used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _Even a perfect disguise creates problems for its wearer.
Abner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his second-class cabin aboard the starship, the man whose papers said he was Major Abner Harris of the Interstellar Development Corps stared at his face in the mirror.
on a ship, train, plane or other vehicle
From this reading In his second-class cabin aboard the starship, the man whose papers said he was Major Abner Harris of the Interstellar Development Corps stared at his face in the mirror.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading How, for one thing, can he be sure anyone else is what he seems?_ The starship _Lucky Lady_ thundered out of overdrive half a million miles from Earth, and began the long steady ion-drive glide at Earthnorm grav toward the orbiting depot.
any person at all
From this reading How, for one thing, can he be sure anyone else is what he seems?_ The starship _Lucky Lady_ thundered out of overdrive half a million miles from Earth, and began the long steady ion-drive glide at Earthnorm grav toward the orbiting depot.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading How, for one thing, can he be sure anyone else is what he seems?_ The starship _Lucky Lady_ thundered out of overdrive half a million miles from Earth, and began the long steady ion-drive glide at Earthnorm grav toward the orbiting depot.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading He smiled; and the even-featured, undistinguished face they had put on him drew back, lips rising in the corners, cheeks tightening, neat white teeth momentarily on display.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading How, for one thing, can he be sure anyone else is what he seems?_ The starship _Lucky Lady_ thundered out of overdrive half a million miles from Earth, and began the long steady ion-drive glide at Earthnorm grav toward the orbiting depot.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He wanted to make sure for the hundredth time that there was no sign of where his tendrils once had been.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading How, for one thing, can he be sure anyone else is what he seems?_ The starship _Lucky Lady_ thundered out of overdrive half a million miles from Earth, and began the long steady ion-drive glide at Earthnorm grav toward the orbiting depot.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading In his second-class cabin aboard the starship, the man whose papers said he was Major Abner Harris of the Interstellar Development Corps stared at his face in the mirror.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading How, for one thing, can he be sure anyone else is what he seems?_ The starship _Lucky Lady_ thundered out of overdrive half a million miles from Earth, and began the long steady ion-drive glide at Earthnorm grav toward the orbiting depot.
plural of “cheek” — either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading He smiled; and the even-featured, undistinguished face they had put on him drew back, lips rising in the corners, cheeks tightening, neat white teeth momentarily on display.
cornersnounUS /ˈkɔːrnərz/
plural of “corner” — a place off to the side of an area
From this reading He smiled; and the even-featured, undistinguished face they had put on him drew back, lips rising in the corners, cheeks tightening, neat white teeth momentarily on display.
CorpsnounUS /kɔːr/
an army unit usually consisting of two or more divisions and their support
From this reading In his second-class cabin aboard the starship, the man whose papers said he was Major Abner Harris of the Interstellar Development Corps stared at his face in the mirror.
createsverbUS /kriˈeɪts/
third-person singular of “create” — make or cause to be or to become
From this reading _Even a perfect disguise creates problems for its wearer.
depotnounUS /ˈdiːpoʊ/
station where transport vehicles load or unload passengers or goods
From this reading How, for one thing, can he be sure anyone else is what he seems?_ The starship _Lucky Lady_ thundered out of overdrive half a million miles from Earth, and began the long steady ion-drive glide at Earthnorm grav toward the orbiting depot.
DevelopmentnounUS /dɪˈveləpmənt/
act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining
From this reading In his second-class cabin aboard the starship, the man whose papers said he was Major Abner Harris of the Interstellar Development Corps stared at his face in the mirror.
disguisenounUS /dɪsˈɡaɪz/
A means of altering one's appearance to conceal one's identity.
From this reading _Even a perfect disguise creates problems for its wearer.
displaynounUS /dɪˈspleɪ/
something intended to communicate a particular impression
From this reading He smiled; and the even-featured, undistinguished face they had put on him drew back, lips rising in the corners, cheeks tightening, neat white teeth momentarily on display.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading He smiled; and the even-featured, undistinguished face they had put on him drew back, lips rising in the corners, cheeks tightening, neat white teeth momentarily on display.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading How, for one thing, can he be sure anyone else is what he seems?_ The starship _Lucky Lady_ thundered out of overdrive half a million miles from Earth, and began the long steady ion-drive glide at Earthnorm grav toward the orbiting depot.
