used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As the reader may, perhaps, have been asking a few questions about the whale in his own mind, I shall try to answer them, by telling a few things concerning that creature which, I think, are worth knowing.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading As the reader may, perhaps, have been asking a few questions about the whale in his own mind, I shall try to answer them, by telling a few things concerning that creature which, I think, are worth knowing.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I have applied that name to it, no doubt, because it is the custom to do so; but there are great differences between the whales and the fishes.
react verbally
From this reading As the reader may, perhaps, have been asking a few questions about the whale in his own mind, I shall try to answer them, by telling a few things concerning that creature which, I think, are worth knowing.
concerned with concrete problems or data rather than with fundamental principles
From this reading I have applied that name to it, no doubt, because it is the custom to do so; but there are great differences between the whales and the fishes.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As the reader may, perhaps, have been asking a few questions about the whale in his own mind, I shall try to answer them, by telling a few things concerning that creature which, I think, are worth knowing.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As the reader may, perhaps, have been asking a few questions about the whale in his own mind, I shall try to answer them, by telling a few things concerning that creature which, I think, are worth knowing.
the verbal act of requesting
From this reading As the reader may, perhaps, have been asking a few questions about the whale in his own mind, I shall try to answer them, by telling a few things concerning that creature which, I think, are worth knowing.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The mere fact that the whale lives in water is not sufficient to prove it to be a fish.
for the reason that
From this reading I have applied that name to it, no doubt, because it is the custom to do so; but there are great differences between the whales and the fishes.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading As the reader may, perhaps, have been asking a few questions about the whale in his own mind, I shall try to answer them, by telling a few things concerning that creature which, I think, are worth knowing.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading I have applied that name to it, no doubt, because it is the custom to do so; but there are great differences between the whales and the fishes.
BULLSnounUS /bʊlz/
plural of “bull” — uncastrated adult male of domestic cattle
From this reading THE WHALE--FIGHTING BULLS, ETC.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I have applied that name to it, no doubt, because it is the custom to do so; but there are great differences between the whales and the fishes.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As the reader may, perhaps, have been asking a few questions about the whale in his own mind, I shall try to answer them, by telling a few things concerning that creature which, I think, are worth knowing.
-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to
From this reading As the reader may, perhaps, have been asking a few questions about the whale in his own mind, I shall try to answer them, by telling a few things concerning that creature which, I think, are worth knowing.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading As the reader may, perhaps, have been asking a few questions about the whale in his own mind, I shall try to answer them, by telling a few things concerning that creature which, I think, are worth knowing.
accepted or habitual practice
From this reading I have applied that name to it, no doubt, because it is the custom to do so; but there are great differences between the whales and the fishes.
differencesnounUS /ˈdɪfərənsɪz/
plural of “difference” — the quality of being unlike or dissimilar
From this reading I have applied that name to it, no doubt, because it is the custom to do so; but there are great differences between the whales and the fishes.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading I have applied that name to it, no doubt, because it is the custom to do so; but there are great differences between the whales and the fishes.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading I have applied that name to it, no doubt, because it is the custom to do so; but there are great differences between the whales and the fishes.
ETC
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE WHALE--FIGHTING BULLS, ETC.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading The mere fact that the whale lives in water is not sufficient to prove it to be a fish.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading As the reader may, perhaps, have been asking a few questions about the whale in his own mind, I shall try to answer them, by telling a few things concerning that creature which, I think, are worth knowing.
the act of fighting; any contest or struggle
From this reading THE WHALE--FIGHTING BULLS, ETC.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading In the first place, the whale is not a fish!
any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills
From this reading In the first place, the whale is not a fish!
fishesnounUS /ˈfɪʃəz/
plural of “fish” — any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills
From this reading I have applied that name to it, no doubt, because it is the custom to do so; but there are great differences between the whales and the fishes.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading I have applied that name to it, no doubt, because it is the custom to do so; but there are great differences between the whales and the fishes.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading As the reader may, perhaps, have been asking a few questions about the whale in his own mind, I shall try to answer them, by telling a few things concerning that creature which, I think, are worth knowing.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As the reader may, perhaps, have been asking a few questions about the whale in his own mind, I shall try to answer them, by telling a few things concerning that creature which, I think, are worth knowing.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading As the reader may, perhaps, have been asking a few questions about the whale in his own mind, I shall try to answer them, by telling a few things concerning that creature which, I think, are worth knowing.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As the reader may, perhaps, have been asking a few questions about the whale in his own mind, I shall try to answer them, by telling a few things concerning that creature which, I think, are worth knowing.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In the first place, the whale is not a fish!
