aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading His year--the time he takes to go round the sun and come back to the same place again--is eighty-eight days, or about one-quarter of ours.
anew
From this reading His year--the time he takes to go round the sun and come back to the same place again--is eighty-eight days, or about one-quarter of ours.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was at first supposed that Mercury must have an extra thick covering of clouds to protect him from this tremendous glare; but recent observations tend to prove that, far from this, he is singularly free from cloud.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading To understand that we should have to imagine our sun increased to eight or nine times his apparent size, and pouring out far greater heat and light than anything that we have here, even in the tropics.
any thing at all
From this reading To understand that we should have to imagine our sun increased to eight or nine times his apparent size, and pouring out far greater heat and light than anything that we have here, even in the tropics.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading To understand that we should have to imagine our sun increased to eight or nine times his apparent size, and pouring out far greater heat and light than anything that we have here, even in the tropics.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading FOUR SMALL WORLDS What must the sun appear to Mercury, who is so much nearer to him than we are?
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading FOUR SMALL WORLDS What must the sun appear to Mercury, who is so much nearer to him than we are?
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As this is so, no life as we know it could possibly exist on Mercury.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was at first supposed that Mercury must have an extra thick covering of clouds to protect him from this tremendous glare; but recent observations tend to prove that, far from this, he is singularly free from cloud.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading His year--the time he takes to go round the sun and come back to the same place again--is eighty-eight days, or about one-quarter of ours.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was at first supposed that Mercury must have an extra thick covering of clouds to protect him from this tremendous glare; but recent observations tend to prove that, far from this, he is singularly free from cloud.
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading It was at first supposed that Mercury must have an extra thick covering of clouds to protect him from this tremendous glare; but recent observations tend to prove that, far from this, he is singularly free from cloud.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading It was at first supposed that Mercury must have an extra thick covering of clouds to protect him from this tremendous glare; but recent observations tend to prove that, far from this, he is singularly free from cloud.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading His year--the time he takes to go round the sun and come back to the same place again--is eighty-eight days, or about one-quarter of ours.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading As this is so, no life as we know it could possibly exist on Mercury.
coveringnounUS /ˈkʌvərɪŋ/
a natural object that covers or envelops
From this reading It was at first supposed that Mercury must have an extra thick covering of clouds to protect him from this tremendous glare; but recent observations tend to prove that, far from this, he is singularly free from cloud.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading His year--the time he takes to go round the sun and come back to the same place again--is eighty-eight days, or about one-quarter of ours.
being one more than seven
From this reading To understand that we should have to imagine our sun increased to eight or nine times his apparent size, and pouring out far greater heat and light than anything that we have here, even in the tropics.
eighty-eightadjective
being eight more than eighty
From this reading His year--the time he takes to go round the sun and come back to the same place again--is eighty-eight days, or about one-quarter of ours.
divisible by two
From this reading To understand that we should have to imagine our sun increased to eight or nine times his apparent size, and pouring out far greater heat and light than anything that we have here, even in the tropics.
existverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪst/
have an existence, be extant
From this reading As this is so, no life as we know it could possibly exist on Mercury.
extraadjectiveUS /ˈekstrə/
more than is needed, desired, or required
From this reading It was at first supposed that Mercury must have an extra thick covering of clouds to protect him from this tremendous glare; but recent observations tend to prove that, far from this, he is singularly free from cloud.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading To understand that we should have to imagine our sun increased to eight or nine times his apparent size, and pouring out far greater heat and light than anything that we have here, even in the tropics.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It was at first supposed that Mercury must have an extra thick covering of clouds to protect him from this tremendous glare; but recent observations tend to prove that, far from this, he is singularly free from cloud.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading FOUR SMALL WORLDS What must the sun appear to Mercury, who is so much nearer to him than we are?
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading It was at first supposed that Mercury must have an extra thick covering of clouds to protect him from this tremendous glare; but recent observations tend to prove that, far from this, he is singularly free from cloud.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was at first supposed that Mercury must have an extra thick covering of clouds to protect him from this tremendous glare; but recent observations tend to prove that, far from this, he is singularly free from cloud.
