used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There is scarcely any thing from which the natural curiosity of man receives a higher gratification, than from the accounts of distant countries and nations.
accountsnounUS /əˈkaʊnts/
plural of “account” — a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading There is scarcely any thing from which the natural curiosity of man receives a higher gratification, than from the accounts of distant countries and nations.
accuracynounUS /ˈækjərəsi/
the quality of being near to the true value
From this reading The ancients could neither pursue their enquiries with the same accuracy, nor carry them on to the same extent.
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading Nor is it curiosity only that is gratified by such accounts; for the sphere of human knowledge is hereby enlarged, and various objects are brought into view, an acquaintance with which greatly contributes to the improvement of life and the benefit of the world.
the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading With regard to information of this kind, the moderns have eminently the advantage over the ancients.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Nor is it curiosity only that is gratified by such accounts; for the sphere of human knowledge is hereby enlarged, and various objects are brought into view, an acquaintance with which greatly contributes to the improvement of life and the benefit of the world.
ancientsnounUS /ˈeɪntʃənts/
people who lived in times long past (especially during the historical period before the fall of the Roman Empire in western Europe)
From this reading With regard to information of this kind, the moderns have eminently the advantage over the ancients.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There is scarcely any thing from which the natural curiosity of man receives a higher gratification, than from the accounts of distant countries and nations.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading There is scarcely any thing from which the natural curiosity of man receives a higher gratification, than from the accounts of distant countries and nations.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Nor is it curiosity only that is gratified by such accounts; for the sphere of human knowledge is hereby enlarged, and various objects are brought into view, an acquaintance with which greatly contributes to the improvement of life and the benefit of the world.
financial assistance in time of need
From this reading Nor is it curiosity only that is gratified by such accounts; for the sphere of human knowledge is hereby enlarged, and various objects are brought into view, an acquaintance with which greatly contributes to the improvement of life and the benefit of the world.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Nor is it curiosity only that is gratified by such accounts; for the sphere of human knowledge is hereby enlarged, and various objects are brought into view, an acquaintance with which greatly contributes to the improvement of life and the benefit of the world.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Nor is it curiosity only that is gratified by such accounts; for the sphere of human knowledge is hereby enlarged, and various objects are brought into view, an acquaintance with which greatly contributes to the improvement of life and the benefit of the world.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading Narrative of Captain Cook's first voyage round the world.
move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading The ancients could neither pursue their enquiries with the same accuracy, nor carry them on to the same extent.
contributesverbUS /kənˈtrɪbjuːts/
third-person singular of “contribute” — bestow a quality on
From this reading Nor is it curiosity only that is gratified by such accounts; for the sphere of human knowledge is hereby enlarged, and various objects are brought into view, an acquaintance with which greatly contributes to the improvement of life and the benefit of the world.
Cook'snounUS /kʊks/
possessive form of “cook” — someone who cooks food
From this reading Narrative of Captain Cook's first voyage round the world.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The ancients could neither pursue their enquiries with the same accuracy, nor carry them on to the same extent.
countriesnounUS /ˈkʌntriz/
plural of “country” — a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading There is scarcely any thing from which the natural curiosity of man receives a higher gratification, than from the accounts of distant countries and nations.
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading There is scarcely any thing from which the natural curiosity of man receives a higher gratification, than from the accounts of distant countries and nations.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading There is scarcely any thing from which the natural curiosity of man receives a higher gratification, than from the accounts of distant countries and nations.
eminentlyadverbUS /ˈemənəntli/
in an eminent manner
From this reading With regard to information of this kind, the moderns have eminently the advantage over the ancients.
enlargedadjectiveUS /ˌenˈlɑːrdʒd/
(of an organ or body part) excessively enlarged as a result of increased size in the constituent cells
From this reading Nor is it curiosity only that is gratified by such accounts; for the sphere of human knowledge is hereby enlarged, and various objects are brought into view, an acquaintance with which greatly contributes to the improvement of life and the benefit of the world.
enquiries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ancients could neither pursue their enquiries with the same accuracy, nor carry them on to the same extent.
