used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But if you reject the proverb altogether; if you say that two and three are the same sort of company; if you cannot see that there is a wider abyss between two and three than between three and three million--then I regret to inform you that you belong to the Third Class of human beings; that you shall have no company either of two or three, but shall be alone in a howling desert till you die.
abyssnounUS /əˈbɪs/
a bottomless gulf or pit; any unfathomable (or apparently unfathomable) cavity or chasm or void extending below (often used figuratively)
From this reading But if you reject the proverb altogether; if you say that two and three are the same sort of company; if you cannot see that there is a wider abyss between two and three than between three and three million--then I regret to inform you that you belong to the Third Class of human beings; that you shall have no company either of two or three, but shall be alone in a howling desert till you die.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading But if you reject the proverb altogether; if you say that two and three are the same sort of company; if you cannot see that there is a wider abyss between two and three than between three and three million--then I regret to inform you that you belong to the Third Class of human beings; that you shall have no company either of two or three, but shall be alone in a howling desert till you die.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading But if you reject the proverb altogether; if you say that two and three are the same sort of company; if you cannot see that there is a wider abyss between two and three than between three and three million--then I regret to inform you that you belong to the Third Class of human beings; that you shall have no company either of two or three, but shall be alone in a howling desert till you die.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The same question might be considered well enough in the old proverb that two is company and three is none.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But if you reject the proverb altogether; if you say that two and three are the same sort of company; if you cannot see that there is a wider abyss between two and three than between three and three million--then I regret to inform you that you belong to the Third Class of human beings; that you shall have no company either of two or three, but shall be alone in a howling desert till you die.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Three is splendid company: three is the ideal number for pure comradeship: as in the Three Musketeers.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The same question might be considered well enough in the old proverb that two is company and three is none.
beingsnounUS /ˈbiːɪŋz/
plural of “being” — the state or fact of existing
From this reading But if you reject the proverb altogether; if you say that two and three are the same sort of company; if you cannot see that there is a wider abyss between two and three than between three and three million--then I regret to inform you that you belong to the Third Class of human beings; that you shall have no company either of two or three, but shall be alone in a howling desert till you die.
be owned by; be in the possession of
From this reading But if you reject the proverb altogether; if you say that two and three are the same sort of company; if you cannot see that there is a wider abyss between two and three than between three and three million--then I regret to inform you that you belong to the Third Class of human beings; that you shall have no company either of two or three, but shall be alone in a howling desert till you die.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading But if you reject the proverb altogether; if you say that two and three are the same sort of company; if you cannot see that there is a wider abyss between two and three than between three and three million--then I regret to inform you that you belong to the Third Class of human beings; that you shall have no company either of two or three, but shall be alone in a howling desert till you die.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But if you reject the proverb altogether; if you say that two and three are the same sort of company; if you cannot see that there is a wider abyss between two and three than between three and three million--then I regret to inform you that you belong to the Third Class of human beings; that you shall have no company either of two or three, but shall be alone in a howling desert till you die.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But if you reject the proverb altogether; if you say that two and three are the same sort of company; if you cannot see that there is a wider abyss between two and three than between three and three million--then I regret to inform you that you belong to the Third Class of human beings; that you shall have no company either of two or three, but shall be alone in a howling desert till you die.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Certainly it is untrue that three is no company.
a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading But if you reject the proverb altogether; if you say that two and three are the same sort of company; if you cannot see that there is a wider abyss between two and three than between three and three million--then I regret to inform you that you belong to the Third Class of human beings; that you shall have no company either of two or three, but shall be alone in a howling desert till you die.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading The same question might be considered well enough in the old proverb that two is company and three is none.
comradeshipnoun
the quality of affording easy familiarity and sociability
From this reading Three is splendid company: three is the ideal number for pure comradeship: as in the Three Musketeers.
carefully weighed
From this reading The same question might be considered well enough in the old proverb that two is company and three is none.
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading But if you reject the proverb altogether; if you say that two and three are the same sort of company; if you cannot see that there is a wider abyss between two and three than between three and three million--then I regret to inform you that you belong to the Third Class of human beings; that you shall have no company either of two or three, but shall be alone in a howling desert till you die.
pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading But if you reject the proverb altogether; if you say that two and three are the same sort of company; if you cannot see that there is a wider abyss between two and three than between three and three million--then I regret to inform you that you belong to the Third Class of human beings; that you shall have no company either of two or three, but shall be alone in a howling desert till you die.
