used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
agapeadjectiveUS /əˈɡeɪp/
with the mouth wide open as in wonder or awe
From this reading Others prognosticated an ocean planet with little or no solid ground at all, populated by enormous serpents waiting to greet the first Earthlings with jaws agape.
(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 Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Another group contended hotly that Venus was an arid desert of wind-carved sandstone, dry and cruel, whipping dust into clouds that sunlight could never penetrate.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading One school of thought maintained that the surface of Venus was a jungle, rank with hot-house moisture, crawling with writhing fauna and man-eating flowers.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Another group contended hotly that Venus was an arid desert of wind-carved sandstone, dry and cruel, whipping dust into clouds that sunlight could never penetrate.
aridadjectiveUS /ˈærəd/
lacking sufficient water or rainfall
From this reading Another group contended hotly that Venus was an arid desert of wind-carved sandstone, dry and cruel, whipping dust into clouds that sunlight could never penetrate.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Others prognosticated an ocean planet with little or no solid ground at all, populated by enormous serpents waiting to greet the first Earthlings with jaws agape.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But nobody knew, of course.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Others prognosticated an ocean planet with little or no solid ground at all, populated by enormous serpents waiting to greet the first Earthlings with jaws agape.
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading Another group contended hotly that Venus was an arid desert of wind-carved sandstone, dry and cruel, whipping dust into clouds that sunlight could never penetrate.
contendedverbUS /kənˈtendɪd/
past form of “contend” — maintain or assert
From this reading Another group contended hotly that Venus was an arid desert of wind-carved sandstone, dry and cruel, whipping dust into clouds that sunlight could never penetrate.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Another group contended hotly that Venus was an arid desert of wind-carved sandstone, dry and cruel, whipping dust into clouds that sunlight could never penetrate.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading But nobody knew, of course.
crawlingnounUS /ˈkrɔːlɪŋ/
a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body
From this reading One school of thought maintained that the surface of Venus was a jungle, rank with hot-house moisture, crawling with writhing fauna and man-eating flowers.
crueladjectiveUS /ˈkruːəl/
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading Another group contended hotly that Venus was an arid desert of wind-carved sandstone, dry and cruel, whipping dust into clouds that sunlight could never penetrate.
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading Another group contended hotly that Venus was an arid desert of wind-carved sandstone, dry and cruel, whipping dust into clouds that sunlight could never penetrate.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading Another group contended hotly that Venus was an arid desert of wind-carved sandstone, dry and cruel, whipping dust into clouds that sunlight could never penetrate.
remove the dust from
From this reading Another group contended hotly that Venus was an arid desert of wind-carved sandstone, dry and cruel, whipping dust into clouds that sunlight could never penetrate.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
EarthlingsnounUS /ˈɜːrθlɪŋz/
plural of “earthling” — an inhabitant of the earth
From this reading Others prognosticated an ocean planet with little or no solid ground at all, populated by enormous serpents waiting to greet the first Earthlings with jaws agape.
extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree
From this reading Others prognosticated an ocean planet with little or no solid ground at all, populated by enormous serpents waiting to greet the first Earthlings with jaws agape.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
faunanounUS /ˈfɔːnə/
all the animal life in a particular region or period
From this reading One school of thought maintained that the surface of Venus was a jungle, rank with hot-house moisture, crawling with writhing fauna and man-eating flowers.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading One school of thought maintained that the surface of Venus was a jungle, rank with hot-house moisture, crawling with writhing fauna and man-eating flowers.
set up or found
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
greetverbUS /ɡriːt/
express greetings upon meeting someone
From this reading Others prognosticated an ocean planet with little or no solid ground at all, populated by enormous serpents waiting to greet the first Earthlings with jaws agape.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading Others prognosticated an ocean planet with little or no solid ground at all, populated by enormous serpents waiting to greet the first Earthlings with jaws agape.
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading Another group contended hotly that Venus was an arid desert of wind-carved sandstone, dry and cruel, whipping dust into clouds that sunlight could never penetrate.
hot-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One school of thought maintained that the surface of Venus was a jungle, rank with hot-house moisture, crawling with writhing fauna and man-eating flowers.
hotlyadverbUS /ˈhɑːtli/
in a heated manner
From this reading Another group contended hotly that Venus was an arid desert of wind-carved sandstone, dry and cruel, whipping dust into clouds that sunlight could never penetrate.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Another group contended hotly that Venus was an arid desert of wind-carved sandstone, dry and cruel, whipping dust into clouds that sunlight could never penetrate.
jawsnounUS /dʒɔːz/
plural of “jaw” — the part of the skull of a vertebrate that frames the mouth and holds the teeth
From this reading Others prognosticated an ocean planet with little or no solid ground at all, populated by enormous serpents waiting to greet the first Earthlings with jaws agape.
junglenounUS /ˈdʒʌŋɡəl/
a location marked by an intense competition and struggle for survival
From this reading One school of thought maintained that the surface of Venus was a jungle, rank with hot-house moisture, crawling with writhing fauna and man-eating flowers.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading But nobody knew, of course.
landingnounUS /ˈlændɪŋ/
an intermediate platform in a staircase
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
layersnounUS /ˈleɪərz/
plural of “layer” — single thickness of usually some homogeneous substance
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Others prognosticated an ocean planet with little or no solid ground at all, populated by enormous serpents waiting to greet the first Earthlings with jaws agape.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
maintainedadjectiveUS /meɪnˈteɪnd/
kept in good condition
From this reading One school of thought maintained that the surface of Venus was a jungle, rank with hot-house moisture, crawling with writhing fauna and man-eating flowers.
