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On the Study of Words
On the Study of Words

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of On the Study of Words is here in full — 440 sentences across 88 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/88 · 5 lines
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Often a people's use of some single word will afford us a deeper insight into their real condition, their habits of thought and feeling, than whole volumes written expressly with the intention of imparting this insight.
Thus 'idiot,' a Greek word, is abundantly characteristic of Greek life.
The 'idiot,' or [Greek: idiotas], was originally the _private_ man, as contradistinguished from one clothed with office, and taking his share in the management of public affairs.
In this its primary sense it was often used in the English of the seventeenth century; as when Jeremy Taylor says, 'Humility is a duty in great ones, as well as in _idiots_.'
It came then to signify a rude, ignorant, unskilled, intellectually unexercised person, a boor; this derived or secondary sense bearing witness to a conviction woven deep into the Greek mind that contact with public life, and more or less of participation in it, was indispensable even to the right development of the intellect, [Footnote: Hare, _Mission of the Comforter_, p.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

On the Study of Words

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of On the Study of Words is here in full — 440 sentences across 88 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/88 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Often a people's use of some single word will afford us a deeper insight into their real condition, their habits of thought and feeling, than whole volumes written expressly with the intention of imparting this insight.
/ˈɔːfən ə ˈpiːpəlz juːs ʌv sʌm ˈsɪŋɡəl wɜːrd wɪl əˈfɔːrd ʌs ə ˈdiːpər ˈɪnsaɪt ˈɪntuː ðer riːl kənˈdɪʃən ðer ˈhæbəts ʌv θɔːt ənd ˈfiːlɪŋ ðæn hoʊl ˈvɑːljuːmz ˈrɪtən ekˈspresli wɪð ðə ˌɪnˈtentʃən ʌv ˌɪmˈpɑːrtɪŋ ðɪs ˈɪnsaɪt/
Line 2
Thus 'idiot,' a Greek word, is abundantly characteristic of Greek life.
/ðʌs ˈɪdiːət ə ɡriːk wɜːrd ɪz əˈbʌndəntli ˌkerəktərˈɪstɪk ʌv ɡriːk laɪf/
Line 3
The 'idiot,' or [Greek: idiotas], was originally the _private_ man, as contradistinguished from one clothed with office, and taking his share in the management of public affairs.
Line 4
In this its primary sense it was often used in the English of the seventeenth century; as when Jeremy Taylor says, 'Humility is a duty in great ones, as well as in _idiots_.'
Line 5
It came then to signify a rude, ignorant, unskilled, intellectually unexercised person, a boor; this derived or secondary sense bearing witness to a conviction woven deep into the Greek mind that contact with public life, and more or less of participation in it, was indispensable even to the right development of the intellect, [Footnote: Hare, _Mission of the Comforter_, p.

Learner Dictionary

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

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

boor noun US /bʊr/

a crude uncouth ill-bred person lacking culture or refinement

From this reading “It came then to signify a rude, ignorant, unskilled, intellectually unexercised person, a boor; this derived or secondary sense bearing witness to a conviction woven deep into the Greek mind that contact with public life, and more or less of participation in it, was indispensable even to the right development of the intellect, [Footnote: Hare, _Mission of the Comforter_, p.”

Comforter noun US /ˈkʌmfərtər/

a person who commiserates with someone who has had misfortune

idiots noun US /ˈɪdiːəts/

plural of “idiot” — a person of subnormal intelligence

imparting noun US /ˌɪmˈpɑːrtɪŋ/

the transmission of information

From this reading “Often a people's use of some single word will afford us a deeper insight into their real condition, their habits of thought and feeling, than whole volumes written expressly with the intention of imparting this insight.”

intellectually adverb US /ˌɪntəˈlektʃuːəli/

in an intellectual manner

From this reading “It came then to signify a rude, ignorant, unskilled, intellectually unexercised person, a boor; this derived or secondary sense bearing witness to a conviction woven deep into the Greek mind that contact with public life, and more or less of participation in it, was indispensable even to the right development of the intellect, [Footnote: Hare, _Mission of the Comforter_, p.”

