adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In this, the third series of Breakfast-Table conversations, a slight dramatic background shows off a few talkers and writers, aided by certain silent supernumeraries.
acquaintancesnounUS /əˈkweɪntənsɪz/
plural of “acquaintance” — personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading Some of the characters must seem like old acquaintances to those who have read the former papers.
aidedadjectiveUS /ˈeɪdəd/
having help; often used as a combining form
From this reading In this, the third series of Breakfast-Table conversations, a slight dramatic background shows off a few talkers and writers, aided by certain silent supernumeraries.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In this, the third series of Breakfast-Table conversations, a slight dramatic background shows off a few talkers and writers, aided by certain silent supernumeraries.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As I read these over for the first time for a number of years, I notice one character; presenting a class of beings who have greatly multiplied during the interval which separates the earlier and later Breakfast-Table papers,--I mean the scientific specialists.
backgroundnounUS /ˈbækɡraʊnd/
a person's social heritage: previous experience or training
From this reading In this, the third series of Breakfast-Table conversations, a slight dramatic background shows off a few talkers and writers, aided by certain silent supernumeraries.
beingsnounUS /ˈbiːɪŋz/
plural of “being” — the state or fact of existing
From this reading As I read these over for the first time for a number of years, I notice one character; presenting a class of beings who have greatly multiplied during the interval which separates the earlier and later Breakfast-Table papers,--I mean the scientific specialists.
Breakfast-Table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this, the third series of Breakfast-Table conversations, a slight dramatic background shows off a few talkers and writers, aided by certain silent supernumeraries.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In this, the third series of Breakfast-Table conversations, a slight dramatic background shows off a few talkers and writers, aided by certain silent supernumeraries.
certainadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtən/
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading In this, the third series of Breakfast-Table conversations, a slight dramatic background shows off a few talkers and writers, aided by certain silent supernumeraries.
characternounUS /ˈkerɪktər/
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading As I read these over for the first time for a number of years, I notice one character; presenting a class of beings who have greatly multiplied during the interval which separates the earlier and later Breakfast-Table papers,--I mean the scientific specialists.
charactersnounUS /ˈkærəktərz/
plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading Some of the characters must seem like old acquaintances to those who have read the former papers.
classnounUS /klæs/
a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading As I read these over for the first time for a number of years, I notice one character; presenting a class of beings who have greatly multiplied during the interval which separates the earlier and later Breakfast-Table papers,--I mean the scientific specialists.
conversationsnounUS /ˌkɑːnvərˈseɪʃənz/
plural of “conversation” — the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading In this, the third series of Breakfast-Table conversations, a slight dramatic background shows off a few talkers and writers, aided by certain silent supernumeraries.
dramaticadjectiveUS /drəˈmætɪk/
suitable to or characteristic of drama
From this reading In this, the third series of Breakfast-Table conversations, a slight dramatic background shows off a few talkers and writers, aided by certain silent supernumeraries.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading As I read these over for the first time for a number of years, I notice one character; presenting a class of beings who have greatly multiplied during the interval which separates the earlier and later Breakfast-Table papers,--I mean the scientific specialists.
earlieradverbUS /ˈɜːrliər/
earlier in time; previously
From this reading As I read these over for the first time for a number of years, I notice one character; presenting a class of beings who have greatly multiplied during the interval which separates the earlier and later Breakfast-Table papers,--I mean the scientific specialists.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading In this, the third series of Breakfast-Table conversations, a slight dramatic background shows off a few talkers and writers, aided by certain silent supernumeraries.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading As I read these over for the first time for a number of years, I notice one character; presenting a class of beings who have greatly multiplied during the interval which separates the earlier and later Breakfast-Table papers,--I mean the scientific specialists.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As I read these over for the first time for a number of years, I notice one character; presenting a class of beings who have greatly multiplied during the interval which separates the earlier and later Breakfast-Table papers,--I mean the scientific specialists.
formeradjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrmər/
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading Some of the characters must seem like old acquaintances to those who have read the former papers.
