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 'Tis but a single murder.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was in a melancholy and thoughtful mood that I rode away from the parsonage.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Miserable delusion (thought I), that encourages the ruin of health and the perversion of intellect by studies that are as unprofitable to the world as they are destructive to the possessor--that incapacitate him for public, and unfit him for private life--and that, while they expose him to the ridicule of strangers, render him the victim of his wife, and the prey of his domestic.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Miserable delusion (thought I), that encourages the ruin of health and the perversion of intellect by studies that are as unprofitable to the world as they are destructive to the possessor--that incapacitate him for public, and unfit him for private life--and that, while they expose him to the ridicule of strangers, render him the victim of his wife, and the prey of his domestic.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in a melancholy and thoughtful mood that I rode away from the parsonage.
bestowed
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From this reading Numerous and hearty were the maledictions I bestowed upon a system of education which, while it was so ineffective with the many, was so pernicious to the few.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading 'Tis but a single murder.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Miserable delusion (thought I), that encourages the ruin of health and the perversion of intellect by studies that are as unprofitable to the world as they are destructive to the possessor--that incapacitate him for public, and unfit him for private life--and that, while they expose him to the ridicule of strangers, render him the victim of his wife, and the prey of his domestic.
Curiosity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading --Lillo: Fatal Curiosity.
delusion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miserable delusion (thought I), that encourages the ruin of health and the perversion of intellect by studies that are as unprofitable to the world as they are destructive to the possessor--that incapacitate him for public, and unfit him for private life--and that, while they expose him to the ridicule of strangers, render him the victim of his wife, and the prey of his domestic.
destructive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miserable delusion (thought I), that encourages the ruin of health and the perversion of intellect by studies that are as unprofitable to the world as they are destructive to the possessor--that incapacitate him for public, and unfit him for private life--and that, while they expose him to the ridicule of strangers, render him the victim of his wife, and the prey of his domestic.
domestic
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From this reading Miserable delusion (thought I), that encourages the ruin of health and the perversion of intellect by studies that are as unprofitable to the world as they are destructive to the possessor--that incapacitate him for public, and unfit him for private life--and that, while they expose him to the ridicule of strangers, render him the victim of his wife, and the prey of his domestic.
education
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Numerous and hearty were the maledictions I bestowed upon a system of education which, while it was so ineffective with the many, was so pernicious to the few.
encourages
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From this reading Miserable delusion (thought I), that encourages the ruin of health and the perversion of intellect by studies that are as unprofitable to the world as they are destructive to the possessor--that incapacitate him for public, and unfit him for private life--and that, while they expose him to the ridicule of strangers, render him the victim of his wife, and the prey of his domestic.
expose
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From this reading Miserable delusion (thought I), that encourages the ruin of health and the perversion of intellect by studies that are as unprofitable to the world as they are destructive to the possessor--that incapacitate him for public, and unfit him for private life--and that, while they expose him to the ridicule of strangers, render him the victim of his wife, and the prey of his domestic.
Fatal
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From this reading --Lillo: Fatal Curiosity.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Numerous and hearty were the maledictions I bestowed upon a system of education which, while it was so ineffective with the many, was so pernicious to the few.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Miserable delusion (thought I), that encourages the ruin of health and the perversion of intellect by studies that are as unprofitable to the world as they are destructive to the possessor--that incapacitate him for public, and unfit him for private life--and that, while they expose him to the ridicule of strangers, render him the victim of his wife, and the prey of his domestic.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was in a melancholy and thoughtful mood that I rode away from the parsonage.
health
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miserable delusion (thought I), that encourages the ruin of health and the perversion of intellect by studies that are as unprofitable to the world as they are destructive to the possessor--that incapacitate him for public, and unfit him for private life--and that, while they expose him to the ridicule of strangers, render him the victim of his wife, and the prey of his domestic.
heartyadjectiveUS /ˈhɑrti/
large, enthusiastic, and satisfying, especially of a meal
From this reading Numerous and hearty were the maledictions I bestowed upon a system of education which, while it was so ineffective with the many, was so pernicious to the few.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Miserable delusion (thought I), that encourages the ruin of health and the perversion of intellect by studies that are as unprofitable to the world as they are destructive to the possessor--that incapacitate him for public, and unfit him for private life--and that, while they expose him to the ridicule of strangers, render him the victim of his wife, and the prey of his domestic.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Miserable delusion (thought I), that encourages the ruin of health and the perversion of intellect by studies that are as unprofitable to the world as they are destructive to the possessor--that incapacitate him for public, and unfit him for private life--and that, while they expose him to the ridicule of strangers, render him the victim of his wife, and the prey of his domestic.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading It was in a melancholy and thoughtful mood that I rode away from the parsonage.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was in a melancholy and thoughtful mood that I rode away from the parsonage.
