1903
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Published October, 1903._ _There are many books written nowadays which will tell you about birds as folk of the twentieth century see them.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading We can find them out for ourselves, which is a very pleasant thing to do, or we can take the word of others, of which there is no lack.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading _Published October, 1903._ _There are many books written nowadays which will tell you about birds as folk of the twentieth century see 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 But these books tell you nothing at all about bird-history; about what birds have meant to all the generations of men, women, and children since the world began.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading You would think, to read the words of the bird-book men, that they were the very first folk to see any bird, and that what they think they have seen is the only matter worth the knowing._ _Now the interesting facts about birds we have always with us.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They describe carefully the singer's house, his habits, the number of his little wife's eggs, and the color of every tiny feather on her pretty wings.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading You would think, to read the words of the bird-book men, that they were the very first folk to see any bird, and that what they think they have seen is the only matter worth the knowing._ _Now the interesting facts about birds we have always with us.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading _Published October, 1903._ _There are many books written nowadays which will tell you about birds as folk of the twentieth century see them.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading _Published October, 1903._ _There are many books written nowadays which will tell you about birds as folk of the twentieth century see them.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But these books tell you nothing at all about bird-history; about what birds have meant to all the generations of men, women, and children since the world began.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading But these books tell you nothing at all about bird-history; about what birds have meant to all the generations of men, women, and children since the world began.
warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading You would think, to read the words of the bird-book men, that they were the very first folk to see any bird, and that what they think they have seen is the only matter worth the knowing._ _Now the interesting facts about birds we have always with us.
bird-book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You would think, to read the words of the bird-book men, that they were the very first folk to see any bird, and that what they think they have seen is the only matter worth the knowing._ _Now the interesting facts about birds we have always with us.
bird-history
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But these books tell you nothing at all about bird-history; about what birds have meant to all the generations of men, women, and children since the world began.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading _Published October, 1903._ _There are many books written nowadays which will tell you about birds as folk of the twentieth century see them.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading _Published October, 1903._ _There are many books written nowadays which will tell you about birds as folk of the twentieth century see them.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But these books tell you nothing at all about bird-history; about what birds have meant to all the generations of men, women, and children since the world began.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading We can find them out for ourselves, which is a very pleasant thing to do, or we can take the word of others, of which there is no lack.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading They describe carefully the singer's house, his habits, the number of his little wife's eggs, and the color of every tiny feather on her pretty wings.
a period of 100 years
From this reading _Published October, 1903._ _There are many books written nowadays which will tell you about birds as folk of the twentieth century see them.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading But these books tell you nothing at all about bird-history; about what birds have meant to all the generations of men, women, and children since the world began.
a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect
From this reading They describe carefully the singer's house, his habits, the number of his little wife's eggs, and the color of every tiny feather on her pretty wings.
give a description of
From this reading They describe carefully the singer's house, his habits, the number of his little wife's eggs, and the color of every tiny feather on her pretty wings.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading We can find them out for ourselves, which is a very pleasant thing to do, or we can take the word of others, of which there is no lack.
eggsnounUS /eɡz/
oval reproductive body of a fowl (especially a hen) used as food
From this reading They describe carefully the singer's house, his habits, the number of his little wife's eggs, and the color of every tiny feather on her pretty wings.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading They describe carefully the singer's house, his habits, the number of his little wife's eggs, and the color of every tiny feather on her pretty wings.
plural of “fact” — a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading You would think, to read the words of the bird-book men, that they were the very first folk to see any bird, and that what they think they have seen is the only matter worth the knowing._ _Now the interesting facts about birds we have always with us.
featherverbUS /ˈfeðər/
join tongue and groove, in carpentry
From this reading They describe carefully the singer's house, his habits, the number of his little wife's eggs, and the color of every tiny feather on her pretty wings.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading We can find them out for ourselves, which is a very pleasant thing to do, or we can take the word of others, of which there is no lack.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading You would think, to read the words of the bird-book men, that they were the very first folk to see any bird, and that what they think they have seen is the only matter worth the knowing._ _Now the interesting facts about birds we have always with us.
people in general (often used in the plural)
From this reading _Published October, 1903._ _There are many books written nowadays which will tell you about birds as folk of the twentieth century see them.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading We can find them out for ourselves, which is a very pleasant thing to do, or we can take the word of others, of which there is no lack.
generationsnounUS /ˌdʒenərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “generation” — all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age
From this reading But these books tell you nothing at all about bird-history; about what birds have meant to all the generations of men, women, and children since the world began.
