Chapter I

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

From this reading To those whose ideas of a Chinaman are gathered from the good-natured, doddering idiot as he is so often represented on the stage, he is here shown in a different form, however inadequate the portrayal may be.

be able to spare or give up

From this reading If they afford the reader as many pleasant minutes, they will have well fulfilled their purpose.

later than; following

From this reading It had, indeed, been a hot day even for up-river, and the extreme humidity of the atmosphere after the rains made the heat felt in every pore of the skin, so that even the half-naked steersmen of the junks sweated at their rudders.

(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 THE sun had shone brilliantly and torridly all day over the mud-laden river, the surrounding paddy-fields, and the copper-coloured backs of the sweating Chinese boatmen as they laboured at their yuloes in sampen and junk.

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

From this reading THESE stories possess the merit of not being true, nor are they necessarily founded on fact; they were written during three years’ service in China, and their conception served to more or less pleasantly while away many hours.

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

From this reading THESE stories possess the merit of not being true, nor are they necessarily founded on fact; they were written during three years’ service in China, and their conception served to more or less pleasantly while away many hours.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading If they afford the reader as many pleasant minutes, they will have well fulfilled their purpose.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE sun had shone brilliantly and torridly all day over the mud-laden river, the surrounding paddy-fields, and the copper-coloured backs of the sweating Chinese boatmen as they laboured at their yuloes in sampen and junk.

a particular environment or surrounding influence

From this reading It had, indeed, been a hot day even for up-river, and the extreme humidity of the atmosphere after the rains made the heat felt in every pore of the skin, so that even the half-naked steersmen of the junks sweated at their rudders.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading THESE stories possess the merit of not being true, nor are they necessarily founded on fact; they were written during three years’ service in China, and their conception served to more or less pleasantly while away many hours.

plural of “back” — the posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine

From this reading THE sun had shone brilliantly and torridly all day over the mud-laden river, the surrounding paddy-fields, and the copper-coloured backs of the sweating Chinese boatmen as they laboured at their yuloes in sampen and junk.

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

From this reading To those whose ideas of a Chinaman are gathered from the good-natured, doddering idiot as he is so often represented on the stage, he is here shown in a different form, however inadequate the portrayal may be.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It had, indeed, been a hot day even for up-river, and the extreme humidity of the atmosphere after the rains made the heat felt in every pore of the skin, so that even the half-naked steersmen of the junks sweated at their rudders.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading THESE stories possess the merit of not being true, nor are they necessarily founded on fact; they were written during three years’ service in China, and their conception served to more or less pleasantly while away many hours.

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

From this reading THE sun had shone brilliantly and torridly all day over the mud-laden river, the surrounding paddy-fields, and the copper-coloured backs of the sweating Chinese boatmen as they laboured at their yuloes in sampen and junk.

with brightness

From this reading THE sun had shone brilliantly and torridly all day over the mud-laden river, the surrounding paddy-fields, and the copper-coloured backs of the sweating Chinese boatmen as they laboured at their yuloes in sampen and junk.

a communist nation that covers a vast territory in eastern Asia; the most populous country in the world

From this reading THESE stories possess the merit of not being true, nor are they necessarily founded on fact; they were written during three years’ service in China, and their conception served to more or less pleasantly while away many hours.

(ethnic slur) offensive term for a person of Chinese descent

From this reading To those whose ideas of a Chinaman are gathered from the good-natured, doddering idiot as he is so often represented on the stage, he is here shown in a different form, however inadequate the portrayal may be.

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 THE sun had shone brilliantly and torridly all day over the mud-laden river, the surrounding paddy-fields, and the copper-coloured backs of the sweating Chinese boatmen as they laboured at their yuloes in sampen and junk.

an abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances

From this reading THESE stories possess the merit of not being true, nor are they necessarily founded on fact; they were written during three years’ service in China, and their conception served to more or less pleasantly while away many hours.

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

From this reading THE sun had shone brilliantly and torridly all day over the mud-laden river, the surrounding paddy-fields, and the copper-coloured backs of the sweating Chinese boatmen as they laboured at their yuloes in sampen and junk.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading THE sun had shone brilliantly and torridly all day over the mud-laden river, the surrounding paddy-fields, and the copper-coloured backs of the sweating Chinese boatmen as they laboured at their yuloes in sampen and junk.

