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Leo the Circus Boy
Leo the Circus Boy

Chapter IV · Leo Joins the Greatest Show on Earth

Cover illustration for Leo the Circus Boy
Context Illustration Reading 1/21 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
On the way to the circus grounds Leo told Reeve much about himself.
He was seventeen years old, and for years had had a nice home with his parents, and it was during this time that he had taken a thorough course of gymnastics.
His father had been a retired officer of the United States army, and was supposed to be well to do at the time of his death.
But Leo had never gotten a cent out of the estate, and since becoming an orphan had known nothing but hard work.
The boy was satisfied that Squire Dobb was keeping him out of his money, but he had no proofs to use in bringing a case against the rascally lawyer.
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Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Leo the Circus Boy

Chapter IV · Leo Joins the Greatest Show on Earth

Reading 1/21 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
On the way to the circus grounds Leo told Reeve much about himself.
Line 2
He was seventeen years old, and for years had had a nice home with his parents, and it was during this time that he had taken a thorough course of gymnastics.
Line 3
His father had been a retired officer of the United States army, and was supposed to be well to do at the time of his death.
Line 4
But Leo had never gotten a cent out of the estate, and since becoming an orphan had known nothing but hard work.
Line 5
The boy was satisfied that Squire Dobb was keeping him out of his money, but he had no proofs to use in bringing a case against the rascally lawyer.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “On the way to the circus grounds Leo told Reeve much about himself.”

Against preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “The boy was satisfied that Squire Dobb was keeping him out of his money, but he had no proofs to use in bringing a case against the rascally lawyer.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “His father had been a retired officer of the United States army, and was supposed to be well to do at the time of his death.”

Course noun US /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was seventeen years old, and for years had had a nice home with his parents, and it was during this time that he had taken a thorough course of gymnastics.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “He was seventeen years old, and for years had had a nice home with his parents, and it was during this time that he had taken a thorough course of gymnastics.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “On the way to the circus grounds Leo told Reeve much about himself.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But Leo had never gotten a cent out of the estate, and since becoming an orphan had known nothing but hard work.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “But Leo had never gotten a cent out of the estate, and since becoming an orphan had known nothing but hard work.”

Retired verb US /rɪˈtaɪərd/

went away to a private place

From this reading “His father had been a retired officer of the United States army, and was supposed to be well to do at the time of his death.”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “But Leo had never gotten a cent out of the estate, and since becoming an orphan had known nothing but hard work.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was seventeen years old, and for years had had a nice home with his parents, and it was during this time that he had taken a thorough course of gymnastics.”

Told noun US /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “On the way to the circus grounds Leo told Reeve much about himself.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His father had been a retired officer of the United States army, and was supposed to be well to do at the time of his death.”

All words in this reading · 79

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading He was seventeen years old, and for years had had a nice home with his parents, and it was during this time that he had taken a thorough course of gymnastics.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading On the way to the circus grounds Leo told Reeve much about himself.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading The boy was satisfied that Squire Dobb was keeping him out of his money, but he had no proofs to use in bringing a case against the rascally lawyer.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading But Leo had never gotten a cent out of the estate, and since becoming an orphan had known nothing but hard work.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He was seventeen years old, and for years had had a nice home with his parents, and it was during this time that he had taken a thorough course of gymnastics.

army

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

From this reading His father had been a retired officer of the United States army, and was supposed to be well to do at the time of his death.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading His father had been a retired officer of the United States army, and was supposed to be well to do at the time of his death.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading His father had been a retired officer of the United States army, and was supposed to be well to do at the time of his death.

becoming

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

From this reading But Leo had never gotten a cent out of the estate, and since becoming an orphan had known nothing but hard work.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading His father had been a retired officer of the United States army, and was supposed to be well to do at the time of his death.

boy

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

From this reading The boy was satisfied that Squire Dobb was keeping him out of his money, but he had no proofs to use in bringing a case against the rascally lawyer.

bringing

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

From this reading The boy was satisfied that Squire Dobb was keeping him out of his money, but he had no proofs to use in bringing a case against the rascally lawyer.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But Leo had never gotten a cent out of the estate, and since becoming an orphan had known nothing but hard work.

case

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

From this reading The boy was satisfied that Squire Dobb was keeping him out of his money, but he had no proofs to use in bringing a case against the rascally lawyer.

cent

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

From this reading But Leo had never gotten a cent out of the estate, and since becoming an orphan had known nothing but hard work.

circus

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

From this reading On the way to the circus grounds Leo told Reeve much about himself.

