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Essays of Travel
Essays of Travel

Chapter IX

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Context Illustration Reading 1/26 · 5 lines
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II.
COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.
I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.
If I make notes for future use, or if I am obliged to write letters during the course of my little excursion, I so interfere with the process that I can never again find out what is worthy of being preserved, or what should be given in full length, what in torso, or what merely in profile.
This process of incubation may be unreasonably prolonged; and I am somewhat afraid that I have made this mistake with the present journey.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Essays of Travel

Chapter IX

Reading 1/26 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
II.
Line 2
COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.
Line 3
I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.
Line 4
If I make notes for future use, or if I am obliged to write letters during the course of my little excursion, I so interfere with the process that I can never again find out what is worthy of being preserved, or what should be given in full length, what in torso, or what merely in profile.
Line 5
This process of incubation may be unreasonably prolonged; and I am somewhat afraid that I have made this mistake with the present journey.

Learner Dictionary

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

Again noun US /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “If I make notes for future use, or if I am obliged to write letters during the course of my little excursion, I so interfere with the process that I can never again find out what is worthy of being preserved, or what should be given in full length, what in torso, or what merely in profile.”

Among preposition US /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading “COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “If I make notes for future use, or if I am obliged to write letters during the course of my little excursion, I so interfere with the process that I can never again find out what is worthy of being preserved, or what should be given in full length, what in torso, or what merely in profile.”

Believe noun US /ˈbelieve/

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

From this reading “I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.”

Between preposition US /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading “COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.”

Choose noun US /choose/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.”

Chronicle noun US /ˈkrɑː.nɪ.kəl/

A detailed written record of historical events in order. (Sử ký, biên niên sử lịch sử.)

From this reading “COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.”

Course noun US /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “If I make notes for future use, or if I am obliged to write letters during the course of my little excursion, I so interfere with the process that I can never again find out what is worthy of being preserved, or what should be given in full length, what in torso, or what merely in profile.”

Details noun US /ˈdetails/

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

From this reading “COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “If I make notes for future use, or if I am obliged to write letters during the course of my little excursion, I so interfere with the process that I can never again find out what is worthy of being preserved, or what should be given in full length, what in torso, or what merely in profile.”

Except preposition US /ɪkˈsept/

apart from; not including

From this reading “I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.”

FRAGMENT noun US /ˈfræɡ.mənt/

A small part broken or separated off something larger.

From this reading “COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.”

Free adjective US /friː/

acting without enough restraint or discipline

From this reading “I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.”

Half noun US /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

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

From this reading “I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “This process of incubation may be unreasonably prolonged; and I am somewhat afraid that I have made this mistake with the present journey.”

Itself pronoun US /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading “COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.”

Journey noun US /ˈjourney/

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

From this reading “This process of incubation may be unreasonably prolonged; and I am somewhat afraid that I have made this mistake with the present journey.”

Length noun US /leŋθ/

a period of time or extent

From this reading “If I make notes for future use, or if I am obliged to write letters during the course of my little excursion, I so interfere with the process that I can never again find out what is worthy of being preserved, or what should be given in full length, what in torso, or what merely in profile.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “If I make notes for future use, or if I am obliged to write letters during the course of my little excursion, I so interfere with the process that I can never again find out what is worthy of being preserved, or what should be given in full length, what in torso, or what merely in profile.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.”

Memory noun US /ˈmem.ər.i/

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading “I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “If I make notes for future use, or if I am obliged to write letters during the course of my little excursion, I so interfere with the process that I can never again find out what is worthy of being preserved, or what should be given in full length, what in torso, or what merely in profile.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.”

Same noun US /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.”

Thing noun US /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.”

Till preposition US /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.”

Worthy adjective US /ˈwɜːr.ði/

Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.

From this reading “If I make notes for future use, or if I am obliged to write letters during the course of my little excursion, I so interfere with the process that I can never again find out what is worthy of being preserved, or what should be given in full length, what in torso, or what merely in profile.”