greatlyadverbUS /ˈɡreɪtli/
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading As I read these over for the first time for a number of years, I notice one character; presenting a class of beings who have greatly multiplied during the interval which separates the earlier and later Breakfast-Table papers,--I mean the scientific specialists.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Some of the characters must seem like old acquaintances to those who have read the former papers.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading As I read these over for the first time for a number of years, I notice one character; presenting a class of beings who have greatly multiplied during the interval which separates the earlier and later Breakfast-Table papers,--I mean the scientific specialists.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In this, the third series of Breakfast-Table conversations, a slight dramatic background shows off a few talkers and writers, aided by certain silent supernumeraries.
intervalnounUS /ˈɪntərvəl/
a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading As I read these over for the first time for a number of years, I notice one character; presenting a class of beings who have greatly multiplied during the interval which separates the earlier and later Breakfast-Table papers,--I mean the scientific specialists.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The machinery is much like that of the two preceding series.
lateradverbUS /ˈleɪtər/
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading As I read these over for the first time for a number of years, I notice one character; presenting a class of beings who have greatly multiplied during the interval which separates the earlier and later Breakfast-Table papers,--I mean the scientific specialists.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The machinery is much like that of the two preceding series.
machinerynounUS /məˈʃiːnəri/
machines or machine systems collectively
From this reading The machinery is much like that of the two preceding series.
meanverbUS /miːn/
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading As I read these over for the first time for a number of years, I notice one character; presenting a class of beings who have greatly multiplied during the interval which separates the earlier and later Breakfast-Table papers,--I mean the scientific specialists.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The machinery is much like that of the two preceding series.
multipliedadjectiveUS /ˈmʌltəplaɪd/
greatly increased as by multiplication
From this reading As I read these over for the first time for a number of years, I notice one character; presenting a class of beings who have greatly multiplied during the interval which separates the earlier and later Breakfast-Table papers,--I mean the scientific specialists.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Some of the characters must seem like old acquaintances to those who have read the former papers.
noticenounUS /ˈnoʊtəs/
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading As I read these over for the first time for a number of years, I notice one character; presenting a class of beings who have greatly multiplied during the interval which separates the earlier and later Breakfast-Table papers,--I mean the scientific specialists.
numbernounUS /ˈnʌmbər/
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading As I read these over for the first time for a number of years, I notice one character; presenting a class of beings who have greatly multiplied during the interval which separates the earlier and later Breakfast-Table papers,--I mean the scientific specialists.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In this, the third series of Breakfast-Table conversations, a slight dramatic background shows off a few talkers and writers, aided by certain silent supernumeraries.
offadverbUS /ɔːf/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading In this, the third series of Breakfast-Table conversations, a slight dramatic background shows off a few talkers and writers, aided by certain silent supernumeraries.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Some of the characters must seem like old acquaintances to those who have read the former papers.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading As I read these over for the first time for a number of years, I notice one character; presenting a class of beings who have greatly multiplied during the interval which separates the earlier and later Breakfast-Table papers,--I mean the scientific specialists.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading As I read these over for the first time for a number of years, I notice one character; presenting a class of beings who have greatly multiplied during the interval which separates the earlier and later Breakfast-Table papers,--I mean the scientific specialists.
papersnounUS /ˈpeɪpərz/
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading Some of the characters must seem like old acquaintances to those who have read the former papers.
precedingadjectiveUS /priˈsiːdɪŋ/
existing or coming before
From this reading The machinery is much like that of the two preceding series.
