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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 A spectator endowed with infinite power of sight, and placed at the unknown centre round which gravitates the universe, would have seen myriads of atoms filling all space during the chaotic epoch of creation.
accelerated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This centre, made of vague molecules, began to turn on itself whilst progressively condensing; then, following the immutable laws of mechanics, in proportion as its volume became diminished by condensation its movement of rotation was accelerated, and these two effects persisting, there resulted a principal planet, the centre of the nebulous mass.
according
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But by degrees, as centuries went on, a change took place; a law of gravitation manifested itself which the wandering atoms obeyed; these atoms, combined chemically according to their affinities, formed themselves into molecules, and made those nebulous masses with which the depths of the heavens are strewed.
affinities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But by degrees, as centuries went on, a change took place; a law of gravitation manifested itself which the wandering atoms obeyed; these atoms, combined chemically according to their affinities, formed themselves into molecules, and made those nebulous masses with which the depths of the heavens are strewed.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A spectator endowed with infinite power of sight, and placed at the unknown centre round which gravitates the universe, would have seen myriads of atoms filling all space during the chaotic epoch of creation.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A spectator endowed with infinite power of sight, and placed at the unknown centre round which gravitates the universe, would have seen myriads of atoms filling all space during the chaotic epoch of creation.
animated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These masses were immediately animated by a movement of rotation round their central point.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But by degrees, as centuries went on, a change took place; a law of gravitation manifested itself which the wandering atoms obeyed; these atoms, combined chemically according to their affinities, formed themselves into molecules, and made those nebulous masses with which the depths of the heavens are strewed.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But by degrees, as centuries went on, a change took place; a law of gravitation manifested itself which the wandering atoms obeyed; these atoms, combined chemically according to their affinities, formed themselves into molecules, and made those nebulous masses with which the depths of the heavens are strewed.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A spectator endowed with infinite power of sight, and placed at the unknown centre round which gravitates the universe, would have seen myriads of atoms filling all space during the chaotic epoch of creation.
atoms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A spectator endowed with infinite power of sight, and placed at the unknown centre round which gravitates the universe, would have seen myriads of atoms filling all space during the chaotic epoch of creation.
became
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This centre, made of vague molecules, began to turn on itself whilst progressively condensing; then, following the immutable laws of mechanics, in proportion as its volume became diminished by condensation its movement of rotation was accelerated, and these two effects persisting, there resulted a principal planet, the centre of the nebulous mass.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This centre, made of vague molecules, began to turn on itself whilst progressively condensing; then, following the immutable laws of mechanics, in proportion as its volume became diminished by condensation its movement of rotation was accelerated, and these two effects persisting, there resulted a principal planet, the centre of the nebulous mass.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But by degrees, as centuries went on, a change took place; a law of gravitation manifested itself which the wandering atoms obeyed; these atoms, combined chemically according to their affinities, formed themselves into molecules, and made those nebulous masses with which the depths of the heavens are strewed.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But by degrees, as centuries went on, a change took place; a law of gravitation manifested itself which the wandering atoms obeyed; these atoms, combined chemically according to their affinities, formed themselves into molecules, and made those nebulous masses with which the depths of the heavens are strewed.
central
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These masses were immediately animated by a movement of rotation round their central point.
centre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A spectator endowed with infinite power of sight, and placed at the unknown centre round which gravitates the universe, would have seen myriads of atoms filling all space during the chaotic epoch of creation.
centuries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But by degrees, as centuries went on, a change took place; a law of gravitation manifested itself which the wandering atoms obeyed; these atoms, combined chemically according to their affinities, formed themselves into molecules, and made those nebulous masses with which the depths of the heavens are strewed.
change
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But by degrees, as centuries went on, a change took place; a law of gravitation manifested itself which the wandering atoms obeyed; these atoms, combined chemically according to their affinities, formed themselves into molecules, and made those nebulous masses with which the depths of the heavens are strewed.
chaotic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A spectator endowed with infinite power of sight, and placed at the unknown centre round which gravitates the universe, would have seen myriads of atoms filling all space during the chaotic epoch of creation.
chemically
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But by degrees, as centuries went on, a change took place; a law of gravitation manifested itself which the wandering atoms obeyed; these atoms, combined chemically according to their affinities, formed themselves into molecules, and made those nebulous masses with which the depths of the heavens are strewed.
