used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A bridge constructed according to the rules of the art of bridge-building is certain of a long, honourable and useful career.
(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with
From this reading A bridge constructed according to the rules of the art of bridge-building is certain of a long, honourable and useful career.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Of all the inanimate objects, of all men's creations, books are the nearest to us, for they contain our very thought, our ambitions, our indignations, our illusions, our fidelity to truth, and our persistent leaning towards error.
ambitionsnounUS /æmˈbɪʃənz/
plural of “ambition” — a cherished desire
From this reading Of all the inanimate objects, of all men's creations, books are the nearest to us, for they contain our very thought, our ambitions, our indignations, our illusions, our fidelity to truth, and our persistent leaning towards error.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They share with us the great incertitude of ignominy or glory--of severe justice and senseless persecution--of calumny and misunderstanding--the shame of undeserved success.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Of all the inanimate objects, of all men's creations, books are the nearest to us, for they contain our very thought, our ambitions, our indignations, our illusions, our fidelity to truth, and our persistent leaning towards error.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading A bridge constructed according to the rules of the art of bridge-building is certain of a long, honourable and useful career.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But a book as good in its way as the bridge may perish obscurely on the very day of its birth.
the time when something begins (especially life)
From this reading But a book as good in its way as the bridge may perish obscurely on the very day of its birth.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading But a book as good in its way as the bridge may perish obscurely on the very day of its birth.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading Of all the inanimate objects, of all men's creations, books are the nearest to us, for they contain our very thought, our ambitions, our indignations, our illusions, our fidelity to truth, and our persistent leaning towards error.
a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
From this reading A bridge constructed according to the rules of the art of bridge-building is certain of a long, honourable and useful career.
bridge-building
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A bridge constructed according to the rules of the art of bridge-building is certain of a long, honourable and useful career.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But most of all they resemble us in their precarious hold on life.
calumnynounUS /ˈkæləmni/
a false accusation of an offense or a malicious misrepresentation of someone's words or actions
From this reading They share with us the great incertitude of ignominy or glory--of severe justice and senseless persecution--of calumny and misunderstanding--the shame of undeserved success.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading A bridge constructed according to the rules of the art of bridge-building is certain of a long, honourable and useful career.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading A bridge constructed according to the rules of the art of bridge-building is certain of a long, honourable and useful career.
constructedverbUS /kənˈstrʌktəd/
past form of “construct” — make by combining materials and parts
From this reading A bridge constructed according to the rules of the art of bridge-building is certain of a long, honourable and useful career.
containverbUS /kənˈteɪn/
include or contain; have as a component
From this reading Of all the inanimate objects, of all men's creations, books are the nearest to us, for they contain our very thought, our ambitions, our indignations, our illusions, our fidelity to truth, and our persistent leaning towards error.
creationsnounUS /kriˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “creation” — the human act of creating
From this reading Of all the inanimate objects, of all men's creations, books are the nearest to us, for they contain our very thought, our ambitions, our indignations, our illusions, our fidelity to truth, and our persistent leaning towards error.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading But a book as good in its way as the bridge may perish obscurely on the very day of its birth.
errornounUS /ˈerər/
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading Of all the inanimate objects, of all men's creations, books are the nearest to us, for they contain our very thought, our ambitions, our indignations, our illusions, our fidelity to truth, and our persistent leaning towards error.
fidelitynounUS /fəˈdeləti/
accuracy with which an electronic system reproduces the sound or image of its input signal
From this reading Of all the inanimate objects, of all men's creations, books are the nearest to us, for they contain our very thought, our ambitions, our indignations, our illusions, our fidelity to truth, and our persistent leaning towards error.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Of all the inanimate objects, of all men's creations, books are the nearest to us, for they contain our very thought, our ambitions, our indignations, our illusions, our fidelity to truth, and our persistent leaning towards error.
