used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE COMB BUILDERS In order to trace the history of a hive, and to learn about the round of work which goes on day by day, we will suppose that a swarm of bees has been placed in an empty hive.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading We shall then be able to follow them as they commence with the first necessary work of building the combs.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading THE COMB BUILDERS In order to trace the history of a hive, and to learn about the round of work which goes on day by day, we will suppose that a swarm of bees has been placed in an empty hive.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading We have already seen how the frames are placed within the hive, but we have yet to learn how the combs are built in them.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE COMB BUILDERS In order to trace the history of a hive, and to learn about the round of work which goes on day by day, we will suppose that a swarm of bees has been placed in an empty hive.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE COMB BUILDERS In order to trace the history of a hive, and to learn about the round of work which goes on day by day, we will suppose that a swarm of bees has been placed in an empty hive.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading We have already seen how the frames are placed within the hive, but we have yet to learn how the combs are built in them.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading We shall then be able to follow them as they commence with the first necessary work of building the combs.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading We shall then be able to follow them as they commence with the first necessary work of building the combs.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading THE COMB BUILDERS In order to trace the history of a hive, and to learn about the round of work which goes on day by day, we will suppose that a swarm of bees has been placed in an empty hive.
beesnounUS /biːz/
plural of “bee” — any of numerous hairy-bodied insects including social and solitary species
From this reading THE COMB BUILDERS In order to trace the history of a hive, and to learn about the round of work which goes on day by day, we will suppose that a swarm of bees has been placed in an empty hive.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before the builders can set to work, however, it is necessary that the wax, of which the combs are constructed, should be made.
BUILDERSnounUS /ˈbɪldərz/
plural of “builder” — a substance added to soaps or detergents to increase their cleansing action
From this reading THE COMB BUILDERS In order to trace the history of a hive, and to learn about the round of work which goes on day by day, we will suppose that a swarm of bees has been placed in an empty hive.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading We shall then be able to follow them as they commence with the first necessary work of building the combs.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading We have already seen how the frames are placed within the hive, but we have yet to learn how the combs are built in them.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading We have already seen how the frames are placed within the hive, but we have yet to learn how the combs are built in them.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE COMB BUILDERS In order to trace the history of a hive, and to learn about the round of work which goes on day by day, we will suppose that a swarm of bees has been placed in an empty hive.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Before the builders can set to work, however, it is necessary that the wax, of which the combs are constructed, should be made.
chaptersnounUS /ˈtʃæptərz/
plural of “chapter” — a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
From this reading Our later chapters will lead us through the whole cycle of hive life.
COMBverbUS /koʊm/
straighten with a comb
From this reading THE COMB BUILDERS In order to trace the history of a hive, and to learn about the round of work which goes on day by day, we will suppose that a swarm of bees has been placed in an empty hive.
combsnounUS /koʊmz/
plural of “comb” — a flat device with narrow pointed teeth on one edge; disentangles or arranges hair
From this reading We shall then be able to follow them as they commence with the first necessary work of building the combs.
commenceverbUS /kəˈmens/
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading We shall then be able to follow them as they commence with the first necessary work of building the combs.
constructedverbUS /kənˈstrʌktəd/
past form of “construct” — make by combining materials and parts
From this reading Before the builders can set to work, however, it is necessary that the wax, of which the combs are constructed, should be made.
cyclenounUS /ˈsaɪkəl/
an interval during which a recurring sequence of events occurs
From this reading Our later chapters will lead us through the whole cycle of hive life.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading THE COMB BUILDERS In order to trace the history of a hive, and to learn about the round of work which goes on day by day, we will suppose that a swarm of bees has been placed in an empty hive.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading THE COMB BUILDERS In order to trace the history of a hive, and to learn about the round of work which goes on day by day, we will suppose that a swarm of bees has been placed in an empty hive.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading We shall then be able to follow them as they commence with the first necessary work of building the combs.
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading We shall then be able to follow them as they commence with the first necessary work of building the combs.
framesnounUS /freɪmz/
plural of “frame” — the framework for a pair of eyeglasses
From this reading We have already seen how the frames are placed within the hive, but we have yet to learn how the combs are built in them.
plural of “go” — a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)
From this reading THE COMB BUILDERS In order to trace the history of a hive, and to learn about the round of work which goes on day by day, we will suppose that a swarm of bees has been placed in an empty hive.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE COMB BUILDERS In order to trace the history of a hive, and to learn about the round of work which goes on day by day, we will suppose that a swarm of bees has been placed in an empty hive.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading We have already seen how the frames are placed within the hive, but we have yet to learn how the combs are built in them.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading THE COMB BUILDERS In order to trace the history of a hive, and to learn about the round of work which goes on day by day, we will suppose that a swarm of bees has been placed in an empty hive.
