used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _Remarks on the English Language._ He who ventures to criticise a foreign language should bear in mind that he is in danger of exposing his own ignorance.
alludedverbUS /əˈluːdɪd/
past form of “allude” — make a more or less disguised reference to
From this reading The English is rather a hissing than a harsh language, and perhaps this was the characteristic to which Charles V. alluded, when he said it was fit to speak to birds in.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "What a vile language is yours!" said a Frenchman to an Englishman;—"you have the same word for three different things!
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There is ship, _un vaisseau_; ship (sheep) _mouton_; and ship (cheap) _bon marché_."—Now these three words, so happily instanced by Monsieur, are pronounced as differently as they are spelt.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There is ship, _un vaisseau_; ship (sheep) _mouton_; and ship (cheap) _bon marché_."—Now these three words, so happily instanced by Monsieur, are pronounced as differently as they are spelt.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There is ship, _un vaisseau_; ship (sheep) _mouton_; and ship (cheap) _bon marché_."—Now these three words, so happily instanced by Monsieur, are pronounced as differently as they are spelt.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading As I see his folly, it will be less excusable should I commit the same myself.
have
From this reading _Remarks on the English Language._ He who ventures to criticise a foreign language should bear in mind that he is in danger of exposing his own ignorance.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading The English is rather a hissing than a harsh language, and perhaps this was the characteristic to which Charles V. alluded, when he said it was fit to speak to birds in.
bon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is ship, _un vaisseau_; ship (sheep) _mouton_; and ship (cheap) _bon marché_."—Now these three words, so happily instanced by Monsieur, are pronounced as differently as they are spelt.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There is ship, _un vaisseau_; ship (sheep) _mouton_; and ship (cheap) _bon marché_."—Now these three words, so happily instanced by Monsieur, are pronounced as differently as they are spelt.
characteristicnounUS /ˌkerəktərˈɪstɪk/
a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading The English is rather a hissing than a harsh language, and perhaps this was the characteristic to which Charles V. alluded, when he said it was fit to speak to birds in.
King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)
From this reading The English is rather a hissing than a harsh language, and perhaps this was the characteristic to which Charles V. alluded, when he said it was fit to speak to birds in.
cheapadjectiveUS /tʃiːp/
relatively low in price or charging low prices
From this reading There is ship, _un vaisseau_; ship (sheep) _mouton_; and ship (cheap) _bon marché_."—Now these three words, so happily instanced by Monsieur, are pronounced as differently as they are spelt.
commitverbUS /kəˈmɪt/
perform an act, usually with a negative connotation
From this reading As I see his folly, it will be less excusable should I commit the same myself.
criticiseverb
find fault with; express criticism of; point out real or perceived flaws
From this reading _Remarks on the English Language._ He who ventures to criticise a foreign language should bear in mind that he is in danger of exposing his own ignorance.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading _Remarks on the English Language._ He who ventures to criticise a foreign language should bear in mind that he is in danger of exposing his own ignorance.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading "What a vile language is yours!" said a Frenchman to an Englishman;—"you have the same word for three different things!
differentlyadverbUS /ˈdɪfrəntli/
in another and different manner
From this reading There is ship, _un vaisseau_; ship (sheep) _mouton_; and ship (cheap) _bon marché_."—Now these three words, so happily instanced by Monsieur, are pronounced as differently as they are spelt.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading _Remarks on the English Language._ He who ventures to criticise a foreign language should bear in mind that he is in danger of exposing his own ignorance.
EnglishmannounUS /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃmən/
a man who is a native or inhabitant of England
From this reading "What a vile language is yours!" said a Frenchman to an Englishman;—"you have the same word for three different things!
excusableadjectiveUS /ɪksˈkjuːzəbəl/
capable of being overlooked
From this reading As I see his folly, it will be less excusable should I commit the same myself.
exposingverbUS /ɪkˈspoʊzɪŋ/
-ing form of “expose” — expose or make accessible to some action or influence
From this reading _Remarks on the English Language._ He who ventures to criticise a foreign language should bear in mind that he is in danger of exposing his own ignorance.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading The English is rather a hissing than a harsh language, and perhaps this was the characteristic to which Charles V. alluded, when he said it was fit to speak to birds in.
the trait of acting stupidly or rashly
From this reading As I see his folly, it will be less excusable should I commit the same myself.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "What a vile language is yours!" said a Frenchman to an Englishman;—"you have the same word for three different things!
of concern to or concerning the affairs of other nations (other than your own)
From this reading _Remarks on the English Language._ He who ventures to criticise a foreign language should bear in mind that he is in danger of exposing his own ignorance.
