used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Fox That Wanted Nine Golden Tails He was a Japanese fox, and although he looked just like any other fox, he knew a few things that his American brothers have never heard about even to this day.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The Fox That Wanted Nine Golden Tails He was a Japanese fox, and although he looked just like any other fox, he knew a few things that his American brothers have never heard about even to this day.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The Fox That Wanted Nine Golden Tails He was a Japanese fox, and although he looked just like any other fox, he knew a few things that his American brothers have never heard about even to this day.
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading The Fox That Wanted Nine Golden Tails He was a Japanese fox, and although he looked just like any other fox, he knew a few things that his American brothers have never heard about even to this day.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Fox That Wanted Nine Golden Tails He was a Japanese fox, and although he looked just like any other fox, he knew a few things that his American brothers have never heard about even to this day.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The Fox That Wanted Nine Golden Tails He was a Japanese fox, and although he looked just like any other fox, he knew a few things that his American brothers have never heard about even to this day.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “There are enough pretty women and wise men in the world now,” he explained to his friends of the forest.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
birthdaynounUS /ˈbɜːrθdeɪ/
an anniversary of the day on which a person was born (or the celebration of it)
From this reading For that reason when the fox was very young, only about sixty or seventy-five, he thought he would refuse to be changed into either a woman or a wizard and would wait for his thousandth birthday.
plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading The Fox That Wanted Nine Golden Tails He was a Japanese fox, and although he looked just like any other fox, he knew a few things that his American brothers have never heard about even to this day.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
celestialadjectiveUS /səˈlestʃəl/
of or relating to the sky
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
chasednounUS /tʃeɪst/
a person who is being chased
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The Fox That Wanted Nine Golden Tails He was a Japanese fox, and although he looked just like any other fox, he knew a few things that his American brothers have never heard about even to this day.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Now a beautiful woman does very well in her place and it is a great honor to be a wise man, but a fox with nine golden tails is the most wonderful thing in all the world.
a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
one or the other of two
From this reading For that reason when the fox was very young, only about sixty or seventy-five, he thought he would refuse to be changed into either a woman or a wizard and would wait for his thousandth birthday.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading “There are enough pretty women and wise men in the world now,” he explained to his friends of the forest.
divisible by two
From this reading The Fox That Wanted Nine Golden Tails He was a Japanese fox, and although he looked just like any other fox, he knew a few things that his American brothers have never heard about even to this day.
at any time
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading “There are enough pretty women and wise men in the world now,” he explained to his friends of the forest.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The Fox That Wanted Nine Golden Tails He was a Japanese fox, and although he looked just like any other fox, he knew a few things that his American brothers have never heard about even to this day.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading “There are enough pretty women and wise men in the world now,” he explained to his friends of the forest.
alert carnivorous mammal with pointed muzzle and ears and a bushy tail; most are predators that do not hunt in packs
From this reading The Fox That Wanted Nine Golden Tails He was a Japanese fox, and although he looked just like any other fox, he knew a few things that his American brothers have never heard about even to this day.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading “There are enough pretty women and wise men in the world now,” he explained to his friends of the forest.
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading The Fox That Wanted Nine Golden Tails He was a Japanese fox, and although he looked just like any other fox, he knew a few things that his American brothers have never heard about even to this day.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Now a beautiful woman does very well in her place and it is a great honor to be a wise man, but a fox with nine golden tails is the most wonderful thing in all the world.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The Fox That Wanted Nine Golden Tails He was a Japanese fox, and although he looked just like any other fox, he knew a few things that his American brothers have never heard about even to this day.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Fox That Wanted Nine Golden Tails He was a Japanese fox, and although he looked just like any other fox, he knew a few things that his American brothers have never heard about even to this day.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading The Fox That Wanted Nine Golden Tails He was a Japanese fox, and although he looked just like any other fox, he knew a few things that his American brothers have never heard about even to this day.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Now a beautiful woman does very well in her place and it is a great honor to be a wise man, but a fox with nine golden tails is the most wonderful thing in all the world.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Fox That Wanted Nine Golden Tails He was a Japanese fox, and although he looked just like any other fox, he knew a few things that his American brothers have never heard about even to this day.
