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Consult Chambers 21st Century Dictionary, The Chambers Thesaurus (1996) or Chambers Biographical Dictionary (1997 edition with amendments). Enter your search and choose your title from the drop-down menu.
be verb (been, being; present tense am, are, is; past tense was, were) intrans 1 to exist or live I think, therefore I am. 2 to occur or take place Lunch is in an hour. 3 to occupy a position in space She is at home. 4 in past tense to go He's never been to Italy. 5 to remain or continue without change Let it be. 6 (as a copula) used to link a subject and what is said about it She is a doctor He is ill. 7 used with the infinitive form of a verb to express a possibility, command, intention, outcome, etc if it were to rain We are to come tomorrow It was not to be. auxiliary verb 1 used with a past participle to form a passive construction The film was shown last night. 2 used with a present participle to form the progressive tenses He was running. be someone to suit them That hat really isn't her. be that as it may although that may be true. the be-all and end-all the only important issue or overriding aim.
ETYMOLOGY: From Anglo-Saxon beon to live or exist, and Anglo-Saxon weran to be.
be verb (been, being; present tense am, are, is; past tense was, were) intrans 1 to exist or live I think, therefore I am. 2 to occur or take place Lunch is in an hour. 3 to occupy a position in space She is at home. 4 in past tense to go He's never been to Italy. 5 to remain or continue without change Let it be. 6 (as a copula) used to link a subject and what is said about it She is a doctor He is ill. 7 used with the infinitive form of a verb to express a possibility, command, intention, outcome, etc if it were to rain We are to come tomorrow It was not to be. auxiliary verb 1 used with a past participle to form a passive construction The film was shown last night. 2 used with a present participle to form the progressive tenses He was running. be someone to suit them That hat really isn't her. be that as it may although that may be true. the be-all and end-all the only important issue or overriding aim.
ETYMOLOGY: From Anglo-Saxon beon to live or exist, and Anglo-Saxon weran to be.
be verb (been, being; present tense am, are, is; past tense was, were) intrans 1 to exist or live I think, therefore I am. 2 to occur or take place Lunch is in an hour. 3 to occupy a position in space She is at home. 4 in past tense to go He's never been to Italy. 5 to remain or continue without change Let it be. 6 (as a copula) used to link a subject and what is said about it She is a doctor He is ill. 7 used with the infinitive form of a verb to express a possibility, command, intention, outcome, etc if it were to rain We are to come tomorrow It was not to be. auxiliary verb 1 used with a past participle to form a passive construction The film was shown last night. 2 used with a present participle to form the progressive tenses He was running. be someone to suit them That hat really isn't her. be that as it may although that may be true. the be-all and end-all the only important issue or overriding aim.
ETYMOLOGY: From Anglo-Saxon beon to live or exist, and Anglo-Saxon weran to be.
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The Chambers Dictionary (13th edition)
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The Chambers Thesaurus
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Chambers Biographical Dictionary
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Thoroughly revised and updated for its 9th edition.
Consult Chambers 21st Century Dictionary, The Chambers Thesaurus (1996) or Chambers Biographical Dictionary (1997 edition with amendments). Enter your search and choose your title from the drop-down menu.
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