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Madame Chrysantheme — Complete
Madame Chrysantheme — Complete

Chapter XXVIII · Chapter 28

Chapter 28 of Madame Chrysantheme — Complete is here in full — 66 sentences across 14 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Madame Chrysantheme — Complete
Context Illustration Reading 1/13 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
My little Chrysantheme is always attired in dark colors, a sign here of aristocratic distinction.
While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.
If she were of noble descent she would wear embroidered on her dress in the middle of the back a little white circle looking like a postmark with some design in the centre of it--usually the leaf of a tree; and this would be her coat-of-arms.
There is really nothing wanting but this little heraldic blazon on the back to give her the appearance of a lady of the highest rank.
In Japan the smart dresses of bright colors shaded in clouds, embroidered with monsters of gold or silver, are reserved by the great ladies for home use on state occasions; or else they are used on the stage for dancers and courtesans.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Madame Chrysantheme — Complete

Chapter XXVIII · Chapter 28

Chapter 28 of Madame Chrysantheme — Complete is here in full — 66 sentences across 14 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/13 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
My little Chrysantheme is always attired in dark colors, a sign here of aristocratic distinction.
Line 2
While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.
Line 3
If she were of noble descent she would wear embroidered on her dress in the middle of the back a little white circle looking like a postmark with some design in the centre of it--usually the leaf of a tree; and this would be her coat-of-arms.
Line 4
There is really nothing wanting but this little heraldic blazon on the back to give her the appearance of a lady of the highest rank.
Line 5
In Japan the smart dresses of bright colors shaded in clouds, embroidered with monsters of gold or silver, are reserved by the great ladies for home use on state occasions; or else they are used on the stage for dancers and courtesans.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

dancers noun US /ˈdænsərz/

plural of “dancer” — a performer who dances professionally

From this reading “In Japan the smart dresses of bright colors shaded in clouds, embroidered with monsters of gold or silver, are reserved by the great ladies for home use on state occasions; or else they are used on the stage for dancers and courtesans.”

heraldic adjective US /heˈrældɪk/

indicative of or announcing something to come

From this reading “There is really nothing wanting but this little heraldic blazon on the back to give her the appearance of a lady of the highest rank.”

Japan noun US /dʒəˈpæn/

a string of more than 3,000 islands to the east of Asia extending 1,300 miles between the Sea of Japan and the western Pacific Ocean

From this reading “In Japan the smart dresses of bright colors shaded in clouds, embroidered with monsters of gold or silver, are reserved by the great ladies for home use on state occasions; or else they are used on the stage for dancers and courtesans.”

neutral adjective US /ˈnuːtrəl/

having no personal preference

From this reading “While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.”

pins noun US /pɪnz/

plural of “pin” — a piece of jewelry that is pinned onto the wearer's garment

From this reading “While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.”

postmark noun US /ˈpoʊstmɑːrk/

a cancellation mark stamped on mail by postal officials; indicates the post office and date of mailing

From this reading “If she were of noble descent she would wear embroidered on her dress in the middle of the back a little white circle looking like a postmark with some design in the centre of it--usually the leaf of a tree; and this would be her coat-of-arms.”

sashes noun US /ˈsæʃɪz/

plural of “sash” — a framework that holds the panes of a window in the window frame

From this reading “While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.”

stuffs noun US /stʌfs/

plural of “stuff” — the tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object

From this reading “While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.”

All words in this reading · 116

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading My little Chrysantheme is always attired in dark colors, a sign here of aristocratic distinction.

alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading My little Chrysantheme is always attired in dark colors, a sign here of aristocratic distinction.

amber-colored

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.

appearancenounUS /əˈpɪrəns/

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading There is really nothing wanting but this little heraldic blazon on the back to give her the appearance of a lady of the highest rank.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading In Japan the smart dresses of bright colors shaded in clouds, embroidered with monsters of gold or silver, are reserved by the great ladies for home use on state occasions; or else they are used on the stage for dancers and courtesans.

aristocraticadjectiveUS /ərˌɪstəˈkrætɪk/

belonging to or characteristic of the nobility or aristocracy

From this reading My little Chrysantheme is always attired in dark colors, a sign here of aristocratic distinction.

attiredadjectiveUS /əˈtaɪrd/

dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination

From this reading My little Chrysantheme is always attired in dark colors, a sign here of aristocratic distinction.

backadverbUS /bæk/

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading If she were of noble descent she would wear embroidered on her dress in the middle of the back a little white circle looking like a postmark with some design in the centre of it--usually the leaf of a tree; and this would be her coat-of-arms.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading If she were of noble descent she would wear embroidered on her dress in the middle of the back a little white circle looking like a postmark with some design in the centre of it--usually the leaf of a tree; and this would be her coat-of-arms.

blackadjectiveUS /blæk/

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.

blazonnoun

the official symbols of a family, state, etc.

