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 In this chapter I will venture to name a few successful novelists of my own time, with whose works I am acquainted; and will endeavour to point whence their success has come, and why they have failed when there has been failure.
acquainted
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From this reading In this chapter I will venture to name a few successful novelists of my own time, with whose works I am acquainted; and will endeavour to point whence their success has come, and why they have failed when there has been failure.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading In this chapter I will venture to name a few successful novelists of my own time, with whose works I am acquainted; and will endeavour to point whence their success has come, and why they have failed when there has been failure.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In this chapter I will venture to name a few successful novelists of my own time, with whose works I am acquainted; and will endeavour to point whence their success has come, and why they have failed when there has been failure.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His knowledge of human nature was supreme, and his characters stand out as human beings, with a force and a truth which has not, I think, been within the reach of any other English novelist in any period.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading His knowledge of human nature was supreme, and his characters stand out as human beings, with a force and a truth which has not, I think, been within the reach of any other English novelist in any period.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I know no character in fiction, unless it be Don Quixote, with whom the reader becomes so intimately acquainted as with Colonel Newcombe.
becomes
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From this reading I know no character in fiction, unless it be Don Quixote, with whom the reader becomes so intimately acquainted as with Colonel Newcombe.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading In this chapter I will venture to name a few successful novelists of my own time, with whose works I am acquainted; and will endeavour to point whence their success has come, and why they have failed when there has been failure.
beings
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From this reading His knowledge of human nature was supreme, and his characters stand out as human beings, with a force and a truth which has not, I think, been within the reach of any other English novelist in any period.
chapter
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From this reading In this chapter I will venture to name a few successful novelists of my own time, with whose works I am acquainted; and will endeavour to point whence their success has come, and why they have failed when there has been failure.
character
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From this reading I know no character in fiction, unless it be Don Quixote, with whom the reader becomes so intimately acquainted as with Colonel Newcombe.
characters
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From this reading His knowledge of human nature was supreme, and his characters stand out as human beings, with a force and a truth which has not, I think, been within the reach of any other English novelist in any period.
Colonel
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From this reading I know no character in fiction, unless it be Don Quixote, with whom the reader becomes so intimately acquainted as with Colonel Newcombe.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In this chapter I will venture to name a few successful novelists of my own time, with whose works I am acquainted; and will endeavour to point whence their success has come, and why they have failed when there has been failure.
DAY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON ENGLISH NOVELISTS OF THE PRESENT DAY.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading I do not hesitate to name Thackeray the first.
Don
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From this reading I know no character in fiction, unless it be Don Quixote, with whom the reader becomes so intimately acquainted as with Colonel Newcombe.
endeavour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this chapter I will venture to name a few successful novelists of my own time, with whose works I am acquainted; and will endeavour to point whence their success has come, and why they have failed when there has been failure.
ENGLISH
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From this reading ON ENGLISH NOVELISTS OF THE PRESENT DAY.
failed
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From this reading In this chapter I will venture to name a few successful novelists of my own time, with whose works I am acquainted; and will endeavour to point whence their success has come, and why they have failed when there has been failure.
failure
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From this reading In this chapter I will venture to name a few successful novelists of my own time, with whose works I am acquainted; and will endeavour to point whence their success has come, and why they have failed when there has been failure.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this chapter I will venture to name a few successful novelists of my own time, with whose works I am acquainted; and will endeavour to point whence their success has come, and why they have failed when there has been failure.
fiction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know no character in fiction, unless it be Don Quixote, with whom the reader becomes so intimately acquainted as with Colonel Newcombe.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I do not hesitate to name Thackeray the first.
force
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His knowledge of human nature was supreme, and his characters stand out as human beings, with a force and a truth which has not, I think, been within the reach of any other English novelist in any period.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In this chapter I will venture to name a few successful novelists of my own time, with whose works I am acquainted; and will endeavour to point whence their success has come, and why they have failed when there has been failure.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading In this chapter I will venture to name a few successful novelists of my own time, with whose works I am acquainted; and will endeavour to point whence their success has come, and why they have failed when there has been failure.
hesitate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not hesitate to name Thackeray the first.
HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His knowledge of human nature was supreme, and his characters stand out as human beings, with a force and a truth which has not, I think, been within the reach of any other English novelist in any period.
human
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His knowledge of human nature was supreme, and his characters stand out as human beings, with a force and a truth which has not, I think, been within the reach of any other English novelist in any period.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading In this chapter I will venture to name a few successful novelists of my own time, with whose works I am acquainted; and will endeavour to point whence their success has come, and why they have failed when there has been failure.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In this chapter I will venture to name a few successful novelists of my own time, with whose works I am acquainted; and will endeavour to point whence their success has come, and why they have failed when there has been failure.
intimately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know no character in fiction, unless it be Don Quixote, with whom the reader becomes so intimately acquainted as with Colonel Newcombe.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I know no character in fiction, unless it be Don Quixote, with whom the reader becomes so intimately acquainted as with Colonel Newcombe.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I know no character in fiction, unless it be Don Quixote, with whom the reader becomes so intimately acquainted as with Colonel Newcombe.
knowledge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His knowledge of human nature was supreme, and his characters stand out as human beings, with a force and a truth which has not, I think, been within the reach of any other English novelist in any period.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading In this chapter I will venture to name a few successful novelists of my own time, with whose works I am acquainted; and will endeavour to point whence their success has come, and why they have failed when there has been failure.
namenounUS /name/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In this chapter I will venture to name a few successful novelists of my own time, with whose works I am acquainted; and will endeavour to point whence their success has come, and why they have failed when there has been failure.
nature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His knowledge of human nature was supreme, and his characters stand out as human beings, with a force and a truth which has not, I think, been within the reach of any other English novelist in any period.
Newcombe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know no character in fiction, unless it be Don Quixote, with whom the reader becomes so intimately acquainted as with Colonel Newcombe.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading I know no character in fiction, unless it be Don Quixote, with whom the reader becomes so intimately acquainted as with Colonel Newcombe.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I do not hesitate to name Thackeray the first.
novelist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His knowledge of human nature was supreme, and his characters stand out as human beings, with a force and a truth which has not, I think, been within the reach of any other English novelist in any period.
NOVELISTS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON ENGLISH NOVELISTS OF THE PRESENT DAY.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ON ENGLISH NOVELISTS OF THE PRESENT DAY.
ONprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ON ENGLISH NOVELISTS OF THE PRESENT DAY.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His knowledge of human nature was supreme, and his characters stand out as human beings, with a force and a truth which has not, I think, been within the reach of any other English novelist in any period.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His knowledge of human nature was supreme, and his characters stand out as human beings, with a force and a truth which has not, I think, been within the reach of any other English novelist in any period.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this chapter I will venture to name a few successful novelists of my own time, with whose works I am acquainted; and will endeavour to point whence their success has come, and why they have failed when there has been failure.
period
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His knowledge of human nature was supreme, and his characters stand out as human beings, with a force and a truth which has not, I think, been within the reach of any other English novelist in any period.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading In this chapter I will venture to name a few successful novelists of my own time, with whose works I am acquainted; and will endeavour to point whence their success has come, and why they have failed when there has been failure.
PRESENT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON ENGLISH NOVELISTS OF THE PRESENT DAY.
Quixote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know no character in fiction, unless it be Don Quixote, with whom the reader becomes so intimately acquainted as with Colonel Newcombe.
reach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His knowledge of human nature was supreme, and his characters stand out as human beings, with a force and a truth which has not, I think, been within the reach of any other English novelist in any period.
reader
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know no character in fiction, unless it be Don Quixote, with whom the reader becomes so intimately acquainted as with Colonel Newcombe.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I know no character in fiction, unless it be Don Quixote, with whom the reader becomes so intimately acquainted as with Colonel Newcombe.
stand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His knowledge of human nature was supreme, and his characters stand out as human beings, with a force and a truth which has not, I think, been within the reach of any other English novelist in any period.
success
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this chapter I will venture to name a few successful novelists of my own time, with whose works I am acquainted; and will endeavour to point whence their success has come, and why they have failed when there has been failure.
successful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this chapter I will venture to name a few successful novelists of my own time, with whose works I am acquainted; and will endeavour to point whence their success has come, and why they have failed when there has been failure.
supreme
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His knowledge of human nature was supreme, and his characters stand out as human beings, with a force and a truth which has not, I think, been within the reach of any other English novelist in any period.
