used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading But now every man who could be spared from the circus grounds started to race after the fleeing elephant.
AjaxnounUS /ˈeɪdʒæks/
a mythical Greek hero; a warrior who fought against Troy in the Iliad
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading But Bill Henyon was not among them.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
(used of persons or the military) characterized by having or bearing arms
From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
barsnounUS /bɑːrz/
gymnastic apparatus consisting of two parallel wooden rods supported on uprights
From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But now every man who could be spared from the circus grounds started to race after the fleeing elephant.
BehindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading But Bill Henyon was not among them.
brutenounUS /bruːt/
a cruelly rapacious person
From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Bill Henyon was not among them.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
Canvasmen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Canvasmen, drivers, trainers, even the trapeze performers, joined in the hunt, and of course Jack, Sam, and several of the other clowns were there.
circusnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəs/
a travelling company of entertainers; including trained animals
From this reading But now every man who could be spared from the circus grounds started to race after the fleeing elephant.
clownsnounUS /klaʊnz/
plural of “clown” — a rude or vulgar fool
From this reading Canvasmen, drivers, trainers, even the trapeze performers, joined in the hunt, and of course Jack, Sam, and several of the other clowns were there.
clubsnounUS /klʌbz/
plural of “club” — a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together
From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But now every man who could be spared from the circus grounds started to race after the fleeing elephant.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Canvasmen, drivers, trainers, even the trapeze performers, joined in the hunt, and of course Jack, Sam, and several of the other clowns were there.
crippleverbUS /ˈkrɪpəl/
deprive of strength or efficiency; make useless or worthless
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
having gaps or spaces
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
driversnounUS /ˈdraɪvərz/
plural of “driver” — the operator of a motor vehicle
From this reading Canvasmen, drivers, trainers, even the trapeze performers, joined in the hunt, and of course Jack, Sam, and several of the other clowns were there.
elephantnounUS /ˈeləfənt/
five-toed pachyderm
From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
divisible by two
From this reading Canvasmen, drivers, trainers, even the trapeze performers, joined in the hunt, and of course Jack, Sam, and several of the other clowns were there.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading But now every man who could be spared from the circus grounds started to race after the fleeing elephant.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
fleeingverbUS /ˈfliːɪŋ/
-ing form of “flee” — run away quickly
From this reading But now every man who could be spared from the circus grounds started to race after the fleeing elephant.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading But now every man who could be spared from the circus grounds started to race after the fleeing elephant.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
Henyon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Bill Henyon was not among them.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
hooksnounUS /hʊks/
large strong hand (as of a fighter)
From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
pursue for food or sport (as of wild animals)
From this reading Canvasmen, drivers, trainers, even the trapeze performers, joined in the hunt, and of course Jack, Sam, and several of the other clowns were there.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
a small worthless amount
From this reading Canvasmen, drivers, trainers, even the trapeze performers, joined in the hunt, and of course Jack, Sam, and several of the other clowns were there.
JACK'SnounUS /dʒæks/
possessive form of “jack” — a small worthless amount
From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
of or relating to two people who are married to each other
From this reading Canvasmen, drivers, trainers, even the trapeze performers, joined in the hunt, and of course Jack, Sam, and several of the other clowns were there.
immediately past
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
maimingverbUS /ˈmeɪmɪŋ/
-ing form of “maim” — injure or wound seriously and leave permanent disfiguration or mutilation
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading But now every man who could be spared from the circus grounds started to race after the fleeing elephant.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
the force of workers available
From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But Bill Henyon was not among them.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But now every man who could be spared from the circus grounds started to race after the fleeing elephant.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Canvasmen, drivers, trainers, even the trapeze performers, joined in the hunt, and of course Jack, Sam, and several of the other clowns were there.
performersnounUS /pərˈfɔːrmərz/
plural of “performer” — an entertainer who performs a dramatic or musical work for an audience
From this reading Canvasmen, drivers, trainers, even the trapeze performers, joined in the hunt, and of course Jack, Sam, and several of the other clowns were there.
pitchforksnounUS /ˈpɪtʃfɔːrks/
plural of “pitchfork” — a long-handled hand tool with sharp widely spaced prongs for lifting and pitching hay
From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
any competition
From this reading But now every man who could be spared from the circus grounds started to race after the fleeing elephant.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
a guided missile fired from land or shipboard against an airborne target
From this reading Canvasmen, drivers, trainers, even the trapeze performers, joined in the hunt, and of course Jack, Sam, and several of the other clowns were there.
a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance)
From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Canvasmen, drivers, trainers, even the trapeze performers, joined in the hunt, and of course Jack, Sam, and several of the other clowns were there.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
sparedverbUS /sperd/
past form of “spare” — refrain from harming
From this reading But now every man who could be spared from the circus grounds started to race after the fleeing elephant.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading But now every man who could be spared from the circus grounds started to race after the fleeing elephant.
a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
terriblyadverbUS /ˈterəbli/
used as intensifiers
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But Bill Henyon was not among them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Canvasmen, drivers, trainers, even the trapeze performers, joined in the hunt, and of course Jack, Sam, and several of the other clowns were there.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
trainernounUS /ˈtreɪnər/
one who trains other persons or animals
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
trainersnounUS /ˈtreɪnərz/
plural of “trainer” — one who trains other persons or animals
From this reading Canvasmen, drivers, trainers, even the trapeze performers, joined in the hunt, and of course Jack, Sam, and several of the other clowns were there.
trapezenounUS /trəˈpiːz/
a swing used by circus acrobats
From this reading Canvasmen, drivers, trainers, even the trapeze performers, joined in the hunt, and of course Jack, Sam, and several of the other clowns were there.
the main stem of a tree; usually covered with bark; the bole is usually the part that is commercially useful for lumber
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But Bill Henyon was not among them.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Canvasmen, drivers, trainers, even the trapeze performers, joined in the hunt, and of course Jack, Sam, and several of the other clowns were there.
which person or people
From this reading But now every man who could be spared from the circus grounds started to race after the fleeing elephant.
in the company of; together with
From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
