used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ROYAL ELEPHANT OF SIAM Prince-Formidable, for such was the name of my ancient companion, reclining not far from me upon a bed of fragrant branches, now told me something of his history, and also instructed me as to my duties of Royal Elephant.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "I am very old, and I am sick, in spite of the white monkeys that you see frisking about up there in the rafters.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading "For several years I have been alone--the only White Elephant--and the greatest anxiety has been felt in Court Circles on this account.
ailmentnounUS /ˈeɪlmənt/
an often persistent bodily disorder or disease; a cause for complaining
From this reading They are kept here to preserve us from evil diseases; but all those who were here with me in this palace died within a few days of each other, of some ailment which they seemed to take from each other, and I, the oldest of all of them, am the only survivor.
(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 They are kept here to preserve us from evil diseases; but all those who were here with me in this palace died within a few days of each other, of some ailment which they seemed to take from each other, and I, the oldest of all of them, am the only survivor.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading "For several years I have been alone--the only White Elephant--and the greatest anxiety has been felt in Court Circles on this account.
in addition
From this reading ROYAL ELEPHANT OF SIAM Prince-Formidable, for such was the name of my ancient companion, reclining not far from me upon a bed of fragrant branches, now told me something of his history, and also instructed me as to my duties of Royal Elephant.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "I am very old, and I am sick, in spite of the white monkeys that you see frisking about up there in the rafters.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading ROYAL ELEPHANT OF SIAM Prince-Formidable, for such was the name of my ancient companion, reclining not far from me upon a bed of fragrant branches, now told me something of his history, and also instructed me as to my duties of Royal Elephant.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ROYAL ELEPHANT OF SIAM Prince-Formidable, for such was the name of my ancient companion, reclining not far from me upon a bed of fragrant branches, now told me something of his history, and also instructed me as to my duties of Royal Elephant.
(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic
From this reading "For several years I have been alone--the only White Elephant--and the greatest anxiety has been felt in Court Circles on this account.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They are kept here to preserve us from evil diseases; but all those who were here with me in this palace died within a few days of each other, of some ailment which they seemed to take from each other, and I, the oldest of all of them, am the only survivor.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading ROYAL ELEPHANT OF SIAM Prince-Formidable, for such was the name of my ancient companion, reclining not far from me upon a bed of fragrant branches, now told me something of his history, and also instructed me as to my duties of Royal Elephant.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading ROYAL ELEPHANT OF SIAM Prince-Formidable, for such was the name of my ancient companion, reclining not far from me upon a bed of fragrant branches, now told me something of his history, and also instructed me as to my duties of Royal Elephant.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading "I have been here rather more than one hundred years," said he.
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading ROYAL ELEPHANT OF SIAM Prince-Formidable, for such was the name of my ancient companion, reclining not far from me upon a bed of fragrant branches, now told me something of his history, and also instructed me as to my duties of Royal Elephant.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They are kept here to preserve us from evil diseases; but all those who were here with me in this palace died within a few days of each other, of some ailment which they seemed to take from each other, and I, the oldest of all of them, am the only survivor.
CirclesnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəlz/
plural of “circle” — ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading "For several years I have been alone--the only White Elephant--and the greatest anxiety has been felt in Court Circles on this account.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading ROYAL ELEPHANT OF SIAM Prince-Formidable, for such was the name of my ancient companion, reclining not far from me upon a bed of fragrant branches, now told me something of his history, and also instructed me as to my duties of Royal Elephant.
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading "For several years I have been alone--the only White Elephant--and the greatest anxiety has been felt in Court Circles on this account.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading They are kept here to preserve us from evil diseases; but all those who were here with me in this palace died within a few days of each other, of some ailment which they seemed to take from each other, and I, the oldest of all of them, am the only survivor.
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading They are kept here to preserve us from evil diseases; but all those who were here with me in this palace died within a few days of each other, of some ailment which they seemed to take from each other, and I, the oldest of all of them, am the only survivor.
diseasesnounUS /dɪˈziːzəz/
plural of “disease” — an impairment of health or a condition of abnormal functioning
From this reading They are kept here to preserve us from evil diseases; but all those who were here with me in this palace died within a few days of each other, of some ailment which they seemed to take from each other, and I, the oldest of all of them, am the only survivor.
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading ROYAL ELEPHANT OF SIAM Prince-Formidable, for such was the name of my ancient companion, reclining not far from me upon a bed of fragrant branches, now told me something of his history, and also instructed me as to my duties of Royal Elephant.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading They are kept here to preserve us from evil diseases; but all those who were here with me in this palace died within a few days of each other, of some ailment which they seemed to take from each other, and I, the oldest of all of them, am the only survivor.
