Chapter I · Chapter 1

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

farther along in physical or mental development

From this reading As they advanced, their heads swung lazily from side to side, very much like snakes, gobbling the yellow grain.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading In their throats, it was threshed, the chaff bundled and burped aside for pickup by the crawl trucks of a chemical corporation, the kernels quick-dried and blown along into the mighty chests of the machines.

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

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

having life or vigor or spirit

From this reading The walking mills resembled fat metal serpents, rather larger than those Chinese paper dragons animated by files of men in procession.

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

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

on or to one side

From this reading In their throats, it was threshed, the chaff bundled and burped aside for pickup by the crawl trucks of a chemical corporation, the kernels quick-dried and blown along into the mighty chests of the machines.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

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

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

being moved or acted upon by moving air or vapor

From this reading In their throats, it was threshed, the chaff bundled and burped aside for pickup by the crawl trucks of a chemical corporation, the kernels quick-dried and blown along into the mighty chests of the machines.

past form of “bundle” — make into a bundle

From this reading In their throats, it was threshed, the chaff bundled and burped aside for pickup by the crawl trucks of a chemical corporation, the kernels quick-dried and blown along into the mighty chests of the machines.

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

From this reading In their throats, it was threshed, the chaff bundled and burped aside for pickup by the crawl trucks of a chemical corporation, the kernels quick-dried and blown along into the mighty chests of the machines.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The walking mills resembled fat metal serpents, rather larger than those Chinese paper dragons animated by files of men in procession.

chiefly nocturnal predacious arthropod having a flattened body of 15 to 173 segments each with a pair of legs, the foremost pair being modified as prehensors

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

be silly or tease one another

From this reading In their throats, it was threshed, the chaff bundled and burped aside for pickup by the crawl trucks of a chemical corporation, the kernels quick-dried and blown along into the mighty chests of the machines.

relating to or used in chemistry

From this reading In their throats, it was threshed, the chaff bundled and burped aside for pickup by the crawl trucks of a chemical corporation, the kernels quick-dried and blown along into the mighty chests of the machines.

plural of “chest” — the part of the human torso between the neck and the diaphragm or the corresponding part in other vertebrates

From this reading In their throats, it was threshed, the chaff bundled and burped aside for pickup by the crawl trucks of a chemical corporation, the kernels quick-dried and blown along into the mighty chests of the machines.

any of the Sino-Tibetan languages spoken in China; regarded as dialects of a single language (even though they are mutually unintelligible) because they share an ideographic writing system

From this reading The walking mills resembled fat metal serpents, rather larger than those Chinese paper dragons animated by files of men in procession.

a business firm whose articles of incorporation have been approved in some state

From this reading In their throats, it was threshed, the chaff bundled and burped aside for pickup by the crawl trucks of a chemical corporation, the kernels quick-dried and blown along into the mighty chests of the machines.

move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground

From this reading In their throats, it was threshed, the chaff bundled and burped aside for pickup by the crawl trucks of a chemical corporation, the kernels quick-dried and blown along into the mighty chests of the machines.

dwell on with satisfaction

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

past form of “dawn” — become clear or enter one's consciousness or emotions

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

in a delicate manner

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

an inclination or desire; used in the plural in the phrase “left to your own devices”

From this reading Sensory robot devices in their noses informed them that the waiting wheat had reached ripe perfection.

in a disturbing or embarrassing manner

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

plural of “dragon” — a creature of Teutonic mythology; usually represented as breathing fire and having a reptilian body and sometimes wings

From this reading The walking mills resembled fat metal serpents, rather larger than those Chinese paper dragons animated by files of men in procession.

take in solid food

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

having an (over)abundance of flesh

From this reading The walking mills resembled fat metal serpents, rather larger than those Chinese paper dragons animated by files of men in procession.

