24
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Somewhere on the horizon, Earth lay, an invisible, remote speck of dust we had forsaken 24 dreary, claustrophobic months ago.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading [Sidenote: _Benson did his best to keep his colony from going native, but what can you do when the Natives have a rare human intelligence and know all about the facts of life?_] It was the afternoon of our arrival.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading [Sidenote: _Benson did his best to keep his colony from going native, but what can you do when the Natives have a rare human intelligence and know all about the facts of life?_] It was the afternoon of our arrival.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading [Sidenote: _Benson did his best to keep his colony from going native, but what can you do when the Natives have a rare human intelligence and know all about the facts of life?_] It was the afternoon of our arrival.
in the past
From this reading Somewhere on the horizon, Earth lay, an invisible, remote speck of dust we had forsaken 24 dreary, claustrophobic months ago.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Our fellow members of the "test colony" were back in the clearing at the edge of the lake, getting their ground-legs and drinking in the sweet, clean air of Sirius XXII.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading [Sidenote: _Benson did his best to keep his colony from going native, but what can you do when the Natives have a rare human intelligence and know all about the facts of life?_] It was the afternoon of our arrival.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading I was strolling along the strip of sandy beach with Phillip Benson, leader of our group, sniffing the spicy perfume of the forest that crowded within twenty feet of the water's edge.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Half a billion miles overhead, Sirius shone with an artificially white glow.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading [Sidenote: _Benson did his best to keep his colony from going native, but what can you do when the Natives have a rare human intelligence and know all about the facts of life?_] It was the afternoon of our arrival.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading [Sidenote: _Benson did his best to keep his colony from going native, but what can you do when the Natives have a rare human intelligence and know all about the facts of life?_] It was the afternoon of our arrival.
artificiallyadverbUS /ˌɑːrtəˈfɪʃəli/
not according to nature; not by natural means
From this reading Half a billion miles overhead, Sirius shone with an artificially white glow.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Our fellow members of the "test colony" were back in the clearing at the edge of the lake, getting their ground-legs and drinking in the sweet, clean air of Sirius XXII.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Our fellow members of the "test colony" were back in the clearing at the edge of the lake, getting their ground-legs and drinking in the sweet, clean air of Sirius XXII.
an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake
From this reading I was strolling along the strip of sandy beach with Phillip Benson, leader of our group, sniffing the spicy perfume of the forest that crowded within twenty feet of the water's edge.
Benson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: _Benson did his best to keep his colony from going native, but what can you do when the Natives have a rare human intelligence and know all about the facts of life?_] It was the afternoon of our arrival.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading [Sidenote: _Benson did his best to keep his colony from going native, but what can you do when the Natives have a rare human intelligence and know all about the facts of life?_] It was the afternoon of our arrival.
billionnounUS /ˈbɪljən/
the number that is represented as a one followed by 12 zeros; in the United Kingdom the usage followed in the United States is frequently seen
From this reading Half a billion miles overhead, Sirius shone with an artificially white glow.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading [Sidenote: _Benson did his best to keep his colony from going native, but what can you do when the Natives have a rare human intelligence and know all about the facts of life?_] It was the afternoon of our arrival.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading [Sidenote: _Benson did his best to keep his colony from going native, but what can you do when the Natives have a rare human intelligence and know all about the facts of life?_] It was the afternoon of our arrival.
claustrophobicadjectiveUS /ˌklɔːstrəˈfoʊbɪk/
uncomfortably closed or hemmed in
From this reading Somewhere on the horizon, Earth lay, an invisible, remote speck of dust we had forsaken 24 dreary, claustrophobic months ago.
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading Our fellow members of the "test colony" were back in the clearing at the edge of the lake, getting their ground-legs and drinking in the sweet, clean air of Sirius XXII.
clearingnounUS /ˈklɪrɪŋ/
a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area
From this reading Our fellow members of the "test colony" were back in the clearing at the edge of the lake, getting their ground-legs and drinking in the sweet, clean air of Sirius XXII.
colonynounUS /ˈkɑːləni/
a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government
From this reading [Sidenote: _Benson did his best to keep his colony from going native, but what can you do when the Natives have a rare human intelligence and know all about the facts of life?_] It was the afternoon of our arrival.
