used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading From alcove to alcove we went, finding in each a different class of treasure, according to the wealth of the occupant and the period in which he had lived.
(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with
From this reading From alcove to alcove we went, finding in each a different class of treasure, according to the wealth of the occupant and the period in which he had lived.
alcovenounUS /ˈælkoʊv/
a small recess opening off a larger room
From this reading From alcove to alcove we went, finding in each a different class of treasure, according to the wealth of the occupant and the period in which he had lived.
ancestornounUS /ˈænsestər/
someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)
From this reading Here a scholar was laid, and beside him a mass of parchment manuscripts, which either represented a half of his fortune or had been purchased at such high prices that his heir preferred to bury the manuscripts with his ancestor and keep the half of his wealth represented by more tangible assets.
ancestorsnounUS /ˈænsestərz/
plural of “ancestor” — someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)
From this reading But usually the wealth of these ancestors of Kai Lun Pu consisted of splendid gems and jewelry, ornaments of gold, silver and jade, and in many cases golden coins of the Empire.
AncestraladjectiveUS /ænˈsestrəl/
inherited or inheritable by established rules (usually legal rules) of descent
From this reading Well might Prince Kai say that his Ancestral Halls contained enough wealth to ransom a kingdom.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading From alcove to alcove we went, finding in each a different class of treasure, according to the wealth of the occupant and the period in which he had lived.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading In another place we found many painted pictures, in another bales of silks, rotted and fallen to decay.
assetsnounUS /ˈæsets/
anything of material value or usefulness that is owned by a person or company
From this reading Here a scholar was laid, and beside him a mass of parchment manuscripts, which either represented a half of his fortune or had been purchased at such high prices that his heir preferred to bury the manuscripts with his ancestor and keep the half of his wealth represented by more tangible assets.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Here a scholar was laid, and beside him a mass of parchment manuscripts, which either represented a half of his fortune or had been purchased at such high prices that his heir preferred to bury the manuscripts with his ancestor and keep the half of his wealth represented by more tangible assets.
balesnounUS /beɪlz/
plural of “bale” — a large bundle bound for storage or transport
From this reading In another place we found many painted pictures, in another bales of silks, rotted and fallen to decay.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Here a scholar was laid, and beside him a mass of parchment manuscripts, which either represented a half of his fortune or had been purchased at such high prices that his heir preferred to bury the manuscripts with his ancestor and keep the half of his wealth represented by more tangible assets.
next to; at the side of
From this reading Here a scholar was laid, and beside him a mass of parchment manuscripts, which either represented a half of his fortune or had been purchased at such high prices that his heir preferred to bury the manuscripts with his ancestor and keep the half of his wealth represented by more tangible assets.
buryverbUS /ˈberi/
cover from sight
From this reading Here a scholar was laid, and beside him a mass of parchment manuscripts, which either represented a half of his fortune or had been purchased at such high prices that his heir preferred to bury the manuscripts with his ancestor and keep the half of his wealth represented by more tangible assets.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But usually the wealth of these ancestors of Kai Lun Pu consisted of splendid gems and jewelry, ornaments of gold, silver and jade, and in many cases golden coins of the Empire.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Here a scholar was laid, and beside him a mass of parchment manuscripts, which either represented a half of his fortune or had been purchased at such high prices that his heir preferred to bury the manuscripts with his ancestor and keep the half of his wealth represented by more tangible assets.
plural of “case” — an occurrence of something
From this reading But usually the wealth of these ancestors of Kai Lun Pu consisted of splendid gems and jewelry, ornaments of gold, silver and jade, and in many cases golden coins of the Empire.
a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading From alcove to alcove we went, finding in each a different class of treasure, according to the wealth of the occupant and the period in which he had lived.
coinsnounUS /kɔɪnz/
plural of “coin” — a flat metal piece (usually a disc) used as money
From this reading But usually the wealth of these ancestors of Kai Lun Pu consisted of splendid gems and jewelry, ornaments of gold, silver and jade, and in many cases golden coins of the Empire.
consistedverbUS /kənˈsɪstəd/
past form of “consist” — originate
From this reading But usually the wealth of these ancestors of Kai Lun Pu consisted of splendid gems and jewelry, ornaments of gold, silver and jade, and in many cases golden coins of the Empire.
gotten under control
From this reading Well might Prince Kai say that his Ancestral Halls contained enough wealth to ransom a kingdom.
decaynounUS /dɪˈkeɪ/
the process of gradually becoming inferior
From this reading In another place we found many painted pictures, in another bales of silks, rotted and fallen to decay.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading From alcove to alcove we went, finding in each a different class of treasure, according to the wealth of the occupant and the period in which he had lived.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading From alcove to alcove we went, finding in each a different class of treasure, according to the wealth of the occupant and the period in which he had lived.
one or the other of two
From this reading Here a scholar was laid, and beside him a mass of parchment manuscripts, which either represented a half of his fortune or had been purchased at such high prices that his heir preferred to bury the manuscripts with his ancestor and keep the half of his wealth represented by more tangible assets.
