used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AN ECONOMIC NIGHTMARE i You may define a mass delusion; you cannot explain it really.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There was no answer, for man himself had invented the riddle; nevertheless what one believed about it was more important than life, happiness or civilization.
inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense
From this reading Once the peace of the world was shattered by this absurd question: Was the male or the female faculty the first cause of the universe?
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN ECONOMIC NIGHTMARE i You may define a mass delusion; you cannot explain it really.
react verbally
From this reading There was no answer, for man himself had invented the riddle; nevertheless what one believed about it was more important than life, happiness or civilization.
from appearances alone
From this reading It is a malady of the imagination, incurable by reason, that apparently must run its course.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading If it does not lead people to self-destruction in a wild dilemma between two symbols of faith it will yield at last to the facts of experience.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading There was no answer, for man himself had invented the riddle; nevertheless what one believed about it was more important than life, happiness or civilization.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading If it does not lead people to self-destruction in a wild dilemma between two symbols of faith it will yield at last to the facts of experience.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It is a malady of the imagination, incurable by reason, that apparently must run its course.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ECONOMIC NIGHTMARE i You may define a mass delusion; you cannot explain it really.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading Once the peace of the world was shattered by this absurd question: Was the male or the female faculty the first cause of the universe?
civilizationnounUS /ˌsɪvəlɪˈzeɪʃən/
a society in an advanced state of social development (e.g., with complex legal and political and religious organizations)
From this reading There was no answer, for man himself had invented the riddle; nevertheless what one believed about it was more important than life, happiness or civilization.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading It is a malady of the imagination, incurable by reason, that apparently must run its course.
defineverbUS /dɪˈfaɪn/
determine the essential quality of
From this reading AN ECONOMIC NIGHTMARE i You may define a mass delusion; you cannot explain it really.
delusionnounUS /dɪˈluːʒən/
(psychology) an erroneous belief that is held in the face of evidence to the contrary
From this reading AN ECONOMIC NIGHTMARE i You may define a mass delusion; you cannot explain it really.
dilemmanounUS /dɪˈlemə/
state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options
From this reading If it does not lead people to self-destruction in a wild dilemma between two symbols of faith it will yield at last to the facts of experience.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If it does not lead people to self-destruction in a wild dilemma between two symbols of faith it will yield at last to the facts of experience.
ECONOMICadjectiveUS /ˌekəˈnɑːmɪk/
of or relating to an economy, the system of production and management of material wealth
From this reading AN ECONOMIC NIGHTMARE i You may define a mass delusion; you cannot explain it really.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading If it does not lead people to self-destruction in a wild dilemma between two symbols of faith it will yield at last to the facts of experience.
make plain and comprehensible
From this reading AN ECONOMIC NIGHTMARE i You may define a mass delusion; you cannot explain it really.
plural of “fact” — a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading If it does not lead people to self-destruction in a wild dilemma between two symbols of faith it will yield at last to the facts of experience.
facultynounUS /ˈfækəlti/
one of the inherent cognitive or perceptual powers of the mind
From this reading Once the peace of the world was shattered by this absurd question: Was the male or the female faculty the first cause of the universe?
a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
From this reading If it does not lead people to self-destruction in a wild dilemma between two symbols of faith it will yield at last to the facts of experience.
being the sex (of plant or animal) that produces fertilizable gametes (ova) from which offspring develop
From this reading Once the peace of the world was shattered by this absurd question: Was the male or the female faculty the first cause of the universe?
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Once the peace of the world was shattered by this absurd question: Was the male or the female faculty the first cause of the universe?
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There was no answer, for man himself had invented the riddle; nevertheless what one believed about it was more important than life, happiness or civilization.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There was no answer, for man himself had invented the riddle; nevertheless what one believed about it was more important than life, happiness or civilization.
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading There was no answer, for man himself had invented the riddle; nevertheless what one believed about it was more important than life, happiness or civilization.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading There was no answer, for man himself had invented the riddle; nevertheless what one believed about it was more important than life, happiness or civilization.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading AN ECONOMIC NIGHTMARE i You may define a mass delusion; you cannot explain it really.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If it does not lead people to self-destruction in a wild dilemma between two symbols of faith it will yield at last to the facts of experience.
the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses
From this reading It is a malady of the imagination, incurable by reason, that apparently must run its course.
of great significance or value
From this reading There was no answer, for man himself had invented the riddle; nevertheless what one believed about it was more important than life, happiness or civilization.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading If it does not lead people to self-destruction in a wild dilemma between two symbols of faith it will yield at last to the facts of experience.
incurableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkjʊrəbəl/
incapable of being cured
From this reading It is a malady of the imagination, incurable by reason, that apparently must run its course.
inventedverbUS /ˌɪnˈventəd/
past form of “invent” — come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort
From this reading There was no answer, for man himself had invented the riddle; nevertheless what one believed about it was more important than life, happiness or civilization.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is a malady of the imagination, incurable by reason, that apparently must run its course.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading AN ECONOMIC NIGHTMARE i You may define a mass delusion; you cannot explain it really.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It is a malady of the imagination, incurable by reason, that apparently must run its course.
immediately past
From this reading If it does not lead people to self-destruction in a wild dilemma between two symbols of faith it will yield at last to the facts of experience.
take somebody somewhere
From this reading If it does not lead people to self-destruction in a wild dilemma between two symbols of faith it will yield at last to the facts of experience.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading There was no answer, for man himself had invented the riddle; nevertheless what one believed about it was more important than life, happiness or civilization.
maladynounUS /ˈmælədi/
any unwholesome or desperate condition
From this reading It is a malady of the imagination, incurable by reason, that apparently must run its course.
malenounUS /meɪl/
an animal that produces gametes (spermatozoa) that can fertilize female gametes
From this reading Once the peace of the world was shattered by this absurd question: Was the male or the female faculty the first cause of the universe?
