used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _A bit of levity never hurt anyone--even a science fiction editor, writer or reader, we hope.
amazedadjectiveUS /əˈmeɪzd/
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading So--we give you this brief moment with an amazed scientist and his startling creations--for a brief chuckle._ Henderson's lovely flowers were going to bring him fame--until they walked and talked too much.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading So--we give you this brief moment with an amazed scientist and his startling creations--for a brief chuckle._ Henderson's lovely flowers were going to bring him fame--until they walked and talked too much.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And a laugh has been known to lighten a heavy load and even change the path of history.
any person at all
From this reading _A bit of levity never hurt anyone--even a science fiction editor, writer or reader, we hope.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading And a laugh has been known to lighten a heavy load and even change the path of history.
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading The ringing of the door bell cut into Henderson's concentration and he made a gesture of irritation with one outflung hand.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading _A bit of levity never hurt anyone--even a science fiction editor, writer or reader, we hope.
of short duration or distance
From this reading So--we give you this brief moment with an amazed scientist and his startling creations--for a brief chuckle._ Henderson's lovely flowers were going to bring him fame--until they walked and talked too much.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading So--we give you this brief moment with an amazed scientist and his startling creations--for a brief chuckle._ Henderson's lovely flowers were going to bring him fame--until they walked and talked too much.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But he didn't raise his head or shift his eyes one iota from the tiny green thing on his laboratory table.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading And a laugh has been known to lighten a heavy load and even change the path of history.
chucklenounUS /ˈtʃʌkəl/
a soft partly suppressed laugh
From this reading So--we give you this brief moment with an amazed scientist and his startling creations--for a brief chuckle._ Henderson's lovely flowers were going to bring him fame--until they walked and talked too much.
concentrationnounUS /ˌkɑːnsənˈtreɪʃən/
the strength of a solution; number of molecules of a substance in a given volume
From this reading The ringing of the door bell cut into Henderson's concentration and he made a gesture of irritation with one outflung hand.
creationsnounUS /kriˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “creation” — the human act of creating
From this reading So--we give you this brief moment with an amazed scientist and his startling creations--for a brief chuckle._ Henderson's lovely flowers were going to bring him fame--until they walked and talked too much.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading The ringing of the door bell cut into Henderson's concentration and he made a gesture of irritation with one outflung hand.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he didn't raise his head or shift his eyes one iota from the tiny green thing on his laboratory table.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The ringing of the door bell cut into Henderson's concentration and he made a gesture of irritation with one outflung hand.
editornounUS /ˈedətər/
a person responsible for the editorial aspects of publication; the person who determines the final content of a text (especially of a newspaper or magazine)
From this reading _A bit of levity never hurt anyone--even a science fiction editor, writer or reader, we hope.
divisible by two
From this reading _A bit of levity never hurt anyone--even a science fiction editor, writer or reader, we hope.
opinion or judgment
From this reading But he didn't raise his head or shift his eyes one iota from the tiny green thing on his laboratory table.
the state or quality of being widely honored and acclaimed
From this reading So--we give you this brief moment with an amazed scientist and his startling creations--for a brief chuckle._ Henderson's lovely flowers were going to bring him fame--until they walked and talked too much.
fictionnounUS /ˈfɪkʃən/
a literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact
From this reading _A bit of levity never hurt anyone--even a science fiction editor, writer or reader, we hope.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading So--we give you this brief moment with an amazed scientist and his startling creations--for a brief chuckle._ Henderson's lovely flowers were going to bring him fame--until they walked and talked too much.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading So--we give you this brief moment with an amazed scientist and his startling creations--for a brief chuckle._ Henderson's lovely flowers were going to bring him fame--until they walked and talked too much.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But he didn't raise his head or shift his eyes one iota from the tiny green thing on his laboratory table.
motion of hands or body to emphasize or help to express a thought or feeling
From this reading The ringing of the door bell cut into Henderson's concentration and he made a gesture of irritation with one outflung hand.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading So--we give you this brief moment with an amazed scientist and his startling creations--for a brief chuckle._ Henderson's lovely flowers were going to bring him fame--until they walked and talked too much.
