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The Spirit of the Age
The Spirit of the Age

Chapter V · Chapter 5

Chapter 5 of The Spirit of the Age is here in full — 464 sentences across 93 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/92 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Mr. Keats's ostensible crime was that he had been praised in the _Examiner Newspaper_: a greater and more unpardonable offence probably was, that he was a true poet, with all the errors and beauties of youthful genius to answer for.
Mr. Gifford was as insensible to the one as he was inexorable to the other.
Let the reader judge from the two subjoined specimens how far the one writer could ever, without a presumption equalled only by a want of self-knowledge, set himself in judgment on the other.
"Out went the taper as she hurried in; Its little smoke in pallid moonshine died: She closed the door, she panted, all akin To spirits of the air and visions wide: No utter'd syllable, or woe betide!
But to her heart, her heart was voluble, Paining with eloquence her balmy side; As though a tongueless nightingale should swell Her heart in vain, and die, heart-stifled, in her dell.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Spirit of the Age

Chapter V · Chapter 5

Chapter 5 of The Spirit of the Age is here in full — 464 sentences across 93 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/92 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Mr. Keats's ostensible crime was that he had been praised in the _Examiner Newspaper_: a greater and more unpardonable offence probably was, that he was a true poet, with all the errors and beauties of youthful genius to answer for.
Line 2
Mr. Gifford was as insensible to the one as he was inexorable to the other.
Line 3
Let the reader judge from the two subjoined specimens how far the one writer could ever, without a presumption equalled only by a want of self-knowledge, set himself in judgment on the other.
Line 4
"Out went the taper as she hurried in; Its little smoke in pallid moonshine died: She closed the door, she panted, all akin To spirits of the air and visions wide: No utter'd syllable, or woe betide!
Line 5
But to her heart, her heart was voluble, Paining with eloquence her balmy side; As though a tongueless nightingale should swell Her heart in vain, and die, heart-stifled, in her dell.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

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

balmy adjective US /ˈbɑːmi/

informal or slang terms for mentally irregular

From this reading “But to her heart, her heart was voluble, Paining with eloquence her balmy side; As though a tongueless nightingale should swell Her heart in vain, and die, heart-stifled, in her dell.”

betide verb US /bɪˈtaɪd/

become of; happen to

From this reading “"Out went the taper as she hurried in; Its little smoke in pallid moonshine died: She closed the door, she panted, all akin To spirits of the air and visions wide: No utter'd syllable, or woe betide!”

dell noun US /del/

a small wooded hollow

From this reading “But to her heart, her heart was voluble, Paining with eloquence her balmy side; As though a tongueless nightingale should swell Her heart in vain, and die, heart-stifled, in her dell.”

Examiner noun US /ɪɡˈzæmənər/

someone who administers a test to determine your qualifications

moonshine noun US /ˈmuːnʃaɪn/

the light of the Moon

From this reading “"Out went the taper as she hurried in; Its little smoke in pallid moonshine died: She closed the door, she panted, all akin To spirits of the air and visions wide: No utter'd syllable, or woe betide!”

ostensible adjective US /ɑːˈstensəbəl/

appearing as such but not necessarily so

From this reading “Mr. Keats's ostensible crime was that he had been praised in the _Examiner Newspaper_: a greater and more unpardonable offence probably was, that he was a true poet, with all the errors and beauties of youthful genius to answer for.”

taper verb US /ˈteɪpər/

diminish gradually

From this reading “"Out went the taper as she hurried in; Its little smoke in pallid moonshine died: She closed the door, she panted, all akin To spirits of the air and visions wide: No utter'd syllable, or woe betide!”

voluble adjective US /ˈvɑːljəbəl/

marked by a ready flow of speech

From this reading “But to her heart, her heart was voluble, Paining with eloquence her balmy side; As though a tongueless nightingale should swell Her heart in vain, and die, heart-stifled, in her dell.”

