Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading If I thought of taking up some other calling it was as a means only; literature was always the end I had in view, immediately or finally.
all
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From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
almost
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From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
altogether
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I kept blindly at my studies, and yet not altogether blindly, for, as I have said, the reading I did had more tendency than before, and I was beginning to see authors in their proportion to one another, and to the body of literature.
always
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From this reading If I thought of taking up some other calling it was as a means only; literature was always the end I had in view, immediately or finally.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But I kept blindly at my studies, and yet not altogether blindly, for, as I have said, the reading I did had more tendency than before, and I was beginning to see authors in their proportion to one another, and to the body of literature.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading But I kept blindly at my studies, and yet not altogether blindly, for, as I have said, the reading I did had more tendency than before, and I was beginning to see authors in their proportion to one another, and to the body of literature.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure I often broke this rule, as people are apt to do with rules of the kind; it was not possible for a boy to wade through heavy articles relating to English politics and economics, but I do not think I left any paper upon a literary topic unread, and I did read enough politics, especially in Blackwood's, to be of Tory opinions; they were very fit opinions for a boy, and they did not exact of me any change in regard to the slavery question.
apt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure I often broke this rule, as people are apt to do with rules of the kind; it was not possible for a boy to wade through heavy articles relating to English politics and economics, but I do not think I left any paper upon a literary topic unread, and I did read enough politics, especially in Blackwood's, to be of Tory opinions; they were very fit opinions for a boy, and they did not exact of me any change in regard to the slavery question.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading To be sure I often broke this rule, as people are apt to do with rules of the kind; it was not possible for a boy to wade through heavy articles relating to English politics and economics, but I do not think I left any paper upon a literary topic unread, and I did read enough politics, especially in Blackwood's, to be of Tory opinions; they were very fit opinions for a boy, and they did not exact of me any change in regard to the slavery question.
articles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure I often broke this rule, as people are apt to do with rules of the kind; it was not possible for a boy to wade through heavy articles relating to English politics and economics, but I do not think I left any paper upon a literary topic unread, and I did read enough politics, especially in Blackwood's, to be of Tory opinions; they were very fit opinions for a boy, and they did not exact of me any change in regard to the slavery question.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading If I thought of taking up some other calling it was as a means only; literature was always the end I had in view, immediately or finally.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But I kept blindly at my studies, and yet not altogether blindly, for, as I have said, the reading I did had more tendency than before, and I was beginning to see authors in their proportion to one another, and to the body of literature.
authors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I kept blindly at my studies, and yet not altogether blindly, for, as I have said, the reading I did had more tendency than before, and I was beginning to see authors in their proportion to one another, and to the body of literature.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading To be sure I often broke this rule, as people are apt to do with rules of the kind; it was not possible for a boy to wade through heavy articles relating to English politics and economics, but I do not think I left any paper upon a literary topic unread, and I did read enough politics, especially in Blackwood's, to be of Tory opinions; they were very fit opinions for a boy, and they did not exact of me any change in regard to the slavery question.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading But I kept blindly at my studies, and yet not altogether blindly, for, as I have said, the reading I did had more tendency than before, and I was beginning to see authors in their proportion to one another, and to the body of literature.
beginningnounUS /ˈbeginning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading But I kept blindly at my studies, and yet not altogether blindly, for, as I have said, the reading I did had more tendency than before, and I was beginning to see authors in their proportion to one another, and to the body of literature.
Blackwood's
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From this reading To be sure I often broke this rule, as people are apt to do with rules of the kind; it was not possible for a boy to wade through heavy articles relating to English politics and economics, but I do not think I left any paper upon a literary topic unread, and I did read enough politics, especially in Blackwood's, to be of Tory opinions; they were very fit opinions for a boy, and they did not exact of me any change in regard to the slavery question.
blindly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I kept blindly at my studies, and yet not altogether blindly, for, as I have said, the reading I did had more tendency than before, and I was beginning to see authors in their proportion to one another, and to the body of literature.
