Chapter I

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

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

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

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

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

From this reading In the back of his mind he heard the sudden grunt his father made, the sound of a falling body, his mother's frightened scream, and his brother's "What's wrong?"

presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading His eyes looked swiftly to help his ears trace the sudden _hiss_ he knew was their precious air escaping.

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

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

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

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading In the back of his mind he heard the sudden grunt his father made, the sound of a falling body, his mother's frightened scream, and his brother's "What's wrong?"

a short stout club used primarily by policemen

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading In the back of his mind he heard the sudden grunt his father made, the sound of a falling body, his mother's frightened scream, and his brother's "What's wrong?"

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

possessive form of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading In the back of his mind he heard the sudden grunt his father made, the sound of a falling body, his mother's frightened scream, and his brother's "What's wrong?"

a partition that divides a ship or plane into compartments

From this reading But he did not stop his own lanky, gangling body in its leap toward the outer bulkhead.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But he did not stop his own lanky, gangling body in its leap toward the outer bulkhead.

one of a set of small pieces of stiff paper marked in various ways and used for playing games or for telling fortunes

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

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

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

United States botanist and agricultural chemist who developed many uses for peanuts and soy beans and sweet potatoes (1864-1943)

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

a book or pamphlet containing an enumeration of things

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

the legislature of the United States government

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

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

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

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

From this reading But he did not stop his own lanky, gangling body in its leap toward the outer bulkhead.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

fearful expectation or anticipation

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading His eyes looked swiftly to help his ears trace the sudden _hiss_ he knew was their precious air escaping.

King of England and Ireland in 1936; his marriage to Wallis Warfield Simpson created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication (1894-1972)

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

-ing form of “escape” — run away from confinement

From this reading His eyes looked swiftly to help his ears trace the sudden _hiss_ he knew was their precious air escaping.

opinion or judgment

From this reading His eyes looked swiftly to help his ears trace the sudden _hiss_ he knew was their precious air escaping.

decreasing in amount or degree

From this reading In the back of his mind he heard the sudden grunt his father made, the sound of a falling body, his mother's frightened scream, and his brother's "What's wrong?"

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading In the back of his mind he heard the sudden grunt his father made, the sound of a falling body, his mother's frightened scream, and his brother's "What's wrong?"

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

related to or involving literary fiction

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

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

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

made afraid

From this reading In the back of his mind he heard the sudden grunt his father made, the sound of a falling body, his mother's frightened scream, and his brother's "What's wrong?"

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading And as he jumped, he pulled his handkerchief from his hip pocket.

tall and thin and having long slender limbs

From this reading But he did not stop his own lanky, gangling body in its leap toward the outer bulkhead.

the short low gruff noise of the kind made by hogs

From this reading In the back of his mind he heard the sudden grunt his father made, the sound of a falling body, his mother's frightened scream, and his brother's "What's wrong?"

a square piece of cloth used for wiping the eyes or nose or as a costume accessory

From this reading And as he jumped, he pulled his handkerchief from his hip pocket.

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

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading His eyes looked swiftly to help his ears trace the sudden _hiss_ he knew was their precious air escaping.

either side of the body below the waist and above the thigh

From this reading And as he jumped, he pulled his handkerchief from his hip pocket.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

make a sharp hissing sound, as if to show disapproval

From this reading His eyes looked swiftly to help his ears trace the sudden _hiss_ he knew was their precious air escaping.

dry outer covering of a fruit or seed or nut

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

(used of persons or artifacts) marked by independence and creativity in thought or action

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

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

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

resulting from one's intentions

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading But he did not stop his own lanky, gangling body in its leap toward the outer bulkhead.

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

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

past form of “jump” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading And as he jumped, he pulled his handkerchief from his hip pocket.

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 His eyes looked swiftly to help his ears trace the sudden _hiss_ he knew was their precious air escaping.

tall and thin and having long slender limbs

From this reading But he did not stop his own lanky, gangling body in its leap toward the outer bulkhead.

a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards

From this reading But he did not stop his own lanky, gangling body in its leap toward the outer bulkhead.

a room where books are kept

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading His eyes looked swiftly to help his ears trace the sudden _hiss_ he knew was their precious air escaping.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading In the back of his mind he heard the sudden grunt his father made, the sound of a falling body, his mother's frightened scream, and his brother's "What's wrong?"

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading In the back of his mind he heard the sudden grunt his father made, the sound of a falling body, his mother's frightened scream, and his brother's "What's wrong?"

possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading In the back of his mind he heard the sudden grunt his father made, the sound of a falling body, his mother's frightened scream, and his brother's "What's wrong?"

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

being on the outside or further from a center

From this reading But he did not stop his own lanky, gangling body in its leap toward the outer bulkhead.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading But he did not stop his own lanky, gangling body in its leap toward the outer bulkhead.

plural of “party” — an organization to gain political power

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

plural of “person” — a human being

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles

From this reading And as he jumped, he pulled his handkerchief from his hip pocket.

portray in words

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for

From this reading His eyes looked swiftly to help his ears trace the sudden _hiss_ he knew was their precious air escaping.

past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling

From this reading And as he jumped, he pulled his handkerchief from his hip pocket.

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

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading In the back of his mind he heard the sudden grunt his father made, the sound of a falling body, his mother's frightened scream, and his brother's "What's wrong?"

plural of “situation” — the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading In the back of his mind he heard the sudden grunt his father made, the sound of a falling body, his mother's frightened scream, and his brother's "What's wrong?"

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

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

leap, jerk, bang

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

come to a halt, stop moving

From this reading But he did not stop his own lanky, gangling body in its leap toward the outer bulkhead.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading His eyes looked swiftly to help his ears trace the sudden _hiss_ he knew was their precious air escaping.

in a swift manner

From this reading His eyes looked swiftly to help his ears trace the sudden _hiss_ he knew was their precious air escaping.

disclosing unintentionally something concealed

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

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

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

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

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

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

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

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

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

in the direction of

From this reading But he did not stop his own lanky, gangling body in its leap toward the outer bulkhead.

a just detectable amount

From this reading His eyes looked swiftly to help his ears trace the sudden _hiss_ he knew was their precious air escaping.

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

From this reading His eyes looked swiftly to help his ears trace the sudden _hiss_ he knew was their precious air escaping.

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

From this reading In the back of his mind he heard the sudden grunt his father made, the sound of a falling body, his mother's frightened scream, and his brother's "What's wrong?"

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth

From this reading In the back of his mind he heard the sudden grunt his father made, the sound of a falling body, his mother's frightened scream, and his brother's "What's wrong?"

but in spite of that

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5211 _To my boys-- Carl, Dave, Tommy, Billy, Edward, Freddy_ The characters and situations in this book are wholly fictional and imaginative: they do not portray and are not intended to portray any actual persons or parties._ As he heard that dread yet telltale _spang_ against the hull of their spaceboat, young Jon Carver dropped his reelbook and sprang to his feet.