used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE FLOWER FEAST About the twentieth day of the second month the Emperor gave a Chinese banquet under the great cherry-tree of the Southern Court.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading THE FLOWER FEAST About the twentieth day of the second month the Emperor gave a Chinese banquet under the great cherry-tree of the Southern Court.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After some promise of rain the day turned out magnificent; and in full sunshine, with the birds singing in every tree, the guests (royal princes, noblemen and professional poets alike) were handed the rhyme words which the Emperor had drawn by lot, and set to work to compose their poems.
equally
From this reading After some promise of rain the day turned out magnificent; and in full sunshine, with the birds singing in every tree, the guests (royal princes, noblemen and professional poets alike) were handed the rhyme words which the Emperor had drawn by lot, and set to work to compose their poems.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Kōkiden, although she knew that the mere presence of the Empress was sufficient to spoil her pleasure, could not bring herself to forego so delightful an entertainment.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Kōkiden, although she knew that the mere presence of the Empress was sufficient to spoil her pleasure, could not bring herself to forego so delightful an entertainment.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Both Fujitsubo and the Heir Apparent were to be there.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading Both Fujitsubo and the Heir Apparent were to be there.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was with a clear and ringing voice that Genji read out the word ‘Spring’ which he had received as the rhyme-sound of his poem.
banquetnounUS /ˈbæŋkwət/
a ceremonial dinner party for many people
From this reading THE FLOWER FEAST About the twentieth day of the second month the Emperor gave a Chinese banquet under the great cherry-tree of the Southern Court.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Both Fujitsubo and the Heir Apparent were to be there.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading After some promise of rain the day turned out magnificent; and in full sunshine, with the birds singing in every tree, the guests (royal princes, noblemen and professional poets alike) were handed the rhyme words which the Emperor had drawn by lot, and set to work to compose their poems.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Both Fujitsubo and the Heir Apparent were to be there.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Kōkiden, although she knew that the mere presence of the Empress was sufficient to spoil her pleasure, could not bring herself to forego so delightful an entertainment.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading After some promise of rain the day turned out magnificent; and in full sunshine, with the birds singing in every tree, the guests (royal princes, noblemen and professional poets alike) were handed the rhyme words which the Emperor had drawn by lot, and set to work to compose their poems.
cherry-tree
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FLOWER FEAST About the twentieth day of the second month the Emperor gave a Chinese banquet under the great cherry-tree of the Southern Court.
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 THE FLOWER FEAST About the twentieth day of the second month the Emperor gave a Chinese banquet under the great cherry-tree of the Southern Court.
rid of obstructions
From this reading It was with a clear and ringing voice that Genji read out the word ‘Spring’ which he had received as the rhyme-sound of his poem.
composeverbUS /kəmˈpoʊz/
form the substance of
From this reading After some promise of rain the day turned out magnificent; and in full sunshine, with the birds singing in every tree, the guests (royal princes, noblemen and professional poets alike) were handed the rhyme words which the Emperor had drawn by lot, and set to work to compose their poems.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Kōkiden, although she knew that the mere presence of the Empress was sufficient to spoil her pleasure, could not bring herself to forego so delightful an entertainment.
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading THE FLOWER FEAST About the twentieth day of the second month the Emperor gave a Chinese banquet under the great cherry-tree of the Southern Court.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading THE FLOWER FEAST About the twentieth day of the second month the Emperor gave a Chinese banquet under the great cherry-tree of the Southern Court.
greatly pleasing or entertaining
From this reading Kōkiden, although she knew that the mere presence of the Empress was sufficient to spoil her pleasure, could not bring herself to forego so delightful an entertainment.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading After some promise of rain the day turned out magnificent; and in full sunshine, with the birds singing in every tree, the guests (royal princes, noblemen and professional poets alike) were handed the rhyme words which the Emperor had drawn by lot, and set to work to compose their poems.
the male ruler of an empire
From this reading THE FLOWER FEAST About the twentieth day of the second month the Emperor gave a Chinese banquet under the great cherry-tree of the Southern Court.
