but |
1. prep. (obsolete, outside, Scotland) Outside of. | |
Away but the hoose and tell me whae's there. | |
2. prep. Apart from, except (for), excluding. | |
Everyone but Father left early. | |
I like everything but that. | |
Nobody answered the door when I knocked, so I had no choice but to leave. | |
3. adv. Merely, only, just. | |
4. adv. (Australian, conjunctive) Though, however. | |
I'll have to go home early but. | |
5. adv. Used as an intensifier. | |
Nobody, but nobody, crosses me and gets away with it. | |
6. conj. (following a negative clause or sentence) On the contrary, but rather (introducing a word or clause that contrasts with or contradicts the preceding clause or sentence without the negation). | |
I am not rich but (I am) poor; not John but Peter went there. | |
7. conj. However, although, nevertheless, on the other hand (implies that the following clause is contrary to prior belief or contrasts with or contradicts the preceding clause or sentence). | |
She is very old but still attractive. | |
You told me I could do that, but she said that I could not. | |
8. conj. Except that (introducing a subordinate clause which qualifies a negative statement); also, with omission of the subject of the subordinate clause, acting as a negative relative, "except one that", "ex | |
I cannot but feel offended. | |
9. conj. (archaic) Without its also being the case that; unless that (introducing a necessary concomitant). | |
It never rains but it pours. | |
10. conj. (obsolete) Except with; unless with; without. | |
11. conj. (obsolete) Only; solely; merely. | |
12. conj. (obsolete) Until. | |
13. n. An instance or example of using the word "but". | |
It has to be done – no ifs or buts. | |
14. n. (Scotland) The outer room of a small two-room cottage. | |
15. n. A limit; a boundary. | |
16. n. The end; especially the larger or thicker end, or the blunt, in distinction from the sharp, end; the butt. | |
17. v. (archaic) Use the word "but". | |
But me no buts. | |
that |
1. conj. Introducing a clause which is the subject or object of a verb (such as one involving reported speech), or which is a complement to a previous statement. | |
He told me that the book is a good read. | |
I believe that it is true. — She is convinced that he is British. | |
2. conj. Introducing a subordinate clause expressing a reason or cause: because, in that. | |
Be glad that you have enough to eat. | |
3. conj. (now uncommon) Introducing a subordinate clause that expresses an aim, purpose or goal ("final"), and usually contains the auxiliaries may, might or should: so, so that. | |
4. conj. Introducing — especially, but not exclusively, with an antecedent like so or such — a subordinate clause expressing a result, consequence or effect. | |
The noise was so loud that she woke up. | |
The problem was sufficiently important that it had to be addressed. | |
5. conj. (archaic, or poetic) Introducing a premise or supposition for consideration: seeing as; inasmuch as; given that; as would appear from the fact that. | |
6. conj. Introducing a subordinate clause modifying an adverb. | |
Was John there? — Not that I saw. | |
How often did she visit him? — Twice that I saw. | |
7. conj. Introducing an exclamation expressing a desire or wish. | |
8. conj. Introducing an exclamation expressing a strong emotion such as sadness or surprise. | |
9. det. The (thing, person, idea, etc) indicated or understood from context, especially if more remote physically, temporally or mentally than one designated as "this", or if expressing distinction. | |
That book is a good read. This one isn't. | |
That battle was in 1450. | |
That cat of yours is evil. | |
10. pron. (demonstrative) The thing, person, idea, quality, event, action or time indicated or understood from context, especially if more remote geographically, temporally or mentally than one designated as "t | |
He went home, and after that I never saw him again. | |
11. pron. The known (thing); (used to refer to something just said). | |
They're getting divorced. What do you think about that? | |
12. pron. (demonstrative) The aforementioned quality; used together with a verb and pronoun to emphatically repeat a previous statement. | |
The water is so cold! — That it is. | |
