Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In the beautiful sky overhead hung what looked like a vast silvery simitar, the curved edge downward, flashing in the sun, if it were not itself the source of light.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Jack’s attention was especially drawn, however, to a red, globular object, at a great but incalculable height above him, and near the arch of the simitar.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The weapon extended its arc from horizon to horizon: beautiful but menacing, it was suspended over him like a cosmic sword of Damocles, and without any visible support: were it to descend, it would not only cut Jack in twain, but the planet on which he lay, and any others of our system which might lie in its path.
any
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From this reading The weapon extended its arc from horizon to horizon: beautiful but menacing, it was suspended over him like a cosmic sword of Damocles, and without any visible support: were it to descend, it would not only cut Jack in twain, but the planet on which he lay, and any others of our system which might lie in its path.
appearance
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From this reading It had the appearance to his eyes, which were still somewhat dazed by recent events, of a huge red spider, with hostile designs upon his welfare.
arc
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From this reading The weapon extended its arc from horizon to horizon: beautiful but menacing, it was suspended over him like a cosmic sword of Damocles, and without any visible support: were it to descend, it would not only cut Jack in twain, but the planet on which he lay, and any others of our system which might lie in its path.
arch
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From this reading Jack’s attention was especially drawn, however, to a red, globular object, at a great but incalculable height above him, and near the arch of the simitar.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Jack’s attention was especially drawn, however, to a red, globular object, at a great but incalculable height above him, and near the arch of the simitar.
attention
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From this reading Jack’s attention was especially drawn, however, to a red, globular object, at a great but incalculable height above him, and near the arch of the simitar.
back
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From this reading JACK was lying on his back on the ground.
beautiful
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From this reading In the beautiful sky overhead hung what looked like a vast silvery simitar, the curved edge downward, flashing in the sun, if it were not itself the source of light.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The weapon extended its arc from horizon to horizon: beautiful but menacing, it was suspended over him like a cosmic sword of Damocles, and without any visible support: were it to descend, it would not only cut Jack in twain, but the planet on which he lay, and any others of our system which might lie in its path.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It had the appearance to his eyes, which were still somewhat dazed by recent events, of a huge red spider, with hostile designs upon his welfare.
cosmic
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From this reading The weapon extended its arc from horizon to horizon: beautiful but menacing, it was suspended over him like a cosmic sword of Damocles, and without any visible support: were it to descend, it would not only cut Jack in twain, but the planet on which he lay, and any others of our system which might lie in its path.
curved
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From this reading In the beautiful sky overhead hung what looked like a vast silvery simitar, the curved edge downward, flashing in the sun, if it were not itself the source of light.
cut
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From this reading The weapon extended its arc from horizon to horizon: beautiful but menacing, it was suspended over him like a cosmic sword of Damocles, and without any visible support: were it to descend, it would not only cut Jack in twain, but the planet on which he lay, and any others of our system which might lie in its path.
Damocles
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From this reading The weapon extended its arc from horizon to horizon: beautiful but menacing, it was suspended over him like a cosmic sword of Damocles, and without any visible support: were it to descend, it would not only cut Jack in twain, but the planet on which he lay, and any others of our system which might lie in its path.
dazed
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From this reading It had the appearance to his eyes, which were still somewhat dazed by recent events, of a huge red spider, with hostile designs upon his welfare.
descend
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From this reading The weapon extended its arc from horizon to horizon: beautiful but menacing, it was suspended over him like a cosmic sword of Damocles, and without any visible support: were it to descend, it would not only cut Jack in twain, but the planet on which he lay, and any others of our system which might lie in its path.
designs
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From this reading It had the appearance to his eyes, which were still somewhat dazed by recent events, of a huge red spider, with hostile designs upon his welfare.
downward
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From this reading In the beautiful sky overhead hung what looked like a vast silvery simitar, the curved edge downward, flashing in the sun, if it were not itself the source of light.
drawn
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From this reading Jack’s attention was especially drawn, however, to a red, globular object, at a great but incalculable height above him, and near the arch of the simitar.
edge
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From this reading In the beautiful sky overhead hung what looked like a vast silvery simitar, the curved edge downward, flashing in the sun, if it were not itself the source of light.
especially
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From this reading Jack’s attention was especially drawn, however, to a red, globular object, at a great but incalculable height above him, and near the arch of the simitar.
