adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The two smaller boys threw off their coats, hitched up their trousers--always a part of the performance whether necessary or not--and began the high kick, high jump, handspring, somersault, wagon wheel, ending with hand-spring, and bending backwards until their heads touched the ground.
acrobatsnounUS /ˈækrəbæts/
plural of “acrobat” — an athlete who performs acts requiring skill and agility and coordination
From this reading "Boy acrobats," called out the manager, as the manipulator of the "shooting stars" bowed himself out amid the applause of the children.
alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading The two smaller boys threw off their coats, hitched up their trousers--always a part of the performance whether necessary or not--and began the high kick, high jump, handspring, somersault, wagon wheel, ending with hand-spring, and bending backwards until their heads touched the ground.
amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading "Boy acrobats," called out the manager, as the manipulator of the "shooting stars" bowed himself out amid the applause of the children.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was an expert, and changed the swinging of the balls in as many different ways as an expert club-swinger could his clubs.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was an expert, and changed the swinging of the balls in as many different ways as an expert club-swinger could his clubs.
applausenounUS /əˈplɔːz/
a demonstration of approval by clapping the hands together
From this reading "Boy acrobats," called out the manager, as the manipulator of the "shooting stars" bowed himself out amid the applause of the children.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The two boys then clasped each other around the waist, as in the illustration, and each threw the other back over his head a dozen times or more.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was an expert, and changed the swinging of the balls in as many different ways as an expert club-swinger could his clubs.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The two boys then clasped each other around the waist, as in the illustration, and each threw the other back over his head a dozen times or more.
backwardsadverbUS /ˈbækwərdz/
at or to or toward the back or rear
From this reading The two smaller boys threw off their coats, hitched up their trousers--always a part of the performance whether necessary or not--and began the high kick, high jump, handspring, somersault, wagon wheel, ending with hand-spring, and bending backwards until their heads touched the ground.
ballsnounUS /bɔːlz/
plural of “ball” — round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading He was an expert, and changed the swinging of the balls in as many different ways as an expert club-swinger could his clubs.
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The two smaller boys threw off their coats, hitched up their trousers--always a part of the performance whether necessary or not--and began the high kick, high jump, handspring, somersault, wagon wheel, ending with hand-spring, and bending backwards until their heads touched the ground.
benchesnounUS /ˈbentʃɪz/
plural of “bench” — a long seat for more than one person
From this reading One of them stood on two benches a foot high, put a handkerchief on the ground, and bending backwards, picked it up with his teeth.
bendingnounUS /ˈbendɪŋ/
movement that causes the formation of a curve
From this reading The two smaller boys threw off their coats, hitched up their trousers--always a part of the performance whether necessary or not--and began the high kick, high jump, handspring, somersault, wagon wheel, ending with hand-spring, and bending backwards until their heads touched the ground.
bowedadjectiveUS /baʊd/
of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow
From this reading "Boy acrobats," called out the manager, as the manipulator of the "shooting stars" bowed himself out amid the applause of the children.
BoynounUS /bɔɪ/
a youthful male person
From this reading "Boy acrobats," called out the manager, as the manipulator of the "shooting stars" bowed himself out amid the applause of the children.
boysnounUS /bɔɪz/
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading The two smaller boys threw off their coats, hitched up their trousers--always a part of the performance whether necessary or not--and began the high kick, high jump, handspring, somersault, wagon wheel, ending with hand-spring, and bending backwards until their heads touched the ground.
calledverbUS /kɔːld/
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading "Boy acrobats," called out the manager, as the manipulator of the "shooting stars" bowed himself out amid the applause of the children.
changedadjectiveUS /tʃeɪndʒd/
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading He was an expert, and changed the swinging of the balls in as many different ways as an expert club-swinger could his clubs.
childrennounUS /ˈtʃɪldrən/
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading "Boy acrobats," called out the manager, as the manipulator of the "shooting stars" bowed himself out amid the applause of the children.
claspedverbUS /klæspt/
past form of “clasp” — hold firmly and tightly
From this reading The two boys then clasped each other around the waist, as in the illustration, and each threw the other back over his head a dozen times or more.
club-swinger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was an expert, and changed the swinging of the balls in as many different ways as an expert club-swinger could his clubs.
clubsnounUS /klʌbz/
plural of “club” — a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together
From this reading He was an expert, and changed the swinging of the balls in as many different ways as an expert club-swinger could his clubs.
