A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter I
The Sphinx was smiling its eternal smile. It was two o'clock in the morning. The tourists had returned to Cairo, and only an Arab or two lingered near the boy who held Tamara's camel, and then gradually slunk away; thus, but for Hafis, she was alone--alone with her thoughts and the Sphinx. The strange, mystical face looked straight at her from the elevation where she sat. Its sensual mocking calm penetrated her brain.
Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “The tourists had returned to Cairo, and only an Arab or two lingered near the boy who held Tamara's camel, and then gradually slunk away; thus, but for Hafis, she was alone--alone with her thoughts and the Sphinx.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “The strange, mystical face looked straight at her from the elevation where she sat.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “It was two o'clock in the morning.”
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “The tourists had returned to Cairo, and only an Arab or two lingered near the boy who held Tamara's camel, and then gradually slunk away; thus, but for Hafis, she was alone--alone with her thoughts and the Sphinx.”
Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The tourists had returned to Cairo, and only an Arab or two lingered near the boy who held Tamara's camel, and then gradually slunk away; thus, but for Hafis, she was alone--alone with her thoughts and the Sphinx.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The tourists had returned to Cairo, and only an Arab or two lingered near the boy who held Tamara's camel, and then gradually slunk away; thus, but for Hafis, she was alone--alone with her thoughts and the Sphinx.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The tourists had returned to Cairo, and only an Arab or two lingered near the boy who held Tamara's camel, and then gradually slunk away; thus, but for Hafis, she was alone--alone with her thoughts and the Sphinx.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tourists had returned to Cairo, and only an Arab or two lingered near the boy who held Tamara's camel, and then gradually slunk away; thus, but for Hafis, she was alone--alone with her thoughts and the Sphinx.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The strange, mystical face looked straight at her from the elevation where she sat.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tourists had returned to Cairo, and only an Arab or two lingered near the boy who held Tamara's camel, and then gradually slunk away; thus, but for Hafis, she was alone--alone with her thoughts and the Sphinx.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tourists had returned to Cairo, and only an Arab or two lingered near the boy who held Tamara's camel, and then gradually slunk away; thus, but for Hafis, she was alone--alone with her thoughts and the Sphinx.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its sensual mocking calm penetrated her brain.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The tourists had returned to Cairo, and only an Arab or two lingered near the boy who held Tamara's camel, and then gradually slunk away; thus, but for Hafis, she was alone--alone with her thoughts and the Sphinx.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tourists had returned to Cairo, and only an Arab or two lingered near the boy who held Tamara's camel, and then gradually slunk away; thus, but for Hafis, she was alone--alone with her thoughts and the Sphinx.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its sensual mocking calm penetrated her brain.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tourists had returned to Cairo, and only an Arab or two lingered near the boy who held Tamara's camel, and then gradually slunk away; thus, but for Hafis, she was alone--alone with her thoughts and the Sphinx.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The strange, mystical face looked straight at her from the elevation where she sat.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Sphinx was smiling its eternal smile.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The strange, mystical face looked straight at her from the elevation where she sat.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The tourists had returned to Cairo, and only an Arab or two lingered near the boy who held Tamara's camel, and then gradually slunk away; thus, but for Hafis, she was alone--alone with her thoughts and the Sphinx.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The strange, mystical face looked straight at her from the elevation where she sat.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tourists had returned to Cairo, and only an Arab or two lingered near the boy who held Tamara's camel, and then gradually slunk away; thus, but for Hafis, she was alone--alone with her thoughts and the Sphinx.
