used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A FRAGMENT OF HISTORY “I understand,” began Jules, “the usefulness of the dog to a man left to his own resources in a desert country in the midst of woods.
farther along in physical or mental development
From this reading “Even in places now enjoying the most advanced civilization, man began with an era of misery of which it will be not unprofitable to give you some idea; then you will see better from what depths of barbarism the dog’s services have helped to raise us.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading With the help of this courageous friend he procures food and defends himself against animals that endanger his life.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading “Even in places now enjoying the most advanced civilization, man began with an era of misery of which it will be not unprofitable to give you some idea; then you will see better from what depths of barbarism the dog’s services have helped to raise us.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading With the help of this courageous friend he procures food and defends himself against animals that endanger his life.
plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading With the help of this courageous friend he procures food and defends himself against animals that endanger his life.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading But in our countries around here, it seems to me, that wretched sort of existence can never have been known.”
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “In our countries things took their course just as everywhere else,” his uncle replied.
barbarismnounUS /ˈbɑːrbərɪzəm/
a brutal barbarous savage act
From this reading “Even in places now enjoying the most advanced civilization, man began with an era of misery of which it will be not unprofitable to give you some idea; then you will see better from what depths of barbarism the dog’s services have helped to raise us.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “Even in places now enjoying the most advanced civilization, man began with an era of misery of which it will be not unprofitable to give you some idea; then you will see better from what depths of barbarism the dog’s services have helped to raise us.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But in our countries around here, it seems to me, that wretched sort of existence can never have been known.”
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading A FRAGMENT OF HISTORY “I understand,” began Jules, “the usefulness of the dog to a man left to his own resources in a desert country in the midst of woods.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading “Even in places now enjoying the most advanced civilization, man began with an era of misery of which it will be not unprofitable to give you some idea; then you will see better from what depths of barbarism the dog’s services have helped to raise us.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But in our countries around here, it seems to me, that wretched sort of existence can never have been known.”
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading But in our countries around here, it seems to me, that wretched sort of existence can never have been known.”
civilizationnounUS /ˌsɪvəlɪˈzeɪʃən/
a society in an advanced state of social development (e.g., with complex legal and political and religious organizations)
From this reading “Even in places now enjoying the most advanced civilization, man began with an era of misery of which it will be not unprofitable to give you some idea; then you will see better from what depths of barbarism the dog’s services have helped to raise us.
countriesnounUS /ˈkʌntriz/
plural of “country” — a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading But in our countries around here, it seems to me, that wretched sort of existence can never have been known.”
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading A FRAGMENT OF HISTORY “I understand,” began Jules, “the usefulness of the dog to a man left to his own resources in a desert country in the midst of woods.
courageousadjectiveUS /kərˈeɪdʒəs/
possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
From this reading With the help of this courageous friend he procures food and defends himself against animals that endanger his life.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading “In our countries things took their course just as everywhere else,” his uncle replied.
defendsverbUS /dɪˈfendz/
third-person singular of “defend” — argue or speak in defense of
From this reading With the help of this courageous friend he procures food and defends himself against animals that endanger his life.
(plural) the deepest and most remote part
From this reading “Even in places now enjoying the most advanced civilization, man began with an era of misery of which it will be not unprofitable to give you some idea; then you will see better from what depths of barbarism the dog’s services have helped to raise us.
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading A FRAGMENT OF HISTORY “I understand,” began Jules, “the usefulness of the dog to a man left to his own resources in a desert country in the midst of woods.
a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading A FRAGMENT OF HISTORY “I understand,” began Jules, “the usefulness of the dog to a man left to his own resources in a desert country in the midst of woods.
dog'snounUS /dɔːɡz/
possessive form of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading “Even in places now enjoying the most advanced civilization, man began with an era of misery of which it will be not unprofitable to give you some idea; then you will see better from what depths of barbarism the dog’s services have helped to raise us.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “In our countries things took their course just as everywhere else,” his uncle replied.
endangerverbUS /enˈdeɪndʒər/
pose a threat to; present a danger to
From this reading With the help of this courageous friend he procures food and defends himself against animals that endanger his life.
enjoyingverbUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading “Even in places now enjoying the most advanced civilization, man began with an era of misery of which it will be not unprofitable to give you some idea; then you will see better from what depths of barbarism the dog’s services have helped to raise us.
eranounUS /ˈerə/
a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
From this reading “Even in places now enjoying the most advanced civilization, man began with an era of misery of which it will be not unprofitable to give you some idea; then you will see better from what depths of barbarism the dog’s services have helped to raise us.
divisible by two
From this reading “Even in places now enjoying the most advanced civilization, man began with an era of misery of which it will be not unprofitable to give you some idea; then you will see better from what depths of barbarism the dog’s services have helped to raise us.
to or in any or all places
From this reading “In our countries things took their course just as everywhere else,” his uncle replied.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading But in our countries around here, it seems to me, that wretched sort of existence can never have been known.”
