used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ANTONIO'S STORY "ONCE upon a time," Antonio began, "there were in the palace of the Alhambra three princesses whose names were Zayde, Zorayde and Zorahayda.
AlhambranounUS /ælˈhæmbrə/
a fortified Moorish palace built near Granada by Muslim kings in the Middle Ages
From this reading ANTONIO'S STORY "ONCE upon a time," Antonio began, "there were in the palace of the Alhambra three princesses whose names were Zayde, Zorayde and Zorahayda.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ANTONIO'S STORY "ONCE upon a time," Antonio began, "there were in the palace of the Alhambra three princesses whose names were Zayde, Zorayde and Zorahayda.
Antonio
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ANTONIO'S STORY "ONCE upon a time," Antonio began, "there were in the palace of the Alhambra three princesses whose names were Zayde, Zorayde and Zorahayda.
ANTONIO'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ANTONIO'S STORY "ONCE upon a time," Antonio began, "there were in the palace of the Alhambra three princesses whose names were Zayde, Zorayde and Zorahayda.
archesnounUS /ˈɑːrtʃəz/
plural of “arch” — a curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening
From this reading The walls of the room were hung with tapestries in cloth of gold and royal blue; the divans were heaped high with pillows, the pillars and arches which held up the roof itself, were in filigree of softest hues,--blue, terra-cotta, and gold.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading The princesses were kept in a tower called the Tower of the Infantas, one of the most beautiful towers of the Alhambra.
befittingadjectiveUS /bɪˈfɪtɪŋ/
appropriate to
From this reading It was fitted up in a manner befitting the home of the king's daughters.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading ANTONIO'S STORY "ONCE upon a time," Antonio began, "there were in the palace of the Alhambra three princesses whose names were Zayde, Zorayde and Zorahayda.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading The walls of the room were hung with tapestries in cloth of gold and royal blue; the divans were heaped high with pillows, the pillars and arches which held up the roof itself, were in filigree of softest hues,--blue, terra-cotta, and gold.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They were daughters of the Sultan, for it was in the days when the Moors reigned in Granada, and there were no Christians here but captive Spaniards.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading The princesses were kept in a tower called the Tower of the Infantas, one of the most beautiful towers of the Alhambra.
captivenounUS /ˈkæptɪv/
a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading They were daughters of the Sultan, for it was in the days when the Moors reigned in Granada, and there were no Christians here but captive Spaniards.
ChristiansnounUS /ˈkrɪstʃənz/
plural of “christian” — a religious person who believes Jesus is the Christ and who is a member of a Christian denomination
From this reading They were daughters of the Sultan, for it was in the days when the Moors reigned in Granada, and there were no Christians here but captive Spaniards.
artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers
From this reading The walls of the room were hung with tapestries in cloth of gold and royal blue; the divans were heaped high with pillows, the pillars and arches which held up the roof itself, were in filigree of softest hues,--blue, terra-cotta, and gold.
plural of “daughter” — a female human offspring
From this reading They were daughters of the Sultan, for it was in the days when the Moors reigned in Granada, and there were no Christians here but captive Spaniards.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading They were daughters of the Sultan, for it was in the days when the Moors reigned in Granada, and there were no Christians here but captive Spaniards.
divans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The walls of the room were hung with tapestries in cloth of gold and royal blue; the divans were heaped high with pillows, the pillars and arches which held up the roof itself, were in filigree of softest hues,--blue, terra-cotta, and gold.
filigreenounUS /ˈfɪləɡriː/
delicate and intricate ornamentation (usually in gold or silver or other fine twisted wire)
From this reading The walls of the room were hung with tapestries in cloth of gold and royal blue; the divans were heaped high with pillows, the pillars and arches which held up the roof itself, were in filigree of softest hues,--blue, terra-cotta, and gold.
fittedadjectiveUS /ˈfɪtəd/
being the right size and shape to fit as desired
From this reading It was fitted up in a manner befitting the home of the king's daughters.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They were daughters of the Sultan, for it was in the days when the Moors reigned in Granada, and there were no Christians here but captive Spaniards.
coins made of gold
From this reading The walls of the room were hung with tapestries in cloth of gold and royal blue; the divans were heaped high with pillows, the pillars and arches which held up the roof itself, were in filigree of softest hues,--blue, terra-cotta, and gold.
