Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading To any question they would supply an answer--for a price.

the action of accomplishing something

From this reading [Sidenote: _The scientists of Rykeman III were conceded by all the galactic members to be supreme in scientific achievement.

someone who administers a business

From this reading He told himself he was not a mere library administrator, although he was proud of the information files built up under his direction.

(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: _The scientists of Rykeman III were conceded by all the galactic members to be supreme in scientific achievement.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading He told himself he was not a mere library administrator, although he was proud of the information files built up under his direction.

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

From this reading To any question they would supply an answer--for a price.

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

From this reading And Hockley, of all Earth's scientists, was the stubborn one who wanted to weigh the answers with the costs...._] The Chief Officer of Scientific Services, Information and Coordination was a somewhat misleading and obscure title, and Dr. Sherman Hockley who held it was not the least of those whom the title misled and sometimes obscured.

react verbally

From this reading To any question they would supply an answer--for a price.

plural of “answer” — a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation

From this reading And Hockley, of all Earth's scientists, was the stubborn one who wanted to weigh the answers with the costs...._] The Chief Officer of Scientific Services, Information and Coordination was a somewhat misleading and obscure title, and Dr. Sherman Hockley who held it was not the least of those whom the title misled and sometimes obscured.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading To any question they would supply an answer--for a price.

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

From this reading [Sidenote: _The scientists of Rykeman III were conceded by all the galactic members to be supreme in scientific achievement.

(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness

From this reading He told himself he was not a mere library administrator, although he was proud of the information files built up under his direction.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading [Sidenote: _The scientists of Rykeman III were conceded by all the galactic members to be supreme in scientific achievement.

a person who is in charge

From this reading And Hockley, of all Earth's scientists, was the stubborn one who wanted to weigh the answers with the costs...._] The Chief Officer of Scientific Services, Information and Coordination was a somewhat misleading and obscure title, and Dr. Sherman Hockley who held it was not the least of those whom the title misled and sometimes obscured.

past form of “concede” — admit (to a wrongdoing)

From this reading [Sidenote: _The scientists of Rykeman III were conceded by all the galactic members to be supreme in scientific achievement.

the skillful and effective interaction of movements

From this reading And Hockley, of all Earth's scientists, was the stubborn one who wanted to weigh the answers with the costs...._] The Chief Officer of Scientific Services, Information and Coordination was a somewhat misleading and obscure title, and Dr. Sherman Hockley who held it was not the least of those whom the title misled and sometimes obscured.

pecuniary reimbursement to the winning party for the expenses of litigation

From this reading And Hockley, of all Earth's scientists, was the stubborn one who wanted to weigh the answers with the costs...._] The Chief Officer of Scientific Services, Information and Coordination was a somewhat misleading and obscure title, and Dr. Sherman Hockley who held it was not the least of those whom the title misled and sometimes obscured.

a line leading to a place or point

From this reading He told himself he was not a mere library administrator, although he was proud of the information files built up under his direction.

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

From this reading And Hockley, of all Earth's scientists, was the stubborn one who wanted to weigh the answers with the costs...._] The Chief Officer of Scientific Services, Information and Coordination was a somewhat misleading and obscure title, and Dr. Sherman Hockley who held it was not the least of those whom the title misled and sometimes obscured.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading Now the Rykes were going to share their vast knowledge with the scientists of Earth.

possessive form of “earth” — the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading And Hockley, of all Earth's scientists, was the stubborn one who wanted to weigh the answers with the costs...._] The Chief Officer of Scientific Services, Information and Coordination was a somewhat misleading and obscure title, and Dr. Sherman Hockley who held it was not the least of those whom the title misled and sometimes obscured.

plural of “file” — a set of related records (either written or electronic) kept together

From this reading He told himself he was not a mere library administrator, although he was proud of the information files built up under his direction.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading To any question they would supply an answer--for a price.

of or relating to a galaxy (especially our galaxy the Milky Way)

From this reading [Sidenote: _The scientists of Rykeman III were conceded by all the galactic members to be supreme in scientific achievement.

the act of departing

From this reading Now the Rykes were going to share their vast knowledge with the scientists of Earth.

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

From this reading He told himself he was not a mere library administrator, although he was proud of the information files built up under his direction.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading And Hockley, of all Earth's scientists, was the stubborn one who wanted to weigh the answers with the costs...._] The Chief Officer of Scientific Services, Information and Coordination was a somewhat misleading and obscure title, and Dr. Sherman Hockley who held it was not the least of those whom the title misled and sometimes obscured.

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

From this reading He told himself he was not a mere library administrator, although he was proud of the information files built up under his direction.

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

From this reading He told himself he was not a mere library administrator, although he was proud of the information files built up under his direction.

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

From this reading And Hockley, of all Earth's scientists, was the stubborn one who wanted to weigh the answers with the costs...._] The Chief Officer of Scientific Services, Information and Coordination was a somewhat misleading and obscure title, and Dr. Sherman Hockley who held it was not the least of those whom the title misled and sometimes obscured.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading [Sidenote: _The scientists of Rykeman III were conceded by all the galactic members to be supreme in scientific achievement.

