used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading HISTORIES It will take us a little while even to imagine how many important books there are in which famous historians have written of history and politics.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading Because in this way we are able to trace the long, fascinating story of how mankind--men and women, your fathers and mothers, their fathers and mothers, and so on back for a thousand generations--has been gradually gaining in knowledge and growing, we trust, if even only a very little, more kind and more just.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Why should so many books need to be written about history?
(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 But let us forget all this for a few minutes.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HISTORIES It will take us a little while even to imagine how many important books there are in which famous historians have written of history and politics.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading HISTORIES It will take us a little while even to imagine how many important books there are in which famous historians have written of history and politics.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It is a good time to look about our treasure house, and see, or reckon up, as it were, what we have found in it.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Because in this way we are able to trace the long, fascinating story of how mankind--men and women, your fathers and mothers, their fathers and mothers, and so on back for a thousand generations--has been gradually gaining in knowledge and growing, we trust, if even only a very little, more kind and more just.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Why should so many books need to be written about history?
for the reason that
From this reading Because in this way we are able to trace the long, fascinating story of how mankind--men and women, your fathers and mothers, their fathers and mothers, and so on back for a thousand generations--has been gradually gaining in knowledge and growing, we trust, if even only a very little, more kind and more just.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Because in this way we are able to trace the long, fascinating story of how mankind--men and women, your fathers and mothers, their fathers and mothers, and so on back for a thousand generations--has been gradually gaining in knowledge and growing, we trust, if even only a very little, more kind and more just.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading HISTORIES It will take us a little while even to imagine how many important books there are in which famous historians have written of history and politics.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But let us forget all this for a few minutes.
divisible by two
From this reading HISTORIES It will take us a little while even to imagine how many important books there are in which famous historians have written of history and politics.
widely known and esteemed
From this reading HISTORIES It will take us a little while even to imagine how many important books there are in which famous historians have written of history and politics.
fascinatingadjectiveUS /ˈfæsəneɪtɪŋ/
capable of arousing and holding the attention
From this reading Because in this way we are able to trace the long, fascinating story of how mankind--men and women, your fathers and mothers, their fathers and mothers, and so on back for a thousand generations--has been gradually gaining in knowledge and growing, we trust, if even only a very little, more kind and more just.
fathersnounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
plural of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Because in this way we are able to trace the long, fascinating story of how mankind--men and women, your fathers and mothers, their fathers and mothers, and so on back for a thousand generations--has been gradually gaining in knowledge and growing, we trust, if even only a very little, more kind and more just.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading But let us forget all this for a few minutes.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Because in this way we are able to trace the long, fascinating story of how mankind--men and women, your fathers and mothers, their fathers and mothers, and so on back for a thousand generations--has been gradually gaining in knowledge and growing, we trust, if even only a very little, more kind and more just.
dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading But let us forget all this for a few minutes.
set up or found
From this reading It is a good time to look about our treasure house, and see, or reckon up, as it were, what we have found in it.
gainingverbUS /ˈɡeɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading Because in this way we are able to trace the long, fascinating story of how mankind--men and women, your fathers and mothers, their fathers and mothers, and so on back for a thousand generations--has been gradually gaining in knowledge and growing, we trust, if even only a very little, more kind and more just.
generationsnounUS /ˌdʒenərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “generation” — all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age
From this reading Because in this way we are able to trace the long, fascinating story of how mankind--men and women, your fathers and mothers, their fathers and mothers, and so on back for a thousand generations--has been gradually gaining in knowledge and growing, we trust, if even only a very little, more kind and more just.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading It is a good time to look about our treasure house, and see, or reckon up, as it were, what we have found in it.
in a gradual manner
From this reading Because in this way we are able to trace the long, fascinating story of how mankind--men and women, your fathers and mothers, their fathers and mothers, and so on back for a thousand generations--has been gradually gaining in knowledge and growing, we trust, if even only a very little, more kind and more just.
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading Because in this way we are able to trace the long, fascinating story of how mankind--men and women, your fathers and mothers, their fathers and mothers, and so on back for a thousand generations--has been gradually gaining in knowledge and growing, we trust, if even only a very little, more kind and more just.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Because in this way we are able to trace the long, fascinating story of how mankind--men and women, your fathers and mothers, their fathers and mothers, and so on back for a thousand generations--has been gradually gaining in knowledge and growing, we trust, if even only a very little, more kind and more just.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading HISTORIES It will take us a little while even to imagine how many important books there are in which famous historians have written of history and politics.
historiansnounUS /hɪˈstɔːriənz/
plural of “historian” — a person who is an authority on history and who studies it and writes about it
From this reading HISTORIES It will take us a little while even to imagine how many important books there are in which famous historians have written of history and politics.
