used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Now there is a tendency for even wilder things.
abbreviationnounUS /əˌbriːviˈeɪʃən/
a shortened form of a word or phrase
From this reading The moving picture conventionality permits an abbreviation of drapery.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading THE PROPHET-WIZARD The whirlwind of cowboys and Indians with which the photoplay began, came about because this instrument, in asserting its genius, was feeling its way toward the most primitive forms of life it could find.
the performance of a part or role in a drama
From this reading We behold the half-draped figures living in tropical islands or our hairy fore-fathers acting out narratives of the stone age.
how long something has existed
From this reading We behold the half-draped figures living in tropical islands or our hairy fore-fathers acting out narratives of the stone age.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The moving picture conventionality permits an abbreviation of drapery.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE PROPHET-WIZARD The whirlwind of cowboys and Indians with which the photoplay began, came about because this instrument, in asserting its genius, was feeling its way toward the most primitive forms of life it could find.
assertingadjectiveUS /əˈsɜːrtɪŋ/
relating to the use of or having the nature of a declaration
From this reading THE PROPHET-WIZARD The whirlwind of cowboys and Indians with which the photoplay began, came about because this instrument, in asserting its genius, was feeling its way toward the most primitive forms of life it could find.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading If the primitive setting is convincing, the figure in the grass-robe or buffalo hide at once has its rights over the healthful imagination.
for the reason that
From this reading THE PROPHET-WIZARD The whirlwind of cowboys and Indians with which the photoplay began, came about because this instrument, in asserting its genius, was feeling its way toward the most primitive forms of life it could find.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading THE PROPHET-WIZARD The whirlwind of cowboys and Indians with which the photoplay began, came about because this instrument, in asserting its genius, was feeling its way toward the most primitive forms of life it could find.
see with attention
From this reading We behold the half-draped figures living in tropical islands or our hairy fore-fathers acting out narratives of the stone age.
buffalonounUS /ˈbʌfəloʊ/
large shaggy-haired brown bison of North American plains
From this reading If the primitive setting is convincing, the figure in the grass-robe or buffalo hide at once has its rights over the healthful imagination.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading THE PROPHET-WIZARD The whirlwind of cowboys and Indians with which the photoplay began, came about because this instrument, in asserting its genius, was feeling its way toward the most primitive forms of life it could find.
conventionalitynoun
conformity with conventional thought and behavior
From this reading The moving picture conventionality permits an abbreviation of drapery.
convincingadjectiveUS /kənˈvɪnsɪŋ/
causing one to believe the truth of something
From this reading If the primitive setting is convincing, the figure in the grass-robe or buffalo hide at once has its rights over the healthful imagination.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading THE PROPHET-WIZARD The whirlwind of cowboys and Indians with which the photoplay began, came about because this instrument, in asserting its genius, was feeling its way toward the most primitive forms of life it could find.
cowboysnounUS /ˈkaʊbɔɪz/
plural of “cowboy” — a hired hand who tends cattle and performs other duties on horseback
From this reading THE PROPHET-WIZARD The whirlwind of cowboys and Indians with which the photoplay began, came about because this instrument, in asserting its genius, was feeling its way toward the most primitive forms of life it could find.
draperynounUS /ˈdreɪpəri/
hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading The moving picture conventionality permits an abbreviation of drapery.
divisible by two
From this reading Now there is a tendency for even wilder things.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading THE PROPHET-WIZARD The whirlwind of cowboys and Indians with which the photoplay began, came about because this instrument, in asserting its genius, was feeling its way toward the most primitive forms of life it could find.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading If the primitive setting is convincing, the figure in the grass-robe or buffalo hide at once has its rights over the healthful imagination.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading We behold the half-draped figures living in tropical islands or our hairy fore-fathers acting out narratives of the stone age.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading THE PROPHET-WIZARD The whirlwind of cowboys and Indians with which the photoplay began, came about because this instrument, in asserting its genius, was feeling its way toward the most primitive forms of life it could find.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Now there is a tendency for even wilder things.
fore-fathers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We behold the half-draped figures living in tropical islands or our hairy fore-fathers acting out narratives of the stone age.
