used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was tricky, delicate work, requiring as it did placing a portion of his mind in each roch's brain, giving that mind and body individual commands, yet keeping enough central control in his own mind so they all performed exactly together.
alignmentnounUS /əˈlaɪnmənt/
an organization of people (or countries) involved in a pact or treaty
From this reading He taught himself how to control their minds in unison, making them march in all the various complicated maneuvers of squads and columns, all in perfect alignment and cadence.
(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 He taught himself how to control their minds in unison, making them march in all the various complicated maneuvers of squads and columns, all in perfect alignment and cadence.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He taught himself how to control their minds in unison, making them march in all the various complicated maneuvers of squads and columns, all in perfect alignment and cadence.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He now "drilled" them as soldiers are drilled.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He now "drilled" them as soldiers are drilled.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading So much of his mind was transferred to theirs, that he had to learn how to make his own body "stand at attention" during these maneuvers, with but minimum control over his own functions.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading So much of his mind was transferred to theirs, that he had to learn how to make his own body "stand at attention" during these maneuvers, with but minimum control over his own functions.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading It was tricky, delicate work, requiring as it did placing a portion of his mind in each roch's brain, giving that mind and body individual commands, yet keeping enough central control in his own mind so they all performed exactly together.
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading It was tricky, delicate work, requiring as it did placing a portion of his mind in each roch's brain, giving that mind and body individual commands, yet keeping enough central control in his own mind so they all performed exactly together.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading So much of his mind was transferred to theirs, that he had to learn how to make his own body "stand at attention" during these maneuvers, with but minimum control over his own functions.
cadencenounUS /ˈkeɪdəns/
(prosody) the accent in a metrical foot of verse
From this reading He taught himself how to control their minds in unison, making them march in all the various complicated maneuvers of squads and columns, all in perfect alignment and cadence.
centraladjectiveUS /ˈsentrəl/
serving as an essential component
From this reading It was tricky, delicate work, requiring as it did placing a portion of his mind in each roch's brain, giving that mind and body individual commands, yet keeping enough central control in his own mind so they all performed exactly together.
columnsnounUS /ˈkɑːləmz/
plural of “column” — a line of units following one after another
From this reading He taught himself how to control their minds in unison, making them march in all the various complicated maneuvers of squads and columns, all in perfect alignment and cadence.
commandsnounUS /kəˈmændz/
plural of “command” — an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading It was tricky, delicate work, requiring as it did placing a portion of his mind in each roch's brain, giving that mind and body individual commands, yet keeping enough central control in his own mind so they all performed exactly together.
complicatedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmpləkeɪtəd/
difficult to analyze or understand
From this reading He taught himself how to control their minds in unison, making them march in all the various complicated maneuvers of squads and columns, all in perfect alignment and cadence.
without stop or interruption
From this reading The following day Hanlon continued working with his roches.
power to direct or determine
From this reading He taught himself how to control their minds in unison, making them march in all the various complicated maneuvers of squads and columns, all in perfect alignment and cadence.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The following day Hanlon continued working with his roches.
exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury
From this reading It was tricky, delicate work, requiring as it did placing a portion of his mind in each roch's brain, giving that mind and body individual commands, yet keeping enough central control in his own mind so they all performed exactly together.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading It was tricky, delicate work, requiring as it did placing a portion of his mind in each roch's brain, giving that mind and body individual commands, yet keeping enough central control in his own mind so they all performed exactly together.
drilledadjectiveUS /drɪld/
trained in a skill by repetitious practice
From this reading He now "drilled" them as soldiers are drilled.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading So much of his mind was transferred to theirs, that he had to learn how to make his own body "stand at attention" during these maneuvers, with but minimum control over his own functions.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading It was tricky, delicate work, requiring as it did placing a portion of his mind in each roch's brain, giving that mind and body individual commands, yet keeping enough central control in his own mind so they all performed exactly together.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading It was tricky, delicate work, requiring as it did placing a portion of his mind in each roch's brain, giving that mind and body individual commands, yet keeping enough central control in his own mind so they all performed exactly together.
