Chapter IV · Chapter 4

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading It is a singular fact that astronomers and scientific men in general were among the last to admit the possibility of solid masses falling from the sky.

declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading It is a singular fact that astronomers and scientific men in general were among the last to admit the possibility of solid masses falling from the sky.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading It is a singular fact that astronomers and scientific men in general were among the last to admit the possibility of solid masses falling from the sky.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading This was the less surprising because no scientifically authenticated instance of such an occurrence was known, and the stones popularly believed to have fallen from the sky had become the objects of worship or superstitious reverence, a fact not calculated to recommend them to scientific credence.

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading The celebrated “black stone” suspended in the Kaaba at Mecca is one of these reputed gifts from heaven; the “Palladium” of ancient Troy was another; and a stone which fell near Ensisheim, in Germany, was placed in a church as an object to be religiously venerated.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading It is a singular fact that astronomers and scientific men in general were among the last to admit the possibility of solid masses falling from the sky.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading The celebrated “black stone” suspended in the Kaaba at Mecca is one of these reputed gifts from heaven; the “Palladium” of ancient Troy was another; and a stone which fell near Ensisheim, in Germany, was placed in a church as an object to be religiously venerated.

the historic period preceding the Middle Ages in Europe

From this reading Many legends of falling stones existed in antiquity, some of them curiously transfigured by the imagination, like the “Lion of the Peloponnesus,” which was said to have sprung down from the sky upon the Isthmus of Corinth.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading The celebrated “black stone” suspended in the Kaaba at Mecca is one of these reputed gifts from heaven; the “Palladium” of ancient Troy was another; and a stone which fell near Ensisheim, in Germany, was placed in a church as an object to be religiously venerated.

plural of “astronomer” — a physicist who studies astronomy

From this reading It is a singular fact that astronomers and scientific men in general were among the last to admit the possibility of solid masses falling from the sky.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The celebrated “black stone” suspended in the Kaaba at Mecca is one of these reputed gifts from heaven; the “Palladium” of ancient Troy was another; and a stone which fell near Ensisheim, in Germany, was placed in a church as an object to be religiously venerated.

established as genuine

From this reading This was the less surprising because no scientifically authenticated instance of such an occurrence was known, and the stones popularly believed to have fallen from the sky had become the objects of worship or superstitious reverence, a fact not calculated to recommend them to scientific credence.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading The celebrated “black stone” suspended in the Kaaba at Mecca is one of these reputed gifts from heaven; the “Palladium” of ancient Troy was another; and a stone which fell near Ensisheim, in Germany, was placed in a church as an object to be religiously venerated.

for the reason that

From this reading This was the less surprising because no scientifically authenticated instance of such an occurrence was known, and the stones popularly believed to have fallen from the sky had become the objects of worship or superstitious reverence, a fact not calculated to recommend them to scientific credence.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading This was the less surprising because no scientifically authenticated instance of such an occurrence was known, and the stones popularly believed to have fallen from the sky had become the objects of worship or superstitious reverence, a fact not calculated to recommend them to scientific credence.

past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true

From this reading The people had believed in the reality of such phenomena from the earliest times, but the savants shook their heads and talked of superstition.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading The celebrated “black stone” suspended in the Kaaba at Mecca is one of these reputed gifts from heaven; the “Palladium” of ancient Troy was another; and a stone which fell near Ensisheim, in Germany, was placed in a church as an object to be religiously venerated.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The people had believed in the reality of such phenomena from the earliest times, but the savants shook their heads and talked of superstition.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Many legends of falling stones existed in antiquity, some of them curiously transfigured by the imagination, like the “Lion of the Peloponnesus,” which was said to have sprung down from the sky upon the Isthmus of Corinth.

