Chapter XXI · Chapter 21

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A SUDDEN WARNING Only the fact that he had strong nerves and that he possessed the ability of concentrating his mind on whatever was uppermost at the time, enabled the young circus man to get through his various circus acts with credit at that performance.

the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment

From this reading A SUDDEN WARNING Only the fact that he had strong nerves and that he possessed the ability of concentrating his mind on whatever was uppermost at the time, enabled the young circus man to get through his various circus acts with credit at that performance.

the performance of a part or role in a drama

From this reading And he was actually worried--a bad state of affairs for one whose ability to please and deceive critical audiences depends on his snappy acting, his quickness of hand and mind, and his skill.

a New Testament book describing the development of the early church from Christ's Ascension to Paul's sojourn at Rome

From this reading A SUDDEN WARNING Only the fact that he had strong nerves and that he possessed the ability of concentrating his mind on whatever was uppermost at the time, enabled the young circus man to get through his various circus acts with credit at that performance.

in actual fact

From this reading And he was actually worried--a bad state of affairs for one whose ability to please and deceive critical audiences depends on his snappy acting, his quickness of hand and mind, and his skill.

matters of personal concern

From this reading And he was actually worried--a bad state of affairs for one whose ability to please and deceive critical audiences depends on his snappy acting, his quickness of hand and mind, and his skill.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading A SUDDEN WARNING Only the fact that he had strong nerves and that he possessed the ability of concentrating his mind on whatever was uppermost at the time, enabled the young circus man to get through his various circus acts with credit at that performance.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading But, as has been said, Joe possessed the ability to concentrate on the most needful matter, and that, for the time being, was his box trick, his fire-eating, and his slide on his head down the slanting wire through the blazing hoops.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A SUDDEN WARNING Only the fact that he had strong nerves and that he possessed the ability of concentrating his mind on whatever was uppermost at the time, enabled the young circus man to get through his various circus acts with credit at that performance.

a gathering of spectators or listeners at a (usually public) performance

From this reading Then came the blazing banquet, and this created the usual furor in the audience.

plural of “audience” — a gathering of spectators or listeners at a (usually public) performance

From this reading And he was actually worried--a bad state of affairs for one whose ability to please and deceive critical audiences depends on his snappy acting, his quickness of hand and mind, and his skill.

having undesirable or negative qualities

From this reading And he was actually worried--a bad state of affairs for one whose ability to please and deceive critical audiences depends on his snappy acting, his quickness of hand and mind, and his skill.

a ceremonial dinner party for many people

From this reading Then came the blazing banquet, and this created the usual furor in the audience.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading But, as has been said, Joe possessed the ability to concentrate on the most needful matter, and that, for the time being, was his box trick, his fire-eating, and his slide on his head down the slanting wire through the blazing hoops.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He began with the worry over Ham Logan's disappearance before him.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading He began with the worry over Ham Logan's disappearance before him.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading But, as has been said, Joe possessed the ability to concentrate on the most needful matter, and that, for the time being, was his box trick, his fire-eating, and his slide on his head down the slanting wire through the blazing hoops.

shining intensely

From this reading But, as has been said, Joe possessed the ability to concentrate on the most needful matter, and that, for the time being, was his box trick, his fire-eating, and his slide on his head down the slanting wire through the blazing hoops.

a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid

From this reading But, as has been said, Joe possessed the ability to concentrate on the most needful matter, and that, for the time being, was his box trick, his fire-eating, and his slide on his head down the slanting wire through the blazing hoops.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But, as has been said, Joe possessed the ability to concentrate on the most needful matter, and that, for the time being, was his box trick, his fire-eating, and his slide on his head down the slanting wire through the blazing hoops.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Then came the blazing banquet, and this created the usual furor in the audience.

a travelling company of entertainers; including trained animals

From this reading A SUDDEN WARNING Only the fact that he had strong nerves and that he possessed the ability of concentrating his mind on whatever was uppermost at the time, enabled the young circus man to get through his various circus acts with credit at that performance.

make denser, stronger, or purer

From this reading But, as has been said, Joe possessed the ability to concentrate on the most needful matter, and that, for the time being, was his box trick, his fire-eating, and his slide on his head down the slanting wire through the blazing hoops.