All words in this reading · 104

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

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 Mr. Keats's ostensible crime was that he had been praised in the _Examiner Newspaper_: a greater and more unpardonable offence probably was, that he was a true poet, with all the errors and beauties of youthful genius to answer for.

airnounUS /er/

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading "Out went the taper as she hurried in; Its little smoke in pallid moonshine died: She closed the door, she panted, all akin To spirits of the air and visions wide: No utter'd syllable, or woe betide!

akinadjectiveUS /əˈkɪn/

similar in quality or character

From this reading "Out went the taper as she hurried in; Its little smoke in pallid moonshine died: She closed the door, she panted, all akin To spirits of the air and visions wide: No utter'd syllable, or woe betide!

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Mr. Keats's ostensible crime was that he had been praised in the _Examiner Newspaper_: a greater and more unpardonable offence probably was, that he was a true poet, with all the errors and beauties of youthful genius to answer for.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Mr. Keats's ostensible crime was that he had been praised in the _Examiner Newspaper_: a greater and more unpardonable offence probably was, that he was a true poet, with all the errors and beauties of youthful genius to answer for.

answerverbUS /ˈænsər/

react verbally

From this reading Mr. Keats's ostensible crime was that he had been praised in the _Examiner Newspaper_: a greater and more unpardonable offence probably was, that he was a true poet, with all the errors and beauties of youthful genius to answer for.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Mr. Gifford was as insensible to the one as he was inexorable to the other.

balmyadjectiveUS /ˈbɑːmi/

informal or slang terms for mentally irregular

From this reading But to her heart, her heart was voluble, Paining with eloquence her balmy side; As though a tongueless nightingale should swell Her heart in vain, and die, heart-stifled, in her dell.

beautiesnounUS /ˈbjuːtiz/

plural of “beauty” — the qualities that give pleasure to the senses

From this reading Mr. Keats's ostensible crime was that he had been praised in the _Examiner Newspaper_: a greater and more unpardonable offence probably was, that he was a true poet, with all the errors and beauties of youthful genius to answer for.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Mr. Keats's ostensible crime was that he had been praised in the _Examiner Newspaper_: a greater and more unpardonable offence probably was, that he was a true poet, with all the errors and beauties of youthful genius to answer for.

betideverbUS /bɪˈtaɪd/

become of; happen to

From this reading "Out went the taper as she hurried in; Its little smoke in pallid moonshine died: She closed the door, she panted, all akin To spirits of the air and visions wide: No utter'd syllable, or woe betide!

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But to her heart, her heart was voluble, Paining with eloquence her balmy side; As though a tongueless nightingale should swell Her heart in vain, and die, heart-stifled, in her dell.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Let the reader judge from the two subjoined specimens how far the one writer could ever, without a presumption equalled only by a want of self-knowledge, set himself in judgment on the other.

closedadjectiveUS /kloʊzd/

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading "Out went the taper as she hurried in; Its little smoke in pallid moonshine died: She closed the door, she panted, all akin To spirits of the air and visions wide: No utter'd syllable, or woe betide!

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Let the reader judge from the two subjoined specimens how far the one writer could ever, without a presumption equalled only by a want of self-knowledge, set himself in judgment on the other.

crimenounUS /kraɪm/

(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act

From this reading Mr. Keats's ostensible crime was that he had been praised in the _Examiner Newspaper_: a greater and more unpardonable offence probably was, that he was a true poet, with all the errors and beauties of youthful genius to answer for.

dellnounUS /del/

a small wooded hollow

From this reading But to her heart, her heart was voluble, Paining with eloquence her balmy side; As though a tongueless nightingale should swell Her heart in vain, and die, heart-stifled, in her dell.

dieverbUS /daɪ/

pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading But to her heart, her heart was voluble, Paining with eloquence her balmy side; As though a tongueless nightingale should swell Her heart in vain, and die, heart-stifled, in her dell.

diedverbUS /daɪd/

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading "Out went the taper as she hurried in; Its little smoke in pallid moonshine died: She closed the door, she panted, all akin To spirits of the air and visions wide: No utter'd syllable, or woe betide!

doornounUS /dɔːr/

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading "Out went the taper as she hurried in; Its little smoke in pallid moonshine died: She closed the door, she panted, all akin To spirits of the air and visions wide: No utter'd syllable, or woe betide!

eloquencenounUS /ˈel.ə.kwəns/

Fluent, persuasive, and graceful speaking or writing. (Sự hùng biện, tài ăn nói lưu loát.)

