used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading SUPERSTITIONS OF KING MOMBO—VISITS TO THE HOUSE OF HIS IDOLS AND HIS ANCESTORS—A STRANGE MEAL FOLLOWED BY A STRANGE DANCE.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading He was often unhappy on that account.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading He wore what he firmly believed to be most potent “mondahs,” charms against witchcraft and evil spirits.
(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 He was thinking almost all the time that some of his relations wanted to bewitch him in order to inherit his wealth, which was composed chiefly of wives and slaves.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading He was thinking almost all the time that some of his relations wanted to bewitch him in order to inherit his wealth, which was composed chiefly of wives and slaves.
ANCESTORSnounUS /ˈænsestərz/
plural of “ancestor” — someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)
From this reading SUPERSTITIONS OF KING MOMBO—VISITS TO THE HOUSE OF HIS IDOLS AND HIS ANCESTORS—A STRANGE MEAL FOLLOWED BY A STRANGE DANCE.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading SUPERSTITIONS OF KING MOMBO—VISITS TO THE HOUSE OF HIS IDOLS AND HIS ANCESTORS—A STRANGE MEAL FOLLOWED BY A STRANGE DANCE.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He wore what he firmly believed to be most potent “mondahs,” charms against witchcraft and evil spirits.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading He wore what he firmly believed to be most potent “mondahs,” charms against witchcraft and evil spirits.
bewitchverbUS /bɪˈwɪtʃ/
attract; cause to be enamored
From this reading He was thinking almost all the time that some of his relations wanted to bewitch him in order to inherit his wealth, which was composed chiefly of wives and slaves.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading SUPERSTITIONS OF KING MOMBO—VISITS TO THE HOUSE OF HIS IDOLS AND HIS ANCESTORS—A STRANGE MEAL FOLLOWED BY A STRANGE DANCE.
charmsnounUS /tʃɑːrmz/
plural of “charm” — attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates
From this reading He wore what he firmly believed to be most potent “mondahs,” charms against witchcraft and evil spirits.
chieflyadverbUS /ˈtʃiːfli/
for the most part
From this reading He was thinking almost all the time that some of his relations wanted to bewitch him in order to inherit his wealth, which was composed chiefly of wives and slaves.
serenely self-possessed and free from agitation especially in times of stress
From this reading He was thinking almost all the time that some of his relations wanted to bewitch him in order to inherit his wealth, which was composed chiefly of wives and slaves.
an artistic form of nonverbal communication
From this reading SUPERSTITIONS OF KING MOMBO—VISITS TO THE HOUSE OF HIS IDOLS AND HIS ANCESTORS—A STRANGE MEAL FOLLOWED BY A STRANGE DANCE.
morally objectionable behavior
From this reading He wore what he firmly believed to be most potent “mondahs,” charms against witchcraft and evil spirits.
excessivelyadverbUS /ɪkˈsesɪvli/
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Poor King Mombo was, you will see, excessively superstitious.
with resolute determination
From this reading He wore what he firmly believed to be most potent “mondahs,” charms against witchcraft and evil spirits.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading SUPERSTITIONS OF KING MOMBO—VISITS TO THE HOUSE OF HIS IDOLS AND HIS ANCESTORS—A STRANGE MEAL FOLLOWED BY A STRANGE DANCE.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was often unhappy on that account.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was thinking almost all the time that some of his relations wanted to bewitch him in order to inherit his wealth, which was composed chiefly of wives and slaves.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading SUPERSTITIONS OF KING MOMBO—VISITS TO THE HOUSE OF HIS IDOLS AND HIS ANCESTORS—A STRANGE MEAL FOLLOWED BY A STRANGE DANCE.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading SUPERSTITIONS OF KING MOMBO—VISITS TO THE HOUSE OF HIS IDOLS AND HIS ANCESTORS—A STRANGE MEAL FOLLOWED BY A STRANGE DANCE.
IDOLSnounUS /ˈaɪdəlz/
plural of “idol” — a material effigy that is worshipped
From this reading SUPERSTITIONS OF KING MOMBO—VISITS TO THE HOUSE OF HIS IDOLS AND HIS ANCESTORS—A STRANGE MEAL FOLLOWED BY A STRANGE DANCE.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was thinking almost all the time that some of his relations wanted to bewitch him in order to inherit his wealth, which was composed chiefly of wives and slaves.
inheritverbUS /ˌɪnˈherət/
obtain from someone after their death
From this reading He was thinking almost all the time that some of his relations wanted to bewitch him in order to inherit his wealth, which was composed chiefly of wives and slaves.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading SUPERSTITIONS OF KING MOMBO—VISITS TO THE HOUSE OF HIS IDOLS AND HIS ANCESTORS—A STRANGE MEAL FOLLOWED BY A STRANGE DANCE.
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading SUPERSTITIONS OF KING MOMBO—VISITS TO THE HOUSE OF HIS IDOLS AND HIS ANCESTORS—A STRANGE MEAL FOLLOWED BY A STRANGE DANCE.
