adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading All his efforts to have his distinguished appointment set aside had been without avail, and he had been ordered to reach Si-chow within a week.
accomplishmentsnounUS /əˈkɑːmplɪʃmənts/
plural of “accomplishment” — the action of accomplishing something
From this reading There he remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of exulting voices could be heard no more; but even when he returned lanterns shone in many dwellings, for two hundred persons were composing verses, setting forth their renown and undoubted accomplishments, ready to affix to their doors and send to friends on the next day.
actverbUS /ækt/
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading Not giving any portion of his mind to this desirable act of behaviour, Ling flung himself upon the floor, and, finding sleep unattainable, plunged himself into profound meditation of a very uninviting order.
affixverbUS /ˈæfɪks/
attach to
From this reading There he remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of exulting voices could be heard no more; but even when he returned lanterns shone in many dwellings, for two hundred persons were composing verses, setting forth their renown and undoubted accomplishments, ready to affix to their doors and send to friends on the next day.
AlladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading All his efforts to have his distinguished appointment set aside had been without avail, and he had been ordered to reach Si-chow within a week.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Many hours passed before Ling, now more downcast in mind than the most unsuccessful student in Canton, returned to his room and sought his couch of dried rushes.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Not giving any portion of his mind to this desirable act of behaviour, Ling flung himself upon the floor, and, finding sleep unattainable, plunged himself into profound meditation of a very uninviting order.
appointmentnounUS /əˈpɔɪntmənt/
the act of putting a person into a non-elective position
From this reading All his efforts to have his distinguished appointment set aside had been without avail, and he had been ordered to reach Si-chow within a week.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As he passed through the streets, elegant processions in honour of the winners met him at every corner, and drove him into the outskirts for the object of quietness.
asideadverbUS /əˈsaɪd/
on or to one side
From this reading All his efforts to have his distinguished appointment set aside had been without avail, and he had been ordered to reach Si-chow within a week.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As he passed through the streets, elegant processions in honour of the winners met him at every corner, and drove him into the outskirts for the object of quietness.
availverbUS /əˈveɪl/
use to one's advantage
From this reading All his efforts to have his distinguished appointment set aside had been without avail, and he had been ordered to reach Si-chow within a week.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There he remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of exulting voices could be heard no more; but even when he returned lanterns shone in many dwellings, for two hundred persons were composing verses, setting forth their renown and undoubted accomplishments, ready to affix to their doors and send to friends on the next day.
beatingnounUS /ˈbiːtɪŋ/
the act of overcoming or outdoing
From this reading There he remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of exulting voices could be heard no more; but even when he returned lanterns shone in many dwellings, for two hundred persons were composing verses, setting forth their renown and undoubted accomplishments, ready to affix to their doors and send to friends on the next day.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading All his efforts to have his distinguished appointment set aside had been without avail, and he had been ordered to reach Si-chow within a week.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Many hours passed before Ling, now more downcast in mind than the most unsuccessful student in Canton, returned to his room and sought his couch of dried rushes.
behaviournounUS /bɪˈheɪvjər/
the action or reaction of something (as a machine or substance) under specified circumstances
From this reading Not giving any portion of his mind to this desirable act of behaviour, Ling flung himself upon the floor, and, finding sleep unattainable, plunged himself into profound meditation of a very uninviting order.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There he remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of exulting voices could be heard no more; but even when he returned lanterns shone in many dwellings, for two hundred persons were composing verses, setting forth their renown and undoubted accomplishments, ready to affix to their doors and send to friends on the next day.
CantonnounUS /ˈkæntən/
a city on the Zhu Jiang delta in southern China; the capital of Guangdong province and a major deep-water port
From this reading Many hours passed before Ling, now more downcast in mind than the most unsuccessful student in Canton, returned to his room and sought his couch of dried rushes.
composingnounUS /kəmˈpoʊzɪŋ/
the spatial property resulting from the arrangement of parts in relation to each other and to the whole
From this reading There he remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of exulting voices could be heard no more; but even when he returned lanterns shone in many dwellings, for two hundred persons were composing verses, setting forth their renown and undoubted accomplishments, ready to affix to their doors and send to friends on the next day.
