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Preface to Shakespeare
Preface to Shakespeare

Chapter II

Cover illustration for Preface to Shakespeare
Context Illustration Reading 1/77 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
In restoring the authour's works to their integrity, I have considered the punctuation as wholly in my power; for what could be their care of colons and commas, who corrupted words and sentences.
Whatever could be done by adjusting points is therefore silently performed, in some plays with much diligence, in others with less; it is hard to keep a busy eye steadily fixed upon evanescent atoms, or a discursive mind upon evanescent truth.
The same liberty has been taken with a few particles, or other words of slight effect.
I have sometimes inserted or omitted them without notice.
I have done that sometimes, which the other editors have done always, and which indeed the state of the text may sufficiently justify.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Preface to Shakespeare

Chapter II

Reading 1/77 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
In restoring the authour's works to their integrity, I have considered the punctuation as wholly in my power; for what could be their care of colons and commas, who corrupted words and sentences.
Line 2
Whatever could be done by adjusting points is therefore silently performed, in some plays with much diligence, in others with less; it is hard to keep a busy eye steadily fixed upon evanescent atoms, or a discursive mind upon evanescent truth.
Line 3
The same liberty has been taken with a few particles, or other words of slight effect.
Line 4
I have sometimes inserted or omitted them without notice.
Line 5
I have done that sometimes, which the other editors have done always, and which indeed the state of the text may sufficiently justify.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “The same liberty has been taken with a few particles, or other words of slight effect.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “In restoring the authour's works to their integrity, I have considered the punctuation as wholly in my power; for what could be their care of colons and commas, who corrupted words and sentences.”

Done noun US /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Whatever could be done by adjusting points is therefore silently performed, in some plays with much diligence, in others with less; it is hard to keep a busy eye steadily fixed upon evanescent atoms, or a discursive mind upon evanescent truth.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

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

From this reading “The same liberty has been taken with a few particles, or other words of slight effect.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “In restoring the authour's works to their integrity, I have considered the punctuation as wholly in my power; for what could be their care of colons and commas, who corrupted words and sentences.”

Liberty noun US /ˈlɪb.ər.ti/

The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.

From this reading “The same liberty has been taken with a few particles, or other words of slight effect.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “I have done that sometimes, which the other editors have done always, and which indeed the state of the text may sufficiently justify.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Whatever could be done by adjusting points is therefore silently performed, in some plays with much diligence, in others with less; it is hard to keep a busy eye steadily fixed upon evanescent atoms, or a discursive mind upon evanescent truth.”

Same noun US /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The same liberty has been taken with a few particles, or other words of slight effect.”

Sometimes noun US /sometimes/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I have sometimes inserted or omitted them without notice.”

Therefore adverb US /ˈðerfɔːr/

for that reason; as a result

From this reading “Whatever could be done by adjusting points is therefore silently performed, in some plays with much diligence, in others with less; it is hard to keep a busy eye steadily fixed upon evanescent atoms, or a discursive mind upon evanescent truth.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Whatever could be done by adjusting points is therefore silently performed, in some plays with much diligence, in others with less; it is hard to keep a busy eye steadily fixed upon evanescent atoms, or a discursive mind upon evanescent truth.”

Whatever determiner US /ˌwʌˈtevər/

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading “Whatever could be done by adjusting points is therefore silently performed, in some plays with much diligence, in others with less; it is hard to keep a busy eye steadily fixed upon evanescent atoms, or a discursive mind upon evanescent truth.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “I have sometimes inserted or omitted them without notice.”

All words in this reading · 86

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 Whatever could be done by adjusting points is therefore silently performed, in some plays with much diligence, in others with less; it is hard to keep a busy eye steadily fixed upon evanescent atoms, or a discursive mind upon evanescent truth.

adjusting

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

From this reading Whatever could be done by adjusting points is therefore silently performed, in some plays with much diligence, in others with less; it is hard to keep a busy eye steadily fixed upon evanescent atoms, or a discursive mind upon evanescent truth.

always

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

From this reading I have done that sometimes, which the other editors have done always, and which indeed the state of the text may sufficiently justify.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading In restoring the authour's works to their integrity, I have considered the punctuation as wholly in my power; for what could be their care of colons and commas, who corrupted words and sentences.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading In restoring the authour's works to their integrity, I have considered the punctuation as wholly in my power; for what could be their care of colons and commas, who corrupted words and sentences.

