Chapter IX

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

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

later than; following

From this reading As it was, they were knocked off their feet time after time, were flung headlong to pick themselves up bruised and shaken.

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

From this reading The saucers came in very low, over the heads of the scurrying men, and the rays that lanced out of their bellies were phosphorescing yellow-green.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

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

From this reading As it was, they were knocked off their feet time after time, were flung headlong to pick themselves up bruised and shaken.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

of or relating to or comprising atoms

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

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

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

plural of “belly” — the region of the body of a vertebrate between the thorax and the pelvis

From this reading The saucers came in very low, over the heads of the scurrying men, and the rays that lanced out of their bellies were phosphorescing yellow-green.

past form of “bruise” — injure the underlying soft tissue or bone of

From this reading As it was, they were knocked off their feet time after time, were flung headlong to pick themselves up bruised and shaken.

United States comedian and film actor (1896-1996)

From this reading But close as the rays came, the men suffered neither concussion nor burns.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading They did get free of the town, but only just in time.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading The saucers came in very low, over the heads of the scurrying men, and the rays that lanced out of their bellies were phosphorescing yellow-green.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading But close as the rays came, the men suffered neither concussion nor burns.

injury to the brain caused by a blow; usually resulting in loss of consciousness

From this reading But close as the rays came, the men suffered neither concussion nor burns.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

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

From this reading They did get free of the town, but only just in time.

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

serving to explode or characterized by explosion or sudden outburst

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading As it was, they were knocked off their feet time after time, were flung headlong to pick themselves up bruised and shaken.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

-ing form of “flee” — run away quickly

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness

From this reading As it was, they were knocked off their feet time after time, were flung headlong to pick themselves up bruised and shaken.

grant freedom to; free from confinement

From this reading They did get free of the town, but only just in time.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading They did get free of the town, but only just in time.

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

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

with the head foremost

From this reading As it was, they were knocked off their feet time after time, were flung headlong to pick themselves up bruised and shaken.

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 The saucers came in very low, over the heads of the scurrying men, and the rays that lanced out of their bellies were phosphorescing yellow-green.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

all of the living human inhabitants of the earth

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

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

From this reading They did get free of the town, but only just in time.

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading As it was, they were knocked off their feet time after time, were flung headlong to pick themselves up bruised and shaken.

an athletic competition in which a javelin is thrown as far as possible

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

and nothing more

From this reading They did get free of the town, but only just in time.

past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push

From this reading As it was, they were knocked off their feet time after time, were flung headlong to pick themselves up bruised and shaken.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

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

From this reading The saucers came in very low, over the heads of the scurrying men, and the rays that lanced out of their bellies were phosphorescing yellow-green.

changing the ground level to a smooth horizontal or gently sloping surface

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The saucers came in very low, over the heads of the scurrying men, and the rays that lanced out of their bellies were phosphorescing yellow-green.

the force of workers available

From this reading The saucers came in very low, over the heads of the scurrying men, and the rays that lanced out of their bellies were phosphorescing yellow-green.

of or relating to the study of the principles of warfare

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

not one and not the other of two

From this reading But close as the rays came, the men suffered neither concussion nor burns.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading But close as the rays came, the men suffered neither concussion nor burns.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading They did get free of the town, but only just in time.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading As it was, they were knocked off their feet time after time, were flung headlong to pick themselves up bruised and shaken.

and nothing more

From this reading They did get free of the town, but only just in time.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The saucers came in very low, over the heads of the scurrying men, and the rays that lanced out of their bellies were phosphorescing yellow-green.

above and across; more than

From this reading The saucers came in very low, over the heads of the scurrying men, and the rays that lanced out of their bellies were phosphorescing yellow-green.

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

From this reading The saucers came in very low, over the heads of the scurrying men, and the rays that lanced out of their bellies were phosphorescing yellow-green.

select carefully from a group

From this reading As it was, they were knocked off their feet time after time, were flung headlong to pick themselves up bruised and shaken.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

a weapon that is forcibly thrown or projected at a targets but is not self-propelled

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

plural of “ray” — a column of light (as from a beacon)

From this reading The saucers came in very low, over the heads of the scurrying men, and the rays that lanced out of their bellies were phosphorescing yellow-green.

a deep prolonged loud noise

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

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

From this reading The saucers came in very low, over the heads of the scurrying men, and the rays that lanced out of their bellies were phosphorescing yellow-green.

moving with great haste

From this reading The saucers came in very low, over the heads of the scurrying men, and the rays that lanced out of their bellies were phosphorescing yellow-green.

disturbed psychologically as if by a physical jolt or shock

From this reading As it was, they were knocked off their feet time after time, were flung headlong to pick themselves up bruised and shaken.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

not in physical motion

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

past form of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to

From this reading But close as the rays came, the men suffered neither concussion nor burns.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The saucers came in very low, over the heads of the scurrying men, and the rays that lanced out of their bellies were phosphorescing yellow-green.

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

From this reading They did get free of the town, but only just in time.

a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The saucers came in very low, over the heads of the scurrying men, and the rays that lanced out of their bellies were phosphorescing yellow-green.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading As it was, they were knocked off their feet time after time, were flung headlong to pick themselves up bruised and shaken.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

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

From this reading They did get free of the town, but only just in time.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading They did get free of the town, but only just in time.

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

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

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

From this reading They did get free of the town, but only just in time.

a just detectable amount

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

a line or route along which something travels or moves

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

plural of “track” — a line or route along which something travels or moves

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

up to a particular time

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading As it was, they were knocked off their feet time after time, were flung headlong to pick themselves up bruised and shaken.

precisely as stated

From this reading The saucers came in very low, over the heads of the scurrying men, and the rays that lanced out of their bellies were phosphorescing yellow-green.

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

From this reading As it was, they were knocked off their feet time after time, were flung headlong to pick themselves up bruised and shaken.

plural of “weapon” — any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The saucers came in very low, over the heads of the scurrying men, and the rays that lanced out of their bellies were phosphorescing yellow-green.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading They struck first at the theater, from which until that instant Trace could still hear the roaring of the sound track; then they began leveling the place from end to end, and if their weapons had been atomic, explosive, or any other known military projectile short of a javelin, then the fleeing humans would have died in their tracks.

of a color midway between yellow and green

From this reading The saucers came in very low, over the heads of the scurrying men, and the rays that lanced out of their bellies were phosphorescing yellow-green.