HISTORIESnounUS /ˈhɪstəriz/
plural of “history” — the aggregate of past events
From this reading HISTORIES It will take us a little while even to imagine how many important books there are in which famous historians have written of history and politics.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading HISTORIES It will take us a little while even to imagine how many important books there are in which famous historians have written of history and politics.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading It is a good time to look about our treasure house, and see, or reckon up, as it were, what we have found in it.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HISTORIES It will take us a little while even to imagine how many important books there are in which famous historians have written of history and politics.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Because in this way we are able to trace the long, fascinating story of how mankind--men and women, your fathers and mothers, their fathers and mothers, and so on back for a thousand generations--has been gradually gaining in knowledge and growing, we trust, if even only a very little, more kind and more just.
form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading HISTORIES It will take us a little while even to imagine how many important books there are in which famous historians have written of history and politics.
of great significance or value
From this reading HISTORIES It will take us a little while even to imagine how many important books there are in which famous historians have written of history and politics.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading HISTORIES It will take us a little while even to imagine how many important books there are in which famous historians have written of history and politics.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is a good time to look about our treasure house, and see, or reckon up, as it were, what we have found in it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading HISTORIES It will take us a little while even to imagine how many important books there are in which famous historians have written of history and politics.
and nothing more
From this reading Because in this way we are able to trace the long, fascinating story of how mankind--men and women, your fathers and mothers, their fathers and mothers, and so on back for a thousand generations--has been gradually gaining in knowledge and growing, we trust, if even only a very little, more kind and more just.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading Because in this way we are able to trace the long, fascinating story of how mankind--men and women, your fathers and mothers, their fathers and mothers, and so on back for a thousand generations--has been gradually gaining in knowledge and growing, we trust, if even only a very little, more kind and more just.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading Because in this way we are able to trace the long, fascinating story of how mankind--men and women, your fathers and mothers, their fathers and mothers, and so on back for a thousand generations--has been gradually gaining in knowledge and growing, we trust, if even only a very little, more kind and more just.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading But let us forget all this for a few minutes.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading HISTORIES It will take us a little while even to imagine how many important books there are in which famous historians have written of history and politics.
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 Because in this way we are able to trace the long, fascinating story of how mankind--men and women, your fathers and mothers, their fathers and mothers, and so on back for a thousand generations--has been gradually gaining in knowledge and growing, we trust, if even only a very little, more kind and more just.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading It is a good time to look about our treasure house, and see, or reckon up, as it were, what we have found in it.
mankindnounUS /ˈmænˈkaɪnd/
all of the living human inhabitants of the earth
From this reading Because in this way we are able to trace the long, fascinating story of how mankind--men and women, your fathers and mothers, their fathers and mothers, and so on back for a thousand generations--has been gradually gaining in knowledge and growing, we trust, if even only a very little, more kind and more just.
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 HISTORIES It will take us a little while even to imagine how many important books there are in which famous historians have written of history and politics.
the force of workers available
From this reading Because in this way we are able to trace the long, fascinating story of how mankind--men and women, your fathers and mothers, their fathers and mothers, and so on back for a thousand generations--has been gradually gaining in knowledge and growing, we trust, if even only a very little, more kind and more just.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading But let us forget all this for a few minutes.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Because in this way we are able to trace the long, fascinating story of how mankind--men and women, your fathers and mothers, their fathers and mothers, and so on back for a thousand generations--has been gradually gaining in knowledge and growing, we trust, if even only a very little, more kind and more just.
mothersnounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
plural of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Because in this way we are able to trace the long, fascinating story of how mankind--men and women, your fathers and mothers, their fathers and mothers, and so on back for a thousand generations--has been gradually gaining in knowledge and growing, we trust, if even only a very little, more kind and more just.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading Why should so many books need to be written about history?
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading HISTORIES It will take us a little while even to imagine how many important books there are in which famous historians have written of history and politics.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Because in this way we are able to trace the long, fascinating story of how mankind--men and women, your fathers and mothers, their fathers and mothers, and so on back for a thousand generations--has been gradually gaining in knowledge and growing, we trust, if even only a very little, more kind and more just.
and nothing more
From this reading Because in this way we are able to trace the long, fascinating story of how mankind--men and women, your fathers and mothers, their fathers and mothers, and so on back for a thousand generations--has been gradually gaining in knowledge and growing, we trust, if even only a very little, more kind and more just.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It is a good time to look about our treasure house, and see, or reckon up, as it were, what we have found in it.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading It is a good time to look about our treasure house, and see, or reckon up, as it were, what we have found in it.
politicsnounUS /ˈpɑːlətɪks/
social relations involving intrigue to gain authority or power
From this reading HISTORIES It will take us a little while even to imagine how many important books there are in which famous historians have written of history and politics.
