used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE STORY OF THE WILLOW PATTERN PLATE RETOLD BY M. ALSTON BUCKLEY Once upon a time there lived in China a rich and haughty mandarin, who had great riches in lands, and horses, and priceless jewels.
ALSTON
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STORY OF THE WILLOW PATTERN PLATE RETOLD BY M. ALSTON BUCKLEY Once upon a time there lived in China a rich and haughty mandarin, who had great riches in lands, and horses, and priceless jewels.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Perfectly!" grinned the Jackal, as he dexterously shut the door, "and if you will permit me to say so, I think matters will remain as they were!"
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Perfectly!" grinned the Jackal, as he dexterously shut the door, "and if you will permit me to say so, I think matters will remain as they were!"
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading This great man had one lovely daughter with soft black eyes, and raven hair that scarcely could be told in texture from the silken robes she wore.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading This great man had one lovely daughter with soft black eyes, and raven hair that scarcely could be told in texture from the silken robes she wore.
inflected form of “buy” — obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction
From this reading The mandarin loved his daughter and showered dazzling jewels on her, and bought rich robes, heavy with choicest needlework, that she might wear them.
BUCKLEY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STORY OF THE WILLOW PATTERN PLATE RETOLD BY M. ALSTON BUCKLEY Once upon a time there lived in China a rich and haughty mandarin, who had great riches in lands, and horses, and priceless jewels.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading [N] From "Indian Fairy Tales," edited by Joseph Jacobs; used by permission of the publishers, G. P. Putnam's Sons.
ChinanounUS /ˈtʃaɪnə/
a communist nation that covers a vast territory in eastern Asia; the most populous country in the world
From this reading THE STORY OF THE WILLOW PATTERN PLATE RETOLD BY M. ALSTON BUCKLEY Once upon a time there lived in China a rich and haughty mandarin, who had great riches in lands, and horses, and priceless jewels.
choicestadjectiveUS /ˈtʃɔɪsəst/
superlative of “choice” — of superior grade
From this reading The mandarin loved his daughter and showered dazzling jewels on her, and bought rich robes, heavy with choicest needlework, that she might wear them.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading This great man had one lovely daughter with soft black eyes, and raven hair that scarcely could be told in texture from the silken robes she wore.
a female human offspring
From this reading This great man had one lovely daughter with soft black eyes, and raven hair that scarcely could be told in texture from the silken robes she wore.
dazzlingadjectiveUS /ˈdæzəlɪŋ/
amazingly impressive; suggestive of the flashing of lightning
From this reading The mandarin loved his daughter and showered dazzling jewels on her, and bought rich robes, heavy with choicest needlework, that she might wear them.
dexterouslyadverb
with dexterity; in a dexterous manner
From this reading "Perfectly!" grinned the Jackal, as he dexterously shut the door, "and if you will permit me to say so, I think matters will remain as they were!"
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading "Perfectly!" grinned the Jackal, as he dexterously shut the door, "and if you will permit me to say so, I think matters will remain as they were!"
editedadjectiveUS /ˈedətəd/
improved or corrected by critical editing
From this reading [N] From "Indian Fairy Tales," edited by Joseph Jacobs; used by permission of the publishers, G. P. Putnam's Sons.
opinion or judgment
From this reading This great man had one lovely daughter with soft black eyes, and raven hair that scarcely could be told in texture from the silken robes she wore.
a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers
From this reading [N] From "Indian Fairy Tales," edited by Joseph Jacobs; used by permission of the publishers, G. P. Putnam's Sons.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading [N] From "Indian Fairy Tales," edited by Joseph Jacobs; used by permission of the publishers, G. P. Putnam's Sons.
a metric unit of weight equal to one thousandth of a kilogram
From this reading [N] From "Indian Fairy Tales," edited by Joseph Jacobs; used by permission of the publishers, G. P. Putnam's Sons.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading THE STORY OF THE WILLOW PATTERN PLATE RETOLD BY M. ALSTON BUCKLEY Once upon a time there lived in China a rich and haughty mandarin, who had great riches in lands, and horses, and priceless jewels.
grinnedverbUS /ɡrɪnd/
inflected form of “grin” — to draw back the lips and reveal the teeth, in a smile, grimace, or snarl
From this reading "Perfectly!" grinned the Jackal, as he dexterously shut the door, "and if you will permit me to say so, I think matters will remain as they were!"
