Chapter VII · 46

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading An omen, said the Fakir, is a sign of the future.

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading Then one day, sudden and fearful as the khamsin wind of the desert, came a message from the aged grandsire, informing Muley Mustapha and Kayenna that he had contracted a noble alliance for the heir to his throne with the Princess Amine, only daughter of his neighbor, the powerful King of Nhulpar.

(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 The King of Nhulpar was the mightiest monarch of all the earth.

the state of being allied or confederated

From this reading Then one day, sudden and fearful as the khamsin wind of the desert, came a message from the aged grandsire, informing Muley Mustapha and Kayenna that he had contracted a noble alliance for the heir to his throne with the Princess Amine, only daughter of his neighbor, the powerful King of Nhulpar.

a compound derived from ammonia by replacing hydrogen atoms by univalent hydrocarbon radicals

From this reading Then one day, sudden and fearful as the khamsin wind of the desert, came a message from the aged grandsire, informing Muley Mustapha and Kayenna that he had contracted a noble alliance for the heir to his throne with the Princess Amine, only daughter of his neighbor, the powerful King of Nhulpar.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading An omen, said the Fakir, is a sign of the future.

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

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.

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

From this reading Then one day, sudden and fearful as the khamsin wind of the desert, came a message from the aged grandsire, informing Muley Mustapha and Kayenna that he had contracted a noble alliance for the heir to his throne with the Princess Amine, only daughter of his neighbor, the powerful King of Nhulpar.

put or pin the blame on

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.

a youthful male person

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.

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

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.

the act or process of complicating

From this reading Now here was a most serious complication.

reduced in size or pulled together

From this reading Then one day, sudden and fearful as the khamsin wind of the desert, came a message from the aged grandsire, informing Muley Mustapha and Kayenna that he had contracted a noble alliance for the heir to his throne with the Princess Amine, only daughter of his neighbor, the powerful King of Nhulpar.

a female human offspring

From this reading Then one day, sudden and fearful as the khamsin wind of the desert, came a message from the aged grandsire, informing Muley Mustapha and Kayenna that he had contracted a noble alliance for the heir to his throne with the Princess Amine, only daughter of his neighbor, the powerful King of Nhulpar.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Then one day, sudden and fearful as the khamsin wind of the desert, came a message from the aged grandsire, informing Muley Mustapha and Kayenna that he had contracted a noble alliance for the heir to his throne with the Princess Amine, only daughter of his neighbor, the powerful King of Nhulpar.

leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch

From this reading Then one day, sudden and fearful as the khamsin wind of the desert, came a message from the aged grandsire, informing Muley Mustapha and Kayenna that he had contracted a noble alliance for the heir to his throne with the Princess Amine, only daughter of his neighbor, the powerful King of Nhulpar.

marked by prudence or modesty and wise self-restraint

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.

clear to the mind; with distinct mental discernment

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading The King of Nhulpar was the mightiest monarch of all the earth.

having unsuitable feminine qualities

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.

a Muslim or Hindu mendicant monk who is regarded as a holy man

From this reading An omen, said the Fakir, is a sign of the future.

experiencing or showing fear

From this reading Then one day, sudden and fearful as the khamsin wind of the desert, came a message from the aged grandsire, informing Muley Mustapha and Kayenna that he had contracted a noble alliance for the heir to his throne with the Princess Amine, only daughter of his neighbor, the powerful King of Nhulpar.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Then one day, sudden and fearful as the khamsin wind of the desert, came a message from the aged grandsire, informing Muley Mustapha and Kayenna that he had contracted a noble alliance for the heir to his throne with the Princess Amine, only daughter of his neighbor, the powerful King of Nhulpar.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Then one day, sudden and fearful as the khamsin wind of the desert, came a message from the aged grandsire, informing Muley Mustapha and Kayenna that he had contracted a noble alliance for the heir to his throne with the Princess Amine, only daughter of his neighbor, the powerful King of Nhulpar.

yet to be or coming

From this reading An omen, said the Fakir, is a sign of the future.

characterized by beauty of movement, style, form, or execution

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.

