used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a gray stone wall, some twelve feet high, that surrounded the compound of the yamen.
alms-giver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men and women of this type always loiter outside of every yamen, trusting to the occasional generosity of the high official who resides within, for in China every mandarin, governor and other high official must always be a good deal of an alms-giver.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Men and women of this type always loiter outside of every yamen, trusting to the occasional generosity of the high official who resides within, for in China every mandarin, governor and other high official must always be a good deal of an alms-giver.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Men and women of this type always loiter outside of every yamen, trusting to the occasional generosity of the high official who resides within, for in China every mandarin, governor and other high official must always be a good deal of an alms-giver.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Over the walls could be seen the strange, gracefully arched red and yellow roofs of the several large and the few small buildings of the yamen.
archedadjectiveUS /ɑːrtʃt/
constructed with or in the form of an arch or arches
From this reading Over the walls could be seen the strange, gracefully arched red and yellow roofs of the several large and the few small buildings of the yamen.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Over the walls could be seen the strange, gracefully arched red and yellow roofs of the several large and the few small buildings of the yamen.
beggarsnounUS /ˈbeɡərz/
plural of “beggar” — a pauper who lives by begging
From this reading Under the gray walls, on the outside, crouched a few mangy-looking beggars.
plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading Over the walls could be seen the strange, gracefully arched red and yellow roofs of the several large and the few small buildings of the yamen.
ChinanounUS /ˈtʃaɪnə/
a communist nation that covers a vast territory in eastern Asia; the most populous country in the world
From this reading Men and women of this type always loiter outside of every yamen, trusting to the occasional generosity of the high official who resides within, for in China every mandarin, governor and other high official must always be a good deal of an alms-giver.
ChinesenounUS /tʃaɪˈniːz/
any of the Sino-Tibetan languages spoken in China; regarded as dialects of a single language (even though they are mutually unintelligible) because they share an ideographic writing system
From this reading Sentries in the uniform of Chinese soldiery were pacing the top of this formidable rampart.
compoundnounUS /ˈkɑːmpaʊnd/
a whole formed by a union of two or more elements or parts
From this reading It was a gray stone wall, some twelve feet high, that surrounded the compound of the yamen.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Over the walls could be seen the strange, gracefully arched red and yellow roofs of the several large and the few small buildings of the yamen.
crouchedverbUS /kraʊtʃt/
past form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading Under the gray walls, on the outside, crouched a few mangy-looking beggars.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading Men and women of this type always loiter outside of every yamen, trusting to the occasional generosity of the high official who resides within, for in China every mandarin, governor and other high official must always be a good deal of an alms-giver.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Men and women of this type always loiter outside of every yamen, trusting to the occasional generosity of the high official who resides within, for in China every mandarin, governor and other high official must always be a good deal of an alms-giver.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading It was a gray stone wall, some twelve feet high, that surrounded the compound of the yamen.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Over the walls could be seen the strange, gracefully arched red and yellow roofs of the several large and the few small buildings of the yamen.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Men and women of this type always loiter outside of every yamen, trusting to the occasional generosity of the high official who resides within, for in China every mandarin, governor and other high official must always be a good deal of an alms-giver.
formidableadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrmədəbəl/
extremely impressive in strength or excellence
From this reading Sentries in the uniform of Chinese soldiery were pacing the top of this formidable rampart.
generositynounUS /ˌdʒenərˈɑːsəti/
the trait of being willing to give your money or time
From this reading Men and women of this type always loiter outside of every yamen, trusting to the occasional generosity of the high official who resides within, for in China every mandarin, governor and other high official must always be a good deal of an alms-giver.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Men and women of this type always loiter outside of every yamen, trusting to the occasional generosity of the high official who resides within, for in China every mandarin, governor and other high official must always be a good deal of an alms-giver.
the head of a state government
From this reading Men and women of this type always loiter outside of every yamen, trusting to the occasional generosity of the high official who resides within, for in China every mandarin, governor and other high official must always be a good deal of an alms-giver.
gracefullyadverbUS /ˈɡreɪsfəli/
in a graceful manner
From this reading Over the walls could be seen the strange, gracefully arched red and yellow roofs of the several large and the few small buildings of the yamen.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading It was a gray stone wall, some twelve feet high, that surrounded the compound of the yamen.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading It was a gray stone wall, some twelve feet high, that surrounded the compound of the yamen.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Sentries in the uniform of Chinese soldiery were pacing the top of this formidable rampart.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a gray stone wall, some twelve feet high, that surrounded the compound of the yamen.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Over the walls could be seen the strange, gracefully arched red and yellow roofs of the several large and the few small buildings of the yamen.
loiterverbUS /ˈlɔɪtər/
be about
From this reading Men and women of this type always loiter outside of every yamen, trusting to the occasional generosity of the high official who resides within, for in China every mandarin, governor and other high official must always be a good deal of an alms-giver.