EmpirenounUS /ˈempaɪər/
the domain ruled by an emperor or empress; the region over which imperial dominion is exercised
From this reading But usually the wealth of these ancestors of Kai Lun Pu consisted of splendid gems and jewelry, ornaments of gold, silver and jade, and in many cases golden coins of the Empire.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Well might Prince Kai say that his Ancestral Halls contained enough wealth to ransom a kingdom.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading In another place we found many painted pictures, in another bales of silks, rotted and fallen to decay.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading From alcove to alcove we went, finding in each a different class of treasure, according to the wealth of the occupant and the period in which he had lived.
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading Here a scholar was laid, and beside him a mass of parchment manuscripts, which either represented a half of his fortune or had been purchased at such high prices that his heir preferred to bury the manuscripts with his ancestor and keep the half of his wealth represented by more tangible assets.
set up or found
From this reading In another place we found many painted pictures, in another bales of silks, rotted and fallen to decay.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From alcove to alcove we went, finding in each a different class of treasure, according to the wealth of the occupant and the period in which he had lived.
gemsnounUS /dʒemz/
plural of “gem” — art highly prized for its beauty or perfection
From this reading But usually the wealth of these ancestors of Kai Lun Pu consisted of splendid gems and jewelry, ornaments of gold, silver and jade, and in many cases golden coins of the Empire.
coins made of gold
From this reading But usually the wealth of these ancestors of Kai Lun Pu consisted of splendid gems and jewelry, ornaments of gold, silver and jade, and in many cases golden coins of the Empire.
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading But usually the wealth of these ancestors of Kai Lun Pu consisted of splendid gems and jewelry, ornaments of gold, silver and jade, and in many cases golden coins of the Empire.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading From alcove to alcove we went, finding in each a different class of treasure, according to the wealth of the occupant and the period in which he had lived.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Here a scholar was laid, and beside him a mass of parchment manuscripts, which either represented a half of his fortune or had been purchased at such high prices that his heir preferred to bury the manuscripts with his ancestor and keep the half of his wealth represented by more tangible assets.
HallsnounUS /hɔːlz/
plural of “hall” — an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading Well might Prince Kai say that his Ancestral Halls contained enough wealth to ransom a kingdom.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading From alcove to alcove we went, finding in each a different class of treasure, according to the wealth of the occupant and the period in which he had lived.
heirnounUS /er/
A person legally or magically entitled to the property or rank of another on that person's death.
From this reading Here a scholar was laid, and beside him a mass of parchment manuscripts, which either represented a half of his fortune or had been purchased at such high prices that his heir preferred to bury the manuscripts with his ancestor and keep the half of his wealth represented by more tangible assets.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here a scholar was laid, and beside him a mass of parchment manuscripts, which either represented a half of his fortune or had been purchased at such high prices that his heir preferred to bury the manuscripts with his ancestor and keep the half of his wealth represented by more tangible assets.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Here a scholar was laid, and beside him a mass of parchment manuscripts, which either represented a half of his fortune or had been purchased at such high prices that his heir preferred to bury the manuscripts with his ancestor and keep the half of his wealth represented by more tangible assets.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Here a scholar was laid, and beside him a mass of parchment manuscripts, which either represented a half of his fortune or had been purchased at such high prices that his heir preferred to bury the manuscripts with his ancestor and keep the half of his wealth represented by more tangible assets.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Here a scholar was laid, and beside him a mass of parchment manuscripts, which either represented a half of his fortune or had been purchased at such high prices that his heir preferred to bury the manuscripts with his ancestor and keep the half of his wealth represented by more tangible assets.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading From alcove to alcove we went, finding in each a different class of treasure, according to the wealth of the occupant and the period in which he had lived.
jadenounUS /dʒeɪd/
a semiprecious gemstone that takes a high polish; is usually green but sometimes whitish; consists of jadeite or nephrite
From this reading But usually the wealth of these ancestors of Kai Lun Pu consisted of splendid gems and jewelry, ornaments of gold, silver and jade, and in many cases golden coins of the Empire.
jewelrynounUS /ˈdʒuːəlri/
an adornment (as a bracelet or ring or necklace) made of precious metals and set with gems (or imitation gems)
From this reading But usually the wealth of these ancestors of Kai Lun Pu consisted of splendid gems and jewelry, ornaments of gold, silver and jade, and in many cases golden coins of the Empire.