carefully thought out in advance

From this reading This was the less surprising because no scientifically authenticated instance of such an occurrence was known, and the stones popularly believed to have fallen from the sky had become the objects of worship or superstitious reverence, a fact not calculated to recommend them to scientific credence.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading The celebrated “black stone” suspended in the Kaaba at Mecca is one of these reputed gifts from heaven; the “Palladium” of ancient Troy was another; and a stone which fell near Ensisheim, in Germany, was placed in a church as an object to be religiously venerated.

one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship

From this reading The celebrated “black stone” suspended in the Kaaba at Mecca is one of these reputed gifts from heaven; the “Palladium” of ancient Troy was another; and a stone which fell near Ensisheim, in Germany, was placed in a church as an object to be religiously venerated.

the modern Greek port near the site of the ancient city that was second only to Athens

From this reading Many legends of falling stones existed in antiquity, some of them curiously transfigured by the imagination, like the “Lion of the Peloponnesus,” which was said to have sprung down from the sky upon the Isthmus of Corinth.

the mental attitude that something is believable and should be accepted as true

From this reading This was the less surprising because no scientifically authenticated instance of such an occurrence was known, and the stones popularly believed to have fallen from the sky had become the objects of worship or superstitious reverence, a fact not calculated to recommend them to scientific credence.

in a manner differing from the usual or expected

From this reading Many legends of falling stones existed in antiquity, some of them curiously transfigured by the imagination, like the “Lion of the Peloponnesus,” which was said to have sprung down from the sky upon the Isthmus of Corinth.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Many legends of falling stones existed in antiquity, some of them curiously transfigured by the imagination, like the “Lion of the Peloponnesus,” which was said to have sprung down from the sky upon the Isthmus of Corinth.

(comparative and superlative of “early”) more early than; most early

From this reading The people had believed in the reality of such phenomena from the earliest times, but the savants shook their heads and talked of superstition.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The celebrated “black stone” suspended in the Kaaba at Mecca is one of these reputed gifts from heaven; the “Palladium” of ancient Troy was another; and a stone which fell near Ensisheim, in Germany, was placed in a church as an object to be religiously venerated.

past form of “exist” — have an existence, be extant

From this reading Many legends of falling stones existed in antiquity, some of them curiously transfigured by the imagination, like the “Lion of the Peloponnesus,” which was said to have sprung down from the sky upon the Isthmus of Corinth.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading It is a singular fact that astronomers and scientific men in general were among the last to admit the possibility of solid masses falling from the sky.

having dropped by the force of gravity

From this reading This was the less surprising because no scientifically authenticated instance of such an occurrence was known, and the stones popularly believed to have fallen from the sky had become the objects of worship or superstitious reverence, a fact not calculated to recommend them to scientific credence.

decreasing in amount or degree

From this reading It is a singular fact that astronomers and scientific men in general were among the last to admit the possibility of solid masses falling from the sky.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading The celebrated “black stone” suspended in the Kaaba at Mecca is one of these reputed gifts from heaven; the “Palladium” of ancient Troy was another; and a stone which fell near Ensisheim, in Germany, was placed in a church as an object to be religiously venerated.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It is a singular fact that astronomers and scientific men in general were among the last to admit the possibility of solid masses falling from the sky.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading It is a singular fact that astronomers and scientific men in general were among the last to admit the possibility of solid masses falling from the sky.

a republic in central Europe; split into East Germany and West Germany after World War II and reunited in 1990

From this reading The celebrated “black stone” suspended in the Kaaba at Mecca is one of these reputed gifts from heaven; the “Palladium” of ancient Troy was another; and a stone which fell near Ensisheim, in Germany, was placed in a church as an object to be religiously venerated.

plural of “gift” — something acquired without compensation

From this reading The celebrated “black stone” suspended in the Kaaba at Mecca is one of these reputed gifts from heaven; the “Palladium” of ancient Troy was another; and a stone which fell near Ensisheim, in Germany, was placed in a church as an object to be religiously venerated.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The people had believed in the reality of such phenomena from the earliest times, but the savants shook their heads and talked of superstition.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading This was the less surprising because no scientifically authenticated instance of such an occurrence was known, and the stones popularly believed to have fallen from the sky had become the objects of worship or superstitious reverence, a fact not calculated to recommend them to scientific credence.

plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading The people had believed in the reality of such phenomena from the earliest times, but the savants shook their heads and talked of superstition.

any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

From this reading The celebrated “black stone” suspended in the Kaaba at Mecca is one of these reputed gifts from heaven; the “Palladium” of ancient Troy was another; and a stone which fell near Ensisheim, in Germany, was placed in a church as an object to be religiously venerated.

the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses

From this reading Many legends of falling stones existed in antiquity, some of them curiously transfigured by the imagination, like the “Lion of the Peloponnesus,” which was said to have sprung down from the sky upon the Isthmus of Corinth.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading It is a singular fact that astronomers and scientific men in general were among the last to admit the possibility of solid masses falling from the sky.

an occurrence of something

From this reading This was the less surprising because no scientifically authenticated instance of such an occurrence was known, and the stones popularly believed to have fallen from the sky had become the objects of worship or superstitious reverence, a fact not calculated to recommend them to scientific credence.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It is a singular fact that astronomers and scientific men in general were among the last to admit the possibility of solid masses falling from the sky.

a relatively narrow strip of land (with water on both sides) connecting two larger land areas

From this reading Many legends of falling stones existed in antiquity, some of them curiously transfigured by the imagination, like the “Lion of the Peloponnesus,” which was said to have sprung down from the sky upon the Isthmus of Corinth.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is a singular fact that astronomers and scientific men in general were among the last to admit the possibility of solid masses falling from the sky.

(Islam) a black stone building in Mecca that is shaped like a cube and that is the most sacred Muslim pilgrim shrine; believed to have been given by Gabriel to Abraham; Muslims turn in its direction when praying

From this reading The celebrated “black stone” suspended in the Kaaba at Mecca is one of these reputed gifts from heaven; the “Palladium” of ancient Troy was another; and a stone which fell near Ensisheim, in Germany, was placed in a church as an object to be religiously venerated.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading This was the less surprising because no scientifically authenticated instance of such an occurrence was known, and the stones popularly believed to have fallen from the sky had become the objects of worship or superstitious reverence, a fact not calculated to recommend them to scientific credence.

immediately past

From this reading It is a singular fact that astronomers and scientific men in general were among the last to admit the possibility of solid masses falling from the sky.

plural of “legend” — a story about mythical or supernatural beings or events

From this reading Many legends of falling stones existed in antiquity, some of them curiously transfigured by the imagination, like the “Lion of the Peloponnesus,” which was said to have sprung down from the sky upon the Isthmus of Corinth.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading This was the less surprising because no scientifically authenticated instance of such an occurrence was known, and the stones popularly believed to have fallen from the sky had become the objects of worship or superstitious reverence, a fact not calculated to recommend them to scientific credence.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Many legends of falling stones existed in antiquity, some of them curiously transfigured by the imagination, like the “Lion of the Peloponnesus,” which was said to have sprung down from the sky upon the Isthmus of Corinth.

large gregarious predatory feline of Africa and India having a tawny coat with a shaggy mane in the male

From this reading Many legends of falling stones existed in antiquity, some of them curiously transfigured by the imagination, like the “Lion of the Peloponnesus,” which was said to have sprung down from the sky upon the Isthmus of Corinth.

