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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This notion of an absolute originality, as if one could have a patent-right in it, is an absurdity.
absolute
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This notion of an absolute originality, as if one could have a patent-right in it, is an absurdity.
absurdity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This notion of an absolute originality, as if one could have a patent-right in it, is an absurdity.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading This notion of an absolute originality, as if one could have a patent-right in it, is an absurdity.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A man cannot escape in thought, any more than he can in language, from the past and the present.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man cannot escape in thought, any more than he can in language, from the past and the present.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading This notion of an absolute originality, as if one could have a patent-right in it, is an absurdity.
assimilating
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From this reading Originality consists in power of digesting and assimilating thought, so that they become part of our life and substance.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Mr. Thoreau seems to us to insist in public on going back to flint and steel, when there is a match-box in his pocket which he knows very well how to use at a pinch.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Thoreau seems to us to insist in public on going back to flint and steel, when there is a match-box in his pocket which he knows very well how to use at a pinch.
become
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From this reading Originality consists in power of digesting and assimilating thought, so that they become part of our life and substance.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As no one ever invents a word, and yet language somehow grows by general contribution and necessity, so it is with thought.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading A man cannot escape in thought, any more than he can in language, from the past and the present.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man cannot escape in thought, any more than he can in language, from the past and the present.
consists
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From this reading Originality consists in power of digesting and assimilating thought, so that they become part of our life and substance.
contribution
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From this reading As no one ever invents a word, and yet language somehow grows by general contribution and necessity, so it is with thought.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading This notion of an absolute originality, as if one could have a patent-right in it, is an absurdity.
digesting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Originality consists in power of digesting and assimilating thought, so that they become part of our life and substance.
escape
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man cannot escape in thought, any more than he can in language, from the past and the present.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As no one ever invents a word, and yet language somehow grows by general contribution and necessity, so it is with thought.
flint
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Thoreau seems to us to insist in public on going back to flint and steel, when there is a match-box in his pocket which he knows very well how to use at a pinch.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A man cannot escape in thought, any more than he can in language, from the past and the present.
general
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As no one ever invents a word, and yet language somehow grows by general contribution and necessity, so it is with thought.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Thoreau seems to us to insist in public on going back to flint and steel, when there is a match-box in his pocket which he knows very well how to use at a pinch.
grows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As no one ever invents a word, and yet language somehow grows by general contribution and necessity, so it is with thought.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading This notion of an absolute originality, as if one could have a patent-right in it, is an absurdity.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A man cannot escape in thought, any more than he can in language, from the past and the present.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Thoreau seems to us to insist in public on going back to flint and steel, when there is a match-box in his pocket which he knows very well how to use at a pinch.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Thoreau seems to us to insist in public on going back to flint and steel, when there is a match-box in his pocket which he knows very well how to use at a pinch.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading This notion of an absolute originality, as if one could have a patent-right in it, is an absurdity.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading This notion of an absolute originality, as if one could have a patent-right in it, is an absurdity.
insist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Thoreau seems to us to insist in public on going back to flint and steel, when there is a match-box in his pocket which he knows very well how to use at a pinch.
invents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As no one ever invents a word, and yet language somehow grows by general contribution and necessity, so it is with thought.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This notion of an absolute originality, as if one could have a patent-right in it, is an absurdity.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This notion of an absolute originality, as if one could have a patent-right in it, is an absurdity.
knows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Thoreau seems to us to insist in public on going back to flint and steel, when there is a match-box in his pocket which he knows very well how to use at a pinch.
language
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man cannot escape in thought, any more than he can in language, from the past and the present.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Originality consists in power of digesting and assimilating thought, so that they become part of our life and substance.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man cannot escape in thought, any more than he can in language, from the past and the present.
match-box
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Thoreau seems to us to insist in public on going back to flint and steel, when there is a match-box in his pocket which he knows very well how to use at a pinch.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man cannot escape in thought, any more than he can in language, from the past and the present.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Thoreau seems to us to insist in public on going back to flint and steel, when there is a match-box in his pocket which he knows very well how to use at a pinch.