From this reading There is really nothing wanting but this little heraldic blazon on the back to give her the appearance of a lady of the highest rank.

brightadjectiveUS /braɪt/

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading In Japan the smart dresses of bright colors shaded in clouds, embroidered with monsters of gold or silver, are reserved by the great ladies for home use on state occasions; or else they are used on the stage for dancers and courtesans.

brocadedadjective

embellished with a raised pattern created by pressure or embroidery

From this reading While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading In Japan the smart dresses of bright colors shaded in clouds, embroidered with monsters of gold or silver, are reserved by the great ladies for home use on state occasions; or else they are used on the stage for dancers and courtesans.

centrenounUS /ˈsentər/

a low-lying region in central France

From this reading If she were of noble descent she would wear embroidered on her dress in the middle of the back a little white circle looking like a postmark with some design in the centre of it--usually the leaf of a tree; and this would be her coat-of-arms.

chignons

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.

Chrysantheme

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading My little Chrysantheme is always attired in dark colors, a sign here of aristocratic distinction.

circlenounUS /ˈsɜːrkəl/

ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point

From this reading If she were of noble descent she would wear embroidered on her dress in the middle of the back a little white circle looking like a postmark with some design in the centre of it--usually the leaf of a tree; and this would be her coat-of-arms.

cloudsnounUS /klaʊdz/

plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible

From this reading In Japan the smart dresses of bright colors shaded in clouds, embroidered with monsters of gold or silver, are reserved by the great ladies for home use on state occasions; or else they are used on the stage for dancers and courtesans.

coat-of-arms

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading If she were of noble descent she would wear embroidered on her dress in the middle of the back a little white circle looking like a postmark with some design in the centre of it--usually the leaf of a tree; and this would be her coat-of-arms.

colorsnounUS /ˈkʌlərz/

a flag that shows its nationality

From this reading My little Chrysantheme is always attired in dark colors, a sign here of aristocratic distinction.

courtesans

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In Japan the smart dresses of bright colors shaded in clouds, embroidered with monsters of gold or silver, are reserved by the great ladies for home use on state occasions; or else they are used on the stage for dancers and courtesans.

dancersnounUS /ˈdænsərz/

plural of “dancer” — a performer who dances professionally

From this reading In Japan the smart dresses of bright colors shaded in clouds, embroidered with monsters of gold or silver, are reserved by the great ladies for home use on state occasions; or else they are used on the stage for dancers and courtesans.

darknounUS /dɑːrk/

absence of light or illumination

From this reading My little Chrysantheme is always attired in dark colors, a sign here of aristocratic distinction.

delightverbUS /dɪˈlaɪt/

give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.

descentnounUS /dɪˈsent/

An action of moving downward, dropping, or falling into a deeper place.

From this reading If she were of noble descent she would wear embroidered on her dress in the middle of the back a little white circle looking like a postmark with some design in the centre of it--usually the leaf of a tree; and this would be her coat-of-arms.

designnounUS /dɪˈzaɪn/

the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)

From this reading If she were of noble descent she would wear embroidered on her dress in the middle of the back a little white circle looking like a postmark with some design in the centre of it--usually the leaf of a tree; and this would be her coat-of-arms.

distinctionnounUS /dɪˈstɪŋkʃən/

a discrimination between things as different and distinct on the basis of their characteristics or attributes

From this reading My little Chrysantheme is always attired in dark colors, a sign here of aristocratic distinction.

dressverbUS /dres/

put on clothes

From this reading If she were of noble descent she would wear embroidered on her dress in the middle of the back a little white circle looking like a postmark with some design in the centre of it--usually the leaf of a tree; and this would be her coat-of-arms.

dressesnounUS /ˈdresəz/

plural of “dress” — a one-piece garment for a woman; has skirt and bodice

From this reading In Japan the smart dresses of bright colors shaded in clouds, embroidered with monsters of gold or silver, are reserved by the great ladies for home use on state occasions; or else they are used on the stage for dancers and courtesans.

else

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In Japan the smart dresses of bright colors shaded in clouds, embroidered with monsters of gold or silver, are reserved by the great ladies for home use on state occasions; or else they are used on the stage for dancers and courtesans.

embroideredverbUS /emˈbrɔɪdərd/

past form of “embroider” — decorate with needlework

From this reading If she were of noble descent she would wear embroidered on her dress in the middle of the back a little white circle looking like a postmark with some design in the centre of it--usually the leaf of a tree; and this would be her coat-of-arms.

