Chapter II

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Mostly, I watched Brentwood doing his circuit checks; it was a great deal more interesting to watch lights flash and meter needles wiggle and lines dancing on oscilloscope plates than it was to listen to conversations that sounded as if they'd been lifted from C. L. Dodgson's treatise on logic.

later than; following

From this reading After that, there was nothing much to do but stand around and watch while the others worked.

(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 In effect, I told McGuire that he should let the nice people into his hull and answer all their pretty questions.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading In effect, I told McGuire that he should let the nice people into his hull and answer all their pretty questions.

react verbally

From this reading In effect, I told McGuire that he should let the nice people into his hull and answer all their pretty questions.

any thing at all

From this reading If anything, my prediction was short-sighted.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading After that, there was nothing much to do but stand around and watch while the others worked.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Mostly, I watched Brentwood doing his circuit checks; it was a great deal more interesting to watch lights flash and meter needles wiggle and lines dancing on oscilloscope plates than it was to listen to conversations that sounded as if they'd been lifted from C. L. Dodgson's treatise on logic.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Mostly, I watched Brentwood doing his circuit checks; it was a great deal more interesting to watch lights flash and meter needles wiggle and lines dancing on oscilloscope plates than it was to listen to conversations that sounded as if they'd been lifted from C. L. Dodgson's treatise on logic.

so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness

From this reading Not only was that day boring, but so were the next three.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mostly, I watched Brentwood doing his circuit checks; it was a great deal more interesting to watch lights flash and meter needles wiggle and lines dancing on oscilloscope plates than it was to listen to conversations that sounded as if they'd been lifted from C. L. Dodgson's treatise on logic.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Not only was that day boring, but so were the next three.

a degree on the centigrade scale of temperature

From this reading Mostly, I watched Brentwood doing his circuit checks; it was a great deal more interesting to watch lights flash and meter needles wiggle and lines dancing on oscilloscope plates than it was to listen to conversations that sounded as if they'd been lifted from C. L. Dodgson's treatise on logic.

plural of “check” — a written order directing a bank to pay money

From this reading Mostly, I watched Brentwood doing his circuit checks; it was a great deal more interesting to watch lights flash and meter needles wiggle and lines dancing on oscilloscope plates than it was to listen to conversations that sounded as if they'd been lifted from C. L. Dodgson's treatise on logic.

an electrical device that provides a path for electrical current to flow

From this reading Mostly, I watched Brentwood doing his circuit checks; it was a great deal more interesting to watch lights flash and meter needles wiggle and lines dancing on oscilloscope plates than it was to listen to conversations that sounded as if they'd been lifted from C. L. Dodgson's treatise on logic.

plural of “conversation” — the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.

From this reading Mostly, I watched Brentwood doing his circuit checks; it was a great deal more interesting to watch lights flash and meter needles wiggle and lines dancing on oscilloscope plates than it was to listen to conversations that sounded as if they'd been lifted from C. L. Dodgson's treatise on logic.

taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music

From this reading Mostly, I watched Brentwood doing his circuit checks; it was a great deal more interesting to watch lights flash and meter needles wiggle and lines dancing on oscilloscope plates than it was to listen to conversations that sounded as if they'd been lifted from C. L. Dodgson's treatise on logic.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Not only was that day boring, but so were the next three.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading Mostly, I watched Brentwood doing his circuit checks; it was a great deal more interesting to watch lights flash and meter needles wiggle and lines dancing on oscilloscope plates than it was to listen to conversations that sounded as if they'd been lifted from C. L. Dodgson's treatise on logic.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading After that, there was nothing much to do but stand around and watch while the others worked.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mostly, I watched Brentwood doing his circuit checks; it was a great deal more interesting to watch lights flash and meter needles wiggle and lines dancing on oscilloscope plates than it was to listen to conversations that sounded as if they'd been lifted from C. L. Dodgson's treatise on logic.

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading Mostly, I watched Brentwood doing his circuit checks; it was a great deal more interesting to watch lights flash and meter needles wiggle and lines dancing on oscilloscope plates than it was to listen to conversations that sounded as if they'd been lifted from C. L. Dodgson's treatise on logic.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading In effect, I told McGuire that he should let the nice people into his hull and answer all their pretty questions.