ELEPHANTnounUS /ˈeləfənt/
five-toed pachyderm
From this reading ROYAL ELEPHANT OF SIAM Prince-Formidable, for such was the name of my ancient companion, reclining not far from me upon a bed of fragrant branches, now told me something of his history, and also instructed me as to my duties of Royal Elephant.
morally objectionable behavior
From this reading They are kept here to preserve us from evil diseases; but all those who were here with me in this palace died within a few days of each other, of some ailment which they seemed to take from each other, and I, the oldest of all of them, am the only survivor.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading ROYAL ELEPHANT OF SIAM Prince-Formidable, for such was the name of my ancient companion, reclining not far from me upon a bed of fragrant branches, now told me something of his history, and also instructed me as to my duties of Royal Elephant.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading "For several years I have been alone--the only White Elephant--and the greatest anxiety has been felt in Court Circles on this account.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading They are kept here to preserve us from evil diseases; but all those who were here with me in this palace died within a few days of each other, of some ailment which they seemed to take from each other, and I, the oldest of all of them, am the only survivor.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading ROYAL ELEPHANT OF SIAM Prince-Formidable, for such was the name of my ancient companion, reclining not far from me upon a bed of fragrant branches, now told me something of his history, and also instructed me as to my duties of Royal Elephant.
fragrantadjectiveUS /ˈfreɪɡrənt/
pleasant-smelling
From this reading ROYAL ELEPHANT OF SIAM Prince-Formidable, for such was the name of my ancient companion, reclining not far from me upon a bed of fragrant branches, now told me something of his history, and also instructed me as to my duties of Royal Elephant.
friskingnoun
the act of searching someone for concealed weapons or illegal drugs
From this reading "I am very old, and I am sick, in spite of the white monkeys that you see frisking about up there in the rafters.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading ROYAL ELEPHANT OF SIAM Prince-Formidable, for such was the name of my ancient companion, reclining not far from me upon a bed of fragrant branches, now told me something of his history, and also instructed me as to my duties of Royal Elephant.
highest in quality
From this reading "For several years I have been alone--the only White Elephant--and the greatest anxiety has been felt in Court Circles on this account.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "For several years I have been alone--the only White Elephant--and the greatest anxiety has been felt in Court Circles on this account.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "I have been here rather more than one hundred years," said he.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "I have been here rather more than one hundred years," said he.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "I have been here rather more than one hundred years," said he.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading ROYAL ELEPHANT OF SIAM Prince-Formidable, for such was the name of my ancient companion, reclining not far from me upon a bed of fragrant branches, now told me something of his history, and also instructed me as to my duties of Royal Elephant.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading ROYAL ELEPHANT OF SIAM Prince-Formidable, for such was the name of my ancient companion, reclining not far from me upon a bed of fragrant branches, now told me something of his history, and also instructed me as to my duties of Royal Elephant.
ten 10s
From this reading "I have been here rather more than one hundred years," said he.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I have been here rather more than one hundred years," said he.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "I am very old, and I am sick, in spite of the white monkeys that you see frisking about up there in the rafters.
instructedverbUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌktəd/
past form of “instruct” — impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading ROYAL ELEPHANT OF SIAM Prince-Formidable, for such was the name of my ancient companion, reclining not far from me upon a bed of fragrant branches, now told me something of his history, and also instructed me as to my duties of Royal Elephant.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading They are kept here to preserve us from evil diseases; but all those who were here with me in this palace died within a few days of each other, of some ailment which they seemed to take from each other, and I, the oldest of all of them, am the only survivor.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading ROYAL ELEPHANT OF SIAM Prince-Formidable, for such was the name of my ancient companion, reclining not far from me upon a bed of fragrant branches, now told me something of his history, and also instructed me as to my duties of Royal Elephant.
