used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading TEMPORARY AND VARIABLE STARS It is a clear night, nearly all the world is asleep, when an astronomer crosses his lawn on his way to his observatory to spend the dark hours in making investigations into profound space.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading There is no fiery comet with its tail stretching across from zenith to horizon, no flaming meteor dashing across the darkened sky.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading TEMPORARY AND VARIABLE STARS It is a clear night, nearly all the world is asleep, when an astronomer crosses his lawn on his way to his observatory to spend the dark hours in making investigations into profound space.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading TEMPORARY AND VARIABLE STARS It is a clear night, nearly all the world is asleep, when an astronomer crosses his lawn on his way to his observatory to spend the dark hours in making investigations into profound space.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading TEMPORARY AND VARIABLE STARS It is a clear night, nearly all the world is asleep, when an astronomer crosses his lawn on his way to his observatory to spend the dark hours in making investigations into profound space.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Yet any stranger standing beside him, and gazing where he gazes, would see nothing unusual.
arrestsnounUS /ərˈests/
plural of “arrest” — the act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal)
From this reading Just before entering the observatory he pauses and looks up; his eye catches sight of something that arrests him, and he stops involuntarily.
in a state of sleep
From this reading TEMPORARY AND VARIABLE STARS It is a clear night, nearly all the world is asleep, when an astronomer crosses his lawn on his way to his observatory to spend the dark hours in making investigations into profound space.
astronomernounUS /əˈstrɑːnəmər/
a physicist who studies astronomy
From this reading TEMPORARY AND VARIABLE STARS It is a clear night, nearly all the world is asleep, when an astronomer crosses his lawn on his way to his observatory to spend the dark hours in making investigations into profound space.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Just before entering the observatory he pauses and looks up; his eye catches sight of something that arrests him, and he stops involuntarily.
next to; at the side of
From this reading Yet any stranger standing beside him, and gazing where he gazes, would see nothing unusual.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading His brilliant mind, following the rays of light which shoot from the furthest star, will traverse immeasurable distances, while the body is forgotten.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading His brilliant mind, following the rays of light which shoot from the furthest star, will traverse immeasurable distances, while the body is forgotten.
catchesnounUS /ˈkætʃəz/
plural of “catch” — a drawback or difficulty that is not readily evident
From this reading Just before entering the observatory he pauses and looks up; his eye catches sight of something that arrests him, and he stops involuntarily.
rid of obstructions
From this reading TEMPORARY AND VARIABLE STARS It is a clear night, nearly all the world is asleep, when an astronomer crosses his lawn on his way to his observatory to spend the dark hours in making investigations into profound space.
cometnounUS /ˈkɑːmət/
(astronomy) a relatively small extraterrestrial body consisting of a frozen mass that travels around the sun in a highly elliptical orbit
From this reading There is no fiery comet with its tail stretching across from zenith to horizon, no flaming meteor dashing across the darkened sky.
crossesnounUS /ˈkrɔːsɪz/
plural of “cross” — a wooden structure consisting of an upright post with a transverse piece
From this reading TEMPORARY AND VARIABLE STARS It is a clear night, nearly all the world is asleep, when an astronomer crosses his lawn on his way to his observatory to spend the dark hours in making investigations into profound space.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading TEMPORARY AND VARIABLE STARS It is a clear night, nearly all the world is asleep, when an astronomer crosses his lawn on his way to his observatory to spend the dark hours in making investigations into profound space.
darkenedadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːrkənd/
(of fabrics and paper) grown dark in color over time
From this reading There is no fiery comet with its tail stretching across from zenith to horizon, no flaming meteor dashing across the darkened sky.
dashingadjectiveUS /ˈdæʃɪŋ/
lively and spirited
From this reading There is no fiery comet with its tail stretching across from zenith to horizon, no flaming meteor dashing across the darkened sky.
distancesnounUS /ˈdɪstənsəz/
plural of “distance” — the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading His brilliant mind, following the rays of light which shoot from the furthest star, will traverse immeasurable distances, while the body is forgotten.
a movement into or inward
From this reading Just before entering the observatory he pauses and looks up; his eye catches sight of something that arrests him, and he stops involuntarily.