participation noun US /pɑːrˌtɪsəˈpeɪʃən/

the act of sharing in the activities of a group

From this reading “It came then to signify a rude, ignorant, unskilled, intellectually unexercised person, a boor; this derived or secondary sense bearing witness to a conviction woven deep into the Greek mind that contact with public life, and more or less of participation in it, was indispensable even to the right development of the intellect, [Footnote: Hare, _Mission of the Comforter_, p.”

primary adjective US /ˈpraɪmeri/

of first rank or importance or value; direct and immediate rather than secondary

From this reading “In this its primary sense it was often used in the English of the seventeenth century; as when Jeremy Taylor says, 'Humility is a duty in great ones, as well as in _idiots_.'”

unskilled adjective US /ənˈskɪld/

not having or showing or requiring special skill or proficiency

From this reading “It came then to signify a rude, ignorant, unskilled, intellectually unexercised person, a boor; this derived or secondary sense bearing witness to a conviction woven deep into the Greek mind that contact with public life, and more or less of participation in it, was indispensable even to the right development of the intellect, [Footnote: Hare, _Mission of the Comforter_, p.”

All words in this reading · 109

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

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

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading Often a people's use of some single word will afford us a deeper insight into their real condition, their habits of thought and feeling, than whole volumes written expressly with the intention of imparting this insight.

abundantlyadverbUS /əˈbʌndəntli/

in an abundant manner

From this reading Thus 'idiot,' a Greek word, is abundantly characteristic of Greek life.

affairsnounUS /əˈferz/

matters of personal concern

From this reading The 'idiot,' or [Greek: idiotas], was originally the _private_ man, as contradistinguished from one clothed with office, and taking his share in the management of public affairs.

affordverbUS /əˈfɔːrd/

be able to spare or give up

From this reading Often a people's use of some single word will afford us a deeper insight into their real condition, their habits of thought and feeling, than whole volumes written expressly with the intention of imparting this insight.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Often a people's use of some single word will afford us a deeper insight into their real condition, their habits of thought and feeling, than whole volumes written expressly with the intention of imparting this insight.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The 'idiot,' or [Greek: idiotas], was originally the _private_ man, as contradistinguished from one clothed with office, and taking his share in the management of public affairs.

bearingnounUS /ˈberɪŋ/

relevant relation or interconnection

From this reading It came then to signify a rude, ignorant, unskilled, intellectually unexercised person, a boor; this derived or secondary sense bearing witness to a conviction woven deep into the Greek mind that contact with public life, and more or less of participation in it, was indispensable even to the right development of the intellect, [Footnote: Hare, _Mission of the Comforter_, p.

boornounUS /bʊr/

a crude uncouth ill-bred person lacking culture or refinement

From this reading It came then to signify a rude, ignorant, unskilled, intellectually unexercised person, a boor; this derived or secondary sense bearing witness to a conviction woven deep into the Greek mind that contact with public life, and more or less of participation in it, was indispensable even to the right development of the intellect, [Footnote: Hare, _Mission of the Comforter_, p.

cameverbUS /keɪm/

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading It came then to signify a rude, ignorant, unskilled, intellectually unexercised person, a boor; this derived or secondary sense bearing witness to a conviction woven deep into the Greek mind that contact with public life, and more or less of participation in it, was indispensable even to the right development of the intellect, [Footnote: Hare, _Mission of the Comforter_, p.

centurynounUS /ˈsentʃəri/

a period of 100 years

From this reading In this its primary sense it was often used in the English of the seventeenth century; as when Jeremy Taylor says, 'Humility is a duty in great ones, as well as in _idiots_.'

characteristicnounUS /ˌkerəktərˈɪstɪk/

a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading Thus 'idiot,' a Greek word, is abundantly characteristic of Greek life.

clothedadjectiveUS /kloʊðd/

wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination

From this reading The 'idiot,' or [Greek: idiotas], was originally the _private_ man, as contradistinguished from one clothed with office, and taking his share in the management of public affairs.

