Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading This etext was produced from Galaxy Science Fiction January 1958.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The raider had been methodical; it had not wandered about haphazardly, but had done an efficient job of harvesting the first ten rows on the west side of the field.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading _Like every farmer on every planet, Duncan had to hunt down anything that damaged his crops--even though he was aware this was--_ The tracks went up one row and down another, and in those rows the _vua_ plants had been sheared off an inch or two above the ground.

in the past

From this reading Then, having eaten its fill, it had angled off into the bush--and that had not been long ago, for the soil still trickled down into the great pug marks, sunk deep into the finely cultivated loam.

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

From this reading _Like every farmer on every planet, Duncan had to hunt down anything that damaged his crops--even though he was aware this was--_ The tracks went up one row and down another, and in those rows the _vua_ plants had been sheared off an inch or two above the ground.

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

From this reading _Like every farmer on every planet, Duncan had to hunt down anything that damaged his crops--even though he was aware this was--_ The tracks went up one row and down another, and in those rows the _vua_ plants had been sheared off an inch or two above the ground.

forming or set at an angle

From this reading Then, having eaten its fill, it had angled off into the bush--and that had not been long ago, for the soil still trickled down into the great pug marks, sunk deep into the finely cultivated loam.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading _Like every farmer on every planet, Duncan had to hunt down anything that damaged his crops--even though he was aware this was--_ The tracks went up one row and down another, and in those rows the _vua_ plants had been sheared off an inch or two above the ground.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

any thing at all

From this reading _Like every farmer on every planet, Duncan had to hunt down anything that damaged his crops--even though he was aware this was--_ The tracks went up one row and down another, and in those rows the _vua_ plants had been sheared off an inch or two above the ground.

(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception

From this reading _Like every farmer on every planet, Duncan had to hunt down anything that damaged his crops--even though he was aware this was--_ The tracks went up one row and down another, and in those rows the _vua_ plants had been sheared off an inch or two above the ground.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading _Like every farmer on every planet, Duncan had to hunt down anything that damaged his crops--even though he was aware this was--_ The tracks went up one row and down another, and in those rows the _vua_ plants had been sheared off an inch or two above the ground.

a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems

From this reading Then, having eaten its fill, it had angled off into the bush--and that had not been long ago, for the soil still trickled down into the great pug marks, sunk deep into the finely cultivated loam.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The raider had been methodical; it had not wandered about haphazardly, but had done an efficient job of harvesting the first ten rows on the west side of the field.

a document granting exclusive right to publish and sell literary or musical or artistic work

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

plural of “crop” — the yield from plants in a single growing season

From this reading _Like every farmer on every planet, Duncan had to hunt down anything that damaged his crops--even though he was aware this was--_ The tracks went up one row and down another, and in those rows the _vua_ plants had been sheared off an inch or two above the ground.

(of land or fields) prepared for raising crops by plowing or fertilizing

From this reading Then, having eaten its fill, it had angled off into the bush--and that had not been long ago, for the soil still trickled down into the great pug marks, sunk deep into the finely cultivated loam.

harmed or injured or spoiled

From this reading _Like every farmer on every planet, Duncan had to hunt down anything that damaged his crops--even though he was aware this was--_ The tracks went up one row and down another, and in those rows the _vua_ plants had been sheared off an inch or two above the ground.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading Then, having eaten its fill, it had angled off into the bush--and that had not been long ago, for the soil still trickled down into the great pug marks, sunk deep into the finely cultivated loam.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading The raider had been methodical; it had not wandered about haphazardly, but had done an efficient job of harvesting the first ten rows on the west side of the field.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading _Like every farmer on every planet, Duncan had to hunt down anything that damaged his crops--even though he was aware this was--_ The tracks went up one row and down another, and in those rows the _vua_ plants had been sheared off an inch or two above the ground.

United States dancer and pioneer of modern dance (1878-1927)

From this reading _Like every farmer on every planet, Duncan had to hunt down anything that damaged his crops--even though he was aware this was--_ The tracks went up one row and down another, and in those rows the _vua_ plants had been sheared off an inch or two above the ground.

inflected form of “eat” — take in solid food

From this reading Then, having eaten its fill, it had angled off into the bush--and that had not been long ago, for the soil still trickled down into the great pug marks, sunk deep into the finely cultivated loam.

being effective without wasting time or effort or expense

From this reading The raider had been methodical; it had not wandered about haphazardly, but had done an efficient job of harvesting the first ten rows on the west side of the field.