gleam or glow intermittently

From this reading Mostly, I watched Brentwood doing his circuit checks; it was a great deal more interesting to watch lights flash and meter needles wiggle and lines dancing on oscilloscope plates than it was to listen to conversations that sounded as if they'd been lifted from C. L. Dodgson's treatise on logic.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Mostly, I watched Brentwood doing his circuit checks; it was a great deal more interesting to watch lights flash and meter needles wiggle and lines dancing on oscilloscope plates than it was to listen to conversations that sounded as if they'd been lifted from C. L. Dodgson's treatise on logic.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Mostly, I watched Brentwood doing his circuit checks; it was a great deal more interesting to watch lights flash and meter needles wiggle and lines dancing on oscilloscope plates than it was to listen to conversations that sounded as if they'd been lifted from C. L. Dodgson's treatise on logic.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading In effect, I told McGuire that he should let the nice people into his hull and answer all their pretty questions.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading In effect, I told McGuire that he should let the nice people into his hull and answer all their pretty questions.

dry outer covering of a fruit or seed or nut

From this reading In effect, I told McGuire that he should let the nice people into his hull and answer all their pretty questions.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading In effect, I told McGuire that he should let the nice people into his hull and answer all their pretty questions.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If anything, my prediction was short-sighted.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading In effect, I told McGuire that he should let the nice people into his hull and answer all their pretty questions.

arousing or holding the attention

From this reading Mostly, I watched Brentwood doing his circuit checks; it was a great deal more interesting to watch lights flash and meter needles wiggle and lines dancing on oscilloscope plates than it was to listen to conversations that sounded as if they'd been lifted from C. L. Dodgson's treatise on logic.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading In effect, I told McGuire that he should let the nice people into his hull and answer all their pretty questions.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Mostly, I watched Brentwood doing his circuit checks; it was a great deal more interesting to watch lights flash and meter needles wiggle and lines dancing on oscilloscope plates than it was to listen to conversations that sounded as if they'd been lifted from C. L. Dodgson's treatise on logic.

a metric unit of capacity, formerly defined as the volume of one kilogram of pure water under standard conditions; now equal to 1,000 cubic centimeters (or approximately 1.75 pints)

From this reading Mostly, I watched Brentwood doing his circuit checks; it was a great deal more interesting to watch lights flash and meter needles wiggle and lines dancing on oscilloscope plates than it was to listen to conversations that sounded as if they'd been lifted from C. L. Dodgson's treatise on logic.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading In effect, I told McGuire that he should let the nice people into his hull and answer all their pretty questions.

held up in the air

From this reading Mostly, I watched Brentwood doing his circuit checks; it was a great deal more interesting to watch lights flash and meter needles wiggle and lines dancing on oscilloscope plates than it was to listen to conversations that sounded as if they'd been lifted from C. L. Dodgson's treatise on logic.

plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation

From this reading Mostly, I watched Brentwood doing his circuit checks; it was a great deal more interesting to watch lights flash and meter needles wiggle and lines dancing on oscilloscope plates than it was to listen to conversations that sounded as if they'd been lifted from C. L. Dodgson's treatise on logic.

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading Mostly, I watched Brentwood doing his circuit checks; it was a great deal more interesting to watch lights flash and meter needles wiggle and lines dancing on oscilloscope plates than it was to listen to conversations that sounded as if they'd been lifted from C. L. Dodgson's treatise on logic.

hear with intention

From this reading Mostly, I watched Brentwood doing his circuit checks; it was a great deal more interesting to watch lights flash and meter needles wiggle and lines dancing on oscilloscope plates than it was to listen to conversations that sounded as if they'd been lifted from C. L. Dodgson's treatise on logic.

the branch of philosophy that analyzes inference

From this reading Mostly, I watched Brentwood doing his circuit checks; it was a great deal more interesting to watch lights flash and meter needles wiggle and lines dancing on oscilloscope plates than it was to listen to conversations that sounded as if they'd been lifted from C. L. Dodgson's treatise on logic.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In effect, I told McGuire that he should let the nice people into his hull and answer all their pretty questions.

the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)

From this reading Mostly, I watched Brentwood doing his circuit checks; it was a great deal more interesting to watch lights flash and meter needles wiggle and lines dancing on oscilloscope plates than it was to listen to conversations that sounded as if they'd been lifted from C. L. Dodgson's treatise on logic.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Mostly, I watched Brentwood doing his circuit checks; it was a great deal more interesting to watch lights flash and meter needles wiggle and lines dancing on oscilloscope plates than it was to listen to conversations that sounded as if they'd been lifted from C. L. Dodgson's treatise on logic.

in large part; mainly or chiefly

From this reading Mostly, I watched Brentwood doing his circuit checks; it was a great deal more interesting to watch lights flash and meter needles wiggle and lines dancing on oscilloscope plates than it was to listen to conversations that sounded as if they'd been lifted from C. L. Dodgson's treatise on logic.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading After that, there was nothing much to do but stand around and watch while the others worked.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading If anything, my prediction was short-sighted.

