used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The only thing she knew was that she wanted to stay in Tching-Yen as short a while as might be.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading But of course the immediate future must be faced: she would go to the hotel when she reached Tching-Yen, she would arrange about getting rid of the house and selling the furniture; there would be no need to see Townsend.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It seemed to her that she would like to wander for ever through that smiling and friendly country in her rattan chair, and, an indifferent spectator for ever of the phantasmagoria of life, pass each night under a different roof.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She looked very little into the future and she made no plans.
arrangeverbUS /ərˈeɪndʒ/
put into a proper or systematic order
From this reading But of course the immediate future must be faced: she would go to the hotel when she reached Tching-Yen, she would arrange about getting rid of the house and selling the furniture; there would be no need to see Townsend.
arrivingverbUS /ərˈaɪvɪŋ/
-ing form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading She looked forward to arriving there with horror.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The only thing she knew was that she wanted to stay in Tching-Yen as short a while as might be.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The only thing she knew was that she wanted to stay in Tching-Yen as short a while as might be.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But of course the immediate future must be faced: she would go to the hotel when she reached Tching-Yen, she would arrange about getting rid of the house and selling the furniture; there would be no need to see Townsend.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading It seemed to her that she would like to wander for ever through that smiling and friendly country in her rattan chair, and, an indifferent spectator for ever of the phantasmagoria of life, pass each night under a different roof.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading It seemed to her that she would like to wander for ever through that smiling and friendly country in her rattan chair, and, an indifferent spectator for ever of the phantasmagoria of life, pass each night under a different roof.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading But of course the immediate future must be faced: she would go to the hotel when she reached Tching-Yen, she would arrange about getting rid of the house and selling the furniture; there would be no need to see Townsend.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading It seemed to her that she would like to wander for ever through that smiling and friendly country in her rattan chair, and, an indifferent spectator for ever of the phantasmagoria of life, pass each night under a different roof.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading It seemed to her that she would like to wander for ever through that smiling and friendly country in her rattan chair, and, an indifferent spectator for ever of the phantasmagoria of life, pass each night under a different roof.
at any time
From this reading It seemed to her that she would like to wander for ever through that smiling and friendly country in her rattan chair, and, an indifferent spectator for ever of the phantasmagoria of life, pass each night under a different roof.
having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination
From this reading But of course the immediate future must be faced: she would go to the hotel when she reached Tching-Yen, she would arrange about getting rid of the house and selling the furniture; there would be no need to see Townsend.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It seemed to her that she would like to wander for ever through that smiling and friendly country in her rattan chair, and, an indifferent spectator for ever of the phantasmagoria of life, pass each night under a different roof.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading She looked forward to arriving there with horror.
characteristic of or befitting a friend
From this reading It seemed to her that she would like to wander for ever through that smiling and friendly country in her rattan chair, and, an indifferent spectator for ever of the phantasmagoria of life, pass each night under a different roof.
furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy
From this reading But of course the immediate future must be faced: she would go to the hotel when she reached Tching-Yen, she would arrange about getting rid of the house and selling the furniture; there would be no need to see Townsend.
yet to be or coming
From this reading She looked very little into the future and she made no plans.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading But of course the immediate future must be faced: she would go to the hotel when she reached Tching-Yen, she would arrange about getting rid of the house and selling the furniture; there would be no need to see Townsend.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading But of course the immediate future must be faced: she would go to the hotel when she reached Tching-Yen, she would arrange about getting rid of the house and selling the furniture; there would be no need to see Townsend.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It seemed to her that she would like to wander for ever through that smiling and friendly country in her rattan chair, and, an indifferent spectator for ever of the phantasmagoria of life, pass each night under a different roof.
intense and profound fear
From this reading She looked forward to arriving there with horror.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading But of course the immediate future must be faced: she would go to the hotel when she reached Tching-Yen, she would arrange about getting rid of the house and selling the furniture; there would be no need to see Townsend.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading But of course the immediate future must be faced: she would go to the hotel when she reached Tching-Yen, she would arrange about getting rid of the house and selling the furniture; there would be no need to see Townsend.
of the present time and place
From this reading But of course the immediate future must be faced: she would go to the hotel when she reached Tching-Yen, she would arrange about getting rid of the house and selling the furniture; there would be no need to see Townsend.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The only thing she knew was that she wanted to stay in Tching-Yen as short a while as might be.
indifferentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdɪfrənt/
marked by a lack of interest
From this reading It seemed to her that she would like to wander for ever through that smiling and friendly country in her rattan chair, and, an indifferent spectator for ever of the phantasmagoria of life, pass each night under a different roof.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading She looked very little into the future and she made no plans.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It seemed to her that she would like to wander for ever through that smiling and friendly country in her rattan chair, and, an indifferent spectator for ever of the phantasmagoria of life, pass each night under a different roof.
