Chapter XXVIII

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading We have not very many ferns growing commonly in England, for they generally require a moister air than is usual in this country.

(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 FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

(usually followed by “to”) naturally disposed toward

From this reading Some people separate the bracken fern from the others, and speak of “bracken” and “true ferns,” but this is not at all correct, for the bracken is just as much a true fern as the others, only as it is so much commoner, people are apt to value it less.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Some people separate the bracken fern from the others, and speak of “bracken” and “true ferns,” but this is not at all correct, for the bracken is just as much a true fern as the others, only as it is so much commoner, people are apt to value it less.

fern of southeastern Asia; not hardy in cold temperate regions

From this reading By far the commonest is the bracken, which grows in all parts of the country, and sometimes in very large masses (~see~ Plate I.).

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Some people separate the bracken fern from the others, and speak of “bracken” and “true ferns,” but this is not at all correct, for the bracken is just as much a true fern as the others, only as it is so much commoner, people are apt to value it less.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading By far the commonest is the bracken, which grows in all parts of the country, and sometimes in very large masses (~see~ Plate I.).

plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

a person who holds no title

From this reading Some people separate the bracken fern from the others, and speak of “bracken” and “true ferns,” but this is not at all correct, for the bracken is just as much a true fern as the others, only as it is so much commoner, people are apt to value it less.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading By far the commonest is the bracken, which grows in all parts of the country, and sometimes in very large masses (~see~ Plate I.).

under normal conditions

From this reading We have not very many ferns growing commonly in England, for they generally require a moister air than is usual in this country.

make right or correct

From this reading Some people separate the bracken fern from the others, and speak of “bracken” and “true ferns,” but this is not at all correct, for the bracken is just as much a true fern as the others, only as it is so much commoner, people are apt to value it less.

plural of “country” — a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading In some countries, particularly in the tropics, there are (as well as ferns like ours) very large ferns with tall, strong, upright stems, and crowns of large spreading leaves.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading We have not very many ferns growing commonly in England, for they generally require a moister air than is usual in this country.

plural of “crown” — the Crown (or the reigning monarch) as the symbol of the power and authority of a monarchy

From this reading In some countries, particularly in the tropics, there are (as well as ferns like ours) very large ferns with tall, strong, upright stems, and crowns of large spreading leaves.

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

From this reading FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading We have not very many ferns growing commonly in England, for they generally require a moister air than is usual in this country.

a social unit living together

From this reading FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading By far the commonest is the bracken, which grows in all parts of the country, and sometimes in very large masses (~see~ Plate I.).

any of numerous flowerless and seedless vascular plants having true roots from a rhizome and fronds that uncurl upward; reproduce by spores

From this reading FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

plural of “fern” — any of numerous flowerless and seedless vascular plants having true roots from a rhizome and fronds that uncurl upward; reproduce by spores

From this reading FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Some people separate the bracken fern from the others, and speak of “bracken” and “true ferns,” but this is not at all correct, for the bracken is just as much a true fern as the others, only as it is so much commoner, people are apt to value it less.

usually; as a rule

From this reading We have not very many ferns growing commonly in England, for they generally require a moister air than is usual in this country.

(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 We have not very many ferns growing commonly in England, for they generally require a moister air than is usual in this country.

third-person singular of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading By far the commonest is the bracken, which grows in all parts of the country, and sometimes in very large masses (~see~ Plate I.).

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

plural of “hundred” — ten 10s

From this reading FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading By far the commonest is the bracken, which grows in all parts of the country, and sometimes in very large masses (~see~ Plate I.).

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading We have not very many ferns growing commonly in England, for they generally require a moister air than is usual in this country.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

and nothing more

From this reading Some people separate the bracken fern from the others, and speak of “bracken” and “true ferns,” but this is not at all correct, for the bracken is just as much a true fern as the others, only as it is so much commoner, people are apt to value it less.

plural of “kind” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading By far the commonest is the bracken, which grows in all parts of the country, and sometimes in very large masses (~see~ Plate I.).

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading In some countries, particularly in the tropics, there are (as well as ferns like ours) very large ferns with tall, strong, upright stems, and crowns of large spreading leaves.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading Some people separate the bracken fern from the others, and speak of “bracken” and “true ferns,” but this is not at all correct, for the bracken is just as much a true fern as the others, only as it is so much commoner, people are apt to value it less.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading In some countries, particularly in the tropics, there are (as well as ferns like ours) very large ferns with tall, strong, upright stems, and crowns of large spreading leaves.

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 We have not very many ferns growing commonly in England, for they generally require a moister air than is usual in this country.

strongly marked; easily noticeable

From this reading FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

the common people generally

From this reading By far the commonest is the bracken, which grows in all parts of the country, and sometimes in very large masses (~see~ Plate I.).

