Chapter XI · Chapter 11

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

From this reading But they have been long sanctioned by custom, so now, though we find it difficult to recognize in scattered groups of stars any likeness to a fish or a ram or a bear; we still call the constellations by their old names for convenience in referring to them.

(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with

From this reading They classified them into groups, called constellations, and gave such groups the names of figures and animals, according to the positions of the stars composing them.

(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 Supposing the axis of the earth were quite upright, straight up and down in regard to the plane at which the earth goes round the sun, then we should always see the same set of stars from the Northern and the same set of stars from the Southern Hemispheres all the year round.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Supposing the axis of the earth were quite upright, straight up and down in regard to the plane at which the earth goes round the sun, then we should always see the same set of stars from the Northern and the same set of stars from the Southern Hemispheres all the year round.

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

From this reading THE CONSTELLATIONS From the very earliest times men have watched the stars, felt their mysterious influence, tried to discover what they were, and noted their rising and setting.

plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading They classified them into groups, called constellations, and gave such groups the names of figures and animals, according to the positions of the stars composing them.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading But they have been long sanctioned by custom, so now, though we find it difficult to recognize in scattered groups of stars any likeness to a fish or a ram or a bear; we still call the constellations by their old names for convenience in referring to them.

any person at all

From this reading Some of these imaginary figures seem to us so wildly ridiculous that we cannot conceive how anyone could have gone so far out of their way as to invent them.

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

From this reading Some of these imaginary figures seem to us so wildly ridiculous that we cannot conceive how anyone could have gone so far out of their way as to invent them.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Supposing the axis of the earth were quite upright, straight up and down in regard to the plane at which the earth goes round the sun, then we should always see the same set of stars from the Northern and the same set of stars from the Southern Hemispheres all the year round.

a straight line through a body or figure that satisfies certain conditions

From this reading Supposing the axis of the earth were quite upright, straight up and down in regard to the plane at which the earth goes round the sun, then we should always see the same set of stars from the Northern and the same set of stars from the Southern Hemispheres all the year round.

have

From this reading But they have been long sanctioned by custom, so now, though we find it difficult to recognize in scattered groups of stars any likeness to a fish or a ram or a bear; we still call the constellations by their old names for convenience in referring to them.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading But they have been long sanctioned by custom, so now, though we find it difficult to recognize in scattered groups of stars any likeness to a fish or a ram or a bear; we still call the constellations by their old names for convenience in referring to them.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But they have been long sanctioned by custom, so now, though we find it difficult to recognize in scattered groups of stars any likeness to a fish or a ram or a bear; we still call the constellations by their old names for convenience in referring to them.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But they have been long sanctioned by custom, so now, though we find it difficult to recognize in scattered groups of stars any likeness to a fish or a ram or a bear; we still call the constellations by their old names for convenience in referring to them.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading But they have been long sanctioned by custom, so now, though we find it difficult to recognize in scattered groups of stars any likeness to a fish or a ram or a bear; we still call the constellations by their old names for convenience in referring to them.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading They classified them into groups, called constellations, and gave such groups the names of figures and animals, according to the positions of the stars composing them.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Some of these imaginary figures seem to us so wildly ridiculous that we cannot conceive how anyone could have gone so far out of their way as to invent them.

arranged into classes

From this reading They classified them into groups, called constellations, and gave such groups the names of figures and animals, according to the positions of the stars composing them.

the spatial property resulting from the arrangement of parts in relation to each other and to the whole

From this reading They classified them into groups, called constellations, and gave such groups the names of figures and animals, according to the positions of the stars composing them.

have the idea for

From this reading Some of these imaginary figures seem to us so wildly ridiculous that we cannot conceive how anyone could have gone so far out of their way as to invent them.

plural of “constellation” — an arrangement of parts or elements

From this reading THE CONSTELLATIONS From the very earliest times men have watched the stars, felt their mysterious influence, tried to discover what they were, and noted their rising and setting.

