used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Out beyond the orbit of the moon there was a huge, wheel-shaped space station.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Its rapid spin pressed the equivalent of one Earth gravity against its broad, thick rim.
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 Near the hub where the gravity was weak, the nine aliens lived; in the two rim compartments lived the mutants.
(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 There were almost a thousand of the latter--both male and female--in the larger compartment; and fewer than thirty--all male--in the smaller one.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading There were almost a thousand of the latter--both male and female--in the larger compartment; and fewer than thirty--all male--in the smaller one.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Once when the distortion field failed, the Mt. Palomar telescope tracked it for the better part of an hour, but earth astronomers attributed the track either to an irregularity in the photographic plate or to some peculiarity in the atmosphere.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There were almost a thousand of the latter--both male and female--in the larger compartment; and fewer than thirty--all male--in the smaller one.
astronomersnounUS /əˈstrɑːnəmərz/
plural of “astronomer” — a physicist who studies astronomy
From this reading Once when the distortion field failed, the Mt. Palomar telescope tracked it for the better part of an hour, but earth astronomers attributed the track either to an irregularity in the photographic plate or to some peculiarity in the atmosphere.
a particular environment or surrounding influence
From this reading Once when the distortion field failed, the Mt. Palomar telescope tracked it for the better part of an hour, but earth astronomers attributed the track either to an irregularity in the photographic plate or to some peculiarity in the atmosphere.
attributedverbUS /əˈtrɪbjətɪd/
past form of “attribute” — attribute or credit to
From this reading Once when the distortion field failed, the Mt. Palomar telescope tracked it for the better part of an hour, but earth astronomers attributed the track either to an irregularity in the photographic plate or to some peculiarity in the atmosphere.
(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 Once when the distortion field failed, the Mt. Palomar telescope tracked it for the better part of an hour, but earth astronomers attributed the track either to an irregularity in the photographic plate or to some peculiarity in the atmosphere.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Out beyond the orbit of the moon there was a huge, wheel-shaped space station.
the two together, not just one
From this reading There were almost a thousand of the latter--both male and female--in the larger compartment; and fewer than thirty--all male--in the smaller one.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Its rapid spin pressed the equivalent of one Earth gravity against its broad, thick rim.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Once when the distortion field failed, the Mt. Palomar telescope tracked it for the better part of an hour, but earth astronomers attributed the track either to an irregularity in the photographic plate or to some peculiarity in the atmosphere.
compartmentnounUS /kəmˈpɑːrtmənt/
a space into which an area is subdivided
From this reading There were almost a thousand of the latter--both male and female--in the larger compartment; and fewer than thirty--all male--in the smaller one.
compartmentsnounUS /kəmˈpɑːrtmənts/
plural of “compartment” — a space into which an area is subdivided
From this reading Near the hub where the gravity was weak, the nine aliens lived; in the two rim compartments lived the mutants.
distortionnounUS /dɪˈstɔːrʃən/
a change for the worse
From this reading Once when the distortion field failed, the Mt. Palomar telescope tracked it for the better part of an hour, but earth astronomers attributed the track either to an irregularity in the photographic plate or to some peculiarity in the atmosphere.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading "Soon, now," the mutants told each other with growing excitement, "we shall go down and kill them."
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading "Soon, now," the mutants told each other with growing excitement, "we shall go down and kill them."
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading Its rapid spin pressed the equivalent of one Earth gravity against its broad, thick rim.
one or the other of two
From this reading Once when the distortion field failed, the Mt. Palomar telescope tracked it for the better part of an hour, but earth astronomers attributed the track either to an irregularity in the photographic plate or to some peculiarity in the atmosphere.
equivalentnounUS /ɪˈkwɪvələnt/
a person or thing equal to another in value or measure or force or effect or significance etc
From this reading Its rapid spin pressed the equivalent of one Earth gravity against its broad, thick rim.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading "Soon, now," the mutants told each other with growing excitement, "we shall go down and kill them."
