1950
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This etext was produced from Astounding Science Fiction, August, 1950.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For a strange pattern of beliefs can make assassination an honorable profession!_ Along the U-shaped table, the subdued clatter of dinnerware and the buzz of conversation was dying out; the soft music that drifted down from the overhead sound outlets seemed louder as the competing noises diminished.
(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 _The last enemy was the toughest of all—and conquering him was in itself almost as dangerous as not conquering.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading _The last enemy was the toughest of all—and conquering him was in itself almost as dangerous as not conquering.
AlongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading For a strange pattern of beliefs can make assassination an honorable profession!_ Along the U-shaped table, the subdued clatter of dinnerware and the buzz of conversation was dying out; the soft music that drifted down from the overhead sound outlets seemed louder as the competing noises diminished.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading For a strange pattern of beliefs can make assassination an honorable profession!_ Along the U-shaped table, the subdued clatter of dinnerware and the buzz of conversation was dying out; the soft music that drifted down from the overhead sound outlets seemed louder as the competing noises diminished.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _The last enemy was the toughest of all—and conquering him was in itself almost as dangerous as not conquering.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the copyright on this publication was renewed.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading _The last enemy was the toughest of all—and conquering him was in itself almost as dangerous as not conquering.
assailedverbUS /əˈseɪld/
past form of “assail” — attack someone physically or emotionally
From this reading The feast was drawing to a close, and Dallona of Hadron fidgeted nervously with the stem of her wineglass as last-moment doubts assailed her.
assassinationnounUS /əˌsæsəˈneɪʃən/
an attack intended to ruin someone's reputation
From this reading For a strange pattern of beliefs can make assassination an honorable profession!_ Along the U-shaped table, the subdued clatter of dinnerware and the buzz of conversation was dying out; the soft music that drifted down from the overhead sound outlets seemed louder as the competing noises diminished.
AstoundingadjectiveUS /əˈstaʊndɪŋ/
bewildering or striking dumb with wonder
From this reading This etext was produced from Astounding Science Fiction, August, 1950.
the month following July and preceding September
From this reading This etext was produced from Astounding Science Fiction, August, 1950.
beliefsnounUS /bɪˈliːfs/
plural of “belief” — any cognitive content held as true
From this reading For a strange pattern of beliefs can make assassination an honorable profession!_ Along the U-shaped table, the subdued clatter of dinnerware and the buzz of conversation was dying out; the soft music that drifted down from the overhead sound outlets seemed louder as the competing noises diminished.
buzzverbUS /bʌz/
make a buzzing sound
From this reading For a strange pattern of beliefs can make assassination an honorable profession!_ Along the U-shaped table, the subdued clatter of dinnerware and the buzz of conversation was dying out; the soft music that drifted down from the overhead sound outlets seemed louder as the competing noises diminished.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading For a strange pattern of beliefs can make assassination an honorable profession!_ Along the U-shaped table, the subdued clatter of dinnerware and the buzz of conversation was dying out; the soft music that drifted down from the overhead sound outlets seemed louder as the competing noises diminished.
clatternounUS /ˈklætər/
a rattling noise (often produced by rapid movement)
From this reading For a strange pattern of beliefs can make assassination an honorable profession!_ Along the U-shaped table, the subdued clatter of dinnerware and the buzz of conversation was dying out; the soft music that drifted down from the overhead sound outlets seemed louder as the competing noises diminished.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading The feast was drawing to a close, and Dallona of Hadron fidgeted nervously with the stem of her wineglass as last-moment doubts assailed her.
competingverbUS /kəmˈpiːtɪŋ/
-ing form of “compete” — compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others
From this reading For a strange pattern of beliefs can make assassination an honorable profession!_ Along the U-shaped table, the subdued clatter of dinnerware and the buzz of conversation was dying out; the soft music that drifted down from the overhead sound outlets seemed louder as the competing noises diminished.
conqueringnounUS /ˈkɑːŋkərɪŋ/
the act of conquering
From this reading _The last enemy was the toughest of all—and conquering him was in itself almost as dangerous as not conquering.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading For a strange pattern of beliefs can make assassination an honorable profession!_ Along the U-shaped table, the subdued clatter of dinnerware and the buzz of conversation was dying out; the soft music that drifted down from the overhead sound outlets seemed louder as the competing noises diminished.
copyrightnounUS /ˈkɑːpiraɪt/
a document granting exclusive right to publish and sell literary or musical or artistic work
From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the copyright on this publication was renewed.
