used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “‘The ass,’ says the illustrious historian of animals, ‘is not a degenerate horse, as many imagine; it is neither a foreigner nor an intruder nor a bastard; like all animals it has its family, its species, and its rank.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading THE ASS “Your uncle’s partiality, you have already been able to see, my friends, is for the weak, the ill-treated, the unfortunate.
make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
From this reading To give my words more authority I will add Buffon’s testimony to my own.
(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 ass,’ says the illustrious historian of animals, ‘is not a degenerate horse, as many imagine; it is neither a foreigner nor an intruder nor a bastard; like all animals it has its family, its species, and its rank.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading THE ASS “Your uncle’s partiality, you have already been able to see, my friends, is for the weak, the ill-treated, the unfortunate.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Although its nobility is less illustrious, it is quite as good, quite as ancient, as that of the horse.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading “‘The ass,’ says the illustrious historian of animals, ‘is not a degenerate horse, as many imagine; it is neither a foreigner nor an intruder nor a bastard; like all animals it has its family, its species, and its rank.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading Although its nobility is less illustrious, it is quite as good, quite as ancient, as that of the horse.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “‘The ass,’ says the illustrious historian of animals, ‘is not a degenerate horse, as many imagine; it is neither a foreigner nor an intruder nor a bastard; like all animals it has its family, its species, and its rank.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading I did not try to eulogize the horse, the valiant animal commending itself sufficiently to our esteem without that; but very gladly will I enumerate the good qualities of the ass, sad victim of our brutality despite the service it renders us.
plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading “‘The ass,’ says the illustrious historian of animals, ‘is not a degenerate horse, as many imagine; it is neither a foreigner nor an intruder nor a bastard; like all animals it has its family, its species, and its rank.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “‘The ass,’ says the illustrious historian of animals, ‘is not a degenerate horse, as many imagine; it is neither a foreigner nor an intruder nor a bastard; like all animals it has its family, its species, and its rank.
ASSnounUS /æs/
the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
From this reading THE ASS “Your uncle’s partiality, you have already been able to see, my friends, is for the weak, the ill-treated, the unfortunate.
the power or right to give orders or make decisions
From this reading To give my words more authority I will add Buffon’s testimony to my own.
bastardnounUS /ˈbæstərd/
insulting terms of address for people who are stupid or irritating or ridiculous
From this reading “‘The ass,’ says the illustrious historian of animals, ‘is not a degenerate horse, as many imagine; it is neither a foreigner nor an intruder nor a bastard; like all animals it has its family, its species, and its rank.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading THE ASS “Your uncle’s partiality, you have already been able to see, my friends, is for the weak, the ill-treated, the unfortunate.
brutalitynounUS /bruːˈtæləti/
the trait of extreme cruelty
From this reading I did not try to eulogize the horse, the valiant animal commending itself sufficiently to our esteem without that; but very gladly will I enumerate the good qualities of the ass, sad victim of our brutality despite the service it renders us.
Buffon's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To give my words more authority I will add Buffon’s testimony to my own.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I did not try to eulogize the horse, the valiant animal commending itself sufficiently to our esteem without that; but very gladly will I enumerate the good qualities of the ass, sad victim of our brutality despite the service it renders us.
commendingverbUS /kəˈmendɪŋ/
-ing form of “commend” — express approval of
From this reading I did not try to eulogize the horse, the valiant animal commending itself sufficiently to our esteem without that; but very gladly will I enumerate the good qualities of the ass, sad victim of our brutality despite the service it renders us.
degeneratenounUS /dɪˈdʒenərət/
a person whose behavior deviates from what is acceptable especially in sexual behavior
From this reading “‘The ass,’ says the illustrious historian of animals, ‘is not a degenerate horse, as many imagine; it is neither a foreigner nor an intruder nor a bastard; like all animals it has its family, its species, and its rank.
although something is true; in spite of
From this reading I did not try to eulogize the horse, the valiant animal commending itself sufficiently to our esteem without that; but very gladly will I enumerate the good qualities of the ass, sad victim of our brutality despite the service it renders us.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading I did not try to eulogize the horse, the valiant animal commending itself sufficiently to our esteem without that; but very gladly will I enumerate the good qualities of the ass, sad victim of our brutality despite the service it renders us.
