used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
abandonedadjectiveUS /əˈbændənd/
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading From a purely rational standpoint he had disapproved of this barbaric custom, in this age happily abandoned.
abortiveadjectiveUS /əˈbɔːrtɪv/
failing to accomplish an intended result
From this reading As his mind busied himself with abortive plot and speculation, his eyes roved covertly about his surroundings.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
how long something has existed
From this reading From a purely rational standpoint he had disapproved of this barbaric custom, in this age happily abandoned.
plural of “age” — how long something has existed
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In his university history classes Gary had read of the day when unenlightened Earthmen enslaved their human brothers, offering their flesh and services to hire on the auction block.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
auctionnounUS /ˈɑːkʃən/
a variety of bridge in which tricks made in excess of the contract are scored toward game; now generally superseded by contract bridge
From this reading In his university history classes Gary had read of the day when unenlightened Earthmen enslaved their human brothers, offering their flesh and services to hire on the auction block.
auctionedverbUS /ˈɔːkʃənd/
past form of “auction” — sell at an auction
From this reading But now, here on a planet inconceivably far from the little world called Earth, he himself was not only _witnessing_ such a deal in human wares but was, indeed, one of the chattels to be auctioned!
barbaricadjectiveUS /bɑːrˈbærɪk/
without civilizing influences
From this reading From a purely rational standpoint he had disapproved of this barbaric custom, in this age happily abandoned.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
blocknounUS /blɑːk/
a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)
From this reading In his university history classes Gary had read of the day when unenlightened Earthmen enslaved their human brothers, offering their flesh and services to hire on the auction block.
brethrennounUS /ˈbreðrən/
(plural) the lay members of a male religious order
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading In his university history classes Gary had read of the day when unenlightened Earthmen enslaved their human brothers, offering their flesh and services to hire on the auction block.
busiedverbUS /ˈbɪzid/
inflected form of “busy” — keep busy with
From this reading As his mind busied himself with abortive plot and speculation, his eyes roved covertly about his surroundings.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading But now, here on a planet inconceivably far from the little world called Earth, he himself was not only _witnessing_ such a deal in human wares but was, indeed, one of the chattels to be auctioned!
chattels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But now, here on a planet inconceivably far from the little world called Earth, he himself was not only _witnessing_ such a deal in human wares but was, indeed, one of the chattels to be auctioned!
classesnounUS /ˈklæsəz/
plural of “class” — a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading In his university history classes Gary had read of the day when unenlightened Earthmen enslaved their human brothers, offering their flesh and services to hire on the auction block.
power to direct or determine
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
covertlyadverbUS /koʊˈvɜːrtli/
in a covert manner
From this reading As his mind busied himself with abortive plot and speculation, his eyes roved covertly about his surroundings.
accepted or habitual practice
From this reading From a purely rational standpoint he had disapproved of this barbaric custom, in this age happily abandoned.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading In his university history classes Gary had read of the day when unenlightened Earthmen enslaved their human brothers, offering their flesh and services to hire on the auction block.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading But now, here on a planet inconceivably far from the little world called Earth, he himself was not only _witnessing_ such a deal in human wares but was, indeed, one of the chattels to be auctioned!
disapprovedverbUS /ˌdɪsəˈpruːvd/
past form of “disapprove” — consider bad or wrong
From this reading From a purely rational standpoint he had disapproved of this barbaric custom, in this age happily abandoned.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading But now, here on a planet inconceivably far from the little world called Earth, he himself was not only _witnessing_ such a deal in human wares but was, indeed, one of the chattels to be auctioned!
