Chapter VI

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading So that was the way it came about that Tuen was soon seated at the little spinning-wheel, with its three spindles, pulling out interminable lengths of cotton thread from the fleecy rolls in her hand, and above the soft, insistent buzzing of the wheel she could hear the voices of the others as they talked among themselves.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading So that was the way it came about that Tuen was soon seated at the little spinning-wheel, with its three spindles, pulling out interminable lengths of cotton thread from the fleecy rolls in her hand, and above the soft, insistent buzzing of the wheel she could hear the voices of the others as they talked among themselves.

(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 But mind you, if you are all thumbs you will have to stay where you are."

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading So that was the way it came about that Tuen was soon seated at the little spinning-wheel, with its three spindles, pulling out interminable lengths of cotton thread from the fleecy rolls in her hand, and above the soft, insistent buzzing of the wheel she could hear the voices of the others as they talked among themselves.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading At first her work was only to draw water, help with the washing and do the drudgery, and her lot was often hard, but it did not escape the watchful Wang that she was quick and willing, so one day she said to her:

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading "Tuen, there is much spinning to be done, and if your fingers are very nimble I will teach you to manage the wheel.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading So that was the way it came about that Tuen was soon seated at the little spinning-wheel, with its three spindles, pulling out interminable lengths of cotton thread from the fleecy rolls in her hand, and above the soft, insistent buzzing of the wheel she could hear the voices of the others as they talked among themselves.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At first her work was only to draw water, help with the washing and do the drudgery, and her lot was often hard, but it did not escape the watchful Wang that she was quick and willing, so one day she said to her:

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading "Tuen, there is much spinning to be done, and if your fingers are very nimble I will teach you to manage the wheel.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading At first her work was only to draw water, help with the washing and do the drudgery, and her lot was often hard, but it did not escape the watchful Wang that she was quick and willing, so one day she said to her:

noisy like the sound of a bee

From this reading So that was the way it came about that Tuen was soon seated at the little spinning-wheel, with its three spindles, pulling out interminable lengths of cotton thread from the fleecy rolls in her hand, and above the soft, insistent buzzing of the wheel she could hear the voices of the others as they talked among themselves.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The next morning Tuen commenced her simple round of duties, in which she was instructed by the women of the inner court.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading So that was the way it came about that Tuen was soon seated at the little spinning-wheel, with its three spindles, pulling out interminable lengths of cotton thread from the fleecy rolls in her hand, and above the soft, insistent buzzing of the wheel she could hear the voices of the others as they talked among themselves.

past form of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading The next morning Tuen commenced her simple round of duties, in which she was instructed by the women of the inner court.

soft silky fibers from cotton plants in their raw state

From this reading So that was the way it came about that Tuen was soon seated at the little spinning-wheel, with its three spindles, pulling out interminable lengths of cotton thread from the fleecy rolls in her hand, and above the soft, insistent buzzing of the wheel she could hear the voices of the others as they talked among themselves.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading So that was the way it came about that Tuen was soon seated at the little spinning-wheel, with its three spindles, pulling out interminable lengths of cotton thread from the fleecy rolls in her hand, and above the soft, insistent buzzing of the wheel she could hear the voices of the others as they talked among themselves.

an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business

From this reading The next morning Tuen commenced her simple round of duties, in which she was instructed by the women of the inner court.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading At first her work was only to draw water, help with the washing and do the drudgery, and her lot was often hard, but it did not escape the watchful Wang that she was quick and willing, so one day she said to her:

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading At first her work was only to draw water, help with the washing and do the drudgery, and her lot was often hard, but it did not escape the watchful Wang that she was quick and willing, so one day she said to her:

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading At first her work was only to draw water, help with the washing and do the drudgery, and her lot was often hard, but it did not escape the watchful Wang that she was quick and willing, so one day she said to her:

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading "Tuen, there is much spinning to be done, and if your fingers are very nimble I will teach you to manage the wheel.

cause to move by pulling

From this reading At first her work was only to draw water, help with the washing and do the drudgery, and her lot was often hard, but it did not escape the watchful Wang that she was quick and willing, so one day she said to her:

hard monotonous routine work

From this reading At first her work was only to draw water, help with the washing and do the drudgery, and her lot was often hard, but it did not escape the watchful Wang that she was quick and willing, so one day she said to her:

plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading The next morning Tuen commenced her simple round of duties, in which she was instructed by the women of the inner court.

the act of escaping physically

From this reading At first her work was only to draw water, help with the washing and do the drudgery, and her lot was often hard, but it did not escape the watchful Wang that she was quick and willing, so one day she said to her:

plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)

