Chapter I

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

From this reading At half past three on a Tuesday afternoon, in broad daylight, Professor Hallowell of the Midland University physics department left Jurnegan Hall, walked down a campus path clogged to the gutters with students--and disappeared into thin air.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading At half past three on a Tuesday afternoon, in broad daylight, Professor Hallowell of the Midland University physics department left Jurnegan Hall, walked down a campus path clogged to the gutters with students--and disappeared into thin air.

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

From this reading At half past three on a Tuesday afternoon, in broad daylight, Professor Hallowell of the Midland University physics department left Jurnegan Hall, walked down a campus path clogged to the gutters with students--and disappeared into thin air.

Having no one else present.

From this reading Time was no barrier to Lancelot Biggs when he found out Horse-sense Hank alone could solve his problem.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading At nine-fifteen the next Friday morning, Travis Tomkins, chief technician of Midland's new observatory, stepped to the platform of Old Main to speak before an attentive crowd of twelve hundred undergraduates--and vanished before their eyes!

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

From this reading At half past three on a Tuesday afternoon, in broad daylight, Professor Hallowell of the Midland University physics department left Jurnegan Hall, walked down a campus path clogged to the gutters with students--and disappeared into thin air.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At half past three on a Tuesday afternoon, in broad daylight, Professor Hallowell of the Midland University physics department left Jurnegan Hall, walked down a campus path clogged to the gutters with students--and disappeared into thin air.

(often followed by “to”) giving care or attention

From this reading At nine-fifteen the next Friday morning, Travis Tomkins, chief technician of Midland's new observatory, stepped to the platform of Old Main to speak before an attentive crowd of twelve hundred undergraduates--and vanished before their eyes!

a structure or object that impedes free movement

From this reading Time was no barrier to Lancelot Biggs when he found out Horse-sense Hank alone could solve his problem.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading At nine-fifteen the next Friday morning, Travis Tomkins, chief technician of Midland's new observatory, stepped to the platform of Old Main to speak before an attentive crowd of twelve hundred undergraduates--and vanished before their eyes!

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

From this reading Time was no barrier to Lancelot Biggs when he found out Horse-sense Hank alone could solve his problem.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading At half past three on a Tuesday afternoon, in broad daylight, Professor Hallowell of the Midland University physics department left Jurnegan Hall, walked down a campus path clogged to the gutters with students--and disappeared into thin air.

a field on which the buildings of a university are situated

From this reading At half past three on a Tuesday afternoon, in broad daylight, Professor Hallowell of the Midland University physics department left Jurnegan Hall, walked down a campus path clogged to the gutters with students--and disappeared into thin air.

a person who is in charge

From this reading At nine-fifteen the next Friday morning, Travis Tomkins, chief technician of Midland's new observatory, stepped to the platform of Old Main to speak before an attentive crowd of twelve hundred undergraduates--and vanished before their eyes!

thickened or coalesced in soft thick lumps (such as clogs or clots)

From this reading At half past three on a Tuesday afternoon, in broad daylight, Professor Hallowell of the Midland University physics department left Jurnegan Hall, walked down a campus path clogged to the gutters with students--and disappeared into thin air.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Time was no barrier to Lancelot Biggs when he found out Horse-sense Hank alone could solve his problem.

cause to herd, drive, or crowd together

From this reading At nine-fifteen the next Friday morning, Travis Tomkins, chief technician of Midland's new observatory, stepped to the platform of Old Main to speak before an attentive crowd of twelve hundred undergraduates--and vanished before their eyes!

the time after sunrise and before sunset while it is light outside

From this reading At half past three on a Tuesday afternoon, in broad daylight, Professor Hallowell of the Midland University physics department left Jurnegan Hall, walked down a campus path clogged to the gutters with students--and disappeared into thin air.

a specialized division of a large organization

From this reading At half past three on a Tuesday afternoon, in broad daylight, Professor Hallowell of the Midland University physics department left Jurnegan Hall, walked down a campus path clogged to the gutters with students--and disappeared into thin air.

