used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading After baking the outside shell of the planet to a degree that makes all life impossible, she thoughtfully scoops out the interior so that these small creatures will have a place to go."
adaptingverbUS /əˈdæptɪŋ/
-ing form of “adapt” — make fit for, or change to suit a new purpose
From this reading "These ovens," he proceeded, "are a remarkable example of adapting means to an end.
adjacentadjectiveUS /əˈdʒeɪsənt/
nearest in space or position; immediately adjoining without intervening space
From this reading "You have stated the case correctly, Mr. Munn," and the professor’s face lighted up as he swept his gaze over the country immediately adjacent.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After baking the outside shell of the planet to a degree that makes all life impossible, she thoughtfully scoops out the interior so that these small creatures will have a place to go."
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading After baking the outside shell of the planet to a degree that makes all life impossible, she thoughtfully scoops out the interior so that these small creatures will have a place to go."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "These ovens," he proceeded, "are a remarkable example of adapting means to an end.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "You have stated the case correctly, Mr. Munn," and the professor’s face lighted up as he swept his gaze over the country immediately adjacent.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading "I suppose," I ventured, seeking to draw my companion’s mind from the plutocrats, "that this Mercurial under-world is another illustration of the way Nature takes care of her protégés.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "These ovens," he proceeded, "are a remarkable example of adapting means to an end.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "You have stated the case correctly, Mr. Munn," and the professor’s face lighted up as he swept his gaze over the country immediately adjacent.
bakingnounUS /ˈbeɪkɪŋ/
making bread or cake or pastry etc.
From this reading After baking the outside shell of the planet to a degree that makes all life impossible, she thoughtfully scoops out the interior so that these small creatures will have a place to go."
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading "I suppose," I ventured, seeking to draw my companion’s mind from the plutocrats, "that this Mercurial under-world is another illustration of the way Nature takes care of her protégés.
an occurrence of something
From this reading "You have stated the case correctly, Mr. Munn," and the professor’s face lighted up as he swept his gaze over the country immediately adjacent.
companion's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I suppose," I ventured, seeking to draw my companion’s mind from the plutocrats, "that this Mercurial under-world is another illustration of the way Nature takes care of her protégés.
cookingnounUS /ˈkʊkɪŋ/
the act of preparing something (as food) by the application of heat
From this reading The fierce heat of the surface does the cooking."
correctlyadverbUS /kərˈektli/
in an accurate manner
From this reading "You have stated the case correctly, Mr. Munn," and the professor’s face lighted up as he swept his gaze over the country immediately adjacent.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading "You have stated the case correctly, Mr. Munn," and the professor’s face lighted up as he swept his gaze over the country immediately adjacent.
plural of “creature” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading After baking the outside shell of the planet to a degree that makes all life impossible, she thoughtfully scoops out the interior so that these small creatures will have a place to go."
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading After baking the outside shell of the planet to a degree that makes all life impossible, she thoughtfully scoops out the interior so that these small creatures will have a place to go."
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The fierce heat of the surface does the cooking."
cause to move by pulling
From this reading "I suppose," I ventured, seeking to draw my companion’s mind from the plutocrats, "that this Mercurial under-world is another illustration of the way Nature takes care of her protégés.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading "These ovens," he proceeded, "are a remarkable example of adapting means to an end.
an item of information that is typical of a class or group
From this reading "These ovens," he proceeded, "are a remarkable example of adapting means to an end.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading "You have stated the case correctly, Mr. Munn," and the professor’s face lighted up as he swept his gaze over the country immediately adjacent.
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading The fierce heat of the surface does the cooking."
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "I suppose," I ventured, seeking to draw my companion’s mind from the plutocrats, "that this Mercurial under-world is another illustration of the way Nature takes care of her protégés.
a long fixed look
From this reading "You have stated the case correctly, Mr. Munn," and the professor’s face lighted up as he swept his gaze over the country immediately adjacent.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading After baking the outside shell of the planet to a degree that makes all life impossible, she thoughtfully scoops out the interior so that these small creatures will have a place to go."
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading After baking the outside shell of the planet to a degree that makes all life impossible, she thoughtfully scoops out the interior so that these small creatures will have a place to go."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "You have stated the case correctly, Mr. Munn," and the professor’s face lighted up as he swept his gaze over the country immediately adjacent.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading The fierce heat of the surface does the cooking."
