1958
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This etext was produced from If Worlds of Science Fiction February 1958.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading After all, no one shoots Santa Claus!_ The rifle lay comfortably in his hands, a gleaming precision instrument that exuded a faint odor of gun oil and powder solvent.
accuracynounUS /ˈækjərəsi/
the quality of being near to the true value
From this reading It was a perfect specimen of the gunsmith's art, a semi-automatic rifle with a telescopic sight--a precisely engineered tool that could hurl death with pinpoint accuracy for better than half a mile.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After all, no one shoots Santa Claus!_ The rifle lay comfortably in his hands, a gleaming precision instrument that exuded a faint odor of gun oil and powder solvent.
aliensnounUS /ˈeɪliənz/
plural of “alien” — a person who comes from a foreign country; someone who does not owe allegiance to your country
From this reading _The aliens wooed Earth with gifts, love, patience and peace._ _Who could resist them?
(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 all, no one shoots Santa Claus!_ The rifle lay comfortably in his hands, a gleaming precision instrument that exuded a faint odor of gun oil and powder solvent.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _The aliens wooed Earth with gifts, love, patience and peace._ _Who could resist them?
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.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading It was a perfect specimen of the gunsmith's art, a semi-automatic rifle with a telescopic sight--a precisely engineered tool that could hurl death with pinpoint accuracy for better than half a mile.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading It was a perfect specimen of the gunsmith's art, a semi-automatic rifle with a telescopic sight--a precisely engineered tool that could hurl death with pinpoint accuracy for better than half a mile.
Claus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After all, no one shoots Santa Claus!_ The rifle lay comfortably in his hands, a gleaming precision instrument that exuded a faint odor of gun oil and powder solvent.
comfortablyadverbUS /ˈkʌmfərtəbli/
in mental comfort; without stress
From this reading After all, no one shoots Santa Claus!_ The rifle lay comfortably in his hands, a gleaming precision instrument that exuded a faint odor of gun oil and powder solvent.
copyrightnounUS /ˈkɑːpiraɪt/
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.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading _The aliens wooed Earth with gifts, love, patience and peace._ _Who could resist them?
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading It was a perfect specimen of the gunsmith's art, a semi-automatic rifle with a telescopic sight--a precisely engineered tool that could hurl death with pinpoint accuracy for better than half a mile.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
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.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading _The aliens wooed Earth with gifts, love, patience and peace._ _Who could resist them?
engineeredverbUS /ˌendʒəˈniːrd/
past form of “engineer” — design as an engineer
From this reading It was a perfect specimen of the gunsmith's art, a semi-automatic rifle with a telescopic sight--a precisely engineered tool that could hurl death with pinpoint accuracy for better than half a mile.
etext
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This etext was produced from If Worlds of Science Fiction February 1958.
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.
ExtensiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈstensɪv/
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.
exudedverbUS /ɪɡˈzuːdɪd/
past form of “exude” — release (a liquid) in drops or small quantities
From this reading After all, no one shoots Santa Claus!_ The rifle lay comfortably in his hands, a gleaming precision instrument that exuded a faint odor of gun oil and powder solvent.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading After all, no one shoots Santa Claus!_ The rifle lay comfortably in his hands, a gleaming precision instrument that exuded a faint odor of gun oil and powder solvent.
FebruarynounUS /ˈfebjəweri/
the month following January and preceding March
From this reading This etext was produced from If Worlds of Science Fiction February 1958.
FictionnounUS /ˈfɪkʃən/
a literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact
From this reading This etext was produced from If Worlds of Science Fiction February 1958.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was a perfect specimen of the gunsmith's art, a semi-automatic rifle with a telescopic sight--a precisely engineered tool that could hurl death with pinpoint accuracy for better than half a mile.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading This etext was produced from If Worlds of Science Fiction February 1958.
plural of “gift” — something acquired without compensation
From this reading _The aliens wooed Earth with gifts, love, patience and peace._ _Who could resist them?
gleamingnounUS /ˈɡliːmɪŋ/
a flash of light (especially reflected light)
From this reading After all, no one shoots Santa Claus!_ The rifle lay comfortably in his hands, a gleaming precision instrument that exuded a faint odor of gun oil and powder solvent.
