used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Much of our idlest chatter is secretly leavened by this curiosity, which is in its purest form a noble thing.
perfect or complete or pure
From this reading Most of the higher branches of knowledge, metaphysics, pure mathematics, and so on, serve no practical purpose; sober philosophers and studious mathematicians are in reality the wildest of fellows, for ever pursuing a laborious quest into the absolute Unknown.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The good side of gossip arises out of that eager, seemingly insatiable curiosity which distinguishes men from the brutes and civilised men from savages.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Most of the higher branches of knowledge, metaphysics, pure mathematics, and so on, serve no practical purpose; sober philosophers and studious mathematicians are in reality the wildest of fellows, for ever pursuing a laborious quest into the absolute Unknown.
arisesverbUS /ərˈaɪzəz/
third-person singular of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading The good side of gossip arises out of that eager, seemingly insatiable curiosity which distinguishes men from the brutes and civilised men from savages.
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading Most of the higher branches of knowledge, metaphysics, pure mathematics, and so on, serve no practical purpose; sober philosophers and studious mathematicians are in reality the wildest of fellows, for ever pursuing a laborious quest into the absolute Unknown.
brutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The good side of gossip arises out of that eager, seemingly insatiable curiosity which distinguishes men from the brutes and civilised men from savages.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading For what is the pursuit of knowledge but the play of a splendid but entirely irrational inquisitiveness?
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Much of our idlest chatter is secretly leavened by this curiosity, which is in its purest form a noble thing.
casualadjectiveUS /ˈkæʒəwəl/
marked by blithe unconcern
From this reading A great deal of this fine curiosity goes to the making of gossip, which is something more than a casual exchange of news.
chatterverbUS /ˈtʃætər/
click repeatedly or uncontrollably
From this reading Much of our idlest chatter is secretly leavened by this curiosity, which is in its purest form a noble thing.
civilisedadjective
having a high state of culture and development both social and technological
From this reading The good side of gossip arises out of that eager, seemingly insatiable curiosity which distinguishes men from the brutes and civilised men from savages.
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading The good side of gossip arises out of that eager, seemingly insatiable curiosity which distinguishes men from the brutes and civilised men from savages.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading A great deal of this fine curiosity goes to the making of gossip, which is something more than a casual exchange of news.
distinguishesverbUS /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃɪz/
third-person singular of “distinguish” — mark as different
From this reading The good side of gossip arises out of that eager, seemingly insatiable curiosity which distinguishes men from the brutes and civilised men from savages.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading The good side of gossip arises out of that eager, seemingly insatiable curiosity which distinguishes men from the brutes and civilised men from savages.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading For what is the pursuit of knowledge but the play of a splendid but entirely irrational inquisitiveness?
at any time
From this reading Most of the higher branches of knowledge, metaphysics, pure mathematics, and so on, serve no practical purpose; sober philosophers and studious mathematicians are in reality the wildest of fellows, for ever pursuing a laborious quest into the absolute Unknown.
chemical process in which one atom or ion or group changes places with another
From this reading A great deal of this fine curiosity goes to the making of gossip, which is something more than a casual exchange of news.
plural of “fellow” — a boy or man
From this reading Most of the higher branches of knowledge, metaphysics, pure mathematics, and so on, serve no practical purpose; sober philosophers and studious mathematicians are in reality the wildest of fellows, for ever pursuing a laborious quest into the absolute Unknown.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading A great deal of this fine curiosity goes to the making of gossip, which is something more than a casual exchange of news.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For what is the pursuit of knowledge but the play of a splendid but entirely irrational inquisitiveness?
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading Much of our idlest chatter is secretly leavened by this curiosity, which is in its purest form a noble thing.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The good side of gossip arises out of that eager, seemingly insatiable curiosity which distinguishes men from the brutes and civilised men from savages.
plural of “go” — a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)
From this reading A great deal of this fine curiosity goes to the making of gossip, which is something more than a casual exchange of news.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading The good side of gossip arises out of that eager, seemingly insatiable curiosity which distinguishes men from the brutes and civilised men from savages.
gossipnounUS /ˈɡɑːsəp/
light informal conversation for social occasions
From this reading The good side of gossip arises out of that eager, seemingly insatiable curiosity which distinguishes men from the brutes and civilised men from savages.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading A great deal of this fine curiosity goes to the making of gossip, which is something more than a casual exchange of news.
advanced in complexity or elaboration
From this reading Most of the higher branches of knowledge, metaphysics, pure mathematics, and so on, serve no practical purpose; sober philosophers and studious mathematicians are in reality the wildest of fellows, for ever pursuing a laborious quest into the absolute Unknown.
idlest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Much of our idlest chatter is secretly leavened by this curiosity, which is in its purest form a noble thing.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Much of our idlest chatter is secretly leavened by this curiosity, which is in its purest form a noble thing.
inquisitivenessnoun
a state of active curiosity
From this reading For what is the pursuit of knowledge but the play of a splendid but entirely irrational inquisitiveness?
insatiableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈseɪʃəbəl/
impossible to satisfy
From this reading The good side of gossip arises out of that eager, seemingly insatiable curiosity which distinguishes men from the brutes and civilised men from savages.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Most of the higher branches of knowledge, metaphysics, pure mathematics, and so on, serve no practical purpose; sober philosophers and studious mathematicians are in reality the wildest of fellows, for ever pursuing a laborious quest into the absolute Unknown.
irrationaladjectiveUS /ˌɪˈræʃənəl/
not consistent with or using reason
From this reading For what is the pursuit of knowledge but the play of a splendid but entirely irrational inquisitiveness?
