Chapter XX · Some Trapeze Tricks

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

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

in addition

From this reading Joe knew something of circuses from having read of them and having seen one or two, but also he remembered a very little, and seemed, too, to have inherited a certain knowledge.

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

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading “They’ll likely have the horse and animal tents up by this time,” mused Joe, “but I can see ’em fixing the main top.”

plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading Joe did not have to ask his way to the circus grounds.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading “They’ll likely have the horse and animal tents up by this time,” mused Joe, “but I can see ’em fixing the main top.”

showing who or what does the action

From this reading “They’ll likely have the horse and animal tents up by this time,” mused Joe, “but I can see ’em fixing the main top.”

plural of “cage” — an enclosure made or wire or metal bars in which birds or animals can be kept

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The largest tent, or the one where the performance is given, is called in circus language the “main top.”

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading “They’ll likely have the horse and animal tents up by this time,” mused Joe, “but I can see ’em fixing the main top.”

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading Joe knew something of circuses from having read of them and having seen one or two, but also he remembered a very little, and seemed, too, to have inherited a certain knowledge.

a travelling company of entertainers; including trained animals

From this reading Joe did not have to ask his way to the circus grounds.

plural of “circus” — a travelling company of entertainers; including trained animals

From this reading Joe knew something of circuses from having read of them and having seen one or two, but also he remembered a very little, and seemed, too, to have inherited a certain knowledge.

cause to herd, drive, or crowd together

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Joe did not have to ask his way to the circus grounds.

a quad with a square body

From this reading “They’ll likely have the horse and animal tents up by this time,” mused Joe, “but I can see ’em fixing the main top.”

the act of putting something in working order again

From this reading “They’ll likely have the horse and animal tents up by this time,” mused Joe, “but I can see ’em fixing the main top.”

to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Joe knew something of circuses from having read of them and having seen one or two, but also he remembered a very little, and seemed, too, to have inherited a certain knowledge.

the act of acquiring something

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading The largest tent, or the one where the performance is given, is called in circus language the “main top.”

large in amount or extent or degree

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief

From this reading Joe did not have to ask his way to the circus grounds.

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

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Joe did not have to ask his way to the circus grounds.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading Joe knew something of circuses from having read of them and having seen one or two, but also he remembered a very little, and seemed, too, to have inherited a certain knowledge.

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

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

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

From this reading Joe did not have to ask his way to the circus grounds.

solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading “They’ll likely have the horse and animal tents up by this time,” mused Joe, “but I can see ’em fixing the main top.”

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading “They’ll likely have the horse and animal tents up by this time,” mused Joe, “but I can see ’em fixing the main top.”

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

From this reading The largest tent, or the one where the performance is given, is called in circus language the “main top.”

occurring among members of a family usually by heredity

From this reading Joe knew something of circuses from having read of them and having seen one or two, but also he remembered a very little, and seemed, too, to have inherited a certain knowledge.

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

From this reading The largest tent, or the one where the performance is given, is called in circus language the “main top.”

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

From this reading Joe did not have to ask his way to the circus grounds.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Joe knew something of circuses from having read of them and having seen one or two, but also he remembered a very little, and seemed, too, to have inherited a certain knowledge.

the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning

From this reading Joe knew something of circuses from having read of them and having seen one or two, but also he remembered a very little, and seemed, too, to have inherited a certain knowledge.

a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols

From this reading The largest tent, or the one where the performance is given, is called in circus language the “main top.”

superlative of “large” — above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The largest tent, or the one where the performance is given, is called in circus language the “main top.”

has a good chance of being the case or of coming about

From this reading “They’ll likely have the horse and animal tents up by this time,” mused Joe, “but I can see ’em fixing the main top.”

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Joe knew something of circuses from having read of them and having seen one or two, but also he remembered a very little, and seemed, too, to have inherited a certain knowledge.

a large number or amount

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

most important element

From this reading “They’ll likely have the horse and animal tents up by this time,” mused Joe, “but I can see ’em fixing the main top.”

the force of workers available

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

in large part; mainly or chiefly

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

past form of “muse” — reflect deeply on a subject

From this reading “They’ll likely have the horse and animal tents up by this time,” mused Joe, “but I can see ’em fixing the main top.”

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Joe did not have to ask his way to the circus grounds.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The largest tent, or the one where the performance is given, is called in circus language the “main top.”

and nothing more

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The largest tent, or the one where the performance is given, is called in circus language the “main top.”

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

a ceremonial procession including people marching

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

a dramatic or musical entertainment

From this reading The largest tent, or the one where the performance is given, is called in circus language the “main top.”

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading Joe knew something of circuses from having read of them and having seen one or two, but also he remembered a very little, and seemed, too, to have inherited a certain knowledge.

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection

From this reading Joe knew something of circuses from having read of them and having seen one or two, but also he remembered a very little, and seemed, too, to have inherited a certain knowledge.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading “They’ll likely have the horse and animal tents up by this time,” mused Joe, “but I can see ’em fixing the main top.”

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Joe knew something of circuses from having read of them and having seen one or two, but also he remembered a very little, and seemed, too, to have inherited a certain knowledge.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Joe knew something of circuses from having read of them and having seen one or two, but also he remembered a very little, and seemed, too, to have inherited a certain knowledge.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading Joe knew something of circuses from having read of them and having seen one or two, but also he remembered a very little, and seemed, too, to have inherited a certain knowledge.

a small number (of something) dispersed haphazardly

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

-ing form of “string” — thread on or as if on a string

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)

From this reading The largest tent, or the one where the performance is given, is called in circus language the “main top.”

plural of “tent” — a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

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

From this reading Joe did not have to ask his way to the circus grounds.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Joe knew something of circuses from having read of them and having seen one or two, but also he remembered a very little, and seemed, too, to have inherited a certain knowledge.

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

From this reading “They’ll likely have the horse and animal tents up by this time,” mused Joe, “but I can see ’em fixing the main top.”

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

From this reading “They’ll likely have the horse and animal tents up by this time,” mused Joe, “but I can see ’em fixing the main top.”

in spite of the fact that

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading “They’ll likely have the horse and animal tents up by this time,” mused Joe, “but I can see ’em fixing the main top.”

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

From this reading Joe did not have to ask his way to the circus grounds.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Joe knew something of circuses from having read of them and having seen one or two, but also he remembered a very little, and seemed, too, to have inherited a certain knowledge.

the upper part of anything

From this reading “They’ll likely have the horse and animal tents up by this time,” mused Joe, “but I can see ’em fixing the main top.”

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Joe knew something of circuses from having read of them and having seen one or two, but also he remembered a very little, and seemed, too, to have inherited a certain knowledge.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

void of intelligence or thought

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

precisely as stated

From this reading Joe knew something of circuses from having read of them and having seen one or two, but also he remembered a very little, and seemed, too, to have inherited a certain knowledge.

plural of “wagon” — any of various kinds of wheeled vehicles drawn by an animal or a tractor

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

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

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Joe did not have to ask his way to the circus grounds.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

in or at the place that

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.

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

From this reading He had only to follow the crowd, mostly made up of small boys, though with a goodly sprinkling of young men, all of whom were stringing their way out to the big, vacant lots where the tents were being put up, and where the big cages, wagons, horses, and animals were getting ready for the parade that was to follow.