used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Reilly & Lee Co. Chicago In the center of the "big top," which sheltered the mammoth three-ring circus, brass horns blared to the rhythmic beat of a huge bass drum.
actorsnounUS /ˈæktərz/
plural of “actor” — a theatrical performer
From this reading Eight trained elephants, giant actors of the sawdust ring, patiently stood in line, awaiting the command to make way for the tumblers, trapeze performers, bareback riders and the queen of the circus.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The twins, Marjory and Margaret MacDonald, just past ten years of age, and attending their first circus, stood pressed against the rope not an arm's length from the foremost elephant.
how long something has existed
From this reading The twins, Marjory and Margaret MacDonald, just past ten years of age, and attending their first circus, stood pressed against the rope not an arm's length from the foremost elephant.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The twins, Marjory and Margaret MacDonald, just past ten years of age, and attending their first circus, stood pressed against the rope not an arm's length from the foremost elephant.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Eight trained elephants, giant actors of the sawdust ring, patiently stood in line, awaiting the command to make way for the tumblers, trapeze performers, bareback riders and the queen of the circus.
arm'snounUS /ɑːrmz/
possessive form of “arm” — a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading The twins, Marjory and Margaret MacDonald, just past ten years of age, and attending their first circus, stood pressed against the rope not an arm's length from the foremost elephant.
attendingnounUS /əˈtendɪŋ/
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading The twins, Marjory and Margaret MacDonald, just past ten years of age, and attending their first circus, stood pressed against the rope not an arm's length from the foremost elephant.
awaitingverbUS /əˈweɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “await” — look forward to the probable occurrence of
From this reading Eight trained elephants, giant actors of the sawdust ring, patiently stood in line, awaiting the command to make way for the tumblers, trapeze performers, bareback riders and the queen of the circus.
barebackadjective
riding without a saddle
From this reading Eight trained elephants, giant actors of the sawdust ring, patiently stood in line, awaiting the command to make way for the tumblers, trapeze performers, bareback riders and the queen of the circus.
bassnounUS /bæs/
the lowest part of the musical range
From this reading The Reilly & Lee Co. Chicago In the center of the "big top," which sheltered the mammoth three-ring circus, brass horns blared to the rhythmic beat of a huge bass drum.
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading The Reilly & Lee Co. Chicago In the center of the "big top," which sheltered the mammoth three-ring circus, brass horns blared to the rhythmic beat of a huge bass drum.
beseechingadjectiveUS /biˈsiːtʃɪŋ/
begging
From this reading Suddenly the gigantic creature reached out a beseeching trunk for a possible peanut.
in addition to; as well as
From this reading Sensing danger, Johnny Thompson, the one-time lightweight boxing champion, who, besides their maid, stood guard over the millionaire twins, sprang forward.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The Reilly & Lee Co. Chicago In the center of the "big top," which sheltered the mammoth three-ring circus, brass horns blared to the rhythmic beat of a huge bass drum.
blaredverbUS /blerd/
past form of “blare” — make a strident sound
From this reading The Reilly & Lee Co. Chicago In the center of the "big top," which sheltered the mammoth three-ring circus, brass horns blared to the rhythmic beat of a huge bass drum.
boxingnounUS /ˈbɑːksɪŋ/
fighting with the fists
From this reading Sensing danger, Johnny Thompson, the one-time lightweight boxing champion, who, besides their maid, stood guard over the millionaire twins, sprang forward.
brassnounUS /bræs/
an alloy of copper and zinc
From this reading The Reilly & Lee Co. Chicago In the center of the "big top," which sheltered the mammoth three-ring circus, brass horns blared to the rhythmic beat of a huge bass drum.
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading The Reilly & Lee Co. Chicago In the center of the "big top," which sheltered the mammoth three-ring circus, brass horns blared to the rhythmic beat of a huge bass drum.
championnounUS /ˈtʃæmpiən/
someone who has won first place in a competition
From this reading Sensing danger, Johnny Thompson, the one-time lightweight boxing champion, who, besides their maid, stood guard over the millionaire twins, sprang forward.
ChicagonounUS /ʃəˈkɑːɡoʊ/
largest city in Illinois; a bustling Great Lakes port that extends 26 miles along the southwestern shoreline of Lake Michigan
From this reading The Reilly & Lee Co. Chicago In the center of the "big top," which sheltered the mammoth three-ring circus, brass horns blared to the rhythmic beat of a huge bass drum.
circusnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəs/
a travelling company of entertainers; including trained animals
From this reading The Reilly & Lee Co. Chicago In the center of the "big top," which sheltered the mammoth three-ring circus, brass horns blared to the rhythmic beat of a huge bass drum.