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 Men and women of this type always loiter outside of every yamen, trusting to the occasional generosity of the high official who resides within, for in China every mandarin, governor and other high official must always be a good deal of an alms-giver.
mangy-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the gray walls, on the outside, crouched a few mangy-looking beggars.
the force of workers available
From this reading Men and women of this type always loiter outside of every yamen, trusting to the occasional generosity of the high official who resides within, for in China every mandarin, governor and other high official must always be a good deal of an alms-giver.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Men and women of this type always loiter outside of every yamen, trusting to the occasional generosity of the high official who resides within, for in China every mandarin, governor and other high official must always be a good deal of an alms-giver.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading Men and women of this type always loiter outside of every yamen, trusting to the occasional generosity of the high official who resides within, for in China every mandarin, governor and other high official must always be a good deal of an alms-giver.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was a gray stone wall, some twelve feet high, that surrounded the compound of the yamen.
having official authority or sanction
From this reading Men and women of this type always loiter outside of every yamen, trusting to the occasional generosity of the high official who resides within, for in China every mandarin, governor and other high official must always be a good deal of an alms-giver.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Under the gray walls, on the outside, crouched a few mangy-looking beggars.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Men and women of this type always loiter outside of every yamen, trusting to the occasional generosity of the high official who resides within, for in China every mandarin, governor and other high official must always be a good deal of an alms-giver.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Under the gray walls, on the outside, crouched a few mangy-looking beggars.
OverprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Over the walls could be seen the strange, gracefully arched red and yellow roofs of the several large and the few small buildings of the yamen.
pacingnounUS /ˈpeɪsɪŋ/
(music) the speed at which a composition is to be played
From this reading Sentries in the uniform of Chinese soldiery were pacing the top of this formidable rampart.
rampartnounUS /ˈræmpɑːrt/
an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes
From this reading Sentries in the uniform of Chinese soldiery were pacing the top of this formidable rampart.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading Over the walls could be seen the strange, gracefully arched red and yellow roofs of the several large and the few small buildings of the yamen.
residesverbUS /rɪˈzaɪdz/
third-person singular of “reside” — make one's home in a particular place or community
From this reading Men and women of this type always loiter outside of every yamen, trusting to the occasional generosity of the high official who resides within, for in China every mandarin, governor and other high official must always be a good deal of an alms-giver.
roofsnounUS /ruːfs/
plural of “roof” — a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading Over the walls could be seen the strange, gracefully arched red and yellow roofs of the several large and the few small buildings of the yamen.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Over the walls could be seen the strange, gracefully arched red and yellow roofs of the several large and the few small buildings of the yamen.
SentriesnounUS /ˈsentriz/
plural of “sentry” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading Sentries in the uniform of Chinese soldiery were pacing the top of this formidable rampart.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Over the walls could be seen the strange, gracefully arched red and yellow roofs of the several large and the few small buildings of the yamen.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Over the walls could be seen the strange, gracefully arched red and yellow roofs of the several large and the few small buildings of the yamen.
soldierynoun
soldiers collectively
From this reading Sentries in the uniform of Chinese soldiery were pacing the top of this formidable rampart.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading It was a gray stone wall, some twelve feet high, that surrounded the compound of the yamen.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading It was a gray stone wall, some twelve feet high, that surrounded the compound of the yamen.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading Over the walls could be seen the strange, gracefully arched red and yellow roofs of the several large and the few small buildings of the yamen.
confined on all sides
From this reading It was a gray stone wall, some twelve feet high, that surrounded the compound of the yamen.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was a gray stone wall, some twelve feet high, that surrounded the compound of the yamen.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was a gray stone wall, some twelve feet high, that surrounded the compound of the yamen.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Sentries in the uniform of Chinese soldiery were pacing the top of this formidable rampart.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Men and women of this type always loiter outside of every yamen, trusting to the occasional generosity of the high official who resides within, for in China every mandarin, governor and other high official must always be a good deal of an alms-giver.
the upper part of anything
From this reading Sentries in the uniform of Chinese soldiery were pacing the top of this formidable rampart.
trustingadjectiveUS /ˈtrʌstɪŋ/
inclined to believe or confide readily; full of trust
From this reading Men and women of this type always loiter outside of every yamen, trusting to the occasional generosity of the high official who resides within, for in China every mandarin, governor and other high official must always be a good deal of an alms-giver.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading It was a gray stone wall, some twelve feet high, that surrounded the compound of the yamen.
a subdivision of a particular kind of thing
From this reading Men and women of this type always loiter outside of every yamen, trusting to the occasional generosity of the high official who resides within, for in China every mandarin, governor and other high official must always be a good deal of an alms-giver.
UnderprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Under the gray walls, on the outside, crouched a few mangy-looking beggars.
always the same; showing a single form or character in all occurrences
From this reading Sentries in the uniform of Chinese soldiery were pacing the top of this formidable rampart.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading It was a gray stone wall, some twelve feet high, that surrounded the compound of the yamen.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading Over the walls could be seen the strange, gracefully arched red and yellow roofs of the several large and the few small buildings of the yamen.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a gray stone wall, some twelve feet high, that surrounded the compound of the yamen.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Sentries in the uniform of Chinese soldiery were pacing the top of this formidable rampart.
which person or people
From this reading Men and women of this type always loiter outside of every yamen, trusting to the occasional generosity of the high official who resides within, for in China every mandarin, governor and other high official must always be a good deal of an alms-giver.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Men and women of this type always loiter outside of every yamen, trusting to the occasional generosity of the high official who resides within, for in China every mandarin, governor and other high official must always be a good deal of an alms-giver.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Men and women of this type always loiter outside of every yamen, trusting to the occasional generosity of the high official who resides within, for in China every mandarin, governor and other high official must always be a good deal of an alms-giver.
yamen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a gray stone wall, some twelve feet high, that surrounded the compound of the yamen.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading Over the walls could be seen the strange, gracefully arched red and yellow roofs of the several large and the few small buildings of the yamen.
