used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading We have seismographs that can locate the place of distant earthquakes, and machines that can solve, in a comparatively short period, problems in the higher calculus that would otherwise take brilliant mathematicians an endless time to do.
airplanenounUS /ˈerpleɪn/
an aircraft that has a fixed wing and is powered by propellers or jets
From this reading _Author of "When the Atoms Failed."_ _What with calculating machines and robots and now perhaps even mechanical airplane pilots, there seems no limit to the possibilities in the realm of working machinery.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Or they might even be made to state their own problems and work them out--in other words, it might some day be possible to have a machine with almost a working brain.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading We have seismographs that can locate the place of distant earthquakes, and machines that can solve, in a comparatively short period, problems in the higher calculus that would otherwise take brilliant mathematicians an endless time to do.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _Author of "When the Atoms Failed."_ _What with calculating machines and robots and now perhaps even mechanical airplane pilots, there seems no limit to the possibilities in the realm of working machinery.
from appearances alone
From this reading It seems to us quite logical that machines might some day, perhaps in the distant future, be developed to solve for our scientists now apparently insoluble problems.
AtomsnounUS /ˈætəmz/
plural of “atom” — (physics and chemistry) the smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of the element
From this reading _Author of "When the Atoms Failed."_ _What with calculating machines and robots and now perhaps even mechanical airplane pilots, there seems no limit to the possibilities in the realm of working machinery.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading _Author of "When the Atoms Failed."_ _What with calculating machines and robots and now perhaps even mechanical airplane pilots, there seems no limit to the possibilities in the realm of working machinery.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It seems to us quite logical that machines might some day, perhaps in the distant future, be developed to solve for our scientists now apparently insoluble problems.
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 Or they might even be made to state their own problems and work them out--in other words, it might some day be possible to have a machine with almost a working brain.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading We have seismographs that can locate the place of distant earthquakes, and machines that can solve, in a comparatively short period, problems in the higher calculus that would otherwise take brilliant mathematicians an endless time to do.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By John W. Campbell, Jr.
calculatingadjectiveUS /ˈkælkjəleɪtɪŋ/
acting with a specific goal
From this reading _Author of "When the Atoms Failed."_ _What with calculating machines and robots and now perhaps even mechanical airplane pilots, there seems no limit to the possibilities in the realm of working machinery.
calculusnounUS /ˈkælkjələs/
a hard lump produced by the concretion of mineral salts; found in hollow organs or ducts of the body
From this reading We have seismographs that can locate the place of distant earthquakes, and machines that can solve, in a comparatively short period, problems in the higher calculus that would otherwise take brilliant mathematicians an endless time to do.
CampbellnounUS /ˈkæmbəl/
United States mythologist (1904-1987)
From this reading By John W. Campbell, Jr.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading We have seismographs that can locate the place of distant earthquakes, and machines that can solve, in a comparatively short period, problems in the higher calculus that would otherwise take brilliant mathematicians an endless time to do.
comparativelyadverbUS /kəmˈperətɪvli/
in a relative manner; by comparison to something else
From this reading We have seismographs that can locate the place of distant earthquakes, and machines that can solve, in a comparatively short period, problems in the higher calculus that would otherwise take brilliant mathematicians an endless time to do.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It seems to us quite logical that machines might some day, perhaps in the distant future, be developed to solve for our scientists now apparently insoluble problems.
developedadjectiveUS /dɪˈveləpt/
being changed over time so as to be e.g. stronger or more complete or more useful
From this reading It seems to us quite logical that machines might some day, perhaps in the distant future, be developed to solve for our scientists now apparently insoluble problems.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading We have seismographs that can locate the place of distant earthquakes, and machines that can solve, in a comparatively short period, problems in the higher calculus that would otherwise take brilliant mathematicians an endless time to do.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading We have seismographs that can locate the place of distant earthquakes, and machines that can solve, in a comparatively short period, problems in the higher calculus that would otherwise take brilliant mathematicians an endless time to do.
