Chapter II

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

consider or hold as true

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

generally approved or compelling recognition

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

move forward, also in the metaphorical sense

From this reading Overwhelmed by the material advance made in the past five decades or so and by the vast amount of Pollyanna literature with which we are flooded by politicians and business executives with axes to grind, we are apt to lose sight of the law of compensation and to think of all change as unalloyed improvement.

farther along in physical or mental development

From this reading Man may have advanced far from his ancestor which lived in the primeval slime, but that lowly progenitor could breathe either in air or water and if he lost a leg could grow another.

in the past

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading Man may have advanced far from his ancestor which lived in the primeval slime, but that lowly progenitor could breathe either in air or water and if he lost a leg could grow another.

(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 The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

a quantity of money

From this reading Overwhelmed by the material advance made in the past five decades or so and by the vast amount of Pollyanna literature with which we are flooded by politicians and business executives with axes to grind, we are apt to lose sight of the law of compensation and to think of all change as unalloyed improvement.

someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)

From this reading Man may have advanced far from his ancestor which lived in the primeval slime, but that lowly progenitor could breathe either in air or water and if he lost a leg could grow another.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

declared publicly; made widely known

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading Man may have advanced far from his ancestor which lived in the primeval slime, but that lowly progenitor could breathe either in air or water and if he lost a leg could grow another.

(usually followed by “to”) naturally disposed toward

From this reading Overwhelmed by the material advance made in the past five decades or so and by the vast amount of Pollyanna literature with which we are flooded by politicians and business executives with axes to grind, we are apt to lose sight of the law of compensation and to think of all change as unalloyed improvement.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Overwhelmed by the material advance made in the past five decades or so and by the vast amount of Pollyanna literature with which we are flooded by politicians and business executives with axes to grind, we are apt to lose sight of the law of compensation and to think of all change as unalloyed improvement.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

achieved or reached

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

plural of “ax” — an edge tool with a heavy bladed head mounted across a handle

From this reading Overwhelmed by the material advance made in the past five decades or so and by the vast amount of Pollyanna literature with which we are flooded by politicians and business executives with axes to grind, we are apt to lose sight of the law of compensation and to think of all change as unalloyed improvement.

a relation that provides the foundation for something

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

the number that is represented as a one followed by 12 zeros; in the United Kingdom the usage followed in the United States is frequently seen

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

confined by bonds

From this reading Change may or may not be “progress,” but whether it is or not it is bound to involve compensatory losses.

draw air into, and expel out of, the lungs

From this reading Man may have advanced far from his ancestor which lived in the primeval slime, but that lowly progenitor could breathe either in air or water and if he lost a leg could grow another.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading Overwhelmed by the material advance made in the past five decades or so and by the vast amount of Pollyanna literature with which we are flooded by politicians and business executives with axes to grind, we are apt to lose sight of the law of compensation and to think of all change as unalloyed improvement.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading Overwhelmed by the material advance made in the past five decades or so and by the vast amount of Pollyanna literature with which we are flooded by politicians and business executives with axes to grind, we are apt to lose sight of the law of compensation and to think of all change as unalloyed improvement.

something (such as money) given or received as payment or reparation (as for a service or loss or injury)

From this reading Overwhelmed by the material advance made in the past five decades or so and by the vast amount of Pollyanna literature with which we are flooded by politicians and business executives with axes to grind, we are apt to lose sight of the law of compensation and to think of all change as unalloyed improvement.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Change may or may not be “progress,” but whether it is or not it is bound to involve compensatory losses.

deem to be

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Man may have advanced far from his ancestor which lived in the primeval slime, but that lowly progenitor could breathe either in air or water and if he lost a leg could grow another.

plural of “decade” — a period of 10 years

From this reading Overwhelmed by the material advance made in the past five decades or so and by the vast amount of Pollyanna literature with which we are flooded by politicians and business executives with axes to grind, we are apt to lose sight of the law of compensation and to think of all change as unalloyed improvement.

send away towards a designated goal

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

plural of “dollar” — the basic monetary unit in many countries; equal to 100 cents

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

one or the other of two

From this reading Man may have advanced far from his ancestor which lived in the primeval slime, but that lowly progenitor could breathe either in air or water and if he lost a leg could grow another.

divisible by two

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

at any time

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

every person

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

plural of “executive” — a person responsible for the administration of a business