13. pron. (relative) (plural that) Which, who; (representing a subject, direct object, indirect object, or object of a preposition). | |
The CPR course that she took really came in handy. | |
The house that he lived in was old and dilapidated. | |
14. pron. (colloquial) (Used in place of relative adverbs such as where or when; often omitted.) | |
the place that = where or to which I went last year | |
the last time that = when I went to Europe | |
15. adv. (degree) To a given extent or degree. | |
"The ribbon was that thin." "I disagree, I say it was not that thin, it was thicker... or maybe thinner...". | |
16. adv. (degree) To a great extent or degree; very, particularly (in negative constructions). | |
I'm just not that sick. | |
I did the run last year, and it wasn't that difficult. | |
17. adv. (obsolete, outside, dialects) To such an extent; so. (in positive constructions). | |
Ooh, I was that happy I nearly kissed her. | |
18. n. (philosophy) Something being indicated that is there; one of those. | |
hardly |
1. adv. (manner, obsolete) Firmly, vigorously, with strength or exertion. | |
2. adv. (manner, archaic) Harshly, severely. | |
I can't really deal hardly with people. | |
3. adv. (now rare) With difficulty. | |
4. adv. (degree) Barely, only just, almost not. | |
they hardly ever watch television; I hardly think they'll come in this bad weather; it's hardly possible he could lose the election. | |
5. interj. Not really. | |
I think the Beatles are a really overrated band. &x2015; Hardly! | |
meant |
1. v. simple past tense and past participle of mean | |
mean |
1. v. To intend. | |
2. v. To intend, to plan (to do); to have as one's intention. | |
I didn't mean to knock your tooth out. | |
I mean to go to Baddeck this summer. | |
I meant to take the car in for a smog check, but it slipped my mind. | |
3. v. (intransitive) To have intentions of a given kind. | |
Don't be angry; she meant well. | |
4. v. (transitive, usually in passive) To intend (something) for a given purpose or fate; to predestine. | |
Actually this desk was meant for the subeditor. | |
Man was not meant to question such things. | |
5. v. To convey meaning. | |
6. v. To convey (a given sense); to signify, or indicate (an object or idea). | |
The sky is red this morning—does that mean we're in for a storm? | |
7. v. Of a word, symbol etc: to have reference to, to signify. | |
What does this hieroglyph mean? | |
8. v. Of a person (or animal etc): to intend to express, to imply, to hint at, to allude. | |
I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean. | |
He is a little different, if you know what I mean. | |
9. v. To have conviction in (something said or expressed); to be sincere in (what one says). | |
Does she really mean what she said to him last night? | |
Say what you mean and mean what you say. | |
10. v. To result in; to bring about. | |
One faltering step means certain death. | |
11. v. To be important (to). | |
My home life means a lot to me. | |
12. v. (Ireland, UK regional) To lament. | |
13. adj. (obsolete) Common; general. | |
14. adj. Of a common or low origin, grade, or quality; common; humble. | |
a man of mean parentage / a mean abode | |
15. adj. Low in quality or degree; inferior; poor; shabby. | |
a mean appearance / mean dress | |
16. adj. Without dignity of mind; destitute of honour; low-minded; spiritless; base. | |
a mean motive | |
17. adj. Of little value or account; worthy of little or no regard; contemptible; despicable. | |
18. adj. (chiefly UK) Ungenerous; stingy; tight-fisted. | |
He's so mean. I've never seen him spend so much as five pounds on presents for his children. | |
19. adj. Disobliging; pettily offensive or unaccommodating; small. | |
20. adj. Selfish; acting without consideration of others; unkind. | |
It was mean to steal the girl's piggy bank, but he just had to get uptown and he had no cash of his own. | |
21. adj. Causing or intending to cause intentional harm; bearing ill will towards another; cruel; malicious. | |
Watch out for her, she's mean. I said good morning to her, and she punched me in the nose. | |
22. adj. Powerful; fierce; harsh; damaging. | |
It must have been a mean typhoon that levelled this town. | |
23. adj. Accomplished with great skill; deft; hard to compete with. | |
Your mother can roll a mean cigarette. | |
He hits a mean backhand. | |