earthquakesnounUS /ˈɜːrθkweɪks/
plural of “earthquake” — shaking and vibration at the surface of the earth resulting from underground movement along a fault plane or from volcanic activity
From this reading We have seismographs that can locate the place of distant earthquakes, and machines that can solve, in a comparatively short period, problems in the higher calculus that would otherwise take brilliant mathematicians an endless time to do.
endlessadjectiveUS /ˈendləs/
tiresomely long; seemingly without end
From this reading We have seismographs that can locate the place of distant earthquakes, and machines that can solve, in a comparatively short period, problems in the higher calculus that would otherwise take brilliant mathematicians an endless time to do.
divisible by two
From this reading _Author of "When the Atoms Failed."_ _What with calculating machines and robots and now perhaps even mechanical airplane pilots, there seems no limit to the possibilities in the realm of working machinery.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading _Author of "When the Atoms Failed."_ _What with calculating machines and robots and now perhaps even mechanical airplane pilots, there seems no limit to the possibilities in the realm of working machinery.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It seems to us quite logical that machines might some day, perhaps in the distant future, be developed to solve for our scientists now apparently insoluble problems.
yet to be or coming
From this reading It seems to us quite logical that machines might some day, perhaps in the distant future, be developed to solve for our scientists now apparently insoluble problems.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading We have seismographs that can locate the place of distant earthquakes, and machines that can solve, in a comparatively short period, problems in the higher calculus that would otherwise take brilliant mathematicians an endless time to do.
advanced in complexity or elaboration
From this reading We have seismographs that can locate the place of distant earthquakes, and machines that can solve, in a comparatively short period, problems in the higher calculus that would otherwise take brilliant mathematicians an endless time to do.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _Author of "When the Atoms Failed."_ _What with calculating machines and robots and now perhaps even mechanical airplane pilots, there seems no limit to the possibilities in the realm of working machinery.
insolubleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsɑːljəbəl/
(of a substance) incapable of being dissolved
From this reading It seems to us quite logical that machines might some day, perhaps in the distant future, be developed to solve for our scientists now apparently insoluble problems.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It seems to us quite logical that machines might some day, perhaps in the distant future, be developed to solve for our scientists now apparently insoluble problems.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading By John W. Campbell, Jr.
JrnounUS /ˈdʒuːnjər/
a son who has the same first name as his father
From this reading By John W. Campbell, Jr.
limitnounUS /ˈlɪmət/
the greatest possible degree of something
From this reading _Author of "When the Atoms Failed."_ _What with calculating machines and robots and now perhaps even mechanical airplane pilots, there seems no limit to the possibilities in the realm of working machinery.
locateverbUS /ˈloʊkeɪt/
discover the location of; determine the place of; find by searching or examining
From this reading We have seismographs that can locate the place of distant earthquakes, and machines that can solve, in a comparatively short period, problems in the higher calculus that would otherwise take brilliant mathematicians an endless time to do.
logicaladjectiveUS /ˈlɑːdʒɪkəl/
capable of or reflecting the capability for correct and valid reasoning
From this reading It seems to us quite logical that machines might some day, perhaps in the distant future, be developed to solve for our scientists now apparently insoluble problems.
any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
From this reading Or they might even be made to state their own problems and work them out--in other words, it might some day be possible to have a machine with almost a working brain.
machinerynounUS /məˈʃiːnəri/
machines or machine systems collectively
From this reading _Author of "When the Atoms Failed."_ _What with calculating machines and robots and now perhaps even mechanical airplane pilots, there seems no limit to the possibilities in the realm of working machinery.
machinesnounUS /məˈʃiːnz/
plural of “machine” — any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
From this reading _Author of "When the Atoms Failed."_ _What with calculating machines and robots and now perhaps even mechanical airplane pilots, there seems no limit to the possibilities in the realm of working machinery.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Or they might even be made to state their own problems and work them out--in other words, it might some day be possible to have a machine with almost a working brain.
mathematiciansnounUS /ˌmæθəməˈtɪʃənz/
plural of “mathematician” — a person skilled in mathematics
From this reading We have seismographs that can locate the place of distant earthquakes, and machines that can solve, in a comparatively short period, problems in the higher calculus that would otherwise take brilliant mathematicians an endless time to do.
