used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading To-night the sunset passed all unheeded and we gaze, as we retire from the busy rush of the trivial day, at a never-ending, twisting, twirling pattern on the four walls that imprison us, oppressed by the confining ceiling of our room in the Damascus Palace Hotel.
(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with
From this reading Our word is law according to the depth of our purses, our hands and feet are kissed according to the height of our floor in the hotel.
(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 To-night the sunset passed all unheeded and we gaze, as we retire from the busy rush of the trivial day, at a never-ending, twisting, twirling pattern on the four walls that imprison us, oppressed by the confining ceiling of our room in the Damascus Palace Hotel.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading RETROSPECTIVE Last night we were dirty, isolated, and free; to-night we are clean, sociable, and trammelled.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading RETROSPECTIVE Last night we were dirty, isolated, and free; to-night we are clean, sociable, and trammelled.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Last night the setting sun's final message written in flaming signs of gold was burnt into us, and the starry heights carried our thoughts heavenward and made them free as themselves.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading To-night the sunset passed all unheeded and we gaze, as we retire from the busy rush of the trivial day, at a never-ending, twisting, twirling pattern on the four walls that imprison us, oppressed by the confining ceiling of our room in the Damascus Palace Hotel.
burntadjectiveUS /bɜːrnt/
ruined by overcooking
From this reading Last night the setting sun's final message written in flaming signs of gold was burnt into us, and the starry heights carried our thoughts heavenward and made them free as themselves.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading To-night the sunset passed all unheeded and we gaze, as we retire from the busy rush of the trivial day, at a never-ending, twisting, twirling pattern on the four walls that imprison us, oppressed by the confining ceiling of our room in the Damascus Palace Hotel.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading To-night the sunset passed all unheeded and we gaze, as we retire from the busy rush of the trivial day, at a never-ending, twisting, twirling pattern on the four walls that imprison us, oppressed by the confining ceiling of our room in the Damascus Palace Hotel.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Last night the setting sun's final message written in flaming signs of gold was burnt into us, and the starry heights carried our thoughts heavenward and made them free as themselves.
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
From this reading To-night the sunset passed all unheeded and we gaze, as we retire from the busy rush of the trivial day, at a never-ending, twisting, twirling pattern on the four walls that imprison us, oppressed by the confining ceiling of our room in the Damascus Palace Hotel.
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading RETROSPECTIVE Last night we were dirty, isolated, and free; to-night we are clean, sociable, and trammelled.
confiningadjectiveUS /kənˈfaɪnɪŋ/
restricting the scope or freedom of action
From this reading To-night the sunset passed all unheeded and we gaze, as we retire from the busy rush of the trivial day, at a never-ending, twisting, twirling pattern on the four walls that imprison us, oppressed by the confining ceiling of our room in the Damascus Palace Hotel.
DamascusnounUS /dəˈmæskəs/
an ancient city (widely regarded as the world's oldest) and present capital and largest city of Syria; according to the New Testament, the Apostle Paul (then known as Saul) underwent a dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus
From this reading To-night the sunset passed all unheeded and we gaze, as we retire from the busy rush of the trivial day, at a never-ending, twisting, twirling pattern on the four walls that imprison us, oppressed by the confining ceiling of our room in the Damascus Palace Hotel.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading To-night the sunset passed all unheeded and we gaze, as we retire from the busy rush of the trivial day, at a never-ending, twisting, twirling pattern on the four walls that imprison us, oppressed by the confining ceiling of our room in the Damascus Palace Hotel.
depthnounUS /depθ/
the extent downward or backward or inward
From this reading Our word is law according to the depth of our purses, our hands and feet are kissed according to the height of our floor in the hotel.
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading We are no longer princesses whose hands and feet are kissed, whose word is law, sharing the simple hospitality of proud and dignified wayfarers in desert kingdoms.
dignifiedadjectiveUS /ˈdɪɡnəfaɪd/
having or expressing dignity; especially formality or stateliness in bearing or appearance
From this reading We are no longer princesses whose hands and feet are kissed, whose word is law, sharing the simple hospitality of proud and dignified wayfarers in desert kingdoms.
dirtyadjectiveUS /ˈdɜːrti/
soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime
From this reading RETROSPECTIVE Last night we were dirty, isolated, and free; to-night we are clean, sociable, and trammelled.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading We are no longer princesses whose hands and feet are kissed, whose word is law, sharing the simple hospitality of proud and dignified wayfarers in desert kingdoms.
finaladjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnəl/
occurring at or forming an end or termination
From this reading Last night the setting sun's final message written in flaming signs of gold was burnt into us, and the starry heights carried our thoughts heavenward and made them free as themselves.
