used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE STORK AND THE TORTOISE They were in the street running parallel with Jinrikisha Street, a street truly of the old time, narrow with the house-tops, when the houses had upper stories over-leaning the way.
aboundedverbUS /əˈbaʊndɪd/
past form of “abound” — be abundant or plentiful; exist in large quantities
From this reading Here abounded the tortoise-shell carvers, and the men who can make a netsuké to charm the eye out of anything: a knot of wood, a shark’s tooth, a useless bit of ivory.
AladdinnounUS /æˈlædɪn/
in the Arabian Nights a boy who acquires a magic lamp from which he can summon a genie
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE STORK AND THE TORTOISE They were in the street running parallel with Jinrikisha Street, a street truly of the old time, narrow with the house-tops, when the houses had upper stories over-leaning the way.
any thing at all
From this reading Here abounded the tortoise-shell carvers, and the men who can make a netsuké to charm the eye out of anything: a knot of wood, a shark’s tooth, a useless bit of ivory.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading Here abounded the tortoise-shell carvers, and the men who can make a netsuké to charm the eye out of anything: a knot of wood, a shark’s tooth, a useless bit of ivory.
boxesnounUS /ˈbɑːksəz/
plural of “box” — a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
broken-downadjective
in deplorable condition
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
bronzenounUS /brɑːnz/
an alloy of copper and tin and sometimes other elements; also any copper-base alloy containing other elements in place of tin
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Jane seemed fascinated by the contents of the little shops, that sold everything from cuttle-fish to paper lanterns.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Here abounded the tortoise-shell carvers, and the men who can make a netsuké to charm the eye out of anything: a knot of wood, a shark’s tooth, a useless bit of ivory.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
carversnounUS /ˈkɑːrvərz/
plural of “carver” — United States botanist and agricultural chemist who developed many uses for peanuts and soy beans and sweet potatoes (1864-1943)
From this reading Here abounded the tortoise-shell carvers, and the men who can make a netsuké to charm the eye out of anything: a knot of wood, a shark’s tooth, a useless bit of ivory.
attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates
From this reading Here abounded the tortoise-shell carvers, and the men who can make a netsuké to charm the eye out of anything: a knot of wood, a shark’s tooth, a useless bit of ivory.
cheapadjectiveUS /tʃiːp/
relatively low in price or charging low prices
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
ChinesenounUS /tʃaɪˈniːz/
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 “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something
From this reading Jane seemed fascinated by the contents of the little shops, that sold everything from cuttle-fish to paper lanterns.
crockerynounUS /ˈkrɑːkəri/
tableware (eating and serving dishes) collectively
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
curiosnounUS /ˈkjʊrioʊz/
plural of “curio” — something unusual -- perhaps worthy of collecting
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
cuttle-fish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jane seemed fascinated by the contents of the little shops, that sold everything from cuttle-fish to paper lanterns.
dust-traps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
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 “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Jane seemed fascinated by the contents of the little shops, that sold everything from cuttle-fish to paper lanterns.
exposedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspoʊzd/
with no protection or shield
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
the organ of sight
From this reading Here abounded the tortoise-shell carvers, and the men who can make a netsuké to charm the eye out of anything: a knot of wood, a shark’s tooth, a useless bit of ivory.
fansnounUS /fænz/
plural of “fan” — a device for creating a current of air by movement of a surface or surfaces
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
fascinatedadjectiveUS /ˈfæsəneɪtəd/
having your attention fixated as though by a spell
From this reading Jane seemed fascinated by the contents of the little shops, that sold everything from cuttle-fish to paper lanterns.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Jane seemed fascinated by the contents of the little shops, that sold everything from cuttle-fish to paper lanterns.
