adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The mystery is not their continuance, but how did they get a start?
accustomedadjectiveUS /əˈkʌstəmd/
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading We are so much accustomed to kings and queens and other privileged persons of that sort in this world that it is only on reflection that we wonder how they became so.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There must have been not only a selection, but an election, not by ballot, but by consent some way expressed, and the privileged persons got their positions because they were the strongest, or the wisest, or the most cunning.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading We are so much accustomed to kings and queens and other privileged persons of that sort in this world that it is only on reflection that we wonder how they became so.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading We are so much accustomed to kings and queens and other privileged persons of that sort in this world that it is only on reflection that we wonder how they became so.
ballotnounUS /ˈbælət/
a document listing the alternatives that is used in voting
From this reading There must have been not only a selection, but an election, not by ballot, but by consent some way expressed, and the privileged persons got their positions because they were the strongest, or the wisest, or the most cunning.
becameverbUS /bɪˈkeɪm/
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading We are so much accustomed to kings and queens and other privileged persons of that sort in this world that it is only on reflection that we wonder how they became so.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading There must have been not only a selection, but an election, not by ballot, but by consent some way expressed, and the privileged persons got their positions because they were the strongest, or the wisest, or the most cunning.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading We take little help from studying the bees --originally no one could have been born a queen.
beesnounUS /biːz/
plural of “bee” — any of numerous hairy-bodied insects including social and solitary species
From this reading We take little help from studying the bees --originally no one could have been born a queen.
bornadjectiveUS /bɔːrn/
brought into existence
From this reading We take little help from studying the bees --originally no one could have been born a queen.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The mystery is not their continuance, but how did they get a start?
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There must have been not only a selection, but an election, not by ballot, but by consent some way expressed, and the privileged persons got their positions because they were the strongest, or the wisest, or the most cunning.
consentnounUS /kənˈsent/
permission to do something
From this reading There must have been not only a selection, but an election, not by ballot, but by consent some way expressed, and the privileged persons got their positions because they were the strongest, or the wisest, or the most cunning.
continuancenounUS /kənˈtɪnjuːəns/
the act of continuing an activity without interruption
From this reading The mystery is not their continuance, but how did they get a start?
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading We take little help from studying the bees --originally no one could have been born a queen.
cunningadjectiveUS /ˈkʌnɪŋ/
attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness
From this reading There must have been not only a selection, but an election, not by ballot, but by consent some way expressed, and the privileged persons got their positions because they were the strongest, or the wisest, or the most cunning.
descendantsnounUS /dɪˈsendənts/
all of the offspring of a given progenitor
From this reading But the descendants of these privileged persons hold the same positions when they are neither strong, nor wise, nor very cunning.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The mystery is not their continuance, but how did they get a start?
electionnounUS /ɪˈlekʃən/
a vote to select the winner of a position or political office
From this reading There must have been not only a selection, but an election, not by ballot, but by consent some way expressed, and the privileged persons got their positions because they were the strongest, or the wisest, or the most cunning.
expressedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsprest/
communicated in words
From this reading There must have been not only a selection, but an election, not by ballot, but by consent some way expressed, and the privileged persons got their positions because they were the strongest, or the wisest, or the most cunning.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading We take little help from studying the bees --originally no one could have been born a queen.
getverbUS /ɡet/
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading The mystery is not their continuance, but how did they get a start?
gotverbUS /ɡɑːt/
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading There must have been not only a selection, but an election, not by ballot, but by consent some way expressed, and the privileged persons got their positions because they were the strongest, or the wisest, or the most cunning.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading We take little help from studying the bees --originally no one could have been born a queen.
helpverbUS /help/
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading We take little help from studying the bees --originally no one could have been born a queen.
holdverbUS /hoʊld/
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading But the descendants of these privileged persons hold the same positions when they are neither strong, nor wise, nor very cunning.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We are so much accustomed to kings and queens and other privileged persons of that sort in this world that it is only on reflection that we wonder how they became so.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading We are so much accustomed to kings and queens and other privileged persons of that sort in this world that it is only on reflection that we wonder how they became so.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading We are so much accustomed to kings and queens and other privileged persons of that sort in this world that it is only on reflection that we wonder how they became so.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading We are so much accustomed to kings and queens and other privileged persons of that sort in this world that it is only on reflection that we wonder how they became so.
kingsnounUS /kɪŋz/
plural of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading We are so much accustomed to kings and queens and other privileged persons of that sort in this world that it is only on reflection that we wonder how they became so.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading We take little help from studying the bees --originally no one could have been born a queen.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading There must have been not only a selection, but an election, not by ballot, but by consent some way expressed, and the privileged persons got their positions because they were the strongest, or the wisest, or the most cunning.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading We are so much accustomed to kings and queens and other privileged persons of that sort in this world that it is only on reflection that we wonder how they became so.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading There must have been not only a selection, but an election, not by ballot, but by consent some way expressed, and the privileged persons got their positions because they were the strongest, or the wisest, or the most cunning.
mysterynounUS /ˈmɪstəri/
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading The mystery is not their continuance, but how did they get a start?
neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/
not one and not the other of two
From this reading But the descendants of these privileged persons hold the same positions when they are neither strong, nor wise, nor very cunning.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading We take little help from studying the bees --originally no one could have been born a queen.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading But the descendants of these privileged persons hold the same positions when they are neither strong, nor wise, nor very cunning.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The mystery is not their continuance, but how did they get a start?
