used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE FIRST AMERICANS It has been said that civilization is but a layer-cake of eras—a building up of strata, with the brute state at the bottom.
abilitynounUS /əˈbɪlətiː/
the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment
From this reading And the story of man’s rise and fall, in the passing of the ages, usually is buried in the earth, to be laid bare to our eyes if we have but the patience to find and the ability to understand.
addsnounUS /ædz/
plural of “add” — a condition (mostly in boys) characterized by behavioral and learning disorders
From this reading Layer upon layer, each succeeding generation adds its small bit of culture or knowledge, until a golden age is finally reached.
anew
From this reading And, sadly enough, from that age of enlightenment, the hope of the world, there has always been a rapid decline, until centuries later, perhaps, again begins the tedious gradual uplift.
how long something has existed
From this reading Layer upon layer, each succeeding generation adds its small bit of culture or knowledge, until a golden age is finally reached.
plural of “age” — how long something has existed
From this reading And the story of man’s rise and fall, in the passing of the ages, usually is buried in the earth, to be laid bare to our eyes if we have but the patience to find and the ability to understand.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading And, sadly enough, from that age of enlightenment, the hope of the world, there has always been a rapid decline, until centuries later, perhaps, again begins the tedious gradual uplift.
AMERICANSnounUS /əˈmerəkənz/
plural of “american” — a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading THE FIRST AMERICANS It has been said that civilization is but a layer-cake of eras—a building up of strata, with the brute state at the bottom.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And, sadly enough, from that age of enlightenment, the hope of the world, there has always been a rapid decline, until centuries later, perhaps, again begins the tedious gradual uplift.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Just as a good woodsman can read from a scratch on a tree or a faint footprint on the ground things not obvious to the untrained observer, our men of science have developed remarkable expertness in divining the history of bygone eras from the scanty traces that remain.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE FIRST AMERICANS It has been said that civilization is but a layer-cake of eras—a building up of strata, with the brute state at the bottom.
completely unclothed
From this reading And the story of man’s rise and fall, in the passing of the ages, usually is buried in the earth, to be laid bare to our eyes if we have but the patience to find and the ability to understand.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading And the story of man’s rise and fall, in the passing of the ages, usually is buried in the earth, to be laid bare to our eyes if we have but the patience to find and the ability to understand.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading THE FIRST AMERICANS It has been said that civilization is but a layer-cake of eras—a building up of strata, with the brute state at the bottom.
beginsnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnz/
plural of “begin” — Israeli statesman (born in Russia) who (as prime minister of Israel) negotiated a peace treaty with Anwar Sadat (then the president of Egypt) (1913-1992)
From this reading And, sadly enough, from that age of enlightenment, the hope of the world, there has always been a rapid decline, until centuries later, perhaps, again begins the tedious gradual uplift.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading Layer upon layer, each succeeding generation adds its small bit of culture or knowledge, until a golden age is finally reached.
the lower side of anything
From this reading THE FIRST AMERICANS It has been said that civilization is but a layer-cake of eras—a building up of strata, with the brute state at the bottom.
brutenounUS /bruːt/
a cruelly rapacious person
From this reading THE FIRST AMERICANS It has been said that civilization is but a layer-cake of eras—a building up of strata, with the brute state at the bottom.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading THE FIRST AMERICANS It has been said that civilization is but a layer-cake of eras—a building up of strata, with the brute state at the bottom.
placed in a grave
From this reading And the story of man’s rise and fall, in the passing of the ages, usually is buried in the earth, to be laid bare to our eyes if we have but the patience to find and the ability to understand.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading THE FIRST AMERICANS It has been said that civilization is but a layer-cake of eras—a building up of strata, with the brute state at the bottom.
bygonenounUS /ˈbaɪɡɔːn/
past events to be put aside
From this reading Just as a good woodsman can read from a scratch on a tree or a faint footprint on the ground things not obvious to the untrained observer, our men of science have developed remarkable expertness in divining the history of bygone eras from the scanty traces that remain.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Just as a good woodsman can read from a scratch on a tree or a faint footprint on the ground things not obvious to the untrained observer, our men of science have developed remarkable expertness in divining the history of bygone eras from the scanty traces that remain.