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading It is a good time to look about our treasure house, and see, or reckon up, as it were, what we have found in it.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading It is a good time to look about our treasure house, and see, or reckon up, as it were, what we have found in it.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Why should so many books need to be written about history?
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Why should so many books need to be written about history?
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 Because in this way we are able to trace the long, fascinating story of how mankind--men and women, your fathers and mothers, their fathers and mothers, and so on back for a thousand generations--has been gradually gaining in knowledge and growing, we trust, if even only a very little, more kind and more just.
carry out
From this reading HISTORIES It will take us a little while even to imagine how many important books there are in which famous historians have written of history and politics.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Because in this way we are able to trace the long, fascinating story of how mankind--men and women, your fathers and mothers, their fathers and mothers, and so on back for a thousand generations--has been gradually gaining in knowledge and growing, we trust, if even only a very little, more kind and more just.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Because in this way we are able to trace the long, fascinating story of how mankind--men and women, your fathers and mothers, their fathers and mothers, and so on back for a thousand generations--has been gradually gaining in knowledge and growing, we trust, if even only a very little, more kind and more just.
in or at that place or location
From this reading HISTORIES It will take us a little while even to imagine how many important books there are in which famous historians have written of history and politics.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Because in this way we are able to trace the long, fascinating story of how mankind--men and women, your fathers and mothers, their fathers and mothers, and so on back for a thousand generations--has been gradually gaining in knowledge and growing, we trust, if even only a very little, more kind and more just.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading Because in this way we are able to trace the long, fascinating story of how mankind--men and women, your fathers and mothers, their fathers and mothers, and so on back for a thousand generations--has been gradually gaining in knowledge and growing, we trust, if even only a very little, more kind and more just.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It is a good time to look about our treasure house, and see, or reckon up, as it were, what we have found in it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading HISTORIES It will take us a little while even to imagine how many important books there are in which famous historians have written of history and politics.
a just detectable amount
From this reading Because in this way we are able to trace the long, fascinating story of how mankind--men and women, your fathers and mothers, their fathers and mothers, and so on back for a thousand generations--has been gradually gaining in knowledge and growing, we trust, if even only a very little, more kind and more just.
accumulated wealth in the form of money or jewels etc.
From this reading It is a good time to look about our treasure house, and see, or reckon up, as it were, what we have found in it.
something (as property) held by one party (the trustee) for the benefit of another (the beneficiary)
From this reading Because in this way we are able to trace the long, fascinating story of how mankind--men and women, your fathers and mothers, their fathers and mothers, and so on back for a thousand generations--has been gradually gaining in knowledge and growing, we trust, if even only a very little, more kind and more just.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It is a good time to look about our treasure house, and see, or reckon up, as it were, what we have found in it.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading HISTORIES It will take us a little while even to imagine how many important books there are in which famous historians have written of history and politics.
precisely as stated
From this reading Because in this way we are able to trace the long, fascinating story of how mankind--men and women, your fathers and mothers, their fathers and mothers, and so on back for a thousand generations--has been gradually gaining in knowledge and growing, we trust, if even only a very little, more kind and more just.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Because in this way we are able to trace the long, fascinating story of how mankind--men and women, your fathers and mothers, their fathers and mothers, and so on back for a thousand generations--has been gradually gaining in knowledge and growing, we trust, if even only a very little, more kind and more just.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Because in this way we are able to trace the long, fascinating story of how mankind--men and women, your fathers and mothers, their fathers and mothers, and so on back for a thousand generations--has been gradually gaining in knowledge and growing, we trust, if even only a very little, more kind and more just.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It is a good time to look about our treasure house, and see, or reckon up, as it were, what we have found in it.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It is a good time to look about our treasure house, and see, or reckon up, as it were, what we have found in it.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading HISTORIES It will take us a little while even to imagine how many important books there are in which famous historians have written of history and politics.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading HISTORIES It will take us a little while even to imagine how many important books there are in which famous historians have written of history and politics.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Why should so many books need to be written about history?
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading HISTORIES It will take us a little while even to imagine how many important books there are in which famous historians have written of history and politics.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Because in this way we are able to trace the long, fascinating story of how mankind--men and women, your fathers and mothers, their fathers and mothers, and so on back for a thousand generations--has been gradually gaining in knowledge and growing, we trust, if even only a very little, more kind and more just.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading HISTORIES It will take us a little while even to imagine how many important books there are in which famous historians have written of history and politics.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Because in this way we are able to trace the long, fascinating story of how mankind--men and women, your fathers and mothers, their fathers and mothers, and so on back for a thousand generations--has been gradually gaining in knowledge and growing, we trust, if even only a very little, more kind and more just.
