1900
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DYNAMO AND THE VIRGIN (1900) UNTIL the Great Exposition of 1900 closed its doors in November, Adams haunted it, aching to absorb knowledge, and helpless to find it.
absorbverbUS /əbˈzɔːrb/
become imbued
From this reading THE DYNAMO AND THE VIRGIN (1900) UNTIL the Great Exposition of 1900 closed its doors in November, Adams haunted it, aching to absorb knowledge, and helpless to find it.
achingadjectiveUS /ˈeɪkɪŋ/
causing a dull and steady pain
From this reading THE DYNAMO AND THE VIRGIN (1900) UNTIL the Great Exposition of 1900 closed its doors in November, Adams haunted it, aching to absorb knowledge, and helpless to find it.
AdamsnounUS /ˈædəmz/
American Revolutionary leader and patriot; an organizer of the Boston Tea Party and signer of the Declaration of Independence (1722-1803)
From this reading THE DYNAMO AND THE VIRGIN (1900) UNTIL the Great Exposition of 1900 closed its doors in November, Adams haunted it, aching to absorb knowledge, and helpless to find it.
AdvancementnounUS /ədˈvænsmənt/
encouragement of the progress or growth or acceptance of something
From this reading Yet Langley said nothing new, and taught nothing that one might not have learned from Lord Bacon, three hundred years before; but though one should have known the "Advancement of Science" as well as one knew the "Comedy of Errors," the literary knowledge counted for nothing until some teacher should show how to apply it.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE DYNAMO AND THE VIRGIN (1900) UNTIL the Great Exposition of 1900 closed its doors in November, Adams haunted it, aching to absorb knowledge, and helpless to find it.
applyverbUS /əˈplaɪ/
put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
From this reading Yet Langley said nothing new, and taught nothing that one might not have learned from Lord Bacon, three hundred years before; but though one should have known the "Advancement of Science" as well as one knew the "Comedy of Errors," the literary knowledge counted for nothing until some teacher should show how to apply it.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading At Langley's behest, the Exhibition dropped its superfluous rags and stripped itself to the skin, for Langley knew what to study, and why, and how; while Adams might as well have stood outside in the night, staring at the Milky Way.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At Langley's behest, the Exhibition dropped its superfluous rags and stripped itself to the skin, for Langley knew what to study, and why, and how; while Adams might as well have stood outside in the night, staring at the Milky Way.
BaconnounUS /ˈbeɪkən/
back and sides of a hog salted and dried or smoked; usually sliced thin and fried
From this reading Yet Langley said nothing new, and taught nothing that one might not have learned from Lord Bacon, three hundred years before; but though one should have known the "Advancement of Science" as well as one knew the "Comedy of Errors," the literary knowledge counted for nothing until some teacher should show how to apply it.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He would have liked to know how much of it could have been grasped by the best-informed man in the world.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Yet Langley said nothing new, and taught nothing that one might not have learned from Lord Bacon, three hundred years before; but though one should have known the "Advancement of Science" as well as one knew the "Comedy of Errors," the literary knowledge counted for nothing until some teacher should show how to apply it.
behestnounUS /bɪˈhest/
an authoritative command or request
From this reading At Langley's behest, the Exhibition dropped its superfluous rags and stripped itself to the skin, for Langley knew what to study, and why, and how; while Adams might as well have stood outside in the night, staring at the Milky Way.
best-informed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would have liked to know how much of it could have been grasped by the best-informed man in the world.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Yet Langley said nothing new, and taught nothing that one might not have learned from Lord Bacon, three hundred years before; but though one should have known the "Advancement of Science" as well as one knew the "Comedy of Errors," the literary knowledge counted for nothing until some teacher should show how to apply it.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He would have liked to know how much of it could have been grasped by the best-informed man in the world.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading While he was thus meditating chaos, Langley came by, and showed it to him.
chaosnounUS /ˈkeɪɑːs/
a state of extreme confusion and disorder
From this reading While he was thus meditating chaos, Langley came by, and showed it to him.
closedadjectiveUS /kloʊzd/
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading THE DYNAMO AND THE VIRGIN (1900) UNTIL the Great Exposition of 1900 closed its doors in November, Adams haunted it, aching to absorb knowledge, and helpless to find it.
