Chapter I

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

From this reading On Tenthmonth 1, 2457 A.D., at exactly 9 A.M. Planetary Federation Time--but with a permissible error of a millionth of a second either way--in the fifth sublevel of NewNew York Robot Postal Station 68, Black Sorter gulped down ten thousand pieces of first-class mail.

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

From this reading On Tenthmonth 1, 2457 A.D., at exactly 9 A.M. Planetary Federation Time--but with a permissible error of a millionth of a second either way--in the fifth sublevel of NewNew York Robot Postal Station 68, Black Sorter gulped down ten thousand pieces of first-class mail.

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

From this reading On Tenthmonth 1, 2457 A.D., at exactly 9 A.M. Planetary Federation Time--but with a permissible error of a millionth of a second either way--in the fifth sublevel of NewNew York Robot Postal Station 68, Black Sorter gulped down ten thousand pieces of first-class mail.

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

From this reading On Tenthmonth 1, 2457 A.D., at exactly 9 A.M. Planetary Federation Time--but with a permissible error of a millionth of a second either way--in the fifth sublevel of NewNew York Robot Postal Station 68, Black Sorter gulped down ten thousand pieces of first-class mail.

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

From this reading On Tenthmonth 1, 2457 A.D., at exactly 9 A.M. Planetary Federation Time--but with a permissible error of a millionth of a second either way--in the fifth sublevel of NewNew York Robot Postal Station 68, Black Sorter gulped down ten thousand pieces of first-class mail.

be in accord; be in agreement

From this reading This breakfast tidbit did not agree with the mail-sorting machine.

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

From this reading Black Sorter's innards went _whirr-klunk_, a blue electric glow enveloped him, and he began to shake as if he might break loose from the concrete.

subject to appointment

From this reading Who or what was the scoundrel that kept these couriers from the swift completion of their handsomely appointed rondos?

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

From this reading It was as if a robust dog had been fed a large chunk of good red meat with a strychnine pill in it.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading On Tenthmonth 1, 2457 A.D., at exactly 9 A.M. Planetary Federation Time--but with a permissible error of a millionth of a second either way--in the fifth sublevel of NewNew York Robot Postal Station 68, Black Sorter gulped down ten thousand pieces of first-class mail.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It was as if a robust dog had been fed a large chunk of good red meat with a strychnine pill in it.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Black Sorter's innards went _whirr-klunk_, a blue electric glow enveloped him, and he began to shake as if he might break loose from the concrete.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading On Tenthmonth 1, 2457 A.D., at exactly 9 A.M. Planetary Federation Time--but with a permissible error of a millionth of a second either way--in the fifth sublevel of NewNew York Robot Postal Station 68, Black Sorter gulped down ten thousand pieces of first-class mail.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading Black Sorter's innards went _whirr-klunk_, a blue electric glow enveloped him, and he began to shake as if he might break loose from the concrete.

terminate

From this reading Black Sorter's innards went _whirr-klunk_, a blue electric glow enveloped him, and he began to shake as if he might break loose from the concrete.

eat an early morning meal

From this reading This breakfast tidbit did not agree with the mail-sorting machine.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading On Tenthmonth 1, 2457 A.D., at exactly 9 A.M. Planetary Federation Time--but with a permissible error of a millionth of a second either way--in the fifth sublevel of NewNew York Robot Postal Station 68, Black Sorter gulped down ten thousand pieces of first-class mail.

a compact mass

From this reading It was as if a robust dog had been fed a large chunk of good red meat with a strychnine pill in it.

(American football) a successful forward pass in football

From this reading Who or what was the scoundrel that kept these couriers from the swift completion of their handsomely appointed rondos?

capable of being perceived by the senses; not abstract or imaginary

From this reading Black Sorter's innards went _whirr-klunk_, a blue electric glow enveloped him, and he began to shake as if he might break loose from the concrete.

plural of “courier” — a person who carries a message

From this reading Who or what was the scoundrel that kept these couriers from the swift completion of their handsomely appointed rondos?

a fat-soluble vitamin that prevents rickets

From this reading On Tenthmonth 1, 2457 A.D., at exactly 9 A.M. Planetary Federation Time--but with a permissible error of a millionth of a second either way--in the fifth sublevel of NewNew York Robot Postal Station 68, Black Sorter gulped down ten thousand pieces of first-class mail.