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading Once when the distortion field failed, the Mt. Palomar telescope tracked it for the better part of an hour, but earth astronomers attributed the track either to an irregularity in the photographic plate or to some peculiarity in the atmosphere.
being the sex (of plant or animal) that produces fertilizable gametes (ova) from which offspring develop
From this reading There were almost a thousand of the latter--both male and female--in the larger compartment; and fewer than thirty--all male--in the smaller one.
feweradjectiveUS /ˈfjuːər/
(comparative of “few” used with count nouns) quantifier meaning a smaller number of
From this reading There were almost a thousand of the latter--both male and female--in the larger compartment; and fewer than thirty--all male--in the smaller one.
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading Once when the distortion field failed, the Mt. Palomar telescope tracked it for the better part of an hour, but earth astronomers attributed the track either to an irregularity in the photographic plate or to some peculiarity in the atmosphere.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Once when the distortion field failed, the Mt. Palomar telescope tracked it for the better part of an hour, but earth astronomers attributed the track either to an irregularity in the photographic plate or to some peculiarity in the atmosphere.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading "The mutants will not get out of hand."
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "Soon, now," the mutants told each other with growing excitement, "we shall go down and kill them."
gravitynounUS /ˈɡrævəti/
(physics) the force of attraction between all masses in the universe; especially the attraction of the earth's mass for bodies near its surface
From this reading Its rapid spin pressed the equivalent of one Earth gravity against its broad, thick rim.
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading "Soon, now," the mutants told each other with growing excitement, "we shall go down and kill them."
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading "The mutants will not get out of hand."
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Once when the distortion field failed, the Mt. Palomar telescope tracked it for the better part of an hour, but earth astronomers attributed the track either to an irregularity in the photographic plate or to some peculiarity in the atmosphere.
hubnounUS /hʌb/
the central part of a car wheel (or fan or propeller etc) through which the shaft or axle passes
From this reading Near the hub where the gravity was weak, the nine aliens lived; in the two rim compartments lived the mutants.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Out beyond the orbit of the moon there was a huge, wheel-shaped space station.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Once when the distortion field failed, the Mt. Palomar telescope tracked it for the better part of an hour, but earth astronomers attributed the track either to an irregularity in the photographic plate or to some peculiarity in the atmosphere.
indoctrinationnounUS /ˌɪndɑːktrəˈneɪʃən/
teaching someone to accept doctrines uncritically
From this reading "Our indoctrination is perfect," they reassured themselves.
irregularitynounUS /ˌɪreɡjəˈlerəti/
behavior that breaches the rule or etiquette or custom or morality
From this reading Once when the distortion field failed, the Mt. Palomar telescope tracked it for the better part of an hour, but earth astronomers attributed the track either to an irregularity in the photographic plate or to some peculiarity in the atmosphere.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Our indoctrination is perfect," they reassured themselves.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Once when the distortion field failed, the Mt. Palomar telescope tracked it for the better part of an hour, but earth astronomers attributed the track either to an irregularity in the photographic plate or to some peculiarity in the atmosphere.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Its rapid spin pressed the equivalent of one Earth gravity against its broad, thick rim.
cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
From this reading "Soon, now," the mutants told each other with growing excitement, "we shall go down and kill them."
large or big relative to something else
From this reading There were almost a thousand of the latter--both male and female--in the larger compartment; and fewer than thirty--all male--in the smaller one.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading There were almost a thousand of the latter--both male and female--in the larger compartment; and fewer than thirty--all male--in the smaller one.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Near the hub where the gravity was weak, the nine aliens lived; in the two rim compartments lived the mutants.
malenounUS /meɪl/
an animal that produces gametes (spermatozoa) that can fertilize female gametes
From this reading There were almost a thousand of the latter--both male and female--in the larger compartment; and fewer than thirty--all male--in the smaller one.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading Out beyond the orbit of the moon there was a huge, wheel-shaped space station.