the state of being suitable or opportune

From this reading But they have been long sanctioned by custom, so now, though we find it difficult to recognize in scattered groups of stars any likeness to a fish or a ram or a bear; we still call the constellations by their old names for convenience in referring to them.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Some of these imaginary figures seem to us so wildly ridiculous that we cannot conceive how anyone could have gone so far out of their way as to invent them.

accepted or habitual practice

From this reading But they have been long sanctioned by custom, so now, though we find it difficult to recognize in scattered groups of stars any likeness to a fish or a ram or a bear; we still call the constellations by their old names for convenience in referring to them.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading But they have been long sanctioned by custom, so now, though we find it difficult to recognize in scattered groups of stars any likeness to a fish or a ram or a bear; we still call the constellations by their old names for convenience in referring to them.

discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of

From this reading THE CONSTELLATIONS From the very earliest times men have watched the stars, felt their mysterious influence, tried to discover what they were, and noted their rising and setting.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Supposing the axis of the earth were quite upright, straight up and down in regard to the plane at which the earth goes round the sun, then we should always see the same set of stars from the Northern and the same set of stars from the Southern Hemispheres all the year round.

(comparative and superlative of “early”) more early than; most early

From this reading THE CONSTELLATIONS From the very earliest times men have watched the stars, felt their mysterious influence, tried to discover what they were, and noted their rising and setting.

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

From this reading Supposing the axis of the earth were quite upright, straight up and down in regard to the plane at which the earth goes round the sun, then we should always see the same set of stars from the Northern and the same set of stars from the Southern Hemispheres all the year round.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading Some of these imaginary figures seem to us so wildly ridiculous that we cannot conceive how anyone could have gone so far out of their way as to invent them.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading THE CONSTELLATIONS From the very earliest times men have watched the stars, felt their mysterious influence, tried to discover what they were, and noted their rising and setting.

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

From this reading They classified them into groups, called constellations, and gave such groups the names of figures and animals, according to the positions of the stars composing them.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading But they have been long sanctioned by custom, so now, though we find it difficult to recognize in scattered groups of stars any likeness to a fish or a ram or a bear; we still call the constellations by their old names for convenience in referring to them.

any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills

From this reading But they have been long sanctioned by custom, so now, though we find it difficult to recognize in scattered groups of stars any likeness to a fish or a ram or a bear; we still call the constellations by their old names for convenience in referring to them.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But they have been long sanctioned by custom, so now, though we find it difficult to recognize in scattered groups of stars any likeness to a fish or a ram or a bear; we still call the constellations by their old names for convenience in referring to them.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE CONSTELLATIONS From the very earliest times men have watched the stars, felt their mysterious influence, tried to discover what they were, and noted their rising and setting.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading They classified them into groups, called constellations, and gave such groups the names of figures and animals, according to the positions of the stars composing them.

plural of “go” — a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)

From this reading Supposing the axis of the earth were quite upright, straight up and down in regard to the plane at which the earth goes round the sun, then we should always see the same set of stars from the Northern and the same set of stars from the Southern Hemispheres all the year round.

destroyed or killed

From this reading Some of these imaginary figures seem to us so wildly ridiculous that we cannot conceive how anyone could have gone so far out of their way as to invent them.

plural of “group” — any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading They classified them into groups, called constellations, and gave such groups the names of figures and animals, according to the positions of the stars composing them.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading THE CONSTELLATIONS From the very earliest times men have watched the stars, felt their mysterious influence, tried to discover what they were, and noted their rising and setting.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Supposing the axis of the earth were quite upright, straight up and down in regard to the plane at which the earth goes round the sun, then we should always see the same set of stars from the Northern and the same set of stars from the Southern Hemispheres all the year round.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Some of these imaginary figures seem to us so wildly ridiculous that we cannot conceive how anyone could have gone so far out of their way as to invent them.

not based on fact; existing only in the imagination

From this reading Some of these imaginary figures seem to us so wildly ridiculous that we cannot conceive how anyone could have gone so far out of their way as to invent them.

