used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading SHIFTING THE BURDEN The High Priest Nakir-Kish was summoned to an audience with the King, and was bade to bear a sacred fowl for the manifestation of an augury; so he went forthwith and came upon his master, alone and seated on the throne of Oxyartes, with a naked sword across his knees.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Ninus for a space sat silent, combing at his beard, his black brows drawn into a knot above his nose; then, suddenly, he spoke:
from one side of something to the other
From this reading SHIFTING THE BURDEN The High Priest Nakir-Kish was summoned to an audience with the King, and was bade to bear a sacred fowl for the manifestation of an augury; so he went forthwith and came upon his master, alone and seated on the throne of Oxyartes, with a naked sword across his knees.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading SHIFTING THE BURDEN The High Priest Nakir-Kish was summoned to an audience with the King, and was bade to bear a sacred fowl for the manifestation of an augury; so he went forthwith and came upon his master, alone and seated on the throne of Oxyartes, with a naked sword across his knees.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading SHIFTING THE BURDEN The High Priest Nakir-Kish was summoned to an audience with the King, and was bade to bear a sacred fowl for the manifestation of an augury; so he went forthwith and came upon his master, alone and seated on the throne of Oxyartes, with a naked sword across his knees.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading SHIFTING THE BURDEN The High Priest Nakir-Kish was summoned to an audience with the King, and was bade to bear a sacred fowl for the manifestation of an augury; so he went forthwith and came upon his master, alone and seated on the throne of Oxyartes, with a naked sword across his knees.
the verbal act of requesting
From this reading The High Priest marveled at the strangeness of this thing, but held his peace, bending his knee and asking in what manner he might serve his gracious lord.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The High Priest marveled at the strangeness of this thing, but held his peace, bending his knee and asking in what manner he might serve his gracious lord.
a gathering of spectators or listeners at a (usually public) performance
From this reading SHIFTING THE BURDEN The High Priest Nakir-Kish was summoned to an audience with the King, and was bade to bear a sacred fowl for the manifestation of an augury; so he went forthwith and came upon his master, alone and seated on the throne of Oxyartes, with a naked sword across his knees.
augurynoun
an event that is experienced as indicating important things to come
From this reading SHIFTING THE BURDEN The High Priest Nakir-Kish was summoned to an audience with the King, and was bade to bear a sacred fowl for the manifestation of an augury; so he went forthwith and came upon his master, alone and seated on the throne of Oxyartes, with a naked sword across his knees.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The priest stepped back a pace; he passed a hand across his eyes, in the fear that, mayhap, he dreamed; but the King spoke on:
a Chadic language spoken in northern Nigeria
From this reading SHIFTING THE BURDEN The High Priest Nakir-Kish was summoned to an audience with the King, and was bade to bear a sacred fowl for the manifestation of an augury; so he went forthwith and came upon his master, alone and seated on the throne of Oxyartes, with a naked sword across his knees.
have
From this reading SHIFTING THE BURDEN The High Priest Nakir-Kish was summoned to an audience with the King, and was bade to bear a sacred fowl for the manifestation of an augury; so he went forthwith and came upon his master, alone and seated on the throne of Oxyartes, with a naked sword across his knees.
the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face
From this reading Ninus for a space sat silent, combing at his beard, his black brows drawn into a knot above his nose; then, suddenly, he spoke:
bendingnounUS /ˈbendɪŋ/
movement that causes the formation of a curve
From this reading The High Priest marveled at the strangeness of this thing, but held his peace, bending his knee and asking in what manner he might serve his gracious lord.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Ninus for a space sat silent, combing at his beard, his black brows drawn into a knot above his nose; then, suddenly, he spoke:
browsnounUS /braʊz/
plural of “brow” — the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading Ninus for a space sat silent, combing at his beard, his black brows drawn into a knot above his nose; then, suddenly, he spoke:
an onerous or difficult concern
From this reading SHIFTING THE BURDEN The High Priest Nakir-Kish was summoned to an audience with the King, and was bade to bear a sacred fowl for the manifestation of an augury; so he went forthwith and came upon his master, alone and seated on the throne of Oxyartes, with a naked sword across his knees.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The High Priest marveled at the strangeness of this thing, but held his peace, bending his knee and asking in what manner he might serve his gracious lord.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading SHIFTING THE BURDEN The High Priest Nakir-Kish was summoned to an audience with the King, and was bade to bear a sacred fowl for the manifestation of an augury; so he went forthwith and came upon his master, alone and seated on the throne of Oxyartes, with a naked sword across his knees.
combingnounUS /ˈkoʊmɪŋ/
the act of drawing a comb through hair
From this reading Ninus for a space sat silent, combing at his beard, his black brows drawn into a knot above his nose; then, suddenly, he spoke:
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "May a King do homage to a dog?"
a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading "May a King do homage to a dog?"
