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The Fourth Invasion
The Fourth Invasion

Chapter I

Cover illustration for The Fourth Invasion
Context Illustration Reading 1/20 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
_Psychopathology has offered possible answers to why, from time to time, people in large quantities "see" strange things in the sky which manage to evade trained scientific observers, or conform to what is known about the behavior of falling or flying bodies.
And mass hysteria is by no means a product of the present century.
But--what if these human foibles were deliberately being exploited?_ Dr. Clayton's face was impassive as a marble mask when he turned to young Corelli.
For a moment, the little group stood there in embarrassed silence in the classroom, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, feigning interest in the paperweights upon Clayton's desk, or in the utterly uninspiring scenes on the sidewalk outside the window.
"You say, Corelli, that you saw three--er, Martian--ships.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Fourth Invasion

Chapter I

Reading 1/20 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
_Psychopathology has offered possible answers to why, from time to time, people in large quantities "see" strange things in the sky which manage to evade trained scientific observers, or conform to what is known about the behavior of falling or flying bodies.
Line 2
And mass hysteria is by no means a product of the present century.
Line 3
But--what if these human foibles were deliberately being exploited?_ Dr. Clayton's face was impassive as a marble mask when he turned to young Corelli.
Line 4
For a moment, the little group stood there in embarrassed silence in the classroom, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, feigning interest in the paperweights upon Clayton's desk, or in the utterly uninspiring scenes on the sidewalk outside the window.
Line 5
"You say, Corelli, that you saw three--er, Martian--ships.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “_Psychopathology has offered possible answers to why, from time to time, people in large quantities "see" strange things in the sky which manage to evade trained scientific observers, or conform to what is known about the behavior of falling or flying bodies.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “But--what if these human foibles were deliberately being exploited?_ Dr. Clayton's face was impassive as a marble mask when he turned to young Corelli.”

Foot noun US /foot/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “For a moment, the little group stood there in embarrassed silence in the classroom, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, feigning interest in the paperweights upon Clayton's desk, or in the utterly uninspiring scenes on the sidewalk outside the window.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

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

From this reading “_Psychopathology has offered possible answers to why, from time to time, people in large quantities "see" strange things in the sky which manage to evade trained scientific observers, or conform to what is known about the behavior of falling or flying bodies.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “For a moment, the little group stood there in embarrassed silence in the classroom, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, feigning interest in the paperweights upon Clayton's desk, or in the utterly uninspiring scenes on the sidewalk outside the window.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “For a moment, the little group stood there in embarrassed silence in the classroom, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, feigning interest in the paperweights upon Clayton's desk, or in the utterly uninspiring scenes on the sidewalk outside the window.”

Outside noun US /ˈoutside/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “For a moment, the little group stood there in embarrassed silence in the classroom, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, feigning interest in the paperweights upon Clayton's desk, or in the utterly uninspiring scenes on the sidewalk outside the window.”

Silence noun US /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading “For a moment, the little group stood there in embarrassed silence in the classroom, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, feigning interest in the paperweights upon Clayton's desk, or in the utterly uninspiring scenes on the sidewalk outside the window.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “For a moment, the little group stood there in embarrassed silence in the classroom, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, feigning interest in the paperweights upon Clayton's desk, or in the utterly uninspiring scenes on the sidewalk outside the window.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “But--what if these human foibles were deliberately being exploited?_ Dr. Clayton's face was impassive as a marble mask when he turned to young Corelli.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “_Psychopathology has offered possible answers to why, from time to time, people in large quantities "see" strange things in the sky which manage to evade trained scientific observers, or conform to what is known about the behavior of falling or flying bodies.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “For a moment, the little group stood there in embarrassed silence in the classroom, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, feigning interest in the paperweights upon Clayton's desk, or in the utterly uninspiring scenes on the sidewalk outside the window.”

All words in this reading · 101

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 And mass hysteria is by no means a product of the present century.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading _Psychopathology has offered possible answers to why, from time to time, people in large quantities "see" strange things in the sky which manage to evade trained scientific observers, or conform to what is known about the behavior of falling or flying bodies.

AndconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading And mass hysteria is by no means a product of the present century.

answers

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Psychopathology has offered possible answers to why, from time to time, people in large quantities "see" strange things in the sky which manage to evade trained scientific observers, or conform to what is known about the behavior of falling or flying bodies.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading But--what if these human foibles were deliberately being exploited?_ Dr. Clayton's face was impassive as a marble mask when he turned to young Corelli.

behavior

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Psychopathology has offered possible answers to why, from time to time, people in large quantities "see" strange things in the sky which manage to evade trained scientific observers, or conform to what is known about the behavior of falling or flying bodies.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading But--what if these human foibles were deliberately being exploited?_ Dr. Clayton's face was impassive as a marble mask when he turned to young Corelli.

bodies

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Psychopathology has offered possible answers to why, from time to time, people in large quantities "see" strange things in the sky which manage to evade trained scientific observers, or conform to what is known about the behavior of falling or flying bodies.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But--what if these human foibles were deliberately being exploited?_ Dr. Clayton's face was impassive as a marble mask when he turned to young Corelli.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading And mass hysteria is by no means a product of the present century.

century

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And mass hysteria is by no means a product of the present century.

classroom

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For a moment, the little group stood there in embarrassed silence in the classroom, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, feigning interest in the paperweights upon Clayton's desk, or in the utterly uninspiring scenes on the sidewalk outside the window.

Clayton's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But--what if these human foibles were deliberately being exploited?_ Dr. Clayton's face was impassive as a marble mask when he turned to young Corelli.

conform

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Psychopathology has offered possible answers to why, from time to time, people in large quantities "see" strange things in the sky which manage to evade trained scientific observers, or conform to what is known about the behavior of falling or flying bodies.

Corelli

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But--what if these human foibles were deliberately being exploited?_ Dr. Clayton's face was impassive as a marble mask when he turned to young Corelli.

deliberately

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But--what if these human foibles were deliberately being exploited?_ Dr. Clayton's face was impassive as a marble mask when he turned to young Corelli.

desk

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For a moment, the little group stood there in embarrassed silence in the classroom, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, feigning interest in the paperweights upon Clayton's desk, or in the utterly uninspiring scenes on the sidewalk outside the window.

Dr

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But--what if these human foibles were deliberately being exploited?_ Dr. Clayton's face was impassive as a marble mask when he turned to young Corelli.

embarrassed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For a moment, the little group stood there in embarrassed silence in the classroom, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, feigning interest in the paperweights upon Clayton's desk, or in the utterly uninspiring scenes on the sidewalk outside the window.

er

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "You say, Corelli, that you saw three--er, Martian--ships.

evade

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Psychopathology has offered possible answers to why, from time to time, people in large quantities "see" strange things in the sky which manage to evade trained scientific observers, or conform to what is known about the behavior of falling or flying bodies.

exploited

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But--what if these human foibles were deliberately being exploited?_ Dr. Clayton's face was impassive as a marble mask when he turned to young Corelli.

face

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But--what if these human foibles were deliberately being exploited?_ Dr. Clayton's face was impassive as a marble mask when he turned to young Corelli.

falling

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Psychopathology has offered possible answers to why, from time to time, people in large quantities "see" strange things in the sky which manage to evade trained scientific observers, or conform to what is known about the behavior of falling or flying bodies.

feigning

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For a moment, the little group stood there in embarrassed silence in the classroom, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, feigning interest in the paperweights upon Clayton's desk, or in the utterly uninspiring scenes on the sidewalk outside the window.

flying

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Psychopathology has offered possible answers to why, from time to time, people in large quantities "see" strange things in the sky which manage to evade trained scientific observers, or conform to what is known about the behavior of falling or flying bodies.

foibles

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But--what if these human foibles were deliberately being exploited?_ Dr. Clayton's face was impassive as a marble mask when he turned to young Corelli.

footnounUS /foot/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading For a moment, the little group stood there in embarrassed silence in the classroom, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, feigning interest in the paperweights upon Clayton's desk, or in the utterly uninspiring scenes on the sidewalk outside the window.

ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For a moment, the little group stood there in embarrassed silence in the classroom, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, feigning interest in the paperweights upon Clayton's desk, or in the utterly uninspiring scenes on the sidewalk outside the window.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading _Psychopathology has offered possible answers to why, from time to time, people in large quantities "see" strange things in the sky which manage to evade trained scientific observers, or conform to what is known about the behavior of falling or flying bodies.

group

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For a moment, the little group stood there in embarrassed silence in the classroom, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, feigning interest in the paperweights upon Clayton's desk, or in the utterly uninspiring scenes on the sidewalk outside the window.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading _Psychopathology has offered possible answers to why, from time to time, people in large quantities "see" strange things in the sky which manage to evade trained scientific observers, or conform to what is known about the behavior of falling or flying bodies.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading But--what if these human foibles were deliberately being exploited?_ Dr. Clayton's face was impassive as a marble mask when he turned to young Corelli.

human

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But--what if these human foibles were deliberately being exploited?_ Dr. Clayton's face was impassive as a marble mask when he turned to young Corelli.

hysteria

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And mass hysteria is by no means a product of the present century.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading But--what if these human foibles were deliberately being exploited?_ Dr. Clayton's face was impassive as a marble mask when he turned to young Corelli.

impassive

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But--what if these human foibles were deliberately being exploited?_ Dr. Clayton's face was impassive as a marble mask when he turned to young Corelli.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading _Psychopathology has offered possible answers to why, from time to time, people in large quantities "see" strange things in the sky which manage to evade trained scientific observers, or conform to what is known about the behavior of falling or flying bodies.

interest

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For a moment, the little group stood there in embarrassed silence in the classroom, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, feigning interest in the paperweights upon Clayton's desk, or in the utterly uninspiring scenes on the sidewalk outside the window.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading _Psychopathology has offered possible answers to why, from time to time, people in large quantities "see" strange things in the sky which manage to evade trained scientific observers, or conform to what is known about the behavior of falling or flying bodies.

known

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Psychopathology has offered possible answers to why, from time to time, people in large quantities "see" strange things in the sky which manage to evade trained scientific observers, or conform to what is known about the behavior of falling or flying bodies.

large

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Psychopathology has offered possible answers to why, from time to time, people in large quantities "see" strange things in the sky which manage to evade trained scientific observers, or conform to what is known about the behavior of falling or flying bodies.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading For a moment, the little group stood there in embarrassed silence in the classroom, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, feigning interest in the paperweights upon Clayton's desk, or in the utterly uninspiring scenes on the sidewalk outside the window.

manage

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Psychopathology has offered possible answers to why, from time to time, people in large quantities "see" strange things in the sky which manage to evade trained scientific observers, or conform to what is known about the behavior of falling or flying bodies.

marble

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But--what if these human foibles were deliberately being exploited?_ Dr. Clayton's face was impassive as a marble mask when he turned to young Corelli.

Martian

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "You say, Corelli, that you saw three--er, Martian--ships.

mask

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But--what if these human foibles were deliberately being exploited?_ Dr. Clayton's face was impassive as a marble mask when he turned to young Corelli.

mass

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And mass hysteria is by no means a product of the present century.

means

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And mass hysteria is by no means a product of the present century.

moment

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For a moment, the little group stood there in embarrassed silence in the classroom, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, feigning interest in the paperweights upon Clayton's desk, or in the utterly uninspiring scenes on the sidewalk outside the window.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading And mass hysteria is by no means a product of the present century.

observers

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Psychopathology has offered possible answers to why, from time to time, people in large quantities "see" strange things in the sky which manage to evade trained scientific observers, or conform to what is known about the behavior of falling or flying bodies.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _Psychopathology has offered possible answers to why, from time to time, people in large quantities "see" strange things in the sky which manage to evade trained scientific observers, or conform to what is known about the behavior of falling or flying bodies.

