used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “_Giants should always be brotherly with giants, but only with good giants._” _Maxim of Pantagruel._ In Defense of Giants Somehow or other, the giants seem to have got a bad name.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading “_Giants should always be brotherly with giants, but only with good giants._” _Maxim of Pantagruel._ In Defense of Giants Somehow or other, the giants seem to have got a bad name.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading No sooner is the word “giant” mentioned than some one is sure to shrug his shoulders and speak in a meaning tone of “Jack and the Beanstalk.”
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading No self-respecting giant would any more think of threatening a little boy, or of grinding up people’s bones to make flour, than would a good fairy godmother.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading For, as everybody who is intimate with them knows, there are very few of the Beanstalk variety.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading For, as everybody who is intimate with them knows, there are very few of the Beanstalk variety.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading “_Giants should always be brotherly with giants, but only with good giants._” _Maxim of Pantagruel._ In Defense of Giants Somehow or other, the giants seem to have got a bad name.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “_Giants should always be brotherly with giants, but only with good giants._” _Maxim of Pantagruel._ In Defense of Giants Somehow or other, the giants seem to have got a bad name.
Beanstalknoun
stem of a bean plant
From this reading No sooner is the word “giant” mentioned than some one is sure to shrug his shoulders and speak in a meaning tone of “Jack and the Beanstalk.”
(used in the plural) a percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held between the thumb and fingers) that are made to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in rhythm with the dance
From this reading No self-respecting giant would any more think of threatening a little boy, or of grinding up people’s bones to make flour, than would a good fairy godmother.
a youthful male person
From this reading No self-respecting giant would any more think of threatening a little boy, or of grinding up people’s bones to make flour, than would a good fairy godmother.
brotherlyadjectiveUS /ˈbrʌðərli/
like or characteristic of or befitting a brother
From this reading “_Giants should always be brotherly with giants, but only with good giants._” _Maxim of Pantagruel._ In Defense of Giants Somehow or other, the giants seem to have got a bad name.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “_Giants should always be brotherly with giants, but only with good giants._” _Maxim of Pantagruel._ In Defense of Giants Somehow or other, the giants seem to have got a bad name.
DefensenounUS /dɪˈfens/
(military) military action or resources protecting a country against potential enemies
From this reading “_Giants should always be brotherly with giants, but only with good giants._” _Maxim of Pantagruel._ In Defense of Giants Somehow or other, the giants seem to have got a bad name.
every person
From this reading For, as everybody who is intimate with them knows, there are very few of the Beanstalk variety.
a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers
From this reading No self-respecting giant would any more think of threatening a little boy, or of grinding up people’s bones to make flour, than would a good fairy godmother.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading For, as everybody who is intimate with them knows, there are very few of the Beanstalk variety.
flournounUS /ˈflaʊər/
fine powdery foodstuff obtained by grinding and sifting the meal of a cereal grain
From this reading No self-respecting giant would any more think of threatening a little boy, or of grinding up people’s bones to make flour, than would a good fairy godmother.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For, as everybody who is intimate with them knows, there are very few of the Beanstalk variety.
any creature of exceptional size
From this reading No sooner is the word “giant” mentioned than some one is sure to shrug his shoulders and speak in a meaning tone of “Jack and the Beanstalk.”
GiantsnounUS /ˈdʒaɪənts/
plural of “giant” — any creature of exceptional size
From this reading “_Giants should always be brotherly with giants, but only with good giants._” _Maxim of Pantagruel._ In Defense of Giants Somehow or other, the giants seem to have got a bad name.
godmothernounUS /ˈɡɑːdmʌðər/
any woman who serves as a sponsor for a child at baptism
From this reading No self-respecting giant would any more think of threatening a little boy, or of grinding up people’s bones to make flour, than would a good fairy godmother.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading “_Giants should always be brotherly with giants, but only with good giants._” _Maxim of Pantagruel._ In Defense of Giants Somehow or other, the giants seem to have got a bad name.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading “_Giants should always be brotherly with giants, but only with good giants._” _Maxim of Pantagruel._ In Defense of Giants Somehow or other, the giants seem to have got a bad name.
