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The second shell
The second shell

Chapter I

Cover illustration for The second shell
Context Illustration Reading 1/26 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
_By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.
And while it may be fantastic today, most of it we know, sooner or later, will have become reality._ _All scientists for decades have been wondering what the mysterious Heaviside Layer is.
Radio engineers know of the Heaviside Layer from its effect on radio waves.
It is very much of a fact, yet no one has ever been able to get near it, due to its distance above the surface of the earth, and till we have penetrated it, we cannot be sure what lies above it._ _We know you will enjoy the present story, which easily bears re-reading from time to time._
It was two o'clock in the morning of September 5, 1939.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The second shell

Chapter I

Reading 1/26 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
_By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.
Line 2
And while it may be fantastic today, most of it we know, sooner or later, will have become reality._ _All scientists for decades have been wondering what the mysterious Heaviside Layer is.
Line 3
Radio engineers know of the Heaviside Layer from its effect on radio waves.
Line 4
It is very much of a fact, yet no one has ever been able to get near it, due to its distance above the surface of the earth, and till we have penetrated it, we cannot be sure what lies above it._ _We know you will enjoy the present story, which easily bears re-reading from time to time._
Line 5
It was two o'clock in the morning of September 5, 1939.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Above preposition US /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading “It is very much of a fact, yet no one has ever been able to get near it, due to its distance above the surface of the earth, and till we have penetrated it, we cannot be sure what lies above it._ _We know you will enjoy the present story, which easily bears re-reading from time to time._”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “And while it may be fantastic today, most of it we know, sooner or later, will have become reality._ _All scientists for decades have been wondering what the mysterious Heaviside Layer is.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It is very much of a fact, yet no one has ever been able to get near it, due to its distance above the surface of the earth, and till we have penetrated it, we cannot be sure what lies above it._ _We know you will enjoy the present story, which easily bears re-reading from time to time._”

Fine noun US /fine/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “_By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “It is very much of a fact, yet no one has ever been able to get near it, due to its distance above the surface of the earth, and till we have penetrated it, we cannot be sure what lies above it._ _We know you will enjoy the present story, which easily bears re-reading from time to time._”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “_By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.”

Here noun US /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

Know noun US /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And while it may be fantastic today, most of it we know, sooner or later, will have become reality._ _All scientists for decades have been wondering what the mysterious Heaviside Layer is.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “And while it may be fantastic today, most of it we know, sooner or later, will have become reality._ _All scientists for decades have been wondering what the mysterious Heaviside Layer is.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was two o'clock in the morning of September 5, 1939.”

Mysterious adjective US /mɪˈstɪriəs/

difficult to explain or understand

From this reading “And while it may be fantastic today, most of it we know, sooner or later, will have become reality._ _All scientists for decades have been wondering what the mysterious Heaviside Layer is.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “It is very much of a fact, yet no one has ever been able to get near it, due to its distance above the surface of the earth, and till we have penetrated it, we cannot be sure what lies above it._ _We know you will enjoy the present story, which easily bears re-reading from time to time._”

Sure noun US /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It is very much of a fact, yet no one has ever been able to get near it, due to its distance above the surface of the earth, and till we have penetrated it, we cannot be sure what lies above it._ _We know you will enjoy the present story, which easily bears re-reading from time to time._”

Till preposition US /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “It is very much of a fact, yet no one has ever been able to get near it, due to its distance above the surface of the earth, and till we have penetrated it, we cannot be sure what lies above it._ _We know you will enjoy the present story, which easily bears re-reading from time to time._”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It is very much of a fact, yet no one has ever been able to get near it, due to its distance above the surface of the earth, and till we have penetrated it, we cannot be sure what lies above it._ _We know you will enjoy the present story, which easily bears re-reading from time to time._”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “And while it may be fantastic today, most of it we know, sooner or later, will have become reality._ _All scientists for decades have been wondering what the mysterious Heaviside Layer is.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “It is very much of a fact, yet no one has ever been able to get near it, due to its distance above the surface of the earth, and till we have penetrated it, we cannot be sure what lies above it._ _We know you will enjoy the present story, which easily bears re-reading from time to time._”

All words in this reading · 108

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

1939

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

From this reading It was two o'clock in the morning of September 5, 1939.

