used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There is a folly of credulity, but there is a folly of incredulity, which is far greater.
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading We are accustomed to regard them as charlatans, and to brand those as superstitious fools who burnt them.
plural of “age” — how long something has existed
From this reading THE DUEL IN THE NIGHT I think we do less than justice to the alchemists of the dark ages of Europe, and to their opponents also.
alchemists
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DUEL IN THE NIGHT I think we do less than justice to the alchemists of the dark ages of Europe, and to their opponents also.
in addition
From this reading THE DUEL IN THE NIGHT I think we do less than justice to the alchemists of the dark ages of Europe, and to their opponents also.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE DUEL IN THE NIGHT I think we do less than justice to the alchemists of the dark ages of Europe, and to their opponents also.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading If they asked their patrons for money which would enable them to turn lead into gold, the scientist of to-day is approaching the same point of research which they must have reached when the possibility dawned upon them.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading We are accustomed to regard them as charlatans, and to brand those as superstitious fools who burnt them.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading We are accustomed to regard them as charlatans, and to brand those as superstitious fools who burnt them.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading If they asked their patrons for money which would enable them to turn lead into gold, the scientist of to-day is approaching the same point of research which they must have reached when the possibility dawned upon them.
assumeverbUS /əˈsuːm/
take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof
From this reading Perhaps his own progress would have been more rapid had he been readier to assume that their theories were deserving of as much respect as his own.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Perhaps his own progress would have been more rapid had he been readier to assume that their theories were deserving of as much respect as his own.
brandnounUS /brænd/
a name given to a product or service
From this reading We are accustomed to regard them as charlatans, and to brand those as superstitious fools who burnt them.
burntadjectiveUS /bɜːrnt/
ruined by overcooking
From this reading We are accustomed to regard them as charlatans, and to brand those as superstitious fools who burnt them.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There is a folly of credulity, but there is a folly of incredulity, which is far greater.
charlatansnounUS /ˈʃɑːrlətənz/
plural of “charlatan” — a flamboyant deceiver; one who attracts customers with tricks or jokes
From this reading We are accustomed to regard them as charlatans, and to brand those as superstitious fools who burnt them.
credulitynounUS /krɪˈduːləti/
tendency to believe readily
From this reading There is a folly of credulity, but there is a folly of incredulity, which is far greater.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading THE DUEL IN THE NIGHT I think we do less than justice to the alchemists of the dark ages of Europe, and to their opponents also.
dawnedverbUS /dɔːnd/
past form of “dawn” — become clear or enter one's consciousness or emotions
From this reading If they asked their patrons for money which would enable them to turn lead into gold, the scientist of to-day is approaching the same point of research which they must have reached when the possibility dawned upon them.
deservingadjectiveUS /dɪˈzɜːrvɪŋ/
(often used ironically) worthy of being treated in a particular way
From this reading Perhaps his own progress would have been more rapid had he been readier to assume that their theories were deserving of as much respect as his own.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading THE DUEL IN THE NIGHT I think we do less than justice to the alchemists of the dark ages of Europe, and to their opponents also.
DUELnounUS /ˈduːəl/
a prearranged fight with deadly weapons by two people (accompanied by seconds) in order to settle a quarrel over a point of honor
From this reading THE DUEL IN THE NIGHT I think we do less than justice to the alchemists of the dark ages of Europe, and to their opponents also.
enableverbUS /eˈneɪbəl/
render capable or able for some task
From this reading If they asked their patrons for money which would enable them to turn lead into gold, the scientist of to-day is approaching the same point of research which they must have reached when the possibility dawned upon them.
the 2nd smallest continent (actually a vast peninsula of Eurasia); the British use “Europe” to refer to all of the continent except the British Isles
From this reading THE DUEL IN THE NIGHT I think we do less than justice to the alchemists of the dark ages of Europe, and to their opponents also.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading There is a folly of credulity, but there is a folly of incredulity, which is far greater.
the trait of acting stupidly or rashly
From this reading There is a folly of credulity, but there is a folly of incredulity, which is far greater.