-ing form of “concentrate” — make denser, stronger, or purer

From this reading A SUDDEN WARNING Only the fact that he had strong nerves and that he possessed the ability of concentrating his mind on whatever was uppermost at the time, enabled the young circus man to get through his various circus acts with credit at that performance.

past form of “create” — make or cause to be or to become

From this reading Then came the blazing banquet, and this created the usual furor in the audience.

approval

From this reading A SUDDEN WARNING Only the fact that he had strong nerves and that he possessed the ability of concentrating his mind on whatever was uppermost at the time, enabled the young circus man to get through his various circus acts with credit at that performance.

marked by a tendency to find and call attention to errors and flaws

From this reading And he was actually worried--a bad state of affairs for one whose ability to please and deceive critical audiences depends on his snappy acting, his quickness of hand and mind, and his skill.

be false to; be dishonest with

From this reading And he was actually worried--a bad state of affairs for one whose ability to please and deceive critical audiences depends on his snappy acting, his quickness of hand and mind, and his skill.

third-person singular of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)

From this reading And he was actually worried--a bad state of affairs for one whose ability to please and deceive critical audiences depends on his snappy acting, his quickness of hand and mind, and his skill.

the act of leaving secretly or without explanation

From this reading He began with the worry over Ham Logan's disappearance before him.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading But, as has been said, Joe possessed the ability to concentrate on the most needful matter, and that, for the time being, was his box trick, his fire-eating, and his slide on his head down the slanting wire through the blazing hoops.

past form of “enable” — render capable or able for some task

From this reading A SUDDEN WARNING Only the fact that he had strong nerves and that he possessed the ability of concentrating his mind on whatever was uppermost at the time, enabled the young circus man to get through his various circus acts with credit at that performance.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading A SUDDEN WARNING Only the fact that he had strong nerves and that he possessed the ability of concentrating his mind on whatever was uppermost at the time, enabled the young circus man to get through his various circus acts with credit at that performance.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But, as has been said, Joe possessed the ability to concentrate on the most needful matter, and that, for the time being, was his box trick, his fire-eating, and his slide on his head down the slanting wire through the blazing hoops.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading And he was actually worried--a bad state of affairs for one whose ability to please and deceive critical audiences depends on his snappy acting, his quickness of hand and mind, and his skill.

an interest followed with exaggerated zeal

From this reading Then came the blazing banquet, and this created the usual furor in the audience.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading A SUDDEN WARNING Only the fact that he had strong nerves and that he possessed the ability of concentrating his mind on whatever was uppermost at the time, enabled the young circus man to get through his various circus acts with credit at that performance.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading A SUDDEN WARNING Only the fact that he had strong nerves and that he possessed the ability of concentrating his mind on whatever was uppermost at the time, enabled the young circus man to get through his various circus acts with credit at that performance.

meat cut from the thigh of a hog (usually smoked)

From this reading He began with the worry over Ham Logan's disappearance before him.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading And he was actually worried--a bad state of affairs for one whose ability to please and deceive critical audiences depends on his snappy acting, his quickness of hand and mind, and his skill.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading But, as has been said, Joe possessed the ability to concentrate on the most needful matter, and that, for the time being, was his box trick, his fire-eating, and his slide on his head down the slanting wire through the blazing hoops.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading A SUDDEN WARNING Only the fact that he had strong nerves and that he possessed the ability of concentrating his mind on whatever was uppermost at the time, enabled the young circus man to get through his various circus acts with credit at that performance.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading But, as has been said, Joe possessed the ability to concentrate on the most needful matter, and that, for the time being, was his box trick, his fire-eating, and his slide on his head down the slanting wire through the blazing hoops.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He began with the worry over Ham Logan's disappearance before him.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading A SUDDEN WARNING Only the fact that he had strong nerves and that he possessed the ability of concentrating his mind on whatever was uppermost at the time, enabled the young circus man to get through his various circus acts with credit at that performance.

a game played on a court by two opposing teams of 5 players; points are scored by throwing the ball through an elevated horizontal hoop

