used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A LIVING FORCE.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She had a strong instinctive feeling that she was in the world to do something, and she saw that if nobody tried to keep things right, they would go terribly wrong: what then could she be there for but to set or keep things right! and if she could do nothing with the big things, she must be the busier with the little things!
antipodenounUS /æntɪpoʊd/
direct opposite
From this reading Walter was the very antipode of the Molly he counted commonplace, one outside the region of poetry; she had a passion for turning a _think_ into a thing.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She had a strong instinctive feeling that she was in the world to do something, and she saw that if nobody tried to keep things right, they would go terribly wrong: what then could she be there for but to set or keep things right! and if she could do nothing with the big things, she must be the busier with the little things!
in addition to; as well as
From this reading Besides, who could tell how much the little might have to do with the big things!
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She had a strong instinctive feeling that she was in the world to do something, and she saw that if nobody tried to keep things right, they would go terribly wrong: what then could she be there for but to set or keep things right! and if she could do nothing with the big things, she must be the busier with the little things!
busieradjectiveUS /ˈbɪziər/
comparative of “busy” — actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading She had a strong instinctive feeling that she was in the world to do something, and she saw that if nobody tried to keep things right, they would go terribly wrong: what then could she be there for but to set or keep things right! and if she could do nothing with the big things, she must be the busier with the little things!
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She had a strong instinctive feeling that she was in the world to do something, and she saw that if nobody tried to keep things right, they would go terribly wrong: what then could she be there for but to set or keep things right! and if she could do nothing with the big things, she must be the busier with the little things!
commonplaceadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmənpleɪs/
completely ordinary and unremarkable
From this reading Walter was the very antipode of the Molly he counted commonplace, one outside the region of poetry; she had a passion for turning a _think_ into a thing.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She had a strong instinctive feeling that she was in the world to do something, and she saw that if nobody tried to keep things right, they would go terribly wrong: what then could she be there for but to set or keep things right! and if she could do nothing with the big things, she must be the busier with the little things!
countedverbUS /ˈkaʊntɪd/
past form of “count” — determine the number or amount of
From this reading Walter was the very antipode of the Molly he counted commonplace, one outside the region of poetry; she had a passion for turning a _think_ into a thing.
dependedverbUS /dɪˈpendəd/
past form of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)
From this reading The whole machine depended on every tiny wheel!
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading She had a strong instinctive feeling that she was in the world to do something, and she saw that if nobody tried to keep things right, they would go terribly wrong: what then could she be there for but to set or keep things right! and if she could do nothing with the big things, she must be the busier with the little things!
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The whole machine depended on every tiny wheel!
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading She had a strong instinctive feeling that she was in the world to do something, and she saw that if nobody tried to keep things right, they would go terribly wrong: what then could she be there for but to set or keep things right! and if she could do nothing with the big things, she must be the busier with the little things!
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Walter was the very antipode of the Molly he counted commonplace, one outside the region of poetry; she had a passion for turning a _think_ into a thing.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading A LIVING FORCE.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading She had a strong instinctive feeling that she was in the world to do something, and she saw that if nobody tried to keep things right, they would go terribly wrong: what then could she be there for but to set or keep things right! and if she could do nothing with the big things, she must be the busier with the little things!
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Walter was the very antipode of the Molly he counted commonplace, one outside the region of poetry; she had a passion for turning a _think_ into a thing.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Besides, who could tell how much the little might have to do with the big things!
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Walter was the very antipode of the Molly he counted commonplace, one outside the region of poetry; she had a passion for turning a _think_ into a thing.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, who could tell how much the little might have to do with the big things!
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading She had a strong instinctive feeling that she was in the world to do something, and she saw that if nobody tried to keep things right, they would go terribly wrong: what then could she be there for but to set or keep things right! and if she could do nothing with the big things, she must be the busier with the little things!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She had a strong instinctive feeling that she was in the world to do something, and she saw that if nobody tried to keep things right, they would go terribly wrong: what then could she be there for but to set or keep things right! and if she could do nothing with the big things, she must be the busier with the little things!
instinctiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪv/
unthinking; prompted by (or as if by) instinct
From this reading She had a strong instinctive feeling that she was in the world to do something, and she saw that if nobody tried to keep things right, they would go terribly wrong: what then could she be there for but to set or keep things right! and if she could do nothing with the big things, she must be the busier with the little things!