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Much of our idlest chatter is secretly leavened by this curiosity, which is in its purest form a noble thing.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Much of our idlest chatter is secretly leavened by this curiosity, which is in its purest form a noble thing.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading For what is the pursuit of knowledge but the play of a splendid but entirely irrational inquisitiveness?
laboriousadjectiveUS /ləˈbɔːriəs/
characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort
From this reading Most of the higher branches of knowledge, metaphysics, pure mathematics, and so on, serve no practical purpose; sober philosophers and studious mathematicians are in reality the wildest of fellows, for ever pursuing a laborious quest into the absolute Unknown.
leavenedadjectiveUS /ˈlevənd/
made light by aerating, as with yeast or baking powder; often used as a combining form
From this reading Much of our idlest chatter is secretly leavened by this curiosity, which is in its purest form a noble thing.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading A great deal of this fine curiosity goes to the making of gossip, which is something more than a casual exchange of news.
mathematiciansnounUS /ˌmæθəməˈtɪʃənz/
plural of “mathematician” — a person skilled in mathematics
From this reading Most of the higher branches of knowledge, metaphysics, pure mathematics, and so on, serve no practical purpose; sober philosophers and studious mathematicians are in reality the wildest of fellows, for ever pursuing a laborious quest into the absolute Unknown.
mathematicsnounUS /ˌmæθəˈmætɪks/
a science (or group of related sciences) dealing with the logic of quantity and shape and arrangement
From this reading Most of the higher branches of knowledge, metaphysics, pure mathematics, and so on, serve no practical purpose; sober philosophers and studious mathematicians are in reality the wildest of fellows, for ever pursuing a laborious quest into the absolute Unknown.
the force of workers available
From this reading The good side of gossip arises out of that eager, seemingly insatiable curiosity which distinguishes men from the brutes and civilised men from savages.
metaphysicsnounUS /ˌmetəˈfɪzɪks/
the philosophical study of being and knowing
From this reading Most of the higher branches of knowledge, metaphysics, pure mathematics, and so on, serve no practical purpose; sober philosophers and studious mathematicians are in reality the wildest of fellows, for ever pursuing a laborious quest into the absolute Unknown.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading A great deal of this fine curiosity goes to the making of gossip, which is something more than a casual exchange of news.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Most of the higher branches of knowledge, metaphysics, pure mathematics, and so on, serve no practical purpose; sober philosophers and studious mathematicians are in reality the wildest of fellows, for ever pursuing a laborious quest into the absolute Unknown.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Much of our idlest chatter is secretly leavened by this curiosity, which is in its purest form a noble thing.
information about recent and important events
From this reading A great deal of this fine curiosity goes to the making of gossip, which is something more than a casual exchange of news.
not any; not one
From this reading Most of the higher branches of knowledge, metaphysics, pure mathematics, and so on, serve no practical purpose; sober philosophers and studious mathematicians are in reality the wildest of fellows, for ever pursuing a laborious quest into the absolute Unknown.
nobleadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊbəl/
impressive in appearance
From this reading Much of our idlest chatter is secretly leavened by this curiosity, which is in its purest form a noble thing.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The good side of gossip arises out of that eager, seemingly insatiable curiosity which distinguishes men from the brutes and civilised men from savages.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Most of the higher branches of knowledge, metaphysics, pure mathematics, and so on, serve no practical purpose; sober philosophers and studious mathematicians are in reality the wildest of fellows, for ever pursuing a laborious quest into the absolute Unknown.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Much of our idlest chatter is secretly leavened by this curiosity, which is in its purest form a noble thing.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The good side of gossip arises out of that eager, seemingly insatiable curiosity which distinguishes men from the brutes and civilised men from savages.
philosophersnounUS /fəˈlɑːsəfərz/
plural of “philosopher” — a specialist in philosophy
From this reading Most of the higher branches of knowledge, metaphysics, pure mathematics, and so on, serve no practical purpose; sober philosophers and studious mathematicians are in reality the wildest of fellows, for ever pursuing a laborious quest into the absolute Unknown.
participate in games or sport
From this reading For what is the pursuit of knowledge but the play of a splendid but entirely irrational inquisitiveness?
concerned with actual use or practice
From this reading Most of the higher branches of knowledge, metaphysics, pure mathematics, and so on, serve no practical purpose; sober philosophers and studious mathematicians are in reality the wildest of fellows, for ever pursuing a laborious quest into the absolute Unknown.
free of extraneous elements of any kind
From this reading Most of the higher branches of knowledge, metaphysics, pure mathematics, and so on, serve no practical purpose; sober philosophers and studious mathematicians are in reality the wildest of fellows, for ever pursuing a laborious quest into the absolute Unknown.
