Chapter III · Chapter 3

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

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

past form of “act” — perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

later than; following

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen

From this reading It would once have been thought vile that a machine should be allowed to do the work of a skilled man, and the thought that a machine might do the work with more precision and greater rapidity would have been almost blasphemous.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading It would once have been thought vile that a machine should be allowed to do the work of a skilled man, and the thought that a machine might do the work with more precision and greater rapidity would have been almost blasphemous.

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

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

move towards

From this reading If it was not the ultimate in punishment, it was a damned close approach, MacMaine thought.

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

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

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

From this reading And he felt that the word "damned" could be used in that sense without fear of exaggeration.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

grossly irreverent toward what is held to be sacred

From this reading It would once have been thought vile that a machine should be allowed to do the work of a skilled man, and the thought that a machine might do the work with more precision and greater rapidity would have been almost blasphemous.

the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

extreme tonus; muscular rigidity; a common symptom in catatonic schizophrenia

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

the overhead upper surface of a covered space

From this reading * * * * * "However," the High Commander went on, gazing at the ceiling, "circumstances change.

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading * * * * * "However," the High Commander went on, gazing at the ceiling, "circumstances change.

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading * * * * * "However," the High Commander went on, gazing at the ceiling, "circumstances change.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading If it was not the ultimate in punishment, it was a damned close approach, MacMaine thought.

an officer in command of a military unit

From this reading * * * * * "However," the High Commander went on, gazing at the ceiling, "circumstances change.

able to be compared or worthy of comparison

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading And he felt that the word "damned" could be used in that sense without fear of exaggeration.

expletives used informally as intensifiers

From this reading If it was not the ultimate in punishment, it was a damned close approach, MacMaine thought.

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading It would once have been thought vile that a machine should be allowed to do the work of a skilled man, and the thought that a machine might do the work with more precision and greater rapidity would have been almost blasphemous.

extravagant exaggeration

From this reading And he felt that the word "damned" could be used in that sense without fear of exaggeration.

be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading And he felt that the word "damned" could be used in that sense without fear of exaggeration.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading And he felt that the word "damned" could be used in that sense without fear of exaggeration.

after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading * * * * * "However," the High Commander went on, gazing at the ceiling, "circumstances change.

greater in size or importance or degree

From this reading It would once have been thought vile that a machine should be allowed to do the work of a skilled man, and the thought that a machine might do the work with more precision and greater rapidity would have been almost blasphemous.

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

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It would once have been thought vile that a machine should be allowed to do the work of a skilled man, and the thought that a machine might do the work with more precision and greater rapidity would have been almost blasphemous.

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

From this reading And he felt that the word "damned" could be used in that sense without fear of exaggeration.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading * * * * * "However," the High Commander went on, gazing at the ceiling, "circumstances change.

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

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading * * * * * "However," the High Commander went on, gazing at the ceiling, "circumstances change.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If it was not the ultimate in punishment, it was a damned close approach, MacMaine thought.

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

From this reading If it was not the ultimate in punishment, it was a damned close approach, MacMaine thought.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading If it was not the ultimate in punishment, it was a damned close approach, MacMaine thought.

evidencing the possession of inside information

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

plural of “limb” — one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks

From this reading It would once have been thought vile that a machine should be allowed to do the work of a skilled man, and the thought that a machine might do the work with more precision and greater rapidity would have been almost blasphemous.

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

From this reading If it was not the ultimate in punishment, it was a damned close approach, MacMaine thought.

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

From this reading It would once have been thought vile that a machine should be allowed to do the work of a skilled man, and the thought that a machine might do the work with more precision and greater rapidity would have been almost blasphemous.

a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

plural of “message” — a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading It would once have been thought vile that a machine should be allowed to do the work of a skilled man, and the thought that a machine might do the work with more precision and greater rapidity would have been almost blasphemous.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading It would once have been thought vile that a machine should be allowed to do the work of a skilled man, and the thought that a machine might do the work with more precision and greater rapidity would have been almost blasphemous.

not any; not one

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading If it was not the ultimate in punishment, it was a damned close approach, MacMaine thought.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading * * * * * "However," the High Commander went on, gazing at the ceiling, "circumstances change.

on one occasion

From this reading It would once have been thought vile that a machine should be allowed to do the work of a skilled man, and the thought that a machine might do the work with more precision and greater rapidity would have been almost blasphemous.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

the quality of being reproducible in amount or performance

From this reading It would once have been thought vile that a machine should be allowed to do the work of a skilled man, and the thought that a machine might do the work with more precision and greater rapidity would have been almost blasphemous.

the act of punishing

From this reading If it was not the ultimate in punishment, it was a damned close approach, MacMaine thought.

a rate that is rapid

From this reading It would once have been thought vile that a machine should be allowed to do the work of a skilled man, and the thought that a machine might do the work with more precision and greater rapidity would have been almost blasphemous.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

past form of “scream” — utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading And he felt that the word "damned" could be used in that sense without fear of exaggeration.

100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading It would once have been thought vile that a machine should be allowed to do the work of a skilled man, and the thought that a machine might do the work with more precision and greater rapidity would have been almost blasphemous.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

having or showing or requiring special skill

From this reading It would once have been thought vile that a machine should be allowed to do the work of a skilled man, and the thought that a machine might do the work with more precision and greater rapidity would have been almost blasphemous.

in the near future

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

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

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading If it was not the ultimate in punishment, it was a damned close approach, MacMaine thought.

past form of “thrash” — give a thrashing to; beat hard

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

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

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

furthest or highest in degree or order; utmost or extreme

From this reading If it was not the ultimate in punishment, it was a damned close approach, MacMaine thought.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading And he felt that the word "damned" could be used in that sense without fear of exaggeration.

an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

morally reprehensible

From this reading It would once have been thought vile that a machine should be allowed to do the work of a skilled man, and the thought that a machine might do the work with more precision and greater rapidity would have been almost blasphemous.

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

From this reading If it was not the ultimate in punishment, it was a damned close approach, MacMaine thought.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

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

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading At first, the victim screamed and thrashed his limbs as the brain sent out message after message to the rest of the body, but since the brain had no way of knowing whether the messages had been received or acted upon, the victim soon went into a state comparable to that of catatonia and finally died.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It would once have been thought vile that a machine should be allowed to do the work of a skilled man, and the thought that a machine might do the work with more precision and greater rapidity would have been almost blasphemous.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading And he felt that the word "damned" could be used in that sense without fear of exaggeration.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading And he felt that the word "damned" could be used in that sense without fear of exaggeration.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading It would once have been thought vile that a machine should be allowed to do the work of a skilled man, and the thought that a machine might do the work with more precision and greater rapidity would have been almost blasphemous.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading It would once have been thought vile that a machine should be allowed to do the work of a skilled man, and the thought that a machine might do the work with more precision and greater rapidity would have been almost blasphemous.