Chapter VII · Chapter 7

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

From this reading It continued to come steadily toward them, carried by its two faithful slaves; and the grotesque termite soldiers, that had closed about them in a hollow square, parted to let it through.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading It continued to come steadily toward them, carried by its two faithful slaves; and the grotesque termite soldiers, that had closed about them in a hollow square, parted to let it through.

having companions or an escort

From this reading Such was the bewitchment of the two men as they stared at the monstrosity, that they did not hear the slight clashing of horn that accompanied a swift movement of one of the soldiers behind them.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading _"Clinging Brown Stuff"_ Bemused, appalled, the two gazed at this almost disembodied brain that held them captive.

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

From this reading It continued to come steadily toward them, carried by its two faithful slaves; and the grotesque termite soldiers, that had closed about them in a hollow square, parted to let it through.

react verbally

From this reading In answer to some voiceless command, one of the termites with the conical heads had approached behind them and wound a leg around each.

struck with fear, dread, or consternation

From this reading _"Clinging Brown Stuff"_ Bemused, appalled, the two gazed at this almost disembodied brain that held them captive.

past form of “approach” — move towards

From this reading In answer to some voiceless command, one of the termites with the conical heads had approached behind them and wound a leg around each.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading The first thing they knew of such a movement was when they felt their arms pinioned to their sides with crushing force, and looked down to find a pair of hard, jointed forelegs coiled about their bodies.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading In answer to some voiceless command, one of the termites with the conical heads had approached behind them and wound a leg around each.

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

From this reading Such was the bewitchment of the two men as they stared at the monstrosity, that they did not hear the slight clashing of horn that accompanied a swift movement of one of the soldiers behind them.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading _"Clinging Brown Stuff"_ Bemused, appalled, the two gazed at this almost disembodied brain that held them captive.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Such was the bewitchment of the two men as they stared at the monstrosity, that they did not hear the slight clashing of horn that accompanied a swift movement of one of the soldiers behind them.

deeply absorbed in thought

From this reading _"Clinging Brown Stuff"_ Bemused, appalled, the two gazed at this almost disembodied brain that held them captive.

a magical spell

From this reading Such was the bewitchment of the two men as they stared at the monstrosity, that they did not hear the slight clashing of horn that accompanied a swift movement of one of the soldiers behind them.

plural of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading The first thing they knew of such a movement was when they felt their arms pinioned to their sides with crushing force, and looked down to find a pair of hard, jointed forelegs coiled about their bodies.

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 _"Clinging Brown Stuff"_ Bemused, appalled, the two gazed at this almost disembodied brain that held them captive.

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading _"Clinging Brown Stuff"_ Bemused, appalled, the two gazed at this almost disembodied brain that held them captive.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It continued to come steadily toward them, carried by its two faithful slaves; and the grotesque termite soldiers, that had closed about them in a hollow square, parted to let it through.

a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war

From this reading _"Clinging Brown Stuff"_ Bemused, appalled, the two gazed at this almost disembodied brain that held them captive.

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading It continued to come steadily toward them, carried by its two faithful slaves; and the grotesque termite soldiers, that had closed about them in a hollow square, parted to let it through.

sharply and harshly discordant

From this reading Such was the bewitchment of the two men as they stared at the monstrosity, that they did not hear the slight clashing of horn that accompanied a swift movement of one of the soldiers behind them.

-ing form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation

From this reading _"Clinging Brown Stuff"_ Bemused, appalled, the two gazed at this almost disembodied brain that held them captive.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading It continued to come steadily toward them, carried by its two faithful slaves; and the grotesque termite soldiers, that had closed about them in a hollow square, parted to let it through.

curled or wound (especially in concentric rings or spirals)

From this reading The first thing they knew of such a movement was when they felt their arms pinioned to their sides with crushing force, and looked down to find a pair of hard, jointed forelegs coiled about their bodies.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading It continued to come steadily toward them, carried by its two faithful slaves; and the grotesque termite soldiers, that had closed about them in a hollow square, parted to let it through.

an authoritative direction or instruction to do something

From this reading In answer to some voiceless command, one of the termites with the conical heads had approached behind them and wound a leg around each.

relating to or resembling a cone

From this reading In answer to some voiceless command, one of the termites with the conical heads had approached behind them and wound a leg around each.

without stop or interruption

From this reading It continued to come steadily toward them, carried by its two faithful slaves; and the grotesque termite soldiers, that had closed about them in a hollow square, parted to let it through.

physically or spiritually devastating; often used in combination

From this reading The first thing they knew of such a movement was when they felt their arms pinioned to their sides with crushing force, and looked down to find a pair of hard, jointed forelegs coiled about their bodies.