fastenedadjectiveUS /ˈfæsənd/

firmly closed or secured

From this reading While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In Japan the smart dresses of bright colors shaded in clouds, embroidered with monsters of gold or silver, are reserved by the great ladies for home use on state occasions; or else they are used on the stage for dancers and courtesans.

friendsnounUS /frendz/

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.

gay-striped

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.

giveverbUS /ɡɪv/

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading There is really nothing wanting but this little heraldic blazon on the back to give her the appearance of a lady of the highest rank.

goldnounUS /ɡoʊld/

coins made of gold

From this reading In Japan the smart dresses of bright colors shaded in clouds, embroidered with monsters of gold or silver, are reserved by the great ladies for home use on state occasions; or else they are used on the stage for dancers and courtesans.

gorgeousadjectiveUS /ˈɡɔːrdʒəs/

dazzlingly beautiful

From this reading While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.

graynounUS /ɡreɪ/

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.

greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.

hairnounUS /her/

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 While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.

heraldicadjectiveUS /heˈrældɪk/

indicative of or announcing something to come

From this reading There is really nothing wanting but this little heraldic blazon on the back to give her the appearance of a lady of the highest rank.

hereadverbUS /hiːr/

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading My little Chrysantheme is always attired in dark colors, a sign here of aristocratic distinction.

highestadjectiveUS /ˈhaɪəst/

superlative of “high” — greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading There is really nothing wanting but this little heraldic blazon on the back to give her the appearance of a lady of the highest rank.

homenounUS /hoʊm/

where you live at a particular time

From this reading In Japan the smart dresses of bright colors shaded in clouds, embroidered with monsters of gold or silver, are reserved by the great ladies for home use on state occasions; or else they are used on the stage for dancers and courtesans.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If she were of noble descent she would wear embroidered on her dress in the middle of the back a little white circle looking like a postmark with some design in the centre of it--usually the leaf of a tree; and this would be her coat-of-arms.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading My little Chrysantheme is always attired in dark colors, a sign here of aristocratic distinction.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading My little Chrysantheme is always attired in dark colors, a sign here of aristocratic distinction.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading If she were of noble descent she would wear embroidered on her dress in the middle of the back a little white circle looking like a postmark with some design in the centre of it--usually the leaf of a tree; and this would be her coat-of-arms.

JapannounUS /dʒəˈpæn/

a string of more than 3,000 islands to the east of Asia extending 1,300 miles between the Sea of Japan and the western Pacific Ocean

From this reading In Japan the smart dresses of bright colors shaded in clouds, embroidered with monsters of gold or silver, are reserved by the great ladies for home use on state occasions; or else they are used on the stage for dancers and courtesans.

ladiesnounUS /ˈleɪdiz/

plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading In Japan the smart dresses of bright colors shaded in clouds, embroidered with monsters of gold or silver, are reserved by the great ladies for home use on state occasions; or else they are used on the stage for dancers and courtesans.

ladynounUS /ˈleɪdi/

a polite name for any woman

From this reading There is really nothing wanting but this little heraldic blazon on the back to give her the appearance of a lady of the highest rank.

leafnounUS /liːf/

the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading If she were of noble descent she would wear embroidered on her dress in the middle of the back a little white circle looking like a postmark with some design in the centre of it--usually the leaf of a tree; and this would be her coat-of-arms.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading If she were of noble descent she would wear embroidered on her dress in the middle of the back a little white circle looking like a postmark with some design in the centre of it--usually the leaf of a tree; and this would be her coat-of-arms.

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading My little Chrysantheme is always attired in dark colors, a sign here of aristocratic distinction.

lookingnounUS /ˈlʊkɪŋ/

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading If she were of noble descent she would wear embroidered on her dress in the middle of the back a little white circle looking like a postmark with some design in the centre of it--usually the leaf of a tree; and this would be her coat-of-arms.

MadamenounUS /ˈmædəm/

title used for a married Frenchwoman

From this reading While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.

middlenounUS /ˈmɪdəl/

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading If she were of noble descent she would wear embroidered on her dress in the middle of the back a little white circle looking like a postmark with some design in the centre of it--usually the leaf of a tree; and this would be her coat-of-arms.

monstersnounUS /ˈmɑːnstərz/

plural of “monster” — an imaginary creature usually having various human and animal parts

From this reading In Japan the smart dresses of bright colors shaded in clouds, embroidered with monsters of gold or silver, are reserved by the great ladies for home use on state occasions; or else they are used on the stage for dancers and courtesans.

MydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading My little Chrysantheme is always attired in dark colors, a sign here of aristocratic distinction.

navy-blue

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.

neutraladjectiveUS /ˈnuːtrəl/

having no personal preference

From this reading While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.

nobleadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊbəl/

impressive in appearance

From this reading If she were of noble descent she would wear embroidered on her dress in the middle of the back a little white circle looking like a postmark with some design in the centre of it--usually the leaf of a tree; and this would be her coat-of-arms.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.

occasionsnounUS /əˈkeɪʒənz/

something you have to do

From this reading In Japan the smart dresses of bright colors shaded in clouds, embroidered with monsters of gold or silver, are reserved by the great ladies for home use on state occasions; or else they are used on the stage for dancers and courtesans.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading My little Chrysantheme is always attired in dark colors, a sign here of aristocratic distinction.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading If she were of noble descent she would wear embroidered on her dress in the middle of the back a little white circle looking like a postmark with some design in the centre of it--usually the leaf of a tree; and this would be her coat-of-arms.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.

ornamentsnounUS /ˈɔːrnəmənts/

plural of “ornament” — something used to beautify

From this reading While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.

others

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.

Oyouki-San

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.

pinsnounUS /pɪnz/

plural of “pin” — a piece of jewelry that is pinned onto the wearer's garment

From this reading While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.

postmarknounUS /ˈpoʊstmɑːrk/

a cancellation mark stamped on mail by postal officials; indicates the post office and date of mailing

From this reading If she were of noble descent she would wear embroidered on her dress in the middle of the back a little white circle looking like a postmark with some design in the centre of it--usually the leaf of a tree; and this would be her coat-of-arms.

putsnounUS /pʊts/

plural of “put” — the option to sell a given stock (or stock index or commodity future) at a given price before a given date

From this reading While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.

ranknounUS /ræŋk/

a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another

From this reading There is really nothing wanting but this little heraldic blazon on the back to give her the appearance of a lady of the highest rank.

reallyadverbUS /ˈrɪli/

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading There is really nothing wanting but this little heraldic blazon on the back to give her the appearance of a lady of the highest rank.

reservedadjectiveUS /rɪˈzɜːrvd/

set aside for the use of a particular person or party

From this reading In Japan the smart dresses of bright colors shaded in clouds, embroidered with monsters of gold or silver, are reserved by the great ladies for home use on state occasions; or else they are used on the stage for dancers and courtesans.

roundnounUS /raʊnd/

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.

sashesnounUS /ˈsæʃɪz/

plural of “sash” — a framework that holds the panes of a window in the window frame

From this reading While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.

shadedadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪdɪd/

protected from heat and light with shade or shadow

From this reading In Japan the smart dresses of bright colors shaded in clouds, embroidered with monsters of gold or silver, are reserved by the great ladies for home use on state occasions; or else they are used on the stage for dancers and courtesans.

shadesnounUS /ʃeɪdz/

(plural) something that reminds you of someone or something

From this reading While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.

signnounUS /saɪn/

a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading My little Chrysantheme is always attired in dark colors, a sign here of aristocratic distinction.

silvernounUS /ˈsɪlvər/

a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography

From this reading In Japan the smart dresses of bright colors shaded in clouds, embroidered with monsters of gold or silver, are reserved by the great ladies for home use on state occasions; or else they are used on the stage for dancers and courtesans.

smartadjectiveUS /smɑːrt/

showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness

From this reading In Japan the smart dresses of bright colors shaded in clouds, embroidered with monsters of gold or silver, are reserved by the great ladies for home use on state occasions; or else they are used on the stage for dancers and courtesans.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading If she were of noble descent she would wear embroidered on her dress in the middle of the back a little white circle looking like a postmark with some design in the centre of it--usually the leaf of a tree; and this would be her coat-of-arms.

stagenounUS /steɪdʒ/

any distinct time period in a sequence of events

From this reading In Japan the smart dresses of bright colors shaded in clouds, embroidered with monsters of gold or silver, are reserved by the great ladies for home use on state occasions; or else they are used on the stage for dancers and courtesans.

statenounUS /steɪt/

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading In Japan the smart dresses of bright colors shaded in clouds, embroidered with monsters of gold or silver, are reserved by the great ladies for home use on state occasions; or else they are used on the stage for dancers and courtesans.

stuffsnounUS /stʌfs/

plural of “stuff” — the tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object

From this reading While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.

tenderadjectiveUS /ˈtendər/

given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality

From this reading While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading If she were of noble descent she would wear embroidered on her dress in the middle of the back a little white circle looking like a postmark with some design in the centre of it--usually the leaf of a tree; and this would be her coat-of-arms.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.

ThereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading There is really nothing wanting but this little heraldic blazon on the back to give her the appearance of a lady of the highest rank.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading In Japan the smart dresses of bright colors shaded in clouds, embroidered with monsters of gold or silver, are reserved by the great ladies for home use on state occasions; or else they are used on the stage for dancers and courtesans.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading If she were of noble descent she would wear embroidered on her dress in the middle of the back a little white circle looking like a postmark with some design in the centre of it--usually the leaf of a tree; and this would be her coat-of-arms.

thrustverbUS /θrʌst/

push forcefully

From this reading While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading There is really nothing wanting but this little heraldic blazon on the back to give her the appearance of a lady of the highest rank.

tortoiseshellnoun

the mottled horny substance of the shell of some turtles

From this reading While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.

Touki

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.

treenounUS /triː/

a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading If she were of noble descent she would wear embroidered on her dress in the middle of the back a little white circle looking like a postmark with some design in the centre of it--usually the leaf of a tree; and this would be her coat-of-arms.

usenounUS /juːs/

the act of using

From this reading In Japan the smart dresses of bright colors shaded in clouds, embroidered with monsters of gold or silver, are reserved by the great ladies for home use on state occasions; or else they are used on the stage for dancers and courtesans.

usedadjectiveUS /juːzd/

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading In Japan the smart dresses of bright colors shaded in clouds, embroidered with monsters of gold or silver, are reserved by the great ladies for home use on state occasions; or else they are used on the stage for dancers and courtesans.

usuallyadverbUS /ˈjuːʒəwəli/

under normal conditions

From this reading If she were of noble descent she would wear embroidered on her dress in the middle of the back a little white circle looking like a postmark with some design in the centre of it--usually the leaf of a tree; and this would be her coat-of-arms.

waistnounUS /weɪst/

the narrowing of the body between the ribs and hips

From this reading While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.

wantingadjectiveUS /ˈwɑːntɪŋ/

nonexistent

From this reading There is really nothing wanting but this little heraldic blazon on the back to give her the appearance of a lady of the highest rank.

wearverbUS /wer/

be dressed in

From this reading If she were of noble descent she would wear embroidered on her dress in the middle of the back a little white circle looking like a postmark with some design in the centre of it--usually the leaf of a tree; and this would be her coat-of-arms.

wearsnounUS /werz/

plural of “wear” — impairment resulting from long use

From this reading While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading If she were of noble descent she would wear embroidered on her dress in the middle of the back a little white circle looking like a postmark with some design in the centre of it--usually the leaf of a tree; and this would be her coat-of-arms.

WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.

whitenounUS /waɪt/

a Caucasian

From this reading If she were of noble descent she would wear embroidered on her dress in the middle of the back a little white circle looking like a postmark with some design in the centre of it--usually the leaf of a tree; and this would be her coat-of-arms.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading While her friends Oyouki-San, Madame Touki, and others, delight in gay-striped stuffs, and thrust gorgeous ornaments in their chignons, she always wears navy-blue or neutral gray, fastened round her waist with great black sashes brocaded in tender shades, and she puts nothing in her hair but amber-colored tortoiseshell pins.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading If she were of noble descent she would wear embroidered on her dress in the middle of the back a little white circle looking like a postmark with some design in the centre of it--usually the leaf of a tree; and this would be her coat-of-arms.

Chapter 28 of Madame Chrysantheme — Complete by Pierre Loti holds 66 sentences, grouped into 14 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 28 of Madame Chrysantheme — Complete contain?

Chapter 28 holds 66 sentences of Madame Chrysantheme — Complete, unabridged, divided into 14 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 28 of Madame Chrysantheme — Complete by Pierre Loti exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 66 sentences, grouped into 14 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 28 of Madame Chrysantheme — Complete?

Work through the 14 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 14 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 28 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 28 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading Madame Chrysantheme — Complete

Common questions about reading Madame Chrysantheme — Complete by Pierre Loti on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Madame Chrysantheme — Complete?

Yes. All 1814 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #3995 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Madame Chrysantheme — Complete is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #3995, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Madame Chrysantheme — Complete take to read?

About 151 minutes of reading across 363 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Madame Chrysantheme — Complete section by section

How to work through Madame Chrysantheme — Complete section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

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  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Madame Chrysantheme — Complete

Words and structures a reader meets early in Madame Chrysantheme — Complete, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Beheld
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Madame Chrysantheme — Complete; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Japan
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Madame Chrysantheme — Complete; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Precisely
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Madame Chrysantheme — Complete; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Foretold
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Madame Chrysantheme — Complete; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.