Kai
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But usually the wealth of these ancestors of Kai Lun Pu consisted of splendid gems and jewelry, ornaments of gold, silver and jade, and in many cases golden coins of the Empire.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Here a scholar was laid, and beside him a mass of parchment manuscripts, which either represented a half of his fortune or had been purchased at such high prices that his heir preferred to bury the manuscripts with his ancestor and keep the half of his wealth represented by more tangible assets.
a domain in which something is dominant
From this reading Well might Prince Kai say that his Ancestral Halls contained enough wealth to ransom a kingdom.
set down according to a plan
From this reading Here a scholar was laid, and beside him a mass of parchment manuscripts, which either represented a half of his fortune or had been purchased at such high prices that his heir preferred to bury the manuscripts with his ancestor and keep the half of his wealth represented by more tangible assets.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading From alcove to alcove we went, finding in each a different class of treasure, according to the wealth of the occupant and the period in which he had lived.
Lun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But usually the wealth of these ancestors of Kai Lun Pu consisted of splendid gems and jewelry, ornaments of gold, silver and jade, and in many cases golden coins of the Empire.
manuscriptsnounUS /ˈmænjəskrɪpts/
plural of “manuscript” — the form of a literary work submitted for publication
From this reading Here a scholar was laid, and beside him a mass of parchment manuscripts, which either represented a half of his fortune or had been purchased at such high prices that his heir preferred to bury the manuscripts with his ancestor and keep the half of his wealth represented by more tangible assets.
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 In another place we found many painted pictures, in another bales of silks, rotted and fallen to decay.
the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field
From this reading Here a scholar was laid, and beside him a mass of parchment manuscripts, which either represented a half of his fortune or had been purchased at such high prices that his heir preferred to bury the manuscripts with his ancestor and keep the half of his wealth represented by more tangible assets.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Well might Prince Kai say that his Ancestral Halls contained enough wealth to ransom a kingdom.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Here a scholar was laid, and beside him a mass of parchment manuscripts, which either represented a half of his fortune or had been purchased at such high prices that his heir preferred to bury the manuscripts with his ancestor and keep the half of his wealth represented by more tangible assets.
occupantnounUS /ˈɑːkjəpənt/
someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there
From this reading From alcove to alcove we went, finding in each a different class of treasure, according to the wealth of the occupant and the period in which he had lived.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading From alcove to alcove we went, finding in each a different class of treasure, according to the wealth of the occupant and the period in which he had lived.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Here a scholar was laid, and beside him a mass of parchment manuscripts, which either represented a half of his fortune or had been purchased at such high prices that his heir preferred to bury the manuscripts with his ancestor and keep the half of his wealth represented by more tangible assets.
ornamentsnounUS /ˈɔːrnəmənts/
plural of “ornament” — something used to beautify
From this reading But usually the wealth of these ancestors of Kai Lun Pu consisted of splendid gems and jewelry, ornaments of gold, silver and jade, and in many cases golden coins of the Empire.
coated with paint
From this reading In another place we found many painted pictures, in another bales of silks, rotted and fallen to decay.
parchmentnounUS /ˈpɑːrtʃ.mənt/
A stiff, flat, thin material made from the prepared skin of an animal, used for writing.
From this reading Here a scholar was laid, and beside him a mass of parchment manuscripts, which either represented a half of his fortune or had been purchased at such high prices that his heir preferred to bury the manuscripts with his ancestor and keep the half of his wealth represented by more tangible assets.
an amount of time
From this reading From alcove to alcove we went, finding in each a different class of treasure, according to the wealth of the occupant and the period in which he had lived.
plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading In another place we found many painted pictures, in another bales of silks, rotted and fallen to decay.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading In another place we found many painted pictures, in another bales of silks, rotted and fallen to decay.
preferredadjectiveUS /prəˈfɜːrd/
more desirable than another
From this reading Here a scholar was laid, and beside him a mass of parchment manuscripts, which either represented a half of his fortune or had been purchased at such high prices that his heir preferred to bury the manuscripts with his ancestor and keep the half of his wealth represented by more tangible assets.
pricesnounUS /ˈpraɪsəz/
plural of “price” — the property of having material worth (often indicated by the amount of money something would bring if sold)
From this reading Here a scholar was laid, and beside him a mass of parchment manuscripts, which either represented a half of his fortune or had been purchased at such high prices that his heir preferred to bury the manuscripts with his ancestor and keep the half of his wealth represented by more tangible assets.
a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)
From this reading Well might Prince Kai say that his Ancestral Halls contained enough wealth to ransom a kingdom.
