Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading Great jars with dragons at the handles stood in the recesses made by large oak cabinets, black with age, and elaborately carved with a marvellous nicety and skill.

how long something has existed

From this reading Great jars with dragons at the handles stood in the recesses made by large oak cabinets, black with age, and elaborately carved with a marvellous nicety and skill.

plural of “amulet” — a trinket or piece of jewelry usually hung about the neck and thought to be a magical protection against evil or disease

From this reading The oval tables were full of curious bits of china, dainty Oriental wicker work, exquisite shells on lacquered trays, wonderfully wrought workboxes and fans and amulets.

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

From this reading Great jars with dragons at the handles stood in the recesses made by large oak cabinets, black with age, and elaborately carved with a marvellous nicety and skill.

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

From this reading Others had come at long intervals as gifts from the captains of ships with whom the house did business.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Great jars with dragons at the handles stood in the recesses made by large oak cabinets, black with age, and elaborately carved with a marvellous nicety and skill.

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading Many of these rare and beautiful things were the spoils brought from India and Java by the sea-going Van Heemskirks of past generations.

plural of “bit” — a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading The oval tables were full of curious bits of china, dainty Oriental wicker work, exquisite shells on lacquered trays, wonderfully wrought workboxes and fans and amulets.

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

From this reading Great jars with dragons at the handles stood in the recesses made by large oak cabinets, black with age, and elaborately carved with a marvellous nicety and skill.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading Many of these rare and beautiful things were the spoils brought from India and Java by the sea-going Van Heemskirks of past generations.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading Others had come at long intervals as gifts from the captains of ships with whom the house did business.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Great jars with dragons at the handles stood in the recesses made by large oak cabinets, black with age, and elaborately carved with a marvellous nicety and skill.

plural of “cabinet” — a piece of furniture resembling a cupboard with doors and shelves and drawers; for storage or display

From this reading Great jars with dragons at the handles stood in the recesses made by large oak cabinets, black with age, and elaborately carved with a marvellous nicety and skill.

any tropical Asian palm of the genus Calamus; light tough stems are a source of rattan canes

From this reading The odours of calamus and myrrh and camphor from strange continents mingled with the faint perfume of the dried rose leaves and the scent-bags of English lavender.

a resin obtained from the camphor tree; used in making celluloid and liniment

From this reading The odours of calamus and myrrh and camphor from strange continents mingled with the faint perfume of the dried rose leaves and the scent-bags of English lavender.

plural of “captain” — an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading Others had come at long intervals as gifts from the captains of ships with whom the house did business.

made for or formed by carving (“carven” is archaic or literary)

From this reading Great jars with dragons at the handles stood in the recesses made by large oak cabinets, black with age, and elaborately carved with a marvellous nicety and skill.

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

From this reading The oval tables were full of curious bits of china, dainty Oriental wicker work, exquisite shells on lacquered trays, wonderfully wrought workboxes and fans and amulets.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Others had come at long intervals as gifts from the captains of ships with whom the house did business.

plural of “continent” — one of the large landmasses of the earth

From this reading The odours of calamus and myrrh and camphor from strange continents mingled with the faint perfume of the dried rose leaves and the scent-bags of English lavender.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading The oval tables were full of curious bits of china, dainty Oriental wicker work, exquisite shells on lacquered trays, wonderfully wrought workboxes and fans and amulets.

delicately beautiful

From this reading The oval tables were full of curious bits of china, dainty Oriental wicker work, exquisite shells on lacquered trays, wonderfully wrought workboxes and fans and amulets.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Others had come at long intervals as gifts from the captains of ships with whom the house did business.

plural of “dragon” — a creature of Teutonic mythology; usually represented as breathing fire and having a reptilian body and sometimes wings

From this reading Great jars with dragons at the handles stood in the recesses made by large oak cabinets, black with age, and elaborately carved with a marvellous nicety and skill.

not still wet

From this reading The odours of calamus and myrrh and camphor from strange continents mingled with the faint perfume of the dried rose leaves and the scent-bags of English lavender.

with elaboration

From this reading Great jars with dragons at the handles stood in the recesses made by large oak cabinets, black with age, and elaborately carved with a marvellous nicety and skill.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading The odours of calamus and myrrh and camphor from strange continents mingled with the faint perfume of the dried rose leaves and the scent-bags of English lavender.

intense or sharp

From this reading The oval tables were full of curious bits of china, dainty Oriental wicker work, exquisite shells on lacquered trays, wonderfully wrought workboxes and fans and amulets.

deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc

From this reading The odours of calamus and myrrh and camphor from strange continents mingled with the faint perfume of the dried rose leaves and the scent-bags of English lavender.

plural of “fan” — a device for creating a current of air by movement of a surface or surfaces

