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Alexander Pope
Alexander Pope

Chapter VIII

Cover illustration for Alexander Pope
Context Illustration Reading 1/61 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
EPISTLES AND SATIRES.
Pope had tried a considerable number of poetical experiments when the Dunciad appeared, but he had not yet discovered in what direction his talents could be most efficiently exerted.
Bystanders are sometimes acuter in detecting a man's true forte than the performer himself.
In 1722 Atterbury had seen Pope's lines upon Addison, and reported that no piece of his writing was ever so much sought after.
"Since you now know," he added, "in what direction your strength lies, I hope you will not suffer that talent to be unemployed."
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Alexander Pope

Chapter VIII

Reading 1/61 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
EPISTLES AND SATIRES.
Line 2
Pope had tried a considerable number of poetical experiments when the Dunciad appeared, but he had not yet discovered in what direction his talents could be most efficiently exerted.
Line 3
Bystanders are sometimes acuter in detecting a man's true forte than the performer himself.
Line 4
In 1722 Atterbury had seen Pope's lines upon Addison, and reported that no piece of his writing was ever so much sought after.
Line 5
"Since you now know," he added, "in what direction your strength lies, I hope you will not suffer that talent to be unemployed."

Learner Dictionary

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

Added noun US /added/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Since you now know," he added, "in what direction your strength lies, I hope you will not suffer that talent to be unemployed."”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “In 1722 Atterbury had seen Pope's lines upon Addison, and reported that no piece of his writing was ever so much sought after.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “Pope had tried a considerable number of poetical experiments when the Dunciad appeared, but he had not yet discovered in what direction his talents could be most efficiently exerted.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In 1722 Atterbury had seen Pope's lines upon Addison, and reported that no piece of his writing was ever so much sought after.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “Bystanders are sometimes acuter in detecting a man's true forte than the performer himself.”

Know noun US /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Since you now know," he added, "in what direction your strength lies, I hope you will not suffer that talent to be unemployed."”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “"Since you now know," he added, "in what direction your strength lies, I hope you will not suffer that talent to be unemployed."”

Sometimes noun US /sometimes/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Bystanders are sometimes acuter in detecting a man's true forte than the performer himself.”

Strength noun US /ˈstrength/

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

From this reading “"Since you now know," he added, "in what direction your strength lies, I hope you will not suffer that talent to be unemployed."”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “In 1722 Atterbury had seen Pope's lines upon Addison, and reported that no piece of his writing was ever so much sought after.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “Pope had tried a considerable number of poetical experiments when the Dunciad appeared, but he had not yet discovered in what direction his talents could be most efficiently exerted.”

All words in this reading · 75

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

1722

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

From this reading In 1722 Atterbury had seen Pope's lines upon Addison, and reported that no piece of his writing was ever so much sought after.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading Pope had tried a considerable number of poetical experiments when the Dunciad appeared, but he had not yet discovered in what direction his talents could be most efficiently exerted.

acuter

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

From this reading Bystanders are sometimes acuter in detecting a man's true forte than the performer himself.

addednounUS /added/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Since you now know," he added, "in what direction your strength lies, I hope you will not suffer that talent to be unemployed."

Addison

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

From this reading In 1722 Atterbury had seen Pope's lines upon Addison, and reported that no piece of his writing was ever so much sought after.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading In 1722 Atterbury had seen Pope's lines upon Addison, and reported that no piece of his writing was ever so much sought after.

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading EPISTLES AND SATIRES.

appeared

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

From this reading Pope had tried a considerable number of poetical experiments when the Dunciad appeared, but he had not yet discovered in what direction his talents could be most efficiently exerted.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading Bystanders are sometimes acuter in detecting a man's true forte than the performer himself.

Atterbury

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

From this reading In 1722 Atterbury had seen Pope's lines upon Addison, and reported that no piece of his writing was ever so much sought after.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Pope had tried a considerable number of poetical experiments when the Dunciad appeared, but he had not yet discovered in what direction his talents could be most efficiently exerted.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Pope had tried a considerable number of poetical experiments when the Dunciad appeared, but he had not yet discovered in what direction his talents could be most efficiently exerted.

