Chapter XXII · The Mahdi

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

From this reading In the wild district of Bakara, for ten years prior to the commencement of our story, there had lived, in the strictest seclusion, a man whose name was suddenly to burst upon the world like the unexpected flash of a meteor across the sky, and to leave behind a trail of blood.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He lived on the wild fruit and roots which grew about his place, he drank nothing but water, and he spent twelve hours out of the twenty-four in prayer.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading In the wild district of Bakara, for ten years prior to the commencement of our story, there had lived, in the strictest seclusion, a man whose name was suddenly to burst upon the world like the unexpected flash of a meteor across the sky, and to leave behind a trail of blood.

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

From this reading In the wild district of Bakara, for ten years prior to the commencement of our story, there had lived, in the strictest seclusion, a man whose name was suddenly to burst upon the world like the unexpected flash of a meteor across the sky, and to leave behind a trail of blood.

plural of “arab” — a member of a Semitic people originally from the Arabian peninsula and surrounding territories who speaks Arabic and who inhabits much of the Middle East and northern Africa

From this reading The Arabs who lived near looked upon him as a sacred teacher who would ere long receive a mission from the prophet.

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

From this reading The Arabs who lived near looked upon him as a sacred teacher who would ere long receive a mission from the prophet.

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

From this reading In the wild district of Bakara, for ten years prior to the commencement of our story, there had lived, in the strictest seclusion, a man whose name was suddenly to burst upon the world like the unexpected flash of a meteor across the sky, and to leave behind a trail of blood.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading In the wild district of Bakara, for ten years prior to the commencement of our story, there had lived, in the strictest seclusion, a man whose name was suddenly to burst upon the world like the unexpected flash of a meteor across the sky, and to leave behind a trail of blood.

The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.

From this reading In the wild district of Bakara, for ten years prior to the commencement of our story, there had lived, in the strictest seclusion, a man whose name was suddenly to burst upon the world like the unexpected flash of a meteor across the sky, and to leave behind a trail of blood.

come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure

From this reading In the wild district of Bakara, for ten years prior to the commencement of our story, there had lived, in the strictest seclusion, a man whose name was suddenly to burst upon the world like the unexpected flash of a meteor across the sky, and to leave behind a trail of blood.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He lived on the wild fruit and roots which grew about his place, he drank nothing but water, and he spent twelve hours out of the twenty-four in prayer.

the time at which something is supposed to begin

From this reading In the wild district of Bakara, for ten years prior to the commencement of our story, there had lived, in the strictest seclusion, a man whose name was suddenly to burst upon the world like the unexpected flash of a meteor across the sky, and to leave behind a trail of blood.

zealous in devotion or affection

From this reading This man devoted his whole life to the exercises of religion.

a region marked off for administrative or other purposes

From this reading In the wild district of Bakara, for ten years prior to the commencement of our story, there had lived, in the strictest seclusion, a man whose name was suddenly to burst upon the world like the unexpected flash of a meteor across the sky, and to leave behind a trail of blood.

inflected form of “drink” — take in liquids

From this reading He lived on the wild fruit and roots which grew about his place, he drank nothing but water, and he spent twelve hours out of the twenty-four in prayer.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading He slept only four hours each night, and the remaining eight were devoted to study and the obtaining of the necessaries of life.

being one more than seven

From this reading He slept only four hours each night, and the remaining eight were devoted to study and the obtaining of the necessaries of life.

an old word for “before”

From this reading The Arabs who lived near looked upon him as a sacred teacher who would ere long receive a mission from the prophet.

plural of “exercise” — the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit

From this reading This man devoted his whole life to the exercises of religion.

gleam or glow intermittently

From this reading In the wild district of Bakara, for ten years prior to the commencement of our story, there had lived, in the strictest seclusion, a man whose name was suddenly to burst upon the world like the unexpected flash of a meteor across the sky, and to leave behind a trail of blood.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In the wild district of Bakara, for ten years prior to the commencement of our story, there had lived, in the strictest seclusion, a man whose name was suddenly to burst upon the world like the unexpected flash of a meteor across the sky, and to leave behind a trail of blood.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading He slept only four hours each night, and the remaining eight were devoted to study and the obtaining of the necessaries of life.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The Arabs who lived near looked upon him as a sacred teacher who would ere long receive a mission from the prophet.

the ripened reproductive body of a seed plant

From this reading He lived on the wild fruit and roots which grew about his place, he drank nothing but water, and he spent twelve hours out of the twenty-four in prayer.