the organ of sight
From this reading Just before entering the observatory he pauses and looks up; his eye catches sight of something that arrests him, and he stops involuntarily.
fieryadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪəri/
characterized by intense emotion
From this reading There is no fiery comet with its tail stretching across from zenith to horizon, no flaming meteor dashing across the darkened sky.
flamingadjectiveUS /ˈfleɪmɪŋ/
informal intensifiers
From this reading There is no fiery comet with its tail stretching across from zenith to horizon, no flaming meteor dashing across the darkened sky.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading His brilliant mind, following the rays of light which shoot from the furthest star, will traverse immeasurable distances, while the body is forgotten.
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading His brilliant mind, following the rays of light which shoot from the furthest star, will traverse immeasurable distances, while the body is forgotten.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading His brilliant mind, following the rays of light which shoot from the furthest star, will traverse immeasurable distances, while the body is forgotten.
furthestadverbUS /ˈfɜːrθəst/
to the greatest degree or extent or most advanced stage (“furthest” is used more often than “farthest” in this abstract sense)
From this reading His brilliant mind, following the rays of light which shoot from the furthest star, will traverse immeasurable distances, while the body is forgotten.
gazesnounUS /ˈɡeɪzəz/
plural of “gaze” — a long fixed look
From this reading Yet any stranger standing beside him, and gazing where he gazes, would see nothing unusual.
-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Yet any stranger standing beside him, and gazing where he gazes, would see nothing unusual.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Just before entering the observatory he pauses and looks up; his eye catches sight of something that arrests him, and he stops involuntarily.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Just before entering the observatory he pauses and looks up; his eye catches sight of something that arrests him, and he stops involuntarily.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading TEMPORARY AND VARIABLE STARS It is a clear night, nearly all the world is asleep, when an astronomer crosses his lawn on his way to his observatory to spend the dark hours in making investigations into profound space.
the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet
From this reading There is no fiery comet with its tail stretching across from zenith to horizon, no flaming meteor dashing across the darkened sky.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading TEMPORARY AND VARIABLE STARS It is a clear night, nearly all the world is asleep, when an astronomer crosses his lawn on his way to his observatory to spend the dark hours in making investigations into profound space.
immeasurableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈmeʒəræbəl/
impossible to measure
From this reading His brilliant mind, following the rays of light which shoot from the furthest star, will traverse immeasurable distances, while the body is forgotten.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading TEMPORARY AND VARIABLE STARS It is a clear night, nearly all the world is asleep, when an astronomer crosses his lawn on his way to his observatory to spend the dark hours in making investigations into profound space.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading TEMPORARY AND VARIABLE STARS It is a clear night, nearly all the world is asleep, when an astronomer crosses his lawn on his way to his observatory to spend the dark hours in making investigations into profound space.
investigationsnounUS /ˌɪnvestəˈɡeɪʃənz/
plural of “investigation” — an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities
From this reading TEMPORARY AND VARIABLE STARS It is a clear night, nearly all the world is asleep, when an astronomer crosses his lawn on his way to his observatory to spend the dark hours in making investigations into profound space.
involuntarilyadverbUS /ˌɪnvoʊˈlʌntərɪli/
against your will
From this reading Just before entering the observatory he pauses and looks up; his eye catches sight of something that arrests him, and he stops involuntarily.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading TEMPORARY AND VARIABLE STARS It is a clear night, nearly all the world is asleep, when an astronomer crosses his lawn on his way to his observatory to spend the dark hours in making investigations into profound space.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading TEMPORARY AND VARIABLE STARS It is a clear night, nearly all the world is asleep, when an astronomer crosses his lawn on his way to his observatory to spend the dark hours in making investigations into profound space.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading There is no fiery comet with its tail stretching across from zenith to horizon, no flaming meteor dashing across the darkened sky.
and nothing more
From this reading Just before entering the observatory he pauses and looks up; his eye catches sight of something that arrests him, and he stops involuntarily.
