used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
how long something has existed
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do
From this reading By the aid, then, of the science of comparative mythology let us seek to study the historical growth of the idea that is now embodied in the Christmas tree.
(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 But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
amuseverbUS /əˈmjuːz/
occupy in an agreeable, entertaining or pleasant fashion
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN HISTORY The stories I have just told you are pretty enough and may amuse an idle half hour.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN HISTORY The stories I have just told you are pretty enough and may amuse an idle half hour.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN HISTORY The stories I have just told you are pretty enough and may amuse an idle half hour.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN HISTORY The stories I have just told you are pretty enough and may amuse an idle half hour.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading My sexagenarian readers will not need to be introduced to the science called comparative mythology.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But we must now pass from the region of myth into that of history and science.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By the aid, then, of the science of comparative mythology let us seek to study the historical growth of the idea that is now embodied in the Christmas tree.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading My sexagenarian readers will not need to be introduced to the science called comparative mythology.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN HISTORY The stories I have just told you are pretty enough and may amuse an idle half hour.
comparativeadjectiveUS /kəmˈperətɪv/
relating to or based on or involving comparison
From this reading My sexagenarian readers will not need to be introduced to the science called comparative mythology.
comparesnounUS /kəmˈperz/
plural of “compare” — qualities that are comparable
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
descendverbUS /dɪˈsend/
move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
earlier in time; previously
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
embodiedadjectiveUS /ɪmˈbɑːdid/
possessing or existing in bodily form
From this reading By the aid, then, of the science of comparative mythology let us seek to study the historical growth of the idea that is now embodied in the Christmas tree.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN HISTORY The stories I have just told you are pretty enough and may amuse an idle half hour.
make plain and comprehensible
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
far-away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But we must now pass from the region of myth into that of history and science.
germnounUS /dʒɜːrm/
anything that provides inspiration for later work
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
growthnounUS /ɡroʊθ/
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading By the aid, then, of the science of comparative mythology let us seek to study the historical growth of the idea that is now embodied in the Christmas tree.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN HISTORY The stories I have just told you are pretty enough and may amuse an idle half hour.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN HISTORY The stories I have just told you are pretty enough and may amuse an idle half hour.
historicaladjectiveUS /hɪˈstɔːrɪkəl/
of or relating to the study of history
From this reading By the aid, then, of the science of comparative mythology let us seek to study the historical growth of the idea that is now embodied in the Christmas tree.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN HISTORY The stories I have just told you are pretty enough and may amuse an idle half hour.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN HISTORY The stories I have just told you are pretty enough and may amuse an idle half hour.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN HISTORY The stories I have just told you are pretty enough and may amuse an idle half hour.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading By the aid, then, of the science of comparative mythology let us seek to study the historical growth of the idea that is now embodied in the Christmas tree.
not in action or at work
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN HISTORY The stories I have just told you are pretty enough and may amuse an idle half hour.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN HISTORY The stories I have just told you are pretty enough and may amuse an idle half hour.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading But we must now pass from the region of myth into that of history and science.
past form of “introduce” — cause to come to know personally
From this reading My sexagenarian readers will not need to be introduced to the science called comparative mythology.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
and nothing more
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN HISTORY The stories I have just told you are pretty enough and may amuse an idle half hour.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
legendsnounUS /ˈledʒəndz/
plural of “legend” — a story about mythical or supernatural beings or events
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading By the aid, then, of the science of comparative mythology let us seek to study the historical growth of the idea that is now embodied in the Christmas tree.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN HISTORY The stories I have just told you are pretty enough and may amuse an idle half hour.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading But we must now pass from the region of myth into that of history and science.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My sexagenarian readers will not need to be introduced to the science called comparative mythology.
mythnounUS /mɪθ/
a traditional story accepted as history; serves to explain the world view of a people
From this reading But we must now pass from the region of myth into that of history and science.
mythologynounUS /məˈθɑːlədʒiː/
myths collectively; the body of stories associated with a culture or institution or person
From this reading My sexagenarian readers will not need to be introduced to the science called comparative mythology.
mythsnounUS /mɪθs/
plural of “myth” — a traditional story accepted as history; serves to explain the world view of a people
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading My sexagenarian readers will not need to be introduced to the science called comparative mythology.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading My sexagenarian readers will not need to be introduced to the science called comparative mythology.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But we must now pass from the region of myth into that of history and science.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But we must now pass from the region of myth into that of history and science.
oldsnounUS /oʊldz/
plural of “old” — past times (especially in the phrase “in days of old”)
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
parentnounUS /ˈperənt/
a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
go across or through
From this reading But we must now pass from the region of myth into that of history and science.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN HISTORY The stories I have just told you are pretty enough and may amuse an idle half hour.
readersnounUS /ˈriːdərz/
plural of “reader” — a person who enjoys reading
From this reading My sexagenarian readers will not need to be introduced to the science called comparative mythology.
regionnounUS /ˈriːdʒən/
the extended spatial location of something
From this reading But we must now pass from the region of myth into that of history and science.
a reason for wanting something done
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
a particular branch of scientific knowledge
From this reading But we must now pass from the region of myth into that of history and science.
try to get or reach
From this reading By the aid, then, of the science of comparative mythology let us seek to study the historical growth of the idea that is now embodied in the Christmas tree.
sexagenariannoun
someone whose age is in the sixties
From this reading My sexagenarian readers will not need to be introduced to the science called comparative mythology.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
and nothing more
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN HISTORY The stories I have just told you are pretty enough and may amuse an idle half hour.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading By the aid, then, of the science of comparative mythology let us seek to study the historical growth of the idea that is now embodied in the Christmas tree.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But we must now pass from the region of myth into that of history and science.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN HISTORY The stories I have just told you are pretty enough and may amuse an idle half hour.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading By the aid, then, of the science of comparative mythology let us seek to study the historical growth of the idea that is now embodied in the Christmas tree.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading My sexagenarian readers will not need to be introduced to the science called comparative mythology.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN HISTORY The stories I have just told you are pretty enough and may amuse an idle half hour.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN HISTORY The stories I have just told you are pretty enough and may amuse an idle half hour.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading By the aid, then, of the science of comparative mythology let us seek to study the historical growth of the idea that is now embodied in the Christmas tree.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading But we must now pass from the region of myth into that of history and science.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading My sexagenarian readers will not need to be introduced to the science called comparative mythology.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
the words that are spoken
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading But for the sake of the six year olds it may be well to explain, as simply as I can in a few words, that comparative mythology is a branch of human knowledge which compares the myths and legends of one age and one people with the myths and legends of another age and another people, the object being to show how the later myths descend from the earlier ones, or how all the myths go back to some parent germ in the far-away past.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN HISTORY The stories I have just told you are pretty enough and may amuse an idle half hour.