From this reading Overwhelmed by the material advance made in the past five decades or so and by the vast amount of Pollyanna literature with which we are flooded by politicians and business executives with axes to grind, we are apt to lose sight of the law of compensation and to think of all change as unalloyed improvement.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading Overwhelmed by the material advance made in the past five decades or so and by the vast amount of Pollyanna literature with which we are flooded by politicians and business executives with axes to grind, we are apt to lose sight of the law of compensation and to think of all change as unalloyed improvement.

covered with water

From this reading Overwhelmed by the material advance made in the past five decades or so and by the vast amount of Pollyanna literature with which we are flooded by politicians and business executives with axes to grind, we are apt to lose sight of the law of compensation and to think of all change as unalloyed improvement.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

possessive form of “government” — the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

press or grind with a crushing noise

From this reading Overwhelmed by the material advance made in the past five decades or so and by the vast amount of Pollyanna literature with which we are flooded by politicians and business executives with axes to grind, we are apt to lose sight of the law of compensation and to think of all change as unalloyed improvement.

pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading Man may have advanced far from his ancestor which lived in the primeval slime, but that lowly progenitor could breathe either in air or water and if he lost a leg could grow another.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Man may have advanced far from his ancestor which lived in the primeval slime, but that lowly progenitor could breathe either in air or water and if he lost a leg could grow another.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

superlative of “high” — greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Man may have advanced far from his ancestor which lived in the primeval slime, but that lowly progenitor could breathe either in air or water and if he lost a leg could grow another.

the aggregate of past events

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

a change for the better; progress in development

From this reading Overwhelmed by the material advance made in the past five decades or so and by the vast amount of Pollyanna literature with which we are flooded by politicians and business executives with axes to grind, we are apt to lose sight of the law of compensation and to think of all change as unalloyed improvement.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

the financial gain (earned or unearned) accruing over a given period of time

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

past form of “indicate” — be a signal for or a symptom of

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

connect closely and often incriminatingly

From this reading Change may or may not be “progress,” but whether it is or not it is bound to involve compensatory losses.

connected by participation or association or use

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

immediately past

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

the collection of rules imposed by authority

From this reading Overwhelmed by the material advance made in the past five decades or so and by the vast amount of Pollyanna literature with which we are flooded by politicians and business executives with axes to grind, we are apt to lose sight of the law of compensation and to think of all change as unalloyed improvement.

a human limb; commonly used to refer to a whole limb but technically only the part of the limb between the knee and ankle

From this reading Man may have advanced far from his ancestor which lived in the primeval slime, but that lowly progenitor could breathe either in air or water and if he lost a leg could grow another.

creative writing of recognized artistic value

From this reading Overwhelmed by the material advance made in the past five decades or so and by the vast amount of Pollyanna literature with which we are flooded by politicians and business executives with axes to grind, we are apt to lose sight of the law of compensation and to think of all change as unalloyed improvement.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading Man may have advanced far from his ancestor which lived in the primeval slime, but that lowly progenitor could breathe either in air or water and if he lost a leg could grow another.

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

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 THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense

From this reading Overwhelmed by the material advance made in the past five decades or so and by the vast amount of Pollyanna literature with which we are flooded by politicians and business executives with axes to grind, we are apt to lose sight of the law of compensation and to think of all change as unalloyed improvement.

something lost (especially money lost at gambling)

From this reading Change may or may not be “progress,” but whether it is or not it is bound to involve compensatory losses.

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading Man may have advanced far from his ancestor which lived in the primeval slime, but that lowly progenitor could breathe either in air or water and if he lost a leg could grow another.

low or inferior in station or quality

From this reading Man may have advanced far from his ancestor which lived in the primeval slime, but that lowly progenitor could breathe either in air or water and if he lost a leg could grow another.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Overwhelmed by the material advance made in the past five decades or so and by the vast amount of Pollyanna literature with which we are flooded by politicians and business executives with axes to grind, we are apt to lose sight of the law of compensation and to think of all change as unalloyed improvement.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Man may have advanced far from his ancestor which lived in the primeval slime, but that lowly progenitor could breathe either in air or water and if he lost a leg could grow another.

concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests

From this reading Overwhelmed by the material advance made in the past five decades or so and by the vast amount of Pollyanna literature with which we are flooded by politicians and business executives with axes to grind, we are apt to lose sight of the law of compensation and to think of all change as unalloyed improvement.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

being ten more than eighty

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Overwhelmed by the material advance made in the past five decades or so and by the vast amount of Pollyanna literature with which we are flooded by politicians and business executives with axes to grind, we are apt to lose sight of the law of compensation and to think of all change as unalloyed improvement.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

past form of “overwhelm” — overcome, as with emotions or perceptual stimuli

From this reading Overwhelmed by the material advance made in the past five decades or so and by the vast amount of Pollyanna literature with which we are flooded by politicians and business executives with axes to grind, we are apt to lose sight of the law of compensation and to think of all change as unalloyed improvement.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading Overwhelmed by the material advance made in the past five decades or so and by the vast amount of Pollyanna literature with which we are flooded by politicians and business executives with axes to grind, we are apt to lose sight of the law of compensation and to think of all change as unalloyed improvement.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

plural of “person” — a human being

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

plural of “politician” — a leader engaged in civil administration

From this reading Overwhelmed by the material advance made in the past five decades or so and by the vast amount of Pollyanna literature with which we are flooded by politicians and business executives with axes to grind, we are apt to lose sight of the law of compensation and to think of all change as unalloyed improvement.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Overwhelmed by the material advance made in the past five decades or so and by the vast amount of Pollyanna literature with which we are flooded by politicians and business executives with axes to grind, we are apt to lose sight of the law of compensation and to think of all change as unalloyed improvement.

the people who inhabit a territory or state

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

having existed from the beginning; in an earliest or original stage or state

From this reading Man may have advanced far from his ancestor which lived in the primeval slime, but that lowly progenitor could breathe either in air or water and if he lost a leg could grow another.

plural of “process” — a particular course of action intended to achieve a result

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

an ancestor in the direct line

From this reading Man may have advanced far from his ancestor which lived in the primeval slime, but that lowly progenitor could breathe either in air or water and if he lost a leg could grow another.

gradual improvement or growth or development

From this reading Change may or may not be “progress,” but whether it is or not it is bound to involve compensatory losses.

an economic state of growth with rising profits and full employment

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading Overwhelmed by the material advance made in the past five decades or so and by the vast amount of Pollyanna literature with which we are flooded by politicians and business executives with axes to grind, we are apt to lose sight of the law of compensation and to think of all change as unalloyed improvement.

cover or stain with slime

From this reading Man may have advanced far from his ancestor which lived in the primeval slime, but that lowly progenitor could breathe either in air or water and if he lost a leg could grow another.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Overwhelmed by the material advance made in the past five decades or so and by the vast amount of Pollyanna literature with which we are flooded by politicians and business executives with axes to grind, we are apt to lose sight of the law of compensation and to think of all change as unalloyed improvement.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

use up a period of time in a specific way

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

conforming to or constituting a standard of measurement or value; or of the usual or regularized or accepted kind

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading Overwhelmed by the material advance made in the past five decades or so and by the vast amount of Pollyanna literature with which we are flooded by politicians and business executives with axes to grind, we are apt to lose sight of the law of compensation and to think of all change as unalloyed improvement.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

free from admixture

From this reading Overwhelmed by the material advance made in the past five decades or so and by the vast amount of Pollyanna literature with which we are flooded by politicians and business executives with axes to grind, we are apt to lose sight of the law of compensation and to think of all change as unalloyed improvement.

without hesitation

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

of worldwide scope or applicability

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading Overwhelmed by the material advance made in the past five decades or so and by the vast amount of Pollyanna literature with which we are flooded by politicians and business executives with axes to grind, we are apt to lose sight of the law of compensation and to think of all change as unalloyed improvement.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

the capital of the United States in the District of Columbia and a tourist mecca; George Washington commissioned Charles L'Enfant to lay out the city in 1791

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading Man may have advanced far from his ancestor which lived in the primeval slime, but that lowly progenitor could breathe either in air or water and if he lost a leg could grow another.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading Change may or may not be “progress,” but whether it is or not it is bound to involve compensatory losses.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

during the time that

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Overwhelmed by the material advance made in the past five decades or so and by the vast amount of Pollyanna literature with which we are flooded by politicians and business executives with axes to grind, we are apt to lose sight of the law of compensation and to think of all change as unalloyed improvement.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.

an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value

From this reading The “high standard” thus indicated is unhesitatingly accepted by almost everyone; but even if we do accept as a fact, though it is far from being a universal one, the ability of all persons to spend more and to buy more things than ever before, it may be worth while to consider what some of the by-products of the processes involved have been.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading THE COST OF PROSPERITY THE COST OF PROSPERITY I Not long ago a despatch from Washington announced that “the highest standard of living ever attained in the history of the world was reached last year [1926] by the American people,” and gave as basis for the statement the government’s figure for the income of our population, which income was set at ninety billion dollars.