used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I would sooner be a man and fear shadows than be a god and command them.
alternativeadjectiveUS /ɔːlˈtɜːrnətɪv/
serving or used in place of another
From this reading Let me start and shudder in an occasional briny spasm, if saltless insipidity is to be the sole alternative.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Still, one would rather chance encountering the unexpected in excess than be without it altogether.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading The Chef who arranges this mortal mess of ours is not always to be trusted in the matter of seasoning--or, indeed, of seasonableness: perhaps he has too many conflicting tastes to consider.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Let me start and shudder in an occasional briny spasm, if saltless insipidity is to be the sole alternative.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Let me start and shudder in an occasional briny spasm, if saltless insipidity is to be the sole alternative.
arrangesverbUS /ərˈeɪndʒɪz/
third-person singular of “arrange” — put into a proper or systematic order
From this reading The Chef who arranges this mortal mess of ours is not always to be trusted in the matter of seasoning--or, indeed, of seasonableness: perhaps he has too many conflicting tastes to consider.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The unexpected is the salt of life--enough or too much as the case may be.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The unexpected is the salt of life--enough or too much as the case may be.
brinynoun
any very large body of (salt) water
From this reading Let me start and shudder in an occasional briny spasm, if saltless insipidity is to be the sole alternative.
an occurrence of something
From this reading The unexpected is the salt of life--enough or too much as the case may be.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Still, one would rather chance encountering the unexpected in excess than be without it altogether.
ChefnounUS /ʃef/
a professional cook
From this reading The Chef who arranges this mortal mess of ours is not always to be trusted in the matter of seasoning--or, indeed, of seasonableness: perhaps he has too many conflicting tastes to consider.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading I would sooner be a man and fear shadows than be a god and command them.
conflictingadjectiveUS /kənˈflɪktɪŋ/
in disagreement
From this reading The Chef who arranges this mortal mess of ours is not always to be trusted in the matter of seasoning--or, indeed, of seasonableness: perhaps he has too many conflicting tastes to consider.
deem to be
From this reading The Chef who arranges this mortal mess of ours is not always to be trusted in the matter of seasoning--or, indeed, of seasonableness: perhaps he has too many conflicting tastes to consider.
encounteringverbUS /enˈkaʊntərɪŋ/
-ing form of “encounter” — come together
From this reading Still, one would rather chance encountering the unexpected in excess than be without it altogether.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading The unexpected is the salt of life--enough or too much as the case may be.
excessnounUS /ˈekses/
a quantity much larger than is needed
From this reading Still, one would rather chance encountering the unexpected in excess than be without it altogether.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading I would sooner be a man and fear shadows than be a god and command them.
the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading I would sooner be a man and fear shadows than be a god and command them.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Chef who arranges this mortal mess of ours is not always to be trusted in the matter of seasoning--or, indeed, of seasonableness: perhaps he has too many conflicting tastes to consider.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Chef who arranges this mortal mess of ours is not always to be trusted in the matter of seasoning--or, indeed, of seasonableness: perhaps he has too many conflicting tastes to consider.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I would sooner be a man and fear shadows than be a god and command them.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Let me start and shudder in an occasional briny spasm, if saltless insipidity is to be the sole alternative.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Chef who arranges this mortal mess of ours is not always to be trusted in the matter of seasoning--or, indeed, of seasonableness: perhaps he has too many conflicting tastes to consider.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading The Chef who arranges this mortal mess of ours is not always to be trusted in the matter of seasoning--or, indeed, of seasonableness: perhaps he has too many conflicting tastes to consider.
insipiditynoun
extreme dullness; lacking spirit or interest
From this reading Let me start and shudder in an occasional briny spasm, if saltless insipidity is to be the sole alternative.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The unexpected is the salt of life--enough or too much as the case may be.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Still, one would rather chance encountering the unexpected in excess than be without it altogether.
Letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Let me start and shudder in an occasional briny spasm, if saltless insipidity is to be the sole alternative.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The unexpected is the salt of life--enough or too much as the case may be.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading I would sooner be a man and fear shadows than be a god and command them.