enumerateverbUS /ɪˈnuːməreɪt/
specify individually
From this reading I did not try to eulogize the horse, the valiant animal commending itself sufficiently to our esteem without that; but very gladly will I enumerate the good qualities of the ass, sad victim of our brutality despite the service it renders us.
esteemnounUS /əˈstiːm/
the condition of being honored (esteemed or respected or well regarded)
From this reading I did not try to eulogize the horse, the valiant animal commending itself sufficiently to our esteem without that; but very gladly will I enumerate the good qualities of the ass, sad victim of our brutality despite the service it renders us.
eulogizeverbUS /ˈjuːlədʒaɪz/
praise formally and eloquently
From this reading I did not try to eulogize the horse, the valiant animal commending itself sufficiently to our esteem without that; but very gladly will I enumerate the good qualities of the ass, sad victim of our brutality despite the service it renders us.
a social unit living together
From this reading “‘The ass,’ says the illustrious historian of animals, ‘is not a degenerate horse, as many imagine; it is neither a foreigner nor an intruder nor a bastard; like all animals it has its family, its species, and its rank.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE ASS “Your uncle’s partiality, you have already been able to see, my friends, is for the weak, the ill-treated, the unfortunate.
foreignernounUS /ˈfɔːrənər/
a person who comes from a foreign country; someone who does not owe allegiance to your country
From this reading “‘The ass,’ says the illustrious historian of animals, ‘is not a degenerate horse, as many imagine; it is neither a foreigner nor an intruder nor a bastard; like all animals it has its family, its species, and its rank.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading THE ASS “Your uncle’s partiality, you have already been able to see, my friends, is for the weak, the ill-treated, the unfortunate.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading To give my words more authority I will add Buffon’s testimony to my own.
gladlyadverbUS /ˈɡlædli/
in a willing manner
From this reading I did not try to eulogize the horse, the valiant animal commending itself sufficiently to our esteem without that; but very gladly will I enumerate the good qualities of the ass, sad victim of our brutality despite the service it renders us.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading I did not try to eulogize the horse, the valiant animal commending itself sufficiently to our esteem without that; but very gladly will I enumerate the good qualities of the ass, sad victim of our brutality despite the service it renders us.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “‘The ass,’ says the illustrious historian of animals, ‘is not a degenerate horse, as many imagine; it is neither a foreigner nor an intruder nor a bastard; like all animals it has its family, its species, and its rank.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading THE ASS “Your uncle’s partiality, you have already been able to see, my friends, is for the weak, the ill-treated, the unfortunate.
historiannounUS /hɪˈstɔːriən/
a person who is an authority on history and who studies it and writes about it
From this reading “‘The ass,’ says the illustrious historian of animals, ‘is not a degenerate horse, as many imagine; it is neither a foreigner nor an intruder nor a bastard; like all animals it has its family, its species, and its rank.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading I did not try to eulogize the horse, the valiant animal commending itself sufficiently to our esteem without that; but very gladly will I enumerate the good qualities of the ass, sad victim of our brutality despite the service it renders us.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I did not try to eulogize the horse, the valiant animal commending itself sufficiently to our esteem without that; but very gladly will I enumerate the good qualities of the ass, sad victim of our brutality despite the service it renders us.
ill-treatedadjective
subjected to cruel treatment
From this reading THE ASS “Your uncle’s partiality, you have already been able to see, my friends, is for the weak, the ill-treated, the unfortunate.
illustriousadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈlʌstriəs/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading “‘The ass,’ says the illustrious historian of animals, ‘is not a degenerate horse, as many imagine; it is neither a foreigner nor an intruder nor a bastard; like all animals it has its family, its species, and its rank.
form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading “‘The ass,’ says the illustrious historian of animals, ‘is not a degenerate horse, as many imagine; it is neither a foreigner nor an intruder nor a bastard; like all animals it has its family, its species, and its rank.
