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Shorter Novels, Vol. 3
Shorter Novels, Vol. 3

Chapter XVII

Cover illustration for Shorter Novels, Vol. 3
Context Illustration Reading 1/6 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE HAPPINESS OF A LIFE LED ACCORDING TO NATURE Rasselas went often to an assembly of learned men, who met at stated times to unbend their minds and compare their opinions.
Their manners were somewhat coarse, but their conversation was instructive, and their disputations acute, though sometimes too violent, and often continued till neither controvertist remembered upon what question they began.
Some faults were almost general among them: every one was desirous to dictate to the rest, and every one was pleased to hear the genius or knowledge of another depreciated.
In this assembly Rasselas was relating his interview with the hermit, and the wonder with which he heard him censure a course of life which he had so deliberately chosen, and so laudably followed.
The sentiments of the hearers were various.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Shorter Novels, Vol. 3

Chapter XVII

Reading 1/6 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE HAPPINESS OF A LIFE LED ACCORDING TO NATURE Rasselas went often to an assembly of learned men, who met at stated times to unbend their minds and compare their opinions.
Line 2
Their manners were somewhat coarse, but their conversation was instructive, and their disputations acute, though sometimes too violent, and often continued till neither controvertist remembered upon what question they began.
Line 3
Some faults were almost general among them: every one was desirous to dictate to the rest, and every one was pleased to hear the genius or knowledge of another depreciated.
Line 4
In this assembly Rasselas was relating his interview with the hermit, and the wonder with which he heard him censure a course of life which he had so deliberately chosen, and so laudably followed.
Line 5
The sentiments of the hearers were various.

Learner Dictionary

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

Among preposition US /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading “Some faults were almost general among them: every one was desirous to dictate to the rest, and every one was pleased to hear the genius or knowledge of another depreciated.”

Another noun US /ˈanother/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Some faults were almost general among them: every one was desirous to dictate to the rest, and every one was pleased to hear the genius or knowledge of another depreciated.”

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Their manners were somewhat coarse, but their conversation was instructive, and their disputations acute, though sometimes too violent, and often continued till neither controvertist remembered upon what question they began.”

Continued noun US /ˈcontinued/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Their manners were somewhat coarse, but their conversation was instructive, and their disputations acute, though sometimes too violent, and often continued till neither controvertist remembered upon what question they began.”

Course noun US /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In this assembly Rasselas was relating his interview with the hermit, and the wonder with which he heard him censure a course of life which he had so deliberately chosen, and so laudably followed.”

Desirous adjective US /dɪˈzaɪərəs/

having a strong wish to do or obtain something

From this reading “Some faults were almost general among them: every one was desirous to dictate to the rest, and every one was pleased to hear the genius or knowledge of another depreciated.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “Some faults were almost general among them: every one was desirous to dictate to the rest, and every one was pleased to hear the genius or knowledge of another depreciated.”

Hear noun US /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Some faults were almost general among them: every one was desirous to dictate to the rest, and every one was pleased to hear the genius or knowledge of another depreciated.”

LIFE noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE HAPPINESS OF A LIFE LED ACCORDING TO NATURE Rasselas went often to an assembly of learned men, who met at stated times to unbend their minds and compare their opinions.”

Neither determiner US /ˈniːðər/

not one and not the other of two

From this reading “Their manners were somewhat coarse, but their conversation was instructive, and their disputations acute, though sometimes too violent, and often continued till neither controvertist remembered upon what question they began.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Some faults were almost general among them: every one was desirous to dictate to the rest, and every one was pleased to hear the genius or knowledge of another depreciated.”

Pleased noun US /ˈpleased/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Some faults were almost general among them: every one was desirous to dictate to the rest, and every one was pleased to hear the genius or knowledge of another depreciated.”

Question noun US /ˈquestion/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Their manners were somewhat coarse, but their conversation was instructive, and their disputations acute, though sometimes too violent, and often continued till neither controvertist remembered upon what question they began.”

Rest noun US /rest/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Some faults were almost general among them: every one was desirous to dictate to the rest, and every one was pleased to hear the genius or knowledge of another depreciated.”

