used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with
From this reading If I had told my companion that she was the victim of a thousand superstitions, she would have taken it as an affront, because, according to American usage, it is not proper to dispute with a lady.
affrontnounUS /əˈfrʌnt/
a deliberately offensive act or something producing the effect of deliberate disrespect
From this reading If I had told my companion that she was the victim of a thousand superstitions, she would have taken it as an affront, because, according to American usage, it is not proper to dispute with a lady.
allegedadjectiveUS /əˈledʒd/
declared but not proved
From this reading THE SUPERSTITIONS OF THE AMERICANS Among the many topics I have discussed with Americans, our alleged superstitions, or our belief in so-called dragons, genii, ghosts, etc., seem to have made the deepest impression.
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
AMERICANSnounUS /əˈmerəkənz/
plural of “american” — a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading THE SUPERSTITIONS OF THE AMERICANS Among the many topics I have discussed with Americans, our alleged superstitions, or our belief in so-called dragons, genii, ghosts, etc., seem to have made the deepest impression.
AmongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading THE SUPERSTITIONS OF THE AMERICANS Among the many topics I have discussed with Americans, our alleged superstitions, or our belief in so-called dragons, genii, ghosts, etc., seem to have made the deepest impression.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading If I had told my companion that she was the victim of a thousand superstitions, she would have taken it as an affront, because, according to American usage, it is not proper to dispute with a lady.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
Angeles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Americans are the most superstitious people in the world.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading If I had told my companion that she was the victim of a thousand superstitions, she would have taken it as an affront, because, according to American usage, it is not proper to dispute with a lady.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
for the reason that
From this reading If I had told my companion that she was the victim of a thousand superstitions, she would have taken it as an affront, because, according to American usage, it is not proper to dispute with a lady.
any cognitive content held as true
From this reading THE SUPERSTITIONS OF THE AMERICANS Among the many topics I have discussed with Americans, our alleged superstitions, or our belief in so-called dragons, genii, ghosts, etc., seem to have made the deepest impression.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
pleasing or delighting
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
ChinesenounUS /tʃaɪˈniːz/
any of the Sino-Tibetan languages spoken in China; regarded as dialects of a single language (even though they are mutually unintelligible) because they share an ideographic writing system
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading If I had told my companion that she was the victim of a thousand superstitions, she would have taken it as an affront, because, according to American usage, it is not proper to dispute with a lady.
deepestadjectiveUS /ˈdiːpəst/
superlative of “deep” — relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading THE SUPERSTITIONS OF THE AMERICANS Among the many topics I have discussed with Americans, our alleged superstitions, or our belief in so-called dragons, genii, ghosts, etc., seem to have made the deepest impression.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
dinner-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They will not sit down to a dinner-table when there are thirteen persons.
discussedverbUS /dɪˈskʌst/
past form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading THE SUPERSTITIONS OF THE AMERICANS Among the many topics I have discussed with Americans, our alleged superstitions, or our belief in so-called dragons, genii, ghosts, etc., seem to have made the deepest impression.
disputeverbUS /dɪsˈpjuːt/
take exception to
From this reading If I had told my companion that she was the victim of a thousand superstitions, she would have taken it as an affront, because, according to American usage, it is not proper to dispute with a lady.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading They will not sit down to a dinner-table when there are thirteen persons.
dragverbUS /dræɡ/
pull, as against a resistance
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
dragonnounUS /ˈdræɡən/
a creature of Teutonic mythology; usually represented as breathing fire and having a reptilian body and sometimes wings
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
dragonsnounUS /ˈdræɡənz/
plural of “dragon” — a creature of Teutonic mythology; usually represented as breathing fire and having a reptilian body and sometimes wings
From this reading THE SUPERSTITIONS OF THE AMERICANS Among the many topics I have discussed with Americans, our alleged superstitions, or our belief in so-called dragons, genii, ghosts, etc., seem to have made the deepest impression.