EmpressnounUS /ˈempres/
a woman emperor or the wife of an emperor
From this reading Kōkiden, although she knew that the mere presence of the Empress was sufficient to spoil her pleasure, could not bring herself to forego so delightful an entertainment.
entertainmentnounUS /ˌentərˈteɪnmənt/
an activity that is diverting and that holds the attention
From this reading Kōkiden, although she knew that the mere presence of the Empress was sufficient to spoil her pleasure, could not bring herself to forego so delightful an entertainment.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading After some promise of rain the day turned out magnificent; and in full sunshine, with the birds singing in every tree, the guests (royal princes, noblemen and professional poets alike) were handed the rhyme words which the Emperor had drawn by lot, and set to work to compose their poems.
a ceremonial dinner party for many people
From this reading THE FLOWER FEAST About the twentieth day of the second month the Emperor gave a Chinese banquet under the great cherry-tree of the Southern Court.
a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading THE FLOWER FEAST About the twentieth day of the second month the Emperor gave a Chinese banquet under the great cherry-tree of the Southern Court.
foregoverbUS /fɔːrˈɡoʊ/
be earlier in time; go back further
From this reading Kōkiden, although she knew that the mere presence of the Empress was sufficient to spoil her pleasure, could not bring herself to forego so delightful an entertainment.
Fujitsubo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both Fujitsubo and the Heir Apparent were to be there.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading After some promise of rain the day turned out magnificent; and in full sunshine, with the birds singing in every tree, the guests (royal princes, noblemen and professional poets alike) were handed the rhyme words which the Emperor had drawn by lot, and set to work to compose their poems.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading THE FLOWER FEAST About the twentieth day of the second month the Emperor gave a Chinese banquet under the great cherry-tree of the Southern Court.
Genji
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was with a clear and ringing voice that Genji read out the word ‘Spring’ which he had received as the rhyme-sound of his poem.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading THE FLOWER FEAST About the twentieth day of the second month the Emperor gave a Chinese banquet under the great cherry-tree of the Southern Court.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading After some promise of rain the day turned out magnificent; and in full sunshine, with the birds singing in every tree, the guests (royal princes, noblemen and professional poets alike) were handed the rhyme words which the Emperor had drawn by lot, and set to work to compose their poems.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading After some promise of rain the day turned out magnificent; and in full sunshine, with the birds singing in every tree, the guests (royal princes, noblemen and professional poets alike) were handed the rhyme words which the Emperor had drawn by lot, and set to work to compose their poems.
having or involving the use of hands
From this reading After some promise of rain the day turned out magnificent; and in full sunshine, with the birds singing in every tree, the guests (royal princes, noblemen and professional poets alike) were handed the rhyme words which the Emperor had drawn by lot, and set to work to compose their poems.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was with a clear and ringing voice that Genji read out the word ‘Spring’ which he had received as the rhyme-sound of his poem.
HeirnounUS /er/
A person legally or magically entitled to the property or rank of another on that person's death.
From this reading Both Fujitsubo and the Heir Apparent were to be there.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Kōkiden, although she knew that the mere presence of the Empress was sufficient to spoil her pleasure, could not bring herself to forego so delightful an entertainment.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Kōkiden, although she knew that the mere presence of the Empress was sufficient to spoil her pleasure, could not bring herself to forego so delightful an entertainment.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was with a clear and ringing voice that Genji read out the word ‘Spring’ which he had received as the rhyme-sound of his poem.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading After some promise of rain the day turned out magnificent; and in full sunshine, with the birds singing in every tree, the guests (royal princes, noblemen and professional poets alike) were handed the rhyme words which the Emperor had drawn by lot, and set to work to compose their poems.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was with a clear and ringing voice that Genji read out the word ‘Spring’ which he had received as the rhyme-sound of his poem.
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 Kōkiden, although she knew that the mere presence of the Empress was sufficient to spoil her pleasure, could not bring herself to forego so delightful an entertainment.
Kōkiden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Kōkiden, although she knew that the mere presence of the Empress was sufficient to spoil her pleasure, could not bring herself to forego so delightful an entertainment.
(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent
From this reading After some promise of rain the day turned out magnificent; and in full sunshine, with the birds singing in every tree, the guests (royal princes, noblemen and professional poets alike) were handed the rhyme words which the Emperor had drawn by lot, and set to work to compose their poems.
characterized by grandeur
From this reading After some promise of rain the day turned out magnificent; and in full sunshine, with the birds singing in every tree, the guests (royal princes, noblemen and professional poets alike) were handed the rhyme words which the Emperor had drawn by lot, and set to work to compose their poems.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading Kōkiden, although she knew that the mere presence of the Empress was sufficient to spoil her pleasure, could not bring herself to forego so delightful an entertainment.