flamingadjectiveUS /ˈfleɪmɪŋ/
informal intensifiers
From this reading Last night the setting sun's final message written in flaming signs of gold was burnt into us, and the starry heights carried our thoughts heavenward and made them free as themselves.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading Our word is law according to the depth of our purses, our hands and feet are kissed according to the height of our floor in the hotel.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading To-night the sunset passed all unheeded and we gaze, as we retire from the busy rush of the trivial day, at a never-ending, twisting, twirling pattern on the four walls that imprison us, oppressed by the confining ceiling of our room in the Damascus Palace Hotel.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading RETROSPECTIVE Last night we were dirty, isolated, and free; to-night we are clean, sociable, and trammelled.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading To-night the sunset passed all unheeded and we gaze, as we retire from the busy rush of the trivial day, at a never-ending, twisting, twirling pattern on the four walls that imprison us, oppressed by the confining ceiling of our room in the Damascus Palace Hotel.
a long fixed look
From this reading To-night the sunset passed all unheeded and we gaze, as we retire from the busy rush of the trivial day, at a never-ending, twisting, twirling pattern on the four walls that imprison us, oppressed by the confining ceiling of our room in the Damascus Palace Hotel.
coins made of gold
From this reading Last night the setting sun's final message written in flaming signs of gold was burnt into us, and the starry heights carried our thoughts heavenward and made them free as themselves.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading We are no longer princesses whose hands and feet are kissed, whose word is law, sharing the simple hospitality of proud and dignified wayfarers in desert kingdoms.
heavenwardadjective
directed toward heaven or the sky
From this reading Last night the setting sun's final message written in flaming signs of gold was burnt into us, and the starry heights carried our thoughts heavenward and made them free as themselves.
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading Our word is law according to the depth of our purses, our hands and feet are kissed according to the height of our floor in the hotel.
heightsnounUS /haɪts/
a high place
From this reading Last night the setting sun's final message written in flaming signs of gold was burnt into us, and the starry heights carried our thoughts heavenward and made them free as themselves.
hospitalitynounUS /ˌhɑːspəˈtæləti/
kindness in welcoming guests or strangers
From this reading We are no longer princesses whose hands and feet are kissed, whose word is law, sharing the simple hospitality of proud and dignified wayfarers in desert kingdoms.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading To-night the sunset passed all unheeded and we gaze, as we retire from the busy rush of the trivial day, at a never-ending, twisting, twirling pattern on the four walls that imprison us, oppressed by the confining ceiling of our room in the Damascus Palace Hotel.
imprisonverbUS /ˌɪmˈprɪzən/
lock up or confine, in or as in a jail
From this reading To-night the sunset passed all unheeded and we gaze, as we retire from the busy rush of the trivial day, at a never-ending, twisting, twirling pattern on the four walls that imprison us, oppressed by the confining ceiling of our room in the Damascus Palace Hotel.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Last night the setting sun's final message written in flaming signs of gold was burnt into us, and the starry heights carried our thoughts heavenward and made them free as themselves.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Last night the setting sun's final message written in flaming signs of gold was burnt into us, and the starry heights carried our thoughts heavenward and made them free as themselves.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading We are no longer princesses whose hands and feet are kissed, whose word is law, sharing the simple hospitality of proud and dignified wayfarers in desert kingdoms.
isolatedadjectiveUS /ˈaɪsəleɪtəd/
not close together in time
From this reading RETROSPECTIVE Last night we were dirty, isolated, and free; to-night we are clean, sociable, and trammelled.
kingdomsnounUS /ˈkɪŋdəmz/
plural of “kingdom” — a domain in which something is dominant
From this reading We are no longer princesses whose hands and feet are kissed, whose word is law, sharing the simple hospitality of proud and dignified wayfarers in desert kingdoms.
past form of “kiss” — touch with the lips or press the lips (against someone's mouth or other body part) as an expression of love, greeting, etc.
From this reading We are no longer princesses whose hands and feet are kissed, whose word is law, sharing the simple hospitality of proud and dignified wayfarers in desert kingdoms.
immediately past
From this reading RETROSPECTIVE Last night we were dirty, isolated, and free; to-night we are clean, sociable, and trammelled.
the collection of rules imposed by authority
From this reading We are no longer princesses whose hands and feet are kissed, whose word is law, sharing the simple hospitality of proud and dignified wayfarers in desert kingdoms.
for more time
From this reading We are no longer princesses whose hands and feet are kissed, whose word is law, sharing the simple hospitality of proud and dignified wayfarers in desert kingdoms.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Last night the setting sun's final message written in flaming signs of gold was burnt into us, and the starry heights carried our thoughts heavenward and made them free as themselves.
a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled
From this reading Last night the setting sun's final message written in flaming signs of gold was burnt into us, and the starry heights carried our thoughts heavenward and made them free as themselves.