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "I suppose," I ventured, seeking to draw my companion’s mind from the plutocrats, "that this Mercurial under-world is another illustration of the way Nature takes care of her protégés.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "You have stated the case correctly, Mr. Munn," and the professor’s face lighted up as he swept his gaze over the country immediately adjacent.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I suppose," I ventured, seeking to draw my companion’s mind from the plutocrats, "that this Mercurial under-world is another illustration of the way Nature takes care of her protégés.
illustrationnounUS /ˌɪləˈstreɪʃən/
artwork that helps make something clear or attractive
From this reading "I suppose," I ventured, seeking to draw my companion’s mind from the plutocrats, "that this Mercurial under-world is another illustration of the way Nature takes care of her protégés.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading "You have stated the case correctly, Mr. Munn," and the professor’s face lighted up as he swept his gaze over the country immediately adjacent.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading After baking the outside shell of the planet to a degree that makes all life impossible, she thoughtfully scoops out the interior so that these small creatures will have a place to go."
interioradjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɪriər/
situated within or suitable for inside a building
From this reading After baking the outside shell of the planet to a degree that makes all life impossible, she thoughtfully scoops out the interior so that these small creatures will have a place to go."
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I suppose," I ventured, seeking to draw my companion’s mind from the plutocrats, "that this Mercurial under-world is another illustration of the way Nature takes care of her protégés.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading After baking the outside shell of the planet to a degree that makes all life impossible, she thoughtfully scoops out the interior so that these small creatures will have a place to go."
set afire or burning
From this reading "You have stated the case correctly, Mr. Munn," and the professor’s face lighted up as he swept his gaze over the country immediately adjacent.
plural of “make” — a recognizable kind
From this reading After baking the outside shell of the planet to a degree that makes all life impossible, she thoughtfully scoops out the interior so that these small creatures will have a place to go."
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading "These ovens," he proceeded, "are a remarkable example of adapting means to an end.
MercurialadjectiveUS /mərˈkjʊriəl/
liable to sudden unpredictable change
From this reading "I suppose," I ventured, seeking to draw my companion’s mind from the plutocrats, "that this Mercurial under-world is another illustration of the way Nature takes care of her protégés.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading "I suppose," I ventured, seeking to draw my companion’s mind from the plutocrats, "that this Mercurial under-world is another illustration of the way Nature takes care of her protégés.
a form of address for a man
From this reading "You have stated the case correctly, Mr. Munn," and the professor’s face lighted up as he swept his gaze over the country immediately adjacent.
Munn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You have stated the case correctly, Mr. Munn," and the professor’s face lighted up as he swept his gaze over the country immediately adjacent.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "I suppose," I ventured, seeking to draw my companion’s mind from the plutocrats, "that this Mercurial under-world is another illustration of the way Nature takes care of her protégés.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading "I suppose," I ventured, seeking to draw my companion’s mind from the plutocrats, "that this Mercurial under-world is another illustration of the way Nature takes care of her protégés.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "I suppose," I ventured, seeking to draw my companion’s mind from the plutocrats, "that this Mercurial under-world is another illustration of the way Nature takes care of her protégés.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading After baking the outside shell of the planet to a degree that makes all life impossible, she thoughtfully scoops out the interior so that these small creatures will have a place to go."
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading After baking the outside shell of the planet to a degree that makes all life impossible, she thoughtfully scoops out the interior so that these small creatures will have a place to go."
ovensnounUS /ˈʌvənz/
plural of “oven” — kitchen appliance used for baking or roasting
From this reading "These ovens," he proceeded, "are a remarkable example of adapting means to an end.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading "You have stated the case correctly, Mr. Munn," and the professor’s face lighted up as he swept his gaze over the country immediately adjacent.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading After baking the outside shell of the planet to a degree that makes all life impossible, she thoughtfully scoops out the interior so that these small creatures will have a place to go."
planetnounUS /ˈplænət/
(astronomy) any of the nine large celestial bodies in the solar system that revolve around the sun and shine by reflected light
From this reading After baking the outside shell of the planet to a degree that makes all life impossible, she thoughtfully scoops out the interior so that these small creatures will have a place to go."
plutocratsnounUS /ˈpluːtəkræts/
plural of “plutocrat” — someone who exercises power by virtue of wealth
From this reading "I suppose," I ventured, seeking to draw my companion’s mind from the plutocrats, "that this Mercurial under-world is another illustration of the way Nature takes care of her protégés.
