used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading She came to rest upon the almost but not quite airless bulk of Alphin II some thirty hours after her escape from Alphin III.
airlessadjectiveUS /ˈerləs/
lacking fresh air
From this reading She came to rest upon the almost but not quite airless bulk of Alphin II some thirty hours after her escape from Alphin III.
aliveadjectiveUS /əˈlaɪv/
possessing life
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading She came to rest upon the almost but not quite airless bulk of Alphin II some thirty hours after her escape from Alphin III.
Alphin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She came to rest upon the almost but not quite airless bulk of Alphin II some thirty hours after her escape from Alphin III.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
a particular environment or surrounding influence
From this reading But for the lesser gravity of the smaller inner planet, which was responsible for its thinned-out atmosphere, he might have staggered as he walked.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Certainly a normal space-suit would have been a heavy burden for a man who had starved for days.
bemusedadjectiveUS /bɪˈmjuːzd/
deeply absorbed in thought
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
bulknounUS /bʌlk/
the property resulting from being or relating to the greater in number of two parts; the main part
From this reading She came to rest upon the almost but not quite airless bulk of Alphin II some thirty hours after her escape from Alphin III.
an onerous or difficult concern
From this reading Certainly a normal space-suit would have been a heavy burden for a man who had starved for days.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She came to rest upon the almost but not quite airless bulk of Alphin II some thirty hours after her escape from Alphin III.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading She came to rest upon the almost but not quite airless bulk of Alphin II some thirty hours after her escape from Alphin III.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Certainly a normal space-suit would have been a heavy burden for a man who had starved for days.
competencenounUS /ˈkɑːmpətɪns/
the quality of being adequately or well qualified physically and intellectually
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Certainly a normal space-suit would have been a heavy burden for a man who had starved for days.
desperatelyadverbUS /ˈdespərətli/
with great urgency
From this reading Kim was desperately hungry.
operate or control a vehicle
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading She came to rest upon the almost but not quite airless bulk of Alphin II some thirty hours after her escape from Alphin III.
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But for the lesser gravity of the smaller inner planet, which was responsible for its thinned-out atmosphere, he might have staggered as he walked.
frenziedadjectiveUS /ˈfrenzid/
affected with or marked by frenzy or mania uncontrolled by reason
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She came to rest upon the almost but not quite airless bulk of Alphin II some thirty hours after her escape from Alphin III.
frowsyadjective
negligent of neatness especially in dress and person; habitually dirty and unkempt
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
gravitynounUS /ˈɡrævəti/
(physics) the force of attraction between all masses in the universe; especially the attraction of the earth's mass for bodies near its surface
From this reading But for the lesser gravity of the smaller inner planet, which was responsible for its thinned-out atmosphere, he might have staggered as he walked.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Certainly a normal space-suit would have been a heavy burden for a man who had starved for days.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But for the lesser gravity of the smaller inner planet, which was responsible for its thinned-out atmosphere, he might have staggered as he walked.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But for the lesser gravity of the smaller inner planet, which was responsible for its thinned-out atmosphere, he might have staggered as he walked.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading Certainly a normal space-suit would have been a heavy burden for a man who had starved for days.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading She came to rest upon the almost but not quite airless bulk of Alphin II some thirty hours after her escape from Alphin III.
feeling hunger; feeling a need or desire to eat food
From this reading Kim was desperately hungry.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
IInoun
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading She came to rest upon the almost but not quite airless bulk of Alphin II some thirty hours after her escape from Alphin III.
IIInoun
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading She came to rest upon the almost but not quite airless bulk of Alphin II some thirty hours after her escape from Alphin III.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
located inward
From this reading But for the lesser gravity of the smaller inner planet, which was responsible for its thinned-out atmosphere, he might have staggered as he walked.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading But for the lesser gravity of the smaller inner planet, which was responsible for its thinned-out atmosphere, he might have staggered as he walked.
Kim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Kim was desperately hungry.
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
immediately past
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
lesseradjectiveUS /ˈlesər/
of less size or importance
From this reading But for the lesser gravity of the smaller inner planet, which was responsible for its thinned-out atmosphere, he might have staggered as he walked.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Certainly a normal space-suit would have been a heavy burden for a man who had starved for days.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading But for the lesser gravity of the smaller inner planet, which was responsible for its thinned-out atmosphere, he might have staggered as he walked.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
normaladjectiveUS /ˈnɔːrməl/
conforming with or constituting a norm or standard or level or type or social norm; not abnormal
From this reading Certainly a normal space-suit would have been a heavy burden for a man who had starved for days.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She came to rest upon the almost but not quite airless bulk of Alphin II some thirty hours after her escape from Alphin III.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
operationnounUS /ˌɑːpərˈeɪʃən/
the state of being in effect or being operative
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
planetnounUS /ˈplænət/
(astronomy) any of the nine large celestial bodies in the solar system that revolve around the sun and shine by reflected light
From this reading But for the lesser gravity of the smaller inner planet, which was responsible for its thinned-out atmosphere, he might have staggered as he walked.
purposefulnessnoun
the quality of having a definite purpose
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading She came to rest upon the almost but not quite airless bulk of Alphin II some thirty hours after her escape from Alphin III.
responsibleadjectiveUS /riˈspɑːnsəbəl/
worthy of or requiring responsibility or trust; or held accountable
From this reading But for the lesser gravity of the smaller inner planet, which was responsible for its thinned-out atmosphere, he might have staggered as he walked.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading She came to rest upon the almost but not quite airless bulk of Alphin II some thirty hours after her escape from Alphin III.
sereneadjectiveUS /sərˈiːn/
not agitated; without losing self-possession
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
slimadjectiveUS /slɪm/
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
small or little relative to something else
From this reading But for the lesser gravity of the smaller inner planet, which was responsible for its thinned-out atmosphere, he might have staggered as he walked.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading She came to rest upon the almost but not quite airless bulk of Alphin II some thirty hours after her escape from Alphin III.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
space-ship
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
space-suit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certainly a normal space-suit would have been a heavy burden for a man who had starved for days.
staggeredverbUS /ˈstæɡərd/
past form of “stagger” — walk as if unable to control one's movements
From this reading But for the lesser gravity of the smaller inner planet, which was responsible for its thinned-out atmosphere, he might have staggered as he walked.
starvedadjectiveUS /stɑːrvd/
suffering from lack of food
From this reading Certainly a normal space-suit would have been a heavy burden for a man who had starved for days.
swamverbUS /swæm/
inflected form of “swim” — travel through water
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
thinned-out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But for the lesser gravity of the smaller inner planet, which was responsible for its thinned-out atmosphere, he might have staggered as he walked.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three
From this reading She came to rest upon the almost but not quite airless bulk of Alphin II some thirty hours after her escape from Alphin III.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading She came to rest upon the almost but not quite airless bulk of Alphin II some thirty hours after her escape from Alphin III.
precisely as stated
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading But for the lesser gravity of the smaller inner planet, which was responsible for its thinned-out atmosphere, he might have staggered as he walked.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But for the lesser gravity of the smaller inner planet, which was responsible for its thinned-out atmosphere, he might have staggered as he walked.
which person or people
From this reading Certainly a normal space-suit would have been a heavy burden for a man who had starved for days.
in the company of; together with
From this reading At last, as if having her drive finally in operation gave her something of purposefulness, the slim space-ship ceased to look frenzied or frowsy or bemused, and swam through space with a serene competence, like something very much alive and knowing exactly what she was about.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Certainly a normal space-suit would have been a heavy burden for a man who had starved for days.
