used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Viceroy was going in state to honor his forefathers, riding in his sedan, and followed by a long retinue of servants, and Tuen, Wang and Ta-ta had been allowed, as a special favor, to join this procession.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading As they left the yamen Tuen was telling them of the wonderful characters she was trying to understand, and of the delight of learning about them, and Ta-ta laughed good-naturedly.
(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 By the time the festival of Pai-shan came--the day when all go to worship at the graves of their ancestors--Tuen had already commenced to struggle with the queer, sprawling hieroglyphics that fill the Chinese books, and she was so proud and happy that she could think of nothing else.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading The Viceroy was going in state to honor his forefathers, riding in his sedan, and followed by a long retinue of servants, and Tuen, Wang and Ta-ta had been allowed, as a special favor, to join this procession.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading By the time the festival of Pai-shan came--the day when all go to worship at the graves of their ancestors--Tuen had already commenced to struggle with the queer, sprawling hieroglyphics that fill the Chinese books, and she was so proud and happy that she could think of nothing else.
ancestorsnounUS /ˈænsestərz/
plural of “ancestor” — someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)
From this reading By the time the festival of Pai-shan came--the day when all go to worship at the graves of their ancestors--Tuen had already commenced to struggle with the queer, sprawling hieroglyphics that fill the Chinese books, and she was so proud and happy that she could think of nothing else.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading By the time the festival of Pai-shan came--the day when all go to worship at the graves of their ancestors--Tuen had already commenced to struggle with the queer, sprawling hieroglyphics that fill the Chinese books, and she was so proud and happy that she could think of nothing else.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The Viceroy was going in state to honor his forefathers, riding in his sedan, and followed by a long retinue of servants, and Tuen, Wang and Ta-ta had been allowed, as a special favor, to join this procession.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading By the time the festival of Pai-shan came--the day when all go to worship at the graves of their ancestors--Tuen had already commenced to struggle with the queer, sprawling hieroglyphics that fill the Chinese books, and she was so proud and happy that she could think of nothing else.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The Viceroy was going in state to honor his forefathers, riding in his sedan, and followed by a long retinue of servants, and Tuen, Wang and Ta-ta had been allowed, as a special favor, to join this procession.
call upon in supplication; entreat
From this reading "It was very silly of you to beg such a favor of the Viceroy," she said.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading By the time the festival of Pai-shan came--the day when all go to worship at the graves of their ancestors--Tuen had already commenced to struggle with the queer, sprawling hieroglyphics that fill the Chinese books, and she was so proud and happy that she could think of nothing else.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By the time the festival of Pai-shan came--the day when all go to worship at the graves of their ancestors--Tuen had already commenced to struggle with the queer, sprawling hieroglyphics that fill the Chinese books, and she was so proud and happy that she could think of nothing else.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading By the time the festival of Pai-shan came--the day when all go to worship at the graves of their ancestors--Tuen had already commenced to struggle with the queer, sprawling hieroglyphics that fill the Chinese books, and she was so proud and happy that she could think of nothing else.
plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading As they left the yamen Tuen was telling them of the wonderful characters she was trying to understand, and of the delight of learning about them, and Ta-ta laughed good-naturedly.
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 By the time the festival of Pai-shan came--the day when all go to worship at the graves of their ancestors--Tuen had already commenced to struggle with the queer, sprawling hieroglyphics that fill the Chinese books, and she was so proud and happy that she could think of nothing else.
past form of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading By the time the festival of Pai-shan came--the day when all go to worship at the graves of their ancestors--Tuen had already commenced to struggle with the queer, sprawling hieroglyphics that fill the Chinese books, and she was so proud and happy that she could think of nothing else.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading By the time the festival of Pai-shan came--the day when all go to worship at the graves of their ancestors--Tuen had already commenced to struggle with the queer, sprawling hieroglyphics that fill the Chinese books, and she was so proud and happy that she could think of nothing else.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading By the time the festival of Pai-shan came--the day when all go to worship at the graves of their ancestors--Tuen had already commenced to struggle with the queer, sprawling hieroglyphics that fill the Chinese books, and she was so proud and happy that she could think of nothing else.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading As they left the yamen Tuen was telling them of the wonderful characters she was trying to understand, and of the delight of learning about them, and Ta-ta laughed good-naturedly.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the time the festival of Pai-shan came--the day when all go to worship at the graves of their ancestors--Tuen had already commenced to struggle with the queer, sprawling hieroglyphics that fill the Chinese books, and she was so proud and happy that she could think of nothing else.
divisible by two
From this reading "Who ever heard of a woman who could read, or who even wanted to?
at any time
From this reading "Who ever heard of a woman who could read, or who even wanted to?