combined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But by degrees, as centuries went on, a change took place; a law of gravitation manifested itself which the wandering atoms obeyed; these atoms, combined chemically according to their affinities, formed themselves into molecules, and made those nebulous masses with which the depths of the heavens are strewed.
condensation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This centre, made of vague molecules, began to turn on itself whilst progressively condensing; then, following the immutable laws of mechanics, in proportion as its volume became diminished by condensation its movement of rotation was accelerated, and these two effects persisting, there resulted a principal planet, the centre of the nebulous mass.
condensing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This centre, made of vague molecules, began to turn on itself whilst progressively condensing; then, following the immutable laws of mechanics, in proportion as its volume became diminished by condensation its movement of rotation was accelerated, and these two effects persisting, there resulted a principal planet, the centre of the nebulous mass.
creation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A spectator endowed with infinite power of sight, and placed at the unknown centre round which gravitates the universe, would have seen myriads of atoms filling all space during the chaotic epoch of creation.
degrees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But by degrees, as centuries went on, a change took place; a law of gravitation manifested itself which the wandering atoms obeyed; these atoms, combined chemically according to their affinities, formed themselves into molecules, and made those nebulous masses with which the depths of the heavens are strewed.
depths
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But by degrees, as centuries went on, a change took place; a law of gravitation manifested itself which the wandering atoms obeyed; these atoms, combined chemically according to their affinities, formed themselves into molecules, and made those nebulous masses with which the depths of the heavens are strewed.
diminished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This centre, made of vague molecules, began to turn on itself whilst progressively condensing; then, following the immutable laws of mechanics, in proportion as its volume became diminished by condensation its movement of rotation was accelerated, and these two effects persisting, there resulted a principal planet, the centre of the nebulous mass.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading A spectator endowed with infinite power of sight, and placed at the unknown centre round which gravitates the universe, would have seen myriads of atoms filling all space during the chaotic epoch of creation.
effects
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This centre, made of vague molecules, began to turn on itself whilst progressively condensing; then, following the immutable laws of mechanics, in proportion as its volume became diminished by condensation its movement of rotation was accelerated, and these two effects persisting, there resulted a principal planet, the centre of the nebulous mass.
endowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A spectator endowed with infinite power of sight, and placed at the unknown centre round which gravitates the universe, would have seen myriads of atoms filling all space during the chaotic epoch of creation.
epoch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A spectator endowed with infinite power of sight, and placed at the unknown centre round which gravitates the universe, would have seen myriads of atoms filling all space during the chaotic epoch of creation.
filling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A spectator endowed with infinite power of sight, and placed at the unknown centre round which gravitates the universe, would have seen myriads of atoms filling all space during the chaotic epoch of creation.
following
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This centre, made of vague molecules, began to turn on itself whilst progressively condensing; then, following the immutable laws of mechanics, in proportion as its volume became diminished by condensation its movement of rotation was accelerated, and these two effects persisting, there resulted a principal planet, the centre of the nebulous mass.
formed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But by degrees, as centuries went on, a change took place; a law of gravitation manifested itself which the wandering atoms obeyed; these atoms, combined chemically according to their affinities, formed themselves into molecules, and made those nebulous masses with which the depths of the heavens are strewed.
gravitates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A spectator endowed with infinite power of sight, and placed at the unknown centre round which gravitates the universe, would have seen myriads of atoms filling all space during the chaotic epoch of creation.
gravitation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But by degrees, as centuries went on, a change took place; a law of gravitation manifested itself which the wandering atoms obeyed; these atoms, combined chemically according to their affinities, formed themselves into molecules, and made those nebulous masses with which the depths of the heavens are strewed.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading A spectator endowed with infinite power of sight, and placed at the unknown centre round which gravitates the universe, would have seen myriads of atoms filling all space during the chaotic epoch of creation.
heavens
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But by degrees, as centuries went on, a change took place; a law of gravitation manifested itself which the wandering atoms obeyed; these atoms, combined chemically according to their affinities, formed themselves into molecules, and made those nebulous masses with which the depths of the heavens are strewed.
immediately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These masses were immediately animated by a movement of rotation round their central point.
immutable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This centre, made of vague molecules, began to turn on itself whilst progressively condensing; then, following the immutable laws of mechanics, in proportion as its volume became diminished by condensation its movement of rotation was accelerated, and these two effects persisting, there resulted a principal planet, the centre of the nebulous mass.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading This centre, made of vague molecules, began to turn on itself whilst progressively condensing; then, following the immutable laws of mechanics, in proportion as its volume became diminished by condensation its movement of rotation was accelerated, and these two effects persisting, there resulted a principal planet, the centre of the nebulous mass.
