1
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Life of a Fern.[1] [1] For this Chapter I am indebted to my friend Mr. William Whitwell, of Oxford.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Life of a Fern.[1] [1] For this Chapter I am indebted to my friend Mr. William Whitwell, of Oxford.
advisedlyadverbUS /ædˈvaɪzədli/
with intention; in an intentional manner
From this reading Growth is advisedly named first, as in the present instance it really does occur before fertilization, which is not the primary event in the life-history of a fern.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading The Life of a Fern.[1] [1] For this Chapter I am indebted to my friend Mr. William Whitwell, of Oxford.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The growth and fertilization of the seeds--more properly called spores--of ferns, present phenomena of remarkable singularity and interest.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Growth is advisedly named first, as in the present instance it really does occur before fertilization, which is not the primary event in the life-history of a fern.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading One of the most marvellous of "the fairy tales of science" has now to engage our attention for a time.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But a few words must be devoted to the preliminary question: What is a fern?
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Growth is advisedly named first, as in the present instance it really does occur before fertilization, which is not the primary event in the life-history of a fern.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But a few words must be devoted to the preliminary question: What is a fern?
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading The growth and fertilization of the seeds--more properly called spores--of ferns, present phenomena of remarkable singularity and interest.
a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
From this reading The Life of a Fern.[1] [1] For this Chapter I am indebted to my friend Mr. William Whitwell, of Oxford.
zealous in devotion or affection
From this reading But a few words must be devoted to the preliminary question: What is a fern?
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Growth is advisedly named first, as in the present instance it really does occur before fertilization, which is not the primary event in the life-history of a fern.
engageverbUS /enˈɡeɪdʒ/
carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in
From this reading One of the most marvellous of "the fairy tales of science" has now to engage our attention for a time.
something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading Growth is advisedly named first, as in the present instance it really does occur before fertilization, which is not the primary event in the life-history of a fern.
a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers
From this reading One of the most marvellous of "the fairy tales of science" has now to engage our attention for a time.
FernnounUS /fɜːrn/
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 The Life of a Fern.[1] [1] For this Chapter I am indebted to my friend Mr. William Whitwell, of Oxford.
fernsnounUS /fɜːrnz/
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 The growth and fertilization of the seeds--more properly called spores--of ferns, present phenomena of remarkable singularity and interest.
fertilizationnounUS /ˌfɜːrtəlɪˈzeɪʃən/
creation by the physical union of male and female gametes; of sperm and ova in an animal or pollen and ovule in a plant
From this reading The growth and fertilization of the seeds--more properly called spores--of ferns, present phenomena of remarkable singularity and interest.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading But a few words must be devoted to the preliminary question: What is a fern?
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Growth is advisedly named first, as in the present instance it really does occur before fertilization, which is not the primary event in the life-history of a fern.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The Life of a Fern.[1] [1] For this Chapter I am indebted to my friend Mr. William Whitwell, of Oxford.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading The Life of a Fern.[1] [1] For this Chapter I am indebted to my friend Mr. William Whitwell, of Oxford.
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 The growth and fertilization of the seeds--more properly called spores--of ferns, present phenomena of remarkable singularity and interest.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One of the most marvellous of "the fairy tales of science" has now to engage our attention for a time.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The Life of a Fern.[1] [1] For this Chapter I am indebted to my friend Mr. William Whitwell, of Oxford.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Growth is advisedly named first, as in the present instance it really does occur before fertilization, which is not the primary event in the life-history of a fern.
indebtedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdetɪd/
owing gratitude or recognition to another for help or favors etc
From this reading The Life of a Fern.[1] [1] For this Chapter I am indebted to my friend Mr. William Whitwell, of Oxford.
an occurrence of something
From this reading Growth is advisedly named first, as in the present instance it really does occur before fertilization, which is not the primary event in the life-history of a fern.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading The growth and fertilization of the seeds--more properly called spores--of ferns, present phenomena of remarkable singularity and interest.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Growth is advisedly named first, as in the present instance it really does occur before fertilization, which is not the primary event in the life-history of a fern.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Growth is advisedly named first, as in the present instance it really does occur before fertilization, which is not the primary event in the life-history of a fern.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The Life of a Fern.[1] [1] For this Chapter I am indebted to my friend Mr. William Whitwell, of Oxford.
life-history
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Growth is advisedly named first, as in the present instance it really does occur before fertilization, which is not the primary event in the life-history of a fern.
marvellousadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːrvələs/
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading One of the most marvellous of "the fairy tales of science" has now to engage our attention for a time.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The growth and fertilization of the seeds--more properly called spores--of ferns, present phenomena of remarkable singularity and interest.
used to form the superlative
From this reading One of the most marvellous of "the fairy tales of science" has now to engage our attention for a time.
a form of address for a man
From this reading The Life of a Fern.[1] [1] For this Chapter I am indebted to my friend Mr. William Whitwell, of Oxford.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading But a few words must be devoted to the preliminary question: What is a fern?
