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Billy Whiskers at the Circus
Billy Whiskers at the Circus

Chapter VII

Cover illustration for Billy Whiskers at the Circus
Context Illustration Reading 1/17 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE ELEPHANT’S TRUNK There was even a larger crowd standing around the elephants than in front of the lions’ cage.
It took Billy a minute or two to wiggle his way through.
While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.
Without in the least intending it, he brushed against the skirts of a young lady who with her best beau was taking in the sights.
She glanced down to see what the trouble was and, of course, discovered our Billy.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Billy Whiskers at the Circus

Chapter VII

Reading 1/17 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE ELEPHANT’S TRUNK There was even a larger crowd standing around the elephants than in front of the lions’ cage.
Line 2
It took Billy a minute or two to wiggle his way through.
Line 3
While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.
Line 4
Without in the least intending it, he brushed against the skirts of a young lady who with her best beau was taking in the sights.
Line 5
She glanced down to see what the trouble was and, of course, discovered our Billy.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Against preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “Without in the least intending it, he brushed against the skirts of a young lady who with her best beau was taking in the sights.”

Around preposition US /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading “THE ELEPHANT’S TRUNK There was even a larger crowd standing around the elephants than in front of the lions’ cage.”

Believe noun US /ˈbelieve/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.”

Course noun US /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She glanced down to see what the trouble was and, of course, discovered our Billy.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE ELEPHANT’S TRUNK There was even a larger crowd standing around the elephants than in front of the lions’ cage.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.”

Least noun US /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Without in the least intending it, he brushed against the skirts of a young lady who with her best beau was taking in the sights.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.”

Standing noun US /ˈstanding/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “THE ELEPHANT’S TRUNK There was even a larger crowd standing around the elephants than in front of the lions’ cage.”

Thing noun US /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “It took Billy a minute or two to wiggle his way through.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It took Billy a minute or two to wiggle his way through.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “Without in the least intending it, he brushed against the skirts of a young lady who with her best beau was taking in the sights.”

All words in this reading · 89

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading THE ELEPHANT’S TRUNK There was even a larger crowd standing around the elephants than in front of the lions’ cage.

adventures

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Without in the least intending it, he brushed against the skirts of a young lady who with her best beau was taking in the sights.

all

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.

aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading THE ELEPHANT’S TRUNK There was even a larger crowd standing around the elephants than in front of the lions’ cage.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.

beau

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Without in the least intending it, he brushed against the skirts of a young lady who with her best beau was taking in the sights.

behavior

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.

believenounUS /ˈbelieve/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.

best

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Without in the least intending it, he brushed against the skirts of a young lady who with her best beau was taking in the sights.

Billy

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It took Billy a minute or two to wiggle his way through.

bringing

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.

brushed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Without in the least intending it, he brushed against the skirts of a young lady who with her best beau was taking in the sights.

cage

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE ELEPHANT’S TRUNK There was even a larger crowd standing around the elephants than in front of the lions’ cage.

calculations

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.

came

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.

Circus

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She glanced down to see what the trouble was and, of course, discovered our Billy.

crowd

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE ELEPHANT’S TRUNK There was even a larger crowd standing around the elephants than in front of the lions’ cage.

day

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.

discovered

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She glanced down to see what the trouble was and, of course, discovered our Billy.

doing

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.

down

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She glanced down to see what the trouble was and, of course, discovered our Billy.

ELEPHANT'S

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE ELEPHANT’S TRUNK There was even a larger crowd standing around the elephants than in front of the lions’ cage.

elephants

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE ELEPHANT’S TRUNK There was even a larger crowd standing around the elephants than in front of the lions’ cage.

end

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE ELEPHANT’S TRUNK There was even a larger crowd standing around the elephants than in front of the lions’ cage.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.

front

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE ELEPHANT’S TRUNK There was even a larger crowd standing around the elephants than in front of the lions’ cage.

gently

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.

glanced

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She glanced down to see what the trouble was and, of course, discovered our Billy.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.

happened

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Without in the least intending it, he brushed against the skirts of a young lady who with her best beau was taking in the sights.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading It took Billy a minute or two to wiggle his way through.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading THE ELEPHANT’S TRUNK There was even a larger crowd standing around the elephants than in front of the lions’ cage.

intending

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Without in the least intending it, he brushed against the skirts of a young lady who with her best beau was taking in the sights.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It took Billy a minute or two to wiggle his way through.

lady

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Without in the least intending it, he brushed against the skirts of a young lady who with her best beau was taking in the sights.

larger

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE ELEPHANT’S TRUNK There was even a larger crowd standing around the elephants than in front of the lions’ cage.

leastnounUS /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Without in the least intending it, he brushed against the skirts of a young lady who with her best beau was taking in the sights.

letter

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.

lions

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE ELEPHANT’S TRUNK There was even a larger crowd standing around the elephants than in front of the lions’ cage.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.

minute

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It took Billy a minute or two to wiggle his way through.

near

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE ELEPHANT’S TRUNK There was even a larger crowd standing around the elephants than in front of the lions’ cage.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It took Billy a minute or two to wiggle his way through.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading She glanced down to see what the trouble was and, of course, discovered our Billy.

quietly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.

red

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.

see

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She glanced down to see what the trouble was and, of course, discovered our Billy.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She glanced down to see what the trouble was and, of course, discovered our Billy.

sights

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Without in the least intending it, he brushed against the skirts of a young lady who with her best beau was taking in the sights.

skirts

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Without in the least intending it, he brushed against the skirts of a young lady who with her best beau was taking in the sights.

standingnounUS /ˈstanding/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading THE ELEPHANT’S TRUNK There was even a larger crowd standing around the elephants than in front of the lions’ cage.

taking

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Without in the least intending it, he brushed against the skirts of a young lady who with her best beau was taking in the sights.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading THE ELEPHANT’S TRUNK There was even a larger crowd standing around the elephants than in front of the lions’ cage.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE ELEPHANT’S TRUNK There was even a larger crowd standing around the elephants than in front of the lions’ cage.

There

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE ELEPHANT’S TRUNK There was even a larger crowd standing around the elephants than in front of the lions’ cage.

thingnounUS /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading It took Billy a minute or two to wiggle his way through.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading It took Billy a minute or two to wiggle his way through.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It took Billy a minute or two to wiggle his way through.

trouble

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She glanced down to see what the trouble was and, of course, discovered our Billy.

TRUNK

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE ELEPHANT’S TRUNK There was even a larger crowd standing around the elephants than in front of the lions’ cage.

two

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It took Billy a minute or two to wiggle his way through.

untimely

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.

upsetting

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading THE ELEPHANT’S TRUNK There was even a larger crowd standing around the elephants than in front of the lions’ cage.

way

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It took Billy a minute or two to wiggle his way through.

well

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading She glanced down to see what the trouble was and, of course, discovered our Billy.

WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Without in the least intending it, he brushed against the skirts of a young lady who with her best beau was taking in the sights.

wiggle

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It took Billy a minute or two to wiggle his way through.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Without in the least intending it, he brushed against the skirts of a young lady who with her best beau was taking in the sights.

WithoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Without in the least intending it, he brushed against the skirts of a young lady who with her best beau was taking in the sights.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading While he was doing this as quietly and gently as he could, for you can well believe that he was on his good behavior, a little thing happened that came near upsetting all his calculations and bringing to an untimely end the adventures of this red letter day at the Circus.

young

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Without in the least intending it, he brushed against the skirts of a young lady who with her best beau was taking in the sights.