centuriesnounUS /ˈsentʃəriz/
plural of “century” — a period of 100 years
From this reading And, sadly enough, from that age of enlightenment, the hope of the world, there has always been a rapid decline, until centuries later, perhaps, again begins the tedious gradual uplift.
civilizationnounUS /ˌsɪvəlɪˈzeɪʃən/
a society in an advanced state of social development (e.g., with complex legal and political and religious organizations)
From this reading THE FIRST AMERICANS It has been said that civilization is but a layer-cake of eras—a building up of strata, with the brute state at the bottom.
culturenounUS /ˈkʌltʃər/
a particular society at a particular time and place
From this reading Layer upon layer, each succeeding generation adds its small bit of culture or knowledge, until a golden age is finally reached.
declineverbUS /dɪˈklaɪn/
grow worse
From this reading And, sadly enough, from that age of enlightenment, the hope of the world, there has always been a rapid decline, until centuries later, perhaps, again begins the tedious gradual uplift.
developedadjectiveUS /dɪˈveləpt/
being changed over time so as to be e.g. stronger or more complete or more useful
From this reading Just as a good woodsman can read from a scratch on a tree or a faint footprint on the ground things not obvious to the untrained observer, our men of science have developed remarkable expertness in divining the history of bygone eras from the scanty traces that remain.
diviningverbUS /dəˈvaɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “divine” — perceive intuitively or through some inexplicable perceptive powers
From this reading Just as a good woodsman can read from a scratch on a tree or a faint footprint on the ground things not obvious to the untrained observer, our men of science have developed remarkable expertness in divining the history of bygone eras from the scanty traces that remain.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Layer upon layer, each succeeding generation adds its small bit of culture or knowledge, until a golden age is finally reached.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading And the story of man’s rise and fall, in the passing of the ages, usually is buried in the earth, to be laid bare to our eyes if we have but the patience to find and the ability to understand.
enlightenmentnounUS /ˌenˈlaɪtənmənt/
education that results in understanding and the spread of knowledge
From this reading And, sadly enough, from that age of enlightenment, the hope of the world, there has always been a rapid decline, until centuries later, perhaps, again begins the tedious gradual uplift.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading And, sadly enough, from that age of enlightenment, the hope of the world, there has always been a rapid decline, until centuries later, perhaps, again begins the tedious gradual uplift.
erasnounUS /ˈɪrəz/
plural of “era” — a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
From this reading THE FIRST AMERICANS It has been said that civilization is but a layer-cake of eras—a building up of strata, with the brute state at the bottom.
expertnessnoun
skillfulness by virtue of possessing special knowledge
From this reading Just as a good woodsman can read from a scratch on a tree or a faint footprint on the ground things not obvious to the untrained observer, our men of science have developed remarkable expertness in divining the history of bygone eras from the scanty traces that remain.
opinion or judgment
From this reading And the story of man’s rise and fall, in the passing of the ages, usually is buried in the earth, to be laid bare to our eyes if we have but the patience to find and the ability to understand.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading Just as a good woodsman can read from a scratch on a tree or a faint footprint on the ground things not obvious to the untrained observer, our men of science have developed remarkable expertness in divining the history of bygone eras from the scanty traces that remain.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading And the story of man’s rise and fall, in the passing of the ages, usually is buried in the earth, to be laid bare to our eyes if we have but the patience to find and the ability to understand.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading Layer upon layer, each succeeding generation adds its small bit of culture or knowledge, until a golden age is finally reached.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading And the story of man’s rise and fall, in the passing of the ages, usually is buried in the earth, to be laid bare to our eyes if we have but the patience to find and the ability to understand.
FIRSTadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading THE FIRST AMERICANS It has been said that civilization is but a layer-cake of eras—a building up of strata, with the brute state at the bottom.
footprintnounUS /ˈfʊtprɪnt/
a mark of a foot or shoe on a surface
From this reading Just as a good woodsman can read from a scratch on a tree or a faint footprint on the ground things not obvious to the untrained observer, our men of science have developed remarkable expertness in divining the history of bygone eras from the scanty traces that remain.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading And, sadly enough, from that age of enlightenment, the hope of the world, there has always been a rapid decline, until centuries later, perhaps, again begins the tedious gradual uplift.
generationnounUS /ˌdʒenərˈeɪʃən/
all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age
From this reading Layer upon layer, each succeeding generation adds its small bit of culture or knowledge, until a golden age is finally reached.