the point or degree to which something extends
From this reading The ancients could neither pursue their enquiries with the same accuracy, nor carry them on to the same extent.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Narrative of Captain Cook's first voyage round the world.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Nor is it curiosity only that is gratified by such accounts; for the sphere of human knowledge is hereby enlarged, and various objects are brought into view, an acquaintance with which greatly contributes to the improvement of life and the benefit of the world.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There is scarcely any thing from which the natural curiosity of man receives a higher gratification, than from the accounts of distant countries and nations.
gratificationnounUS /ˌɡrætəfəˈkeɪʃən/
state of being gratified or satisfied
From this reading There is scarcely any thing from which the natural curiosity of man receives a higher gratification, than from the accounts of distant countries and nations.
gratifiedadjectiveUS /ˈɡrætəfaɪd/
having received what was desired
From this reading Nor is it curiosity only that is gratified by such accounts; for the sphere of human knowledge is hereby enlarged, and various objects are brought into view, an acquaintance with which greatly contributes to the improvement of life and the benefit of the world.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading Nor is it curiosity only that is gratified by such accounts; for the sphere of human knowledge is hereby enlarged, and various objects are brought into view, an acquaintance with which greatly contributes to the improvement of life and the benefit of the world.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading With regard to information of this kind, the moderns have eminently the advantage over the ancients.
herebyadverbUS /hɪrˈbaɪ/
(formal) by means of this
From this reading Nor is it curiosity only that is gratified by such accounts; for the sphere of human knowledge is hereby enlarged, and various objects are brought into view, an acquaintance with which greatly contributes to the improvement of life and the benefit of the world.
advanced in complexity or elaboration
From this reading There is scarcely any thing from which the natural curiosity of man receives a higher gratification, than from the accounts of distant countries and nations.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading Nor is it curiosity only that is gratified by such accounts; for the sphere of human knowledge is hereby enlarged, and various objects are brought into view, an acquaintance with which greatly contributes to the improvement of life and the benefit of the world.
improvementnounUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvmənt/
a change for the better; progress in development
From this reading Nor is it curiosity only that is gratified by such accounts; for the sphere of human knowledge is hereby enlarged, and various objects are brought into view, an acquaintance with which greatly contributes to the improvement of life and the benefit of the world.
a message received and understood
From this reading With regard to information of this kind, the moderns have eminently the advantage over the ancients.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Nor is it curiosity only that is gratified by such accounts; for the sphere of human knowledge is hereby enlarged, and various objects are brought into view, an acquaintance with which greatly contributes to the improvement of life and the benefit of the world.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There is scarcely any thing from which the natural curiosity of man receives a higher gratification, than from the accounts of distant countries and nations.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Nor is it curiosity only that is gratified by such accounts; for the sphere of human knowledge is hereby enlarged, and various objects are brought into view, an acquaintance with which greatly contributes to the improvement of life and the benefit of the world.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading With regard to information of this kind, the moderns have eminently the advantage over the ancients.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading Nor is it curiosity only that is gratified by such accounts; for the sphere of human knowledge is hereby enlarged, and various objects are brought into view, an acquaintance with which greatly contributes to the improvement of life and the benefit of the world.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Nor is it curiosity only that is gratified by such accounts; for the sphere of human knowledge is hereby enlarged, and various objects are brought into view, an acquaintance with which greatly contributes to the improvement of life and the benefit of the world.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading There is scarcely any thing from which the natural curiosity of man receives a higher gratification, than from the accounts of distant countries and nations.
modernsnounUS /ˈmɑːdərnz/
plural of “modern” — a contemporary person
From this reading With regard to information of this kind, the moderns have eminently the advantage over the ancients.