Earthnorm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How, for one thing, can he be sure anyone else is what he seems?_ The starship _Lucky Lady_ thundered out of overdrive half a million miles from Earth, and began the long steady ion-drive glide at Earthnorm grav toward the orbiting depot.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How, for one thing, can he be sure anyone else is what he seems?_ The starship _Lucky Lady_ thundered out of overdrive half a million miles from Earth, and began the long steady ion-drive glide at Earthnorm grav toward the orbiting depot.
divisible by two
From this reading _Even a perfect disguise creates problems for its wearer.
even-featured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He smiled; and the even-featured, undistinguished face they had put on him drew back, lips rising in the corners, cheeks tightening, neat white teeth momentarily on display.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading In his second-class cabin aboard the starship, the man whose papers said he was Major Abner Harris of the Interstellar Development Corps stared at his face in the mirror.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading _Even a perfect disguise creates problems for its wearer.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading How, for one thing, can he be sure anyone else is what he seems?_ The starship _Lucky Lady_ thundered out of overdrive half a million miles from Earth, and began the long steady ion-drive glide at Earthnorm grav toward the orbiting depot.
glideverbUS /ɡlaɪd/
move smoothly and effortlessly
From this reading How, for one thing, can he be sure anyone else is what he seems?_ The starship _Lucky Lady_ thundered out of overdrive half a million miles from Earth, and began the long steady ion-drive glide at Earthnorm grav toward the orbiting depot.
grav
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How, for one thing, can he be sure anyone else is what he seems?_ The starship _Lucky Lady_ thundered out of overdrive half a million miles from Earth, and began the long steady ion-drive glide at Earthnorm grav toward the orbiting depot.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He wanted to make sure for the hundredth time that there was no sign of where his tendrils once had been.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading How, for one thing, can he be sure anyone else is what he seems?_ The starship _Lucky Lady_ thundered out of overdrive half a million miles from Earth, and began the long steady ion-drive glide at Earthnorm grav toward the orbiting depot.
HarrisnounUS /ˈherɪs/
United States author who wrote the stories about Uncle Remus (1848-1908)
From this reading In his second-class cabin aboard the starship, the man whose papers said he was Major Abner Harris of the Interstellar Development Corps stared at his face in the mirror.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading How, for one thing, can he be sure anyone else is what he seems?_ The starship _Lucky Lady_ thundered out of overdrive half a million miles from Earth, and began the long steady ion-drive glide at Earthnorm grav toward the orbiting depot.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He smiled; and the even-featured, undistinguished face they had put on him drew back, lips rising in the corners, cheeks tightening, neat white teeth momentarily on display.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In his second-class cabin aboard the starship, the man whose papers said he was Major Abner Harris of the Interstellar Development Corps stared at his face in the mirror.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How, for one thing, can he be sure anyone else is what he seems?_ The starship _Lucky Lady_ thundered out of overdrive half a million miles from Earth, and began the long steady ion-drive glide at Earthnorm grav toward the orbiting depot.
hundredthnounUS /ˈhʌndrədθ/
position 100 in a countable series of things
From this reading He wanted to make sure for the hundredth time that there was no sign of where his tendrils once had been.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In his second-class cabin aboard the starship, the man whose papers said he was Major Abner Harris of the Interstellar Development Corps stared at his face in the mirror.
InterstellaradjectiveUS /ˌɪntərˈstelər/
between or among stars
From this reading In his second-class cabin aboard the starship, the man whose papers said he was Major Abner Harris of the Interstellar Development Corps stared at his face in the mirror.
ion-drive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How, for one thing, can he be sure anyone else is what he seems?_ The starship _Lucky Lady_ thundered out of overdrive half a million miles from Earth, and began the long steady ion-drive glide at Earthnorm grav toward the orbiting depot.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading How, for one thing, can he be sure anyone else is what he seems?_ The starship _Lucky Lady_ thundered out of overdrive half a million miles from Earth, and began the long steady ion-drive glide at Earthnorm grav toward the orbiting depot.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading _Even a perfect disguise creates problems for its wearer.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading How, for one thing, can he be sure anyone else is what he seems?_ The starship _Lucky Lady_ thundered out of overdrive half a million miles from Earth, and began the long steady ion-drive glide at Earthnorm grav toward the orbiting depot.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading He smiled; and the even-featured, undistinguished face they had put on him drew back, lips rising in the corners, cheeks tightening, neat white teeth momentarily on display.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading How, for one thing, can he be sure anyone else is what he seems?_ The starship _Lucky Lady_ thundered out of overdrive half a million miles from Earth, and began the long steady ion-drive glide at Earthnorm grav toward the orbiting depot.
occurring by chance
From this reading How, for one thing, can he be sure anyone else is what he seems?_ The starship _Lucky Lady_ thundered out of overdrive half a million miles from Earth, and began the long steady ion-drive glide at Earthnorm grav toward the orbiting depot.
MajoradjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/
of greater importance or stature or rank
From this reading In his second-class cabin aboard the starship, the man whose papers said he was Major Abner Harris of the Interstellar Development Corps stared at his face in the mirror.
engage in
From this reading He wanted to make sure for the hundredth time that there was no sign of where his tendrils once had been.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading In his second-class cabin aboard the starship, the man whose papers said he was Major Abner Harris of the Interstellar Development Corps stared at his face in the mirror.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading How, for one thing, can he be sure anyone else is what he seems?_ The starship _Lucky Lady_ thundered out of overdrive half a million miles from Earth, and began the long steady ion-drive glide at Earthnorm grav toward the orbiting depot.
millionnounUS /ˈmɪljən/
the number that is represented as a one followed by 6 zeros
From this reading How, for one thing, can he be sure anyone else is what he seems?_ The starship _Lucky Lady_ thundered out of overdrive half a million miles from Earth, and began the long steady ion-drive glide at Earthnorm grav toward the orbiting depot.
mirrornounUS /ˈmɪrər/
polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
From this reading In his second-class cabin aboard the starship, the man whose papers said he was Major Abner Harris of the Interstellar Development Corps stared at his face in the mirror.
momentarilyadverbUS /ˌmoʊmənˈterəli/
for an instant or moment
From this reading He smiled; and the even-featured, undistinguished face they had put on him drew back, lips rising in the corners, cheeks tightening, neat white teeth momentarily on display.
neatadjectiveUS /niːt/
clean or organized
From this reading He smiled; and the even-featured, undistinguished face they had put on him drew back, lips rising in the corners, cheeks tightening, neat white teeth momentarily on display.
not any; not one
From this reading He wanted to make sure for the hundredth time that there was no sign of where his tendrils once had been.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading How, for one thing, can he be sure anyone else is what he seems?_ The starship _Lucky Lady_ thundered out of overdrive half a million miles from Earth, and began the long steady ion-drive glide at Earthnorm grav toward the orbiting depot.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He smiled; and the even-featured, undistinguished face they had put on him drew back, lips rising in the corners, cheeks tightening, neat white teeth momentarily on display.
on one occasion
From this reading He wanted to make sure for the hundredth time that there was no sign of where his tendrils once had been.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading How, for one thing, can he be sure anyone else is what he seems?_ The starship _Lucky Lady_ thundered out of overdrive half a million miles from Earth, and began the long steady ion-drive glide at Earthnorm grav toward the orbiting depot.
orbitingverbUS /ˈɔːrbətɪŋ/
-ing form of “orbit” — move in an orbit
From this reading How, for one thing, can he be sure anyone else is what he seems?_ The starship _Lucky Lady_ thundered out of overdrive half a million miles from Earth, and began the long steady ion-drive glide at Earthnorm grav toward the orbiting depot.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading How, for one thing, can he be sure anyone else is what he seems?_ The starship _Lucky Lady_ thundered out of overdrive half a million miles from Earth, and began the long steady ion-drive glide at Earthnorm grav toward the orbiting depot.
overdriveverbUS /ˈoʊvərdraɪv/
drive or work too hard
From this reading How, for one thing, can he be sure anyone else is what he seems?_ The starship _Lucky Lady_ thundered out of overdrive half a million miles from Earth, and began the long steady ion-drive glide at Earthnorm grav toward the orbiting depot.
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading In his second-class cabin aboard the starship, the man whose papers said he was Major Abner Harris of the Interstellar Development Corps stared at his face in the mirror.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading _Even a perfect disguise creates problems for its wearer.
problemsnounUS /ˈprɑːbləmz/
plural of “problem” — a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading _Even a perfect disguise creates problems for its wearer.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He smiled; and the even-featured, undistinguished face they had put on him drew back, lips rising in the corners, cheeks tightening, neat white teeth momentarily on display.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading He smiled; and the even-featured, undistinguished face they had put on him drew back, lips rising in the corners, cheeks tightening, neat white teeth momentarily on display.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading In his second-class cabin aboard the starship, the man whose papers said he was Major Abner Harris of the Interstellar Development Corps stared at his face in the mirror.
second-classadjective
of inferior status or quality
From this reading In his second-class cabin aboard the starship, the man whose papers said he was Major Abner Harris of the Interstellar Development Corps stared at his face in the mirror.
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading How, for one thing, can he be sure anyone else is what he seems?_ The starship _Lucky Lady_ thundered out of overdrive half a million miles from Earth, and began the long steady ion-drive glide at Earthnorm grav toward the orbiting depot.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading He wanted to make sure for the hundredth time that there was no sign of where his tendrils once had been.
