used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Directly opposite the wagon on which he had been sleeping were the four elephants and two camels, and close behind, contentedly munching their breakfasts, were a number of tiny ponies.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading As far ahead and behind on the road as he could see, the carts were drawn up on one side; men were hurrying to and fro, orders were being shouted, and everything showed that the entrance to the town was about to be made.
at or in the front
From this reading As far ahead and behind on the road as he could see, the carts were drawn up on one side; men were hurrying to and fro, orders were being shouted, and everything showed that the entrance to the town was about to be made.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When Toby awakened and looked around he could hardly realize where he was, or how he came there.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading When Toby awakened and looked around he could hardly realize where he was, or how he came there.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As far ahead and behind on the road as he could see, the carts were drawn up on one side; men were hurrying to and fro, orders were being shouted, and everything showed that the entrance to the town was about to be made.
playing or singing with instrumental or vocal accompaniment
From this reading Troops of horses were being groomed and attended to; the road was littered with saddles, flags, and general decorations, until it seemed to Toby that there must have been a smash-up, and he now beheld ruins rather than systematic disorder.
awakenedadjectiveUS /əˈweɪkənd/
aroused or activated
From this reading When Toby awakened and looked around he could hardly realize where he was, or how he came there.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading As far ahead and behind on the road as he could see, the carts were drawn up on one side; men were hurrying to and fro, orders were being shouted, and everything showed that the entrance to the town was about to be made.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Directly opposite the wagon on which he had been sleeping were the four elephants and two camels, and close behind, contentedly munching their breakfasts, were a number of tiny ponies.
inflected form of “behold” — see with attention
From this reading Troops of horses were being groomed and attended to; the road was littered with saddles, flags, and general decorations, until it seemed to Toby that there must have been a smash-up, and he now beheld ruins rather than systematic disorder.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading As far ahead and behind on the road as he could see, the carts were drawn up on one side; men were hurrying to and fro, orders were being shouted, and everything showed that the entrance to the town was about to be made.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading As far ahead and behind on the road as he could see, the carts were drawn up on one side; men were hurrying to and fro, orders were being shouted, and everything showed that the entrance to the town was about to be made.
breakfastsnounUS /ˈbrekfəsts/
plural of “breakfast” — the first meal of the day (usually in the morning)
From this reading Directly opposite the wagon on which he had been sleeping were the four elephants and two camels, and close behind, contentedly munching their breakfasts, were a number of tiny ponies.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading When Toby awakened and looked around he could hardly realize where he was, or how he came there.
camelsnounUS /ˈkæməlz/
plural of “camel” — cud-chewing mammal used as a draft or saddle animal in desert regions
From this reading Directly opposite the wagon on which he had been sleeping were the four elephants and two camels, and close behind, contentedly munching their breakfasts, were a number of tiny ponies.
cartsnounUS /kɑːrts/
plural of “cart” — a heavy open wagon usually having two wheels and drawn by an animal
From this reading As far ahead and behind on the road as he could see, the carts were drawn up on one side; men were hurrying to and fro, orders were being shouted, and everything showed that the entrance to the town was about to be made.
CIRCUSnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəs/
a travelling company of entertainers; including trained animals
From this reading THE FIRST DAY WITH THE CIRCUS.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Directly opposite the wagon on which he had been sleeping were the four elephants and two camels, and close behind, contentedly munching their breakfasts, were a number of tiny ponies.
contentedlyadverbUS /kənˈtentədli/
with equanimity
From this reading Directly opposite the wagon on which he had been sleeping were the four elephants and two camels, and close behind, contentedly munching their breakfasts, were a number of tiny ponies.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading When Toby awakened and looked around he could hardly realize where he was, or how he came there.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading THE FIRST DAY WITH THE CIRCUS.
decorationsnounUS /ˌdekərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “decoration” — something used to beautify
From this reading Troops of horses were being groomed and attended to; the road was littered with saddles, flags, and general decorations, until it seemed to Toby that there must have been a smash-up, and he now beheld ruins rather than systematic disorder.