hivenounUS /haɪv/
a teeming multitude
From this reading THE COMB BUILDERS In order to trace the history of a hive, and to learn about the round of work which goes on day by day, we will suppose that a swarm of bees has been placed in an empty hive.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have already seen how the frames are placed within the hive, but we have yet to learn how the combs are built in them.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Before the builders can set to work, however, it is necessary that the wax, of which the combs are constructed, should be made.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE COMB BUILDERS In order to trace the history of a hive, and to learn about the round of work which goes on day by day, we will suppose that a swarm of bees has been placed in an empty hive.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Before the builders can set to work, however, it is necessary that the wax, of which the combs are constructed, should be made.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Before the builders can set to work, however, it is necessary that the wax, of which the combs are constructed, should be made.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading Our later chapters will lead us through the whole cycle of hive life.
take somebody somewhere
From this reading Our later chapters will lead us through the whole cycle of hive life.
gain knowledge or skills
From this reading THE COMB BUILDERS In order to trace the history of a hive, and to learn about the round of work which goes on day by day, we will suppose that a swarm of bees has been placed in an empty hive.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Our later chapters will lead us through the whole cycle of hive life.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Before the builders can set to work, however, it is necessary that the wax, of which the combs are constructed, should be made.
absolutely essential
From this reading We shall then be able to follow them as they commence with the first necessary work of building the combs.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE COMB BUILDERS In order to trace the history of a hive, and to learn about the round of work which goes on day by day, we will suppose that a swarm of bees has been placed in an empty hive.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE COMB BUILDERS In order to trace the history of a hive, and to learn about the round of work which goes on day by day, we will suppose that a swarm of bees has been placed in an empty hive.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading THE COMB BUILDERS In order to trace the history of a hive, and to learn about the round of work which goes on day by day, we will suppose that a swarm of bees has been placed in an empty hive.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Our later chapters will lead us through the whole cycle of hive life.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading THE COMB BUILDERS In order to trace the history of a hive, and to learn about the round of work which goes on day by day, we will suppose that a swarm of bees has been placed in an empty hive.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading THE COMB BUILDERS In order to trace the history of a hive, and to learn about the round of work which goes on day by day, we will suppose that a swarm of bees has been placed in an empty hive.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading We have already seen how the frames are placed within the hive, but we have yet to learn how the combs are built in them.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Before the builders can set to work, however, it is necessary that the wax, of which the combs are constructed, should be made.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading We shall then be able to follow them as they commence with the first necessary work of building the combs.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Before the builders can set to work, however, it is necessary that the wax, of which the combs are constructed, should be made.
express a supposition
From this reading THE COMB BUILDERS In order to trace the history of a hive, and to learn about the round of work which goes on day by day, we will suppose that a swarm of bees has been placed in an empty hive.
swarmnounUS /swɔːrm/
a moving crowd
From this reading THE COMB BUILDERS In order to trace the history of a hive, and to learn about the round of work which goes on day by day, we will suppose that a swarm of bees has been placed in an empty hive.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE COMB BUILDERS In order to trace the history of a hive, and to learn about the round of work which goes on day by day, we will suppose that a swarm of bees has been placed in an empty hive.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE COMB BUILDERS In order to trace the history of a hive, and to learn about the round of work which goes on day by day, we will suppose that a swarm of bees has been placed in an empty hive.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading We shall then be able to follow them as they commence with the first necessary work of building the combs.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading We shall then be able to follow them as they commence with the first necessary work of building the combs.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading We shall then be able to follow them as they commence with the first necessary work of building the combs.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Our later chapters will lead us through the whole cycle of hive life.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE COMB BUILDERS In order to trace the history of a hive, and to learn about the round of work which goes on day by day, we will suppose that a swarm of bees has been placed in an empty hive.
a just detectable amount
From this reading THE COMB BUILDERS In order to trace the history of a hive, and to learn about the round of work which goes on day by day, we will suppose that a swarm of bees has been placed in an empty hive.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Our later chapters will lead us through the whole cycle of hive life.
waxverbUS /wæks/
cover with wax
From this reading Before the builders can set to work, however, it is necessary that the wax, of which the combs are constructed, should be made.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading THE COMB BUILDERS In order to trace the history of a hive, and to learn about the round of work which goes on day by day, we will suppose that a swarm of bees has been placed in an empty hive.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE COMB BUILDERS In order to trace the history of a hive, and to learn about the round of work which goes on day by day, we will suppose that a swarm of bees has been placed in an empty hive.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Our later chapters will lead us through the whole cycle of hive life.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading THE COMB BUILDERS In order to trace the history of a hive, and to learn about the round of work which goes on day by day, we will suppose that a swarm of bees has been placed in an empty hive.
in the company of; together with
From this reading We shall then be able to follow them as they commence with the first necessary work of building the combs.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading We have already seen how the frames are placed within the hive, but we have yet to learn how the combs are built in them.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading THE COMB BUILDERS In order to trace the history of a hive, and to learn about the round of work which goes on day by day, we will suppose that a swarm of bees has been placed in an empty hive.
but in spite of that
From this reading We have already seen how the frames are placed within the hive, but we have yet to learn how the combs are built in them.