monkeysnounUS /ˈmʌŋkiz/
plural of “monkey” — any of various long-tailed primates (excluding the prosimians)
From this reading "I am very old, and I am sick, in spite of the white monkeys that you see frisking about up there in the rafters.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading "I have been here rather more than one hundred years," said he.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading ROYAL ELEPHANT OF SIAM Prince-Formidable, for such was the name of my ancient companion, reclining not far from me upon a bed of fragrant branches, now told me something of his history, and also instructed me as to my duties of Royal Elephant.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading ROYAL ELEPHANT OF SIAM Prince-Formidable, for such was the name of my ancient companion, reclining not far from me upon a bed of fragrant branches, now told me something of his history, and also instructed me as to my duties of Royal Elephant.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading ROYAL ELEPHANT OF SIAM Prince-Formidable, for such was the name of my ancient companion, reclining not far from me upon a bed of fragrant branches, now told me something of his history, and also instructed me as to my duties of Royal Elephant.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading ROYAL ELEPHANT OF SIAM Prince-Formidable, for such was the name of my ancient companion, reclining not far from me upon a bed of fragrant branches, now told me something of his history, and also instructed me as to my duties of Royal Elephant.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ROYAL ELEPHANT OF SIAM Prince-Formidable, for such was the name of my ancient companion, reclining not far from me upon a bed of fragrant branches, now told me something of his history, and also instructed me as to my duties of Royal Elephant.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading "I am very old, and I am sick, in spite of the white monkeys that you see frisking about up there in the rafters.
oldestadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldəst/
superlative of “old” — (used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading They are kept here to preserve us from evil diseases; but all those who were here with me in this palace died within a few days of each other, of some ailment which they seemed to take from each other, and I, the oldest of all of them, am the only survivor.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "For several years I have been alone--the only White Elephant--and the greatest anxiety has been felt in Court Circles on this account.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "I have been here rather more than one hundred years," said he.
and nothing more
From this reading They are kept here to preserve us from evil diseases; but all those who were here with me in this palace died within a few days of each other, of some ailment which they seemed to take from each other, and I, the oldest of all of them, am the only survivor.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading They are kept here to preserve us from evil diseases; but all those who were here with me in this palace died within a few days of each other, of some ailment which they seemed to take from each other, and I, the oldest of all of them, am the only survivor.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading They are kept here to preserve us from evil diseases; but all those who were here with me in this palace died within a few days of each other, of some ailment which they seemed to take from each other, and I, the oldest of all of them, am the only survivor.
preserveverbUS /prəˈzɜːrv/
keep or maintain in unaltered condition; cause to remain or last
From this reading They are kept here to preserve us from evil diseases; but all those who were here with me in this palace died within a few days of each other, of some ailment which they seemed to take from each other, and I, the oldest of all of them, am the only survivor.
Prince-Formidable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ROYAL ELEPHANT OF SIAM Prince-Formidable, for such was the name of my ancient companion, reclining not far from me upon a bed of fragrant branches, now told me something of his history, and also instructed me as to my duties of Royal Elephant.
raftersnounUS /ˈræftərz/
plural of “rafter” — one of several parallel sloping beams that support a roof
From this reading "I am very old, and I am sick, in spite of the white monkeys that you see frisking about up there in the rafters.
on the contrary
From this reading "I have been here rather more than one hundred years," said he.
recliningnounUS /rɪˈklaɪnɪŋ/
the act of assuming or maintaining a reclining position
From this reading ROYAL ELEPHANT OF SIAM Prince-Formidable, for such was the name of my ancient companion, reclining not far from me upon a bed of fragrant branches, now told me something of his history, and also instructed me as to my duties of Royal Elephant.
ROYALadjectiveUS /ˈrɔɪəl/
of or relating to or indicative of or issued or performed by a king or queen or other monarch
From this reading ROYAL ELEPHANT OF SIAM Prince-Formidable, for such was the name of my ancient companion, reclining not far from me upon a bed of fragrant branches, now told me something of his history, and also instructed me as to my duties of Royal Elephant.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I have been here rather more than one hundred years," said he.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "I am very old, and I am sick, in spite of the white monkeys that you see frisking about up there in the rafters.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading They are kept here to preserve us from evil diseases; but all those who were here with me in this palace died within a few days of each other, of some ailment which they seemed to take from each other, and I, the oldest of all of them, am the only survivor.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading "For several years I have been alone--the only White Elephant--and the greatest anxiety has been felt in Court Circles on this account.
SIAMnounUS /saɪˈæm/
a country of southeastern Asia that extends southward along the Isthmus of Kra to the Malay Peninsula
From this reading ROYAL ELEPHANT OF SIAM Prince-Formidable, for such was the name of my ancient companion, reclining not far from me upon a bed of fragrant branches, now told me something of his history, and also instructed me as to my duties of Royal Elephant.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading "I am very old, and I am sick, in spite of the white monkeys that you see frisking about up there in the rafters.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading They are kept here to preserve us from evil diseases; but all those who were here with me in this palace died within a few days of each other, of some ailment which they seemed to take from each other, and I, the oldest of all of them, am the only survivor.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading ROYAL ELEPHANT OF SIAM Prince-Formidable, for such was the name of my ancient companion, reclining not far from me upon a bed of fragrant branches, now told me something of his history, and also instructed me as to my duties of Royal Elephant.
