adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Knowledge becomes lumber in a week, therefore, get rid of it.
advicenounUS /ædˈvaɪs/
a proposal for an appropriate course of action
From this reading To the lonely house in the pine wood people sometimes came for advice on subjects too recondite for even those extremes of elucidation, the parish priest and the tavern.
alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading These people were always well received, and their perplexities were attended to instantly, for the Philosophers liked being wise and they were not ashamed to put their learning to the proof, nor were they, as so many wise people are, fearful lest they should become poor or less respected by giving away their knowledge.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading To the lonely house in the pine wood people sometimes came for advice on subjects too recondite for even those extremes of elucidation, the parish priest and the tavern.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading These people were always well received, and their perplexities were attended to instantly, for the Philosophers liked being wise and they were not ashamed to put their learning to the proof, nor were they, as so many wise people are, fearful lest they should become poor or less respected by giving away their knowledge.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading These people were always well received, and their perplexities were attended to instantly, for the Philosophers liked being wise and they were not ashamed to put their learning to the proof, nor were they, as so many wise people are, fearful lest they should become poor or less respected by giving away their knowledge.
ashamedadjectiveUS /əˈʃeɪmd/
feeling shame or guilt or embarrassment or remorse
From this reading These people were always well received, and their perplexities were attended to instantly, for the Philosophers liked being wise and they were not ashamed to put their learning to the proof, nor were they, as so many wise people are, fearful lest they should become poor or less respected by giving away their knowledge.
attendedadjectiveUS /əˈtendɪd/
playing or singing with instrumental or vocal accompaniment
From this reading These people were always well received, and their perplexities were attended to instantly, for the Philosophers liked being wise and they were not ashamed to put their learning to the proof, nor were they, as so many wise people are, fearful lest they should become poor or less respected by giving away their knowledge.
awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading These people were always well received, and their perplexities were attended to instantly, for the Philosophers liked being wise and they were not ashamed to put their learning to the proof, nor were they, as so many wise people are, fearful lest they should become poor or less respected by giving away their knowledge.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading You must be fit to give before you can be fit to receive.
becomeverbUS /bɪˈkʌm/
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading These people were always well received, and their perplexities were attended to instantly, for the Philosophers liked being wise and they were not ashamed to put their learning to the proof, nor were they, as so many wise people are, fearful lest they should become poor or less respected by giving away their knowledge.
becomesverbUS /bɪˈkʌmz/
third-person singular of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Knowledge becomes lumber in a week, therefore, get rid of it.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading You must be fit to give before you can be fit to receive.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading These people were always well received, and their perplexities were attended to instantly, for the Philosophers liked being wise and they were not ashamed to put their learning to the proof, nor were they, as so many wise people are, fearful lest they should become poor or less respected by giving away their knowledge.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading These people were always well received, and their perplexities were attended to instantly, for the Philosophers liked being wise and they were not ashamed to put their learning to the proof, nor were they, as so many wise people are, fearful lest they should become poor or less respected by giving away their knowledge.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading To the lonely house in the pine wood people sometimes came for advice on subjects too recondite for even those extremes of elucidation, the parish priest and the tavern.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading You must be fit to give before you can be fit to receive.
elucidationnoun
an act of explaining that serves to clear up and cast light on
From this reading To the lonely house in the pine wood people sometimes came for advice on subjects too recondite for even those extremes of elucidation, the parish priest and the tavern.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading To the lonely house in the pine wood people sometimes came for advice on subjects too recondite for even those extremes of elucidation, the parish priest and the tavern.
extremesnounUS /ekˈstriːmz/
plural of “extreme” — the furthest or highest degree of something
From this reading To the lonely house in the pine wood people sometimes came for advice on subjects too recondite for even those extremes of elucidation, the parish priest and the tavern.
