Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading A train of circus-wagons, strung along a dusty road, in the Santa Clara Valley, crept slowly under the beating heat of a July sun.

the right to enter

From this reading The outer doors of the cages had been opened to give access of air to the panting animals, but with the air came the dust, and the dust annoyed Romulus greatly.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading The outer doors of the cages had been opened to give access of air to the panting animals, but with the air came the dust, and the dust annoyed Romulus greatly.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading The stories in this volume are published with the kind permission of the periodicals in which they originally appeared--_Lippincott's Magazine_, Philadelphia, and the _Overland Monthly_, the _Argonaut_, the _Examiner_, the _News Letter_, and the _Call_, all of San Francisco.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading A train of circus-wagons, strung along a dusty road, in the Santa Clara Valley, crept slowly under the beating heat of a July sun.

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

From this reading The stories in this volume are published with the kind permission of the periodicals in which they originally appeared--_Lippincott's Magazine_, Philadelphia, and the _Overland Monthly_, the _Argonaut_, the _Examiner_, the _News Letter_, and the _Call_, all of San Francisco.

plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading The outer doors of the cages had been opened to give access of air to the panting animals, but with the air came the dust, and the dust annoyed Romulus greatly.

aroused to impatience or anger

From this reading The outer doors of the cages had been opened to give access of air to the panting animals, but with the air came the dust, and the dust annoyed Romulus greatly.

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The stories in this volume are published with the kind permission of the periodicals in which they originally appeared--_Lippincott's Magazine_, Philadelphia, and the _Overland Monthly_, the _Argonaut_, the _Examiner_, the _News Letter_, and the _Call_, all of San Francisco.

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

From this reading The stories in this volume are published with the kind permission of the periodicals in which they originally appeared--_Lippincott's Magazine_, Philadelphia, and the _Overland Monthly_, the _Argonaut_, the _Examiner_, the _News Letter_, and the _Call_, all of San Francisco.

someone engaged in a dangerous but potentially rewarding adventure

From this reading The stories in this volume are published with the kind permission of the periodicals in which they originally appeared--_Lippincott's Magazine_, Philadelphia, and the _Overland Monthly_, the _Argonaut_, the _Examiner_, the _News Letter_, and the _Call_, all of San Francisco.

the act of overcoming or outdoing

From this reading A train of circus-wagons, strung along a dusty road, in the Santa Clara Valley, crept slowly under the beating heat of a July sun.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The outer doors of the cages had been opened to give access of air to the panting animals, but with the air came the dust, and the dust annoyed Romulus greatly.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Never before had he longed for freedom so intensely.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The outer doors of the cages had been opened to give access of air to the panting animals, but with the air came the dust, and the dust annoyed Romulus greatly.

plural of “cage” — an enclosure made or wire or metal bars in which birds or animals can be kept

From this reading The outer doors of the cages had been opened to give access of air to the panting animals, but with the air came the dust, and the dust annoyed Romulus greatly.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The stories in this volume are published with the kind permission of the periodicals in which they originally appeared--_Lippincott's Magazine_, Philadelphia, and the _Overland Monthly_, the _Argonaut_, the _Examiner_, the _News Letter_, and the _Call_, all of San Francisco.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading The outer doors of the cages had been opened to give access of air to the panting animals, but with the air came the dust, and the dust annoyed Romulus greatly.

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

From this reading A train of circus-wagons, strung along a dusty road, in the Santa Clara Valley, crept slowly under the beating heat of a July sun.

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

From this reading A train of circus-wagons, strung along a dusty road, in the Santa Clara Valley, crept slowly under the beating heat of a July sun.

plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible

From this reading The dust rolled in clouds over the gaudy wagons of the menagerie.

inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground

From this reading A train of circus-wagons, strung along a dusty road, in the Santa Clara Valley, crept slowly under the beating heat of a July sun.

plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading The outer doors of the cages had been opened to give access of air to the panting animals, but with the air came the dust, and the dust annoyed Romulus greatly.

remove the dust from

From this reading The dust rolled in clouds over the gaudy wagons of the menagerie.

covered with a layer of dust

From this reading A train of circus-wagons, strung along a dusty road, in the Santa Clara Valley, crept slowly under the beating heat of a July sun.

someone who administers a test to determine your qualifications

From this reading The stories in this volume are published with the kind permission of the periodicals in which they originally appeared--_Lippincott's Magazine_, Philadelphia, and the _Overland Monthly_, the _Argonaut_, the _Examiner_, the _News Letter_, and the _Call_, all of San Francisco.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Never before had he longed for freedom so intensely.

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

From this reading The stories in this volume are published with the kind permission of the periodicals in which they originally appeared--_Lippincott's Magazine_, Philadelphia, and the _Overland Monthly_, the _Argonaut_, the _Examiner_, the _News Letter_, and the _Call_, all of San Francisco.

the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints

From this reading Never before had he longed for freedom so intensely.

tastelessly showy

From this reading The dust rolled in clouds over the gaudy wagons of the menagerie.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading The outer doors of the cages had been opened to give access of air to the panting animals, but with the air came the dust, and the dust annoyed Romulus greatly.

to an extraordinary extent or degree

From this reading The outer doors of the cages had been opened to give access of air to the panting animals, but with the air came the dust, and the dust annoyed Romulus greatly.