From this reading But to her heart, her heart was voluble, Paining with eloquence her balmy side; As though a tongueless nightingale should swell Her heart in vain, and die, heart-stifled, in her dell.

equalled

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

From this reading Let the reader judge from the two subjoined specimens how far the one writer could ever, without a presumption equalled only by a want of self-knowledge, set himself in judgment on the other.

errorsnounUS /ˈerərz/

plural of “error” — a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention

From this reading Mr. Keats's ostensible crime was that he had been praised in the _Examiner Newspaper_: a greater and more unpardonable offence probably was, that he was a true poet, with all the errors and beauties of youthful genius to answer for.

everadverbUS /ˈevər/

at any time

From this reading Let the reader judge from the two subjoined specimens how far the one writer could ever, without a presumption equalled only by a want of self-knowledge, set himself in judgment on the other.

ExaminernounUS /ɪɡˈzæmənər/

someone who administers a test to determine your qualifications

From this reading Mr. Keats's ostensible crime was that he had been praised in the _Examiner Newspaper_: a greater and more unpardonable offence probably was, that he was a true poet, with all the errors and beauties of youthful genius to answer for.

faradverbUS /fɑːr/

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading Let the reader judge from the two subjoined specimens how far the one writer could ever, without a presumption equalled only by a want of self-knowledge, set himself in judgment on the other.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Mr. Keats's ostensible crime was that he had been praised in the _Examiner Newspaper_: a greater and more unpardonable offence probably was, that he was a true poet, with all the errors and beauties of youthful genius to answer for.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Let the reader judge from the two subjoined specimens how far the one writer could ever, without a presumption equalled only by a want of self-knowledge, set himself in judgment on the other.

geniusnounUS /ˈdʒiːnjəs/

someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality

From this reading Mr. Keats's ostensible crime was that he had been praised in the _Examiner Newspaper_: a greater and more unpardonable offence probably was, that he was a true poet, with all the errors and beauties of youthful genius to answer for.

Gifford

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

From this reading Mr. Gifford was as insensible to the one as he was inexorable to the other.

greateradjectiveUS /ˈɡreɪtər/

greater in size or importance or degree

From this reading Mr. Keats's ostensible crime was that he had been praised in the _Examiner Newspaper_: a greater and more unpardonable offence probably was, that he was a true poet, with all the errors and beauties of youthful genius to answer for.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Mr. Keats's ostensible crime was that he had been praised in the _Examiner Newspaper_: a greater and more unpardonable offence probably was, that he was a true poet, with all the errors and beauties of youthful genius to answer for.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Mr. Keats's ostensible crime was that he had been praised in the _Examiner Newspaper_: a greater and more unpardonable offence probably was, that he was a true poet, with all the errors and beauties of youthful genius to answer for.

heartnounUS /hɑːrt/

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading But to her heart, her heart was voluble, Paining with eloquence her balmy side; As though a tongueless nightingale should swell Her heart in vain, and die, heart-stifled, in her dell.

heart-stifled

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

From this reading But to her heart, her heart was voluble, Paining with eloquence her balmy side; As though a tongueless nightingale should swell Her heart in vain, and die, heart-stifled, in her dell.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading But to her heart, her heart was voluble, Paining with eloquence her balmy side; As though a tongueless nightingale should swell Her heart in vain, and die, heart-stifled, in her dell.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Let the reader judge from the two subjoined specimens how far the one writer could ever, without a presumption equalled only by a want of self-knowledge, set himself in judgment on the other.

how

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

From this reading Let the reader judge from the two subjoined specimens how far the one writer could ever, without a presumption equalled only by a want of self-knowledge, set himself in judgment on the other.

hurriedadjectiveUS /ˈhɜːrid/

moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste

From this reading "Out went the taper as she hurried in; Its little smoke in pallid moonshine died: She closed the door, she panted, all akin To spirits of the air and visions wide: No utter'd syllable, or woe betide!

