used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading What a pity it is that in our odd world the wicked should be so much more clever than the good,--that the combinations of sinners should so easily outwit the simply virtuous.
the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading Poor Sampei, being less cunning than the geisha, and not perceiving the advantage of which he might have availed himself, naturally did not seize it.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading They might scream, and rail, and wax obstreperous, point out the cases of flagrant injustice too often to be observed among their ranks, and become unedifying texts and examples.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They might scream, and rail, and wax obstreperous, point out the cases of flagrant injustice too often to be observed among their ranks, and become unedifying texts and examples.
availedverbUS /əˈveɪld/
past form of “avail” — use to one's advantage
From this reading Poor Sampei, being less cunning than the geisha, and not perceiving the advantage of which he might have availed himself, naturally did not seize it.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading What a pity it is that in our odd world the wicked should be so much more clever than the good,--that the combinations of sinners should so easily outwit the simply virtuous.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading They might scream, and rail, and wax obstreperous, point out the cases of flagrant injustice too often to be observed among their ranks, and become unedifying texts and examples.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Poor Sampei, being less cunning than the geisha, and not perceiving the advantage of which he might have availed himself, naturally did not seize it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But then, were not the good so naive, they might not possibly submit so quietly to the unhappiness which is usually their portion.
plural of “case” — an occurrence of something
From this reading They might scream, and rail, and wax obstreperous, point out the cases of flagrant injustice too often to be observed among their ranks, and become unedifying texts and examples.
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
From this reading What a pity it is that in our odd world the wicked should be so much more clever than the good,--that the combinations of sinners should so easily outwit the simply virtuous.
combinationsnounUS /ˌkɑːmbəˈneɪʃənz/
plural of “combination” — a collection of things that have been combined; an assemblage of separate parts or qualities
From this reading What a pity it is that in our odd world the wicked should be so much more clever than the good,--that the combinations of sinners should so easily outwit the simply virtuous.
cunningadjectiveUS /ˈkʌnɪŋ/
attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness
From this reading Poor Sampei, being less cunning than the geisha, and not perceiving the advantage of which he might have availed himself, naturally did not seize it.
DAIMIO
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DAIMIO OF NARA IMITATES THE SPHYNX.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Poor Sampei, being less cunning than the geisha, and not perceiving the advantage of which he might have availed himself, naturally did not seize it.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading What a pity it is that in our odd world the wicked should be so much more clever than the good,--that the combinations of sinners should so easily outwit the simply virtuous.
examplesnounUS /ɪɡˈzæmpəlz/
plural of “example” — an item of information that is typical of a class or group
From this reading They might scream, and rail, and wax obstreperous, point out the cases of flagrant injustice too often to be observed among their ranks, and become unedifying texts and examples.
flagrantadjectiveUS /ˈfleɪɡrənt/
conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible
From this reading They might scream, and rail, and wax obstreperous, point out the cases of flagrant injustice too often to be observed among their ranks, and become unedifying texts and examples.
geishanounUS /ˈɡeɪʃə/
a Japanese woman trained to entertain men with conversation and singing and dancing
From this reading Poor Sampei, being less cunning than the geisha, and not perceiving the advantage of which he might have availed himself, naturally did not seize it.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading What a pity it is that in our odd world the wicked should be so much more clever than the good,--that the combinations of sinners should so easily outwit the simply virtuous.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Poor Sampei, being less cunning than the geisha, and not perceiving the advantage of which he might have availed himself, naturally did not seize it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Poor Sampei, being less cunning than the geisha, and not perceiving the advantage of which he might have availed himself, naturally did not seize it.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Poor Sampei, being less cunning than the geisha, and not perceiving the advantage of which he might have availed himself, naturally did not seize it.