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

From this reading This breakfast tidbit did not agree with the mail-sorting machine.

a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

From this reading It was as if a robust dog had been fed a large chunk of good red meat with a strychnine pill in it.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading On Tenthmonth 1, 2457 A.D., at exactly 9 A.M. Planetary Federation Time--but with a permissible error of a millionth of a second either way--in the fifth sublevel of NewNew York Robot Postal Station 68, Black Sorter gulped down ten thousand pieces of first-class mail.

one or the other of two

From this reading On Tenthmonth 1, 2457 A.D., at exactly 9 A.M. Planetary Federation Time--but with a permissible error of a millionth of a second either way--in the fifth sublevel of NewNew York Robot Postal Station 68, Black Sorter gulped down ten thousand pieces of first-class mail.

using or providing or producing or transmitting or operated by electricity

From this reading Black Sorter's innards went _whirr-klunk_, a blue electric glow enveloped him, and he began to shake as if he might break loose from the concrete.

past form of “envelop” — enclose or enfold completely with or as if with a covering

From this reading Black Sorter's innards went _whirr-klunk_, a blue electric glow enveloped him, and he began to shake as if he might break loose from the concrete.

a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention

From this reading On Tenthmonth 1, 2457 A.D., at exactly 9 A.M. Planetary Federation Time--but with a permissible error of a millionth of a second either way--in the fifth sublevel of NewNew York Robot Postal Station 68, Black Sorter gulped down ten thousand pieces of first-class mail.

indicating exactness or preciseness

From this reading On Tenthmonth 1, 2457 A.D., at exactly 9 A.M. Planetary Federation Time--but with a permissible error of a millionth of a second either way--in the fifth sublevel of NewNew York Robot Postal Station 68, Black Sorter gulped down ten thousand pieces of first-class mail.

any federal law-enforcement officer

From this reading It was as if a robust dog had been fed a large chunk of good red meat with a strychnine pill in it.

an organization formed by merging several groups or parties

From this reading On Tenthmonth 1, 2457 A.D., at exactly 9 A.M. Planetary Federation Time--but with a permissible error of a millionth of a second either way--in the fifth sublevel of NewNew York Robot Postal Station 68, Black Sorter gulped down ten thousand pieces of first-class mail.

a quantity of liquor equal to one fifth of a United States gallon

From this reading On Tenthmonth 1, 2457 A.D., at exactly 9 A.M. Planetary Federation Time--but with a permissible error of a millionth of a second either way--in the fifth sublevel of NewNew York Robot Postal Station 68, Black Sorter gulped down ten thousand pieces of first-class mail.

very good; of the highest quality

From this reading On Tenthmonth 1, 2457 A.D., at exactly 9 A.M. Planetary Federation Time--but with a permissible error of a millionth of a second either way--in the fifth sublevel of NewNew York Robot Postal Station 68, Black Sorter gulped down ten thousand pieces of first-class mail.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Who or what was the scoundrel that kept these couriers from the swift completion of their handsomely appointed rondos?

an alert and refreshed state

From this reading Black Sorter's innards went _whirr-klunk_, a blue electric glow enveloped him, and he began to shake as if he might break loose from the concrete.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading It was as if a robust dog had been fed a large chunk of good red meat with a strychnine pill in it.

past form of “gulp” — to swallow hurriedly or greedily or in one draught

From this reading On Tenthmonth 1, 2457 A.D., at exactly 9 A.M. Planetary Federation Time--but with a permissible error of a millionth of a second either way--in the fifth sublevel of NewNew York Robot Postal Station 68, Black Sorter gulped down ten thousand pieces of first-class mail.

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

From this reading It was as if a robust dog had been fed a large chunk of good red meat with a strychnine pill in it.

in an attractively handsome manner

From this reading Who or what was the scoundrel that kept these couriers from the swift completion of their handsomely appointed rondos?

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

From this reading Black Sorter's innards went _whirr-klunk_, a blue electric glow enveloped him, and he began to shake as if he might break loose from the concrete.

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

From this reading Black Sorter's innards went _whirr-klunk_, a blue electric glow enveloped him, and he began to shake as if he might break loose from the concrete.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading It was as if a robust dog had been fed a large chunk of good red meat with a strychnine pill in it.

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

From this reading On Tenthmonth 1, 2457 A.D., at exactly 9 A.M. Planetary Federation Time--but with a permissible error of a millionth of a second either way--in the fifth sublevel of NewNew York Robot Postal Station 68, Black Sorter gulped down ten thousand pieces of first-class mail.

internal organs collectively (especially those in the abdominal cavity)

From this reading Black Sorter's innards went _whirr-klunk_, a blue electric glow enveloped him, and he began to shake as if he might break loose from the concrete.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was as if a robust dog had been fed a large chunk of good red meat with a strychnine pill in it.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading Who or what was the scoundrel that kept these couriers from the swift completion of their handsomely appointed rondos?

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading It was as if a robust dog had been fed a large chunk of good red meat with a strychnine pill in it.

not compact or dense in structure or arrangement

From this reading Black Sorter's innards went _whirr-klunk_, a blue electric glow enveloped him, and he began to shake as if he might break loose from the concrete.

the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)

From this reading On Tenthmonth 1, 2457 A.D., at exactly 9 A.M. Planetary Federation Time--but with a permissible error of a millionth of a second either way--in the fifth sublevel of NewNew York Robot Postal Station 68, Black Sorter gulped down ten thousand pieces of first-class mail.

