used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Oh! what a strange, and, at the same time, what a wondrous world is this in which we live;—and how marvellous is human progress!
aboriginaladjectiveUS /ˌæbərˈɪdʒənəl/
characteristic of or relating to people inhabiting a region from the beginning
From this reading Is the working-man, for instance, more prosperous, more comfortable, more enviable as to his condition, than the aboriginal Briton who lived in a cave or the hollow of a tree, and who painted his body to protect it against the cold?
abundancenounUS /əˈbʌndəns/
the property of a more than adequate quantity or supply
From this reading Antiquity had its grand intellects and its sublime geniuses; but it furnished not the same abundance of materials to act upon as is afforded by the discoveries and likewise by the spirit of this age!
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading But are we proportionately happier, on this account, than were our forefathers?
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading Antiquity had its grand intellects and its sublime geniuses; but it furnished not the same abundance of materials to act upon as is afforded by the discoveries and likewise by the spirit of this age!
affordedverbUS /əˈfɔːrdəd/
past form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up
From this reading Antiquity had its grand intellects and its sublime geniuses; but it furnished not the same abundance of materials to act upon as is afforded by the discoveries and likewise by the spirit of this age!
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Is the working-man, for instance, more prosperous, more comfortable, more enviable as to his condition, than the aboriginal Briton who lived in a cave or the hollow of a tree, and who painted his body to protect it against the cold?
how long something has existed
From this reading Antiquity had its grand intellects and its sublime geniuses; but it furnished not the same abundance of materials to act upon as is afforded by the discoveries and likewise by the spirit of this age!
ancestorsnounUS /ˈænsestərz/
plural of “ancestor” — someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)
From this reading The utmost attainments effected by the wisdom of our ancestors were but ignorance and short-sightedness compared with the knowledge of the present day.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Oh! what a strange, and, at the same time, what a wondrous world is this in which we live;—and how marvellous is human progress!
AntiquitynounUS /ænˈtɪkwəti/
the historic period preceding the Middle Ages in Europe
From this reading Antiquity had its grand intellects and its sublime geniuses; but it furnished not the same abundance of materials to act upon as is afforded by the discoveries and likewise by the spirit of this age!
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But are we proportionately happier, on this account, than were our forefathers?
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Antiquity had its grand intellects and its sublime geniuses; but it furnished not the same abundance of materials to act upon as is afforded by the discoveries and likewise by the spirit of this age!
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Oh! what a strange, and, at the same time, what a wondrous world is this in which we live;—and how marvellous is human progress!
attainments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The utmost attainments effected by the wisdom of our ancestors were but ignorance and short-sightedness compared with the knowledge of the present day.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading Is the working-man, for instance, more prosperous, more comfortable, more enviable as to his condition, than the aboriginal Briton who lived in a cave or the hollow of a tree, and who painted his body to protect it against the cold?
BritonnounUS /ˈbrɪtən/
a native or inhabitant of Great Britain
From this reading Is the working-man, for instance, more prosperous, more comfortable, more enviable as to his condition, than the aboriginal Briton who lived in a cave or the hollow of a tree, and who painted his body to protect it against the cold?
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The utmost attainments effected by the wisdom of our ancestors were but ignorance and short-sightedness compared with the knowledge of the present day.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The utmost attainments effected by the wisdom of our ancestors were but ignorance and short-sightedness compared with the knowledge of the present day.
a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea
From this reading Is the working-man, for instance, more prosperous, more comfortable, more enviable as to his condition, than the aboriginal Briton who lived in a cave or the hollow of a tree, and who painted his body to protect it against the cold?
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading Is the working-man, for instance, more prosperous, more comfortable, more enviable as to his condition, than the aboriginal Briton who lived in a cave or the hollow of a tree, and who painted his body to protect it against the cold?
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading Is the working-man, for instance, more prosperous, more comfortable, more enviable as to his condition, than the aboriginal Briton who lived in a cave or the hollow of a tree, and who painted his body to protect it against the cold?
comparedverbUS /kəmˈperd/
past form of “compare” — examine and note the similarities or differences of
From this reading The utmost attainments effected by the wisdom of our ancestors were but ignorance and short-sightedness compared with the knowledge of the present day.
a state at a particular time
From this reading Is the working-man, for instance, more prosperous, more comfortable, more enviable as to his condition, than the aboriginal Briton who lived in a cave or the hollow of a tree, and who painted his body to protect it against the cold?
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The utmost attainments effected by the wisdom of our ancestors were but ignorance and short-sightedness compared with the knowledge of the present day.
discoveriesnounUS /dɪˈskʌvəriz/
plural of “discovery” — the act of discovering something
From this reading Antiquity had its grand intellects and its sublime geniuses; but it furnished not the same abundance of materials to act upon as is afforded by the discoveries and likewise by the spirit of this age!
effectedadjectiveUS /ɪˈfektɪd/
settled securely and unconditionally
From this reading The utmost attainments effected by the wisdom of our ancestors were but ignorance and short-sightedness compared with the knowledge of the present day.
enviableadjectiveUS /ˈenviəbəl/
causing envy
From this reading Is the working-man, for instance, more prosperous, more comfortable, more enviable as to his condition, than the aboriginal Briton who lived in a cave or the hollow of a tree, and who painted his body to protect it against the cold?
