1877
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I quote the foregoing paragraph, taken from a newspaper of 1877, as illustrating by comparison the physical magnitude of the circus of to-day.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I quote the foregoing paragraph, taken from a newspaper of 1877, as illustrating by comparison the physical magnitude of the circus of to-day.
in the past
From this reading Our “big tent” could stow away in its capacious depths half a dozen of the canvas arenas of twenty-five years ago, and our “menagerie top” covers more area.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The scanty side-show cloth, an insignificant detail of the encampment, is not much smaller.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE OLD-FASHIONED CIRCUS “The size of the tent was rather staggering at first, as the greatest length of the oval is nearly two hundred feet, and standing at one end it is impossible to distinguish with the naked eye the features of those on the crowded seats at the other end.”
areanounUS /ˈeriə/
a particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography)
From this reading Our “big tent” could stow away in its capacious depths half a dozen of the canvas arenas of twenty-five years ago, and our “menagerie top” covers more area.
arenasnounUS /ərˈiːnəz/
plural of “arena” — a particular environment or walk of life
From this reading Our “big tent” could stow away in its capacious depths half a dozen of the canvas arenas of twenty-five years ago, and our “menagerie top” covers more area.
arraynounUS /ərˈeɪ/
an orderly arrangement
From this reading Is the modern circus, with its bewildering array of man and beast marvels, an improvement from the public standpoint over the old-fashioned show wherein the clown predominated and one ring sufficed?
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE OLD-FASHIONED CIRCUS “The size of the tent was rather staggering at first, as the greatest length of the oval is nearly two hundred feet, and standing at one end it is impossible to distinguish with the naked eye the features of those on the crowded seats at the other end.”
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE OLD-FASHIONED CIRCUS “The size of the tent was rather staggering at first, as the greatest length of the oval is nearly two hundred feet, and standing at one end it is impossible to distinguish with the naked eye the features of those on the crowded seats at the other end.”
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Our “big tent” could stow away in its capacious depths half a dozen of the canvas arenas of twenty-five years ago, and our “menagerie top” covers more area.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading Is the modern circus, with its bewildering array of man and beast marvels, an improvement from the public standpoint over the old-fashioned show wherein the clown predominated and one ring sufficed?
bewilderingverbUS /bɪˈwɪldərɪŋ/
-ing form of “bewilder” — be a mystery or bewildering to
From this reading Is the modern circus, with its bewildering array of man and beast marvels, an improvement from the public standpoint over the old-fashioned show wherein the clown predominated and one ring sufficed?
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Our “big tent” could stow away in its capacious depths half a dozen of the canvas arenas of twenty-five years ago, and our “menagerie top” covers more area.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I quote the foregoing paragraph, taken from a newspaper of 1877, as illustrating by comparison the physical magnitude of the circus of to-day.
canvasnounUS /ˈkænvəs/
a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
From this reading Our “big tent” could stow away in its capacious depths half a dozen of the canvas arenas of twenty-five years ago, and our “menagerie top” covers more area.
capaciousadjectiveUS /kəˈpeɪʃəs/
large in capacity
From this reading Our “big tent” could stow away in its capacious depths half a dozen of the canvas arenas of twenty-five years ago, and our “menagerie top” covers more area.
CIRCUSnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəs/
a travelling company of entertainers; including trained animals
From this reading THE OLD-FASHIONED CIRCUS “The size of the tent was rather staggering at first, as the greatest length of the oval is nearly two hundred feet, and standing at one end it is impossible to distinguish with the naked eye the features of those on the crowded seats at the other end.”
artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers
From this reading The scanty side-show cloth, an insignificant detail of the encampment, is not much smaller.
clownnounUS /klaʊn/
a rude or vulgar fool
From this reading Is the modern circus, with its bewildering array of man and beast marvels, an improvement from the public standpoint over the old-fashioned show wherein the clown predominated and one ring sufficed?
comparisonnounUS /kəmˈperəsən/
the act of examining resemblances
From this reading I quote the foregoing paragraph, taken from a newspaper of 1877, as illustrating by comparison the physical magnitude of the circus of to-day.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Our “big tent” could stow away in its capacious depths half a dozen of the canvas arenas of twenty-five years ago, and our “menagerie top” covers more area.
coversnounUS /ˈkʌvərz/
plural of “cover” — a covering that serves to conceal or shelter something
From this reading Our “big tent” could stow away in its capacious depths half a dozen of the canvas arenas of twenty-five years ago, and our “menagerie top” covers more area.
overfilled or compacted or concentrated
From this reading THE OLD-FASHIONED CIRCUS “The size of the tent was rather staggering at first, as the greatest length of the oval is nearly two hundred feet, and standing at one end it is impossible to distinguish with the naked eye the features of those on the crowded seats at the other end.”
