used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading [Sidenote: _A gripping tale of the planet Mars and the terrible monstrosity that called its victims to it from afar--a tale of Northwest Smith_] Over time-ruined Illar the searching planes swooped and circled.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Northwest Smith, peering up at them with a steel-pale stare from the shelter of a half-collapsed temple, thought of vultures wheeling above carrion.
afaradverbUS /əˈfɑːr/
(old-fashioned) at or from or to a great distance; far
From this reading [Sidenote: _A gripping tale of the planet Mars and the terrible monstrosity that called its victims to it from afar--a tale of Northwest Smith_] Over time-ruined Illar the searching planes swooped and circled.
(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 All day long now they had been raking these ruins for him.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading There was neither food nor water in these ancient Martian ruins, and he knew that it could be only a matter of time before the urgencies of his own body would drive him out to signal those wheeling Patrol ships and trade his hard-won liberty for food and drink.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading [Sidenote: _A gripping tale of the planet Mars and the terrible monstrosity that called its victims to it from afar--a tale of Northwest Smith_] Over time-ruined Illar the searching planes swooped and circled.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Northwest Smith, peering up at them with a steel-pale stare from the shelter of a half-collapsed temple, thought of vultures wheeling above carrion.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There was neither food nor water in these ancient Martian ruins, and he knew that it could be only a matter of time before the urgencies of his own body would drive him out to signal those wheeling Patrol ships and trade his hard-won liberty for food and drink.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading All day long now they had been raking these ruins for him.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading There was neither food nor water in these ancient Martian ruins, and he knew that it could be only a matter of time before the urgencies of his own body would drive him out to signal those wheeling Patrol ships and trade his hard-won liberty for food and drink.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Presently, he knew, thirst would begin to parch his throat and hunger to gnaw at him.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading There was neither food nor water in these ancient Martian ruins, and he knew that it could be only a matter of time before the urgencies of his own body would drive him out to signal those wheeling Patrol ships and trade his hard-won liberty for food and drink.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading [Sidenote: _A gripping tale of the planet Mars and the terrible monstrosity that called its victims to it from afar--a tale of Northwest Smith_] Over time-ruined Illar the searching planes swooped and circled.
carrionnounUS /ˈkeriən/
the dead and rotting body of an animal; unfit for human food
From this reading Northwest Smith, peering up at them with a steel-pale stare from the shelter of a half-collapsed temple, thought of vultures wheeling above carrion.
circledverbUS /ˈsɜːrkəld/
past form of “circle” — travel around something
From this reading [Sidenote: _A gripping tale of the planet Mars and the terrible monstrosity that called its victims to it from afar--a tale of Northwest Smith_] Over time-ruined Illar the searching planes swooped and circled.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading There was neither food nor water in these ancient Martian ruins, and he knew that it could be only a matter of time before the urgencies of his own body would drive him out to signal those wheeling Patrol ships and trade his hard-won liberty for food and drink.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading All day long now they had been raking these ruins for him.
take in liquids
From this reading There was neither food nor water in these ancient Martian ruins, and he knew that it could be only a matter of time before the urgencies of his own body would drive him out to signal those wheeling Patrol ships and trade his hard-won liberty for food and drink.
operate or control a vehicle
From this reading There was neither food nor water in these ancient Martian ruins, and he knew that it could be only a matter of time before the urgencies of his own body would drive him out to signal those wheeling Patrol ships and trade his hard-won liberty for food and drink.
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading There was neither food nor water in these ancient Martian ruins, and he knew that it could be only a matter of time before the urgencies of his own body would drive him out to signal those wheeling Patrol ships and trade his hard-won liberty for food and drink.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading All day long now they had been raking these ruins for him.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading [Sidenote: _A gripping tale of the planet Mars and the terrible monstrosity that called its victims to it from afar--a tale of Northwest Smith_] Over time-ruined Illar the searching planes swooped and circled.
gnawverbUS /nɔː/
bite or chew on with the teeth
From this reading Presently, he knew, thirst would begin to parch his throat and hunger to gnaw at him.
grippingadjectiveUS /ˈɡrɪpɪŋ/
capable of arousing and holding the attention
From this reading [Sidenote: _A gripping tale of the planet Mars and the terrible monstrosity that called its victims to it from afar--a tale of Northwest Smith_] Over time-ruined Illar the searching planes swooped and circled.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading All day long now they had been raking these ruins for him.
