used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading Grif alone accepted the new decree with equanimity.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Later on, in the shrubbery, it was discussed freely enough, Jim inveighing noisily against the evil of not fulfilling promises that had been definitely made.
(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 ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Grif alone accepted the new decree with equanimity.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He preached open defiance and gained nothing thereby save a gloomy threat from Edward that if he didn’t shut up his head would be smacked.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Later on, in the shrubbery, it was discussed freely enough, Jim inveighing noisily against the evil of not fulfilling promises that had been definitely made.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
cagenounUS /keɪdʒ/
an enclosure made or wire or metal bars in which birds or animals can be kept
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
circusnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəs/
a travelling company of entertainers; including trained animals
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
having or capable of producing colors
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
deckedverbUS /dekt/
past form of “deck” — be beautiful to look at
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
decreeverbUS /dɪˈkriː/
issue a decree
From this reading Grif alone accepted the new decree with equanimity.
defiancenounUS /dɪˈfaɪəns/
intentionally contemptuous behavior or attitude
From this reading He preached open defiance and gained nothing thereby save a gloomy threat from Edward that if he didn’t shut up his head would be smacked.
definitelyadverbUS /ˈdefənətli/
without question and beyond doubt
From this reading Later on, in the shrubbery, it was discussed freely enough, Jim inveighing noisily against the evil of not fulfilling promises that had been definitely made.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He preached open defiance and gained nothing thereby save a gloomy threat from Edward that if he didn’t shut up his head would be smacked.
a feeling of dissatisfaction that results when your expectations are not realized
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
discussedverbUS /dɪˈskʌst/
past form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading Later on, in the shrubbery, it was discussed freely enough, Jim inveighing noisily against the evil of not fulfilling promises that had been definitely made.
plural of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
dubiousadjectiveUS /ˈduːbiəs/
fraught with uncertainty or doubt
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
King of England and Ireland in 1936; his marriage to Wallis Warfield Simpson created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication (1894-1972)
From this reading He preached open defiance and gained nothing thereby save a gloomy threat from Edward that if he didn’t shut up his head would be smacked.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Later on, in the shrubbery, it was discussed freely enough, Jim inveighing noisily against the evil of not fulfilling promises that had been definitely made.
equanimitynounUS /ˌek.wəˈnɪm.ə.t̬i/
Mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation.
From this reading Grif alone accepted the new decree with equanimity.
morally objectionable behavior
From this reading Later on, in the shrubbery, it was discussed freely enough, Jim inveighing noisily against the evil of not fulfilling promises that had been definitely made.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
in a free manner
From this reading Later on, in the shrubbery, it was discussed freely enough, Jim inveighing noisily against the evil of not fulfilling promises that had been definitely made.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He preached open defiance and gained nothing thereby save a gloomy threat from Edward that if he didn’t shut up his head would be smacked.
fulfillingverbUS /fʊlˈfɪlɪŋ/
inflected form of “fulfil” — put in effect
From this reading Later on, in the shrubbery, it was discussed freely enough, Jim inveighing noisily against the evil of not fulfilling promises that had been definitely made.
past form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading He preached open defiance and gained nothing thereby save a gloomy threat from Edward that if he didn’t shut up his head would be smacked.
depressingly dark
From this reading He preached open defiance and gained nothing thereby save a gloomy threat from Edward that if he didn’t shut up his head would be smacked.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
Grif
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grif alone accepted the new decree with equanimity.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Later on, in the shrubbery, it was discussed freely enough, Jim inveighing noisily against the evil of not fulfilling promises that had been definitely made.
hastauxiliary verbUS /hæst/
an old form of “have”, used with “thou”
From this reading POUNCER ‘Wherefore hast thou left me now?’
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He preached open defiance and gained nothing thereby save a gloomy threat from Edward that if he didn’t shut up his head would be smacked.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading He preached open defiance and gained nothing thereby save a gloomy threat from Edward that if he didn’t shut up his head would be smacked.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He preached open defiance and gained nothing thereby save a gloomy threat from Edward that if he didn’t shut up his head would be smacked.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
the quality of being humane
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He preached open defiance and gained nothing thereby save a gloomy threat from Edward that if he didn’t shut up his head would be smacked.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
inveighing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later on, in the shrubbery, it was discussed freely enough, Jim inveighing noisily against the evil of not fulfilling promises that had been definitely made.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later on, in the shrubbery, it was discussed freely enough, Jim inveighing noisily against the evil of not fulfilling promises that had been definitely made.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading Later on, in the shrubbery, it was discussed freely enough, Jim inveighing noisily against the evil of not fulfilling promises that had been definitely made.
leanverbUS /liːn/
to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading POUNCER ‘Wherefore hast thou left me now?’
