used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A loose robe of light material from Kashmir thrown around him, Isaacs half sat, half lay, on the soft dark cushions in the corner of his outer room.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading His feet were slipperless, Eastern fashion, and his head covered with an embroidered cap of curious make.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His feet were slipperless, Eastern fashion, and his head covered with an embroidered cap of curious make.
ArabicnounUS /ˈærəbɪk/
the Semitic language of the Arabs; spoken in a variety of dialects
From this reading By the yellow light of the hanging lamps he was reading an Arabic book, and his face wore a puzzled look that sat strangely on the bold features.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading A loose robe of light material from Kashmir thrown around him, Isaacs half sat, half lay, on the soft dark cushions in the corner of his outer room.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As I entered the book fell back on the cushion, sinking deep into the down by its weight, and one of the heavy gold clasps clanged sharply as it turned.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading As I entered the book fell back on the cushion, sinking deep into the down by its weight, and one of the heavy gold clasps clanged sharply as it turned.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He looked up, but did not rise, and greeted me, smiling, with the Arabic salutation-- "Peace be with you!"
fearless and daring
From this reading By the yellow light of the hanging lamps he was reading an Arabic book, and his face wore a puzzled look that sat strangely on the bold features.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading By the yellow light of the hanging lamps he was reading an Arabic book, and his face wore a puzzled look that sat strangely on the bold features.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He looked up, but did not rise, and greeted me, smiling, with the Arabic salutation-- "Peace be with you!"
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By the yellow light of the hanging lamps he was reading an Arabic book, and his face wore a puzzled look that sat strangely on the bold features.
a tight-fitting headdress
From this reading His feet were slipperless, Eastern fashion, and his head covered with an embroidered cap of curious make.
clanged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I entered the book fell back on the cushion, sinking deep into the down by its weight, and one of the heavy gold clasps clanged sharply as it turned.
clasps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I entered the book fell back on the cushion, sinking deep into the down by its weight, and one of the heavy gold clasps clanged sharply as it turned.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading A loose robe of light material from Kashmir thrown around him, Isaacs half sat, half lay, on the soft dark cushions in the corner of his outer room.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading His feet were slipperless, Eastern fashion, and his head covered with an embroidered cap of curious make.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading His feet were slipperless, Eastern fashion, and his head covered with an embroidered cap of curious make.
cushionnounUS /ˈkʊʃən/
a mechanical damper; absorbs energy of sudden impulses
From this reading As I entered the book fell back on the cushion, sinking deep into the down by its weight, and one of the heavy gold clasps clanged sharply as it turned.
cushionsnounUS /ˈkʊʃənz/
plural of “cushion” — a mechanical damper; absorbs energy of sudden impulses
From this reading A loose robe of light material from Kashmir thrown around him, Isaacs half sat, half lay, on the soft dark cushions in the corner of his outer room.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading A loose robe of light material from Kashmir thrown around him, Isaacs half sat, half lay, on the soft dark cushions in the corner of his outer room.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading As I entered the book fell back on the cushion, sinking deep into the down by its weight, and one of the heavy gold clasps clanged sharply as it turned.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He looked up, but did not rise, and greeted me, smiling, with the Arabic salutation-- "Peace be with you!"
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading As I entered the book fell back on the cushion, sinking deep into the down by its weight, and one of the heavy gold clasps clanged sharply as it turned.
EasternadjectiveUS /ˈiːstərn/
lying toward or situated in the east
From this reading His feet were slipperless, Eastern fashion, and his head covered with an embroidered cap of curious make.
embroideredverbUS /emˈbrɔɪdərd/
past form of “embroider” — decorate with needlework
From this reading His feet were slipperless, Eastern fashion, and his head covered with an embroidered cap of curious make.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading As I entered the book fell back on the cushion, sinking deep into the down by its weight, and one of the heavy gold clasps clanged sharply as it turned.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading By the yellow light of the hanging lamps he was reading an Arabic book, and his face wore a puzzled look that sat strangely on the bold features.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading His feet were slipperless, Eastern fashion, and his head covered with an embroidered cap of curious make.
plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading By the yellow light of the hanging lamps he was reading an Arabic book, and his face wore a puzzled look that sat strangely on the bold features.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading His feet were slipperless, Eastern fashion, and his head covered with an embroidered cap of curious make.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading As I entered the book fell back on the cushion, sinking deep into the down by its weight, and one of the heavy gold clasps clanged sharply as it turned.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A loose robe of light material from Kashmir thrown around him, Isaacs half sat, half lay, on the soft dark cushions in the corner of his outer room.
coins made of gold
From this reading As I entered the book fell back on the cushion, sinking deep into the down by its weight, and one of the heavy gold clasps clanged sharply as it turned.
greetedverbUS /ˈɡriːtəd/
past form of “greet” — express greetings upon meeting someone
From this reading He looked up, but did not rise, and greeted me, smiling, with the Arabic salutation-- "Peace be with you!"
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading A loose robe of light material from Kashmir thrown around him, Isaacs half sat, half lay, on the soft dark cushions in the corner of his outer room.
decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window
From this reading By the yellow light of the hanging lamps he was reading an Arabic book, and his face wore a puzzled look that sat strangely on the bold features.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading By the yellow light of the hanging lamps he was reading an Arabic book, and his face wore a puzzled look that sat strangely on the bold features.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading His feet were slipperless, Eastern fashion, and his head covered with an embroidered cap of curious make.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading As I entered the book fell back on the cushion, sinking deep into the down by its weight, and one of the heavy gold clasps clanged sharply as it turned.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A loose robe of light material from Kashmir thrown around him, Isaacs half sat, half lay, on the soft dark cushions in the corner of his outer room.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A loose robe of light material from Kashmir thrown around him, Isaacs half sat, half lay, on the soft dark cushions in the corner of his outer room.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading As I entered the book fell back on the cushion, sinking deep into the down by its weight, and one of the heavy gold clasps clanged sharply as it turned.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A loose robe of light material from Kashmir thrown around him, Isaacs half sat, half lay, on the soft dark cushions in the corner of his outer room.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading As I entered the book fell back on the cushion, sinking deep into the down by its weight, and one of the heavy gold clasps clanged sharply as it turned.
IsaacsnounUS /ˈaɪzɪks/
plural of “isaac” — (Old Testament) the second patriarch; son of Abraham and Sarah who was offered by Abraham as a sacrifice to God; father of Jacob and Esau
From this reading A loose robe of light material from Kashmir thrown around him, Isaacs half sat, half lay, on the soft dark cushions in the corner of his outer room.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As I entered the book fell back on the cushion, sinking deep into the down by its weight, and one of the heavy gold clasps clanged sharply as it turned.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading As I entered the book fell back on the cushion, sinking deep into the down by its weight, and one of the heavy gold clasps clanged sharply as it turned.
KashmirnounUS /ˈkæʃmɪr/
an area in southwestern Asia whose sovereignty is disputed between Pakistan and India
From this reading A loose robe of light material from Kashmir thrown around him, Isaacs half sat, half lay, on the soft dark cushions in the corner of his outer room.
lampsnounUS /læmps/
plural of “lamp” — an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading By the yellow light of the hanging lamps he was reading an Arabic book, and his face wore a puzzled look that sat strangely on the bold features.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading A loose robe of light material from Kashmir thrown around him, Isaacs half sat, half lay, on the soft dark cushions in the corner of his outer room.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading A loose robe of light material from Kashmir thrown around him, Isaacs half sat, half lay, on the soft dark cushions in the corner of his outer room.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading By the yellow light of the hanging lamps he was reading an Arabic book, and his face wore a puzzled look that sat strangely on the bold features.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He looked up, but did not rise, and greeted me, smiling, with the Arabic salutation-- "Peace be with you!"
not compact or dense in structure or arrangement
From this reading A loose robe of light material from Kashmir thrown around him, Isaacs half sat, half lay, on the soft dark cushions in the corner of his outer room.
engage in
From this reading His feet were slipperless, Eastern fashion, and his head covered with an embroidered cap of curious make.
concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests
From this reading A loose robe of light material from Kashmir thrown around him, Isaacs half sat, half lay, on the soft dark cushions in the corner of his outer room.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He looked up, but did not rise, and greeted me, smiling, with the Arabic salutation-- "Peace be with you!"
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He looked up, but did not rise, and greeted me, smiling, with the Arabic salutation-- "Peace be with you!"
