used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading XXIV THE LOBSTEROID CIRCUIT Myles could not help comparing his present ease of passage down the swath cut by the Cupians with his difficult grubbing through the shrubs a few feet an hour, or even with forcing his way behind the wedge-faced insect.
abyssnounUS /əˈbɪs/
a bottomless gulf or pit; any unfathomable (or apparently unfathomable) cavity or chasm or void extending below (often used figuratively)
From this reading Upon his arrival at the brink of the abyss, his first act was to test the black sand with an electric coil.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading Upon his arrival at the brink of the abyss, his first act was to test the black sand with an electric coil.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading On the second day after his meeting with Nan-nan and Emsul, Myles proceeded to the lobster pool by the kerkool, with his electrical equipment and several boats.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading XXIV THE LOBSTEROID CIRCUIT Myles could not help comparing his present ease of passage down the swath cut by the Cupians with his difficult grubbing through the shrubs a few feet an hour, or even with forcing his way behind the wedge-faced insect.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading On the second day after his meeting with Nan-nan and Emsul, Myles proceeded to the lobster pool by the kerkool, with his electrical equipment and several boats.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading Upon his arrival at the brink of the abyss, his first act was to test the black sand with an electric coil.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Upon his arrival at the brink of the abyss, his first act was to test the black sand with an electric coil.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading XXIV THE LOBSTEROID CIRCUIT Myles could not help comparing his present ease of passage down the swath cut by the Cupians with his difficult grubbing through the shrubs a few feet an hour, or even with forcing his way behind the wedge-faced insect.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Upon his arrival at the brink of the abyss, his first act was to test the black sand with an electric coil.
plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading On the second day after his meeting with Nan-nan and Emsul, Myles proceeded to the lobster pool by the kerkool, with his electrical equipment and several boats.
brinknounUS /brɪŋk/
a region marking a boundary
From this reading Upon his arrival at the brink of the abyss, his first act was to test the black sand with an electric coil.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading On the second day after his meeting with Nan-nan and Emsul, Myles proceeded to the lobster pool by the kerkool, with his electrical equipment and several boats.
choppingverbUS /ˈtʃɑːpɪŋ/
inflected form of “chop” — cut into pieces
From this reading Only one day was consumed in chopping the path through the woods.
CIRCUITnounUS /ˈsɜːrkət/
an electrical device that provides a path for electrical current to flow
From this reading XXIV THE LOBSTEROID CIRCUIT Myles could not help comparing his present ease of passage down the swath cut by the Cupians with his difficult grubbing through the shrubs a few feet an hour, or even with forcing his way behind the wedge-faced insect.
coilnounUS /kɔɪl/
a structure consisting of something wound in a continuous series of loops
From this reading Upon his arrival at the brink of the abyss, his first act was to test the black sand with an electric coil.
comparingnounUS /kəmˈperɪŋ/
the act of examining resemblances
From this reading XXIV THE LOBSTEROID CIRCUIT Myles could not help comparing his present ease of passage down the swath cut by the Cupians with his difficult grubbing through the shrubs a few feet an hour, or even with forcing his way behind the wedge-faced insect.
consumedverbUS /kənˈsuːmd/
past form of “consume” — eat up completely, as with great appetite
From this reading Only one day was consumed in chopping the path through the woods.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading XXIV THE LOBSTEROID CIRCUIT Myles could not help comparing his present ease of passage down the swath cut by the Cupians with his difficult grubbing through the shrubs a few feet an hour, or even with forcing his way behind the wedge-faced insect.
Cupians
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XXIV THE LOBSTEROID CIRCUIT Myles could not help comparing his present ease of passage down the swath cut by the Cupians with his difficult grubbing through the shrubs a few feet an hour, or even with forcing his way behind the wedge-faced insect.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading XXIV THE LOBSTEROID CIRCUIT Myles could not help comparing his present ease of passage down the swath cut by the Cupians with his difficult grubbing through the shrubs a few feet an hour, or even with forcing his way behind the wedge-faced insect.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Only one day was consumed in chopping the path through the woods.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading XXIV THE LOBSTEROID CIRCUIT Myles could not help comparing his present ease of passage down the swath cut by the Cupians with his difficult grubbing through the shrubs a few feet an hour, or even with forcing his way behind the wedge-faced insect.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading XXIV THE LOBSTEROID CIRCUIT Myles could not help comparing his present ease of passage down the swath cut by the Cupians with his difficult grubbing through the shrubs a few feet an hour, or even with forcing his way behind the wedge-faced insect.
move gently or carefully
From this reading XXIV THE LOBSTEROID CIRCUIT Myles could not help comparing his present ease of passage down the swath cut by the Cupians with his difficult grubbing through the shrubs a few feet an hour, or even with forcing his way behind the wedge-faced insect.
electricadjectiveUS /ɪˈlektrɪk/
using or providing or producing or transmitting or operated by electricity
From this reading Upon his arrival at the brink of the abyss, his first act was to test the black sand with an electric coil.
electricaladjectiveUS /ɪˈlektrɪkəl/
relating to or concerned with electricity
From this reading On the second day after his meeting with Nan-nan and Emsul, Myles proceeded to the lobster pool by the kerkool, with his electrical equipment and several boats.
