used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “It is _impossible_ for any person to completely disappear in a civilised country,” he said emphatically, “provided that person has either friends or enemies of means and substance, who are interested in finding his or her whereabouts.”
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was very argumentative that morning; whatever I said he invariably contradicted flatly and at once, and we both had finally succeeded in losing our temper.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading “It is _impossible_ for any person to completely disappear in a civilised country,” he said emphatically, “provided that person has either friends or enemies of means and substance, who are interested in finding his or her whereabouts.”
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “It is _impossible_ for any person to completely disappear in a civilised country,” he said emphatically, “provided that person has either friends or enemies of means and substance, who are interested in finding his or her whereabouts.”
a fact or assertion offered as evidence that something is true
From this reading “None too big for the argument,” he concluded, as he surveyed with evident pride and pleasure a gigantic and complicated knot which his bony fingers had just fashioned.
argumentativeadjectiveUS /ˌɑːrɡjəˈmentətɪv/
given to or characterized by argument
From this reading He was very argumentative that morning; whatever I said he invariably contradicted flatly and at once, and we both had finally succeeded in losing our temper.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “None too big for the argument,” he concluded, as he surveyed with evident pride and pleasure a gigantic and complicated knot which his bony fingers had just fashioned.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He was very argumentative that morning; whatever I said he invariably contradicted flatly and at once, and we both had finally succeeded in losing our temper.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading “None too big for the argument,” he concluded, as he surveyed with evident pride and pleasure a gigantic and complicated knot which his bony fingers had just fashioned.
bonyadjectiveUS /ˈboʊni/
being very thin
From this reading “None too big for the argument,” he concluded, as he surveyed with evident pride and pleasure a gigantic and complicated knot which his bony fingers had just fashioned.
the two together, not just one
From this reading He was very argumentative that morning; whatever I said he invariably contradicted flatly and at once, and we both had finally succeeded in losing our temper.
civilisedadjective
having a high state of culture and development both social and technological
From this reading “It is _impossible_ for any person to completely disappear in a civilised country,” he said emphatically, “provided that person has either friends or enemies of means and substance, who are interested in finding his or her whereabouts.”
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading “It is _impossible_ for any person to completely disappear in a civilised country,” he said emphatically, “provided that person has either friends or enemies of means and substance, who are interested in finding his or her whereabouts.”
complicatedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmpləkeɪtəd/
difficult to analyze or understand
From this reading “None too big for the argument,” he concluded, as he surveyed with evident pride and pleasure a gigantic and complicated knot which his bony fingers had just fashioned.
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading “None too big for the argument,” he concluded, as he surveyed with evident pride and pleasure a gigantic and complicated knot which his bony fingers had just fashioned.
contradictedverbUS /ˌkɑːntrəˈdɪktəd/
past form of “contradict” — be in contradiction with
From this reading He was very argumentative that morning; whatever I said he invariably contradicted flatly and at once, and we both had finally succeeded in losing our temper.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading The man in the corner was riding one of his favourite hobby-horses.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading “It is _impossible_ for any person to completely disappear in a civilised country,” he said emphatically, “provided that person has either friends or enemies of means and substance, who are interested in finding his or her whereabouts.”
disappearverbUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪr/
get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading “It is _impossible_ for any person to completely disappear in a civilised country,” he said emphatically, “provided that person has either friends or enemies of means and substance, who are interested in finding his or her whereabouts.”
one or the other of two
From this reading “It is _impossible_ for any person to completely disappear in a civilised country,” he said emphatically, “provided that person has either friends or enemies of means and substance, who are interested in finding his or her whereabouts.”
emphaticallyadverbUS /emˈfætɪkli/
without question and beyond doubt
From this reading “It is _impossible_ for any person to completely disappear in a civilised country,” he said emphatically, “provided that person has either friends or enemies of means and substance, who are interested in finding his or her whereabouts.”
plural of “enemy” — an opposing military force
From this reading “It is _impossible_ for any person to completely disappear in a civilised country,” he said emphatically, “provided that person has either friends or enemies of means and substance, who are interested in finding his or her whereabouts.”
