used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Over two thousand years ago, in far-away Asia Minor, a shepherd guarding his flocks on the slope of Mount Ida suddenly found the iron-shod end of his staff adhering to a stone.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Upon looking further around about him he found many other pieces of this peculiar hard black mineral, the smaller bits of which tended to cling to the nails and studs in the soles of his sandals.
adheringverbUS /ədˈhɪrɪŋ/
-ing form of “adhere” — be compatible or in accordance with
From this reading Over two thousand years ago, in far-away Asia Minor, a shepherd guarding his flocks on the slope of Mount Ida suddenly found the iron-shod end of his staff adhering to a stone.
in the past
From this reading Over two thousand years ago, in far-away Asia Minor, a shepherd guarding his flocks on the slope of Mount Ida suddenly found the iron-shod end of his staff adhering to a stone.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading This mineral, which was an ore of iron, consisting of iron and oxygen, was found in a district known as Magnesia, and in this way soon became widely known as the "Magnesstone," or magnet.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Upon looking further around about him he found many other pieces of this peculiar hard black mineral, the smaller bits of which tended to cling to the nails and studs in the soles of his sandals.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Upon looking further around about him he found many other pieces of this peculiar hard black mineral, the smaller bits of which tended to cling to the nails and studs in the soles of his sandals.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading This mineral, which was an ore of iron, consisting of iron and oxygen, was found in a district known as Magnesia, and in this way soon became widely known as the "Magnesstone," or magnet.
AsianounUS /ˈeɪʒə/
the largest continent with 60% of the earth's population; it is joined to Europe on the west to form Eurasia; it is the site of some of the world's earliest civilizations
From this reading Over two thousand years ago, in far-away Asia Minor, a shepherd guarding his flocks on the slope of Mount Ida suddenly found the iron-shod end of his staff adhering to a stone.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading This mineral, which was an ore of iron, consisting of iron and oxygen, was found in a district known as Magnesia, and in this way soon became widely known as the "Magnesstone," or magnet.
bitsnounUS /bɪts/
plural of “bit” — a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading Upon looking further around about him he found many other pieces of this peculiar hard black mineral, the smaller bits of which tended to cling to the nails and studs in the soles of his sandals.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Upon looking further around about him he found many other pieces of this peculiar hard black mineral, the smaller bits of which tended to cling to the nails and studs in the soles of his sandals.
clingverbUS /klɪŋ/
come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading Upon looking further around about him he found many other pieces of this peculiar hard black mineral, the smaller bits of which tended to cling to the nails and studs in the soles of his sandals.
consistingverbUS /kənˈsɪstɪŋ/
-ing form of “consist” — originate
From this reading This mineral, which was an ore of iron, consisting of iron and oxygen, was found in a district known as Magnesia, and in this way soon became widely known as the "Magnesstone," or magnet.
the act of discovering something
From this reading This is the story of the discovery of the magnet.
a region marked off for administrative or other purposes
From this reading This mineral, which was an ore of iron, consisting of iron and oxygen, was found in a district known as Magnesia, and in this way soon became widely known as the "Magnesstone," or magnet.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Over two thousand years ago, in far-away Asia Minor, a shepherd guarding his flocks on the slope of Mount Ida suddenly found the iron-shod end of his staff adhering to a stone.
existsverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪsts/
third-person singular of “exist” — have an existence, be extant
From this reading It exists in legends in various forms.
far-away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Over two thousand years ago, in far-away Asia Minor, a shepherd guarding his flocks on the slope of Mount Ida suddenly found the iron-shod end of his staff adhering to a stone.
flocksnounUS /flɑːks/
plural of “flock” — a church congregation guided by a pastor
From this reading Over two thousand years ago, in far-away Asia Minor, a shepherd guarding his flocks on the slope of Mount Ida suddenly found the iron-shod end of his staff adhering to a stone.
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 It exists in legends in various forms.
set up or found
From this reading Over two thousand years ago, in far-away Asia Minor, a shepherd guarding his flocks on the slope of Mount Ida suddenly found the iron-shod end of his staff adhering to a stone.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading Upon looking further around about him he found many other pieces of this peculiar hard black mineral, the smaller bits of which tended to cling to the nails and studs in the soles of his sandals.
guardingverbUS /ˈɡɑːrdɪŋ/
-ing form of “guard” — to keep watch over
From this reading Over two thousand years ago, in far-away Asia Minor, a shepherd guarding his flocks on the slope of Mount Ida suddenly found the iron-shod end of his staff adhering to a stone.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Upon looking further around about him he found many other pieces of this peculiar hard black mineral, the smaller bits of which tended to cling to the nails and studs in the soles of his sandals.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Upon looking further around about him he found many other pieces of this peculiar hard black mineral, the smaller bits of which tended to cling to the nails and studs in the soles of his sandals.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Upon looking further around about him he found many other pieces of this peculiar hard black mineral, the smaller bits of which tended to cling to the nails and studs in the soles of his sandals.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Over two thousand years ago, in far-away Asia Minor, a shepherd guarding his flocks on the slope of Mount Ida suddenly found the iron-shod end of his staff adhering to a stone.
