Chapter I

with affection

From this reading And to those happy days of bread and preserves, when we bare-footed kids sneaked out of the backyard gate to the circus lot and led the spotted ponies to water, these little yarns are affectionately dedicated:-- The Press Agent of the Big Show had formerly been dramatic editor of the leading daily in Council Bluffs.

an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect

From this reading And to those happy days of bread and preserves, when we bare-footed kids sneaked out of the backyard gate to the circus lot and led the spotted ponies to water, these little yarns are affectionately dedicated:-- The Press Agent of the Big Show had formerly been dramatic editor of the leading daily in Council Bluffs.

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

From this reading Between the shows there were seven of the circus outfit who would sit around the ring bank and on the carpet pads just to talk.

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

From this reading Here are some of the tales told under the big round top when the tent was empty.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Between the shows there were seven of the circus outfit who would sit around the ring bank and on the carpet pads just to talk.

an old form of “are”, used with “thou”

From this reading It was his star boast that he was the only critic in the Middle West that ever had the nerve to roast Joe Jefferson, and he said he did it in the interest of art.

the grounds in back of a house

From this reading And to those happy days of bread and preserves, when we bare-footed kids sneaked out of the backyard gate to the circus lot and led the spotted ponies to water, these little yarns are affectionately dedicated:-- The Press Agent of the Big Show had formerly been dramatic editor of the leading daily in Council Bluffs.

sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)

From this reading Between the shows there were seven of the circus outfit who would sit around the ring bank and on the carpet pads just to talk.

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

From this reading And to those happy days of bread and preserves, when we bare-footed kids sneaked out of the backyard gate to the circus lot and led the spotted ponies to water, these little yarns are affectionately dedicated:-- The Press Agent of the Big Show had formerly been dramatic editor of the leading daily in Council Bluffs.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading And to those happy days of bread and preserves, when we bare-footed kids sneaked out of the backyard gate to the circus lot and led the spotted ponies to water, these little yarns are affectionately dedicated:-- The Press Agent of the Big Show had formerly been dramatic editor of the leading daily in Council Bluffs.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Between the shows there were seven of the circus outfit who would sit around the ring bank and on the carpet pads just to talk.

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

From this reading Here are some of the tales told under the big round top when the tent was empty.

plural of “bluff” — a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)

From this reading And to those happy days of bread and preserves, when we bare-footed kids sneaked out of the backyard gate to the circus lot and led the spotted ponies to water, these little yarns are affectionately dedicated:-- The Press Agent of the Big Show had formerly been dramatic editor of the leading daily in Council Bluffs.

show off

From this reading It was his star boast that he was the only critic in the Middle West that ever had the nerve to roast Joe Jefferson, and he said he did it in the interest of art.

food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked

From this reading And to those happy days of bread and preserves, when we bare-footed kids sneaked out of the backyard gate to the circus lot and led the spotted ponies to water, these little yarns are affectionately dedicated:-- The Press Agent of the Big Show had formerly been dramatic editor of the leading daily in Council Bluffs.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Cover Design by J. R. CROSSLEY.

floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)

From this reading Between the shows there were seven of the circus outfit who would sit around the ring bank and on the carpet pads just to talk.

a travelling company of entertainers; including trained animals

From this reading Between the shows there were seven of the circus outfit who would sit around the ring bank and on the carpet pads just to talk.

a body serving in an administrative capacity

From this reading And to those happy days of bread and preserves, when we bare-footed kids sneaked out of the backyard gate to the circus lot and led the spotted ponies to water, these little yarns are affectionately dedicated:-- The Press Agent of the Big Show had formerly been dramatic editor of the leading daily in Council Bluffs.

provide with a covering or cause to be covered

From this reading Cover Design by J. R. CROSSLEY.

a person who is professionally engaged in the analysis and interpretation of works of art

From this reading It was his star boast that he was the only critic in the Middle West that ever had the nerve to roast Joe Jefferson, and he said he did it in the interest of art.

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

From this reading Cover Design by J. R. CROSSLEY.

every day; without missing a day

From this reading And to those happy days of bread and preserves, when we bare-footed kids sneaked out of the backyard gate to the circus lot and led the spotted ponies to water, these little yarns are affectionately dedicated:-- The Press Agent of the Big Show had formerly been dramatic editor of the leading daily in Council Bluffs.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading And to those happy days of bread and preserves, when we bare-footed kids sneaked out of the backyard gate to the circus lot and led the spotted ponies to water, these little yarns are affectionately dedicated:-- The Press Agent of the Big Show had formerly been dramatic editor of the leading daily in Council Bluffs.

devoted to a cause or ideal or purpose

From this reading And to those happy days of bread and preserves, when we bare-footed kids sneaked out of the backyard gate to the circus lot and led the spotted ponies to water, these little yarns are affectionately dedicated:-- The Press Agent of the Big Show had formerly been dramatic editor of the leading daily in Council Bluffs.

the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)

From this reading Cover Design by J. R. CROSSLEY.

