used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A DASH FOR FREEDOM.
aeroplanenoun
an aircraft that has a fixed wing and is powered by propellers or jets
From this reading Most of the town was at the circus, attracted, doubtless, by the prospect of a big, free aeroplane flight.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The performance had commenced, and the spaces outside the tents in which it was going on were almost deserted.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The performance had commenced, and the spaces outside the tents in which it was going on were almost deserted.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading To Ned's intense relief, the little cortege did not attract much attention as it passed down the street.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Most of the town was at the circus, attracted, doubtless, by the prospect of a big, free aeroplane flight.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading To Ned's intense relief, the little cortege did not attract much attention as it passed down the street.
attractverbUS /əˈtrækt/
direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
From this reading To Ned's intense relief, the little cortege did not attract much attention as it passed down the street.
past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
From this reading Most of the town was at the circus, attracted, doubtless, by the prospect of a big, free aeroplane flight.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Most of the town was at the circus, attracted, doubtless, by the prospect of a big, free aeroplane flight.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Most of the town was at the circus, attracted, doubtless, by the prospect of a big, free aeroplane flight.
circusnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəs/
a travelling company of entertainers; including trained animals
From this reading Most of the town was at the circus, attracted, doubtless, by the prospect of a big, free aeroplane flight.
past form of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The performance had commenced, and the spaces outside the tents in which it was going on were almost deserted.
cortegenounUS /kɔːrˈteʒ/
a funeral procession
From this reading To Ned's intense relief, the little cortege did not attract much attention as it passed down the street.
DASHverbUS /dæʃ/
run or move very quickly or hastily
From this reading A DASH FOR FREEDOM.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading The performance had commenced, and the spaces outside the tents in which it was going on were almost deserted.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading To Ned's intense relief, the little cortege did not attract much attention as it passed down the street.
without doubt; certainly
From this reading Most of the town was at the circus, attracted, doubtless, by the prospect of a big, free aeroplane flight.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading To Ned's intense relief, the little cortege did not attract much attention as it passed down the street.
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading Most of the town was at the circus, attracted, doubtless, by the prospect of a big, free aeroplane flight.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A DASH FOR FREEDOM.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading Most of the town was at the circus, attracted, doubtless, by the prospect of a big, free aeroplane flight.
the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints
From this reading A DASH FOR FREEDOM.
the act of departing
From this reading The performance had commenced, and the spaces outside the tents in which it was going on were almost deserted.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading At last they reached the circus grounds.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The performance had commenced, and the spaces outside the tents in which it was going on were almost deserted.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The performance had commenced, and the spaces outside the tents in which it was going on were almost deserted.
possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree
From this reading To Ned's intense relief, the little cortege did not attract much attention as it passed down the street.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading To Ned's intense relief, the little cortege did not attract much attention as it passed down the street.
immediately past
From this reading At last they reached the circus grounds.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading To Ned's intense relief, the little cortege did not attract much attention as it passed down the street.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Most of the town was at the circus, attracted, doubtless, by the prospect of a big, free aeroplane flight.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading To Ned's intense relief, the little cortege did not attract much attention as it passed down the street.
Ned's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To Ned's intense relief, the little cortege did not attract much attention as it passed down the street.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading To Ned's intense relief, the little cortege did not attract much attention as it passed down the street.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Most of the town was at the circus, attracted, doubtless, by the prospect of a big, free aeroplane flight.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The performance had commenced, and the spaces outside the tents in which it was going on were almost deserted.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading The performance had commenced, and the spaces outside the tents in which it was going on were almost deserted.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading To Ned's intense relief, the little cortege did not attract much attention as it passed down the street.
performancenounUS /pərˈfɔːrməns/
a dramatic or musical entertainment
From this reading The performance had commenced, and the spaces outside the tents in which it was going on were almost deserted.
the possibility of future success
From this reading Most of the town was at the circus, attracted, doubtless, by the prospect of a big, free aeroplane flight.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading At last they reached the circus grounds.
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading To Ned's intense relief, the little cortege did not attract much attention as it passed down the street.
spacesnounUS /ˈspeɪsəz/
plural of “space” — the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading The performance had commenced, and the spaces outside the tents in which it was going on were almost deserted.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading To Ned's intense relief, the little cortege did not attract much attention as it passed down the street.
tentsnounUS /tents/
plural of “tent” — a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)
From this reading The performance had commenced, and the spaces outside the tents in which it was going on were almost deserted.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading To Ned's intense relief, the little cortege did not attract much attention as it passed down the street.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At last they reached the circus grounds.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To Ned's intense relief, the little cortege did not attract much attention as it passed down the street.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Most of the town was at the circus, attracted, doubtless, by the prospect of a big, free aeroplane flight.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Most of the town was at the circus, attracted, doubtless, by the prospect of a big, free aeroplane flight.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The performance had commenced, and the spaces outside the tents in which it was going on were almost deserted.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The performance had commenced, and the spaces outside the tents in which it was going on were almost deserted.
