Chapter V

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

From this reading They lay on the crest of a hill.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading It had not been blasted by the saucers, but Trace's people did not run down the slope toward it, because along that plain from horizon to horizon rested a line of the great green spacecraft; and the moving figures, there was little doubt, had olive skin and horny bird-feet and a single eye apiece.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading A thousand yards from the base of the hill was a small town, with figures moving among the houses.

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

From this reading It had not been blasted by the saucers, but Trace's people did not run down the slope toward it, because along that plain from horizon to horizon rested a line of the great green spacecraft; and the moving figures, there was little doubt, had olive skin and horny bird-feet and a single eye apiece.

to or from every one of two or more (considered individually)

From this reading It had not been blasted by the saucers, but Trace's people did not run down the slope toward it, because along that plain from horizon to horizon rested a line of the great green spacecraft; and the moving figures, there was little doubt, had olive skin and horny bird-feet and a single eye apiece.

installation from which a military force initiates operations

From this reading A thousand yards from the base of the hill was a small town, with figures moving among the houses.

for the reason that

From this reading It had not been blasted by the saucers, but Trace's people did not run down the slope toward it, because along that plain from horizon to horizon rested a line of the great green spacecraft; and the moving figures, there was little doubt, had olive skin and horny bird-feet and a single eye apiece.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It had not been blasted by the saucers, but Trace's people did not run down the slope toward it, because along that plain from horizon to horizon rested a line of the great green spacecraft; and the moving figures, there was little doubt, had olive skin and horny bird-feet and a single eye apiece.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Before them was a rolling plain spotted with patches of old snow.

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

From this reading It had not been blasted by the saucers, but Trace's people did not run down the slope toward it, because along that plain from horizon to horizon rested a line of the great green spacecraft; and the moving figures, there was little doubt, had olive skin and horny bird-feet and a single eye apiece.

expletives used informally as intensifiers

From this reading It had not been blasted by the saucers, but Trace's people did not run down the slope toward it, because along that plain from horizon to horizon rested a line of the great green spacecraft; and the moving figures, there was little doubt, had olive skin and horny bird-feet and a single eye apiece.

uttered without voice

From this reading "Reconnoiter," breathed Trace.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It had not been blasted by the saucers, but Trace's people did not run down the slope toward it, because along that plain from horizon to horizon rested a line of the great green spacecraft; and the moving figures, there was little doubt, had olive skin and horny bird-feet and a single eye apiece.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It had not been blasted by the saucers, but Trace's people did not run down the slope toward it, because along that plain from horizon to horizon rested a line of the great green spacecraft; and the moving figures, there was little doubt, had olive skin and horny bird-feet and a single eye apiece.

the top line of a hill, mountain, or wave

From this reading They lay on the crest of a hill.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading It had not been blasted by the saucers, but Trace's people did not run down the slope toward it, because along that plain from horizon to horizon rested a line of the great green spacecraft; and the moving figures, there was little doubt, had olive skin and horny bird-feet and a single eye apiece.

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading It had not been blasted by the saucers, but Trace's people did not run down the slope toward it, because along that plain from horizon to horizon rested a line of the great green spacecraft; and the moving figures, there was little doubt, had olive skin and horny bird-feet and a single eye apiece.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading It had not been blasted by the saucers, but Trace's people did not run down the slope toward it, because along that plain from horizon to horizon rested a line of the great green spacecraft; and the moving figures, there was little doubt, had olive skin and horny bird-feet and a single eye apiece.

the organ of sight

From this reading It had not been blasted by the saucers, but Trace's people did not run down the slope toward it, because along that plain from horizon to horizon rested a line of the great green spacecraft; and the moving figures, there was little doubt, had olive skin and horny bird-feet and a single eye apiece.

plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading A thousand yards from the base of the hill was a small town, with figures moving among the houses.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A thousand yards from the base of the hill was a small town, with figures moving among the houses.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading It had not been blasted by the saucers, but Trace's people did not run down the slope toward it, because along that plain from horizon to horizon rested a line of the great green spacecraft; and the moving figures, there was little doubt, had olive skin and horny bird-feet and a single eye apiece.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading It had not been blasted by the saucers, but Trace's people did not run down the slope toward it, because along that plain from horizon to horizon rested a line of the great green spacecraft; and the moving figures, there was little doubt, had olive skin and horny bird-feet and a single eye apiece.

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

From this reading It had not been blasted by the saucers, but Trace's people did not run down the slope toward it, because along that plain from horizon to horizon rested a line of the great green spacecraft; and the moving figures, there was little doubt, had olive skin and horny bird-feet and a single eye apiece.

a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading They lay on the crest of a hill.

the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet

From this reading It had not been blasted by the saucers, but Trace's people did not run down the slope toward it, because along that plain from horizon to horizon rested a line of the great green spacecraft; and the moving figures, there was little doubt, had olive skin and horny bird-feet and a single eye apiece.

feeling great sexual desire

From this reading It had not been blasted by the saucers, but Trace's people did not run down the slope toward it, because along that plain from horizon to horizon rested a line of the great green spacecraft; and the moving figures, there was little doubt, had olive skin and horny bird-feet and a single eye apiece.

plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading A thousand yards from the base of the hill was a small town, with figures moving among the houses.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It had not been blasted by the saucers, but Trace's people did not run down the slope toward it, because along that plain from horizon to horizon rested a line of the great green spacecraft; and the moving figures, there was little doubt, had olive skin and horny bird-feet and a single eye apiece.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading They lay on the crest of a hill.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading It had not been blasted by the saucers, but Trace's people did not run down the slope toward it, because along that plain from horizon to horizon rested a line of the great green spacecraft; and the moving figures, there was little doubt, had olive skin and horny bird-feet and a single eye apiece.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading It had not been blasted by the saucers, but Trace's people did not run down the slope toward it, because along that plain from horizon to horizon rested a line of the great green spacecraft; and the moving figures, there was little doubt, had olive skin and horny bird-feet and a single eye apiece.