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading “None too big for the argument,” he concluded, as he surveyed with evident pride and pleasure a gigantic and complicated knot which his bony fingers had just fashioned.
fashionedadjectiveUS /ˈfæʃənd/
planned and made or fashioned artistically
From this reading “None too big for the argument,” he concluded, as he surveyed with evident pride and pleasure a gigantic and complicated knot which his bony fingers had just fashioned.
a competitor thought likely to win
From this reading The man in the corner was riding one of his favourite hobby-horses.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading He was very argumentative that morning; whatever I said he invariably contradicted flatly and at once, and we both had finally succeeded in losing our temper.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading “It is _impossible_ for any person to completely disappear in a civilised country,” he said emphatically, “provided that person has either friends or enemies of means and substance, who are interested in finding his or her whereabouts.”
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading “None too big for the argument,” he concluded, as he surveyed with evident pride and pleasure a gigantic and complicated knot which his bony fingers had just fashioned.
flatlyadverbUS /ˈflætli/
in an unqualified manner
From this reading He was very argumentative that morning; whatever I said he invariably contradicted flatly and at once, and we both had finally succeeded in losing our temper.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “It is _impossible_ for any person to completely disappear in a civilised country,” he said emphatically, “provided that person has either friends or enemies of means and substance, who are interested in finding his or her whereabouts.”
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading “It is _impossible_ for any person to completely disappear in a civilised country,” he said emphatically, “provided that person has either friends or enemies of means and substance, who are interested in finding his or her whereabouts.”
giganticadjectiveUS /dʒaɪˈɡæntɪk/
so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth
From this reading “None too big for the argument,” he concluded, as he surveyed with evident pride and pleasure a gigantic and complicated knot which his bony fingers had just fashioned.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was very argumentative that morning; whatever I said he invariably contradicted flatly and at once, and we both had finally succeeded in losing our temper.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “It is _impossible_ for any person to completely disappear in a civilised country,” he said emphatically, “provided that person has either friends or enemies of means and substance, who are interested in finding his or her whereabouts.”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was very argumentative that morning; whatever I said he invariably contradicted flatly and at once, and we both had finally succeeded in losing our temper.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading “It is _impossible_ for any person to completely disappear in a civilised country,” he said emphatically, “provided that person has either friends or enemies of means and substance, who are interested in finding his or her whereabouts.”
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The man in the corner was riding one of his favourite hobby-horses.
hobby-horses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man in the corner was riding one of his favourite hobby-horses.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading He was very argumentative that morning; whatever I said he invariably contradicted flatly and at once, and we both had finally succeeded in losing our temper.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading “It is _impossible_ for any person to completely disappear in a civilised country,” he said emphatically, “provided that person has either friends or enemies of means and substance, who are interested in finding his or her whereabouts.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was very argumentative that morning; whatever I said he invariably contradicted flatly and at once, and we both had finally succeeded in losing our temper.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading “It is _impossible_ for any person to completely disappear in a civilised country,” he said emphatically, “provided that person has either friends or enemies of means and substance, who are interested in finding his or her whereabouts.”
invariablyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈveriəbli/
without variation or change, in every case
From this reading He was very argumentative that morning; whatever I said he invariably contradicted flatly and at once, and we both had finally succeeded in losing our temper.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “It is _impossible_ for any person to completely disappear in a civilised country,” he said emphatically, “provided that person has either friends or enemies of means and substance, who are interested in finding his or her whereabouts.”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “It is _impossible_ for any person to completely disappear in a civilised country,” he said emphatically, “provided that person has either friends or enemies of means and substance, who are interested in finding his or her whereabouts.”
and nothing more
From this reading “None too big for the argument,” he concluded, as he surveyed with evident pride and pleasure a gigantic and complicated knot which his bony fingers had just fashioned.
knotnounUS /nɑːt/
a tight cluster of people or things
From this reading “None too big for the argument,” he concluded, as he surveyed with evident pride and pleasure a gigantic and complicated knot which his bony fingers had just fashioned.
-ing form of “lose” — fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
From this reading He was very argumentative that morning; whatever I said he invariably contradicted flatly and at once, and we both had finally succeeded in losing our temper.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The man in the corner was riding one of his favourite hobby-horses.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading “It is _impossible_ for any person to completely disappear in a civilised country,” he said emphatically, “provided that person has either friends or enemies of means and substance, who are interested in finding his or her whereabouts.”