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

From this reading It was his star boast that he was the only critic in the Middle West that ever had the nerve to roast Joe Jefferson, and he said he did it in the interest of art.

suitable to or characteristic of drama

From this reading And to those happy days of bread and preserves, when we bare-footed kids sneaked out of the backyard gate to the circus lot and led the spotted ponies to water, these little yarns are affectionately dedicated:-- The Press Agent of the Big Show had formerly been dramatic editor of the leading daily in Council Bluffs.

a person responsible for the editorial aspects of publication; the person who determines the final content of a text (especially of a newspaper or magazine)

From this reading And to those happy days of bread and preserves, when we bare-footed kids sneaked out of the backyard gate to the circus lot and led the spotted ponies to water, these little yarns are affectionately dedicated:-- The Press Agent of the Big Show had formerly been dramatic editor of the leading daily in Council Bluffs.

make void or empty of contents

From this reading Here are some of the tales told under the big round top when the tent was empty.

at any time

From this reading It was his star boast that he was the only critic in the Middle West that ever had the nerve to roast Joe Jefferson, and he said he did it in the interest of art.

at a previous time

From this reading And to those happy days of bread and preserves, when we bare-footed kids sneaked out of the backyard gate to the circus lot and led the spotted ponies to water, these little yarns are affectionately dedicated:-- The Press Agent of the Big Show had formerly been dramatic editor of the leading daily in Council Bluffs.

a movable barrier in a fence or wall

From this reading And to those happy days of bread and preserves, when we bare-footed kids sneaked out of the backyard gate to the circus lot and led the spotted ponies to water, these little yarns are affectionately dedicated:-- The Press Agent of the Big Show had formerly been dramatic editor of the leading daily in Council Bluffs.

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

From this reading And to those happy days of bread and preserves, when we bare-footed kids sneaked out of the backyard gate to the circus lot and led the spotted ponies to water, these little yarns are affectionately dedicated:-- The Press Agent of the Big Show had formerly been dramatic editor of the leading daily in Council Bluffs.

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading And to those happy days of bread and preserves, when we bare-footed kids sneaked out of the backyard gate to the circus lot and led the spotted ponies to water, these little yarns are affectionately dedicated:-- The Press Agent of the Big Show had formerly been dramatic editor of the leading daily in Council Bluffs.

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

From this reading It was his star boast that he was the only critic in the Middle West that ever had the nerve to roast Joe Jefferson, and he said he did it in the interest of art.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Here are some of the tales told under the big round top when the tent was empty.

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

From this reading It was his star boast that he was the only critic in the Middle West that ever had the nerve to roast Joe Jefferson, and he said he did it in the interest of art.

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

From this reading And to those happy days of bread and preserves, when we bare-footed kids sneaked out of the backyard gate to the circus lot and led the spotted ponies to water, these little yarns are affectionately dedicated:-- The Press Agent of the Big Show had formerly been dramatic editor of the leading daily in Council Bluffs.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading It was his star boast that he was the only critic in the Middle West that ever had the nerve to roast Joe Jefferson, and he said he did it in the interest of art.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was his star boast that he was the only critic in the Middle West that ever had the nerve to roast Joe Jefferson, and he said he did it in the interest of art.

a unit of electrical energy equal to the work done when a current of one ampere passes through a resistance of one ohm for one second

From this reading Cover Design by J. R. CROSSLEY.

3rd President of the United States; chief drafter of the Declaration of Independence; made the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and sent out the Lewis and Clark Expedition to explore it (1743-1826)

From this reading It was his star boast that he was the only critic in the Middle West that ever had the nerve to roast Joe Jefferson, and he said he did it in the interest of art.