EmbassynounUS /ˈembəsi/
a diplomatic building where ambassadors live or work
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
etc
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SUPERSTITIONS OF THE AMERICANS Among the many topics I have discussed with Americans, our alleged superstitions, or our belief in so-called dragons, genii, ghosts, etc., seem to have made the deepest impression.
morally objectionable behavior
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
exorciseverb
expel through adjuration or prayers
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
Francisco
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
genii
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SUPERSTITIONS OF THE AMERICANS Among the many topics I have discussed with Americans, our alleged superstitions, or our belief in so-called dragons, genii, ghosts, etc., seem to have made the deepest impression.
ghostsnounUS /ɡoʊsts/
plural of “ghost” — a mental representation of some haunting experience
From this reading THE SUPERSTITIONS OF THE AMERICANS Among the many topics I have discussed with Americans, our alleged superstitions, or our belief in so-called dragons, genii, ghosts, etc., seem to have made the deepest impression.
grosslyadverbUS /ˈɡroʊsli/
in a gross manner
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading If I had told my companion that she was the victim of a thousand superstitions, she would have taken it as an affront, because, according to American usage, it is not proper to dispute with a lady.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading THE SUPERSTITIONS OF THE AMERICANS Among the many topics I have discussed with Americans, our alleged superstitions, or our belief in so-called dragons, genii, ghosts, etc., seem to have made the deepest impression.
ten 10s
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE SUPERSTITIONS OF THE AMERICANS Among the many topics I have discussed with Americans, our alleged superstitions, or our belief in so-called dragons, genii, ghosts, etc., seem to have made the deepest impression.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If I had told my companion that she was the victim of a thousand superstitions, she would have taken it as an affront, because, according to American usage, it is not proper to dispute with a lady.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading THE SUPERSTITIONS OF THE AMERICANS Among the many topics I have discussed with Americans, our alleged superstitions, or our belief in so-called dragons, genii, ghosts, etc., seem to have made the deepest impression.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE SUPERSTITIONS OF THE AMERICANS Among the many topics I have discussed with Americans, our alleged superstitions, or our belief in so-called dragons, genii, ghosts, etc., seem to have made the deepest impression.
intelligentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtelədʒənt/
having the capacity for thought and reason especially to a high degree
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If I had told my companion that she was the victim of a thousand superstitions, she would have taken it as an affront, because, according to American usage, it is not proper to dispute with a lady.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If I had told my companion that she was the victim of a thousand superstitions, she would have taken it as an affront, because, according to American usage, it is not proper to dispute with a lady.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading If I had told my companion that she was the victim of a thousand superstitions, she would have taken it as an affront, because, according to American usage, it is not proper to dispute with a lady.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
Los
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading THE SUPERSTITIONS OF THE AMERICANS Among the many topics I have discussed with Americans, our alleged superstitions, or our belief in so-called dragons, genii, ghosts, etc., seem to have made the deepest impression.
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 THE SUPERSTITIONS OF THE AMERICANS Among the many topics I have discussed with Americans, our alleged superstitions, or our belief in so-called dragons, genii, ghosts, etc., seem to have made the deepest impression.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The Americans are the most superstitious people in the world.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading If I had told my companion that she was the victim of a thousand superstitions, she would have taken it as an affront, because, according to American usage, it is not proper to dispute with a lady.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading If I had told my companion that she was the victim of a thousand superstitions, she would have taken it as an affront, because, according to American usage, it is not proper to dispute with a lady.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE SUPERSTITIONS OF THE AMERICANS Among the many topics I have discussed with Americans, our alleged superstitions, or our belief in so-called dragons, genii, ghosts, etc., seem to have made the deepest impression.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE SUPERSTITIONS OF THE AMERICANS Among the many topics I have discussed with Americans, our alleged superstitions, or our belief in so-called dragons, genii, ghosts, etc., seem to have made the deepest impression.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading THE SUPERSTITIONS OF THE AMERICANS Among the many topics I have discussed with Americans, our alleged superstitions, or our belief in so-called dragons, genii, ghosts, etc., seem to have made the deepest impression.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading They will not sit down to a dinner-table when there are thirteen persons.
marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
From this reading If I had told my companion that she was the victim of a thousand superstitions, she would have taken it as an affront, because, according to American usage, it is not proper to dispute with a lady.