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading Layer upon layer, each succeeding generation adds its small bit of culture or knowledge, until a golden age is finally reached.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Just as a good woodsman can read from a scratch on a tree or a faint footprint on the ground things not obvious to the untrained observer, our men of science have developed remarkable expertness in divining the history of bygone eras from the scanty traces that remain.
gradualadjectiveUS /ˈɡrædʒuːəl/
proceeding in small stages
From this reading And, sadly enough, from that age of enlightenment, the hope of the world, there has always been a rapid decline, until centuries later, perhaps, again begins the tedious gradual uplift.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading Just as a good woodsman can read from a scratch on a tree or a faint footprint on the ground things not obvious to the untrained observer, our men of science have developed remarkable expertness in divining the history of bygone eras from the scanty traces that remain.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE FIRST AMERICANS It has been said that civilization is but a layer-cake of eras—a building up of strata, with the brute state at the bottom.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading And the story of man’s rise and fall, in the passing of the ages, usually is buried in the earth, to be laid bare to our eyes if we have but the patience to find and the ability to understand.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading Just as a good woodsman can read from a scratch on a tree or a faint footprint on the ground things not obvious to the untrained observer, our men of science have developed remarkable expertness in divining the history of bygone eras from the scanty traces that remain.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading And, sadly enough, from that age of enlightenment, the hope of the world, there has always been a rapid decline, until centuries later, perhaps, again begins the tedious gradual uplift.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading And the story of man’s rise and fall, in the passing of the ages, usually is buried in the earth, to be laid bare to our eyes if we have but the patience to find and the ability to understand.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading And the story of man’s rise and fall, in the passing of the ages, usually is buried in the earth, to be laid bare to our eyes if we have but the patience to find and the ability to understand.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE FIRST AMERICANS It has been said that civilization is but a layer-cake of eras—a building up of strata, with the brute state at the bottom.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE FIRST AMERICANS It has been said that civilization is but a layer-cake of eras—a building up of strata, with the brute state at the bottom.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Layer upon layer, each succeeding generation adds its small bit of culture or knowledge, until a golden age is finally reached.
and nothing more
From this reading Just as a good woodsman can read from a scratch on a tree or a faint footprint on the ground things not obvious to the untrained observer, our men of science have developed remarkable expertness in divining the history of bygone eras from the scanty traces that remain.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading Layer upon layer, each succeeding generation adds its small bit of culture or knowledge, until a golden age is finally reached.
set down according to a plan
From this reading And the story of man’s rise and fall, in the passing of the ages, usually is buried in the earth, to be laid bare to our eyes if we have but the patience to find and the ability to understand.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading And, sadly enough, from that age of enlightenment, the hope of the world, there has always been a rapid decline, until centuries later, perhaps, again begins the tedious gradual uplift.
LayernounUS /ˈleɪər/
single thickness of usually some homogeneous substance
From this reading Layer upon layer, each succeeding generation adds its small bit of culture or knowledge, until a golden age is finally reached.
layer-cake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIRST AMERICANS It has been said that civilization is but a layer-cake of eras—a building up of strata, with the brute state at the bottom.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading And the story of man’s rise and fall, in the passing of the ages, usually is buried in the earth, to be laid bare to our eyes if we have but the patience to find and the ability to understand.
the force of workers available
From this reading Just as a good woodsman can read from a scratch on a tree or a faint footprint on the ground things not obvious to the untrained observer, our men of science have developed remarkable expertness in divining the history of bygone eras from the scanty traces that remain.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Just as a good woodsman can read from a scratch on a tree or a faint footprint on the ground things not obvious to the untrained observer, our men of science have developed remarkable expertness in divining the history of bygone eras from the scanty traces that remain.