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE STORY OF THE WILLOW PATTERN PLATE RETOLD BY M. ALSTON BUCKLEY Once upon a time there lived in China a rich and haughty mandarin, who had great riches in lands, and horses, and priceless jewels.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading This great man had one lovely daughter with soft black eyes, and raven hair that scarcely could be told in texture from the silken robes she wore.
haughtyadjectiveUS /ˈhɔːti/
having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy
From this reading THE STORY OF THE WILLOW PATTERN PLATE RETOLD BY M. ALSTON BUCKLEY Once upon a time there lived in China a rich and haughty mandarin, who had great riches in lands, and horses, and priceless jewels.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Perfectly!" grinned the Jackal, as he dexterously shut the door, "and if you will permit me to say so, I think matters will remain as they were!"
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading The mandarin loved his daughter and showered dazzling jewels on her, and bought rich robes, heavy with choicest needlework, that she might wear them.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The mandarin loved his daughter and showered dazzling jewels on her, and bought rich robes, heavy with choicest needlework, that she might wear them.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The mandarin loved his daughter and showered dazzling jewels on her, and bought rich robes, heavy with choicest needlework, that she might wear them.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading THE STORY OF THE WILLOW PATTERN PLATE RETOLD BY M. ALSTON BUCKLEY Once upon a time there lived in China a rich and haughty mandarin, who had great riches in lands, and horses, and priceless jewels.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Perfectly!" grinned the Jackal, as he dexterously shut the door, "and if you will permit me to say so, I think matters will remain as they were!"
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "Perfectly!" grinned the Jackal, as he dexterously shut the door, "and if you will permit me to say so, I think matters will remain as they were!"
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE STORY OF THE WILLOW PATTERN PLATE RETOLD BY M. ALSTON BUCKLEY Once upon a time there lived in China a rich and haughty mandarin, who had great riches in lands, and horses, and priceless jewels.
of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures
From this reading [N] From "Indian Fairy Tales," edited by Joseph Jacobs; used by permission of the publishers, G. P. Putnam's Sons.
JackalnounUS /ˈdʒækəl/
Old World nocturnal canine mammal closely related to the dog; smaller than a wolf; sometimes hunts in a pack but usually singly or as a member of a pair
From this reading "Perfectly!" grinned the Jackal, as he dexterously shut the door, "and if you will permit me to say so, I think matters will remain as they were!"
JacobsnounUS /ˈdʒeɪkəbz/
English writer of macabre short stories (1863-1943)
From this reading [N] From "Indian Fairy Tales," edited by Joseph Jacobs; used by permission of the publishers, G. P. Putnam's Sons.
plural of “jewel” — a precious or semiprecious stone incorporated into a piece of jewelry
From this reading THE STORY OF THE WILLOW PATTERN PLATE RETOLD BY M. ALSTON BUCKLEY Once upon a time there lived in China a rich and haughty mandarin, who had great riches in lands, and horses, and priceless jewels.
leader of the Nez Perce in their retreat from United States troops (1840-1904)
From this reading [N] From "Indian Fairy Tales," edited by Joseph Jacobs; used by permission of the publishers, G. P. Putnam's Sons.
