used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In some ways I feel they must have had clever minds to overcome so great a handicap to constructive work.
accurateadjectiveUS /ˈækjərət/
conforming exactly or almost exactly to fact or to a standard or performing with total accuracy
From this reading I have been attempting to manipulate myself as they must be forced to, and I cannot see how delicate or accurate manual manipulation would be possible with those rigid, inflexible arms.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Those strange, awkward arms and legs were what puzzled me.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading "I wonder if life in any intelligent form wouldn't develop somewhat similar formations, though.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading "Those strange, awkward arms and legs were what puzzled me.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I have been attempting to manipulate myself as they must be forced to, and I cannot see how delicate or accurate manual manipulation would be possible with those rigid, inflexible arms.
attemptingverbUS /əˈtemptɪŋ/
-ing form of “attempt” — make an effort or attempt
From this reading I have been attempting to manipulate myself as they must be forced to, and I cannot see how delicate or accurate manual manipulation would be possible with those rigid, inflexible arms.
awkwardadjectiveUS /ˈɑːkwərd/
causing inconvenience
From this reading "Those strange, awkward arms and legs were what puzzled me.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I have been attempting to manipulate myself as they must be forced to, and I cannot see how delicate or accurate manual manipulation would be possible with those rigid, inflexible arms.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading But I suppose single joints in the arms become as natural to them as our own more mobile two.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading I have been attempting to manipulate myself as they must be forced to, and I cannot see how delicate or accurate manual manipulation would be possible with those rigid, inflexible arms.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But I suppose single joints in the arms become as natural to them as our own more mobile two.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have been attempting to manipulate myself as they must be forced to, and I cannot see how delicate or accurate manual manipulation would be possible with those rigid, inflexible arms.
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
From this reading In some ways I feel they must have had clever minds to overcome so great a handicap to constructive work.
constructiveadjectiveUS /kənˈstrʌktɪv/
constructing or tending to construct or improve or promote development
From this reading In some ways I feel they must have had clever minds to overcome so great a handicap to constructive work.
exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury
From this reading I have been attempting to manipulate myself as they must be forced to, and I cannot see how delicate or accurate manual manipulation would be possible with those rigid, inflexible arms.
developverbUS /dɪˈveləp/
make something new, such as a product or a mental or artistic creation
From this reading "I wonder if life in any intelligent form wouldn't develop somewhat similar formations, though.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading In some ways I feel they must have had clever minds to overcome so great a handicap to constructive work.
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading I have been attempting to manipulate myself as they must be forced to, and I cannot see how delicate or accurate manual manipulation would be possible with those rigid, inflexible arms.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading "I wonder if life in any intelligent form wouldn't develop somewhat similar formations, though.
formationsnounUS /fɔːrˈmeɪʃənz/
plural of “formation” — an arrangement of people or things acting as a unit
From this reading "I wonder if life in any intelligent form wouldn't develop somewhat similar formations, though.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading In some ways I feel they must have had clever minds to overcome so great a handicap to constructive work.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In some ways I feel they must have had clever minds to overcome so great a handicap to constructive work.
handicapnounUS /ˈhændikæp/
the condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness
From this reading In some ways I feel they must have had clever minds to overcome so great a handicap to constructive work.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I have been attempting to manipulate myself as they must be forced to, and I cannot see how delicate or accurate manual manipulation would be possible with those rigid, inflexible arms.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have been attempting to manipulate myself as they must be forced to, and I cannot see how delicate or accurate manual manipulation would be possible with those rigid, inflexible arms.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I have been attempting to manipulate myself as they must be forced to, and I cannot see how delicate or accurate manual manipulation would be possible with those rigid, inflexible arms.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "I wonder if life in any intelligent form wouldn't develop somewhat similar formations, though.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In some ways I feel they must have had clever minds to overcome so great a handicap to constructive work.
inflexibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfleksəbəl/
incapable of change
From this reading I have been attempting to manipulate myself as they must be forced to, and I cannot see how delicate or accurate manual manipulation would be possible with those rigid, inflexible arms.
intelligentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtelədʒənt/
having the capacity for thought and reason especially to a high degree
From this reading "I wonder if life in any intelligent form wouldn't develop somewhat similar formations, though.
jointsnounUS /dʒɔɪnts/
plural of “joint” — (anatomy) the point of connection between two bones or elements of a skeleton (especially if it allows motion)
From this reading But I suppose single joints in the arms become as natural to them as our own more mobile two.
staying power
From this reading "Those strange, awkward arms and legs were what puzzled me.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading "I wonder if life in any intelligent form wouldn't develop somewhat similar formations, though.
