used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The _Elephant's Child_ rested on the surface of the asteroid Oasis, a waterless, airless, cold and gray ball as uninviting as any solid body in the universe.
Air-lock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the entrance to Air-lock One, the officers stood in a tight group listening to Pinkham; their spacesuits were fastened on, only the helmets remaining to be donned; their gloves were the modified digitmits which enabled the wearers to hold small objects and to operate machinery or firearms.
airlessadjectiveUS /ˈerləs/
lacking fresh air
From this reading The _Elephant's Child_ rested on the surface of the asteroid Oasis, a waterless, airless, cold and gray ball as uninviting as any solid body in the universe.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Jerry, whose wound was nearly healed already, thanks to the sulfaspray, passed out guns from the captain's collection.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The _Elephant's Child_ rested on the surface of the asteroid Oasis, a waterless, airless, cold and gray ball as uninviting as any solid body in the universe.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The _Elephant's Child_ rested on the surface of the asteroid Oasis, a waterless, airless, cold and gray ball as uninviting as any solid body in the universe.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The _Elephant's Child_ rested on the surface of the asteroid Oasis, a waterless, airless, cold and gray ball as uninviting as any solid body in the universe.
asteroidnounUS /ˈæstərɔɪd/
any of numerous small celestial bodies composed of rock and metal that move around the sun (mainly between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter)
From this reading The _Elephant's Child_ rested on the surface of the asteroid Oasis, a waterless, airless, cold and gray ball as uninviting as any solid body in the universe.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the entrance to Air-lock One, the officers stood in a tight group listening to Pinkham; their spacesuits were fastened on, only the helmets remaining to be donned; their gloves were the modified digitmits which enabled the wearers to hold small objects and to operate machinery or firearms.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading The _Elephant's Child_ rested on the surface of the asteroid Oasis, a waterless, airless, cold and gray ball as uninviting as any solid body in the universe.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading At the entrance to Air-lock One, the officers stood in a tight group listening to Pinkham; their spacesuits were fastened on, only the helmets remaining to be donned; their gloves were the modified digitmits which enabled the wearers to hold small objects and to operate machinery or firearms.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading The _Elephant's Child_ rested on the surface of the asteroid Oasis, a waterless, airless, cold and gray ball as uninviting as any solid body in the universe.
captain'snounUS /ˈkæptənz/
possessive form of “captain” — an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading Jerry, whose wound was nearly healed already, thanks to the sulfaspray, passed out guns from the captain's collection.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Each man carried a handgun, or, in two cases a long rifle.
plural of “case” — an occurrence of something
From this reading Each man carried a handgun, or, in two cases a long rifle.
a young person of either sex
From this reading The _Elephant's Child_ rested on the surface of the asteroid Oasis, a waterless, airless, cold and gray ball as uninviting as any solid body in the universe.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading The _Elephant's Child_ rested on the surface of the asteroid Oasis, a waterless, airless, cold and gray ball as uninviting as any solid body in the universe.
collectionnounUS /kəˈlekʃən/
several things grouped together or considered as a whole
From this reading Jerry, whose wound was nearly healed already, thanks to the sulfaspray, passed out guns from the captain's collection.
crewmennounUS /ˈkruːmɪn/
plural of “crewman” — any member of a ship's crew
From this reading There were seven officers, and now three crewmen in spacesuits joined them.
digitmits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the entrance to Air-lock One, the officers stood in a tight group listening to Pinkham; their spacesuits were fastened on, only the helmets remaining to be donned; their gloves were the modified digitmits which enabled the wearers to hold small objects and to operate machinery or firearms.
donnedverbUS /dɑːnd/
inflected form of “don” — put clothing on one's body
From this reading At the entrance to Air-lock One, the officers stood in a tight group listening to Pinkham; their spacesuits were fastened on, only the helmets remaining to be donned; their gloves were the modified digitmits which enabled the wearers to hold small objects and to operate machinery or firearms.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Each man carried a handgun, or, in two cases a long rifle.