purestadjectiveUS /ˈpjʊrəst/
superlative of “pure” — free of extraneous elements of any kind
From this reading Much of our idlest chatter is secretly leavened by this curiosity, which is in its purest form a noble thing.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading Most of the higher branches of knowledge, metaphysics, pure mathematics, and so on, serve no practical purpose; sober philosophers and studious mathematicians are in reality the wildest of fellows, for ever pursuing a laborious quest into the absolute Unknown.
pursuingadjectiveUS /pərˈsuːɪŋ/
following in order to overtake or capture or as accompaniment to such pursuit
From this reading Most of the higher branches of knowledge, metaphysics, pure mathematics, and so on, serve no practical purpose; sober philosophers and studious mathematicians are in reality the wildest of fellows, for ever pursuing a laborious quest into the absolute Unknown.
the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
From this reading For what is the pursuit of knowledge but the play of a splendid but entirely irrational inquisitiveness?
questnounUS /kwest/
a search for an alternative that meets cognitive criteria
From this reading Most of the higher branches of knowledge, metaphysics, pure mathematics, and so on, serve no practical purpose; sober philosophers and studious mathematicians are in reality the wildest of fellows, for ever pursuing a laborious quest into the absolute Unknown.
all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you
From this reading Most of the higher branches of knowledge, metaphysics, pure mathematics, and so on, serve no practical purpose; sober philosophers and studious mathematicians are in reality the wildest of fellows, for ever pursuing a laborious quest into the absolute Unknown.
savagesnounUS /ˈsævədʒəz/
plural of “savage” — a member of an uncivilized people
From this reading The good side of gossip arises out of that eager, seemingly insatiable curiosity which distinguishes men from the brutes and civilised men from savages.
secretlyadverbUS /ˈsiːkrɪtli/
in secrecy; not openly
From this reading Much of our idlest chatter is secretly leavened by this curiosity, which is in its purest form a noble thing.
seeminglyadverbUS /ˈsiːmɪŋli/
from appearances alone
From this reading The good side of gossip arises out of that eager, seemingly insatiable curiosity which distinguishes men from the brutes and civilised men from savages.
serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading Most of the higher branches of knowledge, metaphysics, pure mathematics, and so on, serve no practical purpose; sober philosophers and studious mathematicians are in reality the wildest of fellows, for ever pursuing a laborious quest into the absolute Unknown.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The good side of gossip arises out of that eager, seemingly insatiable curiosity which distinguishes men from the brutes and civilised men from savages.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Most of the higher branches of knowledge, metaphysics, pure mathematics, and so on, serve no practical purpose; sober philosophers and studious mathematicians are in reality the wildest of fellows, for ever pursuing a laborious quest into the absolute Unknown.
soberadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊbər/
not affected by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
From this reading Most of the higher branches of knowledge, metaphysics, pure mathematics, and so on, serve no practical purpose; sober philosophers and studious mathematicians are in reality the wildest of fellows, for ever pursuing a laborious quest into the absolute Unknown.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading A great deal of this fine curiosity goes to the making of gossip, which is something more than a casual exchange of news.
having great beauty and splendor
From this reading For what is the pursuit of knowledge but the play of a splendid but entirely irrational inquisitiveness?
studiousadjectiveUS /ˈstuːdiəs/
marked by care and effort
From this reading Most of the higher branches of knowledge, metaphysics, pure mathematics, and so on, serve no practical purpose; sober philosophers and studious mathematicians are in reality the wildest of fellows, for ever pursuing a laborious quest into the absolute Unknown.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading A great deal of this fine curiosity goes to the making of gossip, which is something more than a casual exchange of news.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The good side of gossip arises out of that eager, seemingly insatiable curiosity which distinguishes men from the brutes and civilised men from savages.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The good side of gossip arises out of that eager, seemingly insatiable curiosity which distinguishes men from the brutes and civilised men from savages.
a special situation
From this reading Much of our idlest chatter is secretly leavened by this curiosity, which is in its purest form a noble thing.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Much of our idlest chatter is secretly leavened by this curiosity, which is in its purest form a noble thing.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A great deal of this fine curiosity goes to the making of gossip, which is something more than a casual exchange of news.
not known
From this reading Most of the higher branches of knowledge, metaphysics, pure mathematics, and so on, serve no practical purpose; sober philosophers and studious mathematicians are in reality the wildest of fellows, for ever pursuing a laborious quest into the absolute Unknown.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading For what is the pursuit of knowledge but the play of a splendid but entirely irrational inquisitiveness?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The good side of gossip arises out of that eager, seemingly insatiable curiosity which distinguishes men from the brutes and civilised men from savages.
wildestadjectiveUS /ˈwaɪldɪst/
superlative of “wild” — marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading Most of the higher branches of knowledge, metaphysics, pure mathematics, and so on, serve no practical purpose; sober philosophers and studious mathematicians are in reality the wildest of fellows, for ever pursuing a laborious quest into the absolute Unknown.