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 Many legends of falling stones existed in antiquity, some of them curiously transfigured by the imagination, like the “Lion of the Peloponnesus,” which was said to have sprung down from the sky upon the Isthmus of Corinth.

the common people generally

From this reading It is a singular fact that astronomers and scientific men in general were among the last to admit the possibility of solid masses falling from the sky.

joint capital (with Riyadh) of Saudi Arabia; located in western Saudi Arabia; as the birthplace of Muhammad it is the holiest city of Islam

From this reading The celebrated “black stone” suspended in the Kaaba at Mecca is one of these reputed gifts from heaven; the “Palladium” of ancient Troy was another; and a stone which fell near Ensisheim, in Germany, was placed in a church as an object to be religiously venerated.

the force of workers available

From this reading It is a singular fact that astronomers and scientific men in general were among the last to admit the possibility of solid masses falling from the sky.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading The celebrated “black stone” suspended in the Kaaba at Mecca is one of these reputed gifts from heaven; the “Palladium” of ancient Troy was another; and a stone which fell near Ensisheim, in Germany, was placed in a church as an object to be religiously venerated.

not any; not one

From this reading This was the less surprising because no scientifically authenticated instance of such an occurrence was known, and the stones popularly believed to have fallen from the sky had become the objects of worship or superstitious reverence, a fact not calculated to recommend them to scientific credence.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading This was the less surprising because no scientifically authenticated instance of such an occurrence was known, and the stones popularly believed to have fallen from the sky had become the objects of worship or superstitious reverence, a fact not calculated to recommend them to scientific credence.

a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow

From this reading The celebrated “black stone” suspended in the Kaaba at Mecca is one of these reputed gifts from heaven; the “Palladium” of ancient Troy was another; and a stone which fell near Ensisheim, in Germany, was placed in a church as an object to be religiously venerated.

plural of “object” — a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow

From this reading This was the less surprising because no scientifically authenticated instance of such an occurrence was known, and the stones popularly believed to have fallen from the sky had become the objects of worship or superstitious reverence, a fact not calculated to recommend them to scientific credence.

an event that happens

From this reading This was the less surprising because no scientifically authenticated instance of such an occurrence was known, and the stones popularly believed to have fallen from the sky had become the objects of worship or superstitious reverence, a fact not calculated to recommend them to scientific credence.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It is a singular fact that astronomers and scientific men in general were among the last to admit the possibility of solid masses falling from the sky.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The celebrated “black stone” suspended in the Kaaba at Mecca is one of these reputed gifts from heaven; the “Palladium” of ancient Troy was another; and a stone which fell near Ensisheim, in Germany, was placed in a church as an object to be religiously venerated.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading This was the less surprising because no scientifically authenticated instance of such an occurrence was known, and the stones popularly believed to have fallen from the sky had become the objects of worship or superstitious reverence, a fact not calculated to recommend them to scientific credence.

a silver-white metallic element of the platinum group that resembles platinum; occurs in some copper and nickel ores; does not tarnish at ordinary temperatures and is used (alloyed with gold) in jewelry

From this reading The celebrated “black stone” suspended in the Kaaba at Mecca is one of these reputed gifts from heaven; the “Palladium” of ancient Troy was another; and a stone which fell near Ensisheim, in Germany, was placed in a church as an object to be religiously venerated.

the southern peninsula of Greece; dominated by Sparta until the 4th century BC

From this reading Many legends of falling stones existed in antiquity, some of them curiously transfigured by the imagination, like the “Lion of the Peloponnesus,” which was said to have sprung down from the sky upon the Isthmus of Corinth.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading The people had believed in the reality of such phenomena from the earliest times, but the savants shook their heads and talked of superstition.

plural of “phenomenon” — any state or process known through the senses rather than by intuition or reasoning

From this reading The people had believed in the reality of such phenomena from the earliest times, but the savants shook their heads and talked of superstition.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading The celebrated “black stone” suspended in the Kaaba at Mecca is one of these reputed gifts from heaven; the “Palladium” of ancient Troy was another; and a stone which fell near Ensisheim, in Germany, was placed in a church as an object to be religiously venerated.

among the people

From this reading This was the less surprising because no scientifically authenticated instance of such an occurrence was known, and the stones popularly believed to have fallen from the sky had become the objects of worship or superstitious reverence, a fact not calculated to recommend them to scientific credence.

