Chapter VII · Chapter 7

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading To sustain a fire on the earth much time and care and expense are necessary; fuel has to be constantly supplied, and men have to stoke the fire to keep it burning.

declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

(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 THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

in addition

From this reading Considering that the sun is not only vastly larger than all the fires on the earth put together, but also than the earth itself, the question very naturally occurs to us, Who supplies the fuel, and who does the stoking on the sun?

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

react verbally

From this reading Before we answer this we must try to get some idea of the size of this stupendous body.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading It is not the least use attempting to understand it by plain figures, for the figures would be too great to make any impression on us--they would be practically meaningless; we must turn to some other method.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading To sustain a fire on the earth much time and care and expense are necessary; fuel has to be constantly supplied, and men have to stoke the fire to keep it burning.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

-ing form of “attempt” — make an effort or attempt

From this reading It is not the least use attempting to understand it by plain figures, for the figures would be too great to make any impression on us--they would be practically meaningless; we must turn to some other method.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading To sustain a fire on the earth much time and care and expense are necessary; fuel has to be constantly supplied, and men have to stoke the fire to keep it burning.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Before we answer this we must try to get some idea of the size of this stupendous body.

the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading Before we answer this we must try to get some idea of the size of this stupendous body.

the act of burning something

From this reading To sustain a fire on the earth much time and care and expense are necessary; fuel has to be constantly supplied, and men have to stoke the fire to keep it burning.

United States comedian and film actor (1896-1996)

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It is not the least use attempting to understand it by plain figures, for the figures would be too great to make any impression on us--they would be practically meaningless; we must turn to some other method.

the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading To sustain a fire on the earth much time and care and expense are necessary; fuel has to be constantly supplied, and men have to stoke the fire to keep it burning.

-ing form of “consider” — deem to be

From this reading Considering that the sun is not only vastly larger than all the fires on the earth put together, but also than the earth itself, the question very naturally occurs to us, Who supplies the fuel, and who does the stoking on the sun?

without variation or change, in every case

From this reading To sustain a fire on the earth much time and care and expense are necessary; fuel has to be constantly supplied, and men have to stoke the fire to keep it burning.

an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Considering that the sun is not only vastly larger than all the fires on the earth put together, but also than the earth itself, the question very naturally occurs to us, Who supplies the fuel, and who does the stoking on the sun?

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading To sustain a fire on the earth much time and care and expense are necessary; fuel has to be constantly supplied, and men have to stoke the fire to keep it burning.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

past form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

amounts paid for goods and services that may be currently tax deductible (as opposed to capital expenditures)

From this reading To sustain a fire on the earth much time and care and expense are necessary; fuel has to be constantly supplied, and men have to stoke the fire to keep it burning.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading It is not the least use attempting to understand it by plain figures, for the figures would be too great to make any impression on us--they would be practically meaningless; we must turn to some other method.

start firing a weapon

From this reading To sustain a fire on the earth much time and care and expense are necessary; fuel has to be constantly supplied, and men have to stoke the fire to keep it burning.

plural of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)

From this reading Considering that the sun is not only vastly larger than all the fires on the earth put together, but also than the earth itself, the question very naturally occurs to us, Who supplies the fuel, and who does the stoking on the sun?

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It is not the least use attempting to understand it by plain figures, for the figures would be too great to make any impression on us--they would be practically meaningless; we must turn to some other method.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

provide with a combustible substance that provides energy

From this reading To sustain a fire on the earth much time and care and expense are necessary; fuel has to be constantly supplied, and men have to stoke the fire to keep it burning.

an enclosed chamber in which heat is produced to heat buildings, destroy refuse, smelt or refine ores, etc.