overfilled or compacted or concentrated
From this reading I was strolling along the strip of sandy beach with Phillip Benson, leader of our group, sniffing the spicy perfume of the forest that crowded within twenty feet of the water's edge.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading [Sidenote: _Benson did his best to keep his colony from going native, but what can you do when the Natives have a rare human intelligence and know all about the facts of life?_] It was the afternoon of our arrival.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading [Sidenote: _Benson did his best to keep his colony from going native, but what can you do when the Natives have a rare human intelligence and know all about the facts of life?_] It was the afternoon of our arrival.
drearyadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪri/
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
From this reading Somewhere on the horizon, Earth lay, an invisible, remote speck of dust we had forsaken 24 dreary, claustrophobic months ago.
the act of consuming liquids
From this reading Our fellow members of the "test colony" were back in the clearing at the edge of the lake, getting their ground-legs and drinking in the sweet, clean air of Sirius XXII.
remove the dust from
From this reading Somewhere on the horizon, Earth lay, an invisible, remote speck of dust we had forsaken 24 dreary, claustrophobic months ago.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading Somewhere on the horizon, Earth lay, an invisible, remote speck of dust we had forsaken 24 dreary, claustrophobic months ago.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading Our fellow members of the "test colony" were back in the clearing at the edge of the lake, getting their ground-legs and drinking in the sweet, clean air of Sirius XXII.
plural of “fact” — a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading [Sidenote: _Benson did his best to keep his colony from going native, but what can you do when the Natives have a rare human intelligence and know all about the facts of life?_] It was the afternoon of our arrival.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading I was strolling along the strip of sandy beach with Phillip Benson, leader of our group, sniffing the spicy perfume of the forest that crowded within twenty feet of the water's edge.
a boy or man
From this reading Our fellow members of the "test colony" were back in the clearing at the edge of the lake, getting their ground-legs and drinking in the sweet, clean air of Sirius XXII.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading I was strolling along the strip of sandy beach with Phillip Benson, leader of our group, sniffing the spicy perfume of the forest that crowded within twenty feet of the water's edge.
forsakenverbUS /fɔːrˈseɪkən/
inflected form of “forsake” — leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading Somewhere on the horizon, Earth lay, an invisible, remote speck of dust we had forsaken 24 dreary, claustrophobic months ago.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading [Sidenote: _Benson did his best to keep his colony from going native, but what can you do when the Natives have a rare human intelligence and know all about the facts of life?_] It was the afternoon of our arrival.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading Our fellow members of the "test colony" were back in the clearing at the edge of the lake, getting their ground-legs and drinking in the sweet, clean air of Sirius XXII.
an alert and refreshed state
From this reading Half a billion miles overhead, Sirius shone with an artificially white glow.
the act of departing
From this reading [Sidenote: _Benson did his best to keep his colony from going native, but what can you do when the Natives have a rare human intelligence and know all about the facts of life?_] It was the afternoon of our arrival.
ground-legs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our fellow members of the "test colony" were back in the clearing at the edge of the lake, getting their ground-legs and drinking in the sweet, clean air of Sirius XXII.
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading I was strolling along the strip of sandy beach with Phillip Benson, leader of our group, sniffing the spicy perfume of the forest that crowded within twenty feet of the water's edge.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Somewhere on the horizon, Earth lay, an invisible, remote speck of dust we had forsaken 24 dreary, claustrophobic months ago.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Half a billion miles overhead, Sirius shone with an artificially white glow.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading [Sidenote: _Benson did his best to keep his colony from going native, but what can you do when the Natives have a rare human intelligence and know all about the facts of life?_] It was the afternoon of our arrival.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading [Sidenote: _Benson did his best to keep his colony from going native, but what can you do when the Natives have a rare human intelligence and know all about the facts of life?_] It was the afternoon of our arrival.
the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet
From this reading Somewhere on the horizon, Earth lay, an invisible, remote speck of dust we had forsaken 24 dreary, claustrophobic months ago.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading [Sidenote: _Benson did his best to keep his colony from going native, but what can you do when the Natives have a rare human intelligence and know all about the facts of life?_] It was the afternoon of our arrival.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I was strolling along the strip of sandy beach with Phillip Benson, leader of our group, sniffing the spicy perfume of the forest that crowded within twenty feet of the water's edge.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Our fellow members of the "test colony" were back in the clearing at the edge of the lake, getting their ground-legs and drinking in the sweet, clean air of Sirius XXII.
the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience
From this reading [Sidenote: _Benson did his best to keep his colony from going native, but what can you do when the Natives have a rare human intelligence and know all about the facts of life?_] It was the afternoon of our arrival.
invisibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɪzəbəl/
impossible or nearly impossible to see; imperceptible by the eye
From this reading Somewhere on the horizon, Earth lay, an invisible, remote speck of dust we had forsaken 24 dreary, claustrophobic months ago.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading [Sidenote: _Benson did his best to keep his colony from going native, but what can you do when the Natives have a rare human intelligence and know all about the facts of life?_] It was the afternoon of our arrival.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading [Sidenote: _Benson did his best to keep his colony from going native, but what can you do when the Natives have a rare human intelligence and know all about the facts of life?_] It was the afternoon of our arrival.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading [Sidenote: _Benson did his best to keep his colony from going native, but what can you do when the Natives have a rare human intelligence and know all about the facts of life?_] It was the afternoon of our arrival.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading Our fellow members of the "test colony" were back in the clearing at the edge of the lake, getting their ground-legs and drinking in the sweet, clean air of Sirius XXII.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Somewhere on the horizon, Earth lay, an invisible, remote speck of dust we had forsaken 24 dreary, claustrophobic months ago.
a person who rules or guides or inspires others
From this reading I was strolling along the strip of sandy beach with Phillip Benson, leader of our group, sniffing the spicy perfume of the forest that crowded within twenty feet of the water's edge.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading [Sidenote: _Benson did his best to keep his colony from going native, but what can you do when the Natives have a rare human intelligence and know all about the facts of life?_] It was the afternoon of our arrival.
plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading Our fellow members of the "test colony" were back in the clearing at the edge of the lake, getting their ground-legs and drinking in the sweet, clean air of Sirius XXII.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading Half a billion miles overhead, Sirius shone with an artificially white glow.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading Somewhere on the horizon, Earth lay, an invisible, remote speck of dust we had forsaken 24 dreary, claustrophobic months ago.
characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin
From this reading [Sidenote: _Benson did his best to keep his colony from going native, but what can you do when the Natives have a rare human intelligence and know all about the facts of life?_] It was the afternoon of our arrival.
NativesnounUS /ˈneɪtɪvz/
plural of “native” — an indigenous person who was born in a particular place
From this reading [Sidenote: _Benson did his best to keep his colony from going native, but what can you do when the Natives have a rare human intelligence and know all about the facts of life?_] It was the afternoon of our arrival.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading [Sidenote: _Benson did his best to keep his colony from going native, but what can you do when the Natives have a rare human intelligence and know all about the facts of life?_] It was the afternoon of our arrival.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Somewhere on the horizon, Earth lay, an invisible, remote speck of dust we had forsaken 24 dreary, claustrophobic months ago.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading [Sidenote: _Benson did his best to keep his colony from going native, but what can you do when the Natives have a rare human intelligence and know all about the facts of life?_] It was the afternoon of our arrival.
overheadadverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhed/
above your head; in the sky
From this reading Half a billion miles overhead, Sirius shone with an artificially white glow.
perfumenounUS /pərˈfjuːm/
a distinctive odor that is pleasant
From this reading I was strolling along the strip of sandy beach with Phillip Benson, leader of our group, sniffing the spicy perfume of the forest that crowded within twenty feet of the water's edge.
Phillip
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was strolling along the strip of sandy beach with Phillip Benson, leader of our group, sniffing the spicy perfume of the forest that crowded within twenty feet of the water's edge.
not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
From this reading [Sidenote: _Benson did his best to keep his colony from going native, but what can you do when the Natives have a rare human intelligence and know all about the facts of life?_] It was the afternoon of our arrival.
remoteadjectiveUS /rɪˈmoʊt/
located far away spatially
From this reading Somewhere on the horizon, Earth lay, an invisible, remote speck of dust we had forsaken 24 dreary, claustrophobic months ago.
sandyadjectiveUS /ˈsændi/
of hair color; pale yellowish to yellowish brown
From this reading I was strolling along the strip of sandy beach with Phillip Benson, leader of our group, sniffing the spicy perfume of the forest that crowded within twenty feet of the water's edge.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading Half a billion miles overhead, Sirius shone with an artificially white glow.
Sidenote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: _Benson did his best to keep his colony from going native, but what can you do when the Natives have a rare human intelligence and know all about the facts of life?_] It was the afternoon of our arrival.
