Chapter III · Chapter 3

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

plural of “age” — how long something has existed

From this reading As the ages passed on both the earth and this fragment, which had been very hot, cooled down, and in cooling became smaller, so that the distance between them was greater than it had been before they shrank.

in the past

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

in addition

From this reading And there were other causes also that tended to thrust the two further from each other.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Yet, compared with the other heavenly bodies, they are still near, and by looking up into the sky at night you can generally see this mighty fragment, which is a quarter the diameter of the earth--that is to say, a quarter the width of the earth measured from side to side through the middle.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Yet, compared with the other heavenly bodies, they are still near, and by looking up into the sky at night you can generally see this mighty fragment, which is a quarter the diameter of the earth--that is to say, a quarter the width of the earth measured from side to side through the middle.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading As the ages passed on both the earth and this fragment, which had been very hot, cooled down, and in cooling became smaller, so that the distance between them was greater than it had been before they shrank.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading As the ages passed on both the earth and this fragment, which had been very hot, cooled down, and in cooling became smaller, so that the distance between them was greater than it had been before they shrank.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading As the ages passed on both the earth and this fragment, which had been very hot, cooled down, and in cooling became smaller, so that the distance between them was greater than it had been before they shrank.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading As the ages passed on both the earth and this fragment, which had been very hot, cooled down, and in cooling became smaller, so that the distance between them was greater than it had been before they shrank.

plural of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading Yet, compared with the other heavenly bodies, they are still near, and by looking up into the sky at night you can generally see this mighty fragment, which is a quarter the diameter of the earth--that is to say, a quarter the width of the earth measured from side to side through the middle.

the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

the two together, not just one

From this reading As the ages passed on both the earth and this fragment, which had been very hot, cooled down, and in cooling became smaller, so that the distance between them was greater than it had been before they shrank.

lacking funds

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Yet, compared with the other heavenly bodies, they are still near, and by looking up into the sky at night you can generally see this mighty fragment, which is a quarter the diameter of the earth--that is to say, a quarter the width of the earth measured from side to side through the middle.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading Yet, compared with the other heavenly bodies, they are still near, and by looking up into the sky at night you can generally see this mighty fragment, which is a quarter the diameter of the earth--that is to say, a quarter the width of the earth measured from side to side through the middle.

plural of “cause” — events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

From this reading And there were other causes also that tended to thrust the two further from each other.

-ing form of “circle” — travel around something

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

a small cosmetics case with a mirror; to be carried in a woman's purse

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

past form of “compare” — examine and note the similarities or differences of

From this reading Yet, compared with the other heavenly bodies, they are still near, and by looking up into the sky at night you can generally see this mighty fragment, which is a quarter the diameter of the earth--that is to say, a quarter the width of the earth measured from side to side through the middle.

past form of “cool” — make cool or cooler

From this reading As the ages passed on both the earth and this fragment, which had been very hot, cooled down, and in cooling became smaller, so that the distance between them was greater than it had been before they shrank.

the process of becoming cooler; a falling temperature

From this reading As the ages passed on both the earth and this fragment, which had been very hot, cooled down, and in cooling became smaller, so that the distance between them was greater than it had been before they shrank.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading It is--as, of course, you have guessed--the moon.

the length of a straight line passing through the center of a circle and connecting two points on the circumference

From this reading Yet, compared with the other heavenly bodies, they are still near, and by looking up into the sky at night you can generally see this mighty fragment, which is a quarter the diameter of the earth--that is to say, a quarter the width of the earth measured from side to side through the middle.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading As the ages passed on both the earth and this fragment, which had been very hot, cooled down, and in cooling became smaller, so that the distance between them was greater than it had been before they shrank.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading As the ages passed on both the earth and this fragment, which had been very hot, cooled down, and in cooling became smaller, so that the distance between them was greater than it had been before they shrank.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading And there were other causes also that tended to thrust the two further from each other.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

A small part broken or separated off something larger.

