used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The squadron had been rapidly withdrawn to a very considerable distance from the asteroid.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading If it should prove that the Martians were able to deal their strokes at a distance greater than any we could reach, then they would of course have an insuperable advantage.
the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading If it should prove that the Martians were able to deal their strokes at a distance greater than any we could reach, then they would of course have an insuperable advantage.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading If it should prove that the Martians were able to deal their strokes at a distance greater than any we could reach, then they would of course have an insuperable advantage.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading If it should prove that the Martians were able to deal their strokes at a distance greater than any we could reach, then they would of course have an insuperable advantage.
artillerynounUS /ɑːrˈtɪləri/
large but transportable armament
From this reading The range of the mysterious artillery employed by the Martians was unknown to us.
asteroidnounUS /ˈæstərɔɪd/
any of numerous small celestial bodies composed of rock and metal that move around the sun (mainly between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter)
From this reading The squadron had been rapidly withdrawn to a very considerable distance from the asteroid.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading If it should prove that the Martians were able to deal their strokes at a distance greater than any we could reach, then they would of course have an insuperable advantage.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading On the other hand, if it should turn out that our range was greater than theirs, the advantage would be on our side.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The squadron had been rapidly withdrawn to a very considerable distance from the asteroid.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The range of the mysterious artillery employed by the Martians was unknown to us.
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The squadron had been rapidly withdrawn to a very considerable distance from the asteroid.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading If it should prove that the Martians were able to deal their strokes at a distance greater than any we could reach, then they would of course have an insuperable advantage.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading If it should prove that the Martians were able to deal their strokes at a distance greater than any we could reach, then they would of course have an insuperable advantage.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading If it should prove that the Martians were able to deal their strokes at a distance greater than any we could reach, then they would of course have an insuperable advantage.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading We did not even know the limit of the effective range of our own disintegrators.
disintegrators
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We did not even know the limit of the effective range of our own disintegrators.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading The squadron had been rapidly withdrawn to a very considerable distance from the asteroid.
effectiveadjectiveUS /ɪˈfektɪv/
producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect
From this reading We did not even know the limit of the effective range of our own disintegrators.
having your services engaged for; or having a job especially one that pays wages or a salary
From this reading The range of the mysterious artillery employed by the Martians was unknown to us.
divisible by two
From this reading We did not even know the limit of the effective range of our own disintegrators.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The squadron had been rapidly withdrawn to a very considerable distance from the asteroid.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading If it should prove that the Martians were able to deal their strokes at a distance greater than any we could reach, then they would of course have an insuperable advantage.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The squadron had been rapidly withdrawn to a very considerable distance from the asteroid.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading On the other hand, if it should turn out that our range was greater than theirs, the advantage would be on our side.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If it should prove that the Martians were able to deal their strokes at a distance greater than any we could reach, then they would of course have an insuperable advantage.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If it should prove that the Martians were able to deal their strokes at a distance greater than any we could reach, then they would of course have an insuperable advantage.
insuperableadjective
impossible to surmount
From this reading If it should prove that the Martians were able to deal their strokes at a distance greater than any we could reach, then they would of course have an insuperable advantage.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If it should prove that the Martians were able to deal their strokes at a distance greater than any we could reach, then they would of course have an insuperable advantage.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading We did not even know the limit of the effective range of our own disintegrators.
limitnounUS /ˈlɪmət/
the greatest possible degree of something
From this reading We did not even know the limit of the effective range of our own disintegrators.
MartiansnounUS /ˈmɑːrʃənz/
plural of “martian” — imaginary people who live on the planet Mars
From this reading The range of the mysterious artillery employed by the Martians was unknown to us.
of an obscure nature
From this reading The range of the mysterious artillery employed by the Martians was unknown to us.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading We did not even know the limit of the effective range of our own disintegrators.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The range of the mysterious artillery employed by the Martians was unknown to us.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the other hand, if it should turn out that our range was greater than theirs, the advantage would be on our side.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading On the other hand, if it should turn out that our range was greater than theirs, the advantage would be on our side.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading We did not even know the limit of the effective range of our own disintegrators.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading On the other hand, if it should turn out that our range was greater than theirs, the advantage would be on our side.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading We did not even know the limit of the effective range of our own disintegrators.
be shown or be found to be
From this reading If it should prove that the Martians were able to deal their strokes at a distance greater than any we could reach, then they would of course have an insuperable advantage.
an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"
From this reading The range of the mysterious artillery employed by the Martians was unknown to us.
with speed
From this reading The squadron had been rapidly withdrawn to a very considerable distance from the asteroid.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading If it should prove that the Martians were able to deal their strokes at a distance greater than any we could reach, then they would of course have an insuperable advantage.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading If it should prove that the Martians were able to deal their strokes at a distance greater than any we could reach, then they would of course have an insuperable advantage.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading On the other hand, if it should turn out that our range was greater than theirs, the advantage would be on our side.
squadronnounUS /ˈskwɑːdrən/
a cavalry unit consisting of two or more troops and headquarters and supporting arms
From this reading The squadron had been rapidly withdrawn to a very considerable distance from the asteroid.
strokesnounUS /stroʊks/
plural of “stroke” — (sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand
From this reading If it should prove that the Martians were able to deal their strokes at a distance greater than any we could reach, then they would of course have an insuperable advantage.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading If it should prove that the Martians were able to deal their strokes at a distance greater than any we could reach, then they would of course have an insuperable advantage.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading If it should prove that the Martians were able to deal their strokes at a distance greater than any we could reach, then they would of course have an insuperable advantage.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The squadron had been rapidly withdrawn to a very considerable distance from the asteroid.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading If it should prove that the Martians were able to deal their strokes at a distance greater than any we could reach, then they would of course have an insuperable advantage.
theirspronounUS /ðerz/
the one or ones belonging to them
From this reading On the other hand, if it should turn out that our range was greater than theirs, the advantage would be on our side.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading If it should prove that the Martians were able to deal their strokes at a distance greater than any we could reach, then they would of course have an insuperable advantage.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If it should prove that the Martians were able to deal their strokes at a distance greater than any we could reach, then they would of course have an insuperable advantage.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The squadron had been rapidly withdrawn to a very considerable distance from the asteroid.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading On the other hand, if it should turn out that our range was greater than theirs, the advantage would be on our side.
not known
From this reading The range of the mysterious artillery employed by the Martians was unknown to us.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The range of the mysterious artillery employed by the Martians was unknown to us.
precisely as stated
From this reading The squadron had been rapidly withdrawn to a very considerable distance from the asteroid.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The range of the mysterious artillery employed by the Martians was unknown to us.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We did not even know the limit of the effective range of our own disintegrators.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading If it should prove that the Martians were able to deal their strokes at a distance greater than any we could reach, then they would of course have an insuperable advantage.
withdrawnadjectiveUS /wɪθˈdrɔːn/
withdrawn from society; seeking solitude
From this reading The squadron had been rapidly withdrawn to a very considerable distance from the asteroid.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If it should prove that the Martians were able to deal their strokes at a distance greater than any we could reach, then they would of course have an insuperable advantage.