(plural) the deepest and most remote part
From this reading Our “big tent” could stow away in its capacious depths half a dozen of the canvas arenas of twenty-five years ago, and our “menagerie top” covers more area.
detailnounUS /dɪˈteɪl/
an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole
From this reading The scanty side-show cloth, an insignificant detail of the encampment, is not much smaller.
distinguishverbUS /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ/
mark as different
From this reading THE OLD-FASHIONED CIRCUS “The size of the tent was rather staggering at first, as the greatest length of the oval is nearly two hundred feet, and standing at one end it is impossible to distinguish with the naked eye the features of those on the crowded seats at the other end.”
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading Our “big tent” could stow away in its capacious depths half a dozen of the canvas arenas of twenty-five years ago, and our “menagerie top” covers more area.
encampmentnounUS /ɪnˈkæmpmɪnt/
a site where people on holiday can pitch a tent
From this reading The scanty side-show cloth, an insignificant detail of the encampment, is not much smaller.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading THE OLD-FASHIONED CIRCUS “The size of the tent was rather staggering at first, as the greatest length of the oval is nearly two hundred feet, and standing at one end it is impossible to distinguish with the naked eye the features of those on the crowded seats at the other end.”
the organ of sight
From this reading THE OLD-FASHIONED CIRCUS “The size of the tent was rather staggering at first, as the greatest length of the oval is nearly two hundred feet, and standing at one end it is impossible to distinguish with the naked eye the features of those on the crowded seats at the other end.”
plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading THE OLD-FASHIONED CIRCUS “The size of the tent was rather staggering at first, as the greatest length of the oval is nearly two hundred feet, and standing at one end it is impossible to distinguish with the naked eye the features of those on the crowded seats at the other end.”
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading THE OLD-FASHIONED CIRCUS “The size of the tent was rather staggering at first, as the greatest length of the oval is nearly two hundred feet, and standing at one end it is impossible to distinguish with the naked eye the features of those on the crowded seats at the other end.”
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading THE OLD-FASHIONED CIRCUS “The size of the tent was rather staggering at first, as the greatest length of the oval is nearly two hundred feet, and standing at one end it is impossible to distinguish with the naked eye the features of those on the crowded seats at the other end.”
foregoingadjectiveUS /fɔːrˈɡoʊɪŋ/
especially of writing or speech; going before
From this reading I quote the foregoing paragraph, taken from a newspaper of 1877, as illustrating by comparison the physical magnitude of the circus of to-day.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I quote the foregoing paragraph, taken from a newspaper of 1877, as illustrating by comparison the physical magnitude of the circus of to-day.
highest in quality
From this reading THE OLD-FASHIONED CIRCUS “The size of the tent was rather staggering at first, as the greatest length of the oval is nearly two hundred feet, and standing at one end it is impossible to distinguish with the naked eye the features of those on the crowded seats at the other end.”
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Our “big tent” could stow away in its capacious depths half a dozen of the canvas arenas of twenty-five years ago, and our “menagerie top” covers more area.
ten 10s
From this reading THE OLD-FASHIONED CIRCUS “The size of the tent was rather staggering at first, as the greatest length of the oval is nearly two hundred feet, and standing at one end it is impossible to distinguish with the naked eye the features of those on the crowded seats at the other end.”