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

From this reading He lived on the wild fruit and roots which grew about his place, he drank nothing but water, and he spent twelve hours out of the twenty-four in prayer.

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

From this reading In the wild district of Bakara, for ten years prior to the commencement of our story, there had lived, in the strictest seclusion, a man whose name was suddenly to burst upon the world like the unexpected flash of a meteor across the sky, and to leave behind a trail of blood.

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

From this reading He lived on the wild fruit and roots which grew about his place, he drank nothing but water, and he spent twelve hours out of the twenty-four in prayer.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The Arabs who lived near looked upon him as a sacred teacher who would ere long receive a mission from the prophet.

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

From this reading This man devoted his whole life to the exercises of religion.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading He lived on the wild fruit and roots which grew about his place, he drank nothing but water, and he spent twelve hours out of the twenty-four in prayer.

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

From this reading In the wild district of Bakara, for ten years prior to the commencement of our story, there had lived, in the strictest seclusion, a man whose name was suddenly to burst upon the world like the unexpected flash of a meteor across the sky, and to leave behind a trail of blood.

go away from a place

From this reading In the wild district of Bakara, for ten years prior to the commencement of our story, there had lived, in the strictest seclusion, a man whose name was suddenly to burst upon the world like the unexpected flash of a meteor across the sky, and to leave behind a trail of blood.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading This man devoted his whole life to the exercises of religion.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading In the wild district of Bakara, for ten years prior to the commencement of our story, there had lived, in the strictest seclusion, a man whose name was suddenly to burst upon the world like the unexpected flash of a meteor across the sky, and to leave behind a trail of blood.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading In the wild district of Bakara, for ten years prior to the commencement of our story, there had lived, in the strictest seclusion, a man whose name was suddenly to burst upon the world like the unexpected flash of a meteor across the sky, and to leave behind a trail of blood.

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 Arabs who lived near looked upon him as a sacred teacher who would ere long receive a mission from the prophet.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading The Arabs who lived near looked upon him as a sacred teacher who would ere long receive a mission from the prophet.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading In the wild district of Bakara, for ten years prior to the commencement of our story, there had lived, in the strictest seclusion, a man whose name was suddenly to burst upon the world like the unexpected flash of a meteor across the sky, and to leave behind a trail of blood.

(astronomy) any of the small solid extraterrestrial bodies that hits the earth's atmosphere

From this reading In the wild district of Bakara, for ten years prior to the commencement of our story, there had lived, in the strictest seclusion, a man whose name was suddenly to burst upon the world like the unexpected flash of a meteor across the sky, and to leave behind a trail of blood.

an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work

From this reading The Arabs who lived near looked upon him as a sacred teacher who would ere long receive a mission from the prophet.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading In the wild district of Bakara, for ten years prior to the commencement of our story, there had lived, in the strictest seclusion, a man whose name was suddenly to burst upon the world like the unexpected flash of a meteor across the sky, and to leave behind a trail of blood.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading The Arabs who lived near looked upon him as a sacred teacher who would ere long receive a mission from the prophet.

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

From this reading He slept only four hours each night, and the remaining eight were devoted to study and the obtaining of the necessaries of life.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading He slept only four hours each night, and the remaining eight were devoted to study and the obtaining of the necessaries of life.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading He lived on the wild fruit and roots which grew about his place, he drank nothing but water, and he spent twelve hours out of the twenty-four in prayer.