MtnounUS /maʊnt/
a radioactive transuranic element
From this reading Once when the distortion field failed, the Mt. Palomar telescope tracked it for the better part of an hour, but earth astronomers attributed the track either to an irregularity in the photographic plate or to some peculiarity in the atmosphere.
mutantsnounUS /ˈmjuːtənts/
plural of “mutant” — (biology) an organism that has characteristics resulting from chromosomal alteration
From this reading Near the hub where the gravity was weak, the nine aliens lived; in the two rim compartments lived the mutants.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Near the hub where the gravity was weak, the nine aliens lived; in the two rim compartments lived the mutants.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading Near the hub where the gravity was weak, the nine aliens lived; in the two rim compartments lived the mutants.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "The mutants will not get out of hand."
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading "Soon, now," the mutants told each other with growing excitement, "we shall go down and kill them."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Out beyond the orbit of the moon there was a huge, wheel-shaped space station.
on one occasion
From this reading Once when the distortion field failed, the Mt. Palomar telescope tracked it for the better part of an hour, but earth astronomers attributed the track either to an irregularity in the photographic plate or to some peculiarity in the atmosphere.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Its rapid spin pressed the equivalent of one Earth gravity against its broad, thick rim.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Once when the distortion field failed, the Mt. Palomar telescope tracked it for the better part of an hour, but earth astronomers attributed the track either to an irregularity in the photographic plate or to some peculiarity in the atmosphere.
orbitnounUS /ˈɔːrbət/
the (usually elliptical) path described by one celestial body in its revolution about another
From this reading Out beyond the orbit of the moon there was a huge, wheel-shaped space station.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading "Soon, now," the mutants told each other with growing excitement, "we shall go down and kill them."
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading "Our indoctrination is perfect," they reassured themselves.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Out beyond the orbit of the moon there was a huge, wheel-shaped space station.
Palomar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once when the distortion field failed, the Mt. Palomar telescope tracked it for the better part of an hour, but earth astronomers attributed the track either to an irregularity in the photographic plate or to some peculiarity in the atmosphere.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Once when the distortion field failed, the Mt. Palomar telescope tracked it for the better part of an hour, but earth astronomers attributed the track either to an irregularity in the photographic plate or to some peculiarity in the atmosphere.
peculiaritynounUS /pɪˌkjuːliˈerəti/
an odd or unusual characteristic
From this reading Once when the distortion field failed, the Mt. Palomar telescope tracked it for the better part of an hour, but earth astronomers attributed the track either to an irregularity in the photographic plate or to some peculiarity in the atmosphere.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading "Our indoctrination is perfect," they reassured themselves.
photographicadjectiveUS /ˌfoʊtəˈɡræfɪk/
relating to photography or obtained by using photography
From this reading Once when the distortion field failed, the Mt. Palomar telescope tracked it for the better part of an hour, but earth astronomers attributed the track either to an irregularity in the photographic plate or to some peculiarity in the atmosphere.
(baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score
From this reading Once when the distortion field failed, the Mt. Palomar telescope tracked it for the better part of an hour, but earth astronomers attributed the track either to an irregularity in the photographic plate or to some peculiarity in the atmosphere.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading The aliens stepped up the power in the larger of the two transmitters.
compacted by ironing
From this reading Its rapid spin pressed the equivalent of one Earth gravity against its broad, thick rim.
rapidadjectiveUS /ˈræpəd/
done or occurring in a brief period of time
From this reading Its rapid spin pressed the equivalent of one Earth gravity against its broad, thick rim.
reassuredadjectiveUS /ˌriːəˈʃʊrd/
having confidence restored; freed from anxiety
From this reading "Our indoctrination is perfect," they reassured themselves.
rimnounUS /rɪm/
the shape of a raised edge of a more or less circular object
From this reading Its rapid spin pressed the equivalent of one Earth gravity against its broad, thick rim.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading "Soon, now," the mutants told each other with growing excitement, "we shall go down and kill them."
small or little relative to something else
From this reading There were almost a thousand of the latter--both male and female--in the larger compartment; and fewer than thirty--all male--in the smaller one.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Once when the distortion field failed, the Mt. Palomar telescope tracked it for the better part of an hour, but earth astronomers attributed the track either to an irregularity in the photographic plate or to some peculiarity in the atmosphere.
in the near future
From this reading "Soon, now," the mutants told each other with growing excitement, "we shall go down and kill them."
