used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading INSECTS (Continued) We now come to a very large and important order of insects indeed--that of the _Hymenoptera_.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading BEES The bees belong to this order, and most wonderful insects they are--so wonderful, indeed, that a big book might easily be written about them.
(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 is not a very good name, however, for many insects which do not belong to this order at all have their wings made in just the same way.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading INSECTS (Continued) We now come to a very large and important order of insects indeed--that of the _Hymenoptera_.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading This name means membrane-winged, and has been given to them because their wings are made of a transparent membrane stretched upon a light horny framework.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It is not a very good name, however, for many insects which do not belong to this order at all have their wings made in just the same way.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading BEES The bees belong to this order, and most wonderful insects they are--so wonderful, indeed, that a big book might easily be written about them.
for the reason that
From this reading This name means membrane-winged, and has been given to them because their wings are made of a transparent membrane stretched upon a light horny framework.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading This name means membrane-winged, and has been given to them because their wings are made of a transparent membrane stretched upon a light horny framework.
BEESnounUS /biːz/
plural of “bee” — any of numerous hairy-bodied insects including social and solitary species
From this reading BEES The bees belong to this order, and most wonderful insects they are--so wonderful, indeed, that a big book might easily be written about them.
be owned by; be in the possession of
From this reading It is not a very good name, however, for many insects which do not belong to this order at all have their wings made in just the same way.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading BEES The bees belong to this order, and most wonderful insects they are--so wonderful, indeed, that a big book might easily be written about them.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading BEES The bees belong to this order, and most wonderful insects they are--so wonderful, indeed, that a big book might easily be written about them.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading All the _Hymenoptera_, however, have the upper and lower wings fastened together during flight by a row of tiny hooks, which are set on the front margin of the lower pair, and fit into a fold on the lower margin of the upper ones.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading INSECTS (Continued) We now come to a very large and important order of insects indeed--that of the _Hymenoptera_.
without stop or interruption
From this reading INSECTS (Continued) We now come to a very large and important order of insects indeed--that of the _Hymenoptera_.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading It is not a very good name, however, for many insects which do not belong to this order at all have their wings made in just the same way.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading All the _Hymenoptera_, however, have the upper and lower wings fastened together during flight by a row of tiny hooks, which are set on the front margin of the lower pair, and fit into a fold on the lower margin of the upper ones.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading BEES The bees belong to this order, and most wonderful insects they are--so wonderful, indeed, that a big book might easily be written about them.
firmly closed or secured
From this reading All the _Hymenoptera_, however, have the upper and lower wings fastened together during flight by a row of tiny hooks, which are set on the front margin of the lower pair, and fit into a fold on the lower margin of the upper ones.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading All the _Hymenoptera_, however, have the upper and lower wings fastened together during flight by a row of tiny hooks, which are set on the front margin of the lower pair, and fit into a fold on the lower margin of the upper ones.
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading All the _Hymenoptera_, however, have the upper and lower wings fastened together during flight by a row of tiny hooks, which are set on the front margin of the lower pair, and fit into a fold on the lower margin of the upper ones.
foldnounUS /foʊld/
an angular or rounded shape made by folding
From this reading All the _Hymenoptera_, however, have the upper and lower wings fastened together during flight by a row of tiny hooks, which are set on the front margin of the lower pair, and fit into a fold on the lower margin of the upper ones.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It is not a very good name, however, for many insects which do not belong to this order at all have their wings made in just the same way.
frameworknounUS /ˈfreɪmwɜːrk/
a hypothetical description of a complex entity or process
From this reading This name means membrane-winged, and has been given to them because their wings are made of a transparent membrane stretched upon a light horny framework.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading All the _Hymenoptera_, however, have the upper and lower wings fastened together during flight by a row of tiny hooks, which are set on the front margin of the lower pair, and fit into a fold on the lower margin of the upper ones.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading This name means membrane-winged, and has been given to them because their wings are made of a transparent membrane stretched upon a light horny framework.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading It is not a very good name, however, for many insects which do not belong to this order at all have their wings made in just the same way.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This name means membrane-winged, and has been given to them because their wings are made of a transparent membrane stretched upon a light horny framework.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It is not a very good name, however, for many insects which do not belong to this order at all have their wings made in just the same way.
