AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading DOING A DOUBLE SOMERSAULT Cool, confident a troop of motley fools and clean-limbed performers filed out from the dressing tent, on past the bandstand and across the arena to the place where the springboard had been rigged, with a mat two feet thick a short distance beyond it.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "What about?" smiled the lad, tugging away at his tights.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading DOING A DOUBLE SOMERSAULT Cool, confident a troop of motley fools and clean-limbed performers filed out from the dressing tent, on past the bandstand and across the arena to the place where the springboard had been rigged, with a mat two feet thick a short distance beyond it.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading DOING A DOUBLE SOMERSAULT Cool, confident a troop of motley fools and clean-limbed performers filed out from the dressing tent, on past the bandstand and across the arena to the place where the springboard had been rigged, with a mat two feet thick a short distance beyond it.
arenanounUS /ərˈiːnə/
a particular environment or walk of life
From this reading DOING A DOUBLE SOMERSAULT Cool, confident a troop of motley fools and clean-limbed performers filed out from the dressing tent, on past the bandstand and across the arena to the place where the springboard had been rigged, with a mat two feet thick a short distance beyond it.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "What about?" smiled the lad, tugging away at his tights.
awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading "What about?" smiled the lad, tugging away at his tights.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Mr. Sparling, in the meantime, was patting Phil on the back.
bandstandnounUS /ˈbændstænd/
a platform where a (brass) band can play in the open air
From this reading DOING A DOUBLE SOMERSAULT Cool, confident a troop of motley fools and clean-limbed performers filed out from the dressing tent, on past the bandstand and across the arena to the place where the springboard had been rigged, with a mat two feet thick a short distance beyond it.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading DOING A DOUBLE SOMERSAULT Cool, confident a troop of motley fools and clean-limbed performers filed out from the dressing tent, on past the bandstand and across the arena to the place where the springboard had been rigged, with a mat two feet thick a short distance beyond it.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading DOING A DOUBLE SOMERSAULT Cool, confident a troop of motley fools and clean-limbed performers filed out from the dressing tent, on past the bandstand and across the arena to the place where the springboard had been rigged, with a mat two feet thick a short distance beyond it.
clean-limbedadjective
having well-proportioned limbs
From this reading DOING A DOUBLE SOMERSAULT Cool, confident a troop of motley fools and clean-limbed performers filed out from the dressing tent, on past the bandstand and across the arena to the place where the springboard had been rigged, with a mat two feet thick a short distance beyond it.
confidentadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnfədənt/
having or marked by confidence or assurance
From this reading DOING A DOUBLE SOMERSAULT Cool, confident a troop of motley fools and clean-limbed performers filed out from the dressing tent, on past the bandstand and across the arena to the place where the springboard had been rigged, with a mat two feet thick a short distance beyond it.
CooladjectiveUS /kuːl/
neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat
From this reading DOING A DOUBLE SOMERSAULT Cool, confident a troop of motley fools and clean-limbed performers filed out from the dressing tent, on past the bandstand and across the arena to the place where the springboard had been rigged, with a mat two feet thick a short distance beyond it.
distancenounUS /ˈdɪstəns/
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading DOING A DOUBLE SOMERSAULT Cool, confident a troop of motley fools and clean-limbed performers filed out from the dressing tent, on past the bandstand and across the arena to the place where the springboard had been rigged, with a mat two feet thick a short distance beyond it.
DOINGverbUS /ˈduːɪŋ/
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading DOING A DOUBLE SOMERSAULT Cool, confident a troop of motley fools and clean-limbed performers filed out from the dressing tent, on past the bandstand and across the arena to the place where the springboard had been rigged, with a mat two feet thick a short distance beyond it.
DOUBLEverbUS /ˈdʌbəl/
increase twofold
From this reading DOING A DOUBLE SOMERSAULT Cool, confident a troop of motley fools and clean-limbed performers filed out from the dressing tent, on past the bandstand and across the arena to the place where the springboard had been rigged, with a mat two feet thick a short distance beyond it.
dressingnounUS /ˈdresɪŋ/
savory dressings for salads; basically of two kinds: either the thin French or vinaigrette type or the creamy mayonnaise type
From this reading DOING A DOUBLE SOMERSAULT Cool, confident a troop of motley fools and clean-limbed performers filed out from the dressing tent, on past the bandstand and across the arena to the place where the springboard had been rigged, with a mat two feet thick a short distance beyond it.
feetnounUS /fiːt/
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading DOING A DOUBLE SOMERSAULT Cool, confident a troop of motley fools and clean-limbed performers filed out from the dressing tent, on past the bandstand and across the arena to the place where the springboard had been rigged, with a mat two feet thick a short distance beyond it.
