used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But a general smile among the company showed the hakeem that his calling was held in no undue reverence, at least by those without present need of his ministrations.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading "When I was alone with my mortars and my drugs," resumed the narrator, "I lost no time in examining the mysterious packet.
in addition
From this reading Also there was a little seal of red chalcedony, with the antlered head of a deer and some scroll of lettering engraved upon it; but there was not one scrap of writing to explain to me the reason of these gifts.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading Soon, to my amazement, I uncovered a string of ten pearls, of a size and lustrous purity that bespoke a high value even to my untutored eyes.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading But a general smile among the company showed the hakeem that his calling was held in no undue reverence, at least by those without present need of his ministrations.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "When I was alone with my mortars and my drugs," resumed the narrator, "I lost no time in examining the mysterious packet.
antleredadjectiveUS /ˈæntlərd/
having antlers
From this reading Also there was a little seal of red chalcedony, with the antlered head of a deer and some scroll of lettering engraved upon it; but there was not one scrap of writing to explain to me the reason of these gifts.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But a general smile among the company showed the hakeem that his calling was held in no undue reverence, at least by those without present need of his ministrations.
bespokeadjectiveUS /bʊˈspoʊk/
(of clothing) custom-made
From this reading Soon, to my amazement, I uncovered a string of ten pearls, of a size and lustrous purity that bespoke a high value even to my untutored eyes.
the two together, not just one
From this reading I unwound the silk threads that tightly tied it, both to restrict its bulk and to render it secure.
bulknounUS /bʌlk/
the property resulting from being or relating to the greater in number of two parts; the main part
From this reading I unwound the silk threads that tightly tied it, both to restrict its bulk and to render it secure.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But a general smile among the company showed the hakeem that his calling was held in no undue reverence, at least by those without present need of his ministrations.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But a general smile among the company showed the hakeem that his calling was held in no undue reverence, at least by those without present need of his ministrations.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading But a general smile among the company showed the hakeem that his calling was held in no undue reverence, at least by those without present need of his ministrations.
chalcedonynounUS /ˈtʃælsədoʊni/
a milky or greyish translucent to transparent quartz
From this reading Also there was a little seal of red chalcedony, with the antlered head of a deer and some scroll of lettering engraved upon it; but there was not one scrap of writing to explain to me the reason of these gifts.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading But a general smile among the company showed the hakeem that his calling was held in no undue reverence, at least by those without present need of his ministrations.
deernounUS /dɪr/
distinguished from Bovidae by the male's having solid deciduous antlers
From this reading Also there was a little seal of red chalcedony, with the antlered head of a deer and some scroll of lettering engraved upon it; but there was not one scrap of writing to explain to me the reason of these gifts.
drugsnounUS /drʌɡz/
plural of “drug” — a substance that is used as a medicine or narcotic
From this reading "When I was alone with my mortars and my drugs," resumed the narrator, "I lost no time in examining the mysterious packet.
engravedadjectiveUS /ɪnˈɡreɪvd/
cut or impressed into a surface
From this reading Also there was a little seal of red chalcedony, with the antlered head of a deer and some scroll of lettering engraved upon it; but there was not one scrap of writing to explain to me the reason of these gifts.
divisible by two
From this reading Soon, to my amazement, I uncovered a string of ten pearls, of a size and lustrous purity that bespoke a high value even to my untutored eyes.
examiningverbUS /ɪɡˈzæmɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading "When I was alone with my mortars and my drugs," resumed the narrator, "I lost no time in examining the mysterious packet.
make plain and comprehensible
From this reading Also there was a little seal of red chalcedony, with the antlered head of a deer and some scroll of lettering engraved upon it; but there was not one scrap of writing to explain to me the reason of these gifts.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Soon, to my amazement, I uncovered a string of ten pearls, of a size and lustrous purity that bespoke a high value even to my untutored eyes.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading But a general smile among the company showed the hakeem that his calling was held in no undue reverence, at least by those without present need of his ministrations.
plural of “gift” — something acquired without compensation
From this reading Also there was a little seal of red chalcedony, with the antlered head of a deer and some scroll of lettering engraved upon it; but there was not one scrap of writing to explain to me the reason of these gifts.
hakeemnounUS /hɑːˈkiːm/
a Muslim physician
From this reading But a general smile among the company showed the hakeem that his calling was held in no undue reverence, at least by those without present need of his ministrations.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Also there was a little seal of red chalcedony, with the antlered head of a deer and some scroll of lettering engraved upon it; but there was not one scrap of writing to explain to me the reason of these gifts.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading But a general smile among the company showed the hakeem that his calling was held in no undue reverence, at least by those without present need of his ministrations.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Soon, to my amazement, I uncovered a string of ten pearls, of a size and lustrous purity that bespoke a high value even to my untutored eyes.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But a general smile among the company showed the hakeem that his calling was held in no undue reverence, at least by those without present need of his ministrations.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "When I was alone with my mortars and my drugs," resumed the narrator, "I lost no time in examining the mysterious packet.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But a general smile among the company showed the hakeem that his calling was held in no undue reverence, at least by those without present need of his ministrations.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I unwound the silk threads that tightly tied it, both to restrict its bulk and to render it secure.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading I unwound the silk threads that tightly tied it, both to restrict its bulk and to render it secure.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading But a general smile among the company showed the hakeem that his calling was held in no undue reverence, at least by those without present need of his ministrations.
