adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Take a broom and sweep the papyri away into the dust.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 For instance, to go back as far as possible, the study and labour expended on Egyptian inscriptions and papyri, which contain nothing but doubtful, because laudatory history, invocations to idols, and similar matters: all these labours are in vain.
almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading An enumeration of the useless would almost be an enumeration of everything hitherto pursued.
AndeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An enumeration of the useless would almost be an enumeration of everything hitherto pursued.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For instance, to go back as far as possible, the study and labour expended on Egyptian inscriptions and papyri, which contain nothing but doubtful, because laudatory history, invocations to idols, and similar matters: all these labours are in vain.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading For instance, to go back as far as possible, the study and labour expended on Egyptian inscriptions and papyri, which contain nothing but doubtful, because laudatory history, invocations to idols, and similar matters: all these labours are in vain.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading For instance, to go back as far as possible, the study and labour expended on Egyptian inscriptions and papyri, which contain nothing but doubtful, because laudatory history, invocations to idols, and similar matters: all these labours are in vain.
AssyriannounUS /əˈsɪriən/
an inhabitant of ancient Assyria
From this reading The Assyrian terra-cotta tablets, some recording fables, and some even sadder—contracts between men whose bodies were dust twenty centuries since—take a hammer and demolish them.
awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Take a broom and sweep the papyri away into the dust.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading For instance, to go back as far as possible, the study and labour expended on Egyptian inscriptions and papyri, which contain nothing but doubtful, because laudatory history, invocations to idols, and similar matters: all these labours are in vain.
batterynounUS /ˈbætəri/
group of guns or missile launchers operated together at one place
From this reading Set a battery to beat down the pyramids, and a mind-battery to destroy the deadening influence of tradition.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading An enumeration of the useless would almost be an enumeration of everything hitherto pursued.
beatverbUS /biːt/
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading Set a battery to beat down the pyramids, and a mind-battery to destroy the deadening influence of tradition.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading For instance, to go back as far as possible, the study and labour expended on Egyptian inscriptions and papyri, which contain nothing but doubtful, because laudatory history, invocations to idols, and similar matters: all these labours are in vain.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The Assyrian terra-cotta tablets, some recording fables, and some even sadder—contracts between men whose bodies were dust twenty centuries since—take a hammer and demolish them.
bodiesnounUS /ˈbɑːdiz/
plural of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading The Assyrian terra-cotta tablets, some recording fables, and some even sadder—contracts between men whose bodies were dust twenty centuries since—take a hammer and demolish them.
broomnounUS /bruːm/
a cleaning implement for sweeping; bundle of straws or twigs attached to a long handle
From this reading Take a broom and sweep the papyri away into the dust.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading For instance, to go back as far as possible, the study and labour expended on Egyptian inscriptions and papyri, which contain nothing but doubtful, because laudatory history, invocations to idols, and similar matters: all these labours are in vain.
centuriesnounUS /ˈsentʃəriz/
plural of “century” — a period of 100 years
From this reading The Assyrian terra-cotta tablets, some recording fables, and some even sadder—contracts between men whose bodies were dust twenty centuries since—take a hammer and demolish them.
containverbUS /kənˈteɪn/
include or contain; have as a component
From this reading For instance, to go back as far as possible, the study and labour expended on Egyptian inscriptions and papyri, which contain nothing but doubtful, because laudatory history, invocations to idols, and similar matters: all these labours are in vain.
contractsnounUS /ˈkɑːntrækts/
plural of “contract” — a binding agreement between two or more persons that is enforceable by law
From this reading The Assyrian terra-cotta tablets, some recording fables, and some even sadder—contracts between men whose bodies were dust twenty centuries since—take a hammer and demolish them.
deadeningnounUS /ˈdedənɪŋ/
the act of making something futile and useless (as by routine)
From this reading Set a battery to beat down the pyramids, and a mind-battery to destroy the deadening influence of tradition.
