used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Micromegas, a much better observer than his dwarf, clearly saw that the atoms were speaking to each other, and pointed this out to his companion, who, ashamed of being mistaken about them reproducing, did not want to believe that such a species could communicate.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Micromegas, a much better observer than his dwarf, clearly saw that the atoms were speaking to each other, and pointed this out to his companion, who, ashamed of being mistaken about them reproducing, did not want to believe that such a species could communicate.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading What happened to them among men.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Micromegas, a much better observer than his dwarf, clearly saw that the atoms were speaking to each other, and pointed this out to his companion, who, ashamed of being mistaken about them reproducing, did not want to believe that such a species could communicate.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He had the gift of language as well as the Sirian.
feeling shame or guilt or embarrassment or remorse
From this reading Micromegas, a much better observer than his dwarf, clearly saw that the atoms were speaking to each other, and pointed this out to his companion, who, ashamed of being mistaken about them reproducing, did not want to believe that such a species could communicate.
atomsnounUS /ˈætəmz/
plural of “atom” — (physics and chemistry) the smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of the element
From this reading Micromegas, a much better observer than his dwarf, clearly saw that the atoms were speaking to each other, and pointed this out to his companion, who, ashamed of being mistaken about them reproducing, did not want to believe that such a species could communicate.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Micromegas, a much better observer than his dwarf, clearly saw that the atoms were speaking to each other, and pointed this out to his companion, who, ashamed of being mistaken about them reproducing, did not want to believe that such a species could communicate.
beingsnounUS /ˈbiːɪŋz/
plural of “being” — the state or fact of existing
From this reading Moreover, how could these impossibly small beings have vocal organs, and what would they have to say?
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading Micromegas, a much better observer than his dwarf, clearly saw that the atoms were speaking to each other, and pointed this out to his companion, who, ashamed of being mistaken about them reproducing, did not want to believe that such a species could communicate.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading Micromegas, a much better observer than his dwarf, clearly saw that the atoms were speaking to each other, and pointed this out to his companion, who, ashamed of being mistaken about them reproducing, did not want to believe that such a species could communicate.
without doubt or question
From this reading Micromegas, a much better observer than his dwarf, clearly saw that the atoms were speaking to each other, and pointed this out to his companion, who, ashamed of being mistaken about them reproducing, did not want to believe that such a species could communicate.
communicateverbUS /kəˈmjuːnəkeɪt/
transmit information
From this reading Micromegas, a much better observer than his dwarf, clearly saw that the atoms were speaking to each other, and pointed this out to his companion, who, ashamed of being mistaken about them reproducing, did not want to believe that such a species could communicate.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading Micromegas, a much better observer than his dwarf, clearly saw that the atoms were speaking to each other, and pointed this out to his companion, who, ashamed of being mistaken about them reproducing, did not want to believe that such a species could communicate.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Micromegas, a much better observer than his dwarf, clearly saw that the atoms were speaking to each other, and pointed this out to his companion, who, ashamed of being mistaken about them reproducing, did not want to believe that such a species could communicate.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Micromegas, a much better observer than his dwarf, clearly saw that the atoms were speaking to each other, and pointed this out to his companion, who, ashamed of being mistaken about them reproducing, did not want to believe that such a species could communicate.
dwarfnounUS /dwɔːrf/
a person who is markedly small
From this reading Micromegas, a much better observer than his dwarf, clearly saw that the atoms were speaking to each other, and pointed this out to his companion, who, ashamed of being mistaken about them reproducing, did not want to believe that such a species could communicate.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Micromegas, a much better observer than his dwarf, clearly saw that the atoms were speaking to each other, and pointed this out to his companion, who, ashamed of being mistaken about them reproducing, did not want to believe that such a species could communicate.
something acquired without compensation
From this reading He had the gift of language as well as the Sirian.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had the gift of language as well as the Sirian.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading What happened to them among men.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Moreover, how could these impossibly small beings have vocal organs, and what would they have to say?
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had the gift of language as well as the Sirian.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading He could not hear the atoms talk, and he supposed that they did not speak.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Micromegas, a much better observer than his dwarf, clearly saw that the atoms were speaking to each other, and pointed this out to his companion, who, ashamed of being mistaken about them reproducing, did not want to believe that such a species could communicate.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moreover, how could these impossibly small beings have vocal organs, and what would they have to say?
impossiblyadverbUS /ˌɪmˈpɑːsəbli/
to a degree impossible of achievement
From this reading Moreover, how could these impossibly small beings have vocal organs, and what would they have to say?
a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
From this reading He had the gift of language as well as the Sirian.
the force of workers available
From this reading What happened to them among men.
Micromegas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Micromegas, a much better observer than his dwarf, clearly saw that the atoms were speaking to each other, and pointed this out to his companion, who, ashamed of being mistaken about them reproducing, did not want to believe that such a species could communicate.
wrong in e.g. opinion or judgment
From this reading Micromegas, a much better observer than his dwarf, clearly saw that the atoms were speaking to each other, and pointed this out to his companion, who, ashamed of being mistaken about them reproducing, did not want to believe that such a species could communicate.
in addition to what has just been said
From this reading Moreover, how could these impossibly small beings have vocal organs, and what would they have to say?
