used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading On a ledge above the entrance a man stood, a strip of silk extended in his finger-tips.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading About him were series of ascending tiers, close-packed, and brilliant with multicolored robes and parasols.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading On a ledge above the entrance a man stood, a strip of silk extended in his finger-tips.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Throughout the brand-new circus were the eagerness, the gesticulations, shouts, and murmurs of an impatient throng.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Throughout the brand-new circus were the eagerness, the gesticulations, shouts, and murmurs of an impatient throng.
ascendingadjectiveUS /əˈsendɪŋ/
moving or going or growing upward
From this reading About him were series of ascending tiers, close-packed, and brilliant with multicolored robes and parasols.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading Beneath, on either side, were gates.
brand-newadjectiveUS /ˈbrændnuː/
conspicuously new
From this reading Throughout the brand-new circus were the eagerness, the gesticulations, shouts, and murmurs of an impatient throng.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading About him were series of ascending tiers, close-packed, and brilliant with multicolored robes and parasols.
circusnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəs/
a travelling company of entertainers; including trained animals
From this reading Throughout the brand-new circus were the eagerness, the gesticulations, shouts, and murmurs of an impatient throng.
close-packedadjective
packed especially tightly
From this reading About him were series of ascending tiers, close-packed, and brilliant with multicolored robes and parasols.
eagernessnounUS /ˈiːɡərnəs/
a positive feeling of wanting to push ahead with something
From this reading Throughout the brand-new circus were the eagerness, the gesticulations, shouts, and murmurs of an impatient throng.
one or the other of two
From this reading Beneath, on either side, were gates.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading On a ledge above the entrance a man stood, a strip of silk extended in his finger-tips.
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading On a ledge above the entrance a man stood, a strip of silk extended in his finger-tips.
finger-tips
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a ledge above the entrance a man stood, a strip of silk extended in his finger-tips.
United States computer entrepreneur whose software company made him the youngest multi-billionaire in the history of the United States (born in 1955)
From this reading Beneath, on either side, were gates.
gesticulations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Throughout the brand-new circus were the eagerness, the gesticulations, shouts, and murmurs of an impatient throng.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading About him were series of ascending tiers, close-packed, and brilliant with multicolored robes and parasols.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading On a ledge above the entrance a man stood, a strip of silk extended in his finger-tips.
restless or short-tempered under delay or opposition
From this reading Throughout the brand-new circus were the eagerness, the gesticulations, shouts, and murmurs of an impatient throng.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On a ledge above the entrance a man stood, a strip of silk extended in his finger-tips.
ledgenounUS /ledʒ/
a projecting ridge on a mountain or submerged under water
From this reading On a ledge above the entrance a man stood, a strip of silk extended in his finger-tips.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading On a ledge above the entrance a man stood, a strip of silk extended in his finger-tips.
multicoloredadjectiveUS /ˌmʌltiˈkʌlərd/
having sections or patches colored differently and usually brightly
From this reading About him were series of ascending tiers, close-packed, and brilliant with multicolored robes and parasols.
murmursnounUS /ˈmɜːrmərz/
plural of “murmur” — a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading Throughout the brand-new circus were the eagerness, the gesticulations, shouts, and murmurs of an impatient throng.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Throughout the brand-new circus were the eagerness, the gesticulations, shouts, and murmurs of an impatient throng.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “Three to one on Scarlet!”
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “Three to one on Scarlet!”
parasols
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About him were series of ascending tiers, close-packed, and brilliant with multicolored robes and parasols.
robesnounUS /roʊbz/
plural of “robe” — any loose flowing garment
From this reading About him were series of ascending tiers, close-packed, and brilliant with multicolored robes and parasols.
ScarletnounUS /ˈskɑːrlət/
a variable color that is vivid red but sometimes with an orange tinge
From this reading “Three to one on Scarlet!”
seriesnounUS /ˈsɪriz/
similar things placed in order or happening one after another
From this reading About him were series of ascending tiers, close-packed, and brilliant with multicolored robes and parasols.
shoutsnounUS /ʃaʊts/
plural of “shout” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading Throughout the brand-new circus were the eagerness, the gesticulations, shouts, and murmurs of an impatient throng.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Beneath, on either side, were gates.
a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae
From this reading On a ledge above the entrance a man stood, a strip of silk extended in his finger-tips.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading On a ledge above the entrance a man stood, a strip of silk extended in his finger-tips.
stripverbUS /strɪp/
take away possessions from someone
From this reading On a ledge above the entrance a man stood, a strip of silk extended in his finger-tips.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Throughout the brand-new circus were the eagerness, the gesticulations, shouts, and murmurs of an impatient throng.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading “Three to one on Scarlet!”
throngnounUS /θrɔːŋ/
a large gathering of people
From this reading Throughout the brand-new circus were the eagerness, the gesticulations, shouts, and murmurs of an impatient throng.
in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period
From this reading Throughout the brand-new circus were the eagerness, the gesticulations, shouts, and murmurs of an impatient throng.
tiersnounUS /tiːrz/
plural of “tier” — a relative position or degree of value in a graded group
From this reading About him were series of ascending tiers, close-packed, and brilliant with multicolored robes and parasols.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Three to one on Scarlet!”
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Throughout the brand-new circus were the eagerness, the gesticulations, shouts, and murmurs of an impatient throng.
in the company of; together with
From this reading About him were series of ascending tiers, close-packed, and brilliant with multicolored robes and parasols.
