1859
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 1859.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading [In November 1859 the "Origin of Species" was published, and a new direction was given to Huxley's activities.
acceptverbUS /ækˈsept/
consider or hold as true
From this reading Before this time, he had taken up a thoroughly agnostic attitude with regard to the species question, for he could not accept the creational theory, yet sought in vain among the transmutationists for any cause adequate to produce transmutation.
accumulatedadjectiveUS /əˈkjuːmjəleɪtɪd/
periodically accumulated over time
From this reading Huxley was one of the few privileged to learn Darwin's argument before it was given to the world; but the greatness of the book, mere instalment as it was of the long accumulated mass of notes, almost took him by surprise.
activitiesnounUS /ækˈtɪvətiz/
plural of “activity” — any specific behavior
From this reading [In November 1859 the "Origin of Species" was published, and a new direction was given to Huxley's activities.
adequateadjectiveUS /ˈædəkwət/
having the requisite qualities or resources to meet a task
From this reading Before this time, he had taken up a thoroughly agnostic attitude with regard to the species question, for he could not accept the creational theory, yet sought in vain among the transmutationists for any cause adequate to produce transmutation.
agnosticnounUS /æɡˈnɑːstɪk/
someone who is doubtful or noncommittal about something
From this reading Before this time, he had taken up a thoroughly agnostic attitude with regard to the species question, for he could not accept the creational theory, yet sought in vain among the transmutationists for any cause adequate to produce transmutation.
almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Huxley was one of the few privileged to learn Darwin's argument before it was given to the world; but the greatness of the book, mere instalment as it was of the long accumulated mass of notes, almost took him by surprise.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Before this time, he had taken up a thoroughly agnostic attitude with regard to the species question, for he could not accept the creational theory, yet sought in vain among the transmutationists for any cause adequate to produce transmutation.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading [In November 1859 the "Origin of Species" was published, and a new direction was given to Huxley's activities.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Before this time, he had taken up a thoroughly agnostic attitude with regard to the species question, for he could not accept the creational theory, yet sought in vain among the transmutationists for any cause adequate to produce transmutation.
argumentnounUS /ˈɑːrɡjəmənt/
a fact or assertion offered as evidence that something is true
From this reading Huxley was one of the few privileged to learn Darwin's argument before it was given to the world; but the greatness of the book, mere instalment as it was of the long accumulated mass of notes, almost took him by surprise.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Ever since Darwin and Wallace had made their joint communication to the Linnean Society in the preceding July, expectation had been rife as to the forthcoming book.
attitudenounUS /ˈætətuːd/
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading Before this time, he had taken up a thoroughly agnostic attitude with regard to the species question, for he could not accept the creational theory, yet sought in vain among the transmutationists for any cause adequate to produce transmutation.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Ever since Darwin and Wallace had made their joint communication to the Linnean Society in the preceding July, expectation had been rife as to the forthcoming book.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Huxley was one of the few privileged to learn Darwin's argument before it was given to the world; but the greatness of the book, mere instalment as it was of the long accumulated mass of notes, almost took him by surprise.
booknounUS /bʊk/
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading Ever since Darwin and Wallace had made their joint communication to the Linnean Society in the preceding July, expectation had been rife as to the forthcoming book.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Huxley was one of the few privileged to learn Darwin's argument before it was given to the world; but the greatness of the book, mere instalment as it was of the long accumulated mass of notes, almost took him by surprise.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Huxley was one of the few privileged to learn Darwin's argument before it was given to the world; but the greatness of the book, mere instalment as it was of the long accumulated mass of notes, almost took him by surprise.
causenounUS /kɑːz/
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading Before this time, he had taken up a thoroughly agnostic attitude with regard to the species question, for he could not accept the creational theory, yet sought in vain among the transmutationists for any cause adequate to produce transmutation.
communicationnounUS /kəˌmjuːnəˈkeɪʃən/
the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information
From this reading Ever since Darwin and Wallace had made their joint communication to the Linnean Society in the preceding July, expectation had been rife as to the forthcoming book.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Before this time, he had taken up a thoroughly agnostic attitude with regard to the species question, for he could not accept the creational theory, yet sought in vain among the transmutationists for any cause adequate to produce transmutation.
creational
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before this time, he had taken up a thoroughly agnostic attitude with regard to the species question, for he could not accept the creational theory, yet sought in vain among the transmutationists for any cause adequate to produce transmutation.