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

From this reading This etext was produced from Galaxy Science Fiction January 1958.

divisible by two

From this reading _Like every farmer on every planet, Duncan had to hunt down anything that damaged his crops--even though he was aware this was--_ The tracks went up one row and down another, and in those rows the _vua_ plants had been sheared off an inch or two above the ground.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading _Like every farmer on every planet, Duncan had to hunt down anything that damaged his crops--even though he was aware this was--_ The tracks went up one row and down another, and in those rows the _vua_ plants had been sheared off an inch or two above the ground.

your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

large in spatial extent or range or scope or quantity

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

a person who operates a farm

From this reading _Like every farmer on every planet, Duncan had to hunt down anything that damaged his crops--even though he was aware this was--_ The tracks went up one row and down another, and in those rows the _vua_ plants had been sheared off an inch or two above the ground.

a literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact

From this reading This etext was produced from Galaxy Science Fiction January 1958.

a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed

From this reading The raider had been methodical; it had not wandered about haphazardly, but had done an efficient job of harvesting the first ten rows on the west side of the field.

make full, also in a metaphorical sense

From this reading Then, having eaten its fill, it had angled off into the bush--and that had not been long ago, for the soil still trickled down into the great pug marks, sunk deep into the finely cultivated loam.

in tiny pieces

From this reading Then, having eaten its fill, it had angled off into the bush--and that had not been long ago, for the soil still trickled down into the great pug marks, sunk deep into the finely cultivated loam.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The raider had been methodical; it had not wandered about haphazardly, but had done an efficient job of harvesting the first ten rows on the west side of the field.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Then, having eaten its fill, it had angled off into the bush--and that had not been long ago, for the soil still trickled down into the great pug marks, sunk deep into the finely cultivated loam.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading This etext was produced from Galaxy Science Fiction January 1958.

a splendid assemblage (especially of famous people)

From this reading This etext was produced from Galaxy Science Fiction January 1958.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Then, having eaten its fill, it had angled off into the bush--and that had not been long ago, for the soil still trickled down into the great pug marks, sunk deep into the finely cultivated loam.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading _Like every farmer on every planet, Duncan had to hunt down anything that damaged his crops--even though he was aware this was--_ The tracks went up one row and down another, and in those rows the _vua_ plants had been sheared off an inch or two above the ground.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading _Like every farmer on every planet, Duncan had to hunt down anything that damaged his crops--even though he was aware this was--_ The tracks went up one row and down another, and in those rows the _vua_ plants had been sheared off an inch or two above the ground.

in a random manner

From this reading The raider had been methodical; it had not wandered about haphazardly, but had done an efficient job of harvesting the first ten rows on the west side of the field.

the gathering of a ripened crop

From this reading The raider had been methodical; it had not wandered about haphazardly, but had done an efficient job of harvesting the first ten rows on the west side of the field.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading Then, having eaten its fill, it had angled off into the bush--and that had not been long ago, for the soil still trickled down into the great pug marks, sunk deep into the finely cultivated loam.

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

From this reading _Like every farmer on every planet, Duncan had to hunt down anything that damaged his crops--even though he was aware this was--_ The tracks went up one row and down another, and in those rows the _vua_ plants had been sheared off an inch or two above the ground.

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

From this reading _Like every farmer on every planet, Duncan had to hunt down anything that damaged his crops--even though he was aware this was--_ The tracks went up one row and down another, and in those rows the _vua_ plants had been sheared off an inch or two above the ground.

pursue for food or sport (as of wild animals)

From this reading _Like every farmer on every planet, Duncan had to hunt down anything that damaged his crops--even though he was aware this was--_ The tracks went up one row and down another, and in those rows the _vua_ plants had been sheared off an inch or two above the ground.