cornernounUS /ˈkɔːrnər/
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading As he passed through the streets, elegant processions in honour of the winners met him at every corner, and drove him into the outskirts for the object of quietness.
couchnounUS /kaʊtʃ/
an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading Many hours passed before Ling, now more downcast in mind than the most unsuccessful student in Canton, returned to his room and sought his couch of dried rushes.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading There he remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of exulting voices could be heard no more; but even when he returned lanterns shone in many dwellings, for two hundred persons were composing verses, setting forth their renown and undoubted accomplishments, ready to affix to their doors and send to friends on the next day.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading There he remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of exulting voices could be heard no more; but even when he returned lanterns shone in many dwellings, for two hundred persons were composing verses, setting forth their renown and undoubted accomplishments, ready to affix to their doors and send to friends on the next day.
desirableadjectiveUS /dɪˈzaɪrəbəl/
worth having or seeking or achieving
From this reading Not giving any portion of his mind to this desirable act of behaviour, Ling flung himself upon the floor, and, finding sleep unattainable, plunged himself into profound meditation of a very uninviting order.
distinguishedadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃt/
(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation
From this reading All his efforts to have his distinguished appointment set aside had been without avail, and he had been ordered to reach Si-chow within a week.
doorsnounUS /dɔːrz/
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading There he remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of exulting voices could be heard no more; but even when he returned lanterns shone in many dwellings, for two hundred persons were composing verses, setting forth their renown and undoubted accomplishments, ready to affix to their doors and send to friends on the next day.
downcastadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊnkæst/
directed downward
From this reading Many hours passed before Ling, now more downcast in mind than the most unsuccessful student in Canton, returned to his room and sought his couch of dried rushes.
driedadjectiveUS /draɪd/
not still wet
From this reading Many hours passed before Ling, now more downcast in mind than the most unsuccessful student in Canton, returned to his room and sought his couch of dried rushes.
drovenounUS /droʊv/
a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together
From this reading As he passed through the streets, elegant processions in honour of the winners met him at every corner, and drove him into the outskirts for the object of quietness.
drumsnounUS /drʌmz/
plural of “drum” — a musical percussion instrument; usually consists of a hollow cylinder with a membrane stretched across each end
From this reading There he remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of exulting voices could be heard no more; but even when he returned lanterns shone in many dwellings, for two hundred persons were composing verses, setting forth their renown and undoubted accomplishments, ready to affix to their doors and send to friends on the next day.
dwellingsnounUS /ˈdwelɪŋz/
plural of “dwelling” — housing that someone is living in
From this reading There he remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of exulting voices could be heard no more; but even when he returned lanterns shone in many dwellings, for two hundred persons were composing verses, setting forth their renown and undoubted accomplishments, ready to affix to their doors and send to friends on the next day.
effortsnounUS /ˈefərts/
plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading All his efforts to have his distinguished appointment set aside had been without avail, and he had been ordered to reach Si-chow within a week.
elegantadjectiveUS /ˈeləɡənt/
refined and tasteful in appearance or behavior or style
From this reading As he passed through the streets, elegant processions in honour of the winners met him at every corner, and drove him into the outskirts for the object of quietness.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading There he remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of exulting voices could be heard no more; but even when he returned lanterns shone in many dwellings, for two hundred persons were composing verses, setting forth their renown and undoubted accomplishments, ready to affix to their doors and send to friends on the next day.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading As he passed through the streets, elegant processions in honour of the winners met him at every corner, and drove him into the outskirts for the object of quietness.
exultingadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzʌltɪŋ/
joyful and proud especially because of triumph or success
From this reading There he remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of exulting voices could be heard no more; but even when he returned lanterns shone in many dwellings, for two hundred persons were composing verses, setting forth their renown and undoubted accomplishments, ready to affix to their doors and send to friends on the next day.
findingnounUS /ˈfaɪndɪŋ/
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading Not giving any portion of his mind to this desirable act of behaviour, Ling flung himself upon the floor, and, finding sleep unattainable, plunged himself into profound meditation of a very uninviting order.
floornounUS /flɔːr/
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading Not giving any portion of his mind to this desirable act of behaviour, Ling flung himself upon the floor, and, finding sleep unattainable, plunged himself into profound meditation of a very uninviting order.
