used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In addition to his tsubas and prints, Willy had a collection of so-called netsuke, some in boxwood, some in ivory, small, dice-like carvings, representing with remarkable animation all sorts of real and fantastic scenes.
adaptedadjectiveUS /əˈdæptɪd/
changed in order to improve or made more fit for a particular purpose
From this reading In this one rare instance he had succeeded, having produced one of those precious objects adapted to make thieves of their lovers.
additionnounUS /əˈdɪʃən/
a component that is added to something to improve it
From this reading In addition to his tsubas and prints, Willy had a collection of so-called netsuke, some in boxwood, some in ivory, small, dice-like carvings, representing with remarkable animation all sorts of real and fantastic scenes.
(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 In addition to his tsubas and prints, Willy had a collection of so-called netsuke, some in boxwood, some in ivory, small, dice-like carvings, representing with remarkable animation all sorts of real and fantastic scenes.
AmongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Among the finest of Willy's possessions was a Japanese figure carved in wood not more than a foot high, a woman selling oysters.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In addition to his tsubas and prints, Willy had a collection of so-called netsuke, some in boxwood, some in ivory, small, dice-like carvings, representing with remarkable animation all sorts of real and fantastic scenes.
animationnounUS /ˌænəˈmeɪʃən/
the condition of living or the state of being alive
From this reading In addition to his tsubas and prints, Willy had a collection of so-called netsuke, some in boxwood, some in ivory, small, dice-like carvings, representing with remarkable animation all sorts of real and fantastic scenes.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading It was the attempt of a more recent Japanese master to portray feminine beauty.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading It was the attempt of a more recent Japanese master to portray feminine beauty.
boxwoodnounUS /ˈbɑːkswʊd/
very hard tough close-grained light yellow wood of the box (particularly the common box); used in delicate woodwork: musical instruments and inlays and engraving blocks
From this reading In addition to his tsubas and prints, Willy had a collection of so-called netsuke, some in boxwood, some in ivory, small, dice-like carvings, representing with remarkable animation all sorts of real and fantastic scenes.
carvedadjectiveUS /kɑːrvd/
made for or formed by carving (“carven” is archaic or literary)
From this reading Among the finest of Willy's possessions was a Japanese figure carved in wood not more than a foot high, a woman selling oysters.
carvingsnounUS /ˈkɑːrvɪŋz/
plural of “carving” — a sculpture created by removing material (as wood or ivory or stone) in order to create a desired shape
From this reading In addition to his tsubas and prints, Willy had a collection of so-called netsuke, some in boxwood, some in ivory, small, dice-like carvings, representing with remarkable animation all sorts of real and fantastic scenes.
collectionnounUS /kəˈlekʃən/
several things grouped together or considered as a whole
From this reading In addition to his tsubas and prints, Willy had a collection of so-called netsuke, some in boxwood, some in ivory, small, dice-like carvings, representing with remarkable animation all sorts of real and fantastic scenes.
detailnounUS /dɪˈteɪl/
an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole
From this reading Each least detail was most precisely rendered.
dice-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In addition to his tsubas and prints, Willy had a collection of so-called netsuke, some in boxwood, some in ivory, small, dice-like carvings, representing with remarkable animation all sorts of real and fantastic scenes.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Each least detail was most precisely rendered.
fantasticadjectiveUS /fænˈtæstɪk/
ludicrously odd
From this reading In addition to his tsubas and prints, Willy had a collection of so-called netsuke, some in boxwood, some in ivory, small, dice-like carvings, representing with remarkable animation all sorts of real and fantastic scenes.
feminineadjectiveUS /ˈfemənən/
associated with women and not with men
From this reading It was the attempt of a more recent Japanese master to portray feminine beauty.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Among the finest of Willy's possessions was a Japanese figure carved in wood not more than a foot high, a woman selling oysters.
finestadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnəst/
superlative of “fine” — being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading Among the finest of Willy's possessions was a Japanese figure carved in wood not more than a foot high, a woman selling oysters.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Among the finest of Willy's possessions was a Japanese figure carved in wood not more than a foot high, a woman selling oysters.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In addition to his tsubas and prints, Willy had a collection of so-called netsuke, some in boxwood, some in ivory, small, dice-like carvings, representing with remarkable animation all sorts of real and fantastic scenes.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading In this one rare instance he had succeeded, having produced one of those precious objects adapted to make thieves of their lovers.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In this one rare instance he had succeeded, having produced one of those precious objects adapted to make thieves of their lovers.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Among the finest of Willy's possessions was a Japanese figure carved in wood not more than a foot high, a woman selling oysters.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In addition to his tsubas and prints, Willy had a collection of so-called netsuke, some in boxwood, some in ivory, small, dice-like carvings, representing with remarkable animation all sorts of real and fantastic scenes.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In addition to his tsubas and prints, Willy had a collection of so-called netsuke, some in boxwood, some in ivory, small, dice-like carvings, representing with remarkable animation all sorts of real and fantastic scenes.
an occurrence of something
From this reading In this one rare instance he had succeeded, having produced one of those precious objects adapted to make thieves of their lovers.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the attempt of a more recent Japanese master to portray feminine beauty.
ivorynounUS /ˈaɪvəri/
a hard smooth ivory colored dentine that makes up most of the tusks of elephants and walruses
From this reading In addition to his tsubas and prints, Willy had a collection of so-called netsuke, some in boxwood, some in ivory, small, dice-like carvings, representing with remarkable animation all sorts of real and fantastic scenes.
JapanesenounUS /ˌdʒæpəˈniːz/
a native or inhabitant of Japan
From this reading Among the finest of Willy's possessions was a Japanese figure carved in wood not more than a foot high, a woman selling oysters.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading Each least detail was most precisely rendered.
plural of “lover” — a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
From this reading In this one rare instance he had succeeded, having produced one of those precious objects adapted to make thieves of their lovers.
engage in
From this reading In this one rare instance he had succeeded, having produced one of those precious objects adapted to make thieves of their lovers.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading It was the attempt of a more recent Japanese master to portray feminine beauty.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Among the finest of Willy's possessions was a Japanese figure carved in wood not more than a foot high, a woman selling oysters.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Each least detail was most precisely rendered.
netsuke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In addition to his tsubas and prints, Willy had a collection of so-called netsuke, some in boxwood, some in ivory, small, dice-like carvings, representing with remarkable animation all sorts of real and fantastic scenes.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Among the finest of Willy's possessions was a Japanese figure carved in wood not more than a foot high, a woman selling oysters.
plural of “object” — a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading In this one rare instance he had succeeded, having produced one of those precious objects adapted to make thieves of their lovers.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In addition to his tsubas and prints, Willy had a collection of so-called netsuke, some in boxwood, some in ivory, small, dice-like carvings, representing with remarkable animation all sorts of real and fantastic scenes.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In this one rare instance he had succeeded, having produced one of those precious objects adapted to make thieves of their lovers.
oystersnounUS /ˈɔɪstərz/
plural of “oyster” — marine mollusks having a rough irregular shell; found on the sea bed mostly in coastal waters
From this reading Among the finest of Willy's possessions was a Japanese figure carved in wood not more than a foot high, a woman selling oysters.
portrayverbUS /pɔːrˈtreɪ/
portray in words
From this reading It was the attempt of a more recent Japanese master to portray feminine beauty.
possessionsnounUS /pəˈzeʃənz/
plural of “possession” — the act of having and controlling property
From this reading Among the finest of Willy's possessions was a Japanese figure carved in wood not more than a foot high, a woman selling oysters.
characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for
From this reading In this one rare instance he had succeeded, having produced one of those precious objects adapted to make thieves of their lovers.
preciselyadverbUS /prɪˈsaɪsli/
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading Each least detail was most precisely rendered.
printsnounUS /prɪnts/
plural of “print” — the text appearing in a book, newspaper, or other printed publication
From this reading In addition to his tsubas and prints, Willy had a collection of so-called netsuke, some in boxwood, some in ivory, small, dice-like carvings, representing with remarkable animation all sorts of real and fantastic scenes.
past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield
From this reading In this one rare instance he had succeeded, having produced one of those precious objects adapted to make thieves of their lovers.
not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
From this reading In this one rare instance he had succeeded, having produced one of those precious objects adapted to make thieves of their lovers.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading In addition to his tsubas and prints, Willy had a collection of so-called netsuke, some in boxwood, some in ivory, small, dice-like carvings, representing with remarkable animation all sorts of real and fantastic scenes.