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

From this reading The outer doors of the cages had been opened to give access of air to the panting animals, but with the air came the dust, and the dust annoyed Romulus greatly.

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

From this reading Never before had he longed for freedom so intensely.

a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature

From this reading A train of circus-wagons, strung along a dusty road, in the Santa Clara Valley, crept slowly under the beating heat of a July sun.

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

From this reading The stories in this volume are published with the kind permission of the periodicals in which they originally appeared--_Lippincott's Magazine_, Philadelphia, and the _Overland Monthly_, the _Argonaut_, the _Examiner_, the _News Letter_, and the _Call_, all of San Francisco.

to a high degree; extremely; in high concentration or density

From this reading Never before had he longed for freedom so intensely.

the month following June and preceding August

From this reading A train of circus-wagons, strung along a dusty road, in the Santa Clara Valley, crept slowly under the beating heat of a July sun.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading The stories in this volume are published with the kind permission of the periodicals in which they originally appeared--_Lippincott's Magazine_, Philadelphia, and the _Overland Monthly_, the _Argonaut_, the _Examiner_, the _News Letter_, and the _Call_, all of San Francisco.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading The stories in this volume are published with the kind permission of the periodicals in which they originally appeared--_Lippincott's Magazine_, Philadelphia, and the _Overland Monthly_, the _Argonaut_, the _Examiner_, the _News Letter_, and the _Call_, all of San Francisco.

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

From this reading The stories in this volume are published with the kind permission of the periodicals in which they originally appeared--_Lippincott's Magazine_, Philadelphia, and the _Overland Monthly_, the _Argonaut_, the _Examiner_, the _News Letter_, and the _Call_, all of San Francisco.

past form of “long” — desire strongly or persistently

From this reading Never before had he longed for freedom so intensely.

a periodic publication containing pictures and stories and articles of interest to those who purchase it or subscribe to it

From this reading The stories in this volume are published with the kind permission of the periodicals in which they originally appeared--_Lippincott's Magazine_, Philadelphia, and the _Overland Monthly_, the _Argonaut_, the _Examiner_, the _News Letter_, and the _Call_, all of San Francisco.

a collection of live animals for study or display

From this reading The dust rolled in clouds over the gaudy wagons of the menagerie.

a periodical that is published every month (or 12 issues per year)

From this reading The stories in this volume are published with the kind permission of the periodicals in which they originally appeared--_Lippincott's Magazine_, Philadelphia, and the _Overland Monthly_, the _Argonaut_, the _Examiner_, the _News Letter_, and the _Call_, all of San Francisco.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Never before had he longed for freedom so intensely.

information about recent and important events

From this reading The stories in this volume are published with the kind permission of the periodicals in which they originally appeared--_Lippincott's Magazine_, Philadelphia, and the _Overland Monthly_, the _Argonaut_, the _Examiner_, the _News Letter_, and the _Call_, all of San Francisco.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The stories in this volume are published with the kind permission of the periodicals in which they originally appeared--_Lippincott's Magazine_, Philadelphia, and the _Overland Monthly_, the _Argonaut_, the _Examiner_, the _News Letter_, and the _Call_, all of San Francisco.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading The outer doors of the cages had been opened to give access of air to the panting animals, but with the air came the dust, and the dust annoyed Romulus greatly.

in an original manner

From this reading The stories in this volume are published with the kind permission of the periodicals in which they originally appeared--_Lippincott's Magazine_, Philadelphia, and the _Overland Monthly_, the _Argonaut_, the _Examiner_, the _News Letter_, and the _Call_, all of San Francisco.

being on the outside or further from a center

From this reading The outer doors of the cages had been opened to give access of air to the panting animals, but with the air came the dust, and the dust annoyed Romulus greatly.

above and across; more than

From this reading The dust rolled in clouds over the gaudy wagons of the menagerie.

traveling or passing over land

From this reading The stories in this volume are published with the kind permission of the periodicals in which they originally appeared--_Lippincott's Magazine_, Philadelphia, and the _Overland Monthly_, the _Argonaut_, the _Examiner_, the _News Letter_, and the _Call_, all of San Francisco.

breathing heavily (as after exertion)

From this reading The outer doors of the cages had been opened to give access of air to the panting animals, but with the air came the dust, and the dust annoyed Romulus greatly.

plural of “periodical” — a publication that appears at fixed intervals

From this reading The stories in this volume are published with the kind permission of the periodicals in which they originally appeared--_Lippincott's Magazine_, Philadelphia, and the _Overland Monthly_, the _Argonaut_, the _Examiner_, the _News Letter_, and the _Call_, all of San Francisco.

