aftadverbUS /æft/
at or near or toward the stern of a ship or tail of an airplane
From this reading Maynard was dividing his attention equally between the transparent bubble that housed the Meinz pendulum and the two ports, forward and aft, that broke the steel panelling of the control cubicle.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading He listened critically to the measured clicking of the Geiger counters and the quiet sibilance of the air purifiers, and in spite of his weightlessness and his total loss of equilibrium he was quite calm.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It happened just before he reached the zero point, the no-man's land in space where the attenuated gravity fields of two planets meet and cancel out.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading Maynard was dividing his attention equally between the transparent bubble that housed the Meinz pendulum and the two ports, forward and aft, that broke the steel panelling of the control cubicle.
attenuatedadjectiveUS /əˈtenjuːeɪtɪd/
of an electrical signal; reduced in amplitude with little or no distortion
From this reading It happened just before he reached the zero point, the no-man's land in space where the attenuated gravity fields of two planets meet and cancel out.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Why couldn't he turn back?
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It happened just before he reached the zero point, the no-man's land in space where the attenuated gravity fields of two planets meet and cancel out.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The first Earthman to hit deep space discovered what was so terribly wrong with the world he had left behind.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Maynard was dividing his attention equally between the transparent bubble that housed the Meinz pendulum and the two ports, forward and aft, that broke the steel panelling of the control cubicle.
lacking funds
From this reading Maynard was dividing his attention equally between the transparent bubble that housed the Meinz pendulum and the two ports, forward and aft, that broke the steel panelling of the control cubicle.
bubbleverbUS /ˈbʌbəl/
form, produce, or emit bubbles
From this reading Maynard was dividing his attention equally between the transparent bubble that housed the Meinz pendulum and the two ports, forward and aft, that broke the steel panelling of the control cubicle.
make calm or still
From this reading He listened critically to the measured clicking of the Geiger counters and the quiet sibilance of the air purifiers, and in spite of his weightlessness and his total loss of equilibrium he was quite calm.
cancelverbUS /ˈkænsəl/
postpone indefinitely or annul something that was scheduled
From this reading It happened just before he reached the zero point, the no-man's land in space where the attenuated gravity fields of two planets meet and cancel out.
clickingverbUS /ˈklɪkɪŋ/
-ing form of “click” — move or strike with a noise
From this reading He listened critically to the measured clicking of the Geiger counters and the quiet sibilance of the air purifiers, and in spite of his weightlessness and his total loss of equilibrium he was quite calm.
power to direct or determine
From this reading Maynard was dividing his attention equally between the transparent bubble that housed the Meinz pendulum and the two ports, forward and aft, that broke the steel panelling of the control cubicle.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why couldn't he turn back?
countersnounUS /ˈkaʊntərz/
plural of “counter” — table consisting of a horizontal surface over which business is transacted
From this reading He listened critically to the measured clicking of the Geiger counters and the quiet sibilance of the air purifiers, and in spite of his weightlessness and his total loss of equilibrium he was quite calm.
criticallyadverbUS /ˈkrɪtɪkəli/
in a critical manner
From this reading He listened critically to the measured clicking of the Geiger counters and the quiet sibilance of the air purifiers, and in spite of his weightlessness and his total loss of equilibrium he was quite calm.
cubiclenounUS /ˈkjuːbɪkəl/
small room in which a monk or nun lives
From this reading Maynard was dividing his attention equally between the transparent bubble that housed the Meinz pendulum and the two ports, forward and aft, that broke the steel panelling of the control cubicle.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading The first Earthman to hit deep space discovered what was so terribly wrong with the world he had left behind.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading The first Earthman to hit deep space discovered what was so terribly wrong with the world he had left behind.
dividingverbUS /dɪˈvaɪdɪŋ/
-ing form of “divide” — separate into parts or portions
From this reading Maynard was dividing his attention equally between the transparent bubble that housed the Meinz pendulum and the two ports, forward and aft, that broke the steel panelling of the control cubicle.
Earthmannoun
an inhabitant of the earth
From this reading The first Earthman to hit deep space discovered what was so terribly wrong with the world he had left behind.
to the same degree (often followed by “as”)
From this reading Maynard was dividing his attention equally between the transparent bubble that housed the Meinz pendulum and the two ports, forward and aft, that broke the steel panelling of the control cubicle.
equilibriumnounUS /ˌiːkwəˈlɪbriəm/
a stable situation in which forces cancel one another
From this reading He listened critically to the measured clicking of the Geiger counters and the quiet sibilance of the air purifiers, and in spite of his weightlessness and his total loss of equilibrium he was quite calm.