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

From this reading This breakfast tidbit did not agree with the mail-sorting machine.

the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service

From this reading On Tenthmonth 1, 2457 A.D., at exactly 9 A.M. Planetary Federation Time--but with a permissible error of a millionth of a second either way--in the fifth sublevel of NewNew York Robot Postal Station 68, Black Sorter gulped down ten thousand pieces of first-class mail.

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

From this reading This breakfast tidbit did not agree with the mail-sorting machine.

the flesh of animals (including fishes and birds and snails) used as food

From this reading It was as if a robust dog had been fed a large chunk of good red meat with a strychnine pill in it.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Black Sorter's innards went _whirr-klunk_, a blue electric glow enveloped him, and he began to shake as if he might break loose from the concrete.

position 1,000,000 in a countable series of things

From this reading On Tenthmonth 1, 2457 A.D., at exactly 9 A.M. Planetary Federation Time--but with a permissible error of a millionth of a second either way--in the fifth sublevel of NewNew York Robot Postal Station 68, Black Sorter gulped down ten thousand pieces of first-class mail.

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

From this reading On Tenthmonth 1, 2457 A.D., at exactly 9 A.M. Planetary Federation Time--but with a permissible error of a millionth of a second either way--in the fifth sublevel of NewNew York Robot Postal Station 68, Black Sorter gulped down ten thousand pieces of first-class mail.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading This breakfast tidbit did not agree with the mail-sorting machine.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Who or what was the scoundrel that kept these couriers from the swift completion of their handsomely appointed rondos?

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On Tenthmonth 1, 2457 A.D., at exactly 9 A.M. Planetary Federation Time--but with a permissible error of a millionth of a second either way--in the fifth sublevel of NewNew York Robot Postal Station 68, Black Sorter gulped down ten thousand pieces of first-class mail.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Who or what was the scoundrel that kept these couriers from the swift completion of their handsomely appointed rondos?

that may be permitted especially as according to rule

From this reading On Tenthmonth 1, 2457 A.D., at exactly 9 A.M. Planetary Federation Time--but with a permissible error of a millionth of a second either way--in the fifth sublevel of NewNew York Robot Postal Station 68, Black Sorter gulped down ten thousand pieces of first-class mail.

plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole

From this reading On Tenthmonth 1, 2457 A.D., at exactly 9 A.M. Planetary Federation Time--but with a permissible error of a millionth of a second either way--in the fifth sublevel of NewNew York Robot Postal Station 68, Black Sorter gulped down ten thousand pieces of first-class mail.

something that resembles a tablet of medicine in shape or size

From this reading It was as if a robust dog had been fed a large chunk of good red meat with a strychnine pill in it.

of or relating to or resembling the physical or orbital characteristics of a planet or the planets

From this reading On Tenthmonth 1, 2457 A.D., at exactly 9 A.M. Planetary Federation Time--but with a permissible error of a millionth of a second either way--in the fifth sublevel of NewNew York Robot Postal Station 68, Black Sorter gulped down ten thousand pieces of first-class mail.

of or relating to the system for delivering mail

From this reading On Tenthmonth 1, 2457 A.D., at exactly 9 A.M. Planetary Federation Time--but with a permissible error of a millionth of a second either way--in the fifth sublevel of NewNew York Robot Postal Station 68, Black Sorter gulped down ten thousand pieces of first-class mail.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading It was as if a robust dog had been fed a large chunk of good red meat with a strychnine pill in it.

a mechanism that can move automatically

From this reading On Tenthmonth 1, 2457 A.D., at exactly 9 A.M. Planetary Federation Time--but with a permissible error of a millionth of a second either way--in the fifth sublevel of NewNew York Robot Postal Station 68, Black Sorter gulped down ten thousand pieces of first-class mail.

sturdy and strong in form, constitution, or construction

From this reading It was as if a robust dog had been fed a large chunk of good red meat with a strychnine pill in it.

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

From this reading Who or what was the scoundrel that kept these couriers from the swift completion of their handsomely appointed rondos?

a wicked or evil person; someone who does evil deliberately

From this reading Who or what was the scoundrel that kept these couriers from the swift completion of their handsomely appointed rondos?

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading On Tenthmonth 1, 2457 A.D., at exactly 9 A.M. Planetary Federation Time--but with a permissible error of a millionth of a second either way--in the fifth sublevel of NewNew York Robot Postal Station 68, Black Sorter gulped down ten thousand pieces of first-class mail.

move or cause to move back and forth

From this reading Black Sorter's innards went _whirr-klunk_, a blue electric glow enveloped him, and he began to shake as if he might break loose from the concrete.

a clerk who sorts things (as letters at the post office)

From this reading On Tenthmonth 1, 2457 A.D., at exactly 9 A.M. Planetary Federation Time--but with a permissible error of a millionth of a second either way--in the fifth sublevel of NewNew York Robot Postal Station 68, Black Sorter gulped down ten thousand pieces of first-class mail.

