Chapter I · Chapter 1

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading But they never went below decks because rumor had it that Satan himself manned the controls of The Hell Ship._] The giant space liner swung down in a long arc, hung for an instant on columns of flame, then settled slowly into the blast-pit.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading But no hatch opened; no air lock swung out; no person left the ship.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading But they never went below decks because rumor had it that Satan himself manned the controls of The Hell Ship._] The giant space liner swung down in a long arc, hung for an instant on columns of flame, then settled slowly into the blast-pit.

electrical conduction through a gas in an applied electric field

From this reading But they never went below decks because rumor had it that Satan himself manned the controls of The Hell Ship._] The giant space liner swung down in a long arc, hung for an instant on columns of flame, then settled slowly into the blast-pit.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading The thing at the controls had great corded man-like arms.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The thing at the controls had great corded man-like arms.

for the reason that

From this reading But they never went below decks because rumor had it that Satan himself manned the controls of The Hell Ship._] The giant space liner swung down in a long arc, hung for an instant on columns of flame, then settled slowly into the blast-pit.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading But they never went below decks because rumor had it that Satan himself manned the controls of The Hell Ship._] The giant space liner swung down in a long arc, hung for an instant on columns of flame, then settled slowly into the blast-pit.

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

From this reading But they never went below decks because rumor had it that Satan himself manned the controls of The Hell Ship._] The giant space liner swung down in a long arc, hung for an instant on columns of flame, then settled slowly into the blast-pit.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But they never went below decks because rumor had it that Satan himself manned the controls of The Hell Ship._] The giant space liner swung down in a long arc, hung for an instant on columns of flame, then settled slowly into the blast-pit.

plural of “column” — a line of units following one after another

From this reading But they never went below decks because rumor had it that Satan himself manned the controls of The Hell Ship._] The giant space liner swung down in a long arc, hung for an instant on columns of flame, then settled slowly into the blast-pit.

plural of “control” — power to direct or determine

From this reading But they never went below decks because rumor had it that Satan himself manned the controls of The Hell Ship._] The giant space liner swung down in a long arc, hung for an instant on columns of flame, then settled slowly into the blast-pit.

of textiles; having parallel raised lines

From this reading The thing at the controls had great corded man-like arms.

plural of “deck” — any of various platforms built into a vessel

From this reading But they never went below decks because rumor had it that Satan himself manned the controls of The Hell Ship._] The giant space liner swung down in a long arc, hung for an instant on columns of flame, then settled slowly into the blast-pit.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading But they never went below decks because rumor had it that Satan himself manned the controls of The Hell Ship._] The giant space liner swung down in a long arc, hung for an instant on columns of flame, then settled slowly into the blast-pit.

A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.

From this reading But they never went below decks because rumor had it that Satan himself manned the controls of The Hell Ship._] The giant space liner swung down in a long arc, hung for an instant on columns of flame, then settled slowly into the blast-pit.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But they never went below decks because rumor had it that Satan himself manned the controls of The Hell Ship._] The giant space liner swung down in a long arc, hung for an instant on columns of flame, then settled slowly into the blast-pit.

any creature of exceptional size

From this reading But they never went below decks because rumor had it that Satan himself manned the controls of The Hell Ship._] The giant space liner swung down in a long arc, hung for an instant on columns of flame, then settled slowly into the blast-pit.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading The thing at the controls had great corded man-like arms.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading But they never went below decks because rumor had it that Satan himself manned the controls of The Hell Ship._] The giant space liner swung down in a long arc, hung for an instant on columns of flame, then settled slowly into the blast-pit.

emerge from the eggs

From this reading But no hatch opened; no air lock swung out; no person left the ship.

any place of pain and turmoil

From this reading But they never went below decks because rumor had it that Satan himself manned the controls of The Hell Ship._] The giant space liner swung down in a long arc, hung for an instant on columns of flame, then settled slowly into the blast-pit.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading But they never went below decks because rumor had it that Satan himself manned the controls of The Hell Ship._] The giant space liner swung down in a long arc, hung for an instant on columns of flame, then settled slowly into the blast-pit.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading But they never went below decks because rumor had it that Satan himself manned the controls of The Hell Ship._] The giant space liner swung down in a long arc, hung for an instant on columns of flame, then settled slowly into the blast-pit.

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

From this reading [Sidenote: _The passengers rocketed through space in luxury.

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading But they never went below decks because rumor had it that Satan himself manned the controls of The Hell Ship._] The giant space liner swung down in a long arc, hung for an instant on columns of flame, then settled slowly into the blast-pit.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading But they never went below decks because rumor had it that Satan himself manned the controls of The Hell Ship._] The giant space liner swung down in a long arc, hung for an instant on columns of flame, then settled slowly into the blast-pit.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But they never went below decks because rumor had it that Satan himself manned the controls of The Hell Ship._] The giant space liner swung down in a long arc, hung for an instant on columns of flame, then settled slowly into the blast-pit.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It lay there, its voyage over, waiting.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading It lay there, its voyage over, waiting.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading But no hatch opened; no air lock swung out; no person left the ship.