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A loose robe of light material from Kashmir thrown around him, Isaacs half sat, half lay, on the soft dark cushions in the corner of his outer room.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A loose robe of light material from Kashmir thrown around him, Isaacs half sat, half lay, on the soft dark cushions in the corner of his outer room.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading As I entered the book fell back on the cushion, sinking deep into the down by its weight, and one of the heavy gold clasps clanged sharply as it turned.
outeradjectiveUS /ˈaʊtər/
being on the outside or further from a center
From this reading A loose robe of light material from Kashmir thrown around him, Isaacs half sat, half lay, on the soft dark cushions in the corner of his outer room.
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading He looked up, but did not rise, and greeted me, smiling, with the Arabic salutation-- "Peace be with you!"
filled with bewilderment
From this reading By the yellow light of the hanging lamps he was reading an Arabic book, and his face wore a puzzled look that sat strangely on the bold features.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading By the yellow light of the hanging lamps he was reading an Arabic book, and his face wore a puzzled look that sat strangely on the bold features.
move upward
From this reading He looked up, but did not rise, and greeted me, smiling, with the Arabic salutation-- "Peace be with you!"
robenounUS /roʊb/
any loose flowing garment
From this reading A loose robe of light material from Kashmir thrown around him, Isaacs half sat, half lay, on the soft dark cushions in the corner of his outer room.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading A loose robe of light material from Kashmir thrown around him, Isaacs half sat, half lay, on the soft dark cushions in the corner of his outer room.
salutationnoun
an act of honor or courteous recognition
From this reading He looked up, but did not rise, and greeted me, smiling, with the Arabic salutation-- "Peace be with you!"
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading A loose robe of light material from Kashmir thrown around him, Isaacs half sat, half lay, on the soft dark cushions in the corner of his outer room.
in an aggressive manner
From this reading As I entered the book fell back on the cushion, sinking deep into the down by its weight, and one of the heavy gold clasps clanged sharply as it turned.
sinkingnounUS /ˈsɪŋkɪŋ/
a descent as through liquid (especially through water)
From this reading As I entered the book fell back on the cushion, sinking deep into the down by its weight, and one of the heavy gold clasps clanged sharply as it turned.
slipperless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His feet were slipperless, Eastern fashion, and his head covered with an embroidered cap of curious make.
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading He looked up, but did not rise, and greeted me, smiling, with the Arabic salutation-- "Peace be with you!"
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading A loose robe of light material from Kashmir thrown around him, Isaacs half sat, half lay, on the soft dark cushions in the corner of his outer room.
in a strange manner
From this reading By the yellow light of the hanging lamps he was reading an Arabic book, and his face wore a puzzled look that sat strangely on the bold features.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading By the yellow light of the hanging lamps he was reading an Arabic book, and his face wore a puzzled look that sat strangely on the bold features.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A loose robe of light material from Kashmir thrown around him, Isaacs half sat, half lay, on the soft dark cushions in the corner of his outer room.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading A loose robe of light material from Kashmir thrown around him, Isaacs half sat, half lay, on the soft dark cushions in the corner of his outer room.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading As I entered the book fell back on the cushion, sinking deep into the down by its weight, and one of the heavy gold clasps clanged sharply as it turned.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He looked up, but did not rise, and greeted me, smiling, with the Arabic salutation-- "Peace be with you!"
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading By the yellow light of the hanging lamps he was reading an Arabic book, and his face wore a puzzled look that sat strangely on the bold features.
the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity
From this reading As I entered the book fell back on the cushion, sinking deep into the down by its weight, and one of the heavy gold clasps clanged sharply as it turned.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His feet were slipperless, Eastern fashion, and his head covered with an embroidered cap of curious make.
in the company of; together with
From this reading His feet were slipperless, Eastern fashion, and his head covered with an embroidered cap of curious make.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading By the yellow light of the hanging lamps he was reading an Arabic book, and his face wore a puzzled look that sat strangely on the bold features.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading By the yellow light of the hanging lamps he was reading an Arabic book, and his face wore a puzzled look that sat strangely on the bold features.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading He looked up, but did not rise, and greeted me, smiling, with the Arabic salutation-- "Peace be with you!"
