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Plan 9 from Outer Space

They Speak Our Language

(Lesson 5)

Total words 136 Video duration 11:20



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attack

(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
A video clip called I understand, Colonel, you've been on tap for many of our saucer attacks.

I understand, Colonel, you've been on tap for many of our saucer attacks.
beginning

the event consisting of the start of something
A video clip called Since the beginning of your time...

Since the beginning of your time...
body

the entire structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
A video clip called Monsters, graves, bodies,...

Monsters, graves, bodies,...
break

an unexpected piece of good luck
A video clip called Sometimes it's only the breaks, Larry. In the meantime...

Sometimes it's only the breaks, Larry. In the meantime...
breath

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
A video clip called The only spirits he saw tonight were those I smelled on his breath.

The only spirits he saw tonight were those I smelled on his breath.
casket

box in which a corpse is buried or cremated
A video clip called Casket's here, but nobody's in it.

Casket's here, but nobody's in it.
chance

an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
A video clip called We can't afford to take any chances.

We can't afford to take any chances.
claim

an assertion that something is true or factual
A video clip called There have even been stated claims of saucer landings.

There have even been stated claims of saucer landings.
close

the temporal end; the concluding time
A video clip called Come in, Colonel Edwards. Close the door. At ease, Colonel.

Come in, Colonel Edwards. Close the door. At ease, Colonel.
computer

a machine for performing calculations automatically
A video clip called Well since they first tried contact with us by radio, we've developed a language computer.

Well since they first tried contact with us by radio, we've developed a language computer.
contact

close interaction
A video clip called We've had contact with them.

We've had contact with them.
cop

uncomplimentary terms for a policeman
A video clip called I guess that's why you're a detective lieutenant, and I'm still a uniformed cop.

I guess that's why you're a detective lieutenant, and I'm still a uniformed cop.
court-martial

a trial that is conducted by a military court
A video clip called This could mean a court-martial.

This could mean a court-martial.
criminal

someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime
A video clip called I admit, we have had to take certain means which you might refer to as criminal,

I admit, we have had to take certain means which you might refer to as criminal,
detail

a crew of workers selected for a particular task
A video clip called Well, why do I always get hooked up with these spook details?

Well, why do I always get hooked up with these spook details?
detective

a police officer who investigates crimes
A video clip called I guess that's why you're a detective lieutenant, and I'm still a uniformed cop.

I guess that's why you're a detective lieutenant, and I'm still a uniformed cop.
difference

the quality of being unlike or dissimilar
A video clip called I fully realize our language differences,

I fully realize our language differences,
directive

a pronouncement encouraging or banning some activity
A video clip called You realize there's a government directive stating that there is no such thing as a flying saucer?

You realize there's a government directive stating that there is no such thing as a flying saucer?
dirt

the part of the earth's surface consisting of humus and disintegrated rock
A video clip called Strange. If someone had broken in, the dirt should be piled up here somewhere.

Strange. If someone had broken in, the dirt should be piled up here somewhere.
dozen

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
A video clip called An even dozen up to now. This was the last one.

An even dozen up to now. This was the last one.
ease

the condition of being comfortable or relieved (especially after being relieved of distress)
A video clip called Come in, Colonel Edwards. Close the door. At ease, Colonel.

Come in, Colonel Edwards. Close the door. At ease, Colonel.
ease

freedom from difficulty or hardship or effort
A video clip called Permit me to set your mind at ease.

Permit me to set your mind at ease.
eon

the longest division of geological time
A video clip called It has taken you centuries to even grasp what we developed eons of your years ago.

It has taken you centuries to even grasp what we developed eons of your years ago.
exhaust

gases ejected from an engine as waste products
A video clip called saucers flying so low the exhaust knocked people to the ground.

saucers flying so low the exhaust knocked people to the ground.
foot

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
A video clip called But, don't forget that torn nightgown and the scratched feet.

But, don't forget that torn nightgown and the scratched feet.
galaxy

(astronomy) a collection of star systems; any of the billions of systems each having many stars and nebulae and dust
A video clip called This is Eros, a space soldier from a planet of your galaxy.

This is Eros, a space soldier from a planet of your galaxy.
general

a general officer of the highest rank
A video clip called General...

General...
glow

an alert and refreshed state
A video clip called Many times a saucer hasn't had a glow,

Many times a saucer hasn't had a glow,
go

a time for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)
A video clip called Let's go get it.

Let's go get it.
good luck

an auspicious state resulting from favorable outcomes
A video clip called Good luck. Thank you, Sir.