promote over another
From this reading The Viceroy was going in state to honor his forefathers, riding in his sedan, and followed by a long retinue of servants, and Tuen, Wang and Ta-ta had been allowed, as a special favor, to join this procession.
festivalnounUS /ˈfestəvəl/
a day or period of time set aside for feasting and celebration
From this reading By the time the festival of Pai-shan came--the day when all go to worship at the graves of their ancestors--Tuen had already commenced to struggle with the queer, sprawling hieroglyphics that fill the Chinese books, and she was so proud and happy that she could think of nothing else.
make full, also in a metaphorical sense
From this reading By the time the festival of Pai-shan came--the day when all go to worship at the graves of their ancestors--Tuen had already commenced to struggle with the queer, sprawling hieroglyphics that fill the Chinese books, and she was so proud and happy that she could think of nothing else.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading The Viceroy was going in state to honor his forefathers, riding in his sedan, and followed by a long retinue of servants, and Tuen, Wang and Ta-ta had been allowed, as a special favor, to join this procession.
forefathersnounUS /ˈfɔːrfɑːðərz/
plural of “forefather” — the founder of a family
From this reading The Viceroy was going in state to honor his forefathers, riding in his sedan, and followed by a long retinue of servants, and Tuen, Wang and Ta-ta had been allowed, as a special favor, to join this procession.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading By the time the festival of Pai-shan came--the day when all go to worship at the graves of their ancestors--Tuen had already commenced to struggle with the queer, sprawling hieroglyphics that fill the Chinese books, and she was so proud and happy that she could think of nothing else.
the act of departing
From this reading The Viceroy was going in state to honor his forefathers, riding in his sedan, and followed by a long retinue of servants, and Tuen, Wang and Ta-ta had been allowed, as a special favor, to join this procession.
good-naturedlyadverbUS /ˈɡʊdˈneɪtʃərdli/
in a good-natured manner
From this reading As they left the yamen Tuen was telling them of the wonderful characters she was trying to understand, and of the delight of learning about them, and Ta-ta laughed good-naturedly.
gravesnounUS /ɡreɪvz/
English writer known for his interest in mythology and in the classics (1895-1985)
From this reading By the time the festival of Pai-shan came--the day when all go to worship at the graves of their ancestors--Tuen had already commenced to struggle with the queer, sprawling hieroglyphics that fill the Chinese books, and she was so proud and happy that she could think of nothing else.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading By the time the festival of Pai-shan came--the day when all go to worship at the graves of their ancestors--Tuen had already commenced to struggle with the queer, sprawling hieroglyphics that fill the Chinese books, and she was so proud and happy that she could think of nothing else.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading By the time the festival of Pai-shan came--the day when all go to worship at the graves of their ancestors--Tuen had already commenced to struggle with the queer, sprawling hieroglyphics that fill the Chinese books, and she was so proud and happy that she could think of nothing else.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading "Who ever heard of a woman who could read, or who even wanted to?
hieroglyphicsnounUS /ˌhaɪroʊˈɡlɪfɪks/
plural of “hieroglyphic” — writing that resembles hieroglyphics (usually by being illegible)
From this reading By the time the festival of Pai-shan came--the day when all go to worship at the graves of their ancestors--Tuen had already commenced to struggle with the queer, sprawling hieroglyphics that fill the Chinese books, and she was so proud and happy that she could think of nothing else.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Viceroy was going in state to honor his forefathers, riding in his sedan, and followed by a long retinue of servants, and Tuen, Wang and Ta-ta had been allowed, as a special favor, to join this procession.
a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
From this reading The Viceroy was going in state to honor his forefathers, riding in his sedan, and followed by a long retinue of servants, and Tuen, Wang and Ta-ta had been allowed, as a special favor, to join this procession.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Viceroy was going in state to honor his forefathers, riding in his sedan, and followed by a long retinue of servants, and Tuen, Wang and Ta-ta had been allowed, as a special favor, to join this procession.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "It was very silly of you to beg such a favor of the Viceroy," she said.
become part of; become a member of a group or organization
From this reading The Viceroy was going in state to honor his forefathers, riding in his sedan, and followed by a long retinue of servants, and Tuen, Wang and Ta-ta had been allowed, as a special favor, to join this procession.