DarwinnounUS /ˈdɑːrwɪn/
English natural scientist who formulated a theory of evolution by natural selection (1809-1882)
From this reading Ever since Darwin and Wallace had made their joint communication to the Linnean Society in the preceding July, expectation had been rife as to the forthcoming book.
Darwin'snounUS /ˈdɑːrwɪnz/
possessive form of “darwin” — English natural scientist who formulated a theory of evolution by natural selection (1809-1882)
From this reading Huxley was one of the few privileged to learn Darwin's argument before it was given to the world; but the greatness of the book, mere instalment as it was of the long accumulated mass of notes, almost took him by surprise.
directionnounUS /dərˈekʃən/
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading [In November 1859 the "Origin of Species" was published, and a new direction was given to Huxley's activities.
EveradverbUS /ˈevər/
at any time
From this reading Ever since Darwin and Wallace had made their joint communication to the Linnean Society in the preceding July, expectation had been rife as to the forthcoming book.
expectationnounUS /ˌekspekˈteɪʃən/
belief about (or mental picture of) the future
From this reading Ever since Darwin and Wallace had made their joint communication to the Linnean Society in the preceding July, expectation had been rife as to the forthcoming book.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Huxley was one of the few privileged to learn Darwin's argument before it was given to the world; but the greatness of the book, mere instalment as it was of the long accumulated mass of notes, almost took him by surprise.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Before this time, he had taken up a thoroughly agnostic attitude with regard to the species question, for he could not accept the creational theory, yet sought in vain among the transmutationists for any cause adequate to produce transmutation.
forthcomingadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrθˈkʌmɪŋ/
at ease in talking to others
From this reading Ever since Darwin and Wallace had made their joint communication to the Linnean Society in the preceding July, expectation had been rife as to the forthcoming book.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading [In November 1859 the "Origin of Species" was published, and a new direction was given to Huxley's activities.
greatnessnounUS /ˈɡreɪtnəs/
the property possessed by something or someone of outstanding importance or eminence
From this reading Huxley was one of the few privileged to learn Darwin's argument before it was given to the world; but the greatness of the book, mere instalment as it was of the long accumulated mass of notes, almost took him by surprise.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Ever since Darwin and Wallace had made their joint communication to the Linnean Society in the preceding July, expectation had been rife as to the forthcoming book.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Before this time, he had taken up a thoroughly agnostic attitude with regard to the species question, for he could not accept the creational theory, yet sought in vain among the transmutationists for any cause adequate to produce transmutation.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Huxley was one of the few privileged to learn Darwin's argument before it was given to the world; but the greatness of the book, mere instalment as it was of the long accumulated mass of notes, almost took him by surprise.
HuxleynounUS /ˈhʌksli/
English physiologist who, with Alan Hodgkin, discovered the role of potassium and sodium ions in the transmission of the nerve impulse (born in 1917)
From this reading Huxley was one of the few privileged to learn Darwin's argument before it was given to the world; but the greatness of the book, mere instalment as it was of the long accumulated mass of notes, almost took him by surprise.
Huxley's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [In November 1859 the "Origin of Species" was published, and a new direction was given to Huxley's activities.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading [In November 1859 the "Origin of Species" was published, and a new direction was given to Huxley's activities.
instalmentnoun
a part of a broadcast serial
From this reading Huxley was one of the few privileged to learn Darwin's argument before it was given to the world; but the greatness of the book, mere instalment as it was of the long accumulated mass of notes, almost took him by surprise.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Huxley was one of the few privileged to learn Darwin's argument before it was given to the world; but the greatness of the book, mere instalment as it was of the long accumulated mass of notes, almost took him by surprise.
jointnounUS /dʒɔɪnt/
(anatomy) the point of connection between two bones or elements of a skeleton (especially if it allows motion)
From this reading Ever since Darwin and Wallace had made their joint communication to the Linnean Society in the preceding July, expectation had been rife as to the forthcoming book.
JulynounUS /ˌdʒuːˈlaɪ/
the month following June and preceding August
From this reading Ever since Darwin and Wallace had made their joint communication to the Linnean Society in the preceding July, expectation had been rife as to the forthcoming book.
learnverbUS /lɜːrn/
gain knowledge or skills
From this reading Huxley was one of the few privileged to learn Darwin's argument before it was given to the world; but the greatness of the book, mere instalment as it was of the long accumulated mass of notes, almost took him by surprise.
