Chapter XIV

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The botanists tell us that originally it was a long-stalked, scanty-leaved, ill-smelling wild plant which grew on ocean cliffs.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading We know that people in classic times ate it, but it goes much further back than that, so that indeed we are ignorant of when or how mankind first began cultivating it.

goddess of criminal rashness and its punishment

From this reading We know that people in classic times ate it, but it goes much further back than that, so that indeed we are ignorant of when or how mankind first began cultivating it.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading History pays but little attention to such details: it celebrates the battlefields on which we meet our death, it thinks the plowed fields by which we thrive are not important enough to speak of; it can tell us the names of kings’ favorites, it cannot tell us of the beginning of wheat!

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading We know that people in classic times ate it, but it goes much further back than that, so that indeed we are ignorant of when or how mankind first began cultivating it.

plural of “battlefield” — a region where a battle is being (or has been) fought

From this reading History pays but little attention to such details: it celebrates the battlefields on which we meet our death, it thinks the plowed fields by which we thrive are not important enough to speak of; it can tell us the names of kings’ favorites, it cannot tell us of the beginning of wheat!

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Perhaps some day it will be written differently.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading We know that people in classic times ate it, but it goes much further back than that, so that indeed we are ignorant of when or how mankind first began cultivating it.

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading History pays but little attention to such details: it celebrates the battlefields on which we meet our death, it thinks the plowed fields by which we thrive are not important enough to speak of; it can tell us the names of kings’ favorites, it cannot tell us of the beginning of wheat!

plural of “botanist” — a biologist specializing in the study of plants

From this reading The botanists tell us that originally it was a long-stalked, scanty-leaved, ill-smelling wild plant which grew on ocean cliffs.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading We know that people in classic times ate it, but it goes much further back than that, so that indeed we are ignorant of when or how mankind first began cultivating it.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading History pays but little attention to such details: it celebrates the battlefields on which we meet our death, it thinks the plowed fields by which we thrive are not important enough to speak of; it can tell us the names of kings’ favorites, it cannot tell us of the beginning of wheat!

any of various types of cabbage

From this reading THE CABBAGE-CATERPILLAR The cabbage is the oldest vegetable we possess.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE CABBAGE-CATERPILLAR The cabbage is the oldest vegetable we possess.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading History pays but little attention to such details: it celebrates the battlefields on which we meet our death, it thinks the plowed fields by which we thrive are not important enough to speak of; it can tell us the names of kings’ favorites, it cannot tell us of the beginning of wheat!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading History pays but little attention to such details: it celebrates the battlefields on which we meet our death, it thinks the plowed fields by which we thrive are not important enough to speak of; it can tell us the names of kings’ favorites, it cannot tell us of the beginning of wheat!

third-person singular of “celebrate” — behave as expected during of holidays or rites

From this reading History pays but little attention to such details: it celebrates the battlefields on which we meet our death, it thinks the plowed fields by which we thrive are not important enough to speak of; it can tell us the names of kings’ favorites, it cannot tell us of the beginning of wheat!

a creation of the highest excellence

From this reading We know that people in classic times ate it, but it goes much further back than that, so that indeed we are ignorant of when or how mankind first began cultivating it.

plural of “cliff” — a steep high face of rock

From this reading The botanists tell us that originally it was a long-stalked, scanty-leaved, ill-smelling wild plant which grew on ocean cliffs.

-ing form of “cultivate” — foster the growth of

From this reading We know that people in classic times ate it, but it goes much further back than that, so that indeed we are ignorant of when or how mankind first began cultivating it.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Perhaps some day it will be written differently.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading History pays but little attention to such details: it celebrates the battlefields on which we meet our death, it thinks the plowed fields by which we thrive are not important enough to speak of; it can tell us the names of kings’ favorites, it cannot tell us of the beginning of wheat!

true confidential information

From this reading History pays but little attention to such details: it celebrates the battlefields on which we meet our death, it thinks the plowed fields by which we thrive are not important enough to speak of; it can tell us the names of kings’ favorites, it cannot tell us of the beginning of wheat!

in another and different manner

From this reading Perhaps some day it will be written differently.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading History pays but little attention to such details: it celebrates the battlefields on which we meet our death, it thinks the plowed fields by which we thrive are not important enough to speak of; it can tell us the names of kings’ favorites, it cannot tell us of the beginning of wheat!

plural of “favorite” — something regarded with special favor or liking

From this reading History pays but little attention to such details: it celebrates the battlefields on which we meet our death, it thinks the plowed fields by which we thrive are not important enough to speak of; it can tell us the names of kings’ favorites, it cannot tell us of the beginning of wheat!

United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)

From this reading History pays but little attention to such details: it celebrates the battlefields on which we meet our death, it thinks the plowed fields by which we thrive are not important enough to speak of; it can tell us the names of kings’ favorites, it cannot tell us of the beginning of wheat!