infinite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A spectator endowed with infinite power of sight, and placed at the unknown centre round which gravitates the universe, would have seen myriads of atoms filling all space during the chaotic epoch of creation.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading But by degrees, as centuries went on, a change took place; a law of gravitation manifested itself which the wandering atoms obeyed; these atoms, combined chemically according to their affinities, formed themselves into molecules, and made those nebulous masses with which the depths of the heavens are strewed.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading This centre, made of vague molecules, began to turn on itself whilst progressively condensing; then, following the immutable laws of mechanics, in proportion as its volume became diminished by condensation its movement of rotation was accelerated, and these two effects persisting, there resulted a principal planet, the centre of the nebulous mass.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading But by degrees, as centuries went on, a change took place; a law of gravitation manifested itself which the wandering atoms obeyed; these atoms, combined chemically according to their affinities, formed themselves into molecules, and made those nebulous masses with which the depths of the heavens are strewed.
law
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But by degrees, as centuries went on, a change took place; a law of gravitation manifested itself which the wandering atoms obeyed; these atoms, combined chemically according to their affinities, formed themselves into molecules, and made those nebulous masses with which the depths of the heavens are strewed.
laws
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This centre, made of vague molecules, began to turn on itself whilst progressively condensing; then, following the immutable laws of mechanics, in proportion as its volume became diminished by condensation its movement of rotation was accelerated, and these two effects persisting, there resulted a principal planet, the centre of the nebulous mass.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But by degrees, as centuries went on, a change took place; a law of gravitation manifested itself which the wandering atoms obeyed; these atoms, combined chemically according to their affinities, formed themselves into molecules, and made those nebulous masses with which the depths of the heavens are strewed.
manifested
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But by degrees, as centuries went on, a change took place; a law of gravitation manifested itself which the wandering atoms obeyed; these atoms, combined chemically according to their affinities, formed themselves into molecules, and made those nebulous masses with which the depths of the heavens are strewed.
mass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This centre, made of vague molecules, began to turn on itself whilst progressively condensing; then, following the immutable laws of mechanics, in proportion as its volume became diminished by condensation its movement of rotation was accelerated, and these two effects persisting, there resulted a principal planet, the centre of the nebulous mass.
masses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But by degrees, as centuries went on, a change took place; a law of gravitation manifested itself which the wandering atoms obeyed; these atoms, combined chemically according to their affinities, formed themselves into molecules, and made those nebulous masses with which the depths of the heavens are strewed.
mechanics
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This centre, made of vague molecules, began to turn on itself whilst progressively condensing; then, following the immutable laws of mechanics, in proportion as its volume became diminished by condensation its movement of rotation was accelerated, and these two effects persisting, there resulted a principal planet, the centre of the nebulous mass.
molecules
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But by degrees, as centuries went on, a change took place; a law of gravitation manifested itself which the wandering atoms obeyed; these atoms, combined chemically according to their affinities, formed themselves into molecules, and made those nebulous masses with which the depths of the heavens are strewed.
MOON
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ROMANCE OF THE MOON.
movement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These masses were immediately animated by a movement of rotation round their central point.
myriads
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A spectator endowed with infinite power of sight, and placed at the unknown centre round which gravitates the universe, would have seen myriads of atoms filling all space during the chaotic epoch of creation.
nebulous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But by degrees, as centuries went on, a change took place; a law of gravitation manifested itself which the wandering atoms obeyed; these atoms, combined chemically according to their affinities, formed themselves into molecules, and made those nebulous masses with which the depths of the heavens are strewed.
obeyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But by degrees, as centuries went on, a change took place; a law of gravitation manifested itself which the wandering atoms obeyed; these atoms, combined chemically according to their affinities, formed themselves into molecules, and made those nebulous masses with which the depths of the heavens are strewed.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE ROMANCE OF THE MOON.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But by degrees, as centuries went on, a change took place; a law of gravitation manifested itself which the wandering atoms obeyed; these atoms, combined chemically according to their affinities, formed themselves into molecules, and made those nebulous masses with which the depths of the heavens are strewed.