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

From this reading [Sidenote: _The scientists of Rykeman III were conceded by all the galactic members to be supreme in scientific achievement.

a message received and understood

From this reading And Hockley, of all Earth's scientists, was the stubborn one who wanted to weigh the answers with the costs...._] The Chief Officer of Scientific Services, Information and Coordination was a somewhat misleading and obscure title, and Dr. Sherman Hockley who held it was not the least of those whom the title misled and sometimes obscured.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading And Hockley, of all Earth's scientists, was the stubborn one who wanted to weigh the answers with the costs...._] The Chief Officer of Scientific Services, Information and Coordination was a somewhat misleading and obscure title, and Dr. Sherman Hockley who held it was not the least of those whom the title misled and sometimes obscured.

the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning

From this reading Now the Rykes were going to share their vast knowledge with the scientists of Earth.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading And Hockley, of all Earth's scientists, was the stubborn one who wanted to weigh the answers with the costs...._] The Chief Officer of Scientific Services, Information and Coordination was a somewhat misleading and obscure title, and Dr. Sherman Hockley who held it was not the least of those whom the title misled and sometimes obscured.

a room where books are kept

From this reading He told himself he was not a mere library administrator, although he was proud of the information files built up under his direction.

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 [Sidenote: _The scientists of Rykeman III were conceded by all the galactic members to be supreme in scientific achievement.

being nothing more than specified

From this reading He told himself he was not a mere library administrator, although he was proud of the information files built up under his direction.

designed to deceive or mislead either deliberately or inadvertently

From this reading And Hockley, of all Earth's scientists, was the stubborn one who wanted to weigh the answers with the costs...._] The Chief Officer of Scientific Services, Information and Coordination was a somewhat misleading and obscure title, and Dr. Sherman Hockley who held it was not the least of those whom the title misled and sometimes obscured.

inflected form of “mislead” — lead someone in the wrong direction or give someone wrong directions

From this reading And Hockley, of all Earth's scientists, was the stubborn one who wanted to weigh the answers with the costs...._] The Chief Officer of Scientific Services, Information and Coordination was a somewhat misleading and obscure title, and Dr. Sherman Hockley who held it was not the least of those whom the title misled and sometimes obscured.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading And Hockley, of all Earth's scientists, was the stubborn one who wanted to weigh the answers with the costs...._] The Chief Officer of Scientific Services, Information and Coordination was a somewhat misleading and obscure title, and Dr. Sherman Hockley who held it was not the least of those whom the title misled and sometimes obscured.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Now the Rykes were going to share their vast knowledge with the scientists of Earth.

make less visible or unclear

From this reading And Hockley, of all Earth's scientists, was the stubborn one who wanted to weigh the answers with the costs...._] The Chief Officer of Scientific Services, Information and Coordination was a somewhat misleading and obscure title, and Dr. Sherman Hockley who held it was not the least of those whom the title misled and sometimes obscured.

past form of “obscure” — make less visible or unclear

From this reading And Hockley, of all Earth's scientists, was the stubborn one who wanted to weigh the answers with the costs...._] The Chief Officer of Scientific Services, Information and Coordination was a somewhat misleading and obscure title, and Dr. Sherman Hockley who held it was not the least of those whom the title misled and sometimes obscured.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading [Sidenote: _The scientists of Rykeman III were conceded by all the galactic members to be supreme in scientific achievement.

any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading And Hockley, of all Earth's scientists, was the stubborn one who wanted to weigh the answers with the costs...._] The Chief Officer of Scientific Services, Information and Coordination was a somewhat misleading and obscure title, and Dr. Sherman Hockley who held it was not the least of those whom the title misled and sometimes obscured.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading And Hockley, of all Earth's scientists, was the stubborn one who wanted to weigh the answers with the costs...._] The Chief Officer of Scientific Services, Information and Coordination was a somewhat misleading and obscure title, and Dr. Sherman Hockley who held it was not the least of those whom the title misled and sometimes obscured.

the property of having material worth (often indicated by the amount of money something would bring if sold)

From this reading To any question they would supply an answer--for a price.

feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride

From this reading He told himself he was not a mere library administrator, although he was proud of the information files built up under his direction.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading To any question they would supply an answer--for a price.

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

From this reading [Sidenote: _The scientists of Rykeman III were conceded by all the galactic members to be supreme in scientific achievement.

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

From this reading Now the Rykes were going to share their vast knowledge with the scientists of Earth.

of or relating to the practice of science

From this reading [Sidenote: _The scientists of Rykeman III were conceded by all the galactic members to be supreme in scientific achievement.

plural of “scientist” — a person with advanced knowledge of one or more sciences

From this reading [Sidenote: _The scientists of Rykeman III were conceded by all the galactic members to be supreme in scientific achievement.

performance of duties or provision of space and equipment helpful to others

From this reading And Hockley, of all Earth's scientists, was the stubborn one who wanted to weigh the answers with the costs...._] The Chief Officer of Scientific Services, Information and Coordination was a somewhat misleading and obscure title, and Dr. Sherman Hockley who held it was not the least of those whom the title misled and sometimes obscured.

have in common

From this reading Now the Rykes were going to share their vast knowledge with the scientists of Earth.

