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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading RETURNING from a fruitless canvass for patrons for his house, Matsuda was in an evil mood.
alluring
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From this reading The clash of drum and arms had a more alluring call to the men of Japan than the most charming song ever sung by geisha; and the glittering sun-flag, tossing aloft from every roof and tower, was more enchanting to their sight than the brightest pair of eyes or reddest lips of which the master of the geishas told.
aloft
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From this reading The clash of drum and arms had a more alluring call to the men of Japan than the most charming song ever sung by geisha; and the glittering sun-flag, tossing aloft from every roof and tower, was more enchanting to their sight than the brightest pair of eyes or reddest lips of which the master of the geishas told.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading RETURNING from a fruitless canvass for patrons for his house, Matsuda was in an evil mood.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The gayest and most spendthrift of youths turned a deaf ear to the geisha-keeper’s descriptions of the exceptional beauty and talents of his maidens.
arms
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From this reading The clash of drum and arms had a more alluring call to the men of Japan than the most charming song ever sung by geisha; and the glittering sun-flag, tossing aloft from every roof and tower, was more enchanting to their sight than the brightest pair of eyes or reddest lips of which the master of the geishas told.
beauty
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From this reading The gayest and most spendthrift of youths turned a deaf ear to the geisha-keeper’s descriptions of the exceptional beauty and talents of his maidens.
bitter
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From this reading The times were bitter.
brightest
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From this reading The clash of drum and arms had a more alluring call to the men of Japan than the most charming song ever sung by geisha; and the glittering sun-flag, tossing aloft from every roof and tower, was more enchanting to their sight than the brightest pair of eyes or reddest lips of which the master of the geishas told.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Upon every tongue was heard but the one topic—the war!
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The clash of drum and arms had a more alluring call to the men of Japan than the most charming song ever sung by geisha; and the glittering sun-flag, tossing aloft from every roof and tower, was more enchanting to their sight than the brightest pair of eyes or reddest lips of which the master of the geishas told.
call
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From this reading The clash of drum and arms had a more alluring call to the men of Japan than the most charming song ever sung by geisha; and the glittering sun-flag, tossing aloft from every roof and tower, was more enchanting to their sight than the brightest pair of eyes or reddest lips of which the master of the geishas told.
canvass
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From this reading RETURNING from a fruitless canvass for patrons for his house, Matsuda was in an evil mood.
charming
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From this reading The clash of drum and arms had a more alluring call to the men of Japan than the most charming song ever sung by geisha; and the glittering sun-flag, tossing aloft from every roof and tower, was more enchanting to their sight than the brightest pair of eyes or reddest lips of which the master of the geishas told.
clashnounUS /klæʃ/
A violent confrontation or disagreement between opposing forces or factions.
From this reading The clash of drum and arms had a more alluring call to the men of Japan than the most charming song ever sung by geisha; and the glittering sun-flag, tossing aloft from every roof and tower, was more enchanting to their sight than the brightest pair of eyes or reddest lips of which the master of the geishas told.
deaf
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From this reading The gayest and most spendthrift of youths turned a deaf ear to the geisha-keeper’s descriptions of the exceptional beauty and talents of his maidens.
descriptions
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From this reading The gayest and most spendthrift of youths turned a deaf ear to the geisha-keeper’s descriptions of the exceptional beauty and talents of his maidens.
drum
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From this reading The clash of drum and arms had a more alluring call to the men of Japan than the most charming song ever sung by geisha; and the glittering sun-flag, tossing aloft from every roof and tower, was more enchanting to their sight than the brightest pair of eyes or reddest lips of which the master of the geishas told.
ear
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From this reading The gayest and most spendthrift of youths turned a deaf ear to the geisha-keeper’s descriptions of the exceptional beauty and talents of his maidens.
enchanting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The clash of drum and arms had a more alluring call to the men of Japan than the most charming song ever sung by geisha; and the glittering sun-flag, tossing aloft from every roof and tower, was more enchanting to their sight than the brightest pair of eyes or reddest lips of which the master of the geishas told.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The clash of drum and arms had a more alluring call to the men of Japan than the most charming song ever sung by geisha; and the glittering sun-flag, tossing aloft from every roof and tower, was more enchanting to their sight than the brightest pair of eyes or reddest lips of which the master of the geishas told.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Upon every tongue was heard but the one topic—the war!
evil
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From this reading RETURNING from a fruitless canvass for patrons for his house, Matsuda was in an evil mood.