FrenchmannounUS /ˈfrentʃmæn/
a person of French nationality
From this reading "What a vile language is yours!" said a Frenchman to an Englishman;—"you have the same word for three different things!
happilyadverbUS /ˈhæpəli/
in a joyous manner
From this reading There is ship, _un vaisseau_; ship (sheep) _mouton_; and ship (cheap) _bon marché_."—Now these three words, so happily instanced by Monsieur, are pronounced as differently as they are spelt.
harshadjectiveUS /hɑːrʃ/
unpleasantly stern
From this reading The English is rather a hissing than a harsh language, and perhaps this was the characteristic to which Charles V. alluded, when he said it was fit to speak to birds in.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "What a vile language is yours!" said a Frenchman to an Englishman;—"you have the same word for three different things!
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading _Remarks on the English Language._ He who ventures to criticise a foreign language should bear in mind that he is in danger of exposing his own ignorance.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading _Remarks on the English Language._ He who ventures to criticise a foreign language should bear in mind that he is in danger of exposing his own ignorance.
hissingnounUS /ˈhɪsɪŋ/
a fricative sound (especially as an expression of disapproval)
From this reading The English is rather a hissing than a harsh language, and perhaps this was the characteristic to which Charles V. alluded, when he said it was fit to speak to birds in.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading As I see his folly, it will be less excusable should I commit the same myself.
the lack of knowledge or education
From this reading _Remarks on the English Language._ He who ventures to criticise a foreign language should bear in mind that he is in danger of exposing his own ignorance.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _Remarks on the English Language._ He who ventures to criticise a foreign language should bear in mind that he is in danger of exposing his own ignorance.
instanced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is ship, _un vaisseau_; ship (sheep) _mouton_; and ship (cheap) _bon marché_."—Now these three words, so happily instanced by Monsieur, are pronounced as differently as they are spelt.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _Remarks on the English Language._ He who ventures to criticise a foreign language should bear in mind that he is in danger of exposing his own ignorance.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As I see his folly, it will be less excusable should I commit the same myself.
a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
From this reading _Remarks on the English Language._ He who ventures to criticise a foreign language should bear in mind that he is in danger of exposing his own ignorance.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading As I see his folly, it will be less excusable should I commit the same myself.
marché
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is ship, _un vaisseau_; ship (sheep) _mouton_; and ship (cheap) _bon marché_."—Now these three words, so happily instanced by Monsieur, are pronounced as differently as they are spelt.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading _Remarks on the English Language._ He who ventures to criticise a foreign language should bear in mind that he is in danger of exposing his own ignorance.
used as a French courtesy title; equivalent to English “Mr”
From this reading There is ship, _un vaisseau_; ship (sheep) _mouton_; and ship (cheap) _bon marché_."—Now these three words, so happily instanced by Monsieur, are pronounced as differently as they are spelt.
moutonnounUS /ˈmuːtɔːn/
meat from a mature domestic sheep
From this reading There is ship, _un vaisseau_; ship (sheep) _mouton_; and ship (cheap) _bon marché_."—Now these three words, so happily instanced by Monsieur, are pronounced as differently as they are spelt.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading As I see his folly, it will be less excusable should I commit the same myself.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading There is ship, _un vaisseau_; ship (sheep) _mouton_; and ship (cheap) _bon marché_."—Now these three words, so happily instanced by Monsieur, are pronounced as differently as they are spelt.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _Remarks on the English Language._ He who ventures to criticise a foreign language should bear in mind that he is in danger of exposing his own ignorance.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading _Remarks on the English Language._ He who ventures to criticise a foreign language should bear in mind that he is in danger of exposing his own ignorance.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading _Remarks on the English Language._ He who ventures to criticise a foreign language should bear in mind that he is in danger of exposing his own ignorance.
by chance
From this reading The English is rather a hissing than a harsh language, and perhaps this was the characteristic to which Charles V. alluded, when he said it was fit to speak to birds in.
pronouncedadjectiveUS /prəˈnaʊnst/
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading There is ship, _un vaisseau_; ship (sheep) _mouton_; and ship (cheap) _bon marché_."—Now these three words, so happily instanced by Monsieur, are pronounced as differently as they are spelt.
on the contrary
From this reading The English is rather a hissing than a harsh language, and perhaps this was the characteristic to which Charles V. alluded, when he said it was fit to speak to birds in.
plural of “remark” — a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
From this reading _Remarks on the English Language._ He who ventures to criticise a foreign language should bear in mind that he is in danger of exposing his own ignorance.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "What a vile language is yours!" said a Frenchman to an Englishman;—"you have the same word for three different things!
Identical; not different.
From this reading "What a vile language is yours!" said a Frenchman to an Englishman;—"you have the same word for three different things!