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading The Life of a Fern.[1] [1] For this Chapter I am indebted to my friend Mr. William Whitwell, of Oxford.
past form of “name” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Growth is advisedly named first, as in the present instance it really does occur before fertilization, which is not the primary event in the life-history of a fern.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Growth is advisedly named first, as in the present instance it really does occur before fertilization, which is not the primary event in the life-history of a fern.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading One of the most marvellous of "the fairy tales of science" has now to engage our attention for a time.
occurverbUS /əˈkɜːr/
come to pass
From this reading Growth is advisedly named first, as in the present instance it really does occur before fertilization, which is not the primary event in the life-history of a fern.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Life of a Fern.[1] [1] For this Chapter I am indebted to my friend Mr. William Whitwell, of Oxford.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One of the most marvellous of "the fairy tales of science" has now to engage our attention for a time.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading One of the most marvellous of "the fairy tales of science" has now to engage our attention for a time.
OxfordnounUS /ˈɑːksfərd/
a city in southern England to the northwest of London; site of Oxford University
From this reading The Life of a Fern.[1] [1] For this Chapter I am indebted to my friend Mr. William Whitwell, of Oxford.
phenomenanounUS /fəˈnɑːmənə/
plural of “phenomenon” — any state or process known through the senses rather than by intuition or reasoning
From this reading The growth and fertilization of the seeds--more properly called spores--of ferns, present phenomena of remarkable singularity and interest.
preliminaryadjectiveUS /prɪˈlɪməneri/
denoting an action or event preceding or in preparation for something more important
From this reading But a few words must be devoted to the preliminary question: What is a fern?
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The growth and fertilization of the seeds--more properly called spores--of ferns, present phenomena of remarkable singularity and interest.
primaryadjectiveUS /ˈpraɪmeri/
of first rank or importance or value; direct and immediate rather than secondary
From this reading Growth is advisedly named first, as in the present instance it really does occur before fertilization, which is not the primary event in the life-history of a fern.
in the right manner; correctly; suitably
From this reading The growth and fertilization of the seeds--more properly called spores--of ferns, present phenomena of remarkable singularity and interest.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading But a few words must be devoted to the preliminary question: What is a fern?
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading Growth is advisedly named first, as in the present instance it really does occur before fertilization, which is not the primary event in the life-history of a fern.
unusual or striking
From this reading The growth and fertilization of the seeds--more properly called spores--of ferns, present phenomena of remarkable singularity and interest.
a particular branch of scientific knowledge
From this reading One of the most marvellous of "the fairy tales of science" has now to engage our attention for a time.
seedsnounUS /siːdz/
plural of “seed” — a small hard fruit
From this reading The growth and fertilization of the seeds--more properly called spores--of ferns, present phenomena of remarkable singularity and interest.
singularitynounUS /ˈsɪŋɡjəˈlerəti/
the quality of being one of a kind
From this reading The growth and fertilization of the seeds--more properly called spores--of ferns, present phenomena of remarkable singularity and interest.
sporesnounUS /spɔːrz/
plural of “spore” — a small usually single-celled asexual reproductive body produced by many nonflowering plants and fungi and some bacteria and protozoans and that are capable of developing into a new individual without sexual fusion
From this reading The growth and fertilization of the seeds--more properly called spores--of ferns, present phenomena of remarkable singularity and interest.
plural of “tale” — 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 One of the most marvellous of "the fairy tales of science" has now to engage our attention for a time.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Life of a Fern.[1] [1] For this Chapter I am indebted to my friend Mr. William Whitwell, of Oxford.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The Life of a Fern.[1] [1] For this Chapter I am indebted to my friend Mr. William Whitwell, of Oxford.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading One of the most marvellous of "the fairy tales of science" has now to engage our attention for a time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Life of a Fern.[1] [1] For this Chapter I am indebted to my friend Mr. William Whitwell, of Oxford.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But a few words must be devoted to the preliminary question: What is a fern?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Growth is advisedly named first, as in the present instance it really does occur before fertilization, which is not the primary event in the life-history of a fern.
Whitwell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Life of a Fern.[1] [1] For this Chapter I am indebted to my friend Mr. William Whitwell, of Oxford.
William
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Life of a Fern.[1] [1] For this Chapter I am indebted to my friend Mr. William Whitwell, of Oxford.
the words that are spoken
From this reading But a few words must be devoted to the preliminary question: What is a fern?
