used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _A tale of the prospectors of the starways--of dangers--_ Here the dark cave, along which Nat Starrett had been creeping, broadened into what his powerful searchlight revealed to be a low, wide, smoothly circular room.
acidadjectiveUS /ˈæsəd/
harsh or corrosive in tone
From this reading At his feet lapped black, thick-looking waves of an underground lake, a pool of viscous substance that gave off a penetrating, poignant odor of acid, sweetish and intoxicating, unlike any acid he knew.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading _A tale of the prospectors of the starways--of dangers--_ Here the dark cave, along which Nat Starrett had been creeping, broadened into what his powerful searchlight revealed to be a low, wide, smoothly circular room.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading At his feet lapped black, thick-looking waves of an underground lake, a pool of viscous substance that gave off a penetrating, poignant odor of acid, sweetish and intoxicating, unlike any acid he knew.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At his feet lapped black, thick-looking waves of an underground lake, a pool of viscous substance that gave off a penetrating, poignant odor of acid, sweetish and intoxicating, unlike any acid he knew.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading At his feet lapped black, thick-looking waves of an underground lake, a pool of viscous substance that gave off a penetrating, poignant odor of acid, sweetish and intoxicating, unlike any acid he knew.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Near its center projected from the sticky stuff what appeared to be the nose of a spaceship.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He looked down near his feet at the edge of the pool where thick, slowly-moving tongues of the liquid appeared to reach up toward him, as if intent on pulling him into its depths.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At his feet lapped black, thick-looking waves of an underground lake, a pool of viscous substance that gave off a penetrating, poignant odor of acid, sweetish and intoxicating, unlike any acid he knew.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading _A tale of the prospectors of the starways--of dangers--_ Here the dark cave, along which Nat Starrett had been creeping, broadened into what his powerful searchlight revealed to be a low, wide, smoothly circular room.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading _A tale of the prospectors of the starways--of dangers--_ Here the dark cave, along which Nat Starrett had been creeping, broadened into what his powerful searchlight revealed to be a low, wide, smoothly circular room.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading At his feet lapped black, thick-looking waves of an underground lake, a pool of viscous substance that gave off a penetrating, poignant odor of acid, sweetish and intoxicating, unlike any acid he knew.
broadenedverbUS /ˈbrɔːdənd/
past form of “broaden” — make broader
From this reading _A tale of the prospectors of the starways--of dangers--_ Here the dark cave, along which Nat Starrett had been creeping, broadened into what his powerful searchlight revealed to be a low, wide, smoothly circular room.
a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea
From this reading _A tale of the prospectors of the starways--of dangers--_ Here the dark cave, along which Nat Starrett had been creeping, broadened into what his powerful searchlight revealed to be a low, wide, smoothly circular room.
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading Near its center projected from the sticky stuff what appeared to be the nose of a spaceship.
chokeverbUS /tʃoʊk/
breathe with great difficulty, as when experiencing a strong emotion
From this reading The smell rolled up in a sickening, sultry cloud that penetrated his helmet, made him cough and choke.
circularadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrkjələr/
having the shape or form of a circle
From this reading _A tale of the prospectors of the starways--of dangers--_ Here the dark cave, along which Nat Starrett had been creeping, broadened into what his powerful searchlight revealed to be a low, wide, smoothly circular room.
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading The smell rolled up in a sickening, sultry cloud that penetrated his helmet, made him cough and choke.
coughverbUS /kɑːf/
exhale abruptly, as when one has a chest cold or congestion
From this reading The smell rolled up in a sickening, sultry cloud that penetrated his helmet, made him cough and choke.
creepingnounUS /ˈkriːpɪŋ/
a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body
From this reading _A tale of the prospectors of the starways--of dangers--_ Here the dark cave, along which Nat Starrett had been creeping, broadened into what his powerful searchlight revealed to be a low, wide, smoothly circular room.
dangersnounUS /ˈdeɪndʒərz/
plural of “danger” — the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading _A tale of the prospectors of the starways--of dangers--_ Here the dark cave, along which Nat Starrett had been creeping, broadened into what his powerful searchlight revealed to be a low, wide, smoothly circular room.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading _A tale of the prospectors of the starways--of dangers--_ Here the dark cave, along which Nat Starrett had been creeping, broadened into what his powerful searchlight revealed to be a low, wide, smoothly circular room.
