Chapter I · Chapter 1

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This e-text was produced from _Astounding Science Fiction_, September, 1960.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

the ion NH4 derived from ammonia; behaves in many respects like an alkali metal ion

From this reading _Most useful high explosives, like ammonium nitrate, are enormously violent ... once they're triggered.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading _Most useful high explosives, like ammonium nitrate, are enormously violent ... once they're triggered.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

bewildering or striking dumb with wonder

From this reading This e-text was produced from _Astounding Science Fiction_, September, 1960.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

formed or made thin by hammering

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

plural of “bit” — a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

treated by heating to a high temperature but below the melting or fusing point

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

a document granting exclusive right to publish and sell literary or musical or artistic work

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

too numerous to be counted

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

An unroofed area that is completely or partially enclosed by the walls of a house.

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This e-text was produced from _Astounding Science Fiction_, September, 1960.

plural of “edge” — the boundary of a surface

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

extremely

From this reading _Most useful high explosives, like ammonium nitrate, are enormously violent ... once they're triggered.

your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

plural of “explosive” — a chemical substance that undergoes a rapid chemical change (with the production of gas) on being heated or struck

From this reading _Most useful high explosives, like ammonium nitrate, are enormously violent ... once they're triggered.

large in spatial extent or range or scope or quantity

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

a literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact

From this reading This e-text was produced from _Astounding Science Fiction_, September, 1960.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading This e-text was produced from _Astounding Science Fiction_, September, 1960.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading _Most useful high explosives, like ammonium nitrate, are enormously violent ... once they're triggered.

unable to move or resist motion

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading _Most useful high explosives, like ammonium nitrate, are enormously violent ... once they're triggered.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

art consisting of a design made of small pieces of colored stone or glass

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

used to form the superlative

From this reading _Most useful high explosives, like ammonium nitrate, are enormously violent ... once they're triggered.

any compound containing the nitrate group (such as a salt or ester of nitric acid)

From this reading _Most useful high explosives, like ammonium nitrate, are enormously violent ... once they're triggered.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

on one occasion

From this reading _Most useful high explosives, like ammonium nitrate, are enormously violent ... once they're triggered.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

preceding all others in time or being as first made or performed

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

above and across; more than

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

the paved surface of a thoroughfare

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

perfected or made shiny and smooth

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

the act of pressing; the exertion of pressure

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

a correctional institution where persons are confined while on trial or for punishment

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield

From this reading This e-text was produced from _Astounding Science Fiction_, September, 1960.

a copy of a printed work offered for distribution

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

subjected to a penalty (as pain or shame or restraint or loss) for an offense or fault or in order to coerce some behavior (as a confession or obedience)

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

restored to a new condition

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

systematic investigation to establish facts

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

having or caused by an irregular surface

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

a particular branch of scientific knowledge

From this reading This e-text was produced from _Astounding Science Fiction_, September, 1960.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

from appearances alone

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

the month following August and preceding October

From this reading This e-text was produced from _Astounding Science Fiction_, September, 1960.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

the context and environment in which something is set

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

made smooth by ironing

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

characterized by good substantial quality

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

past form of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

plural of “surface” — the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Most useful high explosives, like ammonium nitrate, are enormously violent ... once they're triggered.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This e-text was produced from _Astounding Science Fiction_, September, 1960.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading And over those years the stones had suffered change as countless feet, scuffing and pressing against once rough edges, had smoothed the bits of rock, burnishing their surfaces until the light of the setting sun now reflected from them as from polished mosaic.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

past form of “trigger” — put in motion or move to act

From this reading _Most useful high explosives, like ammonium nitrate, are enormously violent ... once they're triggered.

a base containing nitrogen that is found in RNA (but not in DNA) and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with adenine

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

remove all or part of one's clothes to show one's body

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

up to a particular time

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

being of use or service

From this reading _Most useful high explosives, like ammonium nitrate, are enormously violent ... once they're triggered.

in diverse ways

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

acting with or marked by or resulting from great force or energy or emotional intensity

From this reading _Most useful high explosives, like ammonium nitrate, are enormously violent ... once they're triggered.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading This e-text was produced from _Astounding Science Fiction_, September, 1960.

at the time that

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.

a late time of life

From this reading But they will remain seemingly inert when beaten, burned, variously punished--until the particular shock required comes along...._ Many years had passed since the original country rock had been broken, cut and set, to form solid pavement for the courtyard at Opertal Prison.