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The Two Admirals
The Two Admirals

Chapter VI

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Context Illustration Reading 1/37 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"The circle form'd, we sit in silent state, Like figures drawn upon a dial-plate; Yes ma'am, and no ma'am, uttered softly show, Every five minutes how the minutes go."
COWPER.
It is scarcely necessary to tell the reader that England, as regarded material civilization, was a very different country a hundred years since, from what it is to-day.
We are writing of an age of heavy wagons, coaches and six, post-chaises and four; and not of an era of MacAdam-roads, or of cars flying along by steam.
A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Two Admirals

Chapter VI

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

Line 1
"The circle form'd, we sit in silent state, Like figures drawn upon a dial-plate; Yes ma'am, and no ma'am, uttered softly show, Every five minutes how the minutes go."
Line 2
COWPER.
Line 3
It is scarcely necessary to tell the reader that England, as regarded material civilization, was a very different country a hundred years since, from what it is to-day.
Line 4
We are writing of an age of heavy wagons, coaches and six, post-chaises and four; and not of an era of MacAdam-roads, or of cars flying along by steam.
Line 5
A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.

Learner Dictionary

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

Along preposition US /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading “We are writing of an age of heavy wagons, coaches and six, post-chaises and four; and not of an era of MacAdam-roads, or of cars flying along by steam.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.”

Different noun US /ˈdifferent/

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

From this reading “It is scarcely necessary to tell the reader that England, as regarded material civilization, was a very different country a hundred years since, from what it is to-day.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “"The circle form'd, we sit in silent state, Like figures drawn upon a dial-plate; Yes ma'am, and no ma'am, uttered softly show, Every five minutes how the minutes go."”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.”

Least noun US /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.”

Required noun US /required/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “It is scarcely necessary to tell the reader that England, as regarded material civilization, was a very different country a hundred years since, from what it is to-day.”

Start noun US /start/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.”

Tell noun US /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It is scarcely necessary to tell the reader that England, as regarded material civilization, was a very different country a hundred years since, from what it is to-day.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “"The circle form'd, we sit in silent state, Like figures drawn upon a dial-plate; Yes ma'am, and no ma'am, uttered softly show, Every five minutes how the minutes go."”

Uttered noun US /ˈuttered/

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

From this reading “"The circle form'd, we sit in silent state, Like figures drawn upon a dial-plate; Yes ma'am, and no ma'am, uttered softly show, Every five minutes how the minutes go."”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.”

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.

1745

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

From this reading A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading "The circle form'd, we sit in silent state, Like figures drawn upon a dial-plate; Yes ma'am, and no ma'am, uttered softly show, Every five minutes how the minutes go."

age

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

From this reading We are writing of an age of heavy wagons, coaches and six, post-chaises and four; and not of an era of MacAdam-roads, or of cars flying along by steam.

aid

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

From this reading A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading We are writing of an age of heavy wagons, coaches and six, post-chaises and four; and not of an era of MacAdam-roads, or of cars flying along by steam.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading We are writing of an age of heavy wagons, coaches and six, post-chaises and four; and not of an era of MacAdam-roads, or of cars flying along by steam.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading "The circle form'd, we sit in silent state, Like figures drawn upon a dial-plate; Yes ma'am, and no ma'am, uttered softly show, Every five minutes how the minutes go."

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading We are writing of an age of heavy wagons, coaches and six, post-chaises and four; and not of an era of MacAdam-roads, or of cars flying along by steam.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading It is scarcely necessary to tell the reader that England, as regarded material civilization, was a very different country a hundred years since, from what it is to-day.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading We are writing of an age of heavy wagons, coaches and six, post-chaises and four; and not of an era of MacAdam-roads, or of cars flying along by steam.

cars

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

From this reading We are writing of an age of heavy wagons, coaches and six, post-chaises and four; and not of an era of MacAdam-roads, or of cars flying along by steam.

circle

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

From this reading "The circle form'd, we sit in silent state, Like figures drawn upon a dial-plate; Yes ma'am, and no ma'am, uttered softly show, Every five minutes how the minutes go."

civilization

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

From this reading It is scarcely necessary to tell the reader that England, as regarded material civilization, was a very different country a hundred years since, from what it is to-day.

coaches

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

From this reading We are writing of an age of heavy wagons, coaches and six, post-chaises and four; and not of an era of MacAdam-roads, or of cars flying along by steam.

country

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

From this reading It is scarcely necessary to tell the reader that England, as regarded material civilization, was a very different country a hundred years since, from what it is to-day.

country-house

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

From this reading A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.

COWPER

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

From this reading COWPER.

day

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

From this reading A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.

days

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

From this reading A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.

dial-plate

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

From this reading "The circle form'd, we sit in silent state, Like figures drawn upon a dial-plate; Yes ma'am, and no ma'am, uttered softly show, Every five minutes how the minutes go."

differentnounUS /ˈdifferent/

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

From this reading It is scarcely necessary to tell the reader that England, as regarded material civilization, was a very different country a hundred years since, from what it is to-day.

dinner

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

From this reading A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.

down

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

From this reading A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.

drawn

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

From this reading "The circle form'd, we sit in silent state, Like figures drawn upon a dial-plate; Yes ma'am, and no ma'am, uttered softly show, Every five minutes how the minutes go."

eighty

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

From this reading A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.

engagement

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

From this reading A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.