Sometimes noun US /sometimes/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Their manners were somewhat coarse, but their conversation was instructive, and their disputations acute, though sometimes too violent, and often continued till neither controvertist remembered upon what question they began.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “Their manners were somewhat coarse, but their conversation was instructive, and their disputations acute, though sometimes too violent, and often continued till neither controvertist remembered upon what question they began.”

Till preposition US /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “Their manners were somewhat coarse, but their conversation was instructive, and their disputations acute, though sometimes too violent, and often continued till neither controvertist remembered upon what question they began.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Their manners were somewhat coarse, but their conversation was instructive, and their disputations acute, though sometimes too violent, and often continued till neither controvertist remembered upon what question they began.”

Violent noun US /ˈviolent/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Their manners were somewhat coarse, but their conversation was instructive, and their disputations acute, though sometimes too violent, and often continued till neither controvertist remembered upon what question they began.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE HAPPINESS OF A LIFE LED ACCORDING TO NATURE Rasselas went often to an assembly of learned men, who met at stated times to unbend their minds and compare their opinions.”

All words in this reading · 92

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 THE HAPPINESS OF A LIFE LED ACCORDING TO NATURE Rasselas went often to an assembly of learned men, who met at stated times to unbend their minds and compare their opinions.

ACCORDING

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

From this reading THE HAPPINESS OF A LIFE LED ACCORDING TO NATURE Rasselas went often to an assembly of learned men, who met at stated times to unbend their minds and compare their opinions.

acute

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

From this reading Their manners were somewhat coarse, but their conversation was instructive, and their disputations acute, though sometimes too violent, and often continued till neither controvertist remembered upon what question they began.

almost

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

From this reading Some faults were almost general among them: every one was desirous to dictate to the rest, and every one was pleased to hear the genius or knowledge of another depreciated.

amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Some faults were almost general among them: every one was desirous to dictate to the rest, and every one was pleased to hear the genius or knowledge of another depreciated.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading THE HAPPINESS OF A LIFE LED ACCORDING TO NATURE Rasselas went often to an assembly of learned men, who met at stated times to unbend their minds and compare their opinions.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading THE HAPPINESS OF A LIFE LED ACCORDING TO NATURE Rasselas went often to an assembly of learned men, who met at stated times to unbend their minds and compare their opinions.

anothernounUS /ˈanother/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Some faults were almost general among them: every one was desirous to dictate to the rest, and every one was pleased to hear the genius or knowledge of another depreciated.

assembly

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

From this reading THE HAPPINESS OF A LIFE LED ACCORDING TO NATURE Rasselas went often to an assembly of learned men, who met at stated times to unbend their minds and compare their opinions.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE HAPPINESS OF A LIFE LED ACCORDING TO NATURE Rasselas went often to an assembly of learned men, who met at stated times to unbend their minds and compare their opinions.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Their manners were somewhat coarse, but their conversation was instructive, and their disputations acute, though sometimes too violent, and often continued till neither controvertist remembered upon what question they began.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Their manners were somewhat coarse, but their conversation was instructive, and their disputations acute, though sometimes too violent, and often continued till neither controvertist remembered upon what question they began.

censure

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

From this reading In this assembly Rasselas was relating his interview with the hermit, and the wonder with which he heard him censure a course of life which he had so deliberately chosen, and so laudably followed.

chosen

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

From this reading In this assembly Rasselas was relating his interview with the hermit, and the wonder with which he heard him censure a course of life which he had so deliberately chosen, and so laudably followed.

coarse

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

From this reading Their manners were somewhat coarse, but their conversation was instructive, and their disputations acute, though sometimes too violent, and often continued till neither controvertist remembered upon what question they began.

compare

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

From this reading THE HAPPINESS OF A LIFE LED ACCORDING TO NATURE Rasselas went often to an assembly of learned men, who met at stated times to unbend their minds and compare their opinions.

continuednounUS /ˈcontinued/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Their manners were somewhat coarse, but their conversation was instructive, and their disputations acute, though sometimes too violent, and often continued till neither controvertist remembered upon what question they began.

controvertist

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

From this reading Their manners were somewhat coarse, but their conversation was instructive, and their disputations acute, though sometimes too violent, and often continued till neither controvertist remembered upon what question they began.

conversation

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

From this reading Their manners were somewhat coarse, but their conversation was instructive, and their disputations acute, though sometimes too violent, and often continued till neither controvertist remembered upon what question they began.

