used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Latham's Triplets, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma, were at the corners of an equilateral triangle about a quarter of a light year on a side.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Latham's Triplets, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma, were at the corners of an equilateral triangle about a quarter of a light year on a side.
abundancenounUS /əˈbʌndəns/
the property of a more than adequate quantity or supply
From this reading There was an abundance of heavy metals there which eventually caused an upset of the digestive tract.
consider or hold as true
From this reading Beta III was not capable of supporting human life--if by 'supporting' is meant that the planet shall be called upon to accept, foster, and maintain in growing population a colony from Terra without outside assistance.
AlphanounUS /ˈælfə/
the 1st letter of the Greek alphabet
From this reading Latham's Triplets, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma, were at the corners of an equilateral triangle about a quarter of a light year on a side.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Latham's Triplets, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma, were at the corners of an equilateral triangle about a quarter of a light year on a side.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Latham's Triplets, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma, were at the corners of an equilateral triangle about a quarter of a light year on a side.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Beta III was a small planet possessed of a somewhat odorous atmosphere that was unpleasant but not deadly by any means.
the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading Beta III was not capable of supporting human life--if by 'supporting' is meant that the planet shall be called upon to accept, foster, and maintain in growing population a colony from Terra without outside assistance.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Latham's Triplets, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma, were at the corners of an equilateral triangle about a quarter of a light year on a side.
a particular environment or surrounding influence
From this reading Beta III was a small planet possessed of a somewhat odorous atmosphere that was unpleasant but not deadly by any means.
balanceverbUS /ˈbæləns/
bring into balance or equilibrium
From this reading A dearth of light metals on Beta III meant that man got insufficient salt to maintain the chemical balance established over a few million of Terran years.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Beta III was not capable of supporting human life--if by 'supporting' is meant that the planet shall be called upon to accept, foster, and maintain in growing population a colony from Terra without outside assistance.
BetanounUS /ˈbeɪtə/
the 2nd letter of the Greek alphabet
From this reading Latham's Triplets, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma, were at the corners of an equilateral triangle about a quarter of a light year on a side.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Beta III was a small planet possessed of a somewhat odorous atmosphere that was unpleasant but not deadly by any means.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Beta III was a small planet possessed of a somewhat odorous atmosphere that was unpleasant but not deadly by any means.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Beta III was not capable of supporting human life--if by 'supporting' is meant that the planet shall be called upon to accept, foster, and maintain in growing population a colony from Terra without outside assistance.
(usually followed by “of”) having capacity or ability
From this reading Beta III was not capable of supporting human life--if by 'supporting' is meant that the planet shall be called upon to accept, foster, and maintain in growing population a colony from Terra without outside assistance.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading There was an abundance of heavy metals there which eventually caused an upset of the digestive tract.
chemicaladjectiveUS /ˈkeməkəl/
relating to or used in chemistry
From this reading A dearth of light metals on Beta III meant that man got insufficient salt to maintain the chemical balance established over a few million of Terran years.
colonynounUS /ˈkɑːləni/
a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government
From this reading Beta III was not capable of supporting human life--if by 'supporting' is meant that the planet shall be called upon to accept, foster, and maintain in growing population a colony from Terra without outside assistance.
cornersnounUS /ˈkɔːrnərz/
plural of “corner” — a place off to the side of an area
From this reading Latham's Triplets, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma, were at the corners of an equilateral triangle about a quarter of a light year on a side.
causing or capable of causing death
From this reading Beta III was a small planet possessed of a somewhat odorous atmosphere that was unpleasant but not deadly by any means.
dearthnounUS /dɜːrθ/
an acute insufficiency
From this reading A dearth of light metals on Beta III meant that man got insufficient salt to maintain the chemical balance established over a few million of Terran years.
digestiveadjectiveUS /daɪˈdʒestɪv/
relating to or having the power to cause or promote digestion
From this reading There was an abundance of heavy metals there which eventually caused an upset of the digestive tract.
equilateralnoun
a figure whose sides are all equal
From this reading Latham's Triplets, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma, were at the corners of an equilateral triangle about a quarter of a light year on a side.
brought about or set up or accepted; especially long established
From this reading A dearth of light metals on Beta III meant that man got insufficient salt to maintain the chemical balance established over a few million of Terran years.
eventuallyadverbUS /ɪˈventʃəwəli/
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading There was an abundance of heavy metals there which eventually caused an upset of the digestive tract.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A dearth of light metals on Beta III meant that man got insufficient salt to maintain the chemical balance established over a few million of Terran years.
fosterverbUS /ˈfɑːstər/
promote the growth of
From this reading Beta III was not capable of supporting human life--if by 'supporting' is meant that the planet shall be called upon to accept, foster, and maintain in growing population a colony from Terra without outside assistance.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Beta III was not capable of supporting human life--if by 'supporting' is meant that the planet shall be called upon to accept, foster, and maintain in growing population a colony from Terra without outside assistance.
