used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Through the viewplate above him--he was supine--the vast, star-set blackness seemed infinite, seemed to suck his mind out of his body until it was connected only by a tenuous thread.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Through the viewplate above him--he was supine--the vast, star-set blackness seemed infinite, seemed to suck his mind out of his body until it was connected only by a tenuous thread.
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 He had pointed out as nearly as he could determine it from brief, telepathic contact (the aliens showed him how to center on her) Julia's location on the planet.
(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 He had seen space from the great wheel that was dwindling behind him; but never before had its immediacy been impressed on him with such force: here, it was an intimate wrapping, clutching at him from all sides.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He had seen space from the great wheel that was dwindling behind him; but never before had its immediacy been impressed on him with such force: here, it was an intimate wrapping, clutching at him from all sides.
areanounUS /ˈeriə/
a particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography)
From this reading The aliens had promised to land him in an unpopulated area on the same part of the continent.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The thing Walt first noticed was the hugeness of space around his tiny, falling ship.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He had pointed out as nearly as he could determine it from brief, telepathic contact (the aliens showed him how to center on her) Julia's location on the planet.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He had seen space from the great wheel that was dwindling behind him; but never before had its immediacy been impressed on him with such force: here, it was an intimate wrapping, clutching at him from all sides.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had seen space from the great wheel that was dwindling behind him; but never before had its immediacy been impressed on him with such force: here, it was an intimate wrapping, clutching at him from all sides.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He had seen space from the great wheel that was dwindling behind him; but never before had its immediacy been impressed on him with such force: here, it was an intimate wrapping, clutching at him from all sides.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading He had seen space from the great wheel that was dwindling behind him; but never before had its immediacy been impressed on him with such force: here, it was an intimate wrapping, clutching at him from all sides.
blacknessnounUS /ˈblæknəs/
the quality or state of the achromatic color of least lightness (bearing the least resemblance to white)
From this reading Through the viewplate above him--he was supine--the vast, star-set blackness seemed infinite, seemed to suck his mind out of his body until it was connected only by a tenuous thread.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading Through the viewplate above him--he was supine--the vast, star-set blackness seemed infinite, seemed to suck his mind out of his body until it was connected only by a tenuous thread.
of short duration or distance
From this reading He had pointed out as nearly as he could determine it from brief, telepathic contact (the aliens showed him how to center on her) Julia's location on the planet.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He had seen space from the great wheel that was dwindling behind him; but never before had its immediacy been impressed on him with such force: here, it was an intimate wrapping, clutching at him from all sides.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Through the viewplate above him--he was supine--the vast, star-set blackness seemed infinite, seemed to suck his mind out of his body until it was connected only by a tenuous thread.
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading He had pointed out as nearly as he could determine it from brief, telepathic contact (the aliens showed him how to center on her) Julia's location on the planet.
clutchingverbUS /ˈklʌtʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “clutch” — take hold of; grab
From this reading He had seen space from the great wheel that was dwindling behind him; but never before had its immediacy been impressed on him with such force: here, it was an intimate wrapping, clutching at him from all sides.
being joined in close association
From this reading Through the viewplate above him--he was supine--the vast, star-set blackness seemed infinite, seemed to suck his mind out of his body until it was connected only by a tenuous thread.
contactnounUS /ˈkɑːntækt/
close interaction
From this reading He had pointed out as nearly as he could determine it from brief, telepathic contact (the aliens showed him how to center on her) Julia's location on the planet.
continentnounUS /ˈkɑːntənənt/
one of the large landmasses of the earth
From this reading The aliens had promised to land him in an unpopulated area on the same part of the continent.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He had pointed out as nearly as he could determine it from brief, telepathic contact (the aliens showed him how to center on her) Julia's location on the planet.
determineverbUS /dəˈtɜːrmən/
establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study
From this reading He had pointed out as nearly as he could determine it from brief, telepathic contact (the aliens showed him how to center on her) Julia's location on the planet.
dwindlingadjectiveUS /ˈdwɪndəlɪŋ/
gradually decreasing until little remains
From this reading He had seen space from the great wheel that was dwindling behind him; but never before had its immediacy been impressed on him with such force: here, it was an intimate wrapping, clutching at him from all sides.