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

From this reading It was his star boast that he was the only critic in the Middle West that ever had the nerve to roast Joe Jefferson, and he said he did it in the interest of art.

and nothing more

From this reading Between the shows there were seven of the circus outfit who would sit around the ring bank and on the carpet pads just to talk.

plural of “kid” — a young person of either sex

From this reading And to those happy days of bread and preserves, when we bare-footed kids sneaked out of the backyard gate to the circus lot and led the spotted ponies to water, these little yarns are affectionately dedicated:-- The Press Agent of the Big Show had formerly been dramatic editor of the leading daily in Council Bluffs.

indicating the most important performer or role

From this reading And to those happy days of bread and preserves, when we bare-footed kids sneaked out of the backyard gate to the circus lot and led the spotted ponies to water, these little yarns are affectionately dedicated:-- The Press Agent of the Big Show had formerly been dramatic editor of the leading daily in Council Bluffs.

diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used

From this reading And to those happy days of bread and preserves, when we bare-footed kids sneaked out of the backyard gate to the circus lot and led the spotted ponies to water, these little yarns are affectionately dedicated:-- The Press Agent of the Big Show had formerly been dramatic editor of the leading daily in Council Bluffs.

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

From this reading And to those happy days of bread and preserves, when we bare-footed kids sneaked out of the backyard gate to the circus lot and led the spotted ponies to water, these little yarns are affectionately dedicated:-- The Press Agent of the Big Show had formerly been dramatic editor of the leading daily in Council Bluffs.

(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent

From this reading And to those happy days of bread and preserves, when we bare-footed kids sneaked out of the backyard gate to the circus lot and led the spotted ponies to water, these little yarns are affectionately dedicated:-- The Press Agent of the Big Show had formerly been dramatic editor of the leading daily in Council Bluffs.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading It was his star boast that he was the only critic in the Middle West that ever had the nerve to roast Joe Jefferson, and he said he did it in the interest of art.

any bundle of nerve fibers running to various organs and tissues of the body

From this reading It was his star boast that he was the only critic in the Middle West that ever had the nerve to roast Joe Jefferson, and he said he did it in the interest of art.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Between the shows there were seven of the circus outfit who would sit around the ring bank and on the carpet pads just to talk.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Between the shows there were seven of the circus outfit who would sit around the ring bank and on the carpet pads just to talk.

and nothing more

From this reading It was his star boast that he was the only critic in the Middle West that ever had the nerve to roast Joe Jefferson, and he said he did it in the interest of art.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading And to those happy days of bread and preserves, when we bare-footed kids sneaked out of the backyard gate to the circus lot and led the spotted ponies to water, these little yarns are affectionately dedicated:-- The Press Agent of the Big Show had formerly been dramatic editor of the leading daily in Council Bluffs.

any cohesive unit such as a military company

From this reading Between the shows there were seven of the circus outfit who would sit around the ring bank and on the carpet pads just to talk.

plural of “pad” — a number of sheets of paper fastened together along one edge

From this reading Between the shows there were seven of the circus outfit who would sit around the ring bank and on the carpet pads just to talk.

plural of “pony” — a range horse of the western United States

From this reading And to those happy days of bread and preserves, when we bare-footed kids sneaked out of the backyard gate to the circus lot and led the spotted ponies to water, these little yarns are affectionately dedicated:-- The Press Agent of the Big Show had formerly been dramatic editor of the leading daily in Council Bluffs.

fruit preserved by cooking with sugar

From this reading And to those happy days of bread and preserves, when we bare-footed kids sneaked out of the backyard gate to the circus lot and led the spotted ponies to water, these little yarns are affectionately dedicated:-- The Press Agent of the Big Show had formerly been dramatic editor of the leading daily in Council Bluffs.

exert pressure or force to or upon

From this reading And to those happy days of bread and preserves, when we bare-footed kids sneaked out of the backyard gate to the circus lot and led the spotted ponies to water, these little yarns are affectionately dedicated:-- The Press Agent of the Big Show had formerly been dramatic editor of the leading daily in Council Bluffs.

a unit of radiation exposure; the dose of ionizing radiation that will produce 1 electrostatic unit of electricity in 1 cc of dry air

From this reading Cover Design by J. R. CROSSLEY.

sound loudly and sonorously

From this reading Between the shows there were seven of the circus outfit who would sit around the ring bank and on the carpet pads just to talk.

cook with dry heat, usually in an oven

From this reading It was his star boast that he was the only critic in the Middle West that ever had the nerve to roast Joe Jefferson, and he said he did it in the interest of art.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading Here are some of the tales told under the big round top when the tent was empty.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading It was his star boast that he was the only critic in the Middle West that ever had the nerve to roast Joe Jefferson, and he said he did it in the interest of art.

