used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He crossed to the elevator and stood in front of it until a tiny electroencephalograph inside recognized his distinctive brain-wave pattern.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Across the room, another door was popping open in response to the robot's distinctive wave pattern.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading If only so many people didn't act like robots!
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It might be silly to treat robots like people, but that wasn't as bad as treating people like robots, an attitude which was becoming entirely too prevalent.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He crossed to the elevator and stood in front of it until a tiny electroencephalograph inside recognized his distinctive brain-wave pattern.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Across the room, another door was popping open in response to the robot's distinctive wave pattern.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading He stepped inside and flipped a switch--there were still a few things around that had to be manually operated--and the door closed behind him and the elevator gave him an instant's weightlessness as it started to drop forty floors.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It might be silly to treat robots like people, but that wasn't as bad as treating people like robots, an attitude which was becoming entirely too prevalent.
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading It might be silly to treat robots like people, but that wasn't as bad as treating people like robots, an attitude which was becoming entirely too prevalent.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading It might be silly to treat robots like people, but that wasn't as bad as treating people like robots, an attitude which was becoming entirely too prevalent.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It might be silly to treat robots like people, but that wasn't as bad as treating people like robots, an attitude which was becoming entirely too prevalent.
according with custom or propriety
From this reading It might be silly to treat robots like people, but that wasn't as bad as treating people like robots, an attitude which was becoming entirely too prevalent.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading He stepped inside and flipped a switch--there were still a few things around that had to be manually operated--and the door closed behind him and the elevator gave him an instant's weightlessness as it started to drop forty floors.
brain-wave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He crossed to the elevator and stood in front of it until a tiny electroencephalograph inside recognized his distinctive brain-wave pattern.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It might be silly to treat robots like people, but that wasn't as bad as treating people like robots, an attitude which was becoming entirely too prevalent.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading He stepped inside and flipped a switch--there were still a few things around that had to be manually operated--and the door closed behind him and the elevator gave him an instant's weightlessness as it started to drop forty floors.
placed crosswise
From this reading He crossed to the elevator and stood in front of it until a tiny electroencephalograph inside recognized his distinctive brain-wave pattern.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If only so many people didn't act like robots!
distinctiveadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋktɪv/
of a feature that helps to distinguish a person or thing
From this reading He crossed to the elevator and stood in front of it until a tiny electroencephalograph inside recognized his distinctive brain-wave pattern.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Across the room, another door was popping open in response to the robot's distinctive wave pattern.
let fall to the ground
From this reading He stepped inside and flipped a switch--there were still a few things around that had to be manually operated--and the door closed behind him and the elevator gave him an instant's weightlessness as it started to drop forty floors.
electroencephalographnoun
medical instrument that records electric currents generated by the brain
From this reading He crossed to the elevator and stood in front of it until a tiny electroencephalograph inside recognized his distinctive brain-wave pattern.
elevatornounUS /ˈeləveɪtər/
lifting device consisting of a platform or cage that is raised and lowered mechanically in a vertical shaft in order to move people from one floor to another in a building
From this reading He crossed to the elevator and stood in front of it until a tiny electroencephalograph inside recognized his distinctive brain-wave pattern.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading It might be silly to treat robots like people, but that wasn't as bad as treating people like robots, an attitude which was becoming entirely too prevalent.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading He stepped inside and flipped a switch--there were still a few things around that had to be manually operated--and the door closed behind him and the elevator gave him an instant's weightlessness as it started to drop forty floors.
flippedverbUS /flɪpt/
inflected form of “flip” — lightly throw to see which side comes up
From this reading He stepped inside and flipped a switch--there were still a few things around that had to be manually operated--and the door closed behind him and the elevator gave him an instant's weightlessness as it started to drop forty floors.
floorsnounUS /flɔːrz/
plural of “floor” — the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading He stepped inside and flipped a switch--there were still a few things around that had to be manually operated--and the door closed behind him and the elevator gave him an instant's weightlessness as it started to drop forty floors.
fortyadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrti/
being ten more than thirty
From this reading He stepped inside and flipped a switch--there were still a few things around that had to be manually operated--and the door closed behind him and the elevator gave him an instant's weightlessness as it started to drop forty floors.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading He crossed to the elevator and stood in front of it until a tiny electroencephalograph inside recognized his distinctive brain-wave pattern.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading He stepped inside and flipped a switch--there were still a few things around that had to be manually operated--and the door closed behind him and the elevator gave him an instant's weightlessness as it started to drop forty floors.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He stepped inside and flipped a switch--there were still a few things around that had to be manually operated--and the door closed behind him and the elevator gave him an instant's weightlessness as it started to drop forty floors.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He crossed to the elevator and stood in front of it until a tiny electroencephalograph inside recognized his distinctive brain-wave pattern.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He stepped inside and flipped a switch--there were still a few things around that had to be manually operated--and the door closed behind him and the elevator gave him an instant's weightlessness as it started to drop forty floors.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He crossed to the elevator and stood in front of it until a tiny electroencephalograph inside recognized his distinctive brain-wave pattern.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If only so many people didn't act like robots!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He crossed to the elevator and stood in front of it until a tiny electroencephalograph inside recognized his distinctive brain-wave pattern.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading He crossed to the elevator and stood in front of it until a tiny electroencephalograph inside recognized his distinctive brain-wave pattern.
instant's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stepped inside and flipped a switch--there were still a few things around that had to be manually operated--and the door closed behind him and the elevator gave him an instant's weightlessness as it started to drop forty floors.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It might be silly to treat robots like people, but that wasn't as bad as treating people like robots, an attitude which was becoming entirely too prevalent.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It might be silly to treat robots like people, but that wasn't as bad as treating people like robots, an attitude which was becoming entirely too prevalent.
manuallyadverbUS /ˈmænjuːəli/
by hand
From this reading He stepped inside and flipped a switch--there were still a few things around that had to be manually operated--and the door closed behind him and the elevator gave him an instant's weightlessness as it started to drop forty floors.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading If only so many people didn't act like robots!
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading It might be silly to treat robots like people, but that wasn't as bad as treating people like robots, an attitude which was becoming entirely too prevalent.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He crossed to the elevator and stood in front of it until a tiny electroencephalograph inside recognized his distinctive brain-wave pattern.
and nothing more
From this reading If only so many people didn't act like robots!
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Across the room, another door was popping open in response to the robot's distinctive wave pattern.
operatedverbUS /ˈɑːpəreɪtəd/
past form of “operate” — direct or control; projects, businesses, etc.
From this reading He stepped inside and flipped a switch--there were still a few things around that had to be manually operated--and the door closed behind him and the elevator gave him an instant's weightlessness as it started to drop forty floors.
patternnounUS /ˈpætərn/
a perceptual structure
From this reading He crossed to the elevator and stood in front of it until a tiny electroencephalograph inside recognized his distinctive brain-wave pattern.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading It might be silly to treat robots like people, but that wasn't as bad as treating people like robots, an attitude which was becoming entirely too prevalent.
poppingnounUS /ˈpɑːpɪŋ/
a sharp explosive sound as from a gunshot or drawing a cork
From this reading Across the room, another door was popping open in response to the robot's distinctive wave pattern.
prevalentadjectiveUS /ˈprevələnt/
most frequent or common
From this reading It might be silly to treat robots like people, but that wasn't as bad as treating people like robots, an attitude which was becoming entirely too prevalent.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading He crossed to the elevator and stood in front of it until a tiny electroencephalograph inside recognized his distinctive brain-wave pattern.
responsenounUS /rɪˈspɑːns/
a result
From this reading Across the room, another door was popping open in response to the robot's distinctive wave pattern.