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading Ninus for a space sat silent, combing at his beard, his black brows drawn into a knot above his nose; then, suddenly, he spoke:
conceived of or imagined or hoped for
From this reading The priest stepped back a pace; he passed a hand across his eyes, in the fear that, mayhap, he dreamed; but the King spoke on:
opinion or judgment
From this reading The priest stepped back a pace; he passed a hand across his eyes, in the fear that, mayhap, he dreamed; but the King spoke on:
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading The priest stepped back a pace; he passed a hand across his eyes, in the fear that, mayhap, he dreamed; but the King spoke on:
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading SHIFTING THE BURDEN The High Priest Nakir-Kish was summoned to an audience with the King, and was bade to bear a sacred fowl for the manifestation of an augury; so he went forthwith and came upon his master, alone and seated on the throne of Oxyartes, with a naked sword across his knees.
forthwithadverbUS /ˈfɔːrˈθwɪθ/
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading SHIFTING THE BURDEN The High Priest Nakir-Kish was summoned to an audience with the King, and was bade to bear a sacred fowl for the manifestation of an augury; so he went forthwith and came upon his master, alone and seated on the throne of Oxyartes, with a naked sword across his knees.
fowlnounUS /faʊl/
a domesticated gallinaceous bird thought to be descended from the red jungle fowl
From this reading SHIFTING THE BURDEN The High Priest Nakir-Kish was summoned to an audience with the King, and was bade to bear a sacred fowl for the manifestation of an augury; so he went forthwith and came upon his master, alone and seated on the throne of Oxyartes, with a naked sword across his knees.
characterized by charm, good taste, and generosity of spirit
From this reading The High Priest marveled at the strangeness of this thing, but held his peace, bending his knee and asking in what manner he might serve his gracious lord.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The priest stepped back a pace; he passed a hand across his eyes, in the fear that, mayhap, he dreamed; but the King spoke on:
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading SHIFTING THE BURDEN The High Priest Nakir-Kish was summoned to an audience with the King, and was bade to bear a sacred fowl for the manifestation of an augury; so he went forthwith and came upon his master, alone and seated on the throne of Oxyartes, with a naked sword across his knees.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading The High Priest marveled at the strangeness of this thing, but held his peace, bending his knee and asking in what manner he might serve his gracious lord.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading SHIFTING THE BURDEN The High Priest Nakir-Kish was summoned to an audience with the King, and was bade to bear a sacred fowl for the manifestation of an augury; so he went forthwith and came upon his master, alone and seated on the throne of Oxyartes, with a naked sword across his knees.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading SHIFTING THE BURDEN The High Priest Nakir-Kish was summoned to an audience with the King, and was bade to bear a sacred fowl for the manifestation of an augury; so he went forthwith and came upon his master, alone and seated on the throne of Oxyartes, with a naked sword across his knees.
homagenounUS /ˈɑːmədʒ/
respectful deference
From this reading "May a King do homage to a dog?"
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The High Priest marveled at the strangeness of this thing, but held his peace, bending his knee and asking in what manner he might serve his gracious lord.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Ninus for a space sat silent, combing at his beard, his black brows drawn into a knot above his nose; then, suddenly, he spoke:
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading SHIFTING THE BURDEN The High Priest Nakir-Kish was summoned to an audience with the King, and was bade to bear a sacred fowl for the manifestation of an augury; so he went forthwith and came upon his master, alone and seated on the throne of Oxyartes, with a naked sword across his knees.
hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading The High Priest marveled at the strangeness of this thing, but held his peace, bending his knee and asking in what manner he might serve his gracious lord.
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading SHIFTING THE BURDEN The High Priest Nakir-Kish was summoned to an audience with the King, and was bade to bear a sacred fowl for the manifestation of an augury; so he went forthwith and came upon his master, alone and seated on the throne of Oxyartes, with a naked sword across his knees.
knotnounUS /nɑːt/
a tight cluster of people or things
From this reading Ninus for a space sat silent, combing at his beard, his black brows drawn into a knot above his nose; then, suddenly, he spoke:
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading The High Priest marveled at the strangeness of this thing, but held his peace, bending his knee and asking in what manner he might serve his gracious lord.
