used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading GOLD ON A DARK GROUND.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading “OF what a fine bright metal that box is made,” said I; “I should almost have taken it for silver.”
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “Your learned friend here would be shocked to be mentioned in the same breath with tin!” observed the Scissors.
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading “OF what a fine bright metal that box is made,” said I; “I should almost have taken it for silver.”
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading “Your learned friend here would be shocked to be mentioned in the same breath with tin!” observed the Scissors.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading “OF what a fine bright metal that box is made,” said I; “I should almost have taken it for silver.”
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading “If usefulness to man gives value to metal, few can rank more highly than tin.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading GOLD ON A DARK GROUND.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading “Far from it,” said the bright silver Thimble.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading “If usefulness to man gives value to metal, few can rank more highly than tin.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading “OF what a fine bright metal that box is made,” said I; “I should almost have taken it for silver.”
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “OF what a fine bright metal that box is made,” said I; “I should almost have taken it for silver.”
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading “Your learned friend here would be shocked to be mentioned in the same breath with tin!” observed the Scissors.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading “Far from it,” said the bright silver Thimble.
plural of “give” — the elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length
From this reading “If usefulness to man gives value to metal, few can rank more highly than tin.
coins made of gold
From this reading GOLD ON A DARK GROUND.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading GOLD ON A DARK GROUND.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “OF what a fine bright metal that box is made,” said I; “I should almost have taken it for silver.”
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading “Your learned friend here would be shocked to be mentioned in the same breath with tin!” observed the Scissors.
to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect
From this reading “If usefulness to man gives value to metal, few can rank more highly than tin.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “OF what a fine bright metal that box is made,” said I; “I should almost have taken it for silver.”
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “If usefulness to man gives value to metal, few can rank more highly than tin.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “Your learned friend here would be shocked to be mentioned in the same breath with tin!” observed the Scissors.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “OF what a fine bright metal that box is made,” said I; “I should almost have taken it for silver.”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “OF what a fine bright metal that box is made,” said I; “I should almost have taken it for silver.”
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading “Your learned friend here would be shocked to be mentioned in the same breath with tin!” observed the Scissors.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading “OF what a fine bright metal that box is made,” said I; “I should almost have taken it for silver.”
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading “If usefulness to man gives value to metal, few can rank more highly than tin.
past form of “mention” — make reference to
From this reading “Your learned friend here would be shocked to be mentioned in the same breath with tin!” observed the Scissors.
metalnounUS /ˈmetəl/
any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids that conduct heat or electricity and can be formed into sheets etc.
From this reading “OF what a fine bright metal that box is made,” said I; “I should almost have taken it for silver.”
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading “If usefulness to man gives value to metal, few can rank more highly than tin.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading “Your learned friend here would be shocked to be mentioned in the same breath with tin!” observed the Scissors.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “OF what a fine bright metal that box is made,” said I; “I should almost have taken it for silver.”
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading GOLD ON A DARK GROUND.
a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
From this reading “If usefulness to man gives value to metal, few can rank more highly than tin.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “OF what a fine bright metal that box is made,” said I; “I should almost have taken it for silver.”
Identical; not different.
From this reading “Your learned friend here would be shocked to be mentioned in the same breath with tin!” observed the Scissors.
ScissorsnounUS /ˈsɪzərz/
an edge tool having two crossed pivoting blades
From this reading “Your learned friend here would be shocked to be mentioned in the same breath with tin!” observed the Scissors.
shockedadjectiveUS /ʃɑːkt/
struck with fear, dread, or consternation
From this reading “Your learned friend here would be shocked to be mentioned in the same breath with tin!” observed the Scissors.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading “OF what a fine bright metal that box is made,” said I; “I should almost have taken it for silver.”
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading “OF what a fine bright metal that box is made,” said I; “I should almost have taken it for silver.”
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading “OF what a fine bright metal that box is made,” said I; “I should almost have taken it for silver.”
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading “If usefulness to man gives value to metal, few can rank more highly than tin.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “OF what a fine bright metal that box is made,” said I; “I should almost have taken it for silver.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “Your learned friend here would be shocked to be mentioned in the same breath with tin!” observed the Scissors.
ThimblenounUS /ˈθɪmbəl/
as much as a thimble will hold
From this reading “Far from it,” said the bright silver Thimble.
tinnounUS /tɪn/
a silvery malleable metallic element that resists corrosion; used in many alloys and to coat other metals to prevent corrosion; obtained chiefly from cassiterite where it occurs as tin oxide
From this reading “Your learned friend here would be shocked to be mentioned in the same breath with tin!” observed the Scissors.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Your learned friend here would be shocked to be mentioned in the same breath with tin!” observed the Scissors.
usefulnessnounUS /ˈjuːsfəlnəs/
the quality of being of practical use
From this reading “If usefulness to man gives value to metal, few can rank more highly than tin.
a numerical quantity measured or assigned or computed
From this reading “If usefulness to man gives value to metal, few can rank more highly than tin.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “OF what a fine bright metal that box is made,” said I; “I should almost have taken it for silver.”
in the company of; together with
From this reading “Your learned friend here would be shocked to be mentioned in the same breath with tin!” observed the Scissors.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “Your learned friend here would be shocked to be mentioned in the same breath with tin!” observed the Scissors.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Your learned friend here would be shocked to be mentioned in the same breath with tin!” observed the Scissors.