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading With the help of this courageous friend he procures food and defends himself against animals that endanger his life.
FRAGMENTnounUS /ˈfræɡ.mənt/
A small part broken or separated off something larger.
From this reading A FRAGMENT OF HISTORY “I understand,” began Jules, “the usefulness of the dog to a man left to his own resources in a desert country in the midst of woods.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading With the help of this courageous friend he procures food and defends himself against animals that endanger his life.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading “Even in places now enjoying the most advanced civilization, man began with an era of misery of which it will be not unprofitable to give you some idea; then you will see better from what depths of barbarism the dog’s services have helped to raise us.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading “Even in places now enjoying the most advanced civilization, man began with an era of misery of which it will be not unprofitable to give you some idea; then you will see better from what depths of barbarism the dog’s services have helped to raise us.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But in our countries around here, it seems to me, that wretched sort of existence can never have been known.”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading With the help of this courageous friend he procures food and defends himself against animals that endanger his life.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading With the help of this courageous friend he procures food and defends himself against animals that endanger his life.
past form of “help” — give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading “Even in places now enjoying the most advanced civilization, man began with an era of misery of which it will be not unprofitable to give you some idea; then you will see better from what depths of barbarism the dog’s services have helped to raise us.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading But in our countries around here, it seems to me, that wretched sort of existence can never have been known.”
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading With the help of this courageous friend he procures food and defends himself against animals that endanger his life.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A FRAGMENT OF HISTORY “I understand,” began Jules, “the usefulness of the dog to a man left to his own resources in a desert country in the midst of woods.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading A FRAGMENT OF HISTORY “I understand,” began Jules, “the usefulness of the dog to a man left to his own resources in a desert country in the midst of woods.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading A FRAGMENT OF HISTORY “I understand,” began Jules, “the usefulness of the dog to a man left to his own resources in a desert country in the midst of woods.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading “Even in places now enjoying the most advanced civilization, man began with an era of misery of which it will be not unprofitable to give you some idea; then you will see better from what depths of barbarism the dog’s services have helped to raise us.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A FRAGMENT OF HISTORY “I understand,” began Jules, “the usefulness of the dog to a man left to his own resources in a desert country in the midst of woods.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But in our countries around here, it seems to me, that wretched sort of existence can never have been known.”
Jules
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A FRAGMENT OF HISTORY “I understand,” began Jules, “the usefulness of the dog to a man left to his own resources in a desert country in the midst of woods.
and nothing more
From this reading “In our countries things took their course just as everywhere else,” his uncle replied.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading But in our countries around here, it seems to me, that wretched sort of existence can never have been known.”
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading A FRAGMENT OF HISTORY “I understand,” began Jules, “the usefulness of the dog to a man left to his own resources in a desert country in the midst of woods.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading With the help of this courageous friend he procures food and defends himself against animals that endanger his life.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading A FRAGMENT OF HISTORY “I understand,” began Jules, “the usefulness of the dog to a man left to his own resources in a desert country in the midst of woods.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But in our countries around here, it seems to me, that wretched sort of existence can never have been known.”
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading A FRAGMENT OF HISTORY “I understand,” began Jules, “the usefulness of the dog to a man left to his own resources in a desert country in the midst of woods.
a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune
From this reading “Even in places now enjoying the most advanced civilization, man began with an era of misery of which it will be not unprofitable to give you some idea; then you will see better from what depths of barbarism the dog’s services have helped to raise us.
used to form the superlative
From this reading “Even in places now enjoying the most advanced civilization, man began with an era of misery of which it will be not unprofitable to give you some idea; then you will see better from what depths of barbarism the dog’s services have helped to raise us.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading But in our countries around here, it seems to me, that wretched sort of existence can never have been known.”
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “Even in places now enjoying the most advanced civilization, man began with an era of misery of which it will be not unprofitable to give you some idea; then you will see better from what depths of barbarism the dog’s services have helped to raise us.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading “Even in places now enjoying the most advanced civilization, man began with an era of misery of which it will be not unprofitable to give you some idea; then you will see better from what depths of barbarism the dog’s services have helped to raise us.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A FRAGMENT OF HISTORY “I understand,” began Jules, “the usefulness of the dog to a man left to his own resources in a desert country in the midst of woods.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading But in our countries around here, it seems to me, that wretched sort of existence can never have been known.”
have ownership or possession of
From this reading A FRAGMENT OF HISTORY “I understand,” began Jules, “the usefulness of the dog to a man left to his own resources in a desert country in the midst of woods.