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading We have not very many ferns growing commonly in England, for they generally require a moister air than is usual in this country.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Some people separate the bracken fern from the others, and speak of “bracken” and “true ferns,” but this is not at all correct, for the bracken is just as much a true fern as the others, only as it is so much commoner, people are apt to value it less.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

not any; not one

From this reading FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

and nothing more

From this reading Some people separate the bracken fern from the others, and speak of “bracken” and “true ferns,” but this is not at all correct, for the bracken is just as much a true fern as the others, only as it is so much commoner, people are apt to value it less.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Some people separate the bracken fern from the others, and speak of “bracken” and “true ferns,” but this is not at all correct, for the bracken is just as much a true fern as the others, only as it is so much commoner, people are apt to value it less.

the one or ones belonging to us

From this reading In some countries, particularly in the tropics, there are (as well as ferns like ours) very large ferns with tall, strong, upright stems, and crowns of large spreading leaves.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading In some countries, particularly in the tropics, there are (as well as ferns like ours) very large ferns with tall, strong, upright stems, and crowns of large spreading leaves.

the local environment

From this reading By far the commonest is the bracken, which grows in all parts of the country, and sometimes in very large masses (~see~ Plate I.).

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading Some people separate the bracken fern from the others, and speak of “bracken” and “true ferns,” but this is not at all correct, for the bracken is just as much a true fern as the others, only as it is so much commoner, people are apt to value it less.

by chance

From this reading FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

put or set (seeds, seedlings, or plants) into the ground

From this reading FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

plural of “plant” — buildings for carrying on industrial labor

From this reading FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

(baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score

From this reading By far the commonest is the bracken, which grows in all parts of the country, and sometimes in very large masses (~see~ Plate I.).

show approval or appreciation of

From this reading FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

plural of “relative” — a person related by blood or marriage

From this reading FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

require as useful, just, or proper

From this reading We have not very many ferns growing commonly in England, for they generally require a moister air than is usual in this country.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading By far the commonest is the bracken, which grows in all parts of the country, and sometimes in very large masses (~see~ Plate I.).

act as a barrier between; stand between

From this reading Some people separate the bracken fern from the others, and speak of “bracken” and “true ferns,” but this is not at all correct, for the bracken is just as much a true fern as the others, only as it is so much commoner, people are apt to value it less.

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Some people separate the bracken fern from the others, and speak of “bracken” and “true ferns,” but this is not at all correct, for the bracken is just as much a true fern as the others, only as it is so much commoner, people are apt to value it less.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading By far the commonest is the bracken, which grows in all parts of the country, and sometimes in very large masses (~see~ Plate I.).

express in speech

From this reading Some people separate the bracken fern from the others, and speak of “bracken” and “true ferns,” but this is not at all correct, for the bracken is just as much a true fern as the others, only as it is so much commoner, people are apt to value it less.

process or result of distributing or extending over a wide expanse of space

From this reading In some countries, particularly in the tropics, there are (as well as ferns like ours) very large ferns with tall, strong, upright stems, and crowns of large spreading leaves.

plural of “stem” — (linguistics) the form of a word after all affixes are removed

From this reading In some countries, particularly in the tropics, there are (as well as ferns like ours) very large ferns with tall, strong, upright stems, and crowns of large spreading leaves.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading In some countries, particularly in the tropics, there are (as well as ferns like ours) very large ferns with tall, strong, upright stems, and crowns of large spreading leaves.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading In some countries, particularly in the tropics, there are (as well as ferns like ours) very large ferns with tall, strong, upright stems, and crowns of large spreading leaves.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading We have not very many ferns growing commonly in England, for they generally require a moister air than is usual in this country.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

in or at that place or location

From this reading FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading We have not very many ferns growing commonly in England, for they generally require a moister air than is usual in this country.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

the part of the Earth's surface between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn; characterized by a hot climate

From this reading In some countries, particularly in the tropics, there are (as well as ferns like ours) very large ferns with tall, strong, upright stems, and crowns of large spreading leaves.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading Some people separate the bracken fern from the others, and speak of “bracken” and “true ferns,” but this is not at all correct, for the bracken is just as much a true fern as the others, only as it is so much commoner, people are apt to value it less.

in a vertical position; not sloping

From this reading In some countries, particularly in the tropics, there are (as well as ferns like ours) very large ferns with tall, strong, upright stems, and crowns of large spreading leaves.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading We have not very many ferns growing commonly in England, for they generally require a moister air than is usual in this country.

a numerical quantity measured or assigned or computed

From this reading Some people separate the bracken fern from the others, and speak of “bracken” and “true ferns,” but this is not at all correct, for the bracken is just as much a true fern as the others, only as it is so much commoner, people are apt to value it less.

precisely as stated

From this reading We have not very many ferns growing commonly in England, for they generally require a moister air than is usual in this country.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We have not very many ferns growing commonly in England, for they generally require a moister air than is usual in this country.

(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 In some countries, particularly in the tropics, there are (as well as ferns like ours) very large ferns with tall, strong, upright stems, and crowns of large spreading leaves.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES =Perhaps there is no family of plants so easy to recognise as the ferns.= It is nearly always a simple matter to know whether or not a plant is a fern, for although there are hundreds of different kinds, they all have the family characters plainly marked.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading By far the commonest is the bracken, which grows in all parts of the country, and sometimes in very large masses (~see~ Plate I.).

in the company of; together with

From this reading In some countries, particularly in the tropics, there are (as well as ferns like ours) very large ferns with tall, strong, upright stems, and crowns of large spreading leaves.