(plural) the deepest and most remote part
From this reading He looked down near his feet at the edge of the pool where thick, slowly-moving tongues of the liquid appeared to reach up toward him, as if intent on pulling him into its depths.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He looked down near his feet at the edge of the pool where thick, slowly-moving tongues of the liquid appeared to reach up toward him, as if intent on pulling him into its depths.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading He looked down near his feet at the edge of the pool where thick, slowly-moving tongues of the liquid appeared to reach up toward him, as if intent on pulling him into its depths.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading At his feet lapped black, thick-looking waves of an underground lake, a pool of viscous substance that gave off a penetrating, poignant odor of acid, sweetish and intoxicating, unlike any acid he knew.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Near its center projected from the sticky stuff what appeared to be the nose of a spaceship.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading At his feet lapped black, thick-looking waves of an underground lake, a pool of viscous substance that gave off a penetrating, poignant odor of acid, sweetish and intoxicating, unlike any acid he knew.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading _A tale of the prospectors of the starways--of dangers--_ Here the dark cave, along which Nat Starrett had been creeping, broadened into what his powerful searchlight revealed to be a low, wide, smoothly circular room.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At his feet lapped black, thick-looking waves of an underground lake, a pool of viscous substance that gave off a penetrating, poignant odor of acid, sweetish and intoxicating, unlike any acid he knew.
helmetnounUS /ˈhelmət/
armor plate that protects the head
From this reading The smell rolled up in a sickening, sultry cloud that penetrated his helmet, made him cough and choke.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading _A tale of the prospectors of the starways--of dangers--_ Here the dark cave, along which Nat Starrett had been creeping, broadened into what his powerful searchlight revealed to be a low, wide, smoothly circular room.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The smell rolled up in a sickening, sultry cloud that penetrated his helmet, made him cough and choke.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading _A tale of the prospectors of the starways--of dangers--_ Here the dark cave, along which Nat Starrett had been creeping, broadened into what his powerful searchlight revealed to be a low, wide, smoothly circular room.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He looked down near his feet at the edge of the pool where thick, slowly-moving tongues of the liquid appeared to reach up toward him, as if intent on pulling him into its depths.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The smell rolled up in a sickening, sultry cloud that penetrated his helmet, made him cough and choke.
intentnounUS /ˌɪnˈtent/
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading He looked down near his feet at the edge of the pool where thick, slowly-moving tongues of the liquid appeared to reach up toward him, as if intent on pulling him into its depths.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading _A tale of the prospectors of the starways--of dangers--_ Here the dark cave, along which Nat Starrett had been creeping, broadened into what his powerful searchlight revealed to be a low, wide, smoothly circular room.
intoxicatingadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɑːksɪkeɪtɪŋ/
causing intoxication
From this reading At his feet lapped black, thick-looking waves of an underground lake, a pool of viscous substance that gave off a penetrating, poignant odor of acid, sweetish and intoxicating, unlike any acid he knew.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Near its center projected from the sticky stuff what appeared to be the nose of a spaceship.
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 At his feet lapped black, thick-looking waves of an underground lake, a pool of viscous substance that gave off a penetrating, poignant odor of acid, sweetish and intoxicating, unlike any acid he knew.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading At his feet lapped black, thick-looking waves of an underground lake, a pool of viscous substance that gave off a penetrating, poignant odor of acid, sweetish and intoxicating, unlike any acid he knew.
lappedverbUS /læpt/
inflected form of “lap” — lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another
From this reading At his feet lapped black, thick-looking waves of an underground lake, a pool of viscous substance that gave off a penetrating, poignant odor of acid, sweetish and intoxicating, unlike any acid he knew.
liquidadjectiveUS /ˈlɪkwəd/
existing as or having characteristics of a liquid; especially tending to flow
From this reading He looked down near his feet at the edge of the pool where thick, slowly-moving tongues of the liquid appeared to reach up toward him, as if intent on pulling him into its depths.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He looked down near his feet at the edge of the pool where thick, slowly-moving tongues of the liquid appeared to reach up toward him, as if intent on pulling him into its depths.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading _A tale of the prospectors of the starways--of dangers--_ Here the dark cave, along which Nat Starrett had been creeping, broadened into what his powerful searchlight revealed to be a low, wide, smoothly circular room.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The smell rolled up in a sickening, sultry cloud that penetrated his helmet, made him cough and choke.