England

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

From this reading It is scarcely necessary to tell the reader that England, as regarded material civilization, was a very different country a hundred years since, from what it is to-day.

era

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

From this reading We are writing of an age of heavy wagons, coaches and six, post-chaises and four; and not of an era of MacAdam-roads, or of cars flying along by steam.

EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading "The circle form'd, we sit in silent state, Like figures drawn upon a dial-plate; Yes ma'am, and no ma'am, uttered softly show, Every five minutes how the minutes go."

figures

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

From this reading "The circle form'd, we sit in silent state, Like figures drawn upon a dial-plate; Yes ma'am, and no ma'am, uttered softly show, Every five minutes how the minutes go."

five

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

From this reading "The circle form'd, we sit in silent state, Like figures drawn upon a dial-plate; Yes ma'am, and no ma'am, uttered softly show, Every five minutes how the minutes go."

flying

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

From this reading We are writing of an age of heavy wagons, coaches and six, post-chaises and four; and not of an era of MacAdam-roads, or of cars flying along by steam.

form'd

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

From this reading "The circle form'd, we sit in silent state, Like figures drawn upon a dial-plate; Yes ma'am, and no ma'am, uttered softly show, Every five minutes how the minutes go."

four

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

From this reading We are writing of an age of heavy wagons, coaches and six, post-chaises and four; and not of an era of MacAdam-roads, or of cars flying along by steam.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It is scarcely necessary to tell the reader that England, as regarded material civilization, was a very different country a hundred years since, from what it is to-day.

go

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

From this reading "The circle form'd, we sit in silent state, Like figures drawn upon a dial-plate; Yes ma'am, and no ma'am, uttered softly show, Every five minutes how the minutes go."

grace

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

From this reading A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.

heavy

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

From this reading We are writing of an age of heavy wagons, coaches and six, post-chaises and four; and not of an era of MacAdam-roads, or of cars flying along by steam.

horses

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

From this reading A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.

how

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

From this reading "The circle form'd, we sit in silent state, Like figures drawn upon a dial-plate; Yes ma'am, and no ma'am, uttered softly show, Every five minutes how the minutes go."

hundred

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

From this reading It is scarcely necessary to tell the reader that England, as regarded material civilization, was a very different country a hundred years since, from what it is to-day.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "The circle form'd, we sit in silent state, Like figures drawn upon a dial-plate; Yes ma'am, and no ma'am, uttered softly show, Every five minutes how the minutes go."

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading It is scarcely necessary to tell the reader that England, as regarded material civilization, was a very different country a hundred years since, from what it is to-day.

island

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

From this reading A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is scarcely necessary to tell the reader that England, as regarded material civilization, was a very different country a hundred years since, from what it is to-day.

leastnounUS /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.

Like

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

From this reading "The circle form'd, we sit in silent state, Like figures drawn upon a dial-plate; Yes ma'am, and no ma'am, uttered softly show, Every five minutes how the minutes go."

ma'am

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

From this reading "The circle form'd, we sit in silent state, Like figures drawn upon a dial-plate; Yes ma'am, and no ma'am, uttered softly show, Every five minutes how the minutes go."

MacAdam-roads

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

From this reading We are writing of an age of heavy wagons, coaches and six, post-chaises and four; and not of an era of MacAdam-roads, or of cars flying along by steam.

man

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

From this reading A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.

many

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

From this reading A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.

material

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

From this reading It is scarcely necessary to tell the reader that England, as regarded material civilization, was a very different country a hundred years since, from what it is to-day.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.

miles

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

From this reading A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.

minutes

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

From this reading "The circle form'd, we sit in silent state, Like figures drawn upon a dial-plate; Yes ma'am, and no ma'am, uttered softly show, Every five minutes how the minutes go."

necessary

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

From this reading It is scarcely necessary to tell the reader that England, as regarded material civilization, was a very different country a hundred years since, from what it is to-day.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading "The circle form'd, we sit in silent state, Like figures drawn upon a dial-plate; Yes ma'am, and no ma'am, uttered softly show, Every five minutes how the minutes go."

