used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Even the unceasing voice of the doctors wife, which I now began to look upon as the most agreeable sound in nature, was wanting; and the occasional drag of a slipper, which I guessed might proceed from the crawl of old Leilah, was the only sign of an inhabitant.
anew
From this reading The lovers meet again, and are very happy--Hajji Baba sings.
conforming to your own liking or feelings or nature
From this reading Even the unceasing voice of the doctors wife, which I now began to look upon as the most agreeable sound in nature, was wanting; and the occasional drag of a slipper, which I guessed might proceed from the crawl of old Leilah, was the only sign of an inhabitant.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading The tobacco, and all the apparatus for cleaning it, had disappeared, and all was hushed below.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Even the unceasing voice of the doctors wife, which I now began to look upon as the most agreeable sound in nature, was wanting; and the occasional drag of a slipper, which I guessed might proceed from the crawl of old Leilah, was the only sign of an inhabitant.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The lovers meet again, and are very happy--Hajji Baba sings.
announcingverbUS /əˈnaʊnsɪŋ/
-ing form of “announce” — make known; make an announcement
From this reading I had in succession watched the distant din of the kings band, the crash of the drums, and the swell of the trumpets, announcing sunset.
apparatusnounUS /ˌæpərˈætəs/
equipment designed to serve a specific function
From this reading The tobacco, and all the apparatus for cleaning it, had disappeared, and all was hushed below.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The lovers meet again, and are very happy--Hajji Baba sings.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Even the unceasing voice of the doctors wife, which I now began to look upon as the most agreeable sound in nature, was wanting; and the occasional drag of a slipper, which I guessed might proceed from the crawl of old Leilah, was the only sign of an inhabitant.
ascendedverbUS /əˈsendɪd/
past form of “ascend” — travel up
From this reading On the following evening, I ascended the terrace in the hope of seeing the signal of meeting; but in vain; no veil was visible; and I sat myself down in despair.
BabanounUS /ˈbʌbə/
a small cake leavened with yeast
From this reading The lovers meet again, and are very happy--Hajji Baba sings.
an unofficial association of people or groups
From this reading I had in succession watched the distant din of the kings band, the crash of the drums, and the swell of the trumpets, announcing sunset.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Even the unceasing voice of the doctors wife, which I now began to look upon as the most agreeable sound in nature, was wanting; and the occasional drag of a slipper, which I guessed might proceed from the crawl of old Leilah, was the only sign of an inhabitant.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading The tobacco, and all the apparatus for cleaning it, had disappeared, and all was hushed below.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading On the following evening, I ascended the terrace in the hope of seeing the signal of meeting; but in vain; no veil was visible; and I sat myself down in despair.
cleaningnounUS /ˈkliːnɪŋ/
the act of making something clean
From this reading The tobacco, and all the apparatus for cleaning it, had disappeared, and all was hushed below.
crashverbUS /kræʃ/
fall or come down violently
From this reading I had in succession watched the distant din of the kings band, the crash of the drums, and the swell of the trumpets, announcing sunset.
crawlverbUS /krɔːl/
move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading Even the unceasing voice of the doctors wife, which I now began to look upon as the most agreeable sound in nature, was wanting; and the occasional drag of a slipper, which I guessed might proceed from the crawl of old Leilah, was the only sign of an inhabitant.
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading On the following evening, I ascended the terrace in the hope of seeing the signal of meeting; but in vain; no veil was visible; and I sat myself down in despair.
dinnounUS /dɪn/
a loud harsh or strident noise
From this reading I had in succession watched the distant din of the kings band, the crash of the drums, and the swell of the trumpets, announcing sunset.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading The tobacco, and all the apparatus for cleaning it, had disappeared, and all was hushed below.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading I had in succession watched the distant din of the kings band, the crash of the drums, and the swell of the trumpets, announcing sunset.
