adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading About six or seven hundred years, however, after the death of the old prophet, a philosopher appeared, who, though he did not claim to have any communication with an unseen power, laid down the law with as much confidence as if such a power had inspired him.
ableadjectiveUS /ˈeɪbəl/
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading Many think that this philosopher did not believe his own teaching, and, being in secret a great meat-eater, had no other end in view than reducing the prohibition against eating animal food to an absurdity, greater even than an Erewhonian Puritan would be able to stand.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading About six or seven hundred years, however, after the death of the old prophet, a philosopher appeared, who, though he did not claim to have any communication with an unseen power, laid down the law with as much confidence as if such a power had inspired him.
absurditynounUS /əbˈsɜːrdəti/
a message whose content is at variance with reason
From this reading Many think that this philosopher did not believe his own teaching, and, being in secret a great meat-eater, had no other end in view than reducing the prohibition against eating animal food to an absurdity, greater even than an Erewhonian Puritan would be able to stand.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading About six or seven hundred years, however, after the death of the old prophet, a philosopher appeared, who, though he did not claim to have any communication with an unseen power, laid down the law with as much confidence as if such a power had inspired him.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Many think that this philosopher did not believe his own teaching, and, being in secret a great meat-eater, had no other end in view than reducing the prohibition against eating animal food to an absurdity, greater even than an Erewhonian Puritan would be able to stand.
almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading At times, indeed, they would become almost obsolete, but when they were on the point of being repealed, some national disaster or the preaching of some fanatic would reawaken the conscience of the nation, and people were imprisoned by the thousand for illicitly selling and buying animal food.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading RIGHTS OF VEGETABLES Let me leave this unhappy story, and return to the course of events among the Erewhonians at large.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading About six or seven hundred years, however, after the death of the old prophet, a philosopher appeared, who, though he did not claim to have any communication with an unseen power, laid down the law with as much confidence as if such a power had inspired him.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading RIGHTS OF VEGETABLES Let me leave this unhappy story, and return to the course of events among the Erewhonians at large.
animalnounUS /ˈænəməl/
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading At times, indeed, they would become almost obsolete, but when they were on the point of being repealed, some national disaster or the preaching of some fanatic would reawaken the conscience of the nation, and people were imprisoned by the thousand for illicitly selling and buying animal food.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading About six or seven hundred years, however, after the death of the old prophet, a philosopher appeared, who, though he did not claim to have any communication with an unseen power, laid down the law with as much confidence as if such a power had inspired him.
appearedverbUS /əˈpɪrd/
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading About six or seven hundred years, however, after the death of the old prophet, a philosopher appeared, who, though he did not claim to have any communication with an unseen power, laid down the law with as much confidence as if such a power had inspired him.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading No matter how many laws they passed increasing the severity of the punishments inflicted on those who ate meat in secret, the people found means of setting them aside as fast as they were made.
asideadverbUS /əˈsaɪd/
on or to one side
From this reading No matter how many laws they passed increasing the severity of the punishments inflicted on those who ate meat in secret, the people found means of setting them aside as fast as they were made.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading RIGHTS OF VEGETABLES Let me leave this unhappy story, and return to the course of events among the Erewhonians at large.
atenounUS /eɪt/
goddess of criminal rashness and its punishment
From this reading No matter how many laws they passed increasing the severity of the punishments inflicted on those who ate meat in secret, the people found means of setting them aside as fast as they were made.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Many think that this philosopher did not believe his own teaching, and, being in secret a great meat-eater, had no other end in view than reducing the prohibition against eating animal food to an absurdity, greater even than an Erewhonian Puritan would be able to stand.
becomeverbUS /bɪˈkʌm/
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading At times, indeed, they would become almost obsolete, but when they were on the point of being repealed, some national disaster or the preaching of some fanatic would reawaken the conscience of the nation, and people were imprisoned by the thousand for illicitly selling and buying animal food.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading At times, indeed, they would become almost obsolete, but when they were on the point of being repealed, some national disaster or the preaching of some fanatic would reawaken the conscience of the nation, and people were imprisoned by the thousand for illicitly selling and buying animal food.
