used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Lanny understood enough of the religion of the Triangle--that noble abstract of God which the enemy called the All of the Universe--to know why the conquerors had to use a semantic device to define their superiority.
aboundedverbUS /əˈbaʊndɪd/
past form of “abound” — be abundant or plentiful; exist in large quantities
From this reading Their government decrees and their religious poetry abounded with vivid words of freedom.
abstractverbUS /æbˈstrækt/
consider a concept without thinking of a specific example; consider abstractly or theoretically
From this reading Lanny understood enough of the religion of the Triangle--that noble abstract of God which the enemy called the All of the Universe--to know why the conquerors had to use a semantic device to define their superiority.
(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 Lanny understood enough of the religion of the Triangle--that noble abstract of God which the enemy called the All of the Universe--to know why the conquerors had to use a semantic device to define their superiority.
Almost-men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Almost-men were a liberty-loving society.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading "As we have always done ourselves," Pendillo told Lanny when he first became aware of the inconsistency as a child.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading They could not have maintained an integrated social soul and enslaved a culture of their peers; therefore, they had to invent a verbal technique for reducing man to the status of a savage.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Their government decrees and their religious poetry abounded with vivid words of freedom.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "As we have always done ourselves," Pendillo told Lanny when he first became aware of the inconsistency as a child.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading "As we have always done ourselves," Pendillo told Lanny when he first became aware of the inconsistency as a child.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading "As we have always done ourselves," Pendillo told Lanny when he first became aware of the inconsistency as a child.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Lanny understood enough of the religion of the Triangle--that noble abstract of God which the enemy called the All of the Universe--to know why the conquerors had to use a semantic device to define their superiority.
a young person of either sex
From this reading "As we have always done ourselves," Pendillo told Lanny when he first became aware of the inconsistency as a child.
conquerorsnounUS /ˈkɑːŋkərərz/
plural of “conqueror” — someone who is victorious by force of arms
From this reading Lanny understood enough of the religion of the Triangle--that noble abstract of God which the enemy called the All of the Universe--to know why the conquerors had to use a semantic device to define their superiority.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading They could not have maintained an integrated social soul and enslaved a culture of their peers; therefore, they had to invent a verbal technique for reducing man to the status of a savage.
culturenounUS /ˈkʌltʃər/
a particular society at a particular time and place
From this reading They could not have maintained an integrated social soul and enslaved a culture of their peers; therefore, they had to invent a verbal technique for reducing man to the status of a savage.
decreesnounUS /dɪˈkriːz/
plural of “decree” — a legally binding command or decision entered on the court record (as if issued by a court or judge)
From this reading Their government decrees and their religious poetry abounded with vivid words of freedom.
defineverbUS /dɪˈfaɪn/
determine the essential quality of
From this reading Lanny understood enough of the religion of the Triangle--that noble abstract of God which the enemy called the All of the Universe--to know why the conquerors had to use a semantic device to define their superiority.
devicenounUS /dɪˈvaɪs/
an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose
From this reading Lanny understood enough of the religion of the Triangle--that noble abstract of God which the enemy called the All of the Universe--to know why the conquerors had to use a semantic device to define their superiority.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading "As we have always done ourselves," Pendillo told Lanny when he first became aware of the inconsistency as a child.
an opposing military force
From this reading Lanny understood enough of the religion of the Triangle--that noble abstract of God which the enemy called the All of the Universe--to know why the conquerors had to use a semantic device to define their superiority.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Lanny understood enough of the religion of the Triangle--that noble abstract of God which the enemy called the All of the Universe--to know why the conquerors had to use a semantic device to define their superiority.
enslavedverbUS /enˈsleɪvd/
past form of “enslave” — make a slave of; bring into servitude
From this reading They could not have maintained an integrated social soul and enslaved a culture of their peers; therefore, they had to invent a verbal technique for reducing man to the status of a savage.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading "As we have always done ourselves," Pendillo told Lanny when he first became aware of the inconsistency as a child.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They could not have maintained an integrated social soul and enslaved a culture of their peers; therefore, they had to invent a verbal technique for reducing man to the status of a savage.
the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints
From this reading Their government decrees and their religious poetry abounded with vivid words of freedom.