a future prospect or potential

From this reading It is a singular fact that astronomers and scientific men in general were among the last to admit the possibility of solid masses falling from the sky.

all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you

From this reading The people had believed in the reality of such phenomena from the earliest times, but the savants shook their heads and talked of superstition.

push for something

From this reading This was the less surprising because no scientifically authenticated instance of such an occurrence was known, and the stones popularly believed to have fallen from the sky had become the objects of worship or superstitious reverence, a fact not calculated to recommend them to scientific credence.

by religion

From this reading The celebrated “black stone” suspended in the Kaaba at Mecca is one of these reputed gifts from heaven; the “Palladium” of ancient Troy was another; and a stone which fell near Ensisheim, in Germany, was placed in a church as an object to be religiously venerated.

past form of “repute” — look on as or consider

From this reading The celebrated “black stone” suspended in the Kaaba at Mecca is one of these reputed gifts from heaven; the “Palladium” of ancient Troy was another; and a stone which fell near Ensisheim, in Germany, was placed in a church as an object to be religiously venerated.

regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of

From this reading This was the less surprising because no scientifically authenticated instance of such an occurrence was known, and the stones popularly believed to have fallen from the sky had become the objects of worship or superstitious reverence, a fact not calculated to recommend them to scientific credence.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Many legends of falling stones existed in antiquity, some of them curiously transfigured by the imagination, like the “Lion of the Peloponnesus,” which was said to have sprung down from the sky upon the Isthmus of Corinth.

plural of “savant” — someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field

From this reading The people had believed in the reality of such phenomena from the earliest times, but the savants shook their heads and talked of superstition.

of or relating to the practice of science

From this reading It is a singular fact that astronomers and scientific men in general were among the last to admit the possibility of solid masses falling from the sky.

with respect to science; in a scientific way

From this reading This was the less surprising because no scientifically authenticated instance of such an occurrence was known, and the stones popularly believed to have fallen from the sky had become the objects of worship or superstitious reverence, a fact not calculated to recommend them to scientific credence.

a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment

From this reading The people had believed in the reality of such phenomena from the earliest times, but the savants shook their heads and talked of superstition.

unusual or striking

From this reading It is a singular fact that astronomers and scientific men in general were among the last to admit the possibility of solid masses falling from the sky.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading It is a singular fact that astronomers and scientific men in general were among the last to admit the possibility of solid masses falling from the sky.

characterized by good substantial quality

From this reading It is a singular fact that astronomers and scientific men in general were among the last to admit the possibility of solid masses falling from the sky.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Many legends of falling stones existed in antiquity, some of them curiously transfigured by the imagination, like the “Lion of the Peloponnesus,” which was said to have sprung down from the sky upon the Isthmus of Corinth.

inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading Many legends of falling stones existed in antiquity, some of them curiously transfigured by the imagination, like the “Lion of the Peloponnesus,” which was said to have sprung down from the sky upon the Isthmus of Corinth.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading The celebrated “black stone” suspended in the Kaaba at Mecca is one of these reputed gifts from heaven; the “Palladium” of ancient Troy was another; and a stone which fell near Ensisheim, in Germany, was placed in a church as an object to be religiously venerated.

plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading This was the less surprising because no scientifically authenticated instance of such an occurrence was known, and the stones popularly believed to have fallen from the sky had become the objects of worship or superstitious reverence, a fact not calculated to recommend them to scientific credence.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The people had believed in the reality of such phenomena from the earliest times, but the savants shook their heads and talked of superstition.

an irrational belief arising from ignorance or fear

From this reading The people had believed in the reality of such phenomena from the earliest times, but the savants shook their heads and talked of superstition.

showing ignorance of the laws of nature and faith in magic or chance

From this reading This was the less surprising because no scientifically authenticated instance of such an occurrence was known, and the stones popularly believed to have fallen from the sky had become the objects of worship or superstitious reverence, a fact not calculated to recommend them to scientific credence.

causing surprise or wonder or amazement

From this reading This was the less surprising because no scientifically authenticated instance of such an occurrence was known, and the stones popularly believed to have fallen from the sky had become the objects of worship or superstitious reverence, a fact not calculated to recommend them to scientific credence.

