used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A superficial thinker would suppose that such troublesome insects could be of no use, and would question the propriety of Nature in having created them.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Their ugly appearance, their destructive habits, but, above all, the pain of their sting, or rather bite--for ants do not sting as wasps, but bite with the jaws, and then infuse poison into the wound--all these render them very unpopular creatures.
(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 Their ugly appearance, their destructive habits, but, above all, the pain of their sting, or rather bite--for ants do not sting as wasps, but bite with the jaws, and then infuse poison into the wound--all these render them very unpopular creatures.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Their ugly appearance, their destructive habits, but, above all, the pain of their sting, or rather bite--for ants do not sting as wasps, but bite with the jaws, and then infuse poison into the wound--all these render them very unpopular creatures.
ANT-LION
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ANT-LION.
AntsnounUS /ænts/
plural of “ant” — social insect living in organized colonies; characteristically the males and fertile queen have wings during breeding season; wingless sterile females are the workers
From this reading Ants are disagreeable insects in any country, but especially so in warm tropical climates.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Ants are disagreeable insects in any country, but especially so in warm tropical climates.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading Their ugly appearance, their destructive habits, but, above all, the pain of their sting, or rather bite--for ants do not sting as wasps, but bite with the jaws, and then infuse poison into the wound--all these render them very unpopular creatures.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Ants are disagreeable insects in any country, but especially so in warm tropical climates.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Their ugly appearance, their destructive habits, but, above all, the pain of their sting, or rather bite--for ants do not sting as wasps, but bite with the jaws, and then infuse poison into the wound--all these render them very unpopular creatures.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading But when we give the subject a little attention, we find that they were not created in vain.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A superficial thinker would suppose that such troublesome insects could be of no use, and would question the propriety of Nature in having created them.
biteverbUS /baɪt/
to grip, cut off, or tear with or as if with the teeth or jaws
From this reading Their ugly appearance, their destructive habits, but, above all, the pain of their sting, or rather bite--for ants do not sting as wasps, but bite with the jaws, and then infuse poison into the wound--all these render them very unpopular creatures.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Ants are disagreeable insects in any country, but especially so in warm tropical climates.
climatesnounUS /ˈklaɪməts/
plural of “climate” — the weather in some location averaged over some long period of time
From this reading Ants are disagreeable insects in any country, but especially so in warm tropical climates.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading A superficial thinker would suppose that such troublesome insects could be of no use, and would question the propriety of Nature in having created them.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading Ants are disagreeable insects in any country, but especially so in warm tropical climates.
createdverbUS /kriˈeɪtəd/
past form of “create” — make or cause to be or to become
From this reading A superficial thinker would suppose that such troublesome insects could be of no use, and would question the propriety of Nature in having created them.
plural of “creature” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading Their ugly appearance, their destructive habits, but, above all, the pain of their sting, or rather bite--for ants do not sting as wasps, but bite with the jaws, and then infuse poison into the wound--all these render them very unpopular creatures.
destructiveadjectiveUS /dɪˈstrʌktɪv/
causing destruction or much damage
From this reading Their ugly appearance, their destructive habits, but, above all, the pain of their sting, or rather bite--for ants do not sting as wasps, but bite with the jaws, and then infuse poison into the wound--all these render them very unpopular creatures.
disagreeableadjectiveUS /ˌdɪsəˈɡriːəbəl/
not to your liking
From this reading Ants are disagreeable insects in any country, but especially so in warm tropical climates.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Their ugly appearance, their destructive habits, but, above all, the pain of their sting, or rather bite--for ants do not sting as wasps, but bite with the jaws, and then infuse poison into the wound--all these render them very unpopular creatures.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading Ants are disagreeable insects in any country, but especially so in warm tropical climates.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading But when we give the subject a little attention, we find that they were not created in vain.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Their ugly appearance, their destructive habits, but, above all, the pain of their sting, or rather bite--for ants do not sting as wasps, but bite with the jaws, and then infuse poison into the wound--all these render them very unpopular creatures.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading But when we give the subject a little attention, we find that they were not created in vain.