(baseball) a hit that flies straight out from the batter

From this reading But they never went below decks because rumor had it that Satan himself manned the controls of The Hell Ship._] The giant space liner swung down in a long arc, hung for an instant on columns of flame, then settled slowly into the blast-pit.

fasten with a lock

From this reading But no hatch opened; no air lock swung out; no person left the ship.

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 But they never went below decks because rumor had it that Satan himself manned the controls of The Hell Ship._] The giant space liner swung down in a long arc, hung for an instant on columns of flame, then settled slowly into the blast-pit.

something that is an indulgence rather than a necessity

From this reading [Sidenote: _The passengers rocketed through space in luxury.

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

From this reading The thing at the controls had great corded man-like arms.

having a crew

From this reading But they never went below decks because rumor had it that Satan himself manned the controls of The Hell Ship._] The giant space liner swung down in a long arc, hung for an instant on columns of flame, then settled slowly into the blast-pit.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading But they never went below decks because rumor had it that Satan himself manned the controls of The Hell Ship._] The giant space liner swung down in a long arc, hung for an instant on columns of flame, then settled slowly into the blast-pit.

not any; not one

From this reading But no hatch opened; no air lock swung out; no person left the ship.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading But they never went below decks because rumor had it that Satan himself manned the controls of The Hell Ship._] The giant space liner swung down in a long arc, hung for an instant on columns of flame, then settled slowly into the blast-pit.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading But they never went below decks because rumor had it that Satan himself manned the controls of The Hell Ship._] The giant space liner swung down in a long arc, hung for an instant on columns of flame, then settled slowly into the blast-pit.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading But no hatch opened; no air lock swung out; no person left the ship.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading But no hatch opened; no air lock swung out; no person left the ship.

above and across; more than

From this reading It lay there, its voyage over, waiting.

plural of “passenger” — a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it

From this reading [Sidenote: _The passengers rocketed through space in luxury.

a human being

From this reading But no hatch opened; no air lock swung out; no person left the ship.

past form of “rocket” — shoot up abruptly, like a rocket

From this reading [Sidenote: _The passengers rocketed through space in luxury.

gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth

From this reading But they never went below decks because rumor had it that Satan himself manned the controls of The Hell Ship._] The giant space liner swung down in a long arc, hung for an instant on columns of flame, then settled slowly into the blast-pit.

(Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell

From this reading But they never went below decks because rumor had it that Satan himself manned the controls of The Hell Ship._] The giant space liner swung down in a long arc, hung for an instant on columns of flame, then settled slowly into the blast-pit.

established or decided beyond dispute or doubt

From this reading But they never went below decks because rumor had it that Satan himself manned the controls of The Hell Ship._] The giant space liner swung down in a long arc, hung for an instant on columns of flame, then settled slowly into the blast-pit.

transport commercially

From this reading But they never went below decks because rumor had it that Satan himself manned the controls of The Hell Ship._] The giant space liner swung down in a long arc, hung for an instant on columns of flame, then settled slowly into the blast-pit.

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

From this reading [Sidenote: _The passengers rocketed through space in luxury.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading But they never went below decks because rumor had it that Satan himself manned the controls of The Hell Ship._] The giant space liner swung down in a long arc, hung for an instant on columns of flame, then settled slowly into the blast-pit.

the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

From this reading [Sidenote: _The passengers rocketed through space in luxury.

inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting

From this reading But they never went below decks because rumor had it that Satan himself manned the controls of The Hell Ship._] The giant space liner swung down in a long arc, hung for an instant on columns of flame, then settled slowly into the blast-pit.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But they never went below decks because rumor had it that Satan himself manned the controls of The Hell Ship._] The giant space liner swung down in a long arc, hung for an instant on columns of flame, then settled slowly into the blast-pit.

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

From this reading [Sidenote: _The passengers rocketed through space in luxury.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading But they never went below decks because rumor had it that Satan himself manned the controls of The Hell Ship._] The giant space liner swung down in a long arc, hung for an instant on columns of flame, then settled slowly into the blast-pit.

in or at that place or location

From this reading It lay there, its voyage over, waiting.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading But they never went below decks because rumor had it that Satan himself manned the controls of The Hell Ship._] The giant space liner swung down in a long arc, hung for an instant on columns of flame, then settled slowly into the blast-pit.

a special situation

From this reading The thing at the controls had great corded man-like arms.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading [Sidenote: _The passengers rocketed through space in luxury.

an act of traveling by water

From this reading It lay there, its voyage over, waiting.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading It lay there, its voyage over, waiting.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading But they never went below decks because rumor had it that Satan himself manned the controls of The Hell Ship._] The giant space liner swung down in a long arc, hung for an instant on columns of flame, then settled slowly into the blast-pit.