5

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

From this reading It was two o'clock in the morning of September 5, 1939.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading _By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.

able

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

From this reading It is very much of a fact, yet no one has ever been able to get near it, due to its distance above the surface of the earth, and till we have penetrated it, we cannot be sure what lies above it._ _We know you will enjoy the present story, which easily bears re-reading from time to time._

aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading It is very much of a fact, yet no one has ever been able to get near it, due to its distance above the surface of the earth, and till we have penetrated it, we cannot be sure what lies above it._ _We know you will enjoy the present story, which easily bears re-reading from time to time._

adventure

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

From this reading _By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.

aerial

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

From this reading _By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.

Alien

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

From this reading _By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.

All

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

From this reading And while it may be fantastic today, most of it we know, sooner or later, will have become reality._ _All scientists for decades have been wondering what the mysterious Heaviside Layer is.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading _By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.

Author

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

From this reading _By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.

authors

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

From this reading _By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading And while it may be fantastic today, most of it we know, sooner or later, will have become reality._ _All scientists for decades have been wondering what the mysterious Heaviside Layer is.

bears

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

From this reading It is very much of a fact, yet no one has ever been able to get near it, due to its distance above the surface of the earth, and till we have penetrated it, we cannot be sure what lies above it._ _We know you will enjoy the present story, which easily bears re-reading from time to time._

become

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

From this reading And while it may be fantastic today, most of it we know, sooner or later, will have become reality._ _All scientists for decades have been wondering what the mysterious Heaviside Layer is.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading And while it may be fantastic today, most of it we know, sooner or later, will have become reality._ _All scientists for decades have been wondering what the mysterious Heaviside Layer is.

ByprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading _By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.

cannot

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

From this reading It is very much of a fact, yet no one has ever been able to get near it, due to its distance above the surface of the earth, and till we have penetrated it, we cannot be sure what lies above it._ _We know you will enjoy the present story, which easily bears re-reading from time to time._

decades

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

From this reading And while it may be fantastic today, most of it we know, sooner or later, will have become reality._ _All scientists for decades have been wondering what the mysterious Heaviside Layer is.

distance

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

From this reading It is very much of a fact, yet no one has ever been able to get near it, due to its distance above the surface of the earth, and till we have penetrated it, we cannot be sure what lies above it._ _We know you will enjoy the present story, which easily bears re-reading from time to time._

due

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

From this reading It is very much of a fact, yet no one has ever been able to get near it, due to its distance above the surface of the earth, and till we have penetrated it, we cannot be sure what lies above it._ _We know you will enjoy the present story, which easily bears re-reading from time to time._

earth

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

From this reading It is very much of a fact, yet no one has ever been able to get near it, due to its distance above the surface of the earth, and till we have penetrated it, we cannot be sure what lies above it._ _We know you will enjoy the present story, which easily bears re-reading from time to time._

easily

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

From this reading It is very much of a fact, yet no one has ever been able to get near it, due to its distance above the surface of the earth, and till we have penetrated it, we cannot be sure what lies above it._ _We know you will enjoy the present story, which easily bears re-reading from time to time._

effect

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

From this reading Radio engineers know of the Heaviside Layer from its effect on radio waves.

engineers

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

From this reading Radio engineers know of the Heaviside Layer from its effect on radio waves.

enjoy

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

From this reading It is very much of a fact, yet no one has ever been able to get near it, due to its distance above the surface of the earth, and till we have penetrated it, we cannot be sure what lies above it._ _We know you will enjoy the present story, which easily bears re-reading from time to time._

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It is very much of a fact, yet no one has ever been able to get near it, due to its distance above the surface of the earth, and till we have penetrated it, we cannot be sure what lies above it._ _We know you will enjoy the present story, which easily bears re-reading from time to time._

fact

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

From this reading It is very much of a fact, yet no one has ever been able to get near it, due to its distance above the surface of the earth, and till we have penetrated it, we cannot be sure what lies above it._ _We know you will enjoy the present story, which easily bears re-reading from time to time._

fantastic

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

From this reading And while it may be fantastic today, most of it we know, sooner or later, will have become reality._ _All scientists for decades have been wondering what the mysterious Heaviside Layer is.

Few

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

From this reading _By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.

fiction

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

From this reading _By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.

finenounUS /fine/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading _By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading And while it may be fantastic today, most of it we know, sooner or later, will have become reality._ _All scientists for decades have been wondering what the mysterious Heaviside Layer is.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading _By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.

get

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

From this reading It is very much of a fact, yet no one has ever been able to get near it, due to its distance above the surface of the earth, and till we have penetrated it, we cannot be sure what lies above it._ _We know you will enjoy the present story, which easily bears re-reading from time to time._

Girl

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

From this reading _By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It is very much of a fact, yet no one has ever been able to get near it, due to its distance above the surface of the earth, and till we have penetrated it, we cannot be sure what lies above it._ _We know you will enjoy the present story, which easily bears re-reading from time to time._

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading _By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.