manifestationnounUS /ˌmænəfeˈsteɪʃən/
a clear appearance
From this reading SHIFTING THE BURDEN The High Priest Nakir-Kish was summoned to an audience with the King, and was bade to bear a sacred fowl for the manifestation of an augury; so he went forthwith and came upon his master, alone and seated on the throne of Oxyartes, with a naked sword across his knees.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The High Priest marveled at the strangeness of this thing, but held his peace, bending his knee and asking in what manner he might serve his gracious lord.
marveledverbUS /ˈmɑːrveld/
past form of “marvel” — be amazed at
From this reading The High Priest marveled at the strangeness of this thing, but held his peace, bending his knee and asking in what manner he might serve his gracious lord.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading SHIFTING THE BURDEN The High Priest Nakir-Kish was summoned to an audience with the King, and was bade to bear a sacred fowl for the manifestation of an augury; so he went forthwith and came upon his master, alone and seated on the throne of Oxyartes, with a naked sword across his knees.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading "May a King do homage to a dog?"
mayhapadverb
by chance
From this reading The priest stepped back a pace; he passed a hand across his eyes, in the fear that, mayhap, he dreamed; but the King spoke on:
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The High Priest marveled at the strangeness of this thing, but held his peace, bending his knee and asking in what manner he might serve his gracious lord.
nakedadjectiveUS /ˈneɪkəd/
completely unclothed
From this reading SHIFTING THE BURDEN The High Priest Nakir-Kish was summoned to an audience with the King, and was bade to bear a sacred fowl for the manifestation of an augury; so he went forthwith and came upon his master, alone and seated on the throne of Oxyartes, with a naked sword across his knees.
Nakir-Kish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SHIFTING THE BURDEN The High Priest Nakir-Kish was summoned to an audience with the King, and was bade to bear a sacred fowl for the manifestation of an augury; so he went forthwith and came upon his master, alone and seated on the throne of Oxyartes, with a naked sword across his knees.
Ninus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ninus for a space sat silent, combing at his beard, his black brows drawn into a knot above his nose; then, suddenly, he spoke:
the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals
From this reading Ninus for a space sat silent, combing at his beard, his black brows drawn into a knot above his nose; then, suddenly, he spoke:
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SHIFTING THE BURDEN The High Priest Nakir-Kish was summoned to an audience with the King, and was bade to bear a sacred fowl for the manifestation of an augury; so he went forthwith and came upon his master, alone and seated on the throne of Oxyartes, with a naked sword across his knees.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading SHIFTING THE BURDEN The High Priest Nakir-Kish was summoned to an audience with the King, and was bade to bear a sacred fowl for the manifestation of an augury; so he went forthwith and came upon his master, alone and seated on the throne of Oxyartes, with a naked sword across his knees.
Oxyartes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SHIFTING THE BURDEN The High Priest Nakir-Kish was summoned to an audience with the King, and was bade to bear a sacred fowl for the manifestation of an augury; so he went forthwith and came upon his master, alone and seated on the throne of Oxyartes, with a naked sword across his knees.
the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading The priest stepped back a pace; he passed a hand across his eyes, in the fear that, mayhap, he dreamed; but the King spoke on:
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading The priest stepped back a pace; he passed a hand across his eyes, in the fear that, mayhap, he dreamed; but the King spoke on:
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading The High Priest marveled at the strangeness of this thing, but held his peace, bending his knee and asking in what manner he might serve his gracious lord.
a clergyman in Christian churches who has the authority to perform or administer various religious rites; one of the Holy Orders
From this reading SHIFTING THE BURDEN The High Priest Nakir-Kish was summoned to an audience with the King, and was bade to bear a sacred fowl for the manifestation of an augury; so he went forthwith and came upon his master, alone and seated on the throne of Oxyartes, with a naked sword across his knees.
concerned with religion or religious purposes
From this reading SHIFTING THE BURDEN The High Priest Nakir-Kish was summoned to an audience with the King, and was bade to bear a sacred fowl for the manifestation of an augury; so he went forthwith and came upon his master, alone and seated on the throne of Oxyartes, with a naked sword across his knees.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Ninus for a space sat silent, combing at his beard, his black brows drawn into a knot above his nose; then, suddenly, he spoke:
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading SHIFTING THE BURDEN The High Priest Nakir-Kish was summoned to an audience with the King, and was bade to bear a sacred fowl for the manifestation of an augury; so he went forthwith and came upon his master, alone and seated on the throne of Oxyartes, with a naked sword across his knees.
serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading The High Priest marveled at the strangeness of this thing, but held his peace, bending his knee and asking in what manner he might serve his gracious lord.