From this reading "Tuen, there is much spinning to be done, and if your fingers are very nimble I will teach you to manage the wheel.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading At first her work was only to draw water, help with the washing and do the drudgery, and her lot was often hard, but it did not escape the watchful Wang that she was quick and willing, so one day she said to her:

(of fabrics) having soft nap produced by brushing

From this reading So that was the way it came about that Tuen was soon seated at the little spinning-wheel, with its three spindles, pulling out interminable lengths of cotton thread from the fleecy rolls in her hand, and above the soft, insistent buzzing of the wheel she could hear the voices of the others as they talked among themselves.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading So that was the way it came about that Tuen was soon seated at the little spinning-wheel, with its three spindles, pulling out interminable lengths of cotton thread from the fleecy rolls in her hand, and above the soft, insistent buzzing of the wheel she could hear the voices of the others as they talked among themselves.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading So that was the way it came about that Tuen was soon seated at the little spinning-wheel, with its three spindles, pulling out interminable lengths of cotton thread from the fleecy rolls in her hand, and above the soft, insistent buzzing of the wheel she could hear the voices of the others as they talked among themselves.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading At first her work was only to draw water, help with the washing and do the drudgery, and her lot was often hard, but it did not escape the watchful Wang that she was quick and willing, so one day she said to her:

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading But mind you, if you are all thumbs you will have to stay where you are."

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading So that was the way it came about that Tuen was soon seated at the little spinning-wheel, with its three spindles, pulling out interminable lengths of cotton thread from the fleecy rolls in her hand, and above the soft, insistent buzzing of the wheel she could hear the voices of the others as they talked among themselves.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading At first her work was only to draw water, help with the washing and do the drudgery, and her lot was often hard, but it did not escape the watchful Wang that she was quick and willing, so one day she said to her:

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading The next morning Tuen commenced her simple round of duties, in which she was instructed by the women of the inner court.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "Tuen, there is much spinning to be done, and if your fingers are very nimble I will teach you to manage the wheel.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "Tuen, there is much spinning to be done, and if your fingers are very nimble I will teach you to manage the wheel.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading The next morning Tuen commenced her simple round of duties, in which she was instructed by the women of the inner court.

located inward

From this reading The next morning Tuen commenced her simple round of duties, in which she was instructed by the women of the inner court.

repetitive and persistent

From this reading So that was the way it came about that Tuen was soon seated at the little spinning-wheel, with its three spindles, pulling out interminable lengths of cotton thread from the fleecy rolls in her hand, and above the soft, insistent buzzing of the wheel she could hear the voices of the others as they talked among themselves.

past form of “instruct” — impart skills or knowledge to

From this reading The next morning Tuen commenced her simple round of duties, in which she was instructed by the women of the inner court.

tiresomely long; seemingly without end

From this reading So that was the way it came about that Tuen was soon seated at the little spinning-wheel, with its three spindles, pulling out interminable lengths of cotton thread from the fleecy rolls in her hand, and above the soft, insistent buzzing of the wheel she could hear the voices of the others as they talked among themselves.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading "Tuen, there is much spinning to be done, and if your fingers are very nimble I will teach you to manage the wheel.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading At first her work was only to draw water, help with the washing and do the drudgery, and her lot was often hard, but it did not escape the watchful Wang that she was quick and willing, so one day she said to her:

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading So that was the way it came about that Tuen was soon seated at the little spinning-wheel, with its three spindles, pulling out interminable lengths of cotton thread from the fleecy rolls in her hand, and above the soft, insistent buzzing of the wheel she could hear the voices of the others as they talked among themselves.

plural of “length” — the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place

From this reading So that was the way it came about that Tuen was soon seated at the little spinning-wheel, with its three spindles, pulling out interminable lengths of cotton thread from the fleecy rolls in her hand, and above the soft, insistent buzzing of the wheel she could hear the voices of the others as they talked among themselves.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading So that was the way it came about that Tuen was soon seated at the little spinning-wheel, with its three spindles, pulling out interminable lengths of cotton thread from the fleecy rolls in her hand, and above the soft, insistent buzzing of the wheel she could hear the voices of the others as they talked among themselves.

(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent

From this reading At first her work was only to draw water, help with the washing and do the drudgery, and her lot was often hard, but it did not escape the watchful Wang that she was quick and willing, so one day she said to her:

be successful; achieve a goal

From this reading "Tuen, there is much spinning to be done, and if your fingers are very nimble I will teach you to manage the wheel.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading But mind you, if you are all thumbs you will have to stay where you are."

