used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For Miss Minerva was sitting on a grass mat in a fragrant garden in the Hawaiian quarter of Honolulu.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading BEYOND THE BAMBOO CURTAIN Had John Quincy been able to see his Aunt Minerva at that moment, he would not have been so sure that he could persuade her to fall in with his plans.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Pale golden Chinese lanterns, inscribed with scarlet letters, hung above her head.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He would, indeed, have been profoundly shocked at the picture presented by his supposedly staid and dignified relative.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading BEYOND THE BAMBOO CURTAIN Had John Quincy been able to see his Aunt Minerva at that moment, he would not have been so sure that he could persuade her to fall in with his plans.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading BEYOND THE BAMBOO CURTAIN Had John Quincy been able to see his Aunt Minerva at that moment, he would not have been so sure that he could persuade her to fall in with his plans.
BAMBOOnounUS /bæmˈbuː/
the hard woody stems of bamboo plants; used in construction and crafts and fishing poles
From this reading BEYOND THE BAMBOO CURTAIN Had John Quincy been able to see his Aunt Minerva at that moment, he would not have been so sure that he could persuade her to fall in with his plans.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading BEYOND THE BAMBOO CURTAIN Had John Quincy been able to see his Aunt Minerva at that moment, he would not have been so sure that he could persuade her to fall in with his plans.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading BEYOND THE BAMBOO CURTAIN Had John Quincy been able to see his Aunt Minerva at that moment, he would not have been so sure that he could persuade her to fall in with his plans.
blossomsnounUS /ˈblɑːsəmz/
plural of “blossom” — reproductive organ of angiosperm plants especially one having showy or colorful parts
From this reading Her neck was garlanded with ropes of buff ginger blossoms twined with maile.
buffnounUS /bʌf/
an ardent follower and admirer
From this reading Her neck was garlanded with ropes of buff ginger blossoms twined with maile.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He would, indeed, have been profoundly shocked at the picture presented by his supposedly staid and dignified relative.
ChinesenounUS /tʃaɪˈniːz/
any of the Sino-Tibetan languages spoken in China; regarded as dialects of a single language (even though they are mutually unintelligible) because they share an ideographic writing system
From this reading Pale golden Chinese lanterns, inscribed with scarlet letters, hung above her head.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading BEYOND THE BAMBOO CURTAIN Had John Quincy been able to see his Aunt Minerva at that moment, he would not have been so sure that he could persuade her to fall in with his plans.
hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading BEYOND THE BAMBOO CURTAIN Had John Quincy been able to see his Aunt Minerva at that moment, he would not have been so sure that he could persuade her to fall in with his plans.
dignifiedadjectiveUS /ˈdɪɡnəfaɪd/
having or expressing dignity; especially formality or stateliness in bearing or appearance
From this reading He would, indeed, have been profoundly shocked at the picture presented by his supposedly staid and dignified relative.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading BEYOND THE BAMBOO CURTAIN Had John Quincy been able to see his Aunt Minerva at that moment, he would not have been so sure that he could persuade her to fall in with his plans.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For Miss Minerva was sitting on a grass mat in a fragrant garden in the Hawaiian quarter of Honolulu.
fragrantadjectiveUS /ˈfreɪɡrənt/
pleasant-smelling
From this reading For Miss Minerva was sitting on a grass mat in a fragrant garden in the Hawaiian quarter of Honolulu.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading For Miss Minerva was sitting on a grass mat in a fragrant garden in the Hawaiian quarter of Honolulu.
garlanded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her neck was garlanded with ropes of buff ginger blossoms twined with maile.
gingernounUS /ˈdʒɪndʒər/
perennial plants having thick branching aromatic rhizomes and leafy reedlike stems
From this reading Her neck was garlanded with ropes of buff ginger blossoms twined with maile.
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading Pale golden Chinese lanterns, inscribed with scarlet letters, hung above her head.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading For Miss Minerva was sitting on a grass mat in a fragrant garden in the Hawaiian quarter of Honolulu.
Hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading BEYOND THE BAMBOO CURTAIN Had John Quincy been able to see his Aunt Minerva at that moment, he would not have been so sure that he could persuade her to fall in with his plans.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading BEYOND THE BAMBOO CURTAIN Had John Quincy been able to see his Aunt Minerva at that moment, he would not have been so sure that he could persuade her to fall in with his plans.
HawaiiannounUS /həˈwaɪən/
the Oceanic languages spoken on Hawaii
From this reading For Miss Minerva was sitting on a grass mat in a fragrant garden in the Hawaiian quarter of Honolulu.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading BEYOND THE BAMBOO CURTAIN Had John Quincy been able to see his Aunt Minerva at that moment, he would not have been so sure that he could persuade her to fall in with his plans.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Pale golden Chinese lanterns, inscribed with scarlet letters, hung above her head.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading BEYOND THE BAMBOO CURTAIN Had John Quincy been able to see his Aunt Minerva at that moment, he would not have been so sure that he could persuade her to fall in with his plans.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading BEYOND THE BAMBOO CURTAIN Had John Quincy been able to see his Aunt Minerva at that moment, he would not have been so sure that he could persuade her to fall in with his plans.
HonolulunounUS /ˌhɑːnəˈluːluː/
the capital and largest city of Hawaii; located on a large bay on the island of Oahu
From this reading For Miss Minerva was sitting on a grass mat in a fragrant garden in the Hawaiian quarter of Honolulu.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading Pale golden Chinese lanterns, inscribed with scarlet letters, hung above her head.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading BEYOND THE BAMBOO CURTAIN Had John Quincy been able to see his Aunt Minerva at that moment, he would not have been so sure that he could persuade her to fall in with his plans.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading He would, indeed, have been profoundly shocked at the picture presented by his supposedly staid and dignified relative.
inscribedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈskraɪbd/
written (by handwriting, printing, engraving, or carving) on or in a surface
From this reading Pale golden Chinese lanterns, inscribed with scarlet letters, hung above her head.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading BEYOND THE BAMBOO CURTAIN Had John Quincy been able to see his Aunt Minerva at that moment, he would not have been so sure that he could persuade her to fall in with his plans.
lanternsnounUS /ˈlæntərnz/
plural of “lantern” — light in a transparent protective case
From this reading Pale golden Chinese lanterns, inscribed with scarlet letters, hung above her head.
the literary culture
From this reading Pale golden Chinese lanterns, inscribed with scarlet letters, hung above her head.
maile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her neck was garlanded with ropes of buff ginger blossoms twined with maile.
matnounUS /mæt/
a thick flat pad used as a floor covering
From this reading For Miss Minerva was sitting on a grass mat in a fragrant garden in the Hawaiian quarter of Honolulu.
MinervanounUS /məˈnɜːrvə/
(Roman mythology) goddess of wisdom; counterpart of Greek Athena
From this reading BEYOND THE BAMBOO CURTAIN Had John Quincy been able to see his Aunt Minerva at that moment, he would not have been so sure that he could persuade her to fall in with his plans.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading For Miss Minerva was sitting on a grass mat in a fragrant garden in the Hawaiian quarter of Honolulu.
a particular point in time
From this reading BEYOND THE BAMBOO CURTAIN Had John Quincy been able to see his Aunt Minerva at that moment, he would not have been so sure that he could persuade her to fall in with his plans.
the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
From this reading Her neck was garlanded with ropes of buff ginger blossoms twined with maile.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading BEYOND THE BAMBOO CURTAIN Had John Quincy been able to see his Aunt Minerva at that moment, he would not have been so sure that he could persuade her to fall in with his plans.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For Miss Minerva was sitting on a grass mat in a fragrant garden in the Hawaiian quarter of Honolulu.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading For Miss Minerva was sitting on a grass mat in a fragrant garden in the Hawaiian quarter of Honolulu.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading Pale golden Chinese lanterns, inscribed with scarlet letters, hung above her head.
persuadeverbUS /pərˈsweɪd/
win approval or support for
From this reading BEYOND THE BAMBOO CURTAIN Had John Quincy been able to see his Aunt Minerva at that moment, he would not have been so sure that he could persuade her to fall in with his plans.
