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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Then, at last, when the craft was well established in a satellite orbit, between Phobos and Deimos and beyond all peril from the mother planet's gravitational pull, he cut the power, turned to the emergency distress-call communicator unit, and switched it on.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading But her lips stayed set in a thin, straight line--a memento of some of the things he'd said after the take-off--so he knew she wouldn't speak till he did.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He knew Nelva's eyes were on him, even before he swung round to face her once again.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, at last, when the craft was well established in a satellite orbit, between Phobos and Deimos and beyond all peril from the mother planet's gravitational pull, he cut the power, turned to the emergency distress-call communicator unit, and switched it on.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Then, at last, when the craft was well established in a satellite orbit, between Phobos and Deimos and beyond all peril from the mother planet's gravitational pull, he cut the power, turned to the emergency distress-call communicator unit, and switched it on.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Dane stretched the little carrier's resources to the limit, pushing it as far out from Mars as he could coax it.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Then, at last, when the craft was well established in a satellite orbit, between Phobos and Deimos and beyond all peril from the mother planet's gravitational pull, he cut the power, turned to the emergency distress-call communicator unit, and switched it on.
baffled
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From this reading It pleased him, how baffled she looked.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He knew Nelva's eyes were on him, even before he swung round to face her once again.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Then, at last, when the craft was well established in a satellite orbit, between Phobos and Deimos and beyond all peril from the mother planet's gravitational pull, he cut the power, turned to the emergency distress-call communicator unit, and switched it on.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Then, at last, when the craft was well established in a satellite orbit, between Phobos and Deimos and beyond all peril from the mother planet's gravitational pull, he cut the power, turned to the emergency distress-call communicator unit, and switched it on.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But her lips stayed set in a thin, straight line--a memento of some of the things he'd said after the take-off--so he knew she wouldn't speak till he did.
carrier's
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From this reading Dane stretched the little carrier's resources to the limit, pushing it as far out from Mars as he could coax it.
coax
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From this reading Dane stretched the little carrier's resources to the limit, pushing it as far out from Mars as he could coax it.
communicator
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From this reading Then, at last, when the craft was well established in a satellite orbit, between Phobos and Deimos and beyond all peril from the mother planet's gravitational pull, he cut the power, turned to the emergency distress-call communicator unit, and switched it on.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Dane stretched the little carrier's resources to the limit, pushing it as far out from Mars as he could coax it.
craftnounUS /kræft/
a boat or ship in this chapter’s sailing situation
From this reading Then, at last, when the craft was well established in a satellite orbit, between Phobos and Deimos and beyond all peril from the mother planet's gravitational pull, he cut the power, turned to the emergency distress-call communicator unit, and switched it on.
cut
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From this reading Then, at last, when the craft was well established in a satellite orbit, between Phobos and Deimos and beyond all peril from the mother planet's gravitational pull, he cut the power, turned to the emergency distress-call communicator unit, and switched it on.
Dane
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From this reading Dane stretched the little carrier's resources to the limit, pushing it as far out from Mars as he could coax it.
Deimos
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, at last, when the craft was well established in a satellite orbit, between Phobos and Deimos and beyond all peril from the mother planet's gravitational pull, he cut the power, turned to the emergency distress-call communicator unit, and switched it on.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But her lips stayed set in a thin, straight line--a memento of some of the things he'd said after the take-off--so he knew she wouldn't speak till he did.
distress-call
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, at last, when the craft was well established in a satellite orbit, between Phobos and Deimos and beyond all peril from the mother planet's gravitational pull, he cut the power, turned to the emergency distress-call communicator unit, and switched it on.
emergency
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, at last, when the craft was well established in a satellite orbit, between Phobos and Deimos and beyond all peril from the mother planet's gravitational pull, he cut the power, turned to the emergency distress-call communicator unit, and switched it on.
established
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, at last, when the craft was well established in a satellite orbit, between Phobos and Deimos and beyond all peril from the mother planet's gravitational pull, he cut the power, turned to the emergency distress-call communicator unit, and switched it on.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He knew Nelva's eyes were on him, even before he swung round to face her once again.
eyes
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From this reading He knew Nelva's eyes were on him, even before he swung round to face her once again.
face
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From this reading He knew Nelva's eyes were on him, even before he swung round to face her once again.
