Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading Since the survivors knew nothing about germs, they blamed it on the anger of the gods--the old story of recourse to supernaturalism in the absence of a known explanation--and a fanatically anti-scientific cult got control.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading "About what you could expect.

the state of being absent

From this reading Since the survivors knew nothing about germs, they blamed it on the anger of the gods--the old story of recourse to supernaturalism in the absence of a known explanation--and a fanatically anti-scientific cult got control.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading Of course, nobody knew what it was, and before the epidemic ended, it had almost depopulated this planet.

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

From this reading The first--and only--ship to return brought it back to Terra.

a strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance

From this reading Since the survivors knew nothing about germs, they blamed it on the anger of the gods--the old story of recourse to supernaturalism in the absence of a known explanation--and a fanatically anti-scientific cult got control.

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

From this reading Since the survivors knew nothing about germs, they blamed it on the anger of the gods--the old story of recourse to supernaturalism in the absence of a known explanation--and a fanatically anti-scientific cult got control.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading The first--and only--ship to return brought it back to Terra.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Of course, nobody knew what it was, and before the epidemic ended, it had almost depopulated this planet.

expletives used informally as intensifiers

From this reading Since the survivors knew nothing about germs, they blamed it on the anger of the gods--the old story of recourse to supernaturalism in the absence of a known explanation--and a fanatically anti-scientific cult got control.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading The first--and only--ship to return brought it back to Terra.

power to direct or determine

From this reading Since the survivors knew nothing about germs, they blamed it on the anger of the gods--the old story of recourse to supernaturalism in the absence of a known explanation--and a fanatically anti-scientific cult got control.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading "About what you could expect.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading Of course, nobody knew what it was, and before the epidemic ended, it had almost depopulated this planet.

followers of an exclusive system of beliefs and practices

From this reading Since the survivors knew nothing about germs, they blamed it on the anger of the gods--the old story of recourse to supernaturalism in the absence of a known explanation--and a fanatically anti-scientific cult got control.

having lost inhabitants as by war or disease

From this reading Of course, nobody knew what it was, and before the epidemic ended, it had almost depopulated this planet.

using or providing or producing or transmitting or operated by electricity

From this reading Of course, space travel was taboo; so was nuclear and even electric power.

having come or been brought to a conclusion

From this reading Of course, nobody knew what it was, and before the epidemic ended, it had almost depopulated this planet.

a widespread outbreak of an infectious disease; many people are infected at the same time

From this reading Of course, nobody knew what it was, and before the epidemic ended, it had almost depopulated this planet.

divisible by two

From this reading Of course, space travel was taboo; so was nuclear and even electric power.

regard something as probable or likely

From this reading "About what you could expect.

a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.

From this reading Since the survivors knew nothing about germs, they blamed it on the anger of the gods--the old story of recourse to supernaturalism in the absence of a known explanation--and a fanatically anti-scientific cult got control.

in a passionately fanatic manner

From this reading Since the survivors knew nothing about germs, they blamed it on the anger of the gods--the old story of recourse to supernaturalism in the absence of a known explanation--and a fanatically anti-scientific cult got control.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The first--and only--ship to return brought it back to Terra.

plural of “germ” — anything that provides inspiration for later work

From this reading Since the survivors knew nothing about germs, they blamed it on the anger of the gods--the old story of recourse to supernaturalism in the absence of a known explanation--and a fanatically anti-scientific cult got control.

plural of “god” — the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading Since the survivors knew nothing about germs, they blamed it on the anger of the gods--the old story of recourse to supernaturalism in the absence of a known explanation--and a fanatically anti-scientific cult got control.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading Since the survivors knew nothing about germs, they blamed it on the anger of the gods--the old story of recourse to supernaturalism in the absence of a known explanation--and a fanatically anti-scientific cult got control.

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

From this reading Of course, nobody knew what it was, and before the epidemic ended, it had almost depopulated this planet.

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

From this reading Since the survivors knew nothing about germs, they blamed it on the anger of the gods--the old story of recourse to supernaturalism in the absence of a known explanation--and a fanatically anti-scientific cult got control.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The first--and only--ship to return brought it back to Terra.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Of course, nobody knew what it was, and before the epidemic ended, it had almost depopulated this planet.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading Since the survivors knew nothing about germs, they blamed it on the anger of the gods--the old story of recourse to supernaturalism in the absence of a known explanation--and a fanatically anti-scientific cult got control.

no person; not anyone

From this reading Of course, nobody knew what it was, and before the epidemic ended, it had almost depopulated this planet.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Since the survivors knew nothing about germs, they blamed it on the anger of the gods--the old story of recourse to supernaturalism in the absence of a known explanation--and a fanatically anti-scientific cult got control.

(weapons) deriving destructive energy from the release of atomic energy

From this reading Of course, space travel was taboo; so was nuclear and even electric power.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Of course, nobody knew what it was, and before the epidemic ended, it had almost depopulated this planet.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Since the survivors knew nothing about germs, they blamed it on the anger of the gods--the old story of recourse to supernaturalism in the absence of a known explanation--and a fanatically anti-scientific cult got control.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Since the survivors knew nothing about germs, they blamed it on the anger of the gods--the old story of recourse to supernaturalism in the absence of a known explanation--and a fanatically anti-scientific cult got control.

and nothing more

From this reading The first--and only--ship to return brought it back to Terra.

(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 Of course, nobody knew what it was, and before the epidemic ended, it had almost depopulated this planet.

possession of controlling influence

From this reading Of course, space travel was taboo; so was nuclear and even electric power.

act of turning to for assistance

From this reading Since the survivors knew nothing about germs, they blamed it on the anger of the gods--the old story of recourse to supernaturalism in the absence of a known explanation--and a fanatically anti-scientific cult got control.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading The first--and only--ship to return brought it back to Terra.

transport commercially

From this reading The first--and only--ship to return brought it back to Terra.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Since the survivors knew nothing about germs, they blamed it on the anger of the gods--the old story of recourse to supernaturalism in the absence of a known explanation--and a fanatically anti-scientific cult got control.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Of course, space travel was taboo; so was nuclear and even electric power.

the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

From this reading Of course, space travel was taboo; so was nuclear and even electric power.

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 Since the survivors knew nothing about germs, they blamed it on the anger of the gods--the old story of recourse to supernaturalism in the absence of a known explanation--and a fanatically anti-scientific cult got control.

a belief in forces beyond ordinary human understanding

From this reading Since the survivors knew nothing about germs, they blamed it on the anger of the gods--the old story of recourse to supernaturalism in the absence of a known explanation--and a fanatically anti-scientific cult got control.

plural of “survivor” — one who lives through affliction

From this reading Since the survivors knew nothing about germs, they blamed it on the anger of the gods--the old story of recourse to supernaturalism in the absence of a known explanation--and a fanatically anti-scientific cult got control.

excluded from use or mention

From this reading Of course, space travel was taboo; so was nuclear and even electric power.

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

From this reading The first--and only--ship to return brought it back to Terra.

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

From this reading The first--and only--ship to return brought it back to Terra.

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

From this reading Since the survivors knew nothing about germs, they blamed it on the anger of the gods--the old story of recourse to supernaturalism in the absence of a known explanation--and a fanatically anti-scientific cult got control.

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

From this reading Of course, nobody knew what it was, and before the epidemic ended, it had almost depopulated this planet.

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

From this reading The first--and only--ship to return brought it back to Terra.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Of course, space travel was taboo; so was nuclear and even electric power.

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

From this reading Of course, nobody knew what it was, and before the epidemic ended, it had almost depopulated this planet.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "About what you could expect.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "About what you could expect.