used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading His practical acquiescence in things does not promise much fruit, save to himself; yet in virtue of it he became one of the forces of the world--a very visible agent in bringing about the Europe which surrounds us today.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading His practical acquiescence in things does not promise much fruit, save to himself; yet in virtue of it he became one of the forces of the world--a very visible agent in bringing about the Europe which surrounds us today.
acquiescencenounUS /ˌækwiˈesəns/
acceptance without protest
From this reading His practical acquiescence in things does not promise much fruit, save to himself; yet in virtue of it he became one of the forces of the world--a very visible agent in bringing about the Europe which surrounds us today.
an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect
From this reading His practical acquiescence in things does not promise much fruit, save to himself; yet in virtue of it he became one of the forces of the world--a very visible agent in bringing about the Europe which surrounds us today.
a feeling of delight at being entertained
From this reading The burning of heretics was a public amusement, and the court ladies sat out the play.
amusementsnounUS /əˈmjuːzmənts/
plural of “amusement” — a feeling of delight at being entertained
From this reading Of nothing under the sun was Montaigne quite certain, except that every man--whatever his station--might travel farther and fare worse; and that the playing with his own thoughts, in the shape of essay-writing, was the most harmless of amusements.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Of nothing under the sun was Montaigne quite certain, except that every man--whatever his station--might travel farther and fare worse; and that the playing with his own thoughts, in the shape of essay-writing, was the most harmless of amusements.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading His practical acquiescence in things does not promise much fruit, save to himself; yet in virtue of it he became one of the forces of the world--a very visible agent in bringing about the Europe which surrounds us today.
the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)
From this reading His practical acquiescence in things does not promise much fruit, save to himself; yet in virtue of it he became one of the forces of the world--a very visible agent in bringing about the Europe which surrounds us today.
the act of burning something
From this reading The burning of heretics was a public amusement, and the court ladies sat out the play.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The rulers of his country were execrable Christians, but most orthodox Catholics.
CatholicsnounUS /ˈkæθlɪks/
plural of “catholic” — a member of a Catholic church
From this reading The rulers of his country were execrable Christians, but most orthodox Catholics.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading Of nothing under the sun was Montaigne quite certain, except that every man--whatever his station--might travel farther and fare worse; and that the playing with his own thoughts, in the shape of essay-writing, was the most harmless of amusements.
ChristiansnounUS /ˈkrɪstʃənz/
plural of “christian” — a religious person who believes Jesus is the Christ and who is a member of a Christian denomination
From this reading The rulers of his country were execrable Christians, but most orthodox Catholics.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading The rulers of his country were execrable Christians, but most orthodox Catholics.
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading The burning of heretics was a public amusement, and the court ladies sat out the play.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His practical acquiescence in things does not promise much fruit, save to himself; yet in virtue of it he became one of the forces of the world--a very visible agent in bringing about the Europe which surrounds us today.
essay-writing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of nothing under the sun was Montaigne quite certain, except that every man--whatever his station--might travel farther and fare worse; and that the playing with his own thoughts, in the shape of essay-writing, was the most harmless of amusements.
the 2nd smallest continent (actually a vast peninsula of Eurasia); the British use “Europe” to refer to all of the continent except the British Isles
From this reading His practical acquiescence in things does not promise much fruit, save to himself; yet in virtue of it he became one of the forces of the world--a very visible agent in bringing about the Europe which surrounds us today.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Of nothing under the sun was Montaigne quite certain, except that every man--whatever his station--might travel farther and fare worse; and that the playing with his own thoughts, in the shape of essay-writing, was the most harmless of amusements.
apart from; not including
From this reading Of nothing under the sun was Montaigne quite certain, except that every man--whatever his station--might travel farther and fare worse; and that the playing with his own thoughts, in the shape of essay-writing, was the most harmless of amusements.
execrableadjectiveUS /ˌeɡˈzekrəbəl/
of very poor quality or condition
From this reading The rulers of his country were execrable Christians, but most orthodox Catholics.
farenounUS /fer/
an agenda of things to do
From this reading Of nothing under the sun was Montaigne quite certain, except that every man--whatever his station--might travel farther and fare worse; and that the playing with his own thoughts, in the shape of essay-writing, was the most harmless of amusements.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading Of nothing under the sun was Montaigne quite certain, except that every man--whatever his station--might travel farther and fare worse; and that the playing with his own thoughts, in the shape of essay-writing, was the most harmless of amusements.
plural of “force” — a powerful effect or influence
From this reading His practical acquiescence in things does not promise much fruit, save to himself; yet in virtue of it he became one of the forces of the world--a very visible agent in bringing about the Europe which surrounds us today.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading He lived in the midst of the French religious wars.
the ripened reproductive body of a seed plant
From this reading His practical acquiescence in things does not promise much fruit, save to himself; yet in virtue of it he became one of the forces of the world--a very visible agent in bringing about the Europe which surrounds us today.
harmlessadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrmləs/
not causing or capable of causing harm
From this reading Of nothing under the sun was Montaigne quite certain, except that every man--whatever his station--might travel farther and fare worse; and that the playing with his own thoughts, in the shape of essay-writing, was the most harmless of amusements.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His practical acquiescence in things does not promise much fruit, save to himself; yet in virtue of it he became one of the forces of the world--a very visible agent in bringing about the Europe which surrounds us today.
hereticsnounUS /ˈherətɪks/
plural of “heretic” — a person who holds religious beliefs in conflict with the dogma of the Roman Catholic Church
From this reading The burning of heretics was a public amusement, and the court ladies sat out the play.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading His practical acquiescence in things does not promise much fruit, save to himself; yet in virtue of it he became one of the forces of the world--a very visible agent in bringing about the Europe which surrounds us today.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Of nothing under the sun was Montaigne quite certain, except that every man--whatever his station--might travel farther and fare worse; and that the playing with his own thoughts, in the shape of essay-writing, was the most harmless of amusements.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Of nothing under the sun was Montaigne quite certain, except that every man--whatever his station--might travel farther and fare worse; and that the playing with his own thoughts, in the shape of essay-writing, was the most harmless of amusements.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading His practical acquiescence in things does not promise much fruit, save to himself; yet in virtue of it he became one of the forces of the world--a very visible agent in bringing about the Europe which surrounds us today.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading The burning of heretics was a public amusement, and the court ladies sat out the play.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading He lived in the midst of the French religious wars.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Of nothing under the sun was Montaigne quite certain, except that every man--whatever his station--might travel farther and fare worse; and that the playing with his own thoughts, in the shape of essay-writing, was the most harmless of amusements.
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading He lived in the midst of the French religious wars.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Of nothing under the sun was Montaigne quite certain, except that every man--whatever his station--might travel farther and fare worse; and that the playing with his own thoughts, in the shape of essay-writing, was the most harmless of amusements.
Montaignenoun
French writer regarded as the originator of the modern essay (1533-1592)
From this reading Of nothing under the sun was Montaigne quite certain, except that every man--whatever his station--might travel farther and fare worse; and that the playing with his own thoughts, in the shape of essay-writing, was the most harmless of amusements.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Of nothing under the sun was Montaigne quite certain, except that every man--whatever his station--might travel farther and fare worse; and that the playing with his own thoughts, in the shape of essay-writing, was the most harmless of amusements.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading His practical acquiescence in things does not promise much fruit, save to himself; yet in virtue of it he became one of the forces of the world--a very visible agent in bringing about the Europe which surrounds us today.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading His practical acquiescence in things does not promise much fruit, save to himself; yet in virtue of it he became one of the forces of the world--a very visible agent in bringing about the Europe which surrounds us today.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Of nothing under the sun was Montaigne quite certain, except that every man--whatever his station--might travel farther and fare worse; and that the playing with his own thoughts, in the shape of essay-writing, was the most harmless of amusements.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Of nothing under the sun was Montaigne quite certain, except that every man--whatever his station--might travel farther and fare worse; and that the playing with his own thoughts, in the shape of essay-writing, was the most harmless of amusements.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading His practical acquiescence in things does not promise much fruit, save to himself; yet in virtue of it he became one of the forces of the world--a very visible agent in bringing about the Europe which surrounds us today.
orthodoxadjectiveUS /ˈɔːrθədɑːks/
of or pertaining to or characteristic of Judaism
From this reading The rulers of his country were execrable Christians, but most orthodox Catholics.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The burning of heretics was a public amusement, and the court ladies sat out the play.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Of nothing under the sun was Montaigne quite certain, except that every man--whatever his station--might travel farther and fare worse; and that the playing with his own thoughts, in the shape of essay-writing, was the most harmless of amusements.
participate in games or sport
From this reading The burning of heretics was a public amusement, and the court ladies sat out the play.
the act of playing a musical instrument
From this reading Of nothing under the sun was Montaigne quite certain, except that every man--whatever his station--might travel farther and fare worse; and that the playing with his own thoughts, in the shape of essay-writing, was the most harmless of amusements.
concerned with actual use or practice
From this reading His practical acquiescence in things does not promise much fruit, save to himself; yet in virtue of it he became one of the forces of the world--a very visible agent in bringing about the Europe which surrounds us today.
make a promise or commitment
From this reading His practical acquiescence in things does not promise much fruit, save to himself; yet in virtue of it he became one of the forces of the world--a very visible agent in bringing about the Europe which surrounds us today.