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I quote the foregoing paragraph, taken from a newspaper of 1877, as illustrating by comparison the physical magnitude of the circus of to-day.
illustratingverbUS /ˈɪləstreɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “illustrate” — clarify by giving an example of
From this reading I quote the foregoing paragraph, taken from a newspaper of 1877, as illustrating by comparison the physical magnitude of the circus of to-day.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading THE OLD-FASHIONED CIRCUS “The size of the tent was rather staggering at first, as the greatest length of the oval is nearly two hundred feet, and standing at one end it is impossible to distinguish with the naked eye the features of those on the crowded seats at the other end.”
improvementnounUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvmənt/
a change for the better; progress in development
From this reading Is the modern circus, with its bewildering array of man and beast marvels, an improvement from the public standpoint over the old-fashioned show wherein the clown predominated and one ring sufficed?
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Our “big tent” could stow away in its capacious depths half a dozen of the canvas arenas of twenty-five years ago, and our “menagerie top” covers more area.
insignificantadjectiveUS /ˌɪnsɪɡˈnjɪfɪkənt/
signifying nothing
From this reading The scanty side-show cloth, an insignificant detail of the encampment, is not much smaller.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE OLD-FASHIONED CIRCUS “The size of the tent was rather staggering at first, as the greatest length of the oval is nearly two hundred feet, and standing at one end it is impossible to distinguish with the naked eye the features of those on the crowded seats at the other end.”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE OLD-FASHIONED CIRCUS “The size of the tent was rather staggering at first, as the greatest length of the oval is nearly two hundred feet, and standing at one end it is impossible to distinguish with the naked eye the features of those on the crowded seats at the other end.”
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Our “big tent” could stow away in its capacious depths half a dozen of the canvas arenas of twenty-five years ago, and our “menagerie top” covers more area.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading THE OLD-FASHIONED CIRCUS “The size of the tent was rather staggering at first, as the greatest length of the oval is nearly two hundred feet, and standing at one end it is impossible to distinguish with the naked eye the features of those on the crowded seats at the other end.”
magnitudenounUS /ˈmæɡnətuːd/
the property of relative size or extent (whether large or small)
From this reading I quote the foregoing paragraph, taken from a newspaper of 1877, as illustrating by comparison the physical magnitude of the circus of to-day.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Is the modern circus, with its bewildering array of man and beast marvels, an improvement from the public standpoint over the old-fashioned show wherein the clown predominated and one ring sufficed?
marvelsnounUS /ˈmɑːrvəlz/
plural of “marvel” — something that causes feelings of wonder
From this reading Is the modern circus, with its bewildering array of man and beast marvels, an improvement from the public standpoint over the old-fashioned show wherein the clown predominated and one ring sufficed?
menagerienounUS /məˈnædʒəri/
a collection of live animals for study or display
From this reading Our “big tent” could stow away in its capacious depths half a dozen of the canvas arenas of twenty-five years ago, and our “menagerie top” covers more area.
belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages
From this reading Is the modern circus, with its bewildering array of man and beast marvels, an improvement from the public standpoint over the old-fashioned show wherein the clown predominated and one ring sufficed?
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Our “big tent” could stow away in its capacious depths half a dozen of the canvas arenas of twenty-five years ago, and our “menagerie top” covers more area.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The scanty side-show cloth, an insignificant detail of the encampment, is not much smaller.
nakedadjectiveUS /ˈneɪkəd/
completely unclothed
From this reading THE OLD-FASHIONED CIRCUS “The size of the tent was rather staggering at first, as the greatest length of the oval is nearly two hundred feet, and standing at one end it is impossible to distinguish with the naked eye the features of those on the crowded seats at the other end.”
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading THE OLD-FASHIONED CIRCUS “The size of the tent was rather staggering at first, as the greatest length of the oval is nearly two hundred feet, and standing at one end it is impossible to distinguish with the naked eye the features of those on the crowded seats at the other end.”
a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements
From this reading I quote the foregoing paragraph, taken from a newspaper of 1877, as illustrating by comparison the physical magnitude of the circus of to-day.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The scanty side-show cloth, an insignificant detail of the encampment, is not much smaller.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE OLD-FASHIONED CIRCUS “The size of the tent was rather staggering at first, as the greatest length of the oval is nearly two hundred feet, and standing at one end it is impossible to distinguish with the naked eye the features of those on the crowded seats at the other end.”
