240,000
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What are 240,000 miles in comparison with the distances of the stars, or even with the distances of the planets?
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE MOON, CHILD OF THE EARTH AND THE SUN Very naturally the moon has always been a great favorite with those who, either in a scientific or in a literary spirit, have speculated about the plurality of inhabited worlds.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading THE MOON, CHILD OF THE EARTH AND THE SUN Very naturally the moon has always been a great favorite with those who, either in a scientific or in a literary spirit, have speculated about the plurality of inhabited worlds.
accordedverbUS /əˈkɔːrdɪd/
past form of “accord” — go together
From this reading The reasons for the preference accorded to the moon in this regard are evident.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Unless a comet should brush us--as a comet is suspected of having done already--no celestial body, of any pretensions to size, can ever approach as near to the earth as the moon is, at least while the solar system continues to obey the organic laws that now control it.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading THE MOON, CHILD OF THE EARTH AND THE SUN Very naturally the moon has always been a great favorite with those who, either in a scientific or in a literary spirit, have speculated about the plurality of inhabited worlds.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE MOON, CHILD OF THE EARTH AND THE SUN Very naturally the moon has always been a great favorite with those who, either in a scientific or in a literary spirit, have speculated about the plurality of inhabited worlds.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Unless a comet should brush us--as a comet is suspected of having done already--no celestial body, of any pretensions to size, can ever approach as near to the earth as the moon is, at least while the solar system continues to obey the organic laws that now control it.
move towards
From this reading Unless a comet should brush us--as a comet is suspected of having done already--no celestial body, of any pretensions to size, can ever approach as near to the earth as the moon is, at least while the solar system continues to obey the organic laws that now control it.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The reasons for the preference accorded to the moon in this regard are evident.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Unless a comet should brush us--as a comet is suspected of having done already--no celestial body, of any pretensions to size, can ever approach as near to the earth as the moon is, at least while the solar system continues to obey the organic laws that now control it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Unless a comet should brush us--as a comet is suspected of having done already--no celestial body, of any pretensions to size, can ever approach as near to the earth as the moon is, at least while the solar system continues to obey the organic laws that now control it.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading THE MOON, CHILD OF THE EARTH AND THE SUN Very naturally the moon has always been a great favorite with those who, either in a scientific or in a literary spirit, have speculated about the plurality of inhabited worlds.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading Unless a comet should brush us--as a comet is suspected of having done already--no celestial body, of any pretensions to size, can ever approach as near to the earth as the moon is, at least while the solar system continues to obey the organic laws that now control it.
brushverbUS /brʌʃ/
rub with a brush, or as if with a brush
From this reading Unless a comet should brush us--as a comet is suspected of having done already--no celestial body, of any pretensions to size, can ever approach as near to the earth as the moon is, at least while the solar system continues to obey the organic laws that now control it.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Unless a comet should brush us--as a comet is suspected of having done already--no celestial body, of any pretensions to size, can ever approach as near to the earth as the moon is, at least while the solar system continues to obey the organic laws that now control it.
celestialadjectiveUS /səˈlestʃəl/
of or relating to the sky
From this reading Unless a comet should brush us--as a comet is suspected of having done already--no celestial body, of any pretensions to size, can ever approach as near to the earth as the moon is, at least while the solar system continues to obey the organic laws that now control it.
a young person of either sex
From this reading THE MOON, CHILD OF THE EARTH AND THE SUN Very naturally the moon has always been a great favorite with those who, either in a scientific or in a literary spirit, have speculated about the plurality of inhabited worlds.
cometnounUS /ˈkɑːmət/
(astronomy) a relatively small extraterrestrial body consisting of a frozen mass that travels around the sun in a highly elliptical orbit
From this reading Unless a comet should brush us--as a comet is suspected of having done already--no celestial body, of any pretensions to size, can ever approach as near to the earth as the moon is, at least while the solar system continues to obey the organic laws that now control it.
comparisonnounUS /kəmˈperəsən/
the act of examining resemblances
From this reading What are 240,000 miles in comparison with the distances of the stars, or even with the distances of the planets?