Elephant'snounUS /ˈeləfənts/
possessive form of “elephant” — five-toed pachyderm
From this reading The _Elephant's Child_ rested on the surface of the asteroid Oasis, a waterless, airless, cold and gray ball as uninviting as any solid body in the universe.
enabledverbUS /eˈneɪbəld/
past form of “enable” — render capable or able for some task
From this reading At the entrance to Air-lock One, the officers stood in a tight group listening to Pinkham; their spacesuits were fastened on, only the helmets remaining to be donned; their gloves were the modified digitmits which enabled the wearers to hold small objects and to operate machinery or firearms.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading At the entrance to Air-lock One, the officers stood in a tight group listening to Pinkham; their spacesuits were fastened on, only the helmets remaining to be donned; their gloves were the modified digitmits which enabled the wearers to hold small objects and to operate machinery or firearms.
firmly closed or secured
From this reading At the entrance to Air-lock One, the officers stood in a tight group listening to Pinkham; their spacesuits were fastened on, only the helmets remaining to be donned; their gloves were the modified digitmits which enabled the wearers to hold small objects and to operate machinery or firearms.
firearmsnounUS /ˈfaɪərɑːrmz/
plural of “firearm” — a portable gun
From this reading At the entrance to Air-lock One, the officers stood in a tight group listening to Pinkham; their spacesuits were fastened on, only the helmets remaining to be donned; their gloves were the modified digitmits which enabled the wearers to hold small objects and to operate machinery or firearms.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Jerry, whose wound was nearly healed already, thanks to the sulfaspray, passed out guns from the captain's collection.
glovesnounUS /ɡlʌvz/
plural of “glove” — the handwear used by fielders in playing baseball
From this reading At the entrance to Air-lock One, the officers stood in a tight group listening to Pinkham; their spacesuits were fastened on, only the helmets remaining to be donned; their gloves were the modified digitmits which enabled the wearers to hold small objects and to operate machinery or firearms.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading The _Elephant's Child_ rested on the surface of the asteroid Oasis, a waterless, airless, cold and gray ball as uninviting as any solid body in the universe.
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading At the entrance to Air-lock One, the officers stood in a tight group listening to Pinkham; their spacesuits were fastened on, only the helmets remaining to be donned; their gloves were the modified digitmits which enabled the wearers to hold small objects and to operate machinery or firearms.
plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading Jerry, whose wound was nearly healed already, thanks to the sulfaspray, passed out guns from the captain's collection.
handgunnounUS /ˈhændɡʌn/
a firearm that is held and fired with one hand
From this reading Each man carried a handgun, or, in two cases a long rifle.
healedadjectiveUS /hiːld/
freed from illness or injury
From this reading Jerry, whose wound was nearly healed already, thanks to the sulfaspray, passed out guns from the captain's collection.
helmetsnounUS /ˈhelməts/
plural of “helmet” — armor plate that protects the head
From this reading At the entrance to Air-lock One, the officers stood in a tight group listening to Pinkham; their spacesuits were fastened on, only the helmets remaining to be donned; their gloves were the modified digitmits which enabled the wearers to hold small objects and to operate machinery or firearms.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading At the entrance to Air-lock One, the officers stood in a tight group listening to Pinkham; their spacesuits were fastened on, only the helmets remaining to be donned; their gloves were the modified digitmits which enabled the wearers to hold small objects and to operate machinery or firearms.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The _Elephant's Child_ rested on the surface of the asteroid Oasis, a waterless, airless, cold and gray ball as uninviting as any solid body in the universe.
JerrynounUS /ˈdʒeri/
offensive term for a person of German descent
From this reading Jerry, whose wound was nearly healed already, thanks to the sulfaspray, passed out guns from the captain's collection.
of or relating to two people who are married to each other
From this reading There were seven officers, and now three crewmen in spacesuits joined them.
the act of hearing attentively
From this reading At the entrance to Air-lock One, the officers stood in a tight group listening to Pinkham; their spacesuits were fastened on, only the helmets remaining to be donned; their gloves were the modified digitmits which enabled the wearers to hold small objects and to operate machinery or firearms.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Each man carried a handgun, or, in two cases a long rifle.
machinerynounUS /məˈʃiːnəri/
machines or machine systems collectively
From this reading At the entrance to Air-lock One, the officers stood in a tight group listening to Pinkham; their spacesuits were fastened on, only the helmets remaining to be donned; their gloves were the modified digitmits which enabled the wearers to hold small objects and to operate machinery or firearms.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Each man carried a handgun, or, in two cases a long rifle.
modifiedadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːdəfaɪd/
changed in form or character
From this reading At the entrance to Air-lock One, the officers stood in a tight group listening to Pinkham; their spacesuits were fastened on, only the helmets remaining to be donned; their gloves were the modified digitmits which enabled the wearers to hold small objects and to operate machinery or firearms.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Jerry, whose wound was nearly healed already, thanks to the sulfaspray, passed out guns from the captain's collection.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading There were seven officers, and now three crewmen in spacesuits joined them.