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

From this reading And there were other causes also that tended to thrust the two further from each other.

usually; as a rule

From this reading Yet, compared with the other heavenly bodies, they are still near, and by looking up into the sky at night you can generally see this mighty fragment, which is a quarter the diameter of the earth--that is to say, a quarter the width of the earth measured from side to side through the middle.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

greater in size or importance or degree

From this reading As the ages passed on both the earth and this fragment, which had been very hot, cooled down, and in cooling became smaller, so that the distance between them was greater than it had been before they shrank.

past form of “guess” — expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading It is--as, of course, you have guessed--the moon.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It is--as, of course, you have guessed--the moon.

relating to or inhabiting a divine heaven

From this reading Yet, compared with the other heavenly bodies, they are still near, and by looking up into the sky at night you can generally see this mighty fragment, which is a quarter the diameter of the earth--that is to say, a quarter the width of the earth measured from side to side through the middle.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading As the ages passed on both the earth and this fragment, which had been very hot, cooled down, and in cooling became smaller, so that the distance between them was greater than it had been before they shrank.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading As the ages passed on both the earth and this fragment, which had been very hot, cooled down, and in cooling became smaller, so that the distance between them was greater than it had been before they shrank.

occurring among members of a family usually by heredity

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Yet, compared with the other heavenly bodies, they are still near, and by looking up into the sky at night you can generally see this mighty fragment, which is a quarter the diameter of the earth--that is to say, a quarter the width of the earth measured from side to side through the middle.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

large or big relative to something else

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading Yet, compared with the other heavenly bodies, they are still near, and by looking up into the sky at night you can generally see this mighty fragment, which is a quarter the diameter of the earth--that is to say, a quarter the width of the earth measured from side to side through the middle.

having notes of fixed rhythmic value

From this reading Yet, compared with the other heavenly bodies, they are still near, and by looking up into the sky at night you can generally see this mighty fragment, which is a quarter the diameter of the earth--that is to say, a quarter the width of the earth measured from side to side through the middle.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading Yet, compared with the other heavenly bodies, they are still near, and by looking up into the sky at night you can generally see this mighty fragment, which is a quarter the diameter of the earth--that is to say, a quarter the width of the earth measured from side to side through the middle.

having or showing great strength or force or intensity

From this reading Yet, compared with the other heavenly bodies, they are still near, and by looking up into the sky at night you can generally see this mighty fragment, which is a quarter the diameter of the earth--that is to say, a quarter the width of the earth measured from side to side through the middle.

the natural satellite of the Earth

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading Yet, compared with the other heavenly bodies, they are still near, and by looking up into the sky at night you can generally see this mighty fragment, which is a quarter the diameter of the earth--that is to say, a quarter the width of the earth measured from side to side through the middle.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading Yet, compared with the other heavenly bodies, they are still near, and by looking up into the sky at night you can generally see this mighty fragment, which is a quarter the diameter of the earth--that is to say, a quarter the width of the earth measured from side to side through the middle.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Yet, compared with the other heavenly bodies, they are still near, and by looking up into the sky at night you can generally see this mighty fragment, which is a quarter the diameter of the earth--that is to say, a quarter the width of the earth measured from side to side through the middle.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

on one occasion

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading And there were other causes also that tended to thrust the two further from each other.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading As the ages passed on both the earth and this fragment, which had been very hot, cooled down, and in cooling became smaller, so that the distance between them was greater than it had been before they shrank.

one of four equal parts

From this reading Yet, compared with the other heavenly bodies, they are still near, and by looking up into the sky at night you can generally see this mighty fragment, which is a quarter the diameter of the earth--that is to say, a quarter the width of the earth measured from side to side through the middle.