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading We know that people in classic times ate it, but it goes much further back than that, so that indeed we are ignorant of when or how mankind first began cultivating it.

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

From this reading We know that people in classic times ate it, but it goes much further back than that, so that indeed we are ignorant of when or how mankind first began cultivating it.

plural of “go” — a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)

From this reading We know that people in classic times ate it, but it goes much further back than that, so that indeed we are ignorant of when or how mankind first began cultivating it.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading The botanists tell us that originally it was a long-stalked, scanty-leaved, ill-smelling wild plant which grew on ocean cliffs.

the aggregate of past events

From this reading History pays but little attention to such details: it celebrates the battlefields on which we meet our death, it thinks the plowed fields by which we thrive are not important enough to speak of; it can tell us the names of kings’ favorites, it cannot tell us of the beginning of wheat!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading We know that people in classic times ate it, but it goes much further back than that, so that indeed we are ignorant of when or how mankind first began cultivating it.

uneducated in general; lacking knowledge or sophistication

From this reading We know that people in classic times ate it, but it goes much further back than that, so that indeed we are ignorant of when or how mankind first began cultivating it.

having an unpleasant smell

From this reading The botanists tell us that originally it was a long-stalked, scanty-leaved, ill-smelling wild plant which grew on ocean cliffs.

of great significance or value

From this reading History pays but little attention to such details: it celebrates the battlefields on which we meet our death, it thinks the plowed fields by which we thrive are not important enough to speak of; it can tell us the names of kings’ favorites, it cannot tell us of the beginning of wheat!

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading We know that people in classic times ate it, but it goes much further back than that, so that indeed we are ignorant of when or how mankind first began cultivating it.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading We know that people in classic times ate it, but it goes much further back than that, so that indeed we are ignorant of when or how mankind first began cultivating it.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading THE CABBAGE-CATERPILLAR The cabbage is the oldest vegetable we possess.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading We know that people in classic times ate it, but it goes much further back than that, so that indeed we are ignorant of when or how mankind first began cultivating it.

plural of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading History pays but little attention to such details: it celebrates the battlefields on which we meet our death, it thinks the plowed fields by which we thrive are not important enough to speak of; it can tell us the names of kings’ favorites, it cannot tell us of the beginning of wheat!

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading We know that people in classic times ate it, but it goes much further back than that, so that indeed we are ignorant of when or how mankind first began cultivating it.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading History pays but little attention to such details: it celebrates the battlefields on which we meet our death, it thinks the plowed fields by which we thrive are not important enough to speak of; it can tell us the names of kings’ favorites, it cannot tell us of the beginning of wheat!

of plants having relatively long stalks

From this reading The botanists tell us that originally it was a long-stalked, scanty-leaved, ill-smelling wild plant which grew on ocean cliffs.

all of the living human inhabitants of the earth

From this reading We know that people in classic times ate it, but it goes much further back than that, so that indeed we are ignorant of when or how mankind first began cultivating it.

come together

From this reading History pays but little attention to such details: it celebrates the battlefields on which we meet our death, it thinks the plowed fields by which we thrive are not important enough to speak of; it can tell us the names of kings’ favorites, it cannot tell us of the beginning of wheat!

to a great degree or extent

From this reading We know that people in classic times ate it, but it goes much further back than that, so that indeed we are ignorant of when or how mankind first began cultivating it.

verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument

From this reading History pays but little attention to such details: it celebrates the battlefields on which we meet our death, it thinks the plowed fields by which we thrive are not important enough to speak of; it can tell us the names of kings’ favorites, it cannot tell us of the beginning of wheat!

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading History pays but little attention to such details: it celebrates the battlefields on which we meet our death, it thinks the plowed fields by which we thrive are not important enough to speak of; it can tell us the names of kings’ favorites, it cannot tell us of the beginning of wheat!

a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere

From this reading The botanists tell us that originally it was a long-stalked, scanty-leaved, ill-smelling wild plant which grew on ocean cliffs.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading We know that people in classic times ate it, but it goes much further back than that, so that indeed we are ignorant of when or how mankind first began cultivating it.

superlative of “old” — (used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading THE CABBAGE-CATERPILLAR The cabbage is the oldest vegetable we possess.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The botanists tell us that originally it was a long-stalked, scanty-leaved, ill-smelling wild plant which grew on ocean cliffs.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading We know that people in classic times ate it, but it goes much further back than that, so that indeed we are ignorant of when or how mankind first began cultivating it.

in an original manner

From this reading The botanists tell us that originally it was a long-stalked, scanty-leaved, ill-smelling wild plant which grew on ocean cliffs.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading History pays but little attention to such details: it celebrates the battlefields on which we meet our death, it thinks the plowed fields by which we thrive are not important enough to speak of; it can tell us the names of kings’ favorites, it cannot tell us of the beginning of wheat!

plural of “pay” — something that remunerates

From this reading History pays but little attention to such details: it celebrates the battlefields on which we meet our death, it thinks the plowed fields by which we thrive are not important enough to speak of; it can tell us the names of kings’ favorites, it cannot tell us of the beginning of wheat!