flungverbUS /flʌŋ/
inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading Not giving any portion of his mind to this desirable act of behaviour, Ling flung himself upon the floor, and, finding sleep unattainable, plunged himself into profound meditation of a very uninviting order.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As he passed through the streets, elegant processions in honour of the winners met him at every corner, and drove him into the outskirts for the object of quietness.
forthadverbUS /fɔːrθ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading There he remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of exulting voices could be heard no more; but even when he returned lanterns shone in many dwellings, for two hundred persons were composing verses, setting forth their renown and undoubted accomplishments, ready to affix to their doors and send to friends on the next day.
friendsnounUS /frendz/
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading There he remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of exulting voices could be heard no more; but even when he returned lanterns shone in many dwellings, for two hundred persons were composing verses, setting forth their renown and undoubted accomplishments, ready to affix to their doors and send to friends on the next day.
givingnounUS /ˈɡɪvɪŋ/
the act of giving
From this reading Not giving any portion of his mind to this desirable act of behaviour, Ling flung himself upon the floor, and, finding sleep unattainable, plunged himself into profound meditation of a very uninviting order.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading All his efforts to have his distinguished appointment set aside had been without avail, and he had been ordered to reach Si-chow within a week.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading All his efforts to have his distinguished appointment set aside had been without avail, and he had been ordered to reach Si-chow within a week.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading All his efforts to have his distinguished appointment set aside had been without avail, and he had been ordered to reach Si-chow within a week.
heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading There he remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of exulting voices could be heard no more; but even when he returned lanterns shone in many dwellings, for two hundred persons were composing verses, setting forth their renown and undoubted accomplishments, ready to affix to their doors and send to friends on the next day.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As he passed through the streets, elegant processions in honour of the winners met him at every corner, and drove him into the outskirts for the object of quietness.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Not giving any portion of his mind to this desirable act of behaviour, Ling flung himself upon the floor, and, finding sleep unattainable, plunged himself into profound meditation of a very uninviting order.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Many hours passed before Ling, now more downcast in mind than the most unsuccessful student in Canton, returned to his room and sought his couch of dried rushes.
honournounUS /ˈɑːnər/
the state of being honored
From this reading As he passed through the streets, elegant processions in honour of the winners met him at every corner, and drove him into the outskirts for the object of quietness.
hoursnounUS /ˈaʊərz/
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Many hours passed before Ling, now more downcast in mind than the most unsuccessful student in Canton, returned to his room and sought his couch of dried rushes.
hundrednounUS /ˈhʌndrəd/
ten 10s
From this reading There he remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of exulting voices could be heard no more; but even when he returned lanterns shone in many dwellings, for two hundred persons were composing verses, setting forth their renown and undoubted accomplishments, ready to affix to their doors and send to friends on the next day.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Many hours passed before Ling, now more downcast in mind than the most unsuccessful student in Canton, returned to his room and sought his couch of dried rushes.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading As he passed through the streets, elegant processions in honour of the winners met him at every corner, and drove him into the outskirts for the object of quietness.
lanternsnounUS /ˈlæntərnz/
plural of “lantern” — light in a transparent protective case
From this reading There he remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of exulting voices could be heard no more; but even when he returned lanterns shone in many dwellings, for two hundred persons were composing verses, setting forth their renown and undoubted accomplishments, ready to affix to their doors and send to friends on the next day.
LingnounUS /lɪŋ/
water chestnut whose spiny fruit has two rather than 4 prongs
From this reading Many hours passed before Ling, now more downcast in mind than the most unsuccessful student in Canton, returned to his room and sought his couch of dried rushes.
ManyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Many hours passed before Ling, now more downcast in mind than the most unsuccessful student in Canton, returned to his room and sought his couch of dried rushes.
meditationnounUS /ˌmedəˈteɪʃən/
continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject or series of subjects of a deep or abstruse nature
From this reading Not giving any portion of his mind to this desirable act of behaviour, Ling flung himself upon the floor, and, finding sleep unattainable, plunged himself into profound meditation of a very uninviting order.
metverbUS /met/
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading As he passed through the streets, elegant processions in honour of the winners met him at every corner, and drove him into the outskirts for the object of quietness.
mindnounUS /maɪnd/
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Many hours passed before Ling, now more downcast in mind than the most unsuccessful student in Canton, returned to his room and sought his couch of dried rushes.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Many hours passed before Ling, now more downcast in mind than the most unsuccessful student in Canton, returned to his room and sought his couch of dried rushes.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading Many hours passed before Ling, now more downcast in mind than the most unsuccessful student in Canton, returned to his room and sought his couch of dried rushes.
nextadjectiveUS /nekst/
immediately following in time or order
From this reading There he remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of exulting voices could be heard no more; but even when he returned lanterns shone in many dwellings, for two hundred persons were composing verses, setting forth their renown and undoubted accomplishments, ready to affix to their doors and send to friends on the next day.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading There he remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of exulting voices could be heard no more; but even when he returned lanterns shone in many dwellings, for two hundred persons were composing verses, setting forth their renown and undoubted accomplishments, ready to affix to their doors and send to friends on the next day.
NotadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not giving any portion of his mind to this desirable act of behaviour, Ling flung himself upon the floor, and, finding sleep unattainable, plunged himself into profound meditation of a very uninviting order.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Many hours passed before Ling, now more downcast in mind than the most unsuccessful student in Canton, returned to his room and sought his couch of dried rushes.
objectnounUS /ˈɑːbdʒekt/
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading As he passed through the streets, elegant processions in honour of the winners met him at every corner, and drove him into the outskirts for the object of quietness.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Many hours passed before Ling, now more downcast in mind than the most unsuccessful student in Canton, returned to his room and sought his couch of dried rushes.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There he remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of exulting voices could be heard no more; but even when he returned lanterns shone in many dwellings, for two hundred persons were composing verses, setting forth their renown and undoubted accomplishments, ready to affix to their doors and send to friends on the next day.
ordernounUS /ˈɔːrdər/
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Not giving any portion of his mind to this desirable act of behaviour, Ling flung himself upon the floor, and, finding sleep unattainable, plunged himself into profound meditation of a very uninviting order.
orderedadjectiveUS /ˈɔːrdərd/
having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule
From this reading All his efforts to have his distinguished appointment set aside had been without avail, and he had been ordered to reach Si-chow within a week.
outskirtsnounUS /ˈaʊtskɜːrts/
outlying areas (as of a city or town)
From this reading As he passed through the streets, elegant processions in honour of the winners met him at every corner, and drove him into the outskirts for the object of quietness.
papernounUS /ˈpeɪpər/
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading There he remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of exulting voices could be heard no more; but even when he returned lanterns shone in many dwellings, for two hundred persons were composing verses, setting forth their renown and undoubted accomplishments, ready to affix to their doors and send to friends on the next day.
passedverbUS /pæst/
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Many hours passed before Ling, now more downcast in mind than the most unsuccessful student in Canton, returned to his room and sought his couch of dried rushes.
personsnounUS /ˈpɜːrsənz/
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading There he remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of exulting voices could be heard no more; but even when he returned lanterns shone in many dwellings, for two hundred persons were composing verses, setting forth their renown and undoubted accomplishments, ready to affix to their doors and send to friends on the next day.
plungedverbUS /plʌndʒd/
past form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into
From this reading Not giving any portion of his mind to this desirable act of behaviour, Ling flung himself upon the floor, and, finding sleep unattainable, plunged himself into profound meditation of a very uninviting order.
portionnounUS /ˈpɔːrʃən/
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Not giving any portion of his mind to this desirable act of behaviour, Ling flung himself upon the floor, and, finding sleep unattainable, plunged himself into profound meditation of a very uninviting order.
processionsnounUS /proʊˈseʃənz/
plural of “procession” — (theology) the origination of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
From this reading As he passed through the streets, elegant processions in honour of the winners met him at every corner, and drove him into the outskirts for the object of quietness.
profoundadjectiveUS /proʊˈfaʊnd/
showing intellectual penetration or emotional depth
From this reading Not giving any portion of his mind to this desirable act of behaviour, Ling flung himself upon the floor, and, finding sleep unattainable, plunged himself into profound meditation of a very uninviting order.
quietnessnounUS /ˈkwaɪətnəs/
the property of making no sound
From this reading As he passed through the streets, elegant processions in honour of the winners met him at every corner, and drove him into the outskirts for the object of quietness.