continuesverbUS /kənˈtɪnjuːz/
third-person singular of “continue” — continue a certain state, condition, or activity
From this reading Unless a comet should brush us--as a comet is suspected of having done already--no celestial body, of any pretensions to size, can ever approach as near to the earth as the moon is, at least while the solar system continues to obey the organic laws that now control it.
power to direct or determine
From this reading Unless a comet should brush us--as a comet is suspected of having done already--no celestial body, of any pretensions to size, can ever approach as near to the earth as the moon is, at least while the solar system continues to obey the organic laws that now control it.
distancesnounUS /ˈdɪstənsəz/
plural of “distance” — the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading What are 240,000 miles in comparison with the distances of the stars, or even with the distances of the planets?
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Unless a comet should brush us--as a comet is suspected of having done already--no celestial body, of any pretensions to size, can ever approach as near to the earth as the moon is, at least while the solar system continues to obey the organic laws that now control it.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading THE MOON, CHILD OF THE EARTH AND THE SUN Very naturally the moon has always been a great favorite with those who, either in a scientific or in a literary spirit, have speculated about the plurality of inhabited worlds.
one or the other of two
From this reading THE MOON, CHILD OF THE EARTH AND THE SUN Very naturally the moon has always been a great favorite with those who, either in a scientific or in a literary spirit, have speculated about the plurality of inhabited worlds.
divisible by two
From this reading What are 240,000 miles in comparison with the distances of the stars, or even with the distances of the planets?
at any time
From this reading Unless a comet should brush us--as a comet is suspected of having done already--no celestial body, of any pretensions to size, can ever approach as near to the earth as the moon is, at least while the solar system continues to obey the organic laws that now control it.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading The reasons for the preference accorded to the moon in this regard are evident.
something regarded with special favor or liking
From this reading THE MOON, CHILD OF THE EARTH AND THE SUN Very naturally the moon has always been a great favorite with those who, either in a scientific or in a literary spirit, have speculated about the plurality of inhabited worlds.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The reasons for the preference accorded to the moon in this regard are evident.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It is only a step from the earth to the moon.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading THE MOON, CHILD OF THE EARTH AND THE SUN Very naturally the moon has always been a great favorite with those who, either in a scientific or in a literary spirit, have speculated about the plurality of inhabited worlds.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE MOON, CHILD OF THE EARTH AND THE SUN Very naturally the moon has always been a great favorite with those who, either in a scientific or in a literary spirit, have speculated about the plurality of inhabited worlds.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading THE MOON, CHILD OF THE EARTH AND THE SUN Very naturally the moon has always been a great favorite with those who, either in a scientific or in a literary spirit, have speculated about the plurality of inhabited worlds.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Unless a comet should brush us--as a comet is suspected of having done already--no celestial body, of any pretensions to size, can ever approach as near to the earth as the moon is, at least while the solar system continues to obey the organic laws that now control it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE MOON, CHILD OF THE EARTH AND THE SUN Very naturally the moon has always been a great favorite with those who, either in a scientific or in a literary spirit, have speculated about the plurality of inhabited worlds.
inhabitedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈhæbətəd/
having inhabitants; lived in
From this reading THE MOON, CHILD OF THE EARTH AND THE SUN Very naturally the moon has always been a great favorite with those who, either in a scientific or in a literary spirit, have speculated about the plurality of inhabited worlds.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Unless a comet should brush us--as a comet is suspected of having done already--no celestial body, of any pretensions to size, can ever approach as near to the earth as the moon is, at least while the solar system continues to obey the organic laws that now control it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Unless a comet should brush us--as a comet is suspected of having done already--no celestial body, of any pretensions to size, can ever approach as near to the earth as the moon is, at least while the solar system continues to obey the organic laws that now control it.
the first of three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures comprising the first five books of the Hebrew Bible considered as a unit
From this reading Unless a comet should brush us--as a comet is suspected of having done already--no celestial body, of any pretensions to size, can ever approach as near to the earth as the moon is, at least while the solar system continues to obey the organic laws that now control it.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading Unless a comet should brush us--as a comet is suspected of having done already--no celestial body, of any pretensions to size, can ever approach as near to the earth as the moon is, at least while the solar system continues to obey the organic laws that now control it.
of or relating to or characteristic of literature
From this reading THE MOON, CHILD OF THE EARTH AND THE SUN Very naturally the moon has always been a great favorite with those who, either in a scientific or in a literary spirit, have speculated about the plurality of inhabited worlds.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading What are 240,000 miles in comparison with the distances of the stars, or even with the distances of the planets?
