adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Here followed a very long and untranslatable digression about the different races and families of the then existing machines.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Here followed a very long and untranslatable digression about the different races and families of the then existing machines.
actuallyadverbUS /ˈæktʃuːəli/
in actual fact
From this reading He pointed out tendencies to reversion, and the presence of rudimentary organs which existed in many machines feebly developed and perfectly useless, yet serving to mark descent from an ancestor to whom the function was actually useful.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He pointed out tendencies to reversion, and the presence of rudimentary organs which existed in many machines feebly developed and perfectly useless, yet serving to mark descent from an ancestor to whom the function was actually useful.
ancestornounUS /ˈænsestər/
someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)
From this reading The writer attempted to support his theory by pointing out the similarities existing between many machines of a widely different character, which served to show descent from a common ancestor.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Here followed a very long and untranslatable digression about the different races and families of the then existing machines.
attemptedadjectiveUS /əˈtemptɪd/
tried unsuccessfully
From this reading The writer attempted to support his theory by pointing out the similarities existing between many machines of a widely different character, which served to show descent from a common ancestor.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The writer attempted to support his theory by pointing out the similarities existing between many machines of a widely different character, which served to show descent from a common ancestor.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He proved the existence of connecting links between machines that seemed to have very little in common, and showed that many more such links had existed, but had now perished.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The writer attempted to support his theory by pointing out the similarities existing between many machines of a widely different character, which served to show descent from a common ancestor.
characternounUS /ˈkerɪktər/
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading The writer attempted to support his theory by pointing out the similarities existing between many machines of a widely different character, which served to show descent from a common ancestor.
commonadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmən/
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading The writer attempted to support his theory by pointing out the similarities existing between many machines of a widely different character, which served to show descent from a common ancestor.
connectingverbUS /kəˈnektɪŋ/
-ing form of “connect” — connect, fasten, or put together two or more pieces
From this reading He proved the existence of connecting links between machines that seemed to have very little in common, and showed that many more such links had existed, but had now perished.
descentnounUS /dɪˈsent/
An action of moving downward, dropping, or falling into a deeper place.
From this reading The writer attempted to support his theory by pointing out the similarities existing between many machines of a widely different character, which served to show descent from a common ancestor.
developedadjectiveUS /dɪˈveləpt/
being changed over time so as to be e.g. stronger or more complete or more useful
From this reading He pointed out tendencies to reversion, and the presence of rudimentary organs which existed in many machines feebly developed and perfectly useless, yet serving to mark descent from an ancestor to whom the function was actually useful.
differentadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfərənt/
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading Here followed a very long and untranslatable digression about the different races and families of the then existing machines.
digressionnounUS /daɪˈɡreʃən/
a message that departs from the main subject
From this reading Here followed a very long and untranslatable digression about the different races and families of the then existing machines.
dividedadjectiveUS /dɪˈvaɪdɪd/
separated into parts or pieces
From this reading He divided machines into their genera, subgenera, species, varieties, subvarieties, and so forth.
existedverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪstəd/
past form of “exist” — have an existence, be extant
From this reading He proved the existence of connecting links between machines that seemed to have very little in common, and showed that many more such links had existed, but had now perished.
existencenounUS /eɡˈzɪstəns/
the state or fact of existing
From this reading He proved the existence of connecting links between machines that seemed to have very little in common, and showed that many more such links had existed, but had now perished.
existingadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzɪstɪŋ/
presently existing
From this reading Here followed a very long and untranslatable digression about the different races and families of the then existing machines.
familiesnounUS /ˈfæməliz/
plural of “family” — a social unit living together
From this reading Here followed a very long and untranslatable digression about the different races and families of the then existing machines.
feeblyadverbUS /ˈfiːbli/
in a faint and feeble manner
From this reading He pointed out tendencies to reversion, and the presence of rudimentary organs which existed in many machines feebly developed and perfectly useless, yet serving to mark descent from an ancestor to whom the function was actually useful.
followedverbUS /ˈfɑːloʊd/
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Here followed a very long and untranslatable digression about the different races and families of the then existing machines.
forthadverbUS /fɔːrθ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He divided machines into their genera, subgenera, species, varieties, subvarieties, and so forth.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The writer attempted to support his theory by pointing out the similarities existing between many machines of a widely different character, which served to show descent from a common ancestor.
functionnounUS /ˈfʌŋkʃən/
(mathematics) a mathematical relation such that each element of a given set (the domain of the function) is associated with an element of another set (the range of the function)
From this reading He pointed out tendencies to reversion, and the presence of rudimentary organs which existed in many machines feebly developed and perfectly useless, yet serving to mark descent from an ancestor to whom the function was actually useful.
generanounUS /ˈdʒenərə/
plural of “genus” — a general kind of something
From this reading He divided machines into their genera, subgenera, species, varieties, subvarieties, and so forth.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He proved the existence of connecting links between machines that seemed to have very little in common, and showed that many more such links had existed, but had now perished.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He proved the existence of connecting links between machines that seemed to have very little in common, and showed that many more such links had existed, but had now perished.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He divided machines into their genera, subgenera, species, varieties, subvarieties, and so forth.
