used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But the Petroleum humbug or mania or superstition, or whatever you choose to call it, is a humbug, just as truly, and a big one, whether we use the word in its milder or its bitterer sense.
additionnounUS /əˈdɪʃən/
a component that is added to something to improve it
From this reading Petroleum exists, no doubt, and is an important addition to our national wealth.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Petroleum exists, no doubt, and is an important addition to our national wealth.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE PETROLEUM HUMBUG.--THE NEW YORK AND RANGOON PETROLEUM COMPANY.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There are more than six hundred petroleum companies.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Every sham, as has often been said, proves some reality.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Every sham, as has often been said, proves some reality.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading But the Petroleum humbug or mania or superstition, or whatever you choose to call it, is a humbug, just as truly, and a big one, whether we use the word in its milder or its bitterer sense.
bitterer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the Petroleum humbug or mania or superstition, or whatever you choose to call it, is a humbug, just as truly, and a big one, whether we use the word in its milder or its bitterer sense.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the Petroleum humbug or mania or superstition, or whatever you choose to call it, is a humbug, just as truly, and a big one, whether we use the word in its milder or its bitterer sense.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading But the Petroleum humbug or mania or superstition, or whatever you choose to call it, is a humbug, just as truly, and a big one, whether we use the word in its milder or its bitterer sense.
pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading But the Petroleum humbug or mania or superstition, or whatever you choose to call it, is a humbug, just as truly, and a big one, whether we use the word in its milder or its bitterer sense.
companiesnounUS /ˈkʌmpəniːz/
plural of “company” — an institution created to conduct business
From this reading There are more than six hundred petroleum companies.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading THE PETROLEUM HUMBUG.--THE NEW YORK AND RANGOON PETROLEUM COMPANY.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading Petroleum exists, no doubt, and is an important addition to our national wealth.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every sham, as has often been said, proves some reality.
existsverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪsts/
third-person singular of “exist” — have an existence, be extant
From this reading Petroleum exists, no doubt, and is an important addition to our national wealth.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Every sham, as has often been said, proves some reality.
HUMBUGnounUS /ˈhʌmbʌɡ/
pretentious or silly talk or writing
From this reading THE PETROLEUM HUMBUG.--THE NEW YORK AND RANGOON PETROLEUM COMPANY.
ten 10s
From this reading There are more than six hundred petroleum companies.
of great significance or value
From this reading Petroleum exists, no doubt, and is an important addition to our national wealth.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But the Petroleum humbug or mania or superstition, or whatever you choose to call it, is a humbug, just as truly, and a big one, whether we use the word in its milder or its bitterer sense.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Petroleum exists, no doubt, and is an important addition to our national wealth.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But the Petroleum humbug or mania or superstition, or whatever you choose to call it, is a humbug, just as truly, and a big one, whether we use the word in its milder or its bitterer sense.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading But the Petroleum humbug or mania or superstition, or whatever you choose to call it, is a humbug, just as truly, and a big one, whether we use the word in its milder or its bitterer sense.
and nothing more
From this reading But the Petroleum humbug or mania or superstition, or whatever you choose to call it, is a humbug, just as truly, and a big one, whether we use the word in its milder or its bitterer sense.
manianounUS /ˈmeɪniə/
an irrational but irresistible motive for a belief or action
From this reading But the Petroleum humbug or mania or superstition, or whatever you choose to call it, is a humbug, just as truly, and a big one, whether we use the word in its milder or its bitterer sense.
milderadjectiveUS /ˈmaɪldər/
comparative of “mild” — moderate in type or degree or effect or force; far from extreme
From this reading But the Petroleum humbug or mania or superstition, or whatever you choose to call it, is a humbug, just as truly, and a big one, whether we use the word in its milder or its bitterer sense.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading There are more than six hundred petroleum companies.
of or relating to or belonging to a nation or country
From this reading Petroleum exists, no doubt, and is an important addition to our national wealth.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading THE PETROLEUM HUMBUG.--THE NEW YORK AND RANGOON PETROLEUM COMPANY.
not any; not one
From this reading Petroleum exists, no doubt, and is an important addition to our national wealth.
many times at short intervals
From this reading Every sham, as has often been said, proves some reality.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But the Petroleum humbug or mania or superstition, or whatever you choose to call it, is a humbug, just as truly, and a big one, whether we use the word in its milder or its bitterer sense.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But the Petroleum humbug or mania or superstition, or whatever you choose to call it, is a humbug, just as truly, and a big one, whether we use the word in its milder or its bitterer sense.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Petroleum exists, no doubt, and is an important addition to our national wealth.
PETROLEUMnounUS /pəˈtroʊliəm/
a dark oil consisting mainly of hydrocarbons
From this reading THE PETROLEUM HUMBUG.--THE NEW YORK AND RANGOON PETROLEUM COMPANY.
provesverbUS /pruːvz/
third-person singular of “prove” — be shown or be found to be
From this reading Every sham, as has often been said, proves some reality.
RANGOONnounUS /ræŋˈɡuːn/
the capital and largest city of Myanmar; located in the south near the Irrawaddy river delta
From this reading THE PETROLEUM HUMBUG.--THE NEW YORK AND RANGOON PETROLEUM COMPANY.
all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you
From this reading Every sham, as has often been said, proves some reality.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Every sham, as has often been said, proves some reality.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading But the Petroleum humbug or mania or superstition, or whatever you choose to call it, is a humbug, just as truly, and a big one, whether we use the word in its milder or its bitterer sense.
shamnounUS /ʃæm/
something that is a counterfeit; not what it seems to be
From this reading Every sham, as has often been said, proves some reality.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading There are more than six hundred petroleum companies.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Every sham, as has often been said, proves some reality.
superstitionnounUS /ˌsuːpərˈstɪʃən/
an irrational belief arising from ignorance or fear
From this reading But the Petroleum humbug or mania or superstition, or whatever you choose to call it, is a humbug, just as truly, and a big one, whether we use the word in its milder or its bitterer sense.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading There are more than six hundred petroleum companies.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PETROLEUM HUMBUG.--THE NEW YORK AND RANGOON PETROLEUM COMPANY.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There are more than six hundred petroleum companies.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Petroleum exists, no doubt, and is an important addition to our national wealth.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading But the Petroleum humbug or mania or superstition, or whatever you choose to call it, is a humbug, just as truly, and a big one, whether we use the word in its milder or its bitterer sense.
the act of using
From this reading But the Petroleum humbug or mania or superstition, or whatever you choose to call it, is a humbug, just as truly, and a big one, whether we use the word in its milder or its bitterer sense.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading But the Petroleum humbug or mania or superstition, or whatever you choose to call it, is a humbug, just as truly, and a big one, whether we use the word in its milder or its bitterer sense.
the state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money
From this reading Petroleum exists, no doubt, and is an important addition to our national wealth.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading But the Petroleum humbug or mania or superstition, or whatever you choose to call it, is a humbug, just as truly, and a big one, whether we use the word in its milder or its bitterer sense.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading But the Petroleum humbug or mania or superstition, or whatever you choose to call it, is a humbug, just as truly, and a big one, whether we use the word in its milder or its bitterer sense.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading But the Petroleum humbug or mania or superstition, or whatever you choose to call it, is a humbug, just as truly, and a big one, whether we use the word in its milder or its bitterer sense.
the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose
From this reading THE PETROLEUM HUMBUG.--THE NEW YORK AND RANGOON PETROLEUM COMPANY.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading But the Petroleum humbug or mania or superstition, or whatever you choose to call it, is a humbug, just as truly, and a big one, whether we use the word in its milder or its bitterer sense.
