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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The strange eccentricities which had now become a second nature, amazed the society in which he was for over twenty years a prominent figure.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It is not till some time after Johnson had come into the enjoyment of his pension, that we first see him through the eyes of competent observers.
all
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From this reading The Johnson of our knowledge, the most familiar figure to all students of English literary history had already long passed the prime of life, and done the greatest part of his literary work.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Johnson of our knowledge, the most familiar figure to all students of English literary history had already long passed the prime of life, and done the greatest part of his literary work.
amazed
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From this reading The strange eccentricities which had now become a second nature, amazed the society in which he was for over twenty years a prominent figure.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading JOHNSON AND HIS FRIENDS.
any
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From this reading His character, in the common phrase, had been "formed" years before; as, indeed, people's characters are chiefly formed in the cradle; and, not only his character, but the habits which are learnt in the great schoolroom of the world were fixed beyond any possibility of change.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His character, in the common phrase, had been "formed" years before; as, indeed, people's characters are chiefly formed in the cradle; and, not only his character, but the habits which are learnt in the great schoolroom of the world were fixed beyond any possibility of change.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading His character, in the common phrase, had been "formed" years before; as, indeed, people's characters are chiefly formed in the cradle; and, not only his character, but the habits which are learnt in the great schoolroom of the world were fixed beyond any possibility of change.
become
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From this reading The strange eccentricities which had now become a second nature, amazed the society in which he was for over twenty years a prominent figure.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading His character, in the common phrase, had been "formed" years before; as, indeed, people's characters are chiefly formed in the cradle; and, not only his character, but the habits which are learnt in the great schoolroom of the world were fixed beyond any possibility of change.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading His character, in the common phrase, had been "formed" years before; as, indeed, people's characters are chiefly formed in the cradle; and, not only his character, but the habits which are learnt in the great schoolroom of the world were fixed beyond any possibility of change.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading His character, in the common phrase, had been "formed" years before; as, indeed, people's characters are chiefly formed in the cradle; and, not only his character, but the habits which are learnt in the great schoolroom of the world were fixed beyond any possibility of change.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading His character, in the common phrase, had been "formed" years before; as, indeed, people's characters are chiefly formed in the cradle; and, not only his character, but the habits which are learnt in the great schoolroom of the world were fixed beyond any possibility of change.
change
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From this reading His character, in the common phrase, had been "formed" years before; as, indeed, people's characters are chiefly formed in the cradle; and, not only his character, but the habits which are learnt in the great schoolroom of the world were fixed beyond any possibility of change.
character
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From this reading His character, in the common phrase, had been "formed" years before; as, indeed, people's characters are chiefly formed in the cradle; and, not only his character, but the habits which are learnt in the great schoolroom of the world were fixed beyond any possibility of change.
characters
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From this reading His character, in the common phrase, had been "formed" years before; as, indeed, people's characters are chiefly formed in the cradle; and, not only his character, but the habits which are learnt in the great schoolroom of the world were fixed beyond any possibility of change.
chiefly
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From this reading His character, in the common phrase, had been "formed" years before; as, indeed, people's characters are chiefly formed in the cradle; and, not only his character, but the habits which are learnt in the great schoolroom of the world were fixed beyond any possibility of change.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It is not till some time after Johnson had come into the enjoyment of his pension, that we first see him through the eyes of competent observers.
common
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From this reading His character, in the common phrase, had been "formed" years before; as, indeed, people's characters are chiefly formed in the cradle; and, not only his character, but the habits which are learnt in the great schoolroom of the world were fixed beyond any possibility of change.
competent
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From this reading It is not till some time after Johnson had come into the enjoyment of his pension, that we first see him through the eyes of competent observers.
cradle
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From this reading His character, in the common phrase, had been "formed" years before; as, indeed, people's characters are chiefly formed in the cradle; and, not only his character, but the habits which are learnt in the great schoolroom of the world were fixed beyond any possibility of change.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Johnson of our knowledge, the most familiar figure to all students of English literary history had already long passed the prime of life, and done the greatest part of his literary work.
eccentricities
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From this reading The strange eccentricities which had now become a second nature, amazed the society in which he was for over twenty years a prominent figure.