24. adj. (informal, often, childish) Difficult, tricky. | |
This problem is mean! | |
25. adj. Having the mean (see noun below) as its value. | |
26. adj. (obsolete) Middling; intermediate; moderately good, tolerable. | |
27. n. (now chiefly in the plural) A method or course of action used to achieve some result. | |
28. n. (obsolete, in the singular) An intermediate step or intermediate steps. | |
29. n. Something which is intermediate or in the middle; an intermediate value or range of values; a medium. | |
30. n. (music, now historical) The middle part of three-part polyphonic music; now specifically, the alto part in polyphonic music; an alto instrument. | |
31. n. (statistics) The average of a set of values, calculated by summing them together and dividing by the number of terms; the arithmetic mean. | |
32. n. (mathematics) Any function of multiple variables that satisfies certain properties and yields a number representative of its arguments; or, the number so yielded; a measure of central tendency. | |
33. n. (mathematics) Either of the two numbers in the middle of a conventionally presented proportion, as 2 and 3 in 1:2=3:6. | |
that |
1. conj. Introducing a clause which is the subject or object of a verb (such as one involving reported speech), or which is a complement to a previous statement. | |
He told me that the book is a good read. | |
I believe that it is true. — She is convinced that he is British. | |
2. conj. Introducing a subordinate clause expressing a reason or cause: because, in that. | |
Be glad that you have enough to eat. | |
3. conj. (now uncommon) Introducing a subordinate clause that expresses an aim, purpose or goal ("final"), and usually contains the auxiliaries may, might or should: so, so that. | |
4. conj. Introducing — especially, but not exclusively, with an antecedent like so or such — a subordinate clause expressing a result, consequence or effect. | |
The noise was so loud that she woke up. | |
The problem was sufficiently important that it had to be addressed. | |
5. conj. (archaic, or poetic) Introducing a premise or supposition for consideration: seeing as; inasmuch as; given that; as would appear from the fact that. | |
6. conj. Introducing a subordinate clause modifying an adverb. | |
Was John there? — Not that I saw. | |
How often did she visit him? — Twice that I saw. | |
7. conj. Introducing an exclamation expressing a desire or wish. | |
8. conj. Introducing an exclamation expressing a strong emotion such as sadness or surprise. | |
9. det. The (thing, person, idea, etc) indicated or understood from context, especially if more remote physically, temporally or mentally than one designated as "this", or if expressing distinction. | |
That book is a good read. This one isn't. | |
That battle was in 1450. | |
That cat of yours is evil. | |
10. pron. (demonstrative) The thing, person, idea, quality, event, action or time indicated or understood from context, especially if more remote geographically, temporally or mentally than one designated as "t | |
He went home, and after that I never saw him again. | |
11. pron. The known (thing); (used to refer to something just said). | |
They're getting divorced. What do you think about that? | |
12. pron. (demonstrative) The aforementioned quality; used together with a verb and pronoun to emphatically repeat a previous statement. | |
The water is so cold! — That it is. | |
13. pron. (relative) (plural that) Which, who; (representing a subject, direct object, indirect object, or object of a preposition). | |
The CPR course that she took really came in handy. | |
The house that he lived in was old and dilapidated. | |
14. pron. (colloquial) (Used in place of relative adverbs such as where or when; often omitted.) | |
the place that = where or to which I went last year | |
the last time that = when I went to Europe | |
15. adv. (degree) To a given extent or degree. | |
"The ribbon was that thin." "I disagree, I say it was not that thin, it was thicker... or maybe thinner...". | |
16. adv. (degree) To a great extent or degree; very, particularly (in negative constructions). | |
I'm just not that sick. | |
I did the run last year, and it wasn't that difficult. | |
17. adv. (obsolete, outside, dialects) To such an extent; so. (in positive constructions). | |
Ooh, I was that happy I nearly kissed her. | |
