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 After the birth of a Chaucer, a Shakspere, or a Milton, it is long before the genial force of a nation can again culminate in such a triumph: time is required for the growth of the conditions.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After the birth of a Chaucer, a Shakspere, or a Milton, it is long before the genial force of a nation can again culminate in such a triumph: time is required for the growth of the conditions.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading After the birth of a Chaucer, a Shakspere, or a Milton, it is long before the genial force of a nation can again culminate in such a triumph: time is required for the growth of the conditions.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Between the birth of Chaucer and the birth of Shakspere, his sole equal, a period of more than two centuries had to elapse.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I do not say that such are of no use in the world.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading After the birth of a Chaucer, a Shakspere, or a Milton, it is long before the genial force of a nation can again culminate in such a triumph: time is required for the growth of the conditions.
BetweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Between the birth of Chaucer and the birth of Shakspere, his sole equal, a period of more than two centuries had to elapse.
birth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the birth of a Chaucer, a Shakspere, or a Milton, it is long before the genial force of a nation can again culminate in such a triumph: time is required for the growth of the conditions.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It is but small compensation for this, that the more original, that is simple, natural, and true to his own nature a man is, the more certain is he to have a crowd of imitators.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading After the birth of a Chaucer, a Shakspere, or a Milton, it is long before the genial force of a nation can again culminate in such a triumph: time is required for the growth of the conditions.
centuries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between the birth of Chaucer and the birth of Shakspere, his sole equal, a period of more than two centuries had to elapse.
CENTURY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is but small compensation for this, that the more original, that is simple, natural, and true to his own nature a man is, the more certain is he to have a crowd of imitators.
Chaucer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the birth of a Chaucer, a Shakspere, or a Milton, it is long before the genial force of a nation can again culminate in such a triumph: time is required for the growth of the conditions.
compensation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is but small compensation for this, that the more original, that is simple, natural, and true to his own nature a man is, the more certain is he to have a crowd of imitators.
conditions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the birth of a Chaucer, a Shakspere, or a Milton, it is long before the genial force of a nation can again culminate in such a triumph: time is required for the growth of the conditions.
crowd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is but small compensation for this, that the more original, that is simple, natural, and true to his own nature a man is, the more certain is he to have a crowd of imitators.
culminate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the birth of a Chaucer, a Shakspere, or a Milton, it is long before the genial force of a nation can again culminate in such a triumph: time is required for the growth of the conditions.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading I do not say that such are of no use in the world.
elapse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between the birth of Chaucer and the birth of Shakspere, his sole equal, a period of more than two centuries had to elapse.
equal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between the birth of Chaucer and the birth of Shakspere, his sole equal, a period of more than two centuries had to elapse.
FIFTEENTH
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading After the birth of a Chaucer, a Shakspere, or a Milton, it is long before the genial force of a nation can again culminate in such a triumph: time is required for the growth of the conditions.
force
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the birth of a Chaucer, a Shakspere, or a Milton, it is long before the genial force of a nation can again culminate in such a triumph: time is required for the growth of the conditions.
genial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the birth of a Chaucer, a Shakspere, or a Milton, it is long before the genial force of a nation can again culminate in such a triumph: time is required for the growth of the conditions.
growth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the birth of a Chaucer, a Shakspere, or a Milton, it is long before the genial force of a nation can again culminate in such a triumph: time is required for the growth of the conditions.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Between the birth of Chaucer and the birth of Shakspere, his sole equal, a period of more than two centuries had to elapse.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It is but small compensation for this, that the more original, that is simple, natural, and true to his own nature a man is, the more certain is he to have a crowd of imitators.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It is but small compensation for this, that the more original, that is simple, natural, and true to his own nature a man is, the more certain is he to have a crowd of imitators.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Between the birth of Chaucer and the birth of Shakspere, his sole equal, a period of more than two centuries had to elapse.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I do not say that such are of no use in the world.
imitators
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is but small compensation for this, that the more original, that is simple, natural, and true to his own nature a man is, the more certain is he to have a crowd of imitators.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading After the birth of a Chaucer, a Shakspere, or a Milton, it is long before the genial force of a nation can again culminate in such a triumph: time is required for the growth of the conditions.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading After the birth of a Chaucer, a Shakspere, or a Milton, it is long before the genial force of a nation can again culminate in such a triumph: time is required for the growth of the conditions.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading After the birth of a Chaucer, a Shakspere, or a Milton, it is long before the genial force of a nation can again culminate in such a triumph: time is required for the growth of the conditions.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading After the birth of a Chaucer, a Shakspere, or a Milton, it is long before the genial force of a nation can again culminate in such a triumph: time is required for the growth of the conditions.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is but small compensation for this, that the more original, that is simple, natural, and true to his own nature a man is, the more certain is he to have a crowd of imitators.