observernounUS /əbˈzɜːrvər/
a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses
From this reading Just as a good woodsman can read from a scratch on a tree or a faint footprint on the ground things not obvious to the untrained observer, our men of science have developed remarkable expertness in divining the history of bygone eras from the scanty traces that remain.
obviousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːbviəs/
easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind
From this reading Just as a good woodsman can read from a scratch on a tree or a faint footprint on the ground things not obvious to the untrained observer, our men of science have developed remarkable expertness in divining the history of bygone eras from the scanty traces that remain.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE FIRST AMERICANS It has been said that civilization is but a layer-cake of eras—a building up of strata, with the brute state at the bottom.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Just as a good woodsman can read from a scratch on a tree or a faint footprint on the ground things not obvious to the untrained observer, our men of science have developed remarkable expertness in divining the history of bygone eras from the scanty traces that remain.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Layer upon layer, each succeeding generation adds its small bit of culture or knowledge, until a golden age is finally reached.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading And the story of man’s rise and fall, in the passing of the ages, usually is buried in the earth, to be laid bare to our eyes if we have but the patience to find and the ability to understand.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading And the story of man’s rise and fall, in the passing of the ages, usually is buried in the earth, to be laid bare to our eyes if we have but the patience to find and the ability to understand.
good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence
From this reading And the story of man’s rise and fall, in the passing of the ages, usually is buried in the earth, to be laid bare to our eyes if we have but the patience to find and the ability to understand.
by chance
From this reading And, sadly enough, from that age of enlightenment, the hope of the world, there has always been a rapid decline, until centuries later, perhaps, again begins the tedious gradual uplift.
rapidadjectiveUS /ˈræpəd/
done or occurring in a brief period of time
From this reading And, sadly enough, from that age of enlightenment, the hope of the world, there has always been a rapid decline, until centuries later, perhaps, again begins the tedious gradual uplift.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Layer upon layer, each succeeding generation adds its small bit of culture or knowledge, until a golden age is finally reached.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading Just as a good woodsman can read from a scratch on a tree or a faint footprint on the ground things not obvious to the untrained observer, our men of science have developed remarkable expertness in divining the history of bygone eras from the scanty traces that remain.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Just as a good woodsman can read from a scratch on a tree or a faint footprint on the ground things not obvious to the untrained observer, our men of science have developed remarkable expertness in divining the history of bygone eras from the scanty traces that remain.
unusual or striking
From this reading Just as a good woodsman can read from a scratch on a tree or a faint footprint on the ground things not obvious to the untrained observer, our men of science have developed remarkable expertness in divining the history of bygone eras from the scanty traces that remain.
move upward
From this reading And the story of man’s rise and fall, in the passing of the ages, usually is buried in the earth, to be laid bare to our eyes if we have but the patience to find and the ability to understand.
in an unfortunate way
From this reading And, sadly enough, from that age of enlightenment, the hope of the world, there has always been a rapid decline, until centuries later, perhaps, again begins the tedious gradual uplift.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading THE FIRST AMERICANS It has been said that civilization is but a layer-cake of eras—a building up of strata, with the brute state at the bottom.
scantyadjectiveUS /ˈskænti/
lacking in magnitude or quantity
From this reading Just as a good woodsman can read from a scratch on a tree or a faint footprint on the ground things not obvious to the untrained observer, our men of science have developed remarkable expertness in divining the history of bygone eras from the scanty traces that remain.
a particular branch of scientific knowledge
From this reading Just as a good woodsman can read from a scratch on a tree or a faint footprint on the ground things not obvious to the untrained observer, our men of science have developed remarkable expertness in divining the history of bygone eras from the scanty traces that remain.
scratchverbUS /skrætʃ/
cause friction
From this reading Just as a good woodsman can read from a scratch on a tree or a faint footprint on the ground things not obvious to the untrained observer, our men of science have developed remarkable expertness in divining the history of bygone eras from the scanty traces that remain.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Layer upon layer, each succeeding generation adds its small bit of culture or knowledge, until a golden age is finally reached.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading THE FIRST AMERICANS It has been said that civilization is but a layer-cake of eras—a building up of strata, with the brute state at the bottom.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading And the story of man’s rise and fall, in the passing of the ages, usually is buried in the earth, to be laid bare to our eyes if we have but the patience to find and the ability to understand.