one or the other of two
From this reading But if you reject the proverb altogether; if you say that two and three are the same sort of company; if you cannot see that there is a wider abyss between two and three than between three and three million--then I regret to inform you that you belong to the Third Class of human beings; that you shall have no company either of two or three, but shall be alone in a howling desert till you die.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading The same question might be considered well enough in the old proverb that two is company and three is none.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Three is splendid company: three is the ideal number for pure comradeship: as in the Three Musketeers.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But if you reject the proverb altogether; if you say that two and three are the same sort of company; if you cannot see that there is a wider abyss between two and three than between three and three million--then I regret to inform you that you belong to the Third Class of human beings; that you shall have no company either of two or three, but shall be alone in a howling desert till you die.
howlingnounUS /ˈhaʊlɪŋ/
a long loud emotional utterance
From this reading But if you reject the proverb altogether; if you say that two and three are the same sort of company; if you cannot see that there is a wider abyss between two and three than between three and three million--then I regret to inform you that you belong to the Third Class of human beings; that you shall have no company either of two or three, but shall be alone in a howling desert till you die.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading But if you reject the proverb altogether; if you say that two and three are the same sort of company; if you cannot see that there is a wider abyss between two and three than between three and three million--then I regret to inform you that you belong to the Third Class of human beings; that you shall have no company either of two or three, but shall be alone in a howling desert till you die.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading But if you reject the proverb altogether; if you say that two and three are the same sort of company; if you cannot see that there is a wider abyss between two and three than between three and three million--then I regret to inform you that you belong to the Third Class of human beings; that you shall have no company either of two or three, but shall be alone in a howling desert till you die.
idealadjectiveUS /aɪˈdiːl/
conforming to an ultimate standard of perfection or excellence; embodying an ideal
From this reading Three is splendid company: three is the ideal number for pure comradeship: as in the Three Musketeers.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading But if you reject the proverb altogether; if you say that two and three are the same sort of company; if you cannot see that there is a wider abyss between two and three than between three and three million--then I regret to inform you that you belong to the Third Class of human beings; that you shall have no company either of two or three, but shall be alone in a howling desert till you die.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The same question might be considered well enough in the old proverb that two is company and three is none.
informverbUS /ˌɪnˈfɔːrm/
impart knowledge of some fact, state of affairs, or event to
From this reading But if you reject the proverb altogether; if you say that two and three are the same sort of company; if you cannot see that there is a wider abyss between two and three than between three and three million--then I regret to inform you that you belong to the Third Class of human beings; that you shall have no company either of two or three, but shall be alone in a howling desert till you die.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The same question might be considered well enough in the old proverb that two is company and three is none.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This proverb is the truth put popularly: that is, it is the truth put wrong.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The same question might be considered well enough in the old proverb that two is company and three is none.
millionnounUS /ˈmɪljən/
the number that is represented as a one followed by 6 zeros
From this reading But if you reject the proverb altogether; if you say that two and three are the same sort of company; if you cannot see that there is a wider abyss between two and three than between three and three million--then I regret to inform you that you belong to the Third Class of human beings; that you shall have no company either of two or three, but shall be alone in a howling desert till you die.
MusketeersnounUS /ˌmʌskəˈtiːrz/
plural of “musketeer” — a foot soldier armed with a musket
From this reading Three is splendid company: three is the ideal number for pure comradeship: as in the Three Musketeers.
not any; not one
From this reading Certainly it is untrue that three is no company.
not one, and not any
From this reading The same question might be considered well enough in the old proverb that two is company and three is none.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading Three is splendid company: three is the ideal number for pure comradeship: as in the Three Musketeers.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But if you reject the proverb altogether; if you say that two and three are the same sort of company; if you cannot see that there is a wider abyss between two and three than between three and three million--then I regret to inform you that you belong to the Third Class of human beings; that you shall have no company either of two or three, but shall be alone in a howling desert till you die.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The same question might be considered well enough in the old proverb that two is company and three is none.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But if you reject the proverb altogether; if you say that two and three are the same sort of company; if you cannot see that there is a wider abyss between two and three than between three and three million--then I regret to inform you that you belong to the Third Class of human beings; that you shall have no company either of two or three, but shall be alone in a howling desert till you die.
popularlyadverbUS /ˈpɑːpjələrli/
among the people
From this reading This proverb is the truth put popularly: that is, it is the truth put wrong.
proverbnounUS /ˈprɑːvərb/
a condensed but memorable saying embodying some important fact of experience that is taken as true by many people
From this reading The same question might be considered well enough in the old proverb that two is company and three is none.
free of extraneous elements of any kind
From this reading Three is splendid company: three is the ideal number for pure comradeship: as in the Three Musketeers.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading This proverb is the truth put popularly: that is, it is the truth put wrong.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading The same question might be considered well enough in the old proverb that two is company and three is none.
feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about
From this reading But if you reject the proverb altogether; if you say that two and three are the same sort of company; if you cannot see that there is a wider abyss between two and three than between three and three million--then I regret to inform you that you belong to the Third Class of human beings; that you shall have no company either of two or three, but shall be alone in a howling desert till you die.
rejectverbUS /rɪˈdʒekt/
refuse to accept or acknowledge
From this reading But if you reject the proverb altogether; if you say that two and three are the same sort of company; if you cannot see that there is a wider abyss between two and three than between three and three million--then I regret to inform you that you belong to the Third Class of human beings; that you shall have no company either of two or three, but shall be alone in a howling desert till you die.