plural of “habit” — an established custom
From this reading Their ugly appearance, their destructive habits, but, above all, the pain of their sting, or rather bite--for ants do not sting as wasps, but bite with the jaws, and then infuse poison into the wound--all these render them very unpopular creatures.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading A superficial thinker would suppose that such troublesome insects could be of no use, and would question the propriety of Nature in having created them.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Ants are disagreeable insects in any country, but especially so in warm tropical climates.
infuseverbUS /ˌɪnˈfjuːz/
teach and impress by frequent repetitions or admonitions
From this reading Their ugly appearance, their destructive habits, but, above all, the pain of their sting, or rather bite--for ants do not sting as wasps, but bite with the jaws, and then infuse poison into the wound--all these render them very unpopular creatures.
insectsnounUS /ˈɪnsekts/
plural of “insect” — small air-breathing arthropod
From this reading Ants are disagreeable insects in any country, but especially so in warm tropical climates.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Their ugly appearance, their destructive habits, but, above all, the pain of their sting, or rather bite--for ants do not sting as wasps, but bite with the jaws, and then infuse poison into the wound--all these render them very unpopular creatures.
jawsnounUS /dʒɔːz/
plural of “jaw” — the part of the skull of a vertebrate that frames the mouth and holds the teeth
From this reading Their ugly appearance, their destructive habits, but, above all, the pain of their sting, or rather bite--for ants do not sting as wasps, but bite with the jaws, and then infuse poison into the wound--all these render them very unpopular creatures.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading But when we give the subject a little attention, we find that they were not created in vain.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading A superficial thinker would suppose that such troublesome insects could be of no use, and would question the propriety of Nature in having created them.
not any; not one
From this reading A superficial thinker would suppose that such troublesome insects could be of no use, and would question the propriety of Nature in having created them.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Their ugly appearance, their destructive habits, but, above all, the pain of their sting, or rather bite--for ants do not sting as wasps, but bite with the jaws, and then infuse poison into the wound--all these render them very unpopular creatures.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Their ugly appearance, their destructive habits, but, above all, the pain of their sting, or rather bite--for ants do not sting as wasps, but bite with the jaws, and then infuse poison into the wound--all these render them very unpopular creatures.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Their ugly appearance, their destructive habits, but, above all, the pain of their sting, or rather bite--for ants do not sting as wasps, but bite with the jaws, and then infuse poison into the wound--all these render them very unpopular creatures.
a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder
From this reading Their ugly appearance, their destructive habits, but, above all, the pain of their sting, or rather bite--for ants do not sting as wasps, but bite with the jaws, and then infuse poison into the wound--all these render them very unpopular creatures.
poisonverbUS /ˈpɔɪzən/
spoil as if by poison
From this reading Their ugly appearance, their destructive habits, but, above all, the pain of their sting, or rather bite--for ants do not sting as wasps, but bite with the jaws, and then infuse poison into the wound--all these render them very unpopular creatures.
proprietynounUS /prəˈpraɪəti/
correct or appropriate behavior
From this reading A superficial thinker would suppose that such troublesome insects could be of no use, and would question the propriety of Nature in having created them.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading A superficial thinker would suppose that such troublesome insects could be of no use, and would question the propriety of Nature in having created them.
on the contrary
From this reading Their ugly appearance, their destructive habits, but, above all, the pain of their sting, or rather bite--for ants do not sting as wasps, but bite with the jaws, and then infuse poison into the wound--all these render them very unpopular creatures.
renderverbUS /ˈrendər/
cause to become
From this reading Their ugly appearance, their destructive habits, but, above all, the pain of their sting, or rather bite--for ants do not sting as wasps, but bite with the jaws, and then infuse poison into the wound--all these render them very unpopular creatures.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Ants are disagreeable insects in any country, but especially so in warm tropical climates.
stingverbUS /stɪŋ/
cause a sharp or stinging pain or discomfort
From this reading Their ugly appearance, their destructive habits, but, above all, the pain of their sting, or rather bite--for ants do not sting as wasps, but bite with the jaws, and then infuse poison into the wound--all these render them very unpopular creatures.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading But when we give the subject a little attention, we find that they were not created in vain.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading A superficial thinker would suppose that such troublesome insects could be of no use, and would question the propriety of Nature in having created them.