incapacitate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miserable delusion (thought I), that encourages the ruin of health and the perversion of intellect by studies that are as unprofitable to the world as they are destructive to the possessor--that incapacitate him for public, and unfit him for private life--and that, while they expose him to the ridicule of strangers, render him the victim of his wife, and the prey of his domestic.
ineffective
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Numerous and hearty were the maledictions I bestowed upon a system of education which, while it was so ineffective with the many, was so pernicious to the few.
intellect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miserable delusion (thought I), that encourages the ruin of health and the perversion of intellect by studies that are as unprofitable to the world as they are destructive to the possessor--that incapacitate him for public, and unfit him for private life--and that, while they expose him to the ridicule of strangers, render him the victim of his wife, and the prey of his domestic.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was in a melancholy and thoughtful mood that I rode away from the parsonage.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Miserable delusion (thought I), that encourages the ruin of health and the perversion of intellect by studies that are as unprofitable to the world as they are destructive to the possessor--that incapacitate him for public, and unfit him for private life--and that, while they expose him to the ridicule of strangers, render him the victim of his wife, and the prey of his domestic.
Lillo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading --Lillo: Fatal Curiosity.
maledictions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Numerous and hearty were the maledictions I bestowed upon a system of education which, while it was so ineffective with the many, was so pernicious to the few.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Numerous and hearty were the maledictions I bestowed upon a system of education which, while it was so ineffective with the many, was so pernicious to the few.
melancholy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in a melancholy and thoughtful mood that I rode away from the parsonage.
Miserable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miserable delusion (thought I), that encourages the ruin of health and the perversion of intellect by studies that are as unprofitable to the world as they are destructive to the possessor--that incapacitate him for public, and unfit him for private life--and that, while they expose him to the ridicule of strangers, render him the victim of his wife, and the prey of his domestic.
mood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in a melancholy and thoughtful mood that I rode away from the parsonage.
murder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Tis but a single murder.
Numerous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Numerous and hearty were the maledictions I bestowed upon a system of education which, while it was so ineffective with the many, was so pernicious to the few.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Numerous and hearty were the maledictions I bestowed upon a system of education which, while it was so ineffective with the many, was so pernicious to the few.
parsonage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in a melancholy and thoughtful mood that I rode away from the parsonage.
pernicious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Numerous and hearty were the maledictions I bestowed upon a system of education which, while it was so ineffective with the many, was so pernicious to the few.
perversion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miserable delusion (thought I), that encourages the ruin of health and the perversion of intellect by studies that are as unprofitable to the world as they are destructive to the possessor--that incapacitate him for public, and unfit him for private life--and that, while they expose him to the ridicule of strangers, render him the victim of his wife, and the prey of his domestic.
possessor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miserable delusion (thought I), that encourages the ruin of health and the perversion of intellect by studies that are as unprofitable to the world as they are destructive to the possessor--that incapacitate him for public, and unfit him for private life--and that, while they expose him to the ridicule of strangers, render him the victim of his wife, and the prey of his domestic.
prey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miserable delusion (thought I), that encourages the ruin of health and the perversion of intellect by studies that are as unprofitable to the world as they are destructive to the possessor--that incapacitate him for public, and unfit him for private life--and that, while they expose him to the ridicule of strangers, render him the victim of his wife, and the prey of his domestic.
private
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miserable delusion (thought I), that encourages the ruin of health and the perversion of intellect by studies that are as unprofitable to the world as they are destructive to the possessor--that incapacitate him for public, and unfit him for private life--and that, while they expose him to the ridicule of strangers, render him the victim of his wife, and the prey of his domestic.
public
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miserable delusion (thought I), that encourages the ruin of health and the perversion of intellect by studies that are as unprofitable to the world as they are destructive to the possessor--that incapacitate him for public, and unfit him for private life--and that, while they expose him to the ridicule of strangers, render him the victim of his wife, and the prey of his domestic.
render
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miserable delusion (thought I), that encourages the ruin of health and the perversion of intellect by studies that are as unprofitable to the world as they are destructive to the possessor--that incapacitate him for public, and unfit him for private life--and that, while they expose him to the ridicule of strangers, render him the victim of his wife, and the prey of his domestic.