Emsul
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the second day after his meeting with Nan-nan and Emsul, Myles proceeded to the lobster pool by the kerkool, with his electrical equipment and several boats.
equipmentnounUS /ɪˈkwɪpmənt/
an instrumentality needed for an undertaking or to perform a service
From this reading On the second day after his meeting with Nan-nan and Emsul, Myles proceeded to the lobster pool by the kerkool, with his electrical equipment and several boats.
divisible by two
From this reading XXIV THE LOBSTEROID CIRCUIT Myles could not help comparing his present ease of passage down the swath cut by the Cupians with his difficult grubbing through the shrubs a few feet an hour, or even with forcing his way behind the wedge-faced insect.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading XXIV THE LOBSTEROID CIRCUIT Myles could not help comparing his present ease of passage down the swath cut by the Cupians with his difficult grubbing through the shrubs a few feet an hour, or even with forcing his way behind the wedge-faced insect.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading XXIV THE LOBSTEROID CIRCUIT Myles could not help comparing his present ease of passage down the swath cut by the Cupians with his difficult grubbing through the shrubs a few feet an hour, or even with forcing his way behind the wedge-faced insect.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Upon his arrival at the brink of the abyss, his first act was to test the black sand with an electric coil.
forcingverbUS /ˈfɔːrsɪŋ/
-ing form of “force” — to cause to do through pressure or necessity, by physical, moral or intellectual means
From this reading XXIV THE LOBSTEROID CIRCUIT Myles could not help comparing his present ease of passage down the swath cut by the Cupians with his difficult grubbing through the shrubs a few feet an hour, or even with forcing his way behind the wedge-faced insect.
grubbing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XXIV THE LOBSTEROID CIRCUIT Myles could not help comparing his present ease of passage down the swath cut by the Cupians with his difficult grubbing through the shrubs a few feet an hour, or even with forcing his way behind the wedge-faced insect.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading XXIV THE LOBSTEROID CIRCUIT Myles could not help comparing his present ease of passage down the swath cut by the Cupians with his difficult grubbing through the shrubs a few feet an hour, or even with forcing his way behind the wedge-faced insect.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading On the second day after his meeting with Nan-nan and Emsul, Myles proceeded to the lobster pool by the kerkool, with his electrical equipment and several boats.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading XXIV THE LOBSTEROID CIRCUIT Myles could not help comparing his present ease of passage down the swath cut by the Cupians with his difficult grubbing through the shrubs a few feet an hour, or even with forcing his way behind the wedge-faced insect.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Only one day was consumed in chopping the path through the woods.
insectnounUS /ˈɪnsekt/
small air-breathing arthropod
From this reading XXIV THE LOBSTEROID CIRCUIT Myles could not help comparing his present ease of passage down the swath cut by the Cupians with his difficult grubbing through the shrubs a few feet an hour, or even with forcing his way behind the wedge-faced insect.
kerkool
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the second day after his meeting with Nan-nan and Emsul, Myles proceeded to the lobster pool by the kerkool, with his electrical equipment and several boats.
lobsternounUS /ˈlɑːbstər/
flesh of a lobster
From this reading On the second day after his meeting with Nan-nan and Emsul, Myles proceeded to the lobster pool by the kerkool, with his electrical equipment and several boats.
LOBSTEROID
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XXIV THE LOBSTEROID CIRCUIT Myles could not help comparing his present ease of passage down the swath cut by the Cupians with his difficult grubbing through the shrubs a few feet an hour, or even with forcing his way behind the wedge-faced insect.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading On the second day after his meeting with Nan-nan and Emsul, Myles proceeded to the lobster pool by the kerkool, with his electrical equipment and several boats.
Myles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the second day after his meeting with Nan-nan and Emsul, Myles proceeded to the lobster pool by the kerkool, with his electrical equipment and several boats.