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading Out beyond the orbit of the moon there was a huge, wheel-shaped space station.
spinverbUS /spɪn/
revolve quickly and repeatedly around one's own axis
From this reading Its rapid spin pressed the equivalent of one Earth gravity against its broad, thick rim.
a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose
From this reading Out beyond the orbit of the moon there was a huge, wheel-shaped space station.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading The aliens stepped up the power in the larger of the two transmitters.
telescopeverbUS /ˈteləskoʊp/
crush together or collapse
From this reading Once when the distortion field failed, the Mt. Palomar telescope tracked it for the better part of an hour, but earth astronomers attributed the track either to an irregularity in the photographic plate or to some peculiarity in the atmosphere.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading There were almost a thousand of the latter--both male and female--in the larger compartment; and fewer than thirty--all male--in the smaller one.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Out beyond the orbit of the moon there was a huge, wheel-shaped space station.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading "Soon, now," the mutants told each other with growing excitement, "we shall go down and kill them."
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading "Our indoctrination is perfect," they reassured themselves.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Out beyond the orbit of the moon there was a huge, wheel-shaped space station.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Our indoctrination is perfect," they reassured themselves.
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading Its rapid spin pressed the equivalent of one Earth gravity against its broad, thick rim.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three
From this reading There were almost a thousand of the latter--both male and female--in the larger compartment; and fewer than thirty--all male--in the smaller one.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading There were almost a thousand of the latter--both male and female--in the larger compartment; and fewer than thirty--all male--in the smaller one.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Once when the distortion field failed, the Mt. Palomar telescope tracked it for the better part of an hour, but earth astronomers attributed the track either to an irregularity in the photographic plate or to some peculiarity in the atmosphere.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading "Soon, now," the mutants told each other with growing excitement, "we shall go down and kill them."
a line or route along which something travels or moves
From this reading Once when the distortion field failed, the Mt. Palomar telescope tracked it for the better part of an hour, but earth astronomers attributed the track either to an irregularity in the photographic plate or to some peculiarity in the atmosphere.
trackedadjectiveUS /trækt/
having tracks
From this reading Once when the distortion field failed, the Mt. Palomar telescope tracked it for the better part of an hour, but earth astronomers attributed the track either to an irregularity in the photographic plate or to some peculiarity in the atmosphere.
transmittersnounUS /trænˈsmɪtərz/
plural of “transmitter” — someone who transmits a message
From this reading The aliens stepped up the power in the larger of the two transmitters.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Near the hub where the gravity was weak, the nine aliens lived; in the two rim compartments lived the mutants.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The aliens stepped up the power in the larger of the two transmitters.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Out beyond the orbit of the moon there was a huge, wheel-shaped space station.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "Soon, now," the mutants told each other with growing excitement, "we shall go down and kill them."
wanting in physical strength
From this reading Near the hub where the gravity was weak, the nine aliens lived; in the two rim compartments lived the mutants.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were almost a thousand of the latter--both male and female--in the larger compartment; and fewer than thirty--all male--in the smaller one.
wheel-shaped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Out beyond the orbit of the moon there was a huge, wheel-shaped space station.
at the time that
From this reading Once when the distortion field failed, the Mt. Palomar telescope tracked it for the better part of an hour, but earth astronomers attributed the track either to an irregularity in the photographic plate or to some peculiarity in the atmosphere.
in or at the place that
From this reading Near the hub where the gravity was weak, the nine aliens lived; in the two rim compartments lived the mutants.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "The mutants will not get out of hand."
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Soon, now," the mutants told each other with growing excitement, "we shall go down and kill them."