United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

plural of “file” — a set of related records (either written or electronic) kept together

From this reading The walking mills resembled fat metal serpents, rather larger than those Chinese paper dragons animated by files of men in procession.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In their throats, it was threshed, the chaff bundled and burped aside for pickup by the crawl trucks of a chemical corporation, the kernels quick-dried and blown along into the mighty chests of the machines.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading As they advanced, their heads swung lazily from side to side, very much like snakes, gobbling the yellow grain.

yet to be or coming

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

-ing form of “gobble” — eat hastily without proper chewing

From this reading As they advanced, their heads swung lazily from side to side, very much like snakes, gobbling the yellow grain.

a relatively small granular particle of a substance

From this reading As they advanced, their heads swung lazily from side to side, very much like snakes, gobbling the yellow grain.

past form of “guarantee” — give surety or assume responsibility

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

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

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading As they advanced, their heads swung lazily from side to side, very much like snakes, gobbling the yellow grain.

used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

having much knowledge or education

From this reading Sensory robot devices in their noses informed them that the waiting wheat had reached ripe perfection.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading In their throats, it was threshed, the chaff bundled and burped aside for pickup by the crawl trucks of a chemical corporation, the kernels quick-dried and blown along into the mighty chests of the machines.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading In their throats, it was threshed, the chaff bundled and burped aside for pickup by the crawl trucks of a chemical corporation, the kernels quick-dried and blown along into the mighty chests of the machines.

a state in midwestern United States

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

plural of “kernel” — the inner and usually edible part of a seed or grain or nut or fruit stone

From this reading In their throats, it was threshed, the chaff bundled and burped aside for pickup by the crawl trucks of a chemical corporation, the kernels quick-dried and blown along into the mighty chests of the machines.

large or big relative to something else

From this reading The walking mills resembled fat metal serpents, rather larger than those Chinese paper dragons animated by files of men in procession.

in a slow and lazy manner

From this reading As they advanced, their heads swung lazily from side to side, very much like snakes, gobbling the yellow grain.

staying power

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading As they advanced, their heads swung lazily from side to side, very much like snakes, gobbling the yellow grain.

a shaped mass of baked bread that is usually sliced before eating

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

plural of “machine” — any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks

From this reading In their throats, it was threshed, the chaff bundled and burped aside for pickup by the crawl trucks of a chemical corporation, the kernels quick-dried and blown along into the mighty chests of the machines.

all of the living human inhabitants of the earth

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

the force of workers available

From this reading The walking mills resembled fat metal serpents, rather larger than those Chinese paper dragons animated by files of men in procession.

any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids that conduct heat or electricity and can be formed into sheets etc.

From this reading The walking mills resembled fat metal serpents, rather larger than those Chinese paper dragons animated by files of men in procession.

having or showing great strength or force or intensity

From this reading In their throats, it was threshed, the chaff bundled and burped aside for pickup by the crawl trucks of a chemical corporation, the kernels quick-dried and blown along into the mighty chests of the machines.

United States architect who was the presidentially appointed architect of Washington D.C. (1781-1855)

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

a major North American river and the chief river of the United States; rises in northern Minnesota and flows southward into the Gulf of Mexico

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading As they advanced, their heads swung lazily from side to side, very much like snakes, gobbling the yellow grain.

plural of “nose” — the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals

From this reading Sensory robot devices in their noses informed them that the waiting wheat had reached ripe perfection.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

the state of being in effect or being operative

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses

From this reading The walking mills resembled fat metal serpents, rather larger than those Chinese paper dragons animated by files of men in procession.

the state of being without a flaw or defect

From this reading Sensory robot devices in their noses informed them that the waiting wheat had reached ripe perfection.

a light truck with an open body and low sides and a tailboard

From this reading In their throats, it was threshed, the chaff bundled and burped aside for pickup by the crawl trucks of a chemical corporation, the kernels quick-dried and blown along into the mighty chests of the machines.

