used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading By this time the planet’s disk had spread until it formed a low horizon on all sides.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading At an elevation of about three hundred miles Robert checked the velocity of the _Sphere_ further for fear of excessive atmospheric friction.
(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 By this time the planet’s disk had spread until it formed a low horizon on all sides.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Although they were less than a thousand miles distant, the planet’s surface still appeared to be quite level.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading At an elevation of about three hundred miles Robert checked the velocity of the _Sphere_ further for fear of excessive atmospheric friction.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Although they were less than a thousand miles distant, the planet’s surface still appeared to be quite level.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At an elevation of about three hundred miles Robert checked the velocity of the _Sphere_ further for fear of excessive atmospheric friction.
atmosphericadjectiveUS /ˌætməˈsferɪk/
relating to or located in the atmosphere
From this reading At an elevation of about three hundred miles Robert checked the velocity of the _Sphere_ further for fear of excessive atmospheric friction.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Although they were less than a thousand miles distant, the planet’s surface still appeared to be quite level.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By this time the planet’s disk had spread until it formed a low horizon on all sides.
checkedadjectiveUS /tʃekt/
patterned with alternating squares of color
From this reading At an elevation of about three hundred miles Robert checked the velocity of the _Sphere_ further for fear of excessive atmospheric friction.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading No indication of mountain ranges could they detect from this height.
detectverbUS /dɪˈtekt/
discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading No indication of mountain ranges could they detect from this height.
disknounUS /dɪsk/
something with a round shape resembling a flat circular plate
From this reading By this time the planet’s disk had spread until it formed a low horizon on all sides.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading Although they were less than a thousand miles distant, the planet’s surface still appeared to be quite level.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading For they should soon be entering the enter edge of the planet’s envelope of gases.
elevationnounUS /ˌeləˈveɪʃən/
the event of something being raised upward
From this reading At an elevation of about three hundred miles Robert checked the velocity of the _Sphere_ further for fear of excessive atmospheric friction.
to come or go into
From this reading For they should soon be entering the enter edge of the planet’s envelope of gases.
a movement into or inward
From this reading For they should soon be entering the enter edge of the planet’s envelope of gases.
envelopenounUS /ˈenvəloʊp/
a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.
From this reading For they should soon be entering the enter edge of the planet’s envelope of gases.
excessiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsesɪv/
beyond normal limits
From this reading At an elevation of about three hundred miles Robert checked the velocity of the _Sphere_ further for fear of excessive atmospheric friction.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading At an elevation of about three hundred miles Robert checked the velocity of the _Sphere_ further for fear of excessive atmospheric friction.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading At an elevation of about three hundred miles Robert checked the velocity of the _Sphere_ further for fear of excessive atmospheric friction.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading By this time the planet’s disk had spread until it formed a low horizon on all sides.
frictionnounUS /ˈfrɪkʃən/
a state of conflict between persons
From this reading At an elevation of about three hundred miles Robert checked the velocity of the _Sphere_ further for fear of excessive atmospheric friction.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading No indication of mountain ranges could they detect from this height.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading At an elevation of about three hundred miles Robert checked the velocity of the _Sphere_ further for fear of excessive atmospheric friction.
gasesnounUS /ˈɡæsəz/
plural of “gas” — the state of matter distinguished from the solid and liquid states by: relatively low density and viscosity
From this reading For they should soon be entering the enter edge of the planet’s envelope of gases.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading By this time the planet’s disk had spread until it formed a low horizon on all sides.
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading No indication of mountain ranges could they detect from this height.
the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet
From this reading By this time the planet’s disk had spread until it formed a low horizon on all sides.
ten 10s
From this reading At an elevation of about three hundred miles Robert checked the velocity of the _Sphere_ further for fear of excessive atmospheric friction.
indicationnounUS /ˌɪndəˈkeɪʃən/
something that serves to indicate or suggest
From this reading No indication of mountain ranges could they detect from this height.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading By this time the planet’s disk had spread until it formed a low horizon on all sides.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Although they were less than a thousand miles distant, the planet’s surface still appeared to be quite level.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading Although they were less than a thousand miles distant, the planet’s surface still appeared to be quite level.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading By this time the planet’s disk had spread until it formed a low horizon on all sides.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading Although they were less than a thousand miles distant, the planet’s surface still appeared to be quite level.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading No indication of mountain ranges could they detect from this height.
not any; not one
From this reading No indication of mountain ranges could they detect from this height.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading No indication of mountain ranges could they detect from this height.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading By this time the planet’s disk had spread until it formed a low horizon on all sides.
planet'snounUS /ˈplænəts/
possessive form of “planet” — (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 By this time the planet’s disk had spread until it formed a low horizon on all sides.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Although they were less than a thousand miles distant, the planet’s surface still appeared to be quite level.
rangesnounUS /ˈreɪndʒəz/
plural of “range” — an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"
From this reading No indication of mountain ranges could they detect from this height.
United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)
From this reading At an elevation of about three hundred miles Robert checked the velocity of the _Sphere_ further for fear of excessive atmospheric friction.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading For they should soon be entering the enter edge of the planet’s envelope of gases.
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading By this time the planet’s disk had spread until it formed a low horizon on all sides.
in the near future
From this reading For they should soon be entering the enter edge of the planet’s envelope of gases.
SpherenounUS /sfɪr/
a particular environment or walk of life
From this reading At an elevation of about three hundred miles Robert checked the velocity of the _Sphere_ further for fear of excessive atmospheric friction.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading By this time the planet’s disk had spread until it formed a low horizon on all sides.
not in physical motion
From this reading Although they were less than a thousand miles distant, the planet’s surface still appeared to be quite level.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading Although they were less than a thousand miles distant, the planet’s surface still appeared to be quite level.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Although they were less than a thousand miles distant, the planet’s surface still appeared to be quite level.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading By this time the planet’s disk had spread until it formed a low horizon on all sides.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Although they were less than a thousand miles distant, the planet’s surface still appeared to be quite level.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading By this time the planet’s disk had spread until it formed a low horizon on all sides.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading Although they were less than a thousand miles distant, the planet’s surface still appeared to be quite level.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading At an elevation of about three hundred miles Robert checked the velocity of the _Sphere_ further for fear of excessive atmospheric friction.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading By this time the planet’s disk had spread until it formed a low horizon on all sides.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Although they were less than a thousand miles distant, the planet’s surface still appeared to be quite level.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading By this time the planet’s disk had spread until it formed a low horizon on all sides.
velocitynounUS /vəˈlɑːsəti/
distance travelled per unit time
From this reading At an elevation of about three hundred miles Robert checked the velocity of the _Sphere_ further for fear of excessive atmospheric friction.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Although they were less than a thousand miles distant, the planet’s surface still appeared to be quite level.