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Walter was the very antipode of the Molly he counted commonplace, one outside the region of poetry; she had a passion for turning a _think_ into a thing.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading She had a strong instinctive feeling that she was in the world to do something, and she saw that if nobody tried to keep things right, they would go terribly wrong: what then could she be there for but to set or keep things right! and if she could do nothing with the big things, she must be the busier with the little things!
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She had a strong instinctive feeling that she was in the world to do something, and she saw that if nobody tried to keep things right, they would go terribly wrong: what then could she be there for but to set or keep things right! and if she could do nothing with the big things, she must be the busier with the little things!
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading A LIVING FORCE.
any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
From this reading The whole machine depended on every tiny wheel!
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Besides, who could tell how much the little might have to do with the big things!
MollynounUS /ˈmɑːli/
popular aquarium fish
From this reading Walter was the very antipode of the Molly he counted commonplace, one outside the region of poetry; she had a passion for turning a _think_ into a thing.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Besides, who could tell how much the little might have to do with the big things!
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading She had a strong instinctive feeling that she was in the world to do something, and she saw that if nobody tried to keep things right, they would go terribly wrong: what then could she be there for but to set or keep things right! and if she could do nothing with the big things, she must be the busier with the little things!
no person; not anyone
From this reading She had a strong instinctive feeling that she was in the world to do something, and she saw that if nobody tried to keep things right, they would go terribly wrong: what then could she be there for but to set or keep things right! and if she could do nothing with the big things, she must be the busier with the little things!
not one thing; not anything
From this reading She had a strong instinctive feeling that she was in the world to do something, and she saw that if nobody tried to keep things right, they would go terribly wrong: what then could she be there for but to set or keep things right! and if she could do nothing with the big things, she must be the busier with the little things!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Walter was the very antipode of the Molly he counted commonplace, one outside the region of poetry; she had a passion for turning a _think_ into a thing.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The whole machine depended on every tiny wheel!
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Walter was the very antipode of the Molly he counted commonplace, one outside the region of poetry; she had a passion for turning a _think_ into a thing.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She had a strong instinctive feeling that she was in the world to do something, and she saw that if nobody tried to keep things right, they would go terribly wrong: what then could she be there for but to set or keep things right! and if she could do nothing with the big things, she must be the busier with the little things!
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Walter was the very antipode of the Molly he counted commonplace, one outside the region of poetry; she had a passion for turning a _think_ into a thing.
a strong feeling or emotion
From this reading Walter was the very antipode of the Molly he counted commonplace, one outside the region of poetry; she had a passion for turning a _think_ into a thing.
literature in metrical form
From this reading Walter was the very antipode of the Molly he counted commonplace, one outside the region of poetry; she had a passion for turning a _think_ into a thing.
regionnounUS /ˈriːdʒən/
the extended spatial location of something
From this reading Walter was the very antipode of the Molly he counted commonplace, one outside the region of poetry; she had a passion for turning a _think_ into a thing.
precisely, exactly
From this reading She had a strong instinctive feeling that she was in the world to do something, and she saw that if nobody tried to keep things right, they would go terribly wrong: what then could she be there for but to set or keep things right! and if she could do nothing with the big things, she must be the busier with the little things!
cut with a saw
From this reading She had a strong instinctive feeling that she was in the world to do something, and she saw that if nobody tried to keep things right, they would go terribly wrong: what then could she be there for but to set or keep things right! and if she could do nothing with the big things, she must be the busier with the little things!
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading She had a strong instinctive feeling that she was in the world to do something, and she saw that if nobody tried to keep things right, they would go terribly wrong: what then could she be there for but to set or keep things right! and if she could do nothing with the big things, she must be the busier with the little things!
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Walter was the very antipode of the Molly he counted commonplace, one outside the region of poetry; she had a passion for turning a _think_ into a thing.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading She had a strong instinctive feeling that she was in the world to do something, and she saw that if nobody tried to keep things right, they would go terribly wrong: what then could she be there for but to set or keep things right! and if she could do nothing with the big things, she must be the busier with the little things!
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading She had a strong instinctive feeling that she was in the world to do something, and she saw that if nobody tried to keep things right, they would go terribly wrong: what then could she be there for but to set or keep things right! and if she could do nothing with the big things, she must be the busier with the little things!
express in words
From this reading Besides, who could tell how much the little might have to do with the big things!
terriblyadverbUS /ˈterəbli/
used as intensifiers
From this reading She had a strong instinctive feeling that she was in the world to do something, and she saw that if nobody tried to keep things right, they would go terribly wrong: what then could she be there for but to set or keep things right! and if she could do nothing with the big things, she must be the busier with the little things!