past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation

From this reading At half past three on a Tuesday afternoon, in broad daylight, Professor Hallowell of the Midland University physics department left Jurnegan Hall, walked down a campus path clogged to the gutters with students--and disappeared into thin air.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading At half past three on a Tuesday afternoon, in broad daylight, Professor Hallowell of the Midland University physics department left Jurnegan Hall, walked down a campus path clogged to the gutters with students--and disappeared into thin air.

divisible by two

From this reading This sounds even sillier.

opinion or judgment

From this reading At nine-fifteen the next Friday morning, Travis Tomkins, chief technician of Midland's new observatory, stepped to the platform of Old Main to speak before an attentive crowd of twelve hundred undergraduates--and vanished before their eyes!

set up or found

From this reading Time was no barrier to Lancelot Biggs when he found out Horse-sense Hank alone could solve his problem.

the sixth day of the week; the fifth working day

From this reading At nine-fifteen the next Friday morning, Travis Tomkins, chief technician of Midland's new observatory, stepped to the platform of Old Main to speak before an attentive crowd of twelve hundred undergraduates--and vanished before their eyes!

plural of “gutter” — a channel along the eaves or on the roof; collects and carries away rainwater

From this reading At half past three on a Tuesday afternoon, in broad daylight, Professor Hallowell of the Midland University physics department left Jurnegan Hall, walked down a campus path clogged to the gutters with students--and disappeared into thin air.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading At half past three on a Tuesday afternoon, in broad daylight, Professor Hallowell of the Midland University physics department left Jurnegan Hall, walked down a campus path clogged to the gutters with students--and disappeared into thin air.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading At half past three on a Tuesday afternoon, in broad daylight, Professor Hallowell of the Midland University physics department left Jurnegan Hall, walked down a campus path clogged to the gutters with students--and disappeared into thin air.

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

From this reading At half past three on a Tuesday afternoon, in broad daylight, Professor Hallowell of the Midland University physics department left Jurnegan Hall, walked down a campus path clogged to the gutters with students--and disappeared into thin air.

a coil of rope or wool or yarn

From this reading Time was no barrier to Lancelot Biggs when he found out Horse-sense Hank alone could solve his problem.

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

From this reading Time was no barrier to Lancelot Biggs when he found out Horse-sense Hank alone could solve his problem.

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

From this reading Time was no barrier to Lancelot Biggs when he found out Horse-sense Hank alone could solve his problem.

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

From this reading Time was no barrier to Lancelot Biggs when he found out Horse-sense Hank alone could solve his problem.

ten 10s

From this reading At nine-fifteen the next Friday morning, Travis Tomkins, chief technician of Midland's new observatory, stepped to the platform of Old Main to speak before an attentive crowd of twelve hundred undergraduates--and vanished before their eyes!

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

From this reading At half past three on a Tuesday afternoon, in broad daylight, Professor Hallowell of the Midland University physics department left Jurnegan Hall, walked down a campus path clogged to the gutters with students--and disappeared into thin air.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading At half past three on a Tuesday afternoon, in broad daylight, Professor Hallowell of the Midland University physics department left Jurnegan Hall, walked down a campus path clogged to the gutters with students--and disappeared into thin air.

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

From this reading At half past three on a Tuesday afternoon, in broad daylight, Professor Hallowell of the Midland University physics department left Jurnegan Hall, walked down a campus path clogged to the gutters with students--and disappeared into thin air.

(Arthurian legend) one of the knights of the Round Table; friend of King Arthur until (according to some versions of the legend) he became the lover of Arthur's wife Guinevere

From this reading Time was no barrier to Lancelot Biggs when he found out Horse-sense Hank alone could solve his problem.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading At half past three on a Tuesday afternoon, in broad daylight, Professor Hallowell of the Midland University physics department left Jurnegan Hall, walked down a campus path clogged to the gutters with students--and disappeared into thin air.

most important element

From this reading At nine-fifteen the next Friday morning, Travis Tomkins, chief technician of Midland's new observatory, stepped to the platform of Old Main to speak before an attentive crowd of twelve hundred undergraduates--and vanished before their eyes!

a town in west central Texas

From this reading At half past three on a Tuesday afternoon, in broad daylight, Professor Hallowell of the Midland University physics department left Jurnegan Hall, walked down a campus path clogged to the gutters with students--and disappeared into thin air.

possessive form of “midland” — a town in west central Texas

From this reading At nine-fifteen the next Friday morning, Travis Tomkins, chief technician of Midland's new observatory, stepped to the platform of Old Main to speak before an attentive crowd of twelve hundred undergraduates--and vanished before their eyes!