atoms

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

From this reading Whatever could be done by adjusting points is therefore silently performed, in some plays with much diligence, in others with less; it is hard to keep a busy eye steadily fixed upon evanescent atoms, or a discursive mind upon evanescent truth.

authour's

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

From this reading In restoring the authour's works to their integrity, I have considered the punctuation as wholly in my power; for what could be their care of colons and commas, who corrupted words and sentences.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading In restoring the authour's works to their integrity, I have considered the punctuation as wholly in my power; for what could be their care of colons and commas, who corrupted words and sentences.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The same liberty has been taken with a few particles, or other words of slight effect.

busy

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

From this reading Whatever could be done by adjusting points is therefore silently performed, in some plays with much diligence, in others with less; it is hard to keep a busy eye steadily fixed upon evanescent atoms, or a discursive mind upon evanescent truth.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Whatever could be done by adjusting points is therefore silently performed, in some plays with much diligence, in others with less; it is hard to keep a busy eye steadily fixed upon evanescent atoms, or a discursive mind upon evanescent truth.

care

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

From this reading In restoring the authour's works to their integrity, I have considered the punctuation as wholly in my power; for what could be their care of colons and commas, who corrupted words and sentences.

colons

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

From this reading In restoring the authour's works to their integrity, I have considered the punctuation as wholly in my power; for what could be their care of colons and commas, who corrupted words and sentences.

commas

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

From this reading In restoring the authour's works to their integrity, I have considered the punctuation as wholly in my power; for what could be their care of colons and commas, who corrupted words and sentences.

considered

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

From this reading In restoring the authour's works to their integrity, I have considered the punctuation as wholly in my power; for what could be their care of colons and commas, who corrupted words and sentences.

corrupted

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

From this reading In restoring the authour's works to their integrity, I have considered the punctuation as wholly in my power; for what could be their care of colons and commas, who corrupted words and sentences.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading In restoring the authour's works to their integrity, I have considered the punctuation as wholly in my power; for what could be their care of colons and commas, who corrupted words and sentences.

diligence

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

From this reading Whatever could be done by adjusting points is therefore silently performed, in some plays with much diligence, in others with less; it is hard to keep a busy eye steadily fixed upon evanescent atoms, or a discursive mind upon evanescent truth.

discursive

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

From this reading Whatever could be done by adjusting points is therefore silently performed, in some plays with much diligence, in others with less; it is hard to keep a busy eye steadily fixed upon evanescent atoms, or a discursive mind upon evanescent truth.

donenounUS /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Whatever could be done by adjusting points is therefore silently performed, in some plays with much diligence, in others with less; it is hard to keep a busy eye steadily fixed upon evanescent atoms, or a discursive mind upon evanescent truth.

editors

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

From this reading I have done that sometimes, which the other editors have done always, and which indeed the state of the text may sufficiently justify.

effect

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

From this reading The same liberty has been taken with a few particles, or other words of slight effect.

evanescent

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

From this reading Whatever could be done by adjusting points is therefore silently performed, in some plays with much diligence, in others with less; it is hard to keep a busy eye steadily fixed upon evanescent atoms, or a discursive mind upon evanescent truth.

eye

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

From this reading Whatever could be done by adjusting points is therefore silently performed, in some plays with much diligence, in others with less; it is hard to keep a busy eye steadily fixed upon evanescent atoms, or a discursive mind upon evanescent truth.

few

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

From this reading The same liberty has been taken with a few particles, or other words of slight effect.

fixed

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

From this reading Whatever could be done by adjusting points is therefore silently performed, in some plays with much diligence, in others with less; it is hard to keep a busy eye steadily fixed upon evanescent atoms, or a discursive mind upon evanescent truth.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In restoring the authour's works to their integrity, I have considered the punctuation as wholly in my power; for what could be their care of colons and commas, who corrupted words and sentences.

hard

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

From this reading Whatever could be done by adjusting points is therefore silently performed, in some plays with much diligence, in others with less; it is hard to keep a busy eye steadily fixed upon evanescent atoms, or a discursive mind upon evanescent truth.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading The same liberty has been taken with a few particles, or other words of slight effect.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading In restoring the authour's works to their integrity, I have considered the punctuation as wholly in my power; for what could be their care of colons and commas, who corrupted words and sentences.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading In restoring the authour's works to their integrity, I have considered the punctuation as wholly in my power; for what could be their care of colons and commas, who corrupted words and sentences.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading In restoring the authour's works to their integrity, I have considered the punctuation as wholly in my power; for what could be their care of colons and commas, who corrupted words and sentences.