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading It was tricky, delicate work, requiring as it did placing a portion of his mind in each roch's brain, giving that mind and body individual commands, yet keeping enough central control in his own mind so they all performed exactly together.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading The following day Hanlon continued working with his roches.
functionsnounUS /ˈfʌŋkʃənz/
plural of “function” — (mathematics) a mathematical relation such that each element of a given set (the domain of the function) is associated with an element of another set (the range of the function)
From this reading So much of his mind was transferred to theirs, that he had to learn how to make his own body "stand at attention" during these maneuvers, with but minimum control over his own functions.
the act of giving
From this reading It was tricky, delicate work, requiring as it did placing a portion of his mind in each roch's brain, giving that mind and body individual commands, yet keeping enough central control in his own mind so they all performed exactly together.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading So much of his mind was transferred to theirs, that he had to learn how to make his own body "stand at attention" during these maneuvers, with but minimum control over his own functions.
Hanlon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The following day Hanlon continued working with his roches.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He now "drilled" them as soldiers are drilled.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He taught himself how to control their minds in unison, making them march in all the various complicated maneuvers of squads and columns, all in perfect alignment and cadence.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The following day Hanlon continued working with his roches.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He taught himself how to control their minds in unison, making them march in all the various complicated maneuvers of squads and columns, all in perfect alignment and cadence.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He taught himself how to control their minds in unison, making them march in all the various complicated maneuvers of squads and columns, all in perfect alignment and cadence.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading It was tricky, delicate work, requiring as it did placing a portion of his mind in each roch's brain, giving that mind and body individual commands, yet keeping enough central control in his own mind so they all performed exactly together.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was tricky, delicate work, requiring as it did placing a portion of his mind in each roch's brain, giving that mind and body individual commands, yet keeping enough central control in his own mind so they all performed exactly together.
conformity or harmony
From this reading It was tricky, delicate work, requiring as it did placing a portion of his mind in each roch's brain, giving that mind and body individual commands, yet keeping enough central control in his own mind so they all performed exactly together.
gain knowledge or skills
From this reading So much of his mind was transferred to theirs, that he had to learn how to make his own body "stand at attention" during these maneuvers, with but minimum control over his own functions.
engage in
From this reading So much of his mind was transferred to theirs, that he had to learn how to make his own body "stand at attention" during these maneuvers, with but minimum control over his own functions.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading He taught himself how to control their minds in unison, making them march in all the various complicated maneuvers of squads and columns, all in perfect alignment and cadence.
maneuversnounUS /məˈnuːvərz/
plural of “maneuver” — a military training exercise
From this reading He taught himself how to control their minds in unison, making them march in all the various complicated maneuvers of squads and columns, all in perfect alignment and cadence.
march in a procession
From this reading He taught himself how to control their minds in unison, making them march in all the various complicated maneuvers of squads and columns, all in perfect alignment and cadence.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading It was tricky, delicate work, requiring as it did placing a portion of his mind in each roch's brain, giving that mind and body individual commands, yet keeping enough central control in his own mind so they all performed exactly together.
plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason
From this reading He taught himself how to control their minds in unison, making them march in all the various complicated maneuvers of squads and columns, all in perfect alignment and cadence.
minimumnounUS /ˈmɪnəməm/
the smallest possible quantity
From this reading So much of his mind was transferred to theirs, that he had to learn how to make his own body "stand at attention" during these maneuvers, with but minimum control over his own functions.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading So much of his mind was transferred to theirs, that he had to learn how to make his own body "stand at attention" during these maneuvers, with but minimum control over his own functions.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He now "drilled" them as soldiers are drilled.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He taught himself how to control their minds in unison, making them march in all the various complicated maneuvers of squads and columns, all in perfect alignment and cadence.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading So much of his mind was transferred to theirs, that he had to learn how to make his own body "stand at attention" during these maneuvers, with but minimum control over his own functions.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading It was tricky, delicate work, requiring as it did placing a portion of his mind in each roch's brain, giving that mind and body individual commands, yet keeping enough central control in his own mind so they all performed exactly together.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading He taught himself how to control their minds in unison, making them march in all the various complicated maneuvers of squads and columns, all in perfect alignment and cadence.
performedverbUS /pərˈfɔːrmd/
past form of “perform” — carry out or perform an action
From this reading It was tricky, delicate work, requiring as it did placing a portion of his mind in each roch's brain, giving that mind and body individual commands, yet keeping enough central control in his own mind so they all performed exactly together.
