used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Since he had become a favorite among them, many of the ladies wished that he could be retained in the palace a little longer.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading GOSSIP OF THE COURT IT was early afternoon.
ambernounUS /ˈæmbər/
a deep yellow color
From this reading As they sipped their amber tea indolently in one of the chambers of the palace, they gossiped with the freedom common to the women of the West rather than the East.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Since he had become a favorite among them, many of the ladies wished that he could be retained in the palace a little longer.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The ladies in the Komatzu palace were taking their noon-day siesta, and idly discussing the work of the artist, Kamura Junzo.
a person whose creative work shows sensitivity and imagination
From this reading The ladies in the Komatzu palace were taking their noon-day siesta, and idly discussing the work of the artist, Kamura Junzo.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As they sipped their amber tea indolently in one of the chambers of the palace, they gossiped with the freedom common to the women of the West rather than the East.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Since he had become a favorite among them, many of the ladies wished that he could be retained in the palace a little longer.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Since he had become a favorite among them, many of the ladies wished that he could be retained in the palace a little longer.
chambersnounUS /ˈtʃeɪmbərz/
English architect (1723-1796)
From this reading As they sipped their amber tea indolently in one of the chambers of the palace, they gossiped with the freedom common to the women of the West rather than the East.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading As they sipped their amber tea indolently in one of the chambers of the palace, they gossiped with the freedom common to the women of the West rather than the East.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Since he had become a favorite among them, many of the ladies wished that he could be retained in the palace a little longer.
female equivalent of a count or earl
From this reading “Now,” said the little Countess Matsuka, handing her cup to a page, “if we were only so fortunate as to have two Imperial heroes instead of one!”
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading GOSSIP OF THE COURT IT was early afternoon.
a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle
From this reading “Now,” said the little Countess Matsuka, handing her cup to a page, “if we were only so fortunate as to have two Imperial heroes instead of one!”
discussingverbUS /dɪˈskʌsɪŋ/
-ing form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading The ladies in the Komatzu palace were taking their noon-day siesta, and idly discussing the work of the artist, Kamura Junzo.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading GOSSIP OF THE COURT IT was early afternoon.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading As they sipped their amber tea indolently in one of the chambers of the palace, they gossiped with the freedom common to the women of the West rather than the East.
favoritenounUS /ˈfeɪvərɪt/
something regarded with special favor or liking
From this reading Since he had become a favorite among them, many of the ladies wished that he could be retained in the palace a little longer.
having unexpected good fortune
From this reading “Now,” said the little Countess Matsuka, handing her cup to a page, “if we were only so fortunate as to have two Imperial heroes instead of one!”
the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints
From this reading As they sipped their amber tea indolently in one of the chambers of the palace, they gossiped with the freedom common to the women of the West rather than the East.
GOSSIPnounUS /ˈɡɑːsəp/
light informal conversation for social occasions
From this reading GOSSIP OF THE COURT IT was early afternoon.
gossiped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As they sipped their amber tea indolently in one of the chambers of the palace, they gossiped with the freedom common to the women of the West rather than the East.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Since he had become a favorite among them, many of the ladies wished that he could be retained in the palace a little longer.
handingverbUS /ˈhændɪŋ/
-ing form of “hand” — place into the hands or custody of
From this reading “Now,” said the little Countess Matsuka, handing her cup to a page, “if we were only so fortunate as to have two Imperial heroes instead of one!”
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “Now,” said the little Countess Matsuka, handing her cup to a page, “if we were only so fortunate as to have two Imperial heroes instead of one!”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Since he had become a favorite among them, many of the ladies wished that he could be retained in the palace a little longer.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading “Now,” said the little Countess Matsuka, handing her cup to a page, “if we were only so fortunate as to have two Imperial heroes instead of one!”
heroesnounUS /ˈhɪroʊz/
plural of “hero” — a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading “Now,” said the little Countess Matsuka, handing her cup to a page, “if we were only so fortunate as to have two Imperial heroes instead of one!”
idlyadverbUS /ˈaɪdli/
in an idle manner
From this reading The ladies in the Komatzu palace were taking their noon-day siesta, and idly discussing the work of the artist, Kamura Junzo.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “Now,” said the little Countess Matsuka, handing her cup to a page, “if we were only so fortunate as to have two Imperial heroes instead of one!”
ImperialadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɪriəl/
relating to or associated with an empire
From this reading “Now,” said the little Countess Matsuka, handing her cup to a page, “if we were only so fortunate as to have two Imperial heroes instead of one!”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The ladies in the Komatzu palace were taking their noon-day siesta, and idly discussing the work of the artist, Kamura Junzo.
indolentlyadverb
in an indolent manner
From this reading As they sipped their amber tea indolently in one of the chambers of the palace, they gossiped with the freedom common to the women of the West rather than the East.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading “Now,” said the little Countess Matsuka, handing her cup to a page, “if we were only so fortunate as to have two Imperial heroes instead of one!”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading GOSSIP OF THE COURT IT was early afternoon.