ComedynounUS /ˈkɑːmədi/
light and humorous drama with a happy ending
From this reading Yet Langley said nothing new, and taught nothing that one might not have learned from Lord Bacon, three hundred years before; but though one should have known the "Advancement of Science" as well as one knew the "Comedy of Errors," the literary knowledge counted for nothing until some teacher should show how to apply it.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He would have liked to know how much of it could have been grasped by the best-informed man in the world.
countedverbUS /ˈkaʊntɪd/
past form of “count” — determine the number or amount of
From this reading Yet Langley said nothing new, and taught nothing that one might not have learned from Lord Bacon, three hundred years before; but though one should have known the "Advancement of Science" as well as one knew the "Comedy of Errors," the literary knowledge counted for nothing until some teacher should show how to apply it.
doorsnounUS /dɔːrz/
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading THE DYNAMO AND THE VIRGIN (1900) UNTIL the Great Exposition of 1900 closed its doors in November, Adams haunted it, aching to absorb knowledge, and helpless to find it.
droppedverbUS /drɑːpt/
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading At Langley's behest, the Exhibition dropped its superfluous rags and stripped itself to the skin, for Langley knew what to study, and why, and how; while Adams might as well have stood outside in the night, staring at the Milky Way.
DYNAMOnounUS /ˈdaɪnəmoʊ/
generator consisting of a coil (the armature) that rotates between the poles of an electromagnet (the field magnet) causing a current to flow in the armature
From this reading THE DYNAMO AND THE VIRGIN (1900) UNTIL the Great Exposition of 1900 closed its doors in November, Adams haunted it, aching to absorb knowledge, and helpless to find it.
ErrorsnounUS /ˈerərz/
plural of “error” — a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading Yet Langley said nothing new, and taught nothing that one might not have learned from Lord Bacon, three hundred years before; but though one should have known the "Advancement of Science" as well as one knew the "Comedy of Errors," the literary knowledge counted for nothing until some teacher should show how to apply it.
ExhibitionnounUS /ˌeksəˈbɪʃən/
the act of exhibiting
From this reading At Langley's behest, the Exhibition dropped its superfluous rags and stripped itself to the skin, for Langley knew what to study, and why, and how; while Adams might as well have stood outside in the night, staring at the Milky Way.
ExpositionnounUS /ˌekspəˈzɪʃən/
a systematic interpretation or explanation (usually written) of a specific topic
From this reading THE DYNAMO AND THE VIRGIN (1900) UNTIL the Great Exposition of 1900 closed its doors in November, Adams haunted it, aching to absorb knowledge, and helpless to find it.
findverbUS /faɪnd/
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading THE DYNAMO AND THE VIRGIN (1900) UNTIL the Great Exposition of 1900 closed its doors in November, Adams haunted it, aching to absorb knowledge, and helpless to find it.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading At Langley's behest, the Exhibition dropped its superfluous rags and stripped itself to the skin, for Langley knew what to study, and why, and how; while Adams might as well have stood outside in the night, staring at the Milky Way.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Yet Langley said nothing new, and taught nothing that one might not have learned from Lord Bacon, three hundred years before; but though one should have known the "Advancement of Science" as well as one knew the "Comedy of Errors," the literary knowledge counted for nothing until some teacher should show how to apply it.
graspedverbUS /ɡræspt/
past form of “grasp” — hold firmly
From this reading He would have liked to know how much of it could have been grasped by the best-informed man in the world.
GreatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading THE DYNAMO AND THE VIRGIN (1900) UNTIL the Great Exposition of 1900 closed its doors in November, Adams haunted it, aching to absorb knowledge, and helpless to find it.
hauntedadjectiveUS /ˈhɔːntɪd/
having or showing excessive or compulsive concern with something
From this reading THE DYNAMO AND THE VIRGIN (1900) UNTIL the Great Exposition of 1900 closed its doors in November, Adams haunted it, aching to absorb knowledge, and helpless to find it.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He would have liked to know how much of it could have been grasped by the best-informed man in the world.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He would have liked to know how much of it could have been grasped by the best-informed man in the world.
helplessadjectiveUS /ˈhelpləs/
lacking in or deprived of strength or power
From this reading THE DYNAMO AND THE VIRGIN (1900) UNTIL the Great Exposition of 1900 closed its doors in November, Adams haunted it, aching to absorb knowledge, and helpless to find it.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading While he was thus meditating chaos, Langley came by, and showed it to him.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would have liked to know how much of it could have been grasped by the best-informed man in the world.