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In this assembly Rasselas was relating his interview with the hermit, and the wonder with which he heard him censure a course of life which he had so deliberately chosen, and so laudably followed.

deliberately

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

From this reading In this assembly Rasselas was relating his interview with the hermit, and the wonder with which he heard him censure a course of life which he had so deliberately chosen, and so laudably followed.

depreciated

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

From this reading Some faults were almost general among them: every one was desirous to dictate to the rest, and every one was pleased to hear the genius or knowledge of another depreciated.

desirousadjectiveUS /dɪˈzaɪərəs/

having a strong wish to do or obtain something

From this reading Some faults were almost general among them: every one was desirous to dictate to the rest, and every one was pleased to hear the genius or knowledge of another depreciated.

dictate

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

From this reading Some faults were almost general among them: every one was desirous to dictate to the rest, and every one was pleased to hear the genius or knowledge of another depreciated.

disputations

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

From this reading Their manners were somewhat coarse, but their conversation was instructive, and their disputations acute, though sometimes too violent, and often continued till neither controvertist remembered upon what question they began.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Some faults were almost general among them: every one was desirous to dictate to the rest, and every one was pleased to hear the genius or knowledge of another depreciated.

faults

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

From this reading Some faults were almost general among them: every one was desirous to dictate to the rest, and every one was pleased to hear the genius or knowledge of another depreciated.

followed

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

From this reading In this assembly Rasselas was relating his interview with the hermit, and the wonder with which he heard him censure a course of life which he had so deliberately chosen, and so laudably followed.

general

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

From this reading Some faults were almost general among them: every one was desirous to dictate to the rest, and every one was pleased to hear the genius or knowledge of another depreciated.

genius

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

From this reading Some faults were almost general among them: every one was desirous to dictate to the rest, and every one was pleased to hear the genius or knowledge of another depreciated.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading In this assembly Rasselas was relating his interview with the hermit, and the wonder with which he heard him censure a course of life which he had so deliberately chosen, and so laudably followed.

HAPPINESS

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

From this reading THE HAPPINESS OF A LIFE LED ACCORDING TO NATURE Rasselas went often to an assembly of learned men, who met at stated times to unbend their minds and compare their opinions.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading In this assembly Rasselas was relating his interview with the hermit, and the wonder with which he heard him censure a course of life which he had so deliberately chosen, and so laudably followed.

hearnounUS /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Some faults were almost general among them: every one was desirous to dictate to the rest, and every one was pleased to hear the genius or knowledge of another depreciated.

heard

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

From this reading In this assembly Rasselas was relating his interview with the hermit, and the wonder with which he heard him censure a course of life which he had so deliberately chosen, and so laudably followed.

hearers

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

From this reading The sentiments of the hearers were various.

hermit

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

From this reading In this assembly Rasselas was relating his interview with the hermit, and the wonder with which he heard him censure a course of life which he had so deliberately chosen, and so laudably followed.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading In this assembly Rasselas was relating his interview with the hermit, and the wonder with which he heard him censure a course of life which he had so deliberately chosen, and so laudably followed.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading In this assembly Rasselas was relating his interview with the hermit, and the wonder with which he heard him censure a course of life which he had so deliberately chosen, and so laudably followed.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading In this assembly Rasselas was relating his interview with the hermit, and the wonder with which he heard him censure a course of life which he had so deliberately chosen, and so laudably followed.

instructive

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

From this reading Their manners were somewhat coarse, but their conversation was instructive, and their disputations acute, though sometimes too violent, and often continued till neither controvertist remembered upon what question they began.

interview

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

From this reading In this assembly Rasselas was relating his interview with the hermit, and the wonder with which he heard him censure a course of life which he had so deliberately chosen, and so laudably followed.

knowledge

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

From this reading Some faults were almost general among them: every one was desirous to dictate to the rest, and every one was pleased to hear the genius or knowledge of another depreciated.

laudably

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

From this reading In this assembly Rasselas was relating his interview with the hermit, and the wonder with which he heard him censure a course of life which he had so deliberately chosen, and so laudably followed.

learned

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

From this reading THE HAPPINESS OF A LIFE LED ACCORDING TO NATURE Rasselas went often to an assembly of learned men, who met at stated times to unbend their minds and compare their opinions.

