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adeterminerUS /ə/
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.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Its rapid spin pressed the equivalent of one Earth gravity against its broad, thick rim.
aliens
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From this reading Near the hub where the gravity was weak, the nine aliens lived; in the two rim compartments lived the mutants.
all
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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.
almost
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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.
andeterminerUS /æn/
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.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
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.
astronomers
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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.
atmosphere
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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.
attributed
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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.
better
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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.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
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.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
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.
broad
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From this reading Its rapid spin pressed the equivalent of one Earth gravity against its broad, thick rim.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
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.
compartment
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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.
compartments
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From this reading Near the hub where the gravity was weak, the nine aliens lived; in the two rim compartments lived the mutants.
distortion
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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.
Earth
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From this reading Its rapid spin pressed the equivalent of one Earth gravity against its broad, thick rim.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
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.
equivalent
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From this reading Its rapid spin pressed the equivalent of one Earth gravity against its broad, thick rim.
failed
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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.
female
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
fewer
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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.
field
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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.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
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.
gravity
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From this reading Its rapid spin pressed the equivalent of one Earth gravity against its broad, thick rim.
hour
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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.
hub
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From this reading Near the hub where the gravity was weak, the nine aliens lived; in the two rim compartments lived the mutants.
huge
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From this reading Out beyond the orbit of the moon there was a huge, wheel-shaped space station.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
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.
irregularity
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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.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
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.
ItsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
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.
larger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
latter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
lived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Near the hub where the gravity was weak, the nine aliens lived; in the two rim compartments lived the mutants.
male
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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.
moon
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.
Mt
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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.
mutants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Near the hub where the gravity was weak, the nine aliens lived; in the two rim compartments lived the mutants.
Near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Near the hub where the gravity was weak, the nine aliens lived; in the two rim compartments lived the mutants.
nine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Near the hub where the gravity was weak, the nine aliens lived; in the two rim compartments lived the mutants.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
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.
Once
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.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
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.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
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.
orbit
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.
Out
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.
Palomar
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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.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
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.
peculiarity
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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.
photographic
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.
plate
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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.
pressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its rapid spin pressed the equivalent of one Earth gravity against its broad, thick rim.
rapid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its rapid spin pressed the equivalent of one Earth gravity against its broad, thick rim.
rim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its rapid spin pressed the equivalent of one Earth gravity against its broad, thick rim.
smaller
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
some
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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.
space
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.
spin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its rapid spin pressed the equivalent of one Earth gravity against its broad, thick rim.
station
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.
telescope
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.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
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.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
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.
there
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.
thick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its rapid spin pressed the equivalent of one Earth gravity against its broad, thick rim.
thirty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
thousand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
toparticleUS /tuː/
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.
tracknounUS /træk/
a route or signs showing the way someone went
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.
tracked
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.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Near the hub where the gravity was weak, the nine aliens lived; in the two rim compartments lived the mutants.
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.
weak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
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.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
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.