manipulateverbUS /məˈnɪpjəleɪt/
influence or control shrewdly or deviously
From this reading I have been attempting to manipulate myself as they must be forced to, and I cannot see how delicate or accurate manual manipulation would be possible with those rigid, inflexible arms.
manipulationnounUS /məˌnɪpjəˈleɪʃən/
exerting shrewd or devious influence especially for one's own advantage
From this reading I have been attempting to manipulate myself as they must be forced to, and I cannot see how delicate or accurate manual manipulation would be possible with those rigid, inflexible arms.
manualnounUS /ˈmænjuːəl/
a small handbook
From this reading I have been attempting to manipulate myself as they must be forced to, and I cannot see how delicate or accurate manual manipulation would be possible with those rigid, inflexible arms.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Those strange, awkward arms and legs were what puzzled me.
plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason
From this reading In some ways I feel they must have had clever minds to overcome so great a handicap to constructive work.
mobileadjectiveUS /ˈmoʊbəl/
migratory
From this reading But I suppose single joints in the arms become as natural to them as our own more mobile two.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But I suppose single joints in the arms become as natural to them as our own more mobile two.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading I have been attempting to manipulate myself as they must be forced to, and I cannot see how delicate or accurate manual manipulation would be possible with those rigid, inflexible arms.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading I have been attempting to manipulate myself as they must be forced to, and I cannot see how delicate or accurate manual manipulation would be possible with those rigid, inflexible arms.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading But I suppose single joints in the arms become as natural to them as our own more mobile two.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I have been attempting to manipulate myself as they must be forced to, and I cannot see how delicate or accurate manual manipulation would be possible with those rigid, inflexible arms.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading But I suppose single joints in the arms become as natural to them as our own more mobile two.
win a victory over
From this reading In some ways I feel they must have had clever minds to overcome so great a handicap to constructive work.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading But I suppose single joints in the arms become as natural to them as our own more mobile two.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading I have been attempting to manipulate myself as they must be forced to, and I cannot see how delicate or accurate manual manipulation would be possible with those rigid, inflexible arms.
filled with bewilderment
From this reading "Those strange, awkward arms and legs were what puzzled me.
rigidadjectiveUS /ˈrɪdʒəd/
incapable of or resistant to bending
From this reading I have been attempting to manipulate myself as they must be forced to, and I cannot see how delicate or accurate manual manipulation would be possible with those rigid, inflexible arms.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading I have been attempting to manipulate myself as they must be forced to, and I cannot see how delicate or accurate manual manipulation would be possible with those rigid, inflexible arms.
marked by correspondence or resemblance
From this reading "I wonder if life in any intelligent form wouldn't develop somewhat similar formations, though.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading But I suppose single joints in the arms become as natural to them as our own more mobile two.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading In some ways I feel they must have had clever minds to overcome so great a handicap to constructive work.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading In some ways I feel they must have had clever minds to overcome so great a handicap to constructive work.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading "I wonder if life in any intelligent form wouldn't develop somewhat similar formations, though.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading "Those strange, awkward arms and legs were what puzzled me.
express a supposition
From this reading But I suppose single joints in the arms become as natural to them as our own more mobile two.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But I suppose single joints in the arms become as natural to them as our own more mobile two.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But I suppose single joints in the arms become as natural to them as our own more mobile two.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I have been attempting to manipulate myself as they must be forced to, and I cannot see how delicate or accurate manual manipulation would be possible with those rigid, inflexible arms.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading "Those strange, awkward arms and legs were what puzzled me.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading "I wonder if life in any intelligent form wouldn't develop somewhat similar formations, though.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I have been attempting to manipulate myself as they must be forced to, and I cannot see how delicate or accurate manual manipulation would be possible with those rigid, inflexible arms.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading But I suppose single joints in the arms become as natural to them as our own more mobile two.
structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired
From this reading In some ways I feel they must have had clever minds to overcome so great a handicap to constructive work.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Those strange, awkward arms and legs were what puzzled me.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "Those strange, awkward arms and legs were what puzzled me.
in the company of; together with
From this reading I have been attempting to manipulate myself as they must be forced to, and I cannot see how delicate or accurate manual manipulation would be possible with those rigid, inflexible arms.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading "I wonder if life in any intelligent form wouldn't develop somewhat similar formations, though.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading In some ways I feel they must have had clever minds to overcome so great a handicap to constructive work.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I have been attempting to manipulate myself as they must be forced to, and I cannot see how delicate or accurate manual manipulation would be possible with those rigid, inflexible arms.
wouldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I wonder if life in any intelligent form wouldn't develop somewhat similar formations, though.
