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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 To talk in public, to think in solitude, to read and to hear, to inquire and answer inquiries, is the business of a scholar.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He wanders about the world without pomp or terror, and is neither known nor valued but by men like himself.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE HISTORY OF IMLAC The close of the day is, in the regions of the torrid zone, the only season of diversion and entertainment, and it was therefore midnight before the music ceased, and the princesses retired.
answer
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From this reading To talk in public, to think in solitude, to read and to hear, to inquire and answer inquiries, is the business of a scholar.
away
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From this reading “Sir,” said Imlac, “my history will not be long: the life that is devoted to knowledge passes silently away, and is very little diversified by events.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “Sir,” said Imlac, “my history will not be long: the life that is devoted to knowledge passes silently away, and is very little diversified by events.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading THE HISTORY OF IMLAC The close of the day is, in the regions of the torrid zone, the only season of diversion and entertainment, and it was therefore midnight before the music ceased, and the princesses retired.
begin
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From this reading Rasselas then called for his companion, and required him to begin the story of his life.
business
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From this reading To talk in public, to think in solitude, to read and to hear, to inquire and answer inquiries, is the business of a scholar.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He wanders about the world without pomp or terror, and is neither known nor valued but by men like himself.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “Sir,” said Imlac, “my history will not be long: the life that is devoted to knowledge passes silently away, and is very little diversified by events.
called
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From this reading Rasselas then called for his companion, and required him to begin the story of his life.
ceased
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From this reading THE HISTORY OF IMLAC The close of the day is, in the regions of the torrid zone, the only season of diversion and entertainment, and it was therefore midnight before the music ceased, and the princesses retired.
close
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HISTORY OF IMLAC The close of the day is, in the regions of the torrid zone, the only season of diversion and entertainment, and it was therefore midnight before the music ceased, and the princesses retired.
companion
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From this reading Rasselas then called for his companion, and required him to begin the story of his life.
day
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From this reading THE HISTORY OF IMLAC The close of the day is, in the regions of the torrid zone, the only season of diversion and entertainment, and it was therefore midnight before the music ceased, and the princesses retired.
devoted
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From this reading “Sir,” said Imlac, “my history will not be long: the life that is devoted to knowledge passes silently away, and is very little diversified by events.
diversified
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Sir,” said Imlac, “my history will not be long: the life that is devoted to knowledge passes silently away, and is very little diversified by events.
diversion
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From this reading THE HISTORY OF IMLAC The close of the day is, in the regions of the torrid zone, the only season of diversion and entertainment, and it was therefore midnight before the music ceased, and the princesses retired.
entertainment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HISTORY OF IMLAC The close of the day is, in the regions of the torrid zone, the only season of diversion and entertainment, and it was therefore midnight before the music ceased, and the princesses retired.
events
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Sir,” said Imlac, “my history will not be long: the life that is devoted to knowledge passes silently away, and is very little diversified by events.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Rasselas then called for his companion, and required him to begin the story of his life.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He wanders about the world without pomp or terror, and is neither known nor valued but by men like himself.
hearnounUS /hear/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To talk in public, to think in solitude, to read and to hear, to inquire and answer inquiries, is the business of a scholar.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Rasselas then called for his companion, and required him to begin the story of his life.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He wanders about the world without pomp or terror, and is neither known nor valued but by men like himself.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Rasselas then called for his companion, and required him to begin the story of his life.
HISTORY
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From this reading THE HISTORY OF IMLAC The close of the day is, in the regions of the torrid zone, the only season of diversion and entertainment, and it was therefore midnight before the music ceased, and the princesses retired.
IMLAC
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HISTORY OF IMLAC The close of the day is, in the regions of the torrid zone, the only season of diversion and entertainment, and it was therefore midnight before the music ceased, and the princesses retired.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE HISTORY OF IMLAC The close of the day is, in the regions of the torrid zone, the only season of diversion and entertainment, and it was therefore midnight before the music ceased, and the princesses retired.
inquire
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From this reading To talk in public, to think in solitude, to read and to hear, to inquire and answer inquiries, is the business of a scholar.
inquiries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To talk in public, to think in solitude, to read and to hear, to inquire and answer inquiries, is the business of a scholar.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE HISTORY OF IMLAC The close of the day is, in the regions of the torrid zone, the only season of diversion and entertainment, and it was therefore midnight before the music ceased, and the princesses retired.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE HISTORY OF IMLAC The close of the day is, in the regions of the torrid zone, the only season of diversion and entertainment, and it was therefore midnight before the music ceased, and the princesses retired.
knowledge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Sir,” said Imlac, “my history will not be long: the life that is devoted to knowledge passes silently away, and is very little diversified by events.
known
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanders about the world without pomp or terror, and is neither known nor valued but by men like himself.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Rasselas then called for his companion, and required him to begin the story of his life.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanders about the world without pomp or terror, and is neither known nor valued but by men like himself.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Sir,” said Imlac, “my history will not be long: the life that is devoted to knowledge passes silently away, and is very little diversified by events.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Sir,” said Imlac, “my history will not be long: the life that is devoted to knowledge passes silently away, and is very little diversified by events.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanders about the world without pomp or terror, and is neither known nor valued but by men like himself.
midnight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HISTORY OF IMLAC The close of the day is, in the regions of the torrid zone, the only season of diversion and entertainment, and it was therefore midnight before the music ceased, and the princesses retired.