hooksnounUS /hʊks/
large strong hand (as of a fighter)
From this reading All the _Hymenoptera_, however, have the upper and lower wings fastened together during flight by a row of tiny hooks, which are set on the front margin of the lower pair, and fit into a fold on the lower margin of the upper ones.
hornyadjectiveUS /ˈhɔːrni/
feeling great sexual desire
From this reading This name means membrane-winged, and has been given to them because their wings are made of a transparent membrane stretched upon a light horny framework.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading It is not a very good name, however, for many insects which do not belong to this order at all have their wings made in just the same way.
Hymenopteranoun
an order of insects including: bees; wasps; ants; ichneumons; sawflies; gall wasps; etc.
From this reading INSECTS (Continued) We now come to a very large and important order of insects indeed--that of the _Hymenoptera_.
of great significance or value
From this reading INSECTS (Continued) We now come to a very large and important order of insects indeed--that of the _Hymenoptera_.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It is not a very good name, however, for many insects which do not belong to this order at all have their wings made in just the same way.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading INSECTS (Continued) We now come to a very large and important order of insects indeed--that of the _Hymenoptera_.
INSECTSnounUS /ˈɪnsekts/
plural of “insect” — small air-breathing arthropod
From this reading INSECTS (Continued) We now come to a very large and important order of insects indeed--that of the _Hymenoptera_.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading All the _Hymenoptera_, however, have the upper and lower wings fastened together during flight by a row of tiny hooks, which are set on the front margin of the lower pair, and fit into a fold on the lower margin of the upper ones.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is not a very good name, however, for many insects which do not belong to this order at all have their wings made in just the same way.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is not a very good name, however, for many insects which do not belong to this order at all have their wings made in just the same way.
and nothing more
From this reading It is not a very good name, however, for many insects which do not belong to this order at all have their wings made in just the same way.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading INSECTS (Continued) We now come to a very large and important order of insects indeed--that of the _Hymenoptera_.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading This name means membrane-winged, and has been given to them because their wings are made of a transparent membrane stretched upon a light horny framework.
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading All the _Hymenoptera_, however, have the upper and lower wings fastened together during flight by a row of tiny hooks, which are set on the front margin of the lower pair, and fit into a fold on the lower margin of the upper ones.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading This name means membrane-winged, and has been given to them because their wings are made of a transparent membrane stretched upon a light horny framework.
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 It is not a very good name, however, for many insects which do not belong to this order at all have their wings made in just the same way.
marginnounUS /ˈmɑːrdʒən/
the boundary line or the area immediately inside the boundary
From this reading All the _Hymenoptera_, however, have the upper and lower wings fastened together during flight by a row of tiny hooks, which are set on the front margin of the lower pair, and fit into a fold on the lower margin of the upper ones.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading This name means membrane-winged, and has been given to them because their wings are made of a transparent membrane stretched upon a light horny framework.
membranenounUS /ˈmembreɪn/
a thin pliable sheet of material
From this reading This name means membrane-winged, and has been given to them because their wings are made of a transparent membrane stretched upon a light horny framework.
membrane-winged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This name means membrane-winged, and has been given to them because their wings are made of a transparent membrane stretched upon a light horny framework.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading BEES The bees belong to this order, and most wonderful insects they are--so wonderful, indeed, that a big book might easily be written about them.
used to form the superlative
From this reading BEES The bees belong to this order, and most wonderful insects they are--so wonderful, indeed, that a big book might easily be written about them.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading This name means membrane-winged, and has been given to them because their wings are made of a transparent membrane stretched upon a light horny framework.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It is not a very good name, however, for many insects which do not belong to this order at all have their wings made in just the same way.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading INSECTS (Continued) We now come to a very large and important order of insects indeed--that of the _Hymenoptera_.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading INSECTS (Continued) We now come to a very large and important order of insects indeed--that of the _Hymenoptera_.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading All the _Hymenoptera_, however, have the upper and lower wings fastened together during flight by a row of tiny hooks, which are set on the front margin of the lower pair, and fit into a fold on the lower margin of the upper ones.
