used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Those who belonged to the inner circles, of course, knew the whole code of conduct; but they kept a judicious silence on disputed points, and nearly all points were disputed.
ALEOFANIAN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ALEOFANIAN SOCIETY AND RELIGION LIKE their language, their social fabric was an intricate work of art, and it took me months to understand even its elementary lessons and principles.
(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 It had the qualities of all great products of nature or human industry; its structure at the first glance was simple and clear; but it would have taken the lifetime of Methuselah to study out its meanings and principles.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading ALEOFANIAN SOCIETY AND RELIGION LIKE their language, their social fabric was an intricate work of art, and it took me months to understand even its elementary lessons and principles.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ALEOFANIAN SOCIETY AND RELIGION LIKE their language, their social fabric was an intricate work of art, and it took me months to understand even its elementary lessons and principles.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading ALEOFANIAN SOCIETY AND RELIGION LIKE their language, their social fabric was an intricate work of art, and it took me months to understand even its elementary lessons and principles.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It had the qualities of all great products of nature or human industry; its structure at the first glance was simple and clear; but it would have taken the lifetime of Methuselah to study out its meanings and principles.
past form of “belong” — be owned by; be in the possession of
From this reading Those who belonged to the inner circles, of course, knew the whole code of conduct; but they kept a judicious silence on disputed points, and nearly all points were disputed.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It had the qualities of all great products of nature or human industry; its structure at the first glance was simple and clear; but it would have taken the lifetime of Methuselah to study out its meanings and principles.
circlesnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəlz/
plural of “circle” — ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading Those who belonged to the inner circles, of course, knew the whole code of conduct; but they kept a judicious silence on disputed points, and nearly all points were disputed.
rid of obstructions
From this reading It had the qualities of all great products of nature or human industry; its structure at the first glance was simple and clear; but it would have taken the lifetime of Methuselah to study out its meanings and principles.
codenounUS /koʊd/
a set of rules or principles or laws (especially written ones)
From this reading Those who belonged to the inner circles, of course, knew the whole code of conduct; but they kept a judicious silence on disputed points, and nearly all points were disputed.
condescendverbUS /ˌkɑːndɪˈsend/
behave in a patronizing and condescending manner
From this reading It was perfectly simple, they said; in fact, they would not condescend to explain the obvious.
direct the course of; manage or control
From this reading Those who belonged to the inner circles, of course, knew the whole code of conduct; but they kept a judicious silence on disputed points, and nearly all points were disputed.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Those who belonged to the inner circles, of course, knew the whole code of conduct; but they kept a judicious silence on disputed points, and nearly all points were disputed.
plural of “difficulty” — an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading I was perpetually meeting difficulties, but they smiled a superior smile and let me flounder.
disputedadjectiveUS /dɪsˈpjuːtəd/
subject to disagreement and debate
From this reading Those who belonged to the inner circles, of course, knew the whole code of conduct; but they kept a judicious silence on disputed points, and nearly all points were disputed.
elementaryadjectiveUS /ˌeləˈmentri/
easy and not involved or complicated
From this reading ALEOFANIAN SOCIETY AND RELIGION LIKE their language, their social fabric was an intricate work of art, and it took me months to understand even its elementary lessons and principles.
divisible by two
From this reading ALEOFANIAN SOCIETY AND RELIGION LIKE their language, their social fabric was an intricate work of art, and it took me months to understand even its elementary lessons and principles.
make plain and comprehensible
From this reading It was perfectly simple, they said; in fact, they would not condescend to explain the obvious.
fabricnounUS /ˈfæbrɪk/
artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers
From this reading ALEOFANIAN SOCIETY AND RELIGION LIKE their language, their social fabric was an intricate work of art, and it took me months to understand even its elementary lessons and principles.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading It was perfectly simple, they said; in fact, they would not condescend to explain the obvious.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It had the qualities of all great products of nature or human industry; its structure at the first glance was simple and clear; but it would have taken the lifetime of Methuselah to study out its meanings and principles.
flounderverbUS /ˈflaʊndər/
walk with great difficulty
From this reading I was perpetually meeting difficulties, but they smiled a superior smile and let me flounder.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading It had the qualities of all great products of nature or human industry; its structure at the first glance was simple and clear; but it would have taken the lifetime of Methuselah to study out its meanings and principles.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading It had the qualities of all great products of nature or human industry; its structure at the first glance was simple and clear; but it would have taken the lifetime of Methuselah to study out its meanings and principles.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It had the qualities of all great products of nature or human industry; its structure at the first glance was simple and clear; but it would have taken the lifetime of Methuselah to study out its meanings and principles.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It had the qualities of all great products of nature or human industry; its structure at the first glance was simple and clear; but it would have taken the lifetime of Methuselah to study out its meanings and principles.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading It had the qualities of all great products of nature or human industry; its structure at the first glance was simple and clear; but it would have taken the lifetime of Methuselah to study out its meanings and principles.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I was perpetually meeting difficulties, but they smiled a superior smile and let me flounder.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was perfectly simple, they said; in fact, they would not condescend to explain the obvious.