Junzo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ladies in the Komatzu palace were taking their noon-day siesta, and idly discussing the work of the artist, Kamura Junzo.
Kamura
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ladies in the Komatzu palace were taking their noon-day siesta, and idly discussing the work of the artist, Kamura Junzo.
Komatzu
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ladies in the Komatzu palace were taking their noon-day siesta, and idly discussing the work of the artist, Kamura Junzo.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading The ladies in the Komatzu palace were taking their noon-day siesta, and idly discussing the work of the artist, Kamura Junzo.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Since he had become a favorite among them, many of the ladies wished that he could be retained in the palace a little longer.
for more time
From this reading Since he had become a favorite among them, many of the ladies wished that he could be retained in the palace a little longer.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Since he had become a favorite among them, many of the ladies wished that he could be retained in the palace a little longer.
Matsuka
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Now,” said the little Countess Matsuka, handing her cup to a page, “if we were only so fortunate as to have two Imperial heroes instead of one!”
noon-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ladies in the Komatzu palace were taking their noon-day siesta, and idly discussing the work of the artist, Kamura Junzo.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading “Now,” said the little Countess Matsuka, handing her cup to a page, “if we were only so fortunate as to have two Imperial heroes instead of one!”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading GOSSIP OF THE COURT IT was early afternoon.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading As they sipped their amber tea indolently in one of the chambers of the palace, they gossiped with the freedom common to the women of the West rather than the East.
and nothing more
From this reading “Now,” said the little Countess Matsuka, handing her cup to a page, “if we were only so fortunate as to have two Imperial heroes instead of one!”
one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains
From this reading “Now,” said the little Countess Matsuka, handing her cup to a page, “if we were only so fortunate as to have two Imperial heroes instead of one!”
a large and stately mansion
From this reading The ladies in the Komatzu palace were taking their noon-day siesta, and idly discussing the work of the artist, Kamura Junzo.
on the contrary
From this reading As they sipped their amber tea indolently in one of the chambers of the palace, they gossiped with the freedom common to the women of the West rather than the East.
retainedadjectiveUS /rɪˈteɪnd/
continued in your keeping or use or memory
From this reading Since he had become a favorite among them, many of the ladies wished that he could be retained in the palace a little longer.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Now,” said the little Countess Matsuka, handing her cup to a page, “if we were only so fortunate as to have two Imperial heroes instead of one!”
siestanounUS /siˈestə/
a nap in the early afternoon (especially in hot countries)
From this reading The ladies in the Komatzu palace were taking their noon-day siesta, and idly discussing the work of the artist, Kamura Junzo.
SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Since he had become a favorite among them, many of the ladies wished that he could be retained in the palace a little longer.
sippedverbUS /sɪpt/
inflected form of “sip” — drink in sips
From this reading As they sipped their amber tea indolently in one of the chambers of the palace, they gossiped with the freedom common to the women of the West rather than the East.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “Now,” said the little Countess Matsuka, handing her cup to a page, “if we were only so fortunate as to have two Imperial heroes instead of one!”
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading The ladies in the Komatzu palace were taking their noon-day siesta, and idly discussing the work of the artist, Kamura Junzo.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading As they sipped their amber tea indolently in one of the chambers of the palace, they gossiped with the freedom common to the women of the West rather than the East.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading As they sipped their amber tea indolently in one of the chambers of the palace, they gossiped with the freedom common to the women of the West rather than the East.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Since he had become a favorite among them, many of the ladies wished that he could be retained in the palace a little longer.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading GOSSIP OF THE COURT IT was early afternoon.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The ladies in the Komatzu palace were taking their noon-day siesta, and idly discussing the work of the artist, Kamura Junzo.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Since he had become a favorite among them, many of the ladies wished that he could be retained in the palace a little longer.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As they sipped their amber tea indolently in one of the chambers of the palace, they gossiped with the freedom common to the women of the West rather than the East.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As they sipped their amber tea indolently in one of the chambers of the palace, they gossiped with the freedom common to the women of the West rather than the East.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading “Now,” said the little Countess Matsuka, handing her cup to a page, “if we were only so fortunate as to have two Imperial heroes instead of one!”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading GOSSIP OF THE COURT IT was early afternoon.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “Now,” said the little Countess Matsuka, handing her cup to a page, “if we were only so fortunate as to have two Imperial heroes instead of one!”
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The ladies in the Komatzu palace were taking their noon-day siesta, and idly discussing the work of the artist, Kamura Junzo.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading As they sipped their amber tea indolently in one of the chambers of the palace, they gossiped with the freedom common to the women of the West rather than the East.
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading Since he had become a favorite among them, many of the ladies wished that he could be retained in the palace a little longer.
in the company of; together with
From this reading As they sipped their amber tea indolently in one of the chambers of the palace, they gossiped with the freedom common to the women of the West rather than the East.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading As they sipped their amber tea indolently in one of the chambers of the palace, they gossiped with the freedom common to the women of the West rather than the East.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading The ladies in the Komatzu palace were taking their noon-day siesta, and idly discussing the work of the artist, Kamura Junzo.
