used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Pao-yü experiences joy, beyond all his expectations, when P'ing Erh (receives a slap from lady Feng) and has to adjust her hair.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading When Lin Tai-yü noticed that the act called, 'The man offers a sacrifice' had been reached, "This Wang Shih-p'eng," she said to Pao-ch'ai, "is very stupid!
adjustverbUS /əˈdʒʌst/
alter or regulate so as to achieve accuracy or conform to a standard
From this reading Pao-yü experiences joy, beyond all his expectations, when P'ing Erh (receives a slap from lady Feng) and has to adjust her hair.
matters of personal concern
From this reading By some inscrutable turn of affairs, lady Feng begins to feel the pangs of jealousy.
(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 Pao-yü experiences joy, beyond all his expectations, when P'ing Erh (receives a slap from lady Feng) and has to adjust her hair.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Pao-yü experiences joy, beyond all his expectations, when P'ing Erh (receives a slap from lady Feng) and has to adjust her hair.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the performance of the 'Record of the boxwood hairpin,' at which all the inmates of the household were present, Pao-yü and his female cousins sat together.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading When Lin Tai-yü noticed that the act called, 'The man offers a sacrifice' had been reached, "This Wang Shih-p'eng," she said to Pao-ch'ai, "is very stupid!
plural of “begin” — Israeli statesman (born in Russia) who (as prime minister of Israel) negotiated a peace treaty with Anwar Sadat (then the president of Egypt) (1913-1992)
From this reading By some inscrutable turn of affairs, lady Feng begins to feel the pangs of jealousy.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Pao-yü experiences joy, beyond all his expectations, when P'ing Erh (receives a slap from lady Feng) and has to adjust her hair.
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 At the performance of the 'Record of the boxwood hairpin,' at which all the inmates of the household were present, Pao-yü and his female cousins sat together.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But to resume our narrative.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By some inscrutable turn of affairs, lady Feng begins to feel the pangs of jealousy.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading When Lin Tai-yü noticed that the act called, 'The man offers a sacrifice' had been reached, "This Wang Shih-p'eng," she said to Pao-ch'ai, "is very stupid!
cousinsnounUS /ˈkʌzənz/
plural of “cousin” — the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading At the performance of the 'Record of the boxwood hairpin,' at which all the inmates of the household were present, Pao-yü and his female cousins sat together.
Erh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pao-yü experiences joy, beyond all his expectations, when P'ing Erh (receives a slap from lady Feng) and has to adjust her hair.
expectationsnounUS /ˌekspekˈteɪʃənz/
plural of “expectation” — belief about (or mental picture of) the future
From this reading Pao-yü experiences joy, beyond all his expectations, when P'ing Erh (receives a slap from lady Feng) and has to adjust her hair.
experiencesnounUS /ɪkˈspɪriənsɪz/
plural of “experience” — the accumulation of knowledge or skill that results from direct participation in events or activities
From this reading Pao-yü experiences joy, beyond all his expectations, when P'ing Erh (receives a slap from lady Feng) and has to adjust her hair.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading By some inscrutable turn of affairs, lady Feng begins to feel the pangs of jealousy.
being the sex (of plant or animal) that produces fertilizable gametes (ova) from which offspring develop
From this reading At the performance of the 'Record of the boxwood hairpin,' at which all the inmates of the household were present, Pao-yü and his female cousins sat together.
Feng
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By some inscrutable turn of affairs, lady Feng begins to feel the pangs of jealousy.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Pao-yü experiences joy, beyond all his expectations, when P'ing Erh (receives a slap from lady Feng) and has to adjust her hair.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When Lin Tai-yü noticed that the act called, 'The man offers a sacrifice' had been reached, "This Wang Shih-p'eng," she said to Pao-ch'ai, "is very stupid!
