used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _Ch._ But Hottentots have no notion of a God or a future state.
absurditynounUS /əbˈsɜːrdəti/
a message whose content is at variance with reason
From this reading _Fa._ I am not certain how far that is fact: but alas! how many among us have no knowledge at all on these subjects, or only some vague notions full of absurdity and superstition!
in actual fact
From this reading _Fa._ Man is always _capable of improvement_; but he may exist a long time, in society, without _actually improving_ beyond a certain point.
farther along in physical or mental development
From this reading People far advanced in civilization have held the grossest errors on these subjects, which are only to be corrected by the serious application of reason, or by a direct revelation from Heaven.
alasexclamationUS /əˈlæs/
used to show sadness, pity, or regret
From this reading _Fa._ I am not certain how far that is fact: but alas! how many among us have no knowledge at all on these subjects, or only some vague notions full of absurdity and superstition!
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading _Fa._ I am not certain how far that is fact: but alas! how many among us have no knowledge at all on these subjects, or only some vague notions full of absurdity and superstition!
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading _Fa._ Man is always _capable of improvement_; but he may exist a long time, in society, without _actually improving_ beyond a certain point.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading _Fa._ I am not certain how far that is fact: but alas! how many among us have no knowledge at all on these subjects, or only some vague notions full of absurdity and superstition!
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading _Fa._ I am not certain how far that is fact: but alas! how many among us have no knowledge at all on these subjects, or only some vague notions full of absurdity and superstition!
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading _Ch._ You said man was an _improveable_ creature—but have not many nations been a long time in a savage state without improvement?
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _Fa._ I am not certain how far that is fact: but alas! how many among us have no knowledge at all on these subjects, or only some vague notions full of absurdity and superstition!
applicationnounUS /ˌæpləˈkeɪʃən/
the act of bringing something to bear; using it for a particular purpose
From this reading People far advanced in civilization have held the grossest errors on these subjects, which are only to be corrected by the serious application of reason, or by a direct revelation from Heaven.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading People far advanced in civilization have held the grossest errors on these subjects, which are only to be corrected by the serious application of reason, or by a direct revelation from Heaven.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading _Fa._ I am not certain how far that is fact: but alas! how many among us have no knowledge at all on these subjects, or only some vague notions full of absurdity and superstition!
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading People far advanced in civilization have held the grossest errors on these subjects, which are only to be corrected by the serious application of reason, or by a direct revelation from Heaven.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading _Ch._ You said man was an _improveable_ creature—but have not many nations been a long time in a savage state without improvement?
on the far side of; further than
From this reading _Fa._ Man is always _capable of improvement_; but he may exist a long time, in society, without _actually improving_ beyond a certain point.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading _Ch._ But Hottentots have no notion of a God or a future state.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading People far advanced in civilization have held the grossest errors on these subjects, which are only to be corrected by the serious application of reason, or by a direct revelation from Heaven.
(usually followed by “of”) having capacity or ability
From this reading _Fa._ Man is always _capable of improvement_; but he may exist a long time, in society, without _actually improving_ beyond a certain point.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading _Fa._ I am not certain how far that is fact: but alas! how many among us have no knowledge at all on these subjects, or only some vague notions full of absurdity and superstition!
Ch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Ch._ But Hottentots have no notion of a God or a future state.
civilizationnounUS /ˌsɪvəlɪˈzeɪʃən/
a society in an advanced state of social development (e.g., with complex legal and political and religious organizations)
From this reading People far advanced in civilization have held the grossest errors on these subjects, which are only to be corrected by the serious application of reason, or by a direct revelation from Heaven.
correctedadjectiveUS /kərˈektəd/
having something undesirable neutralized
From this reading People far advanced in civilization have held the grossest errors on these subjects, which are only to be corrected by the serious application of reason, or by a direct revelation from Heaven.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading _Ch._ You said man was an _improveable_ creature—but have not many nations been a long time in a savage state without improvement?
command with authority
From this reading People far advanced in civilization have held the grossest errors on these subjects, which are only to be corrected by the serious application of reason, or by a direct revelation from Heaven.
errorsnounUS /ˈerərz/
plural of “error” — a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading People far advanced in civilization have held the grossest errors on these subjects, which are only to be corrected by the serious application of reason, or by a direct revelation from Heaven.
existverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪst/
have an existence, be extant
From this reading _Fa._ Man is always _capable of improvement_; but he may exist a long time, in society, without _actually improving_ beyond a certain point.
