used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Several were working desperately at a huge concave glass reflector.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading "I'm afraid."
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading The ground was encumbered too with clumps of intricate machinery, all of the same polished gray stone; Ganymedan stone, Ganymedan machinery, Pemberton recognized at once.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Hundreds of figures were scurrying awkwardly around, clad in the inevitable space-suit.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The ground was encumbered too with clumps of intricate machinery, all of the same polished gray stone; Ganymedan stone, Ganymedan machinery, Pemberton recognized at once.
awkwardlyadverbUS /ˈɔːkwərdli/
in an awkward manner
From this reading Hundreds of figures were scurrying awkwardly around, clad in the inevitable space-suit.
cladadjectiveUS /klæd/
wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination
From this reading Hundreds of figures were scurrying awkwardly around, clad in the inevitable space-suit.
clumpsnounUS /klʌmps/
plural of “clump” — a grouping of a number of similar things
From this reading The ground was encumbered too with clumps of intricate machinery, all of the same polished gray stone; Ganymedan stone, Ganymedan machinery, Pemberton recognized at once.
concaveadjectiveUS /kɑːnˈkeɪv/
curving inward
From this reading Several were working desperately at a huge concave glass reflector.
desperatelyadverbUS /ˈdespərətli/
with great urgency
From this reading Several were working desperately at a huge concave glass reflector.
without deviation
From this reading Others were pointing a stone nozzle, extending out of a pit, directly upward.
encumberedadjectiveUS /enˈkʌmbərd/
loaded to excess or impeded by a heavy load
From this reading The ground was encumbered too with clumps of intricate machinery, all of the same polished gray stone; Ganymedan stone, Ganymedan machinery, Pemberton recognized at once.
extendingverbUS /ɪkˈstendɪŋ/
-ing form of “extend” — extend in scope or range or area
From this reading Others were pointing a stone nozzle, extending out of a pit, directly upward.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Hundreds of figures were scurrying awkwardly around, clad in the inevitable space-suit.
Ganymedan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ground was encumbered too with clumps of intricate machinery, all of the same polished gray stone; Ganymedan stone, Ganymedan machinery, Pemberton recognized at once.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading Several were working desperately at a huge concave glass reflector.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading The ground was encumbered too with clumps of intricate machinery, all of the same polished gray stone; Ganymedan stone, Ganymedan machinery, Pemberton recognized at once.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading The ground was encumbered too with clumps of intricate machinery, all of the same polished gray stone; Ganymedan stone, Ganymedan machinery, Pemberton recognized at once.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Several were working desperately at a huge concave glass reflector.
plural of “hundred” — ten 10s
From this reading Hundreds of figures were scurrying awkwardly around, clad in the inevitable space-suit.
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm afraid."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Hundreds of figures were scurrying awkwardly around, clad in the inevitable space-suit.
inevitableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnevətəbəl/
incapable of being avoided or prevented
From this reading Hundreds of figures were scurrying awkwardly around, clad in the inevitable space-suit.
intricateadjectiveUS /ˈɪntrəkət/
having many complexly arranged elements; elaborate
From this reading The ground was encumbered too with clumps of intricate machinery, all of the same polished gray stone; Ganymedan stone, Ganymedan machinery, Pemberton recognized at once.
machinerynounUS /məˈʃiːnəri/
machines or machine systems collectively
From this reading The ground was encumbered too with clumps of intricate machinery, all of the same polished gray stone; Ganymedan stone, Ganymedan machinery, Pemberton recognized at once.
nozzlenounUS /ˈnɑːzəl/
a projecting spout from which a fluid is discharged
From this reading Others were pointing a stone nozzle, extending out of a pit, directly upward.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The ground was encumbered too with clumps of intricate machinery, all of the same polished gray stone; Ganymedan stone, Ganymedan machinery, Pemberton recognized at once.
on one occasion
From this reading The ground was encumbered too with clumps of intricate machinery, all of the same polished gray stone; Ganymedan stone, Ganymedan machinery, Pemberton recognized at once.
Others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others were pointing a stone nozzle, extending out of a pit, directly upward.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Others were pointing a stone nozzle, extending out of a pit, directly upward.
Pemberton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ground was encumbered too with clumps of intricate machinery, all of the same polished gray stone; Ganymedan stone, Ganymedan machinery, Pemberton recognized at once.
pitnounUS /pɪt/
A large hole in the ground, or an abyss of darkness and peril.
From this reading Others were pointing a stone nozzle, extending out of a pit, directly upward.
-ing form of “point” — indicate a place, direction, person, or thing; either spatially or figuratively
From this reading Others were pointing a stone nozzle, extending out of a pit, directly upward.
polishedadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃt/
perfected or made shiny and smooth
From this reading The ground was encumbered too with clumps of intricate machinery, all of the same polished gray stone; Ganymedan stone, Ganymedan machinery, Pemberton recognized at once.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading The ground was encumbered too with clumps of intricate machinery, all of the same polished gray stone; Ganymedan stone, Ganymedan machinery, Pemberton recognized at once.
reflectornounUS /rɪˈflektər/
device that reflects radiation
From this reading Several were working desperately at a huge concave glass reflector.
Identical; not different.
From this reading The ground was encumbered too with clumps of intricate machinery, all of the same polished gray stone; Ganymedan stone, Ganymedan machinery, Pemberton recognized at once.
scurryingadjectiveUS /ˈskɜːriɪŋ/
moving with great haste
From this reading Hundreds of figures were scurrying awkwardly around, clad in the inevitable space-suit.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Several were working desperately at a huge concave glass reflector.
space-suit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hundreds of figures were scurrying awkwardly around, clad in the inevitable space-suit.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading The ground was encumbered too with clumps of intricate machinery, all of the same polished gray stone; Ganymedan stone, Ganymedan machinery, Pemberton recognized at once.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The ground was encumbered too with clumps of intricate machinery, all of the same polished gray stone; Ganymedan stone, Ganymedan machinery, Pemberton recognized at once.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The ground was encumbered too with clumps of intricate machinery, all of the same polished gray stone; Ganymedan stone, Ganymedan machinery, Pemberton recognized at once.
upwardadjectiveUS /ˈʌpwərd/
directed up
From this reading Others were pointing a stone nozzle, extending out of a pit, directly upward.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The ground was encumbered too with clumps of intricate machinery, all of the same polished gray stone; Ganymedan stone, Ganymedan machinery, Pemberton recognized at once.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Hundreds of figures were scurrying awkwardly around, clad in the inevitable space-suit.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The ground was encumbered too with clumps of intricate machinery, all of the same polished gray stone; Ganymedan stone, Ganymedan machinery, Pemberton recognized at once.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading Several were working desperately at a huge concave glass reflector.