bodynounUS /body/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But I kept blindly at my studies, and yet not altogether blindly, for, as I have said, the reading I did had more tendency than before, and I was beginning to see authors in their proportion to one another, and to the body of literature.
boy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure I often broke this rule, as people are apt to do with rules of the kind; it was not possible for a boy to wade through heavy articles relating to English politics and economics, but I do not think I left any paper upon a literary topic unread, and I did read enough politics, especially in Blackwood's, to be of Tory opinions; they were very fit opinions for a boy, and they did not exact of me any change in regard to the slavery question.
bread
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
broke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure I often broke this rule, as people are apt to do with rules of the kind; it was not possible for a boy to wade through heavy articles relating to English politics and economics, but I do not think I left any paper upon a literary topic unread, and I did read enough politics, especially in Blackwood's, to be of Tory opinions; they were very fit opinions for a boy, and they did not exact of me any change in regard to the slavery question.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But I kept blindly at my studies, and yet not altogether blindly, for, as I have said, the reading I did had more tendency than before, and I was beginning to see authors in their proportion to one another, and to the body of literature.
butter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
calling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If I thought of taking up some other calling it was as a means only; literature was always the end I had in view, immediately or finally.
change
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure I often broke this rule, as people are apt to do with rules of the kind; it was not possible for a boy to wade through heavy articles relating to English politics and economics, but I do not think I left any paper upon a literary topic unread, and I did read enough politics, especially in Blackwood's, to be of Tory opinions; they were very fit opinions for a boy, and they did not exact of me any change in regard to the slavery question.
country
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
criticism
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
drama
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading The English reviews were of great use to me in this; I made a rule of reading each one of them quite through.
earned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
economics
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure I often broke this rule, as people are apt to do with rules of the kind; it was not possible for a boy to wade through heavy articles relating to English politics and economics, but I do not think I left any paper upon a literary topic unread, and I did read enough politics, especially in Blackwood's, to be of Tory opinions; they were very fit opinions for a boy, and they did not exact of me any change in regard to the slavery question.
editors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
employments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If I thought of taking up some other calling it was as a means only; literature was always the end I had in view, immediately or finally.
English
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The English reviews were of great use to me in this; I made a rule of reading each one of them quite through.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure I often broke this rule, as people are apt to do with rules of the kind; it was not possible for a boy to wade through heavy articles relating to English politics and economics, but I do not think I left any paper upon a literary topic unread, and I did read enough politics, especially in Blackwood's, to be of Tory opinions; they were very fit opinions for a boy, and they did not exact of me any change in regard to the slavery question.
especially
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure I often broke this rule, as people are apt to do with rules of the kind; it was not possible for a boy to wade through heavy articles relating to English politics and economics, but I do not think I left any paper upon a literary topic unread, and I did read enough politics, especially in Blackwood's, to be of Tory opinions; they were very fit opinions for a boy, and they did not exact of me any change in regard to the slavery question.
exactadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzækt/
Strictly particular and correct.
From this reading To be sure I often broke this rule, as people are apt to do with rules of the kind; it was not possible for a boy to wade through heavy articles relating to English politics and economics, but I do not think I left any paper upon a literary topic unread, and I did read enough politics, especially in Blackwood's, to be of Tory opinions; they were very fit opinions for a boy, and they did not exact of me any change in regard to the slavery question.
fiction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
finally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If I thought of taking up some other calling it was as a means only; literature was always the end I had in view, immediately or finally.
fit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure I often broke this rule, as people are apt to do with rules of the kind; it was not possible for a boy to wade through heavy articles relating to English politics and economics, but I do not think I left any paper upon a literary topic unread, and I did read enough politics, especially in Blackwood's, to be of Tory opinions; they were very fit opinions for a boy, and they did not exact of me any change in regard to the slavery question.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The English reviews were of great use to me in this; I made a rule of reading each one of them quite through.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading If I thought of taking up some other calling it was as a means only; literature was always the end I had in view, immediately or finally.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But I kept blindly at my studies, and yet not altogether blindly, for, as I have said, the reading I did had more tendency than before, and I was beginning to see authors in their proportion to one another, and to the body of literature.