Earthmen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his university history classes Gary had read of the day when unenlightened Earthmen enslaved their human brothers, offering their flesh and services to hire on the auction block.
emotionaladjectiveUS /ɪˈmoʊʃənəl/
determined or actuated by emotion rather than reason
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
enslavedverbUS /enˈsleɪvd/
past form of “enslave” — make a slave of; bring into servitude
From this reading In his university history classes Gary had read of the day when unenlightened Earthmen enslaved their human brothers, offering their flesh and services to hire on the auction block.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
opinion or judgment
From this reading As his mind busied himself with abortive plot and speculation, his eyes roved covertly about his surroundings.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading But now, here on a planet inconceivably far from the little world called Earth, he himself was not only _witnessing_ such a deal in human wares but was, indeed, one of the chattels to be auctioned!
the soft tissue of the body of a vertebrate: mainly muscle tissue and fat
From this reading In his university history classes Gary had read of the day when unenlightened Earthmen enslaved their human brothers, offering their flesh and services to hire on the auction block.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From a purely rational standpoint he had disapproved of this barbaric custom, in this age happily abandoned.
GarynounUS /ˈɡeri/
a city in northwest Indiana on Lake Michigan; steel production
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
happilyadverbUS /ˈhæpəli/
in a joyous manner
From this reading From a purely rational standpoint he had disapproved of this barbaric custom, in this age happily abandoned.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading From a purely rational standpoint he had disapproved of this barbaric custom, in this age happily abandoned.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading But now, here on a planet inconceivably far from the little world called Earth, he himself was not only _witnessing_ such a deal in human wares but was, indeed, one of the chattels to be auctioned!
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading But now, here on a planet inconceivably far from the little world called Earth, he himself was not only _witnessing_ such a deal in human wares but was, indeed, one of the chattels to be auctioned!
hireverbUS /ˈhaɪər/
engage or hire for work
From this reading In his university history classes Gary had read of the day when unenlightened Earthmen enslaved their human brothers, offering their flesh and services to hire on the auction block.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading In his university history classes Gary had read of the day when unenlightened Earthmen enslaved their human brothers, offering their flesh and services to hire on the auction block.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
ImperialadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɪriəl/
relating to or associated with an empire
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
inconceivablyadverb
to an inconceivable degree
From this reading But now, here on a planet inconceivably far from the little world called Earth, he himself was not only _witnessing_ such a deal in human wares but was, indeed, one of the chattels to be auctioned!
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading But now, here on a planet inconceivably far from the little world called Earth, he himself was not only _witnessing_ such a deal in human wares but was, indeed, one of the chattels to be auctioned!
involvedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɑːlvd/
connected by participation or association or use
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
Khundru
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
a narrow way or road
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading But now, here on a planet inconceivably far from the little world called Earth, he himself was not only _witnessing_ such a deal in human wares but was, indeed, one of the chattels to be auctioned!
martnounUS /mɑːrt/
an area in a town where a public mercantile establishment is set up
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
millionsnounUS /ˈmɪljənz/
plural of “million” — the number that is represented as a one followed by 6 zeros
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading As his mind busied himself with abortive plot and speculation, his eyes roved covertly about his surroundings.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But now, here on a planet inconceivably far from the little world called Earth, he himself was not only _witnessing_ such a deal in human wares but was, indeed, one of the chattels to be auctioned!
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But now, here on a planet inconceivably far from the little world called Earth, he himself was not only _witnessing_ such a deal in human wares but was, indeed, one of the chattels to be auctioned!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
offeringnounUS /ˈɔːfərɪŋ/
something offered (as a proposal or bid)
From this reading In his university history classes Gary had read of the day when unenlightened Earthmen enslaved their human brothers, offering their flesh and services to hire on the auction block.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In his university history classes Gary had read of the day when unenlightened Earthmen enslaved their human brothers, offering their flesh and services to hire on the auction block.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
and nothing more
From this reading But now, here on a planet inconceivably far from the little world called Earth, he himself was not only _witnessing_ such a deal in human wares but was, indeed, one of the chattels to be auctioned!
the time that has elapsed
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
planetnounUS /ˈplænət/
(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 But now, here on a planet inconceivably far from the little world called Earth, he himself was not only _witnessing_ such a deal in human wares but was, indeed, one of the chattels to be auctioned!
plotnounUS /plɑːt/
a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)
From this reading As his mind busied himself with abortive plot and speculation, his eyes roved covertly about his surroundings.
purelyadverbUS /ˈpjʊrli/
restricted to something
From this reading From a purely rational standpoint he had disapproved of this barbaric custom, in this age happily abandoned.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
rationaladjectiveUS /ˈræʃ.ən.əl/
Based on or in accordance with reason or logic rather than turbulent emotions.