a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
From this reading Now a beautiful woman does very well in her place and it is a great honor to be a wise man, but a fox with nine golden tails is the most wonderful thing in all the world.
ten 10s
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Now a beautiful woman does very well in her place and it is a great honor to be a wise man, but a fox with nine golden tails is the most wonderful thing in all the world.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Now a beautiful woman does very well in her place and it is a great honor to be a wise man, but a fox with nine golden tails is the most wonderful thing in all the world.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Now a beautiful woman does very well in her place and it is a great honor to be a wise man, but a fox with nine golden tails is the most wonderful thing in all the world.
JapanesenounUS /ˌdʒæpəˈniːz/
a native or inhabitant of Japan
From this reading The Fox That Wanted Nine Golden Tails He was a Japanese fox, and although he looked just like any other fox, he knew a few things that his American brothers have never heard about even to this day.
and nothing more
From this reading The Fox That Wanted Nine Golden Tails He was a Japanese fox, and although he looked just like any other fox, he knew a few things that his American brothers have never heard about even to this day.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading The Fox That Wanted Nine Golden Tails He was a Japanese fox, and although he looked just like any other fox, he knew a few things that his American brothers have never heard about even to this day.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The Fox That Wanted Nine Golden Tails He was a Japanese fox, and although he looked just like any other fox, he knew a few things that his American brothers have never heard about even to this day.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The Fox That Wanted Nine Golden Tails He was a Japanese fox, and although he looked just like any other fox, he knew a few things that his American brothers have never heard about even to this day.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
the force of workers available
From this reading “There are enough pretty women and wise men in the world now,” he explained to his friends of the forest.
having or showing great strength or force or intensity
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Now a beautiful woman does very well in her place and it is a great honor to be a wise man, but a fox with nine golden tails is the most wonderful thing in all the world.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading The Fox That Wanted Nine Golden Tails He was a Japanese fox, and although he looked just like any other fox, he knew a few things that his American brothers have never heard about even to this day.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading The Fox That Wanted Nine Golden Tails He was a Japanese fox, and although he looked just like any other fox, he knew a few things that his American brothers have never heard about even to this day.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now a beautiful woman does very well in her place and it is a great honor to be a wise man, but a fox with nine golden tails is the most wonderful thing in all the world.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
and nothing more
From this reading For that reason when the fox was very young, only about sixty or seventy-five, he thought he would refuse to be changed into either a woman or a wizard and would wait for his thousandth birthday.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading For that reason when the fox was very young, only about sixty or seventy-five, he thought he would refuse to be changed into either a woman or a wizard and would wait for his thousandth birthday.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The Fox That Wanted Nine Golden Tails He was a Japanese fox, and although he looked just like any other fox, he knew a few things that his American brothers have never heard about even to this day.
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Now a beautiful woman does very well in her place and it is a great honor to be a wise man, but a fox with nine golden tails is the most wonderful thing in all the world.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading “There are enough pretty women and wise men in the world now,” he explained to his friends of the forest.
a person who is being chased
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading For that reason when the fox was very young, only about sixty or seventy-five, he thought he would refuse to be changed into either a woman or a wizard and would wait for his thousandth birthday.
show unwillingness towards
From this reading For that reason when the fox was very young, only about sixty or seventy-five, he thought he would refuse to be changed into either a woman or a wizard and would wait for his thousandth birthday.
seventy-fiveadjectiveUS /ˈsevəntifaɪv/
being five more than seventy
From this reading For that reason when the fox was very young, only about sixty or seventy-five, he thought he would refuse to be changed into either a woman or a wizard and would wait for his thousandth birthday.
sixtyadjectiveUS /ˈsɪksti/
being ten more than fifty
From this reading For that reason when the fox was very young, only about sixty or seventy-five, he thought he would refuse to be changed into either a woman or a wizard and would wait for his thousandth birthday.