the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one

From this reading Between the shows there were seven of the circus outfit who would sit around the ring bank and on the carpet pads just to talk.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading And to those happy days of bread and preserves, when we bare-footed kids sneaked out of the backyard gate to the circus lot and led the spotted ponies to water, these little yarns are affectionately dedicated:-- The Press Agent of the Big Show had formerly been dramatic editor of the leading daily in Council Bluffs.

plural of “show” — the act of publicly exhibiting or entertaining

From this reading Between the shows there were seven of the circus outfit who would sit around the ring bank and on the carpet pads just to talk.

be seated

From this reading Between the shows there were seven of the circus outfit who would sit around the ring bank and on the carpet pads just to talk.

past form of “sneak” — to go stealthily or furtively

From this reading And to those happy days of bread and preserves, when we bare-footed kids sneaked out of the backyard gate to the circus lot and led the spotted ponies to water, these little yarns are affectionately dedicated:-- The Press Agent of the Big Show had formerly been dramatic editor of the leading daily in Council Bluffs.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Here are some of the tales told under the big round top when the tent was empty.

having spots or patches (small areas of contrasting color or texture)

From this reading And to those happy days of bread and preserves, when we bare-footed kids sneaked out of the backyard gate to the circus lot and led the spotted ponies to water, these little yarns are affectionately dedicated:-- The Press Agent of the Big Show had formerly been dramatic editor of the leading daily in Council Bluffs.

(astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior

From this reading It was his star boast that he was the only critic in the Middle West that ever had the nerve to roast Joe Jefferson, and he said he did it in the interest of art.

plural of “tale” — 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 Here are some of the tales told under the big round top when the tent was empty.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading Between the shows there were seven of the circus outfit who would sit around the ring bank and on the carpet pads just to talk.

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

From this reading Here are some of the tales told under the big round top when the tent was empty.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was his star boast that he was the only critic in the Middle West that ever had the nerve to roast Joe Jefferson, and he said he did it in the interest of art.

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

From this reading Between the shows there were seven of the circus outfit who would sit around the ring bank and on the carpet pads just to talk.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Between the shows there were seven of the circus outfit who would sit around the ring bank and on the carpet pads just to talk.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading And to those happy days of bread and preserves, when we bare-footed kids sneaked out of the backyard gate to the circus lot and led the spotted ponies to water, these little yarns are affectionately dedicated:-- The Press Agent of the Big Show had formerly been dramatic editor of the leading daily in Council Bluffs.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading And to those happy days of bread and preserves, when we bare-footed kids sneaked out of the backyard gate to the circus lot and led the spotted ponies to water, these little yarns are affectionately dedicated:-- The Press Agent of the Big Show had formerly been dramatic editor of the leading daily in Council Bluffs.

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

From this reading Between the shows there were seven of the circus outfit who would sit around the ring bank and on the carpet pads just to talk.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading Here are some of the tales told under the big round top when the tent was empty.

the upper part of anything

From this reading Here are some of the tales told under the big round top when the tent was empty.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Here are some of the tales told under the big round top when the tent was empty.

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

From this reading Here are some of the tales told under the big round top when the tent was empty.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading And to those happy days of bread and preserves, when we bare-footed kids sneaked out of the backyard gate to the circus lot and led the spotted ponies to water, these little yarns are affectionately dedicated:-- The Press Agent of the Big Show had formerly been dramatic editor of the leading daily in Council Bluffs.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading And to those happy days of bread and preserves, when we bare-footed kids sneaked out of the backyard gate to the circus lot and led the spotted ponies to water, these little yarns are affectionately dedicated:-- The Press Agent of the Big Show had formerly been dramatic editor of the leading daily in Council Bluffs.

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

From this reading Between the shows there were seven of the circus outfit who would sit around the ring bank and on the carpet pads just to talk.

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading It was his star boast that he was the only critic in the Middle West that ever had the nerve to roast Joe Jefferson, and he said he did it in the interest of art.

at the time that

From this reading Here are some of the tales told under the big round top when the tent was empty.

which person or people

From this reading Between the shows there were seven of the circus outfit who would sit around the ring bank and on the carpet pads just to talk.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Between the shows there were seven of the circus outfit who would sit around the ring bank and on the carpet pads just to talk.

plural of “yarn” — the act of giving an account describing incidents or a course of events

From this reading And to those happy days of bread and preserves, when we bare-footed kids sneaked out of the backyard gate to the circus lot and led the spotted ponies to water, these little yarns are affectionately dedicated:-- The Press Agent of the Big Show had formerly been dramatic editor of the leading daily in Council Bluffs.