1747
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no good English dictionary in 1747.
4
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOOTNOTES: [4] The latter part of the definition was omitted by Johnson in the last edition which he passed for press.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But what we chiefly have to remember is that Johnson was a pioneer.
surrounded by; in the company of
From this reading Johnson set to work single-handed, and produced a book which made its author supreme amongst the literary men of the time and itself remained a standard work for generations.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Dictionaries," as Johnson himself wrote thirty years later, "are like watches, the worst is better than none, and the best cannot be expected to go true."
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Dictionaries," as Johnson himself wrote thirty years later, "are like watches, the worst is better than none, and the best cannot be expected to go true."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Dictionaries," as Johnson himself wrote thirty years later, "are like watches, the worst is better than none, and the best cannot be expected to go true."
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading Johnson set to work single-handed, and produced a book which made its author supreme amongst the literary men of the time and itself remained a standard work for generations.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Dictionaries," as Johnson himself wrote thirty years later, "are like watches, the worst is better than none, and the best cannot be expected to go true."
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading "Dictionaries," as Johnson himself wrote thirty years later, "are like watches, the worst is better than none, and the best cannot be expected to go true."
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading "Dictionaries," as Johnson himself wrote thirty years later, "are like watches, the worst is better than none, and the best cannot be expected to go true."
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading Johnson set to work single-handed, and produced a book which made its author supreme amongst the literary men of the time and itself remained a standard work for generations.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But what we chiefly have to remember is that Johnson was a pioneer.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading FOOTNOTES: [4] The latter part of the definition was omitted by Johnson in the last edition which he passed for press.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Dictionaries," as Johnson himself wrote thirty years later, "are like watches, the worst is better than none, and the best cannot be expected to go true."
chieflyadverbUS /ˈtʃiːfli/
for the most part
From this reading But what we chiefly have to remember is that Johnson was a pioneer.
definitionnounUS /ˌdefəˈnɪʃən/
a concise explanation of the meaning of a word or phrase or symbol
From this reading FOOTNOTES: [4] The latter part of the definition was omitted by Johnson in the last edition which he passed for press.
DictionariesnounUS /ˈdɪkʃəneriz/
plural of “dictionary” — a reference book containing an alphabetical list of words with information about them
From this reading "Dictionaries," as Johnson himself wrote thirty years later, "are like watches, the worst is better than none, and the best cannot be expected to go true."
dictionarynounUS /ˈdɪkʃəneri/
a reference book containing an alphabetical list of words with information about them
From this reading There was no good English dictionary in 1747.
the form in which a text (especially a printed book) is published
From this reading FOOTNOTES: [4] The latter part of the definition was omitted by Johnson in the last edition which he passed for press.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading There was no good English dictionary in 1747.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading "Dictionaries," as Johnson himself wrote thirty years later, "are like watches, the worst is better than none, and the best cannot be expected to go true."
FOOTNOTESnounUS /ˈfʊtnoʊts/
plural of “footnote” — a printed note placed below the text on a printed page
From this reading FOOTNOTES: [4] The latter part of the definition was omitted by Johnson in the last edition which he passed for press.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Johnson set to work single-handed, and produced a book which made its author supreme amongst the literary men of the time and itself remained a standard work for generations.
generationsnounUS /ˌdʒenərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “generation” — all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age
From this reading Johnson set to work single-handed, and produced a book which made its author supreme amongst the literary men of the time and itself remained a standard work for generations.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "Dictionaries," as Johnson himself wrote thirty years later, "are like watches, the worst is better than none, and the best cannot be expected to go true."
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading There was no good English dictionary in 1747.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But what we chiefly have to remember is that Johnson was a pioneer.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading FOOTNOTES: [4] The latter part of the definition was omitted by Johnson in the last edition which he passed for press.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading "Dictionaries," as Johnson himself wrote thirty years later, "are like watches, the worst is better than none, and the best cannot be expected to go true."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was no good English dictionary in 1747.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Dictionaries," as Johnson himself wrote thirty years later, "are like watches, the worst is better than none, and the best cannot be expected to go true."
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Johnson set to work single-handed, and produced a book which made its author supreme amongst the literary men of the time and itself remained a standard work for generations.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Johnson set to work single-handed, and produced a book which made its author supreme amongst the literary men of the time and itself remained a standard work for generations.
English writer and lexicographer (1709-1784)
From this reading "Dictionaries," as Johnson himself wrote thirty years later, "are like watches, the worst is better than none, and the best cannot be expected to go true."
immediately past
From this reading FOOTNOTES: [4] The latter part of the definition was omitted by Johnson in the last edition which he passed for press.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading "Dictionaries," as Johnson himself wrote thirty years later, "are like watches, the worst is better than none, and the best cannot be expected to go true."