OLD-FASHIONEDadjectiveUS /ˌoʊldˈfæʃənd/
out of fashion
From this reading THE OLD-FASHIONED CIRCUS “The size of the tent was rather staggering at first, as the greatest length of the oval is nearly two hundred feet, and standing at one end it is impossible to distinguish with the naked eye the features of those on the crowded seats at the other end.”
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE OLD-FASHIONED CIRCUS “The size of the tent was rather staggering at first, as the greatest length of the oval is nearly two hundred feet, and standing at one end it is impossible to distinguish with the naked eye the features of those on the crowded seats at the other end.”
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading THE OLD-FASHIONED CIRCUS “The size of the tent was rather staggering at first, as the greatest length of the oval is nearly two hundred feet, and standing at one end it is impossible to distinguish with the naked eye the features of those on the crowded seats at the other end.”
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading THE OLD-FASHIONED CIRCUS “The size of the tent was rather staggering at first, as the greatest length of the oval is nearly two hundred feet, and standing at one end it is impossible to distinguish with the naked eye the features of those on the crowded seats at the other end.”
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Our “big tent” could stow away in its capacious depths half a dozen of the canvas arenas of twenty-five years ago, and our “menagerie top” covers more area.
ovalnounUS /ˈoʊvəl/
a closed plane curve resulting from the intersection of a circular cone and a plane cutting completely through it
From this reading THE OLD-FASHIONED CIRCUS “The size of the tent was rather staggering at first, as the greatest length of the oval is nearly two hundred feet, and standing at one end it is impossible to distinguish with the naked eye the features of those on the crowded seats at the other end.”
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Is the modern circus, with its bewildering array of man and beast marvels, an improvement from the public standpoint over the old-fashioned show wherein the clown predominated and one ring sufficed?
paragraphnounUS /ˈpærəɡræf/
one of several distinct subdivisions of a text intended to separate ideas; the beginning is usually marked by a new indented line
From this reading I quote the foregoing paragraph, taken from a newspaper of 1877, as illustrating by comparison the physical magnitude of the circus of to-day.
involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit
From this reading I quote the foregoing paragraph, taken from a newspaper of 1877, as illustrating by comparison the physical magnitude of the circus of to-day.
predominatedverbUS /prɪˈdɑːməneɪtɪd/
past form of “predominate” — be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
From this reading Is the modern circus, with its bewildering array of man and beast marvels, an improvement from the public standpoint over the old-fashioned show wherein the clown predominated and one ring sufficed?
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading Is the modern circus, with its bewildering array of man and beast marvels, an improvement from the public standpoint over the old-fashioned show wherein the clown predominated and one ring sufficed?
quoteverbUS /kwoʊt/
repeat a passage from
From this reading I quote the foregoing paragraph, taken from a newspaper of 1877, as illustrating by comparison the physical magnitude of the circus of to-day.
on the contrary
From this reading THE OLD-FASHIONED CIRCUS “The size of the tent was rather staggering at first, as the greatest length of the oval is nearly two hundred feet, and standing at one end it is impossible to distinguish with the naked eye the features of those on the crowded seats at the other end.”
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading Is the modern circus, with its bewildering array of man and beast marvels, an improvement from the public standpoint over the old-fashioned show wherein the clown predominated and one ring sufficed?
scantyadjectiveUS /ˈskænti/
lacking in magnitude or quantity
From this reading The scanty side-show cloth, an insignificant detail of the encampment, is not much smaller.
seatsnounUS /siːts/
an area that includes places where several people can sit
From this reading THE OLD-FASHIONED CIRCUS “The size of the tent was rather staggering at first, as the greatest length of the oval is nearly two hundred feet, and standing at one end it is impossible to distinguish with the naked eye the features of those on the crowded seats at the other end.”