Heaviside

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

From this reading And while it may be fantastic today, most of it we know, sooner or later, will have become reality._ _All scientists for decades have been wondering what the mysterious Heaviside Layer is.

HerenounUS /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading _By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading _By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.

imaginative

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

From this reading _By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading It was two o'clock in the morning of September 5, 1939.

Intelligence

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

From this reading _By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading And while it may be fantastic today, most of it we know, sooner or later, will have become reality._ _All scientists for decades have been wondering what the mysterious Heaviside Layer is.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading And while it may be fantastic today, most of it we know, sooner or later, will have become reality._ _All scientists for decades have been wondering what the mysterious Heaviside Layer is.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Radio engineers know of the Heaviside Layer from its effect on radio waves.

Jack

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

From this reading _By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.

knack

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

From this reading _By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.

knownounUS /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And while it may be fantastic today, most of it we know, sooner or later, will have become reality._ _All scientists for decades have been wondering what the mysterious Heaviside Layer is.

later

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

From this reading And while it may be fantastic today, most of it we know, sooner or later, will have become reality._ _All scientists for decades have been wondering what the mysterious Heaviside Layer is.

latest

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

From this reading _By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.

Layer

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

From this reading And while it may be fantastic today, most of it we know, sooner or later, will have become reality._ _All scientists for decades have been wondering what the mysterious Heaviside Layer is.

lies

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

From this reading It is very much of a fact, yet no one has ever been able to get near it, due to its distance above the surface of the earth, and till we have penetrated it, we cannot be sure what lies above it._ _We know you will enjoy the present story, which easily bears re-reading from time to time._

Mars

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

From this reading _By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading And while it may be fantastic today, most of it we know, sooner or later, will have become reality._ _All scientists for decades have been wondering what the mysterious Heaviside Layer is.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was two o'clock in the morning of September 5, 1939.

most

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

From this reading And while it may be fantastic today, most of it we know, sooner or later, will have become reality._ _All scientists for decades have been wondering what the mysterious Heaviside Layer is.

much

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

From this reading _By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.

mysteriousadjectiveUS /mɪˈstɪriəs/

difficult to explain or understand

From this reading And while it may be fantastic today, most of it we know, sooner or later, will have become reality._ _All scientists for decades have been wondering what the mysterious Heaviside Layer is.

near

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

From this reading It is very much of a fact, yet no one has ever been able to get near it, due to its distance above the surface of the earth, and till we have penetrated it, we cannot be sure what lies above it._ _We know you will enjoy the present story, which easily bears re-reading from time to time._

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading It is very much of a fact, yet no one has ever been able to get near it, due to its distance above the surface of the earth, and till we have penetrated it, we cannot be sure what lies above it._ _We know you will enjoy the present story, which easily bears re-reading from time to time._

o'clock

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

From this reading It was two o'clock in the morning of September 5, 1939.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Radio engineers know of the Heaviside Layer from its effect on radio waves.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It is very much of a fact, yet no one has ever been able to get near it, due to its distance above the surface of the earth, and till we have penetrated it, we cannot be sure what lies above it._ _We know you will enjoy the present story, which easily bears re-reading from time to time._

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading And while it may be fantastic today, most of it we know, sooner or later, will have become reality._ _All scientists for decades have been wondering what the mysterious Heaviside Layer is.

other

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

From this reading _By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.

pack

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

From this reading _By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.

penetrated

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

From this reading It is very much of a fact, yet no one has ever been able to get near it, due to its distance above the surface of the earth, and till we have penetrated it, we cannot be sure what lies above it._ _We know you will enjoy the present story, which easily bears re-reading from time to time._

piece

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

From this reading _By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.

present

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

From this reading It is very much of a fact, yet no one has ever been able to get near it, due to its distance above the surface of the earth, and till we have penetrated it, we cannot be sure what lies above it._ _We know you will enjoy the present story, which easily bears re-reading from time to time._

presents

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

From this reading _By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.