glarenounUS /ɡler/
a light within the field of vision that is brighter than the brightness to which the eyes are adapted
From this reading It was at first supposed that Mercury must have an extra thick covering of clouds to protect him from this tremendous glare; but recent observations tend to prove that, far from this, he is singularly free from cloud.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading His year--the time he takes to go round the sun and come back to the same place again--is eighty-eight days, or about one-quarter of ours.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading To understand that we should have to imagine our sun increased to eight or nine times his apparent size, and pouring out far greater heat and light than anything that we have here, even in the tropics.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading To understand that we should have to imagine our sun increased to eight or nine times his apparent size, and pouring out far greater heat and light than anything that we have here, even in the tropics.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was at first supposed that Mercury must have an extra thick covering of clouds to protect him from this tremendous glare; but recent observations tend to prove that, far from this, he is singularly free from cloud.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading To understand that we should have to imagine our sun increased to eight or nine times his apparent size, and pouring out far greater heat and light than anything that we have here, even in the tropics.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading To understand that we should have to imagine our sun increased to eight or nine times his apparent size, and pouring out far greater heat and light than anything that we have here, even in the tropics.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading FOUR SMALL WORLDS What must the sun appear to Mercury, who is so much nearer to him than we are?
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading To understand that we should have to imagine our sun increased to eight or nine times his apparent size, and pouring out far greater heat and light than anything that we have here, even in the tropics.
form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading To understand that we should have to imagine our sun increased to eight or nine times his apparent size, and pouring out far greater heat and light than anything that we have here, even in the tropics.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading To understand that we should have to imagine our sun increased to eight or nine times his apparent size, and pouring out far greater heat and light than anything that we have here, even in the tropics.
made greater in size or amount or degree
From this reading To understand that we should have to imagine our sun increased to eight or nine times his apparent size, and pouring out far greater heat and light than anything that we have here, even in the tropics.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading FOUR SMALL WORLDS What must the sun appear to Mercury, who is so much nearer to him than we are?
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was at first supposed that Mercury must have an extra thick covering of clouds to protect him from this tremendous glare; but recent observations tend to prove that, far from this, he is singularly free from cloud.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading As this is so, no life as we know it could possibly exist on Mercury.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading As this is so, no life as we know it could possibly exist on Mercury.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading To understand that we should have to imagine our sun increased to eight or nine times his apparent size, and pouring out far greater heat and light than anything that we have here, even in the tropics.
MercurynounUS /ˈmɜːrkjəri/
a heavy silvery toxic univalent and bivalent metallic element; the only metal that is liquid at ordinary temperatures
From this reading FOUR SMALL WORLDS What must the sun appear to Mercury, who is so much nearer to him than we are?
to a great degree or extent
From this reading FOUR SMALL WORLDS What must the sun appear to Mercury, who is so much nearer to him than we are?
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading FOUR SMALL WORLDS What must the sun appear to Mercury, who is so much nearer to him than we are?
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading FOUR SMALL WORLDS What must the sun appear to Mercury, who is so much nearer to him than we are?
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading To understand that we should have to imagine our sun increased to eight or nine times his apparent size, and pouring out far greater heat and light than anything that we have here, even in the tropics.
not any; not one
From this reading As this is so, no life as we know it could possibly exist on Mercury.
observationsnounUS /ˌɑːbzərˈveɪʃənz/
plural of “observation” — the act of making and recording a measurement
From this reading It was at first supposed that Mercury must have an extra thick covering of clouds to protect him from this tremendous glare; but recent observations tend to prove that, far from this, he is singularly free from cloud.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was at first supposed that Mercury must have an extra thick covering of clouds to protect him from this tremendous glare; but recent observations tend to prove that, far from this, he is singularly free from cloud.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As this is so, no life as we know it could possibly exist on Mercury.
one-quarternoun
one of four equal parts
From this reading His year--the time he takes to go round the sun and come back to the same place again--is eighty-eight days, or about one-quarter of ours.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading To understand that we should have to imagine our sun increased to eight or nine times his apparent size, and pouring out far greater heat and light than anything that we have here, even in the tropics.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading To understand that we should have to imagine our sun increased to eight or nine times his apparent size, and pouring out far greater heat and light than anything that we have here, even in the tropics.
the one or ones belonging to us
From this reading His year--the time he takes to go round the sun and come back to the same place again--is eighty-eight days, or about one-quarter of ours.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading To understand that we should have to imagine our sun increased to eight or nine times his apparent size, and pouring out far greater heat and light than anything that we have here, even in the tropics.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading His year--the time he takes to go round the sun and come back to the same place again--is eighty-eight days, or about one-quarter of ours.
by chance
From this reading As this is so, no life as we know it could possibly exist on Mercury.
pouringadjectiveUS /ˈpɔːrɪŋ/
flowing profusely
From this reading To understand that we should have to imagine our sun increased to eight or nine times his apparent size, and pouring out far greater heat and light than anything that we have here, even in the tropics.
shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage
From this reading It was at first supposed that Mercury must have an extra thick covering of clouds to protect him from this tremendous glare; but recent observations tend to prove that, far from this, he is singularly free from cloud.
be shown or be found to be
From this reading It was at first supposed that Mercury must have an extra thick covering of clouds to protect him from this tremendous glare; but recent observations tend to prove that, far from this, he is singularly free from cloud.
recentadjectiveUS /ˈriːsənt/
new
From this reading It was at first supposed that Mercury must have an extra thick covering of clouds to protect him from this tremendous glare; but recent observations tend to prove that, far from this, he is singularly free from cloud.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading His year--the time he takes to go round the sun and come back to the same place again--is eighty-eight days, or about one-quarter of ours.