offered

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Psychopathology has offered possible answers to why, from time to time, people in large quantities "see" strange things in the sky which manage to evade trained scientific observers, or conform to what is known about the behavior of falling or flying bodies.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading For a moment, the little group stood there in embarrassed silence in the classroom, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, feigning interest in the paperweights upon Clayton's desk, or in the utterly uninspiring scenes on the sidewalk outside the window.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading For a moment, the little group stood there in embarrassed silence in the classroom, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, feigning interest in the paperweights upon Clayton's desk, or in the utterly uninspiring scenes on the sidewalk outside the window.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading _Psychopathology has offered possible answers to why, from time to time, people in large quantities "see" strange things in the sky which manage to evade trained scientific observers, or conform to what is known about the behavior of falling or flying bodies.

other

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For a moment, the little group stood there in embarrassed silence in the classroom, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, feigning interest in the paperweights upon Clayton's desk, or in the utterly uninspiring scenes on the sidewalk outside the window.

outsidenounUS /ˈoutside/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading For a moment, the little group stood there in embarrassed silence in the classroom, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, feigning interest in the paperweights upon Clayton's desk, or in the utterly uninspiring scenes on the sidewalk outside the window.

paperweights

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For a moment, the little group stood there in embarrassed silence in the classroom, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, feigning interest in the paperweights upon Clayton's desk, or in the utterly uninspiring scenes on the sidewalk outside the window.

people

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Psychopathology has offered possible answers to why, from time to time, people in large quantities "see" strange things in the sky which manage to evade trained scientific observers, or conform to what is known about the behavior of falling or flying bodies.

possible

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Psychopathology has offered possible answers to why, from time to time, people in large quantities "see" strange things in the sky which manage to evade trained scientific observers, or conform to what is known about the behavior of falling or flying bodies.

present

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And mass hysteria is by no means a product of the present century.

product

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And mass hysteria is by no means a product of the present century.

Psychopathology

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Psychopathology has offered possible answers to why, from time to time, people in large quantities "see" strange things in the sky which manage to evade trained scientific observers, or conform to what is known about the behavior of falling or flying bodies.

quantities

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Psychopathology has offered possible answers to why, from time to time, people in large quantities "see" strange things in the sky which manage to evade trained scientific observers, or conform to what is known about the behavior of falling or flying bodies.

saw

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "You say, Corelli, that you saw three--er, Martian--ships.

say

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "You say, Corelli, that you saw three--er, Martian--ships.

scenes

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For a moment, the little group stood there in embarrassed silence in the classroom, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, feigning interest in the paperweights upon Clayton's desk, or in the utterly uninspiring scenes on the sidewalk outside the window.

scientific

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Psychopathology has offered possible answers to why, from time to time, people in large quantities "see" strange things in the sky which manage to evade trained scientific observers, or conform to what is known about the behavior of falling or flying bodies.

see

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Psychopathology has offered possible answers to why, from time to time, people in large quantities "see" strange things in the sky which manage to evade trained scientific observers, or conform to what is known about the behavior of falling or flying bodies.

shifting

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For a moment, the little group stood there in embarrassed silence in the classroom, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, feigning interest in the paperweights upon Clayton's desk, or in the utterly uninspiring scenes on the sidewalk outside the window.

ships

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "You say, Corelli, that you saw three--er, Martian--ships.

sidewalk

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For a moment, the little group stood there in embarrassed silence in the classroom, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, feigning interest in the paperweights upon Clayton's desk, or in the utterly uninspiring scenes on the sidewalk outside the window.

silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading For a moment, the little group stood there in embarrassed silence in the classroom, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, feigning interest in the paperweights upon Clayton's desk, or in the utterly uninspiring scenes on the sidewalk outside the window.

sky

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Psychopathology has offered possible answers to why, from time to time, people in large quantities "see" strange things in the sky which manage to evade trained scientific observers, or conform to what is known about the behavior of falling or flying bodies.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading For a moment, the little group stood there in embarrassed silence in the classroom, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, feigning interest in the paperweights upon Clayton's desk, or in the utterly uninspiring scenes on the sidewalk outside the window.