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading Before we answer this we must try to get some idea of the size of this stupendous body.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading It is not the least use attempting to understand it by plain figures, for the figures would be too great to make any impression on us--they would be practically meaningless; we must turn to some other method.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading To sustain a fire on the earth much time and care and expense are necessary; fuel has to be constantly supplied, and men have to stoke the fire to keep it burning.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Before we answer this we must try to get some idea of the size of this stupendous body.

a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading It is not the least use attempting to understand it by plain figures, for the figures would be too great to make any impression on us--they would be practically meaningless; we must turn to some other method.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Considering that the sun is not only vastly larger than all the fires on the earth put together, but also than the earth itself, the question very naturally occurs to us, Who supplies the fuel, and who does the stoking on the sun?

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading To sustain a fire on the earth much time and care and expense are necessary; fuel has to be constantly supplied, and men have to stoke the fire to keep it burning.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading Considering that the sun is not only vastly larger than all the fires on the earth put together, but also than the earth itself, the question very naturally occurs to us, Who supplies the fuel, and who does the stoking on the sun?

and nothing more

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading To sustain a fire on the earth much time and care and expense are necessary; fuel has to be constantly supplied, and men have to stoke the fire to keep it burning.

large or big relative to something else

From this reading Considering that the sun is not only vastly larger than all the fires on the earth put together, but also than the earth itself, the question very naturally occurs to us, Who supplies the fuel, and who does the stoking on the sun?

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading It is not the least use attempting to understand it by plain figures, for the figures would be too great to make any impression on us--they would be practically meaningless; we must turn to some other method.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

engage in

From this reading It is not the least use attempting to understand it by plain figures, for the figures would be too great to make any impression on us--they would be practically meaningless; we must turn to some other method.

extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

having no meaning or direction or purpose

From this reading It is not the least use attempting to understand it by plain figures, for the figures would be too great to make any impression on us--they would be practically meaningless; we must turn to some other method.

the force of workers available

From this reading To sustain a fire on the earth much time and care and expense are necessary; fuel has to be constantly supplied, and men have to stoke the fire to keep it burning.

a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)

From this reading It is not the least use attempting to understand it by plain figures, for the figures would be too great to make any impression on us--they would be practically meaningless; we must turn to some other method.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Before we answer this we must try to get some idea of the size of this stupendous body.

as might be expected

From this reading Considering that the sun is not only vastly larger than all the fires on the earth put together, but also than the earth itself, the question very naturally occurs to us, Who supplies the fuel, and who does the stoking on the sun?

absolutely essential

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

third-person singular of “nourish” — provide with nourishment

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

third-person singular of “occur” — come to pass

From this reading Considering that the sun is not only vastly larger than all the fires on the earth put together, but also than the earth itself, the question very naturally occurs to us, Who supplies the fuel, and who does the stoking on the sun?

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

and nothing more

From this reading Considering that the sun is not only vastly larger than all the fires on the earth put together, but also than the earth itself, the question very naturally occurs to us, Who supplies the fuel, and who does the stoking on the sun?

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading It is not the least use attempting to understand it by plain figures, for the figures would be too great to make any impression on us--they would be practically meaningless; we must turn to some other method.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading It is not the least use attempting to understand it by plain figures, for the figures would be too great to make any impression on us--they would be practically meaningless; we must turn to some other method.

(astronomy) any of the nine large celestial bodies in the solar system that revolve around the sun and shine by reflected light

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

plural of “planet” — (astronomy) any of the nine large celestial bodies in the solar system that revolve around the sun and shine by reflected light

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

almost; nearly

From this reading It is not the least use attempting to understand it by plain figures, for the figures would be too great to make any impression on us--they would be practically meaningless; we must turn to some other method.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Considering that the sun is not only vastly larger than all the fires on the earth put together, but also than the earth itself, the question very naturally occurs to us, Who supplies the fuel, and who does the stoking on the sun?