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

From this reading Then one day, sudden and fearful as the khamsin wind of the desert, came a message from the aged grandsire, informing Muley Mustapha and Kayenna that he had contracted a noble alliance for the heir to his throne with the Princess Amine, only daughter of his neighbor, the powerful King of Nhulpar.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Then one day, sudden and fearful as the khamsin wind of the desert, came a message from the aged grandsire, informing Muley Mustapha and Kayenna that he had contracted a noble alliance for the heir to his throne with the Princess Amine, only daughter of his neighbor, the powerful King of Nhulpar.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Then one day, sudden and fearful as the khamsin wind of the desert, came a message from the aged grandsire, informing Muley Mustapha and Kayenna that he had contracted a noble alliance for the heir to his throne with the Princess Amine, only daughter of his neighbor, the powerful King of Nhulpar.

A person legally or magically entitled to the property or rank of another on that person's death.

From this reading Then one day, sudden and fearful as the khamsin wind of the desert, came a message from the aged grandsire, informing Muley Mustapha and Kayenna that he had contracted a noble alliance for the heir to his throne with the Princess Amine, only daughter of his neighbor, the powerful King of Nhulpar.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Now here was a most serious complication.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.

to furnish incriminating evidence to an officer of the law (usually in return for favors)

From this reading Then one day, sudden and fearful as the khamsin wind of the desert, came a message from the aged grandsire, informing Muley Mustapha and Kayenna that he had contracted a noble alliance for the heir to his throne with the Princess Amine, only daughter of his neighbor, the powerful King of Nhulpar.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.

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

From this reading An omen, said the Fakir, is a sign of the future.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.

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

From this reading Then one day, sudden and fearful as the khamsin wind of the desert, came a message from the aged grandsire, informing Muley Mustapha and Kayenna that he had contracted a noble alliance for the heir to his throne with the Princess Amine, only daughter of his neighbor, the powerful King of Nhulpar.

an oppressively hot southerly wind from the Sahara that blows across Egypt in the spring

From this reading Then one day, sudden and fearful as the khamsin wind of the desert, came a message from the aged grandsire, informing Muley Mustapha and Kayenna that he had contracted a noble alliance for the heir to his throne with the Princess Amine, only daughter of his neighbor, the powerful King of Nhulpar.

a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading Then one day, sudden and fearful as the khamsin wind of the desert, came a message from the aged grandsire, informing Muley Mustapha and Kayenna that he had contracted a noble alliance for the heir to his throne with the Princess Amine, only daughter of his neighbor, the powerful King of Nhulpar.

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

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.

a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled

From this reading Then one day, sudden and fearful as the khamsin wind of the desert, came a message from the aged grandsire, informing Muley Mustapha and Kayenna that he had contracted a noble alliance for the heir to his throne with the Princess Amine, only daughter of his neighbor, the powerful King of Nhulpar.

superlative of “mighty” — having or showing great strength or force or intensity

From this reading The King of Nhulpar was the mightiest monarch of all the earth.

a nation's ruler or head of state usually by hereditary right

From this reading The King of Nhulpar was the mightiest monarch of all the earth.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Now here was a most serious complication.

possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.

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

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.

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

From this reading Then one day, sudden and fearful as the khamsin wind of the desert, came a message from the aged grandsire, informing Muley Mustapha and Kayenna that he had contracted a noble alliance for the heir to his throne with the Princess Amine, only daughter of his neighbor, the powerful King of Nhulpar.

a person who lives (or is located) near another

From this reading Then one day, sudden and fearful as the khamsin wind of the desert, came a message from the aged grandsire, informing Muley Mustapha and Kayenna that he had contracted a noble alliance for the heir to his throne with the Princess Amine, only daughter of his neighbor, the powerful King of Nhulpar.