grindingnounUS /ˈɡraɪndɪŋ/
material resulting from the process of grinding
From this reading No self-respecting giant would any more think of threatening a little boy, or of grinding up people’s bones to make flour, than would a good fairy godmother.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “_Giants should always be brotherly with giants, but only with good giants._” _Maxim of Pantagruel._ In Defense of Giants Somehow or other, the giants seem to have got a bad name.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading No sooner is the word “giant” mentioned than some one is sure to shrug his shoulders and speak in a meaning tone of “Jack and the Beanstalk.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “_Giants should always be brotherly with giants, but only with good giants._” _Maxim of Pantagruel._ In Defense of Giants Somehow or other, the giants seem to have got a bad name.
intimateadjectiveUS /ˈɪntəmət/
marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity
From this reading For, as everybody who is intimate with them knows, there are very few of the Beanstalk variety.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading No sooner is the word “giant” mentioned than some one is sure to shrug his shoulders and speak in a meaning tone of “Jack and the Beanstalk.”
a small worthless amount
From this reading No sooner is the word “giant” mentioned than some one is sure to shrug his shoulders and speak in a meaning tone of “Jack and the Beanstalk.”
plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people
From this reading For, as everybody who is intimate with them knows, there are very few of the Beanstalk variety.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading No self-respecting giant would any more think of threatening a little boy, or of grinding up people’s bones to make flour, than would a good fairy godmother.
engage in
From this reading No self-respecting giant would any more think of threatening a little boy, or of grinding up people’s bones to make flour, than would a good fairy godmother.
MaximnounUS /ˈmæksəm/
a saying that is widely accepted on its own merits
From this reading “_Giants should always be brotherly with giants, but only with good giants._” _Maxim of Pantagruel._ In Defense of Giants Somehow or other, the giants seem to have got a bad name.
the message that is intended or expressed or signified
From this reading No sooner is the word “giant” mentioned than some one is sure to shrug his shoulders and speak in a meaning tone of “Jack and the Beanstalk.”
past form of “mention” — make reference to
From this reading No sooner is the word “giant” mentioned than some one is sure to shrug his shoulders and speak in a meaning tone of “Jack and the Beanstalk.”
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading No self-respecting giant would any more think of threatening a little boy, or of grinding up people’s bones to make flour, than would a good fairy godmother.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading “_Giants should always be brotherly with giants, but only with good giants._” _Maxim of Pantagruel._ In Defense of Giants Somehow or other, the giants seem to have got a bad name.
not any; not one
From this reading No sooner is the word “giant” mentioned than some one is sure to shrug his shoulders and speak in a meaning tone of “Jack and the Beanstalk.”
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Now, this is not only unkind, but, on the giants’ part, quite undeserved.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now, this is not only unkind, but, on the giants’ part, quite undeserved.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “_Giants should always be brotherly with giants, but only with good giants._” _Maxim of Pantagruel._ In Defense of Giants Somehow or other, the giants seem to have got a bad name.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Now, this is not only unkind, but, on the giants’ part, quite undeserved.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading No sooner is the word “giant” mentioned than some one is sure to shrug his shoulders and speak in a meaning tone of “Jack and the Beanstalk.”
and nothing more
From this reading “_Giants should always be brotherly with giants, but only with good giants._” _Maxim of Pantagruel._ In Defense of Giants Somehow or other, the giants seem to have got a bad name.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “_Giants should always be brotherly with giants, but only with good giants._” _Maxim of Pantagruel._ In Defense of Giants Somehow or other, the giants seem to have got a bad name.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading “_Giants should always be brotherly with giants, but only with good giants._” _Maxim of Pantagruel._ In Defense of Giants Somehow or other, the giants seem to have got a bad name.
Pantagruel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “_Giants should always be brotherly with giants, but only with good giants._” _Maxim of Pantagruel._ In Defense of Giants Somehow or other, the giants seem to have got a bad name.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Now, this is not only unkind, but, on the giants’ part, quite undeserved.
people'snounUS /ˈpiːpəlz/
possessive form of “people” — (plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading No self-respecting giant would any more think of threatening a little boy, or of grinding up people’s bones to make flour, than would a good fairy godmother.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Now, this is not only unkind, but, on the giants’ part, quite undeserved.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading “_Giants should always be brotherly with giants, but only with good giants._” _Maxim of Pantagruel._ In Defense of Giants Somehow or other, the giants seem to have got a bad name.
