used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was not only that this was his first introduction to the science of biology, his first peep behind the curtain of modern forms into the coulisses of the world that interested him, but there was here contained a complete refutation, a disastrous overthrow, of all that system of the Creation which he had been taught.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading About this time he read the "Origin of Species" and "The Descent of Man."
inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading If Darwin was right, and he seemed to be right--nay, even his once adversaries now admitted he was right, if not in his details yet in his broad outline--if he was right then was Genesis all wrong.
adversariesnounUS /ˈædvərseriz/
plural of “adversary” — someone who offers opposition
From this reading If Darwin was right, and he seemed to be right--nay, even his once adversaries now admitted he was right, if not in his details yet in his broad outline--if he was right then was Genesis all wrong.
(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 It was not only that this was his first introduction to the science of biology, his first peep behind the curtain of modern forms into the coulisses of the world that interested him, but there was here contained a complete refutation, a disastrous overthrow, of all that system of the Creation which he had been taught.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading About this time he read the "Origin of Species" and "The Descent of Man."
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading If Darwin was right, and he seemed to be right--nay, even his once adversaries now admitted he was right, if not in his details yet in his broad outline--if he was right then was Genesis all wrong.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was not only that this was his first introduction to the science of biology, his first peep behind the curtain of modern forms into the coulisses of the world that interested him, but there was here contained a complete refutation, a disastrous overthrow, of all that system of the Creation which he had been taught.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading It was not only that this was his first introduction to the science of biology, his first peep behind the curtain of modern forms into the coulisses of the world that interested him, but there was here contained a complete refutation, a disastrous overthrow, of all that system of the Creation which he had been taught.
biologynounUS /baɪˈɑːlədʒi/
the science that studies living organisms
From this reading It was not only that this was his first introduction to the science of biology, his first peep behind the curtain of modern forms into the coulisses of the world that interested him, but there was here contained a complete refutation, a disastrous overthrow, of all that system of the Creation which he had been taught.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading If Darwin was right, and he seemed to be right--nay, even his once adversaries now admitted he was right, if not in his details yet in his broad outline--if he was right then was Genesis all wrong.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was not only that this was his first introduction to the science of biology, his first peep behind the curtain of modern forms into the coulisses of the world that interested him, but there was here contained a complete refutation, a disastrous overthrow, of all that system of the Creation which he had been taught.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading It was not only that this was his first introduction to the science of biology, his first peep behind the curtain of modern forms into the coulisses of the world that interested him, but there was here contained a complete refutation, a disastrous overthrow, of all that system of the Creation which he had been taught.
gotten under control
From this reading It was not only that this was his first introduction to the science of biology, his first peep behind the curtain of modern forms into the coulisses of the world that interested him, but there was here contained a complete refutation, a disastrous overthrow, of all that system of the Creation which he had been taught.
coulisses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not only that this was his first introduction to the science of biology, his first peep behind the curtain of modern forms into the coulisses of the world that interested him, but there was here contained a complete refutation, a disastrous overthrow, of all that system of the Creation which he had been taught.
CreationnounUS /kriˈeɪʃən/
the human act of creating
From this reading It was not only that this was his first introduction to the science of biology, his first peep behind the curtain of modern forms into the coulisses of the world that interested him, but there was here contained a complete refutation, a disastrous overthrow, of all that system of the Creation which he had been taught.
hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading It was not only that this was his first introduction to the science of biology, his first peep behind the curtain of modern forms into the coulisses of the world that interested him, but there was here contained a complete refutation, a disastrous overthrow, of all that system of the Creation which he had been taught.
DarwinnounUS /ˈdɑːrwɪn/
English natural scientist who formulated a theory of evolution by natural selection (1809-1882)
From this reading If Darwin was right, and he seemed to be right--nay, even his once adversaries now admitted he was right, if not in his details yet in his broad outline--if he was right then was Genesis all wrong.
DescentnounUS /dɪˈsent/
An action of moving downward, dropping, or falling into a deeper place.
From this reading About this time he read the "Origin of Species" and "The Descent of Man."
true confidential information
From this reading If Darwin was right, and he seemed to be right--nay, even his once adversaries now admitted he was right, if not in his details yet in his broad outline--if he was right then was Genesis all wrong.
disastrousadjectiveUS /dɪˈzæstrəs/
(of events) having extremely unfortunate or dire consequences; bringing ruin
From this reading It was not only that this was his first introduction to the science of biology, his first peep behind the curtain of modern forms into the coulisses of the world that interested him, but there was here contained a complete refutation, a disastrous overthrow, of all that system of the Creation which he had been taught.
divisible by two
From this reading If Darwin was right, and he seemed to be right--nay, even his once adversaries now admitted he was right, if not in his details yet in his broad outline--if he was right then was Genesis all wrong.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It was not only that this was his first introduction to the science of biology, his first peep behind the curtain of modern forms into the coulisses of the world that interested him, but there was here contained a complete refutation, a disastrous overthrow, of all that system of the Creation which he had been taught.
plural of “form” — the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading It was not only that this was his first introduction to the science of biology, his first peep behind the curtain of modern forms into the coulisses of the world that interested him, but there was here contained a complete refutation, a disastrous overthrow, of all that system of the Creation which he had been taught.