never-endingadjectiveUS /ˌnevərˈendɪŋ/
uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing
From this reading To-night the sunset passed all unheeded and we gaze, as we retire from the busy rush of the trivial day, at a never-ending, twisting, twirling pattern on the four walls that imprison us, oppressed by the confining ceiling of our room in the Damascus Palace Hotel.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading RETROSPECTIVE Last night we were dirty, isolated, and free; to-night we are clean, sociable, and trammelled.
not any; not one
From this reading We are no longer princesses whose hands and feet are kissed, whose word is law, sharing the simple hospitality of proud and dignified wayfarers in desert kingdoms.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Last night the setting sun's final message written in flaming signs of gold was burnt into us, and the starry heights carried our thoughts heavenward and made them free as themselves.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading To-night the sunset passed all unheeded and we gaze, as we retire from the busy rush of the trivial day, at a never-ending, twisting, twirling pattern on the four walls that imprison us, oppressed by the confining ceiling of our room in the Damascus Palace Hotel.
oppressedadjectiveUS /əˈprest/
burdened psychologically or mentally
From this reading To-night the sunset passed all unheeded and we gaze, as we retire from the busy rush of the trivial day, at a never-ending, twisting, twirling pattern on the four walls that imprison us, oppressed by the confining ceiling of our room in the Damascus Palace Hotel.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Last night the setting sun's final message written in flaming signs of gold was burnt into us, and the starry heights carried our thoughts heavenward and made them free as themselves.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading To-night the sunset passed all unheeded and we gaze, as we retire from the busy rush of the trivial day, at a never-ending, twisting, twirling pattern on the four walls that imprison us, oppressed by the confining ceiling of our room in the Damascus Palace Hotel.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading To-night the sunset passed all unheeded and we gaze, as we retire from the busy rush of the trivial day, at a never-ending, twisting, twirling pattern on the four walls that imprison us, oppressed by the confining ceiling of our room in the Damascus Palace Hotel.
patternnounUS /ˈpætərn/
a perceptual structure
From this reading To-night the sunset passed all unheeded and we gaze, as we retire from the busy rush of the trivial day, at a never-ending, twisting, twirling pattern on the four walls that imprison us, oppressed by the confining ceiling of our room in the Damascus Palace Hotel.
princessesnounUS /ˈprɪnsesɪz/
plural of “princess” — a female member of a royal family other than the queen (especially the daughter of a sovereign)
From this reading We are no longer princesses whose hands and feet are kissed, whose word is law, sharing the simple hospitality of proud and dignified wayfarers in desert kingdoms.
feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading We are no longer princesses whose hands and feet are kissed, whose word is law, sharing the simple hospitality of proud and dignified wayfarers in desert kingdoms.
pursesnounUS /ˈpɜːrsɪz/
plural of “purse” — a container used for carrying money and small personal items or accessories (especially by women)
From this reading Our word is law according to the depth of our purses, our hands and feet are kissed according to the height of our floor in the hotel.
retireverbUS /rɪˈtaɪr/
go into retirement; stop performing one's work or withdraw from one's position
From this reading To-night the sunset passed all unheeded and we gaze, as we retire from the busy rush of the trivial day, at a never-ending, twisting, twirling pattern on the four walls that imprison us, oppressed by the confining ceiling of our room in the Damascus Palace Hotel.
RETROSPECTIVEnounUS /ˌretrəˈspektɪv/
an exhibition of a representative selection of an artist's life work
From this reading RETROSPECTIVE Last night we were dirty, isolated, and free; to-night we are clean, sociable, and trammelled.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading To-night the sunset passed all unheeded and we gaze, as we retire from the busy rush of the trivial day, at a never-ending, twisting, twirling pattern on the four walls that imprison us, oppressed by the confining ceiling of our room in the Damascus Palace Hotel.
move hurridly
From this reading To-night the sunset passed all unheeded and we gaze, as we retire from the busy rush of the trivial day, at a never-ending, twisting, twirling pattern on the four walls that imprison us, oppressed by the confining ceiling of our room in the Damascus Palace Hotel.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading Last night the setting sun's final message written in flaming signs of gold was burnt into us, and the starry heights carried our thoughts heavenward and made them free as themselves.
sharingnounUS /ˈʃerɪŋ/
using or enjoying something jointly with others
From this reading We are no longer princesses whose hands and feet are kissed, whose word is law, sharing the simple hospitality of proud and dignified wayfarers in desert kingdoms.
