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The Chainbearer
The Chainbearer

Chapter II

Cover illustration for The Chainbearer
Context Illustration Reading 1/37 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"A trusty villain, sir; that very oft, When I am dull with care and melancholy, Lightens my humors with his many jests."
--_Dromio of Syracuse._ It will be seen that, while I got a degree, and what is called an education, the latter was obtained by studies of a very desultory character.
There is no question that learning of all sorts fell off sadly among us during the revolution and the twenty years that succeeded it.
While colonies, we possessed many excellent instructors who came from Europe; but the supply ceased, in a great measure, as soon as the troubles commenced; nor was it immediately renewed at the peace.
I think it will be admitted that the gentlemen of the country began to be less well educated about the time I was sent to college, than had been the case for the previous half-century, and that the defect has not yet been repaired.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Chainbearer

Chapter II

Reading 1/37 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
"A trusty villain, sir; that very oft, When I am dull with care and melancholy, Lightens my humors with his many jests."
Line 2
--_Dromio of Syracuse._ It will be seen that, while I got a degree, and what is called an education, the latter was obtained by studies of a very desultory character.
Line 3
There is no question that learning of all sorts fell off sadly among us during the revolution and the twenty years that succeeded it.
Line 4
While colonies, we possessed many excellent instructors who came from Europe; but the supply ceased, in a great measure, as soon as the troubles commenced; nor was it immediately renewed at the peace.
Line 5
I think it will be admitted that the gentlemen of the country began to be less well educated about the time I was sent to college, than had been the case for the previous half-century, and that the defect has not yet been repaired.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “I think it will be admitted that the gentlemen of the country began to be less well educated about the time I was sent to college, than had been the case for the previous half-century, and that the defect has not yet been repaired.”

Among preposition US /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading “There is no question that learning of all sorts fell off sadly among us during the revolution and the twenty years that succeeded it.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “I think it will be admitted that the gentlemen of the country began to be less well educated about the time I was sent to college, than had been the case for the previous half-century, and that the defect has not yet been repaired.”

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I think it will be admitted that the gentlemen of the country began to be less well educated about the time I was sent to college, than had been the case for the previous half-century, and that the defect has not yet been repaired.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “There is no question that learning of all sorts fell off sadly among us during the revolution and the twenty years that succeeded it.”

Gentlemen noun US /gentlemen/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I think it will be admitted that the gentlemen of the country began to be less well educated about the time I was sent to college, than had been the case for the previous half-century, and that the defect has not yet been repaired.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “While colonies, we possessed many excellent instructors who came from Europe; but the supply ceased, in a great measure, as soon as the troubles commenced; nor was it immediately renewed at the peace.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

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

From this reading “I think it will be admitted that the gentlemen of the country began to be less well educated about the time I was sent to college, than had been the case for the previous half-century, and that the defect has not yet been repaired.”

Question noun US /ˈquestion/

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

From this reading “There is no question that learning of all sorts fell off sadly among us during the revolution and the twenty years that succeeded it.”

Soon noun US /soon/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “While colonies, we possessed many excellent instructors who came from Europe; but the supply ceased, in a great measure, as soon as the troubles commenced; nor was it immediately renewed at the peace.”

Think noun US /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I think it will be admitted that the gentlemen of the country began to be less well educated about the time I was sent to college, than had been the case for the previous half-century, and that the defect has not yet been repaired.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I think it will be admitted that the gentlemen of the country began to be less well educated about the time I was sent to college, than had been the case for the previous half-century, and that the defect has not yet been repaired.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I think it will be admitted that the gentlemen of the country began to be less well educated about the time I was sent to college, than had been the case for the previous half-century, and that the defect has not yet been repaired.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “--_Dromio of Syracuse._ It will be seen that, while I got a degree, and what is called an education, the latter was obtained by studies of a very desultory character.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “I think it will be admitted that the gentlemen of the country began to be less well educated about the time I was sent to college, than had been the case for the previous half-century, and that the defect has not yet been repaired.”

All words in this reading · 109

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 "A trusty villain, sir; that very oft, When I am dull with care and melancholy, Lightens my humors with his many jests."