indeed

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

From this reading I have done that sometimes, which the other editors have done always, and which indeed the state of the text may sufficiently justify.

inserted

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

From this reading I have sometimes inserted or omitted them without notice.

integrity

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

From this reading In restoring the authour's works to their integrity, I have considered the punctuation as wholly in my power; for what could be their care of colons and commas, who corrupted words and sentences.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Whatever could be done by adjusting points is therefore silently performed, in some plays with much diligence, in others with less; it is hard to keep a busy eye steadily fixed upon evanescent atoms, or a discursive mind upon evanescent truth.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Whatever could be done by adjusting points is therefore silently performed, in some plays with much diligence, in others with less; it is hard to keep a busy eye steadily fixed upon evanescent atoms, or a discursive mind upon evanescent truth.

justify

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

From this reading I have done that sometimes, which the other editors have done always, and which indeed the state of the text may sufficiently justify.

keep

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

From this reading Whatever could be done by adjusting points is therefore silently performed, in some plays with much diligence, in others with less; it is hard to keep a busy eye steadily fixed upon evanescent atoms, or a discursive mind upon evanescent truth.

less

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

From this reading Whatever could be done by adjusting points is therefore silently performed, in some plays with much diligence, in others with less; it is hard to keep a busy eye steadily fixed upon evanescent atoms, or a discursive mind upon evanescent truth.

libertynounUS /ˈlɪb.ər.ti/

The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.

From this reading The same liberty has been taken with a few particles, or other words of slight effect.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading I have done that sometimes, which the other editors have done always, and which indeed the state of the text may sufficiently justify.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Whatever could be done by adjusting points is therefore silently performed, in some plays with much diligence, in others with less; it is hard to keep a busy eye steadily fixed upon evanescent atoms, or a discursive mind upon evanescent truth.

much

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

From this reading Whatever could be done by adjusting points is therefore silently performed, in some plays with much diligence, in others with less; it is hard to keep a busy eye steadily fixed upon evanescent atoms, or a discursive mind upon evanescent truth.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading In restoring the authour's works to their integrity, I have considered the punctuation as wholly in my power; for what could be their care of colons and commas, who corrupted words and sentences.

notice

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

From this reading I have sometimes inserted or omitted them without notice.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In restoring the authour's works to their integrity, I have considered the punctuation as wholly in my power; for what could be their care of colons and commas, who corrupted words and sentences.

omitted

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

From this reading I have sometimes inserted or omitted them without notice.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Whatever could be done by adjusting points is therefore silently performed, in some plays with much diligence, in others with less; it is hard to keep a busy eye steadily fixed upon evanescent atoms, or a discursive mind upon evanescent truth.

other

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

From this reading The same liberty has been taken with a few particles, or other words of slight effect.

others

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

From this reading Whatever could be done by adjusting points is therefore silently performed, in some plays with much diligence, in others with less; it is hard to keep a busy eye steadily fixed upon evanescent atoms, or a discursive mind upon evanescent truth.

particles

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

From this reading The same liberty has been taken with a few particles, or other words of slight effect.

performed

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

From this reading Whatever could be done by adjusting points is therefore silently performed, in some plays with much diligence, in others with less; it is hard to keep a busy eye steadily fixed upon evanescent atoms, or a discursive mind upon evanescent truth.

plays

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

From this reading Whatever could be done by adjusting points is therefore silently performed, in some plays with much diligence, in others with less; it is hard to keep a busy eye steadily fixed upon evanescent atoms, or a discursive mind upon evanescent truth.

points

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

From this reading Whatever could be done by adjusting points is therefore silently performed, in some plays with much diligence, in others with less; it is hard to keep a busy eye steadily fixed upon evanescent atoms, or a discursive mind upon evanescent truth.

power

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

From this reading In restoring the authour's works to their integrity, I have considered the punctuation as wholly in my power; for what could be their care of colons and commas, who corrupted words and sentences.

punctuation

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

From this reading In restoring the authour's works to their integrity, I have considered the punctuation as wholly in my power; for what could be their care of colons and commas, who corrupted words and sentences.

