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.
alluringadjectiveUS /əˈlʊrɪŋ/
highly attractive and able to arouse hope or desire
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.
aloftadverbUS /əˈlɔːft/
at or on or to the masthead or upper rigging of a ship
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.
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.
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.
weapons considered collectively
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.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
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.
marked by strong resentment or cynicism
From this reading The times were bitter.
brightestadjectiveUS /ˈbraɪtəst/
superlative of “bright” — emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
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.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Upon every tongue was heard but the one topic—the war!
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.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
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.
canvassverbUS /ˈkænvəs/
get the opinions (of people) by asking specific questions
From this reading RETURNING from a fruitless canvass for patrons for his house, Matsuda was in an evil mood.
pleasing or delighting
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.
deafadjectiveUS /def/
lacking or deprived of the sense of hearing wholly or in part
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.
descriptionsnounUS /dɪˈskrɪpʃənz/
plural of “description” — a statement that represents something in words
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.
drumnounUS /drʌm/
a musical percussion instrument; usually consists of a hollow cylinder with a membrane stretched across each end
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.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
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.
enchantingadjectiveUS /enˈtʃæntɪŋ/
capturing interest as if by a spell
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.
at any time
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!
morally objectionable behavior
From this reading RETURNING from a fruitless canvass for patrons for his house, Matsuda was in an evil mood.
exceptionaladjectiveUS /ɪkˈsepʃənəl/
far beyond what is usual in magnitude or degree
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.
opinion or judgment
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.
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.
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.
fruitlessadjectiveUS /ˈfruːtləs/
unproductive of success
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.
geishanounUS /ˈɡeɪʃə/
a Japanese woman trained to entertain men with conversation and singing and dancing
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
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.
geishas
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.
glitteringadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪtərɪŋ/
having brief brilliant points or flashes of light
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.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Upon every tongue was heard but the one topic—the war!
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.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading RETURNING from a fruitless canvass for patrons for his house, Matsuda was in an evil mood.
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.
JapannounUS /dʒəˈpæn/
a string of more than 3,000 islands to the east of Asia extending 1,300 miles between the Sea of Japan and the western Pacific Ocean
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.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
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.
maidensnounUS /ˈmeɪdənz/
plural of “maiden” — an unmarried girl (especially a virgin)
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.
an artist of consummate skill
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
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.
the force of workers available
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.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading RETURNING from a fruitless canvass for patrons for his house, Matsuda was in an evil mood.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
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.
used to form the superlative
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.
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.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Upon every tongue was heard but the one topic—the war!
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.
a set of two similar things considered as a unit
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.
patronsnounUS /ˈpeɪtrənz/
plural of “patron” — a regular customer
From this reading RETURNING from a fruitless canvass for patrons for his house, Matsuda was in an evil mood.
reddestadjectiveUS /ˈredɪst/
superlative of “red” — of a color at the end of the color spectrum (next to orange); resembling the color of blood or cherries or tomatoes or rubies
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.
tending to return to an earlier state
From this reading RETURNING from a fruitless canvass for patrons for his house, Matsuda was in an evil mood.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
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.
an instance of visual perception
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.
a short musical composition with words
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.
spendthriftnounUS /ˈspendθrɪft/
someone who spends money prodigally
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.
sungnounUS /sʌŋ/
the imperial dynasty of China from 960 to 1279; noted for art and literature and philosophy
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.
talentsnounUS /ˈtælənts/
plural of “talent” — natural abilities or qualities
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.
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.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The times were bitter.
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.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading The times were bitter.
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.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
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.
a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity
From this reading Upon every tongue was heard but the one topic—the war!
topicnounUS /ˈtɑːpɪk/
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading Upon every tongue was heard but the one topic—the war!
tossingverbUS /ˈtɔːsɪŋ/
-ing form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion
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.
a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
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.
moved around an axis or center
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!
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
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.
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.
youthsnounUS /juːðz/
plural of “youth” — a young person (especially a young man or boy)
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.
