Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

forsaken by owner or inhabitants

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

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

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

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

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose

From this reading "Hello," he said to Manuel, his young Mexican assistant, "what the devil can that be?"

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

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

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

From this reading "Hello," he said to Manuel, his young Mexican assistant, "what the devil can that be?"

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Queer, it certainly was, and of a species Talbot had never before laid eyes on.

warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading "Dios!" he exclaimed, "but it is a queer bird, senor."

plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "Dios!" he exclaimed, "but it is a queer bird, senor."

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading "Hello," he said to Manuel, his young Mexican assistant, "what the devil can that be?"

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

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading Queer, it certainly was, and of a species Talbot had never before laid eyes on.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

placed crosswise

From this reading Manuel crossed himself swiftly.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

(Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell

From this reading "Hello," he said to Manuel, his young Mexican assistant, "what the devil can that be?"

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

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

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

From this reading "Dios!" he exclaimed, "but it is a queer bird, senor."

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

come out into view, as from concealment

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy

From this reading "Dios!" he exclaimed, "but it is a queer bird, senor."

opinion or judgment

From this reading Queer, it certainly was, and of a species Talbot had never before laid eyes on.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

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

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

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

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

an expression of greeting

From this reading "Hello," he said to Manuel, his young Mexican assistant, "what the devil can that be?"

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Manuel crossed himself swiftly.

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

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

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

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

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

From this reading "Dios!" he exclaimed, "but it is a queer bird, senor."

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "Dios!" he exclaimed, "but it is a queer bird, senor."

set down according to a plan

From this reading Queer, it certainly was, and of a species Talbot had never before laid eyes on.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

not compact or dense in structure or arrangement

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

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

From this reading "Hello," he said to Manuel, his young Mexican assistant, "what the devil can that be?"

a native or inhabitant of Mexico

From this reading "Hello," he said to Manuel, his young Mexican assistant, "what the devil can that be?"

the act of extracting ores or coal etc from the earth

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Queer, it certainly was, and of a species Talbot had never before laid eyes on.

a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Queer, it certainly was, and of a species Talbot had never before laid eyes on.

an authoritative person who divines the future

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

above and across; more than

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

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

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

plural of “prospect” — the possibility of future success

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading "Dios!" he exclaimed, "but it is a queer bird, senor."

tending to return to an earlier state

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

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

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Hello," he said to Manuel, his young Mexican assistant, "what the devil can that be?"

cut with a saw

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

a small hard fruit

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

a Spanish title or form of address for a man; similar to the English “Mr” or “sir”

From this reading "Dios!" he exclaimed, "but it is a queer bird, senor."

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

a line that forms the length of an arrow pointer

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

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

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

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

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

(biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed

From this reading Queer, it certainly was, and of a species Talbot had never before laid eyes on.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

imagine to be the case or true or probable

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

in a swift manner

From this reading Manuel crossed himself swiftly.

English inventor and pioneer in photography who published the first book illustrated with photographs (1800-1877)

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

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

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

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

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

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

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

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

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

at the time that

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

actively engaged in paid work

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds [Sidenote: Little did Prof. Reubens suspect what his atom-tampering would set loose upon the world.] Talbot had been working that day, far up in the Catalinas, looking over some mining prospects for his company, and was returning to the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle when, from the mouth of an abandoned shaft some distance back of that town, he saw a strange object emerge.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading "Hello," he said to Manuel, his young Mexican assistant, "what the devil can that be?"