strange

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Psychopathology has offered possible answers to why, from time to time, people in large quantities "see" strange things in the sky which manage to evade trained scientific observers, or conform to what is known about the behavior of falling or flying bodies.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "You say, Corelli, that you saw three--er, Martian--ships.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading _Psychopathology has offered possible answers to why, from time to time, people in large quantities "see" strange things in the sky which manage to evade trained scientific observers, or conform to what is known about the behavior of falling or flying bodies.

there

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For a moment, the little group stood there in embarrassed silence in the classroom, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, feigning interest in the paperweights upon Clayton's desk, or in the utterly uninspiring scenes on the sidewalk outside the window.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading But--what if these human foibles were deliberately being exploited?_ Dr. Clayton's face was impassive as a marble mask when he turned to young Corelli.

things

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Psychopathology has offered possible answers to why, from time to time, people in large quantities "see" strange things in the sky which manage to evade trained scientific observers, or conform to what is known about the behavior of falling or flying bodies.

three

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "You say, Corelli, that you saw three--er, Martian--ships.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading _Psychopathology has offered possible answers to why, from time to time, people in large quantities "see" strange things in the sky which manage to evade trained scientific observers, or conform to what is known about the behavior of falling or flying bodies.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading _Psychopathology has offered possible answers to why, from time to time, people in large quantities "see" strange things in the sky which manage to evade trained scientific observers, or conform to what is known about the behavior of falling or flying bodies.

trained

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Psychopathology has offered possible answers to why, from time to time, people in large quantities "see" strange things in the sky which manage to evade trained scientific observers, or conform to what is known about the behavior of falling or flying bodies.

turned

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But--what if these human foibles were deliberately being exploited?_ Dr. Clayton's face was impassive as a marble mask when he turned to young Corelli.

uneasily

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For a moment, the little group stood there in embarrassed silence in the classroom, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, feigning interest in the paperweights upon Clayton's desk, or in the utterly uninspiring scenes on the sidewalk outside the window.

uninspiring

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For a moment, the little group stood there in embarrassed silence in the classroom, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, feigning interest in the paperweights upon Clayton's desk, or in the utterly uninspiring scenes on the sidewalk outside the window.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading For a moment, the little group stood there in embarrassed silence in the classroom, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, feigning interest in the paperweights upon Clayton's desk, or in the utterly uninspiring scenes on the sidewalk outside the window.

utterly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For a moment, the little group stood there in embarrassed silence in the classroom, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, feigning interest in the paperweights upon Clayton's desk, or in the utterly uninspiring scenes on the sidewalk outside the window.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading But--what if these human foibles were deliberately being exploited?_ Dr. Clayton's face was impassive as a marble mask when he turned to young Corelli.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading But--what if these human foibles were deliberately being exploited?_ Dr. Clayton's face was impassive as a marble mask when he turned to young Corelli.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading _Psychopathology has offered possible answers to why, from time to time, people in large quantities "see" strange things in the sky which manage to evade trained scientific observers, or conform to what is known about the behavior of falling or flying bodies.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading But--what if these human foibles were deliberately being exploited?_ Dr. Clayton's face was impassive as a marble mask when he turned to young Corelli.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading _Psychopathology has offered possible answers to why, from time to time, people in large quantities "see" strange things in the sky which manage to evade trained scientific observers, or conform to what is known about the behavior of falling or flying bodies.

why

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Psychopathology has offered possible answers to why, from time to time, people in large quantities "see" strange things in the sky which manage to evade trained scientific observers, or conform to what is known about the behavior of falling or flying bodies.

window

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For a moment, the little group stood there in embarrassed silence in the classroom, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, feigning interest in the paperweights upon Clayton's desk, or in the utterly uninspiring scenes on the sidewalk outside the window.

YoupronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "You say, Corelli, that you saw three--er, Martian--ships.

young

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But--what if these human foibles were deliberately being exploited?_ Dr. Clayton's face was impassive as a marble mask when he turned to young Corelli.