self-respectingadjectiveUS /ˌselfrɪˈspektɪŋ/
having or showing self-esteem
From this reading No self-respecting giant would any more think of threatening a little boy, or of grinding up people’s bones to make flour, than would a good fairy godmother.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading “_Giants should always be brotherly with giants, but only with good giants._” _Maxim of Pantagruel._ In Defense of Giants Somehow or other, the giants seem to have got a bad name.
plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm
From this reading No sooner is the word “giant” mentioned than some one is sure to shrug his shoulders and speak in a meaning tone of “Jack and the Beanstalk.”
shrugnounUS /ʃrʌɡ/
a gesture involving the shoulders
From this reading No sooner is the word “giant” mentioned than some one is sure to shrug his shoulders and speak in a meaning tone of “Jack and the Beanstalk.”
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading No sooner is the word “giant” mentioned than some one is sure to shrug his shoulders and speak in a meaning tone of “Jack and the Beanstalk.”
in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means
From this reading “_Giants should always be brotherly with giants, but only with good giants._” _Maxim of Pantagruel._ In Defense of Giants Somehow or other, the giants seem to have got a bad name.
comparatives of “soon” or “early”
From this reading No sooner is the word “giant” mentioned than some one is sure to shrug his shoulders and speak in a meaning tone of “Jack and the Beanstalk.”
express in speech
From this reading No sooner is the word “giant” mentioned than some one is sure to shrug his shoulders and speak in a meaning tone of “Jack and the Beanstalk.”
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading No sooner is the word “giant” mentioned than some one is sure to shrug his shoulders and speak in a meaning tone of “Jack and the Beanstalk.”
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading No sooner is the word “giant” mentioned than some one is sure to shrug his shoulders and speak in a meaning tone of “Jack and the Beanstalk.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “_Giants should always be brotherly with giants, but only with good giants._” _Maxim of Pantagruel._ In Defense of Giants Somehow or other, the giants seem to have got a bad name.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading For, as everybody who is intimate with them knows, there are very few of the Beanstalk variety.
in or at that place or location
From this reading For, as everybody who is intimate with them knows, there are very few of the Beanstalk variety.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading No self-respecting giant would any more think of threatening a little boy, or of grinding up people’s bones to make flour, than would a good fairy godmother.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Now, this is not only unkind, but, on the giants’ part, quite undeserved.
threateningadjectiveUS /ˈθretənɪŋ/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading No self-respecting giant would any more think of threatening a little boy, or of grinding up people’s bones to make flour, than would a good fairy godmother.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “_Giants should always be brotherly with giants, but only with good giants._” _Maxim of Pantagruel._ In Defense of Giants Somehow or other, the giants seem to have got a bad name.
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading No sooner is the word “giant” mentioned than some one is sure to shrug his shoulders and speak in a meaning tone of “Jack and the Beanstalk.”
undeservedadjectiveUS /ˌʌndɪˈzɜːrvd/
not deserved or earned
From this reading Now, this is not only unkind, but, on the giants’ part, quite undeserved.
unkindadjectiveUS /ənˈkaɪnd/
lacking kindness
From this reading Now, this is not only unkind, but, on the giants’ part, quite undeserved.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading No self-respecting giant would any more think of threatening a little boy, or of grinding up people’s bones to make flour, than would a good fairy godmother.
varietynounUS /vərˈaɪəti/
a collection containing a variety of sorts of things
From this reading For, as everybody who is intimate with them knows, there are very few of the Beanstalk variety.
precisely as stated
From this reading For, as everybody who is intimate with them knows, there are very few of the Beanstalk variety.
which person or people
From this reading For, as everybody who is intimate with them knows, there are very few of the Beanstalk variety.
in the company of; together with
From this reading “_Giants should always be brotherly with giants, but only with good giants._” _Maxim of Pantagruel._ In Defense of Giants Somehow or other, the giants seem to have got a bad name.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading No sooner is the word “giant” mentioned than some one is sure to shrug his shoulders and speak in a meaning tone of “Jack and the Beanstalk.”
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading No self-respecting giant would any more think of threatening a little boy, or of grinding up people’s bones to make flour, than would a good fairy godmother.