SHIFTINGadjectiveUS /ˈʃɪftɪŋ/
continuously varying
From this reading SHIFTING THE BURDEN The High Priest Nakir-Kish was summoned to an audience with the King, and was bade to bear a sacred fowl for the manifestation of an augury; so he went forthwith and came upon his master, alone and seated on the throne of Oxyartes, with a naked sword across his knees.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading Ninus for a space sat silent, combing at his beard, his black brows drawn into a knot above his nose; then, suddenly, he spoke:
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading SHIFTING THE BURDEN The High Priest Nakir-Kish was summoned to an audience with the King, and was bade to bear a sacred fowl for the manifestation of an augury; so he went forthwith and came upon his master, alone and seated on the throne of Oxyartes, with a naked sword across his knees.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading Ninus for a space sat silent, combing at his beard, his black brows drawn into a knot above his nose; then, suddenly, he spoke:
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading Ninus for a space sat silent, combing at his beard, his black brows drawn into a knot above his nose; then, suddenly, he spoke:
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading The priest stepped back a pace; he passed a hand across his eyes, in the fear that, mayhap, he dreamed; but the King spoke on:
strangenessnounUS /ˈstreɪndʒnəs/
unusualness as a consequence of not being well known
From this reading The High Priest marveled at the strangeness of this thing, but held his peace, bending his knee and asking in what manner he might serve his gracious lord.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Ninus for a space sat silent, combing at his beard, his black brows drawn into a knot above his nose; then, suddenly, he spoke:
summonedverbUS /ˈsʌmənd/
past form of “summon” — call in an official matter, such as to attend court
From this reading SHIFTING THE BURDEN The High Priest Nakir-Kish was summoned to an audience with the King, and was bade to bear a sacred fowl for the manifestation of an augury; so he went forthwith and came upon his master, alone and seated on the throne of Oxyartes, with a naked sword across his knees.
a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
From this reading SHIFTING THE BURDEN The High Priest Nakir-Kish was summoned to an audience with the King, and was bade to bear a sacred fowl for the manifestation of an augury; so he went forthwith and came upon his master, alone and seated on the throne of Oxyartes, with a naked sword across his knees.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The priest stepped back a pace; he passed a hand across his eyes, in the fear that, mayhap, he dreamed; but the King spoke on:
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SHIFTING THE BURDEN The High Priest Nakir-Kish was summoned to an audience with the King, and was bade to bear a sacred fowl for the manifestation of an augury; so he went forthwith and came upon his master, alone and seated on the throne of Oxyartes, with a naked sword across his knees.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Ninus for a space sat silent, combing at his beard, his black brows drawn into a knot above his nose; then, suddenly, he spoke:
a special situation
From this reading The High Priest marveled at the strangeness of this thing, but held his peace, bending his knee and asking in what manner he might serve his gracious lord.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The High Priest marveled at the strangeness of this thing, but held his peace, bending his knee and asking in what manner he might serve his gracious lord.
the chair of state for a monarch, bishop, etc.
From this reading SHIFTING THE BURDEN The High Priest Nakir-Kish was summoned to an audience with the King, and was bade to bear a sacred fowl for the manifestation of an augury; so he went forthwith and came upon his master, alone and seated on the throne of Oxyartes, with a naked sword across his knees.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading SHIFTING THE BURDEN The High Priest Nakir-Kish was summoned to an audience with the King, and was bade to bear a sacred fowl for the manifestation of an augury; so he went forthwith and came upon his master, alone and seated on the throne of Oxyartes, with a naked sword across his knees.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading SHIFTING THE BURDEN The High Priest Nakir-Kish was summoned to an audience with the King, and was bade to bear a sacred fowl for the manifestation of an augury; so he went forthwith and came upon his master, alone and seated on the throne of Oxyartes, with a naked sword across his knees.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading SHIFTING THE BURDEN The High Priest Nakir-Kish was summoned to an audience with the King, and was bade to bear a sacred fowl for the manifestation of an augury; so he went forthwith and came upon his master, alone and seated on the throne of Oxyartes, with a naked sword across his knees.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading SHIFTING THE BURDEN The High Priest Nakir-Kish was summoned to an audience with the King, and was bade to bear a sacred fowl for the manifestation of an augury; so he went forthwith and came upon his master, alone and seated on the throne of Oxyartes, with a naked sword across his knees.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The High Priest marveled at the strangeness of this thing, but held his peace, bending his knee and asking in what manner he might serve his gracious lord.
in the company of; together with
From this reading SHIFTING THE BURDEN The High Priest Nakir-Kish was summoned to an audience with the King, and was bade to bear a sacred fowl for the manifestation of an augury; so he went forthwith and came upon his master, alone and seated on the throne of Oxyartes, with a naked sword across his knees.