OasisnounUS /oʊˈeɪsɪs/
a fertile tract in a desert (where the water table approaches the surface)
From this reading The _Elephant's Child_ rested on the surface of the asteroid Oasis, a waterless, airless, cold and gray ball as uninviting as any solid body in the universe.
plural of “object” — a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading At the entrance to Air-lock One, the officers stood in a tight group listening to Pinkham; their spacesuits were fastened on, only the helmets remaining to be donned; their gloves were the modified digitmits which enabled the wearers to hold small objects and to operate machinery or firearms.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The _Elephant's Child_ rested on the surface of the asteroid Oasis, a waterless, airless, cold and gray ball as uninviting as any solid body in the universe.
plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading At the entrance to Air-lock One, the officers stood in a tight group listening to Pinkham; their spacesuits were fastened on, only the helmets remaining to be donned; their gloves were the modified digitmits which enabled the wearers to hold small objects and to operate machinery or firearms.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The _Elephant's Child_ rested on the surface of the asteroid Oasis, a waterless, airless, cold and gray ball as uninviting as any solid body in the universe.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading At the entrance to Air-lock One, the officers stood in a tight group listening to Pinkham; their spacesuits were fastened on, only the helmets remaining to be donned; their gloves were the modified digitmits which enabled the wearers to hold small objects and to operate machinery or firearms.
and nothing more
From this reading At the entrance to Air-lock One, the officers stood in a tight group listening to Pinkham; their spacesuits were fastened on, only the helmets remaining to be donned; their gloves were the modified digitmits which enabled the wearers to hold small objects and to operate machinery or firearms.
operateverbUS /ˈɑːpəreɪt/
direct or control; projects, businesses, etc.
From this reading At the entrance to Air-lock One, the officers stood in a tight group listening to Pinkham; their spacesuits were fastened on, only the helmets remaining to be donned; their gloves were the modified digitmits which enabled the wearers to hold small objects and to operate machinery or firearms.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading At the entrance to Air-lock One, the officers stood in a tight group listening to Pinkham; their spacesuits were fastened on, only the helmets remaining to be donned; their gloves were the modified digitmits which enabled the wearers to hold small objects and to operate machinery or firearms.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Jerry, whose wound was nearly healed already, thanks to the sulfaspray, passed out guns from the captain's collection.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Jerry, whose wound was nearly healed already, thanks to the sulfaspray, passed out guns from the captain's collection.
Pinkham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the entrance to Air-lock One, the officers stood in a tight group listening to Pinkham; their spacesuits were fastened on, only the helmets remaining to be donned; their gloves were the modified digitmits which enabled the wearers to hold small objects and to operate machinery or firearms.
not used up
From this reading At the entrance to Air-lock One, the officers stood in a tight group listening to Pinkham; their spacesuits were fastened on, only the helmets remaining to be donned; their gloves were the modified digitmits which enabled the wearers to hold small objects and to operate machinery or firearms.
not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing
From this reading The _Elephant's Child_ rested on the surface of the asteroid Oasis, a waterless, airless, cold and gray ball as uninviting as any solid body in the universe.
steal goods; take as spoils
From this reading Each man carried a handgun, or, in two cases a long rifle.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading There were seven officers, and now three crewmen in spacesuits joined them.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading At the entrance to Air-lock One, the officers stood in a tight group listening to Pinkham; their spacesuits were fastened on, only the helmets remaining to be donned; their gloves were the modified digitmits which enabled the wearers to hold small objects and to operate machinery or firearms.
solidadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləd/
characterized by good substantial quality
From this reading The _Elephant's Child_ rested on the surface of the asteroid Oasis, a waterless, airless, cold and gray ball as uninviting as any solid body in the universe.