foolsnounUS /fuːlz/
plural of “fool” — a person who lacks good judgment
From this reading We are accustomed to regard them as charlatans, and to brand those as superstitious fools who burnt them.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading If they asked their patrons for money which would enable them to turn lead into gold, the scientist of to-day is approaching the same point of research which they must have reached when the possibility dawned upon them.
coins made of gold
From this reading If they asked their patrons for money which would enable them to turn lead into gold, the scientist of to-day is approaching the same point of research which they must have reached when the possibility dawned upon them.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading There is a folly of credulity, but there is a folly of incredulity, which is far greater.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Perhaps his own progress would have been more rapid had he been readier to assume that their theories were deserving of as much respect as his own.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If they asked their patrons for money which would enable them to turn lead into gold, the scientist of to-day is approaching the same point of research which they must have reached when the possibility dawned upon them.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Perhaps his own progress would have been more rapid had he been readier to assume that their theories were deserving of as much respect as his own.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Perhaps his own progress would have been more rapid had he been readier to assume that their theories were deserving of as much respect as his own.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE DUEL IN THE NIGHT I think we do less than justice to the alchemists of the dark ages of Europe, and to their opponents also.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If they asked their patrons for money which would enable them to turn lead into gold, the scientist of to-day is approaching the same point of research which they must have reached when the possibility dawned upon them.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE DUEL IN THE NIGHT I think we do less than justice to the alchemists of the dark ages of Europe, and to their opponents also.
incredulitynounUS /ˌɪnkrəˈduːlɪti/
doubt about the truth of something
From this reading There is a folly of credulity, but there is a folly of incredulity, which is far greater.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading If they asked their patrons for money which would enable them to turn lead into gold, the scientist of to-day is approaching the same point of research which they must have reached when the possibility dawned upon them.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There is a folly of credulity, but there is a folly of incredulity, which is far greater.
the quality of being just or fair
From this reading THE DUEL IN THE NIGHT I think we do less than justice to the alchemists of the dark ages of Europe, and to their opponents also.
take somebody somewhere
From this reading If they asked their patrons for money which would enable them to turn lead into gold, the scientist of to-day is approaching the same point of research which they must have reached when the possibility dawned upon them.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading THE DUEL IN THE NIGHT I think we do less than justice to the alchemists of the dark ages of Europe, and to their opponents also.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading If they asked their patrons for money which would enable them to turn lead into gold, the scientist of to-day is approaching the same point of research which they must have reached when the possibility dawned upon them.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Perhaps his own progress would have been more rapid had he been readier to assume that their theories were deserving of as much respect as his own.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Perhaps his own progress would have been more rapid had he been readier to assume that their theories were deserving of as much respect as his own.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading If they asked their patrons for money which would enable them to turn lead into gold, the scientist of to-day is approaching the same point of research which they must have reached when the possibility dawned upon them.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading THE DUEL IN THE NIGHT I think we do less than justice to the alchemists of the dark ages of Europe, and to their opponents also.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE DUEL IN THE NIGHT I think we do less than justice to the alchemists of the dark ages of Europe, and to their opponents also.
opponentsnounUS /əˈpoʊnənts/
plural of “opponent” — a contestant that you are matched against
From this reading THE DUEL IN THE NIGHT I think we do less than justice to the alchemists of the dark ages of Europe, and to their opponents also.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Perhaps his own progress would have been more rapid had he been readier to assume that their theories were deserving of as much respect as his own.
patronsnounUS /ˈpeɪtrənz/
plural of “patron” — a regular customer
From this reading If they asked their patrons for money which would enable them to turn lead into gold, the scientist of to-day is approaching the same point of research which they must have reached when the possibility dawned upon them.
by chance
From this reading Perhaps his own progress would have been more rapid had he been readier to assume that their theories were deserving of as much respect as his own.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading If they asked their patrons for money which would enable them to turn lead into gold, the scientist of to-day is approaching the same point of research which they must have reached when the possibility dawned upon them.
a future prospect or potential
From this reading If they asked their patrons for money which would enable them to turn lead into gold, the scientist of to-day is approaching the same point of research which they must have reached when the possibility dawned upon them.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading Perhaps his own progress would have been more rapid had he been readier to assume that their theories were deserving of as much respect as his own.