San
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading THE SUPERSTITIONS OF THE AMERICANS Among the many topics I have discussed with Americans, our alleged superstitions, or our belief in so-called dragons, genii, ghosts, etc., seem to have made the deepest impression.
seriousnessnounUS /ˈsɪriəsnəs/
an earnest and sincere feeling
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If I had told my companion that she was the victim of a thousand superstitions, she would have taken it as an affront, because, according to American usage, it is not proper to dispute with a lady.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
be seated
From this reading They will not sit down to a dinner-table when there are thirteen persons.
so-calledadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊˈkɔːld/
doubtful or suspect
From this reading THE SUPERSTITIONS OF THE AMERICANS Among the many topics I have discussed with Americans, our alleged superstitions, or our belief in so-called dragons, genii, ghosts, etc., seem to have made the deepest impression.
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
SUPERSTITIONSnounUS /ˌsuːpərˈstɪʃənz/
plural of “superstition” — an irrational belief arising from ignorance or fear
From this reading THE SUPERSTITIONS OF THE AMERICANS Among the many topics I have discussed with Americans, our alleged superstitions, or our belief in so-called dragons, genii, ghosts, etc., seem to have made the deepest impression.
superstitiousadjectiveUS /ˌsuːpərˈstɪʃəs/
showing ignorance of the laws of nature and faith in magic or chance
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading If I had told my companion that she was the victim of a thousand superstitions, she would have taken it as an affront, because, according to American usage, it is not proper to dispute with a lady.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SUPERSTITIONS OF THE AMERICANS Among the many topics I have discussed with Americans, our alleged superstitions, or our belief in so-called dragons, genii, ghosts, etc., seem to have made the deepest impression.
in or at that place or location
From this reading They will not sit down to a dinner-table when there are thirteen persons.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
thirteennounUS /ˈθɜːrˈtiːn/
the cardinal number that is the sum of twelve and one
From this reading They will not sit down to a dinner-table when there are thirteen persons.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading If I had told my companion that she was the victim of a thousand superstitions, she would have taken it as an affront, because, according to American usage, it is not proper to dispute with a lady.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE SUPERSTITIONS OF THE AMERICANS Among the many topics I have discussed with Americans, our alleged superstitions, or our belief in so-called dragons, genii, ghosts, etc., seem to have made the deepest impression.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
topicsnounUS /ˈtɑːpɪks/
plural of “topic” — the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading THE SUPERSTITIONS OF THE AMERICANS Among the many topics I have discussed with Americans, our alleged superstitions, or our belief in so-called dragons, genii, ghosts, etc., seem to have made the deepest impression.
usagenounUS /ˈjuːsədʒ/
the act of using
From this reading If I had told my companion that she was the victim of a thousand superstitions, she would have taken it as an affront, because, according to American usage, it is not proper to dispute with a lady.
an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance
From this reading If I had told my companion that she was the victim of a thousand superstitions, she would have taken it as an affront, because, according to American usage, it is not proper to dispute with a lady.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If I had told my companion that she was the victim of a thousand superstitions, she would have taken it as an affront, because, according to American usage, it is not proper to dispute with a lady.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
at the time that
From this reading They will not sit down to a dinner-table when there are thirteen persons.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading They will not sit down to a dinner-table when there are thirteen persons.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE SUPERSTITIONS OF THE AMERICANS Among the many topics I have discussed with Americans, our alleged superstitions, or our belief in so-called dragons, genii, ghosts, etc., seem to have made the deepest impression.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading A charming American woman, whom I met at the ---- Embassy at dinner, told me with seriousness that our people may be intelligent, but the fact that in San Francisco and Los Angeles they at certain times drag through the streets a dragon five hundred feet long to exorcise the evil spirits, showed that the Chinese were grossly superstitious.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading The Americans are the most superstitious people in the world.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If I had told my companion that she was the victim of a thousand superstitions, she would have taken it as an affront, because, according to American usage, it is not proper to dispute with a lady.