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 only thing she knew was that she wanted to stay in Tching-Yen as short a while as might be.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading It seemed to her that she would like to wander for ever through that smiling and friendly country in her rattan chair, and, an indifferent spectator for ever of the phantasmagoria of life, pass each night under a different roof.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It seemed to her that she would like to wander for ever through that smiling and friendly country in her rattan chair, and, an indifferent spectator for ever of the phantasmagoria of life, pass each night under a different roof.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She looked very little into the future and she made no plans.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading She looked very little into the future and she made no plans.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading She looked very little into the future and she made no plans.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The only thing she knew was that she wanted to stay in Tching-Yen as short a while as might be.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading But of course the immediate future must be faced: she would go to the hotel when she reached Tching-Yen, she would arrange about getting rid of the house and selling the furniture; there would be no need to see Townsend.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading But of course the immediate future must be faced: she would go to the hotel when she reached Tching-Yen, she would arrange about getting rid of the house and selling the furniture; there would be no need to see Townsend.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading It seemed to her that she would like to wander for ever through that smiling and friendly country in her rattan chair, and, an indifferent spectator for ever of the phantasmagoria of life, pass each night under a different roof.
not any; not one
From this reading She looked very little into the future and she made no plans.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It seemed to her that she would like to wander for ever through that smiling and friendly country in her rattan chair, and, an indifferent spectator for ever of the phantasmagoria of life, pass each night under a different roof.
and nothing more
From this reading The only thing she knew was that she wanted to stay in Tching-Yen as short a while as might be.
go across or through
From this reading It seemed to her that she would like to wander for ever through that smiling and friendly country in her rattan chair, and, an indifferent spectator for ever of the phantasmagoria of life, pass each night under a different roof.
phantasmagorianounUS /fænˌtæzməˈɡɔːriə/
a constantly changing medley of real or imagined images (as in a dream)
From this reading It seemed to her that she would like to wander for ever through that smiling and friendly country in her rattan chair, and, an indifferent spectator for ever of the phantasmagoria of life, pass each night under a different roof.
plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished
From this reading She looked very little into the future and she made no plans.
rattannounUS /ræˈtæn/
climbing palm of Sri Lanka and southern India remarkable for the great length of the stems which are used for malacca canes
From this reading It seemed to her that she would like to wander for ever through that smiling and friendly country in her rattan chair, and, an indifferent spectator for ever of the phantasmagoria of life, pass each night under a different roof.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading But of course the immediate future must be faced: she would go to the hotel when she reached Tching-Yen, she would arrange about getting rid of the house and selling the furniture; there would be no need to see Townsend.
relieve from
From this reading But of course the immediate future must be faced: she would go to the hotel when she reached Tching-Yen, she would arrange about getting rid of the house and selling the furniture; there would be no need to see Townsend.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading It seemed to her that she would like to wander for ever through that smiling and friendly country in her rattan chair, and, an indifferent spectator for ever of the phantasmagoria of life, pass each night under a different roof.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading But of course the immediate future must be faced: she would go to the hotel when she reached Tching-Yen, she would arrange about getting rid of the house and selling the furniture; there would be no need to see Townsend.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seemed to her that she would like to wander for ever through that smiling and friendly country in her rattan chair, and, an indifferent spectator for ever of the phantasmagoria of life, pass each night under a different roof.
sellingnounUS /ˈselɪŋ/
the exchange of goods for an agreed sum of money
From this reading But of course the immediate future must be faced: she would go to the hotel when she reached Tching-Yen, she would arrange about getting rid of the house and selling the furniture; there would be no need to see Townsend.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She looked very little into the future and she made no plans.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading The only thing she knew was that she wanted to stay in Tching-Yen as short a while as might be.
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading It seemed to her that she would like to wander for ever through that smiling and friendly country in her rattan chair, and, an indifferent spectator for ever of the phantasmagoria of life, pass each night under a different roof.
spectatornounUS /ˈspekteɪtər/
a close observer; someone who looks at something (such as an exhibition of some kind)
From this reading It seemed to her that she would like to wander for ever through that smiling and friendly country in her rattan chair, and, an indifferent spectator for ever of the phantasmagoria of life, pass each night under a different roof.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading The only thing she knew was that she wanted to stay in Tching-Yen as short a while as might be.
Tching-Yen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The only thing she knew was that she wanted to stay in Tching-Yen as short a while as might be.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The only thing she knew was that she wanted to stay in Tching-Yen as short a while as might be.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She looked very little into the future and she made no plans.
in or at that place or location
From this reading She looked forward to arriving there with horror.
a special situation
From this reading The only thing she knew was that she wanted to stay in Tching-Yen as short a while as might be.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading It seemed to her that she would like to wander for ever through that smiling and friendly country in her rattan chair, and, an indifferent spectator for ever of the phantasmagoria of life, pass each night under a different roof.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The only thing she knew was that she wanted to stay in Tching-Yen as short a while as might be.
TownsendnounUS /ˈtaʊnzənd/
United States social reformer who proposed an old-age pension sponsored by the federal government; his plan was a precursor to Social Security (1867-1960)
From this reading But of course the immediate future must be faced: she would go to the hotel when she reached Tching-Yen, she would arrange about getting rid of the house and selling the furniture; there would be no need to see Townsend.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading It seemed to her that she would like to wander for ever through that smiling and friendly country in her rattan chair, and, an indifferent spectator for ever of the phantasmagoria of life, pass each night under a different roof.
precisely as stated
From this reading She looked very little into the future and she made no plans.
wanderverbUS /ˈwɑːndər/
move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading It seemed to her that she would like to wander for ever through that smiling and friendly country in her rattan chair, and, an indifferent spectator for ever of the phantasmagoria of life, pass each night under a different roof.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading The only thing she knew was that she wanted to stay in Tching-Yen as short a while as might be.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The only thing she knew was that she wanted to stay in Tching-Yen as short a while as might be.
at the time that
From this reading But of course the immediate future must be faced: she would go to the hotel when she reached Tching-Yen, she would arrange about getting rid of the house and selling the furniture; there would be no need to see Townsend.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The only thing she knew was that she wanted to stay in Tching-Yen as short a while as might be.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She looked forward to arriving there with horror.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It seemed to her that she would like to wander for ever through that smiling and friendly country in her rattan chair, and, an indifferent spectator for ever of the phantasmagoria of life, pass each night under a different roof.