HereadverbUS /hiːr/
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here followed a very long and untranslatable digression about the different races and families of the then existing machines.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The writer attempted to support his theory by pointing out the similarities existing between many machines of a widely different character, which served to show descent from a common ancestor.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He proved the existence of connecting links between machines that seemed to have very little in common, and showed that many more such links had existed, but had now perished.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He divided machines into their genera, subgenera, species, varieties, subvarieties, and so forth.
linksnounUS /lɪŋks/
a golf course that is built on sandy ground near a shore
From this reading He proved the existence of connecting links between machines that seemed to have very little in common, and showed that many more such links had existed, but had now perished.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He proved the existence of connecting links between machines that seemed to have very little in common, and showed that many more such links had existed, but had now perished.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Here followed a very long and untranslatable digression about the different races and families of the then existing machines.
machinesnounUS /məˈʃiːnz/
plural of “machine” — any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
From this reading Here followed a very long and untranslatable digression about the different races and families of the then existing machines.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading The writer attempted to support his theory by pointing out the similarities existing between many machines of a widely different character, which served to show descent from a common ancestor.
markverbUS /mɑːrk/
attach a tag or label to
From this reading He pointed out tendencies to reversion, and the presence of rudimentary organs which existed in many machines feebly developed and perfectly useless, yet serving to mark descent from an ancestor to whom the function was actually useful.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He proved the existence of connecting links between machines that seemed to have very little in common, and showed that many more such links had existed, but had now perished.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He proved the existence of connecting links between machines that seemed to have very little in common, and showed that many more such links had existed, but had now perished.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Here followed a very long and untranslatable digression about the different races and families of the then existing machines.
organsnounUS /ˈɔːrɡənz/
edible viscera of a butchered animal
From this reading He pointed out tendencies to reversion, and the presence of rudimentary organs which existed in many machines feebly developed and perfectly useless, yet serving to mark descent from an ancestor to whom the function was actually useful.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The writer attempted to support his theory by pointing out the similarities existing between many machines of a widely different character, which served to show descent from a common ancestor.
perfectlyadverbUS /ˈpɜːrfəktli/
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading He pointed out tendencies to reversion, and the presence of rudimentary organs which existed in many machines feebly developed and perfectly useless, yet serving to mark descent from an ancestor to whom the function was actually useful.
perishedverbUS /ˈperɪʃt/
past form of “perish” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading He proved the existence of connecting links between machines that seemed to have very little in common, and showed that many more such links had existed, but had now perished.
pointedadjectiveUS /ˈpɔɪntɪd/
having a point
From this reading He pointed out tendencies to reversion, and the presence of rudimentary organs which existed in many machines feebly developed and perfectly useless, yet serving to mark descent from an ancestor to whom the function was actually useful.
pointingverbUS /ˈpɔɪntɪŋ/
-ing form of “point” — indicate a place, direction, person, or thing; either spatially or figuratively
From this reading The writer attempted to support his theory by pointing out the similarities existing between many machines of a widely different character, which served to show descent from a common ancestor.
presencenounUS /ˈprezəns/
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading He pointed out tendencies to reversion, and the presence of rudimentary organs which existed in many machines feebly developed and perfectly useless, yet serving to mark descent from an ancestor to whom the function was actually useful.
provedadjectiveUS /pruːvd/
established beyond doubt
From this reading He proved the existence of connecting links between machines that seemed to have very little in common, and showed that many more such links had existed, but had now perished.
racesnounUS /ˈreɪsəz/
plural of “race” — any competition
From this reading Here followed a very long and untranslatable digression about the different races and families of the then existing machines.
reversionnounUS /rɪˈvɜːrʒən/
(law) an interest in an estate that reverts to the grantor (or his heirs) at the end of some period (e.g., the death of the grantee)
From this reading He pointed out tendencies to reversion, and the presence of rudimentary organs which existed in many machines feebly developed and perfectly useless, yet serving to mark descent from an ancestor to whom the function was actually useful.
rudimentaryadjectiveUS /ˌruːdəˈmentəri/
being or involving basic facts or principles
From this reading He pointed out tendencies to reversion, and the presence of rudimentary organs which existed in many machines feebly developed and perfectly useless, yet serving to mark descent from an ancestor to whom the function was actually useful.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He proved the existence of connecting links between machines that seemed to have very little in common, and showed that many more such links had existed, but had now perished.