Good luck. Thank you, Sir.
grasp

understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something
A video clip called It has taken you centuries to even grasp what we developed eons of your years ago.

It has taken you centuries to even grasp what we developed eons of your years ago.
gravestone

a stone that is used to mark a grave
A video clip called I see what you mean, the gravestone's down there.

I see what you mean, the gravestone's down there.
hard hat

a worker skilled in building offices or dwellings etc.
A video clip called Ah don't ask me any questions. I'm just a hard hat just like you.

Ah don't ask me any questions. I'm just a hard hat just like you.
hell

any place of pain and turmoil
A video clip called Find them, Colonel. See what in hell it is they want.

Find them, Colonel. See what in hell it is they want.
intelligence

a unit responsible for gathering and interpreting information about an enemy
A video clip called turn them over to intelligence when you get to Los Angeles.

turn them over to intelligence when you get to Los Angeles.
job

the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
A video clip called You're the best man for the job of attempting to contact them.

You're the best man for the job of attempting to contact them.
landing

the act of coming to land after a voyage
A video clip called If you persist in denying us our landings,

If you persist in denying us our landings,
language

a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
A video clip called They speak our language?

They speak our language?
los angeles

a city in southern California; motion picture capital of the world; most populous city of California and second largest in the United States
A video clip called turn them over to intelligence when you get to Los Angeles.

turn them over to intelligence when you get to Los Angeles.
major

a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines; below lieutenant colonel and above captain
A video clip called Major Carlson will replace you while you're out there.

Major Carlson will replace you while you're out there.
match

lighter consisting of a thin piece of wood or cardboard tipped with combustible chemical; ignites with friction
A video clip called How about a match?

How about a match?
monster

an imaginary creature usually having various human and animal parts
A video clip called Monsters, graves, bodies,...

Monsters, graves, bodies,...
month

one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
A video clip called We received it over a month ago.

We received it over a month ago.
name

a language unit by which a person or thing is known
A video clip called Can you read the name on the casket?

Can you read the name on the casket?
next of kin

the person who is (or persons who are) most closely related to a given person
A video clip called We shouldn't investigate any further without the permission of next of kin.

We shouldn't investigate any further without the permission of next of kin.
nightgown

lingerie consisting of a loose dress designed to be worn in bed by women
A video clip called But, don't forget that torn nightgown and the scratched feet.

But, don't forget that torn nightgown and the scratched feet.
order

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
A video clip called If it weren't for orders I'd get out of here right now.

If it weren't for orders I'd get out of here right now.
pentagon

a government building with five sides that serves as the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense
A video clip called But meanwhile, in the Pentagon, in Washington DC...

But meanwhile, in the Pentagon, in Washington DC...
permission

approval to do something
A video clip called We shouldn't investigate any further without the permission of next of kin.

We shouldn't investigate any further without the permission of next of kin.
position

the particular portion of space occupied by something
A video clip called They'll have further orders from this position.

They'll have further orders from this position.
recording

a storage device on which information (sounds or images) have been recorded
A video clip called How many of these recordings do you have, General?

How many of these recordings do you have, General?
representative

a person who represents others
A video clip called That is because of your big guns which have destroyed some of our representatives.

That is because of your big guns which have destroyed some of our representatives.
right

anything in accord with principles of justice
A video clip called Do we have the right to look down there, Lieutenant?

Do we have the right to look down there, Lieutenant?
spaceship

a spacecraft designed to carry a crew into interstellar space (especially in science fiction)
A video clip called We've received messages from their spaceships.

We've received messages from their spaceships.
spirit

any incorporeal supernatural being that can become visible (or audible) to human beings
A video clip called Spirits like Old Farmer Caulder talked about.

Spirits like Old Farmer Caulder talked about.
spirits

an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
A video clip called The only spirits he saw tonight were those I smelled on his breath.

The only spirits he saw tonight were those I smelled on his breath.
state

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
A video clip called Well, true, she was frightened, and in a state of shock.

Well, true, she was frightened, and in a state of shock.
terms

status with respect to the relations between people or groups
A video clip called then we must only accept that you do not want us on friendly terms.

then we must only accept that you do not want us on friendly terms.
thank you

a conversational expression of gratitude
A video clip called Good luck. Thank you, Sir.

Good luck. Thank you, Sir.
time

the continuum of experience in which events pass from the future through the present to the past
A video clip called Since the beginning of your time...

Since the beginning of your time...
touch

a communicative interaction
A video clip called Yes of course, I'll keep in touch.

Yes of course, I'll keep in touch.
verge

the limit beyond which something happens or changes
A video clip called You are on the verge of destroying the entire universe.