coatsnounUS /koʊts/
plural of “coat” — an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading The two smaller boys threw off their coats, hitched up their trousers--always a part of the performance whether necessary or not--and began the high kick, high jump, handspring, somersault, wagon wheel, ending with hand-spring, and bending backwards until their heads touched the ground.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He was an expert, and changed the swinging of the balls in as many different ways as an expert club-swinger could his clubs.
differentadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfərənt/
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading He was an expert, and changed the swinging of the balls in as many different ways as an expert club-swinger could his clubs.
dozennounUS /ˈdʌzən/
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading The two boys then clasped each other around the waist, as in the illustration, and each threw the other back over his head a dozen times or more.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading The two boys then clasped each other around the waist, as in the illustration, and each threw the other back over his head a dozen times or more.
endingnounUS /ˈendɪŋ/
the end of a word (a suffix or inflectional ending or final morpheme)
From this reading The two smaller boys threw off their coats, hitched up their trousers--always a part of the performance whether necessary or not--and began the high kick, high jump, handspring, somersault, wagon wheel, ending with hand-spring, and bending backwards until their heads touched the ground.
expertadjectiveUS /ˈekspərt/
having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
From this reading He was an expert, and changed the swinging of the balls in as many different ways as an expert club-swinger could his clubs.
footnounUS /fʊt/
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading One of them stood on two benches a foot high, put a handkerchief on the ground, and bending backwards, picked it up with his teeth.
groundnounUS /ɡraʊnd/
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading The two smaller boys threw off their coats, hitched up their trousers--always a part of the performance whether necessary or not--and began the high kick, high jump, handspring, somersault, wagon wheel, ending with hand-spring, and bending backwards until their heads touched the ground.
hand-spring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two smaller boys threw off their coats, hitched up their trousers--always a part of the performance whether necessary or not--and began the high kick, high jump, handspring, somersault, wagon wheel, ending with hand-spring, and bending backwards until their heads touched the ground.
handkerchiefnounUS /ˈhæŋkərtʃɪf/
a square piece of cloth used for wiping the eyes or nose or as a costume accessory
From this reading One of them stood on two benches a foot high, put a handkerchief on the ground, and bending backwards, picked it up with his teeth.
handspringnoun
an acrobatic feat in which a person goes from a standing position to a handstand and back again
From this reading The two smaller boys threw off their coats, hitched up their trousers--always a part of the performance whether necessary or not--and began the high kick, high jump, handspring, somersault, wagon wheel, ending with hand-spring, and bending backwards until their heads touched the ground.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was an expert, and changed the swinging of the balls in as many different ways as an expert club-swinger could his clubs.
headnounUS /hed/
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The two boys then clasped each other around the waist, as in the illustration, and each threw the other back over his head a dozen times or more.
headsnounUS /hedz/
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The two smaller boys threw off their coats, hitched up their trousers--always a part of the performance whether necessary or not--and began the high kick, high jump, handspring, somersault, wagon wheel, ending with hand-spring, and bending backwards until their heads touched the ground.
highadjectiveUS /haɪ/
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The two smaller boys threw off their coats, hitched up their trousers--always a part of the performance whether necessary or not--and began the high kick, high jump, handspring, somersault, wagon wheel, ending with hand-spring, and bending backwards until their heads touched the ground.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading "Boy acrobats," called out the manager, as the manipulator of the "shooting stars" bowed himself out amid the applause of the children.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was an expert, and changed the swinging of the balls in as many different ways as an expert club-swinger could his clubs.
hitchedverbUS /hɪtʃt/
past form of “hitch” — to hook or entangle
From this reading The two smaller boys threw off their coats, hitched up their trousers--always a part of the performance whether necessary or not--and began the high kick, high jump, handspring, somersault, wagon wheel, ending with hand-spring, and bending backwards until their heads touched the ground.
illustrationnounUS /ˌɪləˈstreɪʃən/
artwork that helps make something clear or attractive
From this reading The two boys then clasped each other around the waist, as in the illustration, and each threw the other back over his head a dozen times or more.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was an expert, and changed the swinging of the balls in as many different ways as an expert club-swinger could his clubs.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading One of them stood on two benches a foot high, put a handkerchief on the ground, and bending backwards, picked it up with his teeth.
jumpverbUS /dʒʌmp/
move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading The two smaller boys threw off their coats, hitched up their trousers--always a part of the performance whether necessary or not--and began the high kick, high jump, handspring, somersault, wagon wheel, ending with hand-spring, and bending backwards until their heads touched the ground.
