used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading OF A WONDERFUL QUALITY IN WOMEN Darwin expended many years of his life in the study of disagreeable animals, that he might prove the adaptability of organism to environment.
adaptabilitynounUS /əˌdæptəˈbɪləti/
the ability to change (or be changed) to fit changed circumstances
From this reading OF A WONDERFUL QUALITY IN WOMEN Darwin expended many years of his life in the study of disagreeable animals, that he might prove the adaptability of organism to environment.
adaptationsnounUS /ˌædæpˈteɪʃənz/
plural of “adaptation” — a written work (as a novel) that has been recast in a new form
From this reading How much pleasanter and briefer had been his task, if he had begun his studies at once with the creature whose long history has been one unbroken succession of inspired and noble adaptations!
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Woman's adaptability to man is one of the most mysterious, as it is perhaps the most pathetic, of all the modes of her mysterious being.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Like certain protection-seeking animals, she is always the colour of the rock, the husband-rock, in whose shadow she lives.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading How much pleasanter and briefer had been his task, if he had begun his studies at once with the creature whose long history has been one unbroken succession of inspired and noble adaptations!
plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading OF A WONDERFUL QUALITY IN WOMEN Darwin expended many years of his life in the study of disagreeable animals, that he might prove the adaptability of organism to environment.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Woman's adaptability to man is one of the most mysterious, as it is perhaps the most pathetic, of all the modes of her mysterious being.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading How much pleasanter and briefer had been his task, if he had begun his studies at once with the creature whose long history has been one unbroken succession of inspired and noble adaptations!
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading How much pleasanter and briefer had been his task, if he had begun his studies at once with the creature whose long history has been one unbroken succession of inspired and noble adaptations!
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading How much pleasanter and briefer had been his task, if he had begun his studies at once with the creature whose long history has been one unbroken succession of inspired and noble adaptations!
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Woman's adaptability to man is one of the most mysterious, as it is perhaps the most pathetic, of all the modes of her mysterious being.
brieferadjectiveUS /ˈbriːfər/
comparative of “brief” — of short duration or distance
From this reading How much pleasanter and briefer had been his task, if he had begun his studies at once with the creature whose long history has been one unbroken succession of inspired and noble adaptations!
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Sometimes, of course, she is her own rock; but in such cases man is never her chameleon to a like degree or indeed in a like manner.
plural of “case” — an occurrence of something
From this reading Sometimes, of course, she is her own rock; but in such cases man is never her chameleon to a like degree or indeed in a like manner.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading Like certain protection-seeking animals, she is always the colour of the rock, the husband-rock, in whose shadow she lives.
chameleonnounUS /kəˈmiːliən/
a changeable or inconstant person
From this reading Sometimes, of course, she is her own rock; but in such cases man is never her chameleon to a like degree or indeed in a like manner.
having or capable of producing colors
From this reading Like certain protection-seeking animals, she is always the colour of the rock, the husband-rock, in whose shadow she lives.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Sometimes, of course, she is her own rock; but in such cases man is never her chameleon to a like degree or indeed in a like manner.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading How much pleasanter and briefer had been his task, if he had begun his studies at once with the creature whose long history has been one unbroken succession of inspired and noble adaptations!
DarwinnounUS /ˈdɑːrwɪn/
English natural scientist who formulated a theory of evolution by natural selection (1809-1882)
From this reading OF A WONDERFUL QUALITY IN WOMEN Darwin expended many years of his life in the study of disagreeable animals, that he might prove the adaptability of organism to environment.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading Sometimes, of course, she is her own rock; but in such cases man is never her chameleon to a like degree or indeed in a like manner.
disagreeableadjectiveUS /ˌdɪsəˈɡriːəbəl/
not to your liking
From this reading OF A WONDERFUL QUALITY IN WOMEN Darwin expended many years of his life in the study of disagreeable animals, that he might prove the adaptability of organism to environment.
environmentnounUS /ɪnˈvaɪrənmənt/
the totality of surrounding conditions
From this reading OF A WONDERFUL QUALITY IN WOMEN Darwin expended many years of his life in the study of disagreeable animals, that he might prove the adaptability of organism to environment.
expendedverbUS /ɪkˈspendɪd/
past form of “expend” — use up, consume fully
From this reading OF A WONDERFUL QUALITY IN WOMEN Darwin expended many years of his life in the study of disagreeable animals, that he might prove the adaptability of organism to environment.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading How much pleasanter and briefer had been his task, if he had begun his studies at once with the creature whose long history has been one unbroken succession of inspired and noble adaptations!