IMITATESverbUS /ˈɪməteɪts/
third-person singular of “imitate” — reproduce someone's behavior or looks
From this reading THE DAIMIO OF NARA IMITATES THE SPHYNX.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading What a pity it is that in our odd world the wicked should be so much more clever than the good,--that the combinations of sinners should so easily outwit the simply virtuous.
injusticenounUS /ˌɪnˈdʒʌstɪs/
an unjust act
From this reading They might scream, and rail, and wax obstreperous, point out the cases of flagrant injustice too often to be observed among their ranks, and become unedifying texts and examples.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading What a pity it is that in our odd world the wicked should be so much more clever than the good,--that the combinations of sinners should so easily outwit the simply virtuous.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading What a pity it is that in our odd world the wicked should be so much more clever than the good,--that the combinations of sinners should so easily outwit the simply virtuous.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Poor Sampei, being less cunning than the geisha, and not perceiving the advantage of which he might have availed himself, naturally did not seize it.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading But then, were not the good so naive, they might not possibly submit so quietly to the unhappiness which is usually their portion.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading What a pity it is that in our odd world the wicked should be so much more clever than the good,--that the combinations of sinners should so easily outwit the simply virtuous.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading What a pity it is that in our odd world the wicked should be so much more clever than the good,--that the combinations of sinners should so easily outwit the simply virtuous.
naiveadjectiveUS /ˌnaɪˈiːv/
marked by or showing unaffected simplicity and lack of guile or worldly experience
From this reading But then, were not the good so naive, they might not possibly submit so quietly to the unhappiness which is usually their portion.
NARAnounUS /ˈnɑːrə/
the independent agency that oversees management of federal government records including presidential libraries and historic collections
From this reading THE DAIMIO OF NARA IMITATES THE SPHYNX.
as might be expected
From this reading Poor Sampei, being less cunning than the geisha, and not perceiving the advantage of which he might have availed himself, naturally did not seize it.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But then, were not the good so naive, they might not possibly submit so quietly to the unhappiness which is usually their portion.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading They might scream, and rail, and wax obstreperous, point out the cases of flagrant injustice too often to be observed among their ranks, and become unedifying texts and examples.
obstreperousadjectiveUS /əbˈstrepərəs/
noisily and stubbornly defiant
From this reading They might scream, and rail, and wax obstreperous, point out the cases of flagrant injustice too often to be observed among their ranks, and become unedifying texts and examples.
not divisible by two
From this reading What a pity it is that in our odd world the wicked should be so much more clever than the good,--that the combinations of sinners should so easily outwit the simply virtuous.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE DAIMIO OF NARA IMITATES THE SPHYNX.
many times at short intervals
From this reading They might scream, and rail, and wax obstreperous, point out the cases of flagrant injustice too often to be observed among their ranks, and become unedifying texts and examples.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading What a pity it is that in our odd world the wicked should be so much more clever than the good,--that the combinations of sinners should so easily outwit the simply virtuous.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading They might scream, and rail, and wax obstreperous, point out the cases of flagrant injustice too often to be observed among their ranks, and become unedifying texts and examples.
outwitverbUS /ˈaʊtwɪt/
beat through cleverness and wit
From this reading What a pity it is that in our odd world the wicked should be so much more clever than the good,--that the combinations of sinners should so easily outwit the simply virtuous.
perceivingverbUS /pərˈsiːvɪŋ/
-ing form of “perceive” — to become aware of through the senses
From this reading Poor Sampei, being less cunning than the geisha, and not perceiving the advantage of which he might have availed himself, naturally did not seize it.
a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others
From this reading What a pity it is that in our odd world the wicked should be so much more clever than the good,--that the combinations of sinners should so easily outwit the simply virtuous.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading They might scream, and rail, and wax obstreperous, point out the cases of flagrant injustice too often to be observed among their ranks, and become unedifying texts and examples.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading Poor Sampei, being less cunning than the geisha, and not perceiving the advantage of which he might have availed himself, naturally did not seize it.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading But then, were not the good so naive, they might not possibly submit so quietly to the unhappiness which is usually their portion.
by chance
From this reading But then, were not the good so naive, they might not possibly submit so quietly to the unhappiness which is usually their portion.
with low volume
From this reading But then, were not the good so naive, they might not possibly submit so quietly to the unhappiness which is usually their portion.
railnounUS /reɪl/
a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
From this reading They might scream, and rail, and wax obstreperous, point out the cases of flagrant injustice too often to be observed among their ranks, and become unedifying texts and examples.
ranksnounUS /ræŋks/
plural of “rank” — a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
From this reading They might scream, and rail, and wax obstreperous, point out the cases of flagrant injustice too often to be observed among their ranks, and become unedifying texts and examples.
