used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Among various Indian tribes who had such a belief may be mentioned the Miztecs, who declared they were descended from two majestic trees that stood in the gorge of the mountain of Apiola.
AfricanounUS /ˈæfrəkɑː/
the second largest continent; located to the south of Europe and bordered to the west by the South Atlantic and to the east by the Indian Ocean
From this reading Passing half way round the world to the Damaras of South Africa we find still more remarkable qualities attributed to the first tree.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The Tamaraquas of South America have a tradition that the human race sprang from the fruits of the date palm after the Mexican age of water.
how long something has existed
From this reading The Tamaraquas of South America have a tradition that the human race sprang from the fruits of the date palm after the Mexican age of water.
North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776
From this reading The Tamaraquas of South America have a tradition that the human race sprang from the fruits of the date palm after the Mexican age of water.
AmongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Among various Indian tribes who had such a belief may be mentioned the Miztecs, who declared they were descended from two majestic trees that stood in the gorge of the mountain of Apiola.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading TREE AND PLANT MYTHS To primitive man, trees and plants seemed as mysterious as animals, and there are many myths which tell of the descent of mankind from trees, and many cases in which plants were totems instead of animals.
plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading TREE AND PLANT MYTHS To primitive man, trees and plants seemed as mysterious as animals, and there are many myths which tell of the descent of mankind from trees, and many cases in which plants were totems instead of animals.
Apiola
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Among various Indian tribes who had such a belief may be mentioned the Miztecs, who declared they were descended from two majestic trees that stood in the gorge of the mountain of Apiola.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading TREE AND PLANT MYTHS To primitive man, trees and plants seemed as mysterious as animals, and there are many myths which tell of the descent of mankind from trees, and many cases in which plants were totems instead of animals.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading TREE AND PLANT MYTHS To primitive man, trees and plants seemed as mysterious as animals, and there are many myths which tell of the descent of mankind from trees, and many cases in which plants were totems instead of animals.
attributedverbUS /əˈtrɪbjətɪd/
past form of “attribute” — attribute or credit to
From this reading Passing half way round the world to the Damaras of South Africa we find still more remarkable qualities attributed to the first tree.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Among various Indian tribes who had such a belief may be mentioned the Miztecs, who declared they were descended from two majestic trees that stood in the gorge of the mountain of Apiola.
any cognitive content held as true
From this reading Among various Indian tribes who had such a belief may be mentioned the Miztecs, who declared they were descended from two majestic trees that stood in the gorge of the mountain of Apiola.
plural of “case” — an occurrence of something
From this reading TREE AND PLANT MYTHS To primitive man, trees and plants seemed as mysterious as animals, and there are many myths which tell of the descent of mankind from trees, and many cases in which plants were totems instead of animals.
Chiapanecas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Chiapanecas thought they sprang from the roots of a silk cotton tree.
cottonnounUS /ˈkɑːtən/
soft silky fibers from cotton plants in their raw state
From this reading The Chiapanecas thought they sprang from the roots of a silk cotton tree.
Damaras
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Passing half way round the world to the Damaras of South Africa we find still more remarkable qualities attributed to the first tree.
the specified day of the month
From this reading The Tamaraquas of South America have a tradition that the human race sprang from the fruits of the date palm after the Mexican age of water.
made known or openly avowed
From this reading Among various Indian tribes who had such a belief may be mentioned the Miztecs, who declared they were descended from two majestic trees that stood in the gorge of the mountain of Apiola.
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading Among various Indian tribes who had such a belief may be mentioned the Miztecs, who declared they were descended from two majestic trees that stood in the gorge of the mountain of Apiola.
descentnounUS /dɪˈsent/
An action of moving downward, dropping, or falling into a deeper place.
From this reading TREE AND PLANT MYTHS To primitive man, trees and plants seemed as mysterious as animals, and there are many myths which tell of the descent of mankind from trees, and many cases in which plants were totems instead of animals.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Passing half way round the world to the Damaras of South Africa we find still more remarkable qualities attributed to the first tree.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Passing half way round the world to the Damaras of South Africa we find still more remarkable qualities attributed to the first tree.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading TREE AND PLANT MYTHS To primitive man, trees and plants seemed as mysterious as animals, and there are many myths which tell of the descent of mankind from trees, and many cases in which plants were totems instead of animals.
fruitsnounUS /fruːts/
plural of “fruit” — the ripened reproductive body of a seed plant
From this reading The Tamaraquas of South America have a tradition that the human race sprang from the fruits of the date palm after the Mexican age of water.
gorgeverbUS /ɡɔːrdʒ/
overeat or eat immodestly; make a pig of oneself
From this reading Among various Indian tribes who had such a belief may be mentioned the Miztecs, who declared they were descended from two majestic trees that stood in the gorge of the mountain of Apiola.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Among various Indian tribes who had such a belief may be mentioned the Miztecs, who declared they were descended from two majestic trees that stood in the gorge of the mountain of Apiola.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Passing half way round the world to the Damaras of South Africa we find still more remarkable qualities attributed to the first tree.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The Tamaraquas of South America have a tradition that the human race sprang from the fruits of the date palm after the Mexican age of water.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading The Tamaraquas of South America have a tradition that the human race sprang from the fruits of the date palm after the Mexican age of water.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading TREE AND PLANT MYTHS To primitive man, trees and plants seemed as mysterious as animals, and there are many myths which tell of the descent of mankind from trees, and many cases in which plants were totems instead of animals.