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

From this reading Then one day, sudden and fearful as the khamsin wind of the desert, came a message from the aged grandsire, informing Muley Mustapha and Kayenna that he had contracted a noble alliance for the heir to his throne with the Princess Amine, only daughter of his neighbor, the powerful King of Nhulpar.

coming next after the eighteenth in position

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.

impressive in appearance

From this reading Then one day, sudden and fearful as the khamsin wind of the desert, came a message from the aged grandsire, informing Muley Mustapha and Kayenna that he had contracted a noble alliance for the heir to his throne with the Princess Amine, only daughter of his neighbor, the powerful King of Nhulpar.

no person; not anyone

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Now here was a most serious complication.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading An omen, said the Fakir, is a sign of the future.

a sign of something about to happen

From this reading An omen, said the Fakir, is a sign of the future.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Then one day, sudden and fearful as the khamsin wind of the desert, came a message from the aged grandsire, informing Muley Mustapha and Kayenna that he had contracted a noble alliance for the heir to his throne with the Princess Amine, only daughter of his neighbor, the powerful King of Nhulpar.

and nothing more

From this reading Then one day, sudden and fearful as the khamsin wind of the desert, came a message from the aged grandsire, informing Muley Mustapha and Kayenna that he had contracted a noble alliance for the heir to his throne with the Princess Amine, only daughter of his neighbor, the powerful King of Nhulpar.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.

plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.

go across or through

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.

having great power or force or potency or effect

From this reading Then one day, sudden and fearful as the khamsin wind of the desert, came a message from the aged grandsire, informing Muley Mustapha and Kayenna that he had contracted a noble alliance for the heir to his throne with the Princess Amine, only daughter of his neighbor, the powerful King of Nhulpar.

The daughter of a monarch; a female member of a royal family.

From this reading Then one day, sudden and fearful as the khamsin wind of the desert, came a message from the aged grandsire, informing Muley Mustapha and Kayenna that he had contracted a noble alliance for the heir to his throne with the Princess Amine, only daughter of his neighbor, the powerful King of Nhulpar.

be shown or be found to be

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading An omen, said the Fakir, is a sign of the future.

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.

concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities

From this reading Now here was a most serious complication.

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

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.

a city in central southwestern Iran; ruins of ancient Persepolis are nearby

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.

a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading An omen, said the Fakir, is a sign of the future.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.

a juvenile between the onset of puberty and maturity

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading Then one day, sudden and fearful as the khamsin wind of the desert, came a message from the aged grandsire, informing Muley Mustapha and Kayenna that he had contracted a noble alliance for the heir to his throne with the Princess Amine, only daughter of his neighbor, the powerful King of Nhulpar.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.

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

From this reading An omen, said the Fakir, is a sign of the future.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then one day, sudden and fearful as the khamsin wind of the desert, came a message from the aged grandsire, informing Muley Mustapha and Kayenna that he had contracted a noble alliance for the heir to his throne with the Princess Amine, only daughter of his neighbor, the powerful King of Nhulpar.

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

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.

the chair of state for a monarch, bishop, etc.

From this reading Then one day, sudden and fearful as the khamsin wind of the desert, came a message from the aged grandsire, informing Muley Mustapha and Kayenna that he had contracted a noble alliance for the heir to his throne with the Princess Amine, only daughter of his neighbor, the powerful King of Nhulpar.

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

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.

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

From this reading Now here was a most serious complication.

pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading Then one day, sudden and fearful as the khamsin wind of the desert, came a message from the aged grandsire, informing Muley Mustapha and Kayenna that he had contracted a noble alliance for the heir to his throne with the Princess Amine, only daughter of his neighbor, the powerful King of Nhulpar.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Then one day, sudden and fearful as the khamsin wind of the desert, came a message from the aged grandsire, informing Muley Mustapha and Kayenna that he had contracted a noble alliance for the heir to his throne with the Princess Amine, only daughter of his neighbor, the powerful King of Nhulpar.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.

used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father

From this reading Blame not the omen, but the future, if the sign prove not true.—_Shiraz, the Younger._ So it came to pass that little Muley grew up into his nineteenth year, a tall, well-favored, graceful stripling, but distinctly a “mother’s boy”; and nobody but his parents and the discreet Shacabac held, or thought they held, the secret of his effeminate appearance.