Chapter VII · Chapter 7

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

From this reading It was not long, as time went in the long, slow morning of the world--perhaps a half-score thousand years or so--since their ancestors, in the pride of their dawning intelligence, had swung down from their tree-tops, to walk upright on the solid earth and challenge the supremacy of the hunting beasts.

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

From this reading THE RESCUE OF A-YA The clay-colored, ape-like, bow-legged men squatted in council.

(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 They were still tree dwellers; but they were men, intent upon asserting their lordship over all the other dwellers upon earth's surface.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Their arms were still of an unhuman and ungainly length, their short powerful legs were still so heavily bowed that they had no great speed in running; and they still had their homes high among the branches, where they could sleep secure from surprise.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Their arms were still of an unhuman and ungainly length, their short powerful legs were still so heavily bowed that they had no great speed in running; and they still had their homes high among the branches, where they could sleep secure from surprise.

plural of “ancestor” — someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)

From this reading It was not long, as time went in the long, slow morning of the world--perhaps a half-score thousand years or so--since their ancestors, in the pride of their dawning intelligence, had swung down from their tree-tops, to walk upright on the solid earth and challenge the supremacy of the hunting beasts.

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

From this reading It was not long, as time went in the long, slow morning of the world--perhaps a half-score thousand years or so--since their ancestors, in the pride of their dawning intelligence, had swung down from their tree-tops, to walk upright on the solid earth and challenge the supremacy of the hunting beasts.

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

From this reading THE RESCUE OF A-YA The clay-colored, ape-like, bow-legged men squatted in council.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading Their arms were still of an unhuman and ungainly length, their short powerful legs were still so heavily bowed that they had no great speed in running; and they still had their homes high among the branches, where they could sleep secure from surprise.

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

From this reading It was not long, as time went in the long, slow morning of the world--perhaps a half-score thousand years or so--since their ancestors, in the pride of their dawning intelligence, had swung down from their tree-tops, to walk upright on the solid earth and challenge the supremacy of the hunting beasts.

relating to the use of or having the nature of a declaration

From this reading They were still tree dwellers; but they were men, intent upon asserting their lordship over all the other dwellers upon earth's surface.

plural of “beast” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading It was not long, as time went in the long, slow morning of the world--perhaps a half-score thousand years or so--since their ancestors, in the pride of their dawning intelligence, had swung down from their tree-tops, to walk upright on the solid earth and challenge the supremacy of the hunting beasts.

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading They were not beautiful to look upon.

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

From this reading THE RESCUE OF A-YA The clay-colored, ape-like, bow-legged men squatted in council.

of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow

From this reading Their arms were still of an unhuman and ungainly length, their short powerful legs were still so heavily bowed that they had no great speed in running; and they still had their homes high among the branches, where they could sleep secure from surprise.

plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization

From this reading Their arms were still of an unhuman and ungainly length, their short powerful legs were still so heavily bowed that they had no great speed in running; and they still had their homes high among the branches, where they could sleep secure from surprise.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading They were still tree dwellers; but they were men, intent upon asserting their lordship over all the other dwellers upon earth's surface.

take exception to

From this reading It was not long, as time went in the long, slow morning of the world--perhaps a half-score thousand years or so--since their ancestors, in the pride of their dawning intelligence, had swung down from their tree-tops, to walk upright on the solid earth and challenge the supremacy of the hunting beasts.

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

From this reading THE RESCUE OF A-YA The clay-colored, ape-like, bow-legged men squatted in council.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Their arms were still of an unhuman and ungainly length, their short powerful legs were still so heavily bowed that they had no great speed in running; and they still had their homes high among the branches, where they could sleep secure from surprise.

a body serving in an administrative capacity

From this reading THE RESCUE OF A-YA The clay-colored, ape-like, bow-legged men squatted in council.

the first light of day

From this reading It was not long, as time went in the long, slow morning of the world--perhaps a half-score thousand years or so--since their ancestors, in the pride of their dawning intelligence, had swung down from their tree-tops, to walk upright on the solid earth and challenge the supremacy of the hunting beasts.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading It was not long, as time went in the long, slow morning of the world--perhaps a half-score thousand years or so--since their ancestors, in the pride of their dawning intelligence, had swung down from their tree-tops, to walk upright on the solid earth and challenge the supremacy of the hunting beasts.

plural of “dweller” — a person who inhabits a particular place

From this reading They were still tree dwellers; but they were men, intent upon asserting their lordship over all the other dwellers upon earth's surface.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading It was not long, as time went in the long, slow morning of the world--perhaps a half-score thousand years or so--since their ancestors, in the pride of their dawning intelligence, had swung down from their tree-tops, to walk upright on the solid earth and challenge the supremacy of the hunting beasts.

possessive form of “earth” — the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading They were still tree dwellers; but they were men, intent upon asserting their lordship over all the other dwellers upon earth's surface.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was not long, as time went in the long, slow morning of the world--perhaps a half-score thousand years or so--since their ancestors, in the pride of their dawning intelligence, had swung down from their tree-tops, to walk upright on the solid earth and challenge the supremacy of the hunting beasts.