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

From this reading But they have been long sanctioned by custom, so now, though we find it difficult to recognize in scattered groups of stars any likeness to a fish or a ram or a bear; we still call the constellations by their old names for convenience in referring to them.

a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc

From this reading THE CONSTELLATIONS From the very earliest times men have watched the stars, felt their mysterious influence, tried to discover what they were, and noted their rising and setting.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading They classified them into groups, called constellations, and gave such groups the names of figures and animals, according to the positions of the stars composing them.

come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort

From this reading Some of these imaginary figures seem to us so wildly ridiculous that we cannot conceive how anyone could have gone so far out of their way as to invent them.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But they have been long sanctioned by custom, so now, though we find it difficult to recognize in scattered groups of stars any likeness to a fish or a ram or a bear; we still call the constellations by their old names for convenience in referring to them.

similarity in appearance or character or nature between persons or things

From this reading But they have been long sanctioned by custom, so now, though we find it difficult to recognize in scattered groups of stars any likeness to a fish or a ram or a bear; we still call the constellations by their old names for convenience in referring to them.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading But they have been long sanctioned by custom, so now, though we find it difficult to recognize in scattered groups of stars any likeness to a fish or a ram or a bear; we still call the constellations by their old names for convenience in referring to them.

the force of workers available

From this reading THE CONSTELLATIONS From the very earliest times men have watched the stars, felt their mysterious influence, tried to discover what they were, and noted their rising and setting.

of an obscure nature

From this reading THE CONSTELLATIONS From the very earliest times men have watched the stars, felt their mysterious influence, tried to discover what they were, and noted their rising and setting.

verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument

From this reading They classified them into groups, called constellations, and gave such groups the names of figures and animals, according to the positions of the stars composing them.

in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Supposing the axis of the earth were quite upright, straight up and down in regard to the plane at which the earth goes round the sun, then we should always see the same set of stars from the Northern and the same set of stars from the Southern Hemispheres all the year round.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading THE CONSTELLATIONS From the very earliest times men have watched the stars, felt their mysterious influence, tried to discover what they were, and noted their rising and setting.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading But they have been long sanctioned by custom, so now, though we find it difficult to recognize in scattered groups of stars any likeness to a fish or a ram or a bear; we still call the constellations by their old names for convenience in referring to them.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading They classified them into groups, called constellations, and gave such groups the names of figures and animals, according to the positions of the stars composing them.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading But they have been long sanctioned by custom, so now, though we find it difficult to recognize in scattered groups of stars any likeness to a fish or a ram or a bear; we still call the constellations by their old names for convenience in referring to them.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading But they have been long sanctioned by custom, so now, though we find it difficult to recognize in scattered groups of stars any likeness to a fish or a ram or a bear; we still call the constellations by their old names for convenience in referring to them.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Some of these imaginary figures seem to us so wildly ridiculous that we cannot conceive how anyone could have gone so far out of their way as to invent them.

an aircraft that has a fixed wing and is powered by propellers or jets

From this reading Supposing the axis of the earth were quite upright, straight up and down in regard to the plane at which the earth goes round the sun, then we should always see the same set of stars from the Northern and the same set of stars from the Southern Hemispheres all the year round.

plural of “position” — the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading They classified them into groups, called constellations, and gave such groups the names of figures and animals, according to the positions of the stars composing them.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading Supposing the axis of the earth were quite upright, straight up and down in regard to the plane at which the earth goes round the sun, then we should always see the same set of stars from the Northern and the same set of stars from the Southern Hemispheres all the year round.

strike or drive against with a heavy impact

From this reading But they have been long sanctioned by custom, so now, though we find it difficult to recognize in scattered groups of stars any likeness to a fish or a ram or a bear; we still call the constellations by their old names for convenience in referring to them.

accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority

From this reading But they have been long sanctioned by custom, so now, though we find it difficult to recognize in scattered groups of stars any likeness to a fish or a ram or a bear; we still call the constellations by their old names for convenience in referring to them.

inflected form of “refer” — make reference to

From this reading But they have been long sanctioned by custom, so now, though we find it difficult to recognize in scattered groups of stars any likeness to a fish or a ram or a bear; we still call the constellations by their old names for convenience in referring to them.