demolishverbUS /dɪˈmɑːlɪʃ/
destroy completely
From this reading The Assyrian terra-cotta tablets, some recording fables, and some even sadder—contracts between men whose bodies were dust twenty centuries since—take a hammer and demolish them.
destroyverbUS /dɪˈstrɔɪ/
do away with, cause the destruction or undoing of
From this reading Set a battery to beat down the pyramids, and a mind-battery to destroy the deadening influence of tradition.
doubtfuladjectiveUS /ˈdaʊtfəl/
open to doubt or suspicion
From this reading For instance, to go back as far as possible, the study and labour expended on Egyptian inscriptions and papyri, which contain nothing but doubtful, because laudatory history, invocations to idols, and similar matters: all these labours are in vain.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Set a battery to beat down the pyramids, and a mind-battery to destroy the deadening influence of tradition.
dustverbUS /dʌst/
remove the dust from
From this reading Take a broom and sweep the papyri away into the dust.
EgyptiannounUS /ɪˈdʒɪpʃən/
a native or inhabitant of Egypt
From this reading For instance, to go back as far as possible, the study and labour expended on Egyptian inscriptions and papyri, which contain nothing but doubtful, because laudatory history, invocations to idols, and similar matters: all these labours are in vain.
enumerationnounUS /ɪˌnuːmərˈeɪʃən/
a numbered list
From this reading An enumeration of the useless would almost be an enumeration of everything hitherto pursued.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading The Assyrian terra-cotta tablets, some recording fables, and some even sadder—contracts between men whose bodies were dust twenty centuries since—take a hammer and demolish them.
everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading An enumeration of the useless would almost be an enumeration of everything hitherto pursued.
expendedverbUS /ɪkˈspendɪd/
past form of “expend” — use up, consume fully
From this reading For instance, to go back as far as possible, the study and labour expended on Egyptian inscriptions and papyri, which contain nothing but doubtful, because laudatory history, invocations to idols, and similar matters: all these labours are in vain.
fablesnounUS /ˈfeɪbəlz/
plural of “fable” — a deliberately false or improbable account
From this reading The Assyrian terra-cotta tablets, some recording fables, and some even sadder—contracts between men whose bodies were dust twenty centuries since—take a hammer and demolish them.
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading For instance, to go back as far as possible, the study and labour expended on Egyptian inscriptions and papyri, which contain nothing but doubtful, because laudatory history, invocations to idols, and similar matters: all these labours are in vain.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For instance, to go back as far as possible, the study and labour expended on Egyptian inscriptions and papyri, which contain nothing but doubtful, because laudatory history, invocations to idols, and similar matters: all these labours are in vain.
goverbUS /ɡoʊ/
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading For instance, to go back as far as possible, the study and labour expended on Egyptian inscriptions and papyri, which contain nothing but doubtful, because laudatory history, invocations to idols, and similar matters: all these labours are in vain.
hammernounUS /ˈhæmər/
the part of a gunlock that strikes the percussion cap when the trigger is pulled
From this reading The Assyrian terra-cotta tablets, some recording fables, and some even sadder—contracts between men whose bodies were dust twenty centuries since—take a hammer and demolish them.
historynounUS /ˈhɪstəri/
the aggregate of past events
From this reading For instance, to go back as far as possible, the study and labour expended on Egyptian inscriptions and papyri, which contain nothing but doubtful, because laudatory history, invocations to idols, and similar matters: all these labours are in vain.
hithertoadverbUS /ˈhɪðɜːrˈtuː/
used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time
From this reading An enumeration of the useless would almost be an enumeration of everything hitherto pursued.
idolsnounUS /ˈaɪdəlz/
plural of “idol” — a material effigy that is worshipped
From this reading For instance, to go back as far as possible, the study and labour expended on Egyptian inscriptions and papyri, which contain nothing but doubtful, because laudatory history, invocations to idols, and similar matters: all these labours are in vain.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For instance, to go back as far as possible, the study and labour expended on Egyptian inscriptions and papyri, which contain nothing but doubtful, because laudatory history, invocations to idols, and similar matters: all these labours are in vain.
