used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading His beginning is sometimes as small as a particle of sand; the first dawning of his existence as impalpable as the air.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading His beginning is sometimes as small as a particle of sand; the first dawning of his existence as impalpable as the air.
arisesverbUS /ərˈaɪzəz/
third-person singular of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading From these small beginnings, however, rumor arises, strong as a giant, cruel as death.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading His beginning is sometimes as small as a particle of sand; the first dawning of his existence as impalpable as the air.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading CIVIL WAR AT NORTHBURY.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading His beginning is sometimes as small as a particle of sand; the first dawning of his existence as impalpable as the air.
beginningsnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnɪŋz/
plural of “beginning” — the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading From these small beginnings, however, rumor arises, strong as a giant, cruel as death.
CIVILadjectiveUS /ˈsɪvəl/
applying to ordinary citizens as contrasted with the military
From this reading CIVIL WAR AT NORTHBURY.
crueladjectiveUS /ˈkruːəl/
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading From these small beginnings, however, rumor arises, strong as a giant, cruel as death.
dawningnounUS /ˈdɔːnɪŋ/
the first light of day
From this reading His beginning is sometimes as small as a particle of sand; the first dawning of his existence as impalpable as the air.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading From these small beginnings, however, rumor arises, strong as a giant, cruel as death.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading It is often very difficult to trace Rumor to his foundation.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading His beginning is sometimes as small as a particle of sand; the first dawning of his existence as impalpable as the air.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading His beginning is sometimes as small as a particle of sand; the first dawning of his existence as impalpable as the air.
foenounUS /foʊ/
an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)
From this reading Perhaps no foe has more injured mankind than idle rumor.
foundationnounUS /faʊnˈdeɪʃən/
the basis on which something is grounded
From this reading It is often very difficult to trace Rumor to his foundation.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From these small beginnings, however, rumor arises, strong as a giant, cruel as death.
any creature of exceptional size
From this reading From these small beginnings, however, rumor arises, strong as a giant, cruel as death.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Perhaps no foe has more injured mankind than idle rumor.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It is often very difficult to trace Rumor to his foundation.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading From these small beginnings, however, rumor arises, strong as a giant, cruel as death.
not in action or at work
From this reading Perhaps no foe has more injured mankind than idle rumor.
impalpableadjective
incapable of being perceived by the senses especially the sense of touch
From this reading His beginning is sometimes as small as a particle of sand; the first dawning of his existence as impalpable as the air.
injuredadjectiveUS /ˈɪndʒərd/
harmed
From this reading Perhaps no foe has more injured mankind than idle rumor.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is often very difficult to trace Rumor to his foundation.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is often very difficult to trace Rumor to his foundation.
all of the living human inhabitants of the earth
From this reading Perhaps no foe has more injured mankind than idle rumor.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Perhaps no foe has more injured mankind than idle rumor.
not any; not one
From this reading Perhaps no foe has more injured mankind than idle rumor.
NORTHBURY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CIVIL WAR AT NORTHBURY.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His beginning is sometimes as small as a particle of sand; the first dawning of his existence as impalpable as the air.
many times at short intervals
From this reading It is often very difficult to trace Rumor to his foundation.
particlenounUS /ˈpɑːrtəkəl/
(nontechnical usage) a tiny piece of anything
From this reading His beginning is sometimes as small as a particle of sand; the first dawning of his existence as impalpable as the air.
by chance
From this reading Perhaps no foe has more injured mankind than idle rumor.
RumornounUS /ˈruːmər/
gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth
From this reading It is often very difficult to trace Rumor to his foundation.
a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral
From this reading His beginning is sometimes as small as a particle of sand; the first dawning of his existence as impalpable as the air.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading His beginning is sometimes as small as a particle of sand; the first dawning of his existence as impalpable as the air.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading His beginning is sometimes as small as a particle of sand; the first dawning of his existence as impalpable as the air.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading From these small beginnings, however, rumor arises, strong as a giant, cruel as death.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Perhaps no foe has more injured mankind than idle rumor.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading His beginning is sometimes as small as a particle of sand; the first dawning of his existence as impalpable as the air.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading From these small beginnings, however, rumor arises, strong as a giant, cruel as death.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It is often very difficult to trace Rumor to his foundation.
a just detectable amount
From this reading It is often very difficult to trace Rumor to his foundation.
precisely as stated
From this reading It is often very difficult to trace Rumor to his foundation.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading CIVIL WAR AT NORTHBURY.