Linneanadjective
of or relating to Linnaeus or to the system of taxonomic classification that Linnaeus proposed
From this reading Ever since Darwin and Wallace had made their joint communication to the Linnean Society in the preceding July, expectation had been rife as to the forthcoming book.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
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 Huxley was one of the few privileged to learn Darwin's argument before it was given to the world; but the greatness of the book, mere instalment as it was of the long accumulated mass of notes, almost took him by surprise.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Ever since Darwin and Wallace had made their joint communication to the Linnean Society in the preceding July, expectation had been rife as to the forthcoming book.
massnounUS /mæs/
the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field
From this reading Huxley was one of the few privileged to learn Darwin's argument before it was given to the world; but the greatness of the book, mere instalment as it was of the long accumulated mass of notes, almost took him by surprise.
mereadjectiveUS /mɪr/
being nothing more than specified
From this reading Huxley was one of the few privileged to learn Darwin's argument before it was given to the world; but the greatness of the book, mere instalment as it was of the long accumulated mass of notes, almost took him by surprise.
newadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading [In November 1859 the "Origin of Species" was published, and a new direction was given to Huxley's activities.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Before this time, he had taken up a thoroughly agnostic attitude with regard to the species question, for he could not accept the creational theory, yet sought in vain among the transmutationists for any cause adequate to produce transmutation.
notesnounUS /noʊts/
plural of “note” — a brief written record
From this reading Huxley was one of the few privileged to learn Darwin's argument before it was given to the world; but the greatness of the book, mere instalment as it was of the long accumulated mass of notes, almost took him by surprise.
NovembernounUS /noʊˈvembər/
the month following October and preceding December
From this reading [In November 1859 the "Origin of Species" was published, and a new direction was given to Huxley's activities.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading [In November 1859 the "Origin of Species" was published, and a new direction was given to Huxley's activities.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Huxley was one of the few privileged to learn Darwin's argument before it was given to the world; but the greatness of the book, mere instalment as it was of the long accumulated mass of notes, almost took him by surprise.
OriginnounUS /ˈɔːrədʒən/
the place where something begins, where it springs into being
From this reading [In November 1859 the "Origin of Species" was published, and a new direction was given to Huxley's activities.
precedingadjectiveUS /priˈsiːdɪŋ/
existing or coming before
From this reading Ever since Darwin and Wallace had made their joint communication to the Linnean Society in the preceding July, expectation had been rife as to the forthcoming book.
privilegedadjectiveUS /ˈprɪvlədʒd/
blessed with privileges
From this reading Huxley was one of the few privileged to learn Darwin's argument before it was given to the world; but the greatness of the book, mere instalment as it was of the long accumulated mass of notes, almost took him by surprise.
produceverbUS /prəˈduːs/
bring forth or yield
From this reading Before this time, he had taken up a thoroughly agnostic attitude with regard to the species question, for he could not accept the creational theory, yet sought in vain among the transmutationists for any cause adequate to produce transmutation.
publishedadjectiveUS /ˈpʌblɪʃt/
prepared and printed for distribution and sale
From this reading [In November 1859 the "Origin of Species" was published, and a new direction was given to Huxley's activities.
questionverbUS /ˈkwestʃən/
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading Before this time, he had taken up a thoroughly agnostic attitude with regard to the species question, for he could not accept the creational theory, yet sought in vain among the transmutationists for any cause adequate to produce transmutation.
regardnounUS /rɪˈɡɑːrd/
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading Before this time, he had taken up a thoroughly agnostic attitude with regard to the species question, for he could not accept the creational theory, yet sought in vain among the transmutationists for any cause adequate to produce transmutation.
rifeadjectiveUS /raɪf/
most frequent or common
From this reading Ever since Darwin and Wallace had made their joint communication to the Linnean Society in the preceding July, expectation had been rife as to the forthcoming book.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Ever since Darwin and Wallace had made their joint communication to the Linnean Society in the preceding July, expectation had been rife as to the forthcoming book.