All words in this reading · 137

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 COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

afraid

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

From this reading This process of incubation may be unreasonably prolonged; and I am somewhat afraid that I have made this mistake with the present journey.

againnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading If I make notes for future use, or if I am obliged to write letters during the course of my little excursion, I so interfere with the process that I can never again find out what is worthy of being preserved, or what should be given in full length, what in torso, or what merely in profile.

all

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

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

allow

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

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading If I make notes for future use, or if I am obliged to write letters during the course of my little excursion, I so interfere with the process that I can never again find out what is worthy of being preserved, or what should be given in full length, what in torso, or what merely in profile.

amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

any

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

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

attempt

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

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading If I make notes for future use, or if I am obliged to write letters during the course of my little excursion, I so interfere with the process that I can never again find out what is worthy of being preserved, or what should be given in full length, what in torso, or what merely in profile.

believenounUS /ˈbelieve/

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

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading If I make notes for future use, or if I am obliged to write letters during the course of my little excursion, I so interfere with the process that I can never again find out what is worthy of being preserved, or what should be given in full length, what in torso, or what merely in profile.

cannot

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

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

chaff

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

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

choosenounUS /choose/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

chroniclenounUS /ˈkrɑː.nɪ.kəl/

A detailed written record of historical events in order. (Sử ký, biên niên sử lịch sử.)

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

closes

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

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

COCKERMOUTH

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

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

considerable

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

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading If I make notes for future use, or if I am obliged to write letters during the course of my little excursion, I so interfere with the process that I can never again find out what is worthy of being preserved, or what should be given in full length, what in torso, or what merely in profile.

crowd

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

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

describe

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

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

detailsnounUS /ˈdetails/

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

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

disengage

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

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading If I make notes for future use, or if I am obliged to write letters during the course of my little excursion, I so interfere with the process that I can never again find out what is worthy of being preserved, or what should be given in full length, what in torso, or what merely in profile.

ensure

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

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/

apart from; not including

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

excursion

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

From this reading If I make notes for future use, or if I am obliged to write letters during the course of my little excursion, I so interfere with the process that I can never again find out what is worthy of being preserved, or what should be given in full length, what in torso, or what merely in profile.

eyes

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

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

find

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

From this reading If I make notes for future use, or if I am obliged to write letters during the course of my little excursion, I so interfere with the process that I can never again find out what is worthy of being preserved, or what should be given in full length, what in torso, or what merely in profile.

Fittest

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

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading If I make notes for future use, or if I am obliged to write letters during the course of my little excursion, I so interfere with the process that I can never again find out what is worthy of being preserved, or what should be given in full length, what in torso, or what merely in profile.

form

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

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

FRAGMENTnounUS /ˈfræɡ.mənt/

A small part broken or separated off something larger.

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

freeadjectiveUS /friː/

acting without enough restraint or discipline

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

full

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

From this reading If I make notes for future use, or if I am obliged to write letters during the course of my little excursion, I so interfere with the process that I can never again find out what is worthy of being preserved, or what should be given in full length, what in torso, or what merely in profile.

future

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

From this reading If I make notes for future use, or if I am obliged to write letters during the course of my little excursion, I so interfere with the process that I can never again find out what is worthy of being preserved, or what should be given in full length, what in torso, or what merely in profile.

get

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

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

given

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

From this reading If I make notes for future use, or if I am obliged to write letters during the course of my little excursion, I so interfere with the process that I can never again find out what is worthy of being preserved, or what should be given in full length, what in torso, or what merely in profile.

gold

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

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

halfnounUS /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading This process of incubation may be unreasonably prolonged; and I am somewhat afraid that I have made this mistake with the present journey.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If I make notes for future use, or if I am obliged to write letters during the course of my little excursion, I so interfere with the process that I can never again find out what is worthy of being preserved, or what should be given in full length, what in torso, or what merely in profile.

II

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

From this reading II.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

incubation

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

From this reading This process of incubation may be unreasonably prolonged; and I am somewhat afraid that I have made this mistake with the present journey.

interfere

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

From this reading If I make notes for future use, or if I am obliged to write letters during the course of my little excursion, I so interfere with the process that I can never again find out what is worthy of being preserved, or what should be given in full length, what in torso, or what merely in profile.

intervene

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

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

journeynounUS /ˈjourney/

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

From this reading This process of incubation may be unreasonably prolonged; and I am somewhat afraid that I have made this mistake with the present journey.

journeyings

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

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

KESWICK

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

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

lapse

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

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

lengthnounUS /leŋθ/

a period of time or extent

From this reading If I make notes for future use, or if I am obliged to write letters during the course of my little excursion, I so interfere with the process that I can never again find out what is worthy of being preserved, or what should be given in full length, what in torso, or what merely in profile.

letters

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

From this reading If I make notes for future use, or if I am obliged to write letters during the course of my little excursion, I so interfere with the process that I can never again find out what is worthy of being preserved, or what should be given in full length, what in torso, or what merely in profile.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

made

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

From this reading This process of incubation may be unreasonably prolonged; and I am somewhat afraid that I have made this mistake with the present journey.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading If I make notes for future use, or if I am obliged to write letters during the course of my little excursion, I so interfere with the process that I can never again find out what is worthy of being preserved, or what should be given in full length, what in torso, or what merely in profile.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

memorable

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

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

memorynounUS /ˈmem.ər.i/

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

merely

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

From this reading If I make notes for future use, or if I am obliged to write letters during the course of my little excursion, I so interfere with the process that I can never again find out what is worthy of being preserved, or what should be given in full length, what in torso, or what merely in profile.