plural of “form” — the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading THE PROPHET-WIZARD The whirlwind of cowboys and Indians with which the photoplay began, came about because this instrument, in asserting its genius, was feeling its way toward the most primitive forms of life it could find.
someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality
From this reading THE PROPHET-WIZARD The whirlwind of cowboys and Indians with which the photoplay began, came about because this instrument, in asserting its genius, was feeling its way toward the most primitive forms of life it could find.
grass-robe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the primitive setting is convincing, the figure in the grass-robe or buffalo hide at once has its rights over the healthful imagination.
hairyadjectiveUS /ˈheri/
having or covered with hair
From this reading We behold the half-draped figures living in tropical islands or our hairy fore-fathers acting out narratives of the stone age.
half-draped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We behold the half-draped figures living in tropical islands or our hairy fore-fathers acting out narratives of the stone age.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If the primitive setting is convincing, the figure in the grass-robe or buffalo hide at once has its rights over the healthful imagination.
healthfuladjectiveUS /ˈhelθfəl/
conducive to good health of body or mind
From this reading If the primitive setting is convincing, the figure in the grass-robe or buffalo hide at once has its rights over the healthful imagination.
prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading If the primitive setting is convincing, the figure in the grass-robe or buffalo hide at once has its rights over the healthful imagination.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If the primitive setting is convincing, the figure in the grass-robe or buffalo hide at once has its rights over the healthful imagination.
the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses
From this reading If the primitive setting is convincing, the figure in the grass-robe or buffalo hide at once has its rights over the healthful imagination.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE PROPHET-WIZARD The whirlwind of cowboys and Indians with which the photoplay began, came about because this instrument, in asserting its genius, was feeling its way toward the most primitive forms of life it could find.
plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India
From this reading THE PROPHET-WIZARD The whirlwind of cowboys and Indians with which the photoplay began, came about because this instrument, in asserting its genius, was feeling its way toward the most primitive forms of life it could find.
instrumentnounUS /ˈɪnstrəmənt/
a device that requires skill for proper use
From this reading THE PROPHET-WIZARD The whirlwind of cowboys and Indians with which the photoplay began, came about because this instrument, in asserting its genius, was feeling its way toward the most primitive forms of life it could find.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Now there is a tendency for even wilder things.
plural of “island” — a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading We behold the half-draped figures living in tropical islands or our hairy fore-fathers acting out narratives of the stone age.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE PROPHET-WIZARD The whirlwind of cowboys and Indians with which the photoplay began, came about because this instrument, in asserting its genius, was feeling its way toward the most primitive forms of life it could find.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading THE PROPHET-WIZARD The whirlwind of cowboys and Indians with which the photoplay began, came about because this instrument, in asserting its genius, was feeling its way toward the most primitive forms of life it could find.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading THE PROPHET-WIZARD The whirlwind of cowboys and Indians with which the photoplay began, came about because this instrument, in asserting its genius, was feeling its way toward the most primitive forms of life it could find.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading We behold the half-draped figures living in tropical islands or our hairy fore-fathers acting out narratives of the stone age.
used to form the superlative
From this reading THE PROPHET-WIZARD The whirlwind of cowboys and Indians with which the photoplay began, came about because this instrument, in asserting its genius, was feeling its way toward the most primitive forms of life it could find.
in motion
From this reading The moving picture conventionality permits an abbreviation of drapery.
narrativesnounUS /ˈnærətɪvz/
plural of “narrative” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading We behold the half-draped figures living in tropical islands or our hairy fore-fathers acting out narratives of the stone age.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now there is a tendency for even wilder things.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE PROPHET-WIZARD The whirlwind of cowboys and Indians with which the photoplay began, came about because this instrument, in asserting its genius, was feeling its way toward the most primitive forms of life it could find.