18. n. (philosophy) Something being indicated that is there; one of those. | |
the |
1. art. Definite grammatical article that implies necessarily that an entity it articulates is presupposed; something already mentioned, or completely specified later in that same sentence, or assumed already | |
I’m reading the book. (Compare I’m reading a book.) | |
The street in front of your house. (Compare A street in Paris.) | |
The men and women watched the man give the birdseed to the bird. | |
2. art. Used before a noun modified by a restrictive relative clause, indicating that the noun refers to a single referent defined by the relative clause. | |
The street that runs through my hometown. | |
3. art. Used before an object considered to be unique, or of which there is only one at a time. | |
No one knows how many galaxies there are in the universe. | |
God save the Queen! | |
4. art. Used before a superlative or an ordinal number modifying a noun, to indicate that the noun refers to a single item. | |
That was the best apple pie ever. | |
5. art. Added to a superlative or an ordinal number to make it into a substantive. | |
That apple pie was the best. | |
6. art. Introducing a singular term to be taken generically: preceding a name of something standing for a whole class. | |
7. art. Used before an adjective, indicating all things (especially persons) described by that adjective. | |
Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable. | |
8. art. Used to indicate a certain example of (a noun) which is usually of most concern or most common or familiar. | |
No one in the whole country had seen it before. | |
I don't think I'll get to it until the morning. | |
9. art. Used before a body part (especially of someone previously mentioned), as an alternative to a possessive pronoun. | |
A stone hit him on the head. (= “A stone hit him on his head.”) | |
10. art. When stressed, indicates that it describes an object which is considered to be best or exclusively worthy of attention. | |
That is the hospital to go to for heart surgery. | |
11. adv. 1=With a comparative ormore and a verb phrase, establishes a parallel with one or more other such comparatives. | |
The hotter the better. | |
The more I think about it, the weaker it looks. | |
The more money donated, the more books purchased, and the more happy children. | |
It looks weaker and weaker, the more I think about it. | |
12. adv. 1=With a comparative, and often withfor it, indicates a result more like said comparative. This can be negated withnone. | |
It was a difficult time, but I’m the wiser for it. | |
It was a difficult time, and I’m none the wiser for it. | |
I'm much the wiser for having had a difficult time like that. | |
army |
1. n. A large, highly organized military force, concerned mainly with ground (rather than air or naval) operations. | |
The army was sent in to quell the uprising. | |
2. n. Used absolutely for that entire branch of the armed forces. | |
The army received a bigger share of this year's budget increase than the navy or air force. | |
3. n. (often capitalized) Within a vast military, a very large tactical contingent (e.g. a number of divisions). | |
The Fourth Army suffered such losses that its remainders were merged into the Second Army, also deployed on the Western front. | |
4. n. The governmental agency in charge of a state's army. | |
The army opposed the legislature's involvement. | |
5. n. (figuratively) A large group of people working toward the same purpose. | |
It took an army of accountants to uncover the fraud. | |
6. n. (figuratively) A large group of social animals working toward the same purpose. | |
Our house is being attacked by an army of ants. | |
7. n. (figuratively) Any multitude. | |
On sunny days the beaches draw armies of tourists of all kinds. | |
or |
1. conj. Connects at least two alternative words, phrases, clauses, sentences, etc. each of which could make a passage true. In English, this is the "inclusive or." The "exclusive or" is formed by "either(...) | |
In Ohio, anyone under the age of 18 who wants a tattoo or body piercing needs the consent of a parent or guardian. | |
He might get cancer, or be hit by a bus, or God knows what. | |
2. conj. (logic) An operator denoting the disjunction of two propositions or truth values. There are two forms, the inclusive or and the exclusive or. | |