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading Even the unceasing voice of the doctors wife, which I now began to look upon as the most agreeable sound in nature, was wanting; and the occasional drag of a slipper, which I guessed might proceed from the crawl of old Leilah, was the only sign of an inhabitant.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading On the following evening, I ascended the terrace in the hope of seeing the signal of meeting; but in vain; no veil was visible; and I sat myself down in despair.
dragverbUS /dræɡ/
pull, as against a resistance
From this reading Even the unceasing voice of the doctors wife, which I now began to look upon as the most agreeable sound in nature, was wanting; and the occasional drag of a slipper, which I guessed might proceed from the crawl of old Leilah, was the only sign of an inhabitant.
drumsnounUS /drʌmz/
plural of “drum” — a musical percussion instrument; usually consists of a hollow cylinder with a membrane stretched across each end
From this reading I had in succession watched the distant din of the kings band, the crash of the drums, and the swell of the trumpets, announcing sunset.
divisible by two
From this reading Even the unceasing voice of the doctors wife, which I now began to look upon as the most agreeable sound in nature, was wanting; and the occasional drag of a slipper, which I guessed might proceed from the crawl of old Leilah, was the only sign of an inhabitant.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading On the following evening, I ascended the terrace in the hope of seeing the signal of meeting; but in vain; no veil was visible; and I sat myself down in despair.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading On the following evening, I ascended the terrace in the hope of seeing the signal of meeting; but in vain; no veil was visible; and I sat myself down in despair.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The tobacco, and all the apparatus for cleaning it, had disappeared, and all was hushed below.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Even the unceasing voice of the doctors wife, which I now began to look upon as the most agreeable sound in nature, was wanting; and the occasional drag of a slipper, which I guessed might proceed from the crawl of old Leilah, was the only sign of an inhabitant.
past form of “guess” — expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading Even the unceasing voice of the doctors wife, which I now began to look upon as the most agreeable sound in nature, was wanting; and the occasional drag of a slipper, which I guessed might proceed from the crawl of old Leilah, was the only sign of an inhabitant.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The tobacco, and all the apparatus for cleaning it, had disappeared, and all was hushed below.
Hajjinoun
a general term used by foreign soldiers to refer to the Iraqi people
From this reading The lovers meet again, and are very happy--Hajji Baba sings.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading The lovers meet again, and are very happy--Hajji Baba sings.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading On the following evening, I ascended the terrace in the hope of seeing the signal of meeting; but in vain; no veil was visible; and I sat myself down in despair.
hushedadjectiveUS /hʌʃt/
in a softened tone
From this reading The tobacco, and all the apparatus for cleaning it, had disappeared, and all was hushed below.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading On the following evening, I ascended the terrace in the hope of seeing the signal of meeting; but in vain; no veil was visible; and I sat myself down in despair.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On the following evening, I ascended the terrace in the hope of seeing the signal of meeting; but in vain; no veil was visible; and I sat myself down in despair.
inhabitantnounUS /ɪnˈhæbətənt/
a person who inhabits a particular place
From this reading Even the unceasing voice of the doctors wife, which I now began to look upon as the most agreeable sound in nature, was wanting; and the occasional drag of a slipper, which I guessed might proceed from the crawl of old Leilah, was the only sign of an inhabitant.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The tobacco, and all the apparatus for cleaning it, had disappeared, and all was hushed below.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading I had in succession watched the distant din of the kings band, the crash of the drums, and the swell of the trumpets, announcing sunset.
Leilah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even the unceasing voice of the doctors wife, which I now began to look upon as the most agreeable sound in nature, was wanting; and the occasional drag of a slipper, which I guessed might proceed from the crawl of old Leilah, was the only sign of an inhabitant.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Even the unceasing voice of the doctors wife, which I now began to look upon as the most agreeable sound in nature, was wanting; and the occasional drag of a slipper, which I guessed might proceed from the crawl of old Leilah, was the only sign of an inhabitant.
plural of “lover” — a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
From this reading The lovers meet again, and are very happy--Hajji Baba sings.