the act of departing
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
gongsnounUS /ɡɔːŋz/
plural of “gong” — a percussion instrument consisting of a metal plate that is struck with a softheaded drumstick
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
guardsnounUS /ɡɑːrdz/
plural of “guard” — a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE STORK AND THE TORTOISE They were in the street running parallel with Jinrikisha Street, a street truly of the old time, narrow with the house-tops, when the houses had upper stories over-leaning the way.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
hawkedverbUS /hɔːkt/
past form of “hawk” — sell or offer for sale from place to place
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here abounded the tortoise-shell carvers, and the men who can make a netsuké to charm the eye out of anything: a knot of wood, a shark’s tooth, a useless bit of ivory.
the act of retaining something
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
house-tops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STORK AND THE TORTOISE They were in the street running parallel with Jinrikisha Street, a street truly of the old time, narrow with the house-tops, when the houses had upper stories over-leaning the way.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading THE STORK AND THE TORTOISE They were in the street running parallel with Jinrikisha Street, a street truly of the old time, narrow with the house-tops, when the houses had upper stories over-leaning the way.
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE STORK AND THE TORTOISE They were in the street running parallel with Jinrikisha Street, a street truly of the old time, narrow with the house-tops, when the houses had upper stories over-leaning the way.
ivorynounUS /ˈaɪvəri/
a hard smooth ivory colored dentine that makes up most of the tusks of elephants and walruses
From this reading Here abounded the tortoise-shell carvers, and the men who can make a netsuké to charm the eye out of anything: a knot of wood, a shark’s tooth, a useless bit of ivory.
Jane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jane seemed fascinated by the contents of the little shops, that sold everything from cuttle-fish to paper lanterns.
Jinrikishanoun
a small two-wheeled cart for one passenger; pulled by one person
From this reading THE STORK AND THE TORTOISE They were in the street running parallel with Jinrikisha Street, a street truly of the old time, narrow with the house-tops, when the houses had upper stories over-leaning the way.
kettlesnounUS /ˈketəlz/
plural of “kettle” — a metal pot for stewing or boiling; usually has a lid
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
knotnounUS /nɑːt/
a tight cluster of people or things
From this reading Here abounded the tortoise-shell carvers, and the men who can make a netsuké to charm the eye out of anything: a knot of wood, a shark’s tooth, a useless bit of ivory.
lacquernounUS /ˈlækər/
a black resinous substance obtained from certain trees and used as a natural varnish
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
lampsnounUS /læmps/
plural of “lamp” — an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
lanternsnounUS /ˈlæntərnz/
plural of “lantern” — light in a transparent protective case
From this reading Jane seemed fascinated by the contents of the little shops, that sold everything from cuttle-fish to paper lanterns.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Jane seemed fascinated by the contents of the little shops, that sold everything from cuttle-fish to paper lanterns.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
lustfuladjectiveUS /ˈlʌstfəl/
characterized by lust
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
magiciannounUS /məˈdʒɪʃ.ən/
A practitioner of magic and ancient arcane arts, often wielding deception and powerful spells.
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
engage in
From this reading Here abounded the tortoise-shell carvers, and the men who can make a netsuké to charm the eye out of anything: a knot of wood, a shark’s tooth, a useless bit of ivory.
mattedadjective
tangled in a dense mass
From this reading Shops that were, most of them, simply raised platforms, matted and roofed.
the force of workers available
From this reading Here abounded the tortoise-shell carvers, and the men who can make a netsuké to charm the eye out of anything: a knot of wood, a shark’s tooth, a useless bit of ivory.
mendedverbUS /ˈmendɪd/
past form of “mend” — restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Shops that were, most of them, simply raised platforms, matted and roofed.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading THE STORK AND THE TORTOISE They were in the street running parallel with Jinrikisha Street, a street truly of the old time, narrow with the house-tops, when the houses had upper stories over-leaning the way.