hundrednounUS /ˈhʌndrəd/
ten 10s
From this reading Yet Langley said nothing new, and taught nothing that one might not have learned from Lord Bacon, three hundred years before; but though one should have known the "Advancement of Science" as well as one knew the "Comedy of Errors," the literary knowledge counted for nothing until some teacher should show how to apply it.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE DYNAMO AND THE VIRGIN (1900) UNTIL the Great Exposition of 1900 closed its doors in November, Adams haunted it, aching to absorb knowledge, and helpless to find it.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE DYNAMO AND THE VIRGIN (1900) UNTIL the Great Exposition of 1900 closed its doors in November, Adams haunted it, aching to absorb knowledge, and helpless to find it.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading THE DYNAMO AND THE VIRGIN (1900) UNTIL the Great Exposition of 1900 closed its doors in November, Adams haunted it, aching to absorb knowledge, and helpless to find it.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading At Langley's behest, the Exhibition dropped its superfluous rags and stripped itself to the skin, for Langley knew what to study, and why, and how; while Adams might as well have stood outside in the night, staring at the Milky Way.
knewverbUS /nuː/
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading At Langley's behest, the Exhibition dropped its superfluous rags and stripped itself to the skin, for Langley knew what to study, and why, and how; while Adams might as well have stood outside in the night, staring at the Milky Way.
knowverbUS /noʊ/
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He would have liked to know how much of it could have been grasped by the best-informed man in the world.
knowledgenounUS /ˈnɑːlədʒ/
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading THE DYNAMO AND THE VIRGIN (1900) UNTIL the Great Exposition of 1900 closed its doors in November, Adams haunted it, aching to absorb knowledge, and helpless to find it.
knownadjectiveUS /noʊn/
apprehended with certainty
From this reading Yet Langley said nothing new, and taught nothing that one might not have learned from Lord Bacon, three hundred years before; but though one should have known the "Advancement of Science" as well as one knew the "Comedy of Errors," the literary knowledge counted for nothing until some teacher should show how to apply it.
LangleynounUS /ˈlæŋli/
unit of solar radiation
From this reading While he was thus meditating chaos, Langley came by, and showed it to him.
Langley's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At Langley's behest, the Exhibition dropped its superfluous rags and stripped itself to the skin, for Langley knew what to study, and why, and how; while Adams might as well have stood outside in the night, staring at the Milky Way.
learnedadjectiveUS /lɜːrnd/
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading Yet Langley said nothing new, and taught nothing that one might not have learned from Lord Bacon, three hundred years before; but though one should have known the "Advancement of Science" as well as one knew the "Comedy of Errors," the literary knowledge counted for nothing until some teacher should show how to apply it.
likedadjectiveUS /laɪkt/
found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form
From this reading He would have liked to know how much of it could have been grasped by the best-informed man in the world.
literaryadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəreri/
of or relating to or characteristic of literature
From this reading Yet Langley said nothing new, and taught nothing that one might not have learned from Lord Bacon, three hundred years before; but though one should have known the "Advancement of Science" as well as one knew the "Comedy of Errors," the literary knowledge counted for nothing until some teacher should show how to apply it.
LordnounUS /lɔːrd/
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading Yet Langley said nothing new, and taught nothing that one might not have learned from Lord Bacon, three hundred years before; but though one should have known the "Advancement of Science" as well as one knew the "Comedy of Errors," the literary knowledge counted for nothing until some teacher should show how to apply it.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He would have liked to know how much of it could have been grasped by the best-informed man in the world.
meditatingverbUS /ˈmedəteɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “meditate” — reflect deeply on a subject
From this reading While he was thus meditating chaos, Langley came by, and showed it to him.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading At Langley's behest, the Exhibition dropped its superfluous rags and stripped itself to the skin, for Langley knew what to study, and why, and how; while Adams might as well have stood outside in the night, staring at the Milky Way.
MilkyadjectiveUS /ˈmɪlki/
resembling milk in color; not clear
From this reading At Langley's behest, the Exhibition dropped its superfluous rags and stripped itself to the skin, for Langley knew what to study, and why, and how; while Adams might as well have stood outside in the night, staring at the Milky Way.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He would have liked to know how much of it could have been grasped by the best-informed man in the world.
newadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Yet Langley said nothing new, and taught nothing that one might not have learned from Lord Bacon, three hundred years before; but though one should have known the "Advancement of Science" as well as one knew the "Comedy of Errors," the literary knowledge counted for nothing until some teacher should show how to apply it.
nightnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading At Langley's behest, the Exhibition dropped its superfluous rags and stripped itself to the skin, for Langley knew what to study, and why, and how; while Adams might as well have stood outside in the night, staring at the Milky Way.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Yet Langley said nothing new, and taught nothing that one might not have learned from Lord Bacon, three hundred years before; but though one should have known the "Advancement of Science" as well as one knew the "Comedy of Errors," the literary knowledge counted for nothing until some teacher should show how to apply it.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Yet Langley said nothing new, and taught nothing that one might not have learned from Lord Bacon, three hundred years before; but though one should have known the "Advancement of Science" as well as one knew the "Comedy of Errors," the literary knowledge counted for nothing until some teacher should show how to apply it.