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Is the modern circus, with its bewildering array of man and beast marvels, an improvement from the public standpoint over the old-fashioned show wherein the clown predominated and one ring sufficed?
side-show
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The scanty side-show cloth, an insignificant detail of the encampment, is not much smaller.
the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)
From this reading THE OLD-FASHIONED CIRCUS “The size of the tent was rather staggering at first, as the greatest length of the oval is nearly two hundred feet, and standing at one end it is impossible to distinguish with the naked eye the features of those on the crowded seats at the other end.”
small or little relative to something else
From this reading The scanty side-show cloth, an insignificant detail of the encampment, is not much smaller.
staggeringadjectiveUS /ˈstæɡərɪŋ/
so surprisingly impressive as to stun or overwhelm
From this reading THE OLD-FASHIONED CIRCUS “The size of the tent was rather staggering at first, as the greatest length of the oval is nearly two hundred feet, and standing at one end it is impossible to distinguish with the naked eye the features of those on the crowded seats at the other end.”
having a supporting base
From this reading THE OLD-FASHIONED CIRCUS “The size of the tent was rather staggering at first, as the greatest length of the oval is nearly two hundred feet, and standing at one end it is impossible to distinguish with the naked eye the features of those on the crowded seats at the other end.”
standpointnounUS /ˈstændpɔɪnt/
a mental position from which things are viewed
From this reading Is the modern circus, with its bewildering array of man and beast marvels, an improvement from the public standpoint over the old-fashioned show wherein the clown predominated and one ring sufficed?
stowverbUS /stoʊ/
fill by packing tightly
From this reading Our “big tent” could stow away in its capacious depths half a dozen of the canvas arenas of twenty-five years ago, and our “menagerie top” covers more area.
sufficedverbUS /səˈfaɪst/
past form of “suffice” — be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity
From this reading Is the modern circus, with its bewildering array of man and beast marvels, an improvement from the public standpoint over the old-fashioned show wherein the clown predominated and one ring sufficed?
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading I quote the foregoing paragraph, taken from a newspaper of 1877, as illustrating by comparison the physical magnitude of the circus of to-day.
a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)
From this reading THE OLD-FASHIONED CIRCUS “The size of the tent was rather staggering at first, as the greatest length of the oval is nearly two hundred feet, and standing at one end it is impossible to distinguish with the naked eye the features of those on the crowded seats at the other end.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE OLD-FASHIONED CIRCUS “The size of the tent was rather staggering at first, as the greatest length of the oval is nearly two hundred feet, and standing at one end it is impossible to distinguish with the naked eye the features of those on the crowded seats at the other end.”
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading THE OLD-FASHIONED CIRCUS “The size of the tent was rather staggering at first, as the greatest length of the oval is nearly two hundred feet, and standing at one end it is impossible to distinguish with the naked eye the features of those on the crowded seats at the other end.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE OLD-FASHIONED CIRCUS “The size of the tent was rather staggering at first, as the greatest length of the oval is nearly two hundred feet, and standing at one end it is impossible to distinguish with the naked eye the features of those on the crowded seats at the other end.”
to-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I quote the foregoing paragraph, taken from a newspaper of 1877, as illustrating by comparison the physical magnitude of the circus of to-day.
the upper part of anything
From this reading Our “big tent” could stow away in its capacious depths half a dozen of the canvas arenas of twenty-five years ago, and our “menagerie top” covers more area.
twenty-fiveadjectiveUS /ˈtwentifaɪv/
being five more than twenty
From this reading Our “big tent” could stow away in its capacious depths half a dozen of the canvas arenas of twenty-five years ago, and our “menagerie top” covers more area.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading THE OLD-FASHIONED CIRCUS “The size of the tent was rather staggering at first, as the greatest length of the oval is nearly two hundred feet, and standing at one end it is impossible to distinguish with the naked eye the features of those on the crowded seats at the other end.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE OLD-FASHIONED CIRCUS “The size of the tent was rather staggering at first, as the greatest length of the oval is nearly two hundred feet, and standing at one end it is impossible to distinguish with the naked eye the features of those on the crowded seats at the other end.”
wherein
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Is the modern circus, with its bewildering array of man and beast marvels, an improvement from the public standpoint over the old-fashioned show wherein the clown predominated and one ring sufficed?
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE OLD-FASHIONED CIRCUS “The size of the tent was rather staggering at first, as the greatest length of the oval is nearly two hundred feet, and standing at one end it is impossible to distinguish with the naked eye the features of those on the crowded seats at the other end.”
a late time of life
From this reading Our “big tent” could stow away in its capacious depths half a dozen of the canvas arenas of twenty-five years ago, and our “menagerie top” covers more area.