far
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From this reading Dane stretched the little carrier's resources to the limit, pushing it as far out from Mars as he could coax it.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Dane stretched the little carrier's resources to the limit, pushing it as far out from Mars as he could coax it.
gravitational
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From this reading Then, at last, when the craft was well established in a satellite orbit, between Phobos and Deimos and beyond all peril from the mother planet's gravitational pull, he cut the power, turned to the emergency distress-call communicator unit, and switched it on.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Dane stretched the little carrier's resources to the limit, pushing it as far out from Mars as he could coax it.
he'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But her lips stayed set in a thin, straight line--a memento of some of the things he'd said after the take-off--so he knew she wouldn't speak till he did.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He knew Nelva's eyes were on him, even before he swung round to face her once again.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He knew Nelva's eyes were on him, even before he swung round to face her once again.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It pleased him, how baffled she looked.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Then, at last, when the craft was well established in a satellite orbit, between Phobos and Deimos and beyond all peril from the mother planet's gravitational pull, he cut the power, turned to the emergency distress-call communicator unit, and switched it on.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Dane stretched the little carrier's resources to the limit, pushing it as far out from Mars as he could coax it.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew Nelva's eyes were on him, even before he swung round to face her once again.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then, at last, when the craft was well established in a satellite orbit, between Phobos and Deimos and beyond all peril from the mother planet's gravitational pull, he cut the power, turned to the emergency distress-call communicator unit, and switched it on.
limit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dane stretched the little carrier's resources to the limit, pushing it as far out from Mars as he could coax it.
line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But her lips stayed set in a thin, straight line--a memento of some of the things he'd said after the take-off--so he knew she wouldn't speak till he did.
lips
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But her lips stayed set in a thin, straight line--a memento of some of the things he'd said after the take-off--so he knew she wouldn't speak till he did.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Dane stretched the little carrier's resources to the limit, pushing it as far out from Mars as he could coax it.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It pleased him, how baffled she looked.
Mars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dane stretched the little carrier's resources to the limit, pushing it as far out from Mars as he could coax it.
memento
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But her lips stayed set in a thin, straight line--a memento of some of the things he'd said after the take-off--so he knew she wouldn't speak till he did.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, at last, when the craft was well established in a satellite orbit, between Phobos and Deimos and beyond all peril from the mother planet's gravitational pull, he cut the power, turned to the emergency distress-call communicator unit, and switched it on.
Nelva's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew Nelva's eyes were on him, even before he swung round to face her once again.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But her lips stayed set in a thin, straight line--a memento of some of the things he'd said after the take-off--so he knew she wouldn't speak till he did.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Then, at last, when the craft was well established in a satellite orbit, between Phobos and Deimos and beyond all peril from the mother planet's gravitational pull, he cut the power, turned to the emergency distress-call communicator unit, and switched it on.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew Nelva's eyes were on him, even before he swung round to face her once again.
orbit
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From this reading Then, at last, when the craft was well established in a satellite orbit, between Phobos and Deimos and beyond all peril from the mother planet's gravitational pull, he cut the power, turned to the emergency distress-call communicator unit, and switched it on.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dane stretched the little carrier's resources to the limit, pushing it as far out from Mars as he could coax it.
peril
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, at last, when the craft was well established in a satellite orbit, between Phobos and Deimos and beyond all peril from the mother planet's gravitational pull, he cut the power, turned to the emergency distress-call communicator unit, and switched it on.
Phobos
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, at last, when the craft was well established in a satellite orbit, between Phobos and Deimos and beyond all peril from the mother planet's gravitational pull, he cut the power, turned to the emergency distress-call communicator unit, and switched it on.
planet's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, at last, when the craft was well established in a satellite orbit, between Phobos and Deimos and beyond all peril from the mother planet's gravitational pull, he cut the power, turned to the emergency distress-call communicator unit, and switched it on.
pleasednounUS /ˈpleased/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It pleased him, how baffled she looked.
power
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, at last, when the craft was well established in a satellite orbit, between Phobos and Deimos and beyond all peril from the mother planet's gravitational pull, he cut the power, turned to the emergency distress-call communicator unit, and switched it on.