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading "I am very old, and I am sick, in spite of the white monkeys that you see frisking about up there in the rafters.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading ROYAL ELEPHANT OF SIAM Prince-Formidable, for such was the name of my ancient companion, reclining not far from me upon a bed of fragrant branches, now told me something of his history, and also instructed me as to my duties of Royal Elephant.
survivornounUS /sərˈvaɪvər/
one who lives through affliction
From this reading They are kept here to preserve us from evil diseases; but all those who were here with me in this palace died within a few days of each other, of some ailment which they seemed to take from each other, and I, the oldest of all of them, am the only survivor.
carry out
From this reading They are kept here to preserve us from evil diseases; but all those who were here with me in this palace died within a few days of each other, of some ailment which they seemed to take from each other, and I, the oldest of all of them, am the only survivor.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading "I have been here rather more than one hundred years," said he.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "I am very old, and I am sick, in spite of the white monkeys that you see frisking about up there in the rafters.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ROYAL ELEPHANT OF SIAM Prince-Formidable, for such was the name of my ancient companion, reclining not far from me upon a bed of fragrant branches, now told me something of his history, and also instructed me as to my duties of Royal Elephant.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They are kept here to preserve us from evil diseases; but all those who were here with me in this palace died within a few days of each other, of some ailment which they seemed to take from each other, and I, the oldest of all of them, am the only survivor.
in or at that place or location
From this reading "I am very old, and I am sick, in spite of the white monkeys that you see frisking about up there in the rafters.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They are kept here to preserve us from evil diseases; but all those who were here with me in this palace died within a few days of each other, of some ailment which they seemed to take from each other, and I, the oldest of all of them, am the only survivor.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading They are kept here to preserve us from evil diseases; but all those who were here with me in this palace died within a few days of each other, of some ailment which they seemed to take from each other, and I, the oldest of all of them, am the only survivor.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading They are kept here to preserve us from evil diseases; but all those who were here with me in this palace died within a few days of each other, of some ailment which they seemed to take from each other, and I, the oldest of all of them, am the only survivor.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ROYAL ELEPHANT OF SIAM Prince-Formidable, for such was the name of my ancient companion, reclining not far from me upon a bed of fragrant branches, now told me something of his history, and also instructed me as to my duties of Royal Elephant.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading ROYAL ELEPHANT OF SIAM Prince-Formidable, for such was the name of my ancient companion, reclining not far from me upon a bed of fragrant branches, now told me something of his history, and also instructed me as to my duties of Royal Elephant.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "I am very old, and I am sick, in spite of the white monkeys that you see frisking about up there in the rafters.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading ROYAL ELEPHANT OF SIAM Prince-Formidable, for such was the name of my ancient companion, reclining not far from me upon a bed of fragrant branches, now told me something of his history, and also instructed me as to my duties of Royal Elephant.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading They are kept here to preserve us from evil diseases; but all those who were here with me in this palace died within a few days of each other, of some ailment which they seemed to take from each other, and I, the oldest of all of them, am the only survivor.
precisely as stated
From this reading "I am very old, and I am sick, in spite of the white monkeys that you see frisking about up there in the rafters.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ROYAL ELEPHANT OF SIAM Prince-Formidable, for such was the name of my ancient companion, reclining not far from me upon a bed of fragrant branches, now told me something of his history, and also instructed me as to my duties of Royal Elephant.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They are kept here to preserve us from evil diseases; but all those who were here with me in this palace died within a few days of each other, of some ailment which they seemed to take from each other, and I, the oldest of all of them, am the only survivor.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They are kept here to preserve us from evil diseases; but all those who were here with me in this palace died within a few days of each other, of some ailment which they seemed to take from each other, and I, the oldest of all of them, am the only survivor.
a Caucasian
From this reading "I am very old, and I am sick, in spite of the white monkeys that you see frisking about up there in the rafters.
which person or people
From this reading They are kept here to preserve us from evil diseases; but all those who were here with me in this palace died within a few days of each other, of some ailment which they seemed to take from each other, and I, the oldest of all of them, am the only survivor.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They are kept here to preserve us from evil diseases; but all those who were here with me in this palace died within a few days of each other, of some ailment which they seemed to take from each other, and I, the oldest of all of them, am the only survivor.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading They are kept here to preserve us from evil diseases; but all those who were here with me in this palace died within a few days of each other, of some ailment which they seemed to take from each other, and I, the oldest of all of them, am the only survivor.
a late time of life
From this reading "I have been here rather more than one hundred years," said he.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I am very old, and I am sick, in spite of the white monkeys that you see frisking about up there in the rafters.
