adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading On both banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one another in case of need.
abstemiousadjective
sparing in consumption of especially food and drink
From this reading Both hermits and cenobites led abstemious lives, taking no food till after sunset, and eating nothing but bread with a little salt and hyssop.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Both hermits and cenobites led abstemious lives, taking no food till after sunset, and eating nothing but bread with a little salt and hyssop.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading On both banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one another in case of need.
alsoadverbUS /ˈɔːlsoʊ/
in addition
From this reading There were also, here and there on the banks of the river, monasteries, where the cenobites lived in separate cells, and only met together that they might the better enjoy their solitude.
amongstprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋst/
surrounded by; in the company of
From this reading Churches, each surmounted by a cross, stood here and there amongst the huts, and the monks flocked to them at each festival to celebrate the services or to partake of the Communion.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading On both banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one another in case of need.
anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading On both banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one another in case of need.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading On both banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one another in case of need.
banksnounUS /bæŋks/
English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)
From this reading On both banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one another in case of need.
BANQUETnounUS /ˈbæŋkwət/
a ceremonial dinner party for many people
From this reading THE BANQUET THE PAPYRUS (resumed) THAIS PART THE FIRST -- THE LOTUS In those days there were many hermits living in the desert.
betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading There were also, here and there on the banks of the river, monasteries, where the cenobites lived in separate cells, and only met together that they might the better enjoy their solitude.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading On both banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one another in case of need.
branchesnounUS /ˈbræntʃəz/
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading On both banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one another in case of need.
breadnounUS /bred/
food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked
From this reading Both hermits and cenobites led abstemious lives, taking no food till after sunset, and eating nothing but bread with a little salt and hyssop.
builtadjectiveUS /bɪlt/
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading On both banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one another in case of need.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Both hermits and cenobites led abstemious lives, taking no food till after sunset, and eating nothing but bread with a little salt and hyssop.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading On both banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one another in case of need.
casenounUS /keɪs/
an occurrence of something
From this reading On both banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one another in case of need.
celebrateverbUS /ˈseləbreɪt/
behave as expected during of holidays or rites
From this reading Churches, each surmounted by a cross, stood here and there amongst the huts, and the monks flocked to them at each festival to celebrate the services or to partake of the Communion.
cellsnounUS /selz/
plural of “cell” — any small compartment
From this reading There were also, here and there on the banks of the river, monasteries, where the cenobites lived in separate cells, and only met together that they might the better enjoy their solitude.
cenobites
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were also, here and there on the banks of the river, monasteries, where the cenobites lived in separate cells, and only met together that they might the better enjoy their solitude.
ChurchesnounUS /ˈtʃɜːrtʃɪz/
plural of “church” — one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading Churches, each surmounted by a cross, stood here and there amongst the huts, and the monks flocked to them at each festival to celebrate the services or to partake of the Communion.
claynounUS /kleɪ/
a very fine-grained soil that is plastic when moist but hard when fired
From this reading On both banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one another in case of need.
CommunionnounUS /kəˈmjuːnjən/
the act of participating in the celebration of the Eucharist
From this reading Churches, each surmounted by a cross, stood here and there amongst the huts, and the monks flocked to them at each festival to celebrate the services or to partake of the Communion.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading On both banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one another in case of need.
crossverbUS /krɔːs/
travel across or pass over
From this reading Churches, each surmounted by a cross, stood here and there amongst the huts, and the monks flocked to them at each festival to celebrate the services or to partake of the Communion.
daysnounUS /deɪz/
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading THE BANQUET THE PAPYRUS (resumed) THAIS PART THE FIRST -- THE LOTUS In those days there were many hermits living in the desert.
desertverbUS /ˈdezərt/
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading THE BANQUET THE PAPYRUS (resumed) THAIS PART THE FIRST -- THE LOTUS In those days there were many hermits living in the desert.
distancenounUS /ˈdɪstəns/
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading On both banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one another in case of need.
dwellersnounUS /ˈdwelərz/
plural of “dweller” — a person who inhabits a particular place
From this reading On both banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one another in case of need.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading On both banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one another in case of need.
eatingnounUS /ˈiːtɪŋ/
the act of consuming food
From this reading Both hermits and cenobites led abstemious lives, taking no food till after sunset, and eating nothing but bread with a little salt and hyssop.
enjoyverbUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪ/
derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading There were also, here and there on the banks of the river, monasteries, where the cenobites lived in separate cells, and only met together that they might the better enjoy their solitude.
festivalnounUS /ˈfestəvəl/
a day or period of time set aside for feasting and celebration
From this reading Churches, each surmounted by a cross, stood here and there amongst the huts, and the monks flocked to them at each festival to celebrate the services or to partake of the Communion.
FIRSTadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading THE BANQUET THE PAPYRUS (resumed) THAIS PART THE FIRST -- THE LOTUS In those days there were many hermits living in the desert.
flockedverbUS /flɑːkt/
past form of “flock” — move as a crowd or in a group
From this reading Churches, each surmounted by a cross, stood here and there amongst the huts, and the monks flocked to them at each festival to celebrate the services or to partake of the Communion.
foodnounUS /fuːd/
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading Both hermits and cenobites led abstemious lives, taking no food till after sunset, and eating nothing but bread with a little salt and hyssop.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading On both banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one another in case of need.
heldadjectiveUS /held/
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading On both banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one another in case of need.
helpverbUS /help/
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading On both banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one another in case of need.
hereadverbUS /hiːr/
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Churches, each surmounted by a cross, stood here and there amongst the huts, and the monks flocked to them at each festival to celebrate the services or to partake of the Communion.
hermitsnounUS /ˈhɜːrməts/
plural of “hermit” — one retired from society for religious reasons
From this reading THE BANQUET THE PAPYRUS (resumed) THAIS PART THE FIRST -- THE LOTUS In those days there were many hermits living in the desert.
hutsnounUS /hʌts/
plural of “hut” — temporary military shelter
From this reading On both banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one another in case of need.
hyssopnounUS /ˈhɪsəp/
a European mint with aromatic and pungent leaves used in perfumery and as a seasoning in cookery; often cultivated as a remedy for bruises; yields hyssop oil
From this reading Both hermits and cenobites led abstemious lives, taking no food till after sunset, and eating nothing but bread with a little salt and hyssop.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE BANQUET THE PAPYRUS (resumed) THAIS PART THE FIRST -- THE LOTUS In those days there were many hermits living in the desert.
inhabitantsnounUS /ɪnˈhæbətənts/
plural of “inhabitant” — a person who inhabits a particular place
From this reading On both banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one another in case of need.
lednounUS /led/
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading Both hermits and cenobites led abstemious lives, taking no food till after sunset, and eating nothing but bread with a little salt and hyssop.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading On both banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one another in case of need.
liveverbUS /laɪv/
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading On both banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one another in case of need.
livedverbUS /lɪvd/
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading There were also, here and there on the banks of the river, monasteries, where the cenobites lived in separate cells, and only met together that they might the better enjoy their solitude.
livesnounUS /lɪvz/
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Both hermits and cenobites led abstemious lives, taking no food till after sunset, and eating nothing but bread with a little salt and hyssop.
livingnounUS /ˈlɪvɪŋ/
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading THE BANQUET THE PAPYRUS (resumed) THAIS PART THE FIRST -- THE LOTUS In those days there were many hermits living in the desert.
LOTUSnounUS /ˈloʊtəs/
native to eastern Asia; widely cultivated for its large pink or white flowers
From this reading THE BANQUET THE PAPYRUS (resumed) THAIS PART THE FIRST -- THE LOTUS In those days there were many hermits living in the desert.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading THE BANQUET THE PAPYRUS (resumed) THAIS PART THE FIRST -- THE LOTUS In those days there were many hermits living in the desert.
metverbUS /met/
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading There were also, here and there on the banks of the river, monasteries, where the cenobites lived in separate cells, and only met together that they might the better enjoy their solitude.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading There were also, here and there on the banks of the river, monasteries, where the cenobites lived in separate cells, and only met together that they might the better enjoy their solitude.
monasteriesnounUS /ˈmɑːnəsteriz/
plural of “monastery” — the residence of a religious community
From this reading There were also, here and there on the banks of the river, monasteries, where the cenobites lived in separate cells, and only met together that they might the better enjoy their solitude.
monksnounUS /mʌŋks/
plural of “monk” — a male religious living in a cloister and devoting himself to contemplation and prayer and work
From this reading Churches, each surmounted by a cross, stood here and there amongst the huts, and the monks flocked to them at each festival to celebrate the services or to partake of the Communion.
neednounUS /niːd/
a condition requiring relief
From this reading On both banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one another in case of need.
NilenounUS /naɪl/
the world's longest river (4150 miles); flows northward through eastern Africa into the Mediterranean; the Nile River valley in Egypt was the site of the world's first great civilization
From this reading On both banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one another in case of need.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Both hermits and cenobites led abstemious lives, taking no food till after sunset, and eating nothing but bread with a little salt and hyssop.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Both hermits and cenobites led abstemious lives, taking no food till after sunset, and eating nothing but bread with a little salt and hyssop.
numerousadjectiveUS /ˈnuːmərəs/
amounting to a large indefinite number
From this reading On both banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one another in case of need.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading On both banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one another in case of need.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On both banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one another in case of need.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading On both banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one another in case of need.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading There were also, here and there on the banks of the river, monasteries, where the cenobites lived in separate cells, and only met together that they might the better enjoy their solitude.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Churches, each surmounted by a cross, stood here and there amongst the huts, and the monks flocked to them at each festival to celebrate the services or to partake of the Communion.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading On both banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one another in case of need.