ConounUS /koʊ/
an odorless very poisonous gas that is a product of incomplete combustion of carbon
From this reading The Reilly & Lee Co. Chicago In the center of the "big top," which sheltered the mammoth three-ring circus, brass horns blared to the rhythmic beat of a huge bass drum.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading Eight trained elephants, giant actors of the sawdust ring, patiently stood in line, awaiting the command to make way for the tumblers, trapeze performers, bareback riders and the queen of the circus.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading Suddenly the gigantic creature reached out a beseeching trunk for a possible peanut.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading Sensing danger, Johnny Thompson, the one-time lightweight boxing champion, who, besides their maid, stood guard over the millionaire twins, sprang forward.
drumnounUS /drʌm/
a musical percussion instrument; usually consists of a hollow cylinder with a membrane stretched across each end
From this reading The Reilly & Lee Co. Chicago In the center of the "big top," which sheltered the mammoth three-ring circus, brass horns blared to the rhythmic beat of a huge bass drum.
being one more than seven
From this reading Eight trained elephants, giant actors of the sawdust ring, patiently stood in line, awaiting the command to make way for the tumblers, trapeze performers, bareback riders and the queen of the circus.
elephantnounUS /ˈeləfənt/
five-toed pachyderm
From this reading The twins, Marjory and Margaret MacDonald, just past ten years of age, and attending their first circus, stood pressed against the rope not an arm's length from the foremost elephant.
elephantsnounUS /ˈeləfənts/
plural of “elephant” — five-toed pachyderm
From this reading Eight trained elephants, giant actors of the sawdust ring, patiently stood in line, awaiting the command to make way for the tumblers, trapeze performers, bareback riders and the queen of the circus.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The twins, Marjory and Margaret MacDonald, just past ten years of age, and attending their first circus, stood pressed against the rope not an arm's length from the foremost elephant.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Eight trained elephants, giant actors of the sawdust ring, patiently stood in line, awaiting the command to make way for the tumblers, trapeze performers, bareback riders and the queen of the circus.
foremostadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrmoʊst/
ranking above all others
From this reading The twins, Marjory and Margaret MacDonald, just past ten years of age, and attending their first circus, stood pressed against the rope not an arm's length from the foremost elephant.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading Sensing danger, Johnny Thompson, the one-time lightweight boxing champion, who, besides their maid, stood guard over the millionaire twins, sprang forward.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The twins, Marjory and Margaret MacDonald, just past ten years of age, and attending their first circus, stood pressed against the rope not an arm's length from the foremost elephant.
any creature of exceptional size
From this reading Eight trained elephants, giant actors of the sawdust ring, patiently stood in line, awaiting the command to make way for the tumblers, trapeze performers, bareback riders and the queen of the circus.
giganticadjectiveUS /dʒaɪˈɡæntɪk/
so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth
From this reading Suddenly the gigantic creature reached out a beseeching trunk for a possible peanut.
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading Sensing danger, Johnny Thompson, the one-time lightweight boxing champion, who, besides their maid, stood guard over the millionaire twins, sprang forward.
hornsnounUS /hɔːrnz/
plural of “horn” — a noisemaker (as at parties or games) that makes a loud noise when you blow through it
From this reading The Reilly & Lee Co. Chicago In the center of the "big top," which sheltered the mammoth three-ring circus, brass horns blared to the rhythmic beat of a huge bass drum.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading The Reilly & Lee Co. Chicago In the center of the "big top," which sheltered the mammoth three-ring circus, brass horns blared to the rhythmic beat of a huge bass drum.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Reilly & Lee Co. Chicago In the center of the "big top," which sheltered the mammoth three-ring circus, brass horns blared to the rhythmic beat of a huge bass drum.
“Johnny” was applied as a nickname for Confederate soldiers by the Federal soldiers in the American Civil War; “greyback” derived from their grey Confederate uniforms
From this reading Sensing danger, Johnny Thompson, the one-time lightweight boxing champion, who, besides their maid, stood guard over the millionaire twins, sprang forward.
and nothing more
From this reading The twins, Marjory and Margaret MacDonald, just past ten years of age, and attending their first circus, stood pressed against the rope not an arm's length from the foremost elephant.
United States filmmaker whose works explore the richness of black culture in America (born in 1957)
From this reading The Reilly & Lee Co. Chicago In the center of the "big top," which sheltered the mammoth three-ring circus, brass horns blared to the rhythmic beat of a huge bass drum.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading The twins, Marjory and Margaret MacDonald, just past ten years of age, and attending their first circus, stood pressed against the rope not an arm's length from the foremost elephant.
lightweightnounUS /ˈlaɪˈtweɪt/
a professional boxer who weighs between 131 and 135 pounds
From this reading Sensing danger, Johnny Thompson, the one-time lightweight boxing champion, who, besides their maid, stood guard over the millionaire twins, sprang forward.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading Eight trained elephants, giant actors of the sawdust ring, patiently stood in line, awaiting the command to make way for the tumblers, trapeze performers, bareback riders and the queen of the circus.