LED

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

From this reading THE HAPPINESS OF A LIFE LED ACCORDING TO NATURE Rasselas went often to an assembly of learned men, who met at stated times to unbend their minds and compare their opinions.

LIFEnounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE HAPPINESS OF A LIFE LED ACCORDING TO NATURE Rasselas went often to an assembly of learned men, who met at stated times to unbend their minds and compare their opinions.

manners

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

From this reading Their manners were somewhat coarse, but their conversation was instructive, and their disputations acute, though sometimes too violent, and often continued till neither controvertist remembered upon what question they began.

men

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

From this reading THE HAPPINESS OF A LIFE LED ACCORDING TO NATURE Rasselas went often to an assembly of learned men, who met at stated times to unbend their minds and compare their opinions.

met

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

From this reading THE HAPPINESS OF A LIFE LED ACCORDING TO NATURE Rasselas went often to an assembly of learned men, who met at stated times to unbend their minds and compare their opinions.

minds

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

From this reading THE HAPPINESS OF A LIFE LED ACCORDING TO NATURE Rasselas went often to an assembly of learned men, who met at stated times to unbend their minds and compare their opinions.

NATURE

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

From this reading THE HAPPINESS OF A LIFE LED ACCORDING TO NATURE Rasselas went often to an assembly of learned men, who met at stated times to unbend their minds and compare their opinions.

neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/

not one and not the other of two

From this reading Their manners were somewhat coarse, but their conversation was instructive, and their disputations acute, though sometimes too violent, and often continued till neither controvertist remembered upon what question they began.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE HAPPINESS OF A LIFE LED ACCORDING TO NATURE Rasselas went often to an assembly of learned men, who met at stated times to unbend their minds and compare their opinions.

often

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

From this reading THE HAPPINESS OF A LIFE LED ACCORDING TO NATURE Rasselas went often to an assembly of learned men, who met at stated times to unbend their minds and compare their opinions.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Some faults were almost general among them: every one was desirous to dictate to the rest, and every one was pleased to hear the genius or knowledge of another depreciated.

opinions

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

From this reading THE HAPPINESS OF A LIFE LED ACCORDING TO NATURE Rasselas went often to an assembly of learned men, who met at stated times to unbend their minds and compare their opinions.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Some faults were almost general among them: every one was desirous to dictate to the rest, and every one was pleased to hear the genius or knowledge of another depreciated.

pleasednounUS /ˈpleased/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Some faults were almost general among them: every one was desirous to dictate to the rest, and every one was pleased to hear the genius or knowledge of another depreciated.

questionnounUS /ˈquestion/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Their manners were somewhat coarse, but their conversation was instructive, and their disputations acute, though sometimes too violent, and often continued till neither controvertist remembered upon what question they began.

Rasselas

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

From this reading THE HAPPINESS OF A LIFE LED ACCORDING TO NATURE Rasselas went often to an assembly of learned men, who met at stated times to unbend their minds and compare their opinions.

relating

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

From this reading In this assembly Rasselas was relating his interview with the hermit, and the wonder with which he heard him censure a course of life which he had so deliberately chosen, and so laudably followed.

remembered

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

From this reading Their manners were somewhat coarse, but their conversation was instructive, and their disputations acute, though sometimes too violent, and often continued till neither controvertist remembered upon what question they began.

restnounUS /rest/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Some faults were almost general among them: every one was desirous to dictate to the rest, and every one was pleased to hear the genius or knowledge of another depreciated.

sentiments

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

From this reading The sentiments of the hearers were various.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading In this assembly Rasselas was relating his interview with the hermit, and the wonder with which he heard him censure a course of life which he had so deliberately chosen, and so laudably followed.