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading How much pleasanter and briefer had been his task, if he had begun his studies at once with the creature whose long history has been one unbroken succession of inspired and noble adaptations!
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading OF A WONDERFUL QUALITY IN WOMEN Darwin expended many years of his life in the study of disagreeable animals, that he might prove the adaptability of organism to environment.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Woman's adaptability to man is one of the most mysterious, as it is perhaps the most pathetic, of all the modes of her mysterious being.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading OF A WONDERFUL QUALITY IN WOMEN Darwin expended many years of his life in the study of disagreeable animals, that he might prove the adaptability of organism to environment.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading How much pleasanter and briefer had been his task, if he had begun his studies at once with the creature whose long history has been one unbroken succession of inspired and noble adaptations!
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How much pleasanter and briefer had been his task, if he had begun his studies at once with the creature whose long history has been one unbroken succession of inspired and noble adaptations!
husband-rock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like certain protection-seeking animals, she is always the colour of the rock, the husband-rock, in whose shadow she lives.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading How much pleasanter and briefer had been his task, if he had begun his studies at once with the creature whose long history has been one unbroken succession of inspired and noble adaptations!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading OF A WONDERFUL QUALITY IN WOMEN Darwin expended many years of his life in the study of disagreeable animals, that he might prove the adaptability of organism to environment.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Sometimes, of course, she is her own rock; but in such cases man is never her chameleon to a like degree or indeed in a like manner.
being of such surpassing excellence as to suggest inspiration by the gods
From this reading How much pleasanter and briefer had been his task, if he had begun his studies at once with the creature whose long history has been one unbroken succession of inspired and noble adaptations!
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Woman's adaptability to man is one of the most mysterious, as it is perhaps the most pathetic, of all the modes of her mysterious being.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Woman's adaptability to man is one of the most mysterious, as it is perhaps the most pathetic, of all the modes of her mysterious being.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading OF A WONDERFUL QUALITY IN WOMEN Darwin expended many years of his life in the study of disagreeable animals, that he might prove the adaptability of organism to environment.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Like certain protection-seeking animals, she is always the colour of the rock, the husband-rock, in whose shadow she lives.
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Like certain protection-seeking animals, she is always the colour of the rock, the husband-rock, in whose shadow she lives.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading How much pleasanter and briefer had been his task, if he had begun his studies at once with the creature whose long history has been one unbroken succession of inspired and noble adaptations!
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Woman's adaptability to man is one of the most mysterious, as it is perhaps the most pathetic, of all the modes of her mysterious being.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Sometimes, of course, she is her own rock; but in such cases man is never her chameleon to a like degree or indeed in a like manner.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading OF A WONDERFUL QUALITY IN WOMEN Darwin expended many years of his life in the study of disagreeable animals, that he might prove the adaptability of organism to environment.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading OF A WONDERFUL QUALITY IN WOMEN Darwin expended many years of his life in the study of disagreeable animals, that he might prove the adaptability of organism to environment.
modesnounUS /moʊdz/
plural of “mode” — how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Woman's adaptability to man is one of the most mysterious, as it is perhaps the most pathetic, of all the modes of her mysterious being.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Woman's adaptability to man is one of the most mysterious, as it is perhaps the most pathetic, of all the modes of her mysterious being.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading How much pleasanter and briefer had been his task, if he had begun his studies at once with the creature whose long history has been one unbroken succession of inspired and noble adaptations!
of an obscure nature
From this reading Woman's adaptability to man is one of the most mysterious, as it is perhaps the most pathetic, of all the modes of her mysterious being.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Sometimes, of course, she is her own rock; but in such cases man is never her chameleon to a like degree or indeed in a like manner.
nobleadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊbəl/
impressive in appearance
From this reading How much pleasanter and briefer had been his task, if he had begun his studies at once with the creature whose long history has been one unbroken succession of inspired and noble adaptations!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading OF A WONDERFUL QUALITY IN WOMEN Darwin expended many years of his life in the study of disagreeable animals, that he might prove the adaptability of organism to environment.
on one occasion
From this reading How much pleasanter and briefer had been his task, if he had begun his studies at once with the creature whose long history has been one unbroken succession of inspired and noble adaptations!
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading How much pleasanter and briefer had been his task, if he had begun his studies at once with the creature whose long history has been one unbroken succession of inspired and noble adaptations!