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

From this reading Their arms were still of an unhuman and ungainly length, their short powerful legs were still so heavily bowed that they had no great speed in running; and they still had their homes high among the branches, where they could sleep secure from surprise.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading It was not long, as time went in the long, slow morning of the world--perhaps a half-score thousand years or so--since their ancestors, in the pride of their dawning intelligence, had swung down from their tree-tops, to walk upright on the solid earth and challenge the supremacy of the hunting beasts.

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

From this reading It was not long, as time went in the long, slow morning of the world--perhaps a half-score thousand years or so--since their ancestors, in the pride of their dawning intelligence, had swung down from their tree-tops, to walk upright on the solid earth and challenge the supremacy of the hunting beasts.

to a considerable degree

From this reading Their arms were still of an unhuman and ungainly length, their short powerful legs were still so heavily bowed that they had no great speed in running; and they still had their homes high among the branches, where they could sleep secure from surprise.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Their arms were still of an unhuman and ungainly length, their short powerful legs were still so heavily bowed that they had no great speed in running; and they still had their homes high among the branches, where they could sleep secure from surprise.

plural of “home” — where you live at a particular time

From this reading Their arms were still of an unhuman and ungainly length, their short powerful legs were still so heavily bowed that they had no great speed in running; and they still had their homes high among the branches, where they could sleep secure from surprise.

the pursuit and killing or capture of wild animals regarded as a sport

From this reading It was not long, as time went in the long, slow morning of the world--perhaps a half-score thousand years or so--since their ancestors, in the pride of their dawning intelligence, had swung down from their tree-tops, to walk upright on the solid earth and challenge the supremacy of the hunting beasts.

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

From this reading THE RESCUE OF A-YA The clay-colored, ape-like, bow-legged men squatted in council.

the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience

From this reading It was not long, as time went in the long, slow morning of the world--perhaps a half-score thousand years or so--since their ancestors, in the pride of their dawning intelligence, had swung down from their tree-tops, to walk upright on the solid earth and challenge the supremacy of the hunting beasts.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading They were still tree dwellers; but they were men, intent upon asserting their lordship over all the other dwellers upon earth's surface.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was not long, as time went in the long, slow morning of the world--perhaps a half-score thousand years or so--since their ancestors, in the pride of their dawning intelligence, had swung down from their tree-tops, to walk upright on the solid earth and challenge the supremacy of the hunting beasts.

staying power

From this reading Their arms were still of an unhuman and ungainly length, their short powerful legs were still so heavily bowed that they had no great speed in running; and they still had their homes high among the branches, where they could sleep secure from surprise.

the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place

From this reading Their arms were still of an unhuman and ungainly length, their short powerful legs were still so heavily bowed that they had no great speed in running; and they still had their homes high among the branches, where they could sleep secure from surprise.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading It was not long, as time went in the long, slow morning of the world--perhaps a half-score thousand years or so--since their ancestors, in the pride of their dawning intelligence, had swung down from their tree-tops, to walk upright on the solid earth and challenge the supremacy of the hunting beasts.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading They were not beautiful to look upon.

a title used to address any British peer except a duke and extended to a bishop or a judge

From this reading They were still tree dwellers; but they were men, intent upon asserting their lordship over all the other dwellers upon earth's surface.

the force of workers available

From this reading THE RESCUE OF A-YA The clay-colored, ape-like, bow-legged men squatted in council.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading It was not long, as time went in the long, slow morning of the world--perhaps a half-score thousand years or so--since their ancestors, in the pride of their dawning intelligence, had swung down from their tree-tops, to walk upright on the solid earth and challenge the supremacy of the hunting beasts.