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

From this reading Such was the bewitchment of the two men as they stared at the monstrosity, that they did not hear the slight clashing of horn that accompanied a swift movement of one of the soldiers behind them.

not having a material body

From this reading _"Clinging Brown Stuff"_ Bemused, appalled, the two gazed at this almost disembodied brain that held them captive.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The first thing they knew of such a movement was when they felt their arms pinioned to their sides with crushing force, and looked down to find a pair of hard, jointed forelegs coiled about their bodies.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading In answer to some voiceless command, one of the termites with the conical heads had approached behind them and wound a leg around each.

steadfast in affection or allegiance

From this reading It continued to come steadily toward them, carried by its two faithful slaves; and the grotesque termite soldiers, that had closed about them in a hollow square, parted to let it through.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading The first thing they knew of such a movement was when they felt their arms pinioned to their sides with crushing force, and looked down to find a pair of hard, jointed forelegs coiled about their bodies.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading The first thing they knew of such a movement was when they felt their arms pinioned to their sides with crushing force, and looked down to find a pair of hard, jointed forelegs coiled about their bodies.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The first thing they knew of such a movement was when they felt their arms pinioned to their sides with crushing force, and looked down to find a pair of hard, jointed forelegs coiled about their bodies.

a powerful effect or influence

From this reading The first thing they knew of such a movement was when they felt their arms pinioned to their sides with crushing force, and looked down to find a pair of hard, jointed forelegs coiled about their bodies.

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

From this reading The first thing they knew of such a movement was when they felt their arms pinioned to their sides with crushing force, and looked down to find a pair of hard, jointed forelegs coiled about their bodies.

past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading _"Clinging Brown Stuff"_ Bemused, appalled, the two gazed at this almost disembodied brain that held them captive.

distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous

From this reading It continued to come steadily toward them, carried by its two faithful slaves; and the grotesque termite soldiers, that had closed about them in a hollow square, parted to let it through.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading It continued to come steadily toward them, carried by its two faithful slaves; and the grotesque termite soldiers, that had closed about them in a hollow square, parted to let it through.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading The first thing they knew of such a movement was when they felt their arms pinioned to their sides with crushing force, and looked down to find a pair of hard, jointed forelegs coiled about their bodies.

plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading In answer to some voiceless command, one of the termites with the conical heads had approached behind them and wound a leg around each.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading Such was the bewitchment of the two men as they stared at the monstrosity, that they did not hear the slight clashing of horn that accompanied a swift movement of one of the soldiers behind them.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading _"Clinging Brown Stuff"_ Bemused, appalled, the two gazed at this almost disembodied brain that held them captive.

not solid; having a space or gap or cavity

From this reading It continued to come steadily toward them, carried by its two faithful slaves; and the grotesque termite soldiers, that had closed about them in a hollow square, parted to let it through.

a noisemaker (as at parties or games) that makes a loud noise when you blow through it

From this reading Such was the bewitchment of the two men as they stared at the monstrosity, that they did not hear the slight clashing of horn that accompanied a swift movement of one of the soldiers behind them.

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

From this reading It continued to come steadily toward them, carried by its two faithful slaves; and the grotesque termite soldiers, that had closed about them in a hollow square, parted to let it through.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It continued to come steadily toward them, carried by its two faithful slaves; and the grotesque termite soldiers, that had closed about them in a hollow square, parted to let it through.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It continued to come steadily toward them, carried by its two faithful slaves; and the grotesque termite soldiers, that had closed about them in a hollow square, parted to let it through.

having joints or jointed segments

From this reading The first thing they knew of such a movement was when they felt their arms pinioned to their sides with crushing force, and looked down to find a pair of hard, jointed forelegs coiled about their bodies.

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 The first thing they knew of such a movement was when they felt their arms pinioned to their sides with crushing force, and looked down to find a pair of hard, jointed forelegs coiled about their bodies.

a human limb; commonly used to refer to a whole limb but technically only the part of the limb between the knee and ankle

From this reading In answer to some voiceless command, one of the termites with the conical heads had approached behind them and wound a leg around each.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading It continued to come steadily toward them, carried by its two faithful slaves; and the grotesque termite soldiers, that had closed about them in a hollow square, parted to let it through.

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

From this reading The first thing they knew of such a movement was when they felt their arms pinioned to their sides with crushing force, and looked down to find a pair of hard, jointed forelegs coiled about their bodies.

the force of workers available

From this reading Such was the bewitchment of the two men as they stared at the monstrosity, that they did not hear the slight clashing of horn that accompanied a swift movement of one of the soldiers behind them.

a person or animal that is markedly unusual or deformed

From this reading Such was the bewitchment of the two men as they stared at the monstrosity, that they did not hear the slight clashing of horn that accompanied a swift movement of one of the soldiers behind them.

a change of position that does not entail a change of location

From this reading Such was the bewitchment of the two men as they stared at the monstrosity, that they did not hear the slight clashing of horn that accompanied a swift movement of one of the soldiers behind them.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Such was the bewitchment of the two men as they stared at the monstrosity, that they did not hear the slight clashing of horn that accompanied a swift movement of one of the soldiers behind them.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Such was the bewitchment of the two men as they stared at the monstrosity, that they did not hear the slight clashing of horn that accompanied a swift movement of one of the soldiers behind them.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Such was the bewitchment of the two men as they stared at the monstrosity, that they did not hear the slight clashing of horn that accompanied a swift movement of one of the soldiers behind them.

a set of two similar things considered as a unit

From this reading The first thing they knew of such a movement was when they felt their arms pinioned to their sides with crushing force, and looked down to find a pair of hard, jointed forelegs coiled about their bodies.

having a margin incised almost to the base so as to create distinct divisions or lobes

From this reading It continued to come steadily toward them, carried by its two faithful slaves; and the grotesque termite soldiers, that had closed about them in a hollow square, parted to let it through.

