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 You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
afford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “The old Egyptians have left behind them monuments of industry and power, before which all European magnificence is confessed to fade away.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Imlac,” said Rasselas, “I have been taking from the princess the dismal history of private life, and am almost discouraged from further search.”
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading “Imlac,” said Rasselas, “I have been taking from the princess the dismal history of private life, and am almost discouraged from further search.”
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IMLAC ENTERS AND CHANGES THE CONVERSATION Here Imlac entered, and interrupted them.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “It seems to me,” said Imlac, “that while you are making the choice of life, you neglect to live.
arts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “The old Egyptians have left behind them monuments of industry and power, before which all European magnificence is confessed to fade away.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “Imlac,” said Rasselas, “I have been taking from the princess the dismal history of private life, and am almost discouraged from further search.”
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading “The old Egyptians have left behind them monuments of industry and power, before which all European magnificence is confessed to fade away.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading “The old Egyptians have left behind them monuments of industry and power, before which all European magnificence is confessed to fade away.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
CHANGES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IMLAC ENTERS AND CHANGES THE CONVERSATION Here Imlac entered, and interrupted them.
choice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It seems to me,” said Imlac, “that while you are making the choice of life, you neglect to live.
city
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
civil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
confessed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “The old Egyptians have left behind them monuments of industry and power, before which all European magnificence is confessed to fade away.
CONVERSATION
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IMLAC ENTERS AND CHANGES THE CONVERSATION Here Imlac entered, and interrupted them.
country
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
dawned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
discouraged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Imlac,” said Rasselas, “I have been taking from the princess the dismal history of private life, and am almost discouraged from further search.”
dismal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Imlac,” said Rasselas, “I have been taking from the princess the dismal history of private life, and am almost discouraged from further search.”
diversified
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
domestic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
earliest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
Egyptians
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “The old Egyptians have left behind them monuments of industry and power, before which all European magnificence is confessed to fade away.
entered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IMLAC ENTERS AND CHANGES THE CONVERSATION Here Imlac entered, and interrupted them.
ENTERS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IMLAC ENTERS AND CHANGES THE CONVERSATION Here Imlac entered, and interrupted them.
European
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “The old Egyptians have left behind them monuments of industry and power, before which all European magnificence is confessed to fade away.
fade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “The old Egyptians have left behind them monuments of industry and power, before which all European magnificence is confessed to fade away.
famous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
forget
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading “Imlac,” said Rasselas, “I have been taking from the princess the dismal history of private life, and am almost discouraged from further search.”
further
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Imlac,” said Rasselas, “I have been taking from the princess the dismal history of private life, and am almost discouraged from further search.”
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “Imlac,” said Rasselas, “I have been taking from the princess the dismal history of private life, and am almost discouraged from further search.”
HerenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading IMLAC ENTERS AND CHANGES THE CONVERSATION Here Imlac entered, and interrupted them.
history
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Imlac,” said Rasselas, “I have been taking from the princess the dismal history of private life, and am almost discouraged from further search.”
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Imlac,” said Rasselas, “I have been taking from the princess the dismal history of private life, and am almost discouraged from further search.”
illuminateverbUS /ɪˈluː.mɪ.neɪt/
To light up or make clear; to decorate a manuscript with gold, silver, or brilliant colors.
From this reading You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
IMLAC
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IMLAC ENTERS AND CHANGES THE CONVERSATION Here Imlac entered, and interrupted them.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
industry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “The old Egyptians have left behind them monuments of industry and power, before which all European magnificence is confessed to fade away.
inhabitants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
interruptednounUS /ˈinterrupted/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading IMLAC ENTERS AND CHANGES THE CONVERSATION Here Imlac entered, and interrupted them.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “The old Egyptians have left behind them monuments of industry and power, before which all European magnificence is confessed to fade away.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “It seems to me,” said Imlac, “that while you are making the choice of life, you neglect to live.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “The old Egyptians have left behind them monuments of industry and power, before which all European magnificence is confessed to fade away.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Imlac,” said Rasselas, “I have been taking from the princess the dismal history of private life, and am almost discouraged from further search.”
live
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It seems to me,” said Imlac, “that while you are making the choice of life, you neglect to live.
magnificence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “The old Egyptians have left behind them monuments of industry and power, before which all European magnificence is confessed to fade away.
making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It seems to me,” said Imlac, “that while you are making the choice of life, you neglect to live.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “It seems to me,” said Imlac, “that while you are making the choice of life, you neglect to live.
monarchies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
monuments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “The old Egyptians have left behind them monuments of industry and power, before which all European magnificence is confessed to fade away.
neglect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It seems to me,” said Imlac, “that while you are making the choice of life, you neglect to live.
novelties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Imlac,” said Rasselas, “I have been taking from the princess the dismal history of private life, and am almost discouraged from further search.”
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “The old Egyptians have left behind them monuments of industry and power, before which all European magnificence is confessed to fade away.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
power
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
princessnounUS /ˈprɪn.ses/
The daughter of a monarch; a female member of a royal family.
From this reading “Imlac,” said Rasselas, “I have been taking from the princess the dismal history of private life, and am almost discouraged from further search.”
private
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Imlac,” said Rasselas, “I have been taking from the princess the dismal history of private life, and am almost discouraged from further search.”
Rasselas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Imlac,” said Rasselas, “I have been taking from the princess the dismal history of private life, and am almost discouraged from further search.”
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Imlac,” said Rasselas, “I have been taking from the princess the dismal history of private life, and am almost discouraged from further search.”
sciences
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
search
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Imlac,” said Rasselas, “I have been taking from the princess the dismal history of private life, and am almost discouraged from further search.”
seems
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It seems to me,” said Imlac, “that while you are making the choice of life, you neglect to live.
single
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
society
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
taking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Imlac,” said Rasselas, “I have been taking from the princess the dismal history of private life, and am almost discouraged from further search.”
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “It seems to me,” said Imlac, “that while you are making the choice of life, you neglect to live.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IMLAC ENTERS AND CHANGES THE CONVERSATION Here Imlac entered, and interrupted them.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading IMLAC ENTERS AND CHANGES THE CONVERSATION Here Imlac entered, and interrupted them.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “It seems to me,” said Imlac, “that while you are making the choice of life, you neglect to live.
traced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
wander
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading “It seems to me,” said Imlac, “that while you are making the choice of life, you neglect to live.
wisdom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You wander about a single city, which, however large and diversified, can now afford few novelties, and forget that you are in a country, famous among the earliest monarchies for the power and wisdom of its inhabitants; a country where the sciences first dawned that illuminate the world, and beyond which the arts cannot be traced of civil society or domestic life.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “It seems to me,” said Imlac, “that while you are making the choice of life, you neglect to live.