believeverbUS /bɪˈliːv/
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading Many think that this philosopher did not believe his own teaching, and, being in secret a great meat-eater, had no other end in view than reducing the prohibition against eating animal food to an absurdity, greater even than an Erewhonian Puritan would be able to stand.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading At times, indeed, they would become almost obsolete, but when they were on the point of being repealed, some national disaster or the preaching of some fanatic would reawaken the conscience of the nation, and people were imprisoned by the thousand for illicitly selling and buying animal food.
buyingnounUS /ˈbaɪɪŋ/
the act of buying
From this reading At times, indeed, they would become almost obsolete, but when they were on the point of being repealed, some national disaster or the preaching of some fanatic would reawaken the conscience of the nation, and people were imprisoned by the thousand for illicitly selling and buying animal food.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading At times, indeed, they would become almost obsolete, but when they were on the point of being repealed, some national disaster or the preaching of some fanatic would reawaken the conscience of the nation, and people were imprisoned by the thousand for illicitly selling and buying animal food.
claimnounUS /kleɪm/
an assertion of a right (as to money or property)
From this reading About six or seven hundred years, however, after the death of the old prophet, a philosopher appeared, who, though he did not claim to have any communication with an unseen power, laid down the law with as much confidence as if such a power had inspired him.
communicationnounUS /kəˌmjuːnəˈkeɪʃən/
the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information
From this reading About six or seven hundred years, however, after the death of the old prophet, a philosopher appeared, who, though he did not claim to have any communication with an unseen power, laid down the law with as much confidence as if such a power had inspired him.
confidencenounUS /ˈkɑːnfədəns/
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading About six or seven hundred years, however, after the death of the old prophet, a philosopher appeared, who, though he did not claim to have any communication with an unseen power, laid down the law with as much confidence as if such a power had inspired him.
consciencenounUS /ˈkɑːnʃəns/
motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions
From this reading At times, indeed, they would become almost obsolete, but when they were on the point of being repealed, some national disaster or the preaching of some fanatic would reawaken the conscience of the nation, and people were imprisoned by the thousand for illicitly selling and buying animal food.
coursenounUS /kɔːrs/
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading RIGHTS OF VEGETABLES Let me leave this unhappy story, and return to the course of events among the Erewhonians at large.
deathnounUS /deθ/
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading About six or seven hundred years, however, after the death of the old prophet, a philosopher appeared, who, though he did not claim to have any communication with an unseen power, laid down the law with as much confidence as if such a power had inspired him.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading About six or seven hundred years, however, after the death of the old prophet, a philosopher appeared, who, though he did not claim to have any communication with an unseen power, laid down the law with as much confidence as if such a power had inspired him.
disasternounUS /dɪˈzæstər/
a state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune
From this reading At times, indeed, they would become almost obsolete, but when they were on the point of being repealed, some national disaster or the preaching of some fanatic would reawaken the conscience of the nation, and people were imprisoned by the thousand for illicitly selling and buying animal food.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading About six or seven hundred years, however, after the death of the old prophet, a philosopher appeared, who, though he did not claim to have any communication with an unseen power, laid down the law with as much confidence as if such a power had inspired him.
eatingnounUS /ˈiːtɪŋ/
the act of consuming food
From this reading Many think that this philosopher did not believe his own teaching, and, being in secret a great meat-eater, had no other end in view than reducing the prohibition against eating animal food to an absurdity, greater even than an Erewhonian Puritan would be able to stand.
endnounUS /end/
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Many think that this philosopher did not believe his own teaching, and, being in secret a great meat-eater, had no other end in view than reducing the prohibition against eating animal food to an absurdity, greater even than an Erewhonian Puritan would be able to stand.
Erewhonian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many think that this philosopher did not believe his own teaching, and, being in secret a great meat-eater, had no other end in view than reducing the prohibition against eating animal food to an absurdity, greater even than an Erewhonian Puritan would be able to stand.
