used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Firing Parties It was a shaken group of scientists that moved off in their jeeps to the preselected stations.
adultsnounUS /əˈdʌlts/
plural of “adult” — a fully developed person from maturity onward
From this reading Most of the adults had experienced earthquakes before, but none had seen the earth split almost at their feet.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Most of the adults had experienced earthquakes before, but none had seen the earth split almost at their feet.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "The one thing we learn to depend on," Zircon said, "is that the earth under our feet is solid and dependable.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading To Rick, the sensation had been as upsetting as any he had ever experienced.
separated or at a distance in place or position or time
From this reading When it shakes like a jelly, it causes a kind of emotional shock, apart from any physical damage it may do."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading To Rick, the sensation had been as upsetting as any he had ever experienced.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Most of the adults had experienced earthquakes before, but none had seen the earth split almost at their feet.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading To Rick, the sensation had been as upsetting as any he had ever experienced.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Most of the adults had experienced earthquakes before, but none had seen the earth split almost at their feet.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Most of the adults had experienced earthquakes before, but none had seen the earth split almost at their feet.
causesnounUS /ˈkɑːzəz/
plural of “cause” — events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading When it shakes like a jelly, it causes a kind of emotional shock, apart from any physical damage it may do."
damagenounUS /ˈdæmədʒ/
the occurrence of a change for the worse
From this reading When it shakes like a jelly, it causes a kind of emotional shock, apart from any physical damage it may do."
dependverbUS /dɪˈpend/
be contingent upon (something that is elided)
From this reading "The one thing we learn to depend on," Zircon said, "is that the earth under our feet is solid and dependable.
dependableadjectiveUS /dɪˈpendəbəl/
worthy of reliance or trust
From this reading "The one thing we learn to depend on," Zircon said, "is that the earth under our feet is solid and dependable.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading When it shakes like a jelly, it causes a kind of emotional shock, apart from any physical damage it may do."
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading Most of the adults had experienced earthquakes before, but none had seen the earth split almost at their feet.
earthquakesnounUS /ˈɜːrθkweɪks/
plural of “earthquake” — shaking and vibration at the surface of the earth resulting from underground movement along a fault plane or from volcanic activity
From this reading Most of the adults had experienced earthquakes before, but none had seen the earth split almost at their feet.
emotionaladjectiveUS /ɪˈmoʊʃənəl/
determined or actuated by emotion rather than reason
From this reading When it shakes like a jelly, it causes a kind of emotional shock, apart from any physical damage it may do."
at any time
From this reading To Rick, the sensation had been as upsetting as any he had ever experienced.
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading Most of the adults had experienced earthquakes before, but none had seen the earth split almost at their feet.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Most of the adults had experienced earthquakes before, but none had seen the earth split almost at their feet.
FiringnounUS /ˈfaɪrɪŋ/
the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy
From this reading Firing Parties It was a shaken group of scientists that moved off in their jeeps to the preselected stations.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading When it shakes like a jelly, it causes a kind of emotional shock, apart from any physical damage it may do."
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading Firing Parties It was a shaken group of scientists that moved off in their jeeps to the preselected stations.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Most of the adults had experienced earthquakes before, but none had seen the earth split almost at their feet.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To Rick, the sensation had been as upsetting as any he had ever experienced.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Firing Parties It was a shaken group of scientists that moved off in their jeeps to the preselected stations.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "The one thing we learn to depend on," Zircon said, "is that the earth under our feet is solid and dependable.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Firing Parties It was a shaken group of scientists that moved off in their jeeps to the preselected stations.
jeepsnounUS /dʒiːps/
plural of “jeep” — a car suitable for traveling over rough terrain
From this reading Firing Parties It was a shaken group of scientists that moved off in their jeeps to the preselected stations.
jellynounUS /ˈdʒeli/
an edible jelly (sweet or pungent) made with gelatin and used as a dessert or salad base or a coating for foods
From this reading When it shakes like a jelly, it causes a kind of emotional shock, apart from any physical damage it may do."
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading When it shakes like a jelly, it causes a kind of emotional shock, apart from any physical damage it may do."
gain knowledge or skills
From this reading "The one thing we learn to depend on," Zircon said, "is that the earth under our feet is solid and dependable.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading When it shakes like a jelly, it causes a kind of emotional shock, apart from any physical damage it may do."