NovembernounUS /noʊˈvembər/
the month following October and preceding December
From this reading THE DYNAMO AND THE VIRGIN (1900) UNTIL the Great Exposition of 1900 closed its doors in November, Adams haunted it, aching to absorb knowledge, and helpless to find it.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE DYNAMO AND THE VIRGIN (1900) UNTIL the Great Exposition of 1900 closed its doors in November, Adams haunted it, aching to absorb knowledge, and helpless to find it.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Yet Langley said nothing new, and taught nothing that one might not have learned from Lord Bacon, three hundred years before; but though one should have known the "Advancement of Science" as well as one knew the "Comedy of Errors," the literary knowledge counted for nothing until some teacher should show how to apply it.
outsideadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtˈsaɪd/
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading At Langley's behest, the Exhibition dropped its superfluous rags and stripped itself to the skin, for Langley knew what to study, and why, and how; while Adams might as well have stood outside in the night, staring at the Milky Way.
ragsnounUS /ræɡz/
plural of “rag” — a small piece of cloth or paper
From this reading At Langley's behest, the Exhibition dropped its superfluous rags and stripped itself to the skin, for Langley knew what to study, and why, and how; while Adams might as well have stood outside in the night, staring at the Milky Way.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Yet Langley said nothing new, and taught nothing that one might not have learned from Lord Bacon, three hundred years before; but though one should have known the "Advancement of Science" as well as one knew the "Comedy of Errors," the literary knowledge counted for nothing until some teacher should show how to apply it.
SciencenounUS /ˈsaɪəns/
a particular branch of scientific knowledge
From this reading Yet Langley said nothing new, and taught nothing that one might not have learned from Lord Bacon, three hundred years before; but though one should have known the "Advancement of Science" as well as one knew the "Comedy of Errors," the literary knowledge counted for nothing until some teacher should show how to apply it.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Yet Langley said nothing new, and taught nothing that one might not have learned from Lord Bacon, three hundred years before; but though one should have known the "Advancement of Science" as well as one knew the "Comedy of Errors," the literary knowledge counted for nothing until some teacher should show how to apply it.
showverbUS /ʃoʊ/
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Yet Langley said nothing new, and taught nothing that one might not have learned from Lord Bacon, three hundred years before; but though one should have known the "Advancement of Science" as well as one knew the "Comedy of Errors," the literary knowledge counted for nothing until some teacher should show how to apply it.
showedverbUS /ʃoʊd/
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading While he was thus meditating chaos, Langley came by, and showed it to him.
skinnounUS /skɪn/
a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch
From this reading At Langley's behest, the Exhibition dropped its superfluous rags and stripped itself to the skin, for Langley knew what to study, and why, and how; while Adams might as well have stood outside in the night, staring at the Milky Way.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Yet Langley said nothing new, and taught nothing that one might not have learned from Lord Bacon, three hundred years before; but though one should have known the "Advancement of Science" as well as one knew the "Comedy of Errors," the literary knowledge counted for nothing until some teacher should show how to apply it.
staringadjectiveUS /ˈsterɪŋ/
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading At Langley's behest, the Exhibition dropped its superfluous rags and stripped itself to the skin, for Langley knew what to study, and why, and how; while Adams might as well have stood outside in the night, staring at the Milky Way.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading At Langley's behest, the Exhibition dropped its superfluous rags and stripped itself to the skin, for Langley knew what to study, and why, and how; while Adams might as well have stood outside in the night, staring at the Milky Way.
strippedadjectiveUS /strɪpt/
having only essential or minimal features
From this reading At Langley's behest, the Exhibition dropped its superfluous rags and stripped itself to the skin, for Langley knew what to study, and why, and how; while Adams might as well have stood outside in the night, staring at the Milky Way.
studynounUS /ˈstʌdi/
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading At Langley's behest, the Exhibition dropped its superfluous rags and stripped itself to the skin, for Langley knew what to study, and why, and how; while Adams might as well have stood outside in the night, staring at the Milky Way.