heavy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure I often broke this rule, as people are apt to do with rules of the kind; it was not possible for a boy to wade through heavy articles relating to English politics and economics, but I do not think I left any paper upon a literary topic unread, and I did read enough politics, especially in Blackwood's, to be of Tory opinions; they were very fit opinions for a boy, and they did not exact of me any change in regard to the slavery question.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
history
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading If I thought of taking up some other calling it was as a means only; literature was always the end I had in view, immediately or finally.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If I thought of taking up some other calling it was as a means only; literature was always the end I had in view, immediately or finally.
immediately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If I thought of taking up some other calling it was as a means only; literature was always the end I had in view, immediately or finally.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading If I thought of taking up some other calling it was as a means only; literature was always the end I had in view, immediately or finally.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If I thought of taking up some other calling it was as a means only; literature was always the end I had in view, immediately or finally.
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I kept blindly at my studies, and yet not altogether blindly, for, as I have said, the reading I did had more tendency than before, and I was beginning to see authors in their proportion to one another, and to the body of literature.
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure I often broke this rule, as people are apt to do with rules of the kind; it was not possible for a boy to wade through heavy articles relating to English politics and economics, but I do not think I left any paper upon a literary topic unread, and I did read enough politics, especially in Blackwood's, to be of Tory opinions; they were very fit opinions for a boy, and they did not exact of me any change in regard to the slavery question.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
lawyers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To be sure I often broke this rule, as people are apt to do with rules of the kind; it was not possible for a boy to wade through heavy articles relating to English politics and economics, but I do not think I left any paper upon a literary topic unread, and I did read enough politics, especially in Blackwood's, to be of Tory opinions; they were very fit opinions for a boy, and they did not exact of me any change in regard to the slavery question.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
literary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
literature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If I thought of taking up some other calling it was as a means only; literature was always the end I had in view, immediately or finally.
living
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The English reviews were of great use to me in this; I made a rule of reading each one of them quite through.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
means
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If I thought of taking up some other calling it was as a means only; literature was always the end I had in view, immediately or finally.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I kept blindly at my studies, and yet not altogether blindly, for, as I have said, the reading I did had more tendency than before, and I was beginning to see authors in their proportion to one another, and to the body of literature.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading But I kept blindly at my studies, and yet not altogether blindly, for, as I have said, the reading I did had more tendency than before, and I was beginning to see authors in their proportion to one another, and to the body of literature.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading If I thought of taking up some other calling it was as a means only; literature was always the end I had in view, immediately or finally.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure I often broke this rule, as people are apt to do with rules of the kind; it was not possible for a boy to wade through heavy articles relating to English politics and economics, but I do not think I left any paper upon a literary topic unread, and I did read enough politics, especially in Blackwood's, to be of Tory opinions; they were very fit opinions for a boy, and they did not exact of me any change in regard to the slavery question.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If I thought of taking up some other calling it was as a means only; literature was always the end I had in view, immediately or finally.
opinions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure I often broke this rule, as people are apt to do with rules of the kind; it was not possible for a boy to wade through heavy articles relating to English politics and economics, but I do not think I left any paper upon a literary topic unread, and I did read enough politics, especially in Blackwood's, to be of Tory opinions; they were very fit opinions for a boy, and they did not exact of me any change in regard to the slavery question.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading If I thought of taking up some other calling it was as a means only; literature was always the end I had in view, immediately or finally.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If I thought of taking up some other calling it was as a means only; literature was always the end I had in view, immediately or finally.
paper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure I often broke this rule, as people are apt to do with rules of the kind; it was not possible for a boy to wade through heavy articles relating to English politics and economics, but I do not think I left any paper upon a literary topic unread, and I did read enough politics, especially in Blackwood's, to be of Tory opinions; they were very fit opinions for a boy, and they did not exact of me any change in regard to the slavery question.