events
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From this reading It had the appearance to his eyes, which were still somewhat dazed by recent events, of a huge red spider, with hostile designs upon his welfare.
extended
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From this reading The weapon extended its arc from horizon to horizon: beautiful but menacing, it was suspended over him like a cosmic sword of Damocles, and without any visible support: were it to descend, it would not only cut Jack in twain, but the planet on which he lay, and any others of our system which might lie in its path.
eyes
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From this reading It had the appearance to his eyes, which were still somewhat dazed by recent events, of a huge red spider, with hostile designs upon his welfare.
flashing
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From this reading In the beautiful sky overhead hung what looked like a vast silvery simitar, the curved edge downward, flashing in the sun, if it were not itself the source of light.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The weapon extended its arc from horizon to horizon: beautiful but menacing, it was suspended over him like a cosmic sword of Damocles, and without any visible support: were it to descend, it would not only cut Jack in twain, but the planet on which he lay, and any others of our system which might lie in its path.
globular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jack’s attention was especially drawn, however, to a red, globular object, at a great but incalculable height above him, and near the arch of the simitar.
great
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jack’s attention was especially drawn, however, to a red, globular object, at a great but incalculable height above him, and near the arch of the simitar.
ground
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From this reading JACK was lying on his back on the ground.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It had the appearance to his eyes, which were still somewhat dazed by recent events, of a huge red spider, with hostile designs upon his welfare.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The weapon extended its arc from horizon to horizon: beautiful but menacing, it was suspended over him like a cosmic sword of Damocles, and without any visible support: were it to descend, it would not only cut Jack in twain, but the planet on which he lay, and any others of our system which might lie in its path.
height
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jack’s attention was especially drawn, however, to a red, globular object, at a great but incalculable height above him, and near the arch of the simitar.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The weapon extended its arc from horizon to horizon: beautiful but menacing, it was suspended over him like a cosmic sword of Damocles, and without any visible support: were it to descend, it would not only cut Jack in twain, but the planet on which he lay, and any others of our system which might lie in its path.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading JACK was lying on his back on the ground.
horizon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The weapon extended its arc from horizon to horizon: beautiful but menacing, it was suspended over him like a cosmic sword of Damocles, and without any visible support: were it to descend, it would not only cut Jack in twain, but the planet on which he lay, and any others of our system which might lie in its path.
hostile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had the appearance to his eyes, which were still somewhat dazed by recent events, of a huge red spider, with hostile designs upon his welfare.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Jack’s attention was especially drawn, however, to a red, globular object, at a great but incalculable height above him, and near the arch of the simitar.
huge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had the appearance to his eyes, which were still somewhat dazed by recent events, of a huge red spider, with hostile designs upon his welfare.
hung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the beautiful sky overhead hung what looked like a vast silvery simitar, the curved edge downward, flashing in the sun, if it were not itself the source of light.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading In the beautiful sky overhead hung what looked like a vast silvery simitar, the curved edge downward, flashing in the sun, if it were not itself the source of light.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the beautiful sky overhead hung what looked like a vast silvery simitar, the curved edge downward, flashing in the sun, if it were not itself the source of light.
incalculable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jack’s attention was especially drawn, however, to a red, globular object, at a great but incalculable height above him, and near the arch of the simitar.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In the beautiful sky overhead hung what looked like a vast silvery simitar, the curved edge downward, flashing in the sun, if it were not itself the source of light.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The weapon extended its arc from horizon to horizon: beautiful but menacing, it was suspended over him like a cosmic sword of Damocles, and without any visible support: were it to descend, it would not only cut Jack in twain, but the planet on which he lay, and any others of our system which might lie in its path.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading In the beautiful sky overhead hung what looked like a vast silvery simitar, the curved edge downward, flashing in the sun, if it were not itself the source of light.
JACK
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JACK was lying on his back on the ground.