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading The thing Walt first noticed was the hugeness of space around his tiny, falling ship.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The thing Walt first noticed was the hugeness of space around his tiny, falling ship.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading He had seen space from the great wheel that was dwindling behind him; but never before had its immediacy been impressed on him with such force: here, it was an intimate wrapping, clutching at him from all sides.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He had seen space from the great wheel that was dwindling behind him; but never before had its immediacy been impressed on him with such force: here, it was an intimate wrapping, clutching at him from all sides.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading He had seen space from the great wheel that was dwindling behind him; but never before had its immediacy been impressed on him with such force: here, it was an intimate wrapping, clutching at him from all sides.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had seen space from the great wheel that was dwindling behind him; but never before had its immediacy been impressed on him with such force: here, it was an intimate wrapping, clutching at him from all sides.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Through the viewplate above him--he was supine--the vast, star-set blackness seemed infinite, seemed to suck his mind out of his body until it was connected only by a tenuous thread.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He had pointed out as nearly as he could determine it from brief, telepathic contact (the aliens showed him how to center on her) Julia's location on the planet.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading He had seen space from the great wheel that was dwindling behind him; but never before had its immediacy been impressed on him with such force: here, it was an intimate wrapping, clutching at him from all sides.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Through the viewplate above him--he was supine--the vast, star-set blackness seemed infinite, seemed to suck his mind out of his body until it was connected only by a tenuous thread.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The thing Walt first noticed was the hugeness of space around his tiny, falling ship.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had pointed out as nearly as he could determine it from brief, telepathic contact (the aliens showed him how to center on her) Julia's location on the planet.
hugeness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The thing Walt first noticed was the hugeness of space around his tiny, falling ship.
immediacynounUS /ˌɪˈmiːdiːəsi/
lack of an intervening or mediating agency
From this reading He had seen space from the great wheel that was dwindling behind him; but never before had its immediacy been impressed on him with such force: here, it was an intimate wrapping, clutching at him from all sides.
deeply or markedly affected or influenced
From this reading He had seen space from the great wheel that was dwindling behind him; but never before had its immediacy been impressed on him with such force: here, it was an intimate wrapping, clutching at him from all sides.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The aliens had promised to land him in an unpopulated area on the same part of the continent.
infiniteadjectiveUS /ˈɪnfənət/
having no limits or boundaries in time or space or extent or magnitude
From this reading Through the viewplate above him--he was supine--the vast, star-set blackness seemed infinite, seemed to suck his mind out of his body until it was connected only by a tenuous thread.
intimateadjectiveUS /ˈɪntəmət/
marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity
From this reading He had seen space from the great wheel that was dwindling behind him; but never before had its immediacy been impressed on him with such force: here, it was an intimate wrapping, clutching at him from all sides.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Through the viewplate above him--he was supine--the vast, star-set blackness seemed infinite, seemed to suck his mind out of his body until it was connected only by a tenuous thread.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He had seen space from the great wheel that was dwindling behind him; but never before had its immediacy been impressed on him with such force: here, it was an intimate wrapping, clutching at him from all sides.
Julia's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had pointed out as nearly as he could determine it from brief, telepathic contact (the aliens showed him how to center on her) Julia's location on the planet.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading The aliens had promised to land him in an unpopulated area on the same part of the continent.
locationnounUS /loʊˈkeɪʃən/
a point or extent in space
From this reading He had pointed out as nearly as he could determine it from brief, telepathic contact (the aliens showed him how to center on her) Julia's location on the planet.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Through the viewplate above him--he was supine--the vast, star-set blackness seemed infinite, seemed to suck his mind out of his body until it was connected only by a tenuous thread.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading He had pointed out as nearly as he could determine it from brief, telepathic contact (the aliens showed him how to center on her) Julia's location on the planet.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading He had seen space from the great wheel that was dwindling behind him; but never before had its immediacy been impressed on him with such force: here, it was an intimate wrapping, clutching at him from all sides.
being perceived or observed
From this reading The thing Walt first noticed was the hugeness of space around his tiny, falling ship.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The thing Walt first noticed was the hugeness of space around his tiny, falling ship.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He had seen space from the great wheel that was dwindling behind him; but never before had its immediacy been impressed on him with such force: here, it was an intimate wrapping, clutching at him from all sides.
and nothing more
From this reading Through the viewplate above him--he was supine--the vast, star-set blackness seemed infinite, seemed to suck his mind out of his body until it was connected only by a tenuous thread.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Through the viewplate above him--he was supine--the vast, star-set blackness seemed infinite, seemed to suck his mind out of his body until it was connected only by a tenuous thread.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The aliens had promised to land him in an unpopulated area on the same part of the continent.
planetnounUS /ˈplænət/
(astronomy) any of the nine large celestial bodies in the solar system that revolve around the sun and shine by reflected light
From this reading He had pointed out as nearly as he could determine it from brief, telepathic contact (the aliens showed him how to center on her) Julia's location on the planet.
having a point
From this reading He had pointed out as nearly as he could determine it from brief, telepathic contact (the aliens showed him how to center on her) Julia's location on the planet.