ComforternounUS /ˈkʌmfərtər/

a person who commiserates with someone who has had misfortune

From this reading It came then to signify a rude, ignorant, unskilled, intellectually unexercised person, a boor; this derived or secondary sense bearing witness to a conviction woven deep into the Greek mind that contact with public life, and more or less of participation in it, was indispensable even to the right development of the intellect, [Footnote: Hare, _Mission of the Comforter_, p.

conditionnounUS /kənˈdɪʃən/

a state at a particular time

From this reading Often a people's use of some single word will afford us a deeper insight into their real condition, their habits of thought and feeling, than whole volumes written expressly with the intention of imparting this insight.

contactnounUS /ˈkɑːntækt/

close interaction

From this reading It came then to signify a rude, ignorant, unskilled, intellectually unexercised person, a boor; this derived or secondary sense bearing witness to a conviction woven deep into the Greek mind that contact with public life, and more or less of participation in it, was indispensable even to the right development of the intellect, [Footnote: Hare, _Mission of the Comforter_, p.

contradistinguished

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

From this reading The 'idiot,' or [Greek: idiotas], was originally the _private_ man, as contradistinguished from one clothed with office, and taking his share in the management of public affairs.

convictionnounUS /kənˈvɪkʃən/

an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence

From this reading It came then to signify a rude, ignorant, unskilled, intellectually unexercised person, a boor; this derived or secondary sense bearing witness to a conviction woven deep into the Greek mind that contact with public life, and more or less of participation in it, was indispensable even to the right development of the intellect, [Footnote: Hare, _Mission of the Comforter_, p.

deepadjectiveUS /diːp/

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading It came then to signify a rude, ignorant, unskilled, intellectually unexercised person, a boor; this derived or secondary sense bearing witness to a conviction woven deep into the Greek mind that contact with public life, and more or less of participation in it, was indispensable even to the right development of the intellect, [Footnote: Hare, _Mission of the Comforter_, p.

deeperadverbUS /ˈdiːpər/

comparative of “deeply” — to a great depth psychologically or emotionally

From this reading Often a people's use of some single word will afford us a deeper insight into their real condition, their habits of thought and feeling, than whole volumes written expressly with the intention of imparting this insight.

derivedadjectiveUS /dərˈaɪvd/

formed or developed from something else; not original

From this reading It came then to signify a rude, ignorant, unskilled, intellectually unexercised person, a boor; this derived or secondary sense bearing witness to a conviction woven deep into the Greek mind that contact with public life, and more or less of participation in it, was indispensable even to the right development of the intellect, [Footnote: Hare, _Mission of the Comforter_, p.

developmentnounUS /dɪˈveləpmənt/

act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining

From this reading It came then to signify a rude, ignorant, unskilled, intellectually unexercised person, a boor; this derived or secondary sense bearing witness to a conviction woven deep into the Greek mind that contact with public life, and more or less of participation in it, was indispensable even to the right development of the intellect, [Footnote: Hare, _Mission of the Comforter_, p.

dutynounUS /ˈduːti/

the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading In this its primary sense it was often used in the English of the seventeenth century; as when Jeremy Taylor says, 'Humility is a duty in great ones, as well as in _idiots_.'

EnglishnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading In this its primary sense it was often used in the English of the seventeenth century; as when Jeremy Taylor says, 'Humility is a duty in great ones, as well as in _idiots_.'

evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/

divisible by two

From this reading It came then to signify a rude, ignorant, unskilled, intellectually unexercised person, a boor; this derived or secondary sense bearing witness to a conviction woven deep into the Greek mind that contact with public life, and more or less of participation in it, was indispensable even to the right development of the intellect, [Footnote: Hare, _Mission of the Comforter_, p.

expresslyadverbUS /ekˈspresli/

with specific intentions; for the express purpose

From this reading Often a people's use of some single word will afford us a deeper insight into their real condition, their habits of thought and feeling, than whole volumes written expressly with the intention of imparting this insight.

feelingnounUS /ˈfiːlɪŋ/

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading Often a people's use of some single word will afford us a deeper insight into their real condition, their habits of thought and feeling, than whole volumes written expressly with the intention of imparting this insight.

FootnotenounUS /ˈfʊtnoʊt/

a printed note placed below the text on a printed page

From this reading It came then to signify a rude, ignorant, unskilled, intellectually unexercised person, a boor; this derived or secondary sense bearing witness to a conviction woven deep into the Greek mind that contact with public life, and more or less of participation in it, was indispensable even to the right development of the intellect, [Footnote: Hare, _Mission of the Comforter_, p.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The 'idiot,' or [Greek: idiotas], was originally the _private_ man, as contradistinguished from one clothed with office, and taking his share in the management of public affairs.

greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading In this its primary sense it was often used in the English of the seventeenth century; as when Jeremy Taylor says, 'Humility is a duty in great ones, as well as in _idiots_.'