music
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HISTORY OF IMLAC The close of the day is, in the regions of the torrid zone, the only season of diversion and entertainment, and it was therefore midnight before the music ceased, and the princesses retired.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “Sir,” said Imlac, “my history will not be long: the life that is devoted to knowledge passes silently away, and is very little diversified by events.
neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/
not one and not the other of two
From this reading He wanders about the world without pomp or terror, and is neither known nor valued but by men like himself.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading He wanders about the world without pomp or terror, and is neither known nor valued but by men like himself.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “Sir,” said Imlac, “my history will not be long: the life that is devoted to knowledge passes silently away, and is very little diversified by events.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE HISTORY OF IMLAC The close of the day is, in the regions of the torrid zone, the only season of diversion and entertainment, and it was therefore midnight before the music ceased, and the princesses retired.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HISTORY OF IMLAC The close of the day is, in the regions of the torrid zone, the only season of diversion and entertainment, and it was therefore midnight before the music ceased, and the princesses retired.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He wanders about the world without pomp or terror, and is neither known nor valued but by men like himself.
passes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Sir,” said Imlac, “my history will not be long: the life that is devoted to knowledge passes silently away, and is very little diversified by events.
pomp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanders about the world without pomp or terror, and is neither known nor valued but by men like himself.
princesses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HISTORY OF IMLAC The close of the day is, in the regions of the torrid zone, the only season of diversion and entertainment, and it was therefore midnight before the music ceased, and the princesses retired.
public
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To talk in public, to think in solitude, to read and to hear, to inquire and answer inquiries, is the business of a scholar.
Rasselas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rasselas then called for his companion, and required him to begin the story of his life.
read
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To talk in public, to think in solitude, to read and to hear, to inquire and answer inquiries, is the business of a scholar.
regions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HISTORY OF IMLAC The close of the day is, in the regions of the torrid zone, the only season of diversion and entertainment, and it was therefore midnight before the music ceased, and the princesses retired.
requirednounUS /required/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Rasselas then called for his companion, and required him to begin the story of his life.
retiredverbUS /rɪˈtaɪərd/
went away to a private place
From this reading THE HISTORY OF IMLAC The close of the day is, in the regions of the torrid zone, the only season of diversion and entertainment, and it was therefore midnight before the music ceased, and the princesses retired.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Sir,” said Imlac, “my history will not be long: the life that is devoted to knowledge passes silently away, and is very little diversified by events.
scholarnounUS /ˈskɒl.ər/
A specialist in a particular branch of study; a distinguished student.
From this reading To talk in public, to think in solitude, to read and to hear, to inquire and answer inquiries, is the business of a scholar.
season
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HISTORY OF IMLAC The close of the day is, in the regions of the torrid zone, the only season of diversion and entertainment, and it was therefore midnight before the music ceased, and the princesses retired.
silently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Sir,” said Imlac, “my history will not be long: the life that is devoted to knowledge passes silently away, and is very little diversified by events.
Sir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Sir,” said Imlac, “my history will not be long: the life that is devoted to knowledge passes silently away, and is very little diversified by events.
solitude
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To talk in public, to think in solitude, to read and to hear, to inquire and answer inquiries, is the business of a scholar.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rasselas then called for his companion, and required him to begin the story of his life.
talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To talk in public, to think in solitude, to read and to hear, to inquire and answer inquiries, is the business of a scholar.
terror
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanders about the world without pomp or terror, and is neither known nor valued but by men like himself.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “Sir,” said Imlac, “my history will not be long: the life that is devoted to knowledge passes silently away, and is very little diversified by events.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE HISTORY OF IMLAC The close of the day is, in the regions of the torrid zone, the only season of diversion and entertainment, and it was therefore midnight before the music ceased, and the princesses retired.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rasselas then called for his companion, and required him to begin the story of his life.
thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/
for that reason; as a result
From this reading THE HISTORY OF IMLAC The close of the day is, in the regions of the torrid zone, the only season of diversion and entertainment, and it was therefore midnight before the music ceased, and the princesses retired.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To talk in public, to think in solitude, to read and to hear, to inquire and answer inquiries, is the business of a scholar.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Rasselas then called for his companion, and required him to begin the story of his life.
torrid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HISTORY OF IMLAC The close of the day is, in the regions of the torrid zone, the only season of diversion and entertainment, and it was therefore midnight before the music ceased, and the princesses retired.
valued
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanders about the world without pomp or terror, and is neither known nor valued but by men like himself.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Sir,” said Imlac, “my history will not be long: the life that is devoted to knowledge passes silently away, and is very little diversified by events.
wanders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanders about the world without pomp or terror, and is neither known nor valued but by men like himself.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE HISTORY OF IMLAC The close of the day is, in the regions of the torrid zone, the only season of diversion and entertainment, and it was therefore midnight before the music ceased, and the princesses retired.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “Sir,” said Imlac, “my history will not be long: the life that is devoted to knowledge passes silently away, and is very little diversified by events.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He wanders about the world without pomp or terror, and is neither known nor valued but by men like himself.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanders about the world without pomp or terror, and is neither known nor valued but by men like himself.
zone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HISTORY OF IMLAC The close of the day is, in the regions of the torrid zone, the only season of diversion and entertainment, and it was therefore midnight before the music ceased, and the princesses retired.