pull
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, at last, when the craft was well established in a satellite orbit, between Phobos and Deimos and beyond all peril from the mother planet's gravitational pull, he cut the power, turned to the emergency distress-call communicator unit, and switched it on.
pushing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dane stretched the little carrier's resources to the limit, pushing it as far out from Mars as he could coax it.
resources
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dane stretched the little carrier's resources to the limit, pushing it as far out from Mars as he could coax it.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew Nelva's eyes were on him, even before he swung round to face her once again.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But her lips stayed set in a thin, straight line--a memento of some of the things he'd said after the take-off--so he knew she wouldn't speak till he did.
satellite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, at last, when the craft was well established in a satellite orbit, between Phobos and Deimos and beyond all peril from the mother planet's gravitational pull, he cut the power, turned to the emergency distress-call communicator unit, and switched it on.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But her lips stayed set in a thin, straight line--a memento of some of the things he'd said after the take-off--so he knew she wouldn't speak till he did.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It pleased him, how baffled she looked.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But her lips stayed set in a thin, straight line--a memento of some of the things he'd said after the take-off--so he knew she wouldn't speak till he did.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But her lips stayed set in a thin, straight line--a memento of some of the things he'd said after the take-off--so he knew she wouldn't speak till he did.
speak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But her lips stayed set in a thin, straight line--a memento of some of the things he'd said after the take-off--so he knew she wouldn't speak till he did.
stayed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But her lips stayed set in a thin, straight line--a memento of some of the things he'd said after the take-off--so he knew she wouldn't speak till he did.
straight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But her lips stayed set in a thin, straight line--a memento of some of the things he'd said after the take-off--so he knew she wouldn't speak till he did.
stretched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dane stretched the little carrier's resources to the limit, pushing it as far out from Mars as he could coax it.
switched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, at last, when the craft was well established in a satellite orbit, between Phobos and Deimos and beyond all peril from the mother planet's gravitational pull, he cut the power, turned to the emergency distress-call communicator unit, and switched it on.
swung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew Nelva's eyes were on him, even before he swung round to face her once again.
take-off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But her lips stayed set in a thin, straight line--a memento of some of the things he'd said after the take-off--so he knew she wouldn't speak till he did.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Dane stretched the little carrier's resources to the limit, pushing it as far out from Mars as he could coax it.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, at last, when the craft was well established in a satellite orbit, between Phobos and Deimos and beyond all peril from the mother planet's gravitational pull, he cut the power, turned to the emergency distress-call communicator unit, and switched it on.
thinadjectiveUS /θɪn/
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading But her lips stayed set in a thin, straight line--a memento of some of the things he'd said after the take-off--so he knew she wouldn't speak till he did.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But her lips stayed set in a thin, straight line--a memento of some of the things he'd said after the take-off--so he knew she wouldn't speak till he did.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading But her lips stayed set in a thin, straight line--a memento of some of the things he'd said after the take-off--so he knew she wouldn't speak till he did.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Dane stretched the little carrier's resources to the limit, pushing it as far out from Mars as he could coax it.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, at last, when the craft was well established in a satellite orbit, between Phobos and Deimos and beyond all peril from the mother planet's gravitational pull, he cut the power, turned to the emergency distress-call communicator unit, and switched it on.
unit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, at last, when the craft was well established in a satellite orbit, between Phobos and Deimos and beyond all peril from the mother planet's gravitational pull, he cut the power, turned to the emergency distress-call communicator unit, and switched it on.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Then, at last, when the craft was well established in a satellite orbit, between Phobos and Deimos and beyond all peril from the mother planet's gravitational pull, he cut the power, turned to the emergency distress-call communicator unit, and switched it on.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, at last, when the craft was well established in a satellite orbit, between Phobos and Deimos and beyond all peril from the mother planet's gravitational pull, he cut the power, turned to the emergency distress-call communicator unit, and switched it on.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He knew Nelva's eyes were on him, even before he swung round to face her once again.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Then, at last, when the craft was well established in a satellite orbit, between Phobos and Deimos and beyond all peril from the mother planet's gravitational pull, he cut the power, turned to the emergency distress-call communicator unit, and switched it on.
wouldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But her lips stayed set in a thin, straight line--a memento of some of the things he'd said after the take-off--so he knew she wouldn't speak till he did.