From this reading From a purely rational standpoint he had disapproved of this barbaric custom, in this age happily abandoned.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading In his university history classes Gary had read of the day when unenlightened Earthmen enslaved their human brothers, offering their flesh and services to hire on the auction block.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
roved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As his mind busied himself with abortive plot and speculation, his eyes roved covertly about his surroundings.
performance of duties or provision of space and equipment helpful to others
From this reading In his university history classes Gary had read of the day when unenlightened Earthmen enslaved their human brothers, offering their flesh and services to hire on the auction block.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
a person who is owned by someone
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
speculationnounUS /ˌspekjəˈleɪʃən/
a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
From this reading As his mind busied himself with abortive plot and speculation, his eyes roved covertly about his surroundings.
having a supporting base
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
standpointnounUS /ˈstændpɔɪnt/
a mental position from which things are viewed
From this reading From a purely rational standpoint he had disapproved of this barbaric custom, in this age happily abandoned.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading But now, here on a planet inconceivably far from the little world called Earth, he himself was not only _witnessing_ such a deal in human wares but was, indeed, one of the chattels to be auctioned!
surroundingsnounUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋz/
the environmental condition
From this reading As his mind busied himself with abortive plot and speculation, his eyes roved covertly about his surroundings.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading In his university history classes Gary had read of the day when unenlightened Earthmen enslaved their human brothers, offering their flesh and services to hire on the auction block.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
a special situation
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading From a purely rational standpoint he had disapproved of this barbaric custom, in this age happily abandoned.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
unenlightenedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnenˈlaɪtənd/
not enlightened; ignorant
From this reading In his university history classes Gary had read of the day when unenlightened Earthmen enslaved their human brothers, offering their flesh and services to hire on the auction block.
universitynounUS /ˌjuːnəˈvɜːrsəti/
the body of faculty and students at a university
From this reading In his university history classes Gary had read of the day when unenlightened Earthmen enslaved their human brothers, offering their flesh and services to hire on the auction block.
uprisingnounUS /əˈpraɪzɪŋ/
organized opposition to authority; a conflict in which one faction tries to wrest control from another
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
waresnounUS /werz/
plural of “ware” — articles of the same kind or material; usually used in combination: “silverware”, “software”
From this reading But now, here on a planet inconceivably far from the little world called Earth, he himself was not only _witnessing_ such a deal in human wares but was, indeed, one of the chattels to be auctioned!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But now, here on a planet inconceivably far from the little world called Earth, he himself was not only _witnessing_ such a deal in human wares but was, indeed, one of the chattels to be auctioned!
at the time that
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
in the company of; together with
From this reading As his mind busied himself with abortive plot and speculation, his eyes roved covertly about his surroundings.
witnessingverbUS /ˈwɪtnəsɪŋ/
-ing form of “witness” — be a witness to
From this reading But now, here on a planet inconceivably far from the little world called Earth, he himself was not only _witnessing_ such a deal in human wares but was, indeed, one of the chattels to be auctioned!
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading But now, here on a planet inconceivably far from the little world called Earth, he himself was not only _witnessing_ such a deal in human wares but was, indeed, one of the chattels to be auctioned!
used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action
From this reading The Control Tower Standing there in the slave mart of Imperial Khundru, Gary Lane realized--as millions of his human brethren had discovered in past ages--that it is one thing to experience an emotional uprising when _reading_ about a situation, but quite another to be involved in that situation yourself.