ridicule
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miserable delusion (thought I), that encourages the ruin of health and the perversion of intellect by studies that are as unprofitable to the world as they are destructive to the possessor--that incapacitate him for public, and unfit him for private life--and that, while they expose him to the ridicule of strangers, render him the victim of his wife, and the prey of his domestic.
rode
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in a melancholy and thoughtful mood that I rode away from the parsonage.
ruin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miserable delusion (thought I), that encourages the ruin of health and the perversion of intellect by studies that are as unprofitable to the world as they are destructive to the possessor--that incapacitate him for public, and unfit him for private life--and that, while they expose him to the ridicule of strangers, render him the victim of his wife, and the prey of his domestic.
single
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Tis but a single murder.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Numerous and hearty were the maledictions I bestowed upon a system of education which, while it was so ineffective with the many, was so pernicious to the few.
strangers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miserable delusion (thought I), that encourages the ruin of health and the perversion of intellect by studies that are as unprofitable to the world as they are destructive to the possessor--that incapacitate him for public, and unfit him for private life--and that, while they expose him to the ridicule of strangers, render him the victim of his wife, and the prey of his domestic.
studies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miserable delusion (thought I), that encourages the ruin of health and the perversion of intellect by studies that are as unprofitable to the world as they are destructive to the possessor--that incapacitate him for public, and unfit him for private life--and that, while they expose him to the ridicule of strangers, render him the victim of his wife, and the prey of his domestic.
system
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Numerous and hearty were the maledictions I bestowed upon a system of education which, while it was so ineffective with the many, was so pernicious to the few.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was in a melancholy and thoughtful mood that I rode away from the parsonage.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was in a melancholy and thoughtful mood that I rode away from the parsonage.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Miserable delusion (thought I), that encourages the ruin of health and the perversion of intellect by studies that are as unprofitable to the world as they are destructive to the possessor--that incapacitate him for public, and unfit him for private life--and that, while they expose him to the ridicule of strangers, render him the victim of his wife, and the prey of his domestic.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Miserable delusion (thought I), that encourages the ruin of health and the perversion of intellect by studies that are as unprofitable to the world as they are destructive to the possessor--that incapacitate him for public, and unfit him for private life--and that, while they expose him to the ridicule of strangers, render him the victim of his wife, and the prey of his domestic.
thoughtful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in a melancholy and thoughtful mood that I rode away from the parsonage.
Tis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Tis but a single murder.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Numerous and hearty were the maledictions I bestowed upon a system of education which, while it was so ineffective with the many, was so pernicious to the few.
unfit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miserable delusion (thought I), that encourages the ruin of health and the perversion of intellect by studies that are as unprofitable to the world as they are destructive to the possessor--that incapacitate him for public, and unfit him for private life--and that, while they expose him to the ridicule of strangers, render him the victim of his wife, and the prey of his domestic.
unprofitable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miserable delusion (thought I), that encourages the ruin of health and the perversion of intellect by studies that are as unprofitable to the world as they are destructive to the possessor--that incapacitate him for public, and unfit him for private life--and that, while they expose him to the ridicule of strangers, render him the victim of his wife, and the prey of his domestic.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Numerous and hearty were the maledictions I bestowed upon a system of education which, while it was so ineffective with the many, was so pernicious to the few.
victim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miserable delusion (thought I), that encourages the ruin of health and the perversion of intellect by studies that are as unprofitable to the world as they are destructive to the possessor--that incapacitate him for public, and unfit him for private life--and that, while they expose him to the ridicule of strangers, render him the victim of his wife, and the prey of his domestic.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was in a melancholy and thoughtful mood that I rode away from the parsonage.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Numerous and hearty were the maledictions I bestowed upon a system of education which, while it was so ineffective with the many, was so pernicious to the few.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Numerous and hearty were the maledictions I bestowed upon a system of education which, while it was so ineffective with the many, was so pernicious to the few.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Numerous and hearty were the maledictions I bestowed upon a system of education which, while it was so ineffective with the many, was so pernicious to the few.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miserable delusion (thought I), that encourages the ruin of health and the perversion of intellect by studies that are as unprofitable to the world as they are destructive to the possessor--that incapacitate him for public, and unfit him for private life--and that, while they expose him to the ridicule of strangers, render him the victim of his wife, and the prey of his domestic.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Numerous and hearty were the maledictions I bestowed upon a system of education which, while it was so ineffective with the many, was so pernicious to the few.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miserable delusion (thought I), that encourages the ruin of health and the perversion of intellect by studies that are as unprofitable to the world as they are destructive to the possessor--that incapacitate him for public, and unfit him for private life--and that, while they expose him to the ridicule of strangers, render him the victim of his wife, and the prey of his domestic.