servedverbUS /sɜːrvd/
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading The writer attempted to support his theory by pointing out the similarities existing between many machines of a widely different character, which served to show descent from a common ancestor.
servingnounUS /ˈsɜːrvɪŋ/
an individual quantity of food or drink taken as part of a meal
From this reading He pointed out tendencies to reversion, and the presence of rudimentary organs which existed in many machines feebly developed and perfectly useless, yet serving to mark descent from an ancestor to whom the function was actually useful.
showverbUS /ʃoʊ/
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The writer attempted to support his theory by pointing out the similarities existing between many machines of a widely different character, which served to show descent from a common ancestor.
showedverbUS /ʃoʊd/
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading He proved the existence of connecting links between machines that seemed to have very little in common, and showed that many more such links had existed, but had now perished.
similaritiesnounUS /ˌsɪməˈlerətiz/
plural of “similarity” — the quality of being similar
From this reading The writer attempted to support his theory by pointing out the similarities existing between many machines of a widely different character, which served to show descent from a common ancestor.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He divided machines into their genera, subgenera, species, varieties, subvarieties, and so forth.
speciesnounUS /ˈspiːʃiz/
(biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed
From this reading He divided machines into their genera, subgenera, species, varieties, subvarieties, and so forth.
subgenera
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He divided machines into their genera, subgenera, species, varieties, subvarieties, and so forth.
subvarieties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He divided machines into their genera, subgenera, species, varieties, subvarieties, and so forth.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading He proved the existence of connecting links between machines that seemed to have very little in common, and showed that many more such links had existed, but had now perished.
supportnounUS /səˈpɔːrt/
the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities
From this reading The writer attempted to support his theory by pointing out the similarities existing between many machines of a widely different character, which served to show descent from a common ancestor.
tendenciesnounUS /ˈtendənsiz/
plural of “tendency” — an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others
From this reading He pointed out tendencies to reversion, and the presence of rudimentary organs which existed in many machines feebly developed and perfectly useless, yet serving to mark descent from an ancestor to whom the function was actually useful.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He proved the existence of connecting links between machines that seemed to have very little in common, and showed that many more such links had existed, but had now perished.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Here followed a very long and untranslatable digression about the different races and families of the then existing machines.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He divided machines into their genera, subgenera, species, varieties, subvarieties, and so forth.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Here followed a very long and untranslatable digression about the different races and families of the then existing machines.
theorynounUS /ˈθɪri/
a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena
From this reading The writer attempted to support his theory by pointing out the similarities existing between many machines of a widely different character, which served to show descent from a common ancestor.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The writer attempted to support his theory by pointing out the similarities existing between many machines of a widely different character, which served to show descent from a common ancestor.
untranslatableadjective
not capable of being put into another form or style or language
From this reading Here followed a very long and untranslatable digression about the different races and families of the then existing machines.
usefuladjectiveUS /ˈjuːsfəl/
being of use or service
From this reading He pointed out tendencies to reversion, and the presence of rudimentary organs which existed in many machines feebly developed and perfectly useless, yet serving to mark descent from an ancestor to whom the function was actually useful.
uselessadjectiveUS /ˈjuːsləs/
having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully
From this reading He pointed out tendencies to reversion, and the presence of rudimentary organs which existed in many machines feebly developed and perfectly useless, yet serving to mark descent from an ancestor to whom the function was actually useful.
varietiesnounUS /vərˈaɪətiz/
plural of “variety” — a collection containing a variety of sorts of things
From this reading He divided machines into their genera, subgenera, species, varieties, subvarieties, and so forth.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading Here followed a very long and untranslatable digression about the different races and families of the then existing machines.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He pointed out tendencies to reversion, and the presence of rudimentary organs which existed in many machines feebly developed and perfectly useless, yet serving to mark descent from an ancestor to whom the function was actually useful.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The writer attempted to support his theory by pointing out the similarities existing between many machines of a widely different character, which served to show descent from a common ancestor.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He pointed out tendencies to reversion, and the presence of rudimentary organs which existed in many machines feebly developed and perfectly useless, yet serving to mark descent from an ancestor to whom the function was actually useful.
widelyadverbUS /ˈwaɪdli/
to a great degree
From this reading The writer attempted to support his theory by pointing out the similarities existing between many machines of a widely different character, which served to show descent from a common ancestor.
writernounUS /ˈraɪtər/
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading The writer attempted to support his theory by pointing out the similarities existing between many machines of a widely different character, which served to show descent from a common ancestor.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading He pointed out tendencies to reversion, and the presence of rudimentary organs which existed in many machines feebly developed and perfectly useless, yet serving to mark descent from an ancestor to whom the function was actually useful.