Jack's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jack’s attention was especially drawn, however, to a red, globular object, at a great but incalculable height above him, and near the arch of the simitar.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The weapon extended its arc from horizon to horizon: beautiful but menacing, it was suspended over him like a cosmic sword of Damocles, and without any visible support: were it to descend, it would not only cut Jack in twain, but the planet on which he lay, and any others of our system which might lie in its path.
lie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The weapon extended its arc from horizon to horizon: beautiful but menacing, it was suspended over him like a cosmic sword of Damocles, and without any visible support: were it to descend, it would not only cut Jack in twain, but the planet on which he lay, and any others of our system which might lie in its path.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the beautiful sky overhead hung what looked like a vast silvery simitar, the curved edge downward, flashing in the sun, if it were not itself the source of light.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the beautiful sky overhead hung what looked like a vast silvery simitar, the curved edge downward, flashing in the sun, if it were not itself the source of light.
looked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the beautiful sky overhead hung what looked like a vast silvery simitar, the curved edge downward, flashing in the sun, if it were not itself the source of light.
lying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JACK was lying on his back on the ground.
menacing
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From this reading The weapon extended its arc from horizon to horizon: beautiful but menacing, it was suspended over him like a cosmic sword of Damocles, and without any visible support: were it to descend, it would not only cut Jack in twain, but the planet on which he lay, and any others of our system which might lie in its path.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The weapon extended its arc from horizon to horizon: beautiful but menacing, it was suspended over him like a cosmic sword of Damocles, and without any visible support: were it to descend, it would not only cut Jack in twain, but the planet on which he lay, and any others of our system which might lie in its path.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jack’s attention was especially drawn, however, to a red, globular object, at a great but incalculable height above him, and near the arch of the simitar.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading In the beautiful sky overhead hung what looked like a vast silvery simitar, the curved edge downward, flashing in the sun, if it were not itself the source of light.
object
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jack’s attention was especially drawn, however, to a red, globular object, at a great but incalculable height above him, and near the arch of the simitar.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the beautiful sky overhead hung what looked like a vast silvery simitar, the curved edge downward, flashing in the sun, if it were not itself the source of light.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading JACK was lying on his back on the ground.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The weapon extended its arc from horizon to horizon: beautiful but menacing, it was suspended over him like a cosmic sword of Damocles, and without any visible support: were it to descend, it would not only cut Jack in twain, but the planet on which he lay, and any others of our system which might lie in its path.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The weapon extended its arc from horizon to horizon: beautiful but menacing, it was suspended over him like a cosmic sword of Damocles, and without any visible support: were it to descend, it would not only cut Jack in twain, but the planet on which he lay, and any others of our system which might lie in its path.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading The weapon extended its arc from horizon to horizon: beautiful but menacing, it was suspended over him like a cosmic sword of Damocles, and without any visible support: were it to descend, it would not only cut Jack in twain, but the planet on which he lay, and any others of our system which might lie in its path.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The weapon extended its arc from horizon to horizon: beautiful but menacing, it was suspended over him like a cosmic sword of Damocles, and without any visible support: were it to descend, it would not only cut Jack in twain, but the planet on which he lay, and any others of our system which might lie in its path.
overhead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the beautiful sky overhead hung what looked like a vast silvery simitar, the curved edge downward, flashing in the sun, if it were not itself the source of light.
path
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The weapon extended its arc from horizon to horizon: beautiful but menacing, it was suspended over him like a cosmic sword of Damocles, and without any visible support: were it to descend, it would not only cut Jack in twain, but the planet on which he lay, and any others of our system which might lie in its path.
planet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The weapon extended its arc from horizon to horizon: beautiful but menacing, it was suspended over him like a cosmic sword of Damocles, and without any visible support: were it to descend, it would not only cut Jack in twain, but the planet on which he lay, and any others of our system which might lie in its path.
recent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had the appearance to his eyes, which were still somewhat dazed by recent events, of a huge red spider, with hostile designs upon his welfare.
red
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jack’s attention was especially drawn, however, to a red, globular object, at a great but incalculable height above him, and near the arch of the simitar.
silvery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the beautiful sky overhead hung what looked like a vast silvery simitar, the curved edge downward, flashing in the sun, if it were not itself the source of light.
simitar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the beautiful sky overhead hung what looked like a vast silvery simitar, the curved edge downward, flashing in the sun, if it were not itself the source of light.
sky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the beautiful sky overhead hung what looked like a vast silvery simitar, the curved edge downward, flashing in the sun, if it were not itself the source of light.
somewhat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had the appearance to his eyes, which were still somewhat dazed by recent events, of a huge red spider, with hostile designs upon his welfare.