English
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From this reading The Johnson of our knowledge, the most familiar figure to all students of English literary history had already long passed the prime of life, and done the greatest part of his literary work.
enjoyment
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From this reading It is not till some time after Johnson had come into the enjoyment of his pension, that we first see him through the eyes of competent observers.
eyes
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From this reading It is not till some time after Johnson had come into the enjoyment of his pension, that we first see him through the eyes of competent observers.
familiar
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From this reading The Johnson of our knowledge, the most familiar figure to all students of English literary history had already long passed the prime of life, and done the greatest part of his literary work.
figure
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From this reading The Johnson of our knowledge, the most familiar figure to all students of English literary history had already long passed the prime of life, and done the greatest part of his literary work.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It is not till some time after Johnson had come into the enjoyment of his pension, that we first see him through the eyes of competent observers.
fixed
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From this reading His character, in the common phrase, had been "formed" years before; as, indeed, people's characters are chiefly formed in the cradle; and, not only his character, but the habits which are learnt in the great schoolroom of the world were fixed beyond any possibility of change.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The strange eccentricities which had now become a second nature, amazed the society in which he was for over twenty years a prominent figure.
formed
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From this reading His character, in the common phrase, had been "formed" years before; as, indeed, people's characters are chiefly formed in the cradle; and, not only his character, but the habits which are learnt in the great schoolroom of the world were fixed beyond any possibility of change.
FRIENDS
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From this reading JOHNSON AND HIS FRIENDS.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His character, in the common phrase, had been "formed" years before; as, indeed, people's characters are chiefly formed in the cradle; and, not only his character, but the habits which are learnt in the great schoolroom of the world were fixed beyond any possibility of change.
greatest
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From this reading The Johnson of our knowledge, the most familiar figure to all students of English literary history had already long passed the prime of life, and done the greatest part of his literary work.
habits
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From this reading His character, in the common phrase, had been "formed" years before; as, indeed, people's characters are chiefly formed in the cradle; and, not only his character, but the habits which are learnt in the great schoolroom of the world were fixed beyond any possibility of change.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It is not till some time after Johnson had come into the enjoyment of his pension, that we first see him through the eyes of competent observers.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The strange eccentricities which had now become a second nature, amazed the society in which he was for over twenty years a prominent figure.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It is not till some time after Johnson had come into the enjoyment of his pension, that we first see him through the eyes of competent observers.
HISdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading JOHNSON AND HIS FRIENDS.
history
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From this reading The Johnson of our knowledge, the most familiar figure to all students of English literary history had already long passed the prime of life, and done the greatest part of his literary work.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His character, in the common phrase, had been "formed" years before; as, indeed, people's characters are chiefly formed in the cradle; and, not only his character, but the habits which are learnt in the great schoolroom of the world were fixed beyond any possibility of change.
indeed
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From this reading His character, in the common phrase, had been "formed" years before; as, indeed, people's characters are chiefly formed in the cradle; and, not only his character, but the habits which are learnt in the great schoolroom of the world were fixed beyond any possibility of change.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It is not till some time after Johnson had come into the enjoyment of his pension, that we first see him through the eyes of competent observers.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is not till some time after Johnson had come into the enjoyment of his pension, that we first see him through the eyes of competent observers.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is not till some time after Johnson had come into the enjoyment of his pension, that we first see him through the eyes of competent observers.
JOHNSON
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From this reading JOHNSON AND HIS FRIENDS.
knowledge
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From this reading The Johnson of our knowledge, the most familiar figure to all students of English literary history had already long passed the prime of life, and done the greatest part of his literary work.
learnt
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From this reading His character, in the common phrase, had been "formed" years before; as, indeed, people's characters are chiefly formed in the cradle; and, not only his character, but the habits which are learnt in the great schoolroom of the world were fixed beyond any possibility of change.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Johnson of our knowledge, the most familiar figure to all students of English literary history had already long passed the prime of life, and done the greatest part of his literary work.
literary
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From this reading The Johnson of our knowledge, the most familiar figure to all students of English literary history had already long passed the prime of life, and done the greatest part of his literary work.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Johnson of our knowledge, the most familiar figure to all students of English literary history had already long passed the prime of life, and done the greatest part of his literary work.
most
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From this reading The Johnson of our knowledge, the most familiar figure to all students of English literary history had already long passed the prime of life, and done the greatest part of his literary work.
nature
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From this reading The strange eccentricities which had now become a second nature, amazed the society in which he was for over twenty years a prominent figure.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It is not till some time after Johnson had come into the enjoyment of his pension, that we first see him through the eyes of competent observers.
now
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From this reading The strange eccentricities which had now become a second nature, amazed the society in which he was for over twenty years a prominent figure.
observers
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From this reading It is not till some time after Johnson had come into the enjoyment of his pension, that we first see him through the eyes of competent observers.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It is not till some time after Johnson had come into the enjoyment of his pension, that we first see him through the eyes of competent observers.
