used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The national flag is a white elephant on a scarlet ground; the mercantile flag is a white elephant on a blue ground; and on every temple and official building this wonderful creature is fashioned in stone, wood, and plaster.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading In former days the King did not feel himself fully a king unless he possessed a white elephant, and he never hesitated about undertaking a war in order to obtain one of these rare animals.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading WHITE ELEPHANTS Siam has been called the "Land of the White Elephant," and no account of the country would be complete which failed to take notice of these peculiar animals.
anew
From this reading Another legend says that now and again in the world's history a monarch appears who conquers and rules every nation under the sun.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading WHITE ELEPHANTS Siam has been called the "Land of the White Elephant," and no account of the country would be complete which failed to take notice of these peculiar animals.
plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading WHITE ELEPHANTS Siam has been called the "Land of the White Elephant," and no account of the country would be complete which failed to take notice of these peculiar animals.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Another legend says that now and again in the world's history a monarch appears who conquers and rules every nation under the sun.
third-person singular of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Another legend says that now and again in the world's history a monarch appears who conquers and rules every nation under the sun.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading WHITE ELEPHANTS Siam has been called the "Land of the White Elephant," and no account of the country would be complete which failed to take notice of these peculiar animals.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading WHITE ELEPHANTS Siam has been called the "Land of the White Elephant," and no account of the country would be complete which failed to take notice of these peculiar animals.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading The national flag is a white elephant on a scarlet ground; the mercantile flag is a white elephant on a blue ground; and on every temple and official building this wonderful creature is fashioned in stone, wood, and plaster.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading The national flag is a white elephant on a scarlet ground; the mercantile flag is a white elephant on a blue ground; and on every temple and official building this wonderful creature is fashioned in stone, wood, and plaster.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading WHITE ELEPHANTS Siam has been called the "Land of the White Elephant," and no account of the country would be complete which failed to take notice of these peculiar animals.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading WHITE ELEPHANTS Siam has been called the "Land of the White Elephant," and no account of the country would be complete which failed to take notice of these peculiar animals.
conquersverbUS /ˈkɑːŋkərz/
third-person singular of “conquer” — bring under control by force or authority
From this reading Another legend says that now and again in the world's history a monarch appears who conquers and rules every nation under the sun.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading WHITE ELEPHANTS Siam has been called the "Land of the White Elephant," and no account of the country would be complete which failed to take notice of these peculiar animals.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading The national flag is a white elephant on a scarlet ground; the mercantile flag is a white elephant on a blue ground; and on every temple and official building this wonderful creature is fashioned in stone, wood, and plaster.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading In former days the King did not feel himself fully a king unless he possessed a white elephant, and he never hesitated about undertaking a war in order to obtain one of these rare animals.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading In former days the King did not feel himself fully a king unless he possessed a white elephant, and he never hesitated about undertaking a war in order to obtain one of these rare animals.
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading There is a story that Gautama was once a white elephant, and that his mother, in a dream, met him in heaven in that shape.
ElephantnounUS /ˈeləfənt/
five-toed pachyderm
From this reading WHITE ELEPHANTS Siam has been called the "Land of the White Elephant," and no account of the country would be complete which failed to take notice of these peculiar animals.
ELEPHANTSnounUS /ˈeləfənts/
plural of “elephant” — five-toed pachyderm
From this reading WHITE ELEPHANTS Siam has been called the "Land of the White Elephant," and no account of the country would be complete which failed to take notice of these peculiar animals.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The national flag is a white elephant on a scarlet ground; the mercantile flag is a white elephant on a blue ground; and on every temple and official building this wonderful creature is fashioned in stone, wood, and plaster.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading WHITE ELEPHANTS Siam has been called the "Land of the White Elephant," and no account of the country would be complete which failed to take notice of these peculiar animals.
fashionedadjectiveUS /ˈfæʃənd/
planned and made or fashioned artistically
From this reading The national flag is a white elephant on a scarlet ground; the mercantile flag is a white elephant on a blue ground; and on every temple and official building this wonderful creature is fashioned in stone, wood, and plaster.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading In former days the King did not feel himself fully a king unless he possessed a white elephant, and he never hesitated about undertaking a war in order to obtain one of these rare animals.
emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design
From this reading The national flag is a white elephant on a scarlet ground; the mercantile flag is a white elephant on a blue ground; and on every temple and official building this wonderful creature is fashioned in stone, wood, and plaster.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading In former days the King did not feel himself fully a king unless he possessed a white elephant, and he never hesitated about undertaking a war in order to obtain one of these rare animals.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading In former days the King did not feel himself fully a king unless he possessed a white elephant, and he never hesitated about undertaking a war in order to obtain one of these rare animals.