Radio

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

From this reading Radio engineers know of the Heaviside Layer from its effect on radio waves.

re-reading

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

From this reading It is very much of a fact, yet no one has ever been able to get near it, due to its distance above the surface of the earth, and till we have penetrated it, we cannot be sure what lies above it._ _We know you will enjoy the present story, which easily bears re-reading from time to time._

reality

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

From this reading And while it may be fantastic today, most of it we know, sooner or later, will have become reality._ _All scientists for decades have been wondering what the mysterious Heaviside Layer is.

science

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

From this reading _By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.

scientists

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From this reading And while it may be fantastic today, most of it we know, sooner or later, will have become reality._ _All scientists for decades have been wondering what the mysterious Heaviside Layer is.

September

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From this reading It was two o'clock in the morning of September 5, 1939.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading _By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.

sooner

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

From this reading And while it may be fantastic today, most of it we know, sooner or later, will have become reality._ _All scientists for decades have been wondering what the mysterious Heaviside Layer is.

stories

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

From this reading _By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.

story

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

From this reading It is very much of a fact, yet no one has ever been able to get near it, due to its distance above the surface of the earth, and till we have penetrated it, we cannot be sure what lies above it._ _We know you will enjoy the present story, which easily bears re-reading from time to time._

surenounUS /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It is very much of a fact, yet no one has ever been able to get near it, due to its distance above the surface of the earth, and till we have penetrated it, we cannot be sure what lies above it._ _We know you will enjoy the present story, which easily bears re-reading from time to time._

surface

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

From this reading It is very much of a fact, yet no one has ever been able to get near it, due to its distance above the surface of the earth, and till we have penetrated it, we cannot be sure what lies above it._ _We know you will enjoy the present story, which easily bears re-reading from time to time._

symphony

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

From this reading _By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading _By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading _By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.

thrilling

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

From this reading _By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.

tillprepositionUS /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading It is very much of a fact, yet no one has ever been able to get near it, due to its distance above the surface of the earth, and till we have penetrated it, we cannot be sure what lies above it._ _We know you will enjoy the present story, which easily bears re-reading from time to time._

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It is very much of a fact, yet no one has ever been able to get near it, due to its distance above the surface of the earth, and till we have penetrated it, we cannot be sure what lies above it._ _We know you will enjoy the present story, which easily bears re-reading from time to time._

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading _By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.

today

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

From this reading And while it may be fantastic today, most of it we know, sooner or later, will have become reality._ _All scientists for decades have been wondering what the mysterious Heaviside Layer is.

two

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

From this reading It was two o'clock in the morning of September 5, 1939.

very

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

From this reading It is very much of a fact, yet no one has ever been able to get near it, due to its distance above the surface of the earth, and till we have penetrated it, we cannot be sure what lies above it._ _We know you will enjoy the present story, which easily bears re-reading from time to time._

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was two o'clock in the morning of September 5, 1939.

waves

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From this reading Radio engineers know of the Heaviside Layer from its effect on radio waves.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading And while it may be fantastic today, most of it we know, sooner or later, will have become reality._ _All scientists for decades have been wondering what the mysterious Heaviside Layer is.

well-known

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

From this reading _By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading And while it may be fantastic today, most of it we know, sooner or later, will have become reality._ _All scientists for decades have been wondering what the mysterious Heaviside Layer is.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading It is very much of a fact, yet no one has ever been able to get near it, due to its distance above the surface of the earth, and till we have penetrated it, we cannot be sure what lies above it._ _We know you will enjoy the present story, which easily bears re-reading from time to time._

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading And while it may be fantastic today, most of it we know, sooner or later, will have become reality._ _All scientists for decades have been wondering what the mysterious Heaviside Layer is.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading And while it may be fantastic today, most of it we know, sooner or later, will have become reality._ _All scientists for decades have been wondering what the mysterious Heaviside Layer is.

Williamson's

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

From this reading _By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading _By the Author of "The Alien Intelligence," "The Girl from Mars"_ _Here the well-known author of "The Alien Intelligence" and other thrilling stories presents his latest symphony, a fine piece of aerial fiction._ _Few authors have Jack Williamson's knack to pack their stories with so much adventure and with so much imaginative science.

wondering

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

From this reading And while it may be fantastic today, most of it we know, sooner or later, will have become reality._ _All scientists for decades have been wondering what the mysterious Heaviside Layer is.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading It is very much of a fact, yet no one has ever been able to get near it, due to its distance above the surface of the earth, and till we have penetrated it, we cannot be sure what lies above it._ _We know you will enjoy the present story, which easily bears re-reading from time to time._

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading It is very much of a fact, yet no one has ever been able to get near it, due to its distance above the surface of the earth, and till we have penetrated it, we cannot be sure what lies above it._ _We know you will enjoy the present story, which easily bears re-reading from time to time._