influencenounUS /ˈɪnfluːəns/
a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc
From this reading Set a battery to beat down the pyramids, and a mind-battery to destroy the deadening influence of tradition.
inscriptionsnounUS /ˌɪnˈskrɪpʃənz/
plural of “inscription” — letters inscribed (especially words engraved or carved) on something
From this reading For instance, to go back as far as possible, the study and labour expended on Egyptian inscriptions and papyri, which contain nothing but doubtful, because laudatory history, invocations to idols, and similar matters: all these labours are in vain.
instancenounUS /ˈɪnstəns/
an occurrence of something
From this reading For instance, to go back as far as possible, the study and labour expended on Egyptian inscriptions and papyri, which contain nothing but doubtful, because laudatory history, invocations to idols, and similar matters: all these labours are in vain.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Take a broom and sweep the papyri away into the dust.
invocations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For instance, to go back as far as possible, the study and labour expended on Egyptian inscriptions and papyri, which contain nothing but doubtful, because laudatory history, invocations to idols, and similar matters: all these labours are in vain.
labournounUS /ˈleɪbər/
a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
From this reading For instance, to go back as far as possible, the study and labour expended on Egyptian inscriptions and papyri, which contain nothing but doubtful, because laudatory history, invocations to idols, and similar matters: all these labours are in vain.
labours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For instance, to go back as far as possible, the study and labour expended on Egyptian inscriptions and papyri, which contain nothing but doubtful, because laudatory history, invocations to idols, and similar matters: all these labours are in vain.
laudatoryadjectiveUS /ˈlɔːdətɔːri/
full of or giving praise
From this reading For instance, to go back as far as possible, the study and labour expended on Egyptian inscriptions and papyri, which contain nothing but doubtful, because laudatory history, invocations to idols, and similar matters: all these labours are in vain.
mattersnounUS /ˈmætərz/
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading For instance, to go back as far as possible, the study and labour expended on Egyptian inscriptions and papyri, which contain nothing but doubtful, because laudatory history, invocations to idols, and similar matters: all these labours are in vain.
mennounUS /men/
the force of workers available
From this reading The Assyrian terra-cotta tablets, some recording fables, and some even sadder—contracts between men whose bodies were dust twenty centuries since—take a hammer and demolish them.
mind-battery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Set a battery to beat down the pyramids, and a mind-battery to destroy the deadening influence of tradition.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading For instance, to go back as far as possible, the study and labour expended on Egyptian inscriptions and papyri, which contain nothing but doubtful, because laudatory history, invocations to idols, and similar matters: all these labours are in vain.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading An enumeration of the useless would almost be an enumeration of everything hitherto pursued.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading For instance, to go back as far as possible, the study and labour expended on Egyptian inscriptions and papyri, which contain nothing but doubtful, because laudatory history, invocations to idols, and similar matters: all these labours are in vain.
papyri
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For instance, to go back as far as possible, the study and labour expended on Egyptian inscriptions and papyri, which contain nothing but doubtful, because laudatory history, invocations to idols, and similar matters: all these labours are in vain.
possibleadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːsəbəl/
capable of happening or existing
From this reading For instance, to go back as far as possible, the study and labour expended on Egyptian inscriptions and papyri, which contain nothing but doubtful, because laudatory history, invocations to idols, and similar matters: all these labours are in vain.
pursuednounUS /pərˈsuːd/
a person who is being chased
From this reading An enumeration of the useless would almost be an enumeration of everything hitherto pursued.
pyramidsnounUS /ˈpɪrəmɪdz/
plural of “pyramid” — a polyhedron having a polygonal base and triangular sides with a common vertex
From this reading Set a battery to beat down the pyramids, and a mind-battery to destroy the deadening influence of tradition.
recordingnounUS /rəˈkɔːrdɪŋ/
a signal that encodes something (e.g., picture or sound) that has been recorded
From this reading The Assyrian terra-cotta tablets, some recording fables, and some even sadder—contracts between men whose bodies were dust twenty centuries since—take a hammer and demolish them.
sadderadjectiveUS /ˈsædər/
comparative of “sad” — experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading The Assyrian terra-cotta tablets, some recording fables, and some even sadder—contracts between men whose bodies were dust twenty centuries since—take a hammer and demolish them.