without deviation
From this reading Directly opposite the wagon on which he had been sleeping were the four elephants and two camels, and close behind, contentedly munching their breakfasts, were a number of tiny ponies.
disordernounUS /dɪˈsɔːrdər/
a physical condition in which there is a disturbance of normal functioning
From this reading Troops of horses were being groomed and attended to; the road was littered with saddles, flags, and general decorations, until it seemed to Toby that there must have been a smash-up, and he now beheld ruins rather than systematic disorder.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading As far ahead and behind on the road as he could see, the carts were drawn up on one side; men were hurrying to and fro, orders were being shouted, and everything showed that the entrance to the town was about to be made.
elephantsnounUS /ˈeləfənts/
plural of “elephant” — five-toed pachyderm
From this reading Directly opposite the wagon on which he had been sleeping were the four elephants and two camels, and close behind, contentedly munching their breakfasts, were a number of tiny ponies.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading As far ahead and behind on the road as he could see, the carts were drawn up on one side; men were hurrying to and fro, orders were being shouted, and everything showed that the entrance to the town was about to be made.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading As far ahead and behind on the road as he could see, the carts were drawn up on one side; men were hurrying to and fro, orders were being shouted, and everything showed that the entrance to the town was about to be made.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading As far ahead and behind on the road as he could see, the carts were drawn up on one side; men were hurrying to and fro, orders were being shouted, and everything showed that the entrance to the town was about to be made.
FIRSTadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading THE FIRST DAY WITH THE CIRCUS.
flagsnounUS /flæɡz/
plural of “flag” — emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design
From this reading Troops of horses were being groomed and attended to; the road was littered with saddles, flags, and general decorations, until it seemed to Toby that there must have been a smash-up, and he now beheld ruins rather than systematic disorder.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Directly opposite the wagon on which he had been sleeping were the four elephants and two camels, and close behind, contentedly munching their breakfasts, were a number of tiny ponies.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As far ahead and behind on the road as he could see, the carts were drawn up on one side; men were hurrying to and fro, orders were being shouted, and everything showed that the entrance to the town was about to be made.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading Troops of horses were being groomed and attended to; the road was littered with saddles, flags, and general decorations, until it seemed to Toby that there must have been a smash-up, and he now beheld ruins rather than systematic disorder.
groomedadjectiveUS /ɡruːmd/
neat and smart in appearance; well cared for
From this reading Troops of horses were being groomed and attended to; the road was littered with saddles, flags, and general decorations, until it seemed to Toby that there must have been a smash-up, and he now beheld ruins rather than systematic disorder.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Directly opposite the wagon on which he had been sleeping were the four elephants and two camels, and close behind, contentedly munching their breakfasts, were a number of tiny ponies.
only a very short time before
From this reading When Toby awakened and looked around he could hardly realize where he was, or how he came there.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Troops of horses were being groomed and attended to; the road was littered with saddles, flags, and general decorations, until it seemed to Toby that there must have been a smash-up, and he now beheld ruins rather than systematic disorder.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Toby awakened and looked around he could hardly realize where he was, or how he came there.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading Troops of horses were being groomed and attended to; the road was littered with saddles, flags, and general decorations, until it seemed to Toby that there must have been a smash-up, and he now beheld ruins rather than systematic disorder.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Toby awakened and looked around he could hardly realize where he was, or how he came there.
hurryingadjectiveUS /ˈhɜːriɪŋ/
moving with great haste
From this reading As far ahead and behind on the road as he could see, the carts were drawn up on one side; men were hurrying to and fro, orders were being shouted, and everything showed that the entrance to the town was about to be made.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Troops of horses were being groomed and attended to; the road was littered with saddles, flags, and general decorations, until it seemed to Toby that there must have been a smash-up, and he now beheld ruins rather than systematic disorder.
litteredadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtərd/
filled or scattered with a disorderly accumulation of objects or rubbish
From this reading Troops of horses were being groomed and attended to; the road was littered with saddles, flags, and general decorations, until it seemed to Toby that there must have been a smash-up, and he now beheld ruins rather than systematic disorder.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading When Toby awakened and looked around he could hardly realize where he was, or how he came there.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading As far ahead and behind on the road as he could see, the carts were drawn up on one side; men were hurrying to and fro, orders were being shouted, and everything showed that the entrance to the town was about to be made.
the force of workers available
From this reading As far ahead and behind on the road as he could see, the carts were drawn up on one side; men were hurrying to and fro, orders were being shouted, and everything showed that the entrance to the town was about to be made.
munchingverbUS /ˈmʌntʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “munch” — chew noisily
From this reading Directly opposite the wagon on which he had been sleeping were the four elephants and two camels, and close behind, contentedly munching their breakfasts, were a number of tiny ponies.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Troops of horses were being groomed and attended to; the road was littered with saddles, flags, and general decorations, until it seemed to Toby that there must have been a smash-up, and he now beheld ruins rather than systematic disorder.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Troops of horses were being groomed and attended to; the road was littered with saddles, flags, and general decorations, until it seemed to Toby that there must have been a smash-up, and he now beheld ruins rather than systematic disorder.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading Directly opposite the wagon on which he had been sleeping were the four elephants and two camels, and close behind, contentedly munching their breakfasts, were a number of tiny ponies.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Directly opposite the wagon on which he had been sleeping were the four elephants and two camels, and close behind, contentedly munching their breakfasts, were a number of tiny ponies.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As far ahead and behind on the road as he could see, the carts were drawn up on one side; men were hurrying to and fro, orders were being shouted, and everything showed that the entrance to the town was about to be made.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading As far ahead and behind on the road as he could see, the carts were drawn up on one side; men were hurrying to and fro, orders were being shouted, and everything showed that the entrance to the town was about to be made.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading Directly opposite the wagon on which he had been sleeping were the four elephants and two camels, and close behind, contentedly munching their breakfasts, were a number of tiny ponies.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading When Toby awakened and looked around he could hardly realize where he was, or how he came there.
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading As far ahead and behind on the road as he could see, the carts were drawn up on one side; men were hurrying to and fro, orders were being shouted, and everything showed that the entrance to the town was about to be made.
poniesnounUS /ˈpoʊniz/
plural of “pony” — a range horse of the western United States
From this reading Directly opposite the wagon on which he had been sleeping were the four elephants and two camels, and close behind, contentedly munching their breakfasts, were a number of tiny ponies.
on the contrary
From this reading Troops of horses were being groomed and attended to; the road was littered with saddles, flags, and general decorations, until it seemed to Toby that there must have been a smash-up, and he now beheld ruins rather than systematic disorder.
be fully aware or cognizant of
From this reading When Toby awakened and looked around he could hardly realize where he was, or how he came there.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading As far ahead and behind on the road as he could see, the carts were drawn up on one side; men were hurrying to and fro, orders were being shouted, and everything showed that the entrance to the town was about to be made.
ruinsnounUS /ˈruːənz/
plural of “ruin” — an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
From this reading Troops of horses were being groomed and attended to; the road was littered with saddles, flags, and general decorations, until it seemed to Toby that there must have been a smash-up, and he now beheld ruins rather than systematic disorder.
saddlesnounUS /ˈsædəlz/
plural of “saddle” — a seat for the rider of a horse or other animal
From this reading Troops of horses were being groomed and attended to; the road was littered with saddles, flags, and general decorations, until it seemed to Toby that there must have been a smash-up, and he now beheld ruins rather than systematic disorder.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading As far ahead and behind on the road as he could see, the carts were drawn up on one side; men were hurrying to and fro, orders were being shouted, and everything showed that the entrance to the town was about to be made.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Troops of horses were being groomed and attended to; the road was littered with saddles, flags, and general decorations, until it seemed to Toby that there must have been a smash-up, and he now beheld ruins rather than systematic disorder.