superfluousadjectiveUS /ˈsuːpərflwʌs/
serving no useful purpose; having no excuse for being
From this reading At Langley's behest, the Exhibition dropped its superfluous rags and stripped itself to the skin, for Langley knew what to study, and why, and how; while Adams might as well have stood outside in the night, staring at the Milky Way.
taughtverbUS /tɔːt/
inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading Yet Langley said nothing new, and taught nothing that one might not have learned from Lord Bacon, three hundred years before; but though one should have known the "Advancement of Science" as well as one knew the "Comedy of Errors," the literary knowledge counted for nothing until some teacher should show how to apply it.
teachernounUS /ˈtiːtʃər/
a person whose occupation is teaching
From this reading Yet Langley said nothing new, and taught nothing that one might not have learned from Lord Bacon, three hundred years before; but though one should have known the "Advancement of Science" as well as one knew the "Comedy of Errors," the literary knowledge counted for nothing until some teacher should show how to apply it.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Yet Langley said nothing new, and taught nothing that one might not have learned from Lord Bacon, three hundred years before; but though one should have known the "Advancement of Science" as well as one knew the "Comedy of Errors," the literary knowledge counted for nothing until some teacher should show how to apply it.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DYNAMO AND THE VIRGIN (1900) UNTIL the Great Exposition of 1900 closed its doors in November, Adams haunted it, aching to absorb knowledge, and helpless to find it.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Yet Langley said nothing new, and taught nothing that one might not have learned from Lord Bacon, three hundred years before; but though one should have known the "Advancement of Science" as well as one knew the "Comedy of Errors," the literary knowledge counted for nothing until some teacher should show how to apply it.
threenounUS /θriː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Yet Langley said nothing new, and taught nothing that one might not have learned from Lord Bacon, three hundred years before; but though one should have known the "Advancement of Science" as well as one knew the "Comedy of Errors," the literary knowledge counted for nothing until some teacher should show how to apply it.
thusadverbUS /ðʌs/
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading While he was thus meditating chaos, Langley came by, and showed it to him.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE DYNAMO AND THE VIRGIN (1900) UNTIL the Great Exposition of 1900 closed its doors in November, Adams haunted it, aching to absorb knowledge, and helpless to find it.
UNTILprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading THE DYNAMO AND THE VIRGIN (1900) UNTIL the Great Exposition of 1900 closed its doors in November, Adams haunted it, aching to absorb knowledge, and helpless to find it.
VIRGINnounUS /ˈvɜːrdʒɪn/
a person who has never had sex
From this reading THE DYNAMO AND THE VIRGIN (1900) UNTIL the Great Exposition of 1900 closed its doors in November, Adams haunted it, aching to absorb knowledge, and helpless to find it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading While he was thus meditating chaos, Langley came by, and showed it to him.
WaynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading At Langley's behest, the Exhibition dropped its superfluous rags and stripped itself to the skin, for Langley knew what to study, and why, and how; while Adams might as well have stood outside in the night, staring at the Milky Way.
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 At Langley's behest, the Exhibition dropped its superfluous rags and stripped itself to the skin, for Langley knew what to study, and why, and how; while Adams might as well have stood outside in the night, staring at the Milky Way.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading At Langley's behest, the Exhibition dropped its superfluous rags and stripped itself to the skin, for Langley knew what to study, and why, and how; while Adams might as well have stood outside in the night, staring at the Milky Way.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While he was thus meditating chaos, Langley came by, and showed it to him.
whynounUS /waɪ/
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading At Langley's behest, the Exhibition dropped its superfluous rags and stripped itself to the skin, for Langley knew what to study, and why, and how; while Adams might as well have stood outside in the night, staring at the Milky Way.
worldnounUS /wɜːrld/
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading He would have liked to know how much of it could have been grasped by the best-informed man in the world.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He would have liked to know how much of it could have been grasped by the best-informed man in the world.
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/
a late time of life
From this reading Yet Langley said nothing new, and taught nothing that one might not have learned from Lord Bacon, three hundred years before; but though one should have known the "Advancement of Science" as well as one knew the "Comedy of Errors," the literary knowledge counted for nothing until some teacher should show how to apply it.
YetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet Langley said nothing new, and taught nothing that one might not have learned from Lord Bacon, three hundred years before; but though one should have known the "Advancement of Science" as well as one knew the "Comedy of Errors," the literary knowledge counted for nothing until some teacher should show how to apply it.