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading He was very argumentative that morning; whatever I said he invariably contradicted flatly and at once, and we both had finally succeeded in losing our temper.
not one, and not any
From this reading “None too big for the argument,” he concluded, as he surveyed with evident pride and pleasure a gigantic and complicated knot which his bony fingers had just fashioned.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The man in the corner was riding one of his favourite hobby-horses.
on one occasion
From this reading He was very argumentative that morning; whatever I said he invariably contradicted flatly and at once, and we both had finally succeeded in losing our temper.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The man in the corner was riding one of his favourite hobby-horses.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “It is _impossible_ for any person to completely disappear in a civilised country,” he said emphatically, “provided that person has either friends or enemies of means and substance, who are interested in finding his or her whereabouts.”
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading He was very argumentative that morning; whatever I said he invariably contradicted flatly and at once, and we both had finally succeeded in losing our temper.
a human being
From this reading “It is _impossible_ for any person to completely disappear in a civilised country,” he said emphatically, “provided that person has either friends or enemies of means and substance, who are interested in finding his or her whereabouts.”
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading “None too big for the argument,” he concluded, as he surveyed with evident pride and pleasure a gigantic and complicated knot which his bony fingers had just fashioned.
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading “None too big for the argument,” he concluded, as he surveyed with evident pride and pleasure a gigantic and complicated knot which his bony fingers had just fashioned.
past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to
From this reading “It is _impossible_ for any person to completely disappear in a civilised country,” he said emphatically, “provided that person has either friends or enemies of means and substance, who are interested in finding his or her whereabouts.”
past form of “rejoin” — join again
From this reading “Impossible is a sweeping word,” I rejoined.
the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements
From this reading The man in the corner was riding one of his favourite hobby-horses.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading He was very argumentative that morning; whatever I said he invariably contradicted flatly and at once, and we both had finally succeeded in losing our temper.
substancenounUS /ˈsʌbstəns/
the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists
From this reading “It is _impossible_ for any person to completely disappear in a civilised country,” he said emphatically, “provided that person has either friends or enemies of means and substance, who are interested in finding his or her whereabouts.”
past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal
From this reading He was very argumentative that morning; whatever I said he invariably contradicted flatly and at once, and we both had finally succeeded in losing our temper.
surveyedverbUS /sərˈveɪd/
past form of “survey” — consider in a comprehensive way
From this reading “None too big for the argument,” he concluded, as he surveyed with evident pride and pleasure a gigantic and complicated knot which his bony fingers had just fashioned.
sweepingadjectiveUS /ˈswiːpɪŋ/
taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination
From this reading “Impossible is a sweeping word,” I rejoined.
a sudden outburst of anger
From this reading He was very argumentative that morning; whatever I said he invariably contradicted flatly and at once, and we both had finally succeeded in losing our temper.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was very argumentative that morning; whatever I said he invariably contradicted flatly and at once, and we both had finally succeeded in losing our temper.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The man in the corner was riding one of his favourite hobby-horses.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “It is _impossible_ for any person to completely disappear in a civilised country,” he said emphatically, “provided that person has either friends or enemies of means and substance, who are interested in finding his or her whereabouts.”
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading “None too big for the argument,” he concluded, as he surveyed with evident pride and pleasure a gigantic and complicated knot which his bony fingers had just fashioned.
precisely as stated
From this reading He was very argumentative that morning; whatever I said he invariably contradicted flatly and at once, and we both had finally succeeded in losing our temper.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was very argumentative that morning; whatever I said he invariably contradicted flatly and at once, and we both had finally succeeded in losing our temper.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading He was very argumentative that morning; whatever I said he invariably contradicted flatly and at once, and we both had finally succeeded in losing our temper.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading He was very argumentative that morning; whatever I said he invariably contradicted flatly and at once, and we both had finally succeeded in losing our temper.
whereaboutsnounUS /ˈwerəbaʊts/
the general location where something is
From this reading “It is _impossible_ for any person to completely disappear in a civilised country,” he said emphatically, “provided that person has either friends or enemies of means and substance, who are interested in finding his or her whereabouts.”
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “None too big for the argument,” he concluded, as he surveyed with evident pride and pleasure a gigantic and complicated knot which his bony fingers had just fashioned.
which person or people
From this reading “It is _impossible_ for any person to completely disappear in a civilised country,” he said emphatically, “provided that person has either friends or enemies of means and substance, who are interested in finding his or her whereabouts.”
in the company of; together with
From this reading “None too big for the argument,” he concluded, as he surveyed with evident pride and pleasure a gigantic and complicated knot which his bony fingers had just fashioned.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading “Impossible is a sweeping word,” I rejoined.