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 They were daughters of the Sultan, for it was in the days when the Moors reigned in Granada, and there were no Christians here but captive Spaniards.
heapedverbUS /hiːpt/
past form of “heap” — bestow in large quantities
From this reading The walls of the room were hung with tapestries in cloth of gold and royal blue; the divans were heaped high with pillows, the pillars and arches which held up the roof itself, were in filigree of softest hues,--blue, terra-cotta, and gold.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading The walls of the room were hung with tapestries in cloth of gold and royal blue; the divans were heaped high with pillows, the pillars and arches which held up the roof itself, were in filigree of softest hues,--blue, terra-cotta, and gold.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading They were daughters of the Sultan, for it was in the days when the Moors reigned in Granada, and there were no Christians here but captive Spaniards.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The walls of the room were hung with tapestries in cloth of gold and royal blue; the divans were heaped high with pillows, the pillars and arches which held up the roof itself, were in filigree of softest hues,--blue, terra-cotta, and gold.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading It was fitted up in a manner befitting the home of the king's daughters.
huesnounUS /hjuːz/
plural of “hue” — the quality of a color as determined by its dominant wavelength
From this reading The walls of the room were hung with tapestries in cloth of gold and royal blue; the divans were heaped high with pillows, the pillars and arches which held up the roof itself, were in filigree of softest hues,--blue, terra-cotta, and gold.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading The walls of the room were hung with tapestries in cloth of gold and royal blue; the divans were heaped high with pillows, the pillars and arches which held up the roof itself, were in filigree of softest hues,--blue, terra-cotta, and gold.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ANTONIO'S STORY "ONCE upon a time," Antonio began, "there were in the palace of the Alhambra three princesses whose names were Zayde, Zorayde and Zorahayda.
Infantas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The princesses were kept in a tower called the Tower of the Infantas, one of the most beautiful towers of the Alhambra.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading They were daughters of the Sultan, for it was in the days when the Moors reigned in Granada, and there were no Christians here but captive Spaniards.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The walls of the room were hung with tapestries in cloth of gold and royal blue; the divans were heaped high with pillows, the pillars and arches which held up the roof itself, were in filigree of softest hues,--blue, terra-cotta, and gold.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading The princesses were kept in a tower called the Tower of the Infantas, one of the most beautiful towers of the Alhambra.
king'snounUS /kɪŋz/
possessive form of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading It was fitted up in a manner befitting the home of the king's daughters.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading It was fitted up in a manner befitting the home of the king's daughters.
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 They were daughters of the Sultan, for it was in the days when the Moors reigned in Granada, and there were no Christians here but captive Spaniards.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The princesses were kept in a tower called the Tower of the Infantas, one of the most beautiful towers of the Alhambra.
verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument
From this reading ANTONIO'S STORY "ONCE upon a time," Antonio began, "there were in the palace of the Alhambra three princesses whose names were Zayde, Zorayde and Zorahayda.
not any; not one
From this reading They were daughters of the Sultan, for it was in the days when the Moors reigned in Granada, and there were no Christians here but captive Spaniards.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ANTONIO'S STORY "ONCE upon a time," Antonio began, "there were in the palace of the Alhambra three princesses whose names were Zayde, Zorayde and Zorahayda.
on one occasion
From this reading ANTONIO'S STORY "ONCE upon a time," Antonio began, "there were in the palace of the Alhambra three princesses whose names were Zayde, Zorayde and Zorahayda.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The princesses were kept in a tower called the Tower of the Infantas, one of the most beautiful towers of the Alhambra.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading ANTONIO'S STORY "ONCE upon a time," Antonio began, "there were in the palace of the Alhambra three princesses whose names were Zayde, Zorayde and Zorahayda.
pillarsnounUS /ˈpɪlərz/
plural of “pillar” — a fundamental principle or practice
From this reading The walls of the room were hung with tapestries in cloth of gold and royal blue; the divans were heaped high with pillows, the pillars and arches which held up the roof itself, were in filigree of softest hues,--blue, terra-cotta, and gold.
pillowsnounUS /ˈpɪloʊz/
plural of “pillow” — a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person
From this reading The walls of the room were hung with tapestries in cloth of gold and royal blue; the divans were heaped high with pillows, the pillars and arches which held up the roof itself, were in filigree of softest hues,--blue, terra-cotta, and gold.
princessesnounUS /ˈprɪnsesɪz/
plural of “princess” — a female member of a royal family other than the queen (especially the daughter of a sovereign)
From this reading ANTONIO'S STORY "ONCE upon a time," Antonio began, "there were in the palace of the Alhambra three princesses whose names were Zayde, Zorayde and Zorahayda.
reignedverbUS /reɪnd/
past form of “reign” — have sovereign power
From this reading They were daughters of the Sultan, for it was in the days when the Moors reigned in Granada, and there were no Christians here but captive Spaniards.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading The walls of the room were hung with tapestries in cloth of gold and royal blue; the divans were heaped high with pillows, the pillars and arches which held up the roof itself, were in filigree of softest hues,--blue, terra-cotta, and gold.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The walls of the room were hung with tapestries in cloth of gold and royal blue; the divans were heaped high with pillows, the pillars and arches which held up the roof itself, were in filigree of softest hues,--blue, terra-cotta, and gold.
royaladjectiveUS /ˈrɔɪəl/
of or relating to or indicative of or issued or performed by a king or queen or other monarch
From this reading The walls of the room were hung with tapestries in cloth of gold and royal blue; the divans were heaped high with pillows, the pillars and arches which held up the roof itself, were in filigree of softest hues,--blue, terra-cotta, and gold.
softestadjectiveUS /ˈsɔːftəst/
superlative of “soft” — yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading The walls of the room were hung with tapestries in cloth of gold and royal blue; the divans were heaped high with pillows, the pillars and arches which held up the roof itself, were in filigree of softest hues,--blue, terra-cotta, and gold.