kickverbUS /kɪk/
drive or propel with the foot
From this reading The two smaller boys threw off their coats, hitched up their trousers--always a part of the performance whether necessary or not--and began the high kick, high jump, handspring, somersault, wagon wheel, ending with hand-spring, and bending backwards until their heads touched the ground.
managernounUS /ˈmænədʒər/
someone who controls resources and expenditures
From this reading "Boy acrobats," called out the manager, as the manipulator of the "shooting stars" bowed himself out amid the applause of the children.
manipulatornounUS /məˈnɪpjəleɪtər/
an agent that operates some apparatus or machine
From this reading "Boy acrobats," called out the manager, as the manipulator of the "shooting stars" bowed himself out amid the applause of the children.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading He was an expert, and changed the swinging of the balls in as many different ways as an expert club-swinger could his clubs.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The two boys then clasped each other around the waist, as in the illustration, and each threw the other back over his head a dozen times or more.
necessaryadjectiveUS /ˈnesəseri/
absolutely essential
From this reading The two smaller boys threw off their coats, hitched up their trousers--always a part of the performance whether necessary or not--and began the high kick, high jump, handspring, somersault, wagon wheel, ending with hand-spring, and bending backwards until their heads touched the ground.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The two smaller boys threw off their coats, hitched up their trousers--always a part of the performance whether necessary or not--and began the high kick, high jump, handspring, somersault, wagon wheel, ending with hand-spring, and bending backwards until their heads touched the ground.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was an expert, and changed the swinging of the balls in as many different ways as an expert club-swinger could his clubs.
offadverbUS /ɔːf/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The two smaller boys threw off their coats, hitched up their trousers--always a part of the performance whether necessary or not--and began the high kick, high jump, handspring, somersault, wagon wheel, ending with hand-spring, and bending backwards until their heads touched the ground.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading One of them stood on two benches a foot high, put a handkerchief on the ground, and bending backwards, picked it up with his teeth.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One of them stood on two benches a foot high, put a handkerchief on the ground, and bending backwards, picked it up with his teeth.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The two smaller boys threw off their coats, hitched up their trousers--always a part of the performance whether necessary or not--and began the high kick, high jump, handspring, somersault, wagon wheel, ending with hand-spring, and bending backwards until their heads touched the ground.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The two boys then clasped each other around the waist, as in the illustration, and each threw the other back over his head a dozen times or more.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading "Boy acrobats," called out the manager, as the manipulator of the "shooting stars" bowed himself out amid the applause of the children.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The two boys then clasped each other around the waist, as in the illustration, and each threw the other back over his head a dozen times or more.
partnounUS /pɑːrt/
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The two smaller boys threw off their coats, hitched up their trousers--always a part of the performance whether necessary or not--and began the high kick, high jump, handspring, somersault, wagon wheel, ending with hand-spring, and bending backwards until their heads touched the ground.
performancenounUS /pərˈfɔːrməns/
a dramatic or musical entertainment
From this reading The two smaller boys threw off their coats, hitched up their trousers--always a part of the performance whether necessary or not--and began the high kick, high jump, handspring, somersault, wagon wheel, ending with hand-spring, and bending backwards until their heads touched the ground.
pickedverbUS /pɪkt/
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
From this reading One of them stood on two benches a foot high, put a handkerchief on the ground, and bending backwards, picked it up with his teeth.
putverbUS /pʊt/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading One of them stood on two benches a foot high, put a handkerchief on the ground, and bending backwards, picked it up with his teeth.
shootingnounUS /ˈʃuːtɪŋ/
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading "Boy acrobats," called out the manager, as the manipulator of the "shooting stars" bowed himself out amid the applause of the children.
smalleradjectiveUS /ˈsmɔːlər/
small or little relative to something else
From this reading The two smaller boys threw off their coats, hitched up their trousers--always a part of the performance whether necessary or not--and began the high kick, high jump, handspring, somersault, wagon wheel, ending with hand-spring, and bending backwards until their heads touched the ground.
somersaultnounUS /ˈsʌmərsɔːlt/
an acrobatic feat in which the feet roll over the head (either forward or backward) and return
From this reading The two smaller boys threw off their coats, hitched up their trousers--always a part of the performance whether necessary or not--and began the high kick, high jump, handspring, somersault, wagon wheel, ending with hand-spring, and bending backwards until their heads touched the ground.