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading It happened just before he reached the zero point, the no-man's land in space where the attenuated gravity fields of two planets meet and cancel out.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The first Earthman to hit deep space discovered what was so terribly wrong with the world he had left behind.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading Maynard was dividing his attention equally between the transparent bubble that housed the Meinz pendulum and the two ports, forward and aft, that broke the steel panelling of the control cubicle.
GeigernounUS /ˈɡaɪɡər/
German physicist who developed the Geiger counter (1882-1945)
From this reading He listened critically to the measured clicking of the Geiger counters and the quiet sibilance of the air purifiers, and in spite of his weightlessness and his total loss of equilibrium he was quite calm.
gravitynounUS /ˈɡrævəti/
(physics) the force of attraction between all masses in the universe; especially the attraction of the earth's mass for bodies near its surface
From this reading It happened just before he reached the zero point, the no-man's land in space where the attenuated gravity fields of two planets meet and cancel out.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The first Earthman to hit deep space discovered what was so terribly wrong with the world he had left behind.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading It happened just before he reached the zero point, the no-man's land in space where the attenuated gravity fields of two planets meet and cancel out.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The first Earthman to hit deep space discovered what was so terribly wrong with the world he had left behind.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Maynard was dividing his attention equally between the transparent bubble that housed the Meinz pendulum and the two ports, forward and aft, that broke the steel panelling of the control cubicle.
cause to move by striking
From this reading The first Earthman to hit deep space discovered what was so terribly wrong with the world he had left behind.
housedverbUS /haʊzd/
past form of “house” — contain or cover
From this reading Maynard was dividing his attention equally between the transparent bubble that housed the Meinz pendulum and the two ports, forward and aft, that broke the steel panelling of the control cubicle.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It happened just before he reached the zero point, the no-man's land in space where the attenuated gravity fields of two planets meet and cancel out.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It happened just before he reached the zero point, the no-man's land in space where the attenuated gravity fields of two planets meet and cancel out.
and nothing more
From this reading It happened just before he reached the zero point, the no-man's land in space where the attenuated gravity fields of two planets meet and cancel out.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading It happened just before he reached the zero point, the no-man's land in space where the attenuated gravity fields of two planets meet and cancel out.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading The first Earthman to hit deep space discovered what was so terribly wrong with the world he had left behind.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading He listened critically to the measured clicking of the Geiger counters and the quiet sibilance of the air purifiers, and in spite of his weightlessness and his total loss of equilibrium he was quite calm.
something that is lost
From this reading He listened critically to the measured clicking of the Geiger counters and the quiet sibilance of the air purifiers, and in spite of his weightlessness and his total loss of equilibrium he was quite calm.
Maynard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Maynard was dividing his attention equally between the transparent bubble that housed the Meinz pendulum and the two ports, forward and aft, that broke the steel panelling of the control cubicle.
measuredadjectiveUS /ˈmeʒərd/
having notes of fixed rhythmic value
From this reading He listened critically to the measured clicking of the Geiger counters and the quiet sibilance of the air purifiers, and in spite of his weightlessness and his total loss of equilibrium he was quite calm.
come together
From this reading It happened just before he reached the zero point, the no-man's land in space where the attenuated gravity fields of two planets meet and cancel out.
Meinz
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Maynard was dividing his attention equally between the transparent bubble that housed the Meinz pendulum and the two ports, forward and aft, that broke the steel panelling of the control cubicle.
no-man's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It happened just before he reached the zero point, the no-man's land in space where the attenuated gravity fields of two planets meet and cancel out.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It happened just before he reached the zero point, the no-man's land in space where the attenuated gravity fields of two planets meet and cancel out.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It happened just before he reached the zero point, the no-man's land in space where the attenuated gravity fields of two planets meet and cancel out.
panellingnoun
a panel or section of panels in a wall or door
From this reading Maynard was dividing his attention equally between the transparent bubble that housed the Meinz pendulum and the two ports, forward and aft, that broke the steel panelling of the control cubicle.
pendulumnounUS /ˈpen.dʒə.ləm/
A weight hung from a fixed point so that it can swing freely, often used in timekeeping.