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Mr. Keats's ostensible crime was that he had been praised in the _Examiner Newspaper_: a greater and more unpardonable offence probably was, that he was a true poet, with all the errors and beauties of youthful genius to answer for.

inexorableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈneksərəbəl/

not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty

From this reading Mr. Gifford was as insensible to the one as he was inexorable to the other.

insensibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsensəbəl/

incapable of physical sensation

From this reading Mr. Gifford was as insensible to the one as he was inexorable to the other.

ItsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading "Out went the taper as she hurried in; Its little smoke in pallid moonshine died: She closed the door, she panted, all akin To spirits of the air and visions wide: No utter'd syllable, or woe betide!

judgeverbUS /dʒʌdʒ/

determine the result of (a competition)

From this reading Let the reader judge from the two subjoined specimens how far the one writer could ever, without a presumption equalled only by a want of self-knowledge, set himself in judgment on the other.

judgmentnounUS /ˈdʒʌdʒmənt/

an opinion formed by judging something

From this reading Let the reader judge from the two subjoined specimens how far the one writer could ever, without a presumption equalled only by a want of self-knowledge, set himself in judgment on the other.

Keats's

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

From this reading Mr. Keats's ostensible crime was that he had been praised in the _Examiner Newspaper_: a greater and more unpardonable offence probably was, that he was a true poet, with all the errors and beauties of youthful genius to answer for.

Letauxiliary verbUS /let/

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading Let the reader judge from the two subjoined specimens how far the one writer could ever, without a presumption equalled only by a want of self-knowledge, set himself in judgment on the other.

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading "Out went the taper as she hurried in; Its little smoke in pallid moonshine died: She closed the door, she panted, all akin To spirits of the air and visions wide: No utter'd syllable, or woe betide!

moonshinenounUS /ˈmuːnʃaɪn/

the light of the Moon

From this reading "Out went the taper as she hurried in; Its little smoke in pallid moonshine died: She closed the door, she panted, all akin To spirits of the air and visions wide: No utter'd syllable, or woe betide!

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Mr. Keats's ostensible crime was that he had been praised in the _Examiner Newspaper_: a greater and more unpardonable offence probably was, that he was a true poet, with all the errors and beauties of youthful genius to answer for.

MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/

a form of address for a man

From this reading Mr. Keats's ostensible crime was that he had been praised in the _Examiner Newspaper_: a greater and more unpardonable offence probably was, that he was a true poet, with all the errors and beauties of youthful genius to answer for.

NewspapernounUS /ˈnuːzpeɪpər/

a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements

From this reading Mr. Keats's ostensible crime was that he had been praised in the _Examiner Newspaper_: a greater and more unpardonable offence probably was, that he was a true poet, with all the errors and beauties of youthful genius to answer for.

nightingalenounUS /ˈnaɪtɪŋɡeɪl/

European songbird noted for its melodious nocturnal song

From this reading But to her heart, her heart was voluble, Paining with eloquence her balmy side; As though a tongueless nightingale should swell Her heart in vain, and die, heart-stifled, in her dell.

NodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading "Out went the taper as she hurried in; Its little smoke in pallid moonshine died: She closed the door, she panted, all akin To spirits of the air and visions wide: No utter'd syllable, or woe betide!

