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The Virginians
The Virginians

Chapter XXVI · In which we are treated to a Play

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Context Illustration Reading 1/88 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The real business of life, I fancy, can form but little portion of the novelist's budget.
When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.
The main part of Ficulnus's life, for instance, is spent in selling sugar, spices and cheese; of Causidicus's in poring over musty volumes of black-letter law; of Sartorius's in sitting, cross-legged, on a board after measuring gentlemen for coats and breeches.
What can a story-teller say about the professional existence of these men?
Would a real rustical history of hobnails and eighteenpence a day be endurable?
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Virginians

Chapter XXVI · In which we are treated to a Play

Reading 1/88 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The real business of life, I fancy, can form but little portion of the novelist's budget.
Line 2
When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.
Line 3
The main part of Ficulnus's life, for instance, is spent in selling sugar, spices and cheese; of Causidicus's in poring over musty volumes of black-letter law; of Sartorius's in sitting, cross-legged, on a board after measuring gentlemen for coats and breeches.
Line 4
What can a story-teller say about the professional existence of these men?
Line 5
Would a real rustical history of hobnails and eighteenpence a day be endurable?

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “What can a story-teller say about the professional existence of these men?”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “The main part of Ficulnus's life, for instance, is spent in selling sugar, spices and cheese; of Causidicus's in poring over musty volumes of black-letter law; of Sartorius's in sitting, cross-legged, on a board after measuring gentlemen for coats and breeches.”

Gentlemen noun US /gentlemen/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The main part of Ficulnus's life, for instance, is spent in selling sugar, spices and cheese; of Causidicus's in poring over musty volumes of black-letter law; of Sartorius's in sitting, cross-legged, on a board after measuring gentlemen for coats and breeches.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

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

From this reading “When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The real business of life, I fancy, can form but little portion of the novelist's budget.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The real business of life, I fancy, can form but little portion of the novelist's budget.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “The main part of Ficulnus's life, for instance, is spent in selling sugar, spices and cheese; of Causidicus's in poring over musty volumes of black-letter law; of Sartorius's in sitting, cross-legged, on a board after measuring gentlemen for coats and breeches.”

Part noun US /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The main part of Ficulnus's life, for instance, is spent in selling sugar, spices and cheese; of Causidicus's in poring over musty volumes of black-letter law; of Sartorius's in sitting, cross-legged, on a board after measuring gentlemen for coats and breeches.”

Perhaps noun US /perhaps/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “What can a story-teller say about the professional existence of these men?”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “Would a real rustical history of hobnails and eighteenpence a day be endurable?”

All words in this reading · 102

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 The main part of Ficulnus's life, for instance, is spent in selling sugar, spices and cheese; of Causidicus's in poring over musty volumes of black-letter law; of Sartorius's in sitting, cross-legged, on a board after measuring gentlemen for coats and breeches.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading What can a story-teller say about the professional existence of these men?

actions

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

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

actual

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

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

affairs

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

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading The main part of Ficulnus's life, for instance, is spent in selling sugar, spices and cheese; of Causidicus's in poring over musty volumes of black-letter law; of Sartorius's in sitting, cross-legged, on a board after measuring gentlemen for coats and breeches.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

arms

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

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Would a real rustical history of hobnails and eighteenpence a day be endurable?

black-letter

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

From this reading The main part of Ficulnus's life, for instance, is spent in selling sugar, spices and cheese; of Causidicus's in poring over musty volumes of black-letter law; of Sartorius's in sitting, cross-legged, on a board after measuring gentlemen for coats and breeches.

board

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

From this reading The main part of Ficulnus's life, for instance, is spent in selling sugar, spices and cheese; of Causidicus's in poring over musty volumes of black-letter law; of Sartorius's in sitting, cross-legged, on a board after measuring gentlemen for coats and breeches.

breeches

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

From this reading The main part of Ficulnus's life, for instance, is spent in selling sugar, spices and cheese; of Causidicus's in poring over musty volumes of black-letter law; of Sartorius's in sitting, cross-legged, on a board after measuring gentlemen for coats and breeches.

budget

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

From this reading The real business of life, I fancy, can form but little portion of the novelist's budget.

business

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

From this reading The real business of life, I fancy, can form but little portion of the novelist's budget.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The real business of life, I fancy, can form but little portion of the novelist's budget.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading The real business of life, I fancy, can form but little portion of the novelist's budget.