PunounUS /puː/
a solid silvery grey radioactive transuranic element whose atoms can be split when bombarded with neutrons
From this reading But usually the wealth of these ancestors of Kai Lun Pu consisted of splendid gems and jewelry, ornaments of gold, silver and jade, and in many cases golden coins of the Empire.
purchasedverbUS /ˈpɜːrtʃəst/
past form of “purchase” — obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction
From this reading Here a scholar was laid, and beside him a mass of parchment manuscripts, which either represented a half of his fortune or had been purchased at such high prices that his heir preferred to bury the manuscripts with his ancestor and keep the half of his wealth represented by more tangible assets.
ransomnounUS /ˈrænsəm/
money demanded for the return of a captured person
From this reading Well might Prince Kai say that his Ancestral Halls contained enough wealth to ransom a kingdom.
representedadjectiveUS /ˌreprɪˈzentɪd/
represented accurately or precisely
From this reading Here a scholar was laid, and beside him a mass of parchment manuscripts, which either represented a half of his fortune or had been purchased at such high prices that his heir preferred to bury the manuscripts with his ancestor and keep the half of his wealth represented by more tangible assets.
rottedadjectiveUS /ˈrɑːtɪd/
damaged by decay; hence unsound and useless
From this reading In another place we found many painted pictures, in another bales of silks, rotted and fallen to decay.
express in words
From this reading Well might Prince Kai say that his Ancestral Halls contained enough wealth to ransom a kingdom.
scholarnounUS /ˈskɒl.ər/
A specialist in a particular branch of study; a distinguished student.
From this reading Here a scholar was laid, and beside him a mass of parchment manuscripts, which either represented a half of his fortune or had been purchased at such high prices that his heir preferred to bury the manuscripts with his ancestor and keep the half of his wealth represented by more tangible assets.
silksnounUS /sɪlks/
the brightly colored garments of a jockey; emblematic of the stable
From this reading In another place we found many painted pictures, in another bales of silks, rotted and fallen to decay.
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 But usually the wealth of these ancestors of Kai Lun Pu consisted of splendid gems and jewelry, ornaments of gold, silver and jade, and in many cases golden coins of the Empire.
having great beauty and splendor
From this reading But usually the wealth of these ancestors of Kai Lun Pu consisted of splendid gems and jewelry, ornaments of gold, silver and jade, and in many cases golden coins of the Empire.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Here a scholar was laid, and beside him a mass of parchment manuscripts, which either represented a half of his fortune or had been purchased at such high prices that his heir preferred to bury the manuscripts with his ancestor and keep the half of his wealth represented by more tangible assets.
tangibleadjectiveUS /ˈtændʒəbəl/
perceptible by the senses especially the sense of touch
From this reading Here a scholar was laid, and beside him a mass of parchment manuscripts, which either represented a half of his fortune or had been purchased at such high prices that his heir preferred to bury the manuscripts with his ancestor and keep the half of his wealth represented by more tangible assets.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Here a scholar was laid, and beside him a mass of parchment manuscripts, which either represented a half of his fortune or had been purchased at such high prices that his heir preferred to bury the manuscripts with his ancestor and keep the half of his wealth represented by more tangible assets.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading From alcove to alcove we went, finding in each a different class of treasure, according to the wealth of the occupant and the period in which he had lived.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading But usually the wealth of these ancestors of Kai Lun Pu consisted of splendid gems and jewelry, ornaments of gold, silver and jade, and in many cases golden coins of the Empire.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading From alcove to alcove we went, finding in each a different class of treasure, according to the wealth of the occupant and the period in which he had lived.
accumulated wealth in the form of money or jewels etc.
From this reading From alcove to alcove we went, finding in each a different class of treasure, according to the wealth of the occupant and the period in which he had lived.
under normal conditions
From this reading But usually the wealth of these ancestors of Kai Lun Pu consisted of splendid gems and jewelry, ornaments of gold, silver and jade, and in many cases golden coins of the Empire.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Here a scholar was laid, and beside him a mass of parchment manuscripts, which either represented a half of his fortune or had been purchased at such high prices that his heir preferred to bury the manuscripts with his ancestor and keep the half of his wealth represented by more tangible assets.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading From alcove to alcove we went, finding in each a different class of treasure, according to the wealth of the occupant and the period in which he had lived.
the state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money
From this reading From alcove to alcove we went, finding in each a different class of treasure, according to the wealth of the occupant and the period in which he had lived.
(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 Well might Prince Kai say that his Ancestral Halls contained enough wealth to ransom a kingdom.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading From alcove to alcove we went, finding in each a different class of treasure, according to the wealth of the occupant and the period in which he had lived.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading From alcove to alcove we went, finding in each a different class of treasure, according to the wealth of the occupant and the period in which he had lived.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Here a scholar was laid, and beside him a mass of parchment manuscripts, which either represented a half of his fortune or had been purchased at such high prices that his heir preferred to bury the manuscripts with his ancestor and keep the half of his wealth represented by more tangible assets.