GenesisnounUS /ˈdʒenəsəs/
a coming into being
From this reading If Darwin was right, and he seemed to be right--nay, even his once adversaries now admitted he was right, if not in his details yet in his broad outline--if he was right then was Genesis all wrong.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was not only that this was his first introduction to the science of biology, his first peep behind the curtain of modern forms into the coulisses of the world that interested him, but there was here contained a complete refutation, a disastrous overthrow, of all that system of the Creation which he had been taught.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading About this time he read the "Origin of Species" and "The Descent of Man."
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading It was not only that this was his first introduction to the science of biology, his first peep behind the curtain of modern forms into the coulisses of the world that interested him, but there was here contained a complete refutation, a disastrous overthrow, of all that system of the Creation which he had been taught.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading This surprised him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was not only that this was his first introduction to the science of biology, his first peep behind the curtain of modern forms into the coulisses of the world that interested him, but there was here contained a complete refutation, a disastrous overthrow, of all that system of the Creation which he had been taught.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading SCIENTIFIC THEOLOGY--I.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If Darwin was right, and he seemed to be right--nay, even his once adversaries now admitted he was right, if not in his details yet in his broad outline--if he was right then was Genesis all wrong.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading If Darwin was right, and he seemed to be right--nay, even his once adversaries now admitted he was right, if not in his details yet in his broad outline--if he was right then was Genesis all wrong.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading It was not only that this was his first introduction to the science of biology, his first peep behind the curtain of modern forms into the coulisses of the world that interested him, but there was here contained a complete refutation, a disastrous overthrow, of all that system of the Creation which he had been taught.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It was not only that this was his first introduction to the science of biology, his first peep behind the curtain of modern forms into the coulisses of the world that interested him, but there was here contained a complete refutation, a disastrous overthrow, of all that system of the Creation which he had been taught.
introductionnounUS /ˌɪntrəˈdʌkʃən/
the act of beginning something new
From this reading It was not only that this was his first introduction to the science of biology, his first peep behind the curtain of modern forms into the coulisses of the world that interested him, but there was here contained a complete refutation, a disastrous overthrow, of all that system of the Creation which he had been taught.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was not only that this was his first introduction to the science of biology, his first peep behind the curtain of modern forms into the coulisses of the world that interested him, but there was here contained a complete refutation, a disastrous overthrow, of all that system of the Creation which he had been taught.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading About this time he read the "Origin of Species" and "The Descent of Man."
belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages
From this reading It was not only that this was his first introduction to the science of biology, his first peep behind the curtain of modern forms into the coulisses of the world that interested him, but there was here contained a complete refutation, a disastrous overthrow, of all that system of the Creation which he had been taught.
an old word for “no”
From this reading If Darwin was right, and he seemed to be right--nay, even his once adversaries now admitted he was right, if not in his details yet in his broad outline--if he was right then was Genesis all wrong.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was not only that this was his first introduction to the science of biology, his first peep behind the curtain of modern forms into the coulisses of the world that interested him, but there was here contained a complete refutation, a disastrous overthrow, of all that system of the Creation which he had been taught.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading If Darwin was right, and he seemed to be right--nay, even his once adversaries now admitted he was right, if not in his details yet in his broad outline--if he was right then was Genesis all wrong.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading About this time he read the "Origin of Species" and "The Descent of Man."
on one occasion
From this reading If Darwin was right, and he seemed to be right--nay, even his once adversaries now admitted he was right, if not in his details yet in his broad outline--if he was right then was Genesis all wrong.
and nothing more
From this reading It was not only that this was his first introduction to the science of biology, his first peep behind the curtain of modern forms into the coulisses of the world that interested him, but there was here contained a complete refutation, a disastrous overthrow, of all that system of the Creation which he had been taught.
