used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was now in a dark and entangled hollow, covered with brakes and bushes, from amidst which tall forest trees rose in frequent intervals, gloomy and breathless in the still morning air.
quickly and without warning
From this reading He halted abruptly, and put his hand on his dagger, when a low sharp whistle from the apparition before him was answered around--behind; and, ere he could draw breath, the Israelite was begirt by a group of Moors, in the garb of peasants.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading He was now in a dark and entangled hollow, covered with brakes and bushes, from amidst which tall forest trees rose in frequent intervals, gloomy and breathless in the still morning air.
Almamen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dawn was slowly breaking over the wide valley of Granada, as Almamen pursued his circuitous and solitary path back to the city.
AMBUSHverbUS /ˈæmbʊʃ/
wait in hiding to attack
From this reading THE AMBUSH, THE STRIFE, AND THE CAPTURE.
amidstprepositionUS /əˈmɪdst/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading He was now in a dark and entangled hollow, covered with brakes and bushes, from amidst which tall forest trees rose in frequent intervals, gloomy and breathless in the still morning air.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE AMBUSH, THE STRIFE, AND THE CAPTURE.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading He halted abruptly, and put his hand on his dagger, when a low sharp whistle from the apparition before him was answered around--behind; and, ere he could draw breath, the Israelite was begirt by a group of Moors, in the garb of peasants.
apparitionnounUS /ˌæpərˈɪʃən/
a ghostly appearing figure
From this reading He halted abruptly, and put his hand on his dagger, when a low sharp whistle from the apparition before him was answered around--behind; and, ere he could draw breath, the Israelite was begirt by a group of Moors, in the garb of peasants.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading He halted abruptly, and put his hand on his dagger, when a low sharp whistle from the apparition before him was answered around--behind; and, ere he could draw breath, the Israelite was begirt by a group of Moors, in the garb of peasants.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The dawn was slowly breaking over the wide valley of Granada, as Almamen pursued his circuitous and solitary path back to the city.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The dawn was slowly breaking over the wide valley of Granada, as Almamen pursued his circuitous and solitary path back to the city.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading As, emerging from this jungle, if so it may be called, the towers of Granada gleamed upon him, a human countenance peered from the shade; and Almamen started to see two dark eyes fixed upon his own.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He halted abruptly, and put his hand on his dagger, when a low sharp whistle from the apparition before him was answered around--behind; and, ere he could draw breath, the Israelite was begirt by a group of Moors, in the garb of peasants.
begirt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He halted abruptly, and put his hand on his dagger, when a low sharp whistle from the apparition before him was answered around--behind; and, ere he could draw breath, the Israelite was begirt by a group of Moors, in the garb of peasants.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading He halted abruptly, and put his hand on his dagger, when a low sharp whistle from the apparition before him was answered around--behind; and, ere he could draw breath, the Israelite was begirt by a group of Moors, in the garb of peasants.
brakesnounUS /breɪks/
a braking device consisting of a combination of interacting parts that work to slow a motor vehicle
From this reading He was now in a dark and entangled hollow, covered with brakes and bushes, from amidst which tall forest trees rose in frequent intervals, gloomy and breathless in the still morning air.
the act of breaking something
From this reading The dawn was slowly breaking over the wide valley of Granada, as Almamen pursued his circuitous and solitary path back to the city.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading He halted abruptly, and put his hand on his dagger, when a low sharp whistle from the apparition before him was answered around--behind; and, ere he could draw breath, the Israelite was begirt by a group of Moors, in the garb of peasants.
breathlessadjectiveUS /ˈbreθləs/
not breathing or able to breathe except with difficulty
From this reading He was now in a dark and entangled hollow, covered with brakes and bushes, from amidst which tall forest trees rose in frequent intervals, gloomy and breathless in the still morning air.
plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading He was now in a dark and entangled hollow, covered with brakes and bushes, from amidst which tall forest trees rose in frequent intervals, gloomy and breathless in the still morning air.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He halted abruptly, and put his hand on his dagger, when a low sharp whistle from the apparition before him was answered around--behind; and, ere he could draw breath, the Israelite was begirt by a group of Moors, in the garb of peasants.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading As, emerging from this jungle, if so it may be called, the towers of Granada gleamed upon him, a human countenance peered from the shade; and Almamen started to see two dark eyes fixed upon his own.
