used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Oratory was, therefore, a strenuous business, and one which required a keen imagination, more than ordinary intelligence, and considerable histrionic ability.
abilitynounUS /əˈbɪlətiː/
the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment
From this reading Oratory was, therefore, a strenuous business, and one which required a keen imagination, more than ordinary intelligence, and considerable histrionic ability.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Tha, being second only to Nu, was the first among the warriors to speak.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As speech was young and words comparatively few they must needs be supplemented with many signs and gestures.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading Now, we converse mechanically--the more one listens to ordinary conversations the more apparent it becomes that the reasoning faculties of the brain take little part in the direction of the vocal organs.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading Because it was so difficult to convey one's ideas to one's fellowmen the art of speech, in its infancy, was of infinitely more value to the human race than it is today.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As speech was young and words comparatively few they must needs be supplemented with many signs and gestures.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading As speech was young and words comparatively few they must needs be supplemented with many signs and gestures.
for the reason that
From this reading Because it was so difficult to convey one's ideas to one's fellowmen the art of speech, in its infancy, was of infinitely more value to the human race than it is today.
third-person singular of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Now, we converse mechanically--the more one listens to ordinary conversations the more apparent it becomes that the reasoning faculties of the brain take little part in the direction of the vocal organs.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Tha, being second only to Nu, was the first among the warriors to speak.
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading Now, we converse mechanically--the more one listens to ordinary conversations the more apparent it becomes that the reasoning faculties of the brain take little part in the direction of the vocal organs.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading Oratory was, therefore, a strenuous business, and one which required a keen imagination, more than ordinary intelligence, and considerable histrionic ability.
comparativelyadverbUS /kəmˈperətɪvli/
in a relative manner; by comparison to something else
From this reading As speech was young and words comparatively few they must needs be supplemented with many signs and gestures.
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Oratory was, therefore, a strenuous business, and one which required a keen imagination, more than ordinary intelligence, and considerable histrionic ability.
conversationsnounUS /ˌkɑːnvərˈseɪʃənz/
plural of “conversation” — the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading Now, we converse mechanically--the more one listens to ordinary conversations the more apparent it becomes that the reasoning faculties of the brain take little part in the direction of the vocal organs.
converseverbUS /ˈkɑːnvərs/
carry on a conversation
From this reading Now, we converse mechanically--the more one listens to ordinary conversations the more apparent it becomes that the reasoning faculties of the brain take little part in the direction of the vocal organs.
conveyverbUS /kənˈveɪ/
(of information) make known; pass on
From this reading Because it was so difficult to convey one's ideas to one's fellowmen the art of speech, in its infancy, was of infinitely more value to the human race than it is today.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Because it was so difficult to convey one's ideas to one's fellowmen the art of speech, in its infancy, was of infinitely more value to the human race than it is today.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading Now, we converse mechanically--the more one listens to ordinary conversations the more apparent it becomes that the reasoning faculties of the brain take little part in the direction of the vocal organs.
facultiesnounUS /ˈfækəltiz/
plural of “faculty” — one of the inherent cognitive or perceptual powers of the mind
From this reading Now, we converse mechanically--the more one listens to ordinary conversations the more apparent it becomes that the reasoning faculties of the brain take little part in the direction of the vocal organs.
fellowmen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Because it was so difficult to convey one's ideas to one's fellowmen the art of speech, in its infancy, was of infinitely more value to the human race than it is today.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading As speech was young and words comparatively few they must needs be supplemented with many signs and gestures.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Tha, being second only to Nu, was the first among the warriors to speak.
gesturesnounUS /ˈdʒestʃərz/
plural of “gesture” — motion of hands or body to emphasize or help to express a thought or feeling
From this reading As speech was young and words comparatively few they must needs be supplemented with many signs and gestures.
histrionicadjectiveUS /ˌhɪstriˈɑːnɪk/
characteristic of acting or a stage performance; often affected
From this reading Oratory was, therefore, a strenuous business, and one which required a keen imagination, more than ordinary intelligence, and considerable histrionic ability.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading Because it was so difficult to convey one's ideas to one's fellowmen the art of speech, in its infancy, was of infinitely more value to the human race than it is today.