Identical; not different.
From this reading The same question might be considered well enough in the old proverb that two is company and three is none.
express in words
From this reading But if you reject the proverb altogether; if you say that two and three are the same sort of company; if you cannot see that there is a wider abyss between two and three than between three and three million--then I regret to inform you that you belong to the Third Class of human beings; that you shall have no company either of two or three, but shall be alone in a howling desert till you die.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading But if you reject the proverb altogether; if you say that two and three are the same sort of company; if you cannot see that there is a wider abyss between two and three than between three and three million--then I regret to inform you that you belong to the Third Class of human beings; that you shall have no company either of two or three, but shall be alone in a howling desert till you die.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading But if you reject the proverb altogether; if you say that two and three are the same sort of company; if you cannot see that there is a wider abyss between two and three than between three and three million--then I regret to inform you that you belong to the Third Class of human beings; that you shall have no company either of two or three, but shall be alone in a howling desert till you die.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading But if you reject the proverb altogether; if you say that two and three are the same sort of company; if you cannot see that there is a wider abyss between two and three than between three and three million--then I regret to inform you that you belong to the Third Class of human beings; that you shall have no company either of two or three, but shall be alone in a howling desert till you die.
having great beauty and splendor
From this reading Three is splendid company: three is the ideal number for pure comradeship: as in the Three Musketeers.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But if you reject the proverb altogether; if you say that two and three are the same sort of company; if you cannot see that there is a wider abyss between two and three than between three and three million--then I regret to inform you that you belong to the Third Class of human beings; that you shall have no company either of two or three, but shall be alone in a howling desert till you die.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The same question might be considered well enough in the old proverb that two is company and three is none.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The same question might be considered well enough in the old proverb that two is company and three is none.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading But if you reject the proverb altogether; if you say that two and three are the same sort of company; if you cannot see that there is a wider abyss between two and three than between three and three million--then I regret to inform you that you belong to the Third Class of human beings; that you shall have no company either of two or three, but shall be alone in a howling desert till you die.
in or at that place or location
From this reading But if you reject the proverb altogether; if you say that two and three are the same sort of company; if you cannot see that there is a wider abyss between two and three than between three and three million--then I regret to inform you that you belong to the Third Class of human beings; that you shall have no company either of two or three, but shall be alone in a howling desert till you die.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading But if you reject the proverb altogether; if you say that two and three are the same sort of company; if you cannot see that there is a wider abyss between two and three than between three and three million--then I regret to inform you that you belong to the Third Class of human beings; that you shall have no company either of two or three, but shall be alone in a howling desert till you die.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This proverb is the truth put popularly: that is, it is the truth put wrong.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading The same question might be considered well enough in the old proverb that two is company and three is none.
up to a particular time
From this reading But if you reject the proverb altogether; if you say that two and three are the same sort of company; if you cannot see that there is a wider abyss between two and three than between three and three million--then I regret to inform you that you belong to the Third Class of human beings; that you shall have no company either of two or three, but shall be alone in a howling desert till you die.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But if you reject the proverb altogether; if you say that two and three are the same sort of company; if you cannot see that there is a wider abyss between two and three than between three and three million--then I regret to inform you that you belong to the Third Class of human beings; that you shall have no company either of two or three, but shall be alone in a howling desert till you die.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading This proverb is the truth put popularly: that is, it is the truth put wrong.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The same question might be considered well enough in the old proverb that two is company and three is none.
untrueadjectiveUS /ənˈtruː/
not according with the facts
From this reading Certainly it is untrue that three is no company.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading The same question might be considered well enough in the old proverb that two is company and three is none.
wideradjectiveUS /ˈwaɪdər/
comparative of “wide” — having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading But if you reject the proverb altogether; if you say that two and three are the same sort of company; if you cannot see that there is a wider abyss between two and three than between three and three million--then I regret to inform you that you belong to the Third Class of human beings; that you shall have no company either of two or three, but shall be alone in a howling desert till you die.
not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth
From this reading This proverb is the truth put popularly: that is, it is the truth put wrong.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading But if you reject the proverb altogether; if you say that two and three are the same sort of company; if you cannot see that there is a wider abyss between two and three than between three and three million--then I regret to inform you that you belong to the Third Class of human beings; that you shall have no company either of two or three, but shall be alone in a howling desert till you die.