on one occasion
From this reading If the primitive setting is convincing, the figure in the grass-robe or buffalo hide at once has its rights over the healthful imagination.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading We behold the half-draped figures living in tropical islands or our hairy fore-fathers acting out narratives of the stone age.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading We behold the half-draped figures living in tropical islands or our hairy fore-fathers acting out narratives of the stone age.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading We behold the half-draped figures living in tropical islands or our hairy fore-fathers acting out narratives of the stone age.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading If the primitive setting is convincing, the figure in the grass-robe or buffalo hide at once has its rights over the healthful imagination.
permitsnounUS /pərˈmɪts/
plural of “permit” — a legal document giving official permission to do something
From this reading The moving picture conventionality permits an abbreviation of drapery.
photoplay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PROPHET-WIZARD The whirlwind of cowboys and Indians with which the photoplay began, came about because this instrument, in asserting its genius, was feeling its way toward the most primitive forms of life it could find.
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading The moving picture conventionality permits an abbreviation of drapery.
primitiveadjectiveUS /ˈprɪmətɪv/
belonging to an early stage of technical development; characterized by simplicity and (often) crudeness
From this reading THE PROPHET-WIZARD The whirlwind of cowboys and Indians with which the photoplay began, came about because this instrument, in asserting its genius, was feeling its way toward the most primitive forms of life it could find.
PROPHET-WIZARD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PROPHET-WIZARD The whirlwind of cowboys and Indians with which the photoplay began, came about because this instrument, in asserting its genius, was feeling its way toward the most primitive forms of life it could find.
plural of “right” — an abstract idea of that which is due to a person or governmental body by law or tradition or nature
From this reading If the primitive setting is convincing, the figure in the grass-robe or buffalo hide at once has its rights over the healthful imagination.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading If the primitive setting is convincing, the figure in the grass-robe or buffalo hide at once has its rights over the healthful imagination.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading We behold the half-draped figures living in tropical islands or our hairy fore-fathers acting out narratives of the stone age.
tendencynounUS /ˈtendənsi/
an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others
From this reading Now there is a tendency for even wilder things.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PROPHET-WIZARD The whirlwind of cowboys and Indians with which the photoplay began, came about because this instrument, in asserting its genius, was feeling its way toward the most primitive forms of life it could find.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Now there is a tendency for even wilder things.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Now there is a tendency for even wilder things.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading THE PROPHET-WIZARD The whirlwind of cowboys and Indians with which the photoplay began, came about because this instrument, in asserting its genius, was feeling its way toward the most primitive forms of life it could find.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading THE PROPHET-WIZARD The whirlwind of cowboys and Indians with which the photoplay began, came about because this instrument, in asserting its genius, was feeling its way toward the most primitive forms of life it could find.
tropicaladjectiveUS /ˈtrɑːpɪkəl/
relating to or situated in or characteristic of the tropics (the region on either side of the equator)
From this reading We behold the half-draped figures living in tropical islands or our hairy fore-fathers acting out narratives of the stone age.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE PROPHET-WIZARD The whirlwind of cowboys and Indians with which the photoplay began, came about because this instrument, in asserting its genius, was feeling its way toward the most primitive forms of life it could find.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading THE PROPHET-WIZARD The whirlwind of cowboys and Indians with which the photoplay began, came about because this instrument, in asserting its genius, was feeling its way toward the most primitive forms of life it could find.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We behold the half-draped figures living in tropical islands or our hairy fore-fathers acting out narratives of the stone age.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE PROPHET-WIZARD The whirlwind of cowboys and Indians with which the photoplay began, came about because this instrument, in asserting its genius, was feeling its way toward the most primitive forms of life it could find.
whirlwindnounUS /ˈwɜːrlwɪnd/
a more or less vertical column of air whirling around itself as it moves over the surface of the Earth
From this reading THE PROPHET-WIZARD The whirlwind of cowboys and Indians with which the photoplay began, came about because this instrument, in asserting its genius, was feeling its way toward the most primitive forms of life it could find.
wildernounUS /ˈwaɪldər/
United States writer and dramatist (1897-1975)
From this reading Now there is a tendency for even wilder things.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE PROPHET-WIZARD The whirlwind of cowboys and Indians with which the photoplay began, came about because this instrument, in asserting its genius, was feeling its way toward the most primitive forms of life it could find.