plural of “idea” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Because it was so difficult to convey one's ideas to one's fellowmen the art of speech, in its infancy, was of infinitely more value to the human race than it is today.
the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses
From this reading Oratory was, therefore, a strenuous business, and one which required a keen imagination, more than ordinary intelligence, and considerable histrionic ability.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Because it was so difficult to convey one's ideas to one's fellowmen the art of speech, in its infancy, was of infinitely more value to the human race than it is today.
infancynounUS /ˈɪnfənsi/
the early stage of growth or development
From this reading Because it was so difficult to convey one's ideas to one's fellowmen the art of speech, in its infancy, was of infinitely more value to the human race than it is today.
infinitelyadverbUS /ˈɪnfənətli/
without bounds
From this reading Because it was so difficult to convey one's ideas to one's fellowmen the art of speech, in its infancy, was of infinitely more value to the human race than it is today.
the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience
From this reading Oratory was, therefore, a strenuous business, and one which required a keen imagination, more than ordinary intelligence, and considerable histrionic ability.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Because it was so difficult to convey one's ideas to one's fellowmen the art of speech, in its infancy, was of infinitely more value to the human race than it is today.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Because it was so difficult to convey one's ideas to one's fellowmen the art of speech, in its infancy, was of infinitely more value to the human race than it is today.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Because it was so difficult to convey one's ideas to one's fellowmen the art of speech, in its infancy, was of infinitely more value to the human race than it is today.
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading Oratory was, therefore, a strenuous business, and one which required a keen imagination, more than ordinary intelligence, and considerable histrionic ability.
listensverbUS /ˈlɪsənz/
third-person singular of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading Now, we converse mechanically--the more one listens to ordinary conversations the more apparent it becomes that the reasoning faculties of the brain take little part in the direction of the vocal organs.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Now, we converse mechanically--the more one listens to ordinary conversations the more apparent it becomes that the reasoning faculties of the brain take little part in the direction of the vocal organs.
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 As speech was young and words comparatively few they must needs be supplemented with many signs and gestures.
mechanicallyadverbUS /məˈkænɪkli/
in a mechanical manner; by a mechanism
From this reading Now, we converse mechanically--the more one listens to ordinary conversations the more apparent it becomes that the reasoning faculties of the brain take little part in the direction of the vocal organs.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Oratory was, therefore, a strenuous business, and one which required a keen imagination, more than ordinary intelligence, and considerable histrionic ability.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading As speech was young and words comparatively few they must needs be supplemented with many signs and gestures.
in such a manner as could not be otherwise
From this reading As speech was young and words comparatively few they must needs be supplemented with many signs and gestures.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now, we converse mechanically--the more one listens to ordinary conversations the more apparent it becomes that the reasoning faculties of the brain take little part in the direction of the vocal organs.
NunounUS /nuː/
the 13th letter of the Greek alphabet
From this reading Tha, being second only to Nu, was the first among the warriors to speak.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Because it was so difficult to convey one's ideas to one's fellowmen the art of speech, in its infancy, was of infinitely more value to the human race than it is today.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Oratory was, therefore, a strenuous business, and one which required a keen imagination, more than ordinary intelligence, and considerable histrionic ability.
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Because it was so difficult to convey one's ideas to one's fellowmen the art of speech, in its infancy, was of infinitely more value to the human race than it is today.
and nothing more
From this reading Tha, being second only to Nu, was the first among the warriors to speak.
