1953
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This etext was produced from If Worlds of Science Fiction September 1953.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This one was male, thirty-five, with steady brown eyes and a nice smile when he remembered to use it.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading His name was Norman Venner, and besides being a mathematical whiz generally, he had designed and built an electronic brain, or calculator, which was in some ways smarter than himself--and a lot less diffident.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This one was male, thirty-five, with steady brown eyes and a nice smile when he remembered to use it.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading _Norm Venner's fancy was pretty well fixed on thoughts of electronic calculators--until the invention started making passes at the inventor!_ Mathematicians are just like people: old, young, fat, thin, male, female.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading _Norm Venner's fancy was pretty well fixed on thoughts of electronic calculators--until the invention started making passes at the inventor!_ Mathematicians are just like people: old, young, fat, thin, male, female.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading His name was Norman Venner, and besides being a mathematical whiz generally, he had designed and built an electronic brain, or calculator, which was in some ways smarter than himself--and a lot less diffident.
in addition to; as well as
From this reading His name was Norman Venner, and besides being a mathematical whiz generally, he had designed and built an electronic brain, or calculator, which was in some ways smarter than himself--and a lot less diffident.
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 His name was Norman Venner, and besides being a mathematical whiz generally, he had designed and built an electronic brain, or calculator, which was in some ways smarter than himself--and a lot less diffident.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading This one was male, thirty-five, with steady brown eyes and a nice smile when he remembered to use it.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading His name was Norman Venner, and besides being a mathematical whiz generally, he had designed and built an electronic brain, or calculator, which was in some ways smarter than himself--and a lot less diffident.
calculatornounUS /ˈkælkjəleɪtər/
an expert at calculation (or at operating calculating machines)
From this reading His name was Norman Venner, and besides being a mathematical whiz generally, he had designed and built an electronic brain, or calculator, which was in some ways smarter than himself--and a lot less diffident.
calculatorsnounUS /ˈkælkjəleɪtərz/
plural of “calculator” — an expert at calculation (or at operating calculating machines)
From this reading _Norm Venner's fancy was pretty well fixed on thoughts of electronic calculators--until the invention started making passes at the inventor!_ Mathematicians are just like people: old, young, fat, thin, male, female.
copyrightnounUS /ˈkɑːpiraɪt/
a document granting exclusive right to publish and sell literary or musical or artistic work
From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.
designedadjectiveUS /dɪˈzaɪnd/
done or made or performed with purpose and intent
From this reading His name was Norman Venner, and besides being a mathematical whiz generally, he had designed and built an electronic brain, or calculator, which was in some ways smarter than himself--and a lot less diffident.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.
diffidentadjective
showing modest reserve
From this reading His name was Norman Venner, and besides being a mathematical whiz generally, he had designed and built an electronic brain, or calculator, which was in some ways smarter than himself--and a lot less diffident.
electronicadjectiveUS /ˌɪlekˈtrɑːnɪk/
of or relating to electronics; concerned with or using devices that operate on principles governing the behavior of electrons
From this reading _Norm Venner's fancy was pretty well fixed on thoughts of electronic calculators--until the invention started making passes at the inventor!_ Mathematicians are just like people: old, young, fat, thin, male, female.
etext
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This etext was produced from If Worlds of Science Fiction September 1953.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.
ExtensiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈstensɪv/
large in spatial extent or range or scope or quantity
From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.
opinion or judgment
From this reading This one was male, thirty-five, with steady brown eyes and a nice smile when he remembered to use it.
something many people believe that is false
From this reading _Norm Venner's fancy was pretty well fixed on thoughts of electronic calculators--until the invention started making passes at the inventor!_ Mathematicians are just like people: old, young, fat, thin, male, female.
having an (over)abundance of flesh
From this reading _Norm Venner's fancy was pretty well fixed on thoughts of electronic calculators--until the invention started making passes at the inventor!_ Mathematicians are just like people: old, young, fat, thin, male, female.
being the sex (of plant or animal) that produces fertilizable gametes (ova) from which offspring develop
From this reading _Norm Venner's fancy was pretty well fixed on thoughts of electronic calculators--until the invention started making passes at the inventor!_ Mathematicians are just like people: old, young, fat, thin, male, female.
FictionnounUS /ˈfɪkʃən/
a literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact
From this reading This etext was produced from If Worlds of Science Fiction September 1953.