3. conj. Counts the elements before and after as two possibilities. | |
4. conj. Otherwise (a consequence of the condition that the previous is false). | |
It's raining! Come inside or you'll catch a cold! | |
5. conj. Connects two equivalent names. | |
The country Myanmar, or Burma | |
6. n. (logic, electronics) alternative form of OR | |
7. n. (tincture) The gold or yellow tincture on a coat of arms. | |
8. adj. (tincture) Of gold or yellow tincture on a coat of arms. | |
9. adv. (obsolete) Early (on). | |
10. adv. (obsolete) Earlier, previously. | |
11. prep. (now archaic, or dialect) Before; ere. | |
the |
1. art. Definite grammatical article that implies necessarily that an entity it articulates is presupposed; something already mentioned, or completely specified later in that same sentence, or assumed already | |
I’m reading the book. (Compare I’m reading a book.) | |
The street in front of your house. (Compare A street in Paris.) | |
The men and women watched the man give the birdseed to the bird. | |
2. art. Used before a noun modified by a restrictive relative clause, indicating that the noun refers to a single referent defined by the relative clause. | |
The street that runs through my hometown. | |
3. art. Used before an object considered to be unique, or of which there is only one at a time. | |
No one knows how many galaxies there are in the universe. | |
God save the Queen! | |
4. art. Used before a superlative or an ordinal number modifying a noun, to indicate that the noun refers to a single item. | |
That was the best apple pie ever. | |
5. art. Added to a superlative or an ordinal number to make it into a substantive. | |
That apple pie was the best. | |
6. art. Introducing a singular term to be taken generically: preceding a name of something standing for a whole class. | |
7. art. Used before an adjective, indicating all things (especially persons) described by that adjective. | |
Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable. | |
8. art. Used to indicate a certain example of (a noun) which is usually of most concern or most common or familiar. | |
No one in the whole country had seen it before. | |
I don't think I'll get to it until the morning. | |
9. art. Used before a body part (especially of someone previously mentioned), as an alternative to a possessive pronoun. | |
A stone hit him on the head. (= “A stone hit him on his head.”) | |
10. art. When stressed, indicates that it describes an object which is considered to be best or exclusively worthy of attention. | |
That is the hospital to go to for heart surgery. | |
11. adv. 1=With a comparative ormore and a verb phrase, establishes a parallel with one or more other such comparatives. | |
The hotter the better. | |
The more I think about it, the weaker it looks. | |
The more money donated, the more books purchased, and the more happy children. | |
It looks weaker and weaker, the more I think about it. | |
12. adv. 1=With a comparative, and often withfor it, indicates a result more like said comparative. This can be negated withnone. | |
It was a difficult time, but I’m the wiser for it. | |
It was a difficult time, and I’m none the wiser for it. | |
I'm much the wiser for having had a difficult time like that. | |
air |
1. n. (meteorology) The substance constituting earth's atmosphere, particularly: | |
I'm going outside to get some air. | |
2. n. (historical, philosophy, alchemy) understood as one of the four elements of the ancient Greeks and Romans. | |
3. n. (historical, medical) understood as a particular local substance with supposed effects on human health. | |
There was a tension in the air which made me suspect an approaching storm. | |
4. n. (physics) understood as a gaseous mixture of nitrogen, oxygen, and various trace gases. | |
5. n. (usually with the) The apparently open space above the ground which this substance fills, (historical) formerly thought to be limited by the firmament but (meteorology) now considered surrounded by th | |
The flock of birds took to the air. | |
6. n. A breeze; a gentle wind. | |
7. n. A feeling or sense. | |
to give it an air of artistry and sophistication | |
8. n. A sense of poise, graciousness, or quality. | |
9. n. (usually plural) Pretension; snobbishness; pretence that one is better than others. | |