GreeknounUS /ɡriːk/

the Hellenic branch of the Indo-European family of languages

From this reading Thus 'idiot,' a Greek word, is abundantly characteristic of Greek life.

habitsnounUS /ˈhæbəts/

plural of “habit” — an established custom

From this reading Often a people's use of some single word will afford us a deeper insight into their real condition, their habits of thought and feeling, than whole volumes written expressly with the intention of imparting this insight.

HarenounUS /her/

swift timid long-eared mammal larger than a rabbit having a divided upper lip and long hind legs; young born furred and with open eyes

From this reading It came then to signify a rude, ignorant, unskilled, intellectually unexercised person, a boor; this derived or secondary sense bearing witness to a conviction woven deep into the Greek mind that contact with public life, and more or less of participation in it, was indispensable even to the right development of the intellect, [Footnote: Hare, _Mission of the Comforter_, p.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The 'idiot,' or [Greek: idiotas], was originally the _private_ man, as contradistinguished from one clothed with office, and taking his share in the management of public affairs.

HumilitynounUS /hjuːˈmɪlɪti/

a disposition to be humble; a lack of false pride

From this reading In this its primary sense it was often used in the English of the seventeenth century; as when Jeremy Taylor says, 'Humility is a duty in great ones, as well as in _idiots_.'

idiotnounUS /ˈɪdiːət/

a person of subnormal intelligence

From this reading Thus 'idiot,' a Greek word, is abundantly characteristic of Greek life.

idiotas

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

From this reading The 'idiot,' or [Greek: idiotas], was originally the _private_ man, as contradistinguished from one clothed with office, and taking his share in the management of public affairs.

idiotsnounUS /ˈɪdiːəts/

plural of “idiot” — a person of subnormal intelligence

From this reading In this its primary sense it was often used in the English of the seventeenth century; as when Jeremy Taylor says, 'Humility is a duty in great ones, as well as in _idiots_.'

ignorantadjectiveUS /ˈɪɡnərənt/

uneducated in general; lacking knowledge or sophistication

From this reading It came then to signify a rude, ignorant, unskilled, intellectually unexercised person, a boor; this derived or secondary sense bearing witness to a conviction woven deep into the Greek mind that contact with public life, and more or less of participation in it, was indispensable even to the right development of the intellect, [Footnote: Hare, _Mission of the Comforter_, p.

impartingnounUS /ˌɪmˈpɑːrtɪŋ/

the transmission of information

From this reading Often a people's use of some single word will afford us a deeper insight into their real condition, their habits of thought and feeling, than whole volumes written expressly with the intention of imparting this insight.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The 'idiot,' or [Greek: idiotas], was originally the _private_ man, as contradistinguished from one clothed with office, and taking his share in the management of public affairs.

indispensableadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈspensəbəl/

not to be dispensed with; essential

From this reading It came then to signify a rude, ignorant, unskilled, intellectually unexercised person, a boor; this derived or secondary sense bearing witness to a conviction woven deep into the Greek mind that contact with public life, and more or less of participation in it, was indispensable even to the right development of the intellect, [Footnote: Hare, _Mission of the Comforter_, p.

insightnounUS /ˈɪnsaɪt/

clear or deep perception of a situation

From this reading Often a people's use of some single word will afford us a deeper insight into their real condition, their habits of thought and feeling, than whole volumes written expressly with the intention of imparting this insight.

intellectnounUS /ˈɪntəlekt/

knowledge and intellectual ability

From this reading It came then to signify a rude, ignorant, unskilled, intellectually unexercised person, a boor; this derived or secondary sense bearing witness to a conviction woven deep into the Greek mind that contact with public life, and more or less of participation in it, was indispensable even to the right development of the intellect, [Footnote: Hare, _Mission of the Comforter_, p.