Causidicus's

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

From this reading The main part of Ficulnus's life, for instance, is spent in selling sugar, spices and cheese; of Causidicus's in poring over musty volumes of black-letter law; of Sartorius's in sitting, cross-legged, on a board after measuring gentlemen for coats and breeches.

characters

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

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

cheese

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

From this reading The main part of Ficulnus's life, for instance, is spent in selling sugar, spices and cheese; of Causidicus's in poring over musty volumes of black-letter law; of Sartorius's in sitting, cross-legged, on a board after measuring gentlemen for coats and breeches.

circumstances

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

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

coats

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

From this reading The main part of Ficulnus's life, for instance, is spent in selling sugar, spices and cheese; of Causidicus's in poring over musty volumes of black-letter law; of Sartorius's in sitting, cross-legged, on a board after measuring gentlemen for coats and breeches.

courage

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

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

cross-legged

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

From this reading The main part of Ficulnus's life, for instance, is spent in selling sugar, spices and cheese; of Causidicus's in poring over musty volumes of black-letter law; of Sartorius's in sitting, cross-legged, on a board after measuring gentlemen for coats and breeches.

danger

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

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

day

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

From this reading Would a real rustical history of hobnails and eighteenpence a day be endurable?

deal

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

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

deaths

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

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

devotedness

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

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

eighteenpence

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

From this reading Would a real rustical history of hobnails and eighteenpence a day be endurable?

endurable

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

From this reading Would a real rustical history of hobnails and eighteenpence a day be endurable?

enter

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

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

existence

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

From this reading What can a story-teller say about the professional existence of these men?

fancy

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

From this reading The real business of life, I fancy, can form but little portion of the novelist's budget.

Ficulnus's

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

From this reading The main part of Ficulnus's life, for instance, is spent in selling sugar, spices and cheese; of Causidicus's in poring over musty volumes of black-letter law; of Sartorius's in sitting, cross-legged, on a board after measuring gentlemen for coats and breeches.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The main part of Ficulnus's life, for instance, is spent in selling sugar, spices and cheese; of Causidicus's in poring over musty volumes of black-letter law; of Sartorius's in sitting, cross-legged, on a board after measuring gentlemen for coats and breeches.

form

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

From this reading The real business of life, I fancy, can form but little portion of the novelist's budget.

gentlemennounUS /gentlemen/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The main part of Ficulnus's life, for instance, is spent in selling sugar, spices and cheese; of Causidicus's in poring over musty volumes of black-letter law; of Sartorius's in sitting, cross-legged, on a board after measuring gentlemen for coats and breeches.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

heroic

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

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

history

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

From this reading Would a real rustical history of hobnails and eighteenpence a day be endurable?

hobnails

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

From this reading Would a real rustical history of hobnails and eighteenpence a day be endurable?

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading The real business of life, I fancy, can form but little portion of the novelist's budget.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

instance

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

From this reading The main part of Ficulnus's life, for instance, is spent in selling sugar, spices and cheese; of Causidicus's in poring over musty volumes of black-letter law; of Sartorius's in sitting, cross-legged, on a board after measuring gentlemen for coats and breeches.

interesting

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

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

introducing

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

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

law

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

From this reading The main part of Ficulnus's life, for instance, is spent in selling sugar, spices and cheese; of Causidicus's in poring over musty volumes of black-letter law; of Sartorius's in sitting, cross-legged, on a board after measuring gentlemen for coats and breeches.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The real business of life, I fancy, can form but little portion of the novelist's budget.

like

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

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The real business of life, I fancy, can form but little portion of the novelist's budget.

main

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

From this reading The main part of Ficulnus's life, for instance, is spent in selling sugar, spices and cheese; of Causidicus's in poring over musty volumes of black-letter law; of Sartorius's in sitting, cross-legged, on a board after measuring gentlemen for coats and breeches.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

measuring

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

From this reading The main part of Ficulnus's life, for instance, is spent in selling sugar, spices and cheese; of Causidicus's in poring over musty volumes of black-letter law; of Sartorius's in sitting, cross-legged, on a board after measuring gentlemen for coats and breeches.

men

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

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

musty

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

From this reading The main part of Ficulnus's life, for instance, is spent in selling sugar, spices and cheese; of Causidicus's in poring over musty volumes of black-letter law; of Sartorius's in sitting, cross-legged, on a board after measuring gentlemen for coats and breeches.