Erewhonians
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RIGHTS OF VEGETABLES Let me leave this unhappy story, and return to the course of events among the Erewhonians at large.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading Many think that this philosopher did not believe his own teaching, and, being in secret a great meat-eater, had no other end in view than reducing the prohibition against eating animal food to an absurdity, greater even than an Erewhonian Puritan would be able to stand.
eventsnounUS /ɪˈvents/
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading RIGHTS OF VEGETABLES Let me leave this unhappy story, and return to the course of events among the Erewhonians at large.
fanaticnounUS /fəˈnætɪk/
a person motivated by irrational enthusiasm (as for a cause)
From this reading At times, indeed, they would become almost obsolete, but when they were on the point of being repealed, some national disaster or the preaching of some fanatic would reawaken the conscience of the nation, and people were imprisoned by the thousand for illicitly selling and buying animal food.
fastadverbUS /fæst/
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading No matter how many laws they passed increasing the severity of the punishments inflicted on those who ate meat in secret, the people found means of setting them aside as fast as they were made.
foodnounUS /fuːd/
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading At times, indeed, they would become almost obsolete, but when they were on the point of being repealed, some national disaster or the preaching of some fanatic would reawaken the conscience of the nation, and people were imprisoned by the thousand for illicitly selling and buying animal food.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading At times, indeed, they would become almost obsolete, but when they were on the point of being repealed, some national disaster or the preaching of some fanatic would reawaken the conscience of the nation, and people were imprisoned by the thousand for illicitly selling and buying animal food.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading No matter how many laws they passed increasing the severity of the punishments inflicted on those who ate meat in secret, the people found means of setting them aside as fast as they were made.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Many think that this philosopher did not believe his own teaching, and, being in secret a great meat-eater, had no other end in view than reducing the prohibition against eating animal food to an absurdity, greater even than an Erewhonian Puritan would be able to stand.
greateradjectiveUS /ˈɡreɪtər/
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading Many think that this philosopher did not believe his own teaching, and, being in secret a great meat-eater, had no other end in view than reducing the prohibition against eating animal food to an absurdity, greater even than an Erewhonian Puritan would be able to stand.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading About six or seven hundred years, however, after the death of the old prophet, a philosopher appeared, who, though he did not claim to have any communication with an unseen power, laid down the law with as much confidence as if such a power had inspired him.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading About six or seven hundred years, however, after the death of the old prophet, a philosopher appeared, who, though he did not claim to have any communication with an unseen power, laid down the law with as much confidence as if such a power had inspired him.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading About six or seven hundred years, however, after the death of the old prophet, a philosopher appeared, who, though he did not claim to have any communication with an unseen power, laid down the law with as much confidence as if such a power had inspired him.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading About six or seven hundred years, however, after the death of the old prophet, a philosopher appeared, who, though he did not claim to have any communication with an unseen power, laid down the law with as much confidence as if such a power had inspired him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Many think that this philosopher did not believe his own teaching, and, being in secret a great meat-eater, had no other end in view than reducing the prohibition against eating animal food to an absurdity, greater even than an Erewhonian Puritan would be able to stand.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No matter how many laws they passed increasing the severity of the punishments inflicted on those who ate meat in secret, the people found means of setting them aside as fast as they were made.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading About six or seven hundred years, however, after the death of the old prophet, a philosopher appeared, who, though he did not claim to have any communication with an unseen power, laid down the law with as much confidence as if such a power had inspired him.
hundrednounUS /ˈhʌndrəd/
ten 10s
From this reading About six or seven hundred years, however, after the death of the old prophet, a philosopher appeared, who, though he did not claim to have any communication with an unseen power, laid down the law with as much confidence as if such a power had inspired him.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading About six or seven hundred years, however, after the death of the old prophet, a philosopher appeared, who, though he did not claim to have any communication with an unseen power, laid down the law with as much confidence as if such a power had inspired him.
illicitlyadverbUS /ˈɪlɪsɪtli/
in a manner disapproved or not allowed by custom
From this reading At times, indeed, they would become almost obsolete, but when they were on the point of being repealed, some national disaster or the preaching of some fanatic would reawaken the conscience of the nation, and people were imprisoned by the thousand for illicitly selling and buying animal food.
imprisonedadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈprɪzənd/
being in captivity
From this reading At times, indeed, they would become almost obsolete, but when they were on the point of being repealed, some national disaster or the preaching of some fanatic would reawaken the conscience of the nation, and people were imprisoned by the thousand for illicitly selling and buying animal food.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading No matter how many laws they passed increasing the severity of the punishments inflicted on those who ate meat in secret, the people found means of setting them aside as fast as they were made.
increasingadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkriːsɪŋ/
becoming greater or larger
From this reading No matter how many laws they passed increasing the severity of the punishments inflicted on those who ate meat in secret, the people found means of setting them aside as fast as they were made.
indeedadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdiːd/
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading At times, indeed, they would become almost obsolete, but when they were on the point of being repealed, some national disaster or the preaching of some fanatic would reawaken the conscience of the nation, and people were imprisoned by the thousand for illicitly selling and buying animal food.
inflictedverbUS /ˌɪnˈflɪktɪd/
past form of “inflict” — impose something unpleasant
From this reading No matter how many laws they passed increasing the severity of the punishments inflicted on those who ate meat in secret, the people found means of setting them aside as fast as they were made.
inspiredadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈspaɪərd/
being of such surpassing excellence as to suggest inspiration by the gods
From this reading About six or seven hundred years, however, after the death of the old prophet, a philosopher appeared, who, though he did not claim to have any communication with an unseen power, laid down the law with as much confidence as if such a power had inspired him.
laidadjectiveUS /leɪd/
set down according to a plan
From this reading About six or seven hundred years, however, after the death of the old prophet, a philosopher appeared, who, though he did not claim to have any communication with an unseen power, laid down the law with as much confidence as if such a power had inspired him.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading RIGHTS OF VEGETABLES Let me leave this unhappy story, and return to the course of events among the Erewhonians at large.
lawnounUS /lɔː/
the collection of rules imposed by authority
From this reading About six or seven hundred years, however, after the death of the old prophet, a philosopher appeared, who, though he did not claim to have any communication with an unseen power, laid down the law with as much confidence as if such a power had inspired him.
lawsnounUS /lɔːz/
the first of three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures comprising the first five books of the Hebrew Bible considered as a unit
From this reading No matter how many laws they passed increasing the severity of the punishments inflicted on those who ate meat in secret, the people found means of setting them aside as fast as they were made.
leaveverbUS /liːv/
go away from a place
From this reading RIGHTS OF VEGETABLES Let me leave this unhappy story, and return to the course of events among the Erewhonians at large.
Letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading RIGHTS OF VEGETABLES Let me leave this unhappy story, and return to the course of events among the Erewhonians at large.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading No matter how many laws they passed increasing the severity of the punishments inflicted on those who ate meat in secret, the people found means of setting them aside as fast as they were made.
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 No matter how many laws they passed increasing the severity of the punishments inflicted on those who ate meat in secret, the people found means of setting them aside as fast as they were made.
matternounUS /ˈmætər/
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading No matter how many laws they passed increasing the severity of the punishments inflicted on those who ate meat in secret, the people found means of setting them aside as fast as they were made.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading RIGHTS OF VEGETABLES Let me leave this unhappy story, and return to the course of events among the Erewhonians at large.
meansnounUS /miːnz/
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading No matter how many laws they passed increasing the severity of the punishments inflicted on those who ate meat in secret, the people found means of setting them aside as fast as they were made.
meatnounUS /miːt/
the flesh of animals (including fishes and birds and snails) used as food
From this reading No matter how many laws they passed increasing the severity of the punishments inflicted on those who ate meat in secret, the people found means of setting them aside as fast as they were made.
meat-eater
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many think that this philosopher did not believe his own teaching, and, being in secret a great meat-eater, had no other end in view than reducing the prohibition against eating animal food to an absurdity, greater even than an Erewhonian Puritan would be able to stand.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading About six or seven hundred years, however, after the death of the old prophet, a philosopher appeared, who, though he did not claim to have any communication with an unseen power, laid down the law with as much confidence as if such a power had inspired him.
nationnounUS /ˈneɪʃən/
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading At times, indeed, they would become almost obsolete, but when they were on the point of being repealed, some national disaster or the preaching of some fanatic would reawaken the conscience of the nation, and people were imprisoned by the thousand for illicitly selling and buying animal food.
nationaladjectiveUS /ˈnæʃənəl/
of or relating to or belonging to a nation or country
From this reading At times, indeed, they would become almost obsolete, but when they were on the point of being repealed, some national disaster or the preaching of some fanatic would reawaken the conscience of the nation, and people were imprisoned by the thousand for illicitly selling and buying animal food.
NodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading No matter how many laws they passed increasing the severity of the punishments inflicted on those who ate meat in secret, the people found means of setting them aside as fast as they were made.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading About six or seven hundred years, however, after the death of the old prophet, a philosopher appeared, who, though he did not claim to have any communication with an unseen power, laid down the law with as much confidence as if such a power had inspired him.
obsoleteadjectiveUS /ˈɑːbsəliːt/
no longer in use
From this reading At times, indeed, they would become almost obsolete, but when they were on the point of being repealed, some national disaster or the preaching of some fanatic would reawaken the conscience of the nation, and people were imprisoned by the thousand for illicitly selling and buying animal food.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading RIGHTS OF VEGETABLES Let me leave this unhappy story, and return to the course of events among the Erewhonians at large.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading About six or seven hundred years, however, after the death of the old prophet, a philosopher appeared, who, though he did not claim to have any communication with an unseen power, laid down the law with as much confidence as if such a power had inspired him.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading No matter how many laws they passed increasing the severity of the punishments inflicted on those who ate meat in secret, the people found means of setting them aside as fast as they were made.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading At times, indeed, they would become almost obsolete, but when they were on the point of being repealed, some national disaster or the preaching of some fanatic would reawaken the conscience of the nation, and people were imprisoned by the thousand for illicitly selling and buying animal food.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Many think that this philosopher did not believe his own teaching, and, being in secret a great meat-eater, had no other end in view than reducing the prohibition against eating animal food to an absurdity, greater even than an Erewhonian Puritan would be able to stand.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Many think that this philosopher did not believe his own teaching, and, being in secret a great meat-eater, had no other end in view than reducing the prohibition against eating animal food to an absurdity, greater even than an Erewhonian Puritan would be able to stand.
passedverbUS /pæst/
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading No matter how many laws they passed increasing the severity of the punishments inflicted on those who ate meat in secret, the people found means of setting them aside as fast as they were made.
peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading No matter how many laws they passed increasing the severity of the punishments inflicted on those who ate meat in secret, the people found means of setting them aside as fast as they were made.
philosophernounUS /fəˈlɑːsəfər/
a specialist in philosophy
From this reading About six or seven hundred years, however, after the death of the old prophet, a philosopher appeared, who, though he did not claim to have any communication with an unseen power, laid down the law with as much confidence as if such a power had inspired him.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading At times, indeed, they would become almost obsolete, but when they were on the point of being repealed, some national disaster or the preaching of some fanatic would reawaken the conscience of the nation, and people were imprisoned by the thousand for illicitly selling and buying animal food.
powernounUS /ˈpaʊər/
possession of controlling influence
From this reading About six or seven hundred years, however, after the death of the old prophet, a philosopher appeared, who, though he did not claim to have any communication with an unseen power, laid down the law with as much confidence as if such a power had inspired him.
preachingnounUS /ˈpriːtʃɪŋ/
an address of a religious nature (usually delivered during a church service)
From this reading At times, indeed, they would become almost obsolete, but when they were on the point of being repealed, some national disaster or the preaching of some fanatic would reawaken the conscience of the nation, and people were imprisoned by the thousand for illicitly selling and buying animal food.
prohibitionnounUS /ˌproʊəˈbɪʃən/
a law forbidding the sale of alcoholic beverages
From this reading Many think that this philosopher did not believe his own teaching, and, being in secret a great meat-eater, had no other end in view than reducing the prohibition against eating animal food to an absurdity, greater even than an Erewhonian Puritan would be able to stand.
prophetnounUS /ˈprɑːfət/
an authoritative person who divines the future
From this reading About six or seven hundred years, however, after the death of the old prophet, a philosopher appeared, who, though he did not claim to have any communication with an unseen power, laid down the law with as much confidence as if such a power had inspired him.
punishmentsnounUS /ˈpʌnɪʃmənts/
plural of “punishment” — the act of punishing
From this reading No matter how many laws they passed increasing the severity of the punishments inflicted on those who ate meat in secret, the people found means of setting them aside as fast as they were made.