intrudernounUS /ˌɪnˈtruːdər/
someone who intrudes on the privacy or property of another without permission
From this reading “‘The ass,’ says the illustrious historian of animals, ‘is not a degenerate horse, as many imagine; it is neither a foreigner nor an intruder nor a bastard; like all animals it has its family, its species, and its rank.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE ASS “Your uncle’s partiality, you have already been able to see, my friends, is for the weak, the ill-treated, the unfortunate.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I did not try to eulogize the horse, the valiant animal commending itself sufficiently to our esteem without that; but very gladly will I enumerate the good qualities of the ass, sad victim of our brutality despite the service it renders us.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading “‘The ass,’ says the illustrious historian of animals, ‘is not a degenerate horse, as many imagine; it is neither a foreigner nor an intruder nor a bastard; like all animals it has its family, its species, and its rank.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading I did not try to eulogize the horse, the valiant animal commending itself sufficiently to our esteem without that; but very gladly will I enumerate the good qualities of the ass, sad victim of our brutality despite the service it renders us.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Although its nobility is less illustrious, it is quite as good, quite as ancient, as that of the horse.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading “‘The ass,’ says the illustrious historian of animals, ‘is not a degenerate horse, as many imagine; it is neither a foreigner nor an intruder nor a bastard; like all animals it has its family, its species, and its rank.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading “‘The ass,’ says the illustrious historian of animals, ‘is not a degenerate horse, as many imagine; it is neither a foreigner nor an intruder nor a bastard; like all animals it has its family, its species, and its rank.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading To give my words more authority I will add Buffon’s testimony to my own.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading THE ASS “Your uncle’s partiality, you have already been able to see, my friends, is for the weak, the ill-treated, the unfortunate.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading “‘The ass,’ says the illustrious historian of animals, ‘is not a degenerate horse, as many imagine; it is neither a foreigner nor an intruder nor a bastard; like all animals it has its family, its species, and its rank.
nobilitynounUS /noʊˈbɪləti/
a privileged class holding hereditary titles
From this reading Although its nobility is less illustrious, it is quite as good, quite as ancient, as that of the horse.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading “‘The ass,’ says the illustrious historian of animals, ‘is not a degenerate horse, as many imagine; it is neither a foreigner nor an intruder nor a bastard; like all animals it has its family, its species, and its rank.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I did not try to eulogize the horse, the valiant animal commending itself sufficiently to our esteem without that; but very gladly will I enumerate the good qualities of the ass, sad victim of our brutality despite the service it renders us.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I did not try to eulogize the horse, the valiant animal commending itself sufficiently to our esteem without that; but very gladly will I enumerate the good qualities of the ass, sad victim of our brutality despite the service it renders us.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading I did not try to eulogize the horse, the valiant animal commending itself sufficiently to our esteem without that; but very gladly will I enumerate the good qualities of the ass, sad victim of our brutality despite the service it renders us.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading To give my words more authority I will add Buffon’s testimony to my own.
partialitynounUS /ˌpɑːrʃiˈæləti/
a predisposition to like something
From this reading THE ASS “Your uncle’s partiality, you have already been able to see, my friends, is for the weak, the ill-treated, the unfortunate.
plural of “quality” — an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading I did not try to eulogize the horse, the valiant animal commending itself sufficiently to our esteem without that; but very gladly will I enumerate the good qualities of the ass, sad victim of our brutality despite the service it renders us.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Although its nobility is less illustrious, it is quite as good, quite as ancient, as that of the horse.
a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
From this reading “‘The ass,’ says the illustrious historian of animals, ‘is not a degenerate horse, as many imagine; it is neither a foreigner nor an intruder nor a bastard; like all animals it has its family, its species, and its rank.
rendersnounUS /ˈrendərz/
plural of “render” — a substance similar to stucco but exclusively applied to masonry walls
From this reading I did not try to eulogize the horse, the valiant animal commending itself sufficiently to our esteem without that; but very gladly will I enumerate the good qualities of the ass, sad victim of our brutality despite the service it renders us.
experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading I did not try to eulogize the horse, the valiant animal commending itself sufficiently to our esteem without that; but very gladly will I enumerate the good qualities of the ass, sad victim of our brutality despite the service it renders us.