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading As I see his folly, it will be less excusable should I commit the same myself.
woolly usually horned ruminant mammal related to the goat
From this reading There is ship, _un vaisseau_; ship (sheep) _mouton_; and ship (cheap) _bon marché_."—Now these three words, so happily instanced by Monsieur, are pronounced as differently as they are spelt.
transport commercially
From this reading There is ship, _un vaisseau_; ship (sheep) _mouton_; and ship (cheap) _bon marché_."—Now these three words, so happily instanced by Monsieur, are pronounced as differently as they are spelt.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading _Remarks on the English Language._ He who ventures to criticise a foreign language should bear in mind that he is in danger of exposing his own ignorance.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading There is ship, _un vaisseau_; ship (sheep) _mouton_; and ship (cheap) _bon marché_."—Now these three words, so happily instanced by Monsieur, are pronounced as differently as they are spelt.
express in speech
From this reading The English is rather a hissing than a harsh language, and perhaps this was the characteristic to which Charles V. alluded, when he said it was fit to speak to birds in.
speltnoun
hardy wheat grown mostly in Europe for livestock feed
From this reading There is ship, _un vaisseau_; ship (sheep) _mouton_; and ship (cheap) _bon marché_."—Now these three words, so happily instanced by Monsieur, are pronounced as differently as they are spelt.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The English is rather a hissing than a harsh language, and perhaps this was the characteristic to which Charles V. alluded, when he said it was fit to speak to birds in.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading _Remarks on the English Language._ He who ventures to criticise a foreign language should bear in mind that he is in danger of exposing his own ignorance.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _Remarks on the English Language._ He who ventures to criticise a foreign language should bear in mind that he is in danger of exposing his own ignorance.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There is ship, _un vaisseau_; ship (sheep) _mouton_; and ship (cheap) _bon marché_."—Now these three words, so happily instanced by Monsieur, are pronounced as differently as they are spelt.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading There is ship, _un vaisseau_; ship (sheep) _mouton_; and ship (cheap) _bon marché_."—Now these three words, so happily instanced by Monsieur, are pronounced as differently as they are spelt.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There is ship, _un vaisseau_; ship (sheep) _mouton_; and ship (cheap) _bon marché_."—Now these three words, so happily instanced by Monsieur, are pronounced as differently as they are spelt.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading "What a vile language is yours!" said a Frenchman to an Englishman;—"you have the same word for three different things!
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The English is rather a hissing than a harsh language, and perhaps this was the characteristic to which Charles V. alluded, when he said it was fit to speak to birds in.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading "What a vile language is yours!" said a Frenchman to an Englishman;—"you have the same word for three different things!
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _Remarks on the English Language._ He who ventures to criticise a foreign language should bear in mind that he is in danger of exposing his own ignorance.
unnounUS /ʌn/
an organization of independent states formed in 1945 to promote international peace and security
From this reading There is ship, _un vaisseau_; ship (sheep) _mouton_; and ship (cheap) _bon marché_."—Now these three words, so happily instanced by Monsieur, are pronounced as differently as they are spelt.
a unit of potential equal to the potential difference between two points on a conductor carrying a current of 1 ampere when the power dissipated between the two points is 1 watt
From this reading The English is rather a hissing than a harsh language, and perhaps this was the characteristic to which Charles V. alluded, when he said it was fit to speak to birds in.
vaisseau
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is ship, _un vaisseau_; ship (sheep) _mouton_; and ship (cheap) _bon marché_."—Now these three words, so happily instanced by Monsieur, are pronounced as differently as they are spelt.
venturesnounUS /ˈventʃərz/
plural of “venture” — any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome
From this reading _Remarks on the English Language._ He who ventures to criticise a foreign language should bear in mind that he is in danger of exposing his own ignorance.
vileadjectiveUS /vaɪl/
morally reprehensible
From this reading "What a vile language is yours!" said a Frenchman to an Englishman;—"you have the same word for three different things!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The English is rather a hissing than a harsh language, and perhaps this was the characteristic to which Charles V. alluded, when he said it was fit to speak to birds in.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What a vile language is yours!" said a Frenchman to an Englishman;—"you have the same word for three different things!
at the time that
From this reading The English is rather a hissing than a harsh language, and perhaps this was the characteristic to which Charles V. alluded, when he said it was fit to speak to birds in.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The English is rather a hissing than a harsh language, and perhaps this was the characteristic to which Charles V. alluded, when he said it was fit to speak to birds in.
which person or people
From this reading _Remarks on the English Language._ He who ventures to criticise a foreign language should bear in mind that he is in danger of exposing his own ignorance.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading As I see his folly, it will be less excusable should I commit the same myself.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading "What a vile language is yours!" said a Frenchman to an Englishman;—"you have the same word for three different things!
the words that are spoken
From this reading There is ship, _un vaisseau_; ship (sheep) _mouton_; and ship (cheap) _bon marché_."—Now these three words, so happily instanced by Monsieur, are pronounced as differently as they are spelt.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "What a vile language is yours!" said a Frenchman to an Englishman;—"you have the same word for three different things!
the one or ones belonging to the person spoken to
From this reading "What a vile language is yours!" said a Frenchman to an Englishman;—"you have the same word for three different things!