(of birds) especially having the flight feathers

From this reading The first thing they knew of such a movement was when they felt their arms pinioned to their sides with crushing force, and looked down to find a pair of hard, jointed forelegs coiled about their bodies.

plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading The first thing they knew of such a movement was when they felt their arms pinioned to their sides with crushing force, and looked down to find a pair of hard, jointed forelegs coiled about their bodies.

plural of “slave” — a person who is owned by someone

From this reading It continued to come steadily toward them, carried by its two faithful slaves; and the grotesque termite soldiers, that had closed about them in a hollow square, parted to let it through.

a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)

From this reading Such was the bewitchment of the two men as they stared at the monstrosity, that they did not hear the slight clashing of horn that accompanied a swift movement of one of the soldiers behind them.

plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army

From this reading It continued to come steadily toward them, carried by its two faithful slaves; and the grotesque termite soldiers, that had closed about them in a hollow square, parted to let it through.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading In answer to some voiceless command, one of the termites with the conical heads had approached behind them and wound a leg around each.

make square

From this reading It continued to come steadily toward them, carried by its two faithful slaves; and the grotesque termite soldiers, that had closed about them in a hollow square, parted to let it through.

past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading Such was the bewitchment of the two men as they stared at the monstrosity, that they did not hear the slight clashing of horn that accompanied a swift movement of one of the soldiers behind them.

at a steady rate or pace

From this reading It continued to come steadily toward them, carried by its two faithful slaves; and the grotesque termite soldiers, that had closed about them in a hollow square, parted to let it through.

the tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object

From this reading _"Clinging Brown Stuff"_ Bemused, appalled, the two gazed at this almost disembodied brain that held them captive.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Such was the bewitchment of the two men as they stared at the monstrosity, that they did not hear the slight clashing of horn that accompanied a swift movement of one of the soldiers behind them.

moving very fast

From this reading Such was the bewitchment of the two men as they stared at the monstrosity, that they did not hear the slight clashing of horn that accompanied a swift movement of one of the soldiers behind them.

whitish soft-bodied ant-like social insect that feeds on wood

From this reading It continued to come steadily toward them, carried by its two faithful slaves; and the grotesque termite soldiers, that had closed about them in a hollow square, parted to let it through.

plural of “termite” — whitish soft-bodied ant-like social insect that feeds on wood

From this reading In answer to some voiceless command, one of the termites with the conical heads had approached behind them and wound a leg around each.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading _"Clinging Brown Stuff"_ Bemused, appalled, the two gazed at this almost disembodied brain that held them captive.

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

From this reading _"Clinging Brown Stuff"_ Bemused, appalled, the two gazed at this almost disembodied brain that held them captive.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The first thing they knew of such a movement was when they felt their arms pinioned to their sides with crushing force, and looked down to find a pair of hard, jointed forelegs coiled about their bodies.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading _"Clinging Brown Stuff"_ Bemused, appalled, the two gazed at this almost disembodied brain that held them captive.

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

From this reading Such was the bewitchment of the two men as they stared at the monstrosity, that they did not hear the slight clashing of horn that accompanied a swift movement of one of the soldiers behind them.

a special situation

From this reading The first thing they knew of such a movement was when they felt their arms pinioned to their sides with crushing force, and looked down to find a pair of hard, jointed forelegs coiled about their bodies.

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

From this reading _"Clinging Brown Stuff"_ Bemused, appalled, the two gazed at this almost disembodied brain that held them captive.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading It continued to come steadily toward them, carried by its two faithful slaves; and the grotesque termite soldiers, that had closed about them in a hollow square, parted to let it through.

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

From this reading It continued to come steadily toward them, carried by its two faithful slaves; and the grotesque termite soldiers, that had closed about them in a hollow square, parted to let it through.

in the direction of

From this reading It continued to come steadily toward them, carried by its two faithful slaves; and the grotesque termite soldiers, that had closed about them in a hollow square, parted to let it through.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading _"Clinging Brown Stuff"_ Bemused, appalled, the two gazed at this almost disembodied brain that held them captive.

produced without vibration of the vocal cords

From this reading In answer to some voiceless command, one of the termites with the conical heads had approached behind them and wound a leg around each.

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

From this reading Such was the bewitchment of the two men as they stared at the monstrosity, that they did not hear the slight clashing of horn that accompanied a swift movement of one of the soldiers behind them.

at the time that

From this reading The first thing they knew of such a movement was when they felt their arms pinioned to their sides with crushing force, and looked down to find a pair of hard, jointed forelegs coiled about their bodies.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The first thing they knew of such a movement was when they felt their arms pinioned to their sides with crushing force, and looked down to find a pair of hard, jointed forelegs coiled about their bodies.

an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)

From this reading In answer to some voiceless command, one of the termites with the conical heads had approached behind them and wound a leg around each.