intellectuallyadverbUS /ˌɪntəˈlektʃuːəli/

in an intellectual manner

From this reading It came then to signify a rude, ignorant, unskilled, intellectually unexercised person, a boor; this derived or secondary sense bearing witness to a conviction woven deep into the Greek mind that contact with public life, and more or less of participation in it, was indispensable even to the right development of the intellect, [Footnote: Hare, _Mission of the Comforter_, p.

intentionnounUS /ˌɪnˈtentʃən/

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading Often a people's use of some single word will afford us a deeper insight into their real condition, their habits of thought and feeling, than whole volumes written expressly with the intention of imparting this insight.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Often a people's use of some single word will afford us a deeper insight into their real condition, their habits of thought and feeling, than whole volumes written expressly with the intention of imparting this insight.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Thus 'idiot,' a Greek word, is abundantly characteristic of Greek life.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading In this its primary sense it was often used in the English of the seventeenth century; as when Jeremy Taylor says, 'Humility is a duty in great ones, as well as in _idiots_.'

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading In this its primary sense it was often used in the English of the seventeenth century; as when Jeremy Taylor says, 'Humility is a duty in great ones, as well as in _idiots_.'

Jeremy

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

From this reading In this its primary sense it was often used in the English of the seventeenth century; as when Jeremy Taylor says, 'Humility is a duty in great ones, as well as in _idiots_.'

lessadverbUS /les/

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading It came then to signify a rude, ignorant, unskilled, intellectually unexercised person, a boor; this derived or secondary sense bearing witness to a conviction woven deep into the Greek mind that contact with public life, and more or less of participation in it, was indispensable even to the right development of the intellect, [Footnote: Hare, _Mission of the Comforter_, p.

lifenounUS /laɪf/

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Thus 'idiot,' a Greek word, is abundantly characteristic of Greek life.

mannounUS /mæn/

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading The 'idiot,' or [Greek: idiotas], was originally the _private_ man, as contradistinguished from one clothed with office, and taking his share in the management of public affairs.

managementnounUS /ˈmænədʒmənt/

the act of managing something

From this reading The 'idiot,' or [Greek: idiotas], was originally the _private_ man, as contradistinguished from one clothed with office, and taking his share in the management of public affairs.

mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading It came then to signify a rude, ignorant, unskilled, intellectually unexercised person, a boor; this derived or secondary sense bearing witness to a conviction woven deep into the Greek mind that contact with public life, and more or less of participation in it, was indispensable even to the right development of the intellect, [Footnote: Hare, _Mission of the Comforter_, p.

MissionnounUS /ˈmɪʃən/

an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work

From this reading It came then to signify a rude, ignorant, unskilled, intellectually unexercised person, a boor; this derived or secondary sense bearing witness to a conviction woven deep into the Greek mind that contact with public life, and more or less of participation in it, was indispensable even to the right development of the intellect, [Footnote: Hare, _Mission of the Comforter_, p.

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

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

From this reading It came then to signify a rude, ignorant, unskilled, intellectually unexercised person, a boor; this derived or secondary sense bearing witness to a conviction woven deep into the Greek mind that contact with public life, and more or less of participation in it, was indispensable even to the right development of the intellect, [Footnote: Hare, _Mission of the Comforter_, p.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Often a people's use of some single word will afford us a deeper insight into their real condition, their habits of thought and feeling, than whole volumes written expressly with the intention of imparting this insight.

officenounUS /ˈɔːfɪs/

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading The 'idiot,' or [Greek: idiotas], was originally the _private_ man, as contradistinguished from one clothed with office, and taking his share in the management of public affairs.

OftenadverbUS /ˈɔːfən/

many times at short intervals

From this reading Often a people's use of some single word will afford us a deeper insight into their real condition, their habits of thought and feeling, than whole volumes written expressly with the intention of imparting this insight.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The 'idiot,' or [Greek: idiotas], was originally the _private_ man, as contradistinguished from one clothed with office, and taking his share in the management of public affairs.

onesnounUS /wʌnz/

plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number

From this reading In this its primary sense it was often used in the English of the seventeenth century; as when Jeremy Taylor says, 'Humility is a duty in great ones, as well as in _idiots_.'