persisting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This centre, made of vague molecules, began to turn on itself whilst progressively condensing; then, following the immutable laws of mechanics, in proportion as its volume became diminished by condensation its movement of rotation was accelerated, and these two effects persisting, there resulted a principal planet, the centre of the nebulous mass.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But by degrees, as centuries went on, a change took place; a law of gravitation manifested itself which the wandering atoms obeyed; these atoms, combined chemically according to their affinities, formed themselves into molecules, and made those nebulous masses with which the depths of the heavens are strewed.
placed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A spectator endowed with infinite power of sight, and placed at the unknown centre round which gravitates the universe, would have seen myriads of atoms filling all space during the chaotic epoch of creation.
planet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This centre, made of vague molecules, began to turn on itself whilst progressively condensing; then, following the immutable laws of mechanics, in proportion as its volume became diminished by condensation its movement of rotation was accelerated, and these two effects persisting, there resulted a principal planet, the centre of the nebulous mass.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading These masses were immediately animated by a movement of rotation round their central point.
power
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A spectator endowed with infinite power of sight, and placed at the unknown centre round which gravitates the universe, would have seen myriads of atoms filling all space during the chaotic epoch of creation.
principal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This centre, made of vague molecules, began to turn on itself whilst progressively condensing; then, following the immutable laws of mechanics, in proportion as its volume became diminished by condensation its movement of rotation was accelerated, and these two effects persisting, there resulted a principal planet, the centre of the nebulous mass.
progressively
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This centre, made of vague molecules, began to turn on itself whilst progressively condensing; then, following the immutable laws of mechanics, in proportion as its volume became diminished by condensation its movement of rotation was accelerated, and these two effects persisting, there resulted a principal planet, the centre of the nebulous mass.
proportion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This centre, made of vague molecules, began to turn on itself whilst progressively condensing; then, following the immutable laws of mechanics, in proportion as its volume became diminished by condensation its movement of rotation was accelerated, and these two effects persisting, there resulted a principal planet, the centre of the nebulous mass.
resulted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This centre, made of vague molecules, began to turn on itself whilst progressively condensing; then, following the immutable laws of mechanics, in proportion as its volume became diminished by condensation its movement of rotation was accelerated, and these two effects persisting, there resulted a principal planet, the centre of the nebulous mass.
ROMANCE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ROMANCE OF THE MOON.
rotation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These masses were immediately animated by a movement of rotation round their central point.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A spectator endowed with infinite power of sight, and placed at the unknown centre round which gravitates the universe, would have seen myriads of atoms filling all space during the chaotic epoch of creation.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A spectator endowed with infinite power of sight, and placed at the unknown centre round which gravitates the universe, would have seen myriads of atoms filling all space during the chaotic epoch of creation.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A spectator endowed with infinite power of sight, and placed at the unknown centre round which gravitates the universe, would have seen myriads of atoms filling all space during the chaotic epoch of creation.
space
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A spectator endowed with infinite power of sight, and placed at the unknown centre round which gravitates the universe, would have seen myriads of atoms filling all space during the chaotic epoch of creation.
spectator
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A spectator endowed with infinite power of sight, and placed at the unknown centre round which gravitates the universe, would have seen myriads of atoms filling all space during the chaotic epoch of creation.