of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures
From this reading Among various Indian tribes who had such a belief may be mentioned the Miztecs, who declared they were descended from two majestic trees that stood in the gorge of the mountain of Apiola.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading TREE AND PLANT MYTHS To primitive man, trees and plants seemed as mysterious as animals, and there are many myths which tell of the descent of mankind from trees, and many cases in which plants were totems instead of animals.
majesticadjectiveUS /məˈdʒestɪk/
majestic in manner or bearing; superior to mundane matters
From this reading Among various Indian tribes who had such a belief may be mentioned the Miztecs, who declared they were descended from two majestic trees that stood in the gorge of the mountain of Apiola.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading TREE AND PLANT MYTHS To primitive man, trees and plants seemed as mysterious as animals, and there are many myths which tell of the descent of mankind from trees, and many cases in which plants were totems instead of animals.
mankindnounUS /ˈmænˈkaɪnd/
all of the living human inhabitants of the earth
From this reading TREE AND PLANT MYTHS To primitive man, trees and plants seemed as mysterious as animals, and there are many myths which tell of the descent of mankind from trees, and many cases in which plants were totems instead of animals.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading TREE AND PLANT MYTHS To primitive man, trees and plants seemed as mysterious as animals, and there are many myths which tell of the descent of mankind from trees, and many cases in which plants were totems instead of animals.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Among various Indian tribes who had such a belief may be mentioned the Miztecs, who declared they were descended from two majestic trees that stood in the gorge of the mountain of Apiola.
past form of “mention” — make reference to
From this reading Among various Indian tribes who had such a belief may be mentioned the Miztecs, who declared they were descended from two majestic trees that stood in the gorge of the mountain of Apiola.
MexicannounUS /ˈmeksəkən/
a native or inhabitant of Mexico
From this reading The Tamaraquas of South America have a tradition that the human race sprang from the fruits of the date palm after the Mexican age of water.
Miztecs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Among various Indian tribes who had such a belief may be mentioned the Miztecs, who declared they were descended from two majestic trees that stood in the gorge of the mountain of Apiola.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Passing half way round the world to the Damaras of South Africa we find still more remarkable qualities attributed to the first tree.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading Among various Indian tribes who had such a belief may be mentioned the Miztecs, who declared they were descended from two majestic trees that stood in the gorge of the mountain of Apiola.
of an obscure nature
From this reading TREE AND PLANT MYTHS To primitive man, trees and plants seemed as mysterious as animals, and there are many myths which tell of the descent of mankind from trees, and many cases in which plants were totems instead of animals.
MYTHSnounUS /mɪθs/
plural of “myth” — a traditional story accepted as history; serves to explain the world view of a people
From this reading TREE AND PLANT MYTHS To primitive man, trees and plants seemed as mysterious as animals, and there are many myths which tell of the descent of mankind from trees, and many cases in which plants were totems instead of animals.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading TREE AND PLANT MYTHS To primitive man, trees and plants seemed as mysterious as animals, and there are many myths which tell of the descent of mankind from trees, and many cases in which plants were totems instead of animals.
palmnounUS /pɑːm/
the inner surface of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers
From this reading The Tamaraquas of South America have a tradition that the human race sprang from the fruits of the date palm after the Mexican age of water.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading Passing half way round the world to the Damaras of South Africa we find still more remarkable qualities attributed to the first tree.
PLANTverbUS /plænt/
put or set (seeds, seedlings, or plants) into the ground
From this reading TREE AND PLANT MYTHS To primitive man, trees and plants seemed as mysterious as animals, and there are many myths which tell of the descent of mankind from trees, and many cases in which plants were totems instead of animals.
plantsnounUS /plænts/
plural of “plant” — buildings for carrying on industrial labor
From this reading TREE AND PLANT MYTHS To primitive man, trees and plants seemed as mysterious as animals, and there are many myths which tell of the descent of mankind from trees, and many cases in which plants were totems instead of animals.
primitiveadjectiveUS /ˈprɪmətɪv/
belonging to an early stage of technical development; characterized by simplicity and (often) crudeness
From this reading TREE AND PLANT MYTHS To primitive man, trees and plants seemed as mysterious as animals, and there are many myths which tell of the descent of mankind from trees, and many cases in which plants were totems instead of animals.
plural of “quality” — an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading Passing half way round the world to the Damaras of South Africa we find still more remarkable qualities attributed to the first tree.
any competition
From this reading The Tamaraquas of South America have a tradition that the human race sprang from the fruits of the date palm after the Mexican age of water.
unusual or striking
From this reading Passing half way round the world to the Damaras of South Africa we find still more remarkable qualities attributed to the first tree.
rootsnounUS /ruːts/
the condition of belonging to a particular place or group by virtue of social or ethnic or cultural lineage
From this reading The Chiapanecas thought they sprang from the roots of a silk cotton tree.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Passing half way round the world to the Damaras of South Africa we find still more remarkable qualities attributed to the first tree.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading TREE AND PLANT MYTHS To primitive man, trees and plants seemed as mysterious as animals, and there are many myths which tell of the descent of mankind from trees, and many cases in which plants were totems instead of animals.
a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae
From this reading The Chiapanecas thought they sprang from the roots of a silk cotton tree.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading The Tamaraquas of South America have a tradition that the human race sprang from the fruits of the date palm after the Mexican age of water.
