Questions tagged [meaning]

This tag is for questions related to definitions and nuances of meaning of a word or phrase.

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What does 'secure' mean in this sentence of Thoreau's?

In A Plea for Captain John Brown, Thoreau writes: I have no respect for the penetration of any man who can read the report of that conversation, and still call the principal in it insane. It has the ...
John Smith's user avatar
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14 votes
3 answers
2k views

Difference between 'obliterate' and 'annihilate'

Are 'obliterate', 'annihilate' the same thing? I've searched dictionaries and they both mean to destroy completely, or in other words, destroy utterly: obliterate [verb] [transitive] 1 to destroy ...
ntl's user avatar
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5 votes
2 answers
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What does 'made' mean in "In his case there is no idle eloquence, no made,[...]"?

In A Plea for Captain John Brown, Thoreau writes: He was too fair a specimen of a man to represent the like of us. Who, then, were his constituents? If you read his words understandingly you will ...
John Smith's user avatar
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1 answer
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Dialogue in the TV series "Billions"

While I was watching the TV series "Billions," there was a dialogue between two people working for Axe Capital. They argue about smart guns and say: (A says smart guns can be a ten-bagger. ...
Grace's user avatar
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5 votes
2 answers
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What do 'spile' and 'bung' mean in this sentence written by Thoreau?

In A Plea for Captain John Brown, Thoreau writes: What though he did not belong to your clique! Though you may not approve of his method or his principles, recognize his magnanimity. Would you not ...
John Smith's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
59 views

Meaning of "on which to look back on"

New experiences can create new memories and reflections on which to look back on. I find it difficult to understand and parse "on which to look back on". I am confused as to why there are ...
thatness's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
64 views

"He is a worthless person vs He is a futile person." which sentence describes a useless person? [closed]

I want to talk about the personality of someone who is useless for any task assigned to him. Which term is more appropriate?
Dana Rahman's user avatar
-1 votes
1 answer
70 views

Meaning of a sentence in the passage discussing the word "run"

30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary_Dan Strutzel / Funk & Lewis contains The simple three-letter word “run”, up to this moment of writing has more than ninety dictionary definitions. There are ...
Cold Hand's user avatar
12 votes
3 answers
1k views

Secondary meaning of "truce"

I recently came across a citation from the findings of the Nuremberg war crimes tribunals, specifically pages 568-570 of the Individual Judgment against Waldemar Klingelhöfer in the Einsatzgruppen ...
EditingFrank's user avatar
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0 votes
2 answers
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I'm writing about advocacy, and I can't find the preposition to use in this specific case; [closed]

I advocate equality ....... decision-makers I need to fill the space with a preposition that would convey the meaning that I am advocating equality and my target is decision-makers, I don't think it ...
Ruaa Kardas's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
83 views

Meaning of "a good set of"

You are blessed if you have a good set of friends. Apparently "you have a good set of friends" can have two readings: (1) you have numerous friends (2) you have many friends such that all ...
thatness's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
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What does the verb bound mean in this sentence of Thoreau's? [closed]

In A Plea for Captain John Brown, Thoreau writes: When he was here, some years ago, he showed to a few a little manuscript book,—his “orderly book” I think he called it,—containing the names of his ...
John Smith's user avatar
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11 votes
2 answers
3k views

What does "wife on the crupper" mean in Hunchback of Notre Dame?

Comrades! Master Simon Sanguin, the Elector of Picardy, with his wife on the crupper! Chapter 1 of Hugo, Victor. The Hunchback of Notre-Dame (AmazonClassics Edition) (p. 25). AmazonClassics. Kindle ...
ICD's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
71 views

About the meaning(s) of "to have much to recommend something" [closed]

Not sure if the mentioned expression in the title is just, I tried to figure it out based on my language skills/instincts. It is a citation found in a programming book. Sometimes between the title and ...
Ely's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
223 views

Justice vs Justness

This question notwithstanding, where can I find a good description or explanation of the nuances and differences between Justness and Justice ?
Stewart's user avatar
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-1 votes
1 answer
200 views

Does "It would be the last time..." refer to the past or the present?

From my understanding, in direct speech/conversation (not as a narrative), "That would be the last time..." refer to the past event, and "This would be the last time..." refers to ...
Dearyme's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
31 views

"nauseous" vs "nauseating" - Differences? [duplicate]

What are the differences between "nauseous" and "nauseating"? Both words seem to have the same meaning in the dictionaries I have looked at. Nauseating: making you feel as if you ...
ARGYROU MINAS's user avatar
0 votes
4 answers
539 views

Meaning of "I was never meant to be..."