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

From this reading _Like every farmer on every planet, Duncan had to hunt down anything that damaged his crops--even though he was aware this was--_ The tracks went up one row and down another, and in those rows the _vua_ plants had been sheared off an inch or two above the ground.

a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot

From this reading _Like every farmer on every planet, Duncan had to hunt down anything that damaged his crops--even though he was aware this was--_ The tracks went up one row and down another, and in those rows the _vua_ plants had been sheared off an inch or two above the ground.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Then, having eaten its fill, it had angled off into the bush--and that had not been long ago, for the soil still trickled down into the great pug marks, sunk deep into the finely cultivated loam.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The raider had been methodical; it had not wandered about haphazardly, but had done an efficient job of harvesting the first ten rows on the west side of the field.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Then, having eaten its fill, it had angled off into the bush--and that had not been long ago, for the soil still trickled down into the great pug marks, sunk deep into the finely cultivated loam.

the first month of the year; begins 10 days after the winter solstice

From this reading This etext was produced from Galaxy Science Fiction January 1958.

the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money

From this reading The raider had been methodical; it had not wandered about haphazardly, but had done an efficient job of harvesting the first ten rows on the west side of the field.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading _Like every farmer on every planet, Duncan had to hunt down anything that damaged his crops--even though he was aware this was--_ The tracks went up one row and down another, and in those rows the _vua_ plants had been sheared off an inch or two above the ground.

a rich soil consisting of a mixture of sand and clay and decaying organic materials

From this reading Then, having eaten its fill, it had angled off into the bush--and that had not been long ago, for the soil still trickled down into the great pug marks, sunk deep into the finely cultivated loam.

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 Then, having eaten its fill, it had angled off into the bush--and that had not been long ago, for the soil still trickled down into the great pug marks, sunk deep into the finely cultivated loam.

English businessman who created a retail chain (1888-1964)

From this reading Then, having eaten its fill, it had angled off into the bush--and that had not been long ago, for the soil still trickled down into the great pug marks, sunk deep into the finely cultivated loam.

characterized by method and orderliness

From this reading The raider had been methodical; it had not wandered about haphazardly, but had done an efficient job of harvesting the first ten rows on the west side of the field.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The raider had been methodical; it had not wandered about haphazardly, but had done an efficient job of harvesting the first ten rows on the west side of the field.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading _Like every farmer on every planet, Duncan had to hunt down anything that damaged his crops--even though he was aware this was--_ The tracks went up one row and down another, and in those rows the _vua_ plants had been sheared off an inch or two above the ground.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading _Like every farmer on every planet, Duncan had to hunt down anything that damaged his crops--even though he was aware this was--_ The tracks went up one row and down another, and in those rows the _vua_ plants had been sheared off an inch or two above the ground.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading _Like every farmer on every planet, Duncan had to hunt down anything that damaged his crops--even though he was aware this was--_ The tracks went up one row and down another, and in those rows the _vua_ plants had been sheared off an inch or two above the ground.

(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 _Like every farmer on every planet, Duncan had to hunt down anything that damaged his crops--even though he was aware this was--_ The tracks went up one row and down another, and in those rows the _vua_ plants had been sheared off an inch or two above the ground.

plural of “plant” — buildings for carrying on industrial labor

From this reading _Like every farmer on every planet, Duncan had to hunt down anything that damaged his crops--even though he was aware this was--_ The tracks went up one row and down another, and in those rows the _vua_ plants had been sheared off an inch or two above the ground.

past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield

From this reading This etext was produced from Galaxy Science Fiction January 1958.

a copy of a printed work offered for distribution

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

small compact smooth-coated breed of Asiatic origin having a tightly curled tail and broad flat wrinkled muzzle

From this reading Then, having eaten its fill, it had angled off into the bush--and that had not been long ago, for the soil still trickled down into the great pug marks, sunk deep into the finely cultivated loam.

someone who takes spoils or plunder (as in war)

From this reading The raider had been methodical; it had not wandered about haphazardly, but had done an efficient job of harvesting the first ten rows on the west side of the field.

restored to a new condition

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

systematic investigation to establish facts

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line

From this reading _Like every farmer on every planet, Duncan had to hunt down anything that damaged his crops--even though he was aware this was--_ The tracks went up one row and down another, and in those rows the _vua_ plants had been sheared off an inch or two above the ground.

