used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Its mind had just contacted a group of beings below whose minds were of a far different texture--finer, somehow--than those of the natives of this world.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading _It was nearing dawn on the eastern Continent of Estrella, and high above in the stratosphere, in its spaceship, the strange being that had been studying this planet so carefully, suddenly stiffened to closer attention.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Was there more than one race here on this planet, after all?
alienadjectiveUS /ˈeɪliən/
not contained in or deriving from the essential nature of something
From this reading But the thought-processes of these newcomers, in many cases, were almost incomprehensible to the alien._ _What were they?
(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 Was there more than one race here on this planet, after all?
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading But the thought-processes of these newcomers, in many cases, were almost incomprehensible to the alien._ _What were they?
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _It was nearing dawn on the eastern Continent of Estrella, and high above in the stratosphere, in its spaceship, the strange being that had been studying this planet so carefully, suddenly stiffened to closer attention.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading _It was nearing dawn on the eastern Continent of Estrella, and high above in the stratosphere, in its spaceship, the strange being that had been studying this planet so carefully, suddenly stiffened to closer attention.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading _It was nearing dawn on the eastern Continent of Estrella, and high above in the stratosphere, in its spaceship, the strange being that had been studying this planet so carefully, suddenly stiffened to closer attention.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading _It was nearing dawn on the eastern Continent of Estrella, and high above in the stratosphere, in its spaceship, the strange being that had been studying this planet so carefully, suddenly stiffened to closer attention.
beingsnounUS /ˈbiːɪŋz/
plural of “being” — the state or fact of existing
From this reading Its mind had just contacted a group of beings below whose minds were of a far different texture--finer, somehow--than those of the natives of this world.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading Its mind had just contacted a group of beings below whose minds were of a far different texture--finer, somehow--than those of the natives of this world.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the thought-processes of these newcomers, in many cases, were almost incomprehensible to the alien._ _What were they?
taking care or paying attention
From this reading _It was nearing dawn on the eastern Continent of Estrella, and high above in the stratosphere, in its spaceship, the strange being that had been studying this planet so carefully, suddenly stiffened to closer attention.
plural of “case” — an occurrence of something
From this reading But the thought-processes of these newcomers, in many cases, were almost incomprehensible to the alien._ _What were they?
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading _It was nearing dawn on the eastern Continent of Estrella, and high above in the stratosphere, in its spaceship, the strange being that had been studying this planet so carefully, suddenly stiffened to closer attention.
contactedverbUS /ˈkɑːntæktɪd/
past form of “contact” — be in or establish communication with
From this reading Its mind had just contacted a group of beings below whose minds were of a far different texture--finer, somehow--than those of the natives of this world.
ContinentnounUS /ˈkɑːntənənt/
one of the large landmasses of the earth
From this reading _It was nearing dawn on the eastern Continent of Estrella, and high above in the stratosphere, in its spaceship, the strange being that had been studying this planet so carefully, suddenly stiffened to closer attention.
the first light of day
From this reading _It was nearing dawn on the eastern Continent of Estrella, and high above in the stratosphere, in its spaceship, the strange being that had been studying this planet so carefully, suddenly stiffened to closer attention.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The language was different, too, which did not make so much difference.
the quality of being unlike or dissimilar
From this reading The language was different, too, which did not make so much difference.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading Its mind had just contacted a group of beings below whose minds were of a far different texture--finer, somehow--than those of the natives of this world.
lying toward or situated in the east
From this reading _It was nearing dawn on the eastern Continent of Estrella, and high above in the stratosphere, in its spaceship, the strange being that had been studying this planet so carefully, suddenly stiffened to closer attention.
Estrella
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _It was nearing dawn on the eastern Continent of Estrella, and high above in the stratosphere, in its spaceship, the strange being that had been studying this planet so carefully, suddenly stiffened to closer attention.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Its mind had just contacted a group of beings below whose minds were of a far different texture--finer, somehow--than those of the natives of this world.
fineradjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnər/
(comparative of “fine”) greater in quality or excellence
From this reading Its mind had just contacted a group of beings below whose minds were of a far different texture--finer, somehow--than those of the natives of this world.