GammanounUS /ˈɡæmə/
the 3rd letter of the Greek alphabet
From this reading Latham's Triplets, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma, were at the corners of an equilateral triangle about a quarter of a light year on a side.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading A dearth of light metals on Beta III meant that man got insufficient salt to maintain the chemical balance established over a few million of Terran years.
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading Beta III was not capable of supporting human life--if by 'supporting' is meant that the planet shall be called upon to accept, foster, and maintain in growing population a colony from Terra without outside assistance.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading There was an abundance of heavy metals there which eventually caused an upset of the digestive tract.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading Beta III was not capable of supporting human life--if by 'supporting' is meant that the planet shall be called upon to accept, foster, and maintain in growing population a colony from Terra without outside assistance.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Beta III was not capable of supporting human life--if by 'supporting' is meant that the planet shall be called upon to accept, foster, and maintain in growing population a colony from Terra without outside assistance.
IIInoun
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Beta III was a small planet possessed of a somewhat odorous atmosphere that was unpleasant but not deadly by any means.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Beta III was not capable of supporting human life--if by 'supporting' is meant that the planet shall be called upon to accept, foster, and maintain in growing population a colony from Terra without outside assistance.
insufficientadjectiveUS /ˌɪnsəˈfɪʃənt/
of a quantity not able to fulfill a need or requirement
From this reading A dearth of light metals on Beta III meant that man got insufficient salt to maintain the chemical balance established over a few million of Terran years.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Beta III was not capable of supporting human life--if by 'supporting' is meant that the planet shall be called upon to accept, foster, and maintain in growing population a colony from Terra without outside assistance.
Latham's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Latham's Triplets, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma, were at the corners of an equilateral triangle about a quarter of a light year on a side.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Beta III was not capable of supporting human life--if by 'supporting' is meant that the planet shall be called upon to accept, foster, and maintain in growing population a colony from Terra without outside assistance.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Latham's Triplets, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma, were at the corners of an equilateral triangle about a quarter of a light year on a side.
maintainverbUS /meɪnˈteɪn/
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Beta III was not capable of supporting human life--if by 'supporting' is meant that the planet shall be called upon to accept, foster, and maintain in growing population a colony from Terra without outside assistance.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading A dearth of light metals on Beta III meant that man got insufficient salt to maintain the chemical balance established over a few million of Terran years.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading Beta III was a small planet possessed of a somewhat odorous atmosphere that was unpleasant but not deadly by any means.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading Beta III was not capable of supporting human life--if by 'supporting' is meant that the planet shall be called upon to accept, foster, and maintain in growing population a colony from Terra without outside assistance.
metalsnounUS /ˈmetəlz/
plural of “metal” — any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids that conduct heat or electricity and can be formed into sheets etc.
From this reading A dearth of light metals on Beta III meant that man got insufficient salt to maintain the chemical balance established over a few million of Terran years.
millionnounUS /ˈmɪljən/
the number that is represented as a one followed by 6 zeros
From this reading A dearth of light metals on Beta III meant that man got insufficient salt to maintain the chemical balance established over a few million of Terran years.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Beta III was a small planet possessed of a somewhat odorous atmosphere that was unpleasant but not deadly by any means.
odorousadjectiveUS /ˈoʊdərəs/
having odor or a characteristic odor
From this reading Beta III was a small planet possessed of a somewhat odorous atmosphere that was unpleasant but not deadly by any means.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Latham's Triplets, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma, were at the corners of an equilateral triangle about a quarter of a light year on a side.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Latham's Triplets, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma, were at the corners of an equilateral triangle about a quarter of a light year on a side.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Beta III was not capable of supporting human life--if by 'supporting' is meant that the planet shall be called upon to accept, foster, and maintain in growing population a colony from Terra without outside assistance.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A dearth of light metals on Beta III meant that man got insufficient salt to maintain the chemical balance established over a few million of Terran years.