I don't clearly understand the meaning of "was never meant to be" in sentences like this: "I was never meant to be your friend." Can someone explain it to me? For the example in ...
Dearyme's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
44 views

Interpretation of the word "as" in this sentence [closed]

Consider the sentence "1/50 is 0.02 as a fraction." Which interpretation is correct, whether it is factually correct or incorrect? (That is, consider there to be a clear distinction between ...
Christopher Marley's user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
58 views

Structure of "best" and "had better" [duplicate]

Are the following two structures related? The text is best interpreted by reference to the classical era We had better interpret the text by reference to the classical era In other words, is the first ...
katerina's user avatar
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0 answers
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Is one commonly "on a desert" or in it? [duplicate]

There was nothing to see. He was in the middle of a desert. No wonder he was so thirsty. But, luckily, he had brought his purple crayon. And he knew where to find water on a desert In my experience, ...
DOUDNIE SAINT GEORGES's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
1k views

What does "get on" mean in this sentence from Walden?

In the first chapter of Walden, Thoreau writes: I cannot but perceive that this so-called rich and refined life is a thing jumped at, and I do not get on in the enjoyment of the fine arts which adorn ...
John Smith's user avatar
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0 votes
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How do you know if all means completely or the whole quantity?

The shoes are all black. Does this mean the shoes are completely black or all of the shoes are black? The men are all happy. Does it mean all of the men are happy or the men are completely happy?
Ethan's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
137 views

What does "he was a child who couldn't keep his fingers out of the cookie jar" mean when talking of someone's sexual scandal?

This sentence is quoted from a director's memoir, where he mentions that a famous movie star was sent to the police station because of his affair. (Thank all of you for your considerate answers. To ...
RomanGhost's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
844 views

What does 'bower' mean in this sentence from Walden?

I came across the word in question in the first chapter of Walden: He was at first bare and out of doors; but though this was pleasant enough in serene and warm weather, by daylight, the rainy season ...
John Smith's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
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Does 'we got each other' have the same meaning as 'we got each other's backs'?

To have someone's back means to "always be ready to defend or help someone." So by extension, "we got each other's backs" is a way of saying that you and another person are both ...
user477414's user avatar
-1 votes
1 answer
94 views

Is there a term to describe when you reject someones forgiveness?

Let's say someone says they forgive you for something you did, but you don't believe you did anything wrong that needs forgiving. Is there a term to describe that? Rejecting someone's forgiveness? (...
Claire's user avatar
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0 votes
3 answers
253 views

Does "no more than two" mean I can choose just one? [closed]

This is the question: "Evaluate the representation of... in no more than TWO of the following books: ....." (the "TWO" is actually capitalised in the document) Without thought, I ...
Dee's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
121 views

Do "did not have" and "had not" have the same meanings?

Do the following sentences have the same meaning? He did not have even a rupee with him to buy a loaf of bread. He had not even a rupee with him to buy a loaf of bread.
Sam's user avatar
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1 vote
0 answers
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What's the difference between 'see','look' and 'watch'? [closed]

'see','look' and 'watch are words that looks the same but aren't the same meanings, can some tell me what's the difference between them?
Ryder Pan's user avatar
21 votes
4 answers
4k views

In Indian English, did the word 'griffin' ever mean newcomer or novice?

I recently came across a definition in the dictionary Hobson-Jobson. It's basically a big collection of English words and anglicizations used or found in India. The entry that's been stumping me is ...
Florian's user avatar
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5 votes
4 answers
259 views

"Discretion is the better part of valour" doesn't seem to make sense as a sentence

By discretion, the idiom is referring to choosing to be careful. By valour, the idiom is referring to being courageous. So how is discretion a "part" of valour? Valour and discretion are two ...
Adam's user avatar
  • 55
-2 votes
2 answers
93 views

Medicamentous vs medical

Are the adjectives medicamentous and medical synonymous? Clarification regarding minute difference between them and their usage will be appreciated. I ask this question in the score that I couldn't ...
Selfie groufie's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
246 views

A binge is on its own

I am quite sure that the sentence There was a binge yesterday is grammatically correct. But what about semantics? I mean, there was an event like a drinking party yesterday. Do I use the binge word ...
Tarletsky Andrey's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
56 views

Meaning of " trapping "? [closed]

This is the passage I'm reading: Using this method—and both human and inhuman spirits can do this—the entity bypasses the physical eye and projects the desired image directly to the ‘mind’s eye,’ or ...
majid mashmool's user avatar
0 votes
3 answers
127 views

Love is knowing we can be?