-ing form of “obtain” — come into possession of

From this reading He slept only four hours each night, and the remaining eight were devoted to study and the obtaining of the necessaries of life.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In the wild district of Bakara, for ten years prior to the commencement of our story, there had lived, in the strictest seclusion, a man whose name was suddenly to burst upon the world like the unexpected flash of a meteor across the sky, and to leave behind a trail of blood.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He lived on the wild fruit and roots which grew about his place, he drank nothing but water, and he spent twelve hours out of the twenty-four in prayer.

and nothing more

From this reading He slept only four hours each night, and the remaining eight were devoted to study and the obtaining of the necessaries of life.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading In the wild district of Bakara, for ten years prior to the commencement of our story, there had lived, in the strictest seclusion, a man whose name was suddenly to burst upon the world like the unexpected flash of a meteor across the sky, and to leave behind a trail of blood.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading He lived on the wild fruit and roots which grew about his place, he drank nothing but water, and he spent twelve hours out of the twenty-four in prayer.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading He lived on the wild fruit and roots which grew about his place, he drank nothing but water, and he spent twelve hours out of the twenty-four in prayer.

the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)

From this reading He lived on the wild fruit and roots which grew about his place, he drank nothing but water, and he spent twelve hours out of the twenty-four in prayer.

earlier in time

From this reading In the wild district of Bakara, for ten years prior to the commencement of our story, there had lived, in the strictest seclusion, a man whose name was suddenly to burst upon the world like the unexpected flash of a meteor across the sky, and to leave behind a trail of blood.

an authoritative person who divines the future

From this reading The Arabs who lived near looked upon him as a sacred teacher who would ere long receive a mission from the prophet.

get something; come into possession of

From this reading The Arabs who lived near looked upon him as a sacred teacher who would ere long receive a mission from the prophet.

a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny

From this reading This man devoted his whole life to the exercises of religion.

not used up

From this reading He slept only four hours each night, and the remaining eight were devoted to study and the obtaining of the necessaries of life.

the condition of belonging to a particular place or group by virtue of social or ethnic or cultural lineage

From this reading He lived on the wild fruit and roots which grew about his place, he drank nothing but water, and he spent twelve hours out of the twenty-four in prayer.

concerned with religion or religious purposes

From this reading The Arabs who lived near looked upon him as a sacred teacher who would ere long receive a mission from the prophet.

the quality of being secluded from the presence or view of others

From this reading In the wild district of Bakara, for ten years prior to the commencement of our story, there had lived, in the strictest seclusion, a man whose name was suddenly to burst upon the world like the unexpected flash of a meteor across the sky, and to leave behind a trail of blood.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading In the wild district of Bakara, for ten years prior to the commencement of our story, there had lived, in the strictest seclusion, a man whose name was suddenly to burst upon the world like the unexpected flash of a meteor across the sky, and to leave behind a trail of blood.

inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep

From this reading He slept only four hours each night, and the remaining eight were devoted to study and the obtaining of the necessaries of life.

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading He lived on the wild fruit and roots which grew about his place, he drank nothing but water, and he spent twelve hours out of the twenty-four in prayer.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading In the wild district of Bakara, for ten years prior to the commencement of our story, there had lived, in the strictest seclusion, a man whose name was suddenly to burst upon the world like the unexpected flash of a meteor across the sky, and to leave behind a trail of blood.

superlative of “strict” — rigidly accurate; allowing no deviation from a standard

From this reading In the wild district of Bakara, for ten years prior to the commencement of our story, there had lived, in the strictest seclusion, a man whose name was suddenly to burst upon the world like the unexpected flash of a meteor across the sky, and to leave behind a trail of blood.

a detailed critical inspection

From this reading He slept only four hours each night, and the remaining eight were devoted to study and the obtaining of the necessaries of life.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading In the wild district of Bakara, for ten years prior to the commencement of our story, there had lived, in the strictest seclusion, a man whose name was suddenly to burst upon the world like the unexpected flash of a meteor across the sky, and to leave behind a trail of blood.

a person whose occupation is teaching

From this reading The Arabs who lived near looked upon him as a sacred teacher who would ere long receive a mission from the prophet.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading In the wild district of Bakara, for ten years prior to the commencement of our story, there had lived, in the strictest seclusion, a man whose name was suddenly to burst upon the world like the unexpected flash of a meteor across the sky, and to leave behind a trail of blood.