From this reading Maynard was dividing his attention equally between the transparent bubble that housed the Meinz pendulum and the two ports, forward and aft, that broke the steel panelling of the control cubicle.
planetsnounUS /ˈplænəts/
plural 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 It happened just before he reached the zero point, the no-man's land in space where the attenuated gravity fields of two planets meet and cancel out.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading It happened just before he reached the zero point, the no-man's land in space where the attenuated gravity fields of two planets meet and cancel out.
portsnounUS /pɔːrts/
plural of “port” — a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country
From this reading Maynard was dividing his attention equally between the transparent bubble that housed the Meinz pendulum and the two ports, forward and aft, that broke the steel panelling of the control cubicle.
purifiersnounUS /ˈpjʊrəfaɪərz/
plural of “purifier” — an apparatus for removing impurities
From this reading He listened critically to the measured clicking of the Geiger counters and the quiet sibilance of the air purifiers, and in spite of his weightlessness and his total loss of equilibrium he was quite calm.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading He listened critically to the measured clicking of the Geiger counters and the quiet sibilance of the air purifiers, and in spite of his weightlessness and his total loss of equilibrium he was quite calm.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading He listened critically to the measured clicking of the Geiger counters and the quiet sibilance of the air purifiers, and in spite of his weightlessness and his total loss of equilibrium he was quite calm.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading It happened just before he reached the zero point, the no-man's land in space where the attenuated gravity fields of two planets meet and cancel out.
sibilance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He listened critically to the measured clicking of the Geiger counters and the quiet sibilance of the air purifiers, and in spite of his weightlessness and his total loss of equilibrium he was quite calm.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The first Earthman to hit deep space discovered what was so terribly wrong with the world he had left behind.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading The first Earthman to hit deep space discovered what was so terribly wrong with the world he had left behind.
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading He listened critically to the measured clicking of the Geiger counters and the quiet sibilance of the air purifiers, and in spite of his weightlessness and his total loss of equilibrium he was quite calm.
an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range
From this reading Maynard was dividing his attention equally between the transparent bubble that housed the Meinz pendulum and the two ports, forward and aft, that broke the steel panelling of the control cubicle.
terriblyadverbUS /ˈterəbli/
used as intensifiers
From this reading The first Earthman to hit deep space discovered what was so terribly wrong with the world he had left behind.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Maynard was dividing his attention equally between the transparent bubble that housed the Meinz pendulum and the two ports, forward and aft, that broke the steel panelling of the control cubicle.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The first Earthman to hit deep space discovered what was so terribly wrong with the world he had left behind.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The first Earthman to hit deep space discovered what was so terribly wrong with the world he had left behind.
totalverbUS /ˈtoʊtəl/
add up in number or quantity
From this reading He listened critically to the measured clicking of the Geiger counters and the quiet sibilance of the air purifiers, and in spite of his weightlessness and his total loss of equilibrium he was quite calm.
transparentadjectiveUS /trænˈsperənt/
transmitting light; able to be seen through with clarity
From this reading Maynard was dividing his attention equally between the transparent bubble that housed the Meinz pendulum and the two ports, forward and aft, that broke the steel panelling of the control cubicle.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading Why couldn't he turn back?
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It happened just before he reached the zero point, the no-man's land in space where the attenuated gravity fields of two planets meet and cancel out.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The first Earthman to hit deep space discovered what was so terribly wrong with the world he had left behind.
weightlessnessnounUS /ˈweɪtləsnəs/
the property of being comparatively small in weight
From this reading He listened critically to the measured clicking of the Geiger counters and the quiet sibilance of the air purifiers, and in spite of his weightlessness and his total loss of equilibrium he was quite calm.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The first Earthman to hit deep space discovered what was so terribly wrong with the world he had left behind.
in or at the place that
From this reading It happened just before he reached the zero point, the no-man's land in space where the attenuated gravity fields of two planets meet and cancel out.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Why couldn't he turn back?
in the company of; together with
From this reading The first Earthman to hit deep space discovered what was so terribly wrong with the world he had left behind.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading The first Earthman to hit deep space discovered what was so terribly wrong with the world he had left behind.
not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth
From this reading The first Earthman to hit deep space discovered what was so terribly wrong with the world he had left behind.
zeroadjectiveUS /ˈzɪroʊ/
indicating the absence of any or all units under consideration
From this reading It happened just before he reached the zero point, the no-man's land in space where the attenuated gravity fields of two planets meet and cancel out.