not any; not one

From this reading Their arms were still of an unhuman and ungainly length, their short powerful legs were still so heavily bowed that they had no great speed in running; and they still had their homes high among the branches, where they could sleep secure from surprise.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was not long, as time went in the long, slow morning of the world--perhaps a half-score thousand years or so--since their ancestors, in the pride of their dawning intelligence, had swung down from their tree-tops, to walk upright on the solid earth and challenge the supremacy of the hunting beasts.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE RESCUE OF A-YA The clay-colored, ape-like, bow-legged men squatted in council.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was not long, as time went in the long, slow morning of the world--perhaps a half-score thousand years or so--since their ancestors, in the pride of their dawning intelligence, had swung down from their tree-tops, to walk upright on the solid earth and challenge the supremacy of the hunting beasts.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It was not long, as time went in the long, slow morning of the world--perhaps a half-score thousand years or so--since their ancestors, in the pride of their dawning intelligence, had swung down from their tree-tops, to walk upright on the solid earth and challenge the supremacy of the hunting beasts.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading They were still tree dwellers; but they were men, intent upon asserting their lordship over all the other dwellers upon earth's surface.

above and across; more than

From this reading They were still tree dwellers; but they were men, intent upon asserting their lordship over all the other dwellers upon earth's surface.

by chance

From this reading It was not long, as time went in the long, slow morning of the world--perhaps a half-score thousand years or so--since their ancestors, in the pride of their dawning intelligence, had swung down from their tree-tops, to walk upright on the solid earth and challenge the supremacy of the hunting beasts.

having great power or force or potency or effect

From this reading Their arms were still of an unhuman and ungainly length, their short powerful legs were still so heavily bowed that they had no great speed in running; and they still had their homes high among the branches, where they could sleep secure from surprise.

a feeling of self-respect and personal worth

From this reading It was not long, as time went in the long, slow morning of the world--perhaps a half-score thousand years or so--since their ancestors, in the pride of their dawning intelligence, had swung down from their tree-tops, to walk upright on the solid earth and challenge the supremacy of the hunting beasts.

free from harm or evil

From this reading THE RESCUE OF A-YA The clay-colored, ape-like, bow-legged men squatted in council.

(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream

From this reading Their arms were still of an unhuman and ungainly length, their short powerful legs were still so heavily bowed that they had no great speed in running; and they still had their homes high among the branches, where they could sleep secure from surprise.

get by special effort

From this reading Their arms were still of an unhuman and ungainly length, their short powerful legs were still so heavily bowed that they had no great speed in running; and they still had their homes high among the branches, where they could sleep secure from surprise.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading Their arms were still of an unhuman and ungainly length, their short powerful legs were still so heavily bowed that they had no great speed in running; and they still had their homes high among the branches, where they could sleep secure from surprise.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading It was not long, as time went in the long, slow morning of the world--perhaps a half-score thousand years or so--since their ancestors, in the pride of their dawning intelligence, had swung down from their tree-tops, to walk upright on the solid earth and challenge the supremacy of the hunting beasts.

a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended

From this reading Their arms were still of an unhuman and ungainly length, their short powerful legs were still so heavily bowed that they had no great speed in running; and they still had their homes high among the branches, where they could sleep secure from surprise.

not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time

From this reading It was not long, as time went in the long, slow morning of the world--perhaps a half-score thousand years or so--since their ancestors, in the pride of their dawning intelligence, had swung down from their tree-tops, to walk upright on the solid earth and challenge the supremacy of the hunting beasts.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It was not long, as time went in the long, slow morning of the world--perhaps a half-score thousand years or so--since their ancestors, in the pride of their dawning intelligence, had swung down from their tree-tops, to walk upright on the solid earth and challenge the supremacy of the hunting beasts.

characterized by good substantial quality

From this reading It was not long, as time went in the long, slow morning of the world--perhaps a half-score thousand years or so--since their ancestors, in the pride of their dawning intelligence, had swung down from their tree-tops, to walk upright on the solid earth and challenge the supremacy of the hunting beasts.

move hurridly

From this reading Their arms were still of an unhuman and ungainly length, their short powerful legs were still so heavily bowed that they had no great speed in running; and they still had their homes high among the branches, where they could sleep secure from surprise.

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

From this reading THE RESCUE OF A-YA The clay-colored, ape-like, bow-legged men squatted in council.

not in physical motion

From this reading Their arms were still of an unhuman and ungainly length, their short powerful legs were still so heavily bowed that they had no great speed in running; and they still had their homes high among the branches, where they could sleep secure from surprise.

power to dominate or defeat

From this reading It was not long, as time went in the long, slow morning of the world--perhaps a half-score thousand years or so--since their ancestors, in the pride of their dawning intelligence, had swung down from their tree-tops, to walk upright on the solid earth and challenge the supremacy of the hunting beasts.

the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary

From this reading They were still tree dwellers; but they were men, intent upon asserting their lordship over all the other dwellers upon earth's surface.

the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you

From this reading Their arms were still of an unhuman and ungainly length, their short powerful legs were still so heavily bowed that they had no great speed in running; and they still had their homes high among the branches, where they could sleep secure from surprise.

inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting

From this reading It was not long, as time went in the long, slow morning of the world--perhaps a half-score thousand years or so--since their ancestors, in the pride of their dawning intelligence, had swung down from their tree-tops, to walk upright on the solid earth and challenge the supremacy of the hunting beasts.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Their arms were still of an unhuman and ungainly length, their short powerful legs were still so heavily bowed that they had no great speed in running; and they still had their homes high among the branches, where they could sleep secure from surprise.