OratorynounUS /ˈɔːrətɔːri/
addressing an audience formally (usually a long and rhetorical address and often pompous)
From this reading Oratory was, therefore, a strenuous business, and one which required a keen imagination, more than ordinary intelligence, and considerable histrionic ability.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading Oratory was, therefore, a strenuous business, and one which required a keen imagination, more than ordinary intelligence, and considerable histrionic ability.
organsnounUS /ˈɔːrɡənz/
edible viscera of a butchered animal
From this reading Now, we converse mechanically--the more one listens to ordinary conversations the more apparent it becomes that the reasoning faculties of the brain take little part in the direction of the vocal organs.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Now, we converse mechanically--the more one listens to ordinary conversations the more apparent it becomes that the reasoning faculties of the brain take little part in the direction of the vocal organs.
any competition
From this reading Because it was so difficult to convey one's ideas to one's fellowmen the art of speech, in its infancy, was of infinitely more value to the human race than it is today.
reasoningnounUS /ˈriːzənɪŋ/
thinking that is coherent and logical
From this reading Now, we converse mechanically--the more one listens to ordinary conversations the more apparent it becomes that the reasoning faculties of the brain take little part in the direction of the vocal organs.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading Oratory was, therefore, a strenuous business, and one which required a keen imagination, more than ordinary intelligence, and considerable histrionic ability.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading Tha, being second only to Nu, was the first among the warriors to speak.
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading As speech was young and words comparatively few they must needs be supplemented with many signs and gestures.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Because it was so difficult to convey one's ideas to one's fellowmen the art of speech, in its infancy, was of infinitely more value to the human race than it is today.
express in speech
From this reading Tha, being second only to Nu, was the first among the warriors to speak.
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading As speech was young and words comparatively few they must needs be supplemented with many signs and gestures.
strenuousadjectiveUS /ˈstrenjuːəs/
characterized by or performed with much energy or force
From this reading Oratory was, therefore, a strenuous business, and one which required a keen imagination, more than ordinary intelligence, and considerable histrionic ability.
supplementedverbUS /sʌpləmentɪd/
past form of “supplement” — add as a supplement to what seems insufficient
From this reading As speech was young and words comparatively few they must needs be supplemented with many signs and gestures.
carry out
From this reading Now, we converse mechanically--the more one listens to ordinary conversations the more apparent it becomes that the reasoning faculties of the brain take little part in the direction of the vocal organs.
Tha
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tha, being second only to Nu, was the first among the warriors to speak.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Oratory was, therefore, a strenuous business, and one which required a keen imagination, more than ordinary intelligence, and considerable histrionic ability.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Now, we converse mechanically--the more one listens to ordinary conversations the more apparent it becomes that the reasoning faculties of the brain take little part in the direction of the vocal organs.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Tha, being second only to Nu, was the first among the warriors to speak.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading Oratory was, therefore, a strenuous business, and one which required a keen imagination, more than ordinary intelligence, and considerable histrionic ability.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As speech was young and words comparatively few they must needs be supplemented with many signs and gestures.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Tha, being second only to Nu, was the first among the warriors to speak.
todaynounUS /təˈdeɪ/
the present time or age
From this reading Because it was so difficult to convey one's ideas to one's fellowmen the art of speech, in its infancy, was of infinitely more value to the human race than it is today.
a numerical quantity measured or assigned or computed
From this reading Because it was so difficult to convey one's ideas to one's fellowmen the art of speech, in its infancy, was of infinitely more value to the human race than it is today.
vocaladjectiveUS /ˈvoʊkəl/
relating to or designed for or using the singing voice
From this reading Now, we converse mechanically--the more one listens to ordinary conversations the more apparent it becomes that the reasoning faculties of the brain take little part in the direction of the vocal organs.
warriorsnounUS /ˈwɔːriərz/
plural of “warrior” — someone engaged in or experienced in warfare
From this reading Tha, being second only to Nu, was the first among the warriors to speak.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Tha, being second only to Nu, was the first among the warriors to speak.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Now, we converse mechanically--the more one listens to ordinary conversations the more apparent it becomes that the reasoning faculties of the brain take little part in the direction of the vocal organs.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Oratory was, therefore, a strenuous business, and one which required a keen imagination, more than ordinary intelligence, and considerable histrionic ability.
in the company of; together with
From this reading As speech was young and words comparatively few they must needs be supplemented with many signs and gestures.
the words that are spoken
From this reading As speech was young and words comparatively few they must needs be supplemented with many signs and gestures.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading As speech was young and words comparatively few they must needs be supplemented with many signs and gestures.