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

From this reading To those whose ideas of a Chinaman are gathered from the good-natured, doddering idiot as he is so often represented on the stage, he is here shown in a different form, however inadequate the portrayal may be.

mentally or physically infirm with age

From this reading To those whose ideas of a Chinaman are gathered from the good-natured, doddering idiot as he is so often represented on the stage, he is here shown in a different form, however inadequate the portrayal may be.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading THESE stories possess the merit of not being true, nor are they necessarily founded on fact; they were written during three years’ service in China, and their conception served to more or less pleasantly while away many hours.

divisible by two

From this reading It had, indeed, been a hot day even for up-river, and the extreme humidity of the atmosphere after the rains made the heat felt in every pore of the skin, so that even the half-naked steersmen of the junks sweated at their rudders.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading It had, indeed, been a hot day even for up-river, and the extreme humidity of the atmosphere after the rains made the heat felt in every pore of the skin, so that even the half-naked steersmen of the junks sweated at their rudders.

of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity

From this reading It had, indeed, been a hot day even for up-river, and the extreme humidity of the atmosphere after the rains made the heat felt in every pore of the skin, so that even the half-naked steersmen of the junks sweated at their rudders.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading THESE stories possess the merit of not being true, nor are they necessarily founded on fact; they were written during three years’ service in China, and their conception served to more or less pleasantly while away many hours.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading It had, indeed, been a hot day even for up-river, and the extreme humidity of the atmosphere after the rains made the heat felt in every pore of the skin, so that even the half-naked steersmen of the junks sweated at their rudders.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It had, indeed, been a hot day even for up-river, and the extreme humidity of the atmosphere after the rains made the heat felt in every pore of the skin, so that even the half-naked steersmen of the junks sweated at their rudders.

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading To those whose ideas of a Chinaman are gathered from the good-natured, doddering idiot as he is so often represented on the stage, he is here shown in a different form, however inadequate the portrayal may be.

past form of “found” — set up or found

From this reading THESE stories possess the merit of not being true, nor are they necessarily founded on fact; they were written during three years’ service in China, and their conception served to more or less pleasantly while away many hours.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading To those whose ideas of a Chinaman are gathered from the good-natured, doddering idiot as he is so often represented on the stage, he is here shown in a different form, however inadequate the portrayal may be.

completed to perfection

From this reading If they afford the reader as many pleasant minutes, they will have well fulfilled their purpose.

brought together in one place

From this reading To those whose ideas of a Chinaman are gathered from the good-natured, doddering idiot as he is so often represented on the stage, he is here shown in a different form, however inadequate the portrayal may be.

having an easygoing and cheerful disposition

From this reading To those whose ideas of a Chinaman are gathered from the good-natured, doddering idiot as he is so often represented on the stage, he is here shown in a different form, however inadequate the portrayal may be.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading THE sun had shone brilliantly and torridly all day over the mud-laden river, the surrounding paddy-fields, and the copper-coloured backs of the sweating Chinese boatmen as they laboured at their yuloes in sampen and junk.

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

From this reading It had, indeed, been a hot day even for up-river, and the extreme humidity of the atmosphere after the rains made the heat felt in every pore of the skin, so that even the half-naked steersmen of the junks sweated at their rudders.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading If they afford the reader as many pleasant minutes, they will have well fulfilled their purpose.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading To those whose ideas of a Chinaman are gathered from the good-natured, doddering idiot as he is so often represented on the stage, he is here shown in a different form, however inadequate the portrayal may be.

a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature

From this reading It had, indeed, been a hot day even for up-river, and the extreme humidity of the atmosphere after the rains made the heat felt in every pore of the skin, so that even the half-naked steersmen of the junks sweated at their rudders.

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

From this reading To those whose ideas of a Chinaman are gathered from the good-natured, doddering idiot as he is so often represented on the stage, he is here shown in a different form, however inadequate the portrayal may be.

used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading It had, indeed, been a hot day even for up-river, and the extreme humidity of the atmosphere after the rains made the heat felt in every pore of the skin, so that even the half-naked steersmen of the junks sweated at their rudders.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading THESE stories possess the merit of not being true, nor are they necessarily founded on fact; they were written during three years’ service in China, and their conception served to more or less pleasantly while away many hours.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading To those whose ideas of a Chinaman are gathered from the good-natured, doddering idiot as he is so often represented on the stage, he is here shown in a different form, however inadequate the portrayal may be.

wetness in the atmosphere

From this reading It had, indeed, been a hot day even for up-river, and the extreme humidity of the atmosphere after the rains made the heat felt in every pore of the skin, so that even the half-naked steersmen of the junks sweated at their rudders.

plural of “idea” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading To those whose ideas of a Chinaman are gathered from the good-natured, doddering idiot as he is so often represented on the stage, he is here shown in a different form, however inadequate the portrayal may be.

a person of subnormal intelligence

From this reading To those whose ideas of a Chinaman are gathered from the good-natured, doddering idiot as he is so often represented on the stage, he is here shown in a different form, however inadequate the portrayal may be.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If they afford the reader as many pleasant minutes, they will have well fulfilled their purpose.