strewed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But by degrees, as centuries went on, a change took place; a law of gravitation manifested itself which the wandering atoms obeyed; these atoms, combined chemically according to their affinities, formed themselves into molecules, and made those nebulous masses with which the depths of the heavens are strewed.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE ROMANCE OF THE MOON.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But by degrees, as centuries went on, a change took place; a law of gravitation manifested itself which the wandering atoms obeyed; these atoms, combined chemically according to their affinities, formed themselves into molecules, and made those nebulous masses with which the depths of the heavens are strewed.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading But by degrees, as centuries went on, a change took place; a law of gravitation manifested itself which the wandering atoms obeyed; these atoms, combined chemically according to their affinities, formed themselves into molecules, and made those nebulous masses with which the depths of the heavens are strewed.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This centre, made of vague molecules, began to turn on itself whilst progressively condensing; then, following the immutable laws of mechanics, in proportion as its volume became diminished by condensation its movement of rotation was accelerated, and these two effects persisting, there resulted a principal planet, the centre of the nebulous mass.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This centre, made of vague molecules, began to turn on itself whilst progressively condensing; then, following the immutable laws of mechanics, in proportion as its volume became diminished by condensation its movement of rotation was accelerated, and these two effects persisting, there resulted a principal planet, the centre of the nebulous mass.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading But by degrees, as centuries went on, a change took place; a law of gravitation manifested itself which the wandering atoms obeyed; these atoms, combined chemically according to their affinities, formed themselves into molecules, and made those nebulous masses with which the depths of the heavens are strewed.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This centre, made of vague molecules, began to turn on itself whilst progressively condensing; then, following the immutable laws of mechanics, in proportion as its volume became diminished by condensation its movement of rotation was accelerated, and these two effects persisting, there resulted a principal planet, the centre of the nebulous mass.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading But by degrees, as centuries went on, a change took place; a law of gravitation manifested itself which the wandering atoms obeyed; these atoms, combined chemically according to their affinities, formed themselves into molecules, and made those nebulous masses with which the depths of the heavens are strewed.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But by degrees, as centuries went on, a change took place; a law of gravitation manifested itself which the wandering atoms obeyed; these atoms, combined chemically according to their affinities, formed themselves into molecules, and made those nebulous masses with which the depths of the heavens are strewed.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But by degrees, as centuries went on, a change took place; a law of gravitation manifested itself which the wandering atoms obeyed; these atoms, combined chemically according to their affinities, formed themselves into molecules, and made those nebulous masses with which the depths of the heavens are strewed.
turn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This centre, made of vague molecules, began to turn on itself whilst progressively condensing; then, following the immutable laws of mechanics, in proportion as its volume became diminished by condensation its movement of rotation was accelerated, and these two effects persisting, there resulted a principal planet, the centre of the nebulous mass.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This centre, made of vague molecules, began to turn on itself whilst progressively condensing; then, following the immutable laws of mechanics, in proportion as its volume became diminished by condensation its movement of rotation was accelerated, and these two effects persisting, there resulted a principal planet, the centre of the nebulous mass.
universe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A spectator endowed with infinite power of sight, and placed at the unknown centre round which gravitates the universe, would have seen myriads of atoms filling all space during the chaotic epoch of creation.
unknown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A spectator endowed with infinite power of sight, and placed at the unknown centre round which gravitates the universe, would have seen myriads of atoms filling all space during the chaotic epoch of creation.
vague
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This centre, made of vague molecules, began to turn on itself whilst progressively condensing; then, following the immutable laws of mechanics, in proportion as its volume became diminished by condensation its movement of rotation was accelerated, and these two effects persisting, there resulted a principal planet, the centre of the nebulous mass.
volume
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This centre, made of vague molecules, began to turn on itself whilst progressively condensing; then, following the immutable laws of mechanics, in proportion as its volume became diminished by condensation its movement of rotation was accelerated, and these two effects persisting, there resulted a principal planet, the centre of the nebulous mass.
wandering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But by degrees, as centuries went on, a change took place; a law of gravitation manifested itself which the wandering atoms obeyed; these atoms, combined chemically according to their affinities, formed themselves into molecules, and made those nebulous masses with which the depths of the heavens are strewed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This centre, made of vague molecules, began to turn on itself whilst progressively condensing; then, following the immutable laws of mechanics, in proportion as its volume became diminished by condensation its movement of rotation was accelerated, and these two effects persisting, there resulted a principal planet, the centre of the nebulous mass.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But by degrees, as centuries went on, a change took place; a law of gravitation manifested itself which the wandering atoms obeyed; these atoms, combined chemically according to their affinities, formed themselves into molecules, and made those nebulous masses with which the depths of the heavens are strewed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading These masses were immediately animated by a movement of rotation round their central point.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A spectator endowed with infinite power of sight, and placed at the unknown centre round which gravitates the universe, would have seen myriads of atoms filling all space during the chaotic epoch of creation.
whilstconjunctionUS /waɪlst/
an old and formal word for “while”
From this reading This centre, made of vague molecules, began to turn on itself whilst progressively condensing; then, following the immutable laws of mechanics, in proportion as its volume became diminished by condensation its movement of rotation was accelerated, and these two effects persisting, there resulted a principal planet, the centre of the nebulous mass.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading A spectator endowed with infinite power of sight, and placed at the unknown centre round which gravitates the universe, would have seen myriads of atoms filling all space during the chaotic epoch of creation.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading A spectator endowed with infinite power of sight, and placed at the unknown centre round which gravitates the universe, would have seen myriads of atoms filling all space during the chaotic epoch of creation.