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I have applied that name to it, no doubt, because it is the custom to do so; but there are great differences between the whales and the fishes.
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading As the reader may, perhaps, have been asking a few questions about the whale in his own mind, I shall try to answer them, by telling a few things concerning that creature which, I think, are worth knowing.
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The mere fact that the whale lives in water is not sufficient to prove it to be a fish.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading As the reader may, perhaps, have been asking a few questions about the whale in his own mind, I shall try to answer them, by telling a few things concerning that creature which, I think, are worth knowing.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading The mere fact that the whale lives in water is not sufficient to prove it to be a fish.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading As the reader may, perhaps, have been asking a few questions about the whale in his own mind, I shall try to answer them, by telling a few things concerning that creature which, I think, are worth knowing.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading I have applied that name to it, no doubt, because it is the custom to do so; but there are great differences between the whales and the fishes.
not any; not one
From this reading I have applied that name to it, no doubt, because it is the custom to do so; but there are great differences between the whales and the fishes.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading In the first place, the whale is not a fish!
have ownership or possession of
From this reading As the reader may, perhaps, have been asking a few questions about the whale in his own mind, I shall try to answer them, by telling a few things concerning that creature which, I think, are worth knowing.
by chance
From this reading As the reader may, perhaps, have been asking a few questions about the whale in his own mind, I shall try to answer them, by telling a few things concerning that creature which, I think, are worth knowing.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading In the first place, the whale is not a fish!
be shown or be found to be
From this reading The mere fact that the whale lives in water is not sufficient to prove it to be a fish.
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading As the reader may, perhaps, have been asking a few questions about the whale in his own mind, I shall try to answer them, by telling a few things concerning that creature which, I think, are worth knowing.
a person who enjoys reading
From this reading As the reader may, perhaps, have been asking a few questions about the whale in his own mind, I shall try to answer them, by telling a few things concerning that creature which, I think, are worth knowing.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading As the reader may, perhaps, have been asking a few questions about the whale in his own mind, I shall try to answer them, by telling a few things concerning that creature which, I think, are worth knowing.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I have applied that name to it, no doubt, because it is the custom to do so; but there are great differences between the whales and the fishes.
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading The mere fact that the whale lives in water is not sufficient to prove it to be a fish.
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading As the reader may, perhaps, have been asking a few questions about the whale in his own mind, I shall try to answer them, by telling a few things concerning that creature which, I think, are worth knowing.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As the reader may, perhaps, have been asking a few questions about the whale in his own mind, I shall try to answer them, by telling a few things concerning that creature which, I think, are worth knowing.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE WHALE--FIGHTING BULLS, ETC.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading As the reader may, perhaps, have been asking a few questions about the whale in his own mind, I shall try to answer them, by telling a few things concerning that creature which, I think, are worth knowing.
in or at that place or location
From this reading I have applied that name to it, no doubt, because it is the custom to do so; but there are great differences between the whales and the fishes.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading As the reader may, perhaps, have been asking a few questions about the whale in his own mind, I shall try to answer them, by telling a few things concerning that creature which, I think, are worth knowing.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading As the reader may, perhaps, have been asking a few questions about the whale in his own mind, I shall try to answer them, by telling a few things concerning that creature which, I think, are worth knowing.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As the reader may, perhaps, have been asking a few questions about the whale in his own mind, I shall try to answer them, by telling a few things concerning that creature which, I think, are worth knowing.
make an effort or attempt
From this reading As the reader may, perhaps, have been asking a few questions about the whale in his own mind, I shall try to answer them, by telling a few things concerning that creature which, I think, are worth knowing.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading The mere fact that the whale lives in water is not sufficient to prove it to be a fish.
WHALEnounUS /weɪl/
a very large person; impressive in size or qualities
From this reading THE WHALE--FIGHTING BULLS, ETC.
whalesnounUS /weɪlz/
plural of “whale” — a very large person; impressive in size or qualities
From this reading I have applied that name to it, no doubt, because it is the custom to do so; but there are great differences between the whales and the fishes.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading As the reader may, perhaps, have been asking a few questions about the whale in his own mind, I shall try to answer them, by telling a few things concerning that creature which, I think, are worth knowing.
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading As the reader may, perhaps, have been asking a few questions about the whale in his own mind, I shall try to answer them, by telling a few things concerning that creature which, I think, are worth knowing.