Bystanders

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

From this reading Bystanders are sometimes acuter in detecting a man's true forte than the performer himself.

considerable

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

From this reading Pope had tried a considerable number of poetical experiments when the Dunciad appeared, but he had not yet discovered in what direction his talents could be most efficiently exerted.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading Pope had tried a considerable number of poetical experiments when the Dunciad appeared, but he had not yet discovered in what direction his talents could be most efficiently exerted.

detecting

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

From this reading Bystanders are sometimes acuter in detecting a man's true forte than the performer himself.

direction

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

From this reading Pope had tried a considerable number of poetical experiments when the Dunciad appeared, but he had not yet discovered in what direction his talents could be most efficiently exerted.

discovered

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

From this reading Pope had tried a considerable number of poetical experiments when the Dunciad appeared, but he had not yet discovered in what direction his talents could be most efficiently exerted.

Dunciad

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

From this reading Pope had tried a considerable number of poetical experiments when the Dunciad appeared, but he had not yet discovered in what direction his talents could be most efficiently exerted.

efficiently

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

From this reading Pope had tried a considerable number of poetical experiments when the Dunciad appeared, but he had not yet discovered in what direction his talents could be most efficiently exerted.

EPISTLES

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

From this reading EPISTLES AND SATIRES.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In 1722 Atterbury had seen Pope's lines upon Addison, and reported that no piece of his writing was ever so much sought after.

exerted

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

From this reading Pope had tried a considerable number of poetical experiments when the Dunciad appeared, but he had not yet discovered in what direction his talents could be most efficiently exerted.

experiments

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

From this reading Pope had tried a considerable number of poetical experiments when the Dunciad appeared, but he had not yet discovered in what direction his talents could be most efficiently exerted.

forte

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

From this reading Bystanders are sometimes acuter in detecting a man's true forte than the performer himself.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Pope had tried a considerable number of poetical experiments when the Dunciad appeared, but he had not yet discovered in what direction his talents could be most efficiently exerted.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Pope had tried a considerable number of poetical experiments when the Dunciad appeared, but he had not yet discovered in what direction his talents could be most efficiently exerted.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading Bystanders are sometimes acuter in detecting a man's true forte than the performer himself.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Pope had tried a considerable number of poetical experiments when the Dunciad appeared, but he had not yet discovered in what direction his talents could be most efficiently exerted.

hope

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

From this reading "Since you now know," he added, "in what direction your strength lies, I hope you will not suffer that talent to be unemployed."

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "Since you now know," he added, "in what direction your strength lies, I hope you will not suffer that talent to be unemployed."

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Pope had tried a considerable number of poetical experiments when the Dunciad appeared, but he had not yet discovered in what direction his talents could be most efficiently exerted.

knownounUS /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Since you now know," he added, "in what direction your strength lies, I hope you will not suffer that talent to be unemployed."

lies

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

From this reading "Since you now know," he added, "in what direction your strength lies, I hope you will not suffer that talent to be unemployed."

lines

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

From this reading In 1722 Atterbury had seen Pope's lines upon Addison, and reported that no piece of his writing was ever so much sought after.

man's

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

From this reading Bystanders are sometimes acuter in detecting a man's true forte than the performer himself.

most

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

From this reading Pope had tried a considerable number of poetical experiments when the Dunciad appeared, but he had not yet discovered in what direction his talents could be most efficiently exerted.

much

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

From this reading In 1722 Atterbury had seen Pope's lines upon Addison, and reported that no piece of his writing was ever so much sought after.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading In 1722 Atterbury had seen Pope's lines upon Addison, and reported that no piece of his writing was ever so much sought after.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Pope had tried a considerable number of poetical experiments when the Dunciad appeared, but he had not yet discovered in what direction his talents could be most efficiently exerted.

now

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

From this reading "Since you now know," he added, "in what direction your strength lies, I hope you will not suffer that talent to be unemployed."

number

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

From this reading Pope had tried a considerable number of poetical experiments when the Dunciad appeared, but he had not yet discovered in what direction his talents could be most efficiently exerted.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Pope had tried a considerable number of poetical experiments when the Dunciad appeared, but he had not yet discovered in what direction his talents could be most efficiently exerted.

performer

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

From this reading Bystanders are sometimes acuter in detecting a man's true forte than the performer himself.

piece

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

From this reading In 1722 Atterbury had seen Pope's lines upon Addison, and reported that no piece of his writing was ever so much sought after.

poetical

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

From this reading Pope had tried a considerable number of poetical experiments when the Dunciad appeared, but he had not yet discovered in what direction his talents could be most efficiently exerted.

