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 _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

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

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

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

From this reading He had violated their law--wilfully, ignorantly, and very deliberately.

-ing form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading "Our people will be arriving to visit us today," the robot said.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He jumped, wiry and quick, out of the chair on his verandah and stared at a cloud of dust in the distance.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading "Our people will be arriving to visit us today," the robot said.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading He jumped, wiry and quick, out of the chair on his verandah and stared at a cloud of dust in the distance.

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

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

make overcast or cloudy

From this reading He jumped, wiry and quick, out of the chair on his verandah and stared at a cloud of dust in the distance.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

the southern states that seceded from the United States in 1861

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

the effort contributed by a person in bringing about a result

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

with intention; in an intentional manner

From this reading He had violated their law--wilfully, ignorantly, and very deliberately.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading He jumped, wiry and quick, out of the chair on his verandah and stared at a cloud of dust in the distance.

remove the dust from

From this reading He jumped, wiry and quick, out of the chair on his verandah and stared at a cloud of dust in the distance.

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

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

be in charge of, act on, or dispose of

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

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

From this reading He had violated their law--wilfully, ignorantly, and very deliberately.

advanced in complexity or elaboration

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

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

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading He jumped, wiry and quick, out of the chair on his verandah and stared at a cloud of dust in the distance.

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

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

in ignorance; in an ignorant manner

From this reading He had violated their law--wilfully, ignorantly, and very deliberately.

implied though not directly expressed; inherent in the nature of something

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

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

From this reading He jumped, wiry and quick, out of the chair on his verandah and stared at a cloud of dust in the distance.

arousing or holding the attention

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

a unit of electrical energy equal to the work done when a current of one ampere passes through a resistance of one ohm for one second

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

the legal document stating the reasons for a judicial decision

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

past form of “jump” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading He jumped, wiry and quick, out of the chair on his verandah and stared at a cloud of dust in the distance.

evidencing the possession of inside information

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

the collection of rules imposed by authority

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

plural of “make” — a recognizable kind

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

the act of obeying; dutiful or submissive behavior with respect to another person

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading "Our people will be arriving to visit us today," the robot said.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading He jumped, wiry and quick, out of the chair on his verandah and stared at a cloud of dust in the distance.

go across or through

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading "Our people will be arriving to visit us today," the robot said.

past form of “pride” — be proud of

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

accomplished rapidly and without delay

From this reading He jumped, wiry and quick, out of the chair on his verandah and stared at a cloud of dust in the distance.

leader in the women's suffrage movement in Montana; the first woman to serve in the United States House of Representatives (1880-1973)

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

be fully aware or cognizant of

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

a mechanism that can move automatically

From this reading "Our people will be arriving to visit us today," the robot said.

the area of AI concerned with the practical use of robots

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

plural of “robot” — a mechanism that can move automatically

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

a long thin implement made of metal or wood

From this reading "Shut up!" snapped Rod Rankin.

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

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Our people will be arriving to visit us today," the robot said.

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

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut

From this reading "Shut up!" snapped Rod Rankin.

inflected form of “snap” — utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone

From this reading "Shut up!" snapped Rod Rankin.

past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading He jumped, wiry and quick, out of the chair on his verandah and stared at a cloud of dust in the distance.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

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

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading He had violated their law--wilfully, ignorantly, and very deliberately.

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

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

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

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

the present time or age

From this reading "Our people will be arriving to visit us today," the robot said.

the body of faculty and students at a university

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading "Shut up!" snapped Rod Rankin.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "Our people will be arriving to visit us today," the robot said.

a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)

From this reading He jumped, wiry and quick, out of the chair on his verandah and stared at a cloud of dust in the distance.

precisely as stated

From this reading He had violated their law--wilfully, ignorantly, and very deliberately.

treated irreverently or sacrilegiously

From this reading He had violated their law--wilfully, ignorantly, and very deliberately.

go to see a place, as for entertainment

From this reading "Our people will be arriving to visit us today," the robot said.

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

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

which person or people

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.

in a willful manner

From this reading He had violated their law--wilfully, ignorantly, and very deliberately.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "Our people will be arriving to visit us today," the robot said.

lean and sinewy

From this reading He jumped, wiry and quick, out of the chair on his verandah and stared at a cloud of dust in the distance.

in the company of; together with

From this reading _Robert J. Shea, of Rutgers University, makes an interesting contribution to robotics with this story of Rankin, who prided himself on knowing how to handle robots, but did not realize that the robots of the Clearchan Confederacy were subject to a higher law than implicit obedience to man._ They had come to pass judgement on him.