used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading One evening a dispute arose among our friends about the novel and the drama, and which of them deserved the preference.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading One evening a dispute arose among our friends about the novel and the drama, and which of them deserved the preference.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading They conversed together long upon the matter; and, in fine, the following was nearly the result of their discussion:-- "In the novel as well as in the drama, it is human nature and human action that we see.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading "About their limits and their kinds," said Wilhelm, "I confess myself not altogether clear."
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading One evening a dispute arose among our friends about the novel and the drama, and which of them deserved the preference.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading One evening a dispute arose among our friends about the novel and the drama, and which of them deserved the preference.
inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading One evening a dispute arose among our friends about the novel and the drama, and which of them deserved the preference.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They conversed together long upon the matter; and, in fine, the following was nearly the result of their discussion:-- "In the novel as well as in the drama, it is human nature and human action that we see.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Serlo said it was a fruitless and misunderstood debate: both might be superior in their kinds, only each must keep within the limits proper to it.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Serlo said it was a fruitless and misunderstood debate: both might be superior in their kinds, only each must keep within the limits proper to it.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading "Who _is_ so?" said the other; "and yet perhaps it were worth while to come a little closer to the business."
rid of obstructions
From this reading "About their limits and their kinds," said Wilhelm, "I confess myself not altogether clear."
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading "Who _is_ so?" said the other; "and yet perhaps it were worth while to come a little closer to the business."
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "Who _is_ so?" said the other; "and yet perhaps it were worth while to come a little closer to the business."
confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading "About their limits and their kinds," said Wilhelm, "I confess myself not altogether clear."
conversedverbUS /kənˈvɜːrst/
past form of “converse” — carry on a conversation
From this reading They conversed together long upon the matter; and, in fine, the following was nearly the result of their discussion:-- "In the novel as well as in the drama, it is human nature and human action that we see.
debateverbUS /dəˈbeɪt/
argue with one another
From this reading Serlo said it was a fruitless and misunderstood debate: both might be superior in their kinds, only each must keep within the limits proper to it.
deservedadjectiveUS /dɪˈzɜːrvd/
properly deserved
From this reading One evening a dispute arose among our friends about the novel and the drama, and which of them deserved the preference.
discussionnounUS /dɪˈskʌʃən/
an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic
From this reading They conversed together long upon the matter; and, in fine, the following was nearly the result of their discussion:-- "In the novel as well as in the drama, it is human nature and human action that we see.
disputeverbUS /dɪsˈpjuːt/
take exception to
From this reading One evening a dispute arose among our friends about the novel and the drama, and which of them deserved the preference.
dramanounUS /ˈdrɑːmə/
a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
From this reading One evening a dispute arose among our friends about the novel and the drama, and which of them deserved the preference.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Serlo said it was a fruitless and misunderstood debate: both might be superior in their kinds, only each must keep within the limits proper to it.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading One evening a dispute arose among our friends about the novel and the drama, and which of them deserved the preference.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading They conversed together long upon the matter; and, in fine, the following was nearly the result of their discussion:-- "In the novel as well as in the drama, it is human nature and human action that we see.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading They conversed together long upon the matter; and, in fine, the following was nearly the result of their discussion:-- "In the novel as well as in the drama, it is human nature and human action that we see.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading One evening a dispute arose among our friends about the novel and the drama, and which of them deserved the preference.
fruitlessadjectiveUS /ˈfruːtləs/
unproductive of success
From this reading Serlo said it was a fruitless and misunderstood debate: both might be superior in their kinds, only each must keep within the limits proper to it.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading They conversed together long upon the matter; and, in fine, the following was nearly the result of their discussion:-- "In the novel as well as in the drama, it is human nature and human action that we see.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "About their limits and their kinds," said Wilhelm, "I confess myself not altogether clear."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Serlo said it was a fruitless and misunderstood debate: both might be superior in their kinds, only each must keep within the limits proper to it.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Who _is_ so?" said the other; "and yet perhaps it were worth while to come a little closer to the business."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Serlo said it was a fruitless and misunderstood debate: both might be superior in their kinds, only each must keep within the limits proper to it.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Serlo said it was a fruitless and misunderstood debate: both might be superior in their kinds, only each must keep within the limits proper to it.
plural of “kind” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading Serlo said it was a fruitless and misunderstood debate: both might be superior in their kinds, only each must keep within the limits proper to it.
limitsnounUS /ˈlɪməts/
plural of “limit” — the greatest possible degree of something
From this reading Serlo said it was a fruitless and misunderstood debate: both might be superior in their kinds, only each must keep within the limits proper to it.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "Who _is_ so?" said the other; "and yet perhaps it were worth while to come a little closer to the business."