MacDonald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The twins, Marjory and Margaret MacDonald, just past ten years of age, and attending their first circus, stood pressed against the rope not an arm's length from the foremost elephant.
a female domestic
From this reading Sensing danger, Johnny Thompson, the one-time lightweight boxing champion, who, besides their maid, stood guard over the millionaire twins, sprang forward.
engage in
From this reading Eight trained elephants, giant actors of the sawdust ring, patiently stood in line, awaiting the command to make way for the tumblers, trapeze performers, bareback riders and the queen of the circus.
mammothadjectiveUS /ˈmæməθ/
so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth
From this reading The Reilly & Lee Co. Chicago In the center of the "big top," which sheltered the mammoth three-ring circus, brass horns blared to the rhythmic beat of a huge bass drum.
Margaret
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The twins, Marjory and Margaret MacDonald, just past ten years of age, and attending their first circus, stood pressed against the rope not an arm's length from the foremost elephant.
Marjory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The twins, Marjory and Margaret MacDonald, just past ten years of age, and attending their first circus, stood pressed against the rope not an arm's length from the foremost elephant.
millionairenounUS /ˌmɪljəˈner/
a person whose material wealth is valued at more than a million dollars
From this reading Sensing danger, Johnny Thompson, the one-time lightweight boxing champion, who, besides their maid, stood guard over the millionaire twins, sprang forward.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The twins, Marjory and Margaret MacDonald, just past ten years of age, and attending their first circus, stood pressed against the rope not an arm's length from the foremost elephant.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Reilly & Lee Co. Chicago In the center of the "big top," which sheltered the mammoth three-ring circus, brass horns blared to the rhythmic beat of a huge bass drum.
one-timeadjectiveUS /ˈwʌnˈtaɪm/
belonging to some prior time
From this reading Sensing danger, Johnny Thompson, the one-time lightweight boxing champion, who, besides their maid, stood guard over the millionaire twins, sprang forward.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Suddenly the gigantic creature reached out a beseeching trunk for a possible peanut.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Sensing danger, Johnny Thompson, the one-time lightweight boxing champion, who, besides their maid, stood guard over the millionaire twins, sprang forward.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading The twins, Marjory and Margaret MacDonald, just past ten years of age, and attending their first circus, stood pressed against the rope not an arm's length from the foremost elephant.
patientlyadverbUS /ˈpeɪʃəntli/
with patience; in a patient manner
From this reading Eight trained elephants, giant actors of the sawdust ring, patiently stood in line, awaiting the command to make way for the tumblers, trapeze performers, bareback riders and the queen of the circus.
peanutnounUS /ˈpiːnət/
underground pod of the peanut vine
From this reading Suddenly the gigantic creature reached out a beseeching trunk for a possible peanut.
performersnounUS /pərˈfɔːrmərz/
plural of “performer” — an entertainer who performs a dramatic or musical work for an audience
From this reading Eight trained elephants, giant actors of the sawdust ring, patiently stood in line, awaiting the command to make way for the tumblers, trapeze performers, bareback riders and the queen of the circus.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading Suddenly the gigantic creature reached out a beseeching trunk for a possible peanut.
compacted by ironing
From this reading The twins, Marjory and Margaret MacDonald, just past ten years of age, and attending their first circus, stood pressed against the rope not an arm's length from the foremost elephant.
the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs
From this reading Eight trained elephants, giant actors of the sawdust ring, patiently stood in line, awaiting the command to make way for the tumblers, trapeze performers, bareback riders and the queen of the circus.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Suddenly the gigantic creature reached out a beseeching trunk for a possible peanut.
Reilly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Reilly & Lee Co. Chicago In the center of the "big top," which sheltered the mammoth three-ring circus, brass horns blared to the rhythmic beat of a huge bass drum.
rhythmicadjectiveUS /ˈrɪðmɪk/
recurring with measured regularity
From this reading The Reilly & Lee Co. Chicago In the center of the "big top," which sheltered the mammoth three-ring circus, brass horns blared to the rhythmic beat of a huge bass drum.
ridersnounUS /ˈraɪdərz/
plural of “rider” — a traveler who actively rides an animal (as a horse or camel)
From this reading Eight trained elephants, giant actors of the sawdust ring, patiently stood in line, awaiting the command to make way for the tumblers, trapeze performers, bareback riders and the queen of the circus.