robot'snounUS /ˈroʊbɑːts/
possessive form of “robot” — a mechanism that can move automatically
From this reading Across the room, another door was popping open in response to the robot's distinctive wave pattern.
robotsnounUS /ˈroʊbɑːts/
plural of “robot” — a mechanism that can move automatically
From this reading It might be silly to treat robots like people, but that wasn't as bad as treating people like robots, an attitude which was becoming entirely too prevalent.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Across the room, another door was popping open in response to the robot's distinctive wave pattern.
ludicrous, foolish
From this reading It might be silly to treat robots like people, but that wasn't as bad as treating people like robots, an attitude which was becoming entirely too prevalent.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading If only so many people didn't act like robots!
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading He stepped inside and flipped a switch--there were still a few things around that had to be manually operated--and the door closed behind him and the elevator gave him an instant's weightlessness as it started to drop forty floors.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading He stepped inside and flipped a switch--there were still a few things around that had to be manually operated--and the door closed behind him and the elevator gave him an instant's weightlessness as it started to drop forty floors.
not in physical motion
From this reading He stepped inside and flipped a switch--there were still a few things around that had to be manually operated--and the door closed behind him and the elevator gave him an instant's weightlessness as it started to drop forty floors.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading He crossed to the elevator and stood in front of it until a tiny electroencephalograph inside recognized his distinctive brain-wave pattern.
switchverbUS /swɪtʃ/
change over, change around, as to a new order or sequence
From this reading He stepped inside and flipped a switch--there were still a few things around that had to be manually operated--and the door closed behind him and the elevator gave him an instant's weightlessness as it started to drop forty floors.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It might be silly to treat robots like people, but that wasn't as bad as treating people like robots, an attitude which was becoming entirely too prevalent.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He crossed to the elevator and stood in front of it until a tiny electroencephalograph inside recognized his distinctive brain-wave pattern.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He stepped inside and flipped a switch--there were still a few things around that had to be manually operated--and the door closed behind him and the elevator gave him an instant's weightlessness as it started to drop forty floors.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading He stepped inside and flipped a switch--there were still a few things around that had to be manually operated--and the door closed behind him and the elevator gave him an instant's weightlessness as it started to drop forty floors.
very small
From this reading He crossed to the elevator and stood in front of it until a tiny electroencephalograph inside recognized his distinctive brain-wave pattern.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It might be silly to treat robots like people, but that wasn't as bad as treating people like robots, an attitude which was becoming entirely too prevalent.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading It might be silly to treat robots like people, but that wasn't as bad as treating people like robots, an attitude which was becoming entirely too prevalent.
interact in a certain way
From this reading It might be silly to treat robots like people, but that wasn't as bad as treating people like robots, an attitude which was becoming entirely too prevalent.
treatingverbUS /ˈtriːtɪŋ/
-ing form of “treat” — interact in a certain way
From this reading It might be silly to treat robots like people, but that wasn't as bad as treating people like robots, an attitude which was becoming entirely too prevalent.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading He crossed to the elevator and stood in front of it until a tiny electroencephalograph inside recognized his distinctive brain-wave pattern.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It might be silly to treat robots like people, but that wasn't as bad as treating people like robots, an attitude which was becoming entirely too prevalent.
wasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might be silly to treat robots like people, but that wasn't as bad as treating people like robots, an attitude which was becoming entirely too prevalent.
one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading Across the room, another door was popping open in response to the robot's distinctive wave pattern.
weightlessnessnounUS /ˈweɪtləsnəs/
the property of being comparatively small in weight
From this reading He stepped inside and flipped a switch--there were still a few things around that had to be manually operated--and the door closed behind him and the elevator gave him an instant's weightlessness as it started to drop forty floors.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He stepped inside and flipped a switch--there were still a few things around that had to be manually operated--and the door closed behind him and the elevator gave him an instant's weightlessness as it started to drop forty floors.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It might be silly to treat robots like people, but that wasn't as bad as treating people like robots, an attitude which was becoming entirely too prevalent.