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading As they left the yamen Tuen was telling them of the wonderful characters she was trying to understand, and of the delight of learning about them, and Ta-ta laughed good-naturedly.
the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge
From this reading As they left the yamen Tuen was telling them of the wonderful characters she was trying to understand, and of the delight of learning about them, and Ta-ta laughed good-naturedly.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading As they left the yamen Tuen was telling them of the wonderful characters she was trying to understand, and of the delight of learning about them, and Ta-ta laughed good-naturedly.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading The Viceroy was going in state to honor his forefathers, riding in his sedan, and followed by a long retinue of servants, and Tuen, Wang and Ta-ta had been allowed, as a special favor, to join this procession.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading By the time the festival of Pai-shan came--the day when all go to worship at the graves of their ancestors--Tuen had already commenced to struggle with the queer, sprawling hieroglyphics that fill the Chinese books, and she was so proud and happy that she could think of nothing else.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading By the time the festival of Pai-shan came--the day when all go to worship at the graves of their ancestors--Tuen had already commenced to struggle with the queer, sprawling hieroglyphics that fill the Chinese books, and she was so proud and happy that she could think of nothing else.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "Who ever heard of a woman who could read, or who even wanted to?
Pai-shan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the time the festival of Pai-shan came--the day when all go to worship at the graves of their ancestors--Tuen had already commenced to struggle with the queer, sprawling hieroglyphics that fill the Chinese books, and she was so proud and happy that she could think of nothing else.
processionnounUS /prəˈseʃən/
(theology) the origination of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
From this reading The Viceroy was going in state to honor his forefathers, riding in his sedan, and followed by a long retinue of servants, and Tuen, Wang and Ta-ta had been allowed, as a special favor, to join this procession.
feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading By the time the festival of Pai-shan came--the day when all go to worship at the graves of their ancestors--Tuen had already commenced to struggle with the queer, sprawling hieroglyphics that fill the Chinese books, and she was so proud and happy that she could think of nothing else.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading By the time the festival of Pai-shan came--the day when all go to worship at the graves of their ancestors--Tuen had already commenced to struggle with the queer, sprawling hieroglyphics that fill the Chinese books, and she was so proud and happy that she could think of nothing else.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading "Who ever heard of a woman who could read, or who even wanted to?
retinuenounUS /ˈretənuː/
the group following and attending to some important person
From this reading The Viceroy was going in state to honor his forefathers, riding in his sedan, and followed by a long retinue of servants, and Tuen, Wang and Ta-ta had been allowed, as a special favor, to join this procession.
the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements
From this reading The Viceroy was going in state to honor his forefathers, riding in his sedan, and followed by a long retinue of servants, and Tuen, Wang and Ta-ta had been allowed, as a special favor, to join this procession.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "It was very silly of you to beg such a favor of the Viceroy," she said.
sedannounUS /səˈdæn/
a car that is closed and that has front and rear seats and two or four doors
From this reading The Viceroy was going in state to honor his forefathers, riding in his sedan, and followed by a long retinue of servants, and Tuen, Wang and Ta-ta had been allowed, as a special favor, to join this procession.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading The Viceroy was going in state to honor his forefathers, riding in his sedan, and followed by a long retinue of servants, and Tuen, Wang and Ta-ta had been allowed, as a special favor, to join this procession.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading By the time the festival of Pai-shan came--the day when all go to worship at the graves of their ancestors--Tuen had already commenced to struggle with the queer, sprawling hieroglyphics that fill the Chinese books, and she was so proud and happy that she could think of nothing else.
ludicrous, foolish
From this reading "It was very silly of you to beg such a favor of the Viceroy," she said.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading By the time the festival of Pai-shan came--the day when all go to worship at the graves of their ancestors--Tuen had already commenced to struggle with the queer, sprawling hieroglyphics that fill the Chinese books, and she was so proud and happy that she could think of nothing else.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading The Viceroy was going in state to honor his forefathers, riding in his sedan, and followed by a long retinue of servants, and Tuen, Wang and Ta-ta had been allowed, as a special favor, to join this procession.
sprawlingnounUS /ˈsprɔːlɪŋ/
an ungainly posture with arms and legs spread about
From this reading By the time the festival of Pai-shan came--the day when all go to worship at the graves of their ancestors--Tuen had already commenced to struggle with the queer, sprawling hieroglyphics that fill the Chinese books, and she was so proud and happy that she could think of nothing else.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading The Viceroy was going in state to honor his forefathers, riding in his sedan, and followed by a long retinue of servants, and Tuen, Wang and Ta-ta had been allowed, as a special favor, to join this procession.
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading By the time the festival of Pai-shan came--the day when all go to worship at the graves of their ancestors--Tuen had already commenced to struggle with the queer, sprawling hieroglyphics that fill the Chinese books, and she was so proud and happy that she could think of nothing else.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading "It was very silly of you to beg such a favor of the Viceroy," she said.
Ta-ta
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Viceroy was going in state to honor his forefathers, riding in his sedan, and followed by a long retinue of servants, and Tuen, Wang and Ta-ta had been allowed, as a special favor, to join this procession.