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Micromegas, a much better observer than his dwarf, clearly saw that the atoms were speaking to each other, and pointed this out to his companion, who, ashamed of being mistaken about them reproducing, did not want to believe that such a species could communicate.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Micromegas, a much better observer than his dwarf, clearly saw that the atoms were speaking to each other, and pointed this out to his companion, who, ashamed of being mistaken about them reproducing, did not want to believe that such a species could communicate.
observernounUS /əbˈzɜːrvər/
a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses
From this reading Micromegas, a much better observer than his dwarf, clearly saw that the atoms were speaking to each other, and pointed this out to his companion, who, ashamed of being mistaken about them reproducing, did not want to believe that such a species could communicate.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Micromegas, a much better observer than his dwarf, clearly saw that the atoms were speaking to each other, and pointed this out to his companion, who, ashamed of being mistaken about them reproducing, did not want to believe that such a species could communicate.
organsnounUS /ˈɔːrɡənz/
edible viscera of a butchered animal
From this reading Moreover, how could these impossibly small beings have vocal organs, and what would they have to say?
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Micromegas, a much better observer than his dwarf, clearly saw that the atoms were speaking to each other, and pointed this out to his companion, who, ashamed of being mistaken about them reproducing, did not want to believe that such a species could communicate.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Micromegas, a much better observer than his dwarf, clearly saw that the atoms were speaking to each other, and pointed this out to his companion, who, ashamed of being mistaken about them reproducing, did not want to believe that such a species could communicate.
having a point
From this reading Micromegas, a much better observer than his dwarf, clearly saw that the atoms were speaking to each other, and pointed this out to his companion, who, ashamed of being mistaken about them reproducing, did not want to believe that such a species could communicate.
reproducingverbUS /ˌriːprəˈduːsɪŋ/
-ing form of “reproduce” — make a copy or equivalent of
From this reading Micromegas, a much better observer than his dwarf, clearly saw that the atoms were speaking to each other, and pointed this out to his companion, who, ashamed of being mistaken about them reproducing, did not want to believe that such a species could communicate.
cut with a saw
From this reading Micromegas, a much better observer than his dwarf, clearly saw that the atoms were speaking to each other, and pointed this out to his companion, who, ashamed of being mistaken about them reproducing, did not want to believe that such a species could communicate.
express in words
From this reading Moreover, how could these impossibly small beings have vocal organs, and what would they have to say?
Sirian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had the gift of language as well as the Sirian.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Moreover, how could these impossibly small beings have vocal organs, and what would they have to say?
express in speech
From this reading He could not hear the atoms talk, and he supposed that they did not speak.
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading Micromegas, a much better observer than his dwarf, clearly saw that the atoms were speaking to each other, and pointed this out to his companion, who, ashamed of being mistaken about them reproducing, did not want to believe that such a species could communicate.
speciesnounUS /ˈspiːʃiz/
(biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed
From this reading Micromegas, a much better observer than his dwarf, clearly saw that the atoms were speaking to each other, and pointed this out to his companion, who, ashamed of being mistaken about them reproducing, did not want to believe that such a species could communicate.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Micromegas, a much better observer than his dwarf, clearly saw that the atoms were speaking to each other, and pointed this out to his companion, who, ashamed of being mistaken about them reproducing, did not want to believe that such a species could communicate.
required or under orders
From this reading He could not hear the atoms talk, and he supposed that they did not speak.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading He could not hear the atoms talk, and he supposed that they did not speak.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Micromegas, a much better observer than his dwarf, clearly saw that the atoms were speaking to each other, and pointed this out to his companion, who, ashamed of being mistaken about them reproducing, did not want to believe that such a species could communicate.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Micromegas, a much better observer than his dwarf, clearly saw that the atoms were speaking to each other, and pointed this out to his companion, who, ashamed of being mistaken about them reproducing, did not want to believe that such a species could communicate.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Micromegas, a much better observer than his dwarf, clearly saw that the atoms were speaking to each other, and pointed this out to his companion, who, ashamed of being mistaken about them reproducing, did not want to believe that such a species could communicate.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading What happened to them among men.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Moreover, how could these impossibly small beings have vocal organs, and what would they have to say?
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He could not hear the atoms talk, and he supposed that they did not speak.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Micromegas, a much better observer than his dwarf, clearly saw that the atoms were speaking to each other, and pointed this out to his companion, who, ashamed of being mistaken about them reproducing, did not want to believe that such a species could communicate.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading What happened to them among men.
vocaladjectiveUS /ˈvoʊkəl/
relating to or designed for or using the singing voice
From this reading Moreover, how could these impossibly small beings have vocal organs, and what would they have to say?
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading Micromegas, a much better observer than his dwarf, clearly saw that the atoms were speaking to each other, and pointed this out to his companion, who, ashamed of being mistaken about them reproducing, did not want to believe that such a species could communicate.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading He had the gift of language as well as the Sirian.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Micromegas, a much better observer than his dwarf, clearly saw that the atoms were speaking to each other, and pointed this out to his companion, who, ashamed of being mistaken about them reproducing, did not want to believe that such a species could communicate.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What happened to them among men.
which person or people
From this reading Micromegas, a much better observer than his dwarf, clearly saw that the atoms were speaking to each other, and pointed this out to his companion, who, ashamed of being mistaken about them reproducing, did not want to believe that such a species could communicate.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Moreover, how could these impossibly small beings have vocal organs, and what would they have to say?