necessity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As no one ever invents a word, and yet language somehow grows by general contribution and necessity, so it is with thought.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading As no one ever invents a word, and yet language somehow grows by general contribution and necessity, so it is with thought.
notion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This notion of an absolute originality, as if one could have a patent-right in it, is an absurdity.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This notion of an absolute originality, as if one could have a patent-right in it, is an absurdity.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Mr. Thoreau seems to us to insist in public on going back to flint and steel, when there is a match-box in his pocket which he knows very well how to use at a pinch.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading This notion of an absolute originality, as if one could have a patent-right in it, is an absurdity.
originality
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This notion of an absolute originality, as if one could have a patent-right in it, is an absurdity.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Originality consists in power of digesting and assimilating thought, so that they become part of our life and substance.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Originality consists in power of digesting and assimilating thought, so that they become part of our life and substance.
past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man cannot escape in thought, any more than he can in language, from the past and the present.
patent-right
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This notion of an absolute originality, as if one could have a patent-right in it, is an absurdity.
pinch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Thoreau seems to us to insist in public on going back to flint and steel, when there is a match-box in his pocket which he knows very well how to use at a pinch.
pocket
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Thoreau seems to us to insist in public on going back to flint and steel, when there is a match-box in his pocket which he knows very well how to use at a pinch.
power
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Originality consists in power of digesting and assimilating thought, so that they become part of our life and substance.
present
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man cannot escape in thought, any more than he can in language, from the past and the present.
public
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Thoreau seems to us to insist in public on going back to flint and steel, when there is a match-box in his pocket which he knows very well how to use at a pinch.
seems
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Thoreau seems to us to insist in public on going back to flint and steel, when there is a match-box in his pocket which he knows very well how to use at a pinch.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading As no one ever invents a word, and yet language somehow grows by general contribution and necessity, so it is with thought.
somehow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As no one ever invents a word, and yet language somehow grows by general contribution and necessity, so it is with thought.
steel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Thoreau seems to us to insist in public on going back to flint and steel, when there is a match-box in his pocket which he knows very well how to use at a pinch.
substancenounUS /ˈsʌbstəns/
wealth or financial means
From this reading Originality consists in power of digesting and assimilating thought, so that they become part of our life and substance.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading A man cannot escape in thought, any more than he can in language, from the past and the present.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Originality consists in power of digesting and assimilating thought, so that they become part of our life and substance.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A man cannot escape in thought, any more than he can in language, from the past and the present.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Thoreau seems to us to insist in public on going back to flint and steel, when there is a match-box in his pocket which he knows very well how to use at a pinch.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Originality consists in power of digesting and assimilating thought, so that they become part of our life and substance.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This notion of an absolute originality, as if one could have a patent-right in it, is an absurdity.
Thoreau
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Thoreau seems to us to insist in public on going back to flint and steel, when there is a match-box in his pocket which he knows very well how to use at a pinch.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A man cannot escape in thought, any more than he can in language, from the past and the present.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mr. Thoreau seems to us to insist in public on going back to flint and steel, when there is a match-box in his pocket which he knows very well how to use at a pinch.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Mr. Thoreau seems to us to insist in public on going back to flint and steel, when there is a match-box in his pocket which he knows very well how to use at a pinch.
use
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Thoreau seems to us to insist in public on going back to flint and steel, when there is a match-box in his pocket which he knows very well how to use at a pinch.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Thoreau seems to us to insist in public on going back to flint and steel, when there is a match-box in his pocket which he knows very well how to use at a pinch.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Thoreau seems to us to insist in public on going back to flint and steel, when there is a match-box in his pocket which he knows very well how to use at a pinch.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Mr. Thoreau seems to us to insist in public on going back to flint and steel, when there is a match-box in his pocket which he knows very well how to use at a pinch.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Mr. Thoreau seems to us to insist in public on going back to flint and steel, when there is a match-box in his pocket which he knows very well how to use at a pinch.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading As no one ever invents a word, and yet language somehow grows by general contribution and necessity, so it is with thought.
word
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As no one ever invents a word, and yet language somehow grows by general contribution and necessity, so it is with thought.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading As no one ever invents a word, and yet language somehow grows by general contribution and necessity, so it is with thought.