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading Its mind had just contacted a group of beings below whose minds were of a far different texture--finer, somehow--than those of the natives of this world.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading _It was nearing dawn on the eastern Continent of Estrella, and high above in the stratosphere, in its spaceship, the strange being that had been studying this planet so carefully, suddenly stiffened to closer attention.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Was there more than one race here on this planet, after all?
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading _It was nearing dawn on the eastern Continent of Estrella, and high above in the stratosphere, in its spaceship, the strange being that had been studying this planet so carefully, suddenly stiffened to closer attention.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _It was nearing dawn on the eastern Continent of Estrella, and high above in the stratosphere, in its spaceship, the strange being that had been studying this planet so carefully, suddenly stiffened to closer attention.
incomprehensibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪŋkɑːmprəˈhensɪbəl/
incapable of being explained or accounted for
From this reading But the thought-processes of these newcomers, in many cases, were almost incomprehensible to the alien._ _What were they?
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading _It was nearing dawn on the eastern Continent of Estrella, and high above in the stratosphere, in its spaceship, the strange being that had been studying this planet so carefully, suddenly stiffened to closer attention.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading _It was nearing dawn on the eastern Continent of Estrella, and high above in the stratosphere, in its spaceship, the strange being that had been studying this planet so carefully, suddenly stiffened to closer attention.
and nothing more
From this reading Its mind had just contacted a group of beings below whose minds were of a far different texture--finer, somehow--than those of the natives of this world.
a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
From this reading The language was different, too, which did not make so much difference.
engage in
From this reading The language was different, too, which did not make so much difference.
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 the thought-processes of these newcomers, in many cases, were almost incomprehensible to the alien._ _What were they?
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Its mind had just contacted a group of beings below whose minds were of a far different texture--finer, somehow--than those of the natives of this world.
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 Its mind had just contacted a group of beings below whose minds were of a far different texture--finer, somehow--than those of the natives of this world.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Was there more than one race here on this planet, after all?
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The language was different, too, which did not make so much difference.
plural of “native” — an indigenous person who was born in a particular place
From this reading Its mind had just contacted a group of beings below whose minds were of a far different texture--finer, somehow--than those of the natives of this world.
nearingverbUS /ˈnɪrɪŋ/
-ing form of “near” — move towards
From this reading _It was nearing dawn on the eastern Continent of Estrella, and high above in the stratosphere, in its spaceship, the strange being that had been studying this planet so carefully, suddenly stiffened to closer attention.
newcomersnounUS /ˈnuːkʌmərz/
plural of “newcomer” — any new participant in some activity
From this reading But the thought-processes of these newcomers, in many cases, were almost incomprehensible to the alien._ _What were they?
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The language was different, too, which did not make so much difference.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _It was nearing dawn on the eastern Continent of Estrella, and high above in the stratosphere, in its spaceship, the strange being that had been studying this planet so carefully, suddenly stiffened to closer attention.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading _It was nearing dawn on the eastern Continent of Estrella, and high above in the stratosphere, in its spaceship, the strange being that had been studying this planet so carefully, suddenly stiffened to closer attention.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Was there more than one race here on this planet, after all?
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 _It was nearing dawn on the eastern Continent of Estrella, and high above in the stratosphere, in its spaceship, the strange being that had been studying this planet so carefully, suddenly stiffened to closer attention.
any competition
From this reading Was there more than one race here on this planet, after all?