letteringnounUS /ˈletərɪŋ/
letters inscribed (especially words engraved or carved) on something
From this reading Also there was a little seal of red chalcedony, with the antlered head of a deer and some scroll of lettering engraved upon it; but there was not one scrap of writing to explain to me the reason of these gifts.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Also there was a little seal of red chalcedony, with the antlered head of a deer and some scroll of lettering engraved upon it; but there was not one scrap of writing to explain to me the reason of these gifts.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading "When I was alone with my mortars and my drugs," resumed the narrator, "I lost no time in examining the mysterious packet.
lustrousadjectiveUS /ˈlʌstrəs/
made smooth and bright by or as if by rubbing; reflecting a sheen or glow
From this reading Soon, to my amazement, I uncovered a string of ten pearls, of a size and lustrous purity that bespoke a high value even to my untutored eyes.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Also there was a little seal of red chalcedony, with the antlered head of a deer and some scroll of lettering engraved upon it; but there was not one scrap of writing to explain to me the reason of these gifts.
ministrationsnounUS /ˌmɪnəˈstreɪʃənz/
plural of “ministration” — assistance in time of difficulty
From this reading But a general smile among the company showed the hakeem that his calling was held in no undue reverence, at least by those without present need of his ministrations.
mortarsnounUS /ˈmɔːrtərz/
plural of “mortar” — a muzzle-loading high-angle gun with a short barrel that fires shells at high elevations for a short range
From this reading "When I was alone with my mortars and my drugs," resumed the narrator, "I lost no time in examining the mysterious packet.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "When I was alone with my mortars and my drugs," resumed the narrator, "I lost no time in examining the mysterious packet.
of an obscure nature
From this reading "When I was alone with my mortars and my drugs," resumed the narrator, "I lost no time in examining the mysterious packet.
narratornounUS /ˈnereɪtər/
someone who tells a story
From this reading "When I was alone with my mortars and my drugs," resumed the narrator, "I lost no time in examining the mysterious packet.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading But a general smile among the company showed the hakeem that his calling was held in no undue reverence, at least by those without present need of his ministrations.
not any; not one
From this reading But a general smile among the company showed the hakeem that his calling was held in no undue reverence, at least by those without present need of his ministrations.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Also there was a little seal of red chalcedony, with the antlered head of a deer and some scroll of lettering engraved upon it; but there was not one scrap of writing to explain to me the reason of these gifts.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But a general smile among the company showed the hakeem that his calling was held in no undue reverence, at least by those without present need of his ministrations.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Also there was a little seal of red chalcedony, with the antlered head of a deer and some scroll of lettering engraved upon it; but there was not one scrap of writing to explain to me the reason of these gifts.
packetnounUS /ˈpækət/
a collection of things wrapped or boxed together
From this reading "When I was alone with my mortars and my drugs," resumed the narrator, "I lost no time in examining the mysterious packet.
pearlsnounUS /pɜːrlz/
plural of “pearl” — a smooth lustrous round structure inside the shell of a clam or oyster; much valued as a jewel
From this reading Soon, to my amazement, I uncovered a string of ten pearls, of a size and lustrous purity that bespoke a high value even to my untutored eyes.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading But a general smile among the company showed the hakeem that his calling was held in no undue reverence, at least by those without present need of his ministrations.
puritynounUS /ˈpjʊrəti/
being undiluted or unmixed with extraneous material
From this reading Soon, to my amazement, I uncovered a string of ten pearls, of a size and lustrous purity that bespoke a high value even to my untutored eyes.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading Also there was a little seal of red chalcedony, with the antlered head of a deer and some scroll of lettering engraved upon it; but there was not one scrap of writing to explain to me the reason of these gifts.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading Also there was a little seal of red chalcedony, with the antlered head of a deer and some scroll of lettering engraved upon it; but there was not one scrap of writing to explain to me the reason of these gifts.
renderverbUS /ˈrendər/
cause to become
From this reading I unwound the silk threads that tightly tied it, both to restrict its bulk and to render it secure.
restrictverbUS /riˈstrɪkt/
place restrictions on
From this reading I unwound the silk threads that tightly tied it, both to restrict its bulk and to render it secure.
past form of “resume” — take up or begin anew
From this reading "When I was alone with my mortars and my drugs," resumed the narrator, "I lost no time in examining the mysterious packet.
reverenceverbUS /ˈrevərəns/
regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of
From this reading But a general smile among the company showed the hakeem that his calling was held in no undue reverence, at least by those without present need of his ministrations.
scrapnounUS /skræp/
a small fragment of something broken off from the whole
From this reading Also there was a little seal of red chalcedony, with the antlered head of a deer and some scroll of lettering engraved upon it; but there was not one scrap of writing to explain to me the reason of these gifts.
