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 We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
absurd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His opinion, for example, of Sir Henry Wotton’s “Verses on the Queen of Bohemia”—that “there are few finer things in our language,” is untenable and absurd.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His enthusiasm is too general and too vivid not to be false.
antiquity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are long passages now before us of the most despicable trash, with no merit whatever beyond that of their antiquity.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
attempt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading His enthusiasm is too general and too vivid not to be false.
beauty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading There are long passages now before us of the most despicable trash, with no merit whatever beyond that of their antiquity.
believenounUS /ˈbelieve/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading There are long passages now before us of the most despicable trash, with no merit whatever beyond that of their antiquity.
Bohemia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His opinion, for example, of Sir Henry Wotton’s “Verses on the Queen of Bohemia”—that “there are few finer things in our language,” is untenable and absurd.
Book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
bring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
character
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
clearest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
considered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
criticisms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The criticisms of the editor do not particularly please us.
degree
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
despicable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are long passages now before us of the most despicable trash, with no merit whatever beyond that of their antiquity.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The criticisms of the editor do not particularly please us.
editor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The criticisms of the editor do not particularly please us.
enthusiasm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His enthusiasm is too general and too vivid not to be false.
example
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His opinion, for example, of Sir Henry Wotton’s “Verses on the Queen of Bohemia”—that “there are few finer things in our language,” is untenable and absurd.
false
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His enthusiasm is too general and too vivid not to be false.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His opinion, for example, of Sir Henry Wotton’s “Verses on the Queen of Bohemia”—that “there are few finer things in our language,” is untenable and absurd.
finer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His opinion, for example, of Sir Henry Wotton’s “Verses on the Queen of Bohemia”—that “there are few finer things in our language,” is untenable and absurd.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading His opinion, for example, of Sir Henry Wotton’s “Verses on the Queen of Bohemia”—that “there are few finer things in our language,” is untenable and absurd.
Gems
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
general
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His enthusiasm is too general and too vivid not to be false.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
Henry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His opinion, for example, of Sir Henry Wotton’s “Verses on the Queen of Bohemia”—that “there are few finer things in our language,” is untenable and absurd.
highest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His enthusiasm is too general and too vivid not to be false.
idea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
impart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
intention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His enthusiasm is too general and too vivid not to be false.
language
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His opinion, for example, of Sir Henry Wotton’s “Verses on the Queen of Bohemia”—that “there are few finer things in our language,” is untenable and absurd.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There are long passages now before us of the most despicable trash, with no merit whatever beyond that of their antiquity.
merely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
merit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are long passages now before us of the most despicable trash, with no merit whatever beyond that of their antiquity.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are long passages now before us of the most despicable trash, with no merit whatever beyond that of their antiquity.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading There are long passages now before us of the most despicable trash, with no merit whatever beyond that of their antiquity.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are long passages now before us of the most despicable trash, with no merit whatever beyond that of their antiquity.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading His opinion, for example, of Sir Henry Wotton’s “Verses on the Queen of Bohemia”—that “there are few finer things in our language,” is untenable and absurd.
opinion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His opinion, for example, of Sir Henry Wotton’s “Verses on the Queen of Bohemia”—that “there are few finer things in our language,” is untenable and absurd.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading His opinion, for example, of Sir Henry Wotton’s “Verses on the Queen of Bohemia”—that “there are few finer things in our language,” is untenable and absurd.
ourselvespronounUS /aʊərˈselvz/
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
particularly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The criticisms of the editor do not particularly please us.
passages
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are long passages now before us of the most despicable trash, with no merit whatever beyond that of their antiquity.
please
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The criticisms of the editor do not particularly please us.
poetical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
Queen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His opinion, for example, of Sir Henry Wotton’s “Verses on the Queen of Bohemia”—that “there are few finer things in our language,” is untenable and absurd.
reader
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
school's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
school-but
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
selections
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
show
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
Sir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His opinion, for example, of Sir Henry Wotton’s “Verses on the Queen of Bohemia”—that “there are few finer things in our language,” is untenable and absurd.
successful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading There are long passages now before us of the most despicable trash, with no merit whatever beyond that of their antiquity.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are long passages now before us of the most despicable trash, with no merit whatever beyond that of their antiquity.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His opinion, for example, of Sir Henry Wotton’s “Verses on the Queen of Bohemia”—that “there are few finer things in our language,” is untenable and absurd.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His enthusiasm is too general and too vivid not to be false.
trash
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are long passages now before us of the most despicable trash, with no merit whatever beyond that of their antiquity.
untenable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His opinion, for example, of Sir Henry Wotton’s “Verses on the Queen of Bohemia”—that “there are few finer things in our language,” is untenable and absurd.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There are long passages now before us of the most despicable trash, with no merit whatever beyond that of their antiquity.
Verses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His opinion, for example, of Sir Henry Wotton’s “Verses on the Queen of Bohemia”—that “there are few finer things in our language,” is untenable and absurd.
vivid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His enthusiasm is too general and too vivid not to be false.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading There are long passages now before us of the most despicable trash, with no merit whatever beyond that of their antiquity.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading We can not bring ourselves to believe that the selections of the “Book of Gems” are such as will impart to a poetical reader the clearest possible idea of the beauty of the school-but if the intention had been merely to show the school’s character, the attempt might have been considered successful in the highest degree.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading There are long passages now before us of the most despicable trash, with no merit whatever beyond that of their antiquity.
Wotton's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His opinion, for example, of Sir Henry Wotton’s “Verses on the Queen of Bohemia”—that “there are few finer things in our language,” is untenable and absurd.