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

From this reading In the wild district of Bakara, for ten years prior to the commencement of our story, there had lived, in the strictest seclusion, a man whose name was suddenly to burst upon the world like the unexpected flash of a meteor across the sky, and to leave behind a trail of blood.

in or at that place or location

From this reading In the wild district of Bakara, for ten years prior to the commencement of our story, there had lived, in the strictest seclusion, a man whose name was suddenly to burst upon the world like the unexpected flash of a meteor across the sky, and to leave behind a trail of blood.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This man devoted his whole life to the exercises of religion.

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

From this reading In the wild district of Bakara, for ten years prior to the commencement of our story, there had lived, in the strictest seclusion, a man whose name was suddenly to burst upon the world like the unexpected flash of a meteor across the sky, and to leave behind a trail of blood.

a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading In the wild district of Bakara, for ten years prior to the commencement of our story, there had lived, in the strictest seclusion, a man whose name was suddenly to burst upon the world like the unexpected flash of a meteor across the sky, and to leave behind a trail of blood.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading He lived on the wild fruit and roots which grew about his place, he drank nothing but water, and he spent twelve hours out of the twenty-four in prayer.

being four more than twenty

From this reading He lived on the wild fruit and roots which grew about his place, he drank nothing but water, and he spent twelve hours out of the twenty-four in prayer.

not expected or anticipated

From this reading In the wild district of Bakara, for ten years prior to the commencement of our story, there had lived, in the strictest seclusion, a man whose name was suddenly to burst upon the world like the unexpected flash of a meteor across the sky, and to leave behind a trail of blood.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading In the wild district of Bakara, for ten years prior to the commencement of our story, there had lived, in the strictest seclusion, a man whose name was suddenly to burst upon the world like the unexpected flash of a meteor across the sky, and to leave behind a trail of blood.

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

From this reading In the wild district of Bakara, for ten years prior to the commencement of our story, there had lived, in the strictest seclusion, a man whose name was suddenly to burst upon the world like the unexpected flash of a meteor across the sky, and to leave behind a trail of blood.

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

From this reading He lived on the wild fruit and roots which grew about his place, he drank nothing but water, and he spent twelve hours out of the twenty-four in prayer.

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

From this reading He slept only four hours each night, and the remaining eight were devoted to study and the obtaining of the necessaries of life.

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

From this reading He lived on the wild fruit and roots which grew about his place, he drank nothing but water, and he spent twelve hours out of the twenty-four in prayer.

which person or people

From this reading The Arabs who lived near looked upon him as a sacred teacher who would ere long receive a mission from the prophet.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading This man devoted his whole life to the exercises of religion.

belonging to which person

From this reading In the wild district of Bakara, for ten years prior to the commencement of our story, there had lived, in the strictest seclusion, a man whose name was suddenly to burst upon the world like the unexpected flash of a meteor across the sky, and to leave behind a trail of blood.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading In the wild district of Bakara, for ten years prior to the commencement of our story, there had lived, in the strictest seclusion, a man whose name was suddenly to burst upon the world like the unexpected flash of a meteor across the sky, and to leave behind a trail of blood.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading In the wild district of Bakara, for ten years prior to the commencement of our story, there had lived, in the strictest seclusion, a man whose name was suddenly to burst upon the world like the unexpected flash of a meteor across the sky, and to leave behind a trail of blood.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading The Arabs who lived near looked upon him as a sacred teacher who would ere long receive a mission from the prophet.

a late time of life

From this reading In the wild district of Bakara, for ten years prior to the commencement of our story, there had lived, in the strictest seclusion, a man whose name was suddenly to burst upon the world like the unexpected flash of a meteor across the sky, and to leave behind a trail of blood.