Chapter VII

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading (MAY) It may be doubted whether there are many other animals which have played so important a part in the history of the world as these lowly organized 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 --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading (MAY) It may be doubted whether there are many other animals which have played so important a part in the history of the world as these lowly organized creatures.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading (MAY) It may be doubted whether there are many other animals which have played so important a part in the history of the world as these lowly organized creatures.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading (MAY) It may be doubted whether there are many other animals which have played so important a part in the history of the world as these lowly organized creatures.

make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading (MAY) It may be doubted whether there are many other animals which have played so important a part in the history of the world as these lowly organized creatures.

a committee having supervisory powers

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

all the plant life in a particular region or period

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

make by combining materials and parts

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading "Where can I get a man like that?"

plural of “creature” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading (MAY) It may be doubted whether there are many other animals which have played so important a part in the history of the world as these lowly organized creatures.

English natural scientist who formulated a theory of evolution by natural selection (1809-1882)

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

past form of “doubt” — consider unlikely or have doubts about

From this reading (MAY) It may be doubted whether there are many other animals which have played so important a part in the history of the world as these lowly organized creatures.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

terrestrial worm that burrows into and helps aerate soil; often surfaces when the ground is cool or wet; used as bait by anglers

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

-ing form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

amounts paid for goods and services that may be currently tax deductible (as opposed to capital expenditures)

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

provide with fertilizers or add nutrients to

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

an arrangement of people or things acting as a unit

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

a science that deals with the history of the earth as recorded in rocks

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

the pure mathematics of points and lines and curves and surfaces

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading "Where can I get a man like that?"

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading "You've got him now," you might reply.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading (MAY) It may be doubted whether there are many other animals which have played so important a part in the history of the world as these lowly organized creatures.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "You've got him now," you might reply.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

having services engaged for a fee

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

the aggregate of past events

From this reading (MAY) It may be doubted whether there are many other animals which have played so important a part in the history of the world as these lowly organized creatures.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "Where can I get a man like that?"

form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case

From this reading I imagine father saying.

of great significance or value

From this reading (MAY) It may be doubted whether there are many other animals which have played so important a part in the history of the world as these lowly organized creatures.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading (MAY) It may be doubted whether there are many other animals which have played so important a part in the history of the world as these lowly organized creatures.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading (MAY) It may be doubted whether there are many other animals which have played so important a part in the history of the world as these lowly organized creatures.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading "Where can I get a man like that?"

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

low or inferior in station or quality

From this reading (MAY) It may be doubted whether there are many other animals which have played so important a part in the history of the world as these lowly organized creatures.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading "Where can I get a man like that?"

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 (MAY) It may be doubted whether there are many other animals which have played so important a part in the history of the world as these lowly organized creatures.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading (MAY) It may be doubted whether there are many other animals which have played so important a part in the history of the world as these lowly organized creatures.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading "You've got him now," you might reply.

form in clay, wax, etc

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading "You've got him now," you might reply.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading (MAY) It may be doubted whether there are many other animals which have played so important a part in the history of the world as these lowly organized creatures.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

and nothing more

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

formed into a structured or coherent whole, particularly on a large scale

From this reading (MAY) It may be doubted whether there are many other animals which have played so important a part in the history of the world as these lowly organized creatures.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading (MAY) It may be doubted whether there are many other animals which have played so important a part in the history of the world as these lowly organized creatures.

third-person singular of “owe” — be obliged to pay or repay

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading (MAY) It may be doubted whether there are many other animals which have played so important a part in the history of the world as these lowly organized creatures.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

(of games) engaged in

From this reading (MAY) It may be doubted whether there are many other animals which have played so important a part in the history of the world as these lowly organized creatures.

a group of seven bright stars in the constellation Ursa Major

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

a special advantage or immunity or benefit not enjoyed by all

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation

From this reading "You've got him now," you might reply.

a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations

From this reading I imagine father saying.

the painted structures of a stage set that are intended to suggest a particular locale

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading (MAY) It may be doubted whether there are many other animals which have played so important a part in the history of the world as these lowly organized creatures.

reading carefully with intent to remember

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

express a supposition

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "Where can I get a man like that?"

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading (MAY) It may be doubted whether there are many other animals which have played so important a part in the history of the world as these lowly organized creatures.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

in or at that place or location

From this reading (MAY) It may be doubted whether there are many other animals which have played so important a part in the history of the world as these lowly organized creatures.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading (MAY) It may be doubted whether there are many other animals which have played so important a part in the history of the world as these lowly organized creatures.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

edible seeds or roots or stems or leaves or bulbs or tubers or nonsweet fruits of any of numerous herbaceous plant

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

in or at the place that

From this reading "Where can I get a man like that?"

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading (MAY) It may be doubted whether there are many other animals which have played so important a part in the history of the world as these lowly organized creatures.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading (MAY) It may be doubted whether there are many other animals which have played so important a part in the history of the world as these lowly organized creatures.

which person or people

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading (MAY) It may be doubted whether there are many other animals which have played so important a part in the history of the world as these lowly organized creatures.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading --_Darwin: "The Formation of Vegetable Mould."_ WHAT THE EARTH OWES TO THE EARTHWORM Suppose father had a hired hand who would plough his fields, fertilize them at his own expense, build his own house, board himself, and for all this ask only the privilege of living on the place, studying Botany, Geology, and Geometry, and enjoying the scenery.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "You've got him now," you might reply.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "You've got him now," you might reply.