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading The next morning Tuen commenced her simple round of duties, in which she was instructed by the women of the inner court.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading "Tuen, there is much spinning to be done, and if your fingers are very nimble I will teach you to manage the wheel.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading The next morning Tuen commenced her simple round of duties, in which she was instructed by the women of the inner court.

moving quickly and lightly

From this reading "Tuen, there is much spinning to be done, and if your fingers are very nimble I will teach you to manage the wheel.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading At first her work was only to draw water, help with the washing and do the drudgery, and her lot was often hard, but it did not escape the watchful Wang that she was quick and willing, so one day she said to her:

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The next morning Tuen commenced her simple round of duties, in which she was instructed by the women of the inner court.

many times at short intervals

From this reading At first her work was only to draw water, help with the washing and do the drudgery, and her lot was often hard, but it did not escape the watchful Wang that she was quick and willing, so one day she said to her:

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading At first her work was only to draw water, help with the washing and do the drudgery, and her lot was often hard, but it did not escape the watchful Wang that she was quick and willing, so one day she said to her:

and nothing more

From this reading At first her work was only to draw water, help with the washing and do the drudgery, and her lot was often hard, but it did not escape the watchful Wang that she was quick and willing, so one day she said to her:

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading So that was the way it came about that Tuen was soon seated at the little spinning-wheel, with its three spindles, pulling out interminable lengths of cotton thread from the fleecy rolls in her hand, and above the soft, insistent buzzing of the wheel she could hear the voices of the others as they talked among themselves.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading So that was the way it came about that Tuen was soon seated at the little spinning-wheel, with its three spindles, pulling out interminable lengths of cotton thread from the fleecy rolls in her hand, and above the soft, insistent buzzing of the wheel she could hear the voices of the others as they talked among themselves.

the act of pulling; applying force to move something toward or with you

From this reading So that was the way it came about that Tuen was soon seated at the little spinning-wheel, with its three spindles, pulling out interminable lengths of cotton thread from the fleecy rolls in her hand, and above the soft, insistent buzzing of the wheel she could hear the voices of the others as they talked among themselves.

accomplished rapidly and without delay

From this reading At first her work was only to draw water, help with the washing and do the drudgery, and her lot was often hard, but it did not escape the watchful Wang that she was quick and willing, so one day she said to her:

plural of “roll” — rotary motion of an object around its own axis

From this reading So that was the way it came about that Tuen was soon seated at the little spinning-wheel, with its three spindles, pulling out interminable lengths of cotton thread from the fleecy rolls in her hand, and above the soft, insistent buzzing of the wheel she could hear the voices of the others as they talked among themselves.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading The next morning Tuen commenced her simple round of duties, in which she was instructed by the women of the inner court.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading At first her work was only to draw water, help with the washing and do the drudgery, and her lot was often hard, but it did not escape the watchful Wang that she was quick and willing, so one day she said to her:

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading So that was the way it came about that Tuen was soon seated at the little spinning-wheel, with its three spindles, pulling out interminable lengths of cotton thread from the fleecy rolls in her hand, and above the soft, insistent buzzing of the wheel she could hear the voices of the others as they talked among themselves.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The next morning Tuen commenced her simple round of duties, in which she was instructed by the women of the inner court.

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading The next morning Tuen commenced her simple round of duties, in which she was instructed by the women of the inner court.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading At first her work was only to draw water, help with the washing and do the drudgery, and her lot was often hard, but it did not escape the watchful Wang that she was quick and willing, so one day she said to her:

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading So that was the way it came about that Tuen was soon seated at the little spinning-wheel, with its three spindles, pulling out interminable lengths of cotton thread from the fleecy rolls in her hand, and above the soft, insistent buzzing of the wheel she could hear the voices of the others as they talked among themselves.

in the near future

From this reading So that was the way it came about that Tuen was soon seated at the little spinning-wheel, with its three spindles, pulling out interminable lengths of cotton thread from the fleecy rolls in her hand, and above the soft, insistent buzzing of the wheel she could hear the voices of the others as they talked among themselves.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading So that was the way it came about that Tuen was soon seated at the little spinning-wheel, with its three spindles, pulling out interminable lengths of cotton thread from the fleecy rolls in her hand, and above the soft, insistent buzzing of the wheel she could hear the voices of the others as they talked among themselves.

creating thread

From this reading "Tuen, there is much spinning to be done, and if your fingers are very nimble I will teach you to manage the wheel.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading So that was the way it came about that Tuen was soon seated at the little spinning-wheel, with its three spindles, pulling out interminable lengths of cotton thread from the fleecy rolls in her hand, and above the soft, insistent buzzing of the wheel she could hear the voices of the others as they talked among themselves.

stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading But mind you, if you are all thumbs you will have to stay where you are."

past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading So that was the way it came about that Tuen was soon seated at the little spinning-wheel, with its three spindles, pulling out interminable lengths of cotton thread from the fleecy rolls in her hand, and above the soft, insistent buzzing of the wheel she could hear the voices of the others as they talked among themselves.