favouritenounUS /ˈfeɪvərɪt/
a competitor thought likely to win
From this reading These were favourite maxims with them:
fearfuladjectiveUS /ˈfɪrfəl/
experiencing or showing fear
From this reading These people were always well received, and their perplexities were attended to instantly, for the Philosophers liked being wise and they were not ashamed to put their learning to the proof, nor were they, as so many wise people are, fearful lest they should become poor or less respected by giving away their knowledge.
fitverbUS /fɪt/
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading You must be fit to give before you can be fit to receive.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading To the lonely house in the pine wood people sometimes came for advice on subjects too recondite for even those extremes of elucidation, the parish priest and the tavern.
getverbUS /ɡet/
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Knowledge becomes lumber in a week, therefore, get rid of it.
giveverbUS /ɡɪv/
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading You must be fit to give before you can be fit to receive.
givingnounUS /ˈɡɪvɪŋ/
the act of giving
From this reading These people were always well received, and their perplexities were attended to instantly, for the Philosophers liked being wise and they were not ashamed to put their learning to the proof, nor were they, as so many wise people are, fearful lest they should become poor or less respected by giving away their knowledge.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading To the lonely house in the pine wood people sometimes came for advice on subjects too recondite for even those extremes of elucidation, the parish priest and the tavern.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading To the lonely house in the pine wood people sometimes came for advice on subjects too recondite for even those extremes of elucidation, the parish priest and the tavern.
instantlyadverbUS /ˈɪnstəntli/
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading These people were always well received, and their perplexities were attended to instantly, for the Philosophers liked being wise and they were not ashamed to put their learning to the proof, nor were they, as so many wise people are, fearful lest they should become poor or less respected by giving away their knowledge.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Knowledge becomes lumber in a week, therefore, get rid of it.
knowledgenounUS /ˈnɑːlədʒ/
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading These people were always well received, and their perplexities were attended to instantly, for the Philosophers liked being wise and they were not ashamed to put their learning to the proof, nor were they, as so many wise people are, fearful lest they should become poor or less respected by giving away their knowledge.
learningnounUS /ˈlɜːrnɪŋ/
the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge
From this reading These people were always well received, and their perplexities were attended to instantly, for the Philosophers liked being wise and they were not ashamed to put their learning to the proof, nor were they, as so many wise people are, fearful lest they should become poor or less respected by giving away their knowledge.
lessadverbUS /les/
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading These people were always well received, and their perplexities were attended to instantly, for the Philosophers liked being wise and they were not ashamed to put their learning to the proof, nor were they, as so many wise people are, fearful lest they should become poor or less respected by giving away their knowledge.
lestconjunctionUS /lest/
in order that something should not happen
From this reading These people were always well received, and their perplexities were attended to instantly, for the Philosophers liked being wise and they were not ashamed to put their learning to the proof, nor were they, as so many wise people are, fearful lest they should become poor or less respected by giving away their knowledge.
likedadjectiveUS /laɪkt/
found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form
From this reading These people were always well received, and their perplexities were attended to instantly, for the Philosophers liked being wise and they were not ashamed to put their learning to the proof, nor were they, as so many wise people are, fearful lest they should become poor or less respected by giving away their knowledge.
lonelyadjectiveUS /ˈloʊnli/
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading To the lonely house in the pine wood people sometimes came for advice on subjects too recondite for even those extremes of elucidation, the parish priest and the tavern.
lumbernounUS /ˈlʌmbər/
the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material
From this reading Knowledge becomes lumber in a week, therefore, get rid of it.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading These people were always well received, and their perplexities were attended to instantly, for the Philosophers liked being wise and they were not ashamed to put their learning to the proof, nor were they, as so many wise people are, fearful lest they should become poor or less respected by giving away their knowledge.