exceptional
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From this reading The gayest and most spendthrift of youths turned a deaf ear to the geisha-keeper’s descriptions of the exceptional beauty and talents of his maidens.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The clash of drum and arms had a more alluring call to the men of Japan than the most charming song ever sung by geisha; and the glittering sun-flag, tossing aloft from every roof and tower, was more enchanting to their sight than the brightest pair of eyes or reddest lips of which the master of the geishas told.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading RETURNING from a fruitless canvass for patrons for his house, Matsuda was in an evil mood.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading RETURNING from a fruitless canvass for patrons for his house, Matsuda was in an evil mood.
fruitless
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From this reading RETURNING from a fruitless canvass for patrons for his house, Matsuda was in an evil mood.
gayest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gayest and most spendthrift of youths turned a deaf ear to the geisha-keeper’s descriptions of the exceptional beauty and talents of his maidens.
geisha
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From this reading The clash of drum and arms had a more alluring call to the men of Japan than the most charming song ever sung by geisha; and the glittering sun-flag, tossing aloft from every roof and tower, was more enchanting to their sight than the brightest pair of eyes or reddest lips of which the master of the geishas told.
geisha-keeper's
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From this reading The gayest and most spendthrift of youths turned a deaf ear to the geisha-keeper’s descriptions of the exceptional beauty and talents of his maidens.
geishas
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From this reading The clash of drum and arms had a more alluring call to the men of Japan than the most charming song ever sung by geisha; and the glittering sun-flag, tossing aloft from every roof and tower, was more enchanting to their sight than the brightest pair of eyes or reddest lips of which the master of the geishas told.
glittering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The clash of drum and arms had a more alluring call to the men of Japan than the most charming song ever sung by geisha; and the glittering sun-flag, tossing aloft from every roof and tower, was more enchanting to their sight than the brightest pair of eyes or reddest lips of which the master of the geishas told.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The clash of drum and arms had a more alluring call to the men of Japan than the most charming song ever sung by geisha; and the glittering sun-flag, tossing aloft from every roof and tower, was more enchanting to their sight than the brightest pair of eyes or reddest lips of which the master of the geishas told.
heard
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From this reading Upon every tongue was heard but the one topic—the war!
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading RETURNING from a fruitless canvass for patrons for his house, Matsuda was in an evil mood.
house
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From this reading RETURNING from a fruitless canvass for patrons for his house, Matsuda was in an evil mood.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading RETURNING from a fruitless canvass for patrons for his house, Matsuda was in an evil mood.
Japan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The clash of drum and arms had a more alluring call to the men of Japan than the most charming song ever sung by geisha; and the glittering sun-flag, tossing aloft from every roof and tower, was more enchanting to their sight than the brightest pair of eyes or reddest lips of which the master of the geishas told.
lips
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The clash of drum and arms had a more alluring call to the men of Japan than the most charming song ever sung by geisha; and the glittering sun-flag, tossing aloft from every roof and tower, was more enchanting to their sight than the brightest pair of eyes or reddest lips of which the master of the geishas told.
maidens
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From this reading The gayest and most spendthrift of youths turned a deaf ear to the geisha-keeper’s descriptions of the exceptional beauty and talents of his maidens.
master
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From this reading The clash of drum and arms had a more alluring call to the men of Japan than the most charming song ever sung by geisha; and the glittering sun-flag, tossing aloft from every roof and tower, was more enchanting to their sight than the brightest pair of eyes or reddest lips of which the master of the geishas told.
Matsuda
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From this reading RETURNING from a fruitless canvass for patrons for his house, Matsuda was in an evil mood.
men
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From this reading The clash of drum and arms had a more alluring call to the men of Japan than the most charming song ever sung by geisha; and the glittering sun-flag, tossing aloft from every roof and tower, was more enchanting to their sight than the brightest pair of eyes or reddest lips of which the master of the geishas told.
mood
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From this reading RETURNING from a fruitless canvass for patrons for his house, Matsuda was in an evil mood.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The clash of drum and arms had a more alluring call to the men of Japan than the most charming song ever sung by geisha; and the glittering sun-flag, tossing aloft from every roof and tower, was more enchanting to their sight than the brightest pair of eyes or reddest lips of which the master of the geishas told.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gayest and most spendthrift of youths turned a deaf ear to the geisha-keeper’s descriptions of the exceptional beauty and talents of his maidens.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The gayest and most spendthrift of youths turned a deaf ear to the geisha-keeper’s descriptions of the exceptional beauty and talents of his maidens.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Upon every tongue was heard but the one topic—the war!