past form of “proceed” — continue talking
From this reading "These ovens," he proceeded, "are a remarkable example of adapting means to an end.
professor'snounUS /prəˈfesərz/
possessive form of “professor” — someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university
From this reading "You have stated the case correctly, Mr. Munn," and the professor’s face lighted up as he swept his gaze over the country immediately adjacent.
protégés
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I suppose," I ventured, seeking to draw my companion’s mind from the plutocrats, "that this Mercurial under-world is another illustration of the way Nature takes care of her protégés.
unusual or striking
From this reading "These ovens," he proceeded, "are a remarkable example of adapting means to an end.
scoopsnounUS /skuːps/
plural of “scoop” — the quantity a scoop will hold
From this reading After baking the outside shell of the planet to a degree that makes all life impossible, she thoughtfully scoops out the interior so that these small creatures will have a place to go."
the act of searching for something
From this reading "I suppose," I ventured, seeking to draw my companion’s mind from the plutocrats, "that this Mercurial under-world is another illustration of the way Nature takes care of her protégés.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading After baking the outside shell of the planet to a degree that makes all life impossible, she thoughtfully scoops out the interior so that these small creatures will have a place to go."
shellnounUS /ʃel/
ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading After baking the outside shell of the planet to a degree that makes all life impossible, she thoughtfully scoops out the interior so that these small creatures will have a place to go."
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading After baking the outside shell of the planet to a degree that makes all life impossible, she thoughtfully scoops out the interior so that these small creatures will have a place to go."
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading After baking the outside shell of the planet to a degree that makes all life impossible, she thoughtfully scoops out the interior so that these small creatures will have a place to go."
statedadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪtɪd/
declared as fact; explicitly stated
From this reading "You have stated the case correctly, Mr. Munn," and the professor’s face lighted up as he swept his gaze over the country immediately adjacent.
express a supposition
From this reading "I suppose," I ventured, seeking to draw my companion’s mind from the plutocrats, "that this Mercurial under-world is another illustration of the way Nature takes care of her protégés.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading The fierce heat of the surface does the cooking."
possessing sweep
From this reading "You have stated the case correctly, Mr. Munn," and the professor’s face lighted up as he swept his gaze over the country immediately adjacent.
plural of “take” — the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property
From this reading "I suppose," I ventured, seeking to draw my companion’s mind from the plutocrats, "that this Mercurial under-world is another illustration of the way Nature takes care of her protégés.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "I suppose," I ventured, seeking to draw my companion’s mind from the plutocrats, "that this Mercurial under-world is another illustration of the way Nature takes care of her protégés.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "I suppose," I ventured, seeking to draw my companion’s mind from the plutocrats, "that this Mercurial under-world is another illustration of the way Nature takes care of her protégés.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading After baking the outside shell of the planet to a degree that makes all life impossible, she thoughtfully scoops out the interior so that these small creatures will have a place to go."
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "I suppose," I ventured, seeking to draw my companion’s mind from the plutocrats, "that this Mercurial under-world is another illustration of the way Nature takes care of her protégés.
thoughtfullyadverbUS /ˈθɔːtfəli/
in a thoughtful manner
From this reading After baking the outside shell of the planet to a degree that makes all life impossible, she thoughtfully scoops out the interior so that these small creatures will have a place to go."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "I suppose," I ventured, seeking to draw my companion’s mind from the plutocrats, "that this Mercurial under-world is another illustration of the way Nature takes care of her protégés.
under-world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I suppose," I ventured, seeking to draw my companion’s mind from the plutocrats, "that this Mercurial under-world is another illustration of the way Nature takes care of her protégés.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "You have stated the case correctly, Mr. Munn," and the professor’s face lighted up as he swept his gaze over the country immediately adjacent.
past form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers
From this reading "I suppose," I ventured, seeking to draw my companion’s mind from the plutocrats, "that this Mercurial under-world is another illustration of the way Nature takes care of her protégés.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading "I suppose," I ventured, seeking to draw my companion’s mind from the plutocrats, "that this Mercurial under-world is another illustration of the way Nature takes care of her protégés.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading After baking the outside shell of the planet to a degree that makes all life impossible, she thoughtfully scoops out the interior so that these small creatures will have a place to go."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You have stated the case correctly, Mr. Munn," and the professor’s face lighted up as he swept his gaze over the country immediately adjacent.