filedverbUS /faɪld/
past form of “file” — record in a public office or in a court of law
From this reading DOING A DOUBLE SOMERSAULT Cool, confident a troop of motley fools and clean-limbed performers filed out from the dressing tent, on past the bandstand and across the arena to the place where the springboard had been rigged, with a mat two feet thick a short distance beyond it.
foolsnounUS /fuːlz/
plural of “fool” — a person who lacks good judgment
From this reading DOING A DOUBLE SOMERSAULT Cool, confident a troop of motley fools and clean-limbed performers filed out from the dressing tent, on past the bandstand and across the arena to the place where the springboard had been rigged, with a mat two feet thick a short distance beyond it.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading DOING A DOUBLE SOMERSAULT Cool, confident a troop of motley fools and clean-limbed performers filed out from the dressing tent, on past the bandstand and across the arena to the place where the springboard had been rigged, with a mat two feet thick a short distance beyond it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading DOING A DOUBLE SOMERSAULT Cool, confident a troop of motley fools and clean-limbed performers filed out from the dressing tent, on past the bandstand and across the arena to the place where the springboard had been rigged, with a mat two feet thick a short distance beyond it.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "I'm in a quandary, Phil," he said.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "What about?" smiled the lad, tugging away at his tights.
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm in a quandary, Phil," he said.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mr. Sparling, in the meantime, was patting Phil on the back.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading DOING A DOUBLE SOMERSAULT Cool, confident a troop of motley fools and clean-limbed performers filed out from the dressing tent, on past the bandstand and across the arena to the place where the springboard had been rigged, with a mat two feet thick a short distance beyond it.
ladnounUS /læd/
a boy or man
From this reading "What about?" smiled the lad, tugging away at his tights.
marchedverbUS /mɑːrtʃt/
past form of “march” — march in a procession
From this reading With them proudly marched Teddy Tucker.
matnounUS /mæt/
a thick flat pad used as a floor covering
From this reading DOING A DOUBLE SOMERSAULT Cool, confident a troop of motley fools and clean-limbed performers filed out from the dressing tent, on past the bandstand and across the arena to the place where the springboard had been rigged, with a mat two feet thick a short distance beyond it.
meantimenounUS /ˈmiːntaɪm/
the time between one event, process, or period and another
From this reading Mr. Sparling, in the meantime, was patting Phil on the back.
motleynounUS /ˈmɑːtli/
a collection containing a variety of sorts of things
From this reading DOING A DOUBLE SOMERSAULT Cool, confident a troop of motley fools and clean-limbed performers filed out from the dressing tent, on past the bandstand and across the arena to the place where the springboard had been rigged, with a mat two feet thick a short distance beyond it.
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Sparling, in the meantime, was patting Phil on the back.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading DOING A DOUBLE SOMERSAULT Cool, confident a troop of motley fools and clean-limbed performers filed out from the dressing tent, on past the bandstand and across the arena to the place where the springboard had been rigged, with a mat two feet thick a short distance beyond it.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading DOING A DOUBLE SOMERSAULT Cool, confident a troop of motley fools and clean-limbed performers filed out from the dressing tent, on past the bandstand and across the arena to the place where the springboard had been rigged, with a mat two feet thick a short distance beyond it.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading DOING A DOUBLE SOMERSAULT Cool, confident a troop of motley fools and clean-limbed performers filed out from the dressing tent, on past the bandstand and across the arena to the place where the springboard had been rigged, with a mat two feet thick a short distance beyond it.
pastnounUS /pæst/
the time that has elapsed
From this reading DOING A DOUBLE SOMERSAULT Cool, confident a troop of motley fools and clean-limbed performers filed out from the dressing tent, on past the bandstand and across the arena to the place where the springboard had been rigged, with a mat two feet thick a short distance beyond it.
pattingverbUS /ˈpætɪŋ/
inflected form of “pat” — pat or squeeze fondly or playfully, especially under the chin
From this reading Mr. Sparling, in the meantime, was patting Phil on the back.
performersnounUS /pərˈfɔːrmərz/
plural of “performer” — an entertainer who performs a dramatic or musical work for an audience
From this reading DOING A DOUBLE SOMERSAULT Cool, confident a troop of motley fools and clean-limbed performers filed out from the dressing tent, on past the bandstand and across the arena to the place where the springboard had been rigged, with a mat two feet thick a short distance beyond it.
