adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The few great works of imagination which appear in a critical age are, almost without exception, the works of uneducated men.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Thus, at a time when persons of quality translated French romances, and when the universities celebrated royal deaths in verses about tritons and fauns, a preaching tinker produced the Pilgrim's Progress.
agenounUS /eɪdʒ/
how long something has existed
From this reading The few great works of imagination which appear in a critical age are, almost without exception, the works of uneducated men.
almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading And this, in fact, is almost constantly the case.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading We have attempted to show that, as knowledge is extended and as the reason develops itself, the imitative arts decay.
appearverbUS /əˈpɪr/
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The few great works of imagination which appear in a critical age are, almost without exception, the works of uneducated men.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The few great works of imagination which appear in a critical age are, almost without exception, the works of uneducated men.
artsnounUS /ɑːrts/
studies intended to provide general knowledge and intellectual skills (rather than occupational or professional skills)
From this reading We have attempted to show that, as knowledge is extended and as the reason develops itself, the imitative arts decay.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading We have attempted to show that, as knowledge is extended and as the reason develops itself, the imitative arts decay.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Thus, at a time when persons of quality translated French romances, and when the universities celebrated royal deaths in verses about tritons and fauns, a preaching tinker produced the Pilgrim's Progress.
attemptedadjectiveUS /əˈtemptɪd/
tried unsuccessfully
From this reading We have attempted to show that, as knowledge is extended and as the reason develops itself, the imitative arts decay.
casenounUS /keɪs/
an occurrence of something
From this reading And this, in fact, is almost constantly the case.
celebratedadjectiveUS /ˈseləbreɪtɪd/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading Thus, at a time when persons of quality translated French romances, and when the universities celebrated royal deaths in verses about tritons and fauns, a preaching tinker produced the Pilgrim's Progress.
classesnounUS /ˈklæsəz/
plural of “class” — a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading We should, therefore, expect that the corruption of poetry would commence in the educated classes of society.
commenceverbUS /kəˈmens/
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading We should, therefore, expect that the corruption of poetry would commence in the educated classes of society.
constantlyadverbUS /ˈkɑːnstəntli/
without variation or change, in every case
From this reading And this, in fact, is almost constantly the case.
corruptionnounUS /kərˈʌpʃən/
lack of integrity or honesty (especially susceptibility to bribery); use of a position of trust for dishonest gain
From this reading We should, therefore, expect that the corruption of poetry would commence in the educated classes of society.
criticaladjectiveUS /ˈkrɪtɪkəl/
marked by a tendency to find and call attention to errors and flaws
From this reading The few great works of imagination which appear in a critical age are, almost without exception, the works of uneducated men.
deathsnounUS /deθs/
plural of “death” — the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading Thus, at a time when persons of quality translated French romances, and when the universities celebrated royal deaths in verses about tritons and fauns, a preaching tinker produced the Pilgrim's Progress.
decaynounUS /dɪˈkeɪ/
the process of gradually becoming inferior
From this reading We have attempted to show that, as knowledge is extended and as the reason develops itself, the imitative arts decay.
developsverbUS /dɪˈveləps/
third-person singular of “develop” — make something new, such as a product or a mental or artistic creation
From this reading We have attempted to show that, as knowledge is extended and as the reason develops itself, the imitative arts decay.
educatedadjectiveUS /ˈedʒəkeɪtɪd/
possessing an education (especially having more than average knowledge)
From this reading We should, therefore, expect that the corruption of poetry would commence in the educated classes of society.
exceptionnounUS /ɪkˈsepʃən/
a deliberate act of omission
From this reading The few great works of imagination which appear in a critical age are, almost without exception, the works of uneducated men.
expectverbUS /ɪkˈspekt/
regard something as probable or likely
From this reading We should, therefore, expect that the corruption of poetry would commence in the educated classes of society.
extendedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈstendəd/
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading We have attempted to show that, as knowledge is extended and as the reason develops itself, the imitative arts decay.
factnounUS /fækt/
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading And this, in fact, is almost constantly the case.
fauns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus, at a time when persons of quality translated French romances, and when the universities celebrated royal deaths in verses about tritons and fauns, a preaching tinker produced the Pilgrim's Progress.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The few great works of imagination which appear in a critical age are, almost without exception, the works of uneducated men.
FrenchnounUS /frentʃ/
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading Thus, at a time when persons of quality translated French romances, and when the universities celebrated royal deaths in verses about tritons and fauns, a preaching tinker produced the Pilgrim's Progress.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The few great works of imagination which appear in a critical age are, almost without exception, the works of uneducated men.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading We have attempted to show that, as knowledge is extended and as the reason develops itself, the imitative arts decay.
imaginationnounUS /ˌɪmædʒəˈneɪʃən/
the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses
From this reading The few great works of imagination which appear in a critical age are, almost without exception, the works of uneducated men.
imitativeadjectiveUS /ˈɪməteɪtɪv/
marked by or given to imitation
From this reading We have attempted to show that, as knowledge is extended and as the reason develops itself, the imitative arts decay.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading We should, therefore, expect that the corruption of poetry would commence in the educated classes of society.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading We have attempted to show that, as knowledge is extended and as the reason develops itself, the imitative arts decay.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading We have attempted to show that, as knowledge is extended and as the reason develops itself, the imitative arts decay.
knowledgenounUS /ˈnɑːlədʒ/
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading We have attempted to show that, as knowledge is extended and as the reason develops itself, the imitative arts decay.
mennounUS /men/
the force of workers available
From this reading The few great works of imagination which appear in a critical age are, almost without exception, the works of uneducated men.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We should, therefore, expect that the corruption of poetry would commence in the educated classes of society.
personsnounUS /ˈpɜːrsənz/
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading Thus, at a time when persons of quality translated French romances, and when the universities celebrated royal deaths in verses about tritons and fauns, a preaching tinker produced the Pilgrim's Progress.