pen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
poetry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
politics
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure I often broke this rule, as people are apt to do with rules of the kind; it was not possible for a boy to wade through heavy articles relating to English politics and economics, but I do not think I left any paper upon a literary topic unread, and I did read enough politics, especially in Blackwood's, to be of Tory opinions; they were very fit opinions for a boy, and they did not exact of me any change in regard to the slavery question.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure I often broke this rule, as people are apt to do with rules of the kind; it was not possible for a boy to wade through heavy articles relating to English politics and economics, but I do not think I left any paper upon a literary topic unread, and I did read enough politics, especially in Blackwood's, to be of Tory opinions; they were very fit opinions for a boy, and they did not exact of me any change in regard to the slavery question.
private
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
professions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
proportion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I kept blindly at my studies, and yet not altogether blindly, for, as I have said, the reading I did had more tendency than before, and I was beginning to see authors in their proportion to one another, and to the body of literature.
public
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
questionnounUS /ˈquestion/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading To be sure I often broke this rule, as people are apt to do with rules of the kind; it was not possible for a boy to wade through heavy articles relating to English politics and economics, but I do not think I left any paper upon a literary topic unread, and I did read enough politics, especially in Blackwood's, to be of Tory opinions; they were very fit opinions for a boy, and they did not exact of me any change in regard to the slavery question.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The English reviews were of great use to me in this; I made a rule of reading each one of them quite through.
read
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure I often broke this rule, as people are apt to do with rules of the kind; it was not possible for a boy to wade through heavy articles relating to English politics and economics, but I do not think I left any paper upon a literary topic unread, and I did read enough politics, especially in Blackwood's, to be of Tory opinions; they were very fit opinions for a boy, and they did not exact of me any change in regard to the slavery question.
reading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I kept blindly at my studies, and yet not altogether blindly, for, as I have said, the reading I did had more tendency than before, and I was beginning to see authors in their proportion to one another, and to the body of literature.
regard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure I often broke this rule, as people are apt to do with rules of the kind; it was not possible for a boy to wade through heavy articles relating to English politics and economics, but I do not think I left any paper upon a literary topic unread, and I did read enough politics, especially in Blackwood's, to be of Tory opinions; they were very fit opinions for a boy, and they did not exact of me any change in regard to the slavery question.
relating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure I often broke this rule, as people are apt to do with rules of the kind; it was not possible for a boy to wade through heavy articles relating to English politics and economics, but I do not think I left any paper upon a literary topic unread, and I did read enough politics, especially in Blackwood's, to be of Tory opinions; they were very fit opinions for a boy, and they did not exact of me any change in regard to the slavery question.
reviews
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The English reviews were of great use to me in this; I made a rule of reading each one of them quite through.
rule
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The English reviews were of great use to me in this; I made a rule of reading each one of them quite through.
rules
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure I often broke this rule, as people are apt to do with rules of the kind; it was not possible for a boy to wade through heavy articles relating to English politics and economics, but I do not think I left any paper upon a literary topic unread, and I did read enough politics, especially in Blackwood's, to be of Tory opinions; they were very fit opinions for a boy, and they did not exact of me any change in regard to the slavery question.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I kept blindly at my studies, and yet not altogether blindly, for, as I have said, the reading I did had more tendency than before, and I was beginning to see authors in their proportion to one another, and to the body of literature.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
slavery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure I often broke this rule, as people are apt to do with rules of the kind; it was not possible for a boy to wade through heavy articles relating to English politics and economics, but I do not think I left any paper upon a literary topic unread, and I did read enough politics, especially in Blackwood's, to be of Tory opinions; they were very fit opinions for a boy, and they did not exact of me any change in regard to the slavery question.
solely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If I thought of taking up some other calling it was as a means only; literature was always the end I had in view, immediately or finally.
studies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I kept blindly at my studies, and yet not altogether blindly, for, as I have said, the reading I did had more tendency than before, and I was beginning to see authors in their proportion to one another, and to the body of literature.