plural of “habit” — an established custom
From this reading They describe carefully the singer's house, his habits, the number of his little wife's eggs, and the color of every tiny feather on her pretty wings.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But these books tell you nothing at all about bird-history; about what birds have meant to all the generations of men, women, and children since the world began.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading They describe carefully the singer's house, his habits, the number of his little wife's eggs, and the color of every tiny feather on her pretty wings.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading They describe carefully the singer's house, his habits, the number of his little wife's eggs, and the color of every tiny feather on her pretty wings.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading They describe carefully the singer's house, his habits, the number of his little wife's eggs, and the color of every tiny feather on her pretty wings.
arousing or holding the attention
From this reading You would think, to read the words of the bird-book men, that they were the very first folk to see any bird, and that what they think they have seen is the only matter worth the knowing._ _Now the interesting facts about birds we have always with us.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading You would think, to read the words of the bird-book men, that they were the very first folk to see any bird, and that what they think they have seen is the only matter worth the knowing._ _Now the interesting facts about birds we have always with us.
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading You would think, to read the words of the bird-book men, that they were the very first folk to see any bird, and that what they think they have seen is the only matter worth the knowing._ _Now the interesting facts about birds we have always with us.
the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable
From this reading We can find them out for ourselves, which is a very pleasant thing to do, or we can take the word of others, of which there is no lack.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading They describe carefully the singer's house, his habits, the number of his little wife's eggs, and the color of every tiny feather on her pretty wings.
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 _Published October, 1903._ _There are many books written nowadays which will tell you about birds as folk of the twentieth century see them.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading You would think, to read the words of the bird-book men, that they were the very first folk to see any bird, and that what they think they have seen is the only matter worth the knowing._ _Now the interesting facts about birds we have always with us.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading But these books tell you nothing at all about bird-history; about what birds have meant to all the generations of men, women, and children since the world began.
the force of workers available
From this reading But these books tell you nothing at all about bird-history; about what birds have meant to all the generations of men, women, and children since the world began.
not any; not one
From this reading We can find them out for ourselves, which is a very pleasant thing to do, or we can take the word of others, of which there is no lack.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading But these books tell you nothing at all about bird-history; about what birds have meant to all the generations of men, women, and children since the world began.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading You would think, to read the words of the bird-book men, that they were the very first folk to see any bird, and that what they think they have seen is the only matter worth the knowing._ _Now the interesting facts about birds we have always with us.
nowadaysnounUS /ˈnaʊədeɪz/
the period of time that is happening now; any continuous stretch of time including the moment of speech
From this reading _Published October, 1903._ _There are many books written nowadays which will tell you about birds as folk of the twentieth century see them.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading They describe carefully the singer's house, his habits, the number of his little wife's eggs, and the color of every tiny feather on her pretty wings.
OctobernounUS /ɑːkˈtoʊbər/
the month following September and preceding November
From this reading _Published October, 1903._ _There are many books written nowadays which will tell you about birds as folk of the twentieth century see them.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _Published October, 1903._ _There are many books written nowadays which will tell you about birds as folk of the twentieth century see them.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They describe carefully the singer's house, his habits, the number of his little wife's eggs, and the color of every tiny feather on her pretty wings.
and nothing more
From this reading You would think, to read the words of the bird-book men, that they were the very first folk to see any bird, and that what they think they have seen is the only matter worth the knowing._ _Now the interesting facts about birds we have always with us.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading We can find them out for ourselves, which is a very pleasant thing to do, or we can take the word of others, of which there is no lack.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We can find them out for ourselves, which is a very pleasant thing to do, or we can take the word of others, of which there is no lack.
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading We can find them out for ourselves, which is a very pleasant thing to do, or we can take the word of others, of which there is no lack.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading We can find them out for ourselves, which is a very pleasant thing to do, or we can take the word of others, of which there is no lack.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading We can find them out for ourselves, which is a very pleasant thing to do, or we can take the word of others, of which there is no lack.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading They describe carefully the singer's house, his habits, the number of his little wife's eggs, and the color of every tiny feather on her pretty wings.
prepared and printed for distribution and sale
From this reading _Published October, 1903._ _There are many books written nowadays which will tell you about birds as folk of the twentieth century see them.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading You would think, to read the words of the bird-book men, that they were the very first folk to see any bird, and that what they think they have seen is the only matter worth the knowing._ _Now the interesting facts about birds we have always with us.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading _Published October, 1903._ _There are many books written nowadays which will tell you about birds as folk of the twentieth century see them.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading You would think, to read the words of the bird-book men, that they were the very first folk to see any bird, and that what they think they have seen is the only matter worth the knowing._ _Now the interesting facts about birds we have always with us.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading But these books tell you nothing at all about bird-history; about what birds have meant to all the generations of men, women, and children since the world began.