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading The aliens had promised to land him in an unpopulated area on the same part of the continent.
Identical; not different.
From this reading The aliens had promised to land him in an unpopulated area on the same part of the continent.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Through the viewplate above him--he was supine--the vast, star-set blackness seemed infinite, seemed to suck his mind out of his body until it was connected only by a tenuous thread.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He had seen space from the great wheel that was dwindling behind him; but never before had its immediacy been impressed on him with such force: here, it was an intimate wrapping, clutching at him from all sides.
transport commercially
From this reading The thing Walt first noticed was the hugeness of space around his tiny, falling ship.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading He had pointed out as nearly as he could determine it from brief, telepathic contact (the aliens showed him how to center on her) Julia's location on the planet.
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading He had seen space from the great wheel that was dwindling behind him; but never before had its immediacy been impressed on him with such force: here, it was an intimate wrapping, clutching at him from all sides.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading The thing Walt first noticed was the hugeness of space around his tiny, falling ship.
star-set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the viewplate above him--he was supine--the vast, star-set blackness seemed infinite, seemed to suck his mind out of his body until it was connected only by a tenuous thread.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading He had seen space from the great wheel that was dwindling behind him; but never before had its immediacy been impressed on him with such force: here, it was an intimate wrapping, clutching at him from all sides.
suckverbUS /sʌk/
draw into the mouth by creating a practical vacuum in the mouth
From this reading Through the viewplate above him--he was supine--the vast, star-set blackness seemed infinite, seemed to suck his mind out of his body until it was connected only by a tenuous thread.
supineadjectiveUS /səˈpaɪn/
lying face upward
From this reading Through the viewplate above him--he was supine--the vast, star-set blackness seemed infinite, seemed to suck his mind out of his body until it was connected only by a tenuous thread.
telepathicadjectiveUS /ˌteləˈpæθək/
communicating without apparent physical signals
From this reading He had pointed out as nearly as he could determine it from brief, telepathic contact (the aliens showed him how to center on her) Julia's location on the planet.
tenuousadjectiveUS /ˈtenjəwəs/
having thin consistency
From this reading Through the viewplate above him--he was supine--the vast, star-set blackness seemed infinite, seemed to suck his mind out of his body until it was connected only by a tenuous thread.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had seen space from the great wheel that was dwindling behind him; but never before had its immediacy been impressed on him with such force: here, it was an intimate wrapping, clutching at him from all sides.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The thing Walt first noticed was the hugeness of space around his tiny, falling ship.
a special situation
From this reading The thing Walt first noticed was the hugeness of space around his tiny, falling ship.
threadverbUS /θred/
to move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course
From this reading Through the viewplate above him--he was supine--the vast, star-set blackness seemed infinite, seemed to suck his mind out of his body until it was connected only by a tenuous thread.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Through the viewplate above him--he was supine--the vast, star-set blackness seemed infinite, seemed to suck his mind out of his body until it was connected only by a tenuous thread.
very small
From this reading The thing Walt first noticed was the hugeness of space around his tiny, falling ship.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Through the viewplate above him--he was supine--the vast, star-set blackness seemed infinite, seemed to suck his mind out of his body until it was connected only by a tenuous thread.
unpopulatedadjective
with no people living there
From this reading The aliens had promised to land him in an unpopulated area on the same part of the continent.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Through the viewplate above him--he was supine--the vast, star-set blackness seemed infinite, seemed to suck his mind out of his body until it was connected only by a tenuous thread.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Through the viewplate above him--he was supine--the vast, star-set blackness seemed infinite, seemed to suck his mind out of his body until it was connected only by a tenuous thread.
viewplate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the viewplate above him--he was supine--the vast, star-set blackness seemed infinite, seemed to suck his mind out of his body until it was connected only by a tenuous thread.
Walt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The thing Walt first noticed was the hugeness of space around his tiny, falling ship.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The thing Walt first noticed was the hugeness of space around his tiny, falling ship.
change directions as if revolving on a pivot
From this reading He had seen space from the great wheel that was dwindling behind him; but never before had its immediacy been impressed on him with such force: here, it was an intimate wrapping, clutching at him from all sides.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had seen space from the great wheel that was dwindling behind him; but never before had its immediacy been impressed on him with such force: here, it was an intimate wrapping, clutching at him from all sides.
wrappingnounUS /ˈræpɪŋ/
the covering (usually paper or cellophane) in which something is wrapped
From this reading He had seen space from the great wheel that was dwindling behind him; but never before had its immediacy been impressed on him with such force: here, it was an intimate wrapping, clutching at him from all sides.
