used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mr. Richards failed in the attempt to make a knife balance on a fork, and sighed deeply.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “The best of us are liable to make mistakes,” he said diplomatically, “and consequently you’re more liable than most.”
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “The best of us are liable to make mistakes,” he said diplomatically, “and consequently you’re more liable than most.”
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Mr. Richards failed in the attempt to make a knife balance on a fork, and sighed deeply.
balanceverbUS /ˈbæləns/
bring into balance or equilibrium
From this reading Mr. Richards failed in the attempt to make a knife balance on a fork, and sighed deeply.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “I’ve been here now for—how long?—and there hasn’t been a single, solitary ring of the bell,” went on Wilkinson.
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading “I’ve been here now for—how long?—and there hasn’t been a single, solitary ring of the bell,” went on Wilkinson.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading “The best of us are liable to make mistakes,” he said diplomatically, “and consequently you’re more liable than most.”
consequentlyadverbUS /ˈkɑːnsəkwəntli/
(sentence connectors) because of the reason given
From this reading “The best of us are liable to make mistakes,” he said diplomatically, “and consequently you’re more liable than most.”
to a great depth psychologically or emotionally
From this reading Mr. Richards failed in the attempt to make a knife balance on a fork, and sighed deeply.
diplomaticallyadverbUS /ˌdɪpləˈmætɪkli/
with diplomacy; in a diplomatic manner
From this reading “The best of us are liable to make mistakes,” he said diplomatically, “and consequently you’re more liable than most.”
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading “You’ve got to look the facts squarely in the face.”
plural of “fact” — a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading “You’ve got to look the facts squarely in the face.”
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading Mr. Richards failed in the attempt to make a knife balance on a fork, and sighed deeply.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “I’ve been here now for—how long?—and there hasn’t been a single, solitary ring of the bell,” went on Wilkinson.
forknounUS /fɔːrk/
cutlery used for serving and eating food
From this reading Mr. Richards failed in the attempt to make a knife balance on a fork, and sighed deeply.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading “You’ve got to look the facts squarely in the face.”
hasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I’ve been here now for—how long?—and there hasn’t been a single, solitary ring of the bell,” went on Wilkinson.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “The best of us are liable to make mistakes,” he said diplomatically, “and consequently you’re more liable than most.”
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Wilkinson shook his head.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading “I’ve been here now for—how long?—and there hasn’t been a single, solitary ring of the bell,” went on Wilkinson.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Wilkinson shook his head.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I’ve been here now for—how long?—and there hasn’t been a single, solitary ring of the bell,” went on Wilkinson.
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I’ve been here now for—how long?—and there hasn’t been a single, solitary ring of the bell,” went on Wilkinson.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mr. Richards failed in the attempt to make a knife balance on a fork, and sighed deeply.
edge tool used as a cutting instrument; has a pointed blade with a sharp edge and a handle
From this reading Mr. Richards failed in the attempt to make a knife balance on a fork, and sighed deeply.
liableadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪəbəl/
at risk of or subject to experiencing something usually unpleasant
From this reading “The best of us are liable to make mistakes,” he said diplomatically, “and consequently you’re more liable than most.”
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading “I’ve been here now for—how long?—and there hasn’t been a single, solitary ring of the bell,” went on Wilkinson.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading “You’ve got to look the facts squarely in the face.”
engage in
From this reading “The best of us are liable to make mistakes,” he said diplomatically, “and consequently you’re more liable than most.”
mistakesnounUS /mɪˈsteɪks/
plural of “mistake” — a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading “The best of us are liable to make mistakes,” he said diplomatically, “and consequently you’re more liable than most.”
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading “The best of us are liable to make mistakes,” he said diplomatically, “and consequently you’re more liable than most.”
used to form the superlative
From this reading “The best of us are liable to make mistakes,” he said diplomatically, “and consequently you’re more liable than most.”
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Richards failed in the attempt to make a knife balance on a fork, and sighed deeply.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading “I’ve been here now for—how long?—and there hasn’t been a single, solitary ring of the bell,” went on Wilkinson.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “The best of us are liable to make mistakes,” he said diplomatically, “and consequently you’re more liable than most.”
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Mr. Richards failed in the attempt to make a knife balance on a fork, and sighed deeply.
RichardsnounUS /ˈrɪtʃərdz/
English literary critic who collaborated with C. K. Ogden and contributed to the development of Basic English (1893-1979)
From this reading Mr. Richards failed in the attempt to make a knife balance on a fork, and sighed deeply.
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading “I’ve been here now for—how long?—and there hasn’t been a single, solitary ring of the bell,” went on Wilkinson.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “The best of us are liable to make mistakes,” he said diplomatically, “and consequently you’re more liable than most.”
a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
From this reading Wilkinson shook his head.
past form of “sigh” — heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading Mr. Richards failed in the attempt to make a knife balance on a fork, and sighed deeply.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading “I’ve been here now for—how long?—and there hasn’t been a single, solitary ring of the bell,” went on Wilkinson.
characterized by or preferring solitude
From this reading “I’ve been here now for—how long?—and there hasn’t been a single, solitary ring of the bell,” went on Wilkinson.
squarelyadverbUS /ˈskwerli/
directly and without evasion; not roundabout
From this reading “You’ve got to look the facts squarely in the face.”
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading “The best of us are liable to make mistakes,” he said diplomatically, “and consequently you’re more liable than most.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “The best of us are liable to make mistakes,” he said diplomatically, “and consequently you’re more liable than most.”
in or at that place or location
From this reading “I’ve been here now for—how long?—and there hasn’t been a single, solitary ring of the bell,” went on Wilkinson.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “The best of us are liable to make mistakes,” he said diplomatically, “and consequently you’re more liable than most.”
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “The best of us are liable to make mistakes,” he said diplomatically, “and consequently you’re more liable than most.”
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading “I’ve been here now for—how long?—and there hasn’t been a single, solitary ring of the bell,” went on Wilkinson.
WilkinsonnounUS /ˈwɪlkənsən/
English chemist honored for his research on pollutants in car exhausts (born in 1921)
From this reading Wilkinson shook his head.
you're
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “The best of us are liable to make mistakes,” he said diplomatically, “and consequently you’re more liable than most.”
You've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You’ve got to look the facts squarely in the face.”