mistake

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

From this reading This process of incubation may be unreasonably prolonged; and I am somewhat afraid that I have made this mistake with the present journey.

moment

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

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

much

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

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

natural

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

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading If I make notes for future use, or if I am obliged to write letters during the course of my little excursion, I so interfere with the process that I can never again find out what is worthy of being preserved, or what should be given in full length, what in torso, or what merely in profile.

notes

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

From this reading If I make notes for future use, or if I am obliged to write letters during the course of my little excursion, I so interfere with the process that I can never again find out what is worthy of being preserved, or what should be given in full length, what in torso, or what merely in profile.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

obliged

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

From this reading If I make notes for future use, or if I am obliged to write letters during the course of my little excursion, I so interfere with the process that I can never again find out what is worthy of being preserved, or what should be given in full length, what in torso, or what merely in profile.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

only

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

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

out

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

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

painter

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

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

piously

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

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

present

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

From this reading This process of incubation may be unreasonably prolonged; and I am somewhat afraid that I have made this mistake with the present journey.

preserved

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

From this reading If I make notes for future use, or if I am obliged to write letters during the course of my little excursion, I so interfere with the process that I can never again find out what is worthy of being preserved, or what should be given in full length, what in torso, or what merely in profile.

principle

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

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

process

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

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

profile

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

From this reading If I make notes for future use, or if I am obliged to write letters during the course of my little excursion, I so interfere with the process that I can never again find out what is worthy of being preserved, or what should be given in full length, what in torso, or what merely in profile.

prolonged

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

From this reading This process of incubation may be unreasonably prolonged; and I am somewhat afraid that I have made this mistake with the present journey.

pure

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

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

recollections

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

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

salient

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

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

samenounUS /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

say

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

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

sees

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

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

selection

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

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading If I make notes for future use, or if I am obliged to write letters during the course of my little excursion, I so interfere with the process that I can never again find out what is worthy of being preserved, or what should be given in full length, what in torso, or what merely in profile.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

some

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

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

somewhat

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

From this reading This process of incubation may be unreasonably prolonged; and I am somewhat afraid that I have made this mistake with the present journey.

strained

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

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

Survival

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

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

thingnounUS /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

thoroughly

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

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

thus

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

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

tillprepositionUS /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

torso

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

From this reading If I make notes for future use, or if I am obliged to write letters during the course of my little excursion, I so interfere with the process that I can never again find out what is worthy of being preserved, or what should be given in full length, what in torso, or what merely in profile.

truly

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

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

unity

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

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

unreasonably

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

From this reading This process of incubation may be unreasonably prolonged; and I am somewhat afraid that I have made this mistake with the present journey.

use

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

From this reading If I make notes for future use, or if I am obliged to write letters during the course of my little excursion, I so interfere with the process that I can never again find out what is worthy of being preserved, or what should be given in full length, what in torso, or what merely in profile.

Very

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

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

way

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

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading I cannot describe a thing that is before me at the moment, or that has been before me only a very little while before; I must allow my recollections to get thoroughly strained free from all chaff till nothing be except the pure gold; allow my memory to choose out what is truly memorable by a process of natural selection; and I piously believe that in this way I ensure the Survival of the Fittest.

whole

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

From this reading COCKERMOUTH AND KESWICK A FRAGMENT Very much as a painter half closes his eyes so that some salient unity may disengage itself from among the crowd of details, and what he sees may thus form itself into a whole; very much on the same principle, I may say, I allow a considerable lapse of time to intervene between any of my little journeyings and the attempt to chronicle them.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading If I make notes for future use, or if I am obliged to write letters during the course of my little excursion, I so interfere with the process that I can never again find out what is worthy of being preserved, or what should be given in full length, what in torso, or what merely in profile.

worthyadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːr.ði/

Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.

From this reading If I make notes for future use, or if I am obliged to write letters during the course of my little excursion, I so interfere with the process that I can never again find out what is worthy of being preserved, or what should be given in full length, what in torso, or what merely in profile.

write

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

From this reading If I make notes for future use, or if I am obliged to write letters during the course of my little excursion, I so interfere with the process that I can never again find out what is worthy of being preserved, or what should be given in full length, what in torso, or what merely in profile.