(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Lights made in one form or other from the fats of animals persisted almost to the threshold of the present.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ELECTRICITY: LIGHTING, TRANSPORTATION, AND OTHER USES Man must have discovered artificial light as soon as he discovered fire, for the two exist together.
plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading Lights made in one form or other from the fats of animals persisted almost to the threshold of the present.
artificialadjectiveUS /ˌɑːrtəˈfɪʃəl/
contrived by art rather than nature
From this reading ELECTRICITY: LIGHTING, TRANSPORTATION, AND OTHER USES Man must have discovered artificial light as soon as he discovered fire, for the two exist together.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading ELECTRICITY: LIGHTING, TRANSPORTATION, AND OTHER USES Man must have discovered artificial light as soon as he discovered fire, for the two exist together.
the act of burning something
From this reading The first light was probably produced by burning sticks or pieces of wood.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The first light was probably produced by burning sticks or pieces of wood.
stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading In his search for more light, man learned how to make the tallow candle.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading ELECTRICITY: LIGHTING, TRANSPORTATION, AND OTHER USES Man must have discovered artificial light as soon as he discovered fire, for the two exist together.
ELECTRICITYnounUS /ɪˌlekˈtrɪsəti/
a physical phenomenon associated with stationary or moving electrons and protons
From this reading ELECTRICITY: LIGHTING, TRANSPORTATION, AND OTHER USES Man must have discovered artificial light as soon as he discovered fire, for the two exist together.
existverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪst/
have an existence, be extant
From this reading ELECTRICITY: LIGHTING, TRANSPORTATION, AND OTHER USES Man must have discovered artificial light as soon as he discovered fire, for the two exist together.
fatsnounUS /fæts/
plural of “fat” — a soft greasy substance occurring in organic tissue and consisting of a mixture of lipids (mostly triglycerides)
From this reading Lights made in one form or other from the fats of animals persisted almost to the threshold of the present.
start firing a weapon
From this reading ELECTRICITY: LIGHTING, TRANSPORTATION, AND OTHER USES Man must have discovered artificial light as soon as he discovered fire, for the two exist together.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The first light was probably produced by burning sticks or pieces of wood.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading ELECTRICITY: LIGHTING, TRANSPORTATION, AND OTHER USES Man must have discovered artificial light as soon as he discovered fire, for the two exist together.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading Lights made in one form or other from the fats of animals persisted almost to the threshold of the present.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading The next step forward was to the use of oil; and the next, to the use of gas.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Lights made in one form or other from the fats of animals persisted almost to the threshold of the present.
gasnounUS /ɡæs/
the state of matter distinguished from the solid and liquid states by: relatively low density and viscosity
From this reading The next step forward was to the use of oil; and the next, to the use of gas.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading ELECTRICITY: LIGHTING, TRANSPORTATION, AND OTHER USES Man must have discovered artificial light as soon as he discovered fire, for the two exist together.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading ELECTRICITY: LIGHTING, TRANSPORTATION, AND OTHER USES Man must have discovered artificial light as soon as he discovered fire, for the two exist together.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In his search for more light, man learned how to make the tallow candle.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his search for more light, man learned how to make the tallow candle.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In his search for more light, man learned how to make the tallow candle.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading In his search for more light, man learned how to make the tallow candle.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading ELECTRICITY: LIGHTING, TRANSPORTATION, AND OTHER USES Man must have discovered artificial light as soon as he discovered fire, for the two exist together.
LIGHTINGnounUS /ˈlaɪtɪŋ/
having abundant light or illumination
From this reading ELECTRICITY: LIGHTING, TRANSPORTATION, AND OTHER USES Man must have discovered artificial light as soon as he discovered fire, for the two exist together.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading Lights made in one form or other from the fats of animals persisted almost to the threshold of the present.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Lights made in one form or other from the fats of animals persisted almost to the threshold of the present.
engage in
From this reading In his search for more light, man learned how to make the tallow candle.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading ELECTRICITY: LIGHTING, TRANSPORTATION, AND OTHER USES Man must have discovered artificial light as soon as he discovered fire, for the two exist together.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading In his search for more light, man learned how to make the tallow candle.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading ELECTRICITY: LIGHTING, TRANSPORTATION, AND OTHER USES Man must have discovered artificial light as soon as he discovered fire, for the two exist together.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The next step forward was to the use of oil; and the next, to the use of gas.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The first light was probably produced by burning sticks or pieces of wood.
A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.
From this reading The next step forward was to the use of oil; and the next, to the use of gas.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Lights made in one form or other from the fats of animals persisted almost to the threshold of the present.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The first light was probably produced by burning sticks or pieces of wood.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading ELECTRICITY: LIGHTING, TRANSPORTATION, AND OTHER USES Man must have discovered artificial light as soon as he discovered fire, for the two exist together.
persistedverbUS /pərˈsɪstɪd/
past form of “persist” — continue to exist
From this reading Lights made in one form or other from the fats of animals persisted almost to the threshold of the present.
plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole
From this reading The first light was probably produced by burning sticks or pieces of wood.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Lights made in one form or other from the fats of animals persisted almost to the threshold of the present.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading The first light was probably produced by burning sticks or pieces of wood.
past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield
From this reading The first light was probably produced by burning sticks or pieces of wood.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading In his search for more light, man learned how to make the tallow candle.
in the near future
From this reading ELECTRICITY: LIGHTING, TRANSPORTATION, AND OTHER USES Man must have discovered artificial light as soon as he discovered fire, for the two exist together.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading The next step forward was to the use of oil; and the next, to the use of gas.
sticksnounUS /stɪks/
plural of “stick” — an implement consisting of a length of wood
From this reading The first light was probably produced by burning sticks or pieces of wood.
tallownounUS /ˈtæloʊ/
obtained from suet and used in making soap, candles and lubricants
From this reading In his search for more light, man learned how to make the tallow candle.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ELECTRICITY: LIGHTING, TRANSPORTATION, AND OTHER USES Man must have discovered artificial light as soon as he discovered fire, for the two exist together.
thresholdnounUS /ˈθreʃoʊld/
the starting point for a new state or experience
From this reading Lights made in one form or other from the fats of animals persisted almost to the threshold of the present.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In his search for more light, man learned how to make the tallow candle.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading ELECTRICITY: LIGHTING, TRANSPORTATION, AND OTHER USES Man must have discovered artificial light as soon as he discovered fire, for the two exist together.
TRANSPORTATIONnounUS /ˌtrænspərˈteɪʃən/
a facility consisting of the means and equipment necessary for the movement of passengers or goods
From this reading ELECTRICITY: LIGHTING, TRANSPORTATION, AND OTHER USES Man must have discovered artificial light as soon as he discovered fire, for the two exist together.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading ELECTRICITY: LIGHTING, TRANSPORTATION, AND OTHER USES Man must have discovered artificial light as soon as he discovered fire, for the two exist together.
the act of using
From this reading The next step forward was to the use of oil; and the next, to the use of gas.
USESnounUS /ˈjuːsəz/
plural of “use” — the act of using
From this reading ELECTRICITY: LIGHTING, TRANSPORTATION, AND OTHER USES Man must have discovered artificial light as soon as he discovered fire, for the two exist together.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The first light was probably produced by burning sticks or pieces of wood.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading The first light was probably produced by burning sticks or pieces of wood.