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She had a strong instinctive feeling that she was in the world to do something, and she saw that if nobody tried to keep things right, they would go terribly wrong: what then could she be there for but to set or keep things right! and if she could do nothing with the big things, she must be the busier with the little things!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Walter was the very antipode of the Molly he counted commonplace, one outside the region of poetry; she had a passion for turning a _think_ into a thing.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading She had a strong instinctive feeling that she was in the world to do something, and she saw that if nobody tried to keep things right, they would go terribly wrong: what then could she be there for but to set or keep things right! and if she could do nothing with the big things, she must be the busier with the little things!
in or at that place or location
From this reading She had a strong instinctive feeling that she was in the world to do something, and she saw that if nobody tried to keep things right, they would go terribly wrong: what then could she be there for but to set or keep things right! and if she could do nothing with the big things, she must be the busier with the little things!
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had a strong instinctive feeling that she was in the world to do something, and she saw that if nobody tried to keep things right, they would go terribly wrong: what then could she be there for but to set or keep things right! and if she could do nothing with the big things, she must be the busier with the little things!
a special situation
From this reading Walter was the very antipode of the Molly he counted commonplace, one outside the region of poetry; she had a passion for turning a _think_ into a thing.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading She had a strong instinctive feeling that she was in the world to do something, and she saw that if nobody tried to keep things right, they would go terribly wrong: what then could she be there for but to set or keep things right! and if she could do nothing with the big things, she must be the busier with the little things!
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Walter was the very antipode of the Molly he counted commonplace, one outside the region of poetry; she had a passion for turning a _think_ into a thing.
very small
From this reading The whole machine depended on every tiny wheel!
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She had a strong instinctive feeling that she was in the world to do something, and she saw that if nobody tried to keep things right, they would go terribly wrong: what then could she be there for but to set or keep things right! and if she could do nothing with the big things, she must be the busier with the little things!
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading She had a strong instinctive feeling that she was in the world to do something, and she saw that if nobody tried to keep things right, they would go terribly wrong: what then could she be there for but to set or keep things right! and if she could do nothing with the big things, she must be the busier with the little things!
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading Walter was the very antipode of the Molly he counted commonplace, one outside the region of poetry; she had a passion for turning a _think_ into a thing.
precisely as stated
From this reading Walter was the very antipode of the Molly he counted commonplace, one outside the region of poetry; she had a passion for turning a _think_ into a thing.
German conductor (1876-1962)
From this reading Walter was the very antipode of the Molly he counted commonplace, one outside the region of poetry; she had a passion for turning a _think_ into a thing.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Walter was the very antipode of the Molly he counted commonplace, one outside the region of poetry; she had a passion for turning a _think_ into a thing.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading She had a strong instinctive feeling that she was in the world to do something, and she saw that if nobody tried to keep things right, they would go terribly wrong: what then could she be there for but to set or keep things right! and if she could do nothing with the big things, she must be the busier with the little things!
change directions as if revolving on a pivot
From this reading The whole machine depended on every tiny wheel!
which person or people
From this reading Besides, who could tell how much the little might have to do with the big things!
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading The whole machine depended on every tiny wheel!
in the company of; together with
From this reading She had a strong instinctive feeling that she was in the world to do something, and she saw that if nobody tried to keep things right, they would go terribly wrong: what then could she be there for but to set or keep things right! and if she could do nothing with the big things, she must be the busier with the little things!
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading She had a strong instinctive feeling that she was in the world to do something, and she saw that if nobody tried to keep things right, they would go terribly wrong: what then could she be there for but to set or keep things right! and if she could do nothing with the big things, she must be the busier with the little things!
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She had a strong instinctive feeling that she was in the world to do something, and she saw that if nobody tried to keep things right, they would go terribly wrong: what then could she be there for but to set or keep things right! and if she could do nothing with the big things, she must be the busier with the little things!
not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth
From this reading She had a strong instinctive feeling that she was in the world to do something, and she saw that if nobody tried to keep things right, they would go terribly wrong: what then could she be there for but to set or keep things right! and if she could do nothing with the big things, she must be the busier with the little things!