Nan-nan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the second day after his meeting with Nan-nan and Emsul, Myles proceeded to the lobster pool by the kerkool, with his electrical equipment and several boats.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading XXIV THE LOBSTEROID CIRCUIT Myles could not help comparing his present ease of passage down the swath cut by the Cupians with his difficult grubbing through the shrubs a few feet an hour, or even with forcing his way behind the wedge-faced insect.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading XXIV THE LOBSTEROID CIRCUIT Myles could not help comparing his present ease of passage down the swath cut by the Cupians with his difficult grubbing through the shrubs a few feet an hour, or even with forcing his way behind the wedge-faced insect.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the second day after his meeting with Nan-nan and Emsul, Myles proceeded to the lobster pool by the kerkool, with his electrical equipment and several boats.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Only one day was consumed in chopping the path through the woods.
and nothing more
From this reading Only one day was consumed in chopping the path through the woods.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading XXIV THE LOBSTEROID CIRCUIT Myles could not help comparing his present ease of passage down the swath cut by the Cupians with his difficult grubbing through the shrubs a few feet an hour, or even with forcing his way behind the wedge-faced insect.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading XXIV THE LOBSTEROID CIRCUIT Myles could not help comparing his present ease of passage down the swath cut by the Cupians with his difficult grubbing through the shrubs a few feet an hour, or even with forcing his way behind the wedge-faced insect.
a course of conduct
From this reading Only one day was consumed in chopping the path through the woods.
perfectionnounUS /pərˈfekʃən/
the state of being without a flaw or defect
From this reading The plan worked to perfection.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading The plan worked to perfection.
poolnounUS /puːl/
an excavation that is (usually) filled with water
From this reading On the second day after his meeting with Nan-nan and Emsul, Myles proceeded to the lobster pool by the kerkool, with his electrical equipment and several boats.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading XXIV THE LOBSTEROID CIRCUIT Myles could not help comparing his present ease of passage down the swath cut by the Cupians with his difficult grubbing through the shrubs a few feet an hour, or even with forcing his way behind the wedge-faced insect.
past form of “proceed” — continue talking
From this reading On the second day after his meeting with Nan-nan and Emsul, Myles proceeded to the lobster pool by the kerkool, with his electrical equipment and several boats.
a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral
From this reading Upon his arrival at the brink of the abyss, his first act was to test the black sand with an electric coil.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading On the second day after his meeting with Nan-nan and Emsul, Myles proceeded to the lobster pool by the kerkool, with his electrical equipment and several boats.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading On the second day after his meeting with Nan-nan and Emsul, Myles proceeded to the lobster pool by the kerkool, with his electrical equipment and several boats.
shrubsnounUS /ʃrʌbz/
plural of “shrub” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading XXIV THE LOBSTEROID CIRCUIT Myles could not help comparing his present ease of passage down the swath cut by the Cupians with his difficult grubbing through the shrubs a few feet an hour, or even with forcing his way behind the wedge-faced insect.
swathnounUS /swɑːθ/
the space created by the swing of a scythe or the cut of a mowing machine
From this reading XXIV THE LOBSTEROID CIRCUIT Myles could not help comparing his present ease of passage down the swath cut by the Cupians with his difficult grubbing through the shrubs a few feet an hour, or even with forcing his way behind the wedge-faced insect.
testnounUS /test/
trying something to find out about it
From this reading Upon his arrival at the brink of the abyss, his first act was to test the black sand with an electric coil.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The plan worked to perfection.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Only one day was consumed in chopping the path through the woods.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The plan worked to perfection.
UponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Upon his arrival at the brink of the abyss, his first act was to test the black sand with an electric coil.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Only one day was consumed in chopping the path through the woods.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading XXIV THE LOBSTEROID CIRCUIT Myles could not help comparing his present ease of passage down the swath cut by the Cupians with his difficult grubbing through the shrubs a few feet an hour, or even with forcing his way behind the wedge-faced insect.
wedge-faced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XXIV THE LOBSTEROID CIRCUIT Myles could not help comparing his present ease of passage down the swath cut by the Cupians with his difficult grubbing through the shrubs a few feet an hour, or even with forcing his way behind the wedge-faced insect.
in the company of; together with
From this reading On the second day after his meeting with Nan-nan and Emsul, Myles proceeded to the lobster pool by the kerkool, with his electrical equipment and several boats.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading Only one day was consumed in chopping the path through the woods.
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading The plan worked to perfection.
XXIVnoun
the cardinal number that is the sum of twenty-three and one
From this reading XXIV THE LOBSTEROID CIRCUIT Myles could not help comparing his present ease of passage down the swath cut by the Cupians with his difficult grubbing through the shrubs a few feet an hour, or even with forcing his way behind the wedge-faced insect.