plural of “say” — the chance to speak
From this reading “‘The ass,’ says the illustrious historian of animals, ‘is not a degenerate horse, as many imagine; it is neither a foreigner nor an intruder nor a bastard; like all animals it has its family, its species, and its rank.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading THE ASS “Your uncle’s partiality, you have already been able to see, my friends, is for the weak, the ill-treated, the unfortunate.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading I did not try to eulogize the horse, the valiant animal commending itself sufficiently to our esteem without that; but very gladly will I enumerate the good qualities of the ass, sad victim of our brutality despite the service it renders us.
speciesnounUS /ˈspiːʃiz/
(biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed
From this reading “‘The ass,’ says the illustrious historian of animals, ‘is not a degenerate horse, as many imagine; it is neither a foreigner nor an intruder nor a bastard; like all animals it has its family, its species, and its rank.
to a sufficient degree
From this reading I did not try to eulogize the horse, the valiant animal commending itself sufficiently to our esteem without that; but very gladly will I enumerate the good qualities of the ass, sad victim of our brutality despite the service it renders us.
testimonynounUS /ˈtestəmoʊni/
a solemn statement made under oath
From this reading To give my words more authority I will add Buffon’s testimony to my own.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I did not try to eulogize the horse, the valiant animal commending itself sufficiently to our esteem without that; but very gladly will I enumerate the good qualities of the ass, sad victim of our brutality despite the service it renders us.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE ASS “Your uncle’s partiality, you have already been able to see, my friends, is for the weak, the ill-treated, the unfortunate.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE ASS “Your uncle’s partiality, you have already been able to see, my friends, is for the weak, the ill-treated, the unfortunate.
make an effort or attempt
From this reading I did not try to eulogize the horse, the valiant animal commending itself sufficiently to our esteem without that; but very gladly will I enumerate the good qualities of the ass, sad victim of our brutality despite the service it renders us.
uncle'snounUS /ˈʌŋkəlz/
possessive form of “uncle” — the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading THE ASS “Your uncle’s partiality, you have already been able to see, my friends, is for the weak, the ill-treated, the unfortunate.
not favored by fortune; marked or accompanied by or resulting in ill fortune
From this reading THE ASS “Your uncle’s partiality, you have already been able to see, my friends, is for the weak, the ill-treated, the unfortunate.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I did not try to eulogize the horse, the valiant animal commending itself sufficiently to our esteem without that; but very gladly will I enumerate the good qualities of the ass, sad victim of our brutality despite the service it renders us.
valiantadjUS /ˈvæl.jənt/
Possessing or showing courage or determination; heroic. (Dũng cảm, quả cảm, anh hùng.)
From this reading I did not try to eulogize the horse, the valiant animal commending itself sufficiently to our esteem without that; but very gladly will I enumerate the good qualities of the ass, sad victim of our brutality despite the service it renders us.
precisely as stated
From this reading I did not try to eulogize the horse, the valiant animal commending itself sufficiently to our esteem without that; but very gladly will I enumerate the good qualities of the ass, sad victim of our brutality despite the service it renders us.
an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance
From this reading I did not try to eulogize the horse, the valiant animal commending itself sufficiently to our esteem without that; but very gladly will I enumerate the good qualities of the ass, sad victim of our brutality despite the service it renders us.
wanting in physical strength
From this reading THE ASS “Your uncle’s partiality, you have already been able to see, my friends, is for the weak, the ill-treated, the unfortunate.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading I did not try to eulogize the horse, the valiant animal commending itself sufficiently to our esteem without that; but very gladly will I enumerate the good qualities of the ass, sad victim of our brutality despite the service it renders us.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading I did not try to eulogize the horse, the valiant animal commending itself sufficiently to our esteem without that; but very gladly will I enumerate the good qualities of the ass, sad victim of our brutality despite the service it renders us.
the words that are spoken
From this reading To give my words more authority I will add Buffon’s testimony to my own.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading THE ASS “Your uncle’s partiality, you have already been able to see, my friends, is for the weak, the ill-treated, the unfortunate.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading THE ASS “Your uncle’s partiality, you have already been able to see, my friends, is for the weak, the ill-treated, the unfortunate.