in motion

From this reading A thousand yards from the base of the hill was a small town, with figures moving among the houses.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It had not been blasted by the saucers, but Trace's people did not run down the slope toward it, because along that plain from horizon to horizon rested a line of the great green spacecraft; and the moving figures, there was little doubt, had olive skin and horny bird-feet and a single eye apiece.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading They lay on the crest of a hill.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Before them was a rolling plain spotted with patches of old snow.

of a yellow-green color similar to that of an unripe olive

From this reading It had not been blasted by the saucers, but Trace's people did not run down the slope toward it, because along that plain from horizon to horizon rested a line of the great green spacecraft; and the moving figures, there was little doubt, had olive skin and horny bird-feet and a single eye apiece.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading They lay on the crest of a hill.

plural of “patch” — a small contrasting part of something

From this reading Before them was a rolling plain spotted with patches of old snow.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading It had not been blasted by the saucers, but Trace's people did not run down the slope toward it, because along that plain from horizon to horizon rested a line of the great green spacecraft; and the moving figures, there was little doubt, had olive skin and horny bird-feet and a single eye apiece.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading Before them was a rolling plain spotted with patches of old snow.

explore, often with the goal of finding something or somebody

From this reading "Reconnoiter," breathed Trace.

not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing

From this reading It had not been blasted by the saucers, but Trace's people did not run down the slope toward it, because along that plain from horizon to horizon rested a line of the great green spacecraft; and the moving figures, there was little doubt, had olive skin and horny bird-feet and a single eye apiece.

uttered with a trill

From this reading Before them was a rolling plain spotted with patches of old snow.

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading It had not been blasted by the saucers, but Trace's people did not run down the slope toward it, because along that plain from horizon to horizon rested a line of the great green spacecraft; and the moving figures, there was little doubt, had olive skin and horny bird-feet and a single eye apiece.

plural of “saucer” — something with a round shape resembling a flat circular plate

From this reading It had not been blasted by the saucers, but Trace's people did not run down the slope toward it, because along that plain from horizon to horizon rested a line of the great green spacecraft; and the moving figures, there was little doubt, had olive skin and horny bird-feet and a single eye apiece.

being or characteristic of a single thing or person

From this reading It had not been blasted by the saucers, but Trace's people did not run down the slope toward it, because along that plain from horizon to horizon rested a line of the great green spacecraft; and the moving figures, there was little doubt, had olive skin and horny bird-feet and a single eye apiece.

a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch

From this reading It had not been blasted by the saucers, but Trace's people did not run down the slope toward it, because along that plain from horizon to horizon rested a line of the great green spacecraft; and the moving figures, there was little doubt, had olive skin and horny bird-feet and a single eye apiece.

an elevated geological formation

From this reading It had not been blasted by the saucers, but Trace's people did not run down the slope toward it, because along that plain from horizon to horizon rested a line of the great green spacecraft; and the moving figures, there was little doubt, had olive skin and horny bird-feet and a single eye apiece.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading A thousand yards from the base of the hill was a small town, with figures moving among the houses.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading Before them was a rolling plain spotted with patches of old snow.

a craft capable of traveling in outer space; technically, a satellite around the sun

From this reading It had not been blasted by the saucers, but Trace's people did not run down the slope toward it, because along that plain from horizon to horizon rested a line of the great green spacecraft; and the moving figures, there was little doubt, had olive skin and horny bird-feet and a single eye apiece.

having spots or patches (small areas of contrasting color or texture)

From this reading Before them was a rolling plain spotted with patches of old snow.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It had not been blasted by the saucers, but Trace's people did not run down the slope toward it, because along that plain from horizon to horizon rested a line of the great green spacecraft; and the moving figures, there was little doubt, had olive skin and horny bird-feet and a single eye apiece.

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

From this reading They lay on the crest of a hill.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Before them was a rolling plain spotted with patches of old snow.

in or at that place or location

From this reading It had not been blasted by the saucers, but Trace's people did not run down the slope toward it, because along that plain from horizon to horizon rested a line of the great green spacecraft; and the moving figures, there was little doubt, had olive skin and horny bird-feet and a single eye apiece.

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

From this reading They lay on the crest of a hill.

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading A thousand yards from the base of the hill was a small town, with figures moving among the houses.

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

From this reading It had not been blasted by the saucers, but Trace's people did not run down the slope toward it, because along that plain from horizon to horizon rested a line of the great green spacecraft; and the moving figures, there was little doubt, had olive skin and horny bird-feet and a single eye apiece.

in the direction of

From this reading It had not been blasted by the saucers, but Trace's people did not run down the slope toward it, because along that plain from horizon to horizon rested a line of the great green spacecraft; and the moving figures, there was little doubt, had olive skin and horny bird-feet and a single eye apiece.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading A thousand yards from the base of the hill was a small town, with figures moving among the houses.

a just detectable amount

From this reading "Reconnoiter," breathed Trace.

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

From this reading It had not been blasted by the saucers, but Trace's people did not run down the slope toward it, because along that plain from horizon to horizon rested a line of the great green spacecraft; and the moving figures, there was little doubt, had olive skin and horny bird-feet and a single eye apiece.

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

From this reading Before them was a rolling plain spotted with patches of old snow.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Before them was a rolling plain spotted with patches of old snow.

plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride

From this reading A thousand yards from the base of the hill was a small town, with figures moving among the houses.