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading Eight trained elephants, giant actors of the sawdust ring, patiently stood in line, awaiting the command to make way for the tumblers, trapeze performers, bareback riders and the queen of the circus.
a strong line
From this reading The twins, Marjory and Margaret MacDonald, just past ten years of age, and attending their first circus, stood pressed against the rope not an arm's length from the foremost elephant.
sawdustnounUS /ˈsɔːdʌst/
fine particles of wood made by sawing wood
From this reading Eight trained elephants, giant actors of the sawdust ring, patiently stood in line, awaiting the command to make way for the tumblers, trapeze performers, bareback riders and the queen of the circus.
SensingnounUS /ˈsensɪŋ/
the perception that something has occurred or some state exists
From this reading Sensing danger, Johnny Thompson, the one-time lightweight boxing champion, who, besides their maid, stood guard over the millionaire twins, sprang forward.
shelteredadjectiveUS /ˈʃeltərd/
protected from danger or bad weather
From this reading The Reilly & Lee Co. Chicago In the center of the "big top," which sheltered the mammoth three-ring circus, brass horns blared to the rhythmic beat of a huge bass drum.
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading Sensing danger, Johnny Thompson, the one-time lightweight boxing champion, who, besides their maid, stood guard over the millionaire twins, sprang forward.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Eight trained elephants, giant actors of the sawdust ring, patiently stood in line, awaiting the command to make way for the tumblers, trapeze performers, bareback riders and the queen of the circus.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Suddenly the gigantic creature reached out a beseeching trunk for a possible peanut.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading The twins, Marjory and Margaret MacDonald, just past ten years of age, and attending their first circus, stood pressed against the rope not an arm's length from the foremost elephant.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Reilly & Lee Co. Chicago In the center of the "big top," which sheltered the mammoth three-ring circus, brass horns blared to the rhythmic beat of a huge bass drum.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The twins, Marjory and Margaret MacDonald, just past ten years of age, and attending their first circus, stood pressed against the rope not an arm's length from the foremost elephant.
ThompsonnounUS /ˈtɑːmpsən/
United States classical archaeologist (born in Canada) noted for leading the excavation of the Athenian agora (1906-2000)
From this reading Sensing danger, Johnny Thompson, the one-time lightweight boxing champion, who, besides their maid, stood guard over the millionaire twins, sprang forward.
three-ring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Reilly & Lee Co. Chicago In the center of the "big top," which sheltered the mammoth three-ring circus, brass horns blared to the rhythmic beat of a huge bass drum.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Reilly & Lee Co. Chicago In the center of the "big top," which sheltered the mammoth three-ring circus, brass horns blared to the rhythmic beat of a huge bass drum.
the upper part of anything
From this reading The Reilly & Lee Co. Chicago In the center of the "big top," which sheltered the mammoth three-ring circus, brass horns blared to the rhythmic beat of a huge bass drum.
trainedadjectiveUS /treɪnd/
shaped or conditioned or disciplined by training; often used as a combining form
From this reading Eight trained elephants, giant actors of the sawdust ring, patiently stood in line, awaiting the command to make way for the tumblers, trapeze performers, bareback riders and the queen of the circus.
trapezenounUS /trəˈpiːz/
a swing used by circus acrobats
From this reading Eight trained elephants, giant actors of the sawdust ring, patiently stood in line, awaiting the command to make way for the tumblers, trapeze performers, bareback riders and the queen of the circus.
the main stem of a tree; usually covered with bark; the bole is usually the part that is commercially useful for lumber
From this reading Suddenly the gigantic creature reached out a beseeching trunk for a possible peanut.
tumblersnounUS /ˈtʌmblərz/
plural of “tumbler” — a gymnast who performs rolls and somersaults and twists etc.
From this reading Eight trained elephants, giant actors of the sawdust ring, patiently stood in line, awaiting the command to make way for the tumblers, trapeze performers, bareback riders and the queen of the circus.
twinsnounUS /twɪnz/
(mineralogy) two interwoven crystals that are mirror images on each other
From this reading The twins, Marjory and Margaret MacDonald, just past ten years of age, and attending their first circus, stood pressed against the rope not an arm's length from the foremost elephant.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Eight trained elephants, giant actors of the sawdust ring, patiently stood in line, awaiting the command to make way for the tumblers, trapeze performers, bareback riders and the queen of the circus.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The Reilly & Lee Co. Chicago In the center of the "big top," which sheltered the mammoth three-ring circus, brass horns blared to the rhythmic beat of a huge bass drum.
which person or people
From this reading Sensing danger, Johnny Thompson, the one-time lightweight boxing champion, who, besides their maid, stood guard over the millionaire twins, sprang forward.
a late time of life
From this reading The twins, Marjory and Margaret MacDonald, just past ten years of age, and attending their first circus, stood pressed against the rope not an arm's length from the foremost elephant.