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading We are writing of an age of heavy wagons, coaches and six, post-chaises and four; and not of an era of MacAdam-roads, or of cars flying along by steam.

now

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

From this reading A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading We are writing of an age of heavy wagons, coaches and six, post-chaises and four; and not of an era of MacAdam-roads, or of cars flying along by steam.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.

only

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

From this reading A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading We are writing of an age of heavy wagons, coaches and six, post-chaises and four; and not of an era of MacAdam-roads, or of cars flying along by steam.

pair

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

From this reading A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.

parts

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

From this reading A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.

post

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

From this reading A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.

post-chaises

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

From this reading We are writing of an age of heavy wagons, coaches and six, post-chaises and four; and not of an era of MacAdam-roads, or of cars flying along by steam.

previous

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

From this reading A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.

reader

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

From this reading It is scarcely necessary to tell the reader that England, as regarded material civilization, was a very different country a hundred years since, from what it is to-day.

regarded

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

From this reading It is scarcely necessary to tell the reader that England, as regarded material civilization, was a very different country a hundred years since, from what it is to-day.

requirednounUS /required/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.

safer

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

From this reading A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.

scarcely

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

From this reading It is scarcely necessary to tell the reader that England, as regarded material civilization, was a very different country a hundred years since, from what it is to-day.

show

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

From this reading "The circle form'd, we sit in silent state, Like figures drawn upon a dial-plate; Yes ma'am, and no ma'am, uttered softly show, Every five minutes how the minutes go."

silent

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

From this reading "The circle form'd, we sit in silent state, Like figures drawn upon a dial-plate; Yes ma'am, and no ma'am, uttered softly show, Every five minutes how the minutes go."

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading It is scarcely necessary to tell the reader that England, as regarded material civilization, was a very different country a hundred years since, from what it is to-day.

sit

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

From this reading "The circle form'd, we sit in silent state, Like figures drawn upon a dial-plate; Yes ma'am, and no ma'am, uttered softly show, Every five minutes how the minutes go."

six

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

From this reading We are writing of an age of heavy wagons, coaches and six, post-chaises and four; and not of an era of MacAdam-roads, or of cars flying along by steam.

sixty

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

From this reading A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.

softly

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

From this reading "The circle form'd, we sit in silent state, Like figures drawn upon a dial-plate; Yes ma'am, and no ma'am, uttered softly show, Every five minutes how the minutes go."

some

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

From this reading A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.

startnounUS /start/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.

state

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

From this reading "The circle form'd, we sit in silent state, Like figures drawn upon a dial-plate; Yes ma'am, and no ma'am, uttered softly show, Every five minutes how the minutes go."

steam

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

From this reading We are writing of an age of heavy wagons, coaches and six, post-chaises and four; and not of an era of MacAdam-roads, or of cars flying along by steam.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.

taken

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

From this reading A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.

tellnounUS /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It is scarcely necessary to tell the reader that England, as regarded material civilization, was a very different country a hundred years since, from what it is to-day.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It is scarcely necessary to tell the reader that England, as regarded material civilization, was a very different country a hundred years since, from what it is to-day.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading "The circle form'd, we sit in silent state, Like figures drawn upon a dial-plate; Yes ma'am, and no ma'am, uttered softly show, Every five minutes how the minutes go."

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading It is scarcely necessary to tell the reader that England, as regarded material civilization, was a very different country a hundred years since, from what it is to-day.

to-day

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

From this reading It is scarcely necessary to tell the reader that England, as regarded material civilization, was a very different country a hundred years since, from what it is to-day.

too

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

From this reading A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.

two

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

From this reading A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading "The circle form'd, we sit in silent state, Like figures drawn upon a dial-plate; Yes ma'am, and no ma'am, uttered softly show, Every five minutes how the minutes go."

utterednounUS /ˈuttered/

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

From this reading "The circle form'd, we sit in silent state, Like figures drawn upon a dial-plate; Yes ma'am, and no ma'am, uttered softly show, Every five minutes how the minutes go."

very

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

From this reading It is scarcely necessary to tell the reader that England, as regarded material civilization, was a very different country a hundred years since, from what it is to-day.

wagons

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

From this reading We are writing of an age of heavy wagons, coaches and six, post-chaises and four; and not of an era of MacAdam-roads, or of cars flying along by steam.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It is scarcely necessary to tell the reader that England, as regarded material civilization, was a very different country a hundred years since, from what it is to-day.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "The circle form'd, we sit in silent state, Like figures drawn upon a dial-plate; Yes ma'am, and no ma'am, uttered softly show, Every five minutes how the minutes go."

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading It is scarcely necessary to tell the reader that England, as regarded material civilization, was a very different country a hundred years since, from what it is to-day.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading A man may now post down to a country-house, some sixty or eighty miles, to dinner; and this, too, by the aid of only a pair of horses; but, in 1745 such an engagement would have required at least a start on the previous day; and, in many parts of the island, it would have been safer to have taken two days' grace.

writing

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

From this reading We are writing of an age of heavy wagons, coaches and six, post-chaises and four; and not of an era of MacAdam-roads, or of cars flying along by steam.

years

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

From this reading It is scarcely necessary to tell the reader that England, as regarded material civilization, was a very different country a hundred years since, from what it is to-day.

Yes

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

From this reading "The circle form'd, we sit in silent state, Like figures drawn upon a dial-plate; Yes ma'am, and no ma'am, uttered softly show, Every five minutes how the minutes go."