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The 'idiot,' or [Greek: idiotas], was originally the _private_ man, as contradistinguished from one clothed with office, and taking his share in the management of public affairs.

originallyadverbUS /ərˈɪdʒənəli/

in an original manner

From this reading The 'idiot,' or [Greek: idiotas], was originally the _private_ man, as contradistinguished from one clothed with office, and taking his share in the management of public affairs.

pnounUS /piː/

a multivalent nonmetallic element of the nitrogen family that occurs commonly in inorganic phosphate rocks and as organic phosphates in all living cells; is highly reactive and occurs in several allotropic forms

From this reading It came then to signify a rude, ignorant, unskilled, intellectually unexercised person, a boor; this derived or secondary sense bearing witness to a conviction woven deep into the Greek mind that contact with public life, and more or less of participation in it, was indispensable even to the right development of the intellect, [Footnote: Hare, _Mission of the Comforter_, p.

participationnounUS /pɑːrˌtɪsəˈpeɪʃən/

the act of sharing in the activities of a group

From this reading It came then to signify a rude, ignorant, unskilled, intellectually unexercised person, a boor; this derived or secondary sense bearing witness to a conviction woven deep into the Greek mind that contact with public life, and more or less of participation in it, was indispensable even to the right development of the intellect, [Footnote: Hare, _Mission of the Comforter_, p.

people'snounUS /ˈpiːpəlz/

possessive form of “people” — (plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading Often a people's use of some single word will afford us a deeper insight into their real condition, their habits of thought and feeling, than whole volumes written expressly with the intention of imparting this insight.

personnounUS /ˈpɜːrsən/

a human being

From this reading It came then to signify a rude, ignorant, unskilled, intellectually unexercised person, a boor; this derived or secondary sense bearing witness to a conviction woven deep into the Greek mind that contact with public life, and more or less of participation in it, was indispensable even to the right development of the intellect, [Footnote: Hare, _Mission of the Comforter_, p.

primaryadjectiveUS /ˈpraɪmeri/

of first rank or importance or value; direct and immediate rather than secondary

From this reading In this its primary sense it was often used in the English of the seventeenth century; as when Jeremy Taylor says, 'Humility is a duty in great ones, as well as in _idiots_.'

privateadjectiveUS /ˈpraɪvət/

confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy

From this reading The 'idiot,' or [Greek: idiotas], was originally the _private_ man, as contradistinguished from one clothed with office, and taking his share in the management of public affairs.

publicnounUS /ˈpʌblɪk/

people in general considered as a whole

From this reading The 'idiot,' or [Greek: idiotas], was originally the _private_ man, as contradistinguished from one clothed with office, and taking his share in the management of public affairs.

realadjectiveUS /riːl/

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading Often a people's use of some single word will afford us a deeper insight into their real condition, their habits of thought and feeling, than whole volumes written expressly with the intention of imparting this insight.

rightadverbUS /raɪt/

precisely, exactly

From this reading It came then to signify a rude, ignorant, unskilled, intellectually unexercised person, a boor; this derived or secondary sense bearing witness to a conviction woven deep into the Greek mind that contact with public life, and more or less of participation in it, was indispensable even to the right development of the intellect, [Footnote: Hare, _Mission of the Comforter_, p.

rudeadjectiveUS /ruːd/

socially incorrect in behavior

From this reading It came then to signify a rude, ignorant, unskilled, intellectually unexercised person, a boor; this derived or secondary sense bearing witness to a conviction woven deep into the Greek mind that contact with public life, and more or less of participation in it, was indispensable even to the right development of the intellect, [Footnote: Hare, _Mission of the Comforter_, p.

saysnounUS /sez/

plural of “say” — the chance to speak

From this reading In this its primary sense it was often used in the English of the seventeenth century; as when Jeremy Taylor says, 'Humility is a duty in great ones, as well as in _idiots_.'

secondaryadjectiveUS /ˈsekənderi/

being of second rank or importance or value; not direct or immediate

From this reading It came then to signify a rude, ignorant, unskilled, intellectually unexercised person, a boor; this derived or secondary sense bearing witness to a conviction woven deep into the Greek mind that contact with public life, and more or less of participation in it, was indispensable even to the right development of the intellect, [Footnote: Hare, _Mission of the Comforter_, p.

sensenounUS /sens/

a general conscious awareness

From this reading In this its primary sense it was often used in the English of the seventeenth century; as when Jeremy Taylor says, 'Humility is a duty in great ones, as well as in _idiots_.'