industrynounUS /ˈɪndəstri/
the people or companies engaged in a particular kind of commercial enterprise
From this reading It had the qualities of all great products of nature or human industry; its structure at the first glance was simple and clear; but it would have taken the lifetime of Methuselah to study out its meanings and principles.
located inward
From this reading Those who belonged to the inner circles, of course, knew the whole code of conduct; but they kept a judicious silence on disputed points, and nearly all points were disputed.
intricateadjectiveUS /ˈɪntrəkət/
having many complexly arranged elements; elaborate
From this reading ALEOFANIAN SOCIETY AND RELIGION LIKE their language, their social fabric was an intricate work of art, and it took me months to understand even its elementary lessons and principles.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading ALEOFANIAN SOCIETY AND RELIGION LIKE their language, their social fabric was an intricate work of art, and it took me months to understand even its elementary lessons and principles.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading ALEOFANIAN SOCIETY AND RELIGION LIKE their language, their social fabric was an intricate work of art, and it took me months to understand even its elementary lessons and principles.
judiciousadjectiveUS /dʒuːˈdɪʃəs/
marked by the exercise of good judgment or common sense in practical matters
From this reading Those who belonged to the inner circles, of course, knew the whole code of conduct; but they kept a judicious silence on disputed points, and nearly all points were disputed.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Those who belonged to the inner circles, of course, knew the whole code of conduct; but they kept a judicious silence on disputed points, and nearly all points were disputed.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Those who belonged to the inner circles, of course, knew the whole code of conduct; but they kept a judicious silence on disputed points, and nearly all points were disputed.
a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
From this reading ALEOFANIAN SOCIETY AND RELIGION LIKE their language, their social fabric was an intricate work of art, and it took me months to understand even its elementary lessons and principles.
lessonsnounUS /ˈlesənz/
plural of “lesson” — a unit of instruction
From this reading ALEOFANIAN SOCIETY AND RELIGION LIKE their language, their social fabric was an intricate work of art, and it took me months to understand even its elementary lessons and principles.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading I was perpetually meeting difficulties, but they smiled a superior smile and let me flounder.
lifetimenounUS /ˈlaɪftaɪm/
the period during which something is functional (as between birth and death)
From this reading It had the qualities of all great products of nature or human industry; its structure at the first glance was simple and clear; but it would have taken the lifetime of Methuselah to study out its meanings and principles.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading ALEOFANIAN SOCIETY AND RELIGION LIKE their language, their social fabric was an intricate work of art, and it took me months to understand even its elementary lessons and principles.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading ALEOFANIAN SOCIETY AND RELIGION LIKE their language, their social fabric was an intricate work of art, and it took me months to understand even its elementary lessons and principles.
meaningsnounUS /ˈmiːnɪŋz/
plural of “meaning” — the message that is intended or expressed or signified
From this reading It had the qualities of all great products of nature or human industry; its structure at the first glance was simple and clear; but it would have taken the lifetime of Methuselah to study out its meanings and principles.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading I was perpetually meeting difficulties, but they smiled a superior smile and let me flounder.
MethuselahnounUS /məˈθjuːzələ/
(Old Testament) a patriarch (grandfather of Noah) who is said to have lived 969 years
From this reading It had the qualities of all great products of nature or human industry; its structure at the first glance was simple and clear; but it would have taken the lifetime of Methuselah to study out its meanings and principles.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading ALEOFANIAN SOCIETY AND RELIGION LIKE their language, their social fabric was an intricate work of art, and it took me months to understand even its elementary lessons and principles.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading It had the qualities of all great products of nature or human industry; its structure at the first glance was simple and clear; but it would have taken the lifetime of Methuselah to study out its meanings and principles.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Those who belonged to the inner circles, of course, knew the whole code of conduct; but they kept a judicious silence on disputed points, and nearly all points were disputed.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was perfectly simple, they said; in fact, they would not condescend to explain the obvious.
obviousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːbviəs/
easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind
From this reading It was perfectly simple, they said; in fact, they would not condescend to explain the obvious.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ALEOFANIAN SOCIETY AND RELIGION LIKE their language, their social fabric was an intricate work of art, and it took me months to understand even its elementary lessons and principles.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Those who belonged to the inner circles, of course, knew the whole code of conduct; but they kept a judicious silence on disputed points, and nearly all points were disputed.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It had the qualities of all great products of nature or human industry; its structure at the first glance was simple and clear; but it would have taken the lifetime of Methuselah to study out its meanings and principles.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It had the qualities of all great products of nature or human industry; its structure at the first glance was simple and clear; but it would have taken the lifetime of Methuselah to study out its meanings and principles.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading It was perfectly simple, they said; in fact, they would not condescend to explain the obvious.
