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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Literary criticism in the present day has become a profession,--but it has ceased to be an art.
able
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
accordance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
acquainted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Literary criticism in the present day has become a profession,--but it has ceased to be an art.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading Literary criticism in the present day has become a profession,--but it has ceased to be an art.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading English criticism at present rarely even pretends to go so far as this.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading English criticism at present rarely even pretends to go so far as this.
attempts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
attention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
bad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Literary criticism in the present day has become a profession,--but it has ceased to be an art.
become
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Literary criticism in the present day has become a profession,--but it has ceased to be an art.
book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Literary criticism in the present day has become a profession,--but it has ceased to be an art.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
ceased
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Literary criticism in the present day has become a profession,--but it has ceased to be an art.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
contents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
critic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
CRITICISM
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON CRITICISM.
cut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Literary criticism in the present day has become a profession,--but it has ceased to be an art.
define
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
describe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
enable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
English
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading English criticism at present rarely even pretends to go so far as this.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading English criticism at present rarely even pretends to go so far as this.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading English criticism at present rarely even pretends to go so far as this.
feel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading English criticism at present rarely even pretends to go so far as this.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Literary criticism in the present day has become a profession,--but it has ceased to be an art.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Literary criticism in the present day has become a profession,--but it has ceased to be an art.
inclination
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Literary criticism in the present day has become a profession,--but it has ceased to be an art.
ItsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
Literary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Literary criticism in the present day has become a profession,--but it has ceased to be an art.
longer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
object
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
ONprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ON CRITICISM.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
present
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Literary criticism in the present day has become a profession,--but it has ceased to be an art.
pretends
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading English criticism at present rarely even pretends to go so far as this.
profession
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Literary criticism in the present day has become a profession,--but it has ceased to be an art.
proving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
public
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
purport
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
rarely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading English criticism at present rarely even pretends to go so far as this.
reading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
rules
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
second
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading English criticism at present rarely even pretends to go so far as this.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Literary criticism in the present day has become a profession,--but it has ceased to be an art.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading English criticism at present rarely even pretends to go so far as this.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Literary criticism in the present day has become a profession,--but it has ceased to be an art.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its object is no longer that of proving that certain literary work is good and other literary work is bad, in accordance with rules which the critic is able to define.
worth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It attempts, in the first place, to tell the public whether a book be or be not worth public attention; and, in the second place, so to describe the purport of the work as to enable those who have not time or inclination for reading it to feel that by a short cut they can become acquainted with its contents.