netsuké
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here abounded the tortoise-shell carvers, and the men who can make a netsuké to charm the eye out of anything: a knot of wood, a shark’s tooth, a useless bit of ivory.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE STORK AND THE TORTOISE They were in the street running parallel with Jinrikisha Street, a street truly of the old time, narrow with the house-tops, when the houses had upper stories over-leaning the way.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading THE STORK AND THE TORTOISE They were in the street running parallel with Jinrikisha Street, a street truly of the old time, narrow with the house-tops, when the houses had upper stories over-leaning the way.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
opiumnounUS /ˈoʊpiəm/
an addictive narcotic extracted from seed capsules of the opium poppy
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
ornamentalnounUS /ˌɔːrnəˈmentəl/
any plant grown for its beauty or ornamental value
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Here abounded the tortoise-shell carvers, and the men who can make a netsuké to charm the eye out of anything: a knot of wood, a shark’s tooth, a useless bit of ivory.
over-leaning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STORK AND THE TORTOISE They were in the street running parallel with Jinrikisha Street, a street truly of the old time, narrow with the house-tops, when the houses had upper stories over-leaning the way.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading Jane seemed fascinated by the contents of the little shops, that sold everything from cuttle-fish to paper lanterns.
parallelnounUS /ˈperəlel/
something having the property of being analogous to something else
From this reading THE STORK AND THE TORTOISE They were in the street running parallel with Jinrikisha Street, a street truly of the old time, narrow with the house-tops, when the houses had upper stories over-leaning the way.
pipesnounUS /paɪps/
plural of “pipe” — a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
platformsnounUS /ˈplætfɔːrmz/
plural of “platform” — a raised horizontal surface
From this reading Shops that were, most of them, simply raised platforms, matted and roofed.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading Shops that were, most of them, simply raised platforms, matted and roofed.
roofedadjectiveUS /ruːft/
covered with a roof; having a roof as specified (often used in combination)
From this reading Shops that were, most of them, simply raised platforms, matted and roofed.
rougenounUS /ruːʒ/
makeup consisting of a pink or red powder applied to the cheeks
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading THE STORK AND THE TORTOISE They were in the street running parallel with Jinrikisha Street, a street truly of the old time, narrow with the house-tops, when the houses had upper stories over-leaning the way.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
salenounUS /seɪl/
a particular instance of selling
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Jane seemed fascinated by the contents of the little shops, that sold everything from cuttle-fish to paper lanterns.
seeminglyadverbUS /ˈsiːmɪŋli/
from appearances alone
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
shark's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here abounded the tortoise-shell carvers, and the men who can make a netsuké to charm the eye out of anything: a knot of wood, a shark’s tooth, a useless bit of ivory.
shopsnounUS /ʃɑːps/
plural of “shop” — a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading Jane seemed fascinated by the contents of the little shops, that sold everything from cuttle-fish to paper lanterns.
and nothing more
From this reading Shops that were, most of them, simply raised platforms, matted and roofed.
disposed of to a purchaser
From this reading Jane seemed fascinated by the contents of the little shops, that sold everything from cuttle-fish to paper lanterns.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
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 THE STORK AND THE TORTOISE They were in the street running parallel with Jinrikisha Street, a street truly of the old time, narrow with the house-tops, when the houses had upper stories over-leaning the way.
STORKnounUS /stɔːrk/
large mostly Old World wading birds typically having white-and-black plumage
From this reading THE STORK AND THE TORTOISE They were in the street running parallel with Jinrikisha Street, a street truly of the old time, narrow with the house-tops, when the houses had upper stories over-leaning the way.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading THE STORK AND THE TORTOISE They were in the street running parallel with Jinrikisha Street, a street truly of the old time, narrow with the house-tops, when the houses had upper stories over-leaning the way.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Jane seemed fascinated by the contents of the little shops, that sold everything from cuttle-fish to paper lanterns.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE STORK AND THE TORTOISE They were in the street running parallel with Jinrikisha Street, a street truly of the old time, narrow with the house-tops, when the houses had upper stories over-leaning the way.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Shops that were, most of them, simply raised platforms, matted and roofed.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE STORK AND THE TORTOISE They were in the street running parallel with Jinrikisha Street, a street truly of the old time, narrow with the house-tops, when the houses had upper stories over-leaning the way.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading THE STORK AND THE TORTOISE They were in the street running parallel with Jinrikisha Street, a street truly of the old time, narrow with the house-tops, when the houses had upper stories over-leaning the way.