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading The Chiapanecas thought they sprang from the roots of a silk cotton tree.
not in physical motion
From this reading Passing half way round the world to the Damaras of South Africa we find still more remarkable qualities attributed to the first tree.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Among various Indian tribes who had such a belief may be mentioned the Miztecs, who declared they were descended from two majestic trees that stood in the gorge of the mountain of Apiola.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Among various Indian tribes who had such a belief may be mentioned the Miztecs, who declared they were descended from two majestic trees that stood in the gorge of the mountain of Apiola.
Tamaraquas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Tamaraquas of South America have a tradition that the human race sprang from the fruits of the date palm after the Mexican age of water.
express in words
From this reading TREE AND PLANT MYTHS To primitive man, trees and plants seemed as mysterious as animals, and there are many myths which tell of the descent of mankind from trees, and many cases in which plants were totems instead of animals.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Among various Indian tribes who had such a belief may be mentioned the Miztecs, who declared they were descended from two majestic trees that stood in the gorge of the mountain of Apiola.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading TREE AND PLANT MYTHS To primitive man, trees and plants seemed as mysterious as animals, and there are many myths which tell of the descent of mankind from trees, and many cases in which plants were totems instead of animals.
in or at that place or location
From this reading TREE AND PLANT MYTHS To primitive man, trees and plants seemed as mysterious as animals, and there are many myths which tell of the descent of mankind from trees, and many cases in which plants were totems instead of animals.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Among various Indian tribes who had such a belief may be mentioned the Miztecs, who declared they were descended from two majestic trees that stood in the gorge of the mountain of Apiola.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The Chiapanecas thought they sprang from the roots of a silk cotton tree.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading TREE AND PLANT MYTHS To primitive man, trees and plants seemed as mysterious as animals, and there are many myths which tell of the descent of mankind from trees, and many cases in which plants were totems instead of animals.
totemsnounUS /ˈtoʊtəmz/
plural of “totem” — a clan or tribe identified by their kinship to a common totemic object
From this reading TREE AND PLANT MYTHS To primitive man, trees and plants seemed as mysterious as animals, and there are many myths which tell of the descent of mankind from trees, and many cases in which plants were totems instead of animals.
traditionnounUS /trəˈdɪʃən/
an inherited pattern of thought or action
From this reading The Tamaraquas of South America have a tradition that the human race sprang from the fruits of the date palm after the Mexican age of water.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading TREE AND PLANT MYTHS To primitive man, trees and plants seemed as mysterious as animals, and there are many myths which tell of the descent of mankind from trees, and many cases in which plants were totems instead of animals.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading TREE AND PLANT MYTHS To primitive man, trees and plants seemed as mysterious as animals, and there are many myths which tell of the descent of mankind from trees, and many cases in which plants were totems instead of animals.
tribesnounUS /traɪbz/
plural of “tribe” — a social division of (usually preliterate) people
From this reading Among various Indian tribes who had such a belief may be mentioned the Miztecs, who declared they were descended from two majestic trees that stood in the gorge of the mountain of Apiola.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Among various Indian tribes who had such a belief may be mentioned the Miztecs, who declared they were descended from two majestic trees that stood in the gorge of the mountain of Apiola.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading Among various Indian tribes who had such a belief may be mentioned the Miztecs, who declared they were descended from two majestic trees that stood in the gorge of the mountain of Apiola.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading The Tamaraquas of South America have a tradition that the human race sprang from the fruits of the date palm after the Mexican age of water.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Passing half way round the world to the Damaras of South Africa we find still more remarkable qualities attributed to the first tree.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Passing half way round the world to the Damaras of South Africa we find still more remarkable qualities attributed to the first tree.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading TREE AND PLANT MYTHS To primitive man, trees and plants seemed as mysterious as animals, and there are many myths which tell of the descent of mankind from trees, and many cases in which plants were totems instead of animals.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading TREE AND PLANT MYTHS To primitive man, trees and plants seemed as mysterious as animals, and there are many myths which tell of the descent of mankind from trees, and many cases in which plants were totems instead of animals.
which person or people
From this reading Among various Indian tribes who had such a belief may be mentioned the Miztecs, who declared they were descended from two majestic trees that stood in the gorge of the mountain of Apiola.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Passing half way round the world to the Damaras of South Africa we find still more remarkable qualities attributed to the first tree.