restoring

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

From this reading In restoring the authour's works to their integrity, I have considered the punctuation as wholly in my power; for what could be their care of colons and commas, who corrupted words and sentences.

samenounUS /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The same liberty has been taken with a few particles, or other words of slight effect.

sentences

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

From this reading In restoring the authour's works to their integrity, I have considered the punctuation as wholly in my power; for what could be their care of colons and commas, who corrupted words and sentences.

silently

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

From this reading Whatever could be done by adjusting points is therefore silently performed, in some plays with much diligence, in others with less; it is hard to keep a busy eye steadily fixed upon evanescent atoms, or a discursive mind upon evanescent truth.

slight

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

From this reading The same liberty has been taken with a few particles, or other words of slight effect.

some

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

From this reading Whatever could be done by adjusting points is therefore silently performed, in some plays with much diligence, in others with less; it is hard to keep a busy eye steadily fixed upon evanescent atoms, or a discursive mind upon evanescent truth.

sometimes

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

From this reading I have sometimes inserted or omitted them without notice.

state

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

From this reading I have done that sometimes, which the other editors have done always, and which indeed the state of the text may sufficiently justify.

steadily

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

From this reading Whatever could be done by adjusting points is therefore silently performed, in some plays with much diligence, in others with less; it is hard to keep a busy eye steadily fixed upon evanescent atoms, or a discursive mind upon evanescent truth.

sufficiently

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

From this reading I have done that sometimes, which the other editors have done always, and which indeed the state of the text may sufficiently justify.

taken

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

From this reading The same liberty has been taken with a few particles, or other words of slight effect.

text

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

From this reading I have done that sometimes, which the other editors have done always, and which indeed the state of the text may sufficiently justify.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I have done that sometimes, which the other editors have done always, and which indeed the state of the text may sufficiently justify.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading In restoring the authour's works to their integrity, I have considered the punctuation as wholly in my power; for what could be their care of colons and commas, who corrupted words and sentences.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading In restoring the authour's works to their integrity, I have considered the punctuation as wholly in my power; for what could be their care of colons and commas, who corrupted words and sentences.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading I have sometimes inserted or omitted them without notice.

thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/

for that reason; as a result

From this reading Whatever could be done by adjusting points is therefore silently performed, in some plays with much diligence, in others with less; it is hard to keep a busy eye steadily fixed upon evanescent atoms, or a discursive mind upon evanescent truth.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading In restoring the authour's works to their integrity, I have considered the punctuation as wholly in my power; for what could be their care of colons and commas, who corrupted words and sentences.

truth

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

From this reading Whatever could be done by adjusting points is therefore silently performed, in some plays with much diligence, in others with less; it is hard to keep a busy eye steadily fixed upon evanescent atoms, or a discursive mind upon evanescent truth.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Whatever could be done by adjusting points is therefore silently performed, in some plays with much diligence, in others with less; it is hard to keep a busy eye steadily fixed upon evanescent atoms, or a discursive mind upon evanescent truth.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading In restoring the authour's works to their integrity, I have considered the punctuation as wholly in my power; for what could be their care of colons and commas, who corrupted words and sentences.

WhateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading Whatever could be done by adjusting points is therefore silently performed, in some plays with much diligence, in others with less; it is hard to keep a busy eye steadily fixed upon evanescent atoms, or a discursive mind upon evanescent truth.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading I have done that sometimes, which the other editors have done always, and which indeed the state of the text may sufficiently justify.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading In restoring the authour's works to their integrity, I have considered the punctuation as wholly in my power; for what could be their care of colons and commas, who corrupted words and sentences.

wholly

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

From this reading In restoring the authour's works to their integrity, I have considered the punctuation as wholly in my power; for what could be their care of colons and commas, who corrupted words and sentences.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Whatever could be done by adjusting points is therefore silently performed, in some plays with much diligence, in others with less; it is hard to keep a busy eye steadily fixed upon evanescent atoms, or a discursive mind upon evanescent truth.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading I have sometimes inserted or omitted them without notice.

words

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

From this reading In restoring the authour's works to their integrity, I have considered the punctuation as wholly in my power; for what could be their care of colons and commas, who corrupted words and sentences.

works

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

From this reading In restoring the authour's works to their integrity, I have considered the punctuation as wholly in my power; for what could be their care of colons and commas, who corrupted words and sentences.