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Mr. Keats's ostensible crime was that he had been praised in the _Examiner Newspaper_: a greater and more unpardonable offence probably was, that he was a true poet, with all the errors and beauties of youthful genius to answer for.

offencenoun

the action of attacking an enemy

From this reading Mr. Keats's ostensible crime was that he had been praised in the _Examiner Newspaper_: a greater and more unpardonable offence probably was, that he was a true poet, with all the errors and beauties of youthful genius to answer for.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Let the reader judge from the two subjoined specimens how far the one writer could ever, without a presumption equalled only by a want of self-knowledge, set himself in judgment on the other.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Mr. Gifford was as insensible to the one as he was inexorable to the other.

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading Let the reader judge from the two subjoined specimens how far the one writer could ever, without a presumption equalled only by a want of self-knowledge, set himself in judgment on the other.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading "Out went the taper as she hurried in; Its little smoke in pallid moonshine died: She closed the door, she panted, all akin To spirits of the air and visions wide: No utter'd syllable, or woe betide!

ostensibleadjectiveUS /ɑːˈstensəbəl/

appearing as such but not necessarily so

From this reading Mr. Keats's ostensible crime was that he had been praised in the _Examiner Newspaper_: a greater and more unpardonable offence probably was, that he was a true poet, with all the errors and beauties of youthful genius to answer for.

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Mr. Gifford was as insensible to the one as he was inexorable to the other.

OutadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading "Out went the taper as she hurried in; Its little smoke in pallid moonshine died: She closed the door, she panted, all akin To spirits of the air and visions wide: No utter'd syllable, or woe betide!

Paining

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

From this reading But to her heart, her heart was voluble, Paining with eloquence her balmy side; As though a tongueless nightingale should swell Her heart in vain, and die, heart-stifled, in her dell.

pallidadjectiveUS /ˈpæləd/

abnormally deficient in color as suggesting physical or emotional distress

From this reading "Out went the taper as she hurried in; Its little smoke in pallid moonshine died: She closed the door, she panted, all akin To spirits of the air and visions wide: No utter'd syllable, or woe betide!

pantedverbUS /ˈpæntɪd/

past form of “pant” — breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted

From this reading "Out went the taper as she hurried in; Its little smoke in pallid moonshine died: She closed the door, she panted, all akin To spirits of the air and visions wide: No utter'd syllable, or woe betide!

poetnounUS /ˈpoʊət/

a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)

From this reading Mr. Keats's ostensible crime was that he had been praised in the _Examiner Newspaper_: a greater and more unpardonable offence probably was, that he was a true poet, with all the errors and beauties of youthful genius to answer for.

praisedverbUS /preɪzd/

past form of “praise” — express approval of

From this reading Mr. Keats's ostensible crime was that he had been praised in the _Examiner Newspaper_: a greater and more unpardonable offence probably was, that he was a true poet, with all the errors and beauties of youthful genius to answer for.

presumptionnounUS /prɪˈzʌmpʃən/

an assumption that is taken for granted

From this reading Let the reader judge from the two subjoined specimens how far the one writer could ever, without a presumption equalled only by a want of self-knowledge, set himself in judgment on the other.

probablyadverbUS /ˈprɑːbəbliː/

with considerable certainty; without much doubt

From this reading Mr. Keats's ostensible crime was that he had been praised in the _Examiner Newspaper_: a greater and more unpardonable offence probably was, that he was a true poet, with all the errors and beauties of youthful genius to answer for.

readernounUS /ˈriːdər/

a person who enjoys reading

From this reading Let the reader judge from the two subjoined specimens how far the one writer could ever, without a presumption equalled only by a want of self-knowledge, set himself in judgment on the other.

self-knowledgenoun

an understanding of yourself and your goals and abilities

From this reading Let the reader judge from the two subjoined specimens how far the one writer could ever, without a presumption equalled only by a want of self-knowledge, set himself in judgment on the other.

setverbUS /set/

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Let the reader judge from the two subjoined specimens how far the one writer could ever, without a presumption equalled only by a want of self-knowledge, set himself in judgment on the other.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "Out went the taper as she hurried in; Its little smoke in pallid moonshine died: She closed the door, she panted, all akin To spirits of the air and visions wide: No utter'd syllable, or woe betide!