starsnounUS /stɑːrz/
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading "Boy acrobats," called out the manager, as the manipulator of the "shooting stars" bowed himself out amid the applause of the children.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading One of them stood on two benches a foot high, put a handkerchief on the ground, and bending backwards, picked it up with his teeth.
swingingnounUS /ˈswɪŋɪŋ/
changing location by moving back and forth
From this reading He was an expert, and changed the swinging of the balls in as many different ways as an expert club-swinger could his clubs.
teethnounUS /tiːθ/
the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal
From this reading One of them stood on two benches a foot high, put a handkerchief on the ground, and bending backwards, picked it up with his teeth.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He was an expert, and changed the swinging of the balls in as many different ways as an expert club-swinger could his clubs.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The two smaller boys threw off their coats, hitched up their trousers--always a part of the performance whether necessary or not--and began the high kick, high jump, handspring, somersault, wagon wheel, ending with hand-spring, and bending backwards until their heads touched the ground.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading One of them stood on two benches a foot high, put a handkerchief on the ground, and bending backwards, picked it up with his teeth.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The two boys then clasped each other around the waist, as in the illustration, and each threw the other back over his head a dozen times or more.
threwverbUS /θruː/
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading The two smaller boys threw off their coats, hitched up their trousers--always a part of the performance whether necessary or not--and began the high kick, high jump, handspring, somersault, wagon wheel, ending with hand-spring, and bending backwards until their heads touched the ground.
timesnounUS /taɪmz/
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading The two boys then clasped each other around the waist, as in the illustration, and each threw the other back over his head a dozen times or more.
touchedadjectiveUS /tʌtʃt/
having come into contact
From this reading The two smaller boys threw off their coats, hitched up their trousers--always a part of the performance whether necessary or not--and began the high kick, high jump, handspring, somersault, wagon wheel, ending with hand-spring, and bending backwards until their heads touched the ground.
trousersnounUS /ˈtraʊzərz/
(usually in the plural) a garment extending from the waist to the knee or ankle, covering each leg separately
From this reading The two smaller boys threw off their coats, hitched up their trousers--always a part of the performance whether necessary or not--and began the high kick, high jump, handspring, somersault, wagon wheel, ending with hand-spring, and bending backwards until their heads touched the ground.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The two smaller boys threw off their coats, hitched up their trousers--always a part of the performance whether necessary or not--and began the high kick, high jump, handspring, somersault, wagon wheel, ending with hand-spring, and bending backwards until their heads touched the ground.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The two smaller boys threw off their coats, hitched up their trousers--always a part of the performance whether necessary or not--and began the high kick, high jump, handspring, somersault, wagon wheel, ending with hand-spring, and bending backwards until their heads touched the ground.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The two smaller boys threw off their coats, hitched up their trousers--always a part of the performance whether necessary or not--and began the high kick, high jump, handspring, somersault, wagon wheel, ending with hand-spring, and bending backwards until their heads touched the ground.
wagonnounUS /ˈwæɡən/
any of various kinds of wheeled vehicles drawn by an animal or a tractor
From this reading The two smaller boys threw off their coats, hitched up their trousers--always a part of the performance whether necessary or not--and began the high kick, high jump, handspring, somersault, wagon wheel, ending with hand-spring, and bending backwards until their heads touched the ground.
waistnounUS /weɪst/
the narrowing of the body between the ribs and hips
From this reading The two boys then clasped each other around the waist, as in the illustration, and each threw the other back over his head a dozen times or more.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was an expert, and changed the swinging of the balls in as many different ways as an expert club-swinger could his clubs.
waysnounUS /weɪz/
structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired
From this reading He was an expert, and changed the swinging of the balls in as many different ways as an expert club-swinger could his clubs.
wheelverbUS /wiːl/
change directions as if revolving on a pivot
From this reading The two smaller boys threw off their coats, hitched up their trousers--always a part of the performance whether necessary or not--and began the high kick, high jump, handspring, somersault, wagon wheel, ending with hand-spring, and bending backwards until their heads touched the ground.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading The two smaller boys threw off their coats, hitched up their trousers--always a part of the performance whether necessary or not--and began the high kick, high jump, handspring, somersault, wagon wheel, ending with hand-spring, and bending backwards until their heads touched the ground.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The two smaller boys threw off their coats, hitched up their trousers--always a part of the performance whether necessary or not--and began the high kick, high jump, handspring, somersault, wagon wheel, ending with hand-spring, and bending backwards until their heads touched the ground.