source
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the beautiful sky overhead hung what looked like a vast silvery simitar, the curved edge downward, flashing in the sun, if it were not itself the source of light.
spider
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had the appearance to his eyes, which were still somewhat dazed by recent events, of a huge red spider, with hostile designs upon his welfare.
still
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had the appearance to his eyes, which were still somewhat dazed by recent events, of a huge red spider, with hostile designs upon his welfare.
sun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the beautiful sky overhead hung what looked like a vast silvery simitar, the curved edge downward, flashing in the sun, if it were not itself the source of light.
supportverbUS /səˈpɔːrt/
to provide what someone needs in order to live
From this reading The weapon extended its arc from horizon to horizon: beautiful but menacing, it was suspended over him like a cosmic sword of Damocles, and without any visible support: were it to descend, it would not only cut Jack in twain, but the planet on which he lay, and any others of our system which might lie in its path.
suspended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The weapon extended its arc from horizon to horizon: beautiful but menacing, it was suspended over him like a cosmic sword of Damocles, and without any visible support: were it to descend, it would not only cut Jack in twain, but the planet on which he lay, and any others of our system which might lie in its path.
sword
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The weapon extended its arc from horizon to horizon: beautiful but menacing, it was suspended over him like a cosmic sword of Damocles, and without any visible support: were it to descend, it would not only cut Jack in twain, but the planet on which he lay, and any others of our system which might lie in its path.
system
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The weapon extended its arc from horizon to horizon: beautiful but menacing, it was suspended over him like a cosmic sword of Damocles, and without any visible support: were it to descend, it would not only cut Jack in twain, but the planet on which he lay, and any others of our system which might lie in its path.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading JACK was lying on his back on the ground.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The weapon extended its arc from horizon to horizon: beautiful but menacing, it was suspended over him like a cosmic sword of Damocles, and without any visible support: were it to descend, it would not only cut Jack in twain, but the planet on which he lay, and any others of our system which might lie in its path.
twain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The weapon extended its arc from horizon to horizon: beautiful but menacing, it was suspended over him like a cosmic sword of Damocles, and without any visible support: were it to descend, it would not only cut Jack in twain, but the planet on which he lay, and any others of our system which might lie in its path.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It had the appearance to his eyes, which were still somewhat dazed by recent events, of a huge red spider, with hostile designs upon his welfare.
vast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the beautiful sky overhead hung what looked like a vast silvery simitar, the curved edge downward, flashing in the sun, if it were not itself the source of light.
visible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The weapon extended its arc from horizon to horizon: beautiful but menacing, it was suspended over him like a cosmic sword of Damocles, and without any visible support: were it to descend, it would not only cut Jack in twain, but the planet on which he lay, and any others of our system which might lie in its path.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading JACK was lying on his back on the ground.
weapon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The weapon extended its arc from horizon to horizon: beautiful but menacing, it was suspended over him like a cosmic sword of Damocles, and without any visible support: were it to descend, it would not only cut Jack in twain, but the planet on which he lay, and any others of our system which might lie in its path.
welfare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had the appearance to his eyes, which were still somewhat dazed by recent events, of a huge red spider, with hostile designs upon his welfare.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In the beautiful sky overhead hung what looked like a vast silvery simitar, the curved edge downward, flashing in the sun, if it were not itself the source of light.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading In the beautiful sky overhead hung what looked like a vast silvery simitar, the curved edge downward, flashing in the sun, if it were not itself the source of light.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The weapon extended its arc from horizon to horizon: beautiful but menacing, it was suspended over him like a cosmic sword of Damocles, and without any visible support: were it to descend, it would not only cut Jack in twain, but the planet on which he lay, and any others of our system which might lie in its path.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It had the appearance to his eyes, which were still somewhat dazed by recent events, of a huge red spider, with hostile designs upon his welfare.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The weapon extended its arc from horizon to horizon: beautiful but menacing, it was suspended over him like a cosmic sword of Damocles, and without any visible support: were it to descend, it would not only cut Jack in twain, but the planet on which he lay, and any others of our system which might lie in its path.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The weapon extended its arc from horizon to horizon: beautiful but menacing, it was suspended over him like a cosmic sword of Damocles, and without any visible support: were it to descend, it would not only cut Jack in twain, but the planet on which he lay, and any others of our system which might lie in its path.