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

From this reading THESE stories possess the merit of not being true, nor are they necessarily founded on fact; they were written during three years’ service in China, and their conception served to more or less pleasantly while away many hours.

lacking the requisite qualities or resources to meet a task

From this reading To those whose ideas of a Chinaman are gathered from the good-natured, doddering idiot as he is so often represented on the stage, he is here shown in a different form, however inadequate the portrayal may be.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading It had, indeed, been a hot day even for up-river, and the extreme humidity of the atmosphere after the rains made the heat felt in every pore of the skin, so that even the half-naked steersmen of the junks sweated at their rudders.

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

From this reading To those whose ideas of a Chinaman are gathered from the good-natured, doddering idiot as he is so often represented on the stage, he is here shown in a different form, however inadequate the portrayal may be.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It had, indeed, been a hot day even for up-river, and the extreme humidity of the atmosphere after the rains made the heat felt in every pore of the skin, so that even the half-naked steersmen of the junks sweated at their rudders.

the remains of something that has been destroyed or broken up

From this reading THE sun had shone brilliantly and torridly all day over the mud-laden river, the surrounding paddy-fields, and the copper-coloured backs of the sweating Chinese boatmen as they laboured at their yuloes in sampen and junk.

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

From this reading It had, indeed, been a hot day even for up-river, and the extreme humidity of the atmosphere after the rains made the heat felt in every pore of the skin, so that even the half-naked steersmen of the junks sweated at their rudders.

lacking natural ease

From this reading THE sun had shone brilliantly and torridly all day over the mud-laden river, the surrounding paddy-fields, and the copper-coloured backs of the sweating Chinese boatmen as they laboured at their yuloes in sampen and junk.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading THESE stories possess the merit of not being true, nor are they necessarily founded on fact; they were written during three years’ service in China, and their conception served to more or less pleasantly while away many hours.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading It had, indeed, been a hot day even for up-river, and the extreme humidity of the atmosphere after the rains made the heat felt in every pore of the skin, so that even the half-naked steersmen of the junks sweated at their rudders.

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 THESE stories possess the merit of not being true, nor are they necessarily founded on fact; they were written during three years’ service in China, and their conception served to more or less pleasantly while away many hours.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading To those whose ideas of a Chinaman are gathered from the good-natured, doddering idiot as he is so often represented on the stage, he is here shown in a different form, however inadequate the portrayal may be.

any admirable quality or attribute

From this reading THESE stories possess the merit of not being true, nor are they necessarily founded on fact; they were written during three years’ service in China, and their conception served to more or less pleasantly while away many hours.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading If they afford the reader as many pleasant minutes, they will have well fulfilled their purpose.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading THESE stories possess the merit of not being true, nor are they necessarily founded on fact; they were written during three years’ service in China, and their conception served to more or less pleasantly while away many hours.

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

From this reading THE sun had shone brilliantly and torridly all day over the mud-laden river, the surrounding paddy-fields, and the copper-coloured backs of the sweating Chinese boatmen as they laboured at their yuloes in sampen and junk.

in an essential manner

From this reading THESE stories possess the merit of not being true, nor are they necessarily founded on fact; they were written during three years’ service in China, and their conception served to more or less pleasantly while away many hours.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading THESE stories possess the merit of not being true, nor are they necessarily founded on fact; they were written during three years’ service in China, and their conception served to more or less pleasantly while away many hours.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THESE stories possess the merit of not being true, nor are they necessarily founded on fact; they were written during three years’ service in China, and their conception served to more or less pleasantly while away many hours.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THESE stories possess the merit of not being true, nor are they necessarily founded on fact; they were written during three years’ service in China, and their conception served to more or less pleasantly while away many hours.

many times at short intervals

From this reading To those whose ideas of a Chinaman are gathered from the good-natured, doddering idiot as he is so often represented on the stage, he is here shown in a different form, however inadequate the portrayal may be.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THESE stories possess the merit of not being true, nor are they necessarily founded on fact; they were written during three years’ service in China, and their conception served to more or less pleasantly while away many hours.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading THESE stories possess the merit of not being true, nor are they necessarily founded on fact; they were written during three years’ service in China, and their conception served to more or less pleasantly while away many hours.

above and across; more than

From this reading THE sun had shone brilliantly and torridly all day over the mud-laden river, the surrounding paddy-fields, and the copper-coloured backs of the sweating Chinese boatmen as they laboured at their yuloes in sampen and junk.