Gautamanoun
founder of Buddhism (c 563-483 BC)
From this reading There is a story that Gautama was once a white elephant, and that his mother, in a dream, met him in heaven in that shape.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading The national flag is a white elephant on a scarlet ground; the mercantile flag is a white elephant on a blue ground; and on every temple and official building this wonderful creature is fashioned in stone, wood, and plaster.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading WHITE ELEPHANTS Siam has been called the "Land of the White Elephant," and no account of the country would be complete which failed to take notice of these peculiar animals.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In former days the King did not feel himself fully a king unless he possessed a white elephant, and he never hesitated about undertaking a war in order to obtain one of these rare animals.
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading There is a story that Gautama was once a white elephant, and that his mother, in a dream, met him in heaven in that shape.
past form of “hesitate” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
From this reading In former days the King did not feel himself fully a king unless he possessed a white elephant, and he never hesitated about undertaking a war in order to obtain one of these rare animals.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There is a story that Gautama was once a white elephant, and that his mother, in a dream, met him in heaven in that shape.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading In former days the King did not feel himself fully a king unless he possessed a white elephant, and he never hesitated about undertaking a war in order to obtain one of these rare animals.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading There is a story that Gautama was once a white elephant, and that his mother, in a dream, met him in heaven in that shape.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading Another legend says that now and again in the world's history a monarch appears who conquers and rules every nation under the sun.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The national flag is a white elephant on a scarlet ground; the mercantile flag is a white elephant on a blue ground; and on every temple and official building this wonderful creature is fashioned in stone, wood, and plaster.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The national flag is a white elephant on a scarlet ground; the mercantile flag is a white elephant on a blue ground; and on every temple and official building this wonderful creature is fashioned in stone, wood, and plaster.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading In former days the King did not feel himself fully a king unless he possessed a white elephant, and he never hesitated about undertaking a war in order to obtain one of these rare animals.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading WHITE ELEPHANTS Siam has been called the "Land of the White Elephant," and no account of the country would be complete which failed to take notice of these peculiar animals.
legendnounUS /ˈledʒənd/
a story about mythical or supernatural beings or events
From this reading Another legend says that now and again in the world's history a monarch appears who conquers and rules every nation under the sun.
mercantileadjectiveUS /ˈmɜːrkəntaɪl/
of or relating to the economic system of mercantilism
From this reading The national flag is a white elephant on a scarlet ground; the mercantile flag is a white elephant on a blue ground; and on every temple and official building this wonderful creature is fashioned in stone, wood, and plaster.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading There is a story that Gautama was once a white elephant, and that his mother, in a dream, met him in heaven in that shape.
monarchnounUS /ˈmɑːnɑːrk/
a nation's ruler or head of state usually by hereditary right
From this reading Another legend says that now and again in the world's history a monarch appears who conquers and rules every nation under the sun.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading There is a story that Gautama was once a white elephant, and that his mother, in a dream, met him in heaven in that shape.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading Another legend says that now and again in the world's history a monarch appears who conquers and rules every nation under the sun.
of or relating to or belonging to a nation or country
From this reading The national flag is a white elephant on a scarlet ground; the mercantile flag is a white elephant on a blue ground; and on every temple and official building this wonderful creature is fashioned in stone, wood, and plaster.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading In former days the King did not feel himself fully a king unless he possessed a white elephant, and he never hesitated about undertaking a war in order to obtain one of these rare animals.
not any; not one
From this reading WHITE ELEPHANTS Siam has been called the "Land of the White Elephant," and no account of the country would be complete which failed to take notice of these peculiar animals.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading In former days the King did not feel himself fully a king unless he possessed a white elephant, and he never hesitated about undertaking a war in order to obtain one of these rare animals.
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading WHITE ELEPHANTS Siam has been called the "Land of the White Elephant," and no account of the country would be complete which failed to take notice of these peculiar animals.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Another legend says that now and again in the world's history a monarch appears who conquers and rules every nation under the sun.
come into possession of
From this reading In former days the King did not feel himself fully a king unless he possessed a white elephant, and he never hesitated about undertaking a war in order to obtain one of these rare animals.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading WHITE ELEPHANTS Siam has been called the "Land of the White Elephant," and no account of the country would be complete which failed to take notice of these peculiar animals.
having official authority or sanction
From this reading The national flag is a white elephant on a scarlet ground; the mercantile flag is a white elephant on a blue ground; and on every temple and official building this wonderful creature is fashioned in stone, wood, and plaster.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The national flag is a white elephant on a scarlet ground; the mercantile flag is a white elephant on a blue ground; and on every temple and official building this wonderful creature is fashioned in stone, wood, and plaster.
on one occasion
From this reading There is a story that Gautama was once a white elephant, and that his mother, in a dream, met him in heaven in that shape.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In former days the King did not feel himself fully a king unless he possessed a white elephant, and he never hesitated about undertaking a war in order to obtain one of these rare animals.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading In former days the King did not feel himself fully a king unless he possessed a white elephant, and he never hesitated about undertaking a war in order to obtain one of these rare animals.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading WHITE ELEPHANTS Siam has been called the "Land of the White Elephant," and no account of the country would be complete which failed to take notice of these peculiar animals.