SetverbUS /set/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Set a battery to beat down the pyramids, and a mind-battery to destroy the deadening influence of tradition.
similaradjectiveUS /ˈsɪmələr/
marked by correspondence or resemblance
From this reading For instance, to go back as far as possible, the study and labour expended on Egyptian inscriptions and papyri, which contain nothing but doubtful, because laudatory history, invocations to idols, and similar matters: all these labours are in vain.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading The Assyrian terra-cotta tablets, some recording fables, and some even sadder—contracts between men whose bodies were dust twenty centuries since—take a hammer and demolish them.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The Assyrian terra-cotta tablets, some recording fables, and some even sadder—contracts between men whose bodies were dust twenty centuries since—take a hammer and demolish them.
studynounUS /ˈstʌdi/
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading For instance, to go back as far as possible, the study and labour expended on Egyptian inscriptions and papyri, which contain nothing but doubtful, because laudatory history, invocations to idols, and similar matters: all these labours are in vain.
sweepverbUS /swiːp/
sweep across or over
From this reading Take a broom and sweep the papyri away into the dust.
tabletsnounUS /ˈtæbləts/
plural of “tablet” — a slab of stone or wood suitable for bearing an inscription
From this reading The Assyrian terra-cotta tablets, some recording fables, and some even sadder—contracts between men whose bodies were dust twenty centuries since—take a hammer and demolish them.
TakeverbUS /teɪk/
carry out
From this reading Take a broom and sweep the papyri away into the dust.
terra-cotta
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Assyrian terra-cotta tablets, some recording fables, and some even sadder—contracts between men whose bodies were dust twenty centuries since—take a hammer and demolish them.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading An enumeration of the useless would almost be an enumeration of everything hitherto pursued.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The Assyrian terra-cotta tablets, some recording fables, and some even sadder—contracts between men whose bodies were dust twenty centuries since—take a hammer and demolish them.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading For instance, to go back as far as possible, the study and labour expended on Egyptian inscriptions and papyri, which contain nothing but doubtful, because laudatory history, invocations to idols, and similar matters: all these labours are in vain.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For instance, to go back as far as possible, the study and labour expended on Egyptian inscriptions and papyri, which contain nothing but doubtful, because laudatory history, invocations to idols, and similar matters: all these labours are in vain.
traditionnounUS /trəˈdɪʃən/
an inherited pattern of thought or action
From this reading Set a battery to beat down the pyramids, and a mind-battery to destroy the deadening influence of tradition.
twentynounUS /ˈtwenti/
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading The Assyrian terra-cotta tablets, some recording fables, and some even sadder—contracts between men whose bodies were dust twenty centuries since—take a hammer and demolish them.
uselessadjectiveUS /ˈjuːsləs/
having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully
From this reading An enumeration of the useless would almost be an enumeration of everything hitherto pursued.
vainadjectiveUS /veɪn/
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading For instance, to go back as far as possible, the study and labour expended on Egyptian inscriptions and papyri, which contain nothing but doubtful, because laudatory history, invocations to idols, and similar matters: all these labours are in vain.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Assyrian terra-cotta tablets, some recording fables, and some even sadder—contracts between men whose bodies were dust twenty centuries since—take a hammer and demolish them.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading For instance, to go back as far as possible, the study and labour expended on Egyptian inscriptions and papyri, which contain nothing but doubtful, because laudatory history, invocations to idols, and similar matters: all these labours are in vain.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading The Assyrian terra-cotta tablets, some recording fables, and some even sadder—contracts between men whose bodies were dust twenty centuries since—take a hammer and demolish them.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading An enumeration of the useless would almost be an enumeration of everything hitherto pursued.