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading There was no answer, for man himself had invented the riddle; nevertheless what one believed about it was more important than life, happiness or civilization.
the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field
From this reading AN ECONOMIC NIGHTMARE i You may define a mass delusion; you cannot explain it really.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading AN ECONOMIC NIGHTMARE i You may define a mass delusion; you cannot explain it really.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading There was no answer, for man himself had invented the riddle; nevertheless what one believed about it was more important than life, happiness or civilization.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading It is a malady of the imagination, incurable by reason, that apparently must run its course.
in spite of what has just been said
From this reading There was no answer, for man himself had invented the riddle; nevertheless what one believed about it was more important than life, happiness or civilization.
NIGHTMAREnounUS /ˈnaɪt.mɛr/
A terrifying or distressing dream.
From this reading AN ECONOMIC NIGHTMARE i You may define a mass delusion; you cannot explain it really.
not any; not one
From this reading There was no answer, for man himself had invented the riddle; nevertheless what one believed about it was more important than life, happiness or civilization.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading If it does not lead people to self-destruction in a wild dilemma between two symbols of faith it will yield at last to the facts of experience.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It is a malady of the imagination, incurable by reason, that apparently must run its course.
on one occasion
From this reading Once the peace of the world was shattered by this absurd question: Was the male or the female faculty the first cause of the universe?
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There was no answer, for man himself had invented the riddle; nevertheless what one believed about it was more important than life, happiness or civilization.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Once the peace of the world was shattered by this absurd question: Was the male or the female faculty the first cause of the universe?
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading Once the peace of the world was shattered by this absurd question: Was the male or the female faculty the first cause of the universe?
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading If it does not lead people to self-destruction in a wild dilemma between two symbols of faith it will yield at last to the facts of experience.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading Once the peace of the world was shattered by this absurd question: Was the male or the female faculty the first cause of the universe?
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading AN ECONOMIC NIGHTMARE i You may define a mass delusion; you cannot explain it really.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading It is a malady of the imagination, incurable by reason, that apparently must run its course.
riddleverbUS /ˈrɪdəl/
pierce with many holes
From this reading There was no answer, for man himself had invented the riddle; nevertheless what one believed about it was more important than life, happiness or civilization.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading It is a malady of the imagination, incurable by reason, that apparently must run its course.
self-destructionnounUS /ˈselfdɪˈstrʌkts/
the act of killing yourself
From this reading If it does not lead people to self-destruction in a wild dilemma between two symbols of faith it will yield at last to the facts of experience.
shatteredadjectiveUS /ˈʃætərd/
ruined or disrupted
From this reading Once the peace of the world was shattered by this absurd question: Was the male or the female faculty the first cause of the universe?
symbolsnounUS /ˈsɪmbəlz/
plural of “symbol” — an arbitrary sign (written or printed) that has acquired a conventional significance
From this reading If it does not lead people to self-destruction in a wild dilemma between two symbols of faith it will yield at last to the facts of experience.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading There was no answer, for man himself had invented the riddle; nevertheless what one believed about it was more important than life, happiness or civilization.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It is a malady of the imagination, incurable by reason, that apparently must run its course.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It is a malady of the imagination, incurable by reason, that apparently must run its course.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was no answer, for man himself had invented the riddle; nevertheless what one believed about it was more important than life, happiness or civilization.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Once the peace of the world was shattered by this absurd question: Was the male or the female faculty the first cause of the universe?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading If it does not lead people to self-destruction in a wild dilemma between two symbols of faith it will yield at last to the facts of experience.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading If it does not lead people to self-destruction in a wild dilemma between two symbols of faith it will yield at last to the facts of experience.
universenounUS /ˈjuːnəvɜːrs/
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Once the peace of the world was shattered by this absurd question: Was the male or the female faculty the first cause of the universe?
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Once the peace of the world was shattered by this absurd question: Was the male or the female faculty the first cause of the universe?
used to ask for information about something
From this reading There was no answer, for man himself had invented the riddle; nevertheless what one believed about it was more important than life, happiness or civilization.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading If it does not lead people to self-destruction in a wild dilemma between two symbols of faith it will yield at last to the facts of experience.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading If it does not lead people to self-destruction in a wild dilemma between two symbols of faith it will yield at last to the facts of experience.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Once the peace of the world was shattered by this absurd question: Was the male or the female faculty the first cause of the universe?
yieldverbUS /jiːld/
be the cause or source of
From this reading If it does not lead people to self-destruction in a wild dilemma between two symbols of faith it will yield at last to the facts of experience.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading AN ECONOMIC NIGHTMARE i You may define a mass delusion; you cannot explain it really.