precisely, exactly

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

turned in a circle around an axis

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

express in words

From this reading Yet, compared with the other heavenly bodies, they are still near, and by looking up into the sky at night you can generally see this mighty fragment, which is a quarter the diameter of the earth--that is to say, a quarter the width of the earth measured from side to side through the middle.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Yet, compared with the other heavenly bodies, they are still near, and by looking up into the sky at night you can generally see this mighty fragment, which is a quarter the diameter of the earth--that is to say, a quarter the width of the earth measured from side to side through the middle.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

marked by exceptional merit

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

inflected form of “shrink” — wither, as with a loss of moisture

From this reading As the ages passed on both the earth and this fragment, which had been very hot, cooled down, and in cooling became smaller, so that the distance between them was greater than it had been before they shrank.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading Yet, compared with the other heavenly bodies, they are still near, and by looking up into the sky at night you can generally see this mighty fragment, which is a quarter the diameter of the earth--that is to say, a quarter the width of the earth measured from side to side through the middle.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading Yet, compared with the other heavenly bodies, they are still near, and by looking up into the sky at night you can generally see this mighty fragment, which is a quarter the diameter of the earth--that is to say, a quarter the width of the earth measured from side to side through the middle.

small or little relative to something else

From this reading As the ages passed on both the earth and this fragment, which had been very hot, cooled down, and in cooling became smaller, so that the distance between them was greater than it had been before they shrank.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading As the ages passed on both the earth and this fragment, which had been very hot, cooled down, and in cooling became smaller, so that the distance between them was greater than it had been before they shrank.

comparative of “soft” — yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

not in physical motion

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

past form of “tend” — have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined

From this reading And there were other causes also that tended to thrust the two further from each other.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading As the ages passed on both the earth and this fragment, which had been very hot, cooled down, and in cooling became smaller, so that the distance between them was greater than it had been before they shrank.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading As the ages passed on both the earth and this fragment, which had been very hot, cooled down, and in cooling became smaller, so that the distance between them was greater than it had been before they shrank.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading As the ages passed on both the earth and this fragment, which had been very hot, cooled down, and in cooling became smaller, so that the distance between them was greater than it had been before they shrank.

in or at that place or location

From this reading And there were other causes also that tended to thrust the two further from each other.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading As the ages passed on both the earth and this fragment, which had been very hot, cooled down, and in cooling became smaller, so that the distance between them was greater than it had been before they shrank.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading As the ages passed on both the earth and this fragment, which had been very hot, cooled down, and in cooling became smaller, so that the distance between them was greater than it had been before they shrank.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Yet, compared with the other heavenly bodies, they are still near, and by looking up into the sky at night you can generally see this mighty fragment, which is a quarter the diameter of the earth--that is to say, a quarter the width of the earth measured from side to side through the middle.

push forcefully

From this reading And there were other causes also that tended to thrust the two further from each other.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading And there were other causes also that tended to thrust the two further from each other.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading And there were other causes also that tended to thrust the two further from each other.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Yet, compared with the other heavenly bodies, they are still near, and by looking up into the sky at night you can generally see this mighty fragment, which is a quarter the diameter of the earth--that is to say, a quarter the width of the earth measured from side to side through the middle.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

precisely as stated

From this reading As the ages passed on both the earth and this fragment, which had been very hot, cooled down, and in cooling became smaller, so that the distance between them was greater than it had been before they shrank.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading And there were other causes also that tended to thrust the two further from each other.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading As the ages passed on both the earth and this fragment, which had been very hot, cooled down, and in cooling became smaller, so that the distance between them was greater than it had been before they shrank.

the extent of something from side to side

From this reading Yet, compared with the other heavenly bodies, they are still near, and by looking up into the sky at night you can generally see this mighty fragment, which is a quarter the diameter of the earth--that is to say, a quarter the width of the earth measured from side to side through the middle.

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE SHINING MOON 'Once upon a time,' long, long ago, the earth was not a compact, round, hard body such as she is now, but much larger and softer, and as she rotated a fragment broke off from her; it did not go right away from her, but still went on circling round with the motion it had inherited from her.

but in spite of that

From this reading Yet, compared with the other heavenly bodies, they are still near, and by looking up into the sky at night you can generally see this mighty fragment, which is a quarter the diameter of the earth--that is to say, a quarter the width of the earth measured from side to side through the middle.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Yet, compared with the other heavenly bodies, they are still near, and by looking up into the sky at night you can generally see this mighty fragment, which is a quarter the diameter of the earth--that is to say, a quarter the width of the earth measured from side to side through the middle.