a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading After all, no one shoots Santa Claus!_ The rifle lay comfortably in his hands, a gleaming precision instrument that exuded a faint odor of gun oil and powder solvent.
gunsmith's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a perfect specimen of the gunsmith's art, a semi-automatic rifle with a telescopic sight--a precisely engineered tool that could hurl death with pinpoint accuracy for better than half a mile.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading It was a perfect specimen of the gunsmith's art, a semi-automatic rifle with a telescopic sight--a precisely engineered tool that could hurl death with pinpoint accuracy for better than half a mile.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading After all, no one shoots Santa Claus!_ The rifle lay comfortably in his hands, a gleaming precision instrument that exuded a faint odor of gun oil and powder solvent.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading After all, no one shoots Santa Claus!_ The rifle lay comfortably in his hands, a gleaming precision instrument that exuded a faint odor of gun oil and powder solvent.
hurlverbUS /hɜːrl/
throw forcefully
From this reading It was a perfect specimen of the gunsmith's art, a semi-automatic rifle with a telescopic sight--a precisely engineered tool that could hurl death with pinpoint accuracy for better than half a mile.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading This etext was produced from If Worlds of Science Fiction February 1958.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading After all, no one shoots Santa Claus!_ The rifle lay comfortably in his hands, a gleaming precision instrument that exuded a faint odor of gun oil and powder solvent.
instrumentnounUS /ˈɪnstrəmənt/
a device that requires skill for proper use
From this reading After all, no one shoots Santa Claus!_ The rifle lay comfortably in his hands, a gleaming precision instrument that exuded a faint odor of gun oil and powder solvent.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a perfect specimen of the gunsmith's art, a semi-automatic rifle with a telescopic sight--a precisely engineered tool that could hurl death with pinpoint accuracy for better than half a mile.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading After all, no one shoots Santa Claus!_ The rifle lay comfortably in his hands, a gleaming precision instrument that exuded a faint odor of gun oil and powder solvent.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading _The aliens wooed Earth with gifts, love, patience and peace._ _Who could resist them?
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading It was a perfect specimen of the gunsmith's art, a semi-automatic rifle with a telescopic sight--a precisely engineered tool that could hurl death with pinpoint accuracy for better than half a mile.
not any; not one
From this reading After all, no one shoots Santa Claus!_ The rifle lay comfortably in his hands, a gleaming precision instrument that exuded a faint odor of gun oil and powder solvent.
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.
odornounUS /ˈoʊdər/
any property detected by the olfactory system
From this reading After all, no one shoots Santa Claus!_ The rifle lay comfortably in his hands, a gleaming precision instrument that exuded a faint odor of gun oil and powder solvent.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This etext was produced from If Worlds of Science Fiction February 1958.
oilnounUS /ɔɪl/
A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.
From this reading After all, no one shoots Santa Claus!_ The rifle lay comfortably in his hands, a gleaming precision instrument that exuded a faint odor of gun oil and powder solvent.
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.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading After all, no one shoots Santa Claus!_ The rifle lay comfortably in his hands, a gleaming precision instrument that exuded a faint odor of gun oil and powder solvent.
good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence
From this reading _The aliens wooed Earth with gifts, love, patience and peace._ _Who could resist them?
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading _The aliens wooed Earth with gifts, love, patience and peace._ _Who could resist them?
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading It was a perfect specimen of the gunsmith's art, a semi-automatic rifle with a telescopic sight--a precisely engineered tool that could hurl death with pinpoint accuracy for better than half a mile.
pinpointnounUS /ˈpɪnpɔɪnt/
a very brief moment
From this reading It was a perfect specimen of the gunsmith's art, a semi-automatic rifle with a telescopic sight--a precisely engineered tool that could hurl death with pinpoint accuracy for better than half a mile.
powdernounUS /ˈpaʊdər/
a solid substance in the form of tiny loose particles; a solid that has been pulverized
From this reading After all, no one shoots Santa Claus!_ The rifle lay comfortably in his hands, a gleaming precision instrument that exuded a faint odor of gun oil and powder solvent.