Nat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _A tale of the prospectors of the starways--of dangers--_ Here the dark cave, along which Nat Starrett had been creeping, broadened into what his powerful searchlight revealed to be a low, wide, smoothly circular room.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Near its center projected from the sticky stuff what appeared to be the nose of a spaceship.
the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals
From this reading Near its center projected from the sticky stuff what appeared to be the nose of a spaceship.
odornounUS /ˈoʊdər/
any property detected by the olfactory system
From this reading At his feet lapped black, thick-looking waves of an underground lake, a pool of viscous substance that gave off a penetrating, poignant odor of acid, sweetish and intoxicating, unlike any acid he knew.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _A tale of the prospectors of the starways--of dangers--_ Here the dark cave, along which Nat Starrett had been creeping, broadened into what his powerful searchlight revealed to be a low, wide, smoothly circular room.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading At his feet lapped black, thick-looking waves of an underground lake, a pool of viscous substance that gave off a penetrating, poignant odor of acid, sweetish and intoxicating, unlike any acid he knew.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He looked down near his feet at the edge of the pool where thick, slowly-moving tongues of the liquid appeared to reach up toward him, as if intent on pulling him into its depths.
penetratedverbUS /ˈpenətreɪtɪd/
past form of “penetrate” — pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance
From this reading The smell rolled up in a sickening, sultry cloud that penetrated his helmet, made him cough and choke.
penetratingadjectiveUS /ˈpenətreɪtɪŋ/
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading At his feet lapped black, thick-looking waves of an underground lake, a pool of viscous substance that gave off a penetrating, poignant odor of acid, sweetish and intoxicating, unlike any acid he knew.
poignantadjectiveUS /ˈpɔɪnjənt/
arousing affect
From this reading At his feet lapped black, thick-looking waves of an underground lake, a pool of viscous substance that gave off a penetrating, poignant odor of acid, sweetish and intoxicating, unlike any acid he knew.
poolnounUS /puːl/
an excavation that is (usually) filled with water
From this reading At his feet lapped black, thick-looking waves of an underground lake, a pool of viscous substance that gave off a penetrating, poignant odor of acid, sweetish and intoxicating, unlike any acid he knew.
having great power or force or potency or effect
From this reading _A tale of the prospectors of the starways--of dangers--_ Here the dark cave, along which Nat Starrett had been creeping, broadened into what his powerful searchlight revealed to be a low, wide, smoothly circular room.
projectedadjectiveUS /prəˈdʒektəd/
extending out above or beyond a surface or boundary
From this reading Near its center projected from the sticky stuff what appeared to be the nose of a spaceship.
prospectorsnounUS /ˈprɔːspektərz/
plural of “prospector” — someone who explores an area for mineral deposits
From this reading _A tale of the prospectors of the starways--of dangers--_ Here the dark cave, along which Nat Starrett had been creeping, broadened into what his powerful searchlight revealed to be a low, wide, smoothly circular room.
pullingnounUS /ˈpʊlɪŋ/
the act of pulling; applying force to move something toward or with you
From this reading He looked down near his feet at the edge of the pool where thick, slowly-moving tongues of the liquid appeared to reach up toward him, as if intent on pulling him into its depths.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading He looked down near his feet at the edge of the pool where thick, slowly-moving tongues of the liquid appeared to reach up toward him, as if intent on pulling him into its depths.
past form of “reveal” — make visible
From this reading _A tale of the prospectors of the starways--of dangers--_ Here the dark cave, along which Nat Starrett had been creeping, broadened into what his powerful searchlight revealed to be a low, wide, smoothly circular room.
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
From this reading The smell rolled up in a sickening, sultry cloud that penetrated his helmet, made him cough and choke.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading _A tale of the prospectors of the starways--of dangers--_ Here the dark cave, along which Nat Starrett had been creeping, broadened into what his powerful searchlight revealed to be a low, wide, smoothly circular room.
searchlightnounUS /ˈsɜːrtʃlaɪt/
a light source with reflectors that projects a beam of light in a particular direction
From this reading _A tale of the prospectors of the starways--of dangers--_ Here the dark cave, along which Nat Starrett had been creeping, broadened into what his powerful searchlight revealed to be a low, wide, smoothly circular room.
sickeningadjectiveUS /ˈsɪkənɪŋ/
causing or able to cause nausea
From this reading The smell rolled up in a sickening, sultry cloud that penetrated his helmet, made him cough and choke.
slowly-moving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked down near his feet at the edge of the pool where thick, slowly-moving tongues of the liquid appeared to reach up toward him, as if intent on pulling him into its depths.
the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form
From this reading The smell rolled up in a sickening, sultry cloud that penetrated his helmet, made him cough and choke.
smoothlyadverbUS /ˈsmuːðli/
with no problems or difficulties
From this reading _A tale of the prospectors of the starways--of dangers--_ Here the dark cave, along which Nat Starrett had been creeping, broadened into what his powerful searchlight revealed to be a low, wide, smoothly circular room.
spaceshipnounUS /ˈspeɪsʃɪp/
a spacecraft designed to carry a crew into interstellar space (especially in science fiction)
From this reading Near its center projected from the sticky stuff what appeared to be the nose of a spaceship.
