1799
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Until the year 1799, it was impossible for the scholars of modern nations to read this strange language.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading These were monuments made from single pieces of hard stone, and in some cases reached a height of more than a hundred feet.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading It thus appears that their written language was not composed of letters and words alone, like our own; but that they used pictures of animals, including birds, human figures, and other devices of a singular nature, to express their thoughts and ideas.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading The ancient Egyptians erected many obelisks in various parts of their country.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading These were monuments made from single pieces of hard stone, and in some cases reached a height of more than a hundred feet.
plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading It thus appears that their written language was not composed of letters and words alone, like our own; but that they used pictures of animals, including birds, human figures, and other devices of a singular nature, to express their thoughts and ideas.
third-person singular of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It thus appears that their written language was not composed of letters and words alone, like our own; but that they used pictures of animals, including birds, human figures, and other devices of a singular nature, to express their thoughts and ideas.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They were placed before gateways leading to the principal temples and palaces, and were covered with curious carvings in the stone, which represented the language of the people at that time.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading They were placed before gateways leading to the principal temples and palaces, and were covered with curious carvings in the stone, which represented the language of the people at that time.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading It thus appears that their written language was not composed of letters and words alone, like our own; but that they used pictures of animals, including birds, human figures, and other devices of a singular nature, to express their thoughts and ideas.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It thus appears that their written language was not composed of letters and words alone, like our own; but that they used pictures of animals, including birds, human figures, and other devices of a singular nature, to express their thoughts and ideas.
carvingsnounUS /ˈkɑːrvɪŋz/
plural of “carving” — a sculpture created by removing material (as wood or ivory or stone) in order to create a desired shape
From this reading They were placed before gateways leading to the principal temples and palaces, and were covered with curious carvings in the stone, which represented the language of the people at that time.
plural of “case” — an occurrence of something
From this reading These were monuments made from single pieces of hard stone, and in some cases reached a height of more than a hundred feet.
serenely self-possessed and free from agitation especially in times of stress
From this reading It thus appears that their written language was not composed of letters and words alone, like our own; but that they used pictures of animals, including birds, human figures, and other devices of a singular nature, to express their thoughts and ideas.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading The ancient Egyptians erected many obelisks in various parts of their country.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading They were placed before gateways leading to the principal temples and palaces, and were covered with curious carvings in the stone, which represented the language of the people at that time.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading They were placed before gateways leading to the principal temples and palaces, and were covered with curious carvings in the stone, which represented the language of the people at that time.
devicesnounUS /dɪˈvaɪsəz/
an inclination or desire; used in the plural in the phrase “left to your own devices”
From this reading It thus appears that their written language was not composed of letters and words alone, like our own; but that they used pictures of animals, including birds, human figures, and other devices of a singular nature, to express their thoughts and ideas.
EgyptiansnounUS /ɪˈdʒɪpʃənz/
plural of “egyptian” — a native or inhabitant of Egypt
From this reading The ancient Egyptians erected many obelisks in various parts of their country.
erectedverbUS /ɪˈrektəd/
past form of “erect” — construct, build, or erect
From this reading The ancient Egyptians erected many obelisks in various parts of their country.
give expression to
From this reading It thus appears that their written language was not composed of letters and words alone, like our own; but that they used pictures of animals, including birds, human figures, and other devices of a singular nature, to express their thoughts and ideas.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading These were monuments made from single pieces of hard stone, and in some cases reached a height of more than a hundred feet.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading It thus appears that their written language was not composed of letters and words alone, like our own; but that they used pictures of animals, including birds, human figures, and other devices of a singular nature, to express their thoughts and ideas.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Until the year 1799, it was impossible for the scholars of modern nations to read this strange language.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading These were monuments made from single pieces of hard stone, and in some cases reached a height of more than a hundred feet.
gatewaysnounUS /ˈɡeɪtweɪz/
plural of “gateway” — an entrance that can be closed by a gate
From this reading They were placed before gateways leading to the principal temples and palaces, and were covered with curious carvings in the stone, which represented the language of the people at that time.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading These were monuments made from single pieces of hard stone, and in some cases reached a height of more than a hundred feet.