(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point

From this reading Supposing the axis of the earth were quite upright, straight up and down in regard to the plane at which the earth goes round the sun, then we should always see the same set of stars from the Northern and the same set of stars from the Southern Hemispheres all the year round.

inspiring scornful pity

From this reading Some of these imaginary figures seem to us so wildly ridiculous that we cannot conceive how anyone could have gone so far out of their way as to invent them.

advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status

From this reading THE CONSTELLATIONS From the very earliest times men have watched the stars, felt their mysterious influence, tried to discover what they were, and noted their rising and setting.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading Supposing the axis of the earth were quite upright, straight up and down in regard to the plane at which the earth goes round the sun, then we should always see the same set of stars from the Northern and the same set of stars from the Southern Hemispheres all the year round.

Identical; not different.

From this reading Supposing the axis of the earth were quite upright, straight up and down in regard to the plane at which the earth goes round the sun, then we should always see the same set of stars from the Northern and the same set of stars from the Southern Hemispheres all the year round.

conforming to orthodox or recognized rules

From this reading But they have been long sanctioned by custom, so now, though we find it difficult to recognize in scattered groups of stars any likeness to a fish or a ram or a bear; we still call the constellations by their old names for convenience in referring to them.

occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space

From this reading But they have been long sanctioned by custom, so now, though we find it difficult to recognize in scattered groups of stars any likeness to a fish or a ram or a bear; we still call the constellations by their old names for convenience in referring to them.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Supposing the axis of the earth were quite upright, straight up and down in regard to the plane at which the earth goes round the sun, then we should always see the same set of stars from the Northern and the same set of stars from the Southern Hemispheres all the year round.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Some of these imaginary figures seem to us so wildly ridiculous that we cannot conceive how anyone could have gone so far out of their way as to invent them.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Supposing the axis of the earth were quite upright, straight up and down in regard to the plane at which the earth goes round the sun, then we should always see the same set of stars from the Northern and the same set of stars from the Southern Hemispheres all the year round.

the context and environment in which something is set

From this reading THE CONSTELLATIONS From the very earliest times men have watched the stars, felt their mysterious influence, tried to discover what they were, and noted their rising and setting.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Supposing the axis of the earth were quite upright, straight up and down in regard to the plane at which the earth goes round the sun, then we should always see the same set of stars from the Northern and the same set of stars from the Southern Hemispheres all the year round.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Some of these imaginary figures seem to us so wildly ridiculous that we cannot conceive how anyone could have gone so far out of their way as to invent them.

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

From this reading Some of these imaginary figures seem to us so wildly ridiculous that we cannot conceive how anyone could have gone so far out of their way as to invent them.

in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Supposing the axis of the earth were quite upright, straight up and down in regard to the plane at which the earth goes round the sun, then we should always see the same set of stars from the Northern and the same set of stars from the Southern Hemispheres all the year round.

plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior

From this reading THE CONSTELLATIONS From the very earliest times men have watched the stars, felt their mysterious influence, tried to discover what they were, and noted their rising and setting.

not in physical motion

From this reading But they have been long sanctioned by custom, so now, though we find it difficult to recognize in scattered groups of stars any likeness to a fish or a ram or a bear; we still call the constellations by their old names for convenience in referring to them.

successive (without a break)

From this reading Supposing the axis of the earth were quite upright, straight up and down in regard to the plane at which the earth goes round the sun, then we should always see the same set of stars from the Northern and the same set of stars from the Southern Hemispheres all the year round.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading They classified them into groups, called constellations, and gave such groups the names of figures and animals, according to the positions of the stars composing them.

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

From this reading Supposing the axis of the earth were quite upright, straight up and down in regard to the plane at which the earth goes round the sun, then we should always see the same set of stars from the Northern and the same set of stars from the Southern Hemispheres all the year round.