come together
From this reading The lovers meet again, and are very happy--Hajji Baba sings.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading On the following evening, I ascended the terrace in the hope of seeing the signal of meeting; but in vain; no veil was visible; and I sat myself down in despair.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Even the unceasing voice of the doctors wife, which I now began to look upon as the most agreeable sound in nature, was wanting; and the occasional drag of a slipper, which I guessed might proceed from the crawl of old Leilah, was the only sign of an inhabitant.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Even the unceasing voice of the doctors wife, which I now began to look upon as the most agreeable sound in nature, was wanting; and the occasional drag of a slipper, which I guessed might proceed from the crawl of old Leilah, was the only sign of an inhabitant.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading On the following evening, I ascended the terrace in the hope of seeing the signal of meeting; but in vain; no veil was visible; and I sat myself down in despair.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Even the unceasing voice of the doctors wife, which I now began to look upon as the most agreeable sound in nature, was wanting; and the occasional drag of a slipper, which I guessed might proceed from the crawl of old Leilah, was the only sign of an inhabitant.
not any; not one
From this reading On the following evening, I ascended the terrace in the hope of seeing the signal of meeting; but in vain; no veil was visible; and I sat myself down in despair.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Even the unceasing voice of the doctors wife, which I now began to look upon as the most agreeable sound in nature, was wanting; and the occasional drag of a slipper, which I guessed might proceed from the crawl of old Leilah, was the only sign of an inhabitant.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading Even the unceasing voice of the doctors wife, which I now began to look upon as the most agreeable sound in nature, was wanting; and the occasional drag of a slipper, which I guessed might proceed from the crawl of old Leilah, was the only sign of an inhabitant.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading On the following evening, I ascended the terrace in the hope of seeing the signal of meeting; but in vain; no veil was visible; and I sat myself down in despair.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Even the unceasing voice of the doctors wife, which I now began to look upon as the most agreeable sound in nature, was wanting; and the occasional drag of a slipper, which I guessed might proceed from the crawl of old Leilah, was the only sign of an inhabitant.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the following evening, I ascended the terrace in the hope of seeing the signal of meeting; but in vain; no veil was visible; and I sat myself down in despair.
and nothing more
From this reading Even the unceasing voice of the doctors wife, which I now began to look upon as the most agreeable sound in nature, was wanting; and the occasional drag of a slipper, which I guessed might proceed from the crawl of old Leilah, was the only sign of an inhabitant.
continue talking
From this reading Even the unceasing voice of the doctors wife, which I now began to look upon as the most agreeable sound in nature, was wanting; and the occasional drag of a slipper, which I guessed might proceed from the crawl of old Leilah, was the only sign of an inhabitant.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading Even the unceasing voice of the doctors wife, which I now began to look upon as the most agreeable sound in nature, was wanting; and the occasional drag of a slipper, which I guessed might proceed from the crawl of old Leilah, was the only sign of an inhabitant.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading On the following evening, I ascended the terrace in the hope of seeing the signal of meeting; but in vain; no veil was visible; and I sat myself down in despair.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading On the following evening, I ascended the terrace in the hope of seeing the signal of meeting; but in vain; no veil was visible; and I sat myself down in despair.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading Even the unceasing voice of the doctors wife, which I now began to look upon as the most agreeable sound in nature, was wanting; and the occasional drag of a slipper, which I guessed might proceed from the crawl of old Leilah, was the only sign of an inhabitant.
any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message
From this reading On the following evening, I ascended the terrace in the hope of seeing the signal of meeting; but in vain; no veil was visible; and I sat myself down in despair.
singsverbUS /sɪŋz/
third-person singular of “sing” — deliver by singing
From this reading The lovers meet again, and are very happy--Hajji Baba sings.
slippernounUS /ˈslɪpər/
low footwear that can be slipped on and off easily; usually worn indoors
From this reading Even the unceasing voice of the doctors wife, which I now began to look upon as the most agreeable sound in nature, was wanting; and the occasional drag of a slipper, which I guessed might proceed from the crawl of old Leilah, was the only sign of an inhabitant.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Even the unceasing voice of the doctors wife, which I now began to look upon as the most agreeable sound in nature, was wanting; and the occasional drag of a slipper, which I guessed might proceed from the crawl of old Leilah, was the only sign of an inhabitant.