Some

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

From this reading Some faults were almost general among them: every one was desirous to dictate to the rest, and every one was pleased to hear the genius or knowledge of another depreciated.

sometimes

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

From this reading Their manners were somewhat coarse, but their conversation was instructive, and their disputations acute, though sometimes too violent, and often continued till neither controvertist remembered upon what question they began.

somewhat

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

From this reading Their manners were somewhat coarse, but their conversation was instructive, and their disputations acute, though sometimes too violent, and often continued till neither controvertist remembered upon what question they began.

stated

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

From this reading THE HAPPINESS OF A LIFE LED ACCORDING TO NATURE Rasselas went often to an assembly of learned men, who met at stated times to unbend their minds and compare their opinions.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE HAPPINESS OF A LIFE LED ACCORDING TO NATURE Rasselas went often to an assembly of learned men, who met at stated times to unbend their minds and compare their opinions.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading THE HAPPINESS OF A LIFE LED ACCORDING TO NATURE Rasselas went often to an assembly of learned men, who met at stated times to unbend their minds and compare their opinions.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Some faults were almost general among them: every one was desirous to dictate to the rest, and every one was pleased to hear the genius or knowledge of another depreciated.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Their manners were somewhat coarse, but their conversation was instructive, and their disputations acute, though sometimes too violent, and often continued till neither controvertist remembered upon what question they began.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading In this assembly Rasselas was relating his interview with the hermit, and the wonder with which he heard him censure a course of life which he had so deliberately chosen, and so laudably followed.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Their manners were somewhat coarse, but their conversation was instructive, and their disputations acute, though sometimes too violent, and often continued till neither controvertist remembered upon what question they began.

tillprepositionUS /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading Their manners were somewhat coarse, but their conversation was instructive, and their disputations acute, though sometimes too violent, and often continued till neither controvertist remembered upon what question they began.

times

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

From this reading THE HAPPINESS OF A LIFE LED ACCORDING TO NATURE Rasselas went often to an assembly of learned men, who met at stated times to unbend their minds and compare their opinions.

TOparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading THE HAPPINESS OF A LIFE LED ACCORDING TO NATURE Rasselas went often to an assembly of learned men, who met at stated times to unbend their minds and compare their opinions.

too

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

From this reading Their manners were somewhat coarse, but their conversation was instructive, and their disputations acute, though sometimes too violent, and often continued till neither controvertist remembered upon what question they began.

unbend

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

From this reading THE HAPPINESS OF A LIFE LED ACCORDING TO NATURE Rasselas went often to an assembly of learned men, who met at stated times to unbend their minds and compare their opinions.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Their manners were somewhat coarse, but their conversation was instructive, and their disputations acute, though sometimes too violent, and often continued till neither controvertist remembered upon what question they began.

various

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

From this reading The sentiments of the hearers were various.

violentnounUS /ˈviolent/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Their manners were somewhat coarse, but their conversation was instructive, and their disputations acute, though sometimes too violent, and often continued till neither controvertist remembered upon what question they began.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Their manners were somewhat coarse, but their conversation was instructive, and their disputations acute, though sometimes too violent, and often continued till neither controvertist remembered upon what question they began.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE HAPPINESS OF A LIFE LED ACCORDING TO NATURE Rasselas went often to an assembly of learned men, who met at stated times to unbend their minds and compare their opinions.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Their manners were somewhat coarse, but their conversation was instructive, and their disputations acute, though sometimes too violent, and often continued till neither controvertist remembered upon what question they began.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Their manners were somewhat coarse, but their conversation was instructive, and their disputations acute, though sometimes too violent, and often continued till neither controvertist remembered upon what question they began.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading In this assembly Rasselas was relating his interview with the hermit, and the wonder with which he heard him censure a course of life which he had so deliberately chosen, and so laudably followed.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading THE HAPPINESS OF A LIFE LED ACCORDING TO NATURE Rasselas went often to an assembly of learned men, who met at stated times to unbend their minds and compare their opinions.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading In this assembly Rasselas was relating his interview with the hermit, and the wonder with which he heard him censure a course of life which he had so deliberately chosen, and so laudably followed.

wonder

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

From this reading In this assembly Rasselas was relating his interview with the hermit, and the wonder with which he heard him censure a course of life which he had so deliberately chosen, and so laudably followed.