From this reading But, as has been said, Joe possessed the ability to concentrate on the most needful matter, and that, for the time being, was his box trick, his fire-eating, and his slide on his head down the slanting wire through the blazing hoops.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Then came the blazing banquet, and this created the usual furor in the audience.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But, as has been said, Joe possessed the ability to concentrate on the most needful matter, and that, for the time being, was his box trick, his fire-eating, and his slide on his head down the slanting wire through the blazing hoops.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He began with the worry over Ham Logan's disappearance before him.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading A SUDDEN WARNING Only the fact that he had strong nerves and that he possessed the ability of concentrating his mind on whatever was uppermost at the time, enabled the young circus man to get through his various circus acts with credit at that performance.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading But, as has been said, Joe possessed the ability to concentrate on the most needful matter, and that, for the time being, was his box trick, his fire-eating, and his slide on his head down the slanting wire through the blazing hoops.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading A SUDDEN WARNING Only the fact that he had strong nerves and that he possessed the ability of concentrating his mind on whatever was uppermost at the time, enabled the young circus man to get through his various circus acts with credit at that performance.

used to form the superlative

From this reading But, as has been said, Joe possessed the ability to concentrate on the most needful matter, and that, for the time being, was his box trick, his fire-eating, and his slide on his head down the slanting wire through the blazing hoops.

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading But, as has been said, Joe possessed the ability to concentrate on the most needful matter, and that, for the time being, was his box trick, his fire-eating, and his slide on his head down the slanting wire through the blazing hoops.

an uneasy psychological state

From this reading A SUDDEN WARNING Only the fact that he had strong nerves and that he possessed the ability of concentrating his mind on whatever was uppermost at the time, enabled the young circus man to get through his various circus acts with credit at that performance.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A SUDDEN WARNING Only the fact that he had strong nerves and that he possessed the ability of concentrating his mind on whatever was uppermost at the time, enabled the young circus man to get through his various circus acts with credit at that performance.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A SUDDEN WARNING Only the fact that he had strong nerves and that he possessed the ability of concentrating his mind on whatever was uppermost at the time, enabled the young circus man to get through his various circus acts with credit at that performance.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading And he was actually worried--a bad state of affairs for one whose ability to please and deceive critical audiences depends on his snappy acting, his quickness of hand and mind, and his skill.

and nothing more

From this reading A SUDDEN WARNING Only the fact that he had strong nerves and that he possessed the ability of concentrating his mind on whatever was uppermost at the time, enabled the young circus man to get through his various circus acts with credit at that performance.

above and across; more than

From this reading He began with the worry over Ham Logan's disappearance before him.

a dramatic or musical entertainment

From this reading A SUDDEN WARNING Only the fact that he had strong nerves and that he possessed the ability of concentrating his mind on whatever was uppermost at the time, enabled the young circus man to get through his various circus acts with credit at that performance.

give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading And he was actually worried--a bad state of affairs for one whose ability to please and deceive critical audiences depends on his snappy acting, his quickness of hand and mind, and his skill.

influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion

From this reading A SUDDEN WARNING Only the fact that he had strong nerves and that he possessed the ability of concentrating his mind on whatever was uppermost at the time, enabled the young circus man to get through his various circus acts with credit at that performance.

skillful performance or ability without difficulty

From this reading And he was actually worried--a bad state of affairs for one whose ability to please and deceive critical audiences depends on his snappy acting, his quickness of hand and mind, and his skill.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading But, as has been said, Joe possessed the ability to concentrate on the most needful matter, and that, for the time being, was his box trick, his fire-eating, and his slide on his head down the slanting wire through the blazing hoops.

an ability that has been acquired by training

From this reading And he was actually worried--a bad state of affairs for one whose ability to please and deceive critical audiences depends on his snappy acting, his quickness of hand and mind, and his skill.

having an oblique or slanted direction

From this reading But, as has been said, Joe possessed the ability to concentrate on the most needful matter, and that, for the time being, was his box trick, his fire-eating, and his slide on his head down the slanting wire through the blazing hoops.

a small flat rectangular piece of glass on which specimens can be mounted for microscopic study

From this reading But, as has been said, Joe possessed the ability to concentrate on the most needful matter, and that, for the time being, was his box trick, his fire-eating, and his slide on his head down the slanting wire through the blazing hoops.

