used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading No lamp lighted the apartment, but through an opening in the wall the soft starlight shone upon the bands of hair that fell in little braids over her forehead.
bandsnounUS /bændz/
plural of “band” — an unofficial association of people or groups
From this reading No lamp lighted the apartment, but through an opening in the wall the soft starlight shone upon the bands of hair that fell in little braids over her forehead.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
(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 "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
cause to be bored
From this reading The woman's face bore traces of want and suffering, yet there was a calm dignity and hopefulness in her countenance, and her voice was not despairing.
braidsnounUS /breɪdz/
plural of “braid” — a hairdo formed by braiding or twisting the hair
From this reading No lamp lighted the apartment, but through an opening in the wall the soft starlight shone upon the bands of hair that fell in little braids over her forehead.
bundlenounUS /ˈbʌndəl/
a collection of things wrapped or boxed together
From this reading She sat upon a bundle of rushes placed on the floor.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading No lamp lighted the apartment, but through an opening in the wall the soft starlight shone upon the bands of hair that fell in little braids over her forehead.
make calm or still
From this reading The woman's face bore traces of want and suffering, yet there was a calm dignity and hopefulness in her countenance, and her voice was not despairing.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
choosesverbUS /ˈtʃuːzəz/
third-person singular of “choose” — pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading The woman's face bore traces of want and suffering, yet there was a calm dignity and hopefulness in her countenance, and her voice was not despairing.
despairingadjectiveUS /dɪˈsperɪŋ/
arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope
From this reading The woman's face bore traces of want and suffering, yet there was a calm dignity and hopefulness in her countenance, and her voice was not despairing.
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading The woman's face bore traces of want and suffering, yet there was a calm dignity and hopefulness in her countenance, and her voice was not despairing.
dilapidatedadjectiveUS /dəˈlæpədeɪtɪd/
in deplorable condition
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
dingyadjectiveUS /ˈdɪndʒi/
thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
earthenadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrθən/
made of earth (or baked clay)
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
EpictetusnounUS /ˌepɪkˈtiːtəs/
Greek philosopher who was a Stoic (circa 50-130)
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The woman's face bore traces of want and suffering, yet there was a calm dignity and hopefulness in her countenance, and her voice was not despairing.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading No lamp lighted the apartment, but through an opening in the wall the soft starlight shone upon the bands of hair that fell in little braids over her forehead.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading No lamp lighted the apartment, but through an opening in the wall the soft starlight shone upon the bands of hair that fell in little braids over her forehead.
the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading No lamp lighted the apartment, but through an opening in the wall the soft starlight shone upon the bands of hair that fell in little braids over her forehead.
third-person singular of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
hopefulnessnounUS /ˈhoʊpfəlnɪs/
full of hope
From this reading The woman's face bore traces of want and suffering, yet there was a calm dignity and hopefulness in her countenance, and her voice was not despairing.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
JEWnounUS /dʒuː/
a person belonging to the worldwide group claiming descent from Jacob (or converted to it) and connected by cultural or religious ties
From this reading NATHAN THE JEW.
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading No lamp lighted the apartment, but through an opening in the wall the soft starlight shone upon the bands of hair that fell in little braids over her forehead.
set afire or burning
From this reading No lamp lighted the apartment, but through an opening in the wall the soft starlight shone upon the bands of hair that fell in little braids over her forehead.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
MeccanounUS /ˈmekə/
joint capital (with Riyadh) of Saudi Arabia; located in western Saudi Arabia; as the birthplace of Muhammad it is the holiest city of Islam
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
used to form the superlative
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
NATHAN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NATHAN THE JEW.
not any; not one
From this reading No lamp lighted the apartment, but through an opening in the wall the soft starlight shone upon the bands of hair that fell in little braids over her forehead.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The woman's face bore traces of want and suffering, yet there was a calm dignity and hopefulness in her countenance, and her voice was not despairing.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading No lamp lighted the apartment, but through an opening in the wall the soft starlight shone upon the bands of hair that fell in little braids over her forehead.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading No lamp lighted the apartment, but through an opening in the wall the soft starlight shone upon the bands of hair that fell in little braids over her forehead.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading She sat upon a bundle of rushes placed on the floor.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
rushesnounUS /ˈrʌʃəz/
plural of “rush” — the act of moving hurriedly and in a careless manner
From this reading She sat upon a bundle of rushes placed on the floor.
Identical; not different.
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She sat upon a bundle of rushes placed on the floor.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading No lamp lighted the apartment, but through an opening in the wall the soft starlight shone upon the bands of hair that fell in little braids over her forehead.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading No lamp lighted the apartment, but through an opening in the wall the soft starlight shone upon the bands of hair that fell in little braids over her forehead.
starlightnounUS /ˈstɑːrlaɪt/
the light of the stars
From this reading No lamp lighted the apartment, but through an opening in the wall the soft starlight shone upon the bands of hair that fell in little braids over her forehead.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
a state of acute pain
From this reading The woman's face bore traces of want and suffering, yet there was a calm dignity and hopefulness in her countenance, and her voice was not despairing.
place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading No lamp lighted the apartment, but through an opening in the wall the soft starlight shone upon the bands of hair that fell in little braids over her forehead.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading NATHAN THE JEW.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The woman's face bore traces of want and suffering, yet there was a calm dignity and hopefulness in her countenance, and her voice was not despairing.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading No lamp lighted the apartment, but through an opening in the wall the soft starlight shone upon the bands of hair that fell in little braids over her forehead.
tracesnounUS /ˈtreɪsəz/
plural of “trace” — a just detectable amount
From this reading The woman's face bore traces of want and suffering, yet there was a calm dignity and hopefulness in her countenance, and her voice was not despairing.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading She sat upon a bundle of rushes placed on the floor.
past form of “visit” — go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading The woman's face bore traces of want and suffering, yet there was a calm dignity and hopefulness in her countenance, and her voice was not despairing.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading No lamp lighted the apartment, but through an opening in the wall the soft starlight shone upon the bands of hair that fell in little braids over her forehead.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading The woman's face bore traces of want and suffering, yet there was a calm dignity and hopefulness in her countenance, and her voice was not despairing.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The woman's face bore traces of want and suffering, yet there was a calm dignity and hopefulness in her countenance, and her voice was not despairing.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
woman'snounUS /ˈwʊmənz/
possessive form of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The woman's face bore traces of want and suffering, yet there was a calm dignity and hopefulness in her countenance, and her voice was not despairing.
but in spite of that
From this reading The woman's face bore traces of want and suffering, yet there was a calm dignity and hopefulness in her countenance, and her voice was not despairing.
Yusuf
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I shall be content, whatever happens, for what God chooses must be better than what I can choose."--_Epictetus._ The same evening on which Yusuf visited the temple, a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor, in one of the most dilapidated streets of Mecca.