placingverbUS /ˈpleɪsɪŋ/
-ing form of “place” — put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading It was tricky, delicate work, requiring as it did placing a portion of his mind in each roch's brain, giving that mind and body individual commands, yet keeping enough central control in his own mind so they all performed exactly together.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading It was tricky, delicate work, requiring as it did placing a portion of his mind in each roch's brain, giving that mind and body individual commands, yet keeping enough central control in his own mind so they all performed exactly together.
requiringverbUS /riˈkwaɪərɪŋ/
-ing form of “require” — require as useful, just, or proper
From this reading It was tricky, delicate work, requiring as it did placing a portion of his mind in each roch's brain, giving that mind and body individual commands, yet keeping enough central control in his own mind so they all performed exactly together.
roch's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was tricky, delicate work, requiring as it did placing a portion of his mind in each roch's brain, giving that mind and body individual commands, yet keeping enough central control in his own mind so they all performed exactly together.
roches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The following day Hanlon continued working with his roches.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was tricky, delicate work, requiring as it did placing a portion of his mind in each roch's brain, giving that mind and body individual commands, yet keeping enough central control in his own mind so they all performed exactly together.
plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading He now "drilled" them as soldiers are drilled.
squadsnounUS /skwɑːdz/
plural of “squad” — a smallest army unit
From this reading He taught himself how to control their minds in unison, making them march in all the various complicated maneuvers of squads and columns, all in perfect alignment and cadence.
be standing; be upright
From this reading So much of his mind was transferred to theirs, that he had to learn how to make his own body "stand at attention" during these maneuvers, with but minimum control over his own functions.
inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading He taught himself how to control their minds in unison, making them march in all the various complicated maneuvers of squads and columns, all in perfect alignment and cadence.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was tricky, delicate work, requiring as it did placing a portion of his mind in each roch's brain, giving that mind and body individual commands, yet keeping enough central control in his own mind so they all performed exactly together.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The following day Hanlon continued working with his roches.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He taught himself how to control their minds in unison, making them march in all the various complicated maneuvers of squads and columns, all in perfect alignment and cadence.
theirspronounUS /ðerz/
the one or ones belonging to them
From this reading So much of his mind was transferred to theirs, that he had to learn how to make his own body "stand at attention" during these maneuvers, with but minimum control over his own functions.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He now "drilled" them as soldiers are drilled.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading So much of his mind was transferred to theirs, that he had to learn how to make his own body "stand at attention" during these maneuvers, with but minimum control over his own functions.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was tricky, delicate work, requiring as it did placing a portion of his mind in each roch's brain, giving that mind and body individual commands, yet keeping enough central control in his own mind so they all performed exactly together.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He taught himself how to control their minds in unison, making them march in all the various complicated maneuvers of squads and columns, all in perfect alignment and cadence.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading It was tricky, delicate work, requiring as it did placing a portion of his mind in each roch's brain, giving that mind and body individual commands, yet keeping enough central control in his own mind so they all performed exactly together.
transferredverbUS /trænˈsfɜːrd/
inflected form of “transfer” — transfer somebody to a different position or location of work
From this reading So much of his mind was transferred to theirs, that he had to learn how to make his own body "stand at attention" during these maneuvers, with but minimum control over his own functions.
trickyadjectiveUS /ˈtrɪki/
not to be trusted
From this reading It was tricky, delicate work, requiring as it did placing a portion of his mind in each roch's brain, giving that mind and body individual commands, yet keeping enough central control in his own mind so they all performed exactly together.
unisonnounUS /ˈjuːnəsən/
corresponding exactly
From this reading He taught himself how to control their minds in unison, making them march in all the various complicated maneuvers of squads and columns, all in perfect alignment and cadence.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading He taught himself how to control their minds in unison, making them march in all the various complicated maneuvers of squads and columns, all in perfect alignment and cadence.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was tricky, delicate work, requiring as it did placing a portion of his mind in each roch's brain, giving that mind and body individual commands, yet keeping enough central control in his own mind so they all performed exactly together.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The following day Hanlon continued working with his roches.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading It was tricky, delicate work, requiring as it did placing a portion of his mind in each roch's brain, giving that mind and body individual commands, yet keeping enough central control in his own mind so they all performed exactly together.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading The following day Hanlon continued working with his roches.
but in spite of that
From this reading It was tricky, delicate work, requiring as it did placing a portion of his mind in each roch's brain, giving that mind and body individual commands, yet keeping enough central control in his own mind so they all performed exactly together.
