word-vault
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A lightweight JavaScript package for English word definitions and collections.
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{
"term": "but",
"partOfSpeech": "conjunction",
"ox3000": true,
"cefr": "a1",
"definitions": [
{
"senseNumber": 1,
"definition": "used to introduce a word or phrase that contrasts with what was said before",
"cefr": "a1",
"ox3000": true,
"examples": [
{
"text": "I got it wrong. It wasn't the red one but the blue one."
},
{
"text": "His mother won't be there, but his father might."
},
{
"text": "It isn't that he lied exactly, but he does tend to exaggerate."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": 2,
"definition": "however; despite this",
"cefr": "a1",
"ox3000": true,
"examples": [
{
"text": "I'd asked everybody but only two people came."
},
{
"text": "By the end of the day we were tired but happy."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": 3,
"definition": "used when you are saying sorry about something",
"cefr": "a1",
"ox3000": true,
"examples": [
{
"text": "I'm sorry but I can't stay any longer."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": 4,
"definition": "used to introduce a statement that shows that you are surprised or annoyed, or that you disagree",
"cefr": "a1",
"ox3000": true,
"examples": [
{
"text": "But that's not possible!"
},
{
"text": "‘Here's the money I owe you.’ ‘But that's not right—it was only £10.’"
}
],
"topics": ["Opinion and argument"]
},
{
"senseNumber": 5,
"definition": "except",
"examples": [
{
"text": "I had no choice but to sign the contract."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": 6,
"definition": "used before repeating a word in order to emphasize it",
"examples": [
{
"text": "Nothing, but nothing would make him change his mind."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": 7,
"definition": "used to emphasize that something is always true",
"labels": "(literary)",
"examples": [
{
"text": "She never passed her old home but she thought of the happy years she had spent there *(= she always thought of them)*."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": 1,
"definition": "if it were not for",
"examples": [
{
"text": "He would have played but for a knee injury."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": 2,
"definition": "except for",
"examples": [
{
"text": "The square was empty but for a couple of cabs."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": 1,
"definition": "however; on the other hand",
"examples": [
{
"text": "He might agree. But then again he might have a completely different opinion."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": 2,
"definition": "used before a statement that explains or gives a reason for what has just been said",
"examples": [
{
"text": "She speaks very good Italian. But then she did live in Rome for a year *(= so it's not surprising)*."
}
]
},
{
"senseNumber": null,
"definition": "used to show that everything else is impossible except the thing that you are saying",
"labels": "(formal)",
"examples": [
{
"text": "What could he do but forgive her? *(= that was the only thing possible)*"
}
]
}
],
"pronunciations": {
"uk": [
{
"pronunciation": "/bət//bʌt/",
"audio": "bu/but/but__gb_6.mp3"
}
],
"us": [
{
"pronunciation": "/bət//bʌt/",
"audio": "bu/but/but__us_2_rr.mp3"
}
]
},
"wordOrigin": "Old English be-ūtan, būtan, būta ‘outside, without, except’ (see by, out)."
}