a state of high honor
From this reading They share with us the great incertitude of ignominy or glory--of severe justice and senseless persecution--of calumny and misunderstanding--the shame of undeserved success.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading But a book as good in its way as the bridge may perish obscurely on the very day of its birth.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading They share with us the great incertitude of ignominy or glory--of severe justice and senseless persecution--of calumny and misunderstanding--the shame of undeserved success.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading But most of all they resemble us in their precarious hold on life.
worthy of being honored; entitled to honor and respect
From this reading A bridge constructed according to the rules of the art of bridge-building is certain of a long, honourable and useful career.
ignominynounUS /ˈɪɡnoʊmɪni/
a state of dishonor
From this reading They share with us the great incertitude of ignominy or glory--of severe justice and senseless persecution--of calumny and misunderstanding--the shame of undeserved success.
illusionsnounUS /ˌɪˈluːʒənz/
plural of “illusion” — an erroneous mental representation
From this reading Of all the inanimate objects, of all men's creations, books are the nearest to us, for they contain our very thought, our ambitions, our indignations, our illusions, our fidelity to truth, and our persistent leaning towards error.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But most of all they resemble us in their precarious hold on life.
inanimateadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnænəmət/
belonging to the class of nouns denoting nonliving things
From this reading Of all the inanimate objects, of all men's creations, books are the nearest to us, for they contain our very thought, our ambitions, our indignations, our illusions, our fidelity to truth, and our persistent leaning towards error.
incertitudenoun
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading They share with us the great incertitude of ignominy or glory--of severe justice and senseless persecution--of calumny and misunderstanding--the shame of undeserved success.
indignations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of all the inanimate objects, of all men's creations, books are the nearest to us, for they contain our very thought, our ambitions, our indignations, our illusions, our fidelity to truth, and our persistent leaning towards error.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A bridge constructed according to the rules of the art of bridge-building is certain of a long, honourable and useful career.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading But a book as good in its way as the bridge may perish obscurely on the very day of its birth.
the quality of being just or fair
From this reading They share with us the great incertitude of ignominy or glory--of severe justice and senseless persecution--of calumny and misunderstanding--the shame of undeserved success.
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading Of all the inanimate objects, of all men's creations, books are the nearest to us, for they contain our very thought, our ambitions, our indignations, our illusions, our fidelity to truth, and our persistent leaning towards error.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading But most of all they resemble us in their precarious hold on life.
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 A bridge constructed according to the rules of the art of bridge-building is certain of a long, honourable and useful career.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading But a book as good in its way as the bridge may perish obscurely on the very day of its birth.
men'snounUS /menz/
a public toilet for men
From this reading Of all the inanimate objects, of all men's creations, books are the nearest to us, for they contain our very thought, our ambitions, our indignations, our illusions, our fidelity to truth, and our persistent leaning towards error.
misunderstandingnounUS /ˌmɪsəndərˈstændɪŋ/
putting the wrong interpretation on
From this reading They share with us the great incertitude of ignominy or glory--of severe justice and senseless persecution--of calumny and misunderstanding--the shame of undeserved success.
used to form the superlative
From this reading But most of all they resemble us in their precarious hold on life.
(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance
From this reading Of all the inanimate objects, of all men's creations, books are the nearest to us, for they contain our very thought, our ambitions, our indignations, our illusions, our fidelity to truth, and our persistent leaning towards error.
plural of “object” — a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading Of all the inanimate objects, of all men's creations, books are the nearest to us, for they contain our very thought, our ambitions, our indignations, our illusions, our fidelity to truth, and our persistent leaning towards error.
obscurelyadverb
in an obscure manner
From this reading But a book as good in its way as the bridge may perish obscurely on the very day of its birth.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They share with us the great incertitude of ignominy or glory--of severe justice and senseless persecution--of calumny and misunderstanding--the shame of undeserved success.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But most of all they resemble us in their precarious hold on life.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading They share with us the great incertitude of ignominy or glory--of severe justice and senseless persecution--of calumny and misunderstanding--the shame of undeserved success.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Of all the inanimate objects, of all men's creations, books are the nearest to us, for they contain our very thought, our ambitions, our indignations, our illusions, our fidelity to truth, and our persistent leaning towards error.
