used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He would have held his tongue about it, both as a measure of prudence, and in order not to have to reconsider his plans.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He would have held his tongue about it, both as a measure of prudence, and in order not to have to reconsider his plans.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He would have held his tongue about it, both as a measure of prudence, and in order not to have to reconsider his plans.
astoundingadjectiveUS /əˈstaʊndɪŋ/
bewildering or striking dumb with wonder
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
ATLANTAnounUS /ætˈlæntə/
state capital and largest city of Georgia; chief commercial center of the southeastern United States; was plundered and burned by Sherman's army during the American Civil War
From this reading THE PASSENGER OF THE "ATLANTA."
Barbicane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading This telegram might be a cover for some jest, especially as it came from a Frenchman.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
the two together, not just one
From this reading He would have held his tongue about it, both as a measure of prudence, and in order not to have to reconsider his plans.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading This telegram might be a cover for some jest, especially as it came from a Frenchman.
conceivedverbUS /kənˈsiːvd/
past form of “conceive” — have the idea for
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
provide with a covering or cause to be covered
From this reading This telegram might be a cover for some jest, especially as it came from a Frenchman.
electricadjectiveUS /ɪˈlektrɪk/
using or providing or producing or transmitting or operated by electricity
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
envelopenounUS /ˈenvəloʊp/
a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading This telegram might be a cover for some jest, especially as it came from a Frenchman.
at any time
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
existedverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪstəd/
past form of “exist” — have an existence, be extant
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
moving swiftly
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This telegram might be a cover for some jest, especially as it came from a Frenchman.
FrenchmannounUS /ˈfrentʃmæn/
a person of French nationality
From this reading This telegram might be a cover for some jest, especially as it came from a Frenchman.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading This telegram might be a cover for some jest, especially as it came from a Frenchman.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He would have held his tongue about it, both as a measure of prudence, and in order not to have to reconsider his plans.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading He would have held his tongue about it, both as a measure of prudence, and in order not to have to reconsider his plans.
past form of “hesitate” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He would have held his tongue about it, both as a measure of prudence, and in order not to have to reconsider his plans.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
idiotnounUS /ˈɪdiːət/
a person of subnormal intelligence
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He would have held his tongue about it, both as a measure of prudence, and in order not to have to reconsider his plans.
a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
From this reading This telegram might be a cover for some jest, especially as it came from a Frenchman.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
lunaticadjectiveUS /ˈluːnətɪk/
insane and believed to be affected by the phases of the moon
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading He would have held his tongue about it, both as a measure of prudence, and in order not to have to reconsider his plans.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading This telegram might be a cover for some jest, especially as it came from a Frenchman.
a particular point in time
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
information about recent and important events
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE PASSENGER OF THE "ATLANTA."
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading He would have held his tongue about it, both as a measure of prudence, and in order not to have to reconsider his plans.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
PASSENGERnounUS /ˈpæsəndʒər/
a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it
From this reading THE PASSENGER OF THE "ATLANTA."
a human being
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished
From this reading He would have held his tongue about it, both as a measure of prudence, and in order not to have to reconsider his plans.
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
projectilenounUS /prəˈdʒektəl/
a weapon that is forcibly thrown or projected at a targets but is not self-propelled
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
prudencenounUS /ˈpruːdəns/
discretion in practical affairs
From this reading He would have held his tongue about it, both as a measure of prudence, and in order not to have to reconsider his plans.
on the contrary
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
reconsiderverbUS /ˌriːkənˈsɪdər/
consider again; give new consideration to; usually with a view to changing
From this reading He would have held his tongue about it, both as a measure of prudence, and in order not to have to reconsider his plans.
sealedadjectiveUS /siːld/
established irrevocably
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
and nothing more
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading This telegram might be a cover for some jest, especially as it came from a Frenchman.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
telegramnounUS /ˈteləɡræm/
a message transmitted by telegraph
From this reading This telegram might be a cover for some jest, especially as it came from a Frenchman.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PASSENGER OF THE "ATLANTA."
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He would have held his tongue about it, both as a measure of prudence, and in order not to have to reconsider his plans.
a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity
From this reading He would have held his tongue about it, both as a measure of prudence, and in order not to have to reconsider his plans.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
wardnounUS /wɔːrd/
a person who is under the protection or in the custody of another
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
wiresnounUS /ˈwaɪərz/
plural of “wire” — ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
