Chapter XXII · Chapter 22

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

From this reading OUR FIRST VIEW OF THE EARTH FROM MARS--A MARTIAN COURTSHIP Within a few days we had our first glimpse of the earth from Mars.

a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do

From this reading Owing to the clear and thin atmosphere of Mars there is very little scintillation of the stars, and the crescent form of the earth at such periods as the present can plainly be discerned without the aid of a glass.

(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 For the same reason all the stars shine much brighter than they do in our skies, and many of the smaller ones which can be seen from Mars with the unaided eye, would here require a low power-glass to render them visible to us.

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

From this reading It appeared only as a very thin but bright crescent of light, as the lighted portion was less than one-twelfth part of the whole diameter of the disc, and it was only visible for a very short time.

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading It appeared only as a very thin but bright crescent of light, as the lighted portion was less than one-twelfth part of the whole diameter of the disc, and it was only visible for a very short time.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading It appeared only as a very thin but bright crescent of light, as the lighted portion was less than one-twelfth part of the whole diameter of the disc, and it was only visible for a very short time.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Owing to the clear and thin atmosphere of Mars there is very little scintillation of the stars, and the crescent form of the earth at such periods as the present can plainly be discerned without the aid of a glass.

a particular environment or surrounding influence

From this reading Owing to the clear and thin atmosphere of Mars there is very little scintillation of the stars, and the crescent form of the earth at such periods as the present can plainly be discerned without the aid of a glass.

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

From this reading Owing to the clear and thin atmosphere of Mars there is very little scintillation of the stars, and the crescent form of the earth at such periods as the present can plainly be discerned without the aid of a glass.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading To the Martians this is more readily seen than by us, as their eyes, being larger than ours, have a much greater light grasp.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading It appeared only as a very thin but bright crescent of light, as the lighted portion was less than one-twelfth part of the whole diameter of the disc, and it was only visible for a very short time.

comparative of “bright” — emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading For the same reason all the stars shine much brighter than they do in our skies, and many of the smaller ones which can be seen from Mars with the unaided eye, would here require a low power-glass to render them visible to us.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It appeared only as a very thin but bright crescent of light, as the lighted portion was less than one-twelfth part of the whole diameter of the disc, and it was only visible for a very short time.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading To the Martians this is more readily seen than by us, as their eyes, being larger than ours, have a much greater light grasp.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading Owing to the clear and thin atmosphere of Mars there is very little scintillation of the stars, and the crescent form of the earth at such periods as the present can plainly be discerned without the aid of a glass.

rid of obstructions

From this reading Owing to the clear and thin atmosphere of Mars there is very little scintillation of the stars, and the crescent form of the earth at such periods as the present can plainly be discerned without the aid of a glass.

a man's courting of a woman; seeking the affections of a woman (usually with the hope of marriage)

From this reading OUR FIRST VIEW OF THE EARTH FROM MARS--A MARTIAN COURTSHIP Within a few days we had our first glimpse of the earth from Mars.

any shape resembling the curved shape of the moon in its first or last quarters

From this reading It appeared only as a very thin but bright crescent of light, as the lighted portion was less than one-twelfth part of the whole diameter of the disc, and it was only visible for a very short time.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading OUR FIRST VIEW OF THE EARTH FROM MARS--A MARTIAN COURTSHIP Within a few days we had our first glimpse of the earth from Mars.

the length of a straight line passing through the center of a circle and connecting two points on the circumference

From this reading It appeared only as a very thin but bright crescent of light, as the lighted portion was less than one-twelfth part of the whole diameter of the disc, and it was only visible for a very short time.

sound recording consisting of a disk with a continuous groove; used to reproduce music by rotating while a phonograph needle tracks in the groove

From this reading It appeared only as a very thin but bright crescent of light, as the lighted portion was less than one-twelfth part of the whole diameter of the disc, and it was only visible for a very short time.

past form of “discern” — detect with the senses

From this reading Owing to the clear and thin atmosphere of Mars there is very little scintillation of the stars, and the crescent form of the earth at such periods as the present can plainly be discerned without the aid of a glass.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading For the same reason all the stars shine much brighter than they do in our skies, and many of the smaller ones which can be seen from Mars with the unaided eye, would here require a low power-glass to render them visible to us.