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The tourists had returned to Cairo, and only an Arab or two lingered near the boy who held Tamara's camel, and then gradually slunk away; thus, but for Hafis, she was alone--alone with her thoughts and the Sphinx.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tourists had returned to Cairo, and only an Arab or two lingered near the boy who held Tamara's camel, and then gradually slunk away; thus, but for Hafis, she was alone--alone with her thoughts and the Sphinx.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tourists had returned to Cairo, and only an Arab or two lingered near the boy who held Tamara's camel, and then gradually slunk away; thus, but for Hafis, she was alone--alone with her thoughts and the Sphinx.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The tourists had returned to Cairo, and only an Arab or two lingered near the boy who held Tamara's camel, and then gradually slunk away; thus, but for Hafis, she was alone--alone with her thoughts and the Sphinx.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was two o'clock in the morning.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was two o'clock in the morning.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The Sphinx was smiling its eternal smile.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tourists had returned to Cairo, and only an Arab or two lingered near the boy who held Tamara's camel, and then gradually slunk away; thus, but for Hafis, she was alone--alone with her thoughts and the Sphinx.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The strange, mystical face looked straight at her from the elevation where she sat.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its sensual mocking calm penetrated her brain.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was two o'clock in the morning.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The strange, mystical face looked straight at her from the elevation where she sat.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tourists had returned to Cairo, and only an Arab or two lingered near the boy who held Tamara's camel, and then gradually slunk away; thus, but for Hafis, she was alone--alone with her thoughts and the Sphinx.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was two o'clock in the morning.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tourists had returned to Cairo, and only an Arab or two lingered near the boy who held Tamara's camel, and then gradually slunk away; thus, but for Hafis, she was alone--alone with her thoughts and the Sphinx.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The tourists had returned to Cairo, and only an Arab or two lingered near the boy who held Tamara's camel, and then gradually slunk away; thus, but for Hafis, she was alone--alone with her thoughts and the Sphinx.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its sensual mocking calm penetrated her brain.
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The tourists had returned to Cairo, and only an Arab or two lingered near the boy who held Tamara's camel, and then gradually slunk away; thus, but for Hafis, she was alone--alone with her thoughts and the Sphinx.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The strange, mystical face looked straight at her from the elevation where she sat.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its sensual mocking calm penetrated her brain.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The tourists had returned to Cairo, and only an Arab or two lingered near the boy who held Tamara's camel, and then gradually slunk away; thus, but for Hafis, she was alone--alone with her thoughts and the Sphinx.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tourists had returned to Cairo, and only an Arab or two lingered near the boy who held Tamara's camel, and then gradually slunk away; thus, but for Hafis, she was alone--alone with her thoughts and the Sphinx.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Sphinx was smiling its eternal smile.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Sphinx was smiling its eternal smile.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Sphinx was smiling its eternal smile.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The strange, mystical face looked straight at her from the elevation where she sat.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The strange, mystical face looked straight at her from the elevation where she sat.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tourists had returned to Cairo, and only an Arab or two lingered near the boy who held Tamara's camel, and then gradually slunk away; thus, but for Hafis, she was alone--alone with her thoughts and the Sphinx.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Sphinx was smiling its eternal smile.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tourists had returned to Cairo, and only an Arab or two lingered near the boy who held Tamara's camel, and then gradually slunk away; thus, but for Hafis, she was alone--alone with her thoughts and the Sphinx.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tourists had returned to Cairo, and only an Arab or two lingered near the boy who held Tamara's camel, and then gradually slunk away; thus, but for Hafis, she was alone--alone with her thoughts and the Sphinx.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tourists had returned to Cairo, and only an Arab or two lingered near the boy who held Tamara's camel, and then gradually slunk away; thus, but for Hafis, she was alone--alone with her thoughts and the Sphinx.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The tourists had returned to Cairo, and only an Arab or two lingered near the boy who held Tamara's camel, and then gradually slunk away; thus, but for Hafis, she was alone--alone with her thoughts and the Sphinx.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tourists had returned to Cairo, and only an Arab or two lingered near the boy who held Tamara's camel, and then gradually slunk away; thus, but for Hafis, she was alone--alone with her thoughts and the Sphinx.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was two o'clock in the morning.
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Sphinx was smiling its eternal smile.
in or at the place that
From this reading The strange, mystical face looked straight at her from the elevation where she sat.
which person or people
From this reading The tourists had returned to Cairo, and only an Arab or two lingered near the boy who held Tamara's camel, and then gradually slunk away; thus, but for Hafis, she was alone--alone with her thoughts and the Sphinx.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The tourists had returned to Cairo, and only an Arab or two lingered near the boy who held Tamara's camel, and then gradually slunk away; thus, but for Hafis, she was alone--alone with her thoughts and the Sphinx.