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading I think it will be admitted that the gentlemen of the country began to be less well educated about the time I was sent to college, than had been the case for the previous half-century, and that the defect has not yet been repaired.

admitted

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

From this reading I think it will be admitted that the gentlemen of the country began to be less well educated about the time I was sent to college, than had been the case for the previous half-century, and that the defect has not yet been repaired.

all

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

From this reading There is no question that learning of all sorts fell off sadly among us during the revolution and the twenty years that succeeded it.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading "A trusty villain, sir; that very oft, When I am dull with care and melancholy, Lightens my humors with his many jests."

amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading There is no question that learning of all sorts fell off sadly among us during the revolution and the twenty years that succeeded it.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading --_Dromio of Syracuse._ It will be seen that, while I got a degree, and what is called an education, the latter was obtained by studies of a very desultory character.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading "A trusty villain, sir; that very oft, When I am dull with care and melancholy, Lightens my humors with his many jests."

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading While colonies, we possessed many excellent instructors who came from Europe; but the supply ceased, in a great measure, as soon as the troubles commenced; nor was it immediately renewed at the peace.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading While colonies, we possessed many excellent instructors who came from Europe; but the supply ceased, in a great measure, as soon as the troubles commenced; nor was it immediately renewed at the peace.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading --_Dromio of Syracuse._ It will be seen that, while I got a degree, and what is called an education, the latter was obtained by studies of a very desultory character.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading I think it will be admitted that the gentlemen of the country began to be less well educated about the time I was sent to college, than had been the case for the previous half-century, and that the defect has not yet been repaired.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I think it will be admitted that the gentlemen of the country began to be less well educated about the time I was sent to college, than had been the case for the previous half-century, and that the defect has not yet been repaired.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading While colonies, we possessed many excellent instructors who came from Europe; but the supply ceased, in a great measure, as soon as the troubles commenced; nor was it immediately renewed at the peace.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading --_Dromio of Syracuse._ It will be seen that, while I got a degree, and what is called an education, the latter was obtained by studies of a very desultory character.

called

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

From this reading --_Dromio of Syracuse._ It will be seen that, while I got a degree, and what is called an education, the latter was obtained by studies of a very desultory character.

came

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

From this reading While colonies, we possessed many excellent instructors who came from Europe; but the supply ceased, in a great measure, as soon as the troubles commenced; nor was it immediately renewed at the peace.

care

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

From this reading "A trusty villain, sir; that very oft, When I am dull with care and melancholy, Lightens my humors with his many jests."

case

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

From this reading I think it will be admitted that the gentlemen of the country began to be less well educated about the time I was sent to college, than had been the case for the previous half-century, and that the defect has not yet been repaired.

ceased

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

From this reading While colonies, we possessed many excellent instructors who came from Europe; but the supply ceased, in a great measure, as soon as the troubles commenced; nor was it immediately renewed at the peace.

character

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

From this reading --_Dromio of Syracuse._ It will be seen that, while I got a degree, and what is called an education, the latter was obtained by studies of a very desultory character.

college

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

From this reading I think it will be admitted that the gentlemen of the country began to be less well educated about the time I was sent to college, than had been the case for the previous half-century, and that the defect has not yet been repaired.

colonies

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

From this reading While colonies, we possessed many excellent instructors who came from Europe; but the supply ceased, in a great measure, as soon as the troubles commenced; nor was it immediately renewed at the peace.

commenced

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

From this reading While colonies, we possessed many excellent instructors who came from Europe; but the supply ceased, in a great measure, as soon as the troubles commenced; nor was it immediately renewed at the peace.

country

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

From this reading I think it will be admitted that the gentlemen of the country began to be less well educated about the time I was sent to college, than had been the case for the previous half-century, and that the defect has not yet been repaired.

defect

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

From this reading I think it will be admitted that the gentlemen of the country began to be less well educated about the time I was sent to college, than had been the case for the previous half-century, and that the defect has not yet been repaired.

degree

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

From this reading --_Dromio of Syracuse._ It will be seen that, while I got a degree, and what is called an education, the latter was obtained by studies of a very desultory character.

desultory

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

From this reading --_Dromio of Syracuse._ It will be seen that, while I got a degree, and what is called an education, the latter was obtained by studies of a very desultory character.