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

From this reading OUR FIRST VIEW OF THE EARTH FROM MARS--A MARTIAN COURTSHIP Within a few days we had our first glimpse of the earth from Mars.

the organ of sight

From this reading For the same reason all the stars shine much brighter than they do in our skies, and many of the smaller ones which can be seen from Mars with the unaided eye, would here require a low power-glass to render them visible to us.

opinion or judgment

From this reading To the Martians this is more readily seen than by us, as their eyes, being larger than ours, have a much greater light grasp.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading OUR FIRST VIEW OF THE EARTH FROM MARS--A MARTIAN COURTSHIP Within a few days we had our first glimpse of the earth from Mars.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading OUR FIRST VIEW OF THE EARTH FROM MARS--A MARTIAN COURTSHIP Within a few days we had our first glimpse of the earth from Mars.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It appeared only as a very thin but bright crescent of light, as the lighted portion was less than one-twelfth part of the whole diameter of the disc, and it was only visible for a very short time.

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading Owing to the clear and thin atmosphere of Mars there is very little scintillation of the stars, and the crescent form of the earth at such periods as the present can plainly be discerned without the aid of a glass.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading OUR FIRST VIEW OF THE EARTH FROM MARS--A MARTIAN COURTSHIP Within a few days we had our first glimpse of the earth from Mars.

a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure

From this reading Owing to the clear and thin atmosphere of Mars there is very little scintillation of the stars, and the crescent form of the earth at such periods as the present can plainly be discerned without the aid of a glass.

a quick look

From this reading OUR FIRST VIEW OF THE EARTH FROM MARS--A MARTIAN COURTSHIP Within a few days we had our first glimpse of the earth from Mars.

hold firmly

From this reading To the Martians this is more readily seen than by us, as their eyes, being larger than ours, have a much greater light grasp.

greater in size or importance or degree

From this reading To the Martians this is more readily seen than by us, as their eyes, being larger than ours, have a much greater light grasp.

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

From this reading OUR FIRST VIEW OF THE EARTH FROM MARS--A MARTIAN COURTSHIP Within a few days we had our first glimpse of the earth from Mars.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading To the Martians this is more readily seen than by us, as their eyes, being larger than ours, have a much greater light grasp.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading For the same reason all the stars shine much brighter than they do in our skies, and many of the smaller ones which can be seen from Mars with the unaided eye, would here require a low power-glass to render them visible to us.

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

From this reading For the same reason all the stars shine much brighter than they do in our skies, and many of the smaller ones which can be seen from Mars with the unaided eye, would here require a low power-glass to render them visible to us.

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

From this reading Owing to the clear and thin atmosphere of Mars there is very little scintillation of the stars, and the crescent form of the earth at such periods as the present can plainly be discerned without the aid of a glass.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It appeared only as a very thin but bright crescent of light, as the lighted portion was less than one-twelfth part of the whole diameter of the disc, and it was only visible for a very short time.

large or big relative to something else

From this reading To the Martians this is more readily seen than by us, as their eyes, being larger than ours, have a much greater light grasp.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading It appeared only as a very thin but bright crescent of light, as the lighted portion was less than one-twelfth part of the whole diameter of the disc, and it was only visible for a very short time.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading It appeared only as a very thin but bright crescent of light, as the lighted portion was less than one-twelfth part of the whole diameter of the disc, and it was only visible for a very short time.

set afire or burning

From this reading It appeared only as a very thin but bright crescent of light, as the lighted portion was less than one-twelfth part of the whole diameter of the disc, and it was only visible for a very short time.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Owing to the clear and thin atmosphere of Mars there is very little scintillation of the stars, and the crescent form of the earth at such periods as the present can plainly be discerned without the aid of a glass.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading For the same reason all the stars shine much brighter than they do in our skies, and many of the smaller ones which can be seen from Mars with the unaided eye, would here require a low power-glass to render them visible to us.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading For the same reason all the stars shine much brighter than they do in our skies, and many of the smaller ones which can be seen from Mars with the unaided eye, would here require a low power-glass to render them visible to us.

a small reddish planet that is the 4th from the sun and is periodically visible to the naked eye; minerals rich in iron cover its surface and are responsible for its characteristic color

From this reading OUR FIRST VIEW OF THE EARTH FROM MARS--A MARTIAN COURTSHIP Within a few days we had our first glimpse of the earth from Mars.

imaginary people who live on the planet Mars

From this reading OUR FIRST VIEW OF THE EARTH FROM MARS--A MARTIAN COURTSHIP Within a few days we had our first glimpse of the earth from Mars.