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading _Norm Venner's fancy was pretty well fixed on thoughts of electronic calculators--until the invention started making passes at the inventor!_ Mathematicians are just like people: old, young, fat, thin, male, female.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading This etext was produced from If Worlds of Science Fiction September 1953.
usually; as a rule
From this reading His name was Norman Venner, and besides being a mathematical whiz generally, he had designed and built an electronic brain, or calculator, which was in some ways smarter than himself--and a lot less diffident.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading His name was Norman Venner, and besides being a mathematical whiz generally, he had designed and built an electronic brain, or calculator, which was in some ways smarter than himself--and a lot less diffident.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This one was male, thirty-five, with steady brown eyes and a nice smile when he remembered to use it.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading His name was Norman Venner, and besides being a mathematical whiz generally, he had designed and built an electronic brain, or calculator, which was in some ways smarter than himself--and a lot less diffident.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His name was Norman Venner, and besides being a mathematical whiz generally, he had designed and built an electronic brain, or calculator, which was in some ways smarter than himself--and a lot less diffident.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading This etext was produced from If Worlds of Science Fiction September 1953.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His name was Norman Venner, and besides being a mathematical whiz generally, he had designed and built an electronic brain, or calculator, which was in some ways smarter than himself--and a lot less diffident.
inventionnounUS /ˌɪnˈvenʃən/
the creation of something in the mind
From this reading _Norm Venner's fancy was pretty well fixed on thoughts of electronic calculators--until the invention started making passes at the inventor!_ Mathematicians are just like people: old, young, fat, thin, male, female.
inventornounUS /ˌɪnˈventər/
someone who is the first to think of or make something
From this reading _Norm Venner's fancy was pretty well fixed on thoughts of electronic calculators--until the invention started making passes at the inventor!_ Mathematicians are just like people: old, young, fat, thin, male, female.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This one was male, thirty-five, with steady brown eyes and a nice smile when he remembered to use it.
and nothing more
From this reading _Norm Venner's fancy was pretty well fixed on thoughts of electronic calculators--until the invention started making passes at the inventor!_ Mathematicians are just like people: old, young, fat, thin, male, female.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading His name was Norman Venner, and besides being a mathematical whiz generally, he had designed and built an electronic brain, or calculator, which was in some ways smarter than himself--and a lot less diffident.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading _Norm Venner's fancy was pretty well fixed on thoughts of electronic calculators--until the invention started making passes at the inventor!_ Mathematicians are just like people: old, young, fat, thin, male, female.
(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent
From this reading His name was Norman Venner, and besides being a mathematical whiz generally, he had designed and built an electronic brain, or calculator, which was in some ways smarter than himself--and a lot less diffident.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading _Norm Venner's fancy was pretty well fixed on thoughts of electronic calculators--until the invention started making passes at the inventor!_ Mathematicians are just like people: old, young, fat, thin, male, female.
malenounUS /meɪl/
an animal that produces gametes (spermatozoa) that can fertilize female gametes
From this reading _Norm Venner's fancy was pretty well fixed on thoughts of electronic calculators--until the invention started making passes at the inventor!_ Mathematicians are just like people: old, young, fat, thin, male, female.
mathematicaladjectiveUS /ˌmæθəˈmætɪkəl/
of or pertaining to or of the nature of mathematics
From this reading His name was Norman Venner, and besides being a mathematical whiz generally, he had designed and built an electronic brain, or calculator, which was in some ways smarter than himself--and a lot less diffident.
MathematiciansnounUS /ˌmæθəməˈtɪʃənz/
plural of “mathematician” — a person skilled in mathematics
From this reading _Norm Venner's fancy was pretty well fixed on thoughts of electronic calculators--until the invention started making passes at the inventor!_ Mathematicians are just like people: old, young, fat, thin, male, female.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading His name was Norman Venner, and besides being a mathematical whiz generally, he had designed and built an electronic brain, or calculator, which was in some ways smarter than himself--and a lot less diffident.
pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance
From this reading This one was male, thirty-five, with steady brown eyes and a nice smile when he remembered to use it.
NormnounUS /nɔːrm/
a standard or model or pattern regarded as typical
From this reading _Norm Venner's fancy was pretty well fixed on thoughts of electronic calculators--until the invention started making passes at the inventor!_ Mathematicians are just like people: old, young, fat, thin, male, female.
NormannounUS /ˈnɔːrmən/
United States operatic soprano (born in 1945)
From this reading His name was Norman Venner, and besides being a mathematical whiz generally, he had designed and built an electronic brain, or calculator, which was in some ways smarter than himself--and a lot less diffident.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This etext was produced from If Worlds of Science Fiction September 1953.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading _Norm Venner's fancy was pretty well fixed on thoughts of electronic calculators--until the invention started making passes at the inventor!_ Mathematicians are just like people: old, young, fat, thin, male, female.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading This one was male, thirty-five, with steady brown eyes and a nice smile when he remembered to use it.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading His name was Norman Venner, and besides being a mathematical whiz generally, he had designed and built an electronic brain, or calculator, which was in some ways smarter than himself--and a lot less diffident.
passesnounUS /ˈpæsəz/
plural of “pass” — (baseball) an advance to first base by a batter who receives four balls
From this reading _Norm Venner's fancy was pretty well fixed on thoughts of electronic calculators--until the invention started making passes at the inventor!_ Mathematicians are just like people: old, young, fat, thin, male, female.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading _Norm Venner's fancy was pretty well fixed on thoughts of electronic calculators--until the invention started making passes at the inventor!_ Mathematicians are just like people: old, young, fat, thin, male, female.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading _Norm Venner's fancy was pretty well fixed on thoughts of electronic calculators--until the invention started making passes at the inventor!_ Mathematicians are just like people: old, young, fat, thin, male, female.