half-collapsed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Northwest Smith, peering up at them with a steel-pale stare from the shelter of a half-collapsed temple, thought of vultures wheeling above carrion.
hard-won
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was neither food nor water in these ancient Martian ruins, and he knew that it could be only a matter of time before the urgencies of his own body would drive him out to signal those wheeling Patrol ships and trade his hard-won liberty for food and drink.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Presently, he knew, thirst would begin to parch his throat and hunger to gnaw at him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading All day long now they had been raking these ruins for him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Presently, he knew, thirst would begin to parch his throat and hunger to gnaw at him.
hungernounUS /ˈhʌŋɡər/
a physiological need for food; the consequence of food deprivation
From this reading Presently, he knew, thirst would begin to parch his throat and hunger to gnaw at him.
Illar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: _A gripping tale of the planet Mars and the terrible monstrosity that called its victims to it from afar--a tale of Northwest Smith_] Over time-ruined Illar the searching planes swooped and circled.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was neither food nor water in these ancient Martian ruins, and he knew that it could be only a matter of time before the urgencies of his own body would drive him out to signal those wheeling Patrol ships and trade his hard-won liberty for food and drink.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading [Sidenote: _A gripping tale of the planet Mars and the terrible monstrosity that called its victims to it from afar--a tale of Northwest Smith_] Over time-ruined Illar the searching planes swooped and circled.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading [Sidenote: _A gripping tale of the planet Mars and the terrible monstrosity that called its victims to it from afar--a tale of Northwest Smith_] Over time-ruined Illar the searching planes swooped and circled.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Presently, he knew, thirst would begin to parch his throat and hunger to gnaw at him.
The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.
From this reading There was neither food nor water in these ancient Martian ruins, and he knew that it could be only a matter of time before the urgencies of his own body would drive him out to signal those wheeling Patrol ships and trade his hard-won liberty for food and drink.
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 All day long now they had been raking these ruins for him.
MarsnounUS /mɑːrz/
a small reddish planet that is the 4th from the sun and is periodically visible to the naked eye; minerals rich in iron cover its surface and are responsible for its characteristic color
From this reading [Sidenote: _A gripping tale of the planet Mars and the terrible monstrosity that called its victims to it from afar--a tale of Northwest Smith_] Over time-ruined Illar the searching planes swooped and circled.
MartiannounUS /ˈmɑːrʃən/
imaginary people who live on the planet Mars
From this reading There was neither food nor water in these ancient Martian ruins, and he knew that it could be only a matter of time before the urgencies of his own body would drive him out to signal those wheeling Patrol ships and trade his hard-won liberty for food and drink.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading There was neither food nor water in these ancient Martian ruins, and he knew that it could be only a matter of time before the urgencies of his own body would drive him out to signal those wheeling Patrol ships and trade his hard-won liberty for food and drink.
monstrositynounUS /mɑːnˈstrɑːsəti/
a person or animal that is markedly unusual or deformed
From this reading [Sidenote: _A gripping tale of the planet Mars and the terrible monstrosity that called its victims to it from afar--a tale of Northwest Smith_] Over time-ruined Illar the searching planes swooped and circled.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading There was neither food nor water in these ancient Martian ruins, and he knew that it could be only a matter of time before the urgencies of his own body would drive him out to signal those wheeling Patrol ships and trade his hard-won liberty for food and drink.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading There was neither food nor water in these ancient Martian ruins, and he knew that it could be only a matter of time before the urgencies of his own body would drive him out to signal those wheeling Patrol ships and trade his hard-won liberty for food and drink.
NorthwestnounUS /ˌnɔːrˈθwest/
the northwestern region of the United States
From this reading [Sidenote: _A gripping tale of the planet Mars and the terrible monstrosity that called its victims to it from afar--a tale of Northwest Smith_] Over time-ruined Illar the searching planes swooped and circled.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading All day long now they had been raking these ruins for him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading [Sidenote: _A gripping tale of the planet Mars and the terrible monstrosity that called its victims to it from afar--a tale of Northwest Smith_] Over time-ruined Illar the searching planes swooped and circled.
and nothing more
From this reading There was neither food nor water in these ancient Martian ruins, and he knew that it could be only a matter of time before the urgencies of his own body would drive him out to signal those wheeling Patrol ships and trade his hard-won liberty for food and drink.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading There was neither food nor water in these ancient Martian ruins, and he knew that it could be only a matter of time before the urgencies of his own body would drive him out to signal those wheeling Patrol ships and trade his hard-won liberty for food and drink.
OverprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading [Sidenote: _A gripping tale of the planet Mars and the terrible monstrosity that called its victims to it from afar--a tale of Northwest Smith_] Over time-ruined Illar the searching planes swooped and circled.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading There was neither food nor water in these ancient Martian ruins, and he knew that it could be only a matter of time before the urgencies of his own body would drive him out to signal those wheeling Patrol ships and trade his hard-won liberty for food and drink.
parchverbUS /pɑːrtʃ/
cause to wither or parch from exposure to heat
From this reading Presently, he knew, thirst would begin to parch his throat and hunger to gnaw at him.
PatrolnounUS /pəˈtroʊl/
a detachment used for security or reconnaissance
From this reading There was neither food nor water in these ancient Martian ruins, and he knew that it could be only a matter of time before the urgencies of his own body would drive him out to signal those wheeling Patrol ships and trade his hard-won liberty for food and drink.
peeringverbUS /ˈpiːrɪŋ/
-ing form of “peer” — look searchingly
From this reading Northwest Smith, peering up at them with a steel-pale stare from the shelter of a half-collapsed temple, thought of vultures wheeling above carrion.
planesnounUS /pleɪnz/
plural of “plane” — an aircraft that has a fixed wing and is powered by propellers or jets
From this reading [Sidenote: _A gripping tale of the planet Mars and the terrible monstrosity that called its victims to it from afar--a tale of Northwest Smith_] Over time-ruined Illar the searching planes swooped and circled.
planetnounUS /ˈplænət/
(astronomy) any of the nine large celestial bodies in the solar system that revolve around the sun and shine by reflected light
From this reading [Sidenote: _A gripping tale of the planet Mars and the terrible monstrosity that called its victims to it from afar--a tale of Northwest Smith_] Over time-ruined Illar the searching planes swooped and circled.
in the near future
From this reading Presently, he knew, thirst would begin to parch his throat and hunger to gnaw at him.
rakingverbUS /ˈreɪkɪŋ/
-ing form of “rake” — move through with or as if with a rake
From this reading All day long now they had been raking these ruins for him.
ruinsnounUS /ˈruːənz/
plural of “ruin” — an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
From this reading All day long now they had been raking these ruins for him.
diligent and thorough in inquiry or investigation
From this reading [Sidenote: _A gripping tale of the planet Mars and the terrible monstrosity that called its victims to it from afar--a tale of Northwest Smith_] Over time-ruined Illar the searching planes swooped and circled.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading Northwest Smith, peering up at them with a steel-pale stare from the shelter of a half-collapsed temple, thought of vultures wheeling above carrion.
plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight
From this reading There was neither food nor water in these ancient Martian ruins, and he knew that it could be only a matter of time before the urgencies of his own body would drive him out to signal those wheeling Patrol ships and trade his hard-won liberty for food and drink.
Sidenote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: _A gripping tale of the planet Mars and the terrible monstrosity that called its victims to it from afar--a tale of Northwest Smith_] Over time-ruined Illar the searching planes swooped and circled.
any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message
From this reading There was neither food nor water in these ancient Martian ruins, and he knew that it could be only a matter of time before the urgencies of his own body would drive him out to signal those wheeling Patrol ships and trade his hard-won liberty for food and drink.
Rhodesian statesman who declared independence of Zimbabwe from Great Britain (born in 1919)
From this reading [Sidenote: _A gripping tale of the planet Mars and the terrible monstrosity that called its victims to it from afar--a tale of Northwest Smith_] Over time-ruined Illar the searching planes swooped and circled.
stareverbUS /ster/
look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Northwest Smith, peering up at them with a steel-pale stare from the shelter of a half-collapsed temple, thought of vultures wheeling above carrion.
steel-pale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Northwest Smith, peering up at them with a steel-pale stare from the shelter of a half-collapsed temple, thought of vultures wheeling above carrion.
swoopedverbUS /swuːpt/
past form of “swoop” — move down on as if in an attack
From this reading [Sidenote: _A gripping tale of the planet Mars and the terrible monstrosity that called its victims to it from afar--a tale of Northwest Smith_] Over time-ruined Illar the searching planes swooped and circled.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading [Sidenote: _A gripping tale of the planet Mars and the terrible monstrosity that called its victims to it from afar--a tale of Northwest Smith_] Over time-ruined Illar the searching planes swooped and circled.