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading Last night the setting sun's final message written in flaming signs of gold was burnt into us, and the starry heights carried our thoughts heavenward and made them free as themselves.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading We are no longer princesses whose hands and feet are kissed, whose word is law, sharing the simple hospitality of proud and dignified wayfarers in desert kingdoms.
sociableadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊʃəbəl/
inclined to or conducive to companionship with others
From this reading RETROSPECTIVE Last night we were dirty, isolated, and free; to-night we are clean, sociable, and trammelled.
starryadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːriː/
abounding with or resembling stars
From this reading Last night the setting sun's final message written in flaming signs of gold was burnt into us, and the starry heights carried our thoughts heavenward and made them free as themselves.
sun'snounUS /sʌnz/
possessive form of “sun” — the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading Last night the setting sun's final message written in flaming signs of gold was burnt into us, and the starry heights carried our thoughts heavenward and made them free as themselves.
the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon
From this reading To-night the sunset passed all unheeded and we gaze, as we retire from the busy rush of the trivial day, at a never-ending, twisting, twirling pattern on the four walls that imprison us, oppressed by the confining ceiling of our room in the Damascus Palace Hotel.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading To-night the sunset passed all unheeded and we gaze, as we retire from the busy rush of the trivial day, at a never-ending, twisting, twirling pattern on the four walls that imprison us, oppressed by the confining ceiling of our room in the Damascus Palace Hotel.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Last night the setting sun's final message written in flaming signs of gold was burnt into us, and the starry heights carried our thoughts heavenward and made them free as themselves.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Last night the setting sun's final message written in flaming signs of gold was burnt into us, and the starry heights carried our thoughts heavenward and made them free as themselves.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Last night the setting sun's final message written in flaming signs of gold was burnt into us, and the starry heights carried our thoughts heavenward and made them free as themselves.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Last night the setting sun's final message written in flaming signs of gold was burnt into us, and the starry heights carried our thoughts heavenward and made them free as themselves.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Our word is law according to the depth of our purses, our hands and feet are kissed according to the height of our floor in the hotel.
to-night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RETROSPECTIVE Last night we were dirty, isolated, and free; to-night we are clean, sociable, and trammelled.
trammelled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RETROSPECTIVE Last night we were dirty, isolated, and free; to-night we are clean, sociable, and trammelled.
trivialadjectiveUS /ˈtrɪviəl/
(informal) small and of little importance
From this reading To-night the sunset passed all unheeded and we gaze, as we retire from the busy rush of the trivial day, at a never-ending, twisting, twirling pattern on the four walls that imprison us, oppressed by the confining ceiling of our room in the Damascus Palace Hotel.
twirlingverbUS /ˈtwɜːrlɪŋ/
-ing form of “twirl” — turn in a twisting or spinning motion
From this reading To-night the sunset passed all unheeded and we gaze, as we retire from the busy rush of the trivial day, at a never-ending, twisting, twirling pattern on the four walls that imprison us, oppressed by the confining ceiling of our room in the Damascus Palace Hotel.
twistingnounUS /ˈtwɪstɪŋ/
the act of distorting something so it seems to mean something it was not intended to mean
From this reading To-night the sunset passed all unheeded and we gaze, as we retire from the busy rush of the trivial day, at a never-ending, twisting, twirling pattern on the four walls that imprison us, oppressed by the confining ceiling of our room in the Damascus Palace Hotel.
unheededadjectiveUS /ənˈhiːdɪd/
disregarded
From this reading To-night the sunset passed all unheeded and we gaze, as we retire from the busy rush of the trivial day, at a never-ending, twisting, twirling pattern on the four walls that imprison us, oppressed by the confining ceiling of our room in the Damascus Palace Hotel.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Last night the setting sun's final message written in flaming signs of gold was burnt into us, and the starry heights carried our thoughts heavenward and made them free as themselves.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading To-night the sunset passed all unheeded and we gaze, as we retire from the busy rush of the trivial day, at a never-ending, twisting, twirling pattern on the four walls that imprison us, oppressed by the confining ceiling of our room in the Damascus Palace Hotel.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Last night the setting sun's final message written in flaming signs of gold was burnt into us, and the starry heights carried our thoughts heavenward and made them free as themselves.
wayfarers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We are no longer princesses whose hands and feet are kissed, whose word is law, sharing the simple hospitality of proud and dignified wayfarers in desert kingdoms.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading RETROSPECTIVE Last night we were dirty, isolated, and free; to-night we are clean, sociable, and trammelled.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading RETROSPECTIVE Last night we were dirty, isolated, and free; to-night we are clean, sociable, and trammelled.
belonging to which person
From this reading We are no longer princesses whose hands and feet are kissed, whose word is law, sharing the simple hospitality of proud and dignified wayfarers in desert kingdoms.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading We are no longer princesses whose hands and feet are kissed, whose word is law, sharing the simple hospitality of proud and dignified wayfarers in desert kingdoms.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading Last night the setting sun's final message written in flaming signs of gold was burnt into us, and the starry heights carried our thoughts heavenward and made them free as themselves.