Fanoun
the syllable naming the fourth (subdominant) note of the diatonic scale in solmization
From this reading _Fa._ I am not certain how far that is fact: but alas! how many among us have no knowledge at all on these subjects, or only some vague notions full of absurdity and superstition!
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading _Fa._ I am not certain how far that is fact: but alas! how many among us have no knowledge at all on these subjects, or only some vague notions full of absurdity and superstition!
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading _Fa._ I am not certain how far that is fact: but alas! how many among us have no knowledge at all on these subjects, or only some vague notions full of absurdity and superstition!
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading People far advanced in civilization have held the grossest errors on these subjects, which are only to be corrected by the serious application of reason, or by a direct revelation from Heaven.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading _Fa._ I am not certain how far that is fact: but alas! how many among us have no knowledge at all on these subjects, or only some vague notions full of absurdity and superstition!
yet to be or coming
From this reading _Ch._ But Hottentots have no notion of a God or a future state.
the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading _Ch._ But Hottentots have no notion of a God or a future state.
grossest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading People far advanced in civilization have held the grossest errors on these subjects, which are only to be corrected by the serious application of reason, or by a direct revelation from Heaven.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading _Ch._ But Hottentots have no notion of a God or a future state.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading _Fa._ Man is always _capable of improvement_; but he may exist a long time, in society, without _actually improving_ beyond a certain point.
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading People far advanced in civilization have held the grossest errors on these subjects, which are only to be corrected by the serious application of reason, or by a direct revelation from Heaven.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading People far advanced in civilization have held the grossest errors on these subjects, which are only to be corrected by the serious application of reason, or by a direct revelation from Heaven.
Hottentots
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Ch._ But Hottentots have no notion of a God or a future state.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Fa._ I am not certain how far that is fact: but alas! how many among us have no knowledge at all on these subjects, or only some vague notions full of absurdity and superstition!
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading _Fa._ I am not certain how far that is fact: but alas! how many among us have no knowledge at all on these subjects, or only some vague notions full of absurdity and superstition!
improveable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Ch._ You said man was an _improveable_ creature—but have not many nations been a long time in a savage state without improvement?
improvementnounUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvmənt/
a change for the better; progress in development
From this reading _Ch._ You said man was an _improveable_ creature—but have not many nations been a long time in a savage state without improvement?
improvingadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvɪŋ/
getting higher or more vigorous
From this reading _Fa._ Man is always _capable of improvement_; but he may exist a long time, in society, without _actually improving_ beyond a certain point.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading People far advanced in civilization have held the grossest errors on these subjects, which are only to be corrected by the serious application of reason, or by a direct revelation from Heaven.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _Fa._ I am not certain how far that is fact: but alas! how many among us have no knowledge at all on these subjects, or only some vague notions full of absurdity and superstition!
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading _Fa._ I am not certain how far that is fact: but alas! how many among us have no knowledge at all on these subjects, or only some vague notions full of absurdity and superstition!
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 _Ch._ You said man was an _improveable_ creature—but have not many nations been a long time in a savage state without improvement?
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading _Ch._ You said man was an _improveable_ creature—but have not many nations been a long time in a savage state without improvement?
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 _Fa._ I am not certain how far that is fact: but alas! how many among us have no knowledge at all on these subjects, or only some vague notions full of absurdity and superstition!
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading _Fa._ Man is always _capable of improvement_; but he may exist a long time, in society, without _actually improving_ beyond a certain point.
nationsnounUS /ˈneɪʃənz/
plural of “nation” — a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading _Ch._ You said man was an _improveable_ creature—but have not many nations been a long time in a savage state without improvement?
not any; not one
From this reading _Ch._ But Hottentots have no notion of a God or a future state.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading _Fa._ I am not certain how far that is fact: but alas! how many among us have no knowledge at all on these subjects, or only some vague notions full of absurdity and superstition!