mechanicaladjectiveUS /məˈkænɪkəl/
using (or as if using) mechanisms or tools or devices
From this reading _Author of "When the Atoms Failed."_ _What with calculating machines and robots and now perhaps even mechanical airplane pilots, there seems no limit to the possibilities in the realm of working machinery.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading It seems to us quite logical that machines might some day, perhaps in the distant future, be developed to solve for our scientists now apparently insoluble problems.
not any; not one
From this reading _Author of "When the Atoms Failed."_ _What with calculating machines and robots and now perhaps even mechanical airplane pilots, there seems no limit to the possibilities in the realm of working machinery.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading _Author of "When the Atoms Failed."_ _What with calculating machines and robots and now perhaps even mechanical airplane pilots, there seems no limit to the possibilities in the realm of working machinery.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _Author of "When the Atoms Failed."_ _What with calculating machines and robots and now perhaps even mechanical airplane pilots, there seems no limit to the possibilities in the realm of working machinery.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Or they might even be made to state their own problems and work them out--in other words, it might some day be possible to have a machine with almost a working brain.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Or they might even be made to state their own problems and work them out--in other words, it might some day be possible to have a machine with almost a working brain.
in other respects or ways
From this reading We have seismographs that can locate the place of distant earthquakes, and machines that can solve, in a comparatively short period, problems in the higher calculus that would otherwise take brilliant mathematicians an endless time to do.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading It seems to us quite logical that machines might some day, perhaps in the distant future, be developed to solve for our scientists now apparently insoluble problems.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Or they might even be made to state their own problems and work them out--in other words, it might some day be possible to have a machine with almost a working brain.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Or they might even be made to state their own problems and work them out--in other words, it might some day be possible to have a machine with almost a working brain.
by chance
From this reading _Author of "When the Atoms Failed."_ _What with calculating machines and robots and now perhaps even mechanical airplane pilots, there seems no limit to the possibilities in the realm of working machinery.
an amount of time
From this reading We have seismographs that can locate the place of distant earthquakes, and machines that can solve, in a comparatively short period, problems in the higher calculus that would otherwise take brilliant mathematicians an endless time to do.
pilotsnounUS /ˈpaɪləts/
plural of “pilot” — someone who is licensed to operate an aircraft in flight
From this reading _Author of "When the Atoms Failed."_ _What with calculating machines and robots and now perhaps even mechanical airplane pilots, there seems no limit to the possibilities in the realm of working machinery.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading We have seismographs that can locate the place of distant earthquakes, and machines that can solve, in a comparatively short period, problems in the higher calculus that would otherwise take brilliant mathematicians an endless time to do.
possibilitiesnounUS /ˌpɑːsəˈbɪlətiz/
plural of “possibility” — a future prospect or potential
From this reading _Author of "When the Atoms Failed."_ _What with calculating machines and robots and now perhaps even mechanical airplane pilots, there seems no limit to the possibilities in the realm of working machinery.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading Or they might even be made to state their own problems and work them out--in other words, it might some day be possible to have a machine with almost a working brain.
problemsnounUS /ˈprɑːbləmz/
plural of “problem” — a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading We have seismographs that can locate the place of distant earthquakes, and machines that can solve, in a comparatively short period, problems in the higher calculus that would otherwise take brilliant mathematicians an endless time to do.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading It seems to us quite logical that machines might some day, perhaps in the distant future, be developed to solve for our scientists now apparently insoluble problems.
realmnounUS /relm/
a domain in which something is dominant
From this reading _Author of "When the Atoms Failed."_ _What with calculating machines and robots and now perhaps even mechanical airplane pilots, there seems no limit to the possibilities in the realm of working machinery.
robotsnounUS /ˈroʊbɑːts/
plural of “robot” — a mechanism that can move automatically
From this reading _Author of "When the Atoms Failed."_ _What with calculating machines and robots and now perhaps even mechanical airplane pilots, there seems no limit to the possibilities in the realm of working machinery.
scientistsnounUS /ˈsaɪəntɪsts/
plural of “scientist” — a person with advanced knowledge of one or more sciences
From this reading It seems to us quite logical that machines might some day, perhaps in the distant future, be developed to solve for our scientists now apparently insoluble problems.