lawnnounUS /lɔːn/
a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading TEMPORARY AND VARIABLE STARS It is a clear night, nearly all the world is asleep, when an astronomer crosses his lawn on his way to his observatory to spend the dark hours in making investigations into profound space.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading His brilliant mind, following the rays of light which shoot from the furthest star, will traverse immeasurable distances, while the body is forgotten.
plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading Just before entering the observatory he pauses and looks up; his eye catches sight of something that arrests him, and he stops involuntarily.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading TEMPORARY AND VARIABLE STARS It is a clear night, nearly all the world is asleep, when an astronomer crosses his lawn on his way to his observatory to spend the dark hours in making investigations into profound space.
meteornounUS /ˈmiːtiər/
(astronomy) any of the small solid extraterrestrial bodies that hits the earth's atmosphere
From this reading There is no fiery comet with its tail stretching across from zenith to horizon, no flaming meteor dashing across the darkened sky.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading His brilliant mind, following the rays of light which shoot from the furthest star, will traverse immeasurable distances, while the body is forgotten.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading TEMPORARY AND VARIABLE STARS It is a clear night, nearly all the world is asleep, when an astronomer crosses his lawn on his way to his observatory to spend the dark hours in making investigations into profound space.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading TEMPORARY AND VARIABLE STARS It is a clear night, nearly all the world is asleep, when an astronomer crosses his lawn on his way to his observatory to spend the dark hours in making investigations into profound space.
not any; not one
From this reading There is no fiery comet with its tail stretching across from zenith to horizon, no flaming meteor dashing across the darkened sky.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Yet any stranger standing beside him, and gazing where he gazes, would see nothing unusual.
observatorynounUS /əbˈzɜːrvətɔːri/
a building designed and equipped to observe astronomical phenomena
From this reading TEMPORARY AND VARIABLE STARS It is a clear night, nearly all the world is asleep, when an astronomer crosses his lawn on his way to his observatory to spend the dark hours in making investigations into profound space.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His brilliant mind, following the rays of light which shoot from the furthest star, will traverse immeasurable distances, while the body is forgotten.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading TEMPORARY AND VARIABLE STARS It is a clear night, nearly all the world is asleep, when an astronomer crosses his lawn on his way to his observatory to spend the dark hours in making investigations into profound space.
pausesnounUS /ˈpɔːzəz/
plural of “pause” — a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
From this reading Just before entering the observatory he pauses and looks up; his eye catches sight of something that arrests him, and he stops involuntarily.
showing intellectual penetration or emotional depth
From this reading TEMPORARY AND VARIABLE STARS It is a clear night, nearly all the world is asleep, when an astronomer crosses his lawn on his way to his observatory to spend the dark hours in making investigations into profound space.
raysnounUS /reɪz/
plural of “ray” — a column of light (as from a beacon)
From this reading His brilliant mind, following the rays of light which shoot from the furthest star, will traverse immeasurable distances, while the body is forgotten.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Yet any stranger standing beside him, and gazing where he gazes, would see nothing unusual.
hit with a missile from a weapon
From this reading His brilliant mind, following the rays of light which shoot from the furthest star, will traverse immeasurable distances, while the body is forgotten.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading Just before entering the observatory he pauses and looks up; his eye catches sight of something that arrests him, and he stops involuntarily.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading There is no fiery comet with its tail stretching across from zenith to horizon, no flaming meteor dashing across the darkened sky.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Just before entering the observatory he pauses and looks up; his eye catches sight of something that arrests him, and he stops involuntarily.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading TEMPORARY AND VARIABLE STARS It is a clear night, nearly all the world is asleep, when an astronomer crosses his lawn on his way to his observatory to spend the dark hours in making investigations into profound space.
use up a period of time in a specific way
From this reading TEMPORARY AND VARIABLE STARS It is a clear night, nearly all the world is asleep, when an astronomer crosses his lawn on his way to his observatory to spend the dark hours in making investigations into profound space.
having a supporting base
From this reading Yet any stranger standing beside him, and gazing where he gazes, would see nothing unusual.
(astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading His brilliant mind, following the rays of light which shoot from the furthest star, will traverse immeasurable distances, while the body is forgotten.