Pope

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

From this reading Pope had tried a considerable number of poetical experiments when the Dunciad appeared, but he had not yet discovered in what direction his talents could be most efficiently exerted.

Pope's

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

From this reading In 1722 Atterbury had seen Pope's lines upon Addison, and reported that no piece of his writing was ever so much sought after.

reported

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

From this reading In 1722 Atterbury had seen Pope's lines upon Addison, and reported that no piece of his writing was ever so much sought after.

SATIRES

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

From this reading EPISTLES AND SATIRES.

seen

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

From this reading In 1722 Atterbury had seen Pope's lines upon Addison, and reported that no piece of his writing was ever so much sought after.

SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading "Since you now know," he added, "in what direction your strength lies, I hope you will not suffer that talent to be unemployed."

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading In 1722 Atterbury had seen Pope's lines upon Addison, and reported that no piece of his writing was ever so much sought after.

sometimes

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

From this reading Bystanders are sometimes acuter in detecting a man's true forte than the performer himself.

sought

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

From this reading In 1722 Atterbury had seen Pope's lines upon Addison, and reported that no piece of his writing was ever so much sought after.

strengthnounUS /ˈstrength/

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

From this reading "Since you now know," he added, "in what direction your strength lies, I hope you will not suffer that talent to be unemployed."

suffer

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

From this reading "Since you now know," he added, "in what direction your strength lies, I hope you will not suffer that talent to be unemployed."

talent

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

From this reading "Since you now know," he added, "in what direction your strength lies, I hope you will not suffer that talent to be unemployed."

talents

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

From this reading Pope had tried a considerable number of poetical experiments when the Dunciad appeared, but he had not yet discovered in what direction his talents could be most efficiently exerted.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Bystanders are sometimes acuter in detecting a man's true forte than the performer himself.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading In 1722 Atterbury had seen Pope's lines upon Addison, and reported that no piece of his writing was ever so much sought after.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Pope had tried a considerable number of poetical experiments when the Dunciad appeared, but he had not yet discovered in what direction his talents could be most efficiently exerted.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "Since you now know," he added, "in what direction your strength lies, I hope you will not suffer that talent to be unemployed."

tried

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

From this reading Pope had tried a considerable number of poetical experiments when the Dunciad appeared, but he had not yet discovered in what direction his talents could be most efficiently exerted.

true

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

From this reading Bystanders are sometimes acuter in detecting a man's true forte than the performer himself.

unemployed

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

From this reading "Since you now know," he added, "in what direction your strength lies, I hope you will not suffer that talent to be unemployed."

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading In 1722 Atterbury had seen Pope's lines upon Addison, and reported that no piece of his writing was ever so much sought after.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading In 1722 Atterbury had seen Pope's lines upon Addison, and reported that no piece of his writing was ever so much sought after.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Pope had tried a considerable number of poetical experiments when the Dunciad appeared, but he had not yet discovered in what direction his talents could be most efficiently exerted.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Pope had tried a considerable number of poetical experiments when the Dunciad appeared, but he had not yet discovered in what direction his talents could be most efficiently exerted.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "Since you now know," he added, "in what direction your strength lies, I hope you will not suffer that talent to be unemployed."

writing

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

From this reading In 1722 Atterbury had seen Pope's lines upon Addison, and reported that no piece of his writing was ever so much sought after.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading Pope had tried a considerable number of poetical experiments when the Dunciad appeared, but he had not yet discovered in what direction his talents could be most efficiently exerted.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Since you now know," he added, "in what direction your strength lies, I hope you will not suffer that talent to be unemployed."

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Since you now know," he added, "in what direction your strength lies, I hope you will not suffer that talent to be unemployed."