Dallona
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The feast was drawing to a close, and Dallona of Hadron fidgeted nervously with the stem of her wineglass as last-moment doubts assailed her.
involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm
From this reading _The last enemy was the toughest of all—and conquering him was in itself almost as dangerous as not conquering.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the copyright on this publication was renewed.
diminishedadjectiveUS /dɪˈmɪnɪʃt/
impaired by diminution
From this reading For a strange pattern of beliefs can make assassination an honorable profession!_ Along the U-shaped table, the subdued clatter of dinnerware and the buzz of conversation was dying out; the soft music that drifted down from the overhead sound outlets seemed louder as the competing noises diminished.
dinnerwarenounUS /ˈdɪnərwer/
the tableware (plates and platters and serving bowls etc.) used in serving a meal
From this reading For a strange pattern of beliefs can make assassination an honorable profession!_ Along the U-shaped table, the subdued clatter of dinnerware and the buzz of conversation was dying out; the soft music that drifted down from the overhead sound outlets seemed louder as the competing noises diminished.
doubtsnounUS /daʊts/
plural of “doubt” — the state of being unsure of something
From this reading The feast was drawing to a close, and Dallona of Hadron fidgeted nervously with the stem of her wineglass as last-moment doubts assailed her.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading For a strange pattern of beliefs can make assassination an honorable profession!_ Along the U-shaped table, the subdued clatter of dinnerware and the buzz of conversation was dying out; the soft music that drifted down from the overhead sound outlets seemed louder as the competing noises diminished.
an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper
From this reading The feast was drawing to a close, and Dallona of Hadron fidgeted nervously with the stem of her wineglass as last-moment doubts assailed her.
driftedverbUS /ˈdrɪftəd/
past form of “drift” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading For a strange pattern of beliefs can make assassination an honorable profession!_ Along the U-shaped table, the subdued clatter of dinnerware and the buzz of conversation was dying out; the soft music that drifted down from the overhead sound outlets seemed louder as the competing noises diminished.
dyingadjectiveUS /ˈdaɪɪŋ/
in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be
From this reading For a strange pattern of beliefs can make assassination an honorable profession!_ Along the U-shaped table, the subdued clatter of dinnerware and the buzz of conversation was dying out; the soft music that drifted down from the overhead sound outlets seemed louder as the competing noises diminished.
an opposing military force
From this reading _The last enemy was the toughest of all—and conquering him was in itself almost as dangerous as not conquering.
etext
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This etext was produced from Astounding Science Fiction, August, 1950.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the copyright on this publication was renewed.
ExtensiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈstensɪv/
large in spatial extent or range or scope or quantity
From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the copyright on this publication was renewed.
a ceremonial dinner party for many people
From this reading The feast was drawing to a close, and Dallona of Hadron fidgeted nervously with the stem of her wineglass as last-moment doubts assailed her.
FictionnounUS /ˈfɪkʃən/
a literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact
From this reading This etext was produced from Astounding Science Fiction, August, 1950.
fidgeted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The feast was drawing to a close, and Dallona of Hadron fidgeted nervously with the stem of her wineglass as last-moment doubts assailed her.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a strange pattern of beliefs can make assassination an honorable profession!_ Along the U-shaped table, the subdued clatter of dinnerware and the buzz of conversation was dying out; the soft music that drifted down from the overhead sound outlets seemed louder as the competing noises diminished.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading This etext was produced from Astounding Science Fiction, August, 1950.
