used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "It's true," Consul Passwyn said, "I requested assignment as principal officer at a small post.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But I had in mind one of those charming resort worlds, with only an occasional visa problem, or perhaps a distressed spaceman or two a year.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Retief knew the importance of sealed orders--and the need to keep them that way!
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "It's true," Consul Passwyn said, "I requested assignment as principal officer at a small post.
assignmentnounUS /əˈsaɪnmənt/
a duty that you are assigned to perform (especially in the armed forces)
From this reading "It's true," Consul Passwyn said, "I requested assignment as principal officer at a small post.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "It's true," Consul Passwyn said, "I requested assignment as principal officer at a small post.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But I had in mind one of those charming resort worlds, with only an occasional visa problem, or perhaps a distressed spaceman or two a year.
pleasing or delighting
From this reading But I had in mind one of those charming resort worlds, with only an occasional visa problem, or perhaps a distressed spaceman or two a year.
confoundedadjectiveUS /kənˈfaʊndɪd/
perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment
From this reading Instead, I'm zoo-keeper to these confounded settlers.
ConsulnounUS /ˈkɑːnsəl/
a diplomat appointed by a government to protect its commercial interests and help its citizens in a foreign country
From this reading "It's true," Consul Passwyn said, "I requested assignment as principal officer at a small post.
distressedadjectiveUS /dɪˈstrest/
facing or experiencing financial trouble or difficulty
From this reading But I had in mind one of those charming resort worlds, with only an occasional visa problem, or perhaps a distressed spaceman or two a year.
being one more than seven
From this reading And not for one world, mind you, but eight!"
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading And not for one world, mind you, but eight!"
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But I had in mind one of those charming resort worlds, with only an occasional visa problem, or perhaps a distressed spaceman or two a year.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "It's true," Consul Passwyn said, "I requested assignment as principal officer at a small post.
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instead, I'm zoo-keeper to these confounded settlers.
the quality of being important and worthy of note
From this reading Retief knew the importance of sealed orders--and the need to keep them that way!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But I had in mind one of those charming resort worlds, with only an occasional visa problem, or perhaps a distressed spaceman or two a year.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading Instead, I'm zoo-keeper to these confounded settlers.
It's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It's true," Consul Passwyn said, "I requested assignment as principal officer at a small post.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Retief knew the importance of sealed orders--and the need to keep them that way!
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Retief knew the importance of sealed orders--and the need to keep them that way!
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading But I had in mind one of those charming resort worlds, with only an occasional visa problem, or perhaps a distressed spaceman or two a year.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading Retief knew the importance of sealed orders--and the need to keep them that way!
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading And not for one world, mind you, but eight!"
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading But I had in mind one of those charming resort worlds, with only an occasional visa problem, or perhaps a distressed spaceman or two a year.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Retief knew the importance of sealed orders--and the need to keep them that way!
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading "It's true," Consul Passwyn said, "I requested assignment as principal officer at a small post.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But I had in mind one of those charming resort worlds, with only an occasional visa problem, or perhaps a distressed spaceman or two a year.
and nothing more
From this reading But I had in mind one of those charming resort worlds, with only an occasional visa problem, or perhaps a distressed spaceman or two a year.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But I had in mind one of those charming resort worlds, with only an occasional visa problem, or perhaps a distressed spaceman or two a year.
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Retief knew the importance of sealed orders--and the need to keep them that way!
Passwyn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It's true," Consul Passwyn said, "I requested assignment as principal officer at a small post.
by chance
From this reading But I had in mind one of those charming resort worlds, with only an occasional visa problem, or perhaps a distressed spaceman or two a year.
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading "It's true," Consul Passwyn said, "I requested assignment as principal officer at a small post.
the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated
From this reading "It's true," Consul Passwyn said, "I requested assignment as principal officer at a small post.
a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading But I had in mind one of those charming resort worlds, with only an occasional visa problem, or perhaps a distressed spaceman or two a year.
requestedadjectiveUS /rɪˈkwestɪd/
asked for
From this reading "It's true," Consul Passwyn said, "I requested assignment as principal officer at a small post.
resortnounUS /rɪˈzɔːrt/
a hotel located in a resort area
From this reading But I had in mind one of those charming resort worlds, with only an occasional visa problem, or perhaps a distressed spaceman or two a year.
Retief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Retief knew the importance of sealed orders--and the need to keep them that way!
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "It's true," Consul Passwyn said, "I requested assignment as principal officer at a small post.
sealedadjectiveUS /siːld/
established irrevocably
From this reading Retief knew the importance of sealed orders--and the need to keep them that way!
settlersnounUS /ˈsetlərz/
plural of “settler” — a person who settles in a new colony or moves into new country
From this reading Instead, I'm zoo-keeper to these confounded settlers.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "It's true," Consul Passwyn said, "I requested assignment as principal officer at a small post.
spacemannoun
a person trained to travel in a spacecraft
From this reading But I had in mind one of those charming resort worlds, with only an occasional visa problem, or perhaps a distressed spaceman or two a year.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Retief knew the importance of sealed orders--and the need to keep them that way!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Retief knew the importance of sealed orders--and the need to keep them that way!
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Retief knew the importance of sealed orders--and the need to keep them that way!
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Instead, I'm zoo-keeper to these confounded settlers.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading But I had in mind one of those charming resort worlds, with only an occasional visa problem, or perhaps a distressed spaceman or two a year.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Retief knew the importance of sealed orders--and the need to keep them that way!
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading "It's true," Consul Passwyn said, "I requested assignment as principal officer at a small post.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading But I had in mind one of those charming resort worlds, with only an occasional visa problem, or perhaps a distressed spaceman or two a year.
visaverbUS /ˈviːzə/
provide (a passport) with a visa
From this reading But I had in mind one of those charming resort worlds, with only an occasional visa problem, or perhaps a distressed spaceman or two a year.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Retief knew the importance of sealed orders--and the need to keep them that way!
in the company of; together with
From this reading But I had in mind one of those charming resort worlds, with only an occasional visa problem, or perhaps a distressed spaceman or two a year.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading And not for one world, mind you, but eight!"
worldsnounUS /wɜːrldz/
plural of “world” — everything that exists anywhere
From this reading But I had in mind one of those charming resort worlds, with only an occasional visa problem, or perhaps a distressed spaceman or two a year.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading But I had in mind one of those charming resort worlds, with only an occasional visa problem, or perhaps a distressed spaceman or two a year.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading And not for one world, mind you, but eight!"
zoo-keeper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instead, I'm zoo-keeper to these confounded settlers.