naturally

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

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

novelist

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

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

novelist's

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

From this reading The real business of life, I fancy, can form but little portion of the novelist's budget.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The real business of life, I fancy, can form but little portion of the novelist's budget.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The main part of Ficulnus's life, for instance, is spent in selling sugar, spices and cheese; of Causidicus's in poring over musty volumes of black-letter law; of Sartorius's in sitting, cross-legged, on a board after measuring gentlemen for coats and breeches.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

otherwise

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

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading The main part of Ficulnus's life, for instance, is spent in selling sugar, spices and cheese; of Causidicus's in poring over musty volumes of black-letter law; of Sartorius's in sitting, cross-legged, on a board after measuring gentlemen for coats and breeches.

partnounUS /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The main part of Ficulnus's life, for instance, is spent in selling sugar, spices and cheese; of Causidicus's in poring over musty volumes of black-letter law; of Sartorius's in sitting, cross-legged, on a board after measuring gentlemen for coats and breeches.

perhaps

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

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

poring

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

From this reading The main part of Ficulnus's life, for instance, is spent in selling sugar, spices and cheese; of Causidicus's in poring over musty volumes of black-letter law; of Sartorius's in sitting, cross-legged, on a board after measuring gentlemen for coats and breeches.

portion

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

From this reading The real business of life, I fancy, can form but little portion of the novelist's budget.

profession

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

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

professional

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

From this reading What can a story-teller say about the professional existence of these men?

real

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

From this reading The real business of life, I fancy, can form but little portion of the novelist's budget.

recitals

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

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

reverse

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

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

rustical

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

From this reading Would a real rustical history of hobnails and eighteenpence a day be endurable?

Sartorius's

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

From this reading The main part of Ficulnus's life, for instance, is spent in selling sugar, spices and cheese; of Causidicus's in poring over musty volumes of black-letter law; of Sartorius's in sitting, cross-legged, on a board after measuring gentlemen for coats and breeches.

say

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From this reading What can a story-teller say about the professional existence of these men?

scarcely

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From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

selling

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

From this reading The main part of Ficulnus's life, for instance, is spent in selling sugar, spices and cheese; of Causidicus's in poring over musty volumes of black-letter law; of Sartorius's in sitting, cross-legged, on a board after measuring gentlemen for coats and breeches.

show

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

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

sitting

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

From this reading The main part of Ficulnus's life, for instance, is spent in selling sugar, spices and cheese; of Causidicus's in poring over musty volumes of black-letter law; of Sartorius's in sitting, cross-legged, on a board after measuring gentlemen for coats and breeches.

speaking

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

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

spent

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

From this reading The main part of Ficulnus's life, for instance, is spent in selling sugar, spices and cheese; of Causidicus's in poring over musty volumes of black-letter law; of Sartorius's in sitting, cross-legged, on a board after measuring gentlemen for coats and breeches.

spices

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

From this reading The main part of Ficulnus's life, for instance, is spent in selling sugar, spices and cheese; of Causidicus's in poring over musty volumes of black-letter law; of Sartorius's in sitting, cross-legged, on a board after measuring gentlemen for coats and breeches.

stories

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

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

story-teller

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

From this reading What can a story-teller say about the professional existence of these men?

sugar

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

From this reading The main part of Ficulnus's life, for instance, is spent in selling sugar, spices and cheese; of Causidicus's in poring over musty volumes of black-letter law; of Sartorius's in sitting, cross-legged, on a board after measuring gentlemen for coats and breeches.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The real business of life, I fancy, can form but little portion of the novelist's budget.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading What can a story-teller say about the professional existence of these men?

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

treating

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

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

venture

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

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

volumes

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

From this reading The main part of Ficulnus's life, for instance, is spent in selling sugar, spices and cheese; of Causidicus's in poring over musty volumes of black-letter law; of Sartorius's in sitting, cross-legged, on a board after measuring gentlemen for coats and breeches.

WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What can a story-teller say about the professional existence of these men?

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.

Wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading Would a real rustical history of hobnails and eighteenpence a day be endurable?

writer

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

From this reading When he is speaking of the profession of arms, in which men can show courage or the reverse, and in treating of which the writer naturally has to deal with interesting circumstances, actions, and characters, introducing recitals of danger, devotedness, heroic deaths, and the like, the novelist may perhaps venture to deal with actual affairs of life: but otherwise, they scarcely can enter into our stories.