plural of “land” — the land on which real estate is located
From this reading THE STORY OF THE WILLOW PATTERN PLATE RETOLD BY M. ALSTON BUCKLEY Once upon a time there lived in China a rich and haughty mandarin, who had great riches in lands, and horses, and priceless jewels.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading THE STORY OF THE WILLOW PATTERN PLATE RETOLD BY M. ALSTON BUCKLEY Once upon a time there lived in China a rich and haughty mandarin, who had great riches in lands, and horses, and priceless jewels.
held dear
From this reading The mandarin loved his daughter and showered dazzling jewels on her, and bought rich robes, heavy with choicest needlework, that she might wear them.
appealing to the emotions as well as the eye
From this reading This great man had one lovely daughter with soft black eyes, and raven hair that scarcely could be told in texture from the silken robes she wore.
the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)
From this reading THE STORY OF THE WILLOW PATTERN PLATE RETOLD BY M. ALSTON BUCKLEY Once upon a time there lived in China a rich and haughty mandarin, who had great riches in lands, and horses, and priceless jewels.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading This great man had one lovely daughter with soft black eyes, and raven hair that scarcely could be told in texture from the silken robes she wore.
mandarinnounUS /ˈmændərən/
shrub or small tree having flattened globose fruit with very sweet aromatic pulp and thin yellow-orange to flame-orange rind that is loose and easily removed; native to southeastern Asia
From this reading THE STORY OF THE WILLOW PATTERN PLATE RETOLD BY M. ALSTON BUCKLEY Once upon a time there lived in China a rich and haughty mandarin, who had great riches in lands, and horses, and priceless jewels.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading "Perfectly!" grinned the Jackal, as he dexterously shut the door, "and if you will permit me to say so, I think matters will remain as they were!"
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Perfectly!" grinned the Jackal, as he dexterously shut the door, "and if you will permit me to say so, I think matters will remain as they were!"
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The mandarin loved his daughter and showered dazzling jewels on her, and bought rich robes, heavy with choicest needlework, that she might wear them.
a common nonmetallic element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless inert diatomic gas; constitutes 78 percent of the atmosphere by volume; a constituent of all living tissues
From this reading [N] From "Indian Fairy Tales," edited by Joseph Jacobs; used by permission of the publishers, G. P. Putnam's Sons.
needleworknounUS /ˈniːdəlwɜːrk/
a creation created or assembled by needle and thread
From this reading The mandarin loved his daughter and showered dazzling jewels on her, and bought rich robes, heavy with choicest needlework, that she might wear them.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading [N] From "Indian Fairy Tales," edited by Joseph Jacobs; used by permission of the publishers, G. P. Putnam's Sons.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The mandarin loved his daughter and showered dazzling jewels on her, and bought rich robes, heavy with choicest needlework, that she might wear them.
on one occasion
From this reading THE STORY OF THE WILLOW PATTERN PLATE RETOLD BY M. ALSTON BUCKLEY Once upon a time there lived in China a rich and haughty mandarin, who had great riches in lands, and horses, and priceless jewels.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading This great man had one lovely daughter with soft black eyes, and raven hair that scarcely could be told in texture from the silken robes she wore.
a multivalent nonmetallic element of the nitrogen family that occurs commonly in inorganic phosphate rocks and as organic phosphates in all living cells; is highly reactive and occurs in several allotropic forms
From this reading [N] From "Indian Fairy Tales," edited by Joseph Jacobs; used by permission of the publishers, G. P. Putnam's Sons.
PATTERNnounUS /ˈpætərn/
a perceptual structure
From this reading THE STORY OF THE WILLOW PATTERN PLATE RETOLD BY M. ALSTON BUCKLEY Once upon a time there lived in China a rich and haughty mandarin, who had great riches in lands, and horses, and priceless jewels.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading "Perfectly!" grinned the Jackal, as he dexterously shut the door, "and if you will permit me to say so, I think matters will remain as they were!"
approval to do something
From this reading [N] From "Indian Fairy Tales," edited by Joseph Jacobs; used by permission of the publishers, G. P. Putnam's Sons.
a legal document giving official permission to do something
From this reading "Perfectly!" grinned the Jackal, as he dexterously shut the door, "and if you will permit me to say so, I think matters will remain as they were!"
(baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score
From this reading THE STORY OF THE WILLOW PATTERN PLATE RETOLD BY M. ALSTON BUCKLEY Once upon a time there lived in China a rich and haughty mandarin, who had great riches in lands, and horses, and priceless jewels.
pricelessadjectiveUS /ˈpraɪsləs/
having incalculable monetary, intellectual, or spiritual worth
From this reading THE STORY OF THE WILLOW PATTERN PLATE RETOLD BY M. ALSTON BUCKLEY Once upon a time there lived in China a rich and haughty mandarin, who had great riches in lands, and horses, and priceless jewels.
publishersnounUS /ˈpʌblɪʃərz/
plural of “publisher” — a firm in the publishing business
From this reading [N] From "Indian Fairy Tales," edited by Joseph Jacobs; used by permission of the publishers, G. P. Putnam's Sons.
Putnam's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [N] From "Indian Fairy Tales," edited by Joseph Jacobs; used by permission of the publishers, G. P. Putnam's Sons.
ravenverbUS /ˈreɪvən/
obtain or seize by violence
From this reading This great man had one lovely daughter with soft black eyes, and raven hair that scarcely could be told in texture from the silken robes she wore.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading "Perfectly!" grinned the Jackal, as he dexterously shut the door, "and if you will permit me to say so, I think matters will remain as they were!"
RETOLD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STORY OF THE WILLOW PATTERN PLATE RETOLD BY M. ALSTON BUCKLEY Once upon a time there lived in China a rich and haughty mandarin, who had great riches in lands, and horses, and priceless jewels.
possessing material wealth
From this reading THE STORY OF THE WILLOW PATTERN PLATE RETOLD BY M. ALSTON BUCKLEY Once upon a time there lived in China a rich and haughty mandarin, who had great riches in lands, and horses, and priceless jewels.
richesnounUS /ˈrɪtʃəz/
an abundance of material possessions and resources
From this reading THE STORY OF THE WILLOW PATTERN PLATE RETOLD BY M. ALSTON BUCKLEY Once upon a time there lived in China a rich and haughty mandarin, who had great riches in lands, and horses, and priceless jewels.
robesnounUS /roʊbz/
plural of “robe” — any loose flowing garment
From this reading This great man had one lovely daughter with soft black eyes, and raven hair that scarcely could be told in texture from the silken robes she wore.
express in words
From this reading "Perfectly!" grinned the Jackal, as he dexterously shut the door, "and if you will permit me to say so, I think matters will remain as they were!"
only a very short time before
From this reading This great man had one lovely daughter with soft black eyes, and raven hair that scarcely could be told in texture from the silken robes she wore.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This great man had one lovely daughter with soft black eyes, and raven hair that scarcely could be told in texture from the silken robes she wore.
showeredverbUS /ˈʃaʊərd/
past form of “shower” — expend profusely; also used with abstract nouns
From this reading The mandarin loved his daughter and showered dazzling jewels on her, and bought rich robes, heavy with choicest needlework, that she might wear them.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading "Perfectly!" grinned the Jackal, as he dexterously shut the door, "and if you will permit me to say so, I think matters will remain as they were!"
silkenadjectiveUS /ˈsɪlkən/
having a smooth, gleaming surface reflecting light
From this reading This great man had one lovely daughter with soft black eyes, and raven hair that scarcely could be told in texture from the silken robes she wore.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "Perfectly!" grinned the Jackal, as he dexterously shut the door, "and if you will permit me to say so, I think matters will remain as they were!"