Phil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Sparling, in the meantime, was patting Phil on the back.
placenounUS /pleɪs/
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading DOING A DOUBLE SOMERSAULT Cool, confident a troop of motley fools and clean-limbed performers filed out from the dressing tent, on past the bandstand and across the arena to the place where the springboard had been rigged, with a mat two feet thick a short distance beyond it.
proudlyadverbUS /ˈpraʊdli/
with pride; in a proud manner
From this reading With them proudly marched Teddy Tucker.
quandarynounUS /ˈkwɑːndəri/
a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one
From this reading "I'm in a quandary, Phil," he said.
riggedadjectiveUS /rɪɡd/
fitted or equipped with necessary rigging (sails and shrouds and stays etc)
From this reading DOING A DOUBLE SOMERSAULT Cool, confident a troop of motley fools and clean-limbed performers filed out from the dressing tent, on past the bandstand and across the arena to the place where the springboard had been rigged, with a mat two feet thick a short distance beyond it.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I'm in a quandary, Phil," he said.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔːrt/
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading DOING A DOUBLE SOMERSAULT Cool, confident a troop of motley fools and clean-limbed performers filed out from the dressing tent, on past the bandstand and across the arena to the place where the springboard had been rigged, with a mat two feet thick a short distance beyond it.
smiledverbUS /smaɪld/
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading "What about?" smiled the lad, tugging away at his tights.
SOMERSAULTnounUS /ˈsʌmərsɔːlt/
an acrobatic feat in which the feet roll over the head (either forward or backward) and return
From this reading DOING A DOUBLE SOMERSAULT Cool, confident a troop of motley fools and clean-limbed performers filed out from the dressing tent, on past the bandstand and across the arena to the place where the springboard had been rigged, with a mat two feet thick a short distance beyond it.
SparlingnounUS /ˈspɑːrlɪŋ/
common smelt of Europe
From this reading Mr. Sparling, in the meantime, was patting Phil on the back.
springboardnounUS /ˈsprɪŋbɔːrd/
a flexible board for jumping upward
From this reading DOING A DOUBLE SOMERSAULT Cool, confident a troop of motley fools and clean-limbed performers filed out from the dressing tent, on past the bandstand and across the arena to the place where the springboard had been rigged, with a mat two feet thick a short distance beyond it.
TeddynounUS /ˈtedi/
plaything consisting of a child's toy bear (usually plush and stuffed with soft materials)
From this reading With them proudly marched Teddy Tucker.
tentnounUS /tent/
a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)
From this reading DOING A DOUBLE SOMERSAULT Cool, confident a troop of motley fools and clean-limbed performers filed out from the dressing tent, on past the bandstand and across the arena to the place where the springboard had been rigged, with a mat two feet thick a short distance beyond it.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading DOING A DOUBLE SOMERSAULT Cool, confident a troop of motley fools and clean-limbed performers filed out from the dressing tent, on past the bandstand and across the arena to the place where the springboard had been rigged, with a mat two feet thick a short distance beyond it.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading With them proudly marched Teddy Tucker.
thickadjectiveUS /θɪk/
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading DOING A DOUBLE SOMERSAULT Cool, confident a troop of motley fools and clean-limbed performers filed out from the dressing tent, on past the bandstand and across the arena to the place where the springboard had been rigged, with a mat two feet thick a short distance beyond it.
tightsnounUS /taɪts/
skintight knit hose covering the body from the waist to the feet worn by acrobats and dancers and as stockings by women and girls
From this reading "What about?" smiled the lad, tugging away at his tights.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading DOING A DOUBLE SOMERSAULT Cool, confident a troop of motley fools and clean-limbed performers filed out from the dressing tent, on past the bandstand and across the arena to the place where the springboard had been rigged, with a mat two feet thick a short distance beyond it.
troopnounUS /truːp/
a group of soldiers
From this reading DOING A DOUBLE SOMERSAULT Cool, confident a troop of motley fools and clean-limbed performers filed out from the dressing tent, on past the bandstand and across the arena to the place where the springboard had been rigged, with a mat two feet thick a short distance beyond it.
TuckernounUS /ˈtʌkər/
United States anarchist influential before World War I (1854-1939)
From this reading With them proudly marched Teddy Tucker.
tuggingverbUS /ˈtʌɡɪŋ/
inflected form of “tug” — pull hard
From this reading "What about?" smiled the lad, tugging away at his tights.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading DOING A DOUBLE SOMERSAULT Cool, confident a troop of motley fools and clean-limbed performers filed out from the dressing tent, on past the bandstand and across the arena to the place where the springboard had been rigged, with a mat two feet thick a short distance beyond it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mr. Sparling, in the meantime, was patting Phil on the back.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What about?" smiled the lad, tugging away at his tights.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading DOING A DOUBLE SOMERSAULT Cool, confident a troop of motley fools and clean-limbed performers filed out from the dressing tent, on past the bandstand and across the arena to the place where the springboard had been rigged, with a mat two feet thick a short distance beyond it.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading DOING A DOUBLE SOMERSAULT Cool, confident a troop of motley fools and clean-limbed performers filed out from the dressing tent, on past the bandstand and across the arena to the place where the springboard had been rigged, with a mat two feet thick a short distance beyond it.