plural of “martian” — imaginary people who live on the planet Mars

From this reading To the Martians this is more readily seen than by us, as their eyes, being larger than ours, have a much greater light grasp.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading To the Martians this is more readily seen than by us, as their eyes, being larger than ours, have a much greater light grasp.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading To the Martians this is more readily seen than by us, as their eyes, being larger than ours, have a much greater light grasp.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading OUR FIRST VIEW OF THE EARTH FROM MARS--A MARTIAN COURTSHIP Within a few days we had our first glimpse of the earth from Mars.

one part in twelve equal parts

From this reading It appeared only as a very thin but bright crescent of light, as the lighted portion was less than one-twelfth part of the whole diameter of the disc, and it was only visible for a very short time.

plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number

From this reading For the same reason all the stars shine much brighter than they do in our skies, and many of the smaller ones which can be seen from Mars with the unaided eye, would here require a low power-glass to render them visible to us.

and nothing more

From this reading It appeared only as a very thin but bright crescent of light, as the lighted portion was less than one-twelfth part of the whole diameter of the disc, and it was only visible for a very short time.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading OUR FIRST VIEW OF THE EARTH FROM MARS--A MARTIAN COURTSHIP Within a few days we had our first glimpse of the earth from Mars.

the one or ones belonging to us

From this reading To the Martians this is more readily seen than by us, as their eyes, being larger than ours, have a much greater light grasp.

owed as a debt

From this reading Owing to the clear and thin atmosphere of Mars there is very little scintillation of the stars, and the crescent form of the earth at such periods as the present can plainly be discerned without the aid of a glass.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading It appeared only as a very thin but bright crescent of light, as the lighted portion was less than one-twelfth part of the whole diameter of the disc, and it was only visible for a very short time.

plural of “period” — an amount of time

From this reading Owing to the clear and thin atmosphere of Mars there is very little scintillation of the stars, and the crescent form of the earth at such periods as the present can plainly be discerned without the aid of a glass.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading Owing to the clear and thin atmosphere of Mars there is very little scintillation of the stars, and the crescent form of the earth at such periods as the present can plainly be discerned without the aid of a glass.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading It appeared only as a very thin but bright crescent of light, as the lighted portion was less than one-twelfth part of the whole diameter of the disc, and it was only visible for a very short time.

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

From this reading For the same reason all the stars shine much brighter than they do in our skies, and many of the smaller ones which can be seen from Mars with the unaided eye, would here require a low power-glass to render them visible to us.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Owing to the clear and thin atmosphere of Mars there is very little scintillation of the stars, and the crescent form of the earth at such periods as the present can plainly be discerned without the aid of a glass.

without much difficulty

From this reading To the Martians this is more readily seen than by us, as their eyes, being larger than ours, have a much greater light grasp.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading For the same reason all the stars shine much brighter than they do in our skies, and many of the smaller ones which can be seen from Mars with the unaided eye, would here require a low power-glass to render them visible to us.

cause to become

From this reading For the same reason all the stars shine much brighter than they do in our skies, and many of the smaller ones which can be seen from Mars with the unaided eye, would here require a low power-glass to render them visible to us.

require as useful, just, or proper

From this reading For the same reason all the stars shine much brighter than they do in our skies, and many of the smaller ones which can be seen from Mars with the unaided eye, would here require a low power-glass to render them visible to us.

Identical; not different.

From this reading For the same reason all the stars shine much brighter than they do in our skies, and many of the smaller ones which can be seen from Mars with the unaided eye, would here require a low power-glass to render them visible to us.

(physics) a flash of light that is produced in a phosphor when it absorbs a photon or ionizing particle

From this reading Owing to the clear and thin atmosphere of Mars there is very little scintillation of the stars, and the crescent form of the earth at such periods as the present can plainly be discerned without the aid of a glass.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading To the Martians this is more readily seen than by us, as their eyes, being larger than ours, have a much greater light grasp.

be bright by reflecting or casting light

From this reading For the same reason all the stars shine much brighter than they do in our skies, and many of the smaller ones which can be seen from Mars with the unaided eye, would here require a low power-glass to render them visible to us.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading It appeared only as a very thin but bright crescent of light, as the lighted portion was less than one-twelfth part of the whole diameter of the disc, and it was only visible for a very short time.

plural of “sky” — the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading For the same reason all the stars shine much brighter than they do in our skies, and many of the smaller ones which can be seen from Mars with the unaided eye, would here require a low power-glass to render them visible to us.