SocietynounUS /səˈsaɪəti/
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading Ever since Darwin and Wallace had made their joint communication to the Linnean Society in the preceding July, expectation had been rife as to the forthcoming book.
soughtadjectiveUS /sɔːt/
that is looked for
From this reading Before this time, he had taken up a thoroughly agnostic attitude with regard to the species question, for he could not accept the creational theory, yet sought in vain among the transmutationists for any cause adequate to produce transmutation.
SpeciesnounUS /ˈspiːʃiz/
(biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed
From this reading [In November 1859 the "Origin of Species" was published, and a new direction was given to Huxley's activities.
surprisenounUS /sərˈpraɪz/
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading Huxley was one of the few privileged to learn Darwin's argument before it was given to the world; but the greatness of the book, mere instalment as it was of the long accumulated mass of notes, almost took him by surprise.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading Before this time, he had taken up a thoroughly agnostic attitude with regard to the species question, for he could not accept the creational theory, yet sought in vain among the transmutationists for any cause adequate to produce transmutation.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading [In November 1859 the "Origin of Species" was published, and a new direction was given to Huxley's activities.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Ever since Darwin and Wallace had made their joint communication to the Linnean Society in the preceding July, expectation had been rife as to the forthcoming book.
theorynounUS /ˈθɪri/
a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena
From this reading Before this time, he had taken up a thoroughly agnostic attitude with regard to the species question, for he could not accept the creational theory, yet sought in vain among the transmutationists for any cause adequate to produce transmutation.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Before this time, he had taken up a thoroughly agnostic attitude with regard to the species question, for he could not accept the creational theory, yet sought in vain among the transmutationists for any cause adequate to produce transmutation.
thoroughlyadverbUS /ˈθɜːroʊli/
in an exhaustive manner
From this reading Before this time, he had taken up a thoroughly agnostic attitude with regard to the species question, for he could not accept the creational theory, yet sought in vain among the transmutationists for any cause adequate to produce transmutation.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Before this time, he had taken up a thoroughly agnostic attitude with regard to the species question, for he could not accept the creational theory, yet sought in vain among the transmutationists for any cause adequate to produce transmutation.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading [In November 1859 the "Origin of Species" was published, and a new direction was given to Huxley's activities.
tookverbUS /tʊk/
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Huxley was one of the few privileged to learn Darwin's argument before it was given to the world; but the greatness of the book, mere instalment as it was of the long accumulated mass of notes, almost took him by surprise.
transmutationnoun
an act that changes the form or character or substance of something
From this reading Before this time, he had taken up a thoroughly agnostic attitude with regard to the species question, for he could not accept the creational theory, yet sought in vain among the transmutationists for any cause adequate to produce transmutation.
transmutationists
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before this time, he had taken up a thoroughly agnostic attitude with regard to the species question, for he could not accept the creational theory, yet sought in vain among the transmutationists for any cause adequate to produce transmutation.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Before this time, he had taken up a thoroughly agnostic attitude with regard to the species question, for he could not accept the creational theory, yet sought in vain among the transmutationists for any cause adequate to produce transmutation.
vainadjectiveUS /veɪn/
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading Before this time, he had taken up a thoroughly agnostic attitude with regard to the species question, for he could not accept the creational theory, yet sought in vain among the transmutationists for any cause adequate to produce transmutation.
WallacenounUS /ˈwɔːləs/
Scottish insurgent who led the resistance to Edward I; in 1297 he gained control of Scotland briefly until Edward invaded Scotland again and defeated Wallace and subsequently executed him (1270-1305)
From this reading Ever since Darwin and Wallace had made their joint communication to the Linnean Society in the preceding July, expectation had been rife as to the forthcoming book.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading [In November 1859 the "Origin of Species" was published, and a new direction was given to Huxley's activities.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Before this time, he had taken up a thoroughly agnostic attitude with regard to the species question, for he could not accept the creational theory, yet sought in vain among the transmutationists for any cause adequate to produce transmutation.
worldnounUS /wɜːrld/
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Huxley was one of the few privileged to learn Darwin's argument before it was given to the world; but the greatness of the book, mere instalment as it was of the long accumulated mass of notes, almost took him by surprise.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Before this time, he had taken up a thoroughly agnostic attitude with regard to the species question, for he could not accept the creational theory, yet sought in vain among the transmutationists for any cause adequate to produce transmutation.