PREFACEnounUS /ˈprefəs/
a short introductory essay preceding the text of a book
From this reading PREFACE.
presentingverbUS /prɪˈzentɪŋ/
-ing form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading As I read these over for the first time for a number of years, I notice one character; presenting a class of beings who have greatly multiplied during the interval which separates the earlier and later Breakfast-Table papers,--I mean the scientific specialists.
readverbUS /red/
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading Some of the characters must seem like old acquaintances to those who have read the former papers.
scientificadjectiveUS /ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk/
of or relating to the practice of science
From this reading As I read these over for the first time for a number of years, I notice one character; presenting a class of beings who have greatly multiplied during the interval which separates the earlier and later Breakfast-Table papers,--I mean the scientific specialists.
seemverbUS /siːm/
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Some of the characters must seem like old acquaintances to those who have read the former papers.
separatesnounUS /ˈsepəreɪts/
plural of “separate” — a separately printed article that originally appeared in a larger publication
From this reading As I read these over for the first time for a number of years, I notice one character; presenting a class of beings who have greatly multiplied during the interval which separates the earlier and later Breakfast-Table papers,--I mean the scientific specialists.
seriesnounUS /ˈsɪriz/
similar things placed in order or happening one after another
From this reading In this, the third series of Breakfast-Table conversations, a slight dramatic background shows off a few talkers and writers, aided by certain silent supernumeraries.
showsnounUS /ʃoʊz/
plural of “show” — the act of publicly exhibiting or entertaining
From this reading In this, the third series of Breakfast-Table conversations, a slight dramatic background shows off a few talkers and writers, aided by certain silent supernumeraries.
silentadjectiveUS /ˈsaɪlənt/
marked by absence of sound
From this reading In this, the third series of Breakfast-Table conversations, a slight dramatic background shows off a few talkers and writers, aided by certain silent supernumeraries.
slightnounUS /slaɪt/
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading In this, the third series of Breakfast-Table conversations, a slight dramatic background shows off a few talkers and writers, aided by certain silent supernumeraries.
SomeadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Some of the characters must seem like old acquaintances to those who have read the former papers.
specialistsnounUS /ˈspeʃələsts/
plural of “specialist” — an expert who is devoted to one occupation or branch of learning
From this reading As I read these over for the first time for a number of years, I notice one character; presenting a class of beings who have greatly multiplied during the interval which separates the earlier and later Breakfast-Table papers,--I mean the scientific specialists.
supernumeraries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this, the third series of Breakfast-Table conversations, a slight dramatic background shows off a few talkers and writers, aided by certain silent supernumeraries.
talkersnounUS /ˈtɔːkərz/
plural of “talker” — someone who expresses in language; someone who talks (especially someone who delivers a public speech or someone especially garrulous)
From this reading In this, the third series of Breakfast-Table conversations, a slight dramatic background shows off a few talkers and writers, aided by certain silent supernumeraries.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The machinery is much like that of the two preceding series.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In this, the third series of Breakfast-Table conversations, a slight dramatic background shows off a few talkers and writers, aided by certain silent supernumeraries.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading As I read these over for the first time for a number of years, I notice one character; presenting a class of beings who have greatly multiplied during the interval which separates the earlier and later Breakfast-Table papers,--I mean the scientific specialists.
thirdnounUS /θɜːrd/
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading In this, the third series of Breakfast-Table conversations, a slight dramatic background shows off a few talkers and writers, aided by certain silent supernumeraries.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In this, the third series of Breakfast-Table conversations, a slight dramatic background shows off a few talkers and writers, aided by certain silent supernumeraries.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Some of the characters must seem like old acquaintances to those who have read the former papers.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading As I read these over for the first time for a number of years, I notice one character; presenting a class of beings who have greatly multiplied during the interval which separates the earlier and later Breakfast-Table papers,--I mean the scientific specialists.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Some of the characters must seem like old acquaintances to those who have read the former papers.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The machinery is much like that of the two preceding series.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading As I read these over for the first time for a number of years, I notice one character; presenting a class of beings who have greatly multiplied during the interval which separates the earlier and later Breakfast-Table papers,--I mean the scientific specialists.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Some of the characters must seem like old acquaintances to those who have read the former papers.
writersnounUS /ˈraɪtərz/
plural of “writer” — writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading In this, the third series of Breakfast-Table conversations, a slight dramatic background shows off a few talkers and writers, aided by certain silent supernumeraries.
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/
a late time of life
From this reading As I read these over for the first time for a number of years, I notice one character; presenting a class of beings who have greatly multiplied during the interval which separates the earlier and later Breakfast-Table papers,--I mean the scientific specialists.