(theology) the origination of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost

From this reading The walking mills resembled fat metal serpents, rather larger than those Chinese paper dragons animated by files of men in procession.

plural of “product” — commodities offered for sale

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

being puffed out; used of hair style or clothing

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

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

From this reading In their throats, it was threshed, the chaff bundled and burped aside for pickup by the crawl trucks of a chemical corporation, the kernels quick-dried and blown along into the mighty chests of the machines.

on the contrary

From this reading The walking mills resembled fat metal serpents, rather larger than those Chinese paper dragons animated by files of men in procession.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading Sensory robot devices in their noses informed them that the waiting wheat had reached ripe perfection.

past form of “resemble” — appear like; be similar or bear a likeness to

From this reading The walking mills resembled fat metal serpents, rather larger than those Chinese paper dragons animated by files of men in procession.

fully developed or matured and ready to be eaten or used

From this reading Sensory robot devices in their noses informed them that the waiting wheat had reached ripe perfection.

a mechanism that can move automatically

From this reading Sensory robot devices in their noses informed them that the waiting wheat had reached ripe perfection.

of a nerve fiber or impulse originating outside and passing toward the central nervous system

From this reading Sensory robot devices in their noses informed them that the waiting wheat had reached ripe perfection.

plural of “serpent” — limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous

From this reading The walking mills resembled fat metal serpents, rather larger than those Chinese paper dragons animated by files of men in procession.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading As they advanced, their heads swung lazily from side to side, very much like snakes, gobbling the yellow grain.

plural of “snake” — limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous

From this reading As they advanced, their heads swung lazily from side to side, very much like snakes, gobbling the yellow grain.

a transient variation in voltage or current

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

(of growing vegetation) having just emerged from the ground

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

personnel who assist their superior in carrying out an assigned task

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting

From this reading As they advanced, their heads swung lazily from side to side, very much like snakes, gobbling the yellow grain.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The walking mills resembled fat metal serpents, rather larger than those Chinese paper dragons animated by files of men in procession.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Sensory robot devices in their noses informed them that the waiting wheat had reached ripe perfection.

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

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Sensory robot devices in their noses informed them that the waiting wheat had reached ripe perfection.

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

From this reading As they advanced, their heads swung lazily from side to side, very much like snakes, gobbling the yellow grain.

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

From this reading The walking mills resembled fat metal serpents, rather larger than those Chinese paper dragons animated by files of men in procession.

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

From this reading In their throats, it was threshed, the chaff bundled and burped aside for pickup by the crawl trucks of a chemical corporation, the kernels quick-dried and blown along into the mighty chests of the machines.

plural of “throat” — the passage to the stomach and lungs; in the front part of the neck below the chin and above the collarbone

From this reading In their throats, it was threshed, the chaff bundled and burped aside for pickup by the crawl trucks of a chemical corporation, the kernels quick-dried and blown along into the mighty chests of the machines.

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

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

put down or press the foot, place the foot

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

plural of “truck” — an automotive vehicle suitable for hauling

From this reading In their throats, it was threshed, the chaff bundled and burped aside for pickup by the crawl trucks of a chemical corporation, the kernels quick-dried and blown along into the mighty chests of the machines.

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

precisely as stated

From this reading As they advanced, their heads swung lazily from side to side, very much like snakes, gobbling the yellow grain.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading Sensory robot devices in their noses informed them that the waiting wheat had reached ripe perfection.

close enough to be walked to

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

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

From this reading In their throats, it was threshed, the chaff bundled and burped aside for pickup by the crawl trucks of a chemical corporation, the kernels quick-dried and blown along into the mighty chests of the machines.

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

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

annual or biennial grass having erect flower spikes and light brown grains

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

a means of flight or ascent

From this reading _The Staff of Life suddenly and disconcertingly sprouted wings --and mankind had to eat crow!_ As a blisteringly hot but guaranteed weather-controlled future summer day dawned on the Mississippi Valley, the walking mills of Puffy Products ("Spike to Loaf in One Operation!") began to tread delicately on their centipede legs across the wheat fields of Kansas.

of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk

From this reading As they advanced, their heads swung lazily from side to side, very much like snakes, gobbling the yellow grain.