apt to speak irritably

From this reading And he was actually worried--a bad state of affairs for one whose ability to please and deceive critical audiences depends on his snappy acting, his quickness of hand and mind, and his skill.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading And he was actually worried--a bad state of affairs for one whose ability to please and deceive critical audiences depends on his snappy acting, his quickness of hand and mind, and his skill.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading A SUDDEN WARNING Only the fact that he had strong nerves and that he possessed the ability of concentrating his mind on whatever was uppermost at the time, enabled the young circus man to get through his various circus acts with credit at that performance.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading A SUDDEN WARNING Only the fact that he had strong nerves and that he possessed the ability of concentrating his mind on whatever was uppermost at the time, enabled the young circus man to get through his various circus acts with credit at that performance.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A SUDDEN WARNING Only the fact that he had strong nerves and that he possessed the ability of concentrating his mind on whatever was uppermost at the time, enabled the young circus man to get through his various circus acts with credit at that performance.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading A SUDDEN WARNING Only the fact that he had strong nerves and that he possessed the ability of concentrating his mind on whatever was uppermost at the time, enabled the young circus man to get through his various circus acts with credit at that performance.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then came the blazing banquet, and this created the usual furor in the audience.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Then came the blazing banquet, and this created the usual furor in the audience.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading A SUDDEN WARNING Only the fact that he had strong nerves and that he possessed the ability of concentrating his mind on whatever was uppermost at the time, enabled the young circus man to get through his various circus acts with credit at that performance.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading A SUDDEN WARNING Only the fact that he had strong nerves and that he possessed the ability of concentrating his mind on whatever was uppermost at the time, enabled the young circus man to get through his various circus acts with credit at that performance.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading A SUDDEN WARNING Only the fact that he had strong nerves and that he possessed the ability of concentrating his mind on whatever was uppermost at the time, enabled the young circus man to get through his various circus acts with credit at that performance.

a cunning or deceitful action or device

From this reading But, as has been said, Joe possessed the ability to concentrate on the most needful matter, and that, for the time being, was his box trick, his fire-eating, and his slide on his head down the slanting wire through the blazing hoops.

at or nearest to the top

From this reading A SUDDEN WARNING Only the fact that he had strong nerves and that he possessed the ability of concentrating his mind on whatever was uppermost at the time, enabled the young circus man to get through his various circus acts with credit at that performance.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading Then came the blazing banquet, and this created the usual furor in the audience.

of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity

From this reading A SUDDEN WARNING Only the fact that he had strong nerves and that he possessed the ability of concentrating his mind on whatever was uppermost at the time, enabled the young circus man to get through his various circus acts with credit at that performance.

a message informing of danger

From this reading A SUDDEN WARNING Only the fact that he had strong nerves and that he possessed the ability of concentrating his mind on whatever was uppermost at the time, enabled the young circus man to get through his various circus acts with credit at that performance.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading A SUDDEN WARNING Only the fact that he had strong nerves and that he possessed the ability of concentrating his mind on whatever was uppermost at the time, enabled the young circus man to get through his various circus acts with credit at that performance.

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading A SUDDEN WARNING Only the fact that he had strong nerves and that he possessed the ability of concentrating his mind on whatever was uppermost at the time, enabled the young circus man to get through his various circus acts with credit at that performance.

belonging to which person

From this reading And he was actually worried--a bad state of affairs for one whose ability to please and deceive critical audiences depends on his snappy acting, his quickness of hand and mind, and his skill.

ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc

From this reading But, as has been said, Joe possessed the ability to concentrate on the most needful matter, and that, for the time being, was his box trick, his fire-eating, and his slide on his head down the slanting wire through the blazing hoops.

in the company of; together with

From this reading A SUDDEN WARNING Only the fact that he had strong nerves and that he possessed the ability of concentrating his mind on whatever was uppermost at the time, enabled the young circus man to get through his various circus acts with credit at that performance.

afflicted with or marked by anxious uneasiness or trouble or grief

From this reading And he was actually worried--a bad state of affairs for one whose ability to please and deceive critical audiences depends on his snappy acting, his quickness of hand and mind, and his skill.

be worried, concerned, anxious, troubled, or uneasy

From this reading He began with the worry over Ham Logan's disappearance before him.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading A SUDDEN WARNING Only the fact that he had strong nerves and that he possessed the ability of concentrating his mind on whatever was uppermost at the time, enabled the young circus man to get through his various circus acts with credit at that performance.