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading When it shakes like a jelly, it causes a kind of emotional shock, apart from any physical damage it may do."
used to form the superlative
From this reading Most of the adults had experienced earthquakes before, but none had seen the earth split almost at their feet.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading Firing Parties It was a shaken group of scientists that moved off in their jeeps to the preselected stations.
not one, and not any
From this reading Most of the adults had experienced earthquakes before, but none had seen the earth split almost at their feet.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Firing Parties It was a shaken group of scientists that moved off in their jeeps to the preselected stations.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Firing Parties It was a shaken group of scientists that moved off in their jeeps to the preselected stations.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "The one thing we learn to depend on," Zircon said, "is that the earth under our feet is solid and dependable.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "The one thing we learn to depend on," Zircon said, "is that the earth under our feet is solid and dependable.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading "The one thing we learn to depend on," Zircon said, "is that the earth under our feet is solid and dependable.
plural of “party” — an organization to gain political power
From this reading Firing Parties It was a shaken group of scientists that moved off in their jeeps to the preselected stations.
involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit
From this reading When it shakes like a jelly, it causes a kind of emotional shock, apart from any physical damage it may do."
preselected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Firing Parties It was a shaken group of scientists that moved off in their jeeps to the preselected stations.
RicknounUS /rɪk/
a painful muscle spasm especially in the neck or back (“rick” and “wrick” are British)
From this reading To Rick, the sensation had been as upsetting as any he had ever experienced.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "The one thing we learn to depend on," Zircon said, "is that the earth under our feet is solid and dependable.
scientistsnounUS /ˈsaɪəntɪsts/
plural of “scientist” — a person with advanced knowledge of one or more sciences
From this reading Firing Parties It was a shaken group of scientists that moved off in their jeeps to the preselected stations.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Most of the adults had experienced earthquakes before, but none had seen the earth split almost at their feet.
an unelaborated elementary awareness of stimulation
From this reading To Rick, the sensation had been as upsetting as any he had ever experienced.
shakenadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪkən/
disturbed psychologically as if by a physical jolt or shock
From this reading Firing Parties It was a shaken group of scientists that moved off in their jeeps to the preselected stations.
shakesnounUS /ʃeɪks/
plural of “shake” — building material used as siding or roofing
From this reading When it shakes like a jelly, it causes a kind of emotional shock, apart from any physical damage it may do."
the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
From this reading When it shakes like a jelly, it causes a kind of emotional shock, apart from any physical damage it may do."
solidadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləd/
characterized by good substantial quality
From this reading "The one thing we learn to depend on," Zircon said, "is that the earth under our feet is solid and dependable.
splitverbUS /splɪt/
separate into parts or portions
From this reading Most of the adults had experienced earthquakes before, but none had seen the earth split almost at their feet.
stationsnounUS /ˈsteɪʃənz/
(Roman Catholic Church) a devotion consisting of fourteen prayers said before a series of fourteen pictures or carvings representing successive incidents during Jesus' passage from Pilate's house to his crucifixion at Calvary
From this reading Firing Parties It was a shaken group of scientists that moved off in their jeeps to the preselected stations.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Firing Parties It was a shaken group of scientists that moved off in their jeeps to the preselected stations.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Firing Parties It was a shaken group of scientists that moved off in their jeeps to the preselected stations.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Firing Parties It was a shaken group of scientists that moved off in their jeeps to the preselected stations.
a special situation
From this reading "The one thing we learn to depend on," Zircon said, "is that the earth under our feet is solid and dependable.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Firing Parties It was a shaken group of scientists that moved off in their jeeps to the preselected stations.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading "The one thing we learn to depend on," Zircon said, "is that the earth under our feet is solid and dependable.
upsettingadjectiveUS /əpˈsetɪŋ/
causing an emotional disturbance
From this reading To Rick, the sensation had been as upsetting as any he had ever experienced.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Firing Parties It was a shaken group of scientists that moved off in their jeeps to the preselected stations.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "The one thing we learn to depend on," Zircon said, "is that the earth under our feet is solid and dependable.
at the time that
From this reading When it shakes like a jelly, it causes a kind of emotional shock, apart from any physical damage it may do."
ZirconnounUS /ˈzɜːrkən/
a common mineral occurring in small crystals; chief source of zirconium; used as a refractory when opaque and as a gem when transparent
From this reading "The one thing we learn to depend on," Zircon said, "is that the earth under our feet is solid and dependable.