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading He smiled; and the even-featured, undistinguished face they had put on him drew back, lips rising in the corners, cheeks tightening, neat white teeth momentarily on display.
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading In his second-class cabin aboard the starship, the man whose papers said he was Major Abner Harris of the Interstellar Development Corps stared at his face in the mirror.
starshipnounUS /ˈstɑːrʃɪp/
a spacecraft designed to carry a crew into interstellar space (especially in science fiction)
From this reading How, for one thing, can he be sure anyone else is what he seems?_ The starship _Lucky Lady_ thundered out of overdrive half a million miles from Earth, and began the long steady ion-drive glide at Earthnorm grav toward the orbiting depot.
make steady
From this reading How, for one thing, can he be sure anyone else is what he seems?_ The starship _Lucky Lady_ thundered out of overdrive half a million miles from Earth, and began the long steady ion-drive glide at Earthnorm grav toward the orbiting depot.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading How, for one thing, can he be sure anyone else is what he seems?_ The starship _Lucky Lady_ thundered out of overdrive half a million miles from Earth, and began the long steady ion-drive glide at Earthnorm grav toward the orbiting depot.
the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal
From this reading He smiled; and the even-featured, undistinguished face they had put on him drew back, lips rising in the corners, cheeks tightening, neat white teeth momentarily on display.
tendrils
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to make sure for the hundredth time that there was no sign of where his tendrils once had been.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He wanted to make sure for the hundredth time that there was no sign of where his tendrils once had been.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading How, for one thing, can he be sure anyone else is what he seems?_ The starship _Lucky Lady_ thundered out of overdrive half a million miles from Earth, and began the long steady ion-drive glide at Earthnorm grav toward the orbiting depot.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He wanted to make sure for the hundredth time that there was no sign of where his tendrils once had been.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He smiled; and the even-featured, undistinguished face they had put on him drew back, lips rising in the corners, cheeks tightening, neat white teeth momentarily on display.
a special situation
From this reading How, for one thing, can he be sure anyone else is what he seems?_ The starship _Lucky Lady_ thundered out of overdrive half a million miles from Earth, and began the long steady ion-drive glide at Earthnorm grav toward the orbiting depot.
thunderedverbUS /ˈθʌndərd/
past form of “thunder” — move fast, noisily, and heavily
From this reading How, for one thing, can he be sure anyone else is what he seems?_ The starship _Lucky Lady_ thundered out of overdrive half a million miles from Earth, and began the long steady ion-drive glide at Earthnorm grav toward the orbiting depot.
tighteningnounUS /ˈtaɪtənɪŋ/
the act of making something tighter
From this reading He smiled; and the even-featured, undistinguished face they had put on him drew back, lips rising in the corners, cheeks tightening, neat white teeth momentarily on display.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He wanted to make sure for the hundredth time that there was no sign of where his tendrils once had been.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He wanted to make sure for the hundredth time that there was no sign of where his tendrils once had been.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading How, for one thing, can he be sure anyone else is what he seems?_ The starship _Lucky Lady_ thundered out of overdrive half a million miles from Earth, and began the long steady ion-drive glide at Earthnorm grav toward the orbiting depot.
undistinguishedadjectiveUS /ˌʌndɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃt/
not special in any way; lacking distinction
From this reading He smiled; and the even-featured, undistinguished face they had put on him drew back, lips rising in the corners, cheeks tightening, neat white teeth momentarily on display.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading He wanted to make sure for the hundredth time that there was no sign of where his tendrils once had been.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In his second-class cabin aboard the starship, the man whose papers said he was Major Abner Harris of the Interstellar Development Corps stared at his face in the mirror.
wearernounUS /ˈwerər/
a person who wears or carries or displays something as a body covering or accessory
From this reading _Even a perfect disguise creates problems for its wearer.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading How, for one thing, can he be sure anyone else is what he seems?_ The starship _Lucky Lady_ thundered out of overdrive half a million miles from Earth, and began the long steady ion-drive glide at Earthnorm grav toward the orbiting depot.
in or at the place that
From this reading He wanted to make sure for the hundredth time that there was no sign of where his tendrils once had been.
a Caucasian
From this reading He smiled; and the even-featured, undistinguished face they had put on him drew back, lips rising in the corners, cheeks tightening, neat white teeth momentarily on display.
belonging to which person
From this reading In his second-class cabin aboard the starship, the man whose papers said he was Major Abner Harris of the Interstellar Development Corps stared at his face in the mirror.