SiriusnounUS /ˈsɪrɪəs/
the brightest star in the sky; in Canis Major
From this reading Our fellow members of the "test colony" were back in the clearing at the edge of the lake, getting their ground-legs and drinking in the sweet, clean air of Sirius XXII.
sniffingverbUS /ˈsnɪfɪŋ/
-ing form of “sniff” — perceive by inhaling through the nose
From this reading I was strolling along the strip of sandy beach with Phillip Benson, leader of our group, sniffing the spicy perfume of the forest that crowded within twenty feet of the water's edge.
in or at or to some place
From this reading Somewhere on the horizon, Earth lay, an invisible, remote speck of dust we had forsaken 24 dreary, claustrophobic months ago.
specknounUS /spek/
a very small spot
From this reading Somewhere on the horizon, Earth lay, an invisible, remote speck of dust we had forsaken 24 dreary, claustrophobic months ago.
spicyadjectiveUS /ˈspaɪsi/
producing a burning sensation on the taste nerves
From this reading I was strolling along the strip of sandy beach with Phillip Benson, leader of our group, sniffing the spicy perfume of the forest that crowded within twenty feet of the water's edge.
stripverbUS /strɪp/
take away possessions from someone
From this reading I was strolling along the strip of sandy beach with Phillip Benson, leader of our group, sniffing the spicy perfume of the forest that crowded within twenty feet of the water's edge.
strollingverbUS /ˈstroʊlɪŋ/
-ing form of “stroll” — walk leisurely and with no apparent aim
From this reading I was strolling along the strip of sandy beach with Phillip Benson, leader of our group, sniffing the spicy perfume of the forest that crowded within twenty feet of the water's edge.
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading Our fellow members of the "test colony" were back in the clearing at the edge of the lake, getting their ground-legs and drinking in the sweet, clean air of Sirius XXII.
testnounUS /test/
trying something to find out about it
From this reading Our fellow members of the "test colony" were back in the clearing at the edge of the lake, getting their ground-legs and drinking in the sweet, clean air of Sirius XXII.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I was strolling along the strip of sandy beach with Phillip Benson, leader of our group, sniffing the spicy perfume of the forest that crowded within twenty feet of the water's edge.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading [Sidenote: _Benson did his best to keep his colony from going native, but what can you do when the Natives have a rare human intelligence and know all about the facts of life?_] It was the afternoon of our arrival.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Our fellow members of the "test colony" were back in the clearing at the edge of the lake, getting their ground-legs and drinking in the sweet, clean air of Sirius XXII.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading [Sidenote: _Benson did his best to keep his colony from going native, but what can you do when the Natives have a rare human intelligence and know all about the facts of life?_] It was the afternoon of our arrival.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading I was strolling along the strip of sandy beach with Phillip Benson, leader of our group, sniffing the spicy perfume of the forest that crowded within twenty feet of the water's edge.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading [Sidenote: _Benson did his best to keep his colony from going native, but what can you do when the Natives have a rare human intelligence and know all about the facts of life?_] It was the afternoon of our arrival.
water'snounUS /ˈwɔːtərz/
possessive form of “water” — binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading I was strolling along the strip of sandy beach with Phillip Benson, leader of our group, sniffing the spicy perfume of the forest that crowded within twenty feet of the water's edge.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Somewhere on the horizon, Earth lay, an invisible, remote speck of dust we had forsaken 24 dreary, claustrophobic months ago.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Our fellow members of the "test colony" were back in the clearing at the edge of the lake, getting their ground-legs and drinking in the sweet, clean air of Sirius XXII.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading [Sidenote: _Benson did his best to keep his colony from going native, but what can you do when the Natives have a rare human intelligence and know all about the facts of life?_] It was the afternoon of our arrival.
at the time that
From this reading [Sidenote: _Benson did his best to keep his colony from going native, but what can you do when the Natives have a rare human intelligence and know all about the facts of life?_] It was the afternoon of our arrival.
a Caucasian
From this reading Half a billion miles overhead, Sirius shone with an artificially white glow.
in the company of; together with
From this reading I was strolling along the strip of sandy beach with Phillip Benson, leader of our group, sniffing the spicy perfume of the forest that crowded within twenty feet of the water's edge.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading I was strolling along the strip of sandy beach with Phillip Benson, leader of our group, sniffing the spicy perfume of the forest that crowded within twenty feet of the water's edge.
XXIInoun
the cardinal number that is the sum of twenty-one and one
From this reading Our fellow members of the "test colony" were back in the clearing at the edge of the lake, getting their ground-legs and drinking in the sweet, clean air of Sirius XXII.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading [Sidenote: _Benson did his best to keep his colony from going native, but what can you do when the Natives have a rare human intelligence and know all about the facts of life?_] It was the afternoon of our arrival.