perishverbUS /ˈperɪʃ/
pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading But a book as good in its way as the bridge may perish obscurely on the very day of its birth.
persecutionnounUS /ˌpɜːrsəˈkjuːʃən/
the act of persecuting (especially on the basis of race or religion)
From this reading They share with us the great incertitude of ignominy or glory--of severe justice and senseless persecution--of calumny and misunderstanding--the shame of undeserved success.
persistentadjectiveUS /pərˈsɪstənt/
never-ceasing
From this reading Of all the inanimate objects, of all men's creations, books are the nearest to us, for they contain our very thought, our ambitions, our indignations, our illusions, our fidelity to truth, and our persistent leaning towards error.
precariousadjectiveUS /priˈkeriəs/
affording no ease or reassurance
From this reading But most of all they resemble us in their precarious hold on life.
resembleverbUS /rɪˈzembəl/
appear like; be similar or bear a likeness to
From this reading But most of all they resemble us in their precarious hold on life.
rulesnounUS /ruːlz/
plural of “rule” — a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading A bridge constructed according to the rules of the art of bridge-building is certain of a long, honourable and useful career.
senselessadjectiveUS /ˈsensləs/
not marked by the use of reason
From this reading They share with us the great incertitude of ignominy or glory--of severe justice and senseless persecution--of calumny and misunderstanding--the shame of undeserved success.
intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality
From this reading They share with us the great incertitude of ignominy or glory--of severe justice and senseless persecution--of calumny and misunderstanding--the shame of undeserved success.
a painful emotion resulting from an awareness of inadequacy or guilt
From this reading They share with us the great incertitude of ignominy or glory--of severe justice and senseless persecution--of calumny and misunderstanding--the shame of undeserved success.
have in common
From this reading They share with us the great incertitude of ignominy or glory--of severe justice and senseless persecution--of calumny and misunderstanding--the shame of undeserved success.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading They share with us the great incertitude of ignominy or glory--of severe justice and senseless persecution--of calumny and misunderstanding--the shame of undeserved success.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading They share with us the great incertitude of ignominy or glory--of severe justice and senseless persecution--of calumny and misunderstanding--the shame of undeserved success.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But most of all they resemble us in their precarious hold on life.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They share with us the great incertitude of ignominy or glory--of severe justice and senseless persecution--of calumny and misunderstanding--the shame of undeserved success.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Of all the inanimate objects, of all men's creations, books are the nearest to us, for they contain our very thought, our ambitions, our indignations, our illusions, our fidelity to truth, and our persistent leaning towards error.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Of all the inanimate objects, of all men's creations, books are the nearest to us, for they contain our very thought, our ambitions, our indignations, our illusions, our fidelity to truth, and our persistent leaning towards error.
in the direction of
From this reading Of all the inanimate objects, of all men's creations, books are the nearest to us, for they contain our very thought, our ambitions, our indignations, our illusions, our fidelity to truth, and our persistent leaning towards error.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading Of all the inanimate objects, of all men's creations, books are the nearest to us, for they contain our very thought, our ambitions, our indignations, our illusions, our fidelity to truth, and our persistent leaning towards error.
undeservedadjectiveUS /ˌʌndɪˈzɜːrvd/
not deserved or earned
From this reading They share with us the great incertitude of ignominy or glory--of severe justice and senseless persecution--of calumny and misunderstanding--the shame of undeserved success.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading They share with us the great incertitude of ignominy or glory--of severe justice and senseless persecution--of calumny and misunderstanding--the shame of undeserved success.
being of use or service
From this reading A bridge constructed according to the rules of the art of bridge-building is certain of a long, honourable and useful career.
precisely as stated
From this reading Of all the inanimate objects, of all men's creations, books are the nearest to us, for they contain our very thought, our ambitions, our indignations, our illusions, our fidelity to truth, and our persistent leaning towards error.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading But a book as good in its way as the bridge may perish obscurely on the very day of its birth.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They share with us the great incertitude of ignominy or glory--of severe justice and senseless persecution--of calumny and misunderstanding--the shame of undeserved success.