the act of departing
From this reading So--we give you this brief moment with an amazed scientist and his startling creations--for a brief chuckle._ Henderson's lovely flowers were going to bring him fame--until they walked and talked too much.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading But he didn't raise his head or shift his eyes one iota from the tiny green thing on his laboratory table.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The ringing of the door bell cut into Henderson's concentration and he made a gesture of irritation with one outflung hand.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And a laugh has been known to lighten a heavy load and even change the path of history.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The ringing of the door bell cut into Henderson's concentration and he made a gesture of irritation with one outflung hand.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading But he didn't raise his head or shift his eyes one iota from the tiny green thing on his laboratory table.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading And a laugh has been known to lighten a heavy load and even change the path of history.
Henderson's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So--we give you this brief moment with an amazed scientist and his startling creations--for a brief chuckle._ Henderson's lovely flowers were going to bring him fame--until they walked and talked too much.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading So--we give you this brief moment with an amazed scientist and his startling creations--for a brief chuckle._ Henderson's lovely flowers were going to bring him fame--until they walked and talked too much.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading So--we give you this brief moment with an amazed scientist and his startling creations--for a brief chuckle._ Henderson's lovely flowers were going to bring him fame--until they walked and talked too much.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading And a laugh has been known to lighten a heavy load and even change the path of history.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading _A bit of levity never hurt anyone--even a science fiction editor, writer or reader, we hope.
be the source of pain
From this reading _A bit of levity never hurt anyone--even a science fiction editor, writer or reader, we hope.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The ringing of the door bell cut into Henderson's concentration and he made a gesture of irritation with one outflung hand.
iotanounUS /ˌaɪˈoʊtə/
a tiny or scarcely detectable amount
From this reading But he didn't raise his head or shift his eyes one iota from the tiny green thing on his laboratory table.
irritationnounUS /ˌɪrɪˈteɪʃən/
the psychological state of being irritated or annoyed
From this reading The ringing of the door bell cut into Henderson's concentration and he made a gesture of irritation with one outflung hand.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading And a laugh has been known to lighten a heavy load and even change the path of history.
laboratorynounUS /ˈlæbrətɔːri/
a workplace for the conduct of scientific research
From this reading But he didn't raise his head or shift his eyes one iota from the tiny green thing on his laboratory table.
the sound of laughing
From this reading And a laugh has been known to lighten a heavy load and even change the path of history.
levitynounUS /ˈlevɪti/
feeling an inappropriate lack of seriousness
From this reading _A bit of levity never hurt anyone--even a science fiction editor, writer or reader, we hope.
lightenverbUS /ˈlaɪtən/
make more cheerful
From this reading And a laugh has been known to lighten a heavy load and even change the path of history.
loadnounUS /loʊd/
weight to be borne or conveyed
From this reading And a laugh has been known to lighten a heavy load and even change the path of history.
appealing to the emotions as well as the eye
From this reading So--we give you this brief moment with an amazed scientist and his startling creations--for a brief chuckle._ Henderson's lovely flowers were going to bring him fame--until they walked and talked too much.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The ringing of the door bell cut into Henderson's concentration and he made a gesture of irritation with one outflung hand.
a particular point in time
From this reading So--we give you this brief moment with an amazed scientist and his startling creations--for a brief chuckle._ Henderson's lovely flowers were going to bring him fame--until they walked and talked too much.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading So--we give you this brief moment with an amazed scientist and his startling creations--for a brief chuckle._ Henderson's lovely flowers were going to bring him fame--until they walked and talked too much.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading _A bit of levity never hurt anyone--even a science fiction editor, writer or reader, we hope.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _A bit of levity never hurt anyone--even a science fiction editor, writer or reader, we hope.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But he didn't raise his head or shift his eyes one iota from the tiny green thing on his laboratory table.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The ringing of the door bell cut into Henderson's concentration and he made a gesture of irritation with one outflung hand.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading _A bit of levity never hurt anyone--even a science fiction editor, writer or reader, we hope.