-ing form of “suppose” — express a supposition

From this reading Supposing the axis of the earth were quite upright, straight up and down in regard to the plane at which the earth goes round the sun, then we should always see the same set of stars from the Northern and the same set of stars from the Southern Hemispheres all the year round.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Some of these imaginary figures seem to us so wildly ridiculous that we cannot conceive how anyone could have gone so far out of their way as to invent them.

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

From this reading THE CONSTELLATIONS From the very earliest times men have watched the stars, felt their mysterious influence, tried to discover what they were, and noted their rising and setting.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading THE CONSTELLATIONS From the very earliest times men have watched the stars, felt their mysterious influence, tried to discover what they were, and noted their rising and setting.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading They classified them into groups, called constellations, and gave such groups the names of figures and animals, according to the positions of the stars composing them.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Supposing the axis of the earth were quite upright, straight up and down in regard to the plane at which the earth goes round the sun, then we should always see the same set of stars from the Northern and the same set of stars from the Southern Hemispheres all the year round.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Some of these imaginary figures seem to us so wildly ridiculous that we cannot conceive how anyone could have gone so far out of their way as to invent them.

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

From this reading THE CONSTELLATIONS From the very earliest times men have watched the stars, felt their mysterious influence, tried to discover what they were, and noted their rising and setting.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading But they have been long sanctioned by custom, so now, though we find it difficult to recognize in scattered groups of stars any likeness to a fish or a ram or a bear; we still call the constellations by their old names for convenience in referring to them.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading THE CONSTELLATIONS From the very earliest times men have watched the stars, felt their mysterious influence, tried to discover what they were, and noted their rising and setting.

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

From this reading THE CONSTELLATIONS From the very earliest times men have watched the stars, felt their mysterious influence, tried to discover what they were, and noted their rising and setting.

tested and proved useful or correct

From this reading THE CONSTELLATIONS From the very earliest times men have watched the stars, felt their mysterious influence, tried to discover what they were, and noted their rising and setting.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Supposing the axis of the earth were quite upright, straight up and down in regard to the plane at which the earth goes round the sun, then we should always see the same set of stars from the Northern and the same set of stars from the Southern Hemispheres all the year round.

in a vertical position; not sloping

From this reading Supposing the axis of the earth were quite upright, straight up and down in regard to the plane at which the earth goes round the sun, then we should always see the same set of stars from the Northern and the same set of stars from the Southern Hemispheres all the year round.

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

From this reading Some of these imaginary figures seem to us so wildly ridiculous that we cannot conceive how anyone could have gone so far out of their way as to invent them.

precisely as stated

From this reading THE CONSTELLATIONS From the very earliest times men have watched the stars, felt their mysterious influence, tried to discover what they were, and noted their rising and setting.

past form of “watch” — look attentively

From this reading THE CONSTELLATIONS From the very earliest times men have watched the stars, felt their mysterious influence, tried to discover what they were, and noted their rising and setting.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Some of these imaginary figures seem to us so wildly ridiculous that we cannot conceive how anyone could have gone so far out of their way as to invent them.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Some of these imaginary figures seem to us so wildly ridiculous that we cannot conceive how anyone could have gone so far out of their way as to invent them.

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

From this reading THE CONSTELLATIONS From the very earliest times men have watched the stars, felt their mysterious influence, tried to discover what they were, and noted their rising and setting.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading THE CONSTELLATIONS From the very earliest times men have watched the stars, felt their mysterious influence, tried to discover what they were, and noted their rising and setting.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Supposing the axis of the earth were quite upright, straight up and down in regard to the plane at which the earth goes round the sun, then we should always see the same set of stars from the Northern and the same set of stars from the Southern Hemispheres all the year round.

to an extreme or greatly exaggerated degree

From this reading Some of these imaginary figures seem to us so wildly ridiculous that we cannot conceive how anyone could have gone so far out of their way as to invent them.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading Supposing the axis of the earth were quite upright, straight up and down in regard to the plane at which the earth goes round the sun, then we should always see the same set of stars from the Northern and the same set of stars from the Southern Hemispheres all the year round.