Starrett
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _A tale of the prospectors of the starways--of dangers--_ Here the dark cave, along which Nat Starrett had been creeping, broadened into what his powerful searchlight revealed to be a low, wide, smoothly circular room.
starways
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _A tale of the prospectors of the starways--of dangers--_ Here the dark cave, along which Nat Starrett had been creeping, broadened into what his powerful searchlight revealed to be a low, wide, smoothly circular room.
stickyadjectiveUS /ˈstɪki/
having the sticky properties of an adhesive
From this reading Near its center projected from the sticky stuff what appeared to be the nose of a spaceship.
the tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object
From this reading Near its center projected from the sticky stuff what appeared to be the nose of a spaceship.
substancenounUS /ˈsʌbstəns/
the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists
From this reading At his feet lapped black, thick-looking waves of an underground lake, a pool of viscous substance that gave off a penetrating, poignant odor of acid, sweetish and intoxicating, unlike any acid he knew.
sultryadjectiveUS /ˈsʌltri/
sexually exciting or gratifying
From this reading The smell rolled up in a sickening, sultry cloud that penetrated his helmet, made him cough and choke.
sweetishadjective
somewhat sweet
From this reading At his feet lapped black, thick-looking waves of an underground lake, a pool of viscous substance that gave off a penetrating, poignant odor of acid, sweetish and intoxicating, unlike any acid he knew.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading _A tale of the prospectors of the starways--of dangers--_ Here the dark cave, along which Nat Starrett had been creeping, broadened into what his powerful searchlight revealed to be a low, wide, smoothly circular room.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At his feet lapped black, thick-looking waves of an underground lake, a pool of viscous substance that gave off a penetrating, poignant odor of acid, sweetish and intoxicating, unlike any acid he knew.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _A tale of the prospectors of the starways--of dangers--_ Here the dark cave, along which Nat Starrett had been creeping, broadened into what his powerful searchlight revealed to be a low, wide, smoothly circular room.
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading He looked down near his feet at the edge of the pool where thick, slowly-moving tongues of the liquid appeared to reach up toward him, as if intent on pulling him into its depths.
thick-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At his feet lapped black, thick-looking waves of an underground lake, a pool of viscous substance that gave off a penetrating, poignant odor of acid, sweetish and intoxicating, unlike any acid he knew.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _A tale of the prospectors of the starways--of dangers--_ Here the dark cave, along which Nat Starrett had been creeping, broadened into what his powerful searchlight revealed to be a low, wide, smoothly circular room.
tonguesnounUS /tʌŋz/
plural of “tongue” — a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity
From this reading He looked down near his feet at the edge of the pool where thick, slowly-moving tongues of the liquid appeared to reach up toward him, as if intent on pulling him into its depths.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading He looked down near his feet at the edge of the pool where thick, slowly-moving tongues of the liquid appeared to reach up toward him, as if intent on pulling him into its depths.
undergroundadjectiveUS /ˈʌndərɡraʊnd/
under the level of the ground
From this reading At his feet lapped black, thick-looking waves of an underground lake, a pool of viscous substance that gave off a penetrating, poignant odor of acid, sweetish and intoxicating, unlike any acid he knew.
unlikeadjectiveUS /ənˈlaɪk/
marked by dissimilarity
From this reading At his feet lapped black, thick-looking waves of an underground lake, a pool of viscous substance that gave off a penetrating, poignant odor of acid, sweetish and intoxicating, unlike any acid he knew.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The smell rolled up in a sickening, sultry cloud that penetrated his helmet, made him cough and choke.
viscousadjectiveUS /ˈvɪskəs/
having a relatively high resistance to flow
From this reading At his feet lapped black, thick-looking waves of an underground lake, a pool of viscous substance that gave off a penetrating, poignant odor of acid, sweetish and intoxicating, unlike any acid he knew.
plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading At his feet lapped black, thick-looking waves of an underground lake, a pool of viscous substance that gave off a penetrating, poignant odor of acid, sweetish and intoxicating, unlike any acid he knew.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading _A tale of the prospectors of the starways--of dangers--_ Here the dark cave, along which Nat Starrett had been creeping, broadened into what his powerful searchlight revealed to be a low, wide, smoothly circular room.
in or at the place that
From this reading He looked down near his feet at the edge of the pool where thick, slowly-moving tongues of the liquid appeared to reach up toward him, as if intent on pulling him into its depths.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading _A tale of the prospectors of the starways--of dangers--_ Here the dark cave, along which Nat Starrett had been creeping, broadened into what his powerful searchlight revealed to be a low, wide, smoothly circular room.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading _A tale of the prospectors of the starways--of dangers--_ Here the dark cave, along which Nat Starrett had been creeping, broadened into what his powerful searchlight revealed to be a low, wide, smoothly circular room.