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading _Ch._ But Hottentots have no notion of a God or a future state.
notionsnounUS /ˈnoʊʃənz/
plural of “notion” — a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading _Fa._ I am not certain how far that is fact: but alas! how many among us have no knowledge at all on these subjects, or only some vague notions full of absurdity and superstition!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _Ch._ But Hottentots have no notion of a God or a future state.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading _Fa._ I am not certain how far that is fact: but alas! how many among us have no knowledge at all on these subjects, or only some vague notions full of absurdity and superstition!
and nothing more
From this reading _Fa._ I am not certain how far that is fact: but alas! how many among us have no knowledge at all on these subjects, or only some vague notions full of absurdity and superstition!
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading _Ch._ But Hottentots have no notion of a God or a future state.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading People far advanced in civilization have held the grossest errors on these subjects, which are only to be corrected by the serious application of reason, or by a direct revelation from Heaven.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading _Fa._ Man is always _capable of improvement_; but he may exist a long time, in society, without _actually improving_ beyond a certain point.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading People far advanced in civilization have held the grossest errors on these subjects, which are only to be corrected by the serious application of reason, or by a direct revelation from Heaven.
revelationnounUS /ˌrevəˈleɪʃən/
the speech act of making something evident
From this reading People far advanced in civilization have held the grossest errors on these subjects, which are only to be corrected by the serious application of reason, or by a direct revelation from Heaven.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading _Ch._ You said man was an _improveable_ creature—but have not many nations been a long time in a savage state without improvement?
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading _Ch._ You said man was an _improveable_ creature—but have not many nations been a long time in a savage state without improvement?
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading People far advanced in civilization have held the grossest errors on these subjects, which are only to be corrected by the serious application of reason, or by a direct revelation from Heaven.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading _Fa._ Man is always _capable of improvement_; but he may exist a long time, in society, without _actually improving_ beyond a certain point.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading _Fa._ I am not certain how far that is fact: but alas! how many among us have no knowledge at all on these subjects, or only some vague notions full of absurdity and superstition!
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading _Ch._ But Hottentots have no notion of a God or a future state.
plural of “subject” — the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading _Fa._ I am not certain how far that is fact: but alas! how many among us have no knowledge at all on these subjects, or only some vague notions full of absurdity and superstition!
superstitionnounUS /ˌsuːpərˈstɪʃən/
an irrational belief arising from ignorance or fear
From this reading _Fa._ I am not certain how far that is fact: but alas! how many among us have no knowledge at all on these subjects, or only some vague notions full of absurdity and superstition!
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading _Fa._ I am not certain how far that is fact: but alas! how many among us have no knowledge at all on these subjects, or only some vague notions full of absurdity and superstition!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading People far advanced in civilization have held the grossest errors on these subjects, which are only to be corrected by the serious application of reason, or by a direct revelation from Heaven.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading _Fa._ I am not certain how far that is fact: but alas! how many among us have no knowledge at all on these subjects, or only some vague notions full of absurdity and superstition!
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading _Ch._ You said man was an _improveable_ creature—but have not many nations been a long time in a savage state without improvement?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading People far advanced in civilization have held the grossest errors on these subjects, which are only to be corrected by the serious application of reason, or by a direct revelation from Heaven.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading _Fa._ I am not certain how far that is fact: but alas! how many among us have no knowledge at all on these subjects, or only some vague notions full of absurdity and superstition!
not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading _Fa._ I am not certain how far that is fact: but alas! how many among us have no knowledge at all on these subjects, or only some vague notions full of absurdity and superstition!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _Ch._ You said man was an _improveable_ creature—but have not many nations been a long time in a savage state without improvement?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading People far advanced in civilization have held the grossest errors on these subjects, which are only to be corrected by the serious application of reason, or by a direct revelation from Heaven.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading _Ch._ You said man was an _improveable_ creature—but have not many nations been a long time in a savage state without improvement?
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading _Ch._ You said man was an _improveable_ creature—but have not many nations been a long time in a savage state without improvement?
