used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A dozen vacuum tubes lighted, and a murmur of throbbing energy came from a helix of shining metallic ribbon that topped the whole.
adjustingverbUS /əˈdʒʌstɪŋ/
-ing form of “adjust” — alter or regulate so as to achieve accuracy or conform to a standard
From this reading _Rapaju_ Detis was setting up and adjusting the complicated mechanisms of his little black case.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _Rapaju_ Detis was setting up and adjusting the complicated mechanisms of his little black case.
apparatusnounUS /ˌæpərˈætəs/
equipment designed to serve a specific function
From this reading "The psycho-ray apparatus."
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading _Rapaju_ Detis was setting up and adjusting the complicated mechanisms of his little black case.
cablesnounUS /ˈkeɪbəlz/
plural of “cable” — a telegram sent abroad
From this reading Flexible cables led to a cap-like contrivance which Detis placed on his head.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading A dozen vacuum tubes lighted, and a murmur of throbbing energy came from a helix of shining metallic ribbon that topped the whole.
cap-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Flexible cables led to a cap-like contrivance which Detis placed on his head.
an occurrence of something
From this reading _Rapaju_ Detis was setting up and adjusting the complicated mechanisms of his little black case.
complicatedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmpləkeɪtəd/
difficult to analyze or understand
From this reading _Rapaju_ Detis was setting up and adjusting the complicated mechanisms of his little black case.
concentrationnounUS /ˌkɑːnsənˈtreɪʃən/
the strength of a solution; number of molecules of a substance in a given volume
From this reading He frowned in concentration.
contrivancenounUS /kənˈtraɪvəns/
a device or control that is very useful for a particular job
From this reading Flexible cables led to a cap-like contrivance which Detis placed on his head.
Detis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Rapaju_ Detis was setting up and adjusting the complicated mechanisms of his little black case.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading A dozen vacuum tubes lighted, and a murmur of throbbing energy came from a helix of shining metallic ribbon that topped the whole.
(physics) a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs
From this reading A dozen vacuum tubes lighted, and a murmur of throbbing energy came from a helix of shining metallic ribbon that topped the whole.
FlexibleadjectiveUS /ˈfleksəbəl/
capable of being changed
From this reading Flexible cables led to a cap-like contrivance which Detis placed on his head.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A dozen vacuum tubes lighted, and a murmur of throbbing energy came from a helix of shining metallic ribbon that topped the whole.
frownedverbUS /fraʊnd/
past form of “frown” — look angry or sullen, wrinkle one's forehead, as if to signal disapproval
From this reading He frowned in concentration.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He frowned in concentration.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Flexible cables led to a cap-like contrivance which Detis placed on his head.
helixnounUS /ˈhiːlɪks/
a curve that lies on the surface of a cylinder or cone and cuts the element at a constant angle
From this reading A dozen vacuum tubes lighted, and a murmur of throbbing energy came from a helix of shining metallic ribbon that topped the whole.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading _Rapaju_ Detis was setting up and adjusting the complicated mechanisms of his little black case.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He frowned in concentration.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading Flexible cables led to a cap-like contrivance which Detis placed on his head.
set afire or burning
From this reading A dozen vacuum tubes lighted, and a murmur of throbbing energy came from a helix of shining metallic ribbon that topped the whole.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading _Rapaju_ Detis was setting up and adjusting the complicated mechanisms of his little black case.
mechanismsnounUS /ˈmekənɪzəmz/
plural of “mechanism” — the atomic process that occurs during a chemical reaction
From this reading _Rapaju_ Detis was setting up and adjusting the complicated mechanisms of his little black case.
metallicadjectiveUS /məˈtælɪk/
containing or made of or resembling or characteristic of a metal
From this reading A dozen vacuum tubes lighted, and a murmur of throbbing energy came from a helix of shining metallic ribbon that topped the whole.
murmurnounUS /ˈmɜːrmər/
a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading A dozen vacuum tubes lighted, and a murmur of throbbing energy came from a helix of shining metallic ribbon that topped the whole.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _Rapaju_ Detis was setting up and adjusting the complicated mechanisms of his little black case.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Flexible cables led to a cap-like contrivance which Detis placed on his head.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading Flexible cables led to a cap-like contrivance which Detis placed on his head.
psycho-ray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "The psycho-ray apparatus."
Rapaju
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Rapaju_ Detis was setting up and adjusting the complicated mechanisms of his little black case.
ribbonnounUS /ˈrɪbən/
any long object resembling a thin line
From this reading A dozen vacuum tubes lighted, and a murmur of throbbing energy came from a helix of shining metallic ribbon that topped the whole.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading _Rapaju_ Detis was setting up and adjusting the complicated mechanisms of his little black case.
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading A dozen vacuum tubes lighted, and a murmur of throbbing energy came from a helix of shining metallic ribbon that topped the whole.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A dozen vacuum tubes lighted, and a murmur of throbbing energy came from a helix of shining metallic ribbon that topped the whole.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _Rapaju_ Detis was setting up and adjusting the complicated mechanisms of his little black case.
throbbingnounUS /ˈθrɑːbɪŋ/
an instance of rapid strong pulsation (of the heart)
From this reading A dozen vacuum tubes lighted, and a murmur of throbbing energy came from a helix of shining metallic ribbon that topped the whole.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Flexible cables led to a cap-like contrivance which Detis placed on his head.
toppedadjectiveUS /tɑːpt/
having a top of a specified character
From this reading A dozen vacuum tubes lighted, and a murmur of throbbing energy came from a helix of shining metallic ribbon that topped the whole.
tubesnounUS /tuːbz/
plural of “tube” — conduit consisting of a long hollow object (usually cylindrical) used to hold and conduct objects or liquids or gases
From this reading A dozen vacuum tubes lighted, and a murmur of throbbing energy came from a helix of shining metallic ribbon that topped the whole.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading _Rapaju_ Detis was setting up and adjusting the complicated mechanisms of his little black case.
vacuumnounUS /ˈvækjuːm/
the absence of matter
From this reading A dozen vacuum tubes lighted, and a murmur of throbbing energy came from a helix of shining metallic ribbon that topped the whole.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _Rapaju_ Detis was setting up and adjusting the complicated mechanisms of his little black case.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Flexible cables led to a cap-like contrivance which Detis placed on his head.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading A dozen vacuum tubes lighted, and a murmur of throbbing energy came from a helix of shining metallic ribbon that topped the whole.