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading _It was nearing dawn on the eastern Continent of Estrella, and high above in the stratosphere, in its spaceship, the strange being that had been studying this planet so carefully, suddenly stiffened to closer attention.
in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means
From this reading Its mind had just contacted a group of beings below whose minds were of a far different texture--finer, somehow--than those of the natives of this world.
spaceshipnounUS /ˈspeɪsʃɪp/
a spacecraft designed to carry a crew into interstellar space (especially in science fiction)
From this reading _It was nearing dawn on the eastern Continent of Estrella, and high above in the stratosphere, in its spaceship, the strange being that had been studying this planet so carefully, suddenly stiffened to closer attention.
stiffenedverbUS /ˈstɪfənd/
past form of “stiffen” — become stiff or stiffer
From this reading _It was nearing dawn on the eastern Continent of Estrella, and high above in the stratosphere, in its spaceship, the strange being that had been studying this planet so carefully, suddenly stiffened to closer attention.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading _It was nearing dawn on the eastern Continent of Estrella, and high above in the stratosphere, in its spaceship, the strange being that had been studying this planet so carefully, suddenly stiffened to closer attention.
stratospherenounUS /ˈstrætəsfɪr/
the atmospheric layer between the troposphere and the mesosphere
From this reading _It was nearing dawn on the eastern Continent of Estrella, and high above in the stratosphere, in its spaceship, the strange being that had been studying this planet so carefully, suddenly stiffened to closer attention.
studyingnounUS /ˈstʌdiɪŋ/
reading carefully with intent to remember
From this reading _It was nearing dawn on the eastern Continent of Estrella, and high above in the stratosphere, in its spaceship, the strange being that had been studying this planet so carefully, suddenly stiffened to closer attention.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading _It was nearing dawn on the eastern Continent of Estrella, and high above in the stratosphere, in its spaceship, the strange being that had been studying this planet so carefully, suddenly stiffened to closer attention.
texturenounUS /ˈtekstʃər/
the feel of a surface or a fabric
From this reading Its mind had just contacted a group of beings below whose minds were of a far different texture--finer, somehow--than those of the natives of this world.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Its mind had just contacted a group of beings below whose minds were of a far different texture--finer, somehow--than those of the natives of this world.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading _It was nearing dawn on the eastern Continent of Estrella, and high above in the stratosphere, in its spaceship, the strange being that had been studying this planet so carefully, suddenly stiffened to closer attention.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _It was nearing dawn on the eastern Continent of Estrella, and high above in the stratosphere, in its spaceship, the strange being that had been studying this planet so carefully, suddenly stiffened to closer attention.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Was there more than one race here on this planet, after all?
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading But the thought-processes of these newcomers, in many cases, were almost incomprehensible to the alien._ _What were they?
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But the thought-processes of these newcomers, in many cases, were almost incomprehensible to the alien._ _What were they?
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading _It was nearing dawn on the eastern Continent of Estrella, and high above in the stratosphere, in its spaceship, the strange being that had been studying this planet so carefully, suddenly stiffened to closer attention.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Its mind had just contacted a group of beings below whose minds were of a far different texture--finer, somehow--than those of the natives of this world.
thought-processes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the thought-processes of these newcomers, in many cases, were almost incomprehensible to the alien._ _What were they?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _It was nearing dawn on the eastern Continent of Estrella, and high above in the stratosphere, in its spaceship, the strange being that had been studying this planet so carefully, suddenly stiffened to closer attention.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The language was different, too, which did not make so much difference.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _It was nearing dawn on the eastern Continent of Estrella, and high above in the stratosphere, in its spaceship, the strange being that had been studying this planet so carefully, suddenly stiffened to closer attention.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Its mind had just contacted a group of beings below whose minds were of a far different texture--finer, somehow--than those of the natives of this world.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But the thought-processes of these newcomers, in many cases, were almost incomprehensible to the alien._ _What were they?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The language was different, too, which did not make so much difference.
belonging to which person
From this reading Its mind had just contacted a group of beings below whose minds were of a far different texture--finer, somehow--than those of the natives of this world.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Its mind had just contacted a group of beings below whose minds were of a far different texture--finer, somehow--than those of the natives of this world.