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading FOOTNOTES: [4] The latter part of the definition was omitted by Johnson in the last edition which he passed for press.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "Dictionaries," as Johnson himself wrote thirty years later, "are like watches, the worst is better than none, and the best cannot be expected to go true."
of or relating to or characteristic of literature
From this reading Johnson set to work single-handed, and produced a book which made its author supreme amongst the literary men of the time and itself remained a standard work for generations.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Johnson set to work single-handed, and produced a book which made its author supreme amongst the literary men of the time and itself remained a standard work for generations.
the force of workers available
From this reading Johnson set to work single-handed, and produced a book which made its author supreme amongst the literary men of the time and itself remained a standard work for generations.
not any; not one
From this reading There was no good English dictionary in 1747.
not one, and not any
From this reading "Dictionaries," as Johnson himself wrote thirty years later, "are like watches, the worst is better than none, and the best cannot be expected to go true."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Johnson set to work single-handed, and produced a book which made its author supreme amongst the literary men of the time and itself remained a standard work for generations.
omittedverbUS /oʊˈmɪtəd/
inflected form of “omit” — prevent from being included or considered or accepted
From this reading FOOTNOTES: [4] The latter part of the definition was omitted by Johnson in the last edition which he passed for press.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading FOOTNOTES: [4] The latter part of the definition was omitted by Johnson in the last edition which he passed for press.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading FOOTNOTES: [4] The latter part of the definition was omitted by Johnson in the last edition which he passed for press.
pioneernounUS /ˌpaɪəˈnɪr/
someone who helps to open up a new line of research or technology or art
From this reading But what we chiefly have to remember is that Johnson was a pioneer.
exert pressure or force to or upon
From this reading FOOTNOTES: [4] The latter part of the definition was omitted by Johnson in the last edition which he passed for press.
past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield
From this reading Johnson set to work single-handed, and produced a book which made its author supreme amongst the literary men of the time and itself remained a standard work for generations.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Johnson set to work single-handed, and produced a book which made its author supreme amongst the literary men of the time and itself remained a standard work for generations.
To recall to mind.
From this reading But what we chiefly have to remember is that Johnson was a pioneer.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Johnson set to work single-handed, and produced a book which made its author supreme amongst the literary men of the time and itself remained a standard work for generations.
single-handedadjectiveUS /ˈsɪŋɡəlˈhændɪd/
unsupported by other people
From this reading Johnson set to work single-handed, and produced a book which made its author supreme amongst the literary men of the time and itself remained a standard work for generations.
standardadjectiveUS /ˈstændərd/
conforming to or constituting a standard of measurement or value; or of the usual or regularized or accepted kind
From this reading Johnson set to work single-handed, and produced a book which made its author supreme amongst the literary men of the time and itself remained a standard work for generations.
supremeadjectiveUS /səˈpriːm/
final or last in your life or progress
From this reading Johnson set to work single-handed, and produced a book which made its author supreme amongst the literary men of the time and itself remained a standard work for generations.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading "Dictionaries," as Johnson himself wrote thirty years later, "are like watches, the worst is better than none, and the best cannot be expected to go true."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But what we chiefly have to remember is that Johnson was a pioneer.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Dictionaries," as Johnson himself wrote thirty years later, "are like watches, the worst is better than none, and the best cannot be expected to go true."
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was no good English dictionary in 1747.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three
From this reading "Dictionaries," as Johnson himself wrote thirty years later, "are like watches, the worst is better than none, and the best cannot be expected to go true."
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Johnson set to work single-handed, and produced a book which made its author supreme amongst the literary men of the time and itself remained a standard work for generations.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Dictionaries," as Johnson himself wrote thirty years later, "are like watches, the worst is better than none, and the best cannot be expected to go true."
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading "Dictionaries," as Johnson himself wrote thirty years later, "are like watches, the worst is better than none, and the best cannot be expected to go true."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But what we chiefly have to remember is that Johnson was a pioneer.
watchesnounUS /ˈwɑːtʃəz/
plural of “watch” — a small portable timepiece
From this reading "Dictionaries," as Johnson himself wrote thirty years later, "are like watches, the worst is better than none, and the best cannot be expected to go true."
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading But what we chiefly have to remember is that Johnson was a pioneer.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But what we chiefly have to remember is that Johnson was a pioneer.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Johnson set to work single-handed, and produced a book which made its author supreme amongst the literary men of the time and itself remained a standard work for generations.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Johnson set to work single-handed, and produced a book which made its author supreme amongst the literary men of the time and itself remained a standard work for generations.
the least favorable outcome
From this reading "Dictionaries," as Johnson himself wrote thirty years later, "are like watches, the worst is better than none, and the best cannot be expected to go true."
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading "Dictionaries," as Johnson himself wrote thirty years later, "are like watches, the worst is better than none, and the best cannot be expected to go true."
a late time of life
From this reading "Dictionaries," as Johnson himself wrote thirty years later, "are like watches, the worst is better than none, and the best cannot be expected to go true."