IdanounUS /ˈaɪdə/
an agency of the United Nations affiliated with the World Bank
From this reading Over two thousand years ago, in far-away Asia Minor, a shepherd guarding his flocks on the slope of Mount Ida suddenly found the iron-shod end of his staff adhering to a stone.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Over two thousand years ago, in far-away Asia Minor, a shepherd guarding his flocks on the slope of Mount Ida suddenly found the iron-shod end of his staff adhering to a stone.
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading This mineral, which was an ore of iron, consisting of iron and oxygen, was found in a district known as Magnesia, and in this way soon became widely known as the "Magnesstone," or magnet.
iron-shod
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Over two thousand years ago, in far-away Asia Minor, a shepherd guarding his flocks on the slope of Mount Ida suddenly found the iron-shod end of his staff adhering to a stone.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This is the story of the discovery of the magnet.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It exists in legends in various forms.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading This mineral, which was an ore of iron, consisting of iron and oxygen, was found in a district known as Magnesia, and in this way soon became widely known as the "Magnesstone," or magnet.
legendsnounUS /ˈledʒəndz/
plural of “legend” — a story about mythical or supernatural beings or events
From this reading It exists in legends in various forms.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Upon looking further around about him he found many other pieces of this peculiar hard black mineral, the smaller bits of which tended to cling to the nails and studs in the soles of his sandals.
MagnesianounUS /mæɡˈniːʒə/
a white solid mineral that occurs naturally as periclase; a source of magnesium
From this reading This mineral, which was an ore of iron, consisting of iron and oxygen, was found in a district known as Magnesia, and in this way soon became widely known as the "Magnesstone," or magnet.
Magnesstone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This mineral, which was an ore of iron, consisting of iron and oxygen, was found in a district known as Magnesia, and in this way soon became widely known as the "Magnesstone," or magnet.
magnetnounUS /ˈmæɡnət/
(physics) a device that attracts iron and produces a magnetic field
From this reading This mineral, which was an ore of iron, consisting of iron and oxygen, was found in a district known as Magnesia, and in this way soon became widely known as the "Magnesstone," or magnet.
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 Upon looking further around about him he found many other pieces of this peculiar hard black mineral, the smaller bits of which tended to cling to the nails and studs in the soles of his sandals.
mineralnounUS /ˈmɪnərəl/
solid homogeneous inorganic substances occurring in nature having a definite chemical composition
From this reading Upon looking further around about him he found many other pieces of this peculiar hard black mineral, the smaller bits of which tended to cling to the nails and studs in the soles of his sandals.
MinoradjectiveUS /ˈmaɪnər/
of lesser importance or stature or rank
From this reading Over two thousand years ago, in far-away Asia Minor, a shepherd guarding his flocks on the slope of Mount Ida suddenly found the iron-shod end of his staff adhering to a stone.
attach to a support
From this reading Over two thousand years ago, in far-away Asia Minor, a shepherd guarding his flocks on the slope of Mount Ida suddenly found the iron-shod end of his staff adhering to a stone.
nailsnounUS /neɪlz/
plural of “nail” — horny plate covering and protecting part of the dorsal surface of the digits
From this reading Upon looking further around about him he found many other pieces of this peculiar hard black mineral, the smaller bits of which tended to cling to the nails and studs in the soles of his sandals.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Over two thousand years ago, in far-away Asia Minor, a shepherd guarding his flocks on the slope of Mount Ida suddenly found the iron-shod end of his staff adhering to a stone.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Over two thousand years ago, in far-away Asia Minor, a shepherd guarding his flocks on the slope of Mount Ida suddenly found the iron-shod end of his staff adhering to a stone.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading This mineral, which was an ore of iron, consisting of iron and oxygen, was found in a district known as Magnesia, and in this way soon became widely known as the "Magnesstone," or magnet.
orenounUS /ɔːr/
a mineral that contains metal that is valuable enough to be mined
From this reading This mineral, which was an ore of iron, consisting of iron and oxygen, was found in a district known as Magnesia, and in this way soon became widely known as the "Magnesstone," or magnet.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Upon looking further around about him he found many other pieces of this peculiar hard black mineral, the smaller bits of which tended to cling to the nails and studs in the soles of his sandals.
OverprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Over two thousand years ago, in far-away Asia Minor, a shepherd guarding his flocks on the slope of Mount Ida suddenly found the iron-shod end of his staff adhering to a stone.
oxygennounUS /ˈɑːksədʒən/
a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust
From this reading This mineral, which was an ore of iron, consisting of iron and oxygen, was found in a district known as Magnesia, and in this way soon became widely known as the "Magnesstone," or magnet.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading Upon looking further around about him he found many other pieces of this peculiar hard black mineral, the smaller bits of which tended to cling to the nails and studs in the soles of his sandals.
plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole
From this reading Upon looking further around about him he found many other pieces of this peculiar hard black mineral, the smaller bits of which tended to cling to the nails and studs in the soles of his sandals.
sandalsnounUS /ˈsændəlz/
plural of “sandal” — a shoe consisting of a sole fastened by straps to the foot
From this reading Upon looking further around about him he found many other pieces of this peculiar hard black mineral, the smaller bits of which tended to cling to the nails and studs in the soles of his sandals.
shepherdnounUS /ˈʃepərd/
a clergyman who watches over a group of people
From this reading Over two thousand years ago, in far-away Asia Minor, a shepherd guarding his flocks on the slope of Mount Ida suddenly found the iron-shod end of his staff adhering to a stone.
an elevated geological formation
From this reading Over two thousand years ago, in far-away Asia Minor, a shepherd guarding his flocks on the slope of Mount Ida suddenly found the iron-shod end of his staff adhering to a stone.
small or little relative to something else
From this reading Upon looking further around about him he found many other pieces of this peculiar hard black mineral, the smaller bits of which tended to cling to the nails and studs in the soles of his sandals.
solesnounUS /soʊlz/
plural of “sol” — a colloid that has a continuous liquid phase in which a solid is suspended in a liquid
From this reading Upon looking further around about him he found many other pieces of this peculiar hard black mineral, the smaller bits of which tended to cling to the nails and studs in the soles of his sandals.
in the near future
From this reading This mineral, which was an ore of iron, consisting of iron and oxygen, was found in a district known as Magnesia, and in this way soon became widely known as the "Magnesstone," or magnet.
staffnounUS /stæf/
personnel who assist their superior in carrying out an assigned task
From this reading Over two thousand years ago, in far-away Asia Minor, a shepherd guarding his flocks on the slope of Mount Ida suddenly found the iron-shod end of his staff adhering to a stone.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Over two thousand years ago, in far-away Asia Minor, a shepherd guarding his flocks on the slope of Mount Ida suddenly found the iron-shod end of his staff adhering to a stone.
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 This is the story of the discovery of the magnet.
studsnounUS /stʌdz/
plural of “stud” — a man who is virile and sexually active
From this reading Upon looking further around about him he found many other pieces of this peculiar hard black mineral, the smaller bits of which tended to cling to the nails and studs in the soles of his sandals.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Over two thousand years ago, in far-away Asia Minor, a shepherd guarding his flocks on the slope of Mount Ida suddenly found the iron-shod end of his staff adhering to a stone.
tendedverbUS /ˈtendɪd/
past form of “tend” — have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined
From this reading Upon looking further around about him he found many other pieces of this peculiar hard black mineral, the smaller bits of which tended to cling to the nails and studs in the soles of his sandals.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Over two thousand years ago, in far-away Asia Minor, a shepherd guarding his flocks on the slope of Mount Ida suddenly found the iron-shod end of his staff adhering to a stone.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Upon looking further around about him he found many other pieces of this peculiar hard black mineral, the smaller bits of which tended to cling to the nails and studs in the soles of his sandals.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading Over two thousand years ago, in far-away Asia Minor, a shepherd guarding his flocks on the slope of Mount Ida suddenly found the iron-shod end of his staff adhering to a stone.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Over two thousand years ago, in far-away Asia Minor, a shepherd guarding his flocks on the slope of Mount Ida suddenly found the iron-shod end of his staff adhering to a stone.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Over two thousand years ago, in far-away Asia Minor, a shepherd guarding his flocks on the slope of Mount Ida suddenly found the iron-shod end of his staff adhering to a stone.
UponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Upon looking further around about him he found many other pieces of this peculiar hard black mineral, the smaller bits of which tended to cling to the nails and studs in the soles of his sandals.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading It exists in legends in various forms.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This mineral, which was an ore of iron, consisting of iron and oxygen, was found in a district known as Magnesia, and in this way soon became widely known as the "Magnesstone," or magnet.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading This mineral, which was an ore of iron, consisting of iron and oxygen, was found in a district known as Magnesia, and in this way soon became widely known as the "Magnesstone," or magnet.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Upon looking further around about him he found many other pieces of this peculiar hard black mineral, the smaller bits of which tended to cling to the nails and studs in the soles of his sandals.
widelyadverbUS /ˈwaɪdli/
to a great degree
From this reading This mineral, which was an ore of iron, consisting of iron and oxygen, was found in a district known as Magnesia, and in this way soon became widely known as the "Magnesstone," or magnet.
a late time of life
From this reading Over two thousand years ago, in far-away Asia Minor, a shepherd guarding his flocks on the slope of Mount Ida suddenly found the iron-shod end of his staff adhering to a stone.