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading THE FLOWER FEAST About the twentieth day of the second month the Emperor gave a Chinese banquet under the great cherry-tree of the Southern Court.
noblemen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After some promise of rain the day turned out magnificent; and in full sunshine, with the birds singing in every tree, the guests (royal princes, noblemen and professional poets alike) were handed the rhyme words which the Emperor had drawn by lot, and set to work to compose their poems.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Kōkiden, although she knew that the mere presence of the Empress was sufficient to spoil her pleasure, could not bring herself to forego so delightful an entertainment.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE FLOWER FEAST About the twentieth day of the second month the Emperor gave a Chinese banquet under the great cherry-tree of the Southern Court.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading After some promise of rain the day turned out magnificent; and in full sunshine, with the birds singing in every tree, the guests (royal princes, noblemen and professional poets alike) were handed the rhyme words which the Emperor had drawn by lot, and set to work to compose their poems.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading Kōkiden, although she knew that the mere presence of the Empress was sufficient to spoil her pleasure, could not bring herself to forego so delightful an entertainment.
a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines
From this reading It was with a clear and ringing voice that Genji read out the word ‘Spring’ which he had received as the rhyme-sound of his poem.
plural of “poem” — a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines
From this reading After some promise of rain the day turned out magnificent; and in full sunshine, with the birds singing in every tree, the guests (royal princes, noblemen and professional poets alike) were handed the rhyme words which the Emperor had drawn by lot, and set to work to compose their poems.
poetsnounUS /ˈpoʊəts/
plural of “poet” — a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)
From this reading After some promise of rain the day turned out magnificent; and in full sunshine, with the birds singing in every tree, the guests (royal princes, noblemen and professional poets alike) were handed the rhyme words which the Emperor had drawn by lot, and set to work to compose their poems.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading Kōkiden, although she knew that the mere presence of the Empress was sufficient to spoil her pleasure, could not bring herself to forego so delightful an entertainment.
princesnounUS /ˈprɪnsəz/
plural of “prince” — a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)
From this reading After some promise of rain the day turned out magnificent; and in full sunshine, with the birds singing in every tree, the guests (royal princes, noblemen and professional poets alike) were handed the rhyme words which the Emperor had drawn by lot, and set to work to compose their poems.
professionaladjectiveUS /prəˈfeʃənəl/
engaged in a profession or engaging in as a profession or means of livelihood
From this reading After some promise of rain the day turned out magnificent; and in full sunshine, with the birds singing in every tree, the guests (royal princes, noblemen and professional poets alike) were handed the rhyme words which the Emperor had drawn by lot, and set to work to compose their poems.
make a promise or commitment
From this reading After some promise of rain the day turned out magnificent; and in full sunshine, with the birds singing in every tree, the guests (royal princes, noblemen and professional poets alike) were handed the rhyme words which the Emperor had drawn by lot, and set to work to compose their poems.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading After some promise of rain the day turned out magnificent; and in full sunshine, with the birds singing in every tree, the guests (royal princes, noblemen and professional poets alike) were handed the rhyme words which the Emperor had drawn by lot, and set to work to compose their poems.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading It was with a clear and ringing voice that Genji read out the word ‘Spring’ which he had received as the rhyme-sound of his poem.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading It was with a clear and ringing voice that Genji read out the word ‘Spring’ which he had received as the rhyme-sound of his poem.
rhymenounUS /raɪm/
correspondence in the sounds of two or more lines (especially final sounds)
From this reading After some promise of rain the day turned out magnificent; and in full sunshine, with the birds singing in every tree, the guests (royal princes, noblemen and professional poets alike) were handed the rhyme words which the Emperor had drawn by lot, and set to work to compose their poems.
rhyme-sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was with a clear and ringing voice that Genji read out the word ‘Spring’ which he had received as the rhyme-sound of his poem.
ringingnounUS /ˈrɪŋɪŋ/
the sound of a bell ringing
From this reading It was with a clear and ringing voice that Genji read out the word ‘Spring’ which he had received as the rhyme-sound of his poem.
royaladjectiveUS /ˈrɔɪəl/
of or relating to or indicative of or issued or performed by a king or queen or other monarch
From this reading After some promise of rain the day turned out magnificent; and in full sunshine, with the birds singing in every tree, the guests (royal princes, noblemen and professional poets alike) were handed the rhyme words which the Emperor had drawn by lot, and set to work to compose their poems.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading THE FLOWER FEAST About the twentieth day of the second month the Emperor gave a Chinese banquet under the great cherry-tree of the Southern Court.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading After some promise of rain the day turned out magnificent; and in full sunshine, with the birds singing in every tree, the guests (royal princes, noblemen and professional poets alike) were handed the rhyme words which the Emperor had drawn by lot, and set to work to compose their poems.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Kōkiden, although she knew that the mere presence of the Empress was sufficient to spoil her pleasure, could not bring herself to forego so delightful an entertainment.