maximsnounUS /ˈmæksəmz/
plural of “maxim” — a saying that is widely accepted on its own merits
From this reading These were favourite maxims with them:
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading You must be fit to give before you can be fit to receive.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading These people were always well received, and their perplexities were attended to instantly, for the Philosophers liked being wise and they were not ashamed to put their learning to the proof, nor were they, as so many wise people are, fearful lest they should become poor or less respected by giving away their knowledge.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading These people were always well received, and their perplexities were attended to instantly, for the Philosophers liked being wise and they were not ashamed to put their learning to the proof, nor were they, as so many wise people are, fearful lest they should become poor or less respected by giving away their knowledge.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading To the lonely house in the pine wood people sometimes came for advice on subjects too recondite for even those extremes of elucidation, the parish priest and the tavern.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading To the lonely house in the pine wood people sometimes came for advice on subjects too recondite for even those extremes of elucidation, the parish priest and the tavern.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading These people were always well received, and their perplexities were attended to instantly, for the Philosophers liked being wise and they were not ashamed to put their learning to the proof, nor were they, as so many wise people are, fearful lest they should become poor or less respected by giving away their knowledge.
parishnounUS /ˈpærɪʃ/
a local church community
From this reading To the lonely house in the pine wood people sometimes came for advice on subjects too recondite for even those extremes of elucidation, the parish priest and the tavern.
peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading To the lonely house in the pine wood people sometimes came for advice on subjects too recondite for even those extremes of elucidation, the parish priest and the tavern.
perplexities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These people were always well received, and their perplexities were attended to instantly, for the Philosophers liked being wise and they were not ashamed to put their learning to the proof, nor were they, as so many wise people are, fearful lest they should become poor or less respected by giving away their knowledge.
PhilosophersnounUS /fəˈlɑːsəfərz/
plural of “philosopher” — a specialist in philosophy
From this reading These people were always well received, and their perplexities were attended to instantly, for the Philosophers liked being wise and they were not ashamed to put their learning to the proof, nor were they, as so many wise people are, fearful lest they should become poor or less respected by giving away their knowledge.
pinenounUS /paɪn/
a coniferous tree
From this reading To the lonely house in the pine wood people sometimes came for advice on subjects too recondite for even those extremes of elucidation, the parish priest and the tavern.
pooradjectiveUS /puːr/
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading These people were always well received, and their perplexities were attended to instantly, for the Philosophers liked being wise and they were not ashamed to put their learning to the proof, nor were they, as so many wise people are, fearful lest they should become poor or less respected by giving away their knowledge.
priestnounUS /priːst/
a clergyman in Christian churches who has the authority to perform or administer various religious rites; one of the Holy Orders
From this reading To the lonely house in the pine wood people sometimes came for advice on subjects too recondite for even those extremes of elucidation, the parish priest and the tavern.
proofnounUS /pruːf/
any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something
From this reading These people were always well received, and their perplexities were attended to instantly, for the Philosophers liked being wise and they were not ashamed to put their learning to the proof, nor were they, as so many wise people are, fearful lest they should become poor or less respected by giving away their knowledge.
putverbUS /pʊt/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading These people were always well received, and their perplexities were attended to instantly, for the Philosophers liked being wise and they were not ashamed to put their learning to the proof, nor were they, as so many wise people are, fearful lest they should become poor or less respected by giving away their knowledge.
receiveverbUS /rəˈsiːv/
get something; come into possession of
From this reading You must be fit to give before you can be fit to receive.
receivedadjectiveUS /rəˈsiːvd/
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading These people were always well received, and their perplexities were attended to instantly, for the Philosophers liked being wise and they were not ashamed to put their learning to the proof, nor were they, as so many wise people are, fearful lest they should become poor or less respected by giving away their knowledge.
reconditeadjectiveUS /ˈrekəndaɪt/
difficult to penetrate; incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge
From this reading To the lonely house in the pine wood people sometimes came for advice on subjects too recondite for even those extremes of elucidation, the parish priest and the tavern.
respectedadjectiveUS /rɪˈspektɪd/
receiving deferential regard
From this reading These people were always well received, and their perplexities were attended to instantly, for the Philosophers liked being wise and they were not ashamed to put their learning to the proof, nor were they, as so many wise people are, fearful lest they should become poor or less respected by giving away their knowledge.