in a vehement outcry
From this reading As far ahead and behind on the road as he could see, the carts were drawn up on one side; men were hurrying to and fro, orders were being shouted, and everything showed that the entrance to the town was about to be made.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading As far ahead and behind on the road as he could see, the carts were drawn up on one side; men were hurrying to and fro, orders were being shouted, and everything showed that the entrance to the town was about to be made.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading As far ahead and behind on the road as he could see, the carts were drawn up on one side; men were hurrying to and fro, orders were being shouted, and everything showed that the entrance to the town was about to be made.
the state of being asleep
From this reading Directly opposite the wagon on which he had been sleeping were the four elephants and two camels, and close behind, contentedly munching their breakfasts, were a number of tiny ponies.
smash-upnoun
a serious collision (especially of motor vehicles)
From this reading Troops of horses were being groomed and attended to; the road was littered with saddles, flags, and general decorations, until it seemed to Toby that there must have been a smash-up, and he now beheld ruins rather than systematic disorder.
systematicadjectiveUS /ˌsɪstəˈmætɪk/
characterized by order and planning
From this reading Troops of horses were being groomed and attended to; the road was littered with saddles, flags, and general decorations, until it seemed to Toby that there must have been a smash-up, and he now beheld ruins rather than systematic disorder.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Troops of horses were being groomed and attended to; the road was littered with saddles, flags, and general decorations, until it seemed to Toby that there must have been a smash-up, and he now beheld ruins rather than systematic disorder.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As far ahead and behind on the road as he could see, the carts were drawn up on one side; men were hurrying to and fro, orders were being shouted, and everything showed that the entrance to the town was about to be made.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FIRST DAY WITH THE CIRCUS.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Directly opposite the wagon on which he had been sleeping were the four elephants and two camels, and close behind, contentedly munching their breakfasts, were a number of tiny ponies.
in or at that place or location
From this reading When Toby awakened and looked around he could hardly realize where he was, or how he came there.
very small
From this reading Directly opposite the wagon on which he had been sleeping were the four elephants and two camels, and close behind, contentedly munching their breakfasts, were a number of tiny ponies.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As far ahead and behind on the road as he could see, the carts were drawn up on one side; men were hurrying to and fro, orders were being shouted, and everything showed that the entrance to the town was about to be made.
TobynounUS /ˈtoʊbi/
a drinking mug in the shape of a stout man wearing a three-cornered hat
From this reading When Toby awakened and looked around he could hardly realize where he was, or how he came there.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading As far ahead and behind on the road as he could see, the carts were drawn up on one side; men were hurrying to and fro, orders were being shouted, and everything showed that the entrance to the town was about to be made.
soldiers collectively
From this reading Troops of horses were being groomed and attended to; the road was littered with saddles, flags, and general decorations, until it seemed to Toby that there must have been a smash-up, and he now beheld ruins rather than systematic disorder.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Directly opposite the wagon on which he had been sleeping were the four elephants and two camels, and close behind, contentedly munching their breakfasts, were a number of tiny ponies.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Troops of horses were being groomed and attended to; the road was littered with saddles, flags, and general decorations, until it seemed to Toby that there must have been a smash-up, and he now beheld ruins rather than systematic disorder.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading As far ahead and behind on the road as he could see, the carts were drawn up on one side; men were hurrying to and fro, orders were being shouted, and everything showed that the entrance to the town was about to be made.
any of various kinds of wheeled vehicles drawn by an animal or a tractor
From this reading Directly opposite the wagon on which he had been sleeping were the four elephants and two camels, and close behind, contentedly munching their breakfasts, were a number of tiny ponies.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When Toby awakened and looked around he could hardly realize where he was, or how he came there.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As far ahead and behind on the road as he could see, the carts were drawn up on one side; men were hurrying to and fro, orders were being shouted, and everything showed that the entrance to the town was about to be made.
at the time that
From this reading When Toby awakened and looked around he could hardly realize where he was, or how he came there.
in or at the place that
From this reading When Toby awakened and looked around he could hardly realize where he was, or how he came there.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Directly opposite the wagon on which he had been sleeping were the four elephants and two camels, and close behind, contentedly munching their breakfasts, were a number of tiny ponies.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE FIRST DAY WITH THE CIRCUS.
