used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It seems to me that in tracing an idea, or a law, or a custom, historians are satisfied with giving an account of its growth or decay as if it were the life of a tree.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading It seems to me that in tracing an idea, or a law, or a custom, historians are satisfied with giving an account of its growth or decay as if it were the life of a tree.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading I am not sure that in such an enquiry as this history is of much avail.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I am not sure that in such an enquiry as this history is of much avail.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading SUNDAY AND SABBATH.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It seems to me that in tracing an idea, or a law, or a custom, historians are satisfied with giving an account of its growth or decay as if it were the life of a tree.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I am not sure that in such an enquiry as this history is of much avail.
availverbUS /əˈveɪl/
use to one's advantage
From this reading I am not sure that in such an enquiry as this history is of much avail.
accepted or habitual practice
From this reading It seems to me that in tracing an idea, or a law, or a custom, historians are satisfied with giving an account of its growth or decay as if it were the life of a tree.
decaynounUS /dɪˈkeɪ/
the process of gradually becoming inferior
From this reading It seems to me that in tracing an idea, or a law, or a custom, historians are satisfied with giving an account of its growth or decay as if it were the life of a tree.
discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading I do not find that those who search into the past to write the history of it ever discover much that is of use to-day.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading I do not find that those who search into the past to write the history of it ever discover much that is of use to-day.
enquireverbUS /ɪnˈkwaɪər/
address a question to and expect an answer from
From this reading They do not enquire into the why of things.
enquirynounUS /ɪnˈkwaɪriː/
an instance of questioning
From this reading I am not sure that in such an enquiry as this history is of much avail.
at any time
From this reading I do not find that those who search into the past to write the history of it ever discover much that is of use to-day.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading I do not find that those who search into the past to write the history of it ever discover much that is of use to-day.
the act of giving
From this reading It seems to me that in tracing an idea, or a law, or a custom, historians are satisfied with giving an account of its growth or decay as if it were the life of a tree.
growthnounUS /ɡroʊθ/
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading It seems to me that in tracing an idea, or a law, or a custom, historians are satisfied with giving an account of its growth or decay as if it were the life of a tree.
historiansnounUS /hɪˈstɔːriənz/
plural of “historian” — a person who is an authority on history and who studies it and writes about it
From this reading It seems to me that in tracing an idea, or a law, or a custom, historians are satisfied with giving an account of its growth or decay as if it were the life of a tree.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading I am not sure that in such an enquiry as this history is of much avail.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I am not sure that in such an enquiry as this history is of much avail.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading It seems to me that in tracing an idea, or a law, or a custom, historians are satisfied with giving an account of its growth or decay as if it were the life of a tree.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It seems to me that in tracing an idea, or a law, or a custom, historians are satisfied with giving an account of its growth or decay as if it were the life of a tree.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I am not sure that in such an enquiry as this history is of much avail.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading I do not find that those who search into the past to write the history of it ever discover much that is of use to-day.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I am not sure that in such an enquiry as this history is of much avail.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I do not find that those who search into the past to write the history of it ever discover much that is of use to-day.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It seems to me that in tracing an idea, or a law, or a custom, historians are satisfied with giving an account of its growth or decay as if it were the life of a tree.
the collection of rules imposed by authority
From this reading It seems to me that in tracing an idea, or a law, or a custom, historians are satisfied with giving an account of its growth or decay as if it were the life of a tree.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading It seems to me that in tracing an idea, or a law, or a custom, historians are satisfied with giving an account of its growth or decay as if it were the life of a tree.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It seems to me that in tracing an idea, or a law, or a custom, historians are satisfied with giving an account of its growth or decay as if it were the life of a tree.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading I am not sure that in such an enquiry as this history is of much avail.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I am not sure that in such an enquiry as this history is of much avail.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I am not sure that in such an enquiry as this history is of much avail.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It seems to me that in tracing an idea, or a law, or a custom, historians are satisfied with giving an account of its growth or decay as if it were the life of a tree.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading I do not find that those who search into the past to write the history of it ever discover much that is of use to-day.
SABBATHnounUS /ˈsæbəθ/
a day of rest and worship: Sunday for most Christians; Saturday for the Jews and a few Christians; Friday for Muslims
From this reading SUNDAY AND SABBATH.
filled with satisfaction
From this reading It seems to me that in tracing an idea, or a law, or a custom, historians are satisfied with giving an account of its growth or decay as if it were the life of a tree.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading I do not find that those who search into the past to write the history of it ever discover much that is of use to-day.
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seems to me that in tracing an idea, or a law, or a custom, historians are satisfied with giving an account of its growth or decay as if it were the life of a tree.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading I am not sure that in such an enquiry as this history is of much avail.
first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading SUNDAY AND SABBATH.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading I am not sure that in such an enquiry as this history is of much avail.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I am not sure that in such an enquiry as this history is of much avail.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I do not find that those who search into the past to write the history of it ever discover much that is of use to-day.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They do not enquire into the why of things.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading They do not enquire into the why of things.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading I am not sure that in such an enquiry as this history is of much avail.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading I do not find that those who search into the past to write the history of it ever discover much that is of use to-day.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I do not find that those who search into the past to write the history of it ever discover much that is of use to-day.
to-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not find that those who search into the past to write the history of it ever discover much that is of use to-day.
tracingnounUS /ˈtreɪsɪŋ/
the act of drawing a plan or diagram or outline
From this reading It seems to me that in tracing an idea, or a law, or a custom, historians are satisfied with giving an account of its growth or decay as if it were the life of a tree.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading It seems to me that in tracing an idea, or a law, or a custom, historians are satisfied with giving an account of its growth or decay as if it were the life of a tree.
the act of using
From this reading I do not find that those who search into the past to write the history of it ever discover much that is of use to-day.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It seems to me that in tracing an idea, or a law, or a custom, historians are satisfied with giving an account of its growth or decay as if it were the life of a tree.
which person or people
From this reading I do not find that those who search into the past to write the history of it ever discover much that is of use to-day.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading They do not enquire into the why of things.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It seems to me that in tracing an idea, or a law, or a custom, historians are satisfied with giving an account of its growth or decay as if it were the life of a tree.
produce a literary work
From this reading I do not find that those who search into the past to write the history of it ever discover much that is of use to-day.