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The clash of drum and arms had a more alluring call to the men of Japan than the most charming song ever sung by geisha; and the glittering sun-flag, tossing aloft from every roof and tower, was more enchanting to their sight than the brightest pair of eyes or reddest lips of which the master of the geishas told.
pair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The clash of drum and arms had a more alluring call to the men of Japan than the most charming song ever sung by geisha; and the glittering sun-flag, tossing aloft from every roof and tower, was more enchanting to their sight than the brightest pair of eyes or reddest lips of which the master of the geishas told.
patrons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RETURNING from a fruitless canvass for patrons for his house, Matsuda was in an evil mood.
reddest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The clash of drum and arms had a more alluring call to the men of Japan than the most charming song ever sung by geisha; and the glittering sun-flag, tossing aloft from every roof and tower, was more enchanting to their sight than the brightest pair of eyes or reddest lips of which the master of the geishas told.
RETURNING
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From this reading RETURNING from a fruitless canvass for patrons for his house, Matsuda was in an evil mood.
roof
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The clash of drum and arms had a more alluring call to the men of Japan than the most charming song ever sung by geisha; and the glittering sun-flag, tossing aloft from every roof and tower, was more enchanting to their sight than the brightest pair of eyes or reddest lips of which the master of the geishas told.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The clash of drum and arms had a more alluring call to the men of Japan than the most charming song ever sung by geisha; and the glittering sun-flag, tossing aloft from every roof and tower, was more enchanting to their sight than the brightest pair of eyes or reddest lips of which the master of the geishas told.
song
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The clash of drum and arms had a more alluring call to the men of Japan than the most charming song ever sung by geisha; and the glittering sun-flag, tossing aloft from every roof and tower, was more enchanting to their sight than the brightest pair of eyes or reddest lips of which the master of the geishas told.
spendthrift
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gayest and most spendthrift of youths turned a deaf ear to the geisha-keeper’s descriptions of the exceptional beauty and talents of his maidens.
sun-flag
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The clash of drum and arms had a more alluring call to the men of Japan than the most charming song ever sung by geisha; and the glittering sun-flag, tossing aloft from every roof and tower, was more enchanting to their sight than the brightest pair of eyes or reddest lips of which the master of the geishas told.
sung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The clash of drum and arms had a more alluring call to the men of Japan than the most charming song ever sung by geisha; and the glittering sun-flag, tossing aloft from every roof and tower, was more enchanting to their sight than the brightest pair of eyes or reddest lips of which the master of the geishas told.
talents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gayest and most spendthrift of youths turned a deaf ear to the geisha-keeper’s descriptions of the exceptional beauty and talents of his maidens.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The clash of drum and arms had a more alluring call to the men of Japan than the most charming song ever sung by geisha; and the glittering sun-flag, tossing aloft from every roof and tower, was more enchanting to their sight than the brightest pair of eyes or reddest lips of which the master of the geishas told.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The times were bitter.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The clash of drum and arms had a more alluring call to the men of Japan than the most charming song ever sung by geisha; and the glittering sun-flag, tossing aloft from every roof and tower, was more enchanting to their sight than the brightest pair of eyes or reddest lips of which the master of the geishas told.
times
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The times were bitter.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The gayest and most spendthrift of youths turned a deaf ear to the geisha-keeper’s descriptions of the exceptional beauty and talents of his maidens.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The clash of drum and arms had a more alluring call to the men of Japan than the most charming song ever sung by geisha; and the glittering sun-flag, tossing aloft from every roof and tower, was more enchanting to their sight than the brightest pair of eyes or reddest lips of which the master of the geishas told.
tonguenounUS /tongue/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Upon every tongue was heard but the one topic—the war!
topic
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From this reading Upon every tongue was heard but the one topic—the war!
tossing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The clash of drum and arms had a more alluring call to the men of Japan than the most charming song ever sung by geisha; and the glittering sun-flag, tossing aloft from every roof and tower, was more enchanting to their sight than the brightest pair of eyes or reddest lips of which the master of the geishas told.
tower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The clash of drum and arms had a more alluring call to the men of Japan than the most charming song ever sung by geisha; and the glittering sun-flag, tossing aloft from every roof and tower, was more enchanting to their sight than the brightest pair of eyes or reddest lips of which the master of the geishas told.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gayest and most spendthrift of youths turned a deaf ear to the geisha-keeper’s descriptions of the exceptional beauty and talents of his maidens.
UponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Upon every tongue was heard but the one topic—the war!
war
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upon every tongue was heard but the one topic—the war!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading RETURNING from a fruitless canvass for patrons for his house, Matsuda was in an evil mood.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The times were bitter.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The clash of drum and arms had a more alluring call to the men of Japan than the most charming song ever sung by geisha; and the glittering sun-flag, tossing aloft from every roof and tower, was more enchanting to their sight than the brightest pair of eyes or reddest lips of which the master of the geishas told.
youths
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gayest and most spendthrift of youths turned a deaf ear to the geisha-keeper’s descriptions of the exceptional beauty and talents of his maidens.