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading But to her heart, her heart was voluble, Paining with eloquence her balmy side; As though a tongueless nightingale should swell Her heart in vain, and die, heart-stifled, in her dell.

sidenounUS /saɪd/

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading But to her heart, her heart was voluble, Paining with eloquence her balmy side; As though a tongueless nightingale should swell Her heart in vain, and die, heart-stifled, in her dell.

smokenounUS /smoʊk/

a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas

From this reading "Out went the taper as she hurried in; Its little smoke in pallid moonshine died: She closed the door, she panted, all akin To spirits of the air and visions wide: No utter'd syllable, or woe betide!

specimensnounUS /ˈspesəmənz/

plural of “specimen” — an example regarded as typical of its class

From this reading Let the reader judge from the two subjoined specimens how far the one writer could ever, without a presumption equalled only by a want of self-knowledge, set himself in judgment on the other.

spiritsnounUS /ˈspɪrɪts/

an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented

From this reading "Out went the taper as she hurried in; Its little smoke in pallid moonshine died: She closed the door, she panted, all akin To spirits of the air and visions wide: No utter'd syllable, or woe betide!

subjoined

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

From this reading Let the reader judge from the two subjoined specimens how far the one writer could ever, without a presumption equalled only by a want of self-knowledge, set himself in judgment on the other.

swellverbUS /swel/

increase in size, magnitude, number, or intensity

From this reading But to her heart, her heart was voluble, Paining with eloquence her balmy side; As though a tongueless nightingale should swell Her heart in vain, and die, heart-stifled, in her dell.

syllablenounUS /ˈsɪləbəl/

a unit of spoken language larger than a phoneme

From this reading "Out went the taper as she hurried in; Its little smoke in pallid moonshine died: She closed the door, she panted, all akin To spirits of the air and visions wide: No utter'd syllable, or woe betide!

taperverbUS /ˈteɪpər/

diminish gradually

From this reading "Out went the taper as she hurried in; Its little smoke in pallid moonshine died: She closed the door, she panted, all akin To spirits of the air and visions wide: No utter'd syllable, or woe betide!

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Mr. Keats's ostensible crime was that he had been praised in the _Examiner Newspaper_: a greater and more unpardonable offence probably was, that he was a true poet, with all the errors and beauties of youthful genius to answer for.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Mr. Keats's ostensible crime was that he had been praised in the _Examiner Newspaper_: a greater and more unpardonable offence probably was, that he was a true poet, with all the errors and beauties of youthful genius to answer for.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading But to her heart, her heart was voluble, Paining with eloquence her balmy side; As though a tongueless nightingale should swell Her heart in vain, and die, heart-stifled, in her dell.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Mr. Keats's ostensible crime was that he had been praised in the _Examiner Newspaper_: a greater and more unpardonable offence probably was, that he was a true poet, with all the errors and beauties of youthful genius to answer for.

tonguelessadjective

lacking a tongue

From this reading But to her heart, her heart was voluble, Paining with eloquence her balmy side; As though a tongueless nightingale should swell Her heart in vain, and die, heart-stifled, in her dell.

trueadjectiveUS /truː/

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading Mr. Keats's ostensible crime was that he had been praised in the _Examiner Newspaper_: a greater and more unpardonable offence probably was, that he was a true poet, with all the errors and beauties of youthful genius to answer for.

twonounUS /tuː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Let the reader judge from the two subjoined specimens how far the one writer could ever, without a presumption equalled only by a want of self-knowledge, set himself in judgment on the other.

unpardonableadjective

not admitting of pardon

From this reading Mr. Keats's ostensible crime was that he had been praised in the _Examiner Newspaper_: a greater and more unpardonable offence probably was, that he was a true poet, with all the errors and beauties of youthful genius to answer for.