PAPYRUSnoun
paper made from the papyrus plant by cutting it in strips and pressing it flat; used by ancient Egyptians and Greeks and Romans
From this reading THE BANQUET THE PAPYRUS (resumed) THAIS PART THE FIRST -- THE LOTUS In those days there were many hermits living in the desert.
PARTnounUS /pɑːrt/
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading THE BANQUET THE PAPYRUS (resumed) THAIS PART THE FIRST -- THE LOTUS In those days there were many hermits living in the desert.
partakeverbUS /pɑːrˈteɪk/
have some of the qualities or attributes of something
From this reading Churches, each surmounted by a cross, stood here and there amongst the huts, and the monks flocked to them at each festival to celebrate the services or to partake of the Communion.
resumedverbUS /rɪˈzuːmd/
past form of “resume” — take up or begin anew
From this reading THE BANQUET THE PAPYRUS (resumed) THAIS PART THE FIRST -- THE LOTUS In those days there were many hermits living in the desert.
rivernounUS /ˈrɪvər/
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading There were also, here and there on the banks of the river, monasteries, where the cenobites lived in separate cells, and only met together that they might the better enjoy their solitude.
saltnounUS /sɔːlt/
a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts like a metal)
From this reading Both hermits and cenobites led abstemious lives, taking no food till after sunset, and eating nothing but bread with a little salt and hyssop.
scatteredadjectiveUS /ˈskætərd/
occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space
From this reading On both banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one another in case of need.
separateverbUS /ˈsepəreɪt/
act as a barrier between; stand between
From this reading There were also, here and there on the banks of the river, monasteries, where the cenobites lived in separate cells, and only met together that they might the better enjoy their solitude.
servicesnounUS /ˈsɜːrvəsəz/
performance of duties or provision of space and equipment helpful to others
From this reading Churches, each surmounted by a cross, stood here and there amongst the huts, and the monks flocked to them at each festival to celebrate the services or to partake of the Communion.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading On both banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one another in case of need.
solitaryadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləteri/
characterized by or preferring solitude
From this reading On both banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one another in case of need.
solitudenounUS /ˈsɑːlətuːd/
a state of social isolation
From this reading There were also, here and there on the banks of the river, monasteries, where the cenobites lived in separate cells, and only met together that they might the better enjoy their solitude.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Churches, each surmounted by a cross, stood here and there amongst the huts, and the monks flocked to them at each festival to celebrate the services or to partake of the Communion.
sunsetnounUS /ˈsʌnset/
the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon
From this reading Both hermits and cenobites led abstemious lives, taking no food till after sunset, and eating nothing but bread with a little salt and hyssop.
surmountedadjectiveUS /sərˈmaʊntɪd/
having something on top
From this reading Churches, each surmounted by a cross, stood here and there amongst the huts, and the monks flocked to them at each festival to celebrate the services or to partake of the Communion.
takingnounUS /ˈteɪkɪŋ/
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading Both hermits and cenobites led abstemious lives, taking no food till after sunset, and eating nothing but bread with a little salt and hyssop.
THAISnounUS /taɪz/
plural of “thai” — a native or inhabitant of Thailand
From this reading THE BANQUET THE PAPYRUS (resumed) THAIS PART THE FIRST -- THE LOTUS In those days there were many hermits living in the desert.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading On both banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one another in case of need.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BANQUET THE PAPYRUS (resumed) THAIS PART THE FIRST -- THE LOTUS In those days there were many hermits living in the desert.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading There were also, here and there on the banks of the river, monasteries, where the cenobites lived in separate cells, and only met together that they might the better enjoy their solitude.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Churches, each surmounted by a cross, stood here and there amongst the huts, and the monks flocked to them at each festival to celebrate the services or to partake of the Communion.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading THE BANQUET THE PAPYRUS (resumed) THAIS PART THE FIRST -- THE LOTUS In those days there were many hermits living in the desert.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading On both banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one another in case of need.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There were also, here and there on the banks of the river, monasteries, where the cenobites lived in separate cells, and only met together that they might the better enjoy their solitude.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading THE BANQUET THE PAPYRUS (resumed) THAIS PART THE FIRST -- THE LOTUS In those days there were many hermits living in the desert.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Both hermits and cenobites led abstemious lives, taking no food till after sunset, and eating nothing but bread with a little salt and hyssop.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Churches, each surmounted by a cross, stood here and there amongst the huts, and the monks flocked to them at each festival to celebrate the services or to partake of the Communion.
togetheradverbUS /təˈɡeðər/
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading On both banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one another in case of need.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE BANQUET THE PAPYRUS (resumed) THAIS PART THE FIRST -- THE LOTUS In those days there were many hermits living in the desert.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading There were also, here and there on the banks of the river, monasteries, where the cenobites lived in separate cells, and only met together that they might the better enjoy their solitude.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Both hermits and cenobites led abstemious lives, taking no food till after sunset, and eating nothing but bread with a little salt and hyssop.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading On both banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one another in case of need.