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Sometimes, of course, she is her own rock; but in such cases man is never her chameleon to a like degree or indeed in a like manner.
organismnounUS /ˈɔːrɡənɪzəm/
a living thing that has (or can develop) the ability to act or function independently
From this reading OF A WONDERFUL QUALITY IN WOMEN Darwin expended many years of his life in the study of disagreeable animals, that he might prove the adaptability of organism to environment.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Sometimes, of course, she is her own rock; but in such cases man is never her chameleon to a like degree or indeed in a like manner.
patheticadjectiveUS /pəˈθetɪk/
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading Woman's adaptability to man is one of the most mysterious, as it is perhaps the most pathetic, of all the modes of her mysterious being.
by chance
From this reading Woman's adaptability to man is one of the most mysterious, as it is perhaps the most pathetic, of all the modes of her mysterious being.
pleasanter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How much pleasanter and briefer had been his task, if he had begun his studies at once with the creature whose long history has been one unbroken succession of inspired and noble adaptations!
protection-seeking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like certain protection-seeking animals, she is always the colour of the rock, the husband-rock, in whose shadow she lives.
be shown or be found to be
From this reading OF A WONDERFUL QUALITY IN WOMEN Darwin expended many years of his life in the study of disagreeable animals, that he might prove the adaptability of organism to environment.
an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading OF A WONDERFUL QUALITY IN WOMEN Darwin expended many years of his life in the study of disagreeable animals, that he might prove the adaptability of organism to environment.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Like certain protection-seeking animals, she is always the colour of the rock, the husband-rock, in whose shadow she lives.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading Like certain protection-seeking animals, she is always the colour of the rock, the husband-rock, in whose shadow she lives.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Like certain protection-seeking animals, she is always the colour of the rock, the husband-rock, in whose shadow she lives.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading Sometimes, of course, she is her own rock; but in such cases man is never her chameleon to a like degree or indeed in a like manner.
studiesnounUS /ˈstʌdiz/
plural of “study” — a detailed critical inspection
From this reading How much pleasanter and briefer had been his task, if he had begun his studies at once with the creature whose long history has been one unbroken succession of inspired and noble adaptations!
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading OF A WONDERFUL QUALITY IN WOMEN Darwin expended many years of his life in the study of disagreeable animals, that he might prove the adaptability of organism to environment.
successionnounUS /səkˈseʃən/
a following of one thing after another in time
From this reading How much pleasanter and briefer had been his task, if he had begun his studies at once with the creature whose long history has been one unbroken succession of inspired and noble adaptations!
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Sometimes, of course, she is her own rock; but in such cases man is never her chameleon to a like degree or indeed in a like manner.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading How much pleasanter and briefer had been his task, if he had begun his studies at once with the creature whose long history has been one unbroken succession of inspired and noble adaptations!
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading OF A WONDERFUL QUALITY IN WOMEN Darwin expended many years of his life in the study of disagreeable animals, that he might prove the adaptability of organism to environment.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading OF A WONDERFUL QUALITY IN WOMEN Darwin expended many years of his life in the study of disagreeable animals, that he might prove the adaptability of organism to environment.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading OF A WONDERFUL QUALITY IN WOMEN Darwin expended many years of his life in the study of disagreeable animals, that he might prove the adaptability of organism to environment.
unbrokenadjectiveUS /ənˈbroʊkən/
marked by continuous or uninterrupted extension in space or time or sequence
From this reading How much pleasanter and briefer had been his task, if he had begun his studies at once with the creature whose long history has been one unbroken succession of inspired and noble adaptations!
belonging to which person
From this reading How much pleasanter and briefer had been his task, if he had begun his studies at once with the creature whose long history has been one unbroken succession of inspired and noble adaptations!
in the company of; together with
From this reading How much pleasanter and briefer had been his task, if he had begun his studies at once with the creature whose long history has been one unbroken succession of inspired and noble adaptations!
Woman'snounUS /ˈwʊmənz/
possessive form of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Woman's adaptability to man is one of the most mysterious, as it is perhaps the most pathetic, of all the modes of her mysterious being.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading OF A WONDERFUL QUALITY IN WOMEN Darwin expended many years of his life in the study of disagreeable animals, that he might prove the adaptability of organism to environment.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading OF A WONDERFUL QUALITY IN WOMEN Darwin expended many years of his life in the study of disagreeable animals, that he might prove the adaptability of organism to environment.
a late time of life
From this reading OF A WONDERFUL QUALITY IN WOMEN Darwin expended many years of his life in the study of disagreeable animals, that he might prove the adaptability of organism to environment.
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