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

From this reading THE RESCUE OF A-YA The clay-colored, ape-like, bow-legged men squatted in council.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It was not long, as time went in the long, slow morning of the world--perhaps a half-score thousand years or so--since their ancestors, in the pride of their dawning intelligence, had swung down from their tree-tops, to walk upright on the solid earth and challenge the supremacy of the hunting beasts.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Their arms were still of an unhuman and ungainly length, their short powerful legs were still so heavily bowed that they had no great speed in running; and they still had their homes high among the branches, where they could sleep secure from surprise.

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading It was not long, as time went in the long, slow morning of the world--perhaps a half-score thousand years or so--since their ancestors, in the pride of their dawning intelligence, had swung down from their tree-tops, to walk upright on the solid earth and challenge the supremacy of the hunting beasts.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading It was not long, as time went in the long, slow morning of the world--perhaps a half-score thousand years or so--since their ancestors, in the pride of their dawning intelligence, had swung down from their tree-tops, to walk upright on the solid earth and challenge the supremacy of the hunting beasts.

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

From this reading It was not long, as time went in the long, slow morning of the world--perhaps a half-score thousand years or so--since their ancestors, in the pride of their dawning intelligence, had swung down from their tree-tops, to walk upright on the solid earth and challenge the supremacy of the hunting beasts.

a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading They were still tree dwellers; but they were men, intent upon asserting their lordship over all the other dwellers upon earth's surface.

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

From this reading It was not long, as time went in the long, slow morning of the world--perhaps a half-score thousand years or so--since their ancestors, in the pride of their dawning intelligence, had swung down from their tree-tops, to walk upright on the solid earth and challenge the supremacy of the hunting beasts.

lacking grace in movement or posture

From this reading Their arms were still of an unhuman and ungainly length, their short powerful legs were still so heavily bowed that they had no great speed in running; and they still had their homes high among the branches, where they could sleep secure from surprise.

divested of human qualities or attributes

From this reading Their arms were still of an unhuman and ungainly length, their short powerful legs were still so heavily bowed that they had no great speed in running; and they still had their homes high among the branches, where they could sleep secure from surprise.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading They were still tree dwellers; but they were men, intent upon asserting their lordship over all the other dwellers upon earth's surface.

in a vertical position; not sloping

From this reading It was not long, as time went in the long, slow morning of the world--perhaps a half-score thousand years or so--since their ancestors, in the pride of their dawning intelligence, had swung down from their tree-tops, to walk upright on the solid earth and challenge the supremacy of the hunting beasts.

the act of traveling by foot

From this reading It was not long, as time went in the long, slow morning of the world--perhaps a half-score thousand years or so--since their ancestors, in the pride of their dawning intelligence, had swung down from their tree-tops, to walk upright on the solid earth and challenge the supremacy of the hunting beasts.

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

From this reading It was not long, as time went in the long, slow morning of the world--perhaps a half-score thousand years or so--since their ancestors, in the pride of their dawning intelligence, had swung down from their tree-tops, to walk upright on the solid earth and challenge the supremacy of the hunting beasts.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading It was not long, as time went in the long, slow morning of the world--perhaps a half-score thousand years or so--since their ancestors, in the pride of their dawning intelligence, had swung down from their tree-tops, to walk upright on the solid earth and challenge the supremacy of the hunting beasts.

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

From this reading Their arms were still of an unhuman and ungainly length, their short powerful legs were still so heavily bowed that they had no great speed in running; and they still had their homes high among the branches, where they could sleep secure from surprise.

in or at the place that

From this reading Their arms were still of an unhuman and ungainly length, their short powerful legs were still so heavily bowed that they had no great speed in running; and they still had their homes high among the branches, where they could sleep secure from surprise.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading It was not long, as time went in the long, slow morning of the world--perhaps a half-score thousand years or so--since their ancestors, in the pride of their dawning intelligence, had swung down from their tree-tops, to walk upright on the solid earth and challenge the supremacy of the hunting beasts.

a late time of life

From this reading It was not long, as time went in the long, slow morning of the world--perhaps a half-score thousand years or so--since their ancestors, in the pride of their dawning intelligence, had swung down from their tree-tops, to walk upright on the solid earth and challenge the supremacy of the hunting beasts.