CAPTUREverbUS /ˈkæptʃər/
succeed in representing or expressing something intangible
From this reading THE AMBUSH, THE STRIFE, AND THE CAPTURE.
circuitousadjectiveUS /sərˈkjuːɪtəs/
marked by obliqueness or indirection in speech or conduct
From this reading The dawn was slowly breaking over the wide valley of Granada, as Almamen pursued his circuitous and solitary path back to the city.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading The dawn was slowly breaking over the wide valley of Granada, as Almamen pursued his circuitous and solitary path back to the city.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He halted abruptly, and put his hand on his dagger, when a low sharp whistle from the apparition before him was answered around--behind; and, ere he could draw breath, the Israelite was begirt by a group of Moors, in the garb of peasants.
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading As, emerging from this jungle, if so it may be called, the towers of Granada gleamed upon him, a human countenance peered from the shade; and Almamen started to see two dark eyes fixed upon his own.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading He was now in a dark and entangled hollow, covered with brakes and bushes, from amidst which tall forest trees rose in frequent intervals, gloomy and breathless in the still morning air.
daggernounUS /ˈdæɡ.ər/
A short knife with a pointed and edged blade, used as a stealth weapon.
From this reading He halted abruptly, and put his hand on his dagger, when a low sharp whistle from the apparition before him was answered around--behind; and, ere he could draw breath, the Israelite was begirt by a group of Moors, in the garb of peasants.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading He was now in a dark and entangled hollow, covered with brakes and bushes, from amidst which tall forest trees rose in frequent intervals, gloomy and breathless in the still morning air.
the first light of day
From this reading The dawn was slowly breaking over the wide valley of Granada, as Almamen pursued his circuitous and solitary path back to the city.
cause to move by pulling
From this reading He halted abruptly, and put his hand on his dagger, when a low sharp whistle from the apparition before him was answered around--behind; and, ere he could draw breath, the Israelite was begirt by a group of Moors, in the garb of peasants.
emergingadjectiveUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒɪŋ/
coming to maturity
From this reading As, emerging from this jungle, if so it may be called, the towers of Granada gleamed upon him, a human countenance peered from the shade; and Almamen started to see two dark eyes fixed upon his own.
entangledadjectiveUS /enˈtæŋɡəld/
deeply involved especially in something complicated
From this reading He was now in a dark and entangled hollow, covered with brakes and bushes, from amidst which tall forest trees rose in frequent intervals, gloomy and breathless in the still morning air.
an old word for “before”
From this reading He halted abruptly, and put his hand on his dagger, when a low sharp whistle from the apparition before him was answered around--behind; and, ere he could draw breath, the Israelite was begirt by a group of Moors, in the garb of peasants.
opinion or judgment
From this reading As, emerging from this jungle, if so it may be called, the towers of Granada gleamed upon him, a human countenance peered from the shade; and Almamen started to see two dark eyes fixed upon his own.
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading As, emerging from this jungle, if so it may be called, the towers of Granada gleamed upon him, a human countenance peered from the shade; and Almamen started to see two dark eyes fixed upon his own.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading He was now in a dark and entangled hollow, covered with brakes and bushes, from amidst which tall forest trees rose in frequent intervals, gloomy and breathless in the still morning air.
frequentverbUS /ˈfriːkwənt/
do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of
From this reading He was now in a dark and entangled hollow, covered with brakes and bushes, from amidst which tall forest trees rose in frequent intervals, gloomy and breathless in the still morning air.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He was now in a dark and entangled hollow, covered with brakes and bushes, from amidst which tall forest trees rose in frequent intervals, gloomy and breathless in the still morning air.
garbnounUS /ɡɑːrb/
clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion
From this reading He halted abruptly, and put his hand on his dagger, when a low sharp whistle from the apparition before him was answered around--behind; and, ere he could draw breath, the Israelite was begirt by a group of Moors, in the garb of peasants.
gleamedverbUS /ɡliːmd/
past form of “gleam” — be shiny, as if wet
From this reading As, emerging from this jungle, if so it may be called, the towers of Granada gleamed upon him, a human countenance peered from the shade; and Almamen started to see two dark eyes fixed upon his own.
depressingly dark
From this reading He was now in a dark and entangled hollow, covered with brakes and bushes, from amidst which tall forest trees rose in frequent intervals, gloomy and breathless in the still morning air.
GranadanounUS /ɡrəˈnɑːdə/
a city in southeastern Spain that was the capital of the Moorish kingdom until it was captured by Ferdinand and Isabella in 1492
From this reading The dawn was slowly breaking over the wide valley of Granada, as Almamen pursued his circuitous and solitary path back to the city.
