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New Grub Street
New Grub Street

Chapter XV · Rejection

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Context Illustration Reading 1/81 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’
Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.
No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.
In the case of this latest novel he dreaded the sight of a review as he would have done a gash from a rusty knife.
The judgments could not but be damnatory, and their expression in journalistic phrase would disturb his mind with evil rancour.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

New Grub Street

Chapter XV · Rejection

Reading 1/81 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’
Line 2
Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.
Line 3
No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.
Line 4
In the case of this latest novel he dreaded the sight of a review as he would have done a gash from a rusty knife.
Line 5
The judgments could not but be damnatory, and their expression in journalistic phrase would disturb his mind with evil rancour.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.”

Already noun US /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.”

Anything pronoun US /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading “No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.”

Done noun US /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In the case of this latest novel he dreaded the sight of a review as he would have done a gash from a rusty knife.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “In the case of this latest novel he dreaded the sight of a review as he would have done a gash from a rusty knife.”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.”

Know noun US /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The judgments could not but be damnatory, and their expression in journalistic phrase would disturb his mind with evil rancour.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’”

Part noun US /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.”

Pleasant noun US /pleasant/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.”

Quite noun US /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.”

Tell noun US /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.”

Themselves pronoun US /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading “Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

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

From this reading “Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “In the case of this latest novel he dreaded the sight of a review as he would have done a gash from a rusty knife.”

All words in this reading · 114

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 One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

agitation

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

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

aimed

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

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

all

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

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

alreadynounUS /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

amiss

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

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

author

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

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

avoided

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

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading The judgments could not but be damnatory, and their expression in journalistic phrase would disturb his mind with evil rancour.

bear

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

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

blame

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

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

book

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

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

case

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

From this reading In the case of this latest novel he dreaded the sight of a review as he would have done a gash from a rusty knife.

censure

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

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

chance

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

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

commendation

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

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

critics

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

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

damnatory

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

From this reading The judgments could not but be damnatory, and their expression in journalistic phrase would disturb his mind with evil rancour.

define

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

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

disturb

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

From this reading The judgments could not but be damnatory, and their expression in journalistic phrase would disturb his mind with evil rancour.

donenounUS /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In the case of this latest novel he dreaded the sight of a review as he would have done a gash from a rusty knife.

dreaded

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

From this reading In the case of this latest novel he dreaded the sight of a review as he would have done a gash from a rusty knife.

evil

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

From this reading The judgments could not but be damnatory, and their expression in journalistic phrase would disturb his mind with evil rancour.

expression

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

From this reading The judgments could not but be damnatory, and their expression in journalistic phrase would disturb his mind with evil rancour.

far

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

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

fear

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

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading In the case of this latest novel he dreaded the sight of a review as he would have done a gash from a rusty knife.

gash

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

From this reading In the case of this latest novel he dreaded the sight of a review as he would have done a gash from a rusty knife.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading In the case of this latest novel he dreaded the sight of a review as he would have done a gash from a rusty knife.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

Home

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

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

incapable

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

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

inept

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

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

journalistic

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

From this reading The judgments could not but be damnatory, and their expression in journalistic phrase would disturb his mind with evil rancour.

judging

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

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

judgments

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

From this reading The judgments could not but be damnatory, and their expression in journalistic phrase would disturb his mind with evil rancour.

knife

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

From this reading In the case of this latest novel he dreaded the sight of a review as he would have done a gash from a rusty knife.

knownounUS /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

knowledge

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

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

latest

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

From this reading In the case of this latest novel he dreaded the sight of a review as he would have done a gash from a rusty knife.

man

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

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

many

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

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

Margaret

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

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The judgments could not but be damnatory, and their expression in journalistic phrase would disturb his mind with evil rancour.

minor

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

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

most

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

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

nervous

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

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

NodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

novel

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

From this reading In the case of this latest novel he dreaded the sight of a review as he would have done a gash from a rusty knife.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

often

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

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

partnounUS /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

people

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

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

phrase

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

From this reading The judgments could not but be damnatory, and their expression in journalistic phrase would disturb his mind with evil rancour.

pleasantnounUS /pleasant/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

possible

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

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

praise

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

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

publication

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

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

quitenounUS /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

rancour

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

From this reading The judgments could not but be damnatory, and their expression in journalistic phrase would disturb his mind with evil rancour.

reading

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From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

Reardon's

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From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

remarks

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From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

review

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From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

rusty

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From this reading In the case of this latest novel he dreaded the sight of a review as he would have done a gash from a rusty knife.

say

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

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

sight

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From this reading In the case of this latest novel he dreaded the sight of a review as he would have done a gash from a rusty knife.

SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

tellnounUS /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

temperament

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

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The judgments could not but be damnatory, and their expression in journalistic phrase would disturb his mind with evil rancour.

themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

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

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

unintelligent

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

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

way

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

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

well

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

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The judgments could not but be damnatory, and their expression in journalistic phrase would disturb his mind with evil rancour.

woman

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

From this reading No man or woman could tell him anything in the way of praise or blame which he did not already know quite well; commendation was pleasant, but it so often aimed amiss, and censure was for the most part so unintelligent.

work

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

From this reading Since the publication of his first book he had avoided as far as possible all knowledge of what the critics had to say about him; his nervous temperament could not bear the agitation of reading these remarks, which, however inept, define an author and his work to so many people incapable of judging for themselves.

worries

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

From this reading One of Reardon’s minor worries at this time was the fear that by chance he might come upon a review of ‘Margaret Home.’

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading In the case of this latest novel he dreaded the sight of a review as he would have done a gash from a rusty knife.