used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They had been sliced off clean at the neck and rested comfortably with the stump on a parlor table.
aliveadjectiveUS /əˈlaɪv/
possessing life
From this reading Spectators were not allowed within six feet of these people in reduced circumstances, for it was plainly desirable that no one should kick the table over or playfully tap them to see if they were really alive.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading Spectators were not allowed within six feet of these people in reduced circumstances, for it was plainly desirable that no one should kick the table over or playfully tap them to see if they were really alive.
amiableadjectiveUS /ˈeɪmiəbəl/
disposed to please
From this reading The underside had evidently healed over nicely without corns, for they were the most amiable and smiling people you would find in the whole show.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They had been sliced off clean at the neck and rested comfortably with the stump on a parlor table.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They had been sliced off clean at the neck and rested comfortably with the stump on a parlor table.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading They had been sliced off clean at the neck and rested comfortably with the stump on a parlor table.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The circus side-shows used to exhibit specimens of the human family who were nothing but head.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading Spectators were not allowed within six feet of these people in reduced circumstances, for it was plainly desirable that no one should kick the table over or playfully tap them to see if they were really alive.
circusnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəs/
a travelling company of entertainers; including trained animals
From this reading The circus side-shows used to exhibit specimens of the human family who were nothing but head.
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading They had been sliced off clean at the neck and rested comfortably with the stump on a parlor table.
comfortablyadverbUS /ˈkʌmfərtəbli/
in mental comfort; without stress
From this reading They had been sliced off clean at the neck and rested comfortably with the stump on a parlor table.
cornsnounUS /kɔːrnz/
plural of “corn” — tall annual cereal grass bearing kernels on large ears: widely cultivated in America in many varieties; the principal cereal in Mexico and Central and South America since pre-Columbian times
From this reading The underside had evidently healed over nicely without corns, for they were the most amiable and smiling people you would find in the whole show.
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading Sceptics in the crowd said that mirrors did it.
desirableadjectiveUS /dɪˈzaɪrəbəl/
worth having or seeking or achieving
From this reading Spectators were not allowed within six feet of these people in reduced circumstances, for it was plainly desirable that no one should kick the table over or playfully tap them to see if they were really alive.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Sceptics in the crowd said that mirrors did it.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading The underside had evidently healed over nicely without corns, for they were the most amiable and smiling people you would find in the whole show.
exhibitverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪbɪt/
show an attribute, property, knowledge, or skill
From this reading The circus side-shows used to exhibit specimens of the human family who were nothing but head.
a social unit living together
From this reading The circus side-shows used to exhibit specimens of the human family who were nothing but head.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Spectators were not allowed within six feet of these people in reduced circumstances, for it was plainly desirable that no one should kick the table over or playfully tap them to see if they were really alive.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading The underside had evidently healed over nicely without corns, for they were the most amiable and smiling people you would find in the whole show.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The underside had evidently healed over nicely without corns, for they were the most amiable and smiling people you would find in the whole show.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They had been sliced off clean at the neck and rested comfortably with the stump on a parlor table.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The circus side-shows used to exhibit specimens of the human family who were nothing but head.
healedadjectiveUS /hiːld/
freed from illness or injury
From this reading The underside had evidently healed over nicely without corns, for they were the most amiable and smiling people you would find in the whole show.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading The circus side-shows used to exhibit specimens of the human family who were nothing but head.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Spectators were not allowed within six feet of these people in reduced circumstances, for it was plainly desirable that no one should kick the table over or playfully tap them to see if they were really alive.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The underside had evidently healed over nicely without corns, for they were the most amiable and smiling people you would find in the whole show.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Spectators were not allowed within six feet of these people in reduced circumstances, for it was plainly desirable that no one should kick the table over or playfully tap them to see if they were really alive.
kickverbUS /kɪk/
drive or propel with the foot
From this reading Spectators were not allowed within six feet of these people in reduced circumstances, for it was plainly desirable that no one should kick the table over or playfully tap them to see if they were really alive.
mirrorsnounUS /ˈmɪrərz/
plural of “mirror” — polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
From this reading Sceptics in the crowd said that mirrors did it.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The underside had evidently healed over nicely without corns, for they were the most amiable and smiling people you would find in the whole show.
the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
From this reading They had been sliced off clean at the neck and rested comfortably with the stump on a parlor table.
nicelyadverbUS /ˈnaɪsli/
in a nice way
From this reading The underside had evidently healed over nicely without corns, for they were the most amiable and smiling people you would find in the whole show.
not any; not one
From this reading Spectators were not allowed within six feet of these people in reduced circumstances, for it was plainly desirable that no one should kick the table over or playfully tap them to see if they were really alive.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Spectators were not allowed within six feet of these people in reduced circumstances, for it was plainly desirable that no one should kick the table over or playfully tap them to see if they were really alive.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The circus side-shows used to exhibit specimens of the human family who were nothing but head.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The circus side-shows used to exhibit specimens of the human family who were nothing but head.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading They had been sliced off clean at the neck and rested comfortably with the stump on a parlor table.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They had been sliced off clean at the neck and rested comfortably with the stump on a parlor table.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Spectators were not allowed within six feet of these people in reduced circumstances, for it was plainly desirable that no one should kick the table over or playfully tap them to see if they were really alive.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Spectators were not allowed within six feet of these people in reduced circumstances, for it was plainly desirable that no one should kick the table over or playfully tap them to see if they were really alive.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The underside had evidently healed over nicely without corns, for they were the most amiable and smiling people you would find in the whole show.
parlornounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading They had been sliced off clean at the neck and rested comfortably with the stump on a parlor table.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading The underside had evidently healed over nicely without corns, for they were the most amiable and smiling people you would find in the whole show.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Spectators were not allowed within six feet of these people in reduced circumstances, for it was plainly desirable that no one should kick the table over or playfully tap them to see if they were really alive.
playfullyadverbUS /ˈpleɪfəli/
in a playful manner
From this reading Spectators were not allowed within six feet of these people in reduced circumstances, for it was plainly desirable that no one should kick the table over or playfully tap them to see if they were really alive.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading Spectators were not allowed within six feet of these people in reduced circumstances, for it was plainly desirable that no one should kick the table over or playfully tap them to see if they were really alive.
reducedadjectiveUS /rəˈduːst/
made less in size or amount or degree
From this reading Spectators were not allowed within six feet of these people in reduced circumstances, for it was plainly desirable that no one should kick the table over or playfully tap them to see if they were really alive.
not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing
From this reading They had been sliced off clean at the neck and rested comfortably with the stump on a parlor table.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Sceptics in the crowd said that mirrors did it.
ScepticsnounUS /ˈskeptɪks/
plural of “sceptic” — someone who habitually doubts accepted beliefs
From this reading Sceptics in the crowd said that mirrors did it.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Spectators were not allowed within six feet of these people in reduced circumstances, for it was plainly desirable that no one should kick the table over or playfully tap them to see if they were really alive.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Spectators were not allowed within six feet of these people in reduced circumstances, for it was plainly desirable that no one should kick the table over or playfully tap them to see if they were really alive.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The underside had evidently healed over nicely without corns, for they were the most amiable and smiling people you would find in the whole show.
side-shows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The circus side-shows used to exhibit specimens of the human family who were nothing but head.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading Spectators were not allowed within six feet of these people in reduced circumstances, for it was plainly desirable that no one should kick the table over or playfully tap them to see if they were really alive.
slicedadjectiveUS /slaɪst/
prepared by cutting
From this reading They had been sliced off clean at the neck and rested comfortably with the stump on a parlor table.
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading The underside had evidently healed over nicely without corns, for they were the most amiable and smiling people you would find in the whole show.
specimensnounUS /ˈspesəmənz/
plural of “specimen” — an example regarded as typical of its class
From this reading The circus side-shows used to exhibit specimens of the human family who were nothing but head.
SpectatorsnounUS /ˈspekteɪtərz/
plural of “spectator” — a close observer; someone who looks at something (such as an exhibition of some kind)
From this reading Spectators were not allowed within six feet of these people in reduced circumstances, for it was plainly desirable that no one should kick the table over or playfully tap them to see if they were really alive.
stumpnounUS /stʌmp/
the base part of a tree that remains standing after the tree has been felled
From this reading They had been sliced off clean at the neck and rested comfortably with the stump on a parlor table.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading They had been sliced off clean at the neck and rested comfortably with the stump on a parlor table.
tapverbUS /tæp/
cut a female screw thread with a tap
From this reading Spectators were not allowed within six feet of these people in reduced circumstances, for it was plainly desirable that no one should kick the table over or playfully tap them to see if they were really alive.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Spectators were not allowed within six feet of these people in reduced circumstances, for it was plainly desirable that no one should kick the table over or playfully tap them to see if they were really alive.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The circus side-shows used to exhibit specimens of the human family who were nothing but head.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Spectators were not allowed within six feet of these people in reduced circumstances, for it was plainly desirable that no one should kick the table over or playfully tap them to see if they were really alive.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Spectators were not allowed within six feet of these people in reduced circumstances, for it was plainly desirable that no one should kick the table over or playfully tap them to see if they were really alive.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had been sliced off clean at the neck and rested comfortably with the stump on a parlor table.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The circus side-shows used to exhibit specimens of the human family who were nothing but head.
undersidenounUS /ˈʌndərsaɪd/
the lower side of anything
From this reading The underside had evidently healed over nicely without corns, for they were the most amiable and smiling people you would find in the whole show.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading The circus side-shows used to exhibit specimens of the human family who were nothing but head.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Spectators were not allowed within six feet of these people in reduced circumstances, for it was plainly desirable that no one should kick the table over or playfully tap them to see if they were really alive.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The circus side-shows used to exhibit specimens of the human family who were nothing but head.
which person or people
From this reading The circus side-shows used to exhibit specimens of the human family who were nothing but head.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading The underside had evidently healed over nicely without corns, for they were the most amiable and smiling people you would find in the whole show.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They had been sliced off clean at the neck and rested comfortably with the stump on a parlor table.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Spectators were not allowed within six feet of these people in reduced circumstances, for it was plainly desirable that no one should kick the table over or playfully tap them to see if they were really alive.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The underside had evidently healed over nicely without corns, for they were the most amiable and smiling people you would find in the whole show.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The underside had evidently healed over nicely without corns, for they were the most amiable and smiling people you would find in the whole show.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading The underside had evidently healed over nicely without corns, for they were the most amiable and smiling people you would find in the whole show.