the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading Lanny understood enough of the religion of the Triangle--that noble abstract of God which the enemy called the All of the Universe--to know why the conquerors had to use a semantic device to define their superiority.
the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit
From this reading Their government decrees and their religious poetry abounded with vivid words of freedom.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Lanny understood enough of the religion of the Triangle--that noble abstract of God which the enemy called the All of the Universe--to know why the conquerors had to use a semantic device to define their superiority.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading They could not have maintained an integrated social soul and enslaved a culture of their peers; therefore, they had to invent a verbal technique for reducing man to the status of a savage.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "As we have always done ourselves," Pendillo told Lanny when he first became aware of the inconsistency as a child.
inconsistencynounUS /ˌɪnkənˈsɪstənsi/
the relation between propositions that cannot both be true at the same time
From this reading "As we have always done ourselves," Pendillo told Lanny when he first became aware of the inconsistency as a child.
integratedadjectiveUS /ˈɪntəɡreɪtəd/
formed or united into a whole
From this reading They could not have maintained an integrated social soul and enslaved a culture of their peers; therefore, they had to invent a verbal technique for reducing man to the status of a savage.
inventverbUS /ˌɪnˈvent/
come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort
From this reading They could not have maintained an integrated social soul and enslaved a culture of their peers; therefore, they had to invent a verbal technique for reducing man to the status of a savage.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Lanny understood enough of the religion of the Triangle--that noble abstract of God which the enemy called the All of the Universe--to know why the conquerors had to use a semantic device to define their superiority.
Lanny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lanny understood enough of the religion of the Triangle--that noble abstract of God which the enemy called the All of the Universe--to know why the conquerors had to use a semantic device to define their superiority.
liberty-loving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Almost-men were a liberty-loving society.
maintainedadjectiveUS /meɪnˈteɪnd/
kept in good condition
From this reading They could not have maintained an integrated social soul and enslaved a culture of their peers; therefore, they had to invent a verbal technique for reducing man to the status of a savage.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading They could not have maintained an integrated social soul and enslaved a culture of their peers; therefore, they had to invent a verbal technique for reducing man to the status of a savage.
nobleadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊbəl/
impressive in appearance
From this reading Lanny understood enough of the religion of the Triangle--that noble abstract of God which the enemy called the All of the Universe--to know why the conquerors had to use a semantic device to define their superiority.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They could not have maintained an integrated social soul and enslaved a culture of their peers; therefore, they had to invent a verbal technique for reducing man to the status of a savage.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Lanny understood enough of the religion of the Triangle--that noble abstract of God which the enemy called the All of the Universe--to know why the conquerors had to use a semantic device to define their superiority.
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading "As we have always done ourselves," Pendillo told Lanny when he first became aware of the inconsistency as a child.
peersnounUS /pɪrz/
plural of “peer” — a person who is of equal standing with another in a group
From this reading They could not have maintained an integrated social soul and enslaved a culture of their peers; therefore, they had to invent a verbal technique for reducing man to the status of a savage.
Pendillo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "As we have always done ourselves," Pendillo told Lanny when he first became aware of the inconsistency as a child.
literature in metrical form
From this reading Their government decrees and their religious poetry abounded with vivid words of freedom.
reducingnounUS /rəˈduːsɪŋ/
any process in which electrons are added to an atom or ion (as by removing oxygen or adding hydrogen); always occurs accompanied by oxidation of the reducing agent
From this reading They could not have maintained an integrated social soul and enslaved a culture of their peers; therefore, they had to invent a verbal technique for reducing man to the status of a savage.
a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
From this reading Lanny understood enough of the religion of the Triangle--that noble abstract of God which the enemy called the All of the Universe--to know why the conquerors had to use a semantic device to define their superiority.
concerned with sacred matters or religion or the church
From this reading Their government decrees and their religious poetry abounded with vivid words of freedom.
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading They could not have maintained an integrated social soul and enslaved a culture of their peers; therefore, they had to invent a verbal technique for reducing man to the status of a savage.
semanticadjectiveUS /sɪˈmæntɪk/
of or relating to meaning or the study of meaning
From this reading Lanny understood enough of the religion of the Triangle--that noble abstract of God which the enemy called the All of the Universe--to know why the conquerors had to use a semantic device to define their superiority.
relating to human society and its members
From this reading They could not have maintained an integrated social soul and enslaved a culture of their peers; therefore, they had to invent a verbal technique for reducing man to the status of a savage.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading The Almost-men were a liberty-loving society.