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 Pao-yü experiences joy, beyond all his expectations, when P'ing Erh (receives a slap from lady Feng) and has to adjust her hair.
hairpinnoun
a double pronged pin used to hold women's hair in place
From this reading At the performance of the 'Record of the boxwood hairpin,' at which all the inmates of the household were present, Pao-yü and his female cousins sat together.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Pao-yü experiences joy, beyond all his expectations, when P'ing Erh (receives a slap from lady Feng) and has to adjust her hair.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Pao-yü experiences joy, beyond all his expectations, when P'ing Erh (receives a slap from lady Feng) and has to adjust her hair.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Pao-yü experiences joy, beyond all his expectations, when P'ing Erh (receives a slap from lady Feng) and has to adjust her hair.
a social unit living together
From this reading At the performance of the 'Record of the boxwood hairpin,' at which all the inmates of the household were present, Pao-yü and his female cousins sat together.
inmatesnounUS /ˈɪnmeɪts/
plural of “inmate” — one of several resident of a dwelling (especially someone confined to a prison or hospital)
From this reading At the performance of the 'Record of the boxwood hairpin,' at which all the inmates of the household were present, Pao-yü and his female cousins sat together.
inscrutableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈskruːtəbəl/
of an obscure nature
From this reading By some inscrutable turn of affairs, lady Feng begins to feel the pangs of jealousy.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When Lin Tai-yü noticed that the act called, 'The man offers a sacrifice' had been reached, "This Wang Shih-p'eng," she said to Pao-ch'ai, "is very stupid!
a feeling of jealous envy (especially of a rival)
From this reading By some inscrutable turn of affairs, lady Feng begins to feel the pangs of jealousy.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading Pao-yü experiences joy, beyond all his expectations, when P'ing Erh (receives a slap from lady Feng) and has to adjust her hair.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading By some inscrutable turn of affairs, lady Feng begins to feel the pangs of jealousy.
LinnounUS /lɪn/
United States sculptor and architect whose public works include the memorial to veterans of the Vietnam War in Washington (born in 1959)
From this reading When Lin Tai-yü noticed that the act called, 'The man offers a sacrifice' had been reached, "This Wang Shih-p'eng," she said to Pao-ch'ai, "is very stupid!
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading When Lin Tai-yü noticed that the act called, 'The man offers a sacrifice' had been reached, "This Wang Shih-p'eng," she said to Pao-ch'ai, "is very stupid!
narrativenounUS /ˈnærətɪv/
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 But to resume our narrative.
being perceived or observed
From this reading When Lin Tai-yü noticed that the act called, 'The man offers a sacrifice' had been reached, "This Wang Shih-p'eng," she said to Pao-ch'ai, "is very stupid!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading By some inscrutable turn of affairs, lady Feng begins to feel the pangs of jealousy.
offersnounUS /ˈɔːfərz/
plural of “offer” — the verbal act of offering
From this reading When Lin Tai-yü noticed that the act called, 'The man offers a sacrifice' had been reached, "This Wang Shih-p'eng," she said to Pao-ch'ai, "is very stupid!
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading But to resume our narrative.
P'ing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pao-yü experiences joy, beyond all his expectations, when P'ing Erh (receives a slap from lady Feng) and has to adjust her hair.
pangsnounUS /pæŋz/
plural of “pang” — a sudden sharp feeling
From this reading By some inscrutable turn of affairs, lady Feng begins to feel the pangs of jealousy.
Pao-ch'ai
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Lin Tai-yü noticed that the act called, 'The man offers a sacrifice' had been reached, "This Wang Shih-p'eng," she said to Pao-ch'ai, "is very stupid!