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading The burning of heretics was a public amusement, and the court ladies sat out the play.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Of nothing under the sun was Montaigne quite certain, except that every man--whatever his station--might travel farther and fare worse; and that the playing with his own thoughts, in the shape of essay-writing, was the most harmless of amusements.
concerned with sacred matters or religion or the church
From this reading He lived in the midst of the French religious wars.
rulersnounUS /ˈruːlərz/
plural of “ruler” — a person who rules or commands
From this reading The rulers of his country were execrable Christians, but most orthodox Catholics.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading The burning of heretics was a public amusement, and the court ladies sat out the play.
except for; apart from
From this reading His practical acquiescence in things does not promise much fruit, save to himself; yet in virtue of it he became one of the forces of the world--a very visible agent in bringing about the Europe which surrounds us today.
any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)
From this reading Of nothing under the sun was Montaigne quite certain, except that every man--whatever his station--might travel farther and fare worse; and that the playing with his own thoughts, in the shape of essay-writing, was the most harmless of amusements.
a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose
From this reading Of nothing under the sun was Montaigne quite certain, except that every man--whatever his station--might travel farther and fare worse; and that the playing with his own thoughts, in the shape of essay-writing, was the most harmless of amusements.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading Of nothing under the sun was Montaigne quite certain, except that every man--whatever his station--might travel farther and fare worse; and that the playing with his own thoughts, in the shape of essay-writing, was the most harmless of amusements.
surroundsnounUS /sərˈaʊndz/
plural of “surround” — the area in which something exists or lives
From this reading His practical acquiescence in things does not promise much fruit, save to himself; yet in virtue of it he became one of the forces of the world--a very visible agent in bringing about the Europe which surrounds us today.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Of nothing under the sun was Montaigne quite certain, except that every man--whatever his station--might travel farther and fare worse; and that the playing with his own thoughts, in the shape of essay-writing, was the most harmless of amusements.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Of nothing under the sun was Montaigne quite certain, except that every man--whatever his station--might travel farther and fare worse; and that the playing with his own thoughts, in the shape of essay-writing, was the most harmless of amusements.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading His practical acquiescence in things does not promise much fruit, save to himself; yet in virtue of it he became one of the forces of the world--a very visible agent in bringing about the Europe which surrounds us today.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Of nothing under the sun was Montaigne quite certain, except that every man--whatever his station--might travel farther and fare worse; and that the playing with his own thoughts, in the shape of essay-writing, was the most harmless of amusements.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His practical acquiescence in things does not promise much fruit, save to himself; yet in virtue of it he became one of the forces of the world--a very visible agent in bringing about the Europe which surrounds us today.
todaynounUS /təˈdeɪ/
the present time or age
From this reading His practical acquiescence in things does not promise much fruit, save to himself; yet in virtue of it he became one of the forces of the world--a very visible agent in bringing about the Europe which surrounds us today.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Of nothing under the sun was Montaigne quite certain, except that every man--whatever his station--might travel farther and fare worse; and that the playing with his own thoughts, in the shape of essay-writing, was the most harmless of amusements.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Of nothing under the sun was Montaigne quite certain, except that every man--whatever his station--might travel farther and fare worse; and that the playing with his own thoughts, in the shape of essay-writing, was the most harmless of amusements.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His practical acquiescence in things does not promise much fruit, save to himself; yet in virtue of it he became one of the forces of the world--a very visible agent in bringing about the Europe which surrounds us today.
precisely as stated
From this reading His practical acquiescence in things does not promise much fruit, save to himself; yet in virtue of it he became one of the forces of the world--a very visible agent in bringing about the Europe which surrounds us today.
Moral excellence and goodness of character; the highest human attainment in Stoic philosophy.
From this reading His practical acquiescence in things does not promise much fruit, save to himself; yet in virtue of it he became one of the forces of the world--a very visible agent in bringing about the Europe which surrounds us today.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading His practical acquiescence in things does not promise much fruit, save to himself; yet in virtue of it he became one of the forces of the world--a very visible agent in bringing about the Europe which surrounds us today.
warsnounUS /wɔːrz/
plural of “war” — the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading He lived in the midst of the French religious wars.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Of nothing under the sun was Montaigne quite certain, except that every man--whatever his station--might travel farther and fare worse; and that the playing with his own thoughts, in the shape of essay-writing, was the most harmless of amusements.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The rulers of his country were execrable Christians, but most orthodox Catholics.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading Of nothing under the sun was Montaigne quite certain, except that every man--whatever his station--might travel farther and fare worse; and that the playing with his own thoughts, in the shape of essay-writing, was the most harmless of amusements.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading His practical acquiescence in things does not promise much fruit, save to himself; yet in virtue of it he became one of the forces of the world--a very visible agent in bringing about the Europe which surrounds us today.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Of nothing under the sun was Montaigne quite certain, except that every man--whatever his station--might travel farther and fare worse; and that the playing with his own thoughts, in the shape of essay-writing, was the most harmless of amusements.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading His practical acquiescence in things does not promise much fruit, save to himself; yet in virtue of it he became one of the forces of the world--a very visible agent in bringing about the Europe which surrounds us today.
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading Of nothing under the sun was Montaigne quite certain, except that every man--whatever his station--might travel farther and fare worse; and that the playing with his own thoughts, in the shape of essay-writing, was the most harmless of amusements.
but in spite of that
From this reading His practical acquiescence in things does not promise much fruit, save to himself; yet in virtue of it he became one of the forces of the world--a very visible agent in bringing about the Europe which surrounds us today.