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading These were monuments made from single pieces of hard stone, and in some cases reached a height of more than a hundred feet.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading It thus appears that their written language was not composed of letters and words alone, like our own; but that they used pictures of animals, including birds, human figures, and other devices of a singular nature, to express their thoughts and ideas.
ten 10s
From this reading These were monuments made from single pieces of hard stone, and in some cases reached a height of more than a hundred feet.
plural of “idea” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading It thus appears that their written language was not composed of letters and words alone, like our own; but that they used pictures of animals, including birds, human figures, and other devices of a singular nature, to express their thoughts and ideas.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading Until the year 1799, it was impossible for the scholars of modern nations to read this strange language.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The ancient Egyptians erected many obelisks in various parts of their country.
includingverbUS /ˌɪnˈkluːdɪŋ/
-ing form of “include” — have as a part, be made up out of
From this reading It thus appears that their written language was not composed of letters and words alone, like our own; but that they used pictures of animals, including birds, human figures, and other devices of a singular nature, to express their thoughts and ideas.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It thus appears that their written language was not composed of letters and words alone, like our own; but that they used pictures of animals, including birds, human figures, and other devices of a singular nature, to express their thoughts and ideas.
a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
From this reading They were placed before gateways leading to the principal temples and palaces, and were covered with curious carvings in the stone, which represented the language of the people at that time.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading They were placed before gateways leading to the principal temples and palaces, and were covered with curious carvings in the stone, which represented the language of the people at that time.
the literary culture
From this reading It thus appears that their written language was not composed of letters and words alone, like our own; but that they used pictures of animals, including birds, human figures, and other devices of a singular nature, to express their thoughts and ideas.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It thus appears that their written language was not composed of letters and words alone, like our own; but that they used pictures of animals, including birds, human figures, and other devices of a singular nature, to express their thoughts and ideas.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading These were monuments made from single pieces of hard stone, and in some cases reached a height of more than a hundred feet.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading The ancient Egyptians erected many obelisks in various parts of their country.
belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages
From this reading Until the year 1799, it was impossible for the scholars of modern nations to read this strange language.
monumentsnounUS /ˈmɑːnjəmənts/
plural of “monument” — a structure erected to commemorate persons or events
From this reading These were monuments made from single pieces of hard stone, and in some cases reached a height of more than a hundred feet.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading These were monuments made from single pieces of hard stone, and in some cases reached a height of more than a hundred feet.
nationsnounUS /ˈneɪʃənz/
plural of “nation” — a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading Until the year 1799, it was impossible for the scholars of modern nations to read this strange language.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading It thus appears that their written language was not composed of letters and words alone, like our own; but that they used pictures of animals, including birds, human figures, and other devices of a singular nature, to express their thoughts and ideas.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It thus appears that their written language was not composed of letters and words alone, like our own; but that they used pictures of animals, including birds, human figures, and other devices of a singular nature, to express their thoughts and ideas.
obelisks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ancient Egyptians erected many obelisks in various parts of their country.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The ancient Egyptians erected many obelisks in various parts of their country.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading It thus appears that their written language was not composed of letters and words alone, like our own; but that they used pictures of animals, including birds, human figures, and other devices of a singular nature, to express their thoughts and ideas.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading It thus appears that their written language was not composed of letters and words alone, like our own; but that they used pictures of animals, including birds, human figures, and other devices of a singular nature, to express their thoughts and ideas.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading It thus appears that their written language was not composed of letters and words alone, like our own; but that they used pictures of animals, including birds, human figures, and other devices of a singular nature, to express their thoughts and ideas.
palacesnounUS /ˈpæləsəz/
plural of “palace” — a large and stately mansion
From this reading They were placed before gateways leading to the principal temples and palaces, and were covered with curious carvings in the stone, which represented the language of the people at that time.
the local environment
From this reading The ancient Egyptians erected many obelisks in various parts of their country.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading They were placed before gateways leading to the principal temples and palaces, and were covered with curious carvings in the stone, which represented the language of the people at that time.
plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading It thus appears that their written language was not composed of letters and words alone, like our own; but that they used pictures of animals, including birds, human figures, and other devices of a singular nature, to express their thoughts and ideas.
plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole
From this reading These were monuments made from single pieces of hard stone, and in some cases reached a height of more than a hundred feet.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading They were placed before gateways leading to the principal temples and palaces, and were covered with curious carvings in the stone, which represented the language of the people at that time.
the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated
From this reading They were placed before gateways leading to the principal temples and palaces, and were covered with curious carvings in the stone, which represented the language of the people at that time.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading These were monuments made from single pieces of hard stone, and in some cases reached a height of more than a hundred feet.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading Until the year 1799, it was impossible for the scholars of modern nations to read this strange language.
represented accurately or precisely
From this reading They were placed before gateways leading to the principal temples and palaces, and were covered with curious carvings in the stone, which represented the language of the people at that time.
scholarsnounUS /ˈskɑːlərz/
plural of “scholar” — a learned person (especially in the humanities); someone who by long study has gained mastery in one or more disciplines
From this reading Until the year 1799, it was impossible for the scholars of modern nations to read this strange language.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading These were monuments made from single pieces of hard stone, and in some cases reached a height of more than a hundred feet.
unusual or striking
From this reading It thus appears that their written language was not composed of letters and words alone, like our own; but that they used pictures of animals, including birds, human figures, and other devices of a singular nature, to express their thoughts and ideas.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading These were monuments made from single pieces of hard stone, and in some cases reached a height of more than a hundred feet.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading These were monuments made from single pieces of hard stone, and in some cases reached a height of more than a hundred feet.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading Until the year 1799, it was impossible for the scholars of modern nations to read this strange language.
templesnounUS /ˈtempəlz/
plural of “temple” — place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity
From this reading They were placed before gateways leading to the principal temples and palaces, and were covered with curious carvings in the stone, which represented the language of the people at that time.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading These were monuments made from single pieces of hard stone, and in some cases reached a height of more than a hundred feet.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They were placed before gateways leading to the principal temples and palaces, and were covered with curious carvings in the stone, which represented the language of the people at that time.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The ancient Egyptians erected many obelisks in various parts of their country.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The ancient Egyptians erected many obelisks in various parts of their country.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These were monuments made from single pieces of hard stone, and in some cases reached a height of more than a hundred feet.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were placed before gateways leading to the principal temples and palaces, and were covered with curious carvings in the stone, which represented the language of the people at that time.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Until the year 1799, it was impossible for the scholars of modern nations to read this strange language.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading It thus appears that their written language was not composed of letters and words alone, like our own; but that they used pictures of animals, including birds, human figures, and other devices of a singular nature, to express their thoughts and ideas.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading It thus appears that their written language was not composed of letters and words alone, like our own; but that they used pictures of animals, including birds, human figures, and other devices of a singular nature, to express their thoughts and ideas.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading They were placed before gateways leading to the principal temples and palaces, and were covered with curious carvings in the stone, which represented the language of the people at that time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They were placed before gateways leading to the principal temples and palaces, and were covered with curious carvings in the stone, which represented the language of the people at that time.
UntilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Until the year 1799, it was impossible for the scholars of modern nations to read this strange language.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading It thus appears that their written language was not composed of letters and words alone, like our own; but that they used pictures of animals, including birds, human figures, and other devices of a singular nature, to express their thoughts and ideas.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading The ancient Egyptians erected many obelisks in various parts of their country.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It thus appears that their written language was not composed of letters and words alone, like our own; but that they used pictures of animals, including birds, human figures, and other devices of a singular nature, to express their thoughts and ideas.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading These were monuments made from single pieces of hard stone, and in some cases reached a height of more than a hundred feet.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They were placed before gateways leading to the principal temples and palaces, and were covered with curious carvings in the stone, which represented the language of the people at that time.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They were placed before gateways leading to the principal temples and palaces, and were covered with curious carvings in the stone, which represented the language of the people at that time.
the words that are spoken
From this reading It thus appears that their written language was not composed of letters and words alone, like our own; but that they used pictures of animals, including birds, human figures, and other devices of a singular nature, to express their thoughts and ideas.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading It thus appears that their written language was not composed of letters and words alone, like our own; but that they used pictures of animals, including birds, human figures, and other devices of a singular nature, to express their thoughts and ideas.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading Until the year 1799, it was impossible for the scholars of modern nations to read this strange language.