Dromio

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

From this reading --_Dromio of Syracuse._ It will be seen that, while I got a degree, and what is called an education, the latter was obtained by studies of a very desultory character.

dull

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

From this reading "A trusty villain, sir; that very oft, When I am dull with care and melancholy, Lightens my humors with his many jests."

duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading There is no question that learning of all sorts fell off sadly among us during the revolution and the twenty years that succeeded it.

educated

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

From this reading I think it will be admitted that the gentlemen of the country began to be less well educated about the time I was sent to college, than had been the case for the previous half-century, and that the defect has not yet been repaired.

education

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

From this reading --_Dromio of Syracuse._ It will be seen that, while I got a degree, and what is called an education, the latter was obtained by studies of a very desultory character.

Europe

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

From this reading While colonies, we possessed many excellent instructors who came from Europe; but the supply ceased, in a great measure, as soon as the troubles commenced; nor was it immediately renewed at the peace.

excellent

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

From this reading While colonies, we possessed many excellent instructors who came from Europe; but the supply ceased, in a great measure, as soon as the troubles commenced; nor was it immediately renewed at the peace.

fell

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

From this reading There is no question that learning of all sorts fell off sadly among us during the revolution and the twenty years that succeeded it.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I think it will be admitted that the gentlemen of the country began to be less well educated about the time I was sent to college, than had been the case for the previous half-century, and that the defect has not yet been repaired.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading While colonies, we possessed many excellent instructors who came from Europe; but the supply ceased, in a great measure, as soon as the troubles commenced; nor was it immediately renewed at the peace.

gentlemennounUS /gentlemen/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I think it will be admitted that the gentlemen of the country began to be less well educated about the time I was sent to college, than had been the case for the previous half-century, and that the defect has not yet been repaired.

got

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

From this reading --_Dromio of Syracuse._ It will be seen that, while I got a degree, and what is called an education, the latter was obtained by studies of a very desultory character.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading While colonies, we possessed many excellent instructors who came from Europe; but the supply ceased, in a great measure, as soon as the troubles commenced; nor was it immediately renewed at the peace.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading I think it will be admitted that the gentlemen of the country began to be less well educated about the time I was sent to college, than had been the case for the previous half-century, and that the defect has not yet been repaired.

half-century

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

From this reading I think it will be admitted that the gentlemen of the country began to be less well educated about the time I was sent to college, than had been the case for the previous half-century, and that the defect has not yet been repaired.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading I think it will be admitted that the gentlemen of the country began to be less well educated about the time I was sent to college, than had been the case for the previous half-century, and that the defect has not yet been repaired.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading "A trusty villain, sir; that very oft, When I am dull with care and melancholy, Lightens my humors with his many jests."

humors

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

From this reading "A trusty villain, sir; that very oft, When I am dull with care and melancholy, Lightens my humors with his many jests."

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "A trusty villain, sir; that very oft, When I am dull with care and melancholy, Lightens my humors with his many jests."

immediately

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

From this reading While colonies, we possessed many excellent instructors who came from Europe; but the supply ceased, in a great measure, as soon as the troubles commenced; nor was it immediately renewed at the peace.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading While colonies, we possessed many excellent instructors who came from Europe; but the supply ceased, in a great measure, as soon as the troubles commenced; nor was it immediately renewed at the peace.

instructors

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

From this reading While colonies, we possessed many excellent instructors who came from Europe; but the supply ceased, in a great measure, as soon as the troubles commenced; nor was it immediately renewed at the peace.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading --_Dromio of Syracuse._ It will be seen that, while I got a degree, and what is called an education, the latter was obtained by studies of a very desultory character.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading --_Dromio of Syracuse._ It will be seen that, while I got a degree, and what is called an education, the latter was obtained by studies of a very desultory character.

jests

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

From this reading "A trusty villain, sir; that very oft, When I am dull with care and melancholy, Lightens my humors with his many jests."

latter

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

From this reading --_Dromio of Syracuse._ It will be seen that, while I got a degree, and what is called an education, the latter was obtained by studies of a very desultory character.

learning

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

From this reading There is no question that learning of all sorts fell off sadly among us during the revolution and the twenty years that succeeded it.

less

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

From this reading I think it will be admitted that the gentlemen of the country began to be less well educated about the time I was sent to college, than had been the case for the previous half-century, and that the defect has not yet been repaired.

