used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _First he had to know what he was, then who he was and why he was--but who was relying on the answers?_ He opened his eyes.
answersnounUS /ˈænsərz/
plural of “answer” — a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading _First he had to know what he was, then who he was and why he was--but who was relying on the answers?_ He opened his eyes.
any thing at all
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
beamsnounUS /biːmz/
plural of “beam” — a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He couldn't remember having ever seen humans before, but he recognized them instantly.
bendingnounUS /ˈbendɪŋ/
movement that causes the formation of a curve
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading _First he had to know what he was, then who he was and why he was--but who was relying on the answers?_ He opened his eyes.
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
ClenchverbUS /klentʃ/
hold in a tight grasp
From this reading "Clench your fingers," ordered the shorter of the two humans.
coatsnounUS /koʊts/
plural of “coat” — an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He couldn't remember having ever seen humans before, but he recognized them instantly.
electronicadjectiveUS /ˌɪlekˈtrɑːnɪk/
of or relating to electronics; concerned with or using devices that operate on principles governing the behavior of electrons
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
erectedverbUS /ɪˈrektəd/
past form of “erect” — construct, build, or erect
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
at any time
From this reading He couldn't remember having ever seen humans before, but he recognized them instantly.
opinion or judgment
From this reading _First he had to know what he was, then who he was and why he was--but who was relying on the answers?_ He opened his eyes.
familiaritynounUS /fəˌmɪˈljerəti/
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading "Clench your fingers," ordered the shorter of the two humans.
FirstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading _First he had to know what he was, then who he was and why he was--but who was relying on the answers?_ He opened his eyes.
flushnounUS /flʌʃ/
the period of greatest prosperity or productivity
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
gleamingnounUS /ˈɡliːmɪŋ/
a flash of light (especially reflected light)
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading _First he had to know what he was, then who he was and why he was--but who was relying on the answers?_ He opened his eyes.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading He couldn't remember having ever seen humans before, but he recognized them instantly.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading _First he had to know what he was, then who he was and why he was--but who was relying on the answers?_ He opened his eyes.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading _First he had to know what he was, then who he was and why he was--but who was relying on the answers?_ He opened his eyes.
humansnounUS /ˈhjuːmənz/
all of the living human inhabitants of the earth
From this reading He couldn't remember having ever seen humans before, but he recognized them instantly.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading He couldn't remember having ever seen humans before, but he recognized them instantly.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
invisibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɪzəbəl/
impossible or nearly impossible to see; imperceptible by the eye
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading _First he had to know what he was, then who he was and why he was--but who was relying on the answers?_ He opened his eyes.
labnounUS /læb/
a workplace for the conduct of scientific research
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
laboratorynounUS /ˈlæbrətɔːri/
a workplace for the conduct of scientific research
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
the force of workers available
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
MusclesnounUS /ˈmʌsəlz/
plural of “muscle” — one of the contractile organs of the body
From this reading Muscles tightened.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading _First he had to know what he was, then who he was and why he was--but who was relying on the answers?_ He opened his eyes.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading _First he had to know what he was, then who he was and why he was--but who was relying on the answers?_ He opened his eyes.
having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule
From this reading "Clench your fingers," ordered the shorter of the two humans.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
panelsnounUS /ˈpænəlz/
plural of “panel” — sheet that forms a distinct (usually flat and rectangular) section or component of something
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
paraphernalianounUS /ˌperəfəˈneɪljə/
equipment consisting of miscellaneous articles needed for a particular operation or sport etc.
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
probingadjectiveUS /ˈproʊbɪŋ/
diligent and thorough in inquiry or investigation
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading He couldn't remember having ever seen humans before, but he recognized them instantly.
relyingverbUS /riˈlaɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “rely” — have faith or confidence in
From this reading _First he had to know what he was, then who he was and why he was--but who was relying on the answers?_ He opened his eyes.
To recall to mind.
From this reading He couldn't remember having ever seen humans before, but he recognized them instantly.
scannersnounUS /ˈskænərz/
plural of “scanner” — someone who scans verse to determine the number and prosodic value of the syllables
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He couldn't remember having ever seen humans before, but he recognized them instantly.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
shorteradjectiveUS /ˈʃɔːrtər/
comparative of “short” — primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading "Clench your fingers," ordered the shorter of the two humans.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _First he had to know what he was, then who he was and why he was--but who was relying on the answers?_ He opened his eyes.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He couldn't remember having ever seen humans before, but he recognized them instantly.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading _First he had to know what he was, then who he was and why he was--but who was relying on the answers?_ He opened his eyes.
tightenedverbUS /ˈtaɪtənd/
past form of “tighten” — make tight or tighter
From this reading Muscles tightened.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _First he had to know what he was, then who he was and why he was--but who was relying on the answers?_ He opened his eyes.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _First he had to know what he was, then who he was and why he was--but who was relying on the answers?_ He opened his eyes.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading _First he had to know what he was, then who he was and why he was--but who was relying on the answers?_ He opened his eyes.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
a Caucasian
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
which person or people
From this reading _First he had to know what he was, then who he was and why he was--but who was relying on the answers?_ He opened his eyes.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading _First he had to know what he was, then who he was and why he was--but who was relying on the answers?_ He opened his eyes.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
but in spite of that
From this reading Nor could he remember having seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay, electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Clench your fingers," ordered the shorter of the two humans.