small or little relative to something else

From this reading For the same reason all the stars shine much brighter than they do in our skies, and many of the smaller ones which can be seen from Mars with the unaided eye, would here require a low power-glass to render them visible to us.

plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior

From this reading Owing to the clear and thin atmosphere of Mars there is very little scintillation of the stars, and the crescent form of the earth at such periods as the present can plainly be discerned without the aid of a glass.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Owing to the clear and thin atmosphere of Mars there is very little scintillation of the stars, and the crescent form of the earth at such periods as the present can plainly be discerned without the aid of a glass.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading It appeared only as a very thin but bright crescent of light, as the lighted portion was less than one-twelfth part of the whole diameter of the disc, and it was only visible for a very short time.

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

From this reading OUR FIRST VIEW OF THE EARTH FROM MARS--A MARTIAN COURTSHIP Within a few days we had our first glimpse of the earth from Mars.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading To the Martians this is more readily seen than by us, as their eyes, being larger than ours, have a much greater light grasp.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading For the same reason all the stars shine much brighter than they do in our skies, and many of the smaller ones which can be seen from Mars with the unaided eye, would here require a low power-glass to render them visible to us.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Owing to the clear and thin atmosphere of Mars there is very little scintillation of the stars, and the crescent form of the earth at such periods as the present can plainly be discerned without the aid of a glass.

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

From this reading For the same reason all the stars shine much brighter than they do in our skies, and many of the smaller ones which can be seen from Mars with the unaided eye, would here require a low power-glass to render them visible to us.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading It appeared only as a very thin but bright crescent of light, as the lighted portion was less than one-twelfth part of the whole diameter of the disc, and it was only visible for a very short time.

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

From this reading To the Martians this is more readily seen than by us, as their eyes, being larger than ours, have a much greater light grasp.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading It appeared only as a very thin but bright crescent of light, as the lighted portion was less than one-twelfth part of the whole diameter of the disc, and it was only visible for a very short time.

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

From this reading Owing to the clear and thin atmosphere of Mars there is very little scintillation of the stars, and the crescent form of the earth at such periods as the present can plainly be discerned without the aid of a glass.

carried out without aid or assistance

From this reading For the same reason all the stars shine much brighter than they do in our skies, and many of the smaller ones which can be seen from Mars with the unaided eye, would here require a low power-glass to render them visible to us.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading To the Martians this is more readily seen than by us, as their eyes, being larger than ours, have a much greater light grasp.

precisely as stated

From this reading It appeared only as a very thin but bright crescent of light, as the lighted portion was less than one-twelfth part of the whole diameter of the disc, and it was only visible for a very short time.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading OUR FIRST VIEW OF THE EARTH FROM MARS--A MARTIAN COURTSHIP Within a few days we had our first glimpse of the earth from Mars.

capable of being seen; or open to easy view

From this reading It appeared only as a very thin but bright crescent of light, as the lighted portion was less than one-twelfth part of the whole diameter of the disc, and it was only visible for a very short time.

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

From this reading It appeared only as a very thin but bright crescent of light, as the lighted portion was less than one-twelfth part of the whole diameter of the disc, and it was only visible for a very short time.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading OUR FIRST VIEW OF THE EARTH FROM MARS--A MARTIAN COURTSHIP Within a few days we had our first glimpse of the earth from Mars.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading For the same reason all the stars shine much brighter than they do in our skies, and many of the smaller ones which can be seen from Mars with the unaided eye, would here require a low power-glass to render them visible to us.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading It appeared only as a very thin but bright crescent of light, as the lighted portion was less than one-twelfth part of the whole diameter of the disc, and it was only visible for a very short time.

in the company of; together with

From this reading For the same reason all the stars shine much brighter than they do in our skies, and many of the smaller ones which can be seen from Mars with the unaided eye, would here require a low power-glass to render them visible to us.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading OUR FIRST VIEW OF THE EARTH FROM MARS--A MARTIAN COURTSHIP Within a few days we had our first glimpse of the earth from Mars.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Owing to the clear and thin atmosphere of Mars there is very little scintillation of the stars, and the crescent form of the earth at such periods as the present can plainly be discerned without the aid of a glass.

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

From this reading For the same reason all the stars shine much brighter than they do in our skies, and many of the smaller ones which can be seen from Mars with the unaided eye, would here require a low power-glass to render them visible to us.