used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading [Sidenote: _If you've never read a Johnny Mayhem story before, you are in for a treat.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Sirian wore a pince-nez, a dignified two-piece jumper in a charcoal color, sedate two-tone boots and a black string-tie.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading [Sidenote: _If you've never read a Johnny Mayhem story before, you are in for a treat.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Nothing could have been more incongruous.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading [Sidenote: _If you've never read a Johnny Mayhem story before, you are in for a treat.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading The Sirian wore a pince-nez, a dignified two-piece jumper in a charcoal color, sedate two-tone boots and a black string-tie.
plural of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg
From this reading The Sirian wore a pince-nez, a dignified two-piece jumper in a charcoal color, sedate two-tone boots and a black string-tie.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading The loiterers in the street near the Galactic Observer's building looked, and pointed, and laughed.
plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
charcoalnounUS /ˈtʃɑːrkoʊl/
a carbonaceous material obtained by heating wood or other organic matter in the absence of air
From this reading The Sirian wore a pince-nez, a dignified two-piece jumper in a charcoal color, sedate two-tone boots and a black string-tie.
clothing in general
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect
From this reading The Sirian wore a pince-nez, a dignified two-piece jumper in a charcoal color, sedate two-tone boots and a black string-tie.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Nothing could have been more incongruous.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
dignifiedadjectiveUS /ˈdɪɡnəfaɪd/
having or expressing dignity; especially formality or stateliness in bearing or appearance
From this reading The Sirian wore a pince-nez, a dignified two-piece jumper in a charcoal color, sedate two-tone boots and a black string-tie.
elderlyadjectiveUS /ˈeldərli/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
fascinatingadjectiveUS /ˈfæsəneɪtɪŋ/
capable of arousing and holding the attention
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
fictionnounUS /ˈfɪkʃən/
a literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading [Sidenote: _If you've never read a Johnny Mayhem story before, you are in for a treat.
GalacticadjectiveUS /ɡəˈlæktɪk/
of or relating to a galaxy (especially our galaxy the Milky Way)
From this reading The loiterers in the street near the Galactic Observer's building looked, and pointed, and laughed.
a man of refinement
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Nothing could have been more incongruous.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading [Sidenote: _If you've never read a Johnny Mayhem story before, you are in for a treat.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading [Sidenote: _If you've never read a Johnny Mayhem story before, you are in for a treat.
incongruousadjectiveUS /ˌɪŋˈkɔːŋruːəs/
lacking in harmony or compatibility or appropriateness
From this reading Nothing could have been more incongruous.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
JohnnynounUS /ˈdʒɑːni/
“Johnny” was applied as a nickname for Confederate soldiers by the Federal soldiers in the American Civil War; “greyback” derived from their grey Confederate uniforms
From this reading [Sidenote: _If you've never read a Johnny Mayhem story before, you are in for a treat.
jumpernounUS /ˈdʒʌmpər/
a person who jumps
From this reading The Sirian wore a pince-nez, a dignified two-piece jumper in a charcoal color, sedate two-tone boots and a black string-tie.
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading The loiterers in the street near the Galactic Observer's building looked, and pointed, and laughed.
loiterers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The loiterers in the street near the Galactic Observer's building looked, and pointed, and laughed.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The loiterers in the street near the Galactic Observer's building looked, and pointed, and laughed.
MayhemnounUS /ˈmeɪhem/
the willful and unlawful crippling or mutilation of another person
From this reading [Sidenote: _If you've never read a Johnny Mayhem story before, you are in for a treat.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Nothing could have been more incongruous.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading The loiterers in the street near the Galactic Observer's building looked, and pointed, and laughed.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading [Sidenote: _If you've never read a Johnny Mayhem story before, you are in for a treat.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Nothing could have been more incongruous.
Observer's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The loiterers in the street near the Galactic Observer's building looked, and pointed, and laughed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
Ophiuchusnoun
a large constellation in the equatorial region between Hercules and Scorpius
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
pince-neznoun
spectacles clipped to the nose by a spring
From this reading The Sirian wore a pince-nez, a dignified two-piece jumper in a charcoal color, sedate two-tone boots and a black string-tie.
having a point
From this reading The loiterers in the street near the Galactic Observer's building looked, and pointed, and laughed.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading [Sidenote: _If you've never read a Johnny Mayhem story before, you are in for a treat.
a particular branch of scientific knowledge
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
sedateadjectiveUS /sɪˈdeɪt/
characterized by dignity and propriety
From this reading The Sirian wore a pince-nez, a dignified two-piece jumper in a charcoal color, sedate two-tone boots and a black string-tie.
seriesnounUS /ˈsɪriz/
similar things placed in order or happening one after another
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
Sidenote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: _If you've never read a Johnny Mayhem story before, you are in for a treat.
Sirian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
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: _If you've never read a Johnny Mayhem story before, you are in for a treat.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading The loiterers in the street near the Galactic Observer's building looked, and pointed, and laughed.
string-tie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Sirian wore a pince-nez, a dignified two-piece jumper in a charcoal color, sedate two-tone boots and a black string-tie.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
interact in a certain way
From this reading [Sidenote: _If you've never read a Johnny Mayhem story before, you are in for a treat.
two-piecenoun
a business suit consisting of a matching jacket and skirt or trousers
From this reading The Sirian wore a pince-nez, a dignified two-piece jumper in a charcoal color, sedate two-tone boots and a black string-tie.
two-tone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Sirian wore a pince-nez, a dignified two-piece jumper in a charcoal color, sedate two-tone boots and a black string-tie.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
be dressed in
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
wearsnounUS /werz/
plural of “wear” — impairment resulting from long use
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
at the time that
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
which person or people
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading The Sirian wore a pince-nez, a dignified two-piece jumper in a charcoal color, sedate two-tone boots and a black string-tie.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading [Sidenote: _If you've never read a Johnny Mayhem story before, you are in for a treat.
you've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: _If you've never read a Johnny Mayhem story before, you are in for a treat.