utter'd

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

From this reading "Out went the taper as she hurried in; Its little smoke in pallid moonshine died: She closed the door, she panted, all akin To spirits of the air and visions wide: No utter'd syllable, or woe betide!

vainadjectiveUS /veɪn/

characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance

From this reading But to her heart, her heart was voluble, Paining with eloquence her balmy side; As though a tongueless nightingale should swell Her heart in vain, and die, heart-stifled, in her dell.

visionsnounUS /ˈvɪʒənz/

plural of “vision” — a vivid mental image

From this reading "Out went the taper as she hurried in; Its little smoke in pallid moonshine died: She closed the door, she panted, all akin To spirits of the air and visions wide: No utter'd syllable, or woe betide!

volubleadjectiveUS /ˈvɑːljəbəl/

marked by a ready flow of speech

From this reading But to her heart, her heart was voluble, Paining with eloquence her balmy side; As though a tongueless nightingale should swell Her heart in vain, and die, heart-stifled, in her dell.

wantverbUS /wɑːnt/

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading Let the reader judge from the two subjoined specimens how far the one writer could ever, without a presumption equalled only by a want of self-knowledge, set himself in judgment on the other.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Mr. Keats's ostensible crime was that he had been praised in the _Examiner Newspaper_: a greater and more unpardonable offence probably was, that he was a true poet, with all the errors and beauties of youthful genius to answer for.

wentverbUS /went/

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading "Out went the taper as she hurried in; Its little smoke in pallid moonshine died: She closed the door, she panted, all akin To spirits of the air and visions wide: No utter'd syllable, or woe betide!

wideadjectiveUS /waɪd/

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading "Out went the taper as she hurried in; Its little smoke in pallid moonshine died: She closed the door, she panted, all akin To spirits of the air and visions wide: No utter'd syllable, or woe betide!

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Mr. Keats's ostensible crime was that he had been praised in the _Examiner Newspaper_: a greater and more unpardonable offence probably was, that he was a true poet, with all the errors and beauties of youthful genius to answer for.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Let the reader judge from the two subjoined specimens how far the one writer could ever, without a presumption equalled only by a want of self-knowledge, set himself in judgment on the other.

woenounUS /woʊ/

misery resulting from affliction

From this reading "Out went the taper as she hurried in; Its little smoke in pallid moonshine died: She closed the door, she panted, all akin To spirits of the air and visions wide: No utter'd syllable, or woe betide!

writernounUS /ˈraɪtər/

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading Let the reader judge from the two subjoined specimens how far the one writer could ever, without a presumption equalled only by a want of self-knowledge, set himself in judgment on the other.

youthfuladjectiveUS /ˈjuːθfəl/

suggestive of youth; vigorous and fresh

From this reading Mr. Keats's ostensible crime was that he had been praised in the _Examiner Newspaper_: a greater and more unpardonable offence probably was, that he was a true poet, with all the errors and beauties of youthful genius to answer for.

Chapter 5 of The Spirit of the Age by William Hazlitt holds 464 sentences, grouped into 93 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 5 of The Spirit of the Age contain?

Chapter 5 holds 464 sentences of The Spirit of the Age, unabridged, divided into 93 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 5 of The Spirit of the Age by William Hazlitt exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 464 sentences, grouped into 93 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 5 of The Spirit of the Age?

Work through the 93 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 93 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 5 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 5 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading The Spirit of the Age

Common questions about reading The Spirit of the Age by William Hazlitt on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Spirit of the Age?

Yes. All 2637 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #11068 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Spirit of the Age is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #11068, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Spirit of the Age take to read?

About 219 minutes of reading across 528 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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How to work through The Spirit of the Age section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

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Vocabulary met early in The Spirit of the Age

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Spirit of the Age, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Contemporary
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Spirit of the Age; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Portraits
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Spirit of the Age; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Another
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Spirit of the Age; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
One's
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Spirit of the Age; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.