seventeenthadjectiveUS /ˈsevənˈtiːnθ/

coming next after the sixteenth in position

From this reading In this its primary sense it was often used in the English of the seventeenth century; as when Jeremy Taylor says, 'Humility is a duty in great ones, as well as in _idiots_.'

shareverbUS /ʃer/

have in common

From this reading The 'idiot,' or [Greek: idiotas], was originally the _private_ man, as contradistinguished from one clothed with office, and taking his share in the management of public affairs.

signifyverbUS /ˈsɪɡnəfaɪ/

denote or connote

From this reading It came then to signify a rude, ignorant, unskilled, intellectually unexercised person, a boor; this derived or secondary sense bearing witness to a conviction woven deep into the Greek mind that contact with public life, and more or less of participation in it, was indispensable even to the right development of the intellect, [Footnote: Hare, _Mission of the Comforter_, p.

singleadjectiveUS /ˈsɪŋɡəl/

being or characteristic of a single thing or person

From this reading Often a people's use of some single word will afford us a deeper insight into their real condition, their habits of thought and feeling, than whole volumes written expressly with the intention of imparting this insight.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Often a people's use of some single word will afford us a deeper insight into their real condition, their habits of thought and feeling, than whole volumes written expressly with the intention of imparting this insight.

takingnounUS /ˈteɪkɪŋ/

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading The 'idiot,' or [Greek: idiotas], was originally the _private_ man, as contradistinguished from one clothed with office, and taking his share in the management of public affairs.

TaylornounUS /ˈteɪlər/

United States composer and music critic (1885-1966)

From this reading In this its primary sense it was often used in the English of the seventeenth century; as when Jeremy Taylor says, 'Humility is a duty in great ones, as well as in _idiots_.'

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Often a people's use of some single word will afford us a deeper insight into their real condition, their habits of thought and feeling, than whole volumes written expressly with the intention of imparting this insight.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It came then to signify a rude, ignorant, unskilled, intellectually unexercised person, a boor; this derived or secondary sense bearing witness to a conviction woven deep into the Greek mind that contact with public life, and more or less of participation in it, was indispensable even to the right development of the intellect, [Footnote: Hare, _Mission of the Comforter_, p.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Often a people's use of some single word will afford us a deeper insight into their real condition, their habits of thought and feeling, than whole volumes written expressly with the intention of imparting this insight.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Often a people's use of some single word will afford us a deeper insight into their real condition, their habits of thought and feeling, than whole volumes written expressly with the intention of imparting this insight.

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading It came then to signify a rude, ignorant, unskilled, intellectually unexercised person, a boor; this derived or secondary sense bearing witness to a conviction woven deep into the Greek mind that contact with public life, and more or less of participation in it, was indispensable even to the right development of the intellect, [Footnote: Hare, _Mission of the Comforter_, p.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Often a people's use of some single word will afford us a deeper insight into their real condition, their habits of thought and feeling, than whole volumes written expressly with the intention of imparting this insight.

thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Often a people's use of some single word will afford us a deeper insight into their real condition, their habits of thought and feeling, than whole volumes written expressly with the intention of imparting this insight.

ThusadverbUS /ðʌs/

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading Thus 'idiot,' a Greek word, is abundantly characteristic of Greek life.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading It came then to signify a rude, ignorant, unskilled, intellectually unexercised person, a boor; this derived or secondary sense bearing witness to a conviction woven deep into the Greek mind that contact with public life, and more or less of participation in it, was indispensable even to the right development of the intellect, [Footnote: Hare, _Mission of the Comforter_, p.

unexercised

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

From this reading It came then to signify a rude, ignorant, unskilled, intellectually unexercised person, a boor; this derived or secondary sense bearing witness to a conviction woven deep into the Greek mind that contact with public life, and more or less of participation in it, was indispensable even to the right development of the intellect, [Footnote: Hare, _Mission of the Comforter_, p.