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading He halted abruptly, and put his hand on his dagger, when a low sharp whistle from the apparition before him was answered around--behind; and, ere he could draw breath, the Israelite was begirt by a group of Moors, in the garb of peasants.
haltedverbUS /ˈhɔːltəd/
past form of “halt” — cause to stop
From this reading He halted abruptly, and put his hand on his dagger, when a low sharp whistle from the apparition before him was answered around--behind; and, ere he could draw breath, the Israelite was begirt by a group of Moors, in the garb of peasants.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading He halted abruptly, and put his hand on his dagger, when a low sharp whistle from the apparition before him was answered around--behind; and, ere he could draw breath, the Israelite was begirt by a group of Moors, in the garb of peasants.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was now in a dark and entangled hollow, covered with brakes and bushes, from amidst which tall forest trees rose in frequent intervals, gloomy and breathless in the still morning air.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As, emerging from this jungle, if so it may be called, the towers of Granada gleamed upon him, a human countenance peered from the shade; and Almamen started to see two dark eyes fixed upon his own.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The dawn was slowly breaking over the wide valley of Granada, as Almamen pursued his circuitous and solitary path back to the city.
not solid; having a space or gap or cavity
From this reading He was now in a dark and entangled hollow, covered with brakes and bushes, from amidst which tall forest trees rose in frequent intervals, gloomy and breathless in the still morning air.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading As, emerging from this jungle, if so it may be called, the towers of Granada gleamed upon him, a human countenance peered from the shade; and Almamen started to see two dark eyes fixed upon his own.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading As, emerging from this jungle, if so it may be called, the towers of Granada gleamed upon him, a human countenance peered from the shade; and Almamen started to see two dark eyes fixed upon his own.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was now in a dark and entangled hollow, covered with brakes and bushes, from amidst which tall forest trees rose in frequent intervals, gloomy and breathless in the still morning air.
plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading He was now in a dark and entangled hollow, covered with brakes and bushes, from amidst which tall forest trees rose in frequent intervals, gloomy and breathless in the still morning air.
IsraelitenounUS /ˈɪzrəlaɪt/
a native or inhabitant of the ancient kingdom of Israel
From this reading He halted abruptly, and put his hand on his dagger, when a low sharp whistle from the apparition before him was answered around--behind; and, ere he could draw breath, the Israelite was begirt by a group of Moors, in the garb of peasants.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As, emerging from this jungle, if so it may be called, the towers of Granada gleamed upon him, a human countenance peered from the shade; and Almamen started to see two dark eyes fixed upon his own.
junglenounUS /ˈdʒʌŋɡəl/
a location marked by an intense competition and struggle for survival
From this reading As, emerging from this jungle, if so it may be called, the towers of Granada gleamed upon him, a human countenance peered from the shade; and Almamen started to see two dark eyes fixed upon his own.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading He halted abruptly, and put his hand on his dagger, when a low sharp whistle from the apparition before him was answered around--behind; and, ere he could draw breath, the Israelite was begirt by a group of Moors, in the garb of peasants.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading As, emerging from this jungle, if so it may be called, the towers of Granada gleamed upon him, a human countenance peered from the shade; and Almamen started to see two dark eyes fixed upon his own.
MoorsnounUS /mʊrz/
plural of “moor” — one of the Muslim people of north Africa; of mixed Arab and Berber descent; converted to Islam in the 8th century; conqueror of Spain in the 8th century
From this reading He halted abruptly, and put his hand on his dagger, when a low sharp whistle from the apparition before him was answered around--behind; and, ere he could draw breath, the Israelite was begirt by a group of Moors, in the garb of peasants.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading He was now in a dark and entangled hollow, covered with brakes and bushes, from amidst which tall forest trees rose in frequent intervals, gloomy and breathless in the still morning air.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He was now in a dark and entangled hollow, covered with brakes and bushes, from amidst which tall forest trees rose in frequent intervals, gloomy and breathless in the still morning air.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The dawn was slowly breaking over the wide valley of Granada, as Almamen pursued his circuitous and solitary path back to the city.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He halted abruptly, and put his hand on his dagger, when a low sharp whistle from the apparition before him was answered around--behind; and, ere he could draw breath, the Israelite was begirt by a group of Moors, in the garb of peasants.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The dawn was slowly breaking over the wide valley of Granada, as Almamen pursued his circuitous and solitary path back to the city.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading As, emerging from this jungle, if so it may be called, the towers of Granada gleamed upon him, a human countenance peered from the shade; and Almamen started to see two dark eyes fixed upon his own.
a course of conduct
From this reading The dawn was slowly breaking over the wide valley of Granada, as Almamen pursued his circuitous and solitary path back to the city.
peasantsnounUS /ˈpezənts/
plural of “peasant” — a country person
From this reading He halted abruptly, and put his hand on his dagger, when a low sharp whistle from the apparition before him was answered around--behind; and, ere he could draw breath, the Israelite was begirt by a group of Moors, in the garb of peasants.