approval to do something

From this reading The stories in this volume are published with the kind permission of the periodicals in which they originally appeared--_Lippincott's Magazine_, Philadelphia, and the _Overland Monthly_, the _Argonaut_, the _Examiner_, the _News Letter_, and the _Call_, all of San Francisco.

the largest city in Pennsylvania; located in the southeastern part of the state on the Delaware river; site of Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed; site of the University of Pennsylvania

From this reading The stories in this volume are published with the kind permission of the periodicals in which they originally appeared--_Lippincott's Magazine_, Philadelphia, and the _Overland Monthly_, the _Argonaut_, the _Examiner_, the _News Letter_, and the _Call_, all of San Francisco.

prepared and printed for distribution and sale

From this reading The stories in this volume are published with the kind permission of the periodicals in which they originally appeared--_Lippincott's Magazine_, Philadelphia, and the _Overland Monthly_, the _Argonaut_, the _Examiner_, the _News Letter_, and the _Call_, all of San Francisco.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading A train of circus-wagons, strung along a dusty road, in the Santa Clara Valley, crept slowly under the beating heat of a July sun.

especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward

From this reading The dust rolled in clouds over the gaudy wagons of the menagerie.

(Roman mythology) founder of Rome; suckled with his twin brother Remus by a wolf after their parents (Mars and Rhea Silvia) abandoned them; Romulus killed Remus in an argument over the building of Rome

From this reading The outer doors of the cages had been opened to give access of air to the panting animals, but with the air came the dust, and the dust annoyed Romulus greatly.

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

From this reading The stories in this volume are published with the kind permission of the periodicals in which they originally appeared--_Lippincott's Magazine_, Philadelphia, and the _Overland Monthly_, the _Argonaut_, the _Examiner_, the _News Letter_, and the _Call_, all of San Francisco.

the legendary patron saint of children; an imaginary being who is thought to bring presents to children at Christmas

From this reading A train of circus-wagons, strung along a dusty road, in the Santa Clara Valley, crept slowly under the beating heat of a July sun.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading A train of circus-wagons, strung along a dusty road, in the Santa Clara Valley, crept slowly under the beating heat of a July sun.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Never before had he longed for freedom so intensely.

plural of “story” — 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 The stories in this volume are published with the kind permission of the periodicals in which they originally appeared--_Lippincott's Magazine_, Philadelphia, and the _Overland Monthly_, the _Argonaut_, the _Examiner_, the _News Letter_, and the _Call_, all of San Francisco.

that is on a string

From this reading A train of circus-wagons, strung along a dusty road, in the Santa Clara Valley, crept slowly under the beating heat of a July sun.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading A train of circus-wagons, strung along a dusty road, in the Santa Clara Valley, crept slowly under the beating heat of a July sun.

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

From this reading The stories in this volume are published with the kind permission of the periodicals in which they originally appeared--_Lippincott's Magazine_, Philadelphia, and the _Overland Monthly_, the _Argonaut_, the _Examiner_, the _News Letter_, and the _Call_, all of San Francisco.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The stories in this volume are published with the kind permission of the periodicals in which they originally appeared--_Lippincott's Magazine_, Philadelphia, and the _Overland Monthly_, the _Argonaut_, the _Examiner_, the _News Letter_, and the _Call_, all of San Francisco.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading The stories in this volume are published with the kind permission of the periodicals in which they originally appeared--_Lippincott's Magazine_, Philadelphia, and the _Overland Monthly_, the _Argonaut_, the _Examiner_, the _News Letter_, and the _Call_, all of San Francisco.

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

From this reading The outer doors of the cages had been opened to give access of air to the panting animals, but with the air came the dust, and the dust annoyed Romulus greatly.

create by training and teaching

From this reading A train of circus-wagons, strung along a dusty road, in the Santa Clara Valley, crept slowly under the beating heat of a July sun.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading A train of circus-wagons, strung along a dusty road, in the Santa Clara Valley, crept slowly under the beating heat of a July sun.

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading A train of circus-wagons, strung along a dusty road, in the Santa Clara Valley, crept slowly under the beating heat of a July sun.

the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object

From this reading The stories in this volume are published with the kind permission of the periodicals in which they originally appeared--_Lippincott's Magazine_, Philadelphia, and the _Overland Monthly_, the _Argonaut_, the _Examiner_, the _News Letter_, and the _Call_, all of San Francisco.

plural of “wagon” — any of various kinds of wheeled vehicles drawn by an animal or a tractor

From this reading The dust rolled in clouds over the gaudy wagons of the menagerie.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The stories in this volume are published with the kind permission of the periodicals in which they originally appeared--_Lippincott's Magazine_, Philadelphia, and the _Overland Monthly_, the _Argonaut_, the _Examiner_, the _News Letter_, and the _Call_, all of San Francisco.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The stories in this volume are published with the kind permission of the periodicals in which they originally appeared--_Lippincott's Magazine_, Philadelphia, and the _Overland Monthly_, the _Argonaut_, the _Examiner_, the _News Letter_, and the _Call_, all of San Francisco.