very small
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Jane seemed fascinated by the contents of the little shops, that sold everything from cuttle-fish to paper lanterns.
tobacco-monos
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
toothnounUS /tuːθ/
hard bonelike structures in the jaws of vertebrates; used for biting and chewing or for attack and defense
From this reading Here abounded the tortoise-shell carvers, and the men who can make a netsuké to charm the eye out of anything: a knot of wood, a shark’s tooth, a useless bit of ivory.
TORTOISEnounUS /ˈtɔːrtəs/
usually herbivorous land turtles having clawed elephant-like limbs; worldwide in arid area except Australia and Antarctica
From this reading THE STORK AND THE TORTOISE They were in the street running parallel with Jinrikisha Street, a street truly of the old time, narrow with the house-tops, when the houses had upper stories over-leaning the way.
tortoise-shell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here abounded the tortoise-shell carvers, and the men who can make a netsuké to charm the eye out of anything: a knot of wood, a shark’s tooth, a useless bit of ivory.
toysnounUS /tɔɪz/
plural of “toy” — an artifact designed to be played with
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
traysnounUS /treɪz/
plural of “tray” — an open receptacle for holding or displaying or serving articles or food
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
a cunning or deceitful action or device
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading THE STORK AND THE TORTOISE They were in the street running parallel with Jinrikisha Street, a street truly of the old time, narrow with the house-tops, when the houses had upper stories over-leaning the way.
umbrellasnounUS /əmˈbreləz/
plural of “umbrella” — a lightweight handheld collapsible canopy
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
the topmost one of two
From this reading THE STORK AND THE TORTOISE They were in the street running parallel with Jinrikisha Street, a street truly of the old time, narrow with the house-tops, when the houses had upper stories over-leaning the way.
having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully
From this reading Here abounded the tortoise-shell carvers, and the men who can make a netsuké to charm the eye out of anything: a knot of wood, a shark’s tooth, a useless bit of ivory.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
precisely as stated
From this reading “I’m going to buy things,” said Jane, looking with a lustful eye on the cheap, or seemingly cheap, curios exposed for sale in some of the shops: old bronze gongs, kettles, sword guards, broken crockery were carefully mended, lamps, such as the Chinese magician might have hawked at the back entrance of the palace of Aladdin, fans, trick toys, and tiny boxes for holding rouge; tobacco-monos and opium pipes, broken-down English umbrellas, lacquer trays, and a heap of other dust-traps utterly useless, and some of them not very ornamental.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading THE STORK AND THE TORTOISE They were in the street running parallel with Jinrikisha Street, a street truly of the old time, narrow with the house-tops, when the houses had upper stories over-leaning the way.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE STORK AND THE TORTOISE They were in the street running parallel with Jinrikisha Street, a street truly of the old time, narrow with the house-tops, when the houses had upper stories over-leaning the way.
at the time that
From this reading THE STORK AND THE TORTOISE They were in the street running parallel with Jinrikisha Street, a street truly of the old time, narrow with the house-tops, when the houses had upper stories over-leaning the way.
which person or people
From this reading Here abounded the tortoise-shell carvers, and the men who can make a netsuké to charm the eye out of anything: a knot of wood, a shark’s tooth, a useless bit of ivory.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE STORK AND THE TORTOISE They were in the street running parallel with Jinrikisha Street, a street truly of the old time, narrow with the house-tops, when the houses had upper stories over-leaning the way.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading Here abounded the tortoise-shell carvers, and the men who can make a netsuké to charm the eye out of anything: a knot of wood, a shark’s tooth, a useless bit of ivory.