singer'snounUS /ˈsɪŋərz/
possessive form of “singer” — a person who sings
From this reading They describe carefully the singer's house, his habits, the number of his little wife's eggs, and the color of every tiny feather on her pretty wings.
carry out
From this reading We can find them out for ourselves, which is a very pleasant thing to do, or we can take the word of others, of which there is no lack.
express in words
From this reading _Published October, 1903._ _There are many books written nowadays which will tell you about birds as folk of the twentieth century see them.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading You would think, to read the words of the bird-book men, that they were the very first folk to see any bird, and that what they think they have seen is the only matter worth the knowing._ _Now the interesting facts about birds we have always with us.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _Published October, 1903._ _There are many books written nowadays which will tell you about birds as folk of the twentieth century see them.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading _Published October, 1903._ _There are many books written nowadays which will tell you about birds as folk of the twentieth century see them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading _Published October, 1903._ _There are many books written nowadays which will tell you about birds as folk of the twentieth century see them.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading But these books tell you nothing at all about bird-history; about what birds have meant to all the generations of men, women, and children since the world began.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They describe carefully the singer's house, his habits, the number of his little wife's eggs, and the color of every tiny feather on her pretty wings.
a special situation
From this reading We can find them out for ourselves, which is a very pleasant thing to do, or we can take the word of others, of which there is no lack.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading You would think, to read the words of the bird-book men, that they were the very first folk to see any bird, and that what they think they have seen is the only matter worth the knowing._ _Now the interesting facts about birds we have always with us.
very small
From this reading They describe carefully the singer's house, his habits, the number of his little wife's eggs, and the color of every tiny feather on her pretty wings.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But these books tell you nothing at all about bird-history; about what birds have meant to all the generations of men, women, and children since the world began.
twentiethnounUS /ˈtwentiəθ/
position 20 in a countable series of things
From this reading _Published October, 1903._ _There are many books written nowadays which will tell you about birds as folk of the twentieth century see them.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading You would think, to read the words of the bird-book men, that they were the very first folk to see any bird, and that what they think they have seen is the only matter worth the knowing._ _Now the interesting facts about birds we have always with us.
precisely as stated
From this reading You would think, to read the words of the bird-book men, that they were the very first folk to see any bird, and that what they think they have seen is the only matter worth the knowing._ _Now the interesting facts about birds we have always with us.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading You would think, to read the words of the bird-book men, that they were the very first folk to see any bird, and that what they think they have seen is the only matter worth the knowing._ _Now the interesting facts about birds we have always with us.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading You would think, to read the words of the bird-book men, that they were the very first folk to see any bird, and that what they think they have seen is the only matter worth the knowing._ _Now the interesting facts about birds we have always with us.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But these books tell you nothing at all about bird-history; about what birds have meant to all the generations of men, women, and children since the world began.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading _Published October, 1903._ _There are many books written nowadays which will tell you about birds as folk of the twentieth century see them.
wife'snounUS /waɪfs/
possessive form of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading They describe carefully the singer's house, his habits, the number of his little wife's eggs, and the color of every tiny feather on her pretty wings.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading _Published October, 1903._ _There are many books written nowadays which will tell you about birds as folk of the twentieth century see them.
a means of flight or ascent
From this reading They describe carefully the singer's house, his habits, the number of his little wife's eggs, and the color of every tiny feather on her pretty wings.
in the company of; together with
From this reading You would think, to read the words of the bird-book men, that they were the very first folk to see any bird, and that what they think they have seen is the only matter worth the knowing._ _Now the interesting facts about birds we have always with us.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading But these books tell you nothing at all about bird-history; about what birds have meant to all the generations of men, women, and children since the world began.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading We can find them out for ourselves, which is a very pleasant thing to do, or we can take the word of others, of which there is no lack.
the words that are spoken
From this reading You would think, to read the words of the bird-book men, that they were the very first folk to see any bird, and that what they think they have seen is the only matter worth the knowing._ _Now the interesting facts about birds we have always with us.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading But these books tell you nothing at all about bird-history; about what birds have meant to all the generations of men, women, and children since the world began.
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading You would think, to read the words of the bird-book men, that they were the very first folk to see any bird, and that what they think they have seen is the only matter worth the knowing._ _Now the interesting facts about birds we have always with us.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading You would think, to read the words of the bird-book men, that they were the very first folk to see any bird, and that what they think they have seen is the only matter worth the knowing._ _Now the interesting facts about birds we have always with us.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading _Published October, 1903._ _There are many books written nowadays which will tell you about birds as folk of the twentieth century see them.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading _Published October, 1903._ _There are many books written nowadays which will tell you about birds as folk of the twentieth century see them.