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading THE MOON, CHILD OF THE EARTH AND THE SUN Very naturally the moon has always been a great favorite with those who, either in a scientific or in a literary spirit, have speculated about the plurality of inhabited worlds.
as might be expected
From this reading THE MOON, CHILD OF THE EARTH AND THE SUN Very naturally the moon has always been a great favorite with those who, either in a scientific or in a literary spirit, have speculated about the plurality of inhabited worlds.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Unless a comet should brush us--as a comet is suspected of having done already--no celestial body, of any pretensions to size, can ever approach as near to the earth as the moon is, at least while the solar system continues to obey the organic laws that now control it.
not any; not one
From this reading Unless a comet should brush us--as a comet is suspected of having done already--no celestial body, of any pretensions to size, can ever approach as near to the earth as the moon is, at least while the solar system continues to obey the organic laws that now control it.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Unless a comet should brush us--as a comet is suspected of having done already--no celestial body, of any pretensions to size, can ever approach as near to the earth as the moon is, at least while the solar system continues to obey the organic laws that now control it.
be obedient to
From this reading Unless a comet should brush us--as a comet is suspected of having done already--no celestial body, of any pretensions to size, can ever approach as near to the earth as the moon is, at least while the solar system continues to obey the organic laws that now control it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE MOON, CHILD OF THE EARTH AND THE SUN Very naturally the moon has always been a great favorite with those who, either in a scientific or in a literary spirit, have speculated about the plurality of inhabited worlds.
and nothing more
From this reading It is only a step from the earth to the moon.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE MOON, CHILD OF THE EARTH AND THE SUN Very naturally the moon has always been a great favorite with those who, either in a scientific or in a literary spirit, have speculated about the plurality of inhabited worlds.
organicadjectiveUS /ɔːrˈɡænɪk/
relating or belonging to the class of chemical compounds having a carbon basis
From this reading Unless a comet should brush us--as a comet is suspected of having done already--no celestial body, of any pretensions to size, can ever approach as near to the earth as the moon is, at least while the solar system continues to obey the organic laws that now control it.
planetsnounUS /ˈplænəts/
plural of “planet” — (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 What are 240,000 miles in comparison with the distances of the stars, or even with the distances of the planets?
pluralitynounUS /plərˈælɪti/
the state of being plural
From this reading THE MOON, CHILD OF THE EARTH AND THE SUN Very naturally the moon has always been a great favorite with those who, either in a scientific or in a literary spirit, have speculated about the plurality of inhabited worlds.
preferencenounUS /ˈprefərəns/
a strong liking
From this reading The reasons for the preference accorded to the moon in this regard are evident.
pretensionsnounUS /prəˈtenʃənz/
plural of “pretension” — a false or unsupportable quality
From this reading Unless a comet should brush us--as a comet is suspected of having done already--no celestial body, of any pretensions to size, can ever approach as near to the earth as the moon is, at least while the solar system continues to obey the organic laws that now control it.
plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading The reasons for the preference accorded to the moon in this regard are evident.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading The reasons for the preference accorded to the moon in this regard are evident.
scientificadjectiveUS /ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk/
of or relating to the practice of science
From this reading THE MOON, CHILD OF THE EARTH AND THE SUN Very naturally the moon has always been a great favorite with those who, either in a scientific or in a literary spirit, have speculated about the plurality of inhabited worlds.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Unless a comet should brush us--as a comet is suspected of having done already--no celestial body, of any pretensions to size, can ever approach as near to the earth as the moon is, at least while the solar system continues to obey the organic laws that now control it.