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading They conversed together long upon the matter; and, in fine, the following was nearly the result of their discussion:-- "In the novel as well as in the drama, it is human nature and human action that we see.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading They conversed together long upon the matter; and, in fine, the following was nearly the result of their discussion:-- "In the novel as well as in the drama, it is human nature and human action that we see.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Serlo said it was a fruitless and misunderstood debate: both might be superior in their kinds, only each must keep within the limits proper to it.
misunderstoodadjectiveUS /ˌmɪsəndərˈstʊd/
wrongly understood
From this reading Serlo said it was a fruitless and misunderstood debate: both might be superior in their kinds, only each must keep within the limits proper to it.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Serlo said it was a fruitless and misunderstood debate: both might be superior in their kinds, only each must keep within the limits proper to it.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading "About their limits and their kinds," said Wilhelm, "I confess myself not altogether clear."
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading They conversed together long upon the matter; and, in fine, the following was nearly the result of their discussion:-- "In the novel as well as in the drama, it is human nature and human action that we see.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading They conversed together long upon the matter; and, in fine, the following was nearly the result of their discussion:-- "In the novel as well as in the drama, it is human nature and human action that we see.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "About their limits and their kinds," said Wilhelm, "I confess myself not altogether clear."
an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story
From this reading One evening a dispute arose among our friends about the novel and the drama, and which of them deserved the preference.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading One evening a dispute arose among our friends about the novel and the drama, and which of them deserved the preference.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One evening a dispute arose among our friends about the novel and the drama, and which of them deserved the preference.
and nothing more
From this reading Serlo said it was a fruitless and misunderstood debate: both might be superior in their kinds, only each must keep within the limits proper to it.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading "Who _is_ so?" said the other; "and yet perhaps it were worth while to come a little closer to the business."
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading One evening a dispute arose among our friends about the novel and the drama, and which of them deserved the preference.
by chance
From this reading "Who _is_ so?" said the other; "and yet perhaps it were worth while to come a little closer to the business."
preferencenounUS /ˈprefərəns/
a strong liking
From this reading One evening a dispute arose among our friends about the novel and the drama, and which of them deserved the preference.
marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
From this reading Serlo said it was a fruitless and misunderstood debate: both might be superior in their kinds, only each must keep within the limits proper to it.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading They conversed together long upon the matter; and, in fine, the following was nearly the result of their discussion:-- "In the novel as well as in the drama, it is human nature and human action that we see.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Serlo said it was a fruitless and misunderstood debate: both might be superior in their kinds, only each must keep within the limits proper to it.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading They conversed together long upon the matter; and, in fine, the following was nearly the result of their discussion:-- "In the novel as well as in the drama, it is human nature and human action that we see.
Serlo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Serlo said it was a fruitless and misunderstood debate: both might be superior in their kinds, only each must keep within the limits proper to it.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "Who _is_ so?" said the other; "and yet perhaps it were worth while to come a little closer to the business."
of high or superior quality or performance
From this reading Serlo said it was a fruitless and misunderstood debate: both might be superior in their kinds, only each must keep within the limits proper to it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They conversed together long upon the matter; and, in fine, the following was nearly the result of their discussion:-- "In the novel as well as in the drama, it is human nature and human action that we see.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading One evening a dispute arose among our friends about the novel and the drama, and which of them deserved the preference.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Serlo said it was a fruitless and misunderstood debate: both might be superior in their kinds, only each must keep within the limits proper to it.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading One evening a dispute arose among our friends about the novel and the drama, and which of them deserved the preference.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They conversed together long upon the matter; and, in fine, the following was nearly the result of their discussion:-- "In the novel as well as in the drama, it is human nature and human action that we see.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Serlo said it was a fruitless and misunderstood debate: both might be superior in their kinds, only each must keep within the limits proper to it.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading They conversed together long upon the matter; and, in fine, the following was nearly the result of their discussion:-- "In the novel as well as in the drama, it is human nature and human action that we see.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading They conversed together long upon the matter; and, in fine, the following was nearly the result of their discussion:-- "In the novel as well as in the drama, it is human nature and human action that we see.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Serlo said it was a fruitless and misunderstood debate: both might be superior in their kinds, only each must keep within the limits proper to it.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading They conversed together long upon the matter; and, in fine, the following was nearly the result of their discussion:-- "In the novel as well as in the drama, it is human nature and human action that we see.
(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 They conversed together long upon the matter; and, in fine, the following was nearly the result of their discussion:-- "In the novel as well as in the drama, it is human nature and human action that we see.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Who _is_ so?" said the other; "and yet perhaps it were worth while to come a little closer to the business."
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading One evening a dispute arose among our friends about the novel and the drama, and which of them deserved the preference.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading "Who _is_ so?" said the other; "and yet perhaps it were worth while to come a little closer to the business."
which person or people
From this reading "Who _is_ so?" said the other; "and yet perhaps it were worth while to come a little closer to the business."
Wilhelm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "About their limits and their kinds," said Wilhelm, "I confess myself not altogether clear."
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Serlo said it was a fruitless and misunderstood debate: both might be superior in their kinds, only each must keep within the limits proper to it.
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading "Who _is_ so?" said the other; "and yet perhaps it were worth while to come a little closer to the business."
but in spite of that
From this reading "Who _is_ so?" said the other; "and yet perhaps it were worth while to come a little closer to the business."