planetnounUS /ˈplænət/
(astronomy) any of the nine large celestial bodies in the solar system that revolve around the sun and shine by reflected light
From this reading Beta III was a small planet possessed of a somewhat odorous atmosphere that was unpleasant but not deadly by any means.
populationnounUS /ˌpɑːpjəˈleɪʃən/
the people who inhabit a territory or state
From this reading Beta III was not capable of supporting human life--if by 'supporting' is meant that the planet shall be called upon to accept, foster, and maintain in growing population a colony from Terra without outside assistance.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading Beta III was a small planet possessed of a somewhat odorous atmosphere that was unpleasant but not deadly by any means.
one of four equal parts
From this reading Latham's Triplets, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma, were at the corners of an equilateral triangle about a quarter of a light year on a side.
a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts like a metal)
From this reading A dearth of light metals on Beta III meant that man got insufficient salt to maintain the chemical balance established over a few million of Terran years.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading Beta III was not capable of supporting human life--if by 'supporting' is meant that the planet shall be called upon to accept, foster, and maintain in growing population a colony from Terra without outside assistance.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Latham's Triplets, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma, were at the corners of an equilateral triangle about a quarter of a light year on a side.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Beta III was a small planet possessed of a somewhat odorous atmosphere that was unpleasant but not deadly by any means.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading Beta III was a small planet possessed of a somewhat odorous atmosphere that was unpleasant but not deadly by any means.
supportingadjectiveUS /səˈpɔːrtɪŋ/
furnishing support and encouragement
From this reading Beta III was not capable of supporting human life--if by 'supporting' is meant that the planet shall be called upon to accept, foster, and maintain in growing population a colony from Terra without outside assistance.
Terra
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beta III was not capable of supporting human life--if by 'supporting' is meant that the planet shall be called upon to accept, foster, and maintain in growing population a colony from Terra without outside assistance.
Terran
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A dearth of light metals on Beta III meant that man got insufficient salt to maintain the chemical balance established over a few million of Terran years.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Beta III was a small planet possessed of a somewhat odorous atmosphere that was unpleasant but not deadly by any means.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Latham's Triplets, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma, were at the corners of an equilateral triangle about a quarter of a light year on a side.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was an abundance of heavy metals there which eventually caused an upset of the digestive tract.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Beta III was not capable of supporting human life--if by 'supporting' is meant that the planet shall be called upon to accept, foster, and maintain in growing population a colony from Terra without outside assistance.
tractnounUS /trækt/
an extended area of land
From this reading There was an abundance of heavy metals there which eventually caused an upset of the digestive tract.
trianglenounUS /ˈtraɪæŋɡəl/
a three-sided polygon
From this reading Latham's Triplets, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma, were at the corners of an equilateral triangle about a quarter of a light year on a side.
TripletsnounUS /ˈtrɪpləts/
plural of “triplet” — the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Latham's Triplets, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma, were at the corners of an equilateral triangle about a quarter of a light year on a side.
offensive or disagreeable; causing discomfort or unhappiness
From this reading Beta III was a small planet possessed of a somewhat odorous atmosphere that was unpleasant but not deadly by any means.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Beta III was not capable of supporting human life--if by 'supporting' is meant that the planet shall be called upon to accept, foster, and maintain in growing population a colony from Terra without outside assistance.
upsetverbUS /əpˈset/
disturb the balance or stability of
From this reading There was an abundance of heavy metals there which eventually caused an upset of the digestive tract.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Beta III was a small planet possessed of a somewhat odorous atmosphere that was unpleasant but not deadly by any means.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Latham's Triplets, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma, were at the corners of an equilateral triangle about a quarter of a light year on a side.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There was an abundance of heavy metals there which eventually caused an upset of the digestive tract.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Beta III was not capable of supporting human life--if by 'supporting' is meant that the planet shall be called upon to accept, foster, and maintain in growing population a colony from Terra without outside assistance.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading Latham's Triplets, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma, were at the corners of an equilateral triangle about a quarter of a light year on a side.
a late time of life
From this reading A dearth of light metals on Beta III meant that man got insufficient salt to maintain the chemical balance established over a few million of Terran years.