TailsnounUS /teɪlz/
formalwear consisting of full evening dress for men
From this reading The Fox That Wanted Nine Golden Tails He was a Japanese fox, and although he looked just like any other fox, he knew a few things that his American brothers have never heard about even to this day.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The Fox That Wanted Nine Golden Tails He was a Japanese fox, and although he looked just like any other fox, he knew a few things that his American brothers have never heard about even to this day.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Fox That Wanted Nine Golden Tails He was a Japanese fox, and although he looked just like any other fox, he knew a few things that his American brothers have never heard about even to this day.
in or at that place or location
From this reading “There are enough pretty women and wise men in the world now,” he explained to his friends of the forest.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
a special situation
From this reading Now a beautiful woman does very well in her place and it is a great honor to be a wise man, but a fox with nine golden tails is the most wonderful thing in all the world.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading The Fox That Wanted Nine Golden Tails He was a Japanese fox, and although he looked just like any other fox, he knew a few things that his American brothers have never heard about even to this day.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The Fox That Wanted Nine Golden Tails He was a Japanese fox, and although he looked just like any other fox, he knew a few things that his American brothers have never heard about even to this day.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading For that reason when the fox was very young, only about sixty or seventy-five, he thought he would refuse to be changed into either a woman or a wizard and would wait for his thousandth birthday.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
thousandthnounUS /ˈθaʊzəndθ/
position 1,000 in a countable series of things
From this reading For that reason when the fox was very young, only about sixty or seventy-five, he thought he would refuse to be changed into either a woman or a wizard and would wait for his thousandth birthday.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Fox That Wanted Nine Golden Tails He was a Japanese fox, and although he looked just like any other fox, he knew a few things that his American brothers have never heard about even to this day.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
precisely as stated
From this reading Now a beautiful woman does very well in her place and it is a great honor to be a wise man, but a fox with nine golden tails is the most wonderful thing in all the world.
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading For that reason when the fox was very young, only about sixty or seventy-five, he thought he would refuse to be changed into either a woman or a wizard and would wait for his thousandth birthday.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading The Fox That Wanted Nine Golden Tails He was a Japanese fox, and although he looked just like any other fox, he knew a few things that his American brothers have never heard about even to this day.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Fox That Wanted Nine Golden Tails He was a Japanese fox, and although he looked just like any other fox, he knew a few things that his American brothers have never heard about even to this day.
(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 Now a beautiful woman does very well in her place and it is a great honor to be a wise man, but a fox with nine golden tails is the most wonderful thing in all the world.
at the time that
From this reading For that reason when the fox was very young, only about sixty or seventy-five, he thought he would refuse to be changed into either a woman or a wizard and would wait for his thousandth birthday.
which person or people
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading Now a beautiful woman does very well in her place and it is a great honor to be a wise man, but a fox with nine golden tails is the most wonderful thing in all the world.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Now a beautiful woman does very well in her place and it is a great honor to be a wise man, but a fox with nine golden tails is the most wonderful thing in all the world.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
wizardnounUS /ˈwɪzərd/
someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading “There are enough pretty women and wise men in the world now,” he explained to his friends of the forest.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading Now a beautiful woman does very well in her place and it is a great honor to be a wise man, but a fox with nine golden tails is the most wonderful thing in all the world.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Now a beautiful woman does very well in her place and it is a great honor to be a wise man, but a fox with nine golden tails is the most wonderful thing in all the world.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
a late time of life
From this reading One of these things was that if he lived to be one hundred years old without ever being chased by a dog, he could become a beautiful woman; if he lived for five hundred years and never a dog pursued him, he could be changed into a mighty wizard who would know more than any man on earth; but, better than all, after a thousand years of peace he would turn into a celestial fox and have nine golden tails.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading For that reason when the fox was very young, only about sixty or seventy-five, he thought he would refuse to be changed into either a woman or a wizard and would wait for his thousandth birthday.