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We are so much accustomed to kings and queens and other privileged persons of that sort in this world that it is only on reflection that we wonder how they became so.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading We are so much accustomed to kings and queens and other privileged persons of that sort in this world that it is only on reflection that we wonder how they became so.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading We take little help from studying the bees --originally no one could have been born a queen.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading We are so much accustomed to kings and queens and other privileged persons of that sort in this world that it is only on reflection that we wonder how they became so.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading There must have been not only a selection, but an election, not by ballot, but by consent some way expressed, and the privileged persons got their positions because they were the strongest, or the wisest, or the most cunning.
originallyadverbUS /ərˈɪdʒənəli/
in an original manner
From this reading We take little help from studying the bees --originally no one could have been born a queen.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading We are so much accustomed to kings and queens and other privileged persons of that sort in this world that it is only on reflection that we wonder how they became so.
personsnounUS /ˈpɜːrsənz/
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading We are so much accustomed to kings and queens and other privileged persons of that sort in this world that it is only on reflection that we wonder how they became so.
positionsnounUS /pəˈzɪʃənz/
plural of “position” — the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading There must have been not only a selection, but an election, not by ballot, but by consent some way expressed, and the privileged persons got their positions because they were the strongest, or the wisest, or the most cunning.
privilegedadjectiveUS /ˈprɪvlədʒd/
blessed with privileges
From this reading We are so much accustomed to kings and queens and other privileged persons of that sort in this world that it is only on reflection that we wonder how they became so.
queennounUS /kwiːn/
the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs
From this reading We take little help from studying the bees --originally no one could have been born a queen.
queensnounUS /kwiːnz/
a borough of New York City
From this reading We are so much accustomed to kings and queens and other privileged persons of that sort in this world that it is only on reflection that we wonder how they became so.
reflectionnounUS /rɪˈflekʃən/
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading We are so much accustomed to kings and queens and other privileged persons of that sort in this world that it is only on reflection that we wonder how they became so.
sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/
Identical; not different.
From this reading But the descendants of these privileged persons hold the same positions when they are neither strong, nor wise, nor very cunning.
selectionnounUS /səˈlekʃən/
the act of choosing or selecting
From this reading There must have been not only a selection, but an election, not by ballot, but by consent some way expressed, and the privileged persons got their positions because they were the strongest, or the wisest, or the most cunning.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading We are so much accustomed to kings and queens and other privileged persons of that sort in this world that it is only on reflection that we wonder how they became so.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading There must have been not only a selection, but an election, not by ballot, but by consent some way expressed, and the privileged persons got their positions because they were the strongest, or the wisest, or the most cunning.
sortnounUS /sɔːrt/
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading We are so much accustomed to kings and queens and other privileged persons of that sort in this world that it is only on reflection that we wonder how they became so.
startverbUS /stɑːrt/
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The mystery is not their continuance, but how did they get a start?
strongadjectiveUS /strɔːŋ/
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading But the descendants of these privileged persons hold the same positions when they are neither strong, nor wise, nor very cunning.
strongestadjectiveUS /ˈstrɔːŋɡəst/
superlative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading There must have been not only a selection, but an election, not by ballot, but by consent some way expressed, and the privileged persons got their positions because they were the strongest, or the wisest, or the most cunning.
studyingnounUS /ˈstʌdiɪŋ/
reading carefully with intent to remember
From this reading We take little help from studying the bees --originally no one could have been born a queen.
takeverbUS /teɪk/
carry out
From this reading We take little help from studying the bees --originally no one could have been born a queen.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading We are so much accustomed to kings and queens and other privileged persons of that sort in this world that it is only on reflection that we wonder how they became so.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The mystery is not their continuance, but how did they get a start?
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The mystery is not their continuance, but how did they get a start?
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There must have been not only a selection, but an election, not by ballot, but by consent some way expressed, and the privileged persons got their positions because they were the strongest, or the wisest, or the most cunning.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading But the descendants of these privileged persons hold the same positions when they are neither strong, nor wise, nor very cunning.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading We are so much accustomed to kings and queens and other privileged persons of that sort in this world that it is only on reflection that we wonder how they became so.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading We are so much accustomed to kings and queens and other privileged persons of that sort in this world that it is only on reflection that we wonder how they became so.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading We are so much accustomed to kings and queens and other privileged persons of that sort in this world that it is only on reflection that we wonder how they became so.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading But the descendants of these privileged persons hold the same positions when they are neither strong, nor wise, nor very cunning.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading There must have been not only a selection, but an election, not by ballot, but by consent some way expressed, and the privileged persons got their positions because they were the strongest, or the wisest, or the most cunning.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We are so much accustomed to kings and queens and other privileged persons of that sort in this world that it is only on reflection that we wonder how they became so.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There must have been not only a selection, but an election, not by ballot, but by consent some way expressed, and the privileged persons got their positions because they were the strongest, or the wisest, or the most cunning.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading But the descendants of these privileged persons hold the same positions when they are neither strong, nor wise, nor very cunning.
wiseadjectiveUS /waɪz/
having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading But the descendants of these privileged persons hold the same positions when they are neither strong, nor wise, nor very cunning.
wisestadjectiveUS /ˈwaɪzəst/
superlative of “wise” — having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading There must have been not only a selection, but an election, not by ballot, but by consent some way expressed, and the privileged persons got their positions because they were the strongest, or the wisest, or the most cunning.
wondernounUS /ˈwʌndər/
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading We are so much accustomed to kings and queens and other privileged persons of that sort in this world that it is only on reflection that we wonder how they became so.
worldnounUS /wɜːrld/
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading We are so much accustomed to kings and queens and other privileged persons of that sort in this world that it is only on reflection that we wonder how they became so.