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 The Chef who arranges this mortal mess of ours is not always to be trusted in the matter of seasoning--or, indeed, of seasonableness: perhaps he has too many conflicting tastes to consider.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading The Chef who arranges this mortal mess of ours is not always to be trusted in the matter of seasoning--or, indeed, of seasonableness: perhaps he has too many conflicting tastes to consider.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading The unexpected is the salt of life--enough or too much as the case may be.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Let me start and shudder in an occasional briny spasm, if saltless insipidity is to be the sole alternative.
messnounUS /mes/
a state of confusion and disorderliness
From this reading The Chef who arranges this mortal mess of ours is not always to be trusted in the matter of seasoning--or, indeed, of seasonableness: perhaps he has too many conflicting tastes to consider.
subject to death
From this reading The Chef who arranges this mortal mess of ours is not always to be trusted in the matter of seasoning--or, indeed, of seasonableness: perhaps he has too many conflicting tastes to consider.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The unexpected is the salt of life--enough or too much as the case may be.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The Chef who arranges this mortal mess of ours is not always to be trusted in the matter of seasoning--or, indeed, of seasonableness: perhaps he has too many conflicting tastes to consider.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading Let me start and shudder in an occasional briny spasm, if saltless insipidity is to be the sole alternative.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The unexpected is the salt of life--enough or too much as the case may be.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Still, one would rather chance encountering the unexpected in excess than be without it altogether.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The unexpected is the salt of life--enough or too much as the case may be.
the one or ones belonging to us
From this reading The Chef who arranges this mortal mess of ours is not always to be trusted in the matter of seasoning--or, indeed, of seasonableness: perhaps he has too many conflicting tastes to consider.
by chance
From this reading The Chef who arranges this mortal mess of ours is not always to be trusted in the matter of seasoning--or, indeed, of seasonableness: perhaps he has too many conflicting tastes to consider.
on the contrary
From this reading Still, one would rather chance encountering the unexpected in excess than be without it altogether.
a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts like a metal)
From this reading The unexpected is the salt of life--enough or too much as the case may be.
saltless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Let me start and shudder in an occasional briny spasm, if saltless insipidity is to be the sole alternative.
seasonablenessnoun
being at the right time
From this reading The Chef who arranges this mortal mess of ours is not always to be trusted in the matter of seasoning--or, indeed, of seasonableness: perhaps he has too many conflicting tastes to consider.
seasoningnounUS /ˈsiːzənɪŋ/
something added to food primarily for the savor it imparts
From this reading The Chef who arranges this mortal mess of ours is not always to be trusted in the matter of seasoning--or, indeed, of seasonableness: perhaps he has too many conflicting tastes to consider.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading I would sooner be a man and fear shadows than be a god and command them.
shudderverbUS /ˈʃʌdər/
shake, as from cold
From this reading Let me start and shudder in an occasional briny spasm, if saltless insipidity is to be the sole alternative.
solenounUS /soʊl/
the underside of footwear or a golf club
From this reading Let me start and shudder in an occasional briny spasm, if saltless insipidity is to be the sole alternative.
comparatives of “soon” or “early”
From this reading I would sooner be a man and fear shadows than be a god and command them.
spasmnounUS /ˈspæzəm/
a painful and involuntary muscular contraction
From this reading Let me start and shudder in an occasional briny spasm, if saltless insipidity is to be the sole alternative.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Let me start and shudder in an occasional briny spasm, if saltless insipidity is to be the sole alternative.
not in physical motion
From this reading Still, one would rather chance encountering the unexpected in excess than be without it altogether.
tastesnounUS /teɪsts/
plural of “taste” — the sensation that results when taste buds in the tongue and throat convey information about the chemical composition of a soluble stimulus
From this reading The Chef who arranges this mortal mess of ours is not always to be trusted in the matter of seasoning--or, indeed, of seasonableness: perhaps he has too many conflicting tastes to consider.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Still, one would rather chance encountering the unexpected in excess than be without it altogether.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The unexpected is the salt of life--enough or too much as the case may be.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading I would sooner be a man and fear shadows than be a god and command them.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The Chef who arranges this mortal mess of ours is not always to be trusted in the matter of seasoning--or, indeed, of seasonableness: perhaps he has too many conflicting tastes to consider.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Chef who arranges this mortal mess of ours is not always to be trusted in the matter of seasoning--or, indeed, of seasonableness: perhaps he has too many conflicting tastes to consider.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The unexpected is the salt of life--enough or too much as the case may be.
trustedadjectiveUS /ˈtrʌstɪd/
(of persons) worthy of trust or confidence
From this reading The Chef who arranges this mortal mess of ours is not always to be trusted in the matter of seasoning--or, indeed, of seasonableness: perhaps he has too many conflicting tastes to consider.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading The unexpected is the salt of life--enough or too much as the case may be.
which person or people
From this reading The Chef who arranges this mortal mess of ours is not always to be trusted in the matter of seasoning--or, indeed, of seasonableness: perhaps he has too many conflicting tastes to consider.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Still, one would rather chance encountering the unexpected in excess than be without it altogether.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Still, one would rather chance encountering the unexpected in excess than be without it altogether.