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading All the _Hymenoptera_, however, have the upper and lower wings fastened together during flight by a row of tiny hooks, which are set on the front margin of the lower pair, and fit into a fold on the lower margin of the upper ones.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading INSECTS (Continued) We now come to a very large and important order of insects indeed--that of the _Hymenoptera_.
a set of two similar things considered as a unit
From this reading All the _Hymenoptera_, however, have the upper and lower wings fastened together during flight by a row of tiny hooks, which are set on the front margin of the lower pair, and fit into a fold on the lower margin of the upper ones.
an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line
From this reading All the _Hymenoptera_, however, have the upper and lower wings fastened together during flight by a row of tiny hooks, which are set on the front margin of the lower pair, and fit into a fold on the lower margin of the upper ones.
Identical; not different.
From this reading It is not a very good name, however, for many insects which do not belong to this order at all have their wings made in just the same way.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading All the _Hymenoptera_, however, have the upper and lower wings fastened together during flight by a row of tiny hooks, which are set on the front margin of the lower pair, and fit into a fold on the lower margin of the upper ones.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading BEES The bees belong to this order, and most wonderful insects they are--so wonderful, indeed, that a big book might easily be written about them.
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading This name means membrane-winged, and has been given to them because their wings are made of a transparent membrane stretched upon a light horny framework.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading INSECTS (Continued) We now come to a very large and important order of insects indeed--that of the _Hymenoptera_.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading INSECTS (Continued) We now come to a very large and important order of insects indeed--that of the _Hymenoptera_.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading This name means membrane-winged, and has been given to them because their wings are made of a transparent membrane stretched upon a light horny framework.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading This name means membrane-winged, and has been given to them because their wings are made of a transparent membrane stretched upon a light horny framework.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading BEES The bees belong to this order, and most wonderful insects they are--so wonderful, indeed, that a big book might easily be written about them.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This name means membrane-winged, and has been given to them because their wings are made of a transparent membrane stretched upon a light horny framework.
very small
From this reading All the _Hymenoptera_, however, have the upper and lower wings fastened together during flight by a row of tiny hooks, which are set on the front margin of the lower pair, and fit into a fold on the lower margin of the upper ones.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading INSECTS (Continued) We now come to a very large and important order of insects indeed--that of the _Hymenoptera_.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading All the _Hymenoptera_, however, have the upper and lower wings fastened together during flight by a row of tiny hooks, which are set on the front margin of the lower pair, and fit into a fold on the lower margin of the upper ones.
transparentadjectiveUS /trænˈsperənt/
transmitting light; able to be seen through with clarity
From this reading This name means membrane-winged, and has been given to them because their wings are made of a transparent membrane stretched upon a light horny framework.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading This name means membrane-winged, and has been given to them because their wings are made of a transparent membrane stretched upon a light horny framework.
the topmost one of two
From this reading All the _Hymenoptera_, however, have the upper and lower wings fastened together during flight by a row of tiny hooks, which are set on the front margin of the lower pair, and fit into a fold on the lower margin of the upper ones.
precisely as stated
From this reading INSECTS (Continued) We now come to a very large and important order of insects indeed--that of the _Hymenoptera_.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading It is not a very good name, however, for many insects which do not belong to this order at all have their wings made in just the same way.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading INSECTS (Continued) We now come to a very large and important order of insects indeed--that of the _Hymenoptera_.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It is not a very good name, however, for many insects which do not belong to this order at all have their wings made in just the same way.
a means of flight or ascent
From this reading This name means membrane-winged, and has been given to them because their wings are made of a transparent membrane stretched upon a light horny framework.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading BEES The bees belong to this order, and most wonderful insects they are--so wonderful, indeed, that a big book might easily be written about them.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading BEES The bees belong to this order, and most wonderful insects they are--so wonderful, indeed, that a big book might easily be written about them.