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

From this reading Black Sorter's innards went _whirr-klunk_, a blue electric glow enveloped him, and he began to shake as if he might break loose from the concrete.

a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose

From this reading On Tenthmonth 1, 2457 A.D., at exactly 9 A.M. Planetary Federation Time--but with a permissible error of a millionth of a second either way--in the fifth sublevel of NewNew York Robot Postal Station 68, Black Sorter gulped down ten thousand pieces of first-class mail.

an alkaloid plant toxin extracted chiefly from nux vomica; formerly used as a stimulant

From this reading It was as if a robust dog had been fed a large chunk of good red meat with a strychnine pill in it.

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

From this reading On Tenthmonth 1, 2457 A.D., at exactly 9 A.M. Planetary Federation Time--but with a permissible error of a millionth of a second either way--in the fifth sublevel of NewNew York Robot Postal Station 68, Black Sorter gulped down ten thousand pieces of first-class mail.

moving very fast

From this reading Who or what was the scoundrel that kept these couriers from the swift completion of their handsomely appointed rondos?

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading On Tenthmonth 1, 2457 A.D., at exactly 9 A.M. Planetary Federation Time--but with a permissible error of a millionth of a second either way--in the fifth sublevel of NewNew York Robot Postal Station 68, Black Sorter gulped down ten thousand pieces of first-class mail.

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

From this reading On Tenthmonth 1, 2457 A.D., at exactly 9 A.M. Planetary Federation Time--but with a permissible error of a millionth of a second either way--in the fifth sublevel of NewNew York Robot Postal Station 68, Black Sorter gulped down ten thousand pieces of first-class mail.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Who or what was the scoundrel that kept these couriers from the swift completion of their handsomely appointed rondos?

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

From this reading Who or what was the scoundrel that kept these couriers from the swift completion of their handsomely appointed rondos?

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Who or what was the scoundrel that kept these couriers from the swift completion of their handsomely appointed rondos?

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Who or what was the scoundrel that kept these couriers from the swift completion of their handsomely appointed rondos?

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

From this reading This breakfast tidbit did not agree with the mail-sorting machine.

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading On Tenthmonth 1, 2457 A.D., at exactly 9 A.M. Planetary Federation Time--but with a permissible error of a millionth of a second either way--in the fifth sublevel of NewNew York Robot Postal Station 68, Black Sorter gulped down ten thousand pieces of first-class mail.

a small tasty bit of food

From this reading This breakfast tidbit did not agree with the mail-sorting machine.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading On Tenthmonth 1, 2457 A.D., at exactly 9 A.M. Planetary Federation Time--but with a permissible error of a millionth of a second either way--in the fifth sublevel of NewNew York Robot Postal Station 68, Black Sorter gulped down ten thousand pieces of first-class mail.

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

From this reading Black Sorter's innards went _whirr-klunk_, a blue electric glow enveloped him, and he began to shake as if he might break loose from the concrete.

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

From this reading Who or what was the scoundrel that kept these couriers from the swift completion of their handsomely appointed rondos?

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading On Tenthmonth 1, 2457 A.D., at exactly 9 A.M. Planetary Federation Time--but with a permissible error of a millionth of a second either way--in the fifth sublevel of NewNew York Robot Postal Station 68, Black Sorter gulped down ten thousand pieces of first-class mail.

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

From this reading Black Sorter's innards went _whirr-klunk_, a blue electric glow enveloped him, and he began to shake as if he might break loose from the concrete.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Who or what was the scoundrel that kept these couriers from the swift completion of their handsomely appointed rondos?

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

From this reading Black Sorter's innards went _whirr-klunk_, a blue electric glow enveloped him, and he began to shake as if he might break loose from the concrete.

which person or people

From this reading Who or what was the scoundrel that kept these couriers from the swift completion of their handsomely appointed rondos?

in the company of; together with

From this reading On Tenthmonth 1, 2457 A.D., at exactly 9 A.M. Planetary Federation Time--but with a permissible error of a millionth of a second either way--in the fifth sublevel of NewNew York Robot Postal Station 68, Black Sorter gulped down ten thousand pieces of first-class mail.

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading On Tenthmonth 1, 2457 A.D., at exactly 9 A.M. Planetary Federation Time--but with a permissible error of a millionth of a second either way--in the fifth sublevel of NewNew York Robot Postal Station 68, Black Sorter gulped down ten thousand pieces of first-class mail.