past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield
From this reading This etext was produced from If Worlds of Science Fiction September 1953.
publicationnounUS /ˌpʌblɪˈkeɪʃən/
a copy of a printed work offered for distribution
From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading This one was male, thirty-five, with steady brown eyes and a nice smile when he remembered to use it.
renewedadjectiveUS /rɪˈnuːd/
restored to a new condition
From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.
researchnounUS /riˈsɜːrtʃ/
systematic investigation to establish facts
From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.
a particular branch of scientific knowledge
From this reading This etext was produced from If Worlds of Science Fiction September 1953.
SeptembernounUS /sepˈtembər/
the month following August and preceding October
From this reading This etext was produced from If Worlds of Science Fiction September 1953.
smarteradjectiveUS /ˈsmɑːrtər/
comparative of “smart” — showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness
From this reading His name was Norman Venner, and besides being a mathematical whiz generally, he had designed and built an electronic brain, or calculator, which was in some ways smarter than himself--and a lot less diffident.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading This one was male, thirty-five, with steady brown eyes and a nice smile when he remembered to use it.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading His name was Norman Venner, and besides being a mathematical whiz generally, he had designed and built an electronic brain, or calculator, which was in some ways smarter than himself--and a lot less diffident.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading _Norm Venner's fancy was pretty well fixed on thoughts of electronic calculators--until the invention started making passes at the inventor!_ Mathematicians are just like people: old, young, fat, thin, male, female.
make steady
From this reading This one was male, thirty-five, with steady brown eyes and a nice smile when he remembered to use it.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading His name was Norman Venner, and besides being a mathematical whiz generally, he had designed and built an electronic brain, or calculator, which was in some ways smarter than himself--and a lot less diffident.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading _Norm Venner's fancy was pretty well fixed on thoughts of electronic calculators--until the invention started making passes at the inventor!_ Mathematicians are just like people: old, young, fat, thin, male, female.
thirty-fiveadjectiveUS /ˈθɜːrdifaɪv/
being five more than thirty
From this reading This one was male, thirty-five, with steady brown eyes and a nice smile when he remembered to use it.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This etext was produced from If Worlds of Science Fiction September 1953.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading _Norm Venner's fancy was pretty well fixed on thoughts of electronic calculators--until the invention started making passes at the inventor!_ Mathematicians are just like people: old, young, fat, thin, male, female.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This one was male, thirty-five, with steady brown eyes and a nice smile when he remembered to use it.
UnounUS /juː/
a base containing nitrogen that is found in RNA (but not in DNA) and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with adenine
From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.
uncoververbUS /ənˈkʌvər/
remove all or part of one's clothes to show one's body
From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading _Norm Venner's fancy was pretty well fixed on thoughts of electronic calculators--until the invention started making passes at the inventor!_ Mathematicians are just like people: old, young, fat, thin, male, female.
the act of using
From this reading This one was male, thirty-five, with steady brown eyes and a nice smile when he remembered to use it.
Venner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His name was Norman Venner, and besides being a mathematical whiz generally, he had designed and built an electronic brain, or calculator, which was in some ways smarter than himself--and a lot less diffident.
Venner's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Norm Venner's fancy was pretty well fixed on thoughts of electronic calculators--until the invention started making passes at the inventor!_ Mathematicians are just like people: old, young, fat, thin, male, female.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This etext was produced from If Worlds of Science Fiction September 1953.
structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired
From this reading His name was Norman Venner, and besides being a mathematical whiz generally, he had designed and built an electronic brain, or calculator, which was in some ways smarter than himself--and a lot less diffident.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading _Norm Venner's fancy was pretty well fixed on thoughts of electronic calculators--until the invention started making passes at the inventor!_ Mathematicians are just like people: old, young, fat, thin, male, female.
at the time that
From this reading This one was male, thirty-five, with steady brown eyes and a nice smile when he remembered to use it.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading His name was Norman Venner, and besides being a mathematical whiz generally, he had designed and built an electronic brain, or calculator, which was in some ways smarter than himself--and a lot less diffident.
whiznounUS /wɪz/
someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field
From this reading His name was Norman Venner, and besides being a mathematical whiz generally, he had designed and built an electronic brain, or calculator, which was in some ways smarter than himself--and a lot less diffident.
in the company of; together with
From this reading This one was male, thirty-five, with steady brown eyes and a nice smile when he remembered to use it.
WorldsnounUS /wɜːrldz/
plural of “world” — everything that exists anywhere
From this reading This etext was produced from If Worlds of Science Fiction September 1953.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading _Norm Venner's fancy was pretty well fixed on thoughts of electronic calculators--until the invention started making passes at the inventor!_ Mathematicians are just like people: old, young, fat, thin, male, female.