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Is the working-man, for instance, more prosperous, more comfortable, more enviable as to his condition, than the aboriginal Briton who lived in a cave or the hollow of a tree, and who painted his body to protect it against the cold?
forefathersnounUS /ˈfɔːrfɑːðərz/
plural of “forefather” — the founder of a family
From this reading But are we proportionately happier, on this account, than were our forefathers?
provided with whatever is necessary for a purpose (as furniture or equipment or authority)
From this reading Antiquity had its grand intellects and its sublime geniuses; but it furnished not the same abundance of materials to act upon as is afforded by the discoveries and likewise by the spirit of this age!
geniusesnounUS /ˈdʒiːnjəsɪz/
plural of “genius” — someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality
From this reading Antiquity had its grand intellects and its sublime geniuses; but it furnished not the same abundance of materials to act upon as is afforded by the discoveries and likewise by the spirit of this age!
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading Antiquity had its grand intellects and its sublime geniuses; but it furnished not the same abundance of materials to act upon as is afforded by the discoveries and likewise by the spirit of this age!
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Antiquity had its grand intellects and its sublime geniuses; but it furnished not the same abundance of materials to act upon as is afforded by the discoveries and likewise by the spirit of this age!
happieradjectiveUS /ˈhæpiər/
comparative of “happy” — enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading But are we proportionately happier, on this account, than were our forefathers?
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Is the working-man, for instance, more prosperous, more comfortable, more enviable as to his condition, than the aboriginal Briton who lived in a cave or the hollow of a tree, and who painted his body to protect it against the cold?
not solid; having a space or gap or cavity
From this reading Is the working-man, for instance, more prosperous, more comfortable, more enviable as to his condition, than the aboriginal Briton who lived in a cave or the hollow of a tree, and who painted his body to protect it against the cold?
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oh! what a strange, and, at the same time, what a wondrous world is this in which we live;—and how marvellous is human progress!
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading Oh! what a strange, and, at the same time, what a wondrous world is this in which we live;—and how marvellous is human progress!
the lack of knowledge or education
From this reading The utmost attainments effected by the wisdom of our ancestors were but ignorance and short-sightedness compared with the knowledge of the present day.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Oh! what a strange, and, at the same time, what a wondrous world is this in which we live;—and how marvellous is human progress!
an occurrence of something
From this reading Is the working-man, for instance, more prosperous, more comfortable, more enviable as to his condition, than the aboriginal Briton who lived in a cave or the hollow of a tree, and who painted his body to protect it against the cold?
intellectsnounUS /ˈɪntəlekts/
plural of “intellect” — knowledge and intellectual ability
From this reading Antiquity had its grand intellects and its sublime geniuses; but it furnished not the same abundance of materials to act upon as is afforded by the discoveries and likewise by the spirit of this age!
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Oh! what a strange, and, at the same time, what a wondrous world is this in which we live;—and how marvellous is human progress!
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Antiquity had its grand intellects and its sublime geniuses; but it furnished not the same abundance of materials to act upon as is afforded by the discoveries and likewise by the spirit of this age!
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Antiquity had its grand intellects and its sublime geniuses; but it furnished not the same abundance of materials to act upon as is afforded by the discoveries and likewise by the spirit of this age!
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading The utmost attainments effected by the wisdom of our ancestors were but ignorance and short-sightedness compared with the knowledge of the present day.
in like or similar manner
From this reading Antiquity had its grand intellects and its sublime geniuses; but it furnished not the same abundance of materials to act upon as is afforded by the discoveries and likewise by the spirit of this age!
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Oh! what a strange, and, at the same time, what a wondrous world is this in which we live;—and how marvellous is human progress!
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Is the working-man, for instance, more prosperous, more comfortable, more enviable as to his condition, than the aboriginal Briton who lived in a cave or the hollow of a tree, and who painted his body to protect it against the cold?
marvellousadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːrvələs/
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading Oh! what a strange, and, at the same time, what a wondrous world is this in which we live;—and how marvellous is human progress!
materialsnounUS /məˈtɪriəlz/
plural of “material” — the tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object
From this reading Antiquity had its grand intellects and its sublime geniuses; but it furnished not the same abundance of materials to act upon as is afforded by the discoveries and likewise by the spirit of this age!
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Is the working-man, for instance, more prosperous, more comfortable, more enviable as to his condition, than the aboriginal Briton who lived in a cave or the hollow of a tree, and who painted his body to protect it against the cold?
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Antiquity had its grand intellects and its sublime geniuses; but it furnished not the same abundance of materials to act upon as is afforded by the discoveries and likewise by the spirit of this age!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The utmost attainments effected by the wisdom of our ancestors were but ignorance and short-sightedness compared with the knowledge of the present day.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading Oh! what a strange, and, at the same time, what a wondrous world is this in which we live;—and how marvellous is human progress!