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

From this reading THE sun had shone brilliantly and torridly all day over the mud-laden river, the surrounding paddy-fields, and the copper-coloured backs of the sweating Chinese boatmen as they laboured at their yuloes in sampen and junk.

affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings

From this reading If they afford the reader as many pleasant minutes, they will have well fulfilled their purpose.

in a cheerful manner

From this reading THESE stories possess the merit of not being true, nor are they necessarily founded on fact; they were written during three years’ service in China, and their conception served to more or less pleasantly while away many hours.

any tiny hole admitting passage of a liquid (fluid or gas)

From this reading It had, indeed, been a hot day even for up-river, and the extreme humidity of the atmosphere after the rains made the heat felt in every pore of the skin, so that even the half-naked steersmen of the junks sweated at their rudders.

a word picture of a person's appearance and character

From this reading To those whose ideas of a Chinaman are gathered from the good-natured, doddering idiot as he is so often represented on the stage, he is here shown in a different form, however inadequate the portrayal may be.

have as an attribute, knowledge, or skill

From this reading THESE stories possess the merit of not being true, nor are they necessarily founded on fact; they were written during three years’ service in China, and their conception served to more or less pleasantly while away many hours.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading If they afford the reader as many pleasant minutes, they will have well fulfilled their purpose.

plural of “rain” — water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading It had, indeed, been a hot day even for up-river, and the extreme humidity of the atmosphere after the rains made the heat felt in every pore of the skin, so that even the half-naked steersmen of the junks sweated at their rudders.

a person who enjoys reading

From this reading If they afford the reader as many pleasant minutes, they will have well fulfilled their purpose.

represented accurately or precisely

From this reading To those whose ideas of a Chinaman are gathered from the good-natured, doddering idiot as he is so often represented on the stage, he is here shown in a different form, however inadequate the portrayal may be.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading THE sun had shone brilliantly and torridly all day over the mud-laden river, the surrounding paddy-fields, and the copper-coloured backs of the sweating Chinese boatmen as they laboured at their yuloes in sampen and junk.

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

From this reading It had, indeed, been a hot day even for up-river, and the extreme humidity of the atmosphere after the rains made the heat felt in every pore of the skin, so that even the half-naked steersmen of the junks sweated at their rudders.

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

From this reading THE sun had shone brilliantly and torridly all day over the mud-laden river, the surrounding paddy-fields, and the copper-coloured backs of the sweating Chinese boatmen as they laboured at their yuloes in sampen and junk.

past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function

From this reading THESE stories possess the merit of not being true, nor are they necessarily founded on fact; they were written during three years’ service in China, and their conception served to more or less pleasantly while away many hours.

work done by one person or group that benefits another

From this reading THESE stories possess the merit of not being true, nor are they necessarily founded on fact; they were written during three years’ service in China, and their conception served to more or less pleasantly while away many hours.

inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light

From this reading THE sun had shone brilliantly and torridly all day over the mud-laden river, the surrounding paddy-fields, and the copper-coloured backs of the sweating Chinese boatmen as they laboured at their yuloes in sampen and junk.

inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading To those whose ideas of a Chinaman are gathered from the good-natured, doddering idiot as he is so often represented on the stage, he is here shown in a different form, however inadequate the portrayal may be.

a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch

From this reading It had, indeed, been a hot day even for up-river, and the extreme humidity of the atmosphere after the rains made the heat felt in every pore of the skin, so that even the half-naked steersmen of the junks sweated at their rudders.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading To those whose ideas of a Chinaman are gathered from the good-natured, doddering idiot as he is so often represented on the stage, he is here shown in a different form, however inadequate the portrayal may be.

any distinct time period in a sequence of events

From this reading To those whose ideas of a Chinaman are gathered from the good-natured, doddering idiot as he is so often represented on the stage, he is here shown in a different form, however inadequate the portrayal may be.