putting on airs | |
10. n. (music) A song, especially a solo; an aria. | |
11. n. (informal) Nothing; absence of anything. | |
12. n. An air conditioner or the processed air it produces. Can be a mass noun or a count noun depending on context; similar to hair. | |
Could you turn on the air? | |
Hey, did you mean to leave the airs on all week while you were on vacation? | |
13. n. (obsolete, chemistry) Any specific gas. | |
14. n. (snowboarding, skateboarding, motor sports) A jump in which one becomes airborne. | |
15. n. A television or radio signal. | |
16. v. To bring (something) into contact with the air, so as to freshen or dry it. | |
17. v. To let fresh air into a room or a building, to ventilate. | |
It's getting quite stuffy in this room: let's open the windows and air it. | |
18. v. To discuss varying viewpoints on a given topic. | |
19. v. To broadcast, as with a television show. | |
20. v. (UK, MLE, slang) to ignore | |
force |
1. n. Strength or energy of body or mind; active power; vigour; might; capacity of exercising an influence or producing an effect. | |
the force of an appeal, an argument, or a contract | |
2. n. Power exerted against will or consent; compulsory power; violence; coercion. | |
3. n. Anything that is able to make a big change in a person or thing. | |
4. n. (physics) A physical quantity that denotes ability to push, pull, twist or accelerate a body which is measured in a unit dimensioned in mass × distance/time² (ML/T²): SI: newton (N); CGS: dyne (dyn) | |
5. n. Something or anything that has the power to produce an effect upon something else. | |
6. n. A group that aims to attack, control, or constrain. | |
police force | |
7. n. The ability to attack, control, or constrain. | |
show of force | |
8. n. A magic trick in which the outcome is known to the magician beforehand, especially one involving the apparent free choice of a card by another person. | |
9. n. (legal) Legal validity. | |
The law will come into force in January. | |
10. n. (legal) Either unlawful violence, as in a "forced entry", or lawful compulsion. | |
11. n. (linguistics, semantics, pragmatics) Ability of an utterance or its element (word, form, prosody, ...) to effect a given meaning. | |
12. n. (science fiction) A binding, metaphysical, and ubiquitous power in the fictional Star Wars universe created by George Lucas. | |
13. v. To violate (a woman); to rape. | |
14. v. (obsolete, reflexive, intransitive) To exert oneself, to do one's utmost. | |
15. v. To compel (someone or something) to do something. | |
16. v. To constrain by force; to overcome the limitations or resistance of. | |
17. v. To drive (something) by force, to propel (generally + prepositional phrase or adverb). | |
18. v. To cause to occur (despite inertia, resistance etc.); to produce through force. | |
The comedian's jokes weren't funny, but I forced a laugh now and then. | |
19. v. To forcibly open (a door, lock etc.). | |
To force a lock. | |
20. v. To obtain or win by strength; to take by violence or struggle; specifically, to capture by assault; to storm, as a fortress. | |
21. v. (transitive, baseball) To create an out by touching a base in advance of a runner who has no base to return to while in possession of a ball which has already touched the ground. | |
Jones forced the runner at second by stepping on the bag. | |
22. v. (whist) To compel (an adversary or partner) to trump a trick by leading a suit that he/she does not hold. | |
23. v. (archaic) To put in force; to cause to be executed; to make binding; to enforce. | |
24. v. (archaic) To provide with forces; to reinforce; to strengthen by soldiers; to man; to garrison. | |
25. v. (obsolete) To allow the force of; to value; to care for. | |
26. n. (Northern England) A waterfall or cascade. | |
27. v. To stuff; to lard; to farce. | |
embraced |
1. v. simple past tense and past participle of embrace | |
embrace |
1. v. To clasp (someone or each other) in the arms with affection; to take in the arms; to hug. | |
2. v. (obsolete) To accept (someone) as a friend or servant. | |
3. v. To seize (something) eagerly, or with alacrity; to accept with cordiality; to welcome. | |
I wholeheartedly embrace the new legislation. | |
4. v. To accept; to undergo; to submit to. | |