rapidadjectiveUS /ˈræpəd/
done or occurring in a brief period of time
From this reading Perhaps his own progress would have been more rapid had he been readier to assume that their theories were deserving of as much respect as his own.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading If they asked their patrons for money which would enable them to turn lead into gold, the scientist of to-day is approaching the same point of research which they must have reached when the possibility dawned upon them.
readieradjectiveUS /ˈrediər/
comparative of “ready” — completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading Perhaps his own progress would have been more rapid had he been readier to assume that their theories were deserving of as much respect as his own.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading We are accustomed to regard them as charlatans, and to brand those as superstitious fools who burnt them.
researchnounUS /riˈsɜːrtʃ/
systematic investigation to establish facts
From this reading If they asked their patrons for money which would enable them to turn lead into gold, the scientist of to-day is approaching the same point of research which they must have reached when the possibility dawned upon them.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading Perhaps his own progress would have been more rapid had he been readier to assume that their theories were deserving of as much respect as his own.
Identical; not different.
From this reading If they asked their patrons for money which would enable them to turn lead into gold, the scientist of to-day is approaching the same point of research which they must have reached when the possibility dawned upon them.
scientistnounUS /ˈsaɪəntɪst/
a person with advanced knowledge of one or more sciences
From this reading If they asked their patrons for money which would enable them to turn lead into gold, the scientist of to-day is approaching the same point of research which they must have reached when the possibility dawned upon them.
superstitiousadjectiveUS /ˌsuːpərˈstɪʃəs/
showing ignorance of the laws of nature and faith in magic or chance
From this reading We are accustomed to regard them as charlatans, and to brand those as superstitious fools who burnt them.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading THE DUEL IN THE NIGHT I think we do less than justice to the alchemists of the dark ages of Europe, and to their opponents also.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Perhaps his own progress would have been more rapid had he been readier to assume that their theories were deserving of as much respect as his own.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DUEL IN THE NIGHT I think we do less than justice to the alchemists of the dark ages of Europe, and to their opponents also.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading THE DUEL IN THE NIGHT I think we do less than justice to the alchemists of the dark ages of Europe, and to their opponents also.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading We are accustomed to regard them as charlatans, and to brand those as superstitious fools who burnt them.
theoriesnounUS /ˈθɪriz/
plural of “theory” — a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena
From this reading Perhaps his own progress would have been more rapid had he been readier to assume that their theories were deserving of as much respect as his own.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There is a folly of credulity, but there is a folly of incredulity, which is far greater.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If they asked their patrons for money which would enable them to turn lead into gold, the scientist of to-day is approaching the same point of research which they must have reached when the possibility dawned upon them.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading THE DUEL IN THE NIGHT I think we do less than justice to the alchemists of the dark ages of Europe, and to their opponents also.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading We are accustomed to regard them as charlatans, and to brand those as superstitious fools who burnt them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE DUEL IN THE NIGHT I think we do less than justice to the alchemists of the dark ages of Europe, and to their opponents also.
to-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If they asked their patrons for money which would enable them to turn lead into gold, the scientist of to-day is approaching the same point of research which they must have reached when the possibility dawned upon them.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading If they asked their patrons for money which would enable them to turn lead into gold, the scientist of to-day is approaching the same point of research which they must have reached when the possibility dawned upon them.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading If they asked their patrons for money which would enable them to turn lead into gold, the scientist of to-day is approaching the same point of research which they must have reached when the possibility dawned upon them.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading THE DUEL IN THE NIGHT I think we do less than justice to the alchemists of the dark ages of Europe, and to their opponents also.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Perhaps his own progress would have been more rapid had he been readier to assume that their theories were deserving of as much respect as his own.
at the time that
From this reading If they asked their patrons for money which would enable them to turn lead into gold, the scientist of to-day is approaching the same point of research which they must have reached when the possibility dawned upon them.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There is a folly of credulity, but there is a folly of incredulity, which is far greater.
which person or people
From this reading We are accustomed to regard them as charlatans, and to brand those as superstitious fools who burnt them.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If they asked their patrons for money which would enable them to turn lead into gold, the scientist of to-day is approaching the same point of research which they must have reached when the possibility dawned upon them.