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading TEMPORARY AND VARIABLE STARS It is a clear night, nearly all the world is asleep, when an astronomer crosses his lawn on his way to his observatory to spend the dark hours in making investigations into profound space.
stopsnounUS /stɑːps/
a gambling card game in which chips are placed on the ace and king and queen and jack of separate suits (taken from a separate deck)
From this reading Just before entering the observatory he pauses and looks up; his eye catches sight of something that arrests him, and he stops involuntarily.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading Yet any stranger standing beside him, and gazing where he gazes, would see nothing unusual.
stretchingnounUS /ˈstretʃɪŋ/
act of expanding by lengthening or widening
From this reading There is no fiery comet with its tail stretching across from zenith to horizon, no flaming meteor dashing across the darkened sky.
the posterior part of the body of a vertebrate especially when elongated and extending beyond the trunk or main part of the body
From this reading There is no fiery comet with its tail stretching across from zenith to horizon, no flaming meteor dashing across the darkened sky.
TEMPORARYadjectiveUS /ˈtempəreri/
not permanent; not lasting
From this reading TEMPORARY AND VARIABLE STARS It is a clear night, nearly all the world is asleep, when an astronomer crosses his lawn on his way to his observatory to spend the dark hours in making investigations into profound space.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Just before entering the observatory he pauses and looks up; his eye catches sight of something that arrests him, and he stops involuntarily.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading TEMPORARY AND VARIABLE STARS It is a clear night, nearly all the world is asleep, when an astronomer crosses his lawn on his way to his observatory to spend the dark hours in making investigations into profound space.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There is no fiery comet with its tail stretching across from zenith to horizon, no flaming meteor dashing across the darkened sky.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading TEMPORARY AND VARIABLE STARS It is a clear night, nearly all the world is asleep, when an astronomer crosses his lawn on his way to his observatory to spend the dark hours in making investigations into profound space.
traverseverbUS /ˈtrævərs/
travel across or pass over
From this reading His brilliant mind, following the rays of light which shoot from the furthest star, will traverse immeasurable distances, while the body is forgotten.
not usual or common or ordinary
From this reading Yet any stranger standing beside him, and gazing where he gazes, would see nothing unusual.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Just before entering the observatory he pauses and looks up; his eye catches sight of something that arrests him, and he stops involuntarily.
VARIABLEadjectiveUS /ˈveriəbəl/
liable to or capable of change
From this reading TEMPORARY AND VARIABLE STARS It is a clear night, nearly all the world is asleep, when an astronomer crosses his lawn on his way to his observatory to spend the dark hours in making investigations into profound space.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading TEMPORARY AND VARIABLE STARS It is a clear night, nearly all the world is asleep, when an astronomer crosses his lawn on his way to his observatory to spend the dark hours in making investigations into profound space.
at the time that
From this reading TEMPORARY AND VARIABLE STARS It is a clear night, nearly all the world is asleep, when an astronomer crosses his lawn on his way to his observatory to spend the dark hours in making investigations into profound space.
in or at the place that
From this reading Yet any stranger standing beside him, and gazing where he gazes, would see nothing unusual.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading His brilliant mind, following the rays of light which shoot from the furthest star, will traverse immeasurable distances, while the body is forgotten.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading His brilliant mind, following the rays of light which shoot from the furthest star, will traverse immeasurable distances, while the body is forgotten.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading His brilliant mind, following the rays of light which shoot from the furthest star, will traverse immeasurable distances, while the body is forgotten.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There is no fiery comet with its tail stretching across from zenith to horizon, no flaming meteor dashing across the darkened sky.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading TEMPORARY AND VARIABLE STARS It is a clear night, nearly all the world is asleep, when an astronomer crosses his lawn on his way to his observatory to spend the dark hours in making investigations into profound space.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Yet any stranger standing beside him, and gazing where he gazes, would see nothing unusual.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet any stranger standing beside him, and gazing where he gazes, would see nothing unusual.
zenithnounUS /ˈziːnəθ/
the point above the observer that is directly opposite the nadir on the imaginary sphere against which celestial bodies appear to be projected
From this reading There is no fiery comet with its tail stretching across from zenith to horizon, no flaming meteor dashing across the darkened sky.