5. v. To encircle; to encompass; to enclose. | |
6. v. (figurative) To enfold, to include (ideas, principles, etc.); to encompass. | |
Natural philosophy embraces many sciences. | |
7. v. (obsolete) To fasten on, as armour. | |
8. v. (legal) To attempt to influence (a jury, court, etc.) corruptly; to practise embracery. | |
9. n. Hug (noun); putting arms around someone. | |
10. n. Enclosure, (partially or fully) surrounding someone or something. | |
11. n. Full acceptance (of something). | |
12. n. (figuratively) Enfolding, including. | |
the |
1. art. Definite grammatical article that implies necessarily that an entity it articulates is presupposed; something already mentioned, or completely specified later in that same sentence, or assumed already | |
I’m reading the book. (Compare I’m reading a book.) | |
The street in front of your house. (Compare A street in Paris.) | |
The men and women watched the man give the birdseed to the bird. | |
2. art. Used before a noun modified by a restrictive relative clause, indicating that the noun refers to a single referent defined by the relative clause. | |
The street that runs through my hometown. | |
3. art. Used before an object considered to be unique, or of which there is only one at a time. | |
No one knows how many galaxies there are in the universe. | |
God save the Queen! | |
4. art. Used before a superlative or an ordinal number modifying a noun, to indicate that the noun refers to a single item. | |
That was the best apple pie ever. | |
5. art. Added to a superlative or an ordinal number to make it into a substantive. | |
That apple pie was the best. | |
6. art. Introducing a singular term to be taken generically: preceding a name of something standing for a whole class. | |
7. art. Used before an adjective, indicating all things (especially persons) described by that adjective. | |
Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable. | |
8. art. Used to indicate a certain example of (a noun) which is usually of most concern or most common or familiar. | |
No one in the whole country had seen it before. | |
I don't think I'll get to it until the morning. | |
9. art. Used before a body part (especially of someone previously mentioned), as an alternative to a possessive pronoun. | |
A stone hit him on the head. (= “A stone hit him on his head.”) | |
10. art. When stressed, indicates that it describes an object which is considered to be best or exclusively worthy of attention. | |
That is the hospital to go to for heart surgery. | |
11. adv. 1=With a comparative ormore and a verb phrase, establishes a parallel with one or more other such comparatives. | |
The hotter the better. | |
The more I think about it, the weaker it looks. | |
The more money donated, the more books purchased, and the more happy children. | |
It looks weaker and weaker, the more I think about it. | |
12. adv. 1=With a comparative, and often withfor it, indicates a result more like said comparative. This can be negated withnone. | |
It was a difficult time, but I’m the wiser for it. | |
It was a difficult time, and I’m none the wiser for it. | |
I'm much the wiser for having had a difficult time like that. | |
idea |
1. n. (philosophy) An abstract archetype of a given thing, compared to which real-life examples are seen as imperfect approximations; pure essence, as opposed to actual examples. | |
2. n. (obsolete) The conception of someone or something as representing a perfect example; an ideal. | |
3. n. (obsolete) The form or shape of something; a quintessential aspect or characteristic. | |
4. n. An image of an object that is formed in the mind or recalled by the memory. | |
The mere idea of you is enough to excite me. | |
5. n. More generally, any result of mental activity; a thought, a notion; a way of thinking. | |
6. n. A conception in the mind of something to be done; a plan for doing something, an intention. | |
I have an idea of how we might escape. | |
7. n. A purposeful aim or goal; intent | |
If you keep sweet-talking her like that, you're going to talk her right out of her pants. | |
Yeah, that's the idea. | |
8. n. A vague or fanciful notion; a feeling or hunch; an impression. | |
He had the wild idea that if he leant forward a little, he might be able to touch the mountain-top. | |
9. n. (music) A musical theme or melodic subject. | |