perpetuallyadverbUS /pərˈpetʃuːəli/
everlastingly; for all time
From this reading I was perpetually meeting difficulties, but they smiled a superior smile and let me flounder.
plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Those who belonged to the inner circles, of course, knew the whole code of conduct; but they kept a judicious silence on disputed points, and nearly all points were disputed.
principlesnounUS /ˈprɪnsəpəlz/
plural of “principle” — a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct
From this reading ALEOFANIAN SOCIETY AND RELIGION LIKE their language, their social fabric was an intricate work of art, and it took me months to understand even its elementary lessons and principles.
productsnounUS /ˈprɑːdəkts/
plural of “product” — commodities offered for sale
From this reading It had the qualities of all great products of nature or human industry; its structure at the first glance was simple and clear; but it would have taken the lifetime of Methuselah to study out its meanings and principles.
plural of “quality” — an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading It had the qualities of all great products of nature or human industry; its structure at the first glance was simple and clear; but it would have taken the lifetime of Methuselah to study out its meanings and principles.
a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
From this reading ALEOFANIAN SOCIETY AND RELIGION LIKE their language, their social fabric was an intricate work of art, and it took me months to understand even its elementary lessons and principles.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading It was perfectly simple, they said; in fact, they would not condescend to explain the obvious.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading Those who belonged to the inner circles, of course, knew the whole code of conduct; but they kept a judicious silence on disputed points, and nearly all points were disputed.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading It had the qualities of all great products of nature or human industry; its structure at the first glance was simple and clear; but it would have taken the lifetime of Methuselah to study out its meanings and principles.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading I was perpetually meeting difficulties, but they smiled a superior smile and let me flounder.
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading I was perpetually meeting difficulties, but they smiled a superior smile and let me flounder.
relating to human society and its members
From this reading ALEOFANIAN SOCIETY AND RELIGION LIKE their language, their social fabric was an intricate work of art, and it took me months to understand even its elementary lessons and principles.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading ALEOFANIAN SOCIETY AND RELIGION LIKE their language, their social fabric was an intricate work of art, and it took me months to understand even its elementary lessons and principles.
structurenounUS /ˈstrʌktʃər/
a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts
From this reading It had the qualities of all great products of nature or human industry; its structure at the first glance was simple and clear; but it would have taken the lifetime of Methuselah to study out its meanings and principles.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading It had the qualities of all great products of nature or human industry; its structure at the first glance was simple and clear; but it would have taken the lifetime of Methuselah to study out its meanings and principles.
of high or superior quality or performance
From this reading I was perpetually meeting difficulties, but they smiled a superior smile and let me flounder.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading It had the qualities of all great products of nature or human industry; its structure at the first glance was simple and clear; but it would have taken the lifetime of Methuselah to study out its meanings and principles.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It had the qualities of all great products of nature or human industry; its structure at the first glance was simple and clear; but it would have taken the lifetime of Methuselah to study out its meanings and principles.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading ALEOFANIAN SOCIETY AND RELIGION LIKE their language, their social fabric was an intricate work of art, and it took me months to understand even its elementary lessons and principles.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Those who belonged to the inner circles, of course, knew the whole code of conduct; but they kept a judicious silence on disputed points, and nearly all points were disputed.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Those who belonged to the inner circles, of course, knew the whole code of conduct; but they kept a judicious silence on disputed points, and nearly all points were disputed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ALEOFANIAN SOCIETY AND RELIGION LIKE their language, their social fabric was an intricate work of art, and it took me months to understand even its elementary lessons and principles.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading ALEOFANIAN SOCIETY AND RELIGION LIKE their language, their social fabric was an intricate work of art, and it took me months to understand even its elementary lessons and principles.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading ALEOFANIAN SOCIETY AND RELIGION LIKE their language, their social fabric was an intricate work of art, and it took me months to understand even its elementary lessons and principles.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ALEOFANIAN SOCIETY AND RELIGION LIKE their language, their social fabric was an intricate work of art, and it took me months to understand even its elementary lessons and principles.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Those who belonged to the inner circles, of course, knew the whole code of conduct; but they kept a judicious silence on disputed points, and nearly all points were disputed.
which person or people
From this reading Those who belonged to the inner circles, of course, knew the whole code of conduct; but they kept a judicious silence on disputed points, and nearly all points were disputed.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Those who belonged to the inner circles, of course, knew the whole code of conduct; but they kept a judicious silence on disputed points, and nearly all points were disputed.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading ALEOFANIAN SOCIETY AND RELIGION LIKE their language, their social fabric was an intricate work of art, and it took me months to understand even its elementary lessons and principles.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It had the qualities of all great products of nature or human industry; its structure at the first glance was simple and clear; but it would have taken the lifetime of Methuselah to study out its meanings and principles.