HadronnounUS /ˈhædrɔːn/
any elementary particle that interacts strongly with other particles
From this reading The feast was drawing to a close, and Dallona of Hadron fidgeted nervously with the stem of her wineglass as last-moment doubts assailed her.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The feast was drawing to a close, and Dallona of Hadron fidgeted nervously with the stem of her wineglass as last-moment doubts assailed her.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading _The last enemy was the toughest of all—and conquering him was in itself almost as dangerous as not conquering.
honorableadjectiveUS /ˈɑːnərəbəl/
not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent
From this reading For a strange pattern of beliefs can make assassination an honorable profession!_ Along the U-shaped table, the subdued clatter of dinnerware and the buzz of conversation was dying out; the soft music that drifted down from the overhead sound outlets seemed louder as the competing noises diminished.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _The last enemy was the toughest of all—and conquering him was in itself almost as dangerous as not conquering.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading _The last enemy was the toughest of all—and conquering him was in itself almost as dangerous as not conquering.
immediately past
From this reading _The last enemy was the toughest of all—and conquering him was in itself almost as dangerous as not conquering.
last-moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The feast was drawing to a close, and Dallona of Hadron fidgeted nervously with the stem of her wineglass as last-moment doubts assailed her.
louderadjectiveUS /ˈlaʊdər/
comparative of “loud” — characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading For a strange pattern of beliefs can make assassination an honorable profession!_ Along the U-shaped table, the subdued clatter of dinnerware and the buzz of conversation was dying out; the soft music that drifted down from the overhead sound outlets seemed louder as the competing noises diminished.
engage in
From this reading For a strange pattern of beliefs can make assassination an honorable profession!_ Along the U-shaped table, the subdued clatter of dinnerware and the buzz of conversation was dying out; the soft music that drifted down from the overhead sound outlets seemed louder as the competing noises diminished.
an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
From this reading For a strange pattern of beliefs can make assassination an honorable profession!_ Along the U-shaped table, the subdued clatter of dinnerware and the buzz of conversation was dying out; the soft music that drifted down from the overhead sound outlets seemed louder as the competing noises diminished.
nervouslyadverbUS /ˈnɜːrvəsli/
in an anxiously nervous manner
From this reading The feast was drawing to a close, and Dallona of Hadron fidgeted nervously with the stem of her wineglass as last-moment doubts assailed her.
noisesnounUS /ˈnɔɪzɪz/
plural of “noise” — sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading For a strange pattern of beliefs can make assassination an honorable profession!_ Along the U-shaped table, the subdued clatter of dinnerware and the buzz of conversation was dying out; the soft music that drifted down from the overhead sound outlets seemed louder as the competing noises diminished.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the copyright on this publication was renewed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _The last enemy was the toughest of all—and conquering him was in itself almost as dangerous as not conquering.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the copyright on this publication was renewed.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading For a strange pattern of beliefs can make assassination an honorable profession!_ Along the U-shaped table, the subdued clatter of dinnerware and the buzz of conversation was dying out; the soft music that drifted down from the overhead sound outlets seemed louder as the competing noises diminished.
outletsnounUS /ˈaʊtlets/
plural of “outlet” — a place of business for retailing goods
From this reading For a strange pattern of beliefs can make assassination an honorable profession!_ Along the U-shaped table, the subdued clatter of dinnerware and the buzz of conversation was dying out; the soft music that drifted down from the overhead sound outlets seemed louder as the competing noises diminished.
overheadadverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhed/
above your head; in the sky
From this reading For a strange pattern of beliefs can make assassination an honorable profession!_ Along the U-shaped table, the subdued clatter of dinnerware and the buzz of conversation was dying out; the soft music that drifted down from the overhead sound outlets seemed louder as the competing noises diminished.
patternnounUS /ˈpætərn/
a perceptual structure
From this reading For a strange pattern of beliefs can make assassination an honorable profession!_ Along the U-shaped table, the subdued clatter of dinnerware and the buzz of conversation was dying out; the soft music that drifted down from the overhead sound outlets seemed louder as the competing noises diminished.