plural of “needle” — the leaf of a conifer

From this reading Mostly, I watched Brentwood doing his circuit checks; it was a great deal more interesting to watch lights flash and meter needles wiggle and lines dancing on oscilloscope plates than it was to listen to conversations that sounded as if they'd been lifted from C. L. Dodgson's treatise on logic.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading Not only was that day boring, but so were the next three.

pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance

From this reading In effect, I told McGuire that he should let the nice people into his hull and answer all their pretty questions.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Not only was that day boring, but so were the next three.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading After that, there was nothing much to do but stand around and watch while the others worked.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Mostly, I watched Brentwood doing his circuit checks; it was a great deal more interesting to watch lights flash and meter needles wiggle and lines dancing on oscilloscope plates than it was to listen to conversations that sounded as if they'd been lifted from C. L. Dodgson's treatise on logic.

and nothing more

From this reading Not only was that day boring, but so were the next three.

electronic equipment that provides visual images of varying electrical quantities

From this reading Mostly, I watched Brentwood doing his circuit checks; it was a great deal more interesting to watch lights flash and meter needles wiggle and lines dancing on oscilloscope plates than it was to listen to conversations that sounded as if they'd been lifted from C. L. Dodgson's treatise on logic.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading After that, there was nothing much to do but stand around and watch while the others worked.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading In effect, I told McGuire that he should let the nice people into his hull and answer all their pretty questions.

plural of “plate” — (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 Mostly, I watched Brentwood doing his circuit checks; it was a great deal more interesting to watch lights flash and meter needles wiggle and lines dancing on oscilloscope plates than it was to listen to conversations that sounded as if they'd been lifted from C. L. Dodgson's treatise on logic.

the act of predicting (as by reasoning about the future)

From this reading If anything, my prediction was short-sighted.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading In effect, I told McGuire that he should let the nice people into his hull and answer all their pretty questions.

plural of “question” — an instance of questioning

From this reading In effect, I told McGuire that he should let the nice people into his hull and answer all their pretty questions.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading If anything, my prediction was short-sighted.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading In effect, I told McGuire that he should let the nice people into his hull and answer all their pretty questions.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Not only was that day boring, but so were the next three.

past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way

From this reading Mostly, I watched Brentwood doing his circuit checks; it was a great deal more interesting to watch lights flash and meter needles wiggle and lines dancing on oscilloscope plates than it was to listen to conversations that sounded as if they'd been lifted from C. L. Dodgson's treatise on logic.

be standing; be upright

From this reading After that, there was nothing much to do but stand around and watch while the others worked.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Mostly, I watched Brentwood doing his circuit checks; it was a great deal more interesting to watch lights flash and meter needles wiggle and lines dancing on oscilloscope plates than it was to listen to conversations that sounded as if they'd been lifted from C. L. Dodgson's treatise on logic.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Not only was that day boring, but so were the next three.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Not only was that day boring, but so were the next three.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading In effect, I told McGuire that he should let the nice people into his hull and answer all their pretty questions.

in or at that place or location

From this reading After that, there was nothing much to do but stand around and watch while the others worked.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mostly, I watched Brentwood doing his circuit checks; it was a great deal more interesting to watch lights flash and meter needles wiggle and lines dancing on oscilloscope plates than it was to listen to conversations that sounded as if they'd been lifted from C. L. Dodgson's treatise on logic.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Not only was that day boring, but so were the next three.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading After that, there was nothing much to do but stand around and watch while the others worked.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading In effect, I told McGuire that he should let the nice people into his hull and answer all their pretty questions.

a formal exposition

From this reading Mostly, I watched Brentwood doing his circuit checks; it was a great deal more interesting to watch lights flash and meter needles wiggle and lines dancing on oscilloscope plates than it was to listen to conversations that sounded as if they'd been lifted from C. L. Dodgson's treatise on logic.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading If anything, my prediction was short-sighted.

look attentively

From this reading After that, there was nothing much to do but stand around and watch while the others worked.

past form of “watch” — look attentively

From this reading Mostly, I watched Brentwood doing his circuit checks; it was a great deal more interesting to watch lights flash and meter needles wiggle and lines dancing on oscilloscope plates than it was to listen to conversations that sounded as if they'd been lifted from C. L. Dodgson's treatise on logic.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Not only was that day boring, but so were the next three.

during the time that

From this reading After that, there was nothing much to do but stand around and watch while the others worked.

move to and fro

From this reading Mostly, I watched Brentwood doing his circuit checks; it was a great deal more interesting to watch lights flash and meter needles wiggle and lines dancing on oscilloscope plates than it was to listen to conversations that sounded as if they'd been lifted from C. L. Dodgson's treatise on logic.

past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading After that, there was nothing much to do but stand around and watch while the others worked.