that look at me with reproach as I pass them by on my shelves: books that I once thumbed and studied: houses which were once like home to me, but where I now rarely visit.
revisitverbUS /riˈvɪzɪt/
visit again
From this reading The books that we re-read the oftenest are not always those that we admire the most; we choose and we re-visit them for many and various reasons, as we choose and revisit human friends.
sadadjectiveUS /sæd/
experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading I am on these sad terms (and blush to confess it) with Wordsworth, Horace, Burns and Hazlitt.
Scott'snounUS /skɑːts/
possessive form of “scott” — award-winning United States film actor (1928-1999)
From this reading One or two of Scott’s novels, Shakespeare, Molière, Montaigne, _The Egoist_, and the _Vicomte de Bragelonne_, form the inner circle of my intimates.
ShakespearenounUS /ˈʃeɪkspiːr/
English poet and dramatist considered one of the greatest English writers (1564-1616)
From this reading One or two of Scott’s novels, Shakespeare, Molière, Montaigne, _The Egoist_, and the _Vicomte de Bragelonne_, form the inner circle of my intimates.
shelvesnounUS /ʃelvz/
Plural of shelf; the vast wooden or stone structures holding archives.
From this reading There are besides a certain number that look at me with reproach as I pass them by on my shelves: books that I once thumbed and studied: houses which were once like home to me, but where I now rarely visit.
SpainnounUS /speɪn/
a parliamentary monarchy in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula; a former colonial power
From this reading Behind these comes a good troop of dear acquaintances; _The Pilgrim’s Progress_ in the front rank, _The Bible in Spain_ not far behind.
studiedadjectiveUS /ˈstʌdid/
produced or marked by conscious design or premeditation
From this reading There are besides a certain number that look at me with reproach as I pass them by on my shelves: books that I once thumbed and studied: houses which were once like home to me, but where I now rarely visit.
termsnounUS /tɜːrmz/
status with respect to the relations between people or groups
From this reading I am on these sad terms (and blush to confess it) with Wordsworth, Horace, Burns and Hazlitt.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The books that we re-read the oftenest are not always those that we admire the most; we choose and we re-visit them for many and various reasons, as we choose and revisit human friends.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The books that we re-read the oftenest are not always those that we admire the most; we choose and we re-visit them for many and various reasons, as we choose and revisit human friends.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The books that we re-read the oftenest are not always those that we admire the most; we choose and we re-visit them for many and various reasons, as we choose and revisit human friends.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There are besides a certain number that look at me with reproach as I pass them by on my shelves: books that I once thumbed and studied: houses which were once like home to me, but where I now rarely visit.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Behind these comes a good troop of dear acquaintances; _The Pilgrim’s Progress_ in the front rank, _The Bible in Spain_ not far behind.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The books that we re-read the oftenest are not always those that we admire the most; we choose and we re-visit them for many and various reasons, as we choose and revisit human friends.
thumbedadjectiveUS /θʌmd/
(of pages) worn or soiled by thumb and fingers by frequent handling or turning
From this reading There are besides a certain number that look at me with reproach as I pass them by on my shelves: books that I once thumbed and studied: houses which were once like home to me, but where I now rarely visit.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There are besides a certain number that look at me with reproach as I pass them by on my shelves: books that I once thumbed and studied: houses which were once like home to me, but where I now rarely visit.
troopnounUS /truːp/
a group of soldiers
From this reading Behind these comes a good troop of dear acquaintances; _The Pilgrim’s Progress_ in the front rank, _The Bible in Spain_ not far behind.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading One or two of Scott’s novels, Shakespeare, Molière, Montaigne, _The Egoist_, and the _Vicomte de Bragelonne_, form the inner circle of my intimates.
variousadjectiveUS /ˈveriəs/
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading The books that we re-read the oftenest are not always those that we admire the most; we choose and we re-visit them for many and various reasons, as we choose and revisit human friends.
Vicomte
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One or two of Scott’s novels, Shakespeare, Molière, Montaigne, _The Egoist_, and the _Vicomte de Bragelonne_, form the inner circle of my intimates.
visitverbUS /ˈvɪzɪt/
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading There are besides a certain number that look at me with reproach as I pass them by on my shelves: books that I once thumbed and studied: houses which were once like home to me, but where I now rarely visit.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The books that we re-read the oftenest are not always those that we admire the most; we choose and we re-visit them for many and various reasons, as we choose and revisit human friends.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There are besides a certain number that look at me with reproach as I pass them by on my shelves: books that I once thumbed and studied: houses which were once like home to me, but where I now rarely visit.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading There are besides a certain number that look at me with reproach as I pass them by on my shelves: books that I once thumbed and studied: houses which were once like home to me, but where I now rarely visit.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There are besides a certain number that look at me with reproach as I pass them by on my shelves: books that I once thumbed and studied: houses which were once like home to me, but where I now rarely visit.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading There are besides a certain number that look at me with reproach as I pass them by on my shelves: books that I once thumbed and studied: houses which were once like home to me, but where I now rarely visit.
WordsworthnounUS /ˈwɜːrdzwərθ/
a romantic English poet whose work was inspired by the Lake District where he spent most of his life (1770-1850)
From this reading I am on these sad terms (and blush to confess it) with Wordsworth, Horace, Burns and Hazlitt.