From this reading The oval tables were full of curious bits of china, dainty Oriental wicker work, exquisite shells on lacquered trays, wonderfully wrought workboxes and fans and amulets.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The odours of calamus and myrrh and camphor from strange continents mingled with the faint perfume of the dried rose leaves and the scent-bags of English lavender.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading The oval tables were full of curious bits of china, dainty Oriental wicker work, exquisite shells on lacquered trays, wonderfully wrought workboxes and fans and amulets.

plural of “generation” — all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age

From this reading Many of these rare and beautiful things were the spoils brought from India and Java by the sea-going Van Heemskirks of past generations.

plural of “gift” — something acquired without compensation

From this reading Others had come at long intervals as gifts from the captains of ships with whom the house did business.

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

From this reading Great jars with dragons at the handles stood in the recesses made by large oak cabinets, black with age, and elaborately carved with a marvellous nicety and skill.

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

From this reading Others had come at long intervals as gifts from the captains of ships with whom the house did business.

plural of “handle” — the appendage to an object that is designed to be held in order to use or move it

From this reading Great jars with dragons at the handles stood in the recesses made by large oak cabinets, black with age, and elaborately carved with a marvellous nicety and skill.

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

From this reading Many of these rare and beautiful things were the spoils brought from India and Java by the sea-going Van Heemskirks of past generations.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Others had come at long intervals as gifts from the captains of ships with whom the house did business.

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

From this reading Great jars with dragons at the handles stood in the recesses made by large oak cabinets, black with age, and elaborately carved with a marvellous nicety and skill.

a republic in the Asian subcontinent in southern Asia; second most populous country in the world; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1947

From this reading Many of these rare and beautiful things were the spoils brought from India and Java by the sea-going Van Heemskirks of past generations.

plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants

From this reading Others had come at long intervals as gifts from the captains of ships with whom the house did business.

Wide-mouthed cylindrical containers made of clay or glass, used for storing goods.

From this reading Great jars with dragons at the handles stood in the recesses made by large oak cabinets, black with age, and elaborately carved with a marvellous nicety and skill.

an island in Indonesia to the south of Borneo; one of the world's most densely populated regions

From this reading Many of these rare and beautiful things were the spoils brought from India and Java by the sea-going Van Heemskirks of past generations.

past form of “lacquer” — coat with lacquer

From this reading The oval tables were full of curious bits of china, dainty Oriental wicker work, exquisite shells on lacquered trays, wonderfully wrought workboxes and fans and amulets.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Great jars with dragons at the handles stood in the recesses made by large oak cabinets, black with age, and elaborately carved with a marvellous nicety and skill.

of a pale purple color

From this reading The odours of calamus and myrrh and camphor from strange continents mingled with the faint perfume of the dried rose leaves and the scent-bags of English lavender.

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading The odours of calamus and myrrh and camphor from strange continents mingled with the faint perfume of the dried rose leaves and the scent-bags of English lavender.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading Others had come at long intervals as gifts from the captains of ships with whom the house did business.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Great jars with dragons at the handles stood in the recesses made by large oak cabinets, black with age, and elaborately carved with a marvellous nicety and skill.

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 Many of these rare and beautiful things were the spoils brought from India and Java by the sea-going Van Heemskirks of past generations.

extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers

From this reading Great jars with dragons at the handles stood in the recesses made by large oak cabinets, black with age, and elaborately carved with a marvellous nicety and skill.

past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else

From this reading The odours of calamus and myrrh and camphor from strange continents mingled with the faint perfume of the dried rose leaves and the scent-bags of English lavender.

aromatic resin that is burned as incense and used in perfume

From this reading The odours of calamus and myrrh and camphor from strange continents mingled with the faint perfume of the dried rose leaves and the scent-bags of English lavender.

conformity with some esthetic standard of correctness or propriety

From this reading Great jars with dragons at the handles stood in the recesses made by large oak cabinets, black with age, and elaborately carved with a marvellous nicety and skill.

the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading Great jars with dragons at the handles stood in the recesses made by large oak cabinets, black with age, and elaborately carved with a marvellous nicety and skill.

plural of “odour” — the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form

From this reading The odours of calamus and myrrh and camphor from strange continents mingled with the faint perfume of the dried rose leaves and the scent-bags of English lavender.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The oval tables were full of curious bits of china, dainty Oriental wicker work, exquisite shells on lacquered trays, wonderfully wrought workboxes and fans and amulets.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The oval tables were full of curious bits of china, dainty Oriental wicker work, exquisite shells on lacquered trays, wonderfully wrought workboxes and fans and amulets.

denoting or characteristic of countries of the Far East

From this reading The oval tables were full of curious bits of china, dainty Oriental wicker work, exquisite shells on lacquered trays, wonderfully wrought workboxes and fans and amulets.