reachverbUS /riːtʃ/
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading All his efforts to have his distinguished appointment set aside had been without avail, and he had been ordered to reach Si-chow within a week.
readyadjectiveUS /ˈredi/
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading There he remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of exulting voices could be heard no more; but even when he returned lanterns shone in many dwellings, for two hundred persons were composing verses, setting forth their renown and undoubted accomplishments, ready to affix to their doors and send to friends on the next day.
remainedverbUS /rɪˈmeɪnd/
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading There he remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of exulting voices could be heard no more; but even when he returned lanterns shone in many dwellings, for two hundred persons were composing verses, setting forth their renown and undoubted accomplishments, ready to affix to their doors and send to friends on the next day.
renownnounUS /rɪˈnaʊn/
the state or quality of being widely honored and acclaimed
From this reading There he remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of exulting voices could be heard no more; but even when he returned lanterns shone in many dwellings, for two hundred persons were composing verses, setting forth their renown and undoubted accomplishments, ready to affix to their doors and send to friends on the next day.
returnedverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrnd/
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Many hours passed before Ling, now more downcast in mind than the most unsuccessful student in Canton, returned to his room and sought his couch of dried rushes.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Many hours passed before Ling, now more downcast in mind than the most unsuccessful student in Canton, returned to his room and sought his couch of dried rushes.
rushesnounUS /ˈrʌʃəz/
plural of “rush” — the act of moving hurriedly and in a careless manner
From this reading Many hours passed before Ling, now more downcast in mind than the most unsuccessful student in Canton, returned to his room and sought his couch of dried rushes.
sendverbUS /send/
cause to go somewhere
From this reading There he remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of exulting voices could be heard no more; but even when he returned lanterns shone in many dwellings, for two hundred persons were composing verses, setting forth their renown and undoubted accomplishments, ready to affix to their doors and send to friends on the next day.
setverbUS /set/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading All his efforts to have his distinguished appointment set aside had been without avail, and he had been ordered to reach Si-chow within a week.
settingnounUS /ˈsetɪŋ/
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading There he remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of exulting voices could be heard no more; but even when he returned lanterns shone in many dwellings, for two hundred persons were composing verses, setting forth their renown and undoubted accomplishments, ready to affix to their doors and send to friends on the next day.
shoneverbUS /ʃoʊn/
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading There he remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of exulting voices could be heard no more; but even when he returned lanterns shone in many dwellings, for two hundred persons were composing verses, setting forth their renown and undoubted accomplishments, ready to affix to their doors and send to friends on the next day.
Si-chow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All his efforts to have his distinguished appointment set aside had been without avail, and he had been ordered to reach Si-chow within a week.
sleepnounUS /sliːp/
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading Not giving any portion of his mind to this desirable act of behaviour, Ling flung himself upon the floor, and, finding sleep unattainable, plunged himself into profound meditation of a very uninviting order.
soughtadjectiveUS /sɔːt/
that is looked for
From this reading Many hours passed before Ling, now more downcast in mind than the most unsuccessful student in Canton, returned to his room and sought his couch of dried rushes.
soundnounUS /saʊnd/
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading There he remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of exulting voices could be heard no more; but even when he returned lanterns shone in many dwellings, for two hundred persons were composing verses, setting forth their renown and undoubted accomplishments, ready to affix to their doors and send to friends on the next day.
streetsnounUS /striːts/
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading As he passed through the streets, elegant processions in honour of the winners met him at every corner, and drove him into the outskirts for the object of quietness.