Identical; not different.
From this reading His year--the time he takes to go round the sun and come back to the same place again--is eighty-eight days, or about one-quarter of ours.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading To understand that we should have to imagine our sun increased to eight or nine times his apparent size, and pouring out far greater heat and light than anything that we have here, even in the tropics.
singularlyadverbUS /ˈsɪŋɡjələrli/
in a singular manner or to a singular degree
From this reading It was at first supposed that Mercury must have an extra thick covering of clouds to protect him from this tremendous glare; but recent observations tend to prove that, far from this, he is singularly free from cloud.
the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)
From this reading To understand that we should have to imagine our sun increased to eight or nine times his apparent size, and pouring out far greater heat and light than anything that we have here, even in the tropics.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading FOUR SMALL WORLDS What must the sun appear to Mercury, who is so much nearer to him than we are?
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading FOUR SMALL WORLDS What must the sun appear to Mercury, who is so much nearer to him than we are?
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading FOUR SMALL WORLDS What must the sun appear to Mercury, who is so much nearer to him than we are?
required or under orders
From this reading It was at first supposed that Mercury must have an extra thick covering of clouds to protect him from this tremendous glare; but recent observations tend to prove that, far from this, he is singularly free from cloud.
plural of “take” — the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property
From this reading His year--the time he takes to go round the sun and come back to the same place again--is eighty-eight days, or about one-quarter of ours.
tendverbUS /tend/
have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined
From this reading It was at first supposed that Mercury must have an extra thick covering of clouds to protect him from this tremendous glare; but recent observations tend to prove that, far from this, he is singularly free from cloud.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading FOUR SMALL WORLDS What must the sun appear to Mercury, who is so much nearer to him than we are?
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading To understand that we should have to imagine our sun increased to eight or nine times his apparent size, and pouring out far greater heat and light than anything that we have here, even in the tropics.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading FOUR SMALL WORLDS What must the sun appear to Mercury, who is so much nearer to him than we are?
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 It was at first supposed that Mercury must have an extra thick covering of clouds to protect him from this tremendous glare; but recent observations tend to prove that, far from this, he is singularly free from cloud.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was at first supposed that Mercury must have an extra thick covering of clouds to protect him from this tremendous glare; but recent observations tend to prove that, far from this, he is singularly free from cloud.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading His year--the time he takes to go round the sun and come back to the same place again--is eighty-eight days, or about one-quarter of ours.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading To understand that we should have to imagine our sun increased to eight or nine times his apparent size, and pouring out far greater heat and light than anything that we have here, even in the tropics.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading FOUR SMALL WORLDS What must the sun appear to Mercury, who is so much nearer to him than we are?
tremendousadjectiveUS /trəˈmendəs/
extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree
From this reading It was at first supposed that Mercury must have an extra thick covering of clouds to protect him from this tremendous glare; but recent observations tend to prove that, far from this, he is singularly free from cloud.
tropicsnounUS /ˈtrɑːpɪks/
the part of the Earth's surface between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn; characterized by a hot climate
From this reading To understand that we should have to imagine our sun increased to eight or nine times his apparent size, and pouring out far greater heat and light than anything that we have here, even in the tropics.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading To understand that we should have to imagine our sun increased to eight or nine times his apparent size, and pouring out far greater heat and light than anything that we have here, even in the tropics.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was at first supposed that Mercury must have an extra thick covering of clouds to protect him from this tremendous glare; but recent observations tend to prove that, far from this, he is singularly free from cloud.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading FOUR SMALL WORLDS What must the sun appear to Mercury, who is so much nearer to him than we are?
used to ask for information about something
From this reading FOUR SMALL WORLDS What must the sun appear to Mercury, who is so much nearer to him than we are?
which person or people
From this reading FOUR SMALL WORLDS What must the sun appear to Mercury, who is so much nearer to him than we are?
WORLDSnounUS /wɜːrldz/
plural of “world” — everything that exists anywhere
From this reading FOUR SMALL WORLDS What must the sun appear to Mercury, who is so much nearer to him than we are?
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading His year--the time he takes to go round the sun and come back to the same place again--is eighty-eight days, or about one-quarter of ours.