SpaniardsnounUS /ˈspænjərdz/
plural of “spaniard” — a native or inhabitant of Spain
From this reading They were daughters of the Sultan, for it was in the days when the Moors reigned in Granada, and there were no Christians here but captive Spaniards.
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 ANTONIO'S STORY "ONCE upon a time," Antonio began, "there were in the palace of the Alhambra three princesses whose names were Zayde, Zorayde and Zorahayda.
SultannounUS /ˈsʌl.tən/
A noble monarch or supreme sovereign ruler of an Islamic country or empire.
From this reading They were daughters of the Sultan, for it was in the days when the Moors reigned in Granada, and there were no Christians here but captive Spaniards.
tapestriesnounUS /ˈtæpəstriz/
plural of “tapestry” — something that resembles a tapestry in its intricacy
From this reading The walls of the room were hung with tapestries in cloth of gold and royal blue; the divans were heaped high with pillows, the pillars and arches which held up the roof itself, were in filigree of softest hues,--blue, terra-cotta, and gold.
terra-cotta
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The walls of the room were hung with tapestries in cloth of gold and royal blue; the divans were heaped high with pillows, the pillars and arches which held up the roof itself, were in filigree of softest hues,--blue, terra-cotta, and gold.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ANTONIO'S STORY "ONCE upon a time," Antonio began, "there were in the palace of the Alhambra three princesses whose names were Zayde, Zorayde and Zorahayda.
in or at that place or location
From this reading ANTONIO'S STORY "ONCE upon a time," Antonio began, "there were in the palace of the Alhambra three princesses whose names were Zayde, Zorayde and Zorahayda.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were daughters of the Sultan, for it was in the days when the Moors reigned in Granada, and there were no Christians here but captive Spaniards.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading ANTONIO'S STORY "ONCE upon a time," Antonio began, "there were in the palace of the Alhambra three princesses whose names were Zayde, Zorayde and Zorahayda.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading ANTONIO'S STORY "ONCE upon a time," Antonio began, "there were in the palace of the Alhambra three princesses whose names were Zayde, Zorayde and Zorahayda.
a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading The princesses were kept in a tower called the Tower of the Infantas, one of the most beautiful towers of the Alhambra.
towersnounUS /ˈtaʊərz/
plural of “tower” — a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading The princesses were kept in a tower called the Tower of the Infantas, one of the most beautiful towers of the Alhambra.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It was fitted up in a manner befitting the home of the king's daughters.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading ANTONIO'S STORY "ONCE upon a time," Antonio began, "there were in the palace of the Alhambra three princesses whose names were Zayde, Zorayde and Zorahayda.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading The walls of the room were hung with tapestries in cloth of gold and royal blue; the divans were heaped high with pillows, the pillars and arches which held up the roof itself, were in filigree of softest hues,--blue, terra-cotta, and gold.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They were daughters of the Sultan, for it was in the days when the Moors reigned in Granada, and there were no Christians here but captive Spaniards.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading ANTONIO'S STORY "ONCE upon a time," Antonio began, "there were in the palace of the Alhambra three princesses whose names were Zayde, Zorayde and Zorahayda.
at the time that
From this reading They were daughters of the Sultan, for it was in the days when the Moors reigned in Granada, and there were no Christians here but captive Spaniards.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The walls of the room were hung with tapestries in cloth of gold and royal blue; the divans were heaped high with pillows, the pillars and arches which held up the roof itself, were in filigree of softest hues,--blue, terra-cotta, and gold.
belonging to which person
From this reading ANTONIO'S STORY "ONCE upon a time," Antonio began, "there were in the palace of the Alhambra three princesses whose names were Zayde, Zorayde and Zorahayda.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The walls of the room were hung with tapestries in cloth of gold and royal blue; the divans were heaped high with pillows, the pillars and arches which held up the roof itself, were in filigree of softest hues,--blue, terra-cotta, and gold.
Zayde
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ANTONIO'S STORY "ONCE upon a time," Antonio began, "there were in the palace of the Alhambra three princesses whose names were Zayde, Zorayde and Zorahayda.
Zorahayda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ANTONIO'S STORY "ONCE upon a time," Antonio began, "there were in the palace of the Alhambra three princesses whose names were Zayde, Zorayde and Zorahayda.
Zorayde
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ANTONIO'S STORY "ONCE upon a time," Antonio began, "there were in the palace of the Alhambra three princesses whose names were Zayde, Zorayde and Zorahayda.