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He was seventeen years old, and for years had had a nice home with his parents, and it was during this time that he had taken a thorough course of gymnastics.

death

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

From this reading His father had been a retired officer of the United States army, and was supposed to be well to do at the time of his death.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading His father had been a retired officer of the United States army, and was supposed to be well to do at the time of his death.

Dobb

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

From this reading The boy was satisfied that Squire Dobb was keeping him out of his money, but he had no proofs to use in bringing a case against the rascally lawyer.

duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading He was seventeen years old, and for years had had a nice home with his parents, and it was during this time that he had taken a thorough course of gymnastics.

estate

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

From this reading But Leo had never gotten a cent out of the estate, and since becoming an orphan had known nothing but hard work.

father

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

From this reading His father had been a retired officer of the United States army, and was supposed to be well to do at the time of his death.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He was seventeen years old, and for years had had a nice home with his parents, and it was during this time that he had taken a thorough course of gymnastics.

gotten

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

From this reading But Leo had never gotten a cent out of the estate, and since becoming an orphan had known nothing but hard work.

grounds

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

From this reading On the way to the circus grounds Leo told Reeve much about himself.

gymnastics

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

From this reading He was seventeen years old, and for years had had a nice home with his parents, and it was during this time that he had taken a thorough course of gymnastics.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He was seventeen years old, and for years had had a nice home with his parents, and it was during this time that he had taken a thorough course of gymnastics.

hard

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

From this reading But Leo had never gotten a cent out of the estate, and since becoming an orphan had known nothing but hard work.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He was seventeen years old, and for years had had a nice home with his parents, and it was during this time that he had taken a thorough course of gymnastics.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading The boy was satisfied that Squire Dobb was keeping him out of his money, but he had no proofs to use in bringing a case against the rascally lawyer.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading On the way to the circus grounds Leo told Reeve much about himself.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He was seventeen years old, and for years had had a nice home with his parents, and it was during this time that he had taken a thorough course of gymnastics.

home

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

From this reading He was seventeen years old, and for years had had a nice home with his parents, and it was during this time that he had taken a thorough course of gymnastics.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The boy was satisfied that Squire Dobb was keeping him out of his money, but he had no proofs to use in bringing a case against the rascally lawyer.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He was seventeen years old, and for years had had a nice home with his parents, and it was during this time that he had taken a thorough course of gymnastics.

keeping

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

From this reading The boy was satisfied that Squire Dobb was keeping him out of his money, but he had no proofs to use in bringing a case against the rascally lawyer.

known

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

From this reading But Leo had never gotten a cent out of the estate, and since becoming an orphan had known nothing but hard work.

lawyer

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

From this reading The boy was satisfied that Squire Dobb was keeping him out of his money, but he had no proofs to use in bringing a case against the rascally lawyer.

Leo

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

From this reading On the way to the circus grounds Leo told Reeve much about himself.

money

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

From this reading The boy was satisfied that Squire Dobb was keeping him out of his money, but he had no proofs to use in bringing a case against the rascally lawyer.

much

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

From this reading On the way to the circus grounds Leo told Reeve much about himself.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But Leo had never gotten a cent out of the estate, and since becoming an orphan had known nothing but hard work.

nice

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

From this reading He was seventeen years old, and for years had had a nice home with his parents, and it was during this time that he had taken a thorough course of gymnastics.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading The boy was satisfied that Squire Dobb was keeping him out of his money, but he had no proofs to use in bringing a case against the rascally lawyer.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading But Leo had never gotten a cent out of the estate, and since becoming an orphan had known nothing but hard work.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He was seventeen years old, and for years had had a nice home with his parents, and it was during this time that he had taken a thorough course of gymnastics.

officer

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

From this reading His father had been a retired officer of the United States army, and was supposed to be well to do at the time of his death.

old

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

From this reading He was seventeen years old, and for years had had a nice home with his parents, and it was during this time that he had taken a thorough course of gymnastics.

OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the way to the circus grounds Leo told Reeve much about himself.

orphan

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

From this reading But Leo had never gotten a cent out of the estate, and since becoming an orphan had known nothing but hard work.

out

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

From this reading But Leo had never gotten a cent out of the estate, and since becoming an orphan had known nothing but hard work.

parents

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

From this reading He was seventeen years old, and for years had had a nice home with his parents, and it was during this time that he had taken a thorough course of gymnastics.

proofs

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

From this reading The boy was satisfied that Squire Dobb was keeping him out of his money, but he had no proofs to use in bringing a case against the rascally lawyer.

rascally

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

From this reading The boy was satisfied that Squire Dobb was keeping him out of his money, but he had no proofs to use in bringing a case against the rascally lawyer.

Reeve

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

From this reading On the way to the circus grounds Leo told Reeve much about himself.

retiredverbUS /rɪˈtaɪərd/

went away to a private place

From this reading His father had been a retired officer of the United States army, and was supposed to be well to do at the time of his death.

satisfied

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

From this reading The boy was satisfied that Squire Dobb was keeping him out of his money, but he had no proofs to use in bringing a case against the rascally lawyer.

seventeen

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

From this reading He was seventeen years old, and for years had had a nice home with his parents, and it was during this time that he had taken a thorough course of gymnastics.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading But Leo had never gotten a cent out of the estate, and since becoming an orphan had known nothing but hard work.

Squire

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

From this reading The boy was satisfied that Squire Dobb was keeping him out of his money, but he had no proofs to use in bringing a case against the rascally lawyer.

States

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

From this reading His father had been a retired officer of the United States army, and was supposed to be well to do at the time of his death.

supposed

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

From this reading His father had been a retired officer of the United States army, and was supposed to be well to do at the time of his death.

taken

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

From this reading He was seventeen years old, and for years had had a nice home with his parents, and it was during this time that he had taken a thorough course of gymnastics.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He was seventeen years old, and for years had had a nice home with his parents, and it was during this time that he had taken a thorough course of gymnastics.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading On the way to the circus grounds Leo told Reeve much about himself.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading He was seventeen years old, and for years had had a nice home with his parents, and it was during this time that he had taken a thorough course of gymnastics.

thorough

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

From this reading He was seventeen years old, and for years had had a nice home with his parents, and it was during this time that he had taken a thorough course of gymnastics.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He was seventeen years old, and for years had had a nice home with his parents, and it was during this time that he had taken a thorough course of gymnastics.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading On the way to the circus grounds Leo told Reeve much about himself.

toldnounUS /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading On the way to the circus grounds Leo told Reeve much about himself.

United

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

From this reading His father had been a retired officer of the United States army, and was supposed to be well to do at the time of his death.

use

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

From this reading The boy was satisfied that Squire Dobb was keeping him out of his money, but he had no proofs to use in bringing a case against the rascally lawyer.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading He was seventeen years old, and for years had had a nice home with his parents, and it was during this time that he had taken a thorough course of gymnastics.

way

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

From this reading On the way to the circus grounds Leo told Reeve much about himself.

well

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

From this reading His father had been a retired officer of the United States army, and was supposed to be well to do at the time of his death.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading He was seventeen years old, and for years had had a nice home with his parents, and it was during this time that he had taken a thorough course of gymnastics.

work

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

From this reading But Leo had never gotten a cent out of the estate, and since becoming an orphan had known nothing but hard work.

years

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

From this reading He was seventeen years old, and for years had had a nice home with his parents, and it was during this time that he had taken a thorough course of gymnastics.