adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The citizens of this ancient town had done all they could to give the Imperial traveller a worthy reception.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading But the storm tore down the masts and the garlands, and the lashed waters of the Nile had beaten with irresistible fury on the bank; had carried away piece after piece of the fertile shore, flung its waves, like liquid wedges into the rifts of the parched land; and excavated the high bank by the landing-quay.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 citizens of this ancient town had done all they could to give the Imperial traveller a worthy reception.
ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading The citizens of this ancient town had done all they could to give the Imperial traveller a worthy reception.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The chief streets had been decked with ropes of flowers strung from mast to mast and from house to house, and by the harbor, close to the river shore, statues of Hadrian and his wife had been erected.
awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading But the storm tore down the masts and the garlands, and the lashed waters of the Nile had beaten with irresistible fury on the bank; had carried away piece after piece of the fertile shore, flung its waves, like liquid wedges into the rifts of the parched land; and excavated the high bank by the landing-quay.
banknounUS /bæŋk/
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading But the storm tore down the masts and the garlands, and the lashed waters of the Nile had beaten with irresistible fury on the bank; had carried away piece after piece of the fertile shore, flung its waves, like liquid wedges into the rifts of the parched land; and excavated the high bank by the landing-quay.
beatverbUS /biːt/
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading After midnight the storm was still raging with unheard-of fury; it swept the palm thatch from many of the houses, and beat the stream with such violence that it was like a surging sea.
beatenadjectiveUS /ˈbiːtən/
formed or made thin by hammering
From this reading But the storm tore down the masts and the garlands, and the lashed waters of the Nile had beaten with irresistible fury on the bank; had carried away piece after piece of the fertile shore, flung its waves, like liquid wedges into the rifts of the parched land; and excavated the high bank by the landing-quay.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The chief streets had been decked with ropes of flowers strung from mast to mast and from house to house, and by the harbor, close to the river shore, statues of Hadrian and his wife had been erected.
Besa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The unchained elements had raged that night with equal fury over the Nile city of Besa.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the storm tore down the masts and the garlands, and the lashed waters of the Nile had beaten with irresistible fury on the bank; had carried away piece after piece of the fertile shore, flung its waves, like liquid wedges into the rifts of the parched land; and excavated the high bank by the landing-quay.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The chief streets had been decked with ropes of flowers strung from mast to mast and from house to house, and by the harbor, close to the river shore, statues of Hadrian and his wife had been erected.
carriedverbUS /ˈkærid/
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading But the storm tore down the masts and the garlands, and the lashed waters of the Nile had beaten with irresistible fury on the bank; had carried away piece after piece of the fertile shore, flung its waves, like liquid wedges into the rifts of the parched land; and excavated the high bank by the landing-quay.
chiefnounUS /tʃiːf/
a person who is in charge
From this reading The chief streets had been decked with ropes of flowers strung from mast to mast and from house to house, and by the harbor, close to the river shore, statues of Hadrian and his wife had been erected.
citizensnounUS /ˈsɪtəzənz/
plural of “citizen” — a native or naturalized member of a state or other political community
From this reading The citizens of this ancient town had done all they could to give the Imperial traveller a worthy reception.
citynounUS /ˈsɪti/
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading The unchained elements had raged that night with equal fury over the Nile city of Besa.
closeadjectiveUS /kloʊs/
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading The chief streets had been decked with ropes of flowers strung from mast to mast and from house to house, and by the harbor, close to the river shore, statues of Hadrian and his wife had been erected.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The citizens of this ancient town had done all they could to give the Imperial traveller a worthy reception.
deckedverbUS /dekt/
past form of “deck” — be beautiful to look at
From this reading The chief streets had been decked with ropes of flowers strung from mast to mast and from house to house, and by the harbor, close to the river shore, statues of Hadrian and his wife had been erected.