plasterverbUS /ˈplæstər/
apply a heavy coat to
From this reading The national flag is a white elephant on a scarlet ground; the mercantile flag is a white elephant on a blue ground; and on every temple and official building this wonderful creature is fashioned in stone, wood, and plaster.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading In former days the King did not feel himself fully a king unless he possessed a white elephant, and he never hesitated about undertaking a war in order to obtain one of these rare animals.
not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
From this reading In former days the King did not feel himself fully a king unless he possessed a white elephant, and he never hesitated about undertaking a war in order to obtain one of these rare animals.
rulesnounUS /ruːlz/
plural of “rule” — a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading Another legend says that now and again in the world's history a monarch appears who conquers and rules every nation under the sun.
plural of “say” — the chance to speak
From this reading Another legend says that now and again in the world's history a monarch appears who conquers and rules every nation under the sun.
scarletnounUS /ˈskɑːrlət/
a variable color that is vivid red but sometimes with an orange tinge
From this reading The national flag is a white elephant on a scarlet ground; the mercantile flag is a white elephant on a blue ground; and on every temple and official building this wonderful creature is fashioned in stone, wood, and plaster.
any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)
From this reading There is a story that Gautama was once a white elephant, and that his mother, in a dream, met him in heaven in that shape.
SiamnounUS /saɪˈæm/
a country of southeastern Asia that extends southward along the Isthmus of Kra to the Malay Peninsula
From this reading WHITE ELEPHANTS Siam has been called the "Land of the White Elephant," and no account of the country would be complete which failed to take notice of these peculiar animals.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading The national flag is a white elephant on a scarlet ground; the mercantile flag is a white elephant on a blue ground; and on every temple and official building this wonderful creature is fashioned in stone, wood, and plaster.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading There is a story that Gautama was once a white elephant, and that his mother, in a dream, met him in heaven in that shape.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading Another legend says that now and again in the world's history a monarch appears who conquers and rules every nation under the sun.
carry out
From this reading WHITE ELEPHANTS Siam has been called the "Land of the White Elephant," and no account of the country would be complete which failed to take notice of these peculiar animals.
place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity
From this reading The national flag is a white elephant on a scarlet ground; the mercantile flag is a white elephant on a blue ground; and on every temple and official building this wonderful creature is fashioned in stone, wood, and plaster.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There is a story that Gautama was once a white elephant, and that his mother, in a dream, met him in heaven in that shape.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WHITE ELEPHANTS Siam has been called the "Land of the White Elephant," and no account of the country would be complete which failed to take notice of these peculiar animals.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There is a story that Gautama was once a white elephant, and that his mother, in a dream, met him in heaven in that shape.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading WHITE ELEPHANTS Siam has been called the "Land of the White Elephant," and no account of the country would be complete which failed to take notice of these peculiar animals.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The national flag is a white elephant on a scarlet ground; the mercantile flag is a white elephant on a blue ground; and on every temple and official building this wonderful creature is fashioned in stone, wood, and plaster.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading WHITE ELEPHANTS Siam has been called the "Land of the White Elephant," and no account of the country would be complete which failed to take notice of these peculiar animals.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Another legend says that now and again in the world's history a monarch appears who conquers and rules every nation under the sun.
undertakingnounUS /ˈʌndərteɪkɪŋ/
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading In former days the King did not feel himself fully a king unless he possessed a white elephant, and he never hesitated about undertaking a war in order to obtain one of these rare animals.
except if; if not
From this reading In former days the King did not feel himself fully a king unless he possessed a white elephant, and he never hesitated about undertaking a war in order to obtain one of these rare animals.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading In former days the King did not feel himself fully a king unless he possessed a white elephant, and he never hesitated about undertaking a war in order to obtain one of these rare animals.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There is a story that Gautama was once a white elephant, and that his mother, in a dream, met him in heaven in that shape.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading WHITE ELEPHANTS Siam has been called the "Land of the White Elephant," and no account of the country would be complete which failed to take notice of these peculiar animals.
a Caucasian
From this reading WHITE ELEPHANTS Siam has been called the "Land of the White Elephant," and no account of the country would be complete which failed to take notice of these peculiar animals.
which person or people
From this reading Another legend says that now and again in the world's history a monarch appears who conquers and rules every nation under the sun.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading The national flag is a white elephant on a scarlet ground; the mercantile flag is a white elephant on a blue ground; and on every temple and official building this wonderful creature is fashioned in stone, wood, and plaster.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading The national flag is a white elephant on a scarlet ground; the mercantile flag is a white elephant on a blue ground; and on every temple and official building this wonderful creature is fashioned in stone, wood, and plaster.
world'snounUS /wɜːrldz/
possessive form of “world” — everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Another legend says that now and again in the world's history a monarch appears who conquers and rules every nation under the sun.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading WHITE ELEPHANTS Siam has been called the "Land of the White Elephant," and no account of the country would be complete which failed to take notice of these peculiar animals.