unskilledadjectiveUS /ənˈskɪld/

not having or showing or requiring special skill or proficiency

From this reading It came then to signify a rude, ignorant, unskilled, intellectually unexercised person, a boor; this derived or secondary sense bearing witness to a conviction woven deep into the Greek mind that contact with public life, and more or less of participation in it, was indispensable even to the right development of the intellect, [Footnote: Hare, _Mission of the Comforter_, p.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Often a people's use of some single word will afford us a deeper insight into their real condition, their habits of thought and feeling, than whole volumes written expressly with the intention of imparting this insight.

usenounUS /juːs/

the act of using

From this reading Often a people's use of some single word will afford us a deeper insight into their real condition, their habits of thought and feeling, than whole volumes written expressly with the intention of imparting this insight.

usedadjectiveUS /juːzd/

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading In this its primary sense it was often used in the English of the seventeenth century; as when Jeremy Taylor says, 'Humility is a duty in great ones, as well as in _idiots_.'

volumesnounUS /ˈvɑːljuːmz/

plural of “volume” — the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object

From this reading Often a people's use of some single word will afford us a deeper insight into their real condition, their habits of thought and feeling, than whole volumes written expressly with the intention of imparting this insight.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The 'idiot,' or [Greek: idiotas], was originally the _private_ man, as contradistinguished from one clothed with office, and taking his share in the management of public affairs.

welladverbUS /wel/

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading In this its primary sense it was often used in the English of the seventeenth century; as when Jeremy Taylor says, 'Humility is a duty in great ones, as well as in _idiots_.'

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading In this its primary sense it was often used in the English of the seventeenth century; as when Jeremy Taylor says, 'Humility is a duty in great ones, as well as in _idiots_.'

wholeadjectiveUS /hoʊl/

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading Often a people's use of some single word will afford us a deeper insight into their real condition, their habits of thought and feeling, than whole volumes written expressly with the intention of imparting this insight.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading Often a people's use of some single word will afford us a deeper insight into their real condition, their habits of thought and feeling, than whole volumes written expressly with the intention of imparting this insight.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Often a people's use of some single word will afford us a deeper insight into their real condition, their habits of thought and feeling, than whole volumes written expressly with the intention of imparting this insight.

witnessnounUS /ˈwɪtnəs/

someone who sees an event and reports what happened

From this reading It came then to signify a rude, ignorant, unskilled, intellectually unexercised person, a boor; this derived or secondary sense bearing witness to a conviction woven deep into the Greek mind that contact with public life, and more or less of participation in it, was indispensable even to the right development of the intellect, [Footnote: Hare, _Mission of the Comforter_, p.

wordnounUS /wɜːrd/

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading Often a people's use of some single word will afford us a deeper insight into their real condition, their habits of thought and feeling, than whole volumes written expressly with the intention of imparting this insight.

wovenadjectiveUS /ˈwoʊvən/

made or constructed by interlacing threads or strips of material or other elements into a whole

From this reading It came then to signify a rude, ignorant, unskilled, intellectually unexercised person, a boor; this derived or secondary sense bearing witness to a conviction woven deep into the Greek mind that contact with public life, and more or less of participation in it, was indispensable even to the right development of the intellect, [Footnote: Hare, _Mission of the Comforter_, p.

writtenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪtən/

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading Often a people's use of some single word will afford us a deeper insight into their real condition, their habits of thought and feeling, than whole volumes written expressly with the intention of imparting this insight.

Chapter 2 of On the Study of Words by Richard Chenevix Trench holds 440 sentences, grouped into 88 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 2 of On the Study of Words contain?

Chapter 2 holds 440 sentences of On the Study of Words, unabridged, divided into 88 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of On the Study of Words by Richard Chenevix Trench exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 440 sentences, grouped into 88 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 2 of On the Study of Words?

Work through the 88 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 88 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 2 be read aloud to me?

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

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

Questions about reading On the Study of Words

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Is this the complete text of On the Study of Words?

Yes. All 2146 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #6480 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of On the Study of Words is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #6480, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does On the Study of Words take to read?

About 178 minutes of reading across 430 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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Vocabulary met early in On the Study of Words

Words and structures a reader meets early in On the Study of Words, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Poich
A word that appears in the opening chapter of On the Study of Words; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Posta
A word that appears in the opening chapter of On the Study of Words; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Prato
A word that appears in the opening chapter of On the Study of Words; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Fiori
A word that appears in the opening chapter of On the Study of Words; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.