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 certain set of individuals calling themselves critics have attacked Lavengro with much virulence and malice.
abuse
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From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by the bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Upon true and upon malignant criticism there is an excellent fable by the Spaniard Iriarte.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A certain set of individuals calling themselves critics have attacked Lavengro with much virulence and malice.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by the bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.
assailed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by the bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.
attacked
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From this reading A certain set of individuals calling themselves critics have attacked Lavengro with much virulence and malice.
author
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From this reading If what they call criticism had been founded on truth, the author would have had nothing to say.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading If what they call criticism had been founded on truth, the author would have had nothing to say.
best
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From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by the bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.
blemishes
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From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by the bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.
book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by the bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by the bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by the bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.
bye
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by the bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.
calculated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by the bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.
call
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From this reading If what they call criticism had been founded on truth, the author would have had nothing to say.
calling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A certain set of individuals calling themselves critics have attacked Lavengro with much virulence and malice.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A certain set of individuals calling themselves critics have attacked Lavengro with much virulence and malice.
contains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by the bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.
critic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The duty of the true critic is to play the part of a leech, and not of a viper.
criticism
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If what they call criticism had been founded on truth, the author would have had nothing to say.
critics
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From this reading A certain set of individuals calling themselves critics have attacked Lavengro with much virulence and malice.
detected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by the bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.
dutynounUS /ˈduːti/
a responsibility that must be carried out
From this reading The duty of the true critic is to play the part of a leech, and not of a viper.
excellent
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From this reading Upon true and upon malignant criticism there is an excellent fable by the Spaniard Iriarte.
fable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upon true and upon malignant criticism there is an excellent fable by the Spaniard Iriarte.
founded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If what they call criticism had been founded on truth, the author would have had nothing to say.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading If what they call criticism had been founded on truth, the author would have had nothing to say.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by the bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading A certain set of individuals calling themselves critics have attacked Lavengro with much virulence and malice.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by the bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If what they call criticism had been founded on truth, the author would have had nothing to say.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by the bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by the bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.
individuals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A certain set of individuals calling themselves critics have attacked Lavengro with much virulence and malice.
Iriarte
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upon true and upon malignant criticism there is an excellent fable by the Spaniard Iriarte.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The duty of the true critic is to play the part of a leech, and not of a viper.
Lavengro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A certain set of individuals calling themselves critics have attacked Lavengro with much virulence and malice.
leech
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The duty of the true critic is to play the part of a leech, and not of a viper.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by the bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.
malice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A certain set of individuals calling themselves critics have attacked Lavengro with much virulence and malice.
malignant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upon true and upon malignant criticism there is an excellent fable by the Spaniard Iriarte.
misrepresentation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by the bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A certain set of individuals calling themselves critics have attacked Lavengro with much virulence and malice.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by the bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading If what they call criticism had been founded on truth, the author would have had nothing to say.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A certain set of individuals calling themselves critics have attacked Lavengro with much virulence and malice.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading If what they call criticism had been founded on truth, the author would have had nothing to say.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by the bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.
ones
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by the bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by the bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The duty of the true critic is to play the part of a leech, and not of a viper.
passages
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by the bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.
play
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The duty of the true critic is to play the part of a leech, and not of a viper.
plenty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by the bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.
pointed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by the bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.
presently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by the bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If what they call criticism had been founded on truth, the author would have had nothing to say.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A certain set of individuals calling themselves critics have attacked Lavengro with much virulence and malice.
show
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by the bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by the bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.
Spaniard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upon true and upon malignant criticism there is an excellent fable by the Spaniard Iriarte.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading If what they call criticism had been founded on truth, the author would have had nothing to say.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by the bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading A certain set of individuals calling themselves critics have attacked Lavengro with much virulence and malice.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upon true and upon malignant criticism there is an excellent fable by the Spaniard Iriarte.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by the bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If what they call criticism had been founded on truth, the author would have had nothing to say.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading If what they call criticism had been founded on truth, the author would have had nothing to say.
true
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The duty of the true critic is to play the part of a leech, and not of a viper.
truth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If what they call criticism had been founded on truth, the author would have had nothing to say.
UponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Upon true and upon malignant criticism there is an excellent fable by the Spaniard Iriarte.
valuable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by the bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.
viper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The duty of the true critic is to play the part of a leech, and not of a viper.
virulence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A certain set of individuals calling themselves critics have attacked Lavengro with much virulence and malice.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by the bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading If what they call criticism had been founded on truth, the author would have had nothing to say.
whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by the bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.
wilful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by the bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by the bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading A certain set of individuals calling themselves critics have attacked Lavengro with much virulence and malice.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If what they call criticism had been founded on truth, the author would have had nothing to say.
writer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The book contains plenty of blemishes, some of them, by the bye, wilful ones, as the writer will presently show; not one of these, however, has been detected and pointed out; but the best passages in the book, indeed whatever was calculated to make the book valuable, have been assailed with abuse and misrepresentation.
