used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There were many suggestions in as many minutes, but none that gave a possibility of accomplishing the impossible.
accomplishingverbUS /əˈkɑːmplɪʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “accomplish” — put in effect
From this reading There were many suggestions in as many minutes, but none that gave a possibility of accomplishing the impossible.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading _An Engineer's Mettle_ In the morning the earthmen were called together.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The women believed the meeting was a routine course in mechanics, and went on enjoying their entertainment.
apprehensionnounUS /ˌæprɪˈhenʃən/
fearful expectation or anticipation
From this reading They came with smiling faces, which slowly changed to apprehension.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There were many suggestions in as many minutes, but none that gave a possibility of accomplishing the impossible.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading The women believed the meeting was a routine course in mechanics, and went on enjoying their entertainment.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There were many suggestions in as many minutes, but none that gave a possibility of accomplishing the impossible.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading _An Engineer's Mettle_ In the morning the earthmen were called together.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading They came with smiling faces, which slowly changed to apprehension.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading They came with smiling faces, which slowly changed to apprehension.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading The women believed the meeting was a routine course in mechanics, and went on enjoying their entertainment.
earthmen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _An Engineer's Mettle_ In the morning the earthmen were called together.
Engineer'snounUS /ˌendʒəˈniːrz/
possessive form of “engineer” — a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems
From this reading _An Engineer's Mettle_ In the morning the earthmen were called together.
enjoyingverbUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading The women believed the meeting was a routine course in mechanics, and went on enjoying their entertainment.
entertainmentnounUS /ˌentərˈteɪnmənt/
an activity that is diverting and that holds the attention
From this reading The women believed the meeting was a routine course in mechanics, and went on enjoying their entertainment.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading They came with smiling faces, which slowly changed to apprehension.
fuelverbUS /ˈfjuːəl/
provide with a combustible substance that provides energy
From this reading They had to stretch the fuel--_without visible means of stretching it_!
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading There were many suggestions in as many minutes, but none that gave a possibility of accomplishing the impossible.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They had to stretch the fuel--_without visible means of stretching it_!
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading There were many suggestions in as many minutes, but none that gave a possibility of accomplishing the impossible.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _An Engineer's Mettle_ In the morning the earthmen were called together.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading They had to stretch the fuel--_without visible means of stretching it_!
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 There were many suggestions in as many minutes, but none that gave a possibility of accomplishing the impossible.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading They had to stretch the fuel--_without visible means of stretching it_!
mechanicsnounUS /məˈkænɪks/
the branch of physics concerned with the motion of bodies in a frame of reference
From this reading The women believed the meeting was a routine course in mechanics, and went on enjoying their entertainment.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading The women believed the meeting was a routine course in mechanics, and went on enjoying their entertainment.
MettlenounUS /ˈmetəl/
the courage to carry on
From this reading _An Engineer's Mettle_ In the morning the earthmen were called together.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading There were many suggestions in as many minutes, but none that gave a possibility of accomplishing the impossible.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading _An Engineer's Mettle_ In the morning the earthmen were called together.
not one, and not any
From this reading There were many suggestions in as many minutes, but none that gave a possibility of accomplishing the impossible.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There were many suggestions in as many minutes, but none that gave a possibility of accomplishing the impossible.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The women believed the meeting was a routine course in mechanics, and went on enjoying their entertainment.
a future prospect or potential
From this reading There were many suggestions in as many minutes, but none that gave a possibility of accomplishing the impossible.
routinenounUS /ruːˈtiːn/
an unvarying or habitual method or procedure
From this reading The women believed the meeting was a routine course in mechanics, and went on enjoying their entertainment.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading They came with smiling faces, which slowly changed to apprehension.
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading They came with smiling faces, which slowly changed to apprehension.
stretchverbUS /stretʃ/
occupy a large, elongated area
From this reading They had to stretch the fuel--_without visible means of stretching it_!
stretchingnounUS /ˈstretʃɪŋ/
act of expanding by lengthening or widening
From this reading They had to stretch the fuel--_without visible means of stretching it_!
suggestionsnounUS /səˈdʒestʃənz/
plural of “suggestion” — an idea that is suggested
From this reading There were many suggestions in as many minutes, but none that gave a possibility of accomplishing the impossible.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There were many suggestions in as many minutes, but none that gave a possibility of accomplishing the impossible.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _An Engineer's Mettle_ In the morning the earthmen were called together.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The women believed the meeting was a routine course in mechanics, and went on enjoying their entertainment.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were many suggestions in as many minutes, but none that gave a possibility of accomplishing the impossible.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They came with smiling faces, which slowly changed to apprehension.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They came with smiling faces, which slowly changed to apprehension.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading _An Engineer's Mettle_ In the morning the earthmen were called together.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading They had to stretch the fuel--_without visible means of stretching it_!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The women believed the meeting was a routine course in mechanics, and went on enjoying their entertainment.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The women believed the meeting was a routine course in mechanics, and went on enjoying their entertainment.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading _An Engineer's Mettle_ In the morning the earthmen were called together.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They came with smiling faces, which slowly changed to apprehension.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They came with smiling faces, which slowly changed to apprehension.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading They had to stretch the fuel--_without visible means of stretching it_!
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The women believed the meeting was a routine course in mechanics, and went on enjoying their entertainment.