Milton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the birth of a Chaucer, a Shakspere, or a Milton, it is long before the genial force of a nation can again culminate in such a triumph: time is required for the growth of the conditions.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between the birth of Chaucer and the birth of Shakspere, his sole equal, a period of more than two centuries had to elapse.
nation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the birth of a Chaucer, a Shakspere, or a Milton, it is long before the genial force of a nation can again culminate in such a triumph: time is required for the growth of the conditions.
natural
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is but small compensation for this, that the more original, that is simple, natural, and true to his own nature a man is, the more certain is he to have a crowd of imitators.
nature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is but small compensation for this, that the more original, that is simple, natural, and true to his own nature a man is, the more certain is he to have a crowd of imitators.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading I do not say that such are of no use in the world.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I do not say that such are of no use in the world.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading After the birth of a Chaucer, a Shakspere, or a Milton, it is long before the genial force of a nation can again culminate in such a triumph: time is required for the growth of the conditions.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading After the birth of a Chaucer, a Shakspere, or a Milton, it is long before the genial force of a nation can again culminate in such a triumph: time is required for the growth of the conditions.
original
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is but small compensation for this, that the more original, that is simple, natural, and true to his own nature a man is, the more certain is he to have a crowd of imitators.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is but small compensation for this, that the more original, that is simple, natural, and true to his own nature a man is, the more certain is he to have a crowd of imitators.
period
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between the birth of Chaucer and the birth of Shakspere, his sole equal, a period of more than two centuries had to elapse.
requirednounUS /required/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading After the birth of a Chaucer, a Shakspere, or a Milton, it is long before the genial force of a nation can again culminate in such a triumph: time is required for the growth of the conditions.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not say that such are of no use in the world.
Shakspere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the birth of a Chaucer, a Shakspere, or a Milton, it is long before the genial force of a nation can again culminate in such a triumph: time is required for the growth of the conditions.
simple
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is but small compensation for this, that the more original, that is simple, natural, and true to his own nature a man is, the more certain is he to have a crowd of imitators.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is but small compensation for this, that the more original, that is simple, natural, and true to his own nature a man is, the more certain is he to have a crowd of imitators.
sole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between the birth of Chaucer and the birth of Shakspere, his sole equal, a period of more than two centuries had to elapse.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading After the birth of a Chaucer, a Shakspere, or a Milton, it is long before the genial force of a nation can again culminate in such a triumph: time is required for the growth of the conditions.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Between the birth of Chaucer and the birth of Shakspere, his sole equal, a period of more than two centuries had to elapse.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It is but small compensation for this, that the more original, that is simple, natural, and true to his own nature a man is, the more certain is he to have a crowd of imitators.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It is but small compensation for this, that the more original, that is simple, natural, and true to his own nature a man is, the more certain is he to have a crowd of imitators.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading After the birth of a Chaucer, a Shakspere, or a Milton, it is long before the genial force of a nation can again culminate in such a triumph: time is required for the growth of the conditions.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Between the birth of Chaucer and the birth of Shakspere, his sole equal, a period of more than two centuries had to elapse.
triumph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the birth of a Chaucer, a Shakspere, or a Milton, it is long before the genial force of a nation can again culminate in such a triumph: time is required for the growth of the conditions.
true
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is but small compensation for this, that the more original, that is simple, natural, and true to his own nature a man is, the more certain is he to have a crowd of imitators.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between the birth of Chaucer and the birth of Shakspere, his sole equal, a period of more than two centuries had to elapse.
use
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not say that such are of no use in the world.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not say that such are of no use in the world.