Pao-yü
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pao-yü experiences joy, beyond all his expectations, when P'ing Erh (receives a slap from lady Feng) and has to adjust her hair.
performancenounUS /pərˈfɔːrməns/
a dramatic or musical entertainment
From this reading At the performance of the 'Record of the boxwood hairpin,' at which all the inmates of the household were present, Pao-yü and his female cousins sat together.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading At the performance of the 'Record of the boxwood hairpin,' at which all the inmates of the household were present, Pao-yü and his female cousins sat together.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading When Lin Tai-yü noticed that the act called, 'The man offers a sacrifice' had been reached, "This Wang Shih-p'eng," she said to Pao-ch'ai, "is very stupid!
receivesverbUS /rəˈsiːvz/
third-person singular of “receive” — get something; come into possession of
From this reading Pao-yü experiences joy, beyond all his expectations, when P'ing Erh (receives a slap from lady Feng) and has to adjust her hair.
anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events
From this reading At the performance of the 'Record of the boxwood hairpin,' at which all the inmates of the household were present, Pao-yü and his female cousins sat together.
resumeverbUS /rɪˈzuːm/
take up or begin anew
From this reading But to resume our narrative.
the act of losing or surrendering something as a penalty for a mistake or fault or failure to perform etc.
From this reading When Lin Tai-yü noticed that the act called, 'The man offers a sacrifice' had been reached, "This Wang Shih-p'eng," she said to Pao-ch'ai, "is very stupid!
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading When Lin Tai-yü noticed that the act called, 'The man offers a sacrifice' had been reached, "This Wang Shih-p'eng," she said to Pao-ch'ai, "is very stupid!
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading At the performance of the 'Record of the boxwood hairpin,' at which all the inmates of the household were present, Pao-yü and his female cousins sat together.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Lin Tai-yü noticed that the act called, 'The man offers a sacrifice' had been reached, "This Wang Shih-p'eng," she said to Pao-ch'ai, "is very stupid!
Shih-p'eng
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Lin Tai-yü noticed that the act called, 'The man offers a sacrifice' had been reached, "This Wang Shih-p'eng," she said to Pao-ch'ai, "is very stupid!
slapverbUS /slæp/
hit with something flat, like a paddle or the open hand
From this reading Pao-yü experiences joy, beyond all his expectations, when P'ing Erh (receives a slap from lady Feng) and has to adjust her hair.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading By some inscrutable turn of affairs, lady Feng begins to feel the pangs of jealousy.
lacking or marked by lack of intellectual acuity
From this reading When Lin Tai-yü noticed that the act called, 'The man offers a sacrifice' had been reached, "This Wang Shih-p'eng," she said to Pao-ch'ai, "is very stupid!
Tai-yü
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Lin Tai-yü noticed that the act called, 'The man offers a sacrifice' had been reached, "This Wang Shih-p'eng," she said to Pao-ch'ai, "is very stupid!
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When Lin Tai-yü noticed that the act called, 'The man offers a sacrifice' had been reached, "This Wang Shih-p'eng," she said to Pao-ch'ai, "is very stupid!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading By some inscrutable turn of affairs, lady Feng begins to feel the pangs of jealousy.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading When Lin Tai-yü noticed that the act called, 'The man offers a sacrifice' had been reached, "This Wang Shih-p'eng," she said to Pao-ch'ai, "is very stupid!
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading By some inscrutable turn of affairs, lady Feng begins to feel the pangs of jealousy.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading At the performance of the 'Record of the boxwood hairpin,' at which all the inmates of the household were present, Pao-yü and his female cousins sat together.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading By some inscrutable turn of affairs, lady Feng begins to feel the pangs of jealousy.
precisely as stated
From this reading When Lin Tai-yü noticed that the act called, 'The man offers a sacrifice' had been reached, "This Wang Shih-p'eng," she said to Pao-ch'ai, "is very stupid!
Wang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Lin Tai-yü noticed that the act called, 'The man offers a sacrifice' had been reached, "This Wang Shih-p'eng," she said to Pao-ch'ai, "is very stupid!
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading At the performance of the 'Record of the boxwood hairpin,' at which all the inmates of the household were present, Pao-yü and his female cousins sat together.
at the time that
From this reading Pao-yü experiences joy, beyond all his expectations, when P'ing Erh (receives a slap from lady Feng) and has to adjust her hair.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading At the performance of the 'Record of the boxwood hairpin,' at which all the inmates of the household were present, Pao-yü and his female cousins sat together.
