used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading His hand-claws clasped a small metal plate surmounted by a hoop of thin wire over which was stretched a web of threads glistening in the sun.
alienadjectiveUS /ˈeɪliən/
not contained in or deriving from the essential nature of something
From this reading Holding that hoop on a level with his mouth, the alien clicked his mandibles, and those sounds became barely distinguishable basic galactic words.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Holding that hoop on a level with his mouth, the alien clicked his mandibles, and those sounds became barely distinguishable basic galactic words.
barelyadverbUS /ˈberli/
only a very short time before
From this reading Holding that hoop on a level with his mouth, the alien clicked his mandibles, and those sounds became barely distinguishable basic galactic words.
basicadjectiveUS /ˈbeɪsɪk/
pertaining to or constituting a base or basis
From this reading Holding that hoop on a level with his mouth, the alien clicked his mandibles, and those sounds became barely distinguishable basic galactic words.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Holding that hoop on a level with his mouth, the alien clicked his mandibles, and those sounds became barely distinguishable basic galactic words.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading His hand-claws clasped a small metal plate surmounted by a hoop of thin wire over which was stretched a web of threads glistening in the sun.
past form of “clasp” — hold firmly and tightly
From this reading His hand-claws clasped a small metal plate surmounted by a hoop of thin wire over which was stretched a web of threads glistening in the sun.
clickedverbUS /klɪkt/
past form of “click” — move or strike with a noise
From this reading Holding that hoop on a level with his mouth, the alien clicked his mandibles, and those sounds became barely distinguishable basic galactic words.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading Then the Throg who had given that order moved closer.
distinguishableadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃəbəl/
capable of being perceived as different or distinct
From this reading Holding that hoop on a level with his mouth, the alien clicked his mandibles, and those sounds became barely distinguishable basic galactic words.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a moment Shann wondered if the alien meant that statement literally.
galacticadjectiveUS /ɡəˈlæktɪk/
of or relating to a galaxy (especially our galaxy the Milky Way)
From this reading Holding that hoop on a level with his mouth, the alien clicked his mandibles, and those sounds became barely distinguishable basic galactic words.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Then the Throg who had given that order moved closer.
glisteningadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪsənɪŋ/
reflecting light
From this reading His hand-claws clasped a small metal plate surmounted by a hoop of thin wire over which was stretched a web of threads glistening in the sun.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Then the Throg who had given that order moved closer.
hand-claws
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His hand-claws clasped a small metal plate surmounted by a hoop of thin wire over which was stretched a web of threads glistening in the sun.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His hand-claws clasped a small metal plate surmounted by a hoop of thin wire over which was stretched a web of threads glistening in the sun.
the act of retaining something
From this reading Holding that hoop on a level with his mouth, the alien clicked his mandibles, and those sounds became barely distinguishable basic galactic words.
hoopnounUS /huːp/
a light curved skeleton to spread out a skirt
From this reading His hand-claws clasped a small metal plate surmounted by a hoop of thin wire over which was stretched a web of threads glistening in the sun.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading For a moment Shann wondered if the alien meant that statement literally.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His hand-claws clasped a small metal plate surmounted by a hoop of thin wire over which was stretched a web of threads glistening in the sun.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading Holding that hoop on a level with his mouth, the alien clicked his mandibles, and those sounds became barely distinguishable basic galactic words.
literallyadverbUS /ˈlɪtərəli/
in a literal sense
From this reading For a moment Shann wondered if the alien meant that statement literally.
mandibles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Holding that hoop on a level with his mouth, the alien clicked his mandibles, and those sounds became barely distinguishable basic galactic words.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading For a moment Shann wondered if the alien meant that statement literally.
the flesh of animals (including fishes and birds and snails) used as food
From this reading "You Throg meat!"
metalnounUS /ˈmetəl/
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 His hand-claws clasped a small metal plate surmounted by a hoop of thin wire over which was stretched a web of threads glistening in the sun.
a particular point in time
From this reading For a moment Shann wondered if the alien meant that statement literally.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading Holding that hoop on a level with his mouth, the alien clicked his mandibles, and those sounds became barely distinguishable basic galactic words.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading Then the Throg who had given that order moved closer.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His hand-claws clasped a small metal plate surmounted by a hoop of thin wire over which was stretched a web of threads glistening in the sun.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Holding that hoop on a level with his mouth, the alien clicked his mandibles, and those sounds became barely distinguishable basic galactic words.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Then the Throg who had given that order moved closer.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading His hand-claws clasped a small metal plate surmounted by a hoop of thin wire over which was stretched a web of threads glistening in the sun.
(baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score
From this reading His hand-claws clasped a small metal plate surmounted by a hoop of thin wire over which was stretched a web of threads glistening in the sun.
Shann
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment Shann wondered if the alien meant that statement literally.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading His hand-claws clasped a small metal plate surmounted by a hoop of thin wire over which was stretched a web of threads glistening in the sun.
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Holding that hoop on a level with his mouth, the alien clicked his mandibles, and those sounds became barely distinguishable basic galactic words.
a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc
From this reading For a moment Shann wondered if the alien meant that statement literally.
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading His hand-claws clasped a small metal plate surmounted by a hoop of thin wire over which was stretched a web of threads glistening in the sun.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading His hand-claws clasped a small metal plate surmounted by a hoop of thin wire over which was stretched a web of threads glistening in the sun.
surmountedadjectiveUS /sərˈmaʊntɪd/
having something on top
From this reading His hand-claws clasped a small metal plate surmounted by a hoop of thin wire over which was stretched a web of threads glistening in the sun.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Then the Throg who had given that order moved closer.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Then the Throg who had given that order moved closer.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then the Throg who had given that order moved closer.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading His hand-claws clasped a small metal plate surmounted by a hoop of thin wire over which was stretched a web of threads glistening in the sun.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Holding that hoop on a level with his mouth, the alien clicked his mandibles, and those sounds became barely distinguishable basic galactic words.
threadsnounUS /θredz/
informal terms for clothing
From this reading His hand-claws clasped a small metal plate surmounted by a hoop of thin wire over which was stretched a web of threads glistening in the sun.
Throg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the Throg who had given that order moved closer.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His hand-claws clasped a small metal plate surmounted by a hoop of thin wire over which was stretched a web of threads glistening in the sun.
webnounUS /web/
an intricate network suggesting something that was formed by weaving or interweaving
From this reading His hand-claws clasped a small metal plate surmounted by a hoop of thin wire over which was stretched a web of threads glistening in the sun.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading His hand-claws clasped a small metal plate surmounted by a hoop of thin wire over which was stretched a web of threads glistening in the sun.
which person or people
From this reading Then the Throg who had given that order moved closer.
wirenounUS /ˈwaɪər/
ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc
From this reading His hand-claws clasped a small metal plate surmounted by a hoop of thin wire over which was stretched a web of threads glistening in the sun.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Holding that hoop on a level with his mouth, the alien clicked his mandibles, and those sounds became barely distinguishable basic galactic words.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading For a moment Shann wondered if the alien meant that statement literally.
the words that are spoken
From this reading Holding that hoop on a level with his mouth, the alien clicked his mandibles, and those sounds became barely distinguishable basic galactic words.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You Throg meat!"