superficialadjectiveUS /ˌsuːpərˈfɪʃəl/
concerned with or comprehending only what is apparent or obvious; not deep or penetrating emotionally or intellectually
From this reading A superficial thinker would suppose that such troublesome insects could be of no use, and would question the propriety of Nature in having created them.
express a supposition
From this reading A superficial thinker would suppose that such troublesome insects could be of no use, and would question the propriety of Nature in having created them.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A superficial thinker would suppose that such troublesome insects could be of no use, and would question the propriety of Nature in having created them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE ANT-LION.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Their ugly appearance, their destructive habits, but, above all, the pain of their sting, or rather bite--for ants do not sting as wasps, but bite with the jaws, and then infuse poison into the wound--all these render them very unpopular creatures.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Their ugly appearance, their destructive habits, but, above all, the pain of their sting, or rather bite--for ants do not sting as wasps, but bite with the jaws, and then infuse poison into the wound--all these render them very unpopular creatures.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Their ugly appearance, their destructive habits, but, above all, the pain of their sting, or rather bite--for ants do not sting as wasps, but bite with the jaws, and then infuse poison into the wound--all these render them very unpopular creatures.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Their ugly appearance, their destructive habits, but, above all, the pain of their sting, or rather bite--for ants do not sting as wasps, but bite with the jaws, and then infuse poison into the wound--all these render them very unpopular creatures.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But when we give the subject a little attention, we find that they were not created in vain.
thinkernounUS /ˈθɪŋkər/
an important intellectual
From this reading A superficial thinker would suppose that such troublesome insects could be of no use, and would question the propriety of Nature in having created them.
tropicaladjectiveUS /ˈtrɑːpɪkəl/
relating to or situated in or characteristic of the tropics (the region on either side of the equator)
From this reading Ants are disagreeable insects in any country, but especially so in warm tropical climates.
troublesomeadjectiveUS /ˈtrʌbəlsəm/
causing difficulty or annoyance
From this reading A superficial thinker would suppose that such troublesome insects could be of no use, and would question the propriety of Nature in having created them.
displeasing to the senses
From this reading Their ugly appearance, their destructive habits, but, above all, the pain of their sting, or rather bite--for ants do not sting as wasps, but bite with the jaws, and then infuse poison into the wound--all these render them very unpopular creatures.
unpopularadjectiveUS /ˌʌnˈpɑːpjələr/
regarded with disfavor or lacking general approval
From this reading Their ugly appearance, their destructive habits, but, above all, the pain of their sting, or rather bite--for ants do not sting as wasps, but bite with the jaws, and then infuse poison into the wound--all these render them very unpopular creatures.
the act of using
From this reading A superficial thinker would suppose that such troublesome insects could be of no use, and would question the propriety of Nature in having created them.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading But when we give the subject a little attention, we find that they were not created in vain.
precisely as stated
From this reading Their ugly appearance, their destructive habits, but, above all, the pain of their sting, or rather bite--for ants do not sting as wasps, but bite with the jaws, and then infuse poison into the wound--all these render them very unpopular creatures.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading Ants are disagreeable insects in any country, but especially so in warm tropical climates.
waspsnounUS /wɑːsps/
plural of “wasp” — a white person of Anglo-Saxon ancestry who belongs to a Protestant denomination
From this reading Their ugly appearance, their destructive habits, but, above all, the pain of their sting, or rather bite--for ants do not sting as wasps, but bite with the jaws, and then infuse poison into the wound--all these render them very unpopular creatures.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading But when we give the subject a little attention, we find that they were not created in vain.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But when we give the subject a little attention, we find that they were not created in vain.
at the time that
From this reading But when we give the subject a little attention, we find that they were not created in vain.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Their ugly appearance, their destructive habits, but, above all, the pain of their sting, or rather bite--for ants do not sting as wasps, but bite with the jaws, and then infuse poison into the wound--all these render them very unpopular creatures.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading A superficial thinker would suppose that such troublesome insects could be of no use, and would question the propriety of Nature in having created them.
an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)
From this reading Their ugly appearance, their destructive habits, but, above all, the pain of their sting, or rather bite--for ants do not sting as wasps, but bite with the jaws, and then infuse poison into the wound--all these render them very unpopular creatures.