plural of “row” — an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line

From this reading _Like every farmer on every planet, Duncan had to hunt down anything that damaged his crops--even though he was aware this was--_ The tracks went up one row and down another, and in those rows the _vua_ plants had been sheared off an inch or two above the ground.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

a particular branch of scientific knowledge

From this reading This etext was produced from Galaxy Science Fiction January 1958.

having the hair or wool cut or clipped off as if with shears or clippers

From this reading _Like every farmer on every planet, Duncan had to hunt down anything that damaged his crops--even though he was aware this was--_ The tracks went up one row and down another, and in those rows the _vua_ plants had been sheared off an inch or two above the ground.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading The raider had been methodical; it had not wandered about haphazardly, but had done an efficient job of harvesting the first ten rows on the west side of the field.

the state of being covered with unclean things

From this reading Then, having eaten its fill, it had angled off into the bush--and that had not been long ago, for the soil still trickled down into the great pug marks, sunk deep into the finely cultivated loam.

not in physical motion

From this reading Then, having eaten its fill, it had angled off into the bush--and that had not been long ago, for the soil still trickled down into the great pug marks, sunk deep into the finely cultivated loam.

doomed to extinction

From this reading Then, having eaten its fill, it had angled off into the bush--and that had not been long ago, for the soil still trickled down into the great pug marks, sunk deep into the finely cultivated loam.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading The raider had been methodical; it had not wandered about haphazardly, but had done an efficient job of harvesting the first ten rows on the west side of the field.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

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

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then, having eaten its fill, it had angled off into the bush--and that had not been long ago, for the soil still trickled down into the great pug marks, sunk deep into the finely cultivated loam.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This etext was produced from Galaxy Science Fiction January 1958.

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

From this reading _Like every farmer on every planet, Duncan had to hunt down anything that damaged his crops--even though he was aware this was--_ The tracks went up one row and down another, and in those rows the _vua_ plants had been sheared off an inch or two above the ground.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading _Like every farmer on every planet, Duncan had to hunt down anything that damaged his crops--even though he was aware this was--_ The tracks went up one row and down another, and in those rows the _vua_ plants had been sheared off an inch or two above the ground.

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

From this reading _Like every farmer on every planet, Duncan had to hunt down anything that damaged his crops--even though he was aware this was--_ The tracks went up one row and down another, and in those rows the _vua_ plants had been sheared off an inch or two above the ground.

plural of “track” — a line or route along which something travels or moves

From this reading _Like every farmer on every planet, Duncan had to hunt down anything that damaged his crops--even though he was aware this was--_ The tracks went up one row and down another, and in those rows the _vua_ plants had been sheared off an inch or two above the ground.

past form of “trickle” — run or flow slowly, as in drops or in an unsteady stream

From this reading Then, having eaten its fill, it had angled off into the bush--and that had not been long ago, for the soil still trickled down into the great pug marks, sunk deep into the finely cultivated loam.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading _Like every farmer on every planet, Duncan had to hunt down anything that damaged his crops--even though he was aware this was--_ The tracks went up one row and down another, and in those rows the _vua_ plants had been sheared off an inch or two above the ground.

a base containing nitrogen that is found in RNA (but not in DNA) and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with adenine

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

remove all or part of one's clothes to show one's body

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

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

From this reading _Like every farmer on every planet, Duncan had to hunt down anything that damaged his crops--even though he was aware this was--_ The tracks went up one row and down another, and in those rows the _vua_ plants had been sheared off an inch or two above the ground.

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

From this reading _Like every farmer on every planet, Duncan had to hunt down anything that damaged his crops--even though he was aware this was--_ The tracks went up one row and down another, and in those rows the _vua_ plants had been sheared off an inch or two above the ground.

past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

From this reading The raider had been methodical; it had not wandered about haphazardly, but had done an efficient job of harvesting the first ten rows on the west side of the field.

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

From this reading This etext was produced from Galaxy Science Fiction January 1958.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading _Like every farmer on every planet, Duncan had to hunt down anything that damaged his crops--even though he was aware this was--_ The tracks went up one row and down another, and in those rows the _vua_ plants had been sheared off an inch or two above the ground.

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading The raider had been methodical; it had not wandered about haphazardly, but had done an efficient job of harvesting the first ten rows on the west side of the field.