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading _Author of "When the Atoms Failed."_ _What with calculating machines and robots and now perhaps even mechanical airplane pilots, there seems no limit to the possibilities in the realm of working machinery.
seismographs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have seismographs that can locate the place of distant earthquakes, and machines that can solve, in a comparatively short period, problems in the higher calculus that would otherwise take brilliant mathematicians an endless time to do.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading We have seismographs that can locate the place of distant earthquakes, and machines that can solve, in a comparatively short period, problems in the higher calculus that would otherwise take brilliant mathematicians an endless time to do.
solveverbUS /sɑːlv/
find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of
From this reading We have seismographs that can locate the place of distant earthquakes, and machines that can solve, in a comparatively short period, problems in the higher calculus that would otherwise take brilliant mathematicians an endless time to do.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading It seems to us quite logical that machines might some day, perhaps in the distant future, be developed to solve for our scientists now apparently insoluble problems.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading Or they might even be made to state their own problems and work them out--in other words, it might some day be possible to have a machine with almost a working brain.
carry out
From this reading We have seismographs that can locate the place of distant earthquakes, and machines that can solve, in a comparatively short period, problems in the higher calculus that would otherwise take brilliant mathematicians an endless time to do.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading We have seismographs that can locate the place of distant earthquakes, and machines that can solve, in a comparatively short period, problems in the higher calculus that would otherwise take brilliant mathematicians an endless time to do.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _Author of "When the Atoms Failed."_ _What with calculating machines and robots and now perhaps even mechanical airplane pilots, there seems no limit to the possibilities in the realm of working machinery.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Or they might even be made to state their own problems and work them out--in other words, it might some day be possible to have a machine with almost a working brain.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Or they might even be made to state their own problems and work them out--in other words, it might some day be possible to have a machine with almost a working brain.
in or at that place or location
From this reading _Author of "When the Atoms Failed."_ _What with calculating machines and robots and now perhaps even mechanical airplane pilots, there seems no limit to the possibilities in the realm of working machinery.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Or they might even be made to state their own problems and work them out--in other words, it might some day be possible to have a machine with almost a working brain.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading We have seismographs that can locate the place of distant earthquakes, and machines that can solve, in a comparatively short period, problems in the higher calculus that would otherwise take brilliant mathematicians an endless time to do.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _Author of "When the Atoms Failed."_ _What with calculating machines and robots and now perhaps even mechanical airplane pilots, there seems no limit to the possibilities in the realm of working machinery.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It seems to us quite logical that machines might some day, perhaps in the distant future, be developed to solve for our scientists now apparently insoluble problems.
a heavy grey-white metallic element; the pure form is used mainly in electrical applications; it is found in several ores including wolframite and scheelite
From this reading By John W. Campbell, Jr.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We have seismographs that can locate the place of distant earthquakes, and machines that can solve, in a comparatively short period, problems in the higher calculus that would otherwise take brilliant mathematicians an endless time to do.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading _Author of "When the Atoms Failed."_ _What with calculating machines and robots and now perhaps even mechanical airplane pilots, there seems no limit to the possibilities in the realm of working machinery.
at the time that
From this reading _Author of "When the Atoms Failed."_ _What with calculating machines and robots and now perhaps even mechanical airplane pilots, there seems no limit to the possibilities in the realm of working machinery.
in the company of; together with
From this reading _Author of "When the Atoms Failed."_ _What with calculating machines and robots and now perhaps even mechanical airplane pilots, there seems no limit to the possibilities in the realm of working machinery.
the words that are spoken
From this reading Or they might even be made to state their own problems and work them out--in other words, it might some day be possible to have a machine with almost a working brain.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Or they might even be made to state their own problems and work them out--in other words, it might some day be possible to have a machine with almost a working brain.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading _Author of "When the Atoms Failed."_ _What with calculating machines and robots and now perhaps even mechanical airplane pilots, there seems no limit to the possibilities in the realm of working machinery.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading We have seismographs that can locate the place of distant earthquakes, and machines that can solve, in a comparatively short period, problems in the higher calculus that would otherwise take brilliant mathematicians an endless time to do.
