used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading That was a thing he had never even imagined.
abilitynounUS /əˈbɪlətiː/
the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment
From this reading They were such a simple, almost childlike race, that such an ability was farthest from his thoughts.
Algon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The knowledge that these Guddus of Algon were telepathic rocked George Hanlon back on his heels.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading They were such a simple, almost childlike race, that such an ability was farthest from his thoughts.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading They were such a simple, almost childlike race, that such an ability was farthest from his thoughts.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "If you can talk with your minds?" he asked Geck in wonder, "why do you bother to speak with the voice to each other?"
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The knowledge that these Guddus of Algon were telepathic rocked George Hanlon back on his heels.
for the reason that
From this reading "Because mind-talk more tiring to we," came the simple explanation.
botherverbUS /ˈbɑːðər/
take the trouble to do something; concern oneself
From this reading "If you can talk with your minds?" he asked Geck in wonder, "why do you bother to speak with the voice to each other?"
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "Because mind-talk more tiring to we," came the simple explanation.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "If you can talk with your minds?" he asked Geck in wonder, "why do you bother to speak with the voice to each other?"
childlikeadjectiveUS /ˈtʃaɪldlaɪk/
befitting a young child
From this reading They were such a simple, almost childlike race, that such an ability was farthest from his thoughts.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "If you can talk with your minds?" he asked Geck in wonder, "why do you bother to speak with the voice to each other?"
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading "If you can talk with your minds?" he asked Geck in wonder, "why do you bother to speak with the voice to each other?"
divisible by two
From this reading That was a thing he had never even imagined.
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading "Because mind-talk more tiring to we," came the simple explanation.
farthestadverbUS /ˈfɑːrðəst/
to the greatest distance in space or time (“farthest” is used more often than “furthest” in this physical sense)
From this reading They were such a simple, almost childlike race, that such an ability was farthest from his thoughts.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They were such a simple, almost childlike race, that such an ability was farthest from his thoughts.
Geck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "If you can talk with your minds?" he asked Geck in wonder, "why do you bother to speak with the voice to each other?"
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading The knowledge that these Guddus of Algon were telepathic rocked George Hanlon back on his heels.
Guddus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The knowledge that these Guddus of Algon were telepathic rocked George Hanlon back on his heels.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That was a thing he had never even imagined.
Hanlon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The knowledge that these Guddus of Algon were telepathic rocked George Hanlon back on his heels.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading That was a thing he had never even imagined.
plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
From this reading The knowledge that these Guddus of Algon were telepathic rocked George Hanlon back on his heels.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The knowledge that these Guddus of Algon were telepathic rocked George Hanlon back on his heels.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "If you can talk with your minds?" he asked Geck in wonder, "why do you bother to speak with the voice to each other?"
past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading That was a thing he had never even imagined.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "If you can talk with your minds?" he asked Geck in wonder, "why do you bother to speak with the voice to each other?"
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading The knowledge that these Guddus of Algon were telepathic rocked George Hanlon back on his heels.
mind-talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Because mind-talk more tiring to we," came the simple explanation.
plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason
From this reading "If you can talk with your minds?" he asked Geck in wonder, "why do you bother to speak with the voice to each other?"
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading "Because mind-talk more tiring to we," came the simple explanation.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading That was a thing he had never even imagined.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The knowledge that these Guddus of Algon were telepathic rocked George Hanlon back on his heels.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The knowledge that these Guddus of Algon were telepathic rocked George Hanlon back on his heels.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading "If you can talk with your minds?" he asked Geck in wonder, "why do you bother to speak with the voice to each other?"
any competition
From this reading They were such a simple, almost childlike race, that such an ability was farthest from his thoughts.
rockedverbUS /rɑːkt/
past form of “rock” — move back and forth or sideways
From this reading The knowledge that these Guddus of Algon were telepathic rocked George Hanlon back on his heels.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading They were such a simple, almost childlike race, that such an ability was farthest from his thoughts.
express in speech
From this reading "If you can talk with your minds?" he asked Geck in wonder, "why do you bother to speak with the voice to each other?"
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading They were such a simple, almost childlike race, that such an ability was farthest from his thoughts.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading "If you can talk with your minds?" he asked Geck in wonder, "why do you bother to speak with the voice to each other?"
telepathicadjectiveUS /ˌteləˈpæθək/
communicating without apparent physical signals
From this reading The knowledge that these Guddus of Algon were telepathic rocked George Hanlon back on his heels.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The knowledge that these Guddus of Algon were telepathic rocked George Hanlon back on his heels.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The knowledge that these Guddus of Algon were telepathic rocked George Hanlon back on his heels.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The knowledge that these Guddus of Algon were telepathic rocked George Hanlon back on his heels.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were such a simple, almost childlike race, that such an ability was farthest from his thoughts.
a special situation
From this reading That was a thing he had never even imagined.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading They were such a simple, almost childlike race, that such an ability was farthest from his thoughts.
tiringadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪrɪŋ/
producing exhaustion
From this reading "Because mind-talk more tiring to we," came the simple explanation.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "If you can talk with your minds?" he asked Geck in wonder, "why do you bother to speak with the voice to each other?"
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading "If you can talk with your minds?" he asked Geck in wonder, "why do you bother to speak with the voice to each other?"
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That was a thing he had never even imagined.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "Because mind-talk more tiring to we," came the simple explanation.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The knowledge that these Guddus of Algon were telepathic rocked George Hanlon back on his heels.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading "If you can talk with your minds?" he asked Geck in wonder, "why do you bother to speak with the voice to each other?"
in the company of; together with
From this reading "If you can talk with your minds?" he asked Geck in wonder, "why do you bother to speak with the voice to each other?"
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading "If you can talk with your minds?" he asked Geck in wonder, "why do you bother to speak with the voice to each other?"
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "If you can talk with your minds?" he asked Geck in wonder, "why do you bother to speak with the voice to each other?"
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "If you can talk with your minds?" he asked Geck in wonder, "why do you bother to speak with the voice to each other?"