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading We know that people in classic times ate it, but it goes much further back than that, so that indeed we are ignorant of when or how mankind first began cultivating it.

by chance

From this reading Perhaps some day it will be written differently.

put or set (seeds, seedlings, or plants) into the ground

From this reading The botanists tell us that originally it was a long-stalked, scanty-leaved, ill-smelling wild plant which grew on ocean cliffs.

(of farmland) broken and turned over with a plow

From this reading History pays but little attention to such details: it celebrates the battlefields on which we meet our death, it thinks the plowed fields by which we thrive are not important enough to speak of; it can tell us the names of kings’ favorites, it cannot tell us of the beginning of wheat!

have as an attribute, knowledge, or skill

From this reading THE CABBAGE-CATERPILLAR The cabbage is the oldest vegetable we possess.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The botanists tell us that originally it was a long-stalked, scanty-leaved, ill-smelling wild plant which grew on ocean cliffs.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading We know that people in classic times ate it, but it goes much further back than that, so that indeed we are ignorant of when or how mankind first began cultivating it.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Perhaps some day it will be written differently.

express in speech

From this reading History pays but little attention to such details: it celebrates the battlefields on which we meet our death, it thinks the plowed fields by which we thrive are not important enough to speak of; it can tell us the names of kings’ favorites, it cannot tell us of the beginning of wheat!

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading History pays but little attention to such details: it celebrates the battlefields on which we meet our death, it thinks the plowed fields by which we thrive are not important enough to speak of; it can tell us the names of kings’ favorites, it cannot tell us of the beginning of wheat!

express in words

From this reading The botanists tell us that originally it was a long-stalked, scanty-leaved, ill-smelling wild plant which grew on ocean cliffs.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading We know that people in classic times ate it, but it goes much further back than that, so that indeed we are ignorant of when or how mankind first began cultivating it.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading We know that people in classic times ate it, but it goes much further back than that, so that indeed we are ignorant of when or how mankind first began cultivating it.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE CABBAGE-CATERPILLAR The cabbage is the oldest vegetable we possess.

plural of “think” — an instance of deliberate thinking

From this reading History pays but little attention to such details: it celebrates the battlefields on which we meet our death, it thinks the plowed fields by which we thrive are not important enough to speak of; it can tell us the names of kings’ favorites, it cannot tell us of the beginning of wheat!

grow vigorously

From this reading History pays but little attention to such details: it celebrates the battlefields on which we meet our death, it thinks the plowed fields by which we thrive are not important enough to speak of; it can tell us the names of kings’ favorites, it cannot tell us of the beginning of wheat!

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading We know that people in classic times ate it, but it goes much further back than that, so that indeed we are ignorant of when or how mankind first began cultivating it.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading History pays but little attention to such details: it celebrates the battlefields on which we meet our death, it thinks the plowed fields by which we thrive are not important enough to speak of; it can tell us the names of kings’ favorites, it cannot tell us of the beginning of wheat!

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The botanists tell us that originally it was a long-stalked, scanty-leaved, ill-smelling wild plant which grew on ocean cliffs.

edible seeds or roots or stems or leaves or bulbs or tubers or nonsweet fruits of any of numerous herbaceous plant

From this reading THE CABBAGE-CATERPILLAR The cabbage is the oldest vegetable we possess.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The botanists tell us that originally it was a long-stalked, scanty-leaved, ill-smelling wild plant which grew on ocean cliffs.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading THE CABBAGE-CATERPILLAR The cabbage is the oldest vegetable we possess.

annual or biennial grass having erect flower spikes and light brown grains

From this reading History pays but little attention to such details: it celebrates the battlefields on which we meet our death, it thinks the plowed fields by which we thrive are not important enough to speak of; it can tell us the names of kings’ favorites, it cannot tell us of the beginning of wheat!

at the time that

From this reading We know that people in classic times ate it, but it goes much further back than that, so that indeed we are ignorant of when or how mankind first began cultivating it.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The botanists tell us that originally it was a long-stalked, scanty-leaved, ill-smelling wild plant which grew on ocean cliffs.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading The botanists tell us that originally it was a long-stalked, scanty-leaved, ill-smelling wild plant which grew on ocean cliffs.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading Perhaps some day it will be written differently.

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading Perhaps some day it will be written differently.