OriginnounUS /ˈɔːrədʒən/
the place where something begins, where it springs into being
From this reading About this time he read the "Origin of Species" and "The Descent of Man."
outlinenounUS /ˈaʊtlaɪn/
the line that appears to bound an object
From this reading If Darwin was right, and he seemed to be right--nay, even his once adversaries now admitted he was right, if not in his details yet in his broad outline--if he was right then was Genesis all wrong.
overthrownounUS /ˈoʊvərθroʊ/
the termination of a ruler or institution (especially by force)
From this reading It was not only that this was his first introduction to the science of biology, his first peep behind the curtain of modern forms into the coulisses of the world that interested him, but there was here contained a complete refutation, a disastrous overthrow, of all that system of the Creation which he had been taught.
peepverbUS /piːp/
look furtively
From this reading It was not only that this was his first introduction to the science of biology, his first peep behind the curtain of modern forms into the coulisses of the world that interested him, but there was here contained a complete refutation, a disastrous overthrow, of all that system of the Creation which he had been taught.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading About this time he read the "Origin of Species" and "The Descent of Man."
refutationnounUS /ˌrefjuːˈteɪʃən/
the speech act of answering an attack on your assertions
From this reading It was not only that this was his first introduction to the science of biology, his first peep behind the curtain of modern forms into the coulisses of the world that interested him, but there was here contained a complete refutation, a disastrous overthrow, of all that system of the Creation which he had been taught.
precisely, exactly
From this reading If Darwin was right, and he seemed to be right--nay, even his once adversaries now admitted he was right, if not in his details yet in his broad outline--if he was right then was Genesis all wrong.
a particular branch of scientific knowledge
From this reading It was not only that this was his first introduction to the science of biology, his first peep behind the curtain of modern forms into the coulisses of the world that interested him, but there was here contained a complete refutation, a disastrous overthrow, of all that system of the Creation which he had been taught.
SCIENTIFICadjectiveUS /ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk/
of or relating to the practice of science
From this reading SCIENTIFIC THEOLOGY--I.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading If Darwin was right, and he seemed to be right--nay, even his once adversaries now admitted he was right, if not in his details yet in his broad outline--if he was right then was Genesis all wrong.
SpeciesnounUS /ˈspiːʃiz/
(biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed
From this reading About this time he read the "Origin of Species" and "The Descent of Man."
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading This surprised him.
instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity
From this reading It was not only that this was his first introduction to the science of biology, his first peep behind the curtain of modern forms into the coulisses of the world that interested him, but there was here contained a complete refutation, a disastrous overthrow, of all that system of the Creation which he had been taught.
inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading It was not only that this was his first introduction to the science of biology, his first peep behind the curtain of modern forms into the coulisses of the world that interested him, but there was here contained a complete refutation, a disastrous overthrow, of all that system of the Creation which he had been taught.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was not only that this was his first introduction to the science of biology, his first peep behind the curtain of modern forms into the coulisses of the world that interested him, but there was here contained a complete refutation, a disastrous overthrow, of all that system of the Creation which he had been taught.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading About this time he read the "Origin of Species" and "The Descent of Man."
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading If Darwin was right, and he seemed to be right--nay, even his once adversaries now admitted he was right, if not in his details yet in his broad outline--if he was right then was Genesis all wrong.
THEOLOGYnounUS /θiˈɑːlədʒi/
the rational and systematic study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truth
From this reading SCIENTIFIC THEOLOGY--I.
in or at that place or location
From this reading It was not only that this was his first introduction to the science of biology, his first peep behind the curtain of modern forms into the coulisses of the world that interested him, but there was here contained a complete refutation, a disastrous overthrow, of all that system of the Creation which he had been taught.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading About this time he read the "Origin of Species" and "The Descent of Man."
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading About this time he read the "Origin of Species" and "The Descent of Man."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was not only that this was his first introduction to the science of biology, his first peep behind the curtain of modern forms into the coulisses of the world that interested him, but there was here contained a complete refutation, a disastrous overthrow, of all that system of the Creation which he had been taught.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was not only that this was his first introduction to the science of biology, his first peep behind the curtain of modern forms into the coulisses of the world that interested him, but there was here contained a complete refutation, a disastrous overthrow, of all that system of the Creation which he had been taught.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was not only that this was his first introduction to the science of biology, his first peep behind the curtain of modern forms into the coulisses of the world that interested him, but there was here contained a complete refutation, a disastrous overthrow, of all that system of the Creation which he had been taught.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading It was not only that this was his first introduction to the science of biology, his first peep behind the curtain of modern forms into the coulisses of the world that interested him, but there was here contained a complete refutation, a disastrous overthrow, of all that system of the Creation which he had been taught.
not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth
From this reading If Darwin was right, and he seemed to be right--nay, even his once adversaries now admitted he was right, if not in his details yet in his broad outline--if he was right then was Genesis all wrong.
but in spite of that
From this reading If Darwin was right, and he seemed to be right--nay, even his once adversaries now admitted he was right, if not in his details yet in his broad outline--if he was right then was Genesis all wrong.