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But are we proportionately happier, on this account, than were our forefathers?
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Is the working-man, for instance, more prosperous, more comfortable, more enviable as to his condition, than the aboriginal Briton who lived in a cave or the hollow of a tree, and who painted his body to protect it against the cold?
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading The utmost attainments effected by the wisdom of our ancestors were but ignorance and short-sightedness compared with the knowledge of the present day.
coated with paint
From this reading Is the working-man, for instance, more prosperous, more comfortable, more enviable as to his condition, than the aboriginal Briton who lived in a cave or the hollow of a tree, and who painted his body to protect it against the cold?
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The utmost attainments effected by the wisdom of our ancestors were but ignorance and short-sightedness compared with the knowledge of the present day.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading Oh! what a strange, and, at the same time, what a wondrous world is this in which we live;—and how marvellous is human progress!
proportionatelyadverbUS /prəˈpɔːrʃənətli/
to a proportionate degree
From this reading But are we proportionately happier, on this account, than were our forefathers?
prosperousadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːspərəs/
in fortunate circumstances financially; moderately rich
From this reading Is the working-man, for instance, more prosperous, more comfortable, more enviable as to his condition, than the aboriginal Briton who lived in a cave or the hollow of a tree, and who painted his body to protect it against the cold?
shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage
From this reading Is the working-man, for instance, more prosperous, more comfortable, more enviable as to his condition, than the aboriginal Briton who lived in a cave or the hollow of a tree, and who painted his body to protect it against the cold?
Identical; not different.
From this reading Oh! what a strange, and, at the same time, what a wondrous world is this in which we live;—and how marvellous is human progress!
short-sightedness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The utmost attainments effected by the wisdom of our ancestors were but ignorance and short-sightedness compared with the knowledge of the present day.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading Antiquity had its grand intellects and its sublime geniuses; but it furnished not the same abundance of materials to act upon as is afforded by the discoveries and likewise by the spirit of this age!
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading Oh! what a strange, and, at the same time, what a wondrous world is this in which we live;—and how marvellous is human progress!
sublimeadjectiveUS /səˈblaɪm/
inspiring awe
From this reading Antiquity had its grand intellects and its sublime geniuses; but it furnished not the same abundance of materials to act upon as is afforded by the discoveries and likewise by the spirit of this age!
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But are we proportionately happier, on this account, than were our forefathers?
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Oh! what a strange, and, at the same time, what a wondrous world is this in which we live;—and how marvellous is human progress!
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Oh! what a strange, and, at the same time, what a wondrous world is this in which we live;—and how marvellous is human progress!
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Oh! what a strange, and, at the same time, what a wondrous world is this in which we live;—and how marvellous is human progress!
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Antiquity had its grand intellects and its sublime geniuses; but it furnished not the same abundance of materials to act upon as is afforded by the discoveries and likewise by the spirit of this age!
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading Is the working-man, for instance, more prosperous, more comfortable, more enviable as to his condition, than the aboriginal Briton who lived in a cave or the hollow of a tree, and who painted his body to protect it against the cold?
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Antiquity had its grand intellects and its sublime geniuses; but it furnished not the same abundance of materials to act upon as is afforded by the discoveries and likewise by the spirit of this age!
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading The utmost attainments effected by the wisdom of our ancestors were but ignorance and short-sightedness compared with the knowledge of the present day.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Oh! what a strange, and, at the same time, what a wondrous world is this in which we live;—and how marvellous is human progress!
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The utmost attainments effected by the wisdom of our ancestors were but ignorance and short-sightedness compared with the knowledge of the present day.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Oh! what a strange, and, at the same time, what a wondrous world is this in which we live;—and how marvellous is human progress!
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Oh! what a strange, and, at the same time, what a wondrous world is this in which we live;—and how marvellous is human progress!
which person or people
From this reading Is the working-man, for instance, more prosperous, more comfortable, more enviable as to his condition, than the aboriginal Briton who lived in a cave or the hollow of a tree, and who painted his body to protect it against the cold?
accumulated knowledge or erudition or enlightenment
From this reading The utmost attainments effected by the wisdom of our ancestors were but ignorance and short-sightedness compared with the knowledge of the present day.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The utmost attainments effected by the wisdom of our ancestors were but ignorance and short-sightedness compared with the knowledge of the present day.
wondrousadjectiveUS /ˈwʌndrəs/
strange, beautiful, and impressive
From this reading Oh! what a strange, and, at the same time, what a wondrous world is this in which we live;—and how marvellous is human progress!
working-man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Is the working-man, for instance, more prosperous, more comfortable, more enviable as to his condition, than the aboriginal Briton who lived in a cave or the hollow of a tree, and who painted his body to protect it against the cold?
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Oh! what a strange, and, at the same time, what a wondrous world is this in which we live;—and how marvellous is human progress!