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading He would, indeed, have been profoundly shocked at the picture presented by his supposedly staid and dignified relative.
plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished
From this reading BEYOND THE BAMBOO CURTAIN Had John Quincy been able to see his Aunt Minerva at that moment, he would not have been so sure that he could persuade her to fall in with his plans.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading He would, indeed, have been profoundly shocked at the picture presented by his supposedly staid and dignified relative.
profoundlyadverbUS /proʊˈfaʊndli/
to a great depth psychologically or emotionally
From this reading He would, indeed, have been profoundly shocked at the picture presented by his supposedly staid and dignified relative.
one of four equal parts
From this reading For Miss Minerva was sitting on a grass mat in a fragrant garden in the Hawaiian quarter of Honolulu.
QuincynounUS /ˈkwɪnsi/
American patriot who presented the colonists' grievances to the English king (1744-1775)
From this reading BEYOND THE BAMBOO CURTAIN Had John Quincy been able to see his Aunt Minerva at that moment, he would not have been so sure that he could persuade her to fall in with his plans.
relativenounUS /ˈrelətɪv/
a person related by blood or marriage
From this reading He would, indeed, have been profoundly shocked at the picture presented by his supposedly staid and dignified relative.
ropesnounUS /roʊps/
plural of “rope” — a strong line
From this reading Her neck was garlanded with ropes of buff ginger blossoms twined with maile.
scarletnounUS /ˈskɑːrlət/
a variable color that is vivid red but sometimes with an orange tinge
From this reading Pale golden Chinese lanterns, inscribed with scarlet letters, hung above her head.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading BEYOND THE BAMBOO CURTAIN Had John Quincy been able to see his Aunt Minerva at that moment, he would not have been so sure that he could persuade her to fall in with his plans.
shockedadjectiveUS /ʃɑːkt/
struck with fear, dread, or consternation
From this reading He would, indeed, have been profoundly shocked at the picture presented by his supposedly staid and dignified relative.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading For Miss Minerva was sitting on a grass mat in a fragrant garden in the Hawaiian quarter of Honolulu.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading BEYOND THE BAMBOO CURTAIN Had John Quincy been able to see his Aunt Minerva at that moment, he would not have been so sure that he could persuade her to fall in with his plans.
staidadjectiveUS /steɪd/
characterized by dignity and propriety
From this reading He would, indeed, have been profoundly shocked at the picture presented by his supposedly staid and dignified relative.
supposedlyadverbUS /səˈpoʊzədli/
believed or reputed to be the case
From this reading He would, indeed, have been profoundly shocked at the picture presented by his supposedly staid and dignified relative.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading BEYOND THE BAMBOO CURTAIN Had John Quincy been able to see his Aunt Minerva at that moment, he would not have been so sure that he could persuade her to fall in with his plans.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading BEYOND THE BAMBOO CURTAIN Had John Quincy been able to see his Aunt Minerva at that moment, he would not have been so sure that he could persuade her to fall in with his plans.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BEYOND THE BAMBOO CURTAIN Had John Quincy been able to see his Aunt Minerva at that moment, he would not have been so sure that he could persuade her to fall in with his plans.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading BEYOND THE BAMBOO CURTAIN Had John Quincy been able to see his Aunt Minerva at that moment, he would not have been so sure that he could persuade her to fall in with his plans.
twinedverbUS /twaɪnd/
past form of “twine” — spin, wind, or twist together
From this reading Her neck was garlanded with ropes of buff ginger blossoms twined with maile.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For Miss Minerva was sitting on a grass mat in a fragrant garden in the Hawaiian quarter of Honolulu.
in the company of; together with
From this reading BEYOND THE BAMBOO CURTAIN Had John Quincy been able to see his Aunt Minerva at that moment, he would not have been so sure that he could persuade her to fall in with his plans.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading BEYOND THE BAMBOO CURTAIN Had John Quincy been able to see his Aunt Minerva at that moment, he would not have been so sure that he could persuade her to fall in with his plans.
