Thorndike

[ thawrn-dahyk ]

noun
  1. Ashley Horace, 1871–1933, U.S. literary historian and teacher.

  2. Edward Lee, 1874–1949, U.S. psychologist and lexicographer.

  1. (Everett) Lynn, 1882–1965, U.S. historian and scholar (brother of Ashley Horace Thorndike).

  2. Dame Sybil, 1882–1976, English actress.

Words Nearby Thorndike

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Thorndike in a sentence

  • Thorndike found that a positive rating in one category — physical attractiveness, for instance, or even just height — seemed to correlate with a high rating in seemingly unrelated qualities, like intelligence.

  • "I have been trying to get at you for an age," said Mrs. Thorndike Freeman, laughing.

  • Mr. Thorndike stood irresolute, and then sank back into his chair "Do I look as easy as that, or are you just naturally foolish?"

    Once Upon A Time | Richard Harding Davis
  • On occasions, Mr. Thorndike had put even royalty—frayed, impecunious royalty, on the lookout for a loan—at its ease.

    Once Upon A Time | Richard Harding Davis
  • There were people waiting in the room; strange people, only like those Mr. Thorndike had seen on ferry-boats.

    Once Upon A Time | Richard Harding Davis
  • As he spoke, with his eyes fixed on those of Mr. Thorndike, the latter saw that the young judge had suddenly recognized him.

    Once Upon A Time | Richard Harding Davis

British Dictionary definitions for Thorndike

Thorndike

/ (ˈθɔːnˌdaɪk) /


noun
  1. Edward Lee. 1874–1949, US psychologist, who worked on animals and proposed that all learnt behaviour is regulated by rewards and punishments (Thorndike's law or law of effect)

  2. Dame (Agnes) Sybil . 1882–1976, British actress

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012