successionnounUS /səkˈseʃən/
a following of one thing after another in time
From this reading I had in succession watched the distant din of the kings band, the crash of the drums, and the swell of the trumpets, announcing sunset.
the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon
From this reading I had in succession watched the distant din of the kings band, the crash of the drums, and the swell of the trumpets, announcing sunset.
swellverbUS /swel/
increase in size, magnitude, number, or intensity
From this reading I had in succession watched the distant din of the kings band, the crash of the drums, and the swell of the trumpets, announcing sunset.
terracenounUS /ˈterəs/
usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence
From this reading On the following evening, I ascended the terrace in the hope of seeing the signal of meeting; but in vain; no veil was visible; and I sat myself down in despair.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The lovers meet again, and are very happy--Hajji Baba sings.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Even the unceasing voice of the doctors wife, which I now began to look upon as the most agreeable sound in nature, was wanting; and the occasional drag of a slipper, which I guessed might proceed from the crawl of old Leilah, was the only sign of an inhabitant.
tobacconounUS /təˈbækoʊ/
leaves of the tobacco plant dried and prepared for smoking or ingestion
From this reading The tobacco, and all the apparatus for cleaning it, had disappeared, and all was hushed below.
trumpetsnounUS /ˈtrʌmpəts/
pitcher plant of southeastern United States having erect yellow trumpet-shaped pitchers with wide mouths and erect lids
From this reading I had in succession watched the distant din of the kings band, the crash of the drums, and the swell of the trumpets, announcing sunset.
unceasingadjectiveUS /ənˈsiːsɪŋ/
continuing forever or indefinitely
From this reading Even the unceasing voice of the doctors wife, which I now began to look upon as the most agreeable sound in nature, was wanting; and the occasional drag of a slipper, which I guessed might proceed from the crawl of old Leilah, was the only sign of an inhabitant.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Even the unceasing voice of the doctors wife, which I now began to look upon as the most agreeable sound in nature, was wanting; and the occasional drag of a slipper, which I guessed might proceed from the crawl of old Leilah, was the only sign of an inhabitant.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading On the following evening, I ascended the terrace in the hope of seeing the signal of meeting; but in vain; no veil was visible; and I sat myself down in despair.
a garment that covers the head and face
From this reading On the following evening, I ascended the terrace in the hope of seeing the signal of meeting; but in vain; no veil was visible; and I sat myself down in despair.
precisely as stated
From this reading The lovers meet again, and are very happy--Hajji Baba sings.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading On the following evening, I ascended the terrace in the hope of seeing the signal of meeting; but in vain; no veil was visible; and I sat myself down in despair.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Even the unceasing voice of the doctors wife, which I now began to look upon as the most agreeable sound in nature, was wanting; and the occasional drag of a slipper, which I guessed might proceed from the crawl of old Leilah, was the only sign of an inhabitant.
nonexistent
From this reading Even the unceasing voice of the doctors wife, which I now began to look upon as the most agreeable sound in nature, was wanting; and the occasional drag of a slipper, which I guessed might proceed from the crawl of old Leilah, was the only sign of an inhabitant.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading On the following evening, I ascended the terrace in the hope of seeing the signal of meeting; but in vain; no veil was visible; and I sat myself down in despair.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading I had in succession watched the distant din of the kings band, the crash of the drums, and the swell of the trumpets, announcing sunset.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Even the unceasing voice of the doctors wife, which I now began to look upon as the most agreeable sound in nature, was wanting; and the occasional drag of a slipper, which I guessed might proceed from the crawl of old Leilah, was the only sign of an inhabitant.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Even the unceasing voice of the doctors wife, which I now began to look upon as the most agreeable sound in nature, was wanting; and the occasional drag of a slipper, which I guessed might proceed from the crawl of old Leilah, was the only sign of an inhabitant.