peeredverbUS /pɪrd/
past form of “peer” — look searchingly
From this reading As, emerging from this jungle, if so it may be called, the towers of Granada gleamed upon him, a human countenance peered from the shade; and Almamen started to see two dark eyes fixed upon his own.
a person who is being chased
From this reading The dawn was slowly breaking over the wide valley of Granada, as Almamen pursued his circuitous and solitary path back to the city.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He halted abruptly, and put his hand on his dagger, when a low sharp whistle from the apparition before him was answered around--behind; and, ere he could draw breath, the Israelite was begirt by a group of Moors, in the garb of peasants.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading He was now in a dark and entangled hollow, covered with brakes and bushes, from amidst which tall forest trees rose in frequent intervals, gloomy and breathless in the still morning air.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading As, emerging from this jungle, if so it may be called, the towers of Granada gleamed upon him, a human countenance peered from the shade; and Almamen started to see two dark eyes fixed upon his own.
relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body
From this reading As, emerging from this jungle, if so it may be called, the towers of Granada gleamed upon him, a human countenance peered from the shade; and Almamen started to see two dark eyes fixed upon his own.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading He halted abruptly, and put his hand on his dagger, when a low sharp whistle from the apparition before him was answered around--behind; and, ere he could draw breath, the Israelite was begirt by a group of Moors, in the garb of peasants.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading The dawn was slowly breaking over the wide valley of Granada, as Almamen pursued his circuitous and solitary path back to the city.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading As, emerging from this jungle, if so it may be called, the towers of Granada gleamed upon him, a human countenance peered from the shade; and Almamen started to see two dark eyes fixed upon his own.
characterized by or preferring solitude
From this reading The dawn was slowly breaking over the wide valley of Granada, as Almamen pursued his circuitous and solitary path back to the city.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading As, emerging from this jungle, if so it may be called, the towers of Granada gleamed upon him, a human countenance peered from the shade; and Almamen started to see two dark eyes fixed upon his own.
not in physical motion
From this reading He was now in a dark and entangled hollow, covered with brakes and bushes, from amidst which tall forest trees rose in frequent intervals, gloomy and breathless in the still morning air.
STRIFEnounUS /straɪf/
lack of agreement or harmony
From this reading THE AMBUSH, THE STRIFE, AND THE CAPTURE.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading He was now in a dark and entangled hollow, covered with brakes and bushes, from amidst which tall forest trees rose in frequent intervals, gloomy and breathless in the still morning air.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE AMBUSH, THE STRIFE, AND THE CAPTURE.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading As, emerging from this jungle, if so it may be called, the towers of Granada gleamed upon him, a human countenance peered from the shade; and Almamen started to see two dark eyes fixed upon his own.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The dawn was slowly breaking over the wide valley of Granada, as Almamen pursued his circuitous and solitary path back to the city.
towersnounUS /ˈtaʊərz/
plural of “tower” — a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading As, emerging from this jungle, if so it may be called, the towers of Granada gleamed upon him, a human countenance peered from the shade; and Almamen started to see two dark eyes fixed upon his own.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading He was now in a dark and entangled hollow, covered with brakes and bushes, from amidst which tall forest trees rose in frequent intervals, gloomy and breathless in the still morning air.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading As, emerging from this jungle, if so it may be called, the towers of Granada gleamed upon him, a human countenance peered from the shade; and Almamen started to see two dark eyes fixed upon his own.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading As, emerging from this jungle, if so it may be called, the towers of Granada gleamed upon him, a human countenance peered from the shade; and Almamen started to see two dark eyes fixed upon his own.
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading The dawn was slowly breaking over the wide valley of Granada, as Almamen pursued his circuitous and solitary path back to the city.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The dawn was slowly breaking over the wide valley of Granada, as Almamen pursued his circuitous and solitary path back to the city.
at the time that
From this reading He halted abruptly, and put his hand on his dagger, when a low sharp whistle from the apparition before him was answered around--behind; and, ere he could draw breath, the Israelite was begirt by a group of Moors, in the garb of peasants.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He was now in a dark and entangled hollow, covered with brakes and bushes, from amidst which tall forest trees rose in frequent intervals, gloomy and breathless in the still morning air.
whistleverbUS /ˈwɪsəl/
make whistling sounds
From this reading He halted abruptly, and put his hand on his dagger, when a low sharp whistle from the apparition before him was answered around--behind; and, ere he could draw breath, the Israelite was begirt by a group of Moors, in the garb of peasants.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The dawn was slowly breaking over the wide valley of Granada, as Almamen pursued his circuitous and solitary path back to the city.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was now in a dark and entangled hollow, covered with brakes and bushes, from amidst which tall forest trees rose in frequent intervals, gloomy and breathless in the still morning air.