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To be sure I often broke this rule, as people are apt to do with rules of the kind; it was not possible for a boy to wade through heavy articles relating to English politics and economics, but I do not think I left any paper upon a literary topic unread, and I did read enough politics, especially in Blackwood's, to be of Tory opinions; they were very fit opinions for a boy, and they did not exact of me any change in regard to the slavery question.
taking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If I thought of taking up some other calling it was as a means only; literature was always the end I had in view, immediately or finally.
tendency
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I kept blindly at my studies, and yet not altogether blindly, for, as I have said, the reading I did had more tendency than before, and I was beginning to see authors in their proportion to one another, and to the body of literature.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading If I thought of taking up some other calling it was as a means only; literature was always the end I had in view, immediately or finally.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The English reviews were of great use to me in this; I made a rule of reading each one of them quite through.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To be sure I often broke this rule, as people are apt to do with rules of the kind; it was not possible for a boy to wade through heavy articles relating to English politics and economics, but I do not think I left any paper upon a literary topic unread, and I did read enough politics, especially in Blackwood's, to be of Tory opinions; they were very fit opinions for a boy, and they did not exact of me any change in regard to the slavery question.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The English reviews were of great use to me in this; I made a rule of reading each one of them quite through.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If I thought of taking up some other calling it was as a means only; literature was always the end I had in view, immediately or finally.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The English reviews were of great use to me in this; I made a rule of reading each one of them quite through.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
topic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure I often broke this rule, as people are apt to do with rules of the kind; it was not possible for a boy to wade through heavy articles relating to English politics and economics, but I do not think I left any paper upon a literary topic unread, and I did read enough politics, especially in Blackwood's, to be of Tory opinions; they were very fit opinions for a boy, and they did not exact of me any change in regard to the slavery question.
Tory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure I often broke this rule, as people are apt to do with rules of the kind; it was not possible for a boy to wade through heavy articles relating to English politics and economics, but I do not think I left any paper upon a literary topic unread, and I did read enough politics, especially in Blackwood's, to be of Tory opinions; they were very fit opinions for a boy, and they did not exact of me any change in regard to the slavery question.
unread
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure I often broke this rule, as people are apt to do with rules of the kind; it was not possible for a boy to wade through heavy articles relating to English politics and economics, but I do not think I left any paper upon a literary topic unread, and I did read enough politics, especially in Blackwood's, to be of Tory opinions; they were very fit opinions for a boy, and they did not exact of me any change in regard to the slavery question.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If I thought of taking up some other calling it was as a means only; literature was always the end I had in view, immediately or finally.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading To be sure I often broke this rule, as people are apt to do with rules of the kind; it was not possible for a boy to wade through heavy articles relating to English politics and economics, but I do not think I left any paper upon a literary topic unread, and I did read enough politics, especially in Blackwood's, to be of Tory opinions; they were very fit opinions for a boy, and they did not exact of me any change in regard to the slavery question.
use
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The English reviews were of great use to me in this; I made a rule of reading each one of them quite through.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
view
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If I thought of taking up some other calling it was as a means only; literature was always the end I had in view, immediately or finally.
wade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure I often broke this rule, as people are apt to do with rules of the kind; it was not possible for a boy to wade through heavy articles relating to English politics and economics, but I do not think I left any paper upon a literary topic unread, and I did read enough politics, especially in Blackwood's, to be of Tory opinions; they were very fit opinions for a boy, and they did not exact of me any change in regard to the slavery question.
wanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If I thought of taking up some other calling it was as a means only; literature was always the end I had in view, immediately or finally.
wealth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading To be sure I often broke this rule, as people are apt to do with rules of the kind; it was not possible for a boy to wade through heavy articles relating to English politics and economics, but I do not think I left any paper upon a literary topic unread, and I did read enough politics, especially in Blackwood's, to be of Tory opinions; they were very fit opinions for a boy, and they did not exact of me any change in regard to the slavery question.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading But I kept blindly at my studies, and yet not altogether blindly, for, as I have said, the reading I did had more tendency than before, and I was beginning to see authors in their proportion to one another, and to the body of literature.
yield
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not see how it was to yield me a living, for I knew that almost all the literary men in the country had other professions; they were editors, lawyers, or had public or private employments; or they were men of wealth; there was then not one who earned his bread solely by his pen in fiction, or drama, or history, or poetry, or criticism, in a day when people wanted very much less butter on their bread than they do now.