This is a phrase from one of my favorite songs by John Lennon, LOVE. Love is knowing we can be As a speaker of English as a second language, my first response was like we can be what? I know it's ...
Choe Guevara's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
85 views

What does "fabulism" mean when used to describe one's accomplishments? [closed]

In this recent article in Science, a botanist is reported as accused of apparent plagiarism, fabulism about his professional accomplishments, and fabrication or manipulation of data. There is no ...
ZeroTheHero's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
252 views

Is "samuraily" correct?

Pahlavāni, knighthood, and samuraily may be different in forms of cultural output, but all three are inherently from the same historical essence. Pahlavāni (پهلوانی) is a Persian word. In its ...
user64617's user avatar
  • 279
-3 votes
1 answer
31 views

What is the meaning of famous? [closed]

Does being a famous author mean that many people will recognise your face when you go to places? Will most of the people know you personally and have a relationship with you?
Jimi A's user avatar
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7 votes
5 answers
7k views

What do 'flat-chested' and 'unromantic' mean when speaking of a house?

I am quoting from the Return of Sherlock Holmes, The Six Napoleons, by Arthur Conan Doyle: In half an hour we had reached Pitt Street, a quiet little backwater just beside one of the briskest ...
aissam's user avatar
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4 votes
3 answers
1k views

What is the difference between "would be needed" and "may be needed"?

I am trying to understand the below sentence grammatically. "To determine whether sending a link actually occurred, more context would be needed" Why did we use would in this sentence. ...
Omer's user avatar
  • 151
1 vote
0 answers
39 views

What kind of statements are “the best pie I’ve ever eaten” and “the most beautiful mountain I’ve seen in my life” [closed]

My partner always makes statements such as those in heading. They are always sensationalised to create emphasis and drive home his enthusiasm for the subject. For example we were discussing Florence ...
Jared's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
1k views

“Why does a Moon-rock taste better than an Earth-rock?” joke meaning [closed]

In the last episode of “The Last of Us” TV show there is the following pun: Why does a Moon-rock taste better than an Earth-rock? Because it's a little meteor. What's the wordplay here? P.S. I've ...
Shtole's user avatar
  • 37
3 votes
1 answer
104 views

Is it correct to say something like "An issue is being had by them"

One can say "We're having this issue". But is it too awkward to, instead, say "This issue is being had by us", or would the meaning change completely?
sequence's user avatar
  • 161
4 votes
1 answer
199 views

Is “senior year” a direct object or something else in “I played my senior year”? What about “perfect game” in “I threw a perfect game”?

In the sentence “I played my senior year” (Referring to baseball) would senior year be an adverbial phrase or a direct object? Would the same apply to “I threw a perfect game”? In the second example ...
James's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
27 views

with something to recommend it

I'm reading an Economist report on mending an algorithm-related law called Section 230 and the last sentence (the part in bold, to be specific) confuses me a bit: When platforms “alert specific users”...
Jinx Pred's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
94 views

Do we ever use "treatment with" instead of "treatment of"?

I'm trying to understand the syntax/meaning in the following sentence: The poet was distinguished by concise treatment with the paraphernalia of fire that were characteristic of the genre. My ...
katerina's user avatar
0 votes
3 answers
512 views

What does it mean "to drive something into a ditch"?

I got an email from an English native speaker. The context is that a known situation is not going as expected. The problem is ongoing, and at some point, the person responsible (P1) says to the people ...
LuizAngioletti's user avatar
0 votes
3 answers
438 views

What does "the fitness of things" mean?

I'm struggling to understand what it means, from this sentence: In science, we sometimes have convictions which we cherish but cannot justify; we are influenced by some innate sense of the fitness of ...
Dee's user avatar
  • 97
5 votes
1 answer
211 views

What's the difference between backward(s) and backwardly?

What is the difference between backwards, backward, and backwardly? They're all adverbs, but I feel like there's some sort of difference in their meanings and uses. Although this question is similar ...
ARGYROU MINAS's user avatar

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