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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading But now every man who could be spared from the circus grounds started to race after the fleeing elephant.
Ajax
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From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading But Bill Henyon was not among them.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
animal
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From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
armed
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From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
BAD
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From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
bars
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From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But now every man who could be spared from the circus grounds started to race after the fleeing elephant.
BehindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
big
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From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
Bill
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From this reading But Bill Henyon was not among them.
brute
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From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Bill Henyon was not among them.
came
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From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
Canvasmen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Canvasmen, drivers, trainers, even the trapeze performers, joined in the hunt, and of course Jack, Sam, and several of the other clowns were there.
circus
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From this reading But now every man who could be spared from the circus grounds started to race after the fleeing elephant.
clowns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Canvasmen, drivers, trainers, even the trapeze performers, joined in the hunt, and of course Jack, Sam, and several of the other clowns were there.
clubs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
command
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But now every man who could be spared from the circus grounds started to race after the fleeing elephant.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Canvasmen, drivers, trainers, even the trapeze performers, joined in the hunt, and of course Jack, Sam, and several of the other clowns were there.
cripple
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
dashed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
drivers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Canvasmen, drivers, trainers, even the trapeze performers, joined in the hunt, and of course Jack, Sam, and several of the other clowns were there.
elephant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Canvasmen, drivers, trainers, even the trapeze performers, joined in the hunt, and of course Jack, Sam, and several of the other clowns were there.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading But now every man who could be spared from the circus grounds started to race after the fleeing elephant.
FALL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
fleeing
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From this reading But now every man who could be spared from the circus grounds started to race after the fleeing elephant.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
ground
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
grounds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But now every man who could be spared from the circus grounds started to race after the fleeing elephant.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
Henyon
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From this reading But Bill Henyon was not among them.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
hooks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
hunt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Canvasmen, drivers, trainers, even the trapeze performers, joined in the hunt, and of course Jack, Sam, and several of the other clowns were there.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
iron
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
Jack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Canvasmen, drivers, trainers, even the trapeze performers, joined in the hunt, and of course Jack, Sam, and several of the other clowns were there.
JACK'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
joined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Canvasmen, drivers, trainers, even the trapeze performers, joined in the hunt, and of course Jack, Sam, and several of the other clowns were there.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
maiming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But now every man who could be spared from the circus grounds started to race after the fleeing elephant.
master
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But Bill Henyon was not among them.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But now every man who could be spared from the circus grounds started to race after the fleeing elephant.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Canvasmen, drivers, trainers, even the trapeze performers, joined in the hunt, and of course Jack, Sam, and several of the other clowns were there.
performers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Canvasmen, drivers, trainers, even the trapeze performers, joined in the hunt, and of course Jack, Sam, and several of the other clowns were there.
pitchforks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
race
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But now every man who could be spared from the circus grounds started to race after the fleeing elephant.
ran
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
Sam
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Canvasmen, drivers, trainers, even the trapeze performers, joined in the hunt, and of course Jack, Sam, and several of the other clowns were there.
scorenounUS /score/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
seized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Canvasmen, drivers, trainers, even the trapeze performers, joined in the hunt, and of course Jack, Sam, and several of the other clowns were there.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
spared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But now every man who could be spared from the circus grounds started to race after the fleeing elephant.
started
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But now every man who could be spared from the circus grounds started to race after the fleeing elephant.
tent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
terribly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But Bill Henyon was not among them.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Canvasmen, drivers, trainers, even the trapeze performers, joined in the hunt, and of course Jack, Sam, and several of the other clowns were there.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
trainer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
trainers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Canvasmen, drivers, trainers, even the trapeze performers, joined in the hunt, and of course Jack, Sam, and several of the other clowns were there.
trapeze
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Canvasmen, drivers, trainers, even the trapeze performers, joined in the hunt, and of course Jack, Sam, and several of the other clowns were there.
trunk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The elephant trainer--the master of Ajax--had given that big brute his last command, for, as they ran, the men from the animal tent told how the elephant had seized Henyon in his trunk, and dashed him to the ground, maiming him so terribly that he was a cripple for life.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But Bill Henyon was not among them.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Canvasmen, drivers, trainers, even the trapeze performers, joined in the hunt, and of course Jack, Sam, and several of the other clowns were there.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading But now every man who could be spared from the circus grounds started to race after the fleeing elephant.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading JACK’S BAD FALL Behind the big brute came a score of the animal men, armed with clubs, pitchforks, iron bars and elephant hooks.