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Later on, in the shrubbery, it was discussed freely enough, Jim inveighing noisily against the evil of not fulfilling promises that had been definitely made.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading POUNCER ‘Wherefore hast thou left me now?’
monkeynounUS /ˈmʌŋki/
any of various long-tailed primates (excluding the prosimians)
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Grif alone accepted the new decree with equanimity.
information about recent and important events
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
noisilyadverbUS /ˈnɔɪzəli/
with much noise or loud and unpleasant sound
From this reading Later on, in the shrubbery, it was discussed freely enough, Jim inveighing noisily against the evil of not fulfilling promises that had been definitely made.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading He preached open defiance and gained nothing thereby save a gloomy threat from Edward that if he didn’t shut up his head would be smacked.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading POUNCER ‘Wherefore hast thou left me now?’
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Later on, in the shrubbery, it was discussed freely enough, Jim inveighing noisily against the evil of not fulfilling promises that had been definitely made.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading He preached open defiance and gained nothing thereby save a gloomy threat from Edward that if he didn’t shut up his head would be smacked.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
performingnounUS /pərˈfɔːrmɪŋ/
the performance of a part or role in a drama
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
POUNCER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading POUNCER ‘Wherefore hast thou left me now?’
preachedverbUS /priːtʃt/
past form of “preach” — deliver a sermon
From this reading He preached open defiance and gained nothing thereby save a gloomy threat from Edward that if he didn’t shut up his head would be smacked.
promisesnounUS /ˈprɑːməsəz/
plural of “promise” — a verbal commitment by one person to another agreeing to do (or not to do) something in the future
From this reading Later on, in the shrubbery, it was discussed freely enough, Jim inveighing noisily against the evil of not fulfilling promises that had been definitely made.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
except for; apart from
From this reading He preached open defiance and gained nothing thereby save a gloomy threat from Edward that if he didn’t shut up his head would be smacked.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
ShelleynounUS /ˈʃeli/
English writer who created Frankenstein's monster and married Percy Bysshe Shelley (1797-1851)
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
shrubberynounUS /ˈʃrʌbəri/
an area where a number of shrubs are planted
From this reading Later on, in the shrubbery, it was discussed freely enough, Jim inveighing noisily against the evil of not fulfilling promises that had been definitely made.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading He preached open defiance and gained nothing thereby save a gloomy threat from Edward that if he didn’t shut up his head would be smacked.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
smackedverbUS /smækt/
past form of “smack” — deliver a hard blow to
From this reading He preached open defiance and gained nothing thereby save a gloomy threat from Edward that if he didn’t shut up his head would be smacked.
sorryadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːri/
feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
specimensnounUS /ˈspesəmənz/
plural of “specimen” — an example regarded as typical of its class
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
therebyadverbUS /ˈðerˈbaɪ/
by that means or because of that
From this reading He preached open defiance and gained nothing thereby save a gloomy threat from Edward that if he didn’t shut up his head would be smacked.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
an old word for “you”, as the subject, speaking to one person
From this reading POUNCER ‘Wherefore hast thou left me now?’
threatnounUS /θret/
something that is a source of danger
From this reading He preached open defiance and gained nothing thereby save a gloomy threat from Edward that if he didn’t shut up his head would be smacked.
tinselverbUS /ˈtɪnsəl/
impart a cheap brightness to
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
the act of going from one place to another
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
troup
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He preached open defiance and gained nothing thereby save a gloomy threat from Edward that if he didn’t shut up his head would be smacked.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
WhereforeadverbUS /werˈfɔːr/
an old word meaning “why” or “for that reason”
From this reading POUNCER ‘Wherefore hast thou left me now?’
in the company of; together with
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He preached open defiance and gained nothing thereby save a gloomy threat from Edward that if he didn’t shut up his head would be smacked.
but in spite of that
From this reading ――_Shelley._ The circus was but a sorry affair――a poor travelling show, with a few lean horses, a troup of performing dogs, a sick monkey in a cage, and several dubious specimens of humanity decked out in tinsel and colour,――yet the news that after all they were not to go to see it was received in a dead silence of disappointment.