Thackeray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not hesitate to name Thackeray the first.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ON ENGLISH NOVELISTS OF THE PRESENT DAY.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading In this chapter I will venture to name a few successful novelists of my own time, with whose works I am acquainted; and will endeavour to point whence their success has come, and why they have failed when there has been failure.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this chapter I will venture to name a few successful novelists of my own time, with whose works I am acquainted; and will endeavour to point whence their success has come, and why they have failed when there has been failure.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In this chapter I will venture to name a few successful novelists of my own time, with whose works I am acquainted; and will endeavour to point whence their success has come, and why they have failed when there has been failure.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His knowledge of human nature was supreme, and his characters stand out as human beings, with a force and a truth which has not, I think, been within the reach of any other English novelist in any period.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In this chapter I will venture to name a few successful novelists of my own time, with whose works I am acquainted; and will endeavour to point whence their success has come, and why they have failed when there has been failure.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In this chapter I will venture to name a few successful novelists of my own time, with whose works I am acquainted; and will endeavour to point whence their success has come, and why they have failed when there has been failure.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In this chapter I will venture to name a few successful novelists of my own time, with whose works I am acquainted; and will endeavour to point whence their success has come, and why they have failed when there has been failure.
truth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His knowledge of human nature was supreme, and his characters stand out as human beings, with a force and a truth which has not, I think, been within the reach of any other English novelist in any period.
unlessconjunctionUS /ənˈles/
except if; if not
From this reading I know no character in fiction, unless it be Don Quixote, with whom the reader becomes so intimately acquainted as with Colonel Newcombe.
venture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this chapter I will venture to name a few successful novelists of my own time, with whose works I am acquainted; and will endeavour to point whence their success has come, and why they have failed when there has been failure.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His knowledge of human nature was supreme, and his characters stand out as human beings, with a force and a truth which has not, I think, been within the reach of any other English novelist in any period.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading In this chapter I will venture to name a few successful novelists of my own time, with whose works I am acquainted; and will endeavour to point whence their success has come, and why they have failed when there has been failure.
whenceadverbUS /wens/
an old word meaning “from where”
From this reading In this chapter I will venture to name a few successful novelists of my own time, with whose works I am acquainted; and will endeavour to point whence their success has come, and why they have failed when there has been failure.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading His knowledge of human nature was supreme, and his characters stand out as human beings, with a force and a truth which has not, I think, been within the reach of any other English novelist in any period.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I know no character in fiction, unless it be Don Quixote, with whom the reader becomes so intimately acquainted as with Colonel Newcombe.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading In this chapter I will venture to name a few successful novelists of my own time, with whose works I am acquainted; and will endeavour to point whence their success has come, and why they have failed when there has been failure.
why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this chapter I will venture to name a few successful novelists of my own time, with whose works I am acquainted; and will endeavour to point whence their success has come, and why they have failed when there has been failure.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading In this chapter I will venture to name a few successful novelists of my own time, with whose works I am acquainted; and will endeavour to point whence their success has come, and why they have failed when there has been failure.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading In this chapter I will venture to name a few successful novelists of my own time, with whose works I am acquainted; and will endeavour to point whence their success has come, and why they have failed when there has been failure.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading His knowledge of human nature was supreme, and his characters stand out as human beings, with a force and a truth which has not, I think, been within the reach of any other English novelist in any period.
works
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this chapter I will venture to name a few successful novelists of my own time, with whose works I am acquainted; and will endeavour to point whence their success has come, and why they have failed when there has been failure.