impart skills or knowledge to

From this reading "Tuen, there is much spinning to be done, and if your fingers are very nimble I will teach you to manage the wheel.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading At first her work was only to draw water, help with the washing and do the drudgery, and her lot was often hard, but it did not escape the watchful Wang that she was quick and willing, so one day she said to her:

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The next morning Tuen commenced her simple round of duties, in which she was instructed by the women of the inner court.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading So that was the way it came about that Tuen was soon seated at the little spinning-wheel, with its three spindles, pulling out interminable lengths of cotton thread from the fleecy rolls in her hand, and above the soft, insistent buzzing of the wheel she could hear the voices of the others as they talked among themselves.

in or at that place or location

From this reading "Tuen, there is much spinning to be done, and if your fingers are very nimble I will teach you to manage the wheel.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading So that was the way it came about that Tuen was soon seated at the little spinning-wheel, with its three spindles, pulling out interminable lengths of cotton thread from the fleecy rolls in her hand, and above the soft, insistent buzzing of the wheel she could hear the voices of the others as they talked among themselves.

to move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course

From this reading So that was the way it came about that Tuen was soon seated at the little spinning-wheel, with its three spindles, pulling out interminable lengths of cotton thread from the fleecy rolls in her hand, and above the soft, insistent buzzing of the wheel she could hear the voices of the others as they talked among themselves.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading So that was the way it came about that Tuen was soon seated at the little spinning-wheel, with its three spindles, pulling out interminable lengths of cotton thread from the fleecy rolls in her hand, and above the soft, insistent buzzing of the wheel she could hear the voices of the others as they talked among themselves.

plural of “thumb” — the thick short innermost digit of the forelimb

From this reading But mind you, if you are all thumbs you will have to stay where you are."

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading At first her work was only to draw water, help with the washing and do the drudgery, and her lot was often hard, but it did not escape the watchful Wang that she was quick and willing, so one day she said to her:

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The next morning Tuen commenced her simple round of duties, in which she was instructed by the women of the inner court.

precisely as stated

From this reading "Tuen, there is much spinning to be done, and if your fingers are very nimble I will teach you to manage the wheel.

plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading So that was the way it came about that Tuen was soon seated at the little spinning-wheel, with its three spindles, pulling out interminable lengths of cotton thread from the fleecy rolls in her hand, and above the soft, insistent buzzing of the wheel she could hear the voices of the others as they talked among themselves.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At first her work was only to draw water, help with the washing and do the drudgery, and her lot was often hard, but it did not escape the watchful Wang that she was quick and willing, so one day she said to her:

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The next morning Tuen commenced her simple round of duties, in which she was instructed by the women of the inner court.

the work of cleansing (usually with soap and water)

From this reading At first her work was only to draw water, help with the washing and do the drudgery, and her lot was often hard, but it did not escape the watchful Wang that she was quick and willing, so one day she said to her:

engaged in or accustomed to close observation

From this reading At first her work was only to draw water, help with the washing and do the drudgery, and her lot was often hard, but it did not escape the watchful Wang that she was quick and willing, so one day she said to her:

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading At first her work was only to draw water, help with the washing and do the drudgery, and her lot was often hard, but it did not escape the watchful Wang that she was quick and willing, so one day she said to her:

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading So that was the way it came about that Tuen was soon seated at the little spinning-wheel, with its three spindles, pulling out interminable lengths of cotton thread from the fleecy rolls in her hand, and above the soft, insistent buzzing of the wheel she could hear the voices of the others as they talked among themselves.

change directions as if revolving on a pivot

From this reading "Tuen, there is much spinning to be done, and if your fingers are very nimble I will teach you to manage the wheel.

in or at the place that

From this reading But mind you, if you are all thumbs you will have to stay where you are."

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The next morning Tuen commenced her simple round of duties, in which she was instructed by the women of the inner court.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "Tuen, there is much spinning to be done, and if your fingers are very nimble I will teach you to manage the wheel.

disposed or inclined toward

From this reading At first her work was only to draw water, help with the washing and do the drudgery, and her lot was often hard, but it did not escape the watchful Wang that she was quick and willing, so one day she said to her:

in the company of; together with

From this reading At first her work was only to draw water, help with the washing and do the drudgery, and her lot was often hard, but it did not escape the watchful Wang that she was quick and willing, so one day she said to her:

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading The next morning Tuen commenced her simple round of duties, in which she was instructed by the women of the inner court.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading At first her work was only to draw water, help with the washing and do the drudgery, and her lot was often hard, but it did not escape the watchful Wang that she was quick and willing, so one day she said to her:

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Tuen, there is much spinning to be done, and if your fingers are very nimble I will teach you to manage the wheel.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Tuen, there is much spinning to be done, and if your fingers are very nimble I will teach you to manage the wheel.