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading They could not have maintained an integrated social soul and enslaved a culture of their peers; therefore, they had to invent a verbal technique for reducing man to the status of a savage.
statusnounUS /ˈstætəs/
the relative position or standing of things or especially persons in a society
From this reading They could not have maintained an integrated social soul and enslaved a culture of their peers; therefore, they had to invent a verbal technique for reducing man to the status of a savage.
superioritynounUS /ˌsuːpɪriˈɔːrɪti/
the quality of being superior
From this reading Lanny understood enough of the religion of the Triangle--that noble abstract of God which the enemy called the All of the Universe--to know why the conquerors had to use a semantic device to define their superiority.
techniquenounUS /tekˈniːk/
a practical method or art applied to some particular task
From this reading They could not have maintained an integrated social soul and enslaved a culture of their peers; therefore, they had to invent a verbal technique for reducing man to the status of a savage.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Lanny understood enough of the religion of the Triangle--that noble abstract of God which the enemy called the All of the Universe--to know why the conquerors had to use a semantic device to define their superiority.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Lanny understood enough of the religion of the Triangle--that noble abstract of God which the enemy called the All of the Universe--to know why the conquerors had to use a semantic device to define their superiority.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Lanny understood enough of the religion of the Triangle--that noble abstract of God which the enemy called the All of the Universe--to know why the conquerors had to use a semantic device to define their superiority.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading They could not have maintained an integrated social soul and enslaved a culture of their peers; therefore, they had to invent a verbal technique for reducing man to the status of a savage.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They could not have maintained an integrated social soul and enslaved a culture of their peers; therefore, they had to invent a verbal technique for reducing man to the status of a savage.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Lanny understood enough of the religion of the Triangle--that noble abstract of God which the enemy called the All of the Universe--to know why the conquerors had to use a semantic device to define their superiority.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading "As we have always done ourselves," Pendillo told Lanny when he first became aware of the inconsistency as a child.
TrianglenounUS /ˈtraɪæŋɡəl/
a three-sided polygon
From this reading Lanny understood enough of the religion of the Triangle--that noble abstract of God which the enemy called the All of the Universe--to know why the conquerors had to use a semantic device to define their superiority.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading Lanny understood enough of the religion of the Triangle--that noble abstract of God which the enemy called the All of the Universe--to know why the conquerors had to use a semantic device to define their superiority.
UniversenounUS /ˈjuːnəvɜːrs/
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Lanny understood enough of the religion of the Triangle--that noble abstract of God which the enemy called the All of the Universe--to know why the conquerors had to use a semantic device to define their superiority.
the act of using
From this reading Lanny understood enough of the religion of the Triangle--that noble abstract of God which the enemy called the All of the Universe--to know why the conquerors had to use a semantic device to define their superiority.
verbaladjectiveUS /ˈvɜːrbəl/
communicated in the form of words
From this reading They could not have maintained an integrated social soul and enslaved a culture of their peers; therefore, they had to invent a verbal technique for reducing man to the status of a savage.
vividadjectiveUS /ˈvɪvəd/
evoking lifelike images within the mind
From this reading Their government decrees and their religious poetry abounded with vivid words of freedom.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "As we have always done ourselves," Pendillo told Lanny when he first became aware of the inconsistency as a child.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Almost-men were a liberty-loving society.
at the time that
From this reading "As we have always done ourselves," Pendillo told Lanny when he first became aware of the inconsistency as a child.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Lanny understood enough of the religion of the Triangle--that noble abstract of God which the enemy called the All of the Universe--to know why the conquerors had to use a semantic device to define their superiority.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Lanny understood enough of the religion of the Triangle--that noble abstract of God which the enemy called the All of the Universe--to know why the conquerors had to use a semantic device to define their superiority.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Their government decrees and their religious poetry abounded with vivid words of freedom.
the words that are spoken
From this reading Their government decrees and their religious poetry abounded with vivid words of freedom.