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

From this reading Others had come at long intervals as gifts from the captains of ships with whom the house did business.

a closed plane curve resulting from the intersection of a circular cone and a plane cutting completely through it

From this reading The oval tables were full of curious bits of china, dainty Oriental wicker work, exquisite shells on lacquered trays, wonderfully wrought workboxes and fans and amulets.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading Many of these rare and beautiful things were the spoils brought from India and Java by the sea-going Van Heemskirks of past generations.

a distinctive odor that is pleasant

From this reading The odours of calamus and myrrh and camphor from strange continents mingled with the faint perfume of the dried rose leaves and the scent-bags of English lavender.

not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness

From this reading Many of these rare and beautiful things were the spoils brought from India and Java by the sea-going Van Heemskirks of past generations.

plural of “recess” — a state of abeyance or suspended business

From this reading Great jars with dragons at the handles stood in the recesses made by large oak cabinets, black with age, and elaborately carved with a marvellous nicety and skill.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading The odours of calamus and myrrh and camphor from strange continents mingled with the faint perfume of the dried rose leaves and the scent-bags of English lavender.

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

From this reading The odours of calamus and myrrh and camphor from strange continents mingled with the faint perfume of the dried rose leaves and the scent-bags of English lavender.

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

From this reading Many of these rare and beautiful things were the spoils brought from India and Java by the sea-going Van Heemskirks of past generations.

plural of “shell” — ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun

From this reading The oval tables were full of curious bits of china, dainty Oriental wicker work, exquisite shells on lacquered trays, wonderfully wrought workboxes and fans and amulets.

plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight

From this reading Others had come at long intervals as gifts from the captains of ships with whom the house did business.

an ability that has been acquired by training

From this reading Great jars with dragons at the handles stood in the recesses made by large oak cabinets, black with age, and elaborately carved with a marvellous nicety and skill.

plural of “spoil” — (usually plural) valuables taken by violence (especially in war)

From this reading Many of these rare and beautiful things were the spoils brought from India and Java by the sea-going Van Heemskirks of past generations.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Great jars with dragons at the handles stood in the recesses made by large oak cabinets, black with age, and elaborately carved with a marvellous nicety and skill.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading The odours of calamus and myrrh and camphor from strange continents mingled with the faint perfume of the dried rose leaves and the scent-bags of English lavender.

plural of “table” — a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading The oval tables were full of curious bits of china, dainty Oriental wicker work, exquisite shells on lacquered trays, wonderfully wrought workboxes and fans and amulets.

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

From this reading Great jars with dragons at the handles stood in the recesses made by large oak cabinets, black with age, and elaborately carved with a marvellous nicety and skill.

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

From this reading Many of these rare and beautiful things were the spoils brought from India and Java by the sea-going Van Heemskirks of past generations.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading Many of these rare and beautiful things were the spoils brought from India and Java by the sea-going Van Heemskirks of past generations.

plural of “tray” — an open receptacle for holding or displaying or serving articles or food

From this reading The oval tables were full of curious bits of china, dainty Oriental wicker work, exquisite shells on lacquered trays, wonderfully wrought workboxes and fans and amulets.

any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts)

From this reading Many of these rare and beautiful things were the spoils brought from India and Java by the sea-going Van Heemskirks of past generations.

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

From this reading The oval tables were full of curious bits of china, dainty Oriental wicker work, exquisite shells on lacquered trays, wonderfully wrought workboxes and fans and amulets.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Others had come at long intervals as gifts from the captains of ships with whom the house did business.

slender flexible branches or twigs (especially of willow or some canes); used for wickerwork

From this reading The oval tables were full of curious bits of china, dainty Oriental wicker work, exquisite shells on lacquered trays, wonderfully wrought workboxes and fans and amulets.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Great jars with dragons at the handles stood in the recesses made by large oak cabinets, black with age, and elaborately carved with a marvellous nicety and skill.

(used as an intensifier) extremely well

From this reading The oval tables were full of curious bits of china, dainty Oriental wicker work, exquisite shells on lacquered trays, wonderfully wrought workboxes and fans and amulets.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading The oval tables were full of curious bits of china, dainty Oriental wicker work, exquisite shells on lacquered trays, wonderfully wrought workboxes and fans and amulets.

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

From this reading The oval tables were full of curious bits of china, dainty Oriental wicker work, exquisite shells on lacquered trays, wonderfully wrought workboxes and fans and amulets.

shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or effort)

From this reading The oval tables were full of curious bits of china, dainty Oriental wicker work, exquisite shells on lacquered trays, wonderfully wrought workboxes and fans and amulets.