only
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From this reading His character, in the common phrase, had been "formed" years before; as, indeed, people's characters are chiefly formed in the cradle; and, not only his character, but the habits which are learnt in the great schoolroom of the world were fixed beyond any possibility of change.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading The Johnson of our knowledge, the most familiar figure to all students of English literary history had already long passed the prime of life, and done the greatest part of his literary work.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The strange eccentricities which had now become a second nature, amazed the society in which he was for over twenty years a prominent figure.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Johnson of our knowledge, the most familiar figure to all students of English literary history had already long passed the prime of life, and done the greatest part of his literary work.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Johnson of our knowledge, the most familiar figure to all students of English literary history had already long passed the prime of life, and done the greatest part of his literary work.
pension
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From this reading It is not till some time after Johnson had come into the enjoyment of his pension, that we first see him through the eyes of competent observers.
people's
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From this reading His character, in the common phrase, had been "formed" years before; as, indeed, people's characters are chiefly formed in the cradle; and, not only his character, but the habits which are learnt in the great schoolroom of the world were fixed beyond any possibility of change.
phrase
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From this reading His character, in the common phrase, had been "formed" years before; as, indeed, people's characters are chiefly formed in the cradle; and, not only his character, but the habits which are learnt in the great schoolroom of the world were fixed beyond any possibility of change.
possibility
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From this reading His character, in the common phrase, had been "formed" years before; as, indeed, people's characters are chiefly formed in the cradle; and, not only his character, but the habits which are learnt in the great schoolroom of the world were fixed beyond any possibility of change.
prime
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From this reading The Johnson of our knowledge, the most familiar figure to all students of English literary history had already long passed the prime of life, and done the greatest part of his literary work.
prominent
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From this reading The strange eccentricities which had now become a second nature, amazed the society in which he was for over twenty years a prominent figure.
schoolroom
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From this reading His character, in the common phrase, had been "formed" years before; as, indeed, people's characters are chiefly formed in the cradle; and, not only his character, but the habits which are learnt in the great schoolroom of the world were fixed beyond any possibility of change.
second
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From this reading The strange eccentricities which had now become a second nature, amazed the society in which he was for over twenty years a prominent figure.
see
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From this reading It is not till some time after Johnson had come into the enjoyment of his pension, that we first see him through the eyes of competent observers.
society
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From this reading The strange eccentricities which had now become a second nature, amazed the society in which he was for over twenty years a prominent figure.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not till some time after Johnson had come into the enjoyment of his pension, that we first see him through the eyes of competent observers.
strange
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From this reading The strange eccentricities which had now become a second nature, amazed the society in which he was for over twenty years a prominent figure.
students
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From this reading The Johnson of our knowledge, the most familiar figure to all students of English literary history had already long passed the prime of life, and done the greatest part of his literary work.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It is not till some time after Johnson had come into the enjoyment of his pension, that we first see him through the eyes of competent observers.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It is not till some time after Johnson had come into the enjoyment of his pension, that we first see him through the eyes of competent observers.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It is not till some time after Johnson had come into the enjoyment of his pension, that we first see him through the eyes of competent observers.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading It is not till some time after Johnson had come into the enjoyment of his pension, that we first see him through the eyes of competent observers.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It is not till some time after Johnson had come into the enjoyment of his pension, that we first see him through the eyes of competent observers.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Johnson of our knowledge, the most familiar figure to all students of English literary history had already long passed the prime of life, and done the greatest part of his literary work.
twenty
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From this reading The strange eccentricities which had now become a second nature, amazed the society in which he was for over twenty years a prominent figure.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The strange eccentricities which had now become a second nature, amazed the society in which he was for over twenty years a prominent figure.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading It is not till some time after Johnson had come into the enjoyment of his pension, that we first see him through the eyes of competent observers.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His character, in the common phrase, had been "formed" years before; as, indeed, people's characters are chiefly formed in the cradle; and, not only his character, but the habits which are learnt in the great schoolroom of the world were fixed beyond any possibility of change.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading His character, in the common phrase, had been "formed" years before; as, indeed, people's characters are chiefly formed in the cradle; and, not only his character, but the habits which are learnt in the great schoolroom of the world were fixed beyond any possibility of change.
work
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From this reading The Johnson of our knowledge, the most familiar figure to all students of English literary history had already long passed the prime of life, and done the greatest part of his literary work.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His character, in the common phrase, had been "formed" years before; as, indeed, people's characters are chiefly formed in the cradle; and, not only his character, but the habits which are learnt in the great schoolroom of the world were fixed beyond any possibility of change.
years
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From this reading His character, in the common phrase, had been "formed" years before; as, indeed, people's characters are chiefly formed in the cradle; and, not only his character, but the habits which are learnt in the great schoolroom of the world were fixed beyond any possibility of change.