NarrativenounUS /ˈnærətɪv/
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading Narrative of Captain Cook's first voyage round the world.
nationsnounUS /ˈneɪʃənz/
plural of “nation” — a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading There is scarcely any thing from which the natural curiosity of man receives a higher gratification, than from the accounts of distant countries and nations.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading There is scarcely any thing from which the natural curiosity of man receives a higher gratification, than from the accounts of distant countries and nations.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading The ancients could neither pursue their enquiries with the same accuracy, nor carry them on to the same extent.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Nor is it curiosity only that is gratified by such accounts; for the sphere of human knowledge is hereby enlarged, and various objects are brought into view, an acquaintance with which greatly contributes to the improvement of life and the benefit of the world.
plural of “object” — a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading Nor is it curiosity only that is gratified by such accounts; for the sphere of human knowledge is hereby enlarged, and various objects are brought into view, an acquaintance with which greatly contributes to the improvement of life and the benefit of the world.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Narrative of Captain Cook's first voyage round the world.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The ancients could neither pursue their enquiries with the same accuracy, nor carry them on to the same extent.
and nothing more
From this reading Nor is it curiosity only that is gratified by such accounts; for the sphere of human knowledge is hereby enlarged, and various objects are brought into view, an acquaintance with which greatly contributes to the improvement of life and the benefit of the world.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading With regard to information of this kind, the moderns have eminently the advantage over the ancients.
pursueverbUS /pərˈsuː/
carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in
From this reading The ancients could neither pursue their enquiries with the same accuracy, nor carry them on to the same extent.
receivesverbUS /rəˈsiːvz/
third-person singular of “receive” — get something; come into possession of
From this reading There is scarcely any thing from which the natural curiosity of man receives a higher gratification, than from the accounts of distant countries and nations.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading With regard to information of this kind, the moderns have eminently the advantage over the ancients.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Narrative of Captain Cook's first voyage round the world.
Identical; not different.
From this reading The ancients could neither pursue their enquiries with the same accuracy, nor carry them on to the same extent.
only a very short time before
From this reading There is scarcely any thing from which the natural curiosity of man receives a higher gratification, than from the accounts of distant countries and nations.
spherenounUS /sfɪr/
a particular environment or walk of life
From this reading Nor is it curiosity only that is gratified by such accounts; for the sphere of human knowledge is hereby enlarged, and various objects are brought into view, an acquaintance with which greatly contributes to the improvement of life and the benefit of the world.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Nor is it curiosity only that is gratified by such accounts; for the sphere of human knowledge is hereby enlarged, and various objects are brought into view, an acquaintance with which greatly contributes to the improvement of life and the benefit of the world.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading There is scarcely any thing from which the natural curiosity of man receives a higher gratification, than from the accounts of distant countries and nations.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Nor is it curiosity only that is gratified by such accounts; for the sphere of human knowledge is hereby enlarged, and various objects are brought into view, an acquaintance with which greatly contributes to the improvement of life and the benefit of the world.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Narrative of Captain Cook's first voyage round the world.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The ancients could neither pursue their enquiries with the same accuracy, nor carry them on to the same extent.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The ancients could neither pursue their enquiries with the same accuracy, nor carry them on to the same extent.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There is scarcely any thing from which the natural curiosity of man receives a higher gratification, than from the accounts of distant countries and nations.
a special situation
From this reading There is scarcely any thing from which the natural curiosity of man receives a higher gratification, than from the accounts of distant countries and nations.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading With regard to information of this kind, the moderns have eminently the advantage over the ancients.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Nor is it curiosity only that is gratified by such accounts; for the sphere of human knowledge is hereby enlarged, and various objects are brought into view, an acquaintance with which greatly contributes to the improvement of life and the benefit of the world.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading Nor is it curiosity only that is gratified by such accounts; for the sphere of human knowledge is hereby enlarged, and various objects are brought into view, an acquaintance with which greatly contributes to the improvement of life and the benefit of the world.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading Nor is it curiosity only that is gratified by such accounts; for the sphere of human knowledge is hereby enlarged, and various objects are brought into view, an acquaintance with which greatly contributes to the improvement of life and the benefit of the world.
an act of traveling by water
From this reading Narrative of Captain Cook's first voyage round the world.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There is scarcely any thing from which the natural curiosity of man receives a higher gratification, than from the accounts of distant countries and nations.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Nor is it curiosity only that is gratified by such accounts; for the sphere of human knowledge is hereby enlarged, and various objects are brought into view, an acquaintance with which greatly contributes to the improvement of life and the benefit of the world.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Narrative of Captain Cook's first voyage round the world.