United States general who was commander of all Union troops in the West; he captured Atlanta and led a destructive march to the sea that cut the Confederacy in two (1820-1891)

From this reading And Hockley, of all Earth's scientists, was the stubborn one who wanted to weigh the answers with the costs...._] The Chief Officer of Scientific Services, Information and Coordination was a somewhat misleading and obscure title, and Dr. Sherman Hockley who held it was not the least of those whom the title misled and sometimes obscured.

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

From this reading [Sidenote: _The scientists of Rykeman III were conceded by all the galactic members to be supreme in scientific achievement.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading And Hockley, of all Earth's scientists, was the stubborn one who wanted to weigh the answers with the costs...._] The Chief Officer of Scientific Services, Information and Coordination was a somewhat misleading and obscure title, and Dr. Sherman Hockley who held it was not the least of those whom the title misled and sometimes obscured.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading And Hockley, of all Earth's scientists, was the stubborn one who wanted to weigh the answers with the costs...._] The Chief Officer of Scientific Services, Information and Coordination was a somewhat misleading and obscure title, and Dr. Sherman Hockley who held it was not the least of those whom the title misled and sometimes obscured.

tenaciously unwilling or marked by tenacious unwillingness to yield

From this reading And Hockley, of all Earth's scientists, was the stubborn one who wanted to weigh the answers with the costs...._] The Chief Officer of Scientific Services, Information and Coordination was a somewhat misleading and obscure title, and Dr. Sherman Hockley who held it was not the least of those whom the title misled and sometimes obscured.

give something useful or necessary to

From this reading To any question they would supply an answer--for a price.

final or last in your life or progress

From this reading [Sidenote: _The scientists of Rykeman III were conceded by all the galactic members to be supreme in scientific achievement.

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

From this reading [Sidenote: _The scientists of Rykeman III were conceded by all the galactic members to be supreme in scientific achievement.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Now the Rykes were going to share their vast knowledge with the scientists of Earth.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading To any question they would supply an answer--for a price.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading And Hockley, of all Earth's scientists, was the stubborn one who wanted to weigh the answers with the costs...._] The Chief Officer of Scientific Services, Information and Coordination was a somewhat misleading and obscure title, and Dr. Sherman Hockley who held it was not the least of those whom the title misled and sometimes obscured.

a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with

From this reading And Hockley, of all Earth's scientists, was the stubborn one who wanted to weigh the answers with the costs...._] The Chief Officer of Scientific Services, Information and Coordination was a somewhat misleading and obscure title, and Dr. Sherman Hockley who held it was not the least of those whom the title misled and sometimes obscured.

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

From this reading [Sidenote: _The scientists of Rykeman III were conceded by all the galactic members to be supreme in scientific achievement.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading He told himself he was not a mere library administrator, although he was proud of the information files built up under his direction.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading He told himself he was not a mere library administrator, although he was proud of the information files built up under his direction.

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

From this reading He told himself he was not a mere library administrator, although he was proud of the information files built up under his direction.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading Now the Rykes were going to share their vast knowledge with the scientists of Earth.

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading And Hockley, of all Earth's scientists, was the stubborn one who wanted to weigh the answers with the costs...._] The Chief Officer of Scientific Services, Information and Coordination was a somewhat misleading and obscure title, and Dr. Sherman Hockley who held it was not the least of those whom the title misled and sometimes obscured.

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

From this reading And Hockley, of all Earth's scientists, was the stubborn one who wanted to weigh the answers with the costs...._] The Chief Officer of Scientific Services, Information and Coordination was a somewhat misleading and obscure title, and Dr. Sherman Hockley who held it was not the least of those whom the title misled and sometimes obscured.

have a certain weight

From this reading And Hockley, of all Earth's scientists, was the stubborn one who wanted to weigh the answers with the costs...._] The Chief Officer of Scientific Services, Information and Coordination was a somewhat misleading and obscure title, and Dr. Sherman Hockley who held it was not the least of those whom the title misled and sometimes obscured.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading [Sidenote: _The scientists of Rykeman III were conceded by all the galactic members to be supreme in scientific achievement.

which person or people

From this reading And Hockley, of all Earth's scientists, was the stubborn one who wanted to weigh the answers with the costs...._] The Chief Officer of Scientific Services, Information and Coordination was a somewhat misleading and obscure title, and Dr. Sherman Hockley who held it was not the least of those whom the title misled and sometimes obscured.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading And Hockley, of all Earth's scientists, was the stubborn one who wanted to weigh the answers with the costs...._] The Chief Officer of Scientific Services, Information and Coordination was a somewhat misleading and obscure title, and Dr. Sherman Hockley who held it was not the least of those whom the title misled and sometimes obscured.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Now the Rykes were going to share their vast knowledge with the scientists of Earth.

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

From this reading To any question they would supply an answer--for a price.