Lightens

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

From this reading "A trusty villain, sir; that very oft, When I am dull with care and melancholy, Lightens my humors with his many jests."

many

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

From this reading "A trusty villain, sir; that very oft, When I am dull with care and melancholy, Lightens my humors with his many jests."

measure

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

From this reading While colonies, we possessed many excellent instructors who came from Europe; but the supply ceased, in a great measure, as soon as the troubles commenced; nor was it immediately renewed at the peace.

melancholy

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

From this reading "A trusty villain, sir; that very oft, When I am dull with care and melancholy, Lightens my humors with his many jests."

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "A trusty villain, sir; that very oft, When I am dull with care and melancholy, Lightens my humors with his many jests."

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading There is no question that learning of all sorts fell off sadly among us during the revolution and the twenty years that succeeded it.

norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading While colonies, we possessed many excellent instructors who came from Europe; but the supply ceased, in a great measure, as soon as the troubles commenced; nor was it immediately renewed at the peace.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I think it will be admitted that the gentlemen of the country began to be less well educated about the time I was sent to college, than had been the case for the previous half-century, and that the defect has not yet been repaired.

obtained

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

From this reading --_Dromio of Syracuse._ It will be seen that, while I got a degree, and what is called an education, the latter was obtained by studies of a very desultory character.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading --_Dromio of Syracuse._ It will be seen that, while I got a degree, and what is called an education, the latter was obtained by studies of a very desultory character.

off

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

From this reading There is no question that learning of all sorts fell off sadly among us during the revolution and the twenty years that succeeded it.

oft

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

From this reading "A trusty villain, sir; that very oft, When I am dull with care and melancholy, Lightens my humors with his many jests."

peace

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

From this reading While colonies, we possessed many excellent instructors who came from Europe; but the supply ceased, in a great measure, as soon as the troubles commenced; nor was it immediately renewed at the peace.

possessed

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

From this reading While colonies, we possessed many excellent instructors who came from Europe; but the supply ceased, in a great measure, as soon as the troubles commenced; nor was it immediately renewed at the peace.

previous

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

From this reading I think it will be admitted that the gentlemen of the country began to be less well educated about the time I was sent to college, than had been the case for the previous half-century, and that the defect has not yet been repaired.

questionnounUS /ˈquestion/

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

From this reading There is no question that learning of all sorts fell off sadly among us during the revolution and the twenty years that succeeded it.

renewed

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

From this reading While colonies, we possessed many excellent instructors who came from Europe; but the supply ceased, in a great measure, as soon as the troubles commenced; nor was it immediately renewed at the peace.

repaired

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

From this reading I think it will be admitted that the gentlemen of the country began to be less well educated about the time I was sent to college, than had been the case for the previous half-century, and that the defect has not yet been repaired.

revolution

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

From this reading There is no question that learning of all sorts fell off sadly among us during the revolution and the twenty years that succeeded it.

sadly

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

From this reading There is no question that learning of all sorts fell off sadly among us during the revolution and the twenty years that succeeded it.

seen

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

From this reading --_Dromio of Syracuse._ It will be seen that, while I got a degree, and what is called an education, the latter was obtained by studies of a very desultory character.

sent

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

From this reading I think it will be admitted that the gentlemen of the country began to be less well educated about the time I was sent to college, than had been the case for the previous half-century, and that the defect has not yet been repaired.

sir

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

From this reading "A trusty villain, sir; that very oft, When I am dull with care and melancholy, Lightens my humors with his many jests."

soon

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

From this reading While colonies, we possessed many excellent instructors who came from Europe; but the supply ceased, in a great measure, as soon as the troubles commenced; nor was it immediately renewed at the peace.

sorts

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

From this reading There is no question that learning of all sorts fell off sadly among us during the revolution and the twenty years that succeeded it.

studies

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

From this reading --_Dromio of Syracuse._ It will be seen that, while I got a degree, and what is called an education, the latter was obtained by studies of a very desultory character.

succeeded

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

From this reading There is no question that learning of all sorts fell off sadly among us during the revolution and the twenty years that succeeded it.

supply

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

From this reading While colonies, we possessed many excellent instructors who came from Europe; but the supply ceased, in a great measure, as soon as the troubles commenced; nor was it immediately renewed at the peace.