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading This great man had one lovely daughter with soft black eyes, and raven hair that scarcely could be told in texture from the silken robes she wore.
plural of “son” — a male human offspring
From this reading [N] From "Indian Fairy Tales," edited by Joseph Jacobs; used by permission of the publishers, G. P. Putnam's Sons.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading THE STORY OF THE WILLOW PATTERN PLATE RETOLD BY M. ALSTON BUCKLEY Once upon a time there lived in China a rich and haughty mandarin, who had great riches in lands, and horses, and priceless jewels.
plural of “tale” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading [N] From "Indian Fairy Tales," edited by Joseph Jacobs; used by permission of the publishers, G. P. Putnam's Sons.
texturenounUS /ˈtekstʃər/
the feel of a surface or a fabric
From this reading This great man had one lovely daughter with soft black eyes, and raven hair that scarcely could be told in texture from the silken robes she wore.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading This great man had one lovely daughter with soft black eyes, and raven hair that scarcely could be told in texture from the silken robes she wore.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Perfectly!" grinned the Jackal, as he dexterously shut the door, "and if you will permit me to say so, I think matters will remain as they were!"
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The mandarin loved his daughter and showered dazzling jewels on her, and bought rich robes, heavy with choicest needlework, that she might wear them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading THE STORY OF THE WILLOW PATTERN PLATE RETOLD BY M. ALSTON BUCKLEY Once upon a time there lived in China a rich and haughty mandarin, who had great riches in lands, and horses, and priceless jewels.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Perfectly!" grinned the Jackal, as he dexterously shut the door, "and if you will permit me to say so, I think matters will remain as they were!"
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading "Perfectly!" grinned the Jackal, as he dexterously shut the door, "and if you will permit me to say so, I think matters will remain as they were!"
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This great man had one lovely daughter with soft black eyes, and raven hair that scarcely could be told in texture from the silken robes she wore.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading THE STORY OF THE WILLOW PATTERN PLATE RETOLD BY M. ALSTON BUCKLEY Once upon a time there lived in China a rich and haughty mandarin, who had great riches in lands, and horses, and priceless jewels.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Perfectly!" grinned the Jackal, as he dexterously shut the door, "and if you will permit me to say so, I think matters will remain as they were!"
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading This great man had one lovely daughter with soft black eyes, and raven hair that scarcely could be told in texture from the silken robes she wore.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading THE STORY OF THE WILLOW PATTERN PLATE RETOLD BY M. ALSTON BUCKLEY Once upon a time there lived in China a rich and haughty mandarin, who had great riches in lands, and horses, and priceless jewels.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading [N] From "Indian Fairy Tales," edited by Joseph Jacobs; used by permission of the publishers, G. P. Putnam's Sons.
be dressed in
From this reading The mandarin loved his daughter and showered dazzling jewels on her, and bought rich robes, heavy with choicest needlework, that she might wear them.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Perfectly!" grinned the Jackal, as he dexterously shut the door, "and if you will permit me to say so, I think matters will remain as they were!"
which person or people
From this reading THE STORY OF THE WILLOW PATTERN PLATE RETOLD BY M. ALSTON BUCKLEY Once upon a time there lived in China a rich and haughty mandarin, who had great riches in lands, and horses, and priceless jewels.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "Perfectly!" grinned the Jackal, as he dexterously shut the door, "and if you will permit me to say so, I think matters will remain as they were!"
WILLOWnounUS /ˈwɪloʊ/
any of numerous deciduous trees and shrubs of the genus Salix
From this reading THE STORY OF THE WILLOW PATTERN PLATE RETOLD BY M. ALSTON BUCKLEY Once upon a time there lived in China a rich and haughty mandarin, who had great riches in lands, and horses, and priceless jewels.
in the company of; together with
From this reading This great man had one lovely daughter with soft black eyes, and raven hair that scarcely could be told in texture from the silken robes she wore.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading This great man had one lovely daughter with soft black eyes, and raven hair that scarcely could be told in texture from the silken robes she wore.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Perfectly!" grinned the Jackal, as he dexterously shut the door, "and if you will permit me to say so, I think matters will remain as they were!"