stratanounUS /ˈstrætə/
plural of “stratum” — one of several parallel layers of material arranged one on top of another (such as a layer of tissue or cells in an organism or a layer of sedimentary rock)
From this reading THE FIRST AMERICANS It has been said that civilization is but a layer-cake of eras—a building up of strata, with the brute state at the bottom.
succeedingadjectiveUS /səkˈsiːdɪŋ/
coming after or following
From this reading Layer upon layer, each succeeding generation adds its small bit of culture or knowledge, until a golden age is finally reached.
tediousadjectiveUS /ˈtiːdiəs/
so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness
From this reading And, sadly enough, from that age of enlightenment, the hope of the world, there has always been a rapid decline, until centuries later, perhaps, again begins the tedious gradual uplift.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE FIRST AMERICANS It has been said that civilization is but a layer-cake of eras—a building up of strata, with the brute state at the bottom.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FIRST AMERICANS It has been said that civilization is but a layer-cake of eras—a building up of strata, with the brute state at the bottom.
in or at that place or location
From this reading And, sadly enough, from that age of enlightenment, the hope of the world, there has always been a rapid decline, until centuries later, perhaps, again begins the tedious gradual uplift.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Just as a good woodsman can read from a scratch on a tree or a faint footprint on the ground things not obvious to the untrained observer, our men of science have developed remarkable expertness in divining the history of bygone eras from the scanty traces that remain.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And the story of man’s rise and fall, in the passing of the ages, usually is buried in the earth, to be laid bare to our eyes if we have but the patience to find and the ability to understand.
tracesnounUS /ˈtreɪsəz/
plural of “trace” — a just detectable amount
From this reading Just as a good woodsman can read from a scratch on a tree or a faint footprint on the ground things not obvious to the untrained observer, our men of science have developed remarkable expertness in divining the history of bygone eras from the scanty traces that remain.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading Just as a good woodsman can read from a scratch on a tree or a faint footprint on the ground things not obvious to the untrained observer, our men of science have developed remarkable expertness in divining the history of bygone eras from the scanty traces that remain.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading And the story of man’s rise and fall, in the passing of the ages, usually is buried in the earth, to be laid bare to our eyes if we have but the patience to find and the ability to understand.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Layer upon layer, each succeeding generation adds its small bit of culture or knowledge, until a golden age is finally reached.
untrainedadjectiveUS /ənˈtreɪnd/
not disciplined or conditioned or made adept by training
From this reading Just as a good woodsman can read from a scratch on a tree or a faint footprint on the ground things not obvious to the untrained observer, our men of science have developed remarkable expertness in divining the history of bygone eras from the scanty traces that remain.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading THE FIRST AMERICANS It has been said that civilization is but a layer-cake of eras—a building up of strata, with the brute state at the bottom.
upliftverbUS /ˈʌplɪft/
fill with high spirits; fill with optimism
From this reading And, sadly enough, from that age of enlightenment, the hope of the world, there has always been a rapid decline, until centuries later, perhaps, again begins the tedious gradual uplift.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Layer upon layer, each succeeding generation adds its small bit of culture or knowledge, until a golden age is finally reached.
under normal conditions
From this reading And the story of man’s rise and fall, in the passing of the ages, usually is buried in the earth, to be laid bare to our eyes if we have but the patience to find and the ability to understand.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading And the story of man’s rise and fall, in the passing of the ages, usually is buried in the earth, to be laid bare to our eyes if we have but the patience to find and the ability to understand.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE FIRST AMERICANS It has been said that civilization is but a layer-cake of eras—a building up of strata, with the brute state at the bottom.
woodsmannounUS /ˈwʊdzmæn/
someone who lives in the woods
From this reading Just as a good woodsman can read from a scratch on a tree or a faint footprint on the ground things not obvious to the untrained observer, our men of science have developed remarkable expertness in divining the history of bygone eras from the scanty traces that remain.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading And, sadly enough, from that age of enlightenment, the hope of the world, there has always been a rapid decline, until centuries later, perhaps, again begins the tedious gradual uplift.
