Chapter II

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

From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”

at or in the front

From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.

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

From this reading Through puffs of dust, glass surfaces sparkled dully, and there was an occasional glint of gilt.

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

From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”

make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.

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

From this reading The leading waggon could be more plainly seen.

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

From this reading “It’s a reg’lar circus cart,” said Brickett, wonderingly.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.

a heavy open wagon usually having two wheels and drawn by an animal

From this reading “It’s a reg’lar circus cart,” said Brickett, wonderingly.

plural of “cent” — a fractional monetary unit of several countries

From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”

a travelling company of entertainers; including trained animals

From this reading “It’s a reg’lar circus cart,” said Brickett, wonderingly.

make overcast or cloudy

From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading The leading waggon could be more plainly seen.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”

an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper

From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.

without liveliness

From this reading Through puffs of dust, glass surfaces sparkled dully, and there was an occasional glint of gilt.

remove the dust from

From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.

being one more than seven

From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.

five-toed pachyderm

From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”

enclose with a fence

From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”

the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one

From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”

following the third position; number four in a countable series

From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading Through puffs of dust, glass surfaces sparkled dully, and there was an occasional glint of gilt.

a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure

From this reading Through puffs of dust, glass surfaces sparkled dully, and there was an occasional glint of gilt.

be shiny, as if wet

From this reading Through puffs of dust, glass surfaces sparkled dully, and there was an occasional glint of gilt.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”

thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot

From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.

put a harness

From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.

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

From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”

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

From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”

not accessible to view

From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”

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

From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.

cause to move by striking

From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”

plural of “hoof” — the foot of an ungulate mammal

From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.

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

From this reading “It’s a reg’lar circus cart,” said Brickett, wonderingly.

the month following June and preceding August

From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”

move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”

plural of “jump” — a sudden and decisive increase

From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”

indicating the most important performer or role

From this reading The leading waggon could be more plainly seen.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading The leading waggon could be more plainly seen.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”

occurring from time to time

From this reading Through puffs of dust, glass surfaces sparkled dully, and there was an occasional glint of gilt.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”

plural of “outline” — the line that appears to bound an object

From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading The leading waggon could be more plainly seen.

hard monotonous routine work

From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.

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

From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.

plural of “puff” — a short light gust of air

From this reading Through puffs of dust, glass surfaces sparkled dully, and there was an occasional glint of gilt.

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

From this reading “It’s a reg’lar circus cart,” said Brickett, wonderingly.

uttered with a trill

From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.

covered with or consisting of rust

From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “It’s a reg’lar circus cart,” said Brickett, wonderingly.

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

From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading The leading waggon could be more plainly seen.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”

lacking stiffness in form or posture

From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”

past form of “sparkle” — reflect brightly

From this reading Through puffs of dust, glass surfaces sparkled dully, and there was an occasional glint of gilt.

an intense or violent exertion

From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.

plural of “surface” — the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary

From this reading Through puffs of dust, glass surfaces sparkled dully, and there was an occasional glint of gilt.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”

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

From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”

in or at that place or location

From this reading Through puffs of dust, glass surfaces sparkled dully, and there was an occasional glint of gilt.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Through puffs of dust, glass surfaces sparkled dully, and there was an occasional glint of gilt.

up to a particular time

From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”

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

From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”

create by training and teaching

From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.

a source of difficulty

From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.

plural of “vehicle” — a conveyance that transports people or objects

From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.

any of various kinds of wheeled vehicles drawn by an animal or a tractor

From this reading The leading waggon could be more plainly seen.

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

From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.

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

From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.

belonging to which person

From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.

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

From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”

in a curious and questioning manner

From this reading “It’s a reg’lar circus cart,” said Brickett, wonderingly.

marked by wrinkles

From this reading A GRIMY, wrinkled and slouchy elephant, pudging ahead and straining at his rusty harness, followed by eight horses plodding two and two, was drawing a train of vehicles whose outlines were almost hidden by the dust cloud rolling up from under the scuffing hoofs.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading AND TROUBLE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS “Go ask your mother for fifteen cents To see the elephant jump the fence, He jumps so high that he’ll hit the sky, And he won’t come down till the Fourth of July.”