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading As they left the yamen Tuen was telling them of the wonderful characters she was trying to understand, and of the delight of learning about them, and Ta-ta laughed good-naturedly.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading By the time the festival of Pai-shan came--the day when all go to worship at the graves of their ancestors--Tuen had already commenced to struggle with the queer, sprawling hieroglyphics that fill the Chinese books, and she was so proud and happy that she could think of nothing else.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading By the time the festival of Pai-shan came--the day when all go to worship at the graves of their ancestors--Tuen had already commenced to struggle with the queer, sprawling hieroglyphics that fill the Chinese books, and she was so proud and happy that she could think of nothing else.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading By the time the festival of Pai-shan came--the day when all go to worship at the graves of their ancestors--Tuen had already commenced to struggle with the queer, sprawling hieroglyphics that fill the Chinese books, and she was so proud and happy that she could think of nothing else.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading As they left the yamen Tuen was telling them of the wonderful characters she was trying to understand, and of the delight of learning about them, and Ta-ta laughed good-naturedly.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As they left the yamen Tuen was telling them of the wonderful characters she was trying to understand, and of the delight of learning about them, and Ta-ta laughed good-naturedly.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading By the time the festival of Pai-shan came--the day when all go to worship at the graves of their ancestors--Tuen had already commenced to struggle with the queer, sprawling hieroglyphics that fill the Chinese books, and she was so proud and happy that she could think of nothing else.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The Viceroy was going in state to honor his forefathers, riding in his sedan, and followed by a long retinue of servants, and Tuen, Wang and Ta-ta had been allowed, as a special favor, to join this procession.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading By the time the festival of Pai-shan came--the day when all go to worship at the graves of their ancestors--Tuen had already commenced to struggle with the queer, sprawling hieroglyphics that fill the Chinese books, and she was so proud and happy that she could think of nothing else.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading By the time the festival of Pai-shan came--the day when all go to worship at the graves of their ancestors--Tuen had already commenced to struggle with the queer, sprawling hieroglyphics that fill the Chinese books, and she was so proud and happy that she could think of nothing else.
hard to endure
From this reading As they left the yamen Tuen was telling them of the wonderful characters she was trying to understand, and of the delight of learning about them, and Ta-ta laughed good-naturedly.
Tuen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the time the festival of Pai-shan came--the day when all go to worship at the graves of their ancestors--Tuen had already commenced to struggle with the queer, sprawling hieroglyphics that fill the Chinese books, and she was so proud and happy that she could think of nothing else.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading As they left the yamen Tuen was telling them of the wonderful characters she was trying to understand, and of the delight of learning about them, and Ta-ta laughed good-naturedly.
precisely as stated
From this reading "It was very silly of you to beg such a favor of the Viceroy," she said.
ViceroynounUS /ˈvaɪsrɔɪ/
governor of a country or province who rules as the representative of his or her king or sovereign
From this reading The Viceroy was going in state to honor his forefathers, riding in his sedan, and followed by a long retinue of servants, and Tuen, Wang and Ta-ta had been allowed, as a special favor, to join this procession.
Wang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Viceroy was going in state to honor his forefathers, riding in his sedan, and followed by a long retinue of servants, and Tuen, Wang and Ta-ta had been allowed, as a special favor, to join this procession.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading "Who ever heard of a woman who could read, or who even wanted to?
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading By the time the festival of Pai-shan came--the day when all go to worship at the graves of their ancestors--Tuen had already commenced to struggle with the queer, sprawling hieroglyphics that fill the Chinese books, and she was so proud and happy that she could think of nothing else.
at the time that
From this reading By the time the festival of Pai-shan came--the day when all go to worship at the graves of their ancestors--Tuen had already commenced to struggle with the queer, sprawling hieroglyphics that fill the Chinese books, and she was so proud and happy that she could think of nothing else.
which person or people
From this reading "Who ever heard of a woman who could read, or who even wanted to?
in the company of; together with
From this reading By the time the festival of Pai-shan came--the day when all go to worship at the graves of their ancestors--Tuen had already commenced to struggle with the queer, sprawling hieroglyphics that fill the Chinese books, and she was so proud and happy that she could think of nothing else.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading "Who ever heard of a woman who could read, or who even wanted to?
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading As they left the yamen Tuen was telling them of the wonderful characters she was trying to understand, and of the delight of learning about them, and Ta-ta laughed good-naturedly.
love unquestioningly and uncritically or to excess; venerate as an idol
From this reading By the time the festival of Pai-shan came--the day when all go to worship at the graves of their ancestors--Tuen had already commenced to struggle with the queer, sprawling hieroglyphics that fill the Chinese books, and she was so proud and happy that she could think of nothing else.
yamen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As they left the yamen Tuen was telling them of the wonderful characters she was trying to understand, and of the delight of learning about them, and Ta-ta laughed good-naturedly.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "It was very silly of you to beg such a favor of the Viceroy," she said.