place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity
From this reading Northwest Smith, peering up at them with a steel-pale stare from the shelter of a half-collapsed temple, thought of vultures wheeling above carrion.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading [Sidenote: _A gripping tale of the planet Mars and the terrible monstrosity that called its victims to it from afar--a tale of Northwest Smith_] Over time-ruined Illar the searching planes swooped and circled.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading [Sidenote: _A gripping tale of the planet Mars and the terrible monstrosity that called its victims to it from afar--a tale of Northwest Smith_] Over time-ruined Illar the searching planes swooped and circled.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading [Sidenote: _A gripping tale of the planet Mars and the terrible monstrosity that called its victims to it from afar--a tale of Northwest Smith_] Over time-ruined Illar the searching planes swooped and circled.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Northwest Smith, peering up at them with a steel-pale stare from the shelter of a half-collapsed temple, thought of vultures wheeling above carrion.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was neither food nor water in these ancient Martian ruins, and he knew that it could be only a matter of time before the urgencies of his own body would drive him out to signal those wheeling Patrol ships and trade his hard-won liberty for food and drink.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading All day long now they had been raking these ruins for him.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading All day long now they had been raking these ruins for him.
thirstnounUS /θɜːrst/
a physiological need to drink
From this reading Presently, he knew, thirst would begin to parch his throat and hunger to gnaw at him.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading There was neither food nor water in these ancient Martian ruins, and he knew that it could be only a matter of time before the urgencies of his own body would drive him out to signal those wheeling Patrol ships and trade his hard-won liberty for food and drink.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Northwest Smith, peering up at them with a steel-pale stare from the shelter of a half-collapsed temple, thought of vultures wheeling above carrion.
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading Presently, he knew, thirst would begin to parch his throat and hunger to gnaw at him.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading There was neither food nor water in these ancient Martian ruins, and he knew that it could be only a matter of time before the urgencies of his own body would drive him out to signal those wheeling Patrol ships and trade his hard-won liberty for food and drink.
time-ruined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: _A gripping tale of the planet Mars and the terrible monstrosity that called its victims to it from afar--a tale of Northwest Smith_] Over time-ruined Illar the searching planes swooped and circled.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading [Sidenote: _A gripping tale of the planet Mars and the terrible monstrosity that called its victims to it from afar--a tale of Northwest Smith_] Over time-ruined Illar the searching planes swooped and circled.
the commercial exchange (buying and selling on domestic or international markets) of goods and services
From this reading There was neither food nor water in these ancient Martian ruins, and he knew that it could be only a matter of time before the urgencies of his own body would drive him out to signal those wheeling Patrol ships and trade his hard-won liberty for food and drink.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Northwest Smith, peering up at them with a steel-pale stare from the shelter of a half-collapsed temple, thought of vultures wheeling above carrion.
urgencies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was neither food nor water in these ancient Martian ruins, and he knew that it could be only a matter of time before the urgencies of his own body would drive him out to signal those wheeling Patrol ships and trade his hard-won liberty for food and drink.
victimsnounUS /ˈvɪktəmz/
plural of “victim” — an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance
From this reading [Sidenote: _A gripping tale of the planet Mars and the terrible monstrosity that called its victims to it from afar--a tale of Northwest Smith_] Over time-ruined Illar the searching planes swooped and circled.
vulturesnounUS /ˈvʌltʃərz/
plural of “vulture” — any of various large diurnal birds of prey having naked heads and weak claws and feeding chiefly on carrion
From this reading Northwest Smith, peering up at them with a steel-pale stare from the shelter of a half-collapsed temple, thought of vultures wheeling above carrion.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was neither food nor water in these ancient Martian ruins, and he knew that it could be only a matter of time before the urgencies of his own body would drive him out to signal those wheeling Patrol ships and trade his hard-won liberty for food and drink.
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 There was neither food nor water in these ancient Martian ruins, and he knew that it could be only a matter of time before the urgencies of his own body would drive him out to signal those wheeling Patrol ships and trade his hard-won liberty for food and drink.
wheelingnounUS /ˈwiːlɪŋ/
a city in the northern panhandle of West Virginia on the Ohio river
From this reading Northwest Smith, peering up at them with a steel-pale stare from the shelter of a half-collapsed temple, thought of vultures wheeling above carrion.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Northwest Smith, peering up at them with a steel-pale stare from the shelter of a half-collapsed temple, thought of vultures wheeling above carrion.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Presently, he knew, thirst would begin to parch his throat and hunger to gnaw at him.