ridverbUS /rɪd/
relieve from
From this reading Knowledge becomes lumber in a week, therefore, get rid of it.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading These people were always well received, and their perplexities were attended to instantly, for the Philosophers liked being wise and they were not ashamed to put their learning to the proof, nor were they, as so many wise people are, fearful lest they should become poor or less respected by giving away their knowledge.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading These people were always well received, and their perplexities were attended to instantly, for the Philosophers liked being wise and they were not ashamed to put their learning to the proof, nor were they, as so many wise people are, fearful lest they should become poor or less respected by giving away their knowledge.
sometimesadverbUS /səmˈtaɪmz/
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading To the lonely house in the pine wood people sometimes came for advice on subjects too recondite for even those extremes of elucidation, the parish priest and the tavern.
subjectsnounUS /ˈsʌbdʒɪkts/
plural of “subject” — the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading To the lonely house in the pine wood people sometimes came for advice on subjects too recondite for even those extremes of elucidation, the parish priest and the tavern.
tavernnounUS /ˈtævərn/
a building with a bar that is licensed to sell alcoholic drinks
From this reading To the lonely house in the pine wood people sometimes came for advice on subjects too recondite for even those extremes of elucidation, the parish priest and the tavern.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading To the lonely house in the pine wood people sometimes came for advice on subjects too recondite for even those extremes of elucidation, the parish priest and the tavern.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading These people were always well received, and their perplexities were attended to instantly, for the Philosophers liked being wise and they were not ashamed to put their learning to the proof, nor were they, as so many wise people are, fearful lest they should become poor or less respected by giving away their knowledge.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading These were favourite maxims with them:
thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/
for that reason; as a result
From this reading Knowledge becomes lumber in a week, therefore, get rid of it.
ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These people were always well received, and their perplexities were attended to instantly, for the Philosophers liked being wise and they were not ashamed to put their learning to the proof, nor were they, as so many wise people are, fearful lest they should become poor or less respected by giving away their knowledge.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading These people were always well received, and their perplexities were attended to instantly, for the Philosophers liked being wise and they were not ashamed to put their learning to the proof, nor were they, as so many wise people are, fearful lest they should become poor or less respected by giving away their knowledge.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading To the lonely house in the pine wood people sometimes came for advice on subjects too recondite for even those extremes of elucidation, the parish priest and the tavern.
ToparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To the lonely house in the pine wood people sometimes came for advice on subjects too recondite for even those extremes of elucidation, the parish priest and the tavern.
tooadverbUS /tuː/
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading To the lonely house in the pine wood people sometimes came for advice on subjects too recondite for even those extremes of elucidation, the parish priest and the tavern.
weeknounUS /wiːk/
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Knowledge becomes lumber in a week, therefore, get rid of it.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading These people were always well received, and their perplexities were attended to instantly, for the Philosophers liked being wise and they were not ashamed to put their learning to the proof, nor were they, as so many wise people are, fearful lest they should become poor or less respected by giving away their knowledge.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading These people were always well received, and their perplexities were attended to instantly, for the Philosophers liked being wise and they were not ashamed to put their learning to the proof, nor were they, as so many wise people are, fearful lest they should become poor or less respected by giving away their knowledge.
wiseadjectiveUS /waɪz/
having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading These people were always well received, and their perplexities were attended to instantly, for the Philosophers liked being wise and they were not ashamed to put their learning to the proof, nor were they, as so many wise people are, fearful lest they should become poor or less respected by giving away their knowledge.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading These were favourite maxims with them:
woodnounUS /wʊd/
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading To the lonely house in the pine wood people sometimes came for advice on subjects too recondite for even those extremes of elucidation, the parish priest and the tavern.
YoupronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading You must be fit to give before you can be fit to receive.