studentnounUS /ˈstuːdənt/
a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution
From this reading Many hours passed before Ling, now more downcast in mind than the most unsuccessful student in Canton, returned to his room and sought his couch of dried rushes.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Many hours passed before Ling, now more downcast in mind than the most unsuccessful student in Canton, returned to his room and sought his couch of dried rushes.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Many hours passed before Ling, now more downcast in mind than the most unsuccessful student in Canton, returned to his room and sought his couch of dried rushes.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading There he remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of exulting voices could be heard no more; but even when he returned lanterns shone in many dwellings, for two hundred persons were composing verses, setting forth their renown and undoubted accomplishments, ready to affix to their doors and send to friends on the next day.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There he remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of exulting voices could be heard no more; but even when he returned lanterns shone in many dwellings, for two hundred persons were composing verses, setting forth their renown and undoubted accomplishments, ready to affix to their doors and send to friends on the next day.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Not giving any portion of his mind to this desirable act of behaviour, Ling flung himself upon the floor, and, finding sleep unattainable, plunged himself into profound meditation of a very uninviting order.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading As he passed through the streets, elegant processions in honour of the winners met him at every corner, and drove him into the outskirts for the object of quietness.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Many hours passed before Ling, now more downcast in mind than the most unsuccessful student in Canton, returned to his room and sought his couch of dried rushes.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading There he remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of exulting voices could be heard no more; but even when he returned lanterns shone in many dwellings, for two hundred persons were composing verses, setting forth their renown and undoubted accomplishments, ready to affix to their doors and send to friends on the next day.
unattainableadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈteɪnəbəl/
impossible to achieve
From this reading Not giving any portion of his mind to this desirable act of behaviour, Ling flung himself upon the floor, and, finding sleep unattainable, plunged himself into profound meditation of a very uninviting order.
undoubted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There he remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of exulting voices could be heard no more; but even when he returned lanterns shone in many dwellings, for two hundred persons were composing verses, setting forth their renown and undoubted accomplishments, ready to affix to their doors and send to friends on the next day.
uninvitingadjectiveUS /ˌʌnɪnˈvaɪtɪŋ/
neither attractive nor tempting
From this reading Not giving any portion of his mind to this desirable act of behaviour, Ling flung himself upon the floor, and, finding sleep unattainable, plunged himself into profound meditation of a very uninviting order.
unsuccessfuladjectiveUS /ˌʌnsəkˈsesfəl/
not successful; having failed or having an unfavorable outcome
From this reading Many hours passed before Ling, now more downcast in mind than the most unsuccessful student in Canton, returned to his room and sought his couch of dried rushes.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading There he remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of exulting voices could be heard no more; but even when he returned lanterns shone in many dwellings, for two hundred persons were composing verses, setting forth their renown and undoubted accomplishments, ready to affix to their doors and send to friends on the next day.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Not giving any portion of his mind to this desirable act of behaviour, Ling flung himself upon the floor, and, finding sleep unattainable, plunged himself into profound meditation of a very uninviting order.
versesnounUS /ˈvɜːrsəz/
plural of “verse” — literature in metrical form
From this reading There he remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of exulting voices could be heard no more; but even when he returned lanterns shone in many dwellings, for two hundred persons were composing verses, setting forth their renown and undoubted accomplishments, ready to affix to their doors and send to friends on the next day.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading Not giving any portion of his mind to this desirable act of behaviour, Ling flung himself upon the floor, and, finding sleep unattainable, plunged himself into profound meditation of a very uninviting order.
voicesnounUS /ˈvɔɪsəz/
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading There he remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of exulting voices could be heard no more; but even when he returned lanterns shone in many dwellings, for two hundred persons were composing verses, setting forth their renown and undoubted accomplishments, ready to affix to their doors and send to friends on the next day.
weeknounUS /wiːk/
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading All his efforts to have his distinguished appointment set aside had been without avail, and he had been ordered to reach Si-chow within a week.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There he remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of exulting voices could be heard no more; but even when he returned lanterns shone in many dwellings, for two hundred persons were composing verses, setting forth their renown and undoubted accomplishments, ready to affix to their doors and send to friends on the next day.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading There he remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of exulting voices could be heard no more; but even when he returned lanterns shone in many dwellings, for two hundred persons were composing verses, setting forth their renown and undoubted accomplishments, ready to affix to their doors and send to friends on the next day.
winnersnounUS /ˈwɪnərz/
plural of “winner” — the contestant who wins the contest
From this reading As he passed through the streets, elegant processions in honour of the winners met him at every corner, and drove him into the outskirts for the object of quietness.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading All his efforts to have his distinguished appointment set aside had been without avail, and he had been ordered to reach Si-chow within a week.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading All his efforts to have his distinguished appointment set aside had been without avail, and he had been ordered to reach Si-chow within a week.