man-eating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One school of thought maintained that the surface of Venus was a jungle, rank with hot-house moisture, crawling with writhing fauna and man-eating flowers.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
moisturenounUS /ˈmɔɪstʃər/
wetness caused by water
From this reading One school of thought maintained that the surface of Venus was a jungle, rank with hot-house moisture, crawling with writhing fauna and man-eating flowers.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Another group contended hotly that Venus was an arid desert of wind-carved sandstone, dry and cruel, whipping dust into clouds that sunlight could never penetrate.
not any; not one
From this reading Others prognosticated an ocean planet with little or no solid ground at all, populated by enormous serpents waiting to greet the first Earthlings with jaws agape.
no person; not anyone
From this reading But nobody knew, of course.
obscuringverbUS /əbsˈkjʊrɪŋ/
-ing form of “obscure” — make less visible or unclear
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
observersnounUS /əbˈzɜːrvərz/
plural of “observer” — a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere
From this reading Others prognosticated an ocean planet with little or no solid ground at all, populated by enormous serpents waiting to greet the first Earthlings with jaws agape.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One school of thought maintained that the surface of Venus was a jungle, rank with hot-house moisture, crawling with writhing fauna and man-eating flowers.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Others prognosticated an ocean planet with little or no solid ground at all, populated by enormous serpents waiting to greet the first Earthlings with jaws agape.
Others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others prognosticated an ocean planet with little or no solid ground at all, populated by enormous serpents waiting to greet the first Earthlings with jaws agape.
penetrateverbUS /ˈpenətreɪt/
pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance
From this reading Another group contended hotly that Venus was an arid desert of wind-carved sandstone, dry and cruel, whipping dust into clouds that sunlight could never penetrate.
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 Others prognosticated an ocean planet with little or no solid ground at all, populated by enormous serpents waiting to greet the first Earthlings with jaws agape.
planet'snounUS /ˈplænəts/
possessive form of “planet” — (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 Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
populatedadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːpjəleɪtɪd/
furnished with inhabitants
From this reading Others prognosticated an ocean planet with little or no solid ground at all, populated by enormous serpents waiting to greet the first Earthlings with jaws agape.
prognosticatedverbUS /ˌprɑːɡˈnɑːstəkeɪtɪd/
past form of “prognosticate” — make a prediction about; tell in advance
From this reading Others prognosticated an ocean planet with little or no solid ground at all, populated by enormous serpents waiting to greet the first Earthlings with jaws agape.
a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
From this reading One school of thought maintained that the surface of Venus was a jungle, rank with hot-house moisture, crawling with writhing fauna and man-eating flowers.
sandstonenounUS /ˈsændstoʊn/
a sedimentary rock consisting of sand consolidated with some cement (clay or quartz etc.)
From this reading Another group contended hotly that Venus was an arid desert of wind-carved sandstone, dry and cruel, whipping dust into clouds that sunlight could never penetrate.
an educational institution
From this reading One school of thought maintained that the surface of Venus was a jungle, rank with hot-house moisture, crawling with writhing fauna and man-eating flowers.
serpentsnounUS /ˈsɜːrpənts/
plural of “serpent” — limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous
From this reading Others prognosticated an ocean planet with little or no solid ground at all, populated by enormous serpents waiting to greet the first Earthlings with jaws agape.
transport commercially
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
solidadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləd/
characterized by good substantial quality
From this reading Others prognosticated an ocean planet with little or no solid ground at all, populated by enormous serpents waiting to greet the first Earthlings with jaws agape.
speculationnounUS /ˌspekjəˈleɪʃən/
a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
the rays of the sun
From this reading Another group contended hotly that Venus was an arid desert of wind-carved sandstone, dry and cruel, whipping dust into clouds that sunlight could never penetrate.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading One school of thought maintained that the surface of Venus was a jungle, rank with hot-house moisture, crawling with writhing fauna and man-eating flowers.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Others prognosticated an ocean planet with little or no solid ground at all, populated by enormous serpents waiting to greet the first Earthlings with jaws agape.
VenusnounUS /ˈviːnəs/
the second nearest planet to the sun
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading Others prognosticated an ocean planet with little or no solid ground at all, populated by enormous serpents waiting to greet the first Earthlings with jaws agape.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
whippingnounUS /ˈwɪpɪŋ/
beating with a whip or strap or rope as a form of punishment
From this reading Another group contended hotly that Venus was an arid desert of wind-carved sandstone, dry and cruel, whipping dust into clouds that sunlight could never penetrate.
wind-carved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Another group contended hotly that Venus was an arid desert of wind-carved sandstone, dry and cruel, whipping dust into clouds that sunlight could never penetrate.
in the company of; together with
From this reading One school of thought maintained that the surface of Venus was a jungle, rank with hot-house moisture, crawling with writhing fauna and man-eating flowers.
writhingadjectiveUS /ˈraɪðɪŋ/
moving in a twisting or snake-like or wormlike fashion
From this reading One school of thought maintained that the surface of Venus was a jungle, rank with hot-house moisture, crawling with writhing fauna and man-eating flowers.