Pilgrim'snounUS /ˈpɪlɡrəmz/
possessive form of “pilgrim” — someone who journeys in foreign lands
From this reading Thus, at a time when persons of quality translated French romances, and when the universities celebrated royal deaths in verses about tritons and fauns, a preaching tinker produced the Pilgrim's Progress.
poetrynounUS /ˈpoʊətri/
literature in metrical form
From this reading We should, therefore, expect that the corruption of poetry would commence in the educated classes of society.
preachingnounUS /ˈpriːtʃɪŋ/
an address of a religious nature (usually delivered during a church service)
From this reading Thus, at a time when persons of quality translated French romances, and when the universities celebrated royal deaths in verses about tritons and fauns, a preaching tinker produced the Pilgrim's Progress.
producedverbUS /prəˈduːst/
past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield
From this reading Thus, at a time when persons of quality translated French romances, and when the universities celebrated royal deaths in verses about tritons and fauns, a preaching tinker produced the Pilgrim's Progress.
ProgressnounUS /ˈprɑːɡres/
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading Thus, at a time when persons of quality translated French romances, and when the universities celebrated royal deaths in verses about tritons and fauns, a preaching tinker produced the Pilgrim's Progress.
qualitynounUS /ˈkwɑːləti/
an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading Thus, at a time when persons of quality translated French romances, and when the universities celebrated royal deaths in verses about tritons and fauns, a preaching tinker produced the Pilgrim's Progress.
reasonnounUS /ˈriːzən/
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading We have attempted to show that, as knowledge is extended and as the reason develops itself, the imitative arts decay.
romancesnounUS /roʊˈmænsɪz/
plural of “romance” — a relationship between two lovers
From this reading Thus, at a time when persons of quality translated French romances, and when the universities celebrated royal deaths in verses about tritons and fauns, a preaching tinker produced the Pilgrim's Progress.
royaladjectiveUS /ˈrɔɪəl/
of or relating to or indicative of or issued or performed by a king or queen or other monarch
From this reading Thus, at a time when persons of quality translated French romances, and when the universities celebrated royal deaths in verses about tritons and fauns, a preaching tinker produced the Pilgrim's Progress.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading We should, therefore, expect that the corruption of poetry would commence in the educated classes of society.
showverbUS /ʃoʊ/
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading We have attempted to show that, as knowledge is extended and as the reason develops itself, the imitative arts decay.
societynounUS /səˈsaɪəti/
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading We should, therefore, expect that the corruption of poetry would commence in the educated classes of society.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading We have attempted to show that, as knowledge is extended and as the reason develops itself, the imitative arts decay.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading We have attempted to show that, as knowledge is extended and as the reason develops itself, the imitative arts decay.
thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/
for that reason; as a result
From this reading We should, therefore, expect that the corruption of poetry would commence in the educated classes of society.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading And this, in fact, is almost constantly the case.
ThusadverbUS /ðʌs/
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading Thus, at a time when persons of quality translated French romances, and when the universities celebrated royal deaths in verses about tritons and fauns, a preaching tinker produced the Pilgrim's Progress.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Thus, at a time when persons of quality translated French romances, and when the universities celebrated royal deaths in verses about tritons and fauns, a preaching tinker produced the Pilgrim's Progress.
tinkerverbUS /ˈtɪŋkər/
do random, unplanned work or activities or spend time idly
From this reading Thus, at a time when persons of quality translated French romances, and when the universities celebrated royal deaths in verses about tritons and fauns, a preaching tinker produced the Pilgrim's Progress.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading We have attempted to show that, as knowledge is extended and as the reason develops itself, the imitative arts decay.
translatedverbUS /trænzˈleɪtɪd/
past form of “translate” — restate (words) from one language into another language
From this reading Thus, at a time when persons of quality translated French romances, and when the universities celebrated royal deaths in verses about tritons and fauns, a preaching tinker produced the Pilgrim's Progress.
tritons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus, at a time when persons of quality translated French romances, and when the universities celebrated royal deaths in verses about tritons and fauns, a preaching tinker produced the Pilgrim's Progress.
uneducatedadjectiveUS /əˈnedʒʊkeɪtɪd/
not having a good education
From this reading The few great works of imagination which appear in a critical age are, almost without exception, the works of uneducated men.
universitiesnounUS /ˌjuːnəˈvɜːrsətiz/
plural of “university” — the body of faculty and students at a university
From this reading Thus, at a time when persons of quality translated French romances, and when the universities celebrated royal deaths in verses about tritons and fauns, a preaching tinker produced the Pilgrim's Progress.
versesnounUS /ˈvɜːrsəz/
plural of “verse” — literature in metrical form
From this reading Thus, at a time when persons of quality translated French romances, and when the universities celebrated royal deaths in verses about tritons and fauns, a preaching tinker produced the Pilgrim's Progress.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We have attempted to show that, as knowledge is extended and as the reason develops itself, the imitative arts decay.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Thus, at a time when persons of quality translated French romances, and when the universities celebrated royal deaths in verses about tritons and fauns, a preaching tinker produced the Pilgrim's Progress.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The few great works of imagination which appear in a critical age are, almost without exception, the works of uneducated men.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The few great works of imagination which appear in a critical age are, almost without exception, the works of uneducated men.
worksnounUS /wɜːrks/
buildings for carrying on industrial labor
From this reading The few great works of imagination which appear in a critical age are, almost without exception, the works of uneducated men.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading We should, therefore, expect that the corruption of poetry would commence in the educated classes of society.