You are on the verge of destroying the entire universe.
afford

be able to spare or give up
A video clip called We can't afford to take any chances.

We can't afford to take any chances.
be

occupy a certain position or area; be somewhere
A video clip called You're going to be there in the morning.

You're going to be there in the morning.
believe in

have a firm conviction as to the goodness of something
A video clip called How could I hope to hold down my command if I didn't believe in what I saw and shot at?

How could I hope to hold down my command if I didn't believe in what I saw and shot at?
break down

make a mathematical, chemical, or grammatical analysis of; break down into components or essential features
A video clip called A machine that breaks down any language to our own.

A machine that breaks down any language to our own.
call

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
A video clip called or as you on Earth call it,

or as you on Earth call it,
claim

assert or affirm strongly; state to be true or existing
A video clip called Well don't forget Mrs. Trent claims to have seen them too.

Well don't forget Mrs. Trent claims to have seen them too.
conceive

have the idea for
A video clip called You have developed explosives too fast for your minds to conceive what you were doing.

You have developed explosives too fast for your minds to conceive what you were doing.
conquer

to put down by force or authority
A video clip called We do not want to conquer your planet. Only save it.

We do not want to conquer your planet. Only save it.
convinced

persuaded of; very sure
A video clip called I thought you were convinced of that.

I thought you were convinced of that.
deny

refuse to grant, as of a petition or request
A video clip called If you persist in denying us our landings,

If you persist in denying us our landings,
exist

have an existence, be extant
A video clip called Do you still believe it impossible we exist?

Do you still believe it impossible we exist?
fall in

break down, literally or metaphorically
A video clip called It looks like it's fallen in to the grave.

It looks like it's fallen in to the grave.
find out

establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study
A video clip called Well, let's go down and find out whose grave it is.

Well, let's go down and find out whose grave it is.
get out

move out of or depart from
A video clip called If it weren't for orders I'd get out of here right now.

If it weren't for orders I'd get out of here right now.
get to

reach a goal, e.g., "make the first team"
A video clip called turn them over to intelligence when you get to Los Angeles.

turn them over to intelligence when you get to Los Angeles.
go down

move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
A video clip called Well, let's go down and find out whose grave it is.

Well, let's go down and find out whose grave it is.
have

go through (mental or physical states or experiences)
A video clip called We've had contact with them.

We've had contact with them.
hold down

keep
A video clip called How could I hope to hold down my command if I didn't believe in what I saw and shot at?

How could I hope to hold down my command if I didn't believe in what I saw and shot at?
hook up

connect or link
A video clip called Well, why do I always get hooked up with these spook details?

Well, why do I always get hooked up with these spook details?
inhabited

having inhabitants; lived in
A video clip called You didn't actually think you were the only inhabited planet in the universe?

You didn't actually think you were the only inhabited planet in the universe?
interfere

come between so as to be hindrance or obstacle
A video clip called Atmospheric conditions in outer space often interfere with transmitting.

Atmospheric conditions in outer space often interfere with transmitting.
like

be fond of
A video clip called I, uh, like you, Colonel. Thank you, Sir.

I, uh, like you, Colonel. Thank you, Sir.
look for

try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
A video clip called It's tough to find something when you don't know what you're looking for.

It's tough to find something when you don't know what you're looking for.
mind

be offended or bothered by; take offense with, be bothered by
A video clip called I think it's about time you heard these recordings. Do you mind?

I think it's about time you heard these recordings. Do you mind?
perfect

make perfect or complete
A video clip called however, I also know you finally have perfected the dictorobitary

however, I also know you finally have perfected the dictorobitary
persist in

do something repeatedly and showing no intention to stop
A video clip called If you persist in denying us our landings,

If you persist in denying us our landings,
pile

arrange in stacks
A video clip called Strange. If someone had broken in, the dirt should be piled up here somewhere.

Strange. If someone had broken in, the dirt should be piled up here somewhere.
pile up

collect or gather
A video clip called Strange. If someone had broken in, the dirt should be piled up here somewhere.

Strange. If someone had broken in, the dirt should be piled up here somewhere.
realize

be fully aware or cognizant of
A video clip called I fully realize our language differences,

I fully realize our language differences,
receive

get something; come into possession of
A video clip called We've received messages from their spaceships.

We've received messages from their spaceships.
replace

substitute a person or thing for (another that is broken or inefficient or lost or no longer working or yielding what is expected)
A video clip called Major Carlson will replace you while you're out there.

Major Carlson will replace you while you're out there.
scratch

cut the surface of; wear away the surface of
A video clip called But, don't forget that torn nightgown and the scratched feet.