the act of singing vocal music
From this reading After some promise of rain the day turned out magnificent; and in full sunshine, with the birds singing in every tree, the guests (royal princes, noblemen and professional poets alike) were handed the rhyme words which the Emperor had drawn by lot, and set to work to compose their poems.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Kōkiden, although she knew that the mere presence of the Empress was sufficient to spoil her pleasure, could not bring herself to forego so delightful an entertainment.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading After some promise of rain the day turned out magnificent; and in full sunshine, with the birds singing in every tree, the guests (royal princes, noblemen and professional poets alike) were handed the rhyme words which the Emperor had drawn by lot, and set to work to compose their poems.
in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading THE FLOWER FEAST About the twentieth day of the second month the Emperor gave a Chinese banquet under the great cherry-tree of the Southern Court.
spoilverbUS /spɔɪl/
make a mess of, destroy or ruin
From this reading Kōkiden, although she knew that the mere presence of the Empress was sufficient to spoil her pleasure, could not bring herself to forego so delightful an entertainment.
the season of growth
From this reading It was with a clear and ringing voice that Genji read out the word ‘Spring’ which he had received as the rhyme-sound of his poem.
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading Kōkiden, although she knew that the mere presence of the Empress was sufficient to spoil her pleasure, could not bring herself to forego so delightful an entertainment.
the rays of the sun
From this reading After some promise of rain the day turned out magnificent; and in full sunshine, with the birds singing in every tree, the guests (royal princes, noblemen and professional poets alike) were handed the rhyme words which the Emperor had drawn by lot, and set to work to compose their poems.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Kōkiden, although she knew that the mere presence of the Empress was sufficient to spoil her pleasure, could not bring herself to forego so delightful an entertainment.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FLOWER FEAST About the twentieth day of the second month the Emperor gave a Chinese banquet under the great cherry-tree of the Southern Court.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading After some promise of rain the day turned out magnificent; and in full sunshine, with the birds singing in every tree, the guests (royal princes, noblemen and professional poets alike) were handed the rhyme words which the Emperor had drawn by lot, and set to work to compose their poems.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Both Fujitsubo and the Heir Apparent were to be there.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Both Fujitsubo and the Heir Apparent were to be there.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading After some promise of rain the day turned out magnificent; and in full sunshine, with the birds singing in every tree, the guests (royal princes, noblemen and professional poets alike) were handed the rhyme words which the Emperor had drawn by lot, and set to work to compose their poems.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading After some promise of rain the day turned out magnificent; and in full sunshine, with the birds singing in every tree, the guests (royal princes, noblemen and professional poets alike) were handed the rhyme words which the Emperor had drawn by lot, and set to work to compose their poems.
twentiethnounUS /ˈtwentiəθ/
position 20 in a countable series of things
From this reading THE FLOWER FEAST About the twentieth day of the second month the Emperor gave a Chinese banquet under the great cherry-tree of the Southern Court.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading THE FLOWER FEAST About the twentieth day of the second month the Emperor gave a Chinese banquet under the great cherry-tree of the Southern Court.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading It was with a clear and ringing voice that Genji read out the word ‘Spring’ which he had received as the rhyme-sound of his poem.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Kōkiden, although she knew that the mere presence of the Empress was sufficient to spoil her pleasure, could not bring herself to forego so delightful an entertainment.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Both Fujitsubo and the Heir Apparent were to be there.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading After some promise of rain the day turned out magnificent; and in full sunshine, with the birds singing in every tree, the guests (royal princes, noblemen and professional poets alike) were handed the rhyme words which the Emperor had drawn by lot, and set to work to compose their poems.
in the company of; together with
From this reading After some promise of rain the day turned out magnificent; and in full sunshine, with the birds singing in every tree, the guests (royal princes, noblemen and professional poets alike) were handed the rhyme words which the Emperor had drawn by lot, and set to work to compose their poems.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading It was with a clear and ringing voice that Genji read out the word ‘Spring’ which he had received as the rhyme-sound of his poem.
the words that are spoken
From this reading After some promise of rain the day turned out magnificent; and in full sunshine, with the birds singing in every tree, the guests (royal princes, noblemen and professional poets alike) were handed the rhyme words which the Emperor had drawn by lot, and set to work to compose their poems.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading After some promise of rain the day turned out magnificent; and in full sunshine, with the birds singing in every tree, the guests (royal princes, noblemen and professional poets alike) were handed the rhyme words which the Emperor had drawn by lot, and set to work to compose their poems.