Syracuse

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

From this reading --_Dromio of Syracuse._ It will be seen that, while I got a degree, and what is called an education, the latter was obtained by studies of a very desultory character.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading I think it will be admitted that the gentlemen of the country began to be less well educated about the time I was sent to college, than had been the case for the previous half-century, and that the defect has not yet been repaired.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "A trusty villain, sir; that very oft, When I am dull with care and melancholy, Lightens my humors with his many jests."

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading --_Dromio of Syracuse._ It will be seen that, while I got a degree, and what is called an education, the latter was obtained by studies of a very desultory character.

There

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

From this reading There is no question that learning of all sorts fell off sadly among us during the revolution and the twenty years that succeeded it.

thinknounUS /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I think it will be admitted that the gentlemen of the country began to be less well educated about the time I was sent to college, than had been the case for the previous half-century, and that the defect has not yet been repaired.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I think it will be admitted that the gentlemen of the country began to be less well educated about the time I was sent to college, than had been the case for the previous half-century, and that the defect has not yet been repaired.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading I think it will be admitted that the gentlemen of the country began to be less well educated about the time I was sent to college, than had been the case for the previous half-century, and that the defect has not yet been repaired.

troubles

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

From this reading While colonies, we possessed many excellent instructors who came from Europe; but the supply ceased, in a great measure, as soon as the troubles commenced; nor was it immediately renewed at the peace.

trusty

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

From this reading "A trusty villain, sir; that very oft, When I am dull with care and melancholy, Lightens my humors with his many jests."

twenty

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

From this reading There is no question that learning of all sorts fell off sadly among us during the revolution and the twenty years that succeeded it.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading There is no question that learning of all sorts fell off sadly among us during the revolution and the twenty years that succeeded it.

very

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

From this reading "A trusty villain, sir; that very oft, When I am dull with care and melancholy, Lightens my humors with his many jests."

villain

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

From this reading "A trusty villain, sir; that very oft, When I am dull with care and melancholy, Lightens my humors with his many jests."

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading --_Dromio of Syracuse._ It will be seen that, while I got a degree, and what is called an education, the latter was obtained by studies of a very desultory character.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading While colonies, we possessed many excellent instructors who came from Europe; but the supply ceased, in a great measure, as soon as the troubles commenced; nor was it immediately renewed at the peace.

well

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

From this reading I think it will be admitted that the gentlemen of the country began to be less well educated about the time I was sent to college, than had been the case for the previous half-century, and that the defect has not yet been repaired.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading --_Dromio of Syracuse._ It will be seen that, while I got a degree, and what is called an education, the latter was obtained by studies of a very desultory character.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading "A trusty villain, sir; that very oft, When I am dull with care and melancholy, Lightens my humors with his many jests."

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading --_Dromio of Syracuse._ It will be seen that, while I got a degree, and what is called an education, the latter was obtained by studies of a very desultory character.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading While colonies, we possessed many excellent instructors who came from Europe; but the supply ceased, in a great measure, as soon as the troubles commenced; nor was it immediately renewed at the peace.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading --_Dromio of Syracuse._ It will be seen that, while I got a degree, and what is called an education, the latter was obtained by studies of a very desultory character.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading "A trusty villain, sir; that very oft, When I am dull with care and melancholy, Lightens my humors with his many jests."

years

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

From this reading There is no question that learning of all sorts fell off sadly among us during the revolution and the twenty years that succeeded it.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading I think it will be admitted that the gentlemen of the country began to be less well educated about the time I was sent to college, than had been the case for the previous half-century, and that the defect has not yet been repaired.