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading At nine-fifteen the next Friday morning, Travis Tomkins, chief technician of Midland's new observatory, stepped to the platform of Old Main to speak before an attentive crowd of twelve hundred undergraduates--and vanished before their eyes!

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading At nine-fifteen the next Friday morning, Travis Tomkins, chief technician of Midland's new observatory, stepped to the platform of Old Main to speak before an attentive crowd of twelve hundred undergraduates--and vanished before their eyes!

immediately following in time or order

From this reading At nine-fifteen the next Friday morning, Travis Tomkins, chief technician of Midland's new observatory, stepped to the platform of Old Main to speak before an attentive crowd of twelve hundred undergraduates--and vanished before their eyes!

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

From this reading At nine-fifteen the next Friday morning, Travis Tomkins, chief technician of Midland's new observatory, stepped to the platform of Old Main to speak before an attentive crowd of twelve hundred undergraduates--and vanished before their eyes!

not any; not one

From this reading Time was no barrier to Lancelot Biggs when he found out Horse-sense Hank alone could solve his problem.

a building designed and equipped to observe astronomical phenomena

From this reading At nine-fifteen the next Friday morning, Travis Tomkins, chief technician of Midland's new observatory, stepped to the platform of Old Main to speak before an attentive crowd of twelve hundred undergraduates--and vanished before their eyes!

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading At half past three on a Tuesday afternoon, in broad daylight, Professor Hallowell of the Midland University physics department left Jurnegan Hall, walked down a campus path clogged to the gutters with students--and disappeared into thin air.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading At nine-fifteen the next Friday morning, Travis Tomkins, chief technician of Midland's new observatory, stepped to the platform of Old Main to speak before an attentive crowd of twelve hundred undergraduates--and vanished before their eyes!

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading At half past three on a Tuesday afternoon, in broad daylight, Professor Hallowell of the Midland University physics department left Jurnegan Hall, walked down a campus path clogged to the gutters with students--and disappeared into thin air.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Time was no barrier to Lancelot Biggs when he found out Horse-sense Hank alone could solve his problem.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading At half past three on a Tuesday afternoon, in broad daylight, Professor Hallowell of the Midland University physics department left Jurnegan Hall, walked down a campus path clogged to the gutters with students--and disappeared into thin air.

a course of conduct

From this reading At half past three on a Tuesday afternoon, in broad daylight, Professor Hallowell of the Midland University physics department left Jurnegan Hall, walked down a campus path clogged to the gutters with students--and disappeared into thin air.

the science of matter and energy and their interactions

From this reading At half past three on a Tuesday afternoon, in broad daylight, Professor Hallowell of the Midland University physics department left Jurnegan Hall, walked down a campus path clogged to the gutters with students--and disappeared into thin air.

a raised horizontal surface

From this reading At nine-fifteen the next Friday morning, Travis Tomkins, chief technician of Midland's new observatory, stepped to the platform of Old Main to speak before an attentive crowd of twelve hundred undergraduates--and vanished before their eyes!

a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved

From this reading Time was no barrier to Lancelot Biggs when he found out Horse-sense Hank alone could solve his problem.

someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university

From this reading At half past three on a Tuesday afternoon, in broad daylight, Professor Hallowell of the Midland University physics department left Jurnegan Hall, walked down a campus path clogged to the gutters with students--and disappeared into thin air.

comparative of “silly” — ludicrous, foolish

From this reading This sounds even sillier.

ludicrous, foolish

From this reading This sounds silly.

find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of

From this reading Time was no barrier to Lancelot Biggs when he found out Horse-sense Hank alone could solve his problem.

plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading This sounds silly.

express in speech

From this reading At nine-fifteen the next Friday morning, Travis Tomkins, chief technician of Midland's new observatory, stepped to the platform of Old Main to speak before an attentive crowd of twelve hundred undergraduates--and vanished before their eyes!

inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step

From this reading At nine-fifteen the next Friday morning, Travis Tomkins, chief technician of Midland's new observatory, stepped to the platform of Old Main to speak before an attentive crowd of twelve hundred undergraduates--and vanished before their eyes!

plural of “student” — a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution

From this reading At half past three on a Tuesday afternoon, in broad daylight, Professor Hallowell of the Midland University physics department left Jurnegan Hall, walked down a campus path clogged to the gutters with students--and disappeared into thin air.

someone whose occupation involves training in a specific technical process

From this reading At nine-fifteen the next Friday morning, Travis Tomkins, chief technician of Midland's new observatory, stepped to the platform of Old Main to speak before an attentive crowd of twelve hundred undergraduates--and vanished before their eyes!

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

From this reading At half past three on a Tuesday afternoon, in broad daylight, Professor Hallowell of the Midland University physics department left Jurnegan Hall, walked down a campus path clogged to the gutters with students--and disappeared into thin air.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading At nine-fifteen the next Friday morning, Travis Tomkins, chief technician of Midland's new observatory, stepped to the platform of Old Main to speak before an attentive crowd of twelve hundred undergraduates--and vanished before their eyes!

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading At half past three on a Tuesday afternoon, in broad daylight, Professor Hallowell of the Midland University physics department left Jurnegan Hall, walked down a campus path clogged to the gutters with students--and disappeared into thin air.

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

From this reading This sounds silly.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading At half past three on a Tuesday afternoon, in broad daylight, Professor Hallowell of the Midland University physics department left Jurnegan Hall, walked down a campus path clogged to the gutters with students--and disappeared into thin air.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Time was no barrier to Lancelot Biggs when he found out Horse-sense Hank alone could solve his problem.

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

From this reading Time was no barrier to Lancelot Biggs when he found out Horse-sense Hank alone could solve his problem.

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

From this reading At nine-fifteen the next Friday morning, Travis Tomkins, chief technician of Midland's new observatory, stepped to the platform of Old Main to speak before an attentive crowd of twelve hundred undergraduates--and vanished before their eyes!

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

From this reading At nine-fifteen the next Friday morning, Travis Tomkins, chief technician of Midland's new observatory, stepped to the platform of Old Main to speak before an attentive crowd of twelve hundred undergraduates--and vanished before their eyes!

the third day of the week; the second working day

From this reading At half past three on a Tuesday afternoon, in broad daylight, Professor Hallowell of the Midland University physics department left Jurnegan Hall, walked down a campus path clogged to the gutters with students--and disappeared into thin air.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading At nine-fifteen the next Friday morning, Travis Tomkins, chief technician of Midland's new observatory, stepped to the platform of Old Main to speak before an attentive crowd of twelve hundred undergraduates--and vanished before their eyes!

plural of “undergraduate” — a university student who has not yet received a first degree

From this reading At nine-fifteen the next Friday morning, Travis Tomkins, chief technician of Midland's new observatory, stepped to the platform of Old Main to speak before an attentive crowd of twelve hundred undergraduates--and vanished before their eyes!

the body of faculty and students at a university

From this reading At half past three on a Tuesday afternoon, in broad daylight, Professor Hallowell of the Midland University physics department left Jurnegan Hall, walked down a campus path clogged to the gutters with students--and disappeared into thin air.

having passed out of existence

From this reading At nine-fifteen the next Friday morning, Travis Tomkins, chief technician of Midland's new observatory, stepped to the platform of Old Main to speak before an attentive crowd of twelve hundred undergraduates--and vanished before their eyes!

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading At half past three on a Tuesday afternoon, in broad daylight, Professor Hallowell of the Midland University physics department left Jurnegan Hall, walked down a campus path clogged to the gutters with students--and disappeared into thin air.

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

From this reading Time was no barrier to Lancelot Biggs when he found out Horse-sense Hank alone could solve his problem.

at the time that

From this reading Time was no barrier to Lancelot Biggs when he found out Horse-sense Hank alone could solve his problem.

in the company of; together with

From this reading At half past three on a Tuesday afternoon, in broad daylight, Professor Hallowell of the Midland University physics department left Jurnegan Hall, walked down a campus path clogged to the gutters with students--and disappeared into thin air.