PuritannounUS /ˈpjʊrətən/
a member of a group of English Protestants who in the 16th and 17th centuries thought that the Protestant Reformation under Elizabeth was incomplete and advocated the simplification and regulation of forms of worship
From this reading Many think that this philosopher did not believe his own teaching, and, being in secret a great meat-eater, had no other end in view than reducing the prohibition against eating animal food to an absurdity, greater even than an Erewhonian Puritan would be able to stand.
reawakenverbUS /ˌriːəˈweɪkən/
awaken once again
From this reading At times, indeed, they would become almost obsolete, but when they were on the point of being repealed, some national disaster or the preaching of some fanatic would reawaken the conscience of the nation, and people were imprisoned by the thousand for illicitly selling and buying animal food.
reducingnounUS /rəˈduːsɪŋ/
any process in which electrons are added to an atom or ion (as by removing oxygen or adding hydrogen); always occurs accompanied by oxidation of the reducing agent
From this reading Many think that this philosopher did not believe his own teaching, and, being in secret a great meat-eater, had no other end in view than reducing the prohibition against eating animal food to an absurdity, greater even than an Erewhonian Puritan would be able to stand.
repealedverbUS /rɪˈpiːld/
past form of “repeal” — cancel officially
From this reading At times, indeed, they would become almost obsolete, but when they were on the point of being repealed, some national disaster or the preaching of some fanatic would reawaken the conscience of the nation, and people were imprisoned by the thousand for illicitly selling and buying animal food.
returnverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrn/
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading RIGHTS OF VEGETABLES Let me leave this unhappy story, and return to the course of events among the Erewhonians at large.
RIGHTSnounUS /raɪts/
plural of “right” — an abstract idea of that which is due to a person or governmental body by law or tradition or nature
From this reading RIGHTS OF VEGETABLES Let me leave this unhappy story, and return to the course of events among the Erewhonians at large.
secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading No matter how many laws they passed increasing the severity of the punishments inflicted on those who ate meat in secret, the people found means of setting them aside as fast as they were made.
sellingnounUS /ˈselɪŋ/
the exchange of goods for an agreed sum of money
From this reading At times, indeed, they would become almost obsolete, but when they were on the point of being repealed, some national disaster or the preaching of some fanatic would reawaken the conscience of the nation, and people were imprisoned by the thousand for illicitly selling and buying animal food.
settingnounUS /ˈsetɪŋ/
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading No matter how many laws they passed increasing the severity of the punishments inflicted on those who ate meat in secret, the people found means of setting them aside as fast as they were made.
sevennounUS /ˈsevən/
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading About six or seven hundred years, however, after the death of the old prophet, a philosopher appeared, who, though he did not claim to have any communication with an unseen power, laid down the law with as much confidence as if such a power had inspired him.
severitynounUS /sɪˈverɪti/
used of the degree of something undesirable e.g. pain or weather
From this reading No matter how many laws they passed increasing the severity of the punishments inflicted on those who ate meat in secret, the people found means of setting them aside as fast as they were made.
sixnounUS /sɪks/
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading About six or seven hundred years, however, after the death of the old prophet, a philosopher appeared, who, though he did not claim to have any communication with an unseen power, laid down the law with as much confidence as if such a power had inspired him.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading At times, indeed, they would become almost obsolete, but when they were on the point of being repealed, some national disaster or the preaching of some fanatic would reawaken the conscience of the nation, and people were imprisoned by the thousand for illicitly selling and buying animal food.
standverbUS /stænd/
be standing; be upright
From this reading Many think that this philosopher did not believe his own teaching, and, being in secret a great meat-eater, had no other end in view than reducing the prohibition against eating animal food to an absurdity, greater even than an Erewhonian Puritan would be able to stand.
storynounUS /ˈstɔːri/
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading RIGHTS OF VEGETABLES Let me leave this unhappy story, and return to the course of events among the Erewhonians at large.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading About six or seven hundred years, however, after the death of the old prophet, a philosopher appeared, who, though he did not claim to have any communication with an unseen power, laid down the law with as much confidence as if such a power had inspired him.