spacesuitsnounUS /ˈspeɪsuːts/
plural of “spacesuit” — a pressure suit worn by astronauts while in outer space
From this reading At the entrance to Air-lock One, the officers stood in a tight group listening to Pinkham; their spacesuits were fastened on, only the helmets remaining to be donned; their gloves were the modified digitmits which enabled the wearers to hold small objects and to operate machinery or firearms.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading At the entrance to Air-lock One, the officers stood in a tight group listening to Pinkham; their spacesuits were fastened on, only the helmets remaining to be donned; their gloves were the modified digitmits which enabled the wearers to hold small objects and to operate machinery or firearms.
sulfaspray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jerry, whose wound was nearly healed already, thanks to the sulfaspray, passed out guns from the captain's collection.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading The _Elephant's Child_ rested on the surface of the asteroid Oasis, a waterless, airless, cold and gray ball as uninviting as any solid body in the universe.
an acknowledgment of appreciation
From this reading Jerry, whose wound was nearly healed already, thanks to the sulfaspray, passed out guns from the captain's collection.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The _Elephant's Child_ rested on the surface of the asteroid Oasis, a waterless, airless, cold and gray ball as uninviting as any solid body in the universe.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading At the entrance to Air-lock One, the officers stood in a tight group listening to Pinkham; their spacesuits were fastened on, only the helmets remaining to be donned; their gloves were the modified digitmits which enabled the wearers to hold small objects and to operate machinery or firearms.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading There were seven officers, and now three crewmen in spacesuits joined them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were seven officers, and now three crewmen in spacesuits joined them.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading There were seven officers, and now three crewmen in spacesuits joined them.
tightadjectiveUS /taɪt/
closely constrained or constricted or constricting
From this reading At the entrance to Air-lock One, the officers stood in a tight group listening to Pinkham; their spacesuits were fastened on, only the helmets remaining to be donned; their gloves were the modified digitmits which enabled the wearers to hold small objects and to operate machinery or firearms.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At the entrance to Air-lock One, the officers stood in a tight group listening to Pinkham; their spacesuits were fastened on, only the helmets remaining to be donned; their gloves were the modified digitmits which enabled the wearers to hold small objects and to operate machinery or firearms.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Each man carried a handgun, or, in two cases a long rifle.
uninvitingadjectiveUS /ˌʌnɪnˈvaɪtɪŋ/
neither attractive nor tempting
From this reading The _Elephant's Child_ rested on the surface of the asteroid Oasis, a waterless, airless, cold and gray ball as uninviting as any solid body in the universe.
universenounUS /ˈjuːnəvɜːrs/
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading The _Elephant's Child_ rested on the surface of the asteroid Oasis, a waterless, airless, cold and gray ball as uninviting as any solid body in the universe.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Jerry, whose wound was nearly healed already, thanks to the sulfaspray, passed out guns from the captain's collection.
waterlessadjective
lacking sufficient water or rainfall
From this reading The _Elephant's Child_ rested on the surface of the asteroid Oasis, a waterless, airless, cold and gray ball as uninviting as any solid body in the universe.
wearersnounUS /ˈwerərz/
plural of “wearer” — a person who wears or carries or displays something as a body covering or accessory
From this reading At the entrance to Air-lock One, the officers stood in a tight group listening to Pinkham; their spacesuits were fastened on, only the helmets remaining to be donned; their gloves were the modified digitmits which enabled the wearers to hold small objects and to operate machinery or firearms.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading At the entrance to Air-lock One, the officers stood in a tight group listening to Pinkham; their spacesuits were fastened on, only the helmets remaining to be donned; their gloves were the modified digitmits which enabled the wearers to hold small objects and to operate machinery or firearms.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading At the entrance to Air-lock One, the officers stood in a tight group listening to Pinkham; their spacesuits were fastened on, only the helmets remaining to be donned; their gloves were the modified digitmits which enabled the wearers to hold small objects and to operate machinery or firearms.
belonging to which person
From this reading Jerry, whose wound was nearly healed already, thanks to the sulfaspray, passed out guns from the captain's collection.
an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)
From this reading Jerry, whose wound was nearly healed already, thanks to the sulfaspray, passed out guns from the captain's collection.