past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield
From this reading This etext was produced from Astounding Science Fiction, August, 1950.
the body of people in a learned occupation
From this reading For a strange pattern of beliefs can make assassination an honorable profession!_ Along the U-shaped table, the subdued clatter of dinnerware and the buzz of conversation was dying out; the soft music that drifted down from the overhead sound outlets seemed louder as the competing noises diminished.
publicationnounUS /ˌpʌblɪˈkeɪʃən/
a copy of a printed work offered for distribution
From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the copyright on this publication was renewed.
renewedadjectiveUS /rɪˈnuːd/
restored to a new condition
From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the copyright on this publication was renewed.
researchnounUS /riˈsɜːrtʃ/
systematic investigation to establish facts
From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the copyright on this publication was renewed.
a particular branch of scientific knowledge
From this reading This etext was produced from Astounding Science Fiction, August, 1950.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading For a strange pattern of beliefs can make assassination an honorable profession!_ Along the U-shaped table, the subdued clatter of dinnerware and the buzz of conversation was dying out; the soft music that drifted down from the overhead sound outlets seemed louder as the competing noises diminished.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading For a strange pattern of beliefs can make assassination an honorable profession!_ Along the U-shaped table, the subdued clatter of dinnerware and the buzz of conversation was dying out; the soft music that drifted down from the overhead sound outlets seemed louder as the competing noises diminished.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading For a strange pattern of beliefs can make assassination an honorable profession!_ Along the U-shaped table, the subdued clatter of dinnerware and the buzz of conversation was dying out; the soft music that drifted down from the overhead sound outlets seemed louder as the competing noises diminished.
stemnounUS /stem/
(linguistics) the form of a word after all affixes are removed
From this reading The feast was drawing to a close, and Dallona of Hadron fidgeted nervously with the stem of her wineglass as last-moment doubts assailed her.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading For a strange pattern of beliefs can make assassination an honorable profession!_ Along the U-shaped table, the subdued clatter of dinnerware and the buzz of conversation was dying out; the soft music that drifted down from the overhead sound outlets seemed louder as the competing noises diminished.
subduedadjectiveUS /səbˈduːd/
in a softened tone
From this reading For a strange pattern of beliefs can make assassination an honorable profession!_ Along the U-shaped table, the subdued clatter of dinnerware and the buzz of conversation was dying out; the soft music that drifted down from the overhead sound outlets seemed louder as the competing noises diminished.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading For a strange pattern of beliefs can make assassination an honorable profession!_ Along the U-shaped table, the subdued clatter of dinnerware and the buzz of conversation was dying out; the soft music that drifted down from the overhead sound outlets seemed louder as the competing noises diminished.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the copyright on this publication was renewed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the copyright on this publication was renewed.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This etext was produced from Astounding Science Fiction, August, 1950.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The feast was drawing to a close, and Dallona of Hadron fidgeted nervously with the stem of her wineglass as last-moment doubts assailed her.
toughestadjectiveUS /ˈtʌfəst/
superlative of “tough” — not given to gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading _The last enemy was the toughest of all—and conquering him was in itself almost as dangerous as not conquering.
U-shapedadjective
shaped in the form of the letter U
From this reading For a strange pattern of beliefs can make assassination an honorable profession!_ Along the U-shaped table, the subdued clatter of dinnerware and the buzz of conversation was dying out; the soft music that drifted down from the overhead sound outlets seemed louder as the competing noises diminished.
uncoververbUS /ənˈkʌvər/
remove all or part of one's clothes to show one's body
From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the copyright on this publication was renewed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This etext was produced from Astounding Science Fiction, August, 1950.
wineglassnoun
a glass that has a stem and in which wine is served
From this reading The feast was drawing to a close, and Dallona of Hadron fidgeted nervously with the stem of her wineglass as last-moment doubts assailed her.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The feast was drawing to a close, and Dallona of Hadron fidgeted nervously with the stem of her wineglass as last-moment doubts assailed her.