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

From this reading It had, indeed, been a hot day even for up-river, and the extreme humidity of the atmosphere after the rains made the heat felt in every pore of the skin, so that even the half-naked steersmen of the junks sweated at their rudders.

plural of “story” — 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 THESE stories possess the merit of not being true, nor are they necessarily founded on fact; they were written during three years’ service in China, and their conception served to more or less pleasantly while away many hours.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading THE sun had shone brilliantly and torridly all day over the mud-laden river, the surrounding paddy-fields, and the copper-coloured backs of the sweating Chinese boatmen as they laboured at their yuloes in sampen and junk.

closely encircling

From this reading THE sun had shone brilliantly and torridly all day over the mud-laden river, the surrounding paddy-fields, and the copper-coloured backs of the sweating Chinese boatmen as they laboured at their yuloes in sampen and junk.

past form of “sweat” — excrete perspiration through the pores in the skin

From this reading It had, indeed, been a hot day even for up-river, and the extreme humidity of the atmosphere after the rains made the heat felt in every pore of the skin, so that even the half-naked steersmen of the junks sweated at their rudders.

the process of the sweat glands of the skin secreting a salty fluid

From this reading THE sun had shone brilliantly and torridly all day over the mud-laden river, the surrounding paddy-fields, and the copper-coloured backs of the sweating Chinese boatmen as they laboured at their yuloes in sampen and junk.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It had, indeed, been a hot day even for up-river, and the extreme humidity of the atmosphere after the rains made the heat felt in every pore of the skin, so that even the half-naked steersmen of the junks sweated at their rudders.

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

From this reading THESE stories possess the merit of not being true, nor are they necessarily founded on fact; they were written during three years’ service in China, and their conception served to more or less pleasantly while away many hours.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading THESE stories possess the merit of not being true, nor are they necessarily founded on fact; they were written during three years’ service in China, and their conception served to more or less pleasantly while away many hours.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading THESE stories possess the merit of not being true, nor are they necessarily founded on fact; they were written during three years’ service in China, and their conception served to more or less pleasantly while away many hours.

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

From this reading THESE stories possess the merit of not being true, nor are they necessarily founded on fact; they were written during three years’ service in China, and their conception served to more or less pleasantly while away many hours.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading To those whose ideas of a Chinaman are gathered from the good-natured, doddering idiot as he is so often represented on the stage, he is here shown in a different form, however inadequate the portrayal may be.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading THESE stories possess the merit of not being true, nor are they necessarily founded on fact; they were written during three years’ service in China, and their conception served to more or less pleasantly while away many hours.

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

From this reading THESE stories possess the merit of not being true, nor are they necessarily founded on fact; they were written during three years’ service in China, and their conception served to more or less pleasantly while away many hours.

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

From this reading THE sun had shone brilliantly and torridly all day over the mud-laden river, the surrounding paddy-fields, and the copper-coloured backs of the sweating Chinese boatmen as they laboured at their yuloes in sampen and junk.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading THESE stories possess the merit of not being true, nor are they necessarily founded on fact; they were written during three years’ service in China, and their conception served to more or less pleasantly while away many hours.

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

From this reading It had, indeed, been a hot day even for up-river, and the extreme humidity of the atmosphere after the rains made the heat felt in every pore of the skin, so that even the half-naked steersmen of the junks sweated at their rudders.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading If they afford the reader as many pleasant minutes, they will have well fulfilled their purpose.

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

From this reading THESE stories possess the merit of not being true, nor are they necessarily founded on fact; they were written during three years’ service in China, and their conception served to more or less pleasantly while away many hours.

during the time that

From this reading THESE stories possess the merit of not being true, nor are they necessarily founded on fact; they were written during three years’ service in China, and their conception served to more or less pleasantly while away many hours.

belonging to which person

From this reading To those whose ideas of a Chinaman are gathered from the good-natured, doddering idiot as he is so often represented on the stage, he is here shown in a different form, however inadequate the portrayal may be.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading If they afford the reader as many pleasant minutes, they will have well fulfilled their purpose.

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading THESE stories possess the merit of not being true, nor are they necessarily founded on fact; they were written during three years’ service in China, and their conception served to more or less pleasantly while away many hours.

a late time of life

From this reading THESE stories possess the merit of not being true, nor are they necessarily founded on fact; they were written during three years’ service in China, and their conception served to more or less pleasantly while away many hours.

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

From this reading THE sun had shone brilliantly and torridly all day over the mud-laden river, the surrounding paddy-fields, and the copper-coloured backs of the sweating Chinese boatmen as they laboured at their yuloes in sampen and junk.