used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There were a number of structures laid out on the plain under the blue glow of Neptune.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It must have covered thirty acres, rising about thirty feet from the ground.
acresnounUS /ˈeɪkərz/
extensive landed property (especially in the country) retained by the owner for his own use
From this reading It must have covered thirty acres, rising about thirty feet from the ground.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Burl saw that only one of them was a true building in the design he had come to know was that of an ancient Plutonian temple except that it was far, far larger than any of the ruined shells he had seen on Pluto.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading Burl saw that only one of them was a true building in the design he had come to know was that of an ancient Plutonian temple except that it was far, far larger than any of the ruined shells he had seen on Pluto.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The other structures turned out to be walls and pillars arranged around the central building, evidently in relation to their religious significance.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Burl saw that only one of them was a true building in the design he had come to know was that of an ancient Plutonian temple except that it was far, far larger than any of the ruined shells he had seen on Pluto.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The other structures turned out to be walls and pillars arranged around the central building, evidently in relation to their religious significance.
disposed or placed in a particular kind of order
From this reading The other structures turned out to be walls and pillars arranged around the central building, evidently in relation to their religious significance.
barriersnounUS /ˈbæriərz/
plural of “barrier” — a structure or object that impedes free movement
From this reading This main building, ornately decorated, was windowless, and the several closed doors represented metallic and forbidding barriers.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The other structures turned out to be walls and pillars arranged around the central building, evidently in relation to their religious significance.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading There were a number of structures laid out on the plain under the blue glow of Neptune.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading Burl saw that only one of them was a true building in the design he had come to know was that of an ancient Plutonian temple except that it was far, far larger than any of the ruined shells he had seen on Pluto.
BurlnounUS /bɜːrl/
the wood cut from a tree burl or outgrowth; often used decoratively in veneer
From this reading Burl saw that only one of them was a true building in the design he had come to know was that of an ancient Plutonian temple except that it was far, far larger than any of the ruined shells he had seen on Pluto.
centraladjectiveUS /ˈsentrəl/
serving as an essential component
From this reading The other structures turned out to be walls and pillars arranged around the central building, evidently in relation to their religious significance.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading This main building, ornately decorated, was windowless, and the several closed doors represented metallic and forbidding barriers.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Burl saw that only one of them was a true building in the design he had come to know was that of an ancient Plutonian temple except that it was far, far larger than any of the ruined shells he had seen on Pluto.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading It must have covered thirty acres, rising about thirty feet from the ground.
decoratedadjectiveUS /ˈdekəreɪtɪd/
provided with something intended to increase its beauty or distinction
From this reading This main building, ornately decorated, was windowless, and the several closed doors represented metallic and forbidding barriers.
the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)
From this reading Burl saw that only one of them was a true building in the design he had come to know was that of an ancient Plutonian temple except that it was far, far larger than any of the ruined shells he had seen on Pluto.
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading This main building, ornately decorated, was windowless, and the several closed doors represented metallic and forbidding barriers.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading The other structures turned out to be walls and pillars arranged around the central building, evidently in relation to their religious significance.
apart from; not including
From this reading Burl saw that only one of them was a true building in the design he had come to know was that of an ancient Plutonian temple except that it was far, far larger than any of the ruined shells he had seen on Pluto.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Burl saw that only one of them was a true building in the design he had come to know was that of an ancient Plutonian temple except that it was far, far larger than any of the ruined shells he had seen on Pluto.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading It must have covered thirty acres, rising about thirty feet from the ground.
forbiddingadjectiveUS /fərˈbɪdɪŋ/
harshly uninviting or formidable in manner or appearance
From this reading This main building, ornately decorated, was windowless, and the several closed doors represented metallic and forbidding barriers.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It must have covered thirty acres, rising about thirty feet from the ground.
an alert and refreshed state
From this reading There were a number of structures laid out on the plain under the blue glow of Neptune.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading It must have covered thirty acres, rising about thirty feet from the ground.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Burl saw that only one of them was a true building in the design he had come to know was that of an ancient Plutonian temple except that it was far, far larger than any of the ruined shells he had seen on Pluto.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It must have covered thirty acres, rising about thirty feet from the ground.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Burl saw that only one of them was a true building in the design he had come to know was that of an ancient Plutonian temple except that it was far, far larger than any of the ruined shells he had seen on Pluto.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Burl saw that only one of them was a true building in the design he had come to know was that of an ancient Plutonian temple except that it was far, far larger than any of the ruined shells he had seen on Pluto.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Burl saw that only one of them was a true building in the design he had come to know was that of an ancient Plutonian temple except that it was far, far larger than any of the ruined shells he had seen on Pluto.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Burl saw that only one of them was a true building in the design he had come to know was that of an ancient Plutonian temple except that it was far, far larger than any of the ruined shells he had seen on Pluto.
set down according to a plan
From this reading There were a number of structures laid out on the plain under the blue glow of Neptune.
large or big relative to something else
From this reading Burl saw that only one of them was a true building in the design he had come to know was that of an ancient Plutonian temple except that it was far, far larger than any of the ruined shells he had seen on Pluto.
most important element
From this reading This main building, ornately decorated, was windowless, and the several closed doors represented metallic and forbidding barriers.
metallicadjectiveUS /məˈtælɪk/
containing or made of or resembling or characteristic of a metal
From this reading This main building, ornately decorated, was windowless, and the several closed doors represented metallic and forbidding barriers.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading It must have covered thirty acres, rising about thirty feet from the ground.