Sampei
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Poor Sampei, being less cunning than the geisha, and not perceiving the advantage of which he might have availed himself, naturally did not seize it.
screamverbUS /skriːm/
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading They might scream, and rail, and wax obstreperous, point out the cases of flagrant injustice too often to be observed among their ranks, and become unedifying texts and examples.
seizeverbUS /siːz/
take hold of; grab
From this reading Poor Sampei, being less cunning than the geisha, and not perceiving the advantage of which he might have availed himself, naturally did not seize it.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading What a pity it is that in our odd world the wicked should be so much more clever than the good,--that the combinations of sinners should so easily outwit the simply virtuous.
and nothing more
From this reading What a pity it is that in our odd world the wicked should be so much more clever than the good,--that the combinations of sinners should so easily outwit the simply virtuous.
sinnersnounUS /ˈsɪnərz/
plural of “sinner” — a person who sins (without repenting)
From this reading What a pity it is that in our odd world the wicked should be so much more clever than the good,--that the combinations of sinners should so easily outwit the simply virtuous.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading What a pity it is that in our odd world the wicked should be so much more clever than the good,--that the combinations of sinners should so easily outwit the simply virtuous.
SPHYNX
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DAIMIO OF NARA IMITATES THE SPHYNX.
submitverbUS /səbˈmɪt/
refer for judgment or consideration
From this reading But then, were not the good so naive, they might not possibly submit so quietly to the unhappiness which is usually their portion.
textsnounUS /teksts/
plural of “text” — the words of something written
From this reading They might scream, and rail, and wax obstreperous, point out the cases of flagrant injustice too often to be observed among their ranks, and become unedifying texts and examples.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading What a pity it is that in our odd world the wicked should be so much more clever than the good,--that the combinations of sinners should so easily outwit the simply virtuous.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading What a pity it is that in our odd world the wicked should be so much more clever than the good,--that the combinations of sinners should so easily outwit the simply virtuous.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DAIMIO OF NARA IMITATES THE SPHYNX.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But then, were not the good so naive, they might not possibly submit so quietly to the unhappiness which is usually their portion.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading But then, were not the good so naive, they might not possibly submit so quietly to the unhappiness which is usually their portion.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But then, were not the good so naive, they might not possibly submit so quietly to the unhappiness which is usually their portion.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But then, were not the good so naive, they might not possibly submit so quietly to the unhappiness which is usually their portion.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading They might scream, and rail, and wax obstreperous, point out the cases of flagrant injustice too often to be observed among their ranks, and become unedifying texts and examples.
unedifyingadjective
not edifying
From this reading They might scream, and rail, and wax obstreperous, point out the cases of flagrant injustice too often to be observed among their ranks, and become unedifying texts and examples.
unhappinessnounUS /ənˈhæpinɪs/
emotions experienced when not in a state of well-being
From this reading But then, were not the good so naive, they might not possibly submit so quietly to the unhappiness which is usually their portion.
under normal conditions
From this reading But then, were not the good so naive, they might not possibly submit so quietly to the unhappiness which is usually their portion.
virtuousadjectiveUS /ˈvɜːrtʃuːəs/
morally excellent
From this reading What a pity it is that in our odd world the wicked should be so much more clever than the good,--that the combinations of sinners should so easily outwit the simply virtuous.
waxverbUS /wæks/
cover with wax
From this reading They might scream, and rail, and wax obstreperous, point out the cases of flagrant injustice too often to be observed among their ranks, and become unedifying texts and examples.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But then, were not the good so naive, they might not possibly submit so quietly to the unhappiness which is usually their portion.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What a pity it is that in our odd world the wicked should be so much more clever than the good,--that the combinations of sinners should so easily outwit the simply virtuous.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But then, were not the good so naive, they might not possibly submit so quietly to the unhappiness which is usually their portion.
morally bad in principle or practice
From this reading What a pity it is that in our odd world the wicked should be so much more clever than the good,--that the combinations of sinners should so easily outwit the simply virtuous.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading What a pity it is that in our odd world the wicked should be so much more clever than the good,--that the combinations of sinners should so easily outwit the simply virtuous.