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading “Even in places now enjoying the most advanced civilization, man began with an era of misery of which it will be not unprofitable to give you some idea; then you will see better from what depths of barbarism the dog’s services have helped to raise us.
procures
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the help of this courageous friend he procures food and defends himself against animals that endanger his life.
raise the level or amount of something
From this reading “Even in places now enjoying the most advanced civilization, man began with an era of misery of which it will be not unprofitable to give you some idea; then you will see better from what depths of barbarism the dog’s services have helped to raise us.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading “In our countries things took their course just as everywhere else,” his uncle replied.
resourcesnounUS /ˈriːsɔːrsɪz/
plural of “resource” — available source of wealth; a new or reserve supply that can be drawn upon when needed
From this reading A FRAGMENT OF HISTORY “I understand,” began Jules, “the usefulness of the dog to a man left to his own resources in a desert country in the midst of woods.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading “Even in places now enjoying the most advanced civilization, man began with an era of misery of which it will be not unprofitable to give you some idea; then you will see better from what depths of barbarism the dog’s services have helped to raise us.
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading But in our countries around here, it seems to me, that wretched sort of existence can never have been known.”
performance of duties or provision of space and equipment helpful to others
From this reading “Even in places now enjoying the most advanced civilization, man began with an era of misery of which it will be not unprofitable to give you some idea; then you will see better from what depths of barbarism the dog’s services have helped to raise us.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading “Even in places now enjoying the most advanced civilization, man began with an era of misery of which it will be not unprofitable to give you some idea; then you will see better from what depths of barbarism the dog’s services have helped to raise us.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading But in our countries around here, it seems to me, that wretched sort of existence can never have been known.”
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading With the help of this courageous friend he procures food and defends himself against animals that endanger his life.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A FRAGMENT OF HISTORY “I understand,” began Jules, “the usefulness of the dog to a man left to his own resources in a desert country in the midst of woods.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading “In our countries things took their course just as everywhere else,” his uncle replied.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading “Even in places now enjoying the most advanced civilization, man began with an era of misery of which it will be not unprofitable to give you some idea; then you will see better from what depths of barbarism the dog’s services have helped to raise us.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading “In our countries things took their course just as everywhere else,” his uncle replied.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading With the help of this courageous friend he procures food and defends himself against animals that endanger his life.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A FRAGMENT OF HISTORY “I understand,” began Jules, “the usefulness of the dog to a man left to his own resources in a desert country in the midst of woods.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading “In our countries things took their course just as everywhere else,” his uncle replied.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading “In our countries things took their course just as everywhere else,” his uncle replied.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading A FRAGMENT OF HISTORY “I understand,” began Jules, “the usefulness of the dog to a man left to his own resources in a desert country in the midst of woods.
unprofitableadjectiveUS /ənˈprɑːfɪtəbəl/
producing little or no profit or gain
From this reading “Even in places now enjoying the most advanced civilization, man began with an era of misery of which it will be not unprofitable to give you some idea; then you will see better from what depths of barbarism the dog’s services have helped to raise us.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Even in places now enjoying the most advanced civilization, man began with an era of misery of which it will be not unprofitable to give you some idea; then you will see better from what depths of barbarism the dog’s services have helped to raise us.
usefulnessnounUS /ˈjuːsfəlnəs/
the quality of being of practical use
From this reading A FRAGMENT OF HISTORY “I understand,” began Jules, “the usefulness of the dog to a man left to his own resources in a desert country in the midst of woods.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “Even in places now enjoying the most advanced civilization, man began with an era of misery of which it will be not unprofitable to give you some idea; then you will see better from what depths of barbarism the dog’s services have helped to raise us.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “Even in places now enjoying the most advanced civilization, man began with an era of misery of which it will be not unprofitable to give you some idea; then you will see better from what depths of barbarism the dog’s services have helped to raise us.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “Even in places now enjoying the most advanced civilization, man began with an era of misery of which it will be not unprofitable to give you some idea; then you will see better from what depths of barbarism the dog’s services have helped to raise us.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With the help of this courageous friend he procures food and defends himself against animals that endanger his life.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading A FRAGMENT OF HISTORY “I understand,” began Jules, “the usefulness of the dog to a man left to his own resources in a desert country in the midst of woods.
of very poor quality or condition
From this reading But in our countries around here, it seems to me, that wretched sort of existence can never have been known.”
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Even in places now enjoying the most advanced civilization, man began with an era of misery of which it will be not unprofitable to give you some idea; then you will see better from what depths of barbarism the dog’s services have helped to raise us.