preciselyadverbUS /prɪˈsaɪsli/
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading It was a perfect specimen of the gunsmith's art, a semi-automatic rifle with a telescopic sight--a precisely engineered tool that could hurl death with pinpoint accuracy for better than half a mile.
precisionnounUS /priˈsɪʒən/
the quality of being reproducible in amount or performance
From this reading After all, no one shoots Santa Claus!_ The rifle lay comfortably in his hands, a gleaming precision instrument that exuded a faint odor of gun oil and powder solvent.
past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield
From this reading This etext was produced from If Worlds of Science Fiction February 1958.
publicationnounUS /ˌpʌblɪˈkeɪʃən/
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.
renewedadjectiveUS /rɪˈnuːd/
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.
researchnounUS /riˈsɜːrtʃ/
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.
elude, especially in a baffling way
From this reading _The aliens wooed Earth with gifts, love, patience and peace._ _Who could resist them?
steal goods; take as spoils
From this reading After all, no one shoots Santa Claus!_ The rifle lay comfortably in his hands, a gleaming precision instrument that exuded a faint odor of gun oil and powder solvent.
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.
SantanounUS /ˈsæntə/
the legendary patron saint of children; an imaginary being who is thought to bring presents to children at Christmas
From this reading After all, no one shoots Santa Claus!_ The rifle lay comfortably in his hands, a gleaming precision instrument that exuded a faint odor of gun oil and powder solvent.
a particular branch of scientific knowledge
From this reading This etext was produced from If Worlds of Science Fiction February 1958.
semi-automatic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a perfect specimen of the gunsmith's art, a semi-automatic rifle with a telescopic sight--a precisely engineered tool that could hurl death with pinpoint accuracy for better than half a mile.
shootsnounUS /ʃuːts/
plural of “shoot” — a new branch
From this reading After all, no one shoots Santa Claus!_ The rifle lay comfortably in his hands, a gleaming precision instrument that exuded a faint odor of gun oil and powder solvent.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading It was a perfect specimen of the gunsmith's art, a semi-automatic rifle with a telescopic sight--a precisely engineered tool that could hurl death with pinpoint accuracy for better than half a mile.
solventnounUS /ˈsɑːlvənt/
a liquid substance capable of dissolving other substances
From this reading After all, no one shoots Santa Claus!_ The rifle lay comfortably in his hands, a gleaming precision instrument that exuded a faint odor of gun oil and powder solvent.
specimennounUS /ˈspesəmən/
an example regarded as typical of its class
From this reading It was a perfect specimen of the gunsmith's art, a semi-automatic rifle with a telescopic sight--a precisely engineered tool that could hurl death with pinpoint accuracy for better than half a mile.
telescopicadjectiveUS /ˌteləˈskɔːpɪk/
visible only with a telescope
From this reading It was a perfect specimen of the gunsmith's art, a semi-automatic rifle with a telescopic sight--a precisely engineered tool that could hurl death with pinpoint accuracy for better than half a mile.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It was a perfect specimen of the gunsmith's art, a semi-automatic rifle with a telescopic sight--a precisely engineered tool that could hurl death with pinpoint accuracy for better than half a mile.
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.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading _The aliens wooed Earth with gifts, love, patience and peace._ _Who could resist them?
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This etext was produced from If Worlds of Science Fiction February 1958.
toolnounUS /tuːl/
an implement used in the practice of a vocation
From this reading It was a perfect specimen of the gunsmith's art, a semi-automatic rifle with a telescopic sight--a precisely engineered tool that could hurl death with pinpoint accuracy for better than half a mile.
UnounUS /juː/
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.
uncoververbUS /ənˈkʌvər/
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.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This etext was produced from If Worlds of Science Fiction February 1958.
which person or people
From this reading _The aliens wooed Earth with gifts, love, patience and peace._ _Who could resist them?
in the company of; together with
From this reading _The aliens wooed Earth with gifts, love, patience and peace._ _Who could resist them?
wooedverbUS /wuːd/
past form of “woo” — seek someone's favor
From this reading _The aliens wooed Earth with gifts, love, patience and peace._ _Who could resist them?
WorldsnounUS /wɜːrldz/
plural of “world” — everything that exists anywhere
From this reading This etext was produced from If Worlds of Science Fiction February 1958.