outflung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ringing of the door bell cut into Henderson's concentration and he made a gesture of irritation with one outflung hand.
a course of conduct
From this reading And a laugh has been known to lighten a heavy load and even change the path of history.
raise the level or amount of something
From this reading But he didn't raise his head or shift his eyes one iota from the tiny green thing on his laboratory table.
a person who enjoys reading
From this reading _A bit of levity never hurt anyone--even a science fiction editor, writer or reader, we hope.
ringingnounUS /ˈrɪŋɪŋ/
the sound of a bell ringing
From this reading The ringing of the door bell cut into Henderson's concentration and he made a gesture of irritation with one outflung hand.
a particular branch of scientific knowledge
From this reading _A bit of levity never hurt anyone--even a science fiction editor, writer or reader, we hope.
scientistnounUS /ˈsaɪəntɪst/
a person with advanced knowledge of one or more sciences
From this reading So--we give you this brief moment with an amazed scientist and his startling creations--for a brief chuckle._ Henderson's lovely flowers were going to bring him fame--until they walked and talked too much.
shiftverbUS /ʃɪft/
make a shift in or exchange of
From this reading But he didn't raise his head or shift his eyes one iota from the tiny green thing on his laboratory table.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So--we give you this brief moment with an amazed scientist and his startling creations--for a brief chuckle._ Henderson's lovely flowers were going to bring him fame--until they walked and talked too much.
startlingadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtlɪŋ/
so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm
From this reading So--we give you this brief moment with an amazed scientist and his startling creations--for a brief chuckle._ Henderson's lovely flowers were going to bring him fame--until they walked and talked too much.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading But he didn't raise his head or shift his eyes one iota from the tiny green thing on his laboratory table.
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading So--we give you this brief moment with an amazed scientist and his startling creations--for a brief chuckle._ Henderson's lovely flowers were going to bring him fame--until they walked and talked too much.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading And a laugh has been known to lighten a heavy load and even change the path of history.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So--we give you this brief moment with an amazed scientist and his startling creations--for a brief chuckle._ Henderson's lovely flowers were going to bring him fame--until they walked and talked too much.
a special situation
From this reading But he didn't raise his head or shift his eyes one iota from the tiny green thing on his laboratory table.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading So--we give you this brief moment with an amazed scientist and his startling creations--for a brief chuckle._ Henderson's lovely flowers were going to bring him fame--until they walked and talked too much.
very small
From this reading But he didn't raise his head or shift his eyes one iota from the tiny green thing on his laboratory table.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And a laugh has been known to lighten a heavy load and even change the path of history.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading So--we give you this brief moment with an amazed scientist and his startling creations--for a brief chuckle._ Henderson's lovely flowers were going to bring him fame--until they walked and talked too much.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading So--we give you this brief moment with an amazed scientist and his startling creations--for a brief chuckle._ Henderson's lovely flowers were going to bring him fame--until they walked and talked too much.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading So--we give you this brief moment with an amazed scientist and his startling creations--for a brief chuckle._ Henderson's lovely flowers were going to bring him fame--until they walked and talked too much.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading _A bit of levity never hurt anyone--even a science fiction editor, writer or reader, we hope.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading So--we give you this brief moment with an amazed scientist and his startling creations--for a brief chuckle._ Henderson's lovely flowers were going to bring him fame--until they walked and talked too much.
in the company of; together with
From this reading So--we give you this brief moment with an amazed scientist and his startling creations--for a brief chuckle._ Henderson's lovely flowers were going to bring him fame--until they walked and talked too much.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading _A bit of levity never hurt anyone--even a science fiction editor, writer or reader, we hope.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading So--we give you this brief moment with an amazed scientist and his startling creations--for a brief chuckle._ Henderson's lovely flowers were going to bring him fame--until they walked and talked too much.