MOMBO
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SUPERSTITIONS OF KING MOMBO—VISITS TO THE HOUSE OF HIS IDOLS AND HIS ANCESTORS—A STRANGE MEAL FOLLOWED BY A STRANGE DANCE.
mondahs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wore what he firmly believed to be most potent “mondahs,” charms against witchcraft and evil spirits.
used to form the superlative
From this reading He wore what he firmly believed to be most potent “mondahs,” charms against witchcraft and evil spirits.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SUPERSTITIONS OF KING MOMBO—VISITS TO THE HOUSE OF HIS IDOLS AND HIS ANCESTORS—A STRANGE MEAL FOLLOWED BY A STRANGE DANCE.
many times at short intervals
From this reading He was often unhappy on that account.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He was often unhappy on that account.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading He was thinking almost all the time that some of his relations wanted to bewitch him in order to inherit his wealth, which was composed chiefly of wives and slaves.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading Poor King Mombo was, you will see, excessively superstitious.
potentadjectiveUS /ˈpoʊtənt/
having great influence
From this reading He wore what he firmly believed to be most potent “mondahs,” charms against witchcraft and evil spirits.
mutual dealings or connections or communications among persons or groups
From this reading He was thinking almost all the time that some of his relations wanted to bewitch him in order to inherit his wealth, which was composed chiefly of wives and slaves.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Poor King Mombo was, you will see, excessively superstitious.
plural of “slave” — a person who is owned by someone
From this reading He was thinking almost all the time that some of his relations wanted to bewitch him in order to inherit his wealth, which was composed chiefly of wives and slaves.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He was thinking almost all the time that some of his relations wanted to bewitch him in order to inherit his wealth, which was composed chiefly of wives and slaves.
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading He wore what he firmly believed to be most potent “mondahs,” charms against witchcraft and evil spirits.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading SUPERSTITIONS OF KING MOMBO—VISITS TO THE HOUSE OF HIS IDOLS AND HIS ANCESTORS—A STRANGE MEAL FOLLOWED BY A STRANGE DANCE.
SUPERSTITIONSnounUS /ˌsuːpərˈstɪʃənz/
plural of “superstition” — an irrational belief arising from ignorance or fear
From this reading SUPERSTITIONS OF KING MOMBO—VISITS TO THE HOUSE OF HIS IDOLS AND HIS ANCESTORS—A STRANGE MEAL FOLLOWED BY A STRANGE DANCE.
superstitiousadjectiveUS /ˌsuːpərˈstɪʃəs/
showing ignorance of the laws of nature and faith in magic or chance
From this reading Poor King Mombo was, you will see, excessively superstitious.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was often unhappy on that account.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SUPERSTITIONS OF KING MOMBO—VISITS TO THE HOUSE OF HIS IDOLS AND HIS ANCESTORS—A STRANGE MEAL FOLLOWED BY A STRANGE DANCE.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading He was thinking almost all the time that some of his relations wanted to bewitch him in order to inherit his wealth, which was composed chiefly of wives and slaves.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He was thinking almost all the time that some of his relations wanted to bewitch him in order to inherit his wealth, which was composed chiefly of wives and slaves.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading SUPERSTITIONS OF KING MOMBO—VISITS TO THE HOUSE OF HIS IDOLS AND HIS ANCESTORS—A STRANGE MEAL FOLLOWED BY A STRANGE DANCE.
experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent
From this reading He was often unhappy on that account.
VISITSnounUS /ˈvɪzɪts/
plural of “visit” — the act of going to see some person or place or thing for a short time
From this reading SUPERSTITIONS OF KING MOMBO—VISITS TO THE HOUSE OF HIS IDOLS AND HIS ANCESTORS—A STRANGE MEAL FOLLOWED BY A STRANGE DANCE.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading He was thinking almost all the time that some of his relations wanted to bewitch him in order to inherit his wealth, which was composed chiefly of wives and slaves.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Poor King Mombo was, you will see, excessively superstitious.
the state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money
From this reading He was thinking almost all the time that some of his relations wanted to bewitch him in order to inherit his wealth, which was composed chiefly of wives and slaves.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He wore what he firmly believed to be most potent “mondahs,” charms against witchcraft and evil spirits.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He was thinking almost all the time that some of his relations wanted to bewitch him in order to inherit his wealth, which was composed chiefly of wives and slaves.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Poor King Mombo was, you will see, excessively superstitious.
witchcraftnounUS /ˈwɪtʃkræft/
the art of sorcery
From this reading He wore what he firmly believed to be most potent “mondahs,” charms against witchcraft and evil spirits.
wivesnounUS /waɪvz/
plural of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading He was thinking almost all the time that some of his relations wanted to bewitch him in order to inherit his wealth, which was composed chiefly of wives and slaves.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading He wore what he firmly believed to be most potent “mondahs,” charms against witchcraft and evil spirits.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Poor King Mombo was, you will see, excessively superstitious.