recentadjectiveUS /ˈriːsənt/
new
From this reading It was the attempt of a more recent Japanese master to portray feminine beauty.
unusual or striking
From this reading In addition to his tsubas and prints, Willy had a collection of so-called netsuke, some in boxwood, some in ivory, small, dice-like carvings, representing with remarkable animation all sorts of real and fantastic scenes.
past form of “render” — cause to become
From this reading Each least detail was most precisely rendered.
representingverbUS /ˌreprɪˈzentɪŋ/
-ing form of “represent” — take the place of or be parallel or equivalent to
From this reading In addition to his tsubas and prints, Willy had a collection of so-called netsuke, some in boxwood, some in ivory, small, dice-like carvings, representing with remarkable animation all sorts of real and fantastic scenes.
plural of “scene” — the place where some action occurs
From this reading In addition to his tsubas and prints, Willy had a collection of so-called netsuke, some in boxwood, some in ivory, small, dice-like carvings, representing with remarkable animation all sorts of real and fantastic scenes.
sellingnounUS /ˈselɪŋ/
the exchange of goods for an agreed sum of money
From this reading Among the finest of Willy's possessions was a Japanese figure carved in wood not more than a foot high, a woman selling oysters.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In addition to his tsubas and prints, Willy had a collection of so-called netsuke, some in boxwood, some in ivory, small, dice-like carvings, representing with remarkable animation all sorts of real and fantastic scenes.
so-calledadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊˈkɔːld/
doubtful or suspect
From this reading In addition to his tsubas and prints, Willy had a collection of so-called netsuke, some in boxwood, some in ivory, small, dice-like carvings, representing with remarkable animation all sorts of real and fantastic scenes.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading In addition to his tsubas and prints, Willy had a collection of so-called netsuke, some in boxwood, some in ivory, small, dice-like carvings, representing with remarkable animation all sorts of real and fantastic scenes.
plural of “sort” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading In addition to his tsubas and prints, Willy had a collection of so-called netsuke, some in boxwood, some in ivory, small, dice-like carvings, representing with remarkable animation all sorts of real and fantastic scenes.
past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal
From this reading In this one rare instance he had succeeded, having produced one of those precious objects adapted to make thieves of their lovers.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Among the finest of Willy's possessions was a Japanese figure carved in wood not more than a foot high, a woman selling oysters.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Among the finest of Willy's possessions was a Japanese figure carved in wood not more than a foot high, a woman selling oysters.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading In this one rare instance he had succeeded, having produced one of those precious objects adapted to make thieves of their lovers.
thievesnounUS /θiːvz/
plural of “thief” — a criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it
From this reading In this one rare instance he had succeeded, having produced one of those precious objects adapted to make thieves of their lovers.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In this one rare instance he had succeeded, having produced one of those precious objects adapted to make thieves of their lovers.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading In this one rare instance he had succeeded, having produced one of those precious objects adapted to make thieves of their lovers.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In addition to his tsubas and prints, Willy had a collection of so-called netsuke, some in boxwood, some in ivory, small, dice-like carvings, representing with remarkable animation all sorts of real and fantastic scenes.
tsubas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In addition to his tsubas and prints, Willy had a collection of so-called netsuke, some in boxwood, some in ivory, small, dice-like carvings, representing with remarkable animation all sorts of real and fantastic scenes.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Among the finest of Willy's possessions was a Japanese figure carved in wood not more than a foot high, a woman selling oysters.
Willy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In addition to his tsubas and prints, Willy had a collection of so-called netsuke, some in boxwood, some in ivory, small, dice-like carvings, representing with remarkable animation all sorts of real and fantastic scenes.
Willy's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Among the finest of Willy's possessions was a Japanese figure carved in wood not more than a foot high, a woman selling oysters.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In addition to his tsubas and prints, Willy had a collection of so-called netsuke, some in boxwood, some in ivory, small, dice-like carvings, representing with remarkable animation all sorts of real and fantastic scenes.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Among the finest of Willy's possessions was a Japanese figure carved in wood not more than a foot high, a woman selling oysters.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading Among the finest of Willy's possessions was a Japanese figure carved in wood not more than a foot high, a woman selling oysters.