(of undissolved particles in a fluid) supported or kept from sinking or falling by buoyancy and without apparent attachment

From this reading The celebrated “black stone” suspended in the Kaaba at Mecca is one of these reputed gifts from heaven; the “Palladium” of ancient Troy was another; and a stone which fell near Ensisheim, in Germany, was placed in a church as an object to be religiously venerated.

past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading The people had believed in the reality of such phenomena from the earliest times, but the savants shook their heads and talked of superstition.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It is a singular fact that astronomers and scientific men in general were among the last to admit the possibility of solid masses falling from the sky.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading It is a singular fact that astronomers and scientific men in general were among the last to admit the possibility of solid masses falling from the sky.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The people had believed in the reality of such phenomena from the earliest times, but the savants shook their heads and talked of superstition.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading This was the less surprising because no scientifically authenticated instance of such an occurrence was known, and the stones popularly believed to have fallen from the sky had become the objects of worship or superstitious reverence, a fact not calculated to recommend them to scientific credence.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading The celebrated “black stone” suspended in the Kaaba at Mecca is one of these reputed gifts from heaven; the “Palladium” of ancient Troy was another; and a stone which fell near Ensisheim, in Germany, was placed in a church as an object to be religiously venerated.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This was the less surprising because no scientifically authenticated instance of such an occurrence was known, and the stones popularly believed to have fallen from the sky had become the objects of worship or superstitious reverence, a fact not calculated to recommend them to scientific credence.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading The people had believed in the reality of such phenomena from the earliest times, but the savants shook their heads and talked of superstition.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading It is a singular fact that astronomers and scientific men in general were among the last to admit the possibility of solid masses falling from the sky.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Many legends of falling stones existed in antiquity, some of them curiously transfigured by the imagination, like the “Lion of the Peloponnesus,” which was said to have sprung down from the sky upon the Isthmus of Corinth.

a system of weights used for precious metals and gemstones; based on a 12-ounce pound and an ounce of 480 grains

From this reading The celebrated “black stone” suspended in the Kaaba at Mecca is one of these reputed gifts from heaven; the “Palladium” of ancient Troy was another; and a stone which fell near Ensisheim, in Germany, was placed in a church as an object to be religiously venerated.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Many legends of falling stones existed in antiquity, some of them curiously transfigured by the imagination, like the “Lion of the Peloponnesus,” which was said to have sprung down from the sky upon the Isthmus of Corinth.

past form of “venerate” — regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of

From this reading The celebrated “black stone” suspended in the Kaaba at Mecca is one of these reputed gifts from heaven; the “Palladium” of ancient Troy was another; and a stone which fell near Ensisheim, in Germany, was placed in a church as an object to be religiously venerated.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading This was the less surprising because no scientifically authenticated instance of such an occurrence was known, and the stones popularly believed to have fallen from the sky had become the objects of worship or superstitious reverence, a fact not calculated to recommend them to scientific credence.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading It is a singular fact that astronomers and scientific men in general were among the last to admit the possibility of solid masses falling from the sky.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The celebrated “black stone” suspended in the Kaaba at Mecca is one of these reputed gifts from heaven; the “Palladium” of ancient Troy was another; and a stone which fell near Ensisheim, in Germany, was placed in a church as an object to be religiously venerated.

love unquestioningly and uncritically or to excess; venerate as an idol

From this reading This was the less surprising because no scientifically authenticated instance of such an occurrence was known, and the stones popularly believed to have fallen from the sky had become the objects of worship or superstitious reverence, a fact not calculated to recommend them to scientific credence.