teachingnounUS /ˈtiːtʃɪŋ/
the profession of a teacher
From this reading Many think that this philosopher did not believe his own teaching, and, being in secret a great meat-eater, had no other end in view than reducing the prohibition against eating animal food to an absurdity, greater even than an Erewhonian Puritan would be able to stand.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Many think that this philosopher did not believe his own teaching, and, being in secret a great meat-eater, had no other end in view than reducing the prohibition against eating animal food to an absurdity, greater even than an Erewhonian Puritan would be able to stand.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Many think that this philosopher did not believe his own teaching, and, being in secret a great meat-eater, had no other end in view than reducing the prohibition against eating animal food to an absurdity, greater even than an Erewhonian Puritan would be able to stand.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading RIGHTS OF VEGETABLES Let me leave this unhappy story, and return to the course of events among the Erewhonians at large.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading No matter how many laws they passed increasing the severity of the punishments inflicted on those who ate meat in secret, the people found means of setting them aside as fast as they were made.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading No matter how many laws they passed increasing the severity of the punishments inflicted on those who ate meat in secret, the people found means of setting them aside as fast as they were made.
thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Many think that this philosopher did not believe his own teaching, and, being in secret a great meat-eater, had no other end in view than reducing the prohibition against eating animal food to an absurdity, greater even than an Erewhonian Puritan would be able to stand.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading RIGHTS OF VEGETABLES Let me leave this unhappy story, and return to the course of events among the Erewhonians at large.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading No matter how many laws they passed increasing the severity of the punishments inflicted on those who ate meat in secret, the people found means of setting them aside as fast as they were made.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading About six or seven hundred years, however, after the death of the old prophet, a philosopher appeared, who, though he did not claim to have any communication with an unseen power, laid down the law with as much confidence as if such a power had inspired him.
thousandnounUS /ˈθaʊzənd/
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading At times, indeed, they would become almost obsolete, but when they were on the point of being repealed, some national disaster or the preaching of some fanatic would reawaken the conscience of the nation, and people were imprisoned by the thousand for illicitly selling and buying animal food.
timesnounUS /taɪmz/
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading At times, indeed, they would become almost obsolete, but when they were on the point of being repealed, some national disaster or the preaching of some fanatic would reawaken the conscience of the nation, and people were imprisoned by the thousand for illicitly selling and buying animal food.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading RIGHTS OF VEGETABLES Let me leave this unhappy story, and return to the course of events among the Erewhonians at large.
unhappyadjectiveUS /ənˈhæpi/
experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent
From this reading RIGHTS OF VEGETABLES Let me leave this unhappy story, and return to the course of events among the Erewhonians at large.
unseenadjectiveUS /ənˈsiːn/
not seen or perceived
From this reading About six or seven hundred years, however, after the death of the old prophet, a philosopher appeared, who, though he did not claim to have any communication with an unseen power, laid down the law with as much confidence as if such a power had inspired him.
VEGETABLESnounUS /ˈvedʒtəbəlz/
plural of “vegetable” — edible seeds or roots or stems or leaves or bulbs or tubers or nonsweet fruits of any of numerous herbaceous plant
From this reading RIGHTS OF VEGETABLES Let me leave this unhappy story, and return to the course of events among the Erewhonians at large.
viewnounUS /vjuː/
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading Many think that this philosopher did not believe his own teaching, and, being in secret a great meat-eater, had no other end in view than reducing the prohibition against eating animal food to an absurdity, greater even than an Erewhonian Puritan would be able to stand.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading No matter how many laws they passed increasing the severity of the punishments inflicted on those who ate meat in secret, the people found means of setting them aside as fast as they were made.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading At times, indeed, they would become almost obsolete, but when they were on the point of being repealed, some national disaster or the preaching of some fanatic would reawaken the conscience of the nation, and people were imprisoned by the thousand for illicitly selling and buying animal food.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading No matter how many laws they passed increasing the severity of the punishments inflicted on those who ate meat in secret, the people found means of setting them aside as fast as they were made.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading About six or seven hundred years, however, after the death of the old prophet, a philosopher appeared, who, though he did not claim to have any communication with an unseen power, laid down the law with as much confidence as if such a power had inspired him.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading At times, indeed, they would become almost obsolete, but when they were on the point of being repealed, some national disaster or the preaching of some fanatic would reawaken the conscience of the nation, and people were imprisoned by the thousand for illicitly selling and buying animal food.
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/
a late time of life
From this reading About six or seven hundred years, however, after the death of the old prophet, a philosopher appeared, who, though he did not claim to have any communication with an unseen power, laid down the law with as much confidence as if such a power had inspired him.