NeptunenounUS /ˈneptuːn/
(Roman mythology) god of the sea; counterpart of Greek Poseidon
From this reading There were a number of structures laid out on the plain under the blue glow of Neptune.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading There were a number of structures laid out on the plain under the blue glow of Neptune.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There were a number of structures laid out on the plain under the blue glow of Neptune.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There were a number of structures laid out on the plain under the blue glow of Neptune.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Burl saw that only one of them was a true building in the design he had come to know was that of an ancient Plutonian temple except that it was far, far larger than any of the ruined shells he had seen on Pluto.
and nothing more
From this reading Burl saw that only one of them was a true building in the design he had come to know was that of an ancient Plutonian temple except that it was far, far larger than any of the ruined shells he had seen on Pluto.
ornatelyadverbUS /ɔːrˈneɪtli/
in an ornate manner
From this reading This main building, ornately decorated, was windowless, and the several closed doors represented metallic and forbidding barriers.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The other structures turned out to be walls and pillars arranged around the central building, evidently in relation to their religious significance.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading There were a number of structures laid out on the plain under the blue glow of Neptune.
pillarsnounUS /ˈpɪlərz/
plural of “pillar” — a fundamental principle or practice
From this reading The other structures turned out to be walls and pillars arranged around the central building, evidently in relation to their religious significance.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading There were a number of structures laid out on the plain under the blue glow of Neptune.
PlutonounUS /ˈpluːtoʊ/
a cartoon character created by Walt Disney
From this reading Burl saw that only one of them was a true building in the design he had come to know was that of an ancient Plutonian temple except that it was far, far larger than any of the ruined shells he had seen on Pluto.
PlutonianadjectiveUS /pluːˈtoʊniən/
of or relating to or characteristic of Hades or Tartarus
From this reading Burl saw that only one of them was a true building in the design he had come to know was that of an ancient Plutonian temple except that it was far, far larger than any of the ruined shells he had seen on Pluto.
an abstraction belonging to or characteristic of two entities or parts together
From this reading The other structures turned out to be walls and pillars arranged around the central building, evidently in relation to their religious significance.
concerned with sacred matters or religion or the church
From this reading The other structures turned out to be walls and pillars arranged around the central building, evidently in relation to their religious significance.
representedadjectiveUS /ˌreprɪˈzentɪd/
represented accurately or precisely
From this reading This main building, ornately decorated, was windowless, and the several closed doors represented metallic and forbidding barriers.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading It must have covered thirty acres, rising about thirty feet from the ground.
destroyed physically or morally
From this reading Burl saw that only one of them was a true building in the design he had come to know was that of an ancient Plutonian temple except that it was far, far larger than any of the ruined shells he had seen on Pluto.
cut with a saw
From this reading Burl saw that only one of them was a true building in the design he had come to know was that of an ancient Plutonian temple except that it was far, far larger than any of the ruined shells he had seen on Pluto.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Burl saw that only one of them was a true building in the design he had come to know was that of an ancient Plutonian temple except that it was far, far larger than any of the ruined shells he had seen on Pluto.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading This main building, ornately decorated, was windowless, and the several closed doors represented metallic and forbidding barriers.
shellsnounUS /ʃelz/
plural of “shell” — ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading Burl saw that only one of them was a true building in the design he had come to know was that of an ancient Plutonian temple except that it was far, far larger than any of the ruined shells he had seen on Pluto.
significancenounUS /səɡˈnɪfɪkəns/
the quality of being significant
From this reading The other structures turned out to be walls and pillars arranged around the central building, evidently in relation to their religious significance.
structuresnounUS /ˈstrʌktʃərz/
plural of “structure” — a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts
From this reading There were a number of structures laid out on the plain under the blue glow of Neptune.
place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity
From this reading Burl saw that only one of them was a true building in the design he had come to know was that of an ancient Plutonian temple except that it was far, far larger than any of the ruined shells he had seen on Pluto.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Burl saw that only one of them was a true building in the design he had come to know was that of an ancient Plutonian temple except that it was far, far larger than any of the ruined shells he had seen on Pluto.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Burl saw that only one of them was a true building in the design he had come to know was that of an ancient Plutonian temple except that it was far, far larger than any of the ruined shells he had seen on Pluto.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There were a number of structures laid out on the plain under the blue glow of Neptune.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The other structures turned out to be walls and pillars arranged around the central building, evidently in relation to their religious significance.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Burl saw that only one of them was a true building in the design he had come to know was that of an ancient Plutonian temple except that it was far, far larger than any of the ruined shells he had seen on Pluto.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were a number of structures laid out on the plain under the blue glow of Neptune.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three
From this reading It must have covered thirty acres, rising about thirty feet from the ground.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This main building, ornately decorated, was windowless, and the several closed doors represented metallic and forbidding barriers.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Burl saw that only one of them was a true building in the design he had come to know was that of an ancient Plutonian temple except that it was far, far larger than any of the ruined shells he had seen on Pluto.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading Burl saw that only one of them was a true building in the design he had come to know was that of an ancient Plutonian temple except that it was far, far larger than any of the ruined shells he had seen on Pluto.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading The other structures turned out to be walls and pillars arranged around the central building, evidently in relation to their religious significance.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading There were a number of structures laid out on the plain under the blue glow of Neptune.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading The other structures turned out to be walls and pillars arranged around the central building, evidently in relation to their religious significance.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Burl saw that only one of them was a true building in the design he had come to know was that of an ancient Plutonian temple except that it was far, far larger than any of the ruined shells he had seen on Pluto.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were a number of structures laid out on the plain under the blue glow of Neptune.
windowless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This main building, ornately decorated, was windowless, and the several closed doors represented metallic and forbidding barriers.