But, don't forget that torn nightgown and the scratched feet.
smell

inhale the odor of; perceive by the olfactory sense
A video clip called The only spirits he saw tonight were those I smelled on his breath.

The only spirits he saw tonight were those I smelled on his breath.
stand by

be loyal to
A video clip called Do you stand by your statement that you've seen flying saucers?

Do you stand by your statement that you've seen flying saucers?
stated

declared as fact; explicitly stated
A video clip called There have even been stated claims of saucer landings.

There have even been stated claims of saucer landings.
take

require (time or space)
A video clip called It has taken you centuries to even grasp what we developed eons of your years ago.

It has taken you centuries to even grasp what we developed eons of your years ago.
talk about

to consider or examine in speech or writing
A video clip called Spirits like Old Farmer Caulder talked about.

Spirits like Old Farmer Caulder talked about.
turn over

place into the hands or custody of
A video clip called turn them over to intelligence when you get to Los Angeles.

turn them over to intelligence when you get to Los Angeles.
waste

spend thoughtlessly; throw away
A video clip called Come on, man, out with it... we haven't got all day to waste.

Come on, man, out with it... we haven't got all day to waste.
ancient

belonging to times long past especially of the historical period before the fall of the Western Roman Empire
A video clip called With your ancient, juvenile minds...

With your ancient, juvenile minds...
anxious

eagerly desirous
A video clip called Mind? Huh, I'm anxious.

Mind? Huh, I'm anxious.
broken in

tamed or trained to obey
A video clip called Strange. If someone had broken in, the dirt should be piled up here somewhere.

Strange. If someone had broken in, the dirt should be piled up here somewhere.
certain

definite but not specified or identified
A video clip called I admit, we have had to take certain means which you might refer to as criminal,

I admit, we have had to take certain means which you might refer to as criminal,
confidential

entrusted with private information and the confidence of another
A video clip called These are confidential reports, Colonel. Read them over carefully on the plane,

These are confidential reports, Colonel. Read them over carefully on the plane,
direct

having no intervening persons, agents, conditions
A video clip called Admitting this against direct orders.

Admitting this against direct orders.
down

being or moving lower in position or less in some value
A video clip called I see what you mean, the gravestone's down there.

I see what you mean, the gravestone's down there.
even

equal in degree or extent or amount; or equally matched or balanced
A video clip called An even dozen up to now. This was the last one.

An even dozen up to now. This was the last one.
familiar

well known or easily recognized
A video clip called Well, this spot looks familiar, though.

Well, this spot looks familiar, though.
first

indicating the beginning unit in a series
A video clip called Well since they first tried contact with us by radio, we've developed a language computer.

Well since they first tried contact with us by radio, we've developed a language computer.
further

more distant in especially degree
A video clip called We shouldn't investigate any further without the permission of next of kin.

We shouldn't investigate any further without the permission of next of kin.
hysterical

marked by excessive or uncontrollable emotion
A video clip called She was hysterical.

She was hysterical.
jumbled

in utter disorder
A video clip called For a while, it came in as just a lot of jumbled noise.

For a while, it came in as just a lot of jumbled noise.
more than

(comparative of `much' used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
A video clip called No more than you do.

No more than you do.
on tap

available for immediate use
A video clip called I understand, Colonel, you've been on tap for many of our saucer attacks.

I understand, Colonel, you've been on tap for many of our saucer attacks.
principal

most important element
A video clip called Our principal purpose is friendly.

Our principal purpose is friendly.
similar

marked by correspondence or resemblance
A video clip called I'm with a fact the sound is similar, but what about the blinding light?

I'm with a fact the sound is similar, but what about the blinding light?
torn

having edges that are jagged from injury
A video clip called But, don't forget that torn nightgown and the scratched feet.

But, don't forget that torn nightgown and the scratched feet.
tough

very difficult; severely testing stamina or resolution
A video clip called It's tough to find something when you don't know what you're looking for.

It's tough to find something when you don't know what you're looking for.
try

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
A video clip called Well since they first tried contact with us by radio, we've developed a language computer.

Well since they first tried contact with us by radio, we've developed a language computer.
uniformed

dressed in a uniform
A video clip called I guess that's why you're a detective lieutenant, and I'm still a uniformed cop.

I guess that's why you're a detective lieutenant, and I'm still a uniformed cop.
Lesson Instructions
  • Play the video and click the transcript to repeat lines for better understanding.
  • Click on tabs above to explore word definitions and examples.
  • Optionally, print and study from the Lesson PDF
  • Watch the video and study the language until you understand more about what is happening in the story.