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading Considering that the sun is not only vastly larger than all the fires on the earth put together, but also than the earth itself, the question very naturally occurs to us, Who supplies the fuel, and who does the stoking on the sun?

inflected form of “refer” — make reference to

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

-ing form of “rotate” — turn on or around an axis or a center

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)

From this reading Before we answer this we must try to get some idea of the size of this stupendous body.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Before we answer this we must try to get some idea of the size of this stupendous body.

the place where something begins, where it springs into being

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

a quality that outshines the usual

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

stir up or tend; of a fire

From this reading To sustain a fire on the earth much time and care and expense are necessary; fuel has to be constantly supplied, and men have to stoke the fire to keep it burning.

-ing form of “stoke” — stir up or tend; of a fire

From this reading Considering that the sun is not only vastly larger than all the fires on the earth put together, but also than the earth itself, the question very naturally occurs to us, Who supplies the fuel, and who does the stoking on the sun?

so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe

From this reading Before we answer this we must try to get some idea of the size of this stupendous body.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

inflected form of “supply” — give something useful or necessary to

From this reading To sustain a fire on the earth much time and care and expense are necessary; fuel has to be constantly supplied, and men have to stoke the fire to keep it burning.

plural of “supply” — an amount of something available for use

From this reading Considering that the sun is not only vastly larger than all the fires on the earth put together, but also than the earth itself, the question very naturally occurs to us, Who supplies the fuel, and who does the stoking on the sun?

lengthen or extend in duration or space

From this reading To sustain a fire on the earth much time and care and expense are necessary; fuel has to be constantly supplied, and men have to stoke the fire to keep it burning.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Considering that the sun is not only vastly larger than all the fires on the earth put together, but also than the earth itself, the question very naturally occurs to us, Who supplies the fuel, and who does the stoking on the sun?

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It is not the least use attempting to understand it by plain figures, for the figures would be too great to make any impression on us--they would be practically meaningless; we must turn to some other method.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading To sustain a fire on the earth much time and care and expense are necessary; fuel has to be constantly supplied, and men have to stoke the fire to keep it burning.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading Considering that the sun is not only vastly larger than all the fires on the earth put together, but also than the earth itself, the question very naturally occurs to us, Who supplies the fuel, and who does the stoking on the sun?

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading It is not the least use attempting to understand it by plain figures, for the figures would be too great to make any impression on us--they would be practically meaningless; we must turn to some other method.

make an effort or attempt

From this reading Before we answer this we must try to get some idea of the size of this stupendous body.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading It is not the least use attempting to understand it by plain figures, for the figures would be too great to make any impression on us--they would be practically meaningless; we must turn to some other method.

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading It is not the least use attempting to understand it by plain figures, for the figures would be too great to make any impression on us--they would be practically meaningless; we must turn to some other method.

not lessened or diminished

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Considering that the sun is not only vastly larger than all the fires on the earth put together, but also than the earth itself, the question very naturally occurs to us, Who supplies the fuel, and who does the stoking on the sun?

the act of using

From this reading It is not the least use attempting to understand it by plain figures, for the figures would be too great to make any impression on us--they would be practically meaningless; we must turn to some other method.

to an exceedingly great extent or degree

From this reading Considering that the sun is not only vastly larger than all the fires on the earth put together, but also than the earth itself, the question very naturally occurs to us, Who supplies the fuel, and who does the stoking on the sun?

precisely as stated

From this reading Considering that the sun is not only vastly larger than all the fires on the earth put together, but also than the earth itself, the question very naturally occurs to us, Who supplies the fuel, and who does the stoking on the sun?

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

which person or people

From this reading Considering that the sun is not only vastly larger than all the fires on the earth put together, but also than the earth itself, the question very naturally occurs to us, Who supplies the fuel, and who does the stoking on the sun?

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading It is not the least use attempting to understand it by plain figures, for the figures would be too great to make any impression on us--they would be practically meaningless; we must turn to some other method.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading THE SUN So far we have referred to the sun just so much as was necessary to show the planets rotating round him, and to acknowledge him as the source of all our light and heat; but we have not examined in detail this marvellous furnace that nourishes all the life on our planet and burns on with undiminished splendour from year to year, without thought or effort on our part.