the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)
From this reading Unless a comet should brush us--as a comet is suspected of having done already--no celestial body, of any pretensions to size, can ever approach as near to the earth as the moon is, at least while the solar system continues to obey the organic laws that now control it.
solaradjectiveUS /ˈsoʊlər/
relating to or derived from the sun or utilizing the energies of the sun
From this reading Unless a comet should brush us--as a comet is suspected of having done already--no celestial body, of any pretensions to size, can ever approach as near to the earth as the moon is, at least while the solar system continues to obey the organic laws that now control it.
speculatedverbUS /ˈspekjəleɪtɪd/
past form of “speculate” — to believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds
From this reading THE MOON, CHILD OF THE EARTH AND THE SUN Very naturally the moon has always been a great favorite with those who, either in a scientific or in a literary spirit, have speculated about the plurality of inhabited worlds.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading THE MOON, CHILD OF THE EARTH AND THE SUN Very naturally the moon has always been a great favorite with those who, either in a scientific or in a literary spirit, have speculated about the plurality of inhabited worlds.
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading What are 240,000 miles in comparison with the distances of the stars, or even with the distances of the planets?
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading It is only a step from the earth to the moon.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading THE MOON, CHILD OF THE EARTH AND THE SUN Very naturally the moon has always been a great favorite with those who, either in a scientific or in a literary spirit, have speculated about the plurality of inhabited worlds.
believed likely
From this reading Unless a comet should brush us--as a comet is suspected of having done already--no celestial body, of any pretensions to size, can ever approach as near to the earth as the moon is, at least while the solar system continues to obey the organic laws that now control it.
instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity
From this reading Unless a comet should brush us--as a comet is suspected of having done already--no celestial body, of any pretensions to size, can ever approach as near to the earth as the moon is, at least while the solar system continues to obey the organic laws that now control it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Unless a comet should brush us--as a comet is suspected of having done already--no celestial body, of any pretensions to size, can ever approach as near to the earth as the moon is, at least while the solar system continues to obey the organic laws that now control it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MOON, CHILD OF THE EARTH AND THE SUN Very naturally the moon has always been a great favorite with those who, either in a scientific or in a literary spirit, have speculated about the plurality of inhabited worlds.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The reasons for the preference accorded to the moon in this regard are evident.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading THE MOON, CHILD OF THE EARTH AND THE SUN Very naturally the moon has always been a great favorite with those who, either in a scientific or in a literary spirit, have speculated about the plurality of inhabited worlds.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The reasons for the preference accorded to the moon in this regard are evident.
except if; if not
From this reading Unless a comet should brush us--as a comet is suspected of having done already--no celestial body, of any pretensions to size, can ever approach as near to the earth as the moon is, at least while the solar system continues to obey the organic laws that now control it.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Unless a comet should brush us--as a comet is suspected of having done already--no celestial body, of any pretensions to size, can ever approach as near to the earth as the moon is, at least while the solar system continues to obey the organic laws that now control it.
precisely as stated
From this reading THE MOON, CHILD OF THE EARTH AND THE SUN Very naturally the moon has always been a great favorite with those who, either in a scientific or in a literary spirit, have speculated about the plurality of inhabited worlds.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What are 240,000 miles in comparison with the distances of the stars, or even with the distances of the planets?
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Unless a comet should brush us--as a comet is suspected of having done already--no celestial body, of any pretensions to size, can ever approach as near to the earth as the moon is, at least while the solar system continues to obey the organic laws that now control it.
which person or people
From this reading THE MOON, CHILD OF THE EARTH AND THE SUN Very naturally the moon has always been a great favorite with those who, either in a scientific or in a literary spirit, have speculated about the plurality of inhabited worlds.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE MOON, CHILD OF THE EARTH AND THE SUN Very naturally the moon has always been a great favorite with those who, either in a scientific or in a literary spirit, have speculated about the plurality of inhabited worlds.
worldsnounUS /wɜːrldz/
plural of “world” — everything that exists anywhere
From this reading THE MOON, CHILD OF THE EARTH AND THE SUN Very naturally the moon has always been a great favorite with those who, either in a scientific or in a literary spirit, have speculated about the plurality of inhabited worlds.