scrollnounUS /skroʊl/
a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles (as formed by leaves or flower petals)
From this reading Also there was a little seal of red chalcedony, with the antlered head of a deer and some scroll of lettering engraved upon it; but there was not one scrap of writing to explain to me the reason of these gifts.
sealverbUS /siːl/
make tight; secure against leakage
From this reading Also there was a little seal of red chalcedony, with the antlered head of a deer and some scroll of lettering engraved upon it; but there was not one scrap of writing to explain to me the reason of these gifts.
get by special effort
From this reading I unwound the silk threads that tightly tied it, both to restrict its bulk and to render it secure.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading But a general smile among the company showed the hakeem that his calling was held in no undue reverence, at least by those without present need of his ministrations.
a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae
From this reading I unwound the silk threads that tightly tied it, both to restrict its bulk and to render it secure.
the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)
From this reading Soon, to my amazement, I uncovered a string of ten pearls, of a size and lustrous purity that bespoke a high value even to my untutored eyes.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading But a general smile among the company showed the hakeem that his calling was held in no undue reverence, at least by those without present need of his ministrations.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Also there was a little seal of red chalcedony, with the antlered head of a deer and some scroll of lettering engraved upon it; but there was not one scrap of writing to explain to me the reason of these gifts.
in the near future
From this reading Soon, to my amazement, I uncovered a string of ten pearls, of a size and lustrous purity that bespoke a high value even to my untutored eyes.
stringnounUS /strɪŋ/
a lightweight cord
From this reading Soon, to my amazement, I uncovered a string of ten pearls, of a size and lustrous purity that bespoke a high value even to my untutored eyes.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading Soon, to my amazement, I uncovered a string of ten pearls, of a size and lustrous purity that bespoke a high value even to my untutored eyes.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But a general smile among the company showed the hakeem that his calling was held in no undue reverence, at least by those without present need of his ministrations.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But a general smile among the company showed the hakeem that his calling was held in no undue reverence, at least by those without present need of his ministrations.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Also there was a little seal of red chalcedony, with the antlered head of a deer and some scroll of lettering engraved upon it; but there was not one scrap of writing to explain to me the reason of these gifts.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Also there was a little seal of red chalcedony, with the antlered head of a deer and some scroll of lettering engraved upon it; but there was not one scrap of writing to explain to me the reason of these gifts.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading But a general smile among the company showed the hakeem that his calling was held in no undue reverence, at least by those without present need of his ministrations.
threadsnounUS /θredz/
informal terms for clothing
From this reading I unwound the silk threads that tightly tied it, both to restrict its bulk and to render it secure.
bound or secured closely
From this reading I unwound the silk threads that tightly tied it, both to restrict its bulk and to render it secure.
tightlyadverbUS /ˈtaɪtli/
in a tight or constricted manner
From this reading I unwound the silk threads that tightly tied it, both to restrict its bulk and to render it secure.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading "When I was alone with my mortars and my drugs," resumed the narrator, "I lost no time in examining the mysterious packet.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I unwound the silk threads that tightly tied it, both to restrict its bulk and to render it secure.
uncoveredadjectiveUS /ənˈkʌvərd/
not covered with clothing
From this reading Soon, to my amazement, I uncovered a string of ten pearls, of a size and lustrous purity that bespoke a high value even to my untutored eyes.
undueadjectiveUS /ənˈduː/
not yet payable
From this reading But a general smile among the company showed the hakeem that his calling was held in no undue reverence, at least by those without present need of his ministrations.
untutoredadjective
lacking in schooling
From this reading Soon, to my amazement, I uncovered a string of ten pearls, of a size and lustrous purity that bespoke a high value even to my untutored eyes.
unwoundverbUS /ənˈwaʊnd/
inflected form of “unwind” — reverse the winding or twisting of
From this reading I unwound the silk threads that tightly tied it, both to restrict its bulk and to render it secure.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Also there was a little seal of red chalcedony, with the antlered head of a deer and some scroll of lettering engraved upon it; but there was not one scrap of writing to explain to me the reason of these gifts.
a numerical quantity measured or assigned or computed
From this reading Soon, to my amazement, I uncovered a string of ten pearls, of a size and lustrous purity that bespoke a high value even to my untutored eyes.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But a general smile among the company showed the hakeem that his calling was held in no undue reverence, at least by those without present need of his ministrations.
at the time that
From this reading "When I was alone with my mortars and my drugs," resumed the narrator, "I lost no time in examining the mysterious packet.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "When I was alone with my mortars and my drugs," resumed the narrator, "I lost no time in examining the mysterious packet.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading But a general smile among the company showed the hakeem that his calling was held in no undue reverence, at least by those without present need of his ministrations.
the act of creating written works
From this reading Also there was a little seal of red chalcedony, with the antlered head of a deer and some scroll of lettering engraved upon it; but there was not one scrap of writing to explain to me the reason of these gifts.