doneadjectiveUS /dʌn/
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading The citizens of this ancient town had done all they could to give the Imperial traveller a worthy reception.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading But the storm tore down the masts and the garlands, and the lashed waters of the Nile had beaten with irresistible fury on the bank; had carried away piece after piece of the fertile shore, flung its waves, like liquid wedges into the rifts of the parched land; and excavated the high bank by the landing-quay.
elementsnounUS /ˈeləmənts/
violent or severe weather (viewed as caused by the action of the four elements)
From this reading The unchained elements had raged that night with equal fury over the Nile city of Besa.
equalverbUS /ˈiːkwəl/
be identical or equivalent to
From this reading The unchained elements had raged that night with equal fury over the Nile city of Besa.
erectedverbUS /ɪˈrektəd/
past form of “erect” — construct, build, or erect
From this reading The chief streets had been decked with ropes of flowers strung from mast to mast and from house to house, and by the harbor, close to the river shore, statues of Hadrian and his wife had been erected.
excavatedverbUS /ˈekskəveɪtɪd/
past form of “excavate” — recover through digging
From this reading But the storm tore down the masts and the garlands, and the lashed waters of the Nile had beaten with irresistible fury on the bank; had carried away piece after piece of the fertile shore, flung its waves, like liquid wedges into the rifts of the parched land; and excavated the high bank by the landing-quay.
fertileadjectiveUS /ˈfɜːrtəl/
capable of reproducing
From this reading But the storm tore down the masts and the garlands, and the lashed waters of the Nile had beaten with irresistible fury on the bank; had carried away piece after piece of the fertile shore, flung its waves, like liquid wedges into the rifts of the parched land; and excavated the high bank by the landing-quay.
flowersnounUS /ˈflaʊərz/
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading The chief streets had been decked with ropes of flowers strung from mast to mast and from house to house, and by the harbor, close to the river shore, statues of Hadrian and his wife had been erected.
flungverbUS /flʌŋ/
inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading But the storm tore down the masts and the garlands, and the lashed waters of the Nile had beaten with irresistible fury on the bank; had carried away piece after piece of the fertile shore, flung its waves, like liquid wedges into the rifts of the parched land; and excavated the high bank by the landing-quay.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The chief streets had been decked with ropes of flowers strung from mast to mast and from house to house, and by the harbor, close to the river shore, statues of Hadrian and his wife had been erected.
furynounUS /ˈfjʊri/
a feeling of intense anger
From this reading The unchained elements had raged that night with equal fury over the Nile city of Besa.
garlands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the storm tore down the masts and the garlands, and the lashed waters of the Nile had beaten with irresistible fury on the bank; had carried away piece after piece of the fertile shore, flung its waves, like liquid wedges into the rifts of the parched land; and excavated the high bank by the landing-quay.
giveverbUS /ɡɪv/
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading The citizens of this ancient town had done all they could to give the Imperial traveller a worthy reception.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The unchained elements had raged that night with equal fury over the Nile city of Besa.
HadriannounUS /ˈhædriən/
Roman Emperor who was the adoptive son of Trajan; travelled throughout his empire to strengthen its frontiers and encourage learning and architecture; on a visit to Britain in 122 he ordered the construction of Hadrian's Wall (76-138)
From this reading The chief streets had been decked with ropes of flowers strung from mast to mast and from house to house, and by the harbor, close to the river shore, statues of Hadrian and his wife had been erected.
harborverbUS /ˈhɑːrbər/
maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)
From this reading The chief streets had been decked with ropes of flowers strung from mast to mast and from house to house, and by the harbor, close to the river shore, statues of Hadrian and his wife had been erected.
highadjectiveUS /haɪ/
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading But the storm tore down the masts and the garlands, and the lashed waters of the Nile had beaten with irresistible fury on the bank; had carried away piece after piece of the fertile shore, flung its waves, like liquid wedges into the rifts of the parched land; and excavated the high bank by the landing-quay.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The chief streets had been decked with ropes of flowers strung from mast to mast and from house to house, and by the harbor, close to the river shore, statues of Hadrian and his wife had been erected.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The chief streets had been decked with ropes of flowers strung from mast to mast and from house to house, and by the harbor, close to the river shore, statues of Hadrian and his wife had been erected.
housesnounUS /ˈhaʊsəz/
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading After midnight the storm was still raging with unheard-of fury; it swept the palm thatch from many of the houses, and beat the stream with such violence that it was like a surging sea.
ImperialadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɪriəl/
relating to or associated with an empire
From this reading The citizens of this ancient town had done all they could to give the Imperial traveller a worthy reception.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading But the storm tore down the masts and the garlands, and the lashed waters of the Nile had beaten with irresistible fury on the bank; had carried away piece after piece of the fertile shore, flung its waves, like liquid wedges into the rifts of the parched land; and excavated the high bank by the landing-quay.
irresistibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪrɪˈzɪstəbəl/
impossible to resist; overpowering
From this reading But the storm tore down the masts and the garlands, and the lashed waters of the Nile had beaten with irresistible fury on the bank; had carried away piece after piece of the fertile shore, flung its waves, like liquid wedges into the rifts of the parched land; and excavated the high bank by the landing-quay.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading After midnight the storm was still raging with unheard-of fury; it swept the palm thatch from many of the houses, and beat the stream with such violence that it was like a surging sea.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading But the storm tore down the masts and the garlands, and the lashed waters of the Nile had beaten with irresistible fury on the bank; had carried away piece after piece of the fertile shore, flung its waves, like liquid wedges into the rifts of the parched land; and excavated the high bank by the landing-quay.
landnounUS /lænd/
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading But the storm tore down the masts and the garlands, and the lashed waters of the Nile had beaten with irresistible fury on the bank; had carried away piece after piece of the fertile shore, flung its waves, like liquid wedges into the rifts of the parched land; and excavated the high bank by the landing-quay.
landing-quay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the storm tore down the masts and the garlands, and the lashed waters of the Nile had beaten with irresistible fury on the bank; had carried away piece after piece of the fertile shore, flung its waves, like liquid wedges into the rifts of the parched land; and excavated the high bank by the landing-quay.
lashedverbUS /læʃt/
past form of “lash” — beat severely with a whip or rod
From this reading But the storm tore down the masts and the garlands, and the lashed waters of the Nile had beaten with irresistible fury on the bank; had carried away piece after piece of the fertile shore, flung its waves, like liquid wedges into the rifts of the parched land; and excavated the high bank by the landing-quay.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading But the storm tore down the masts and the garlands, and the lashed waters of the Nile had beaten with irresistible fury on the bank; had carried away piece after piece of the fertile shore, flung its waves, like liquid wedges into the rifts of the parched land; and excavated the high bank by the landing-quay.
liquidadjectiveUS /ˈlɪkwəd/
existing as or having characteristics of a liquid; especially tending to flow
From this reading But the storm tore down the masts and the garlands, and the lashed waters of the Nile had beaten with irresistible fury on the bank; had carried away piece after piece of the fertile shore, flung its waves, like liquid wedges into the rifts of the parched land; and excavated the high bank by the landing-quay.
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 After midnight the storm was still raging with unheard-of fury; it swept the palm thatch from many of the houses, and beat the stream with such violence that it was like a surging sea.
mastnounUS /mæst/
a vertical spar for supporting sails
From this reading The chief streets had been decked with ropes of flowers strung from mast to mast and from house to house, and by the harbor, close to the river shore, statues of Hadrian and his wife had been erected.
mastsnounUS /mæsts/
plural of “mast” — a vertical spar for supporting sails
From this reading But the storm tore down the masts and the garlands, and the lashed waters of the Nile had beaten with irresistible fury on the bank; had carried away piece after piece of the fertile shore, flung its waves, like liquid wedges into the rifts of the parched land; and excavated the high bank by the landing-quay.
midnightnounUS /ˈmɪdnaɪt/
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading After midnight the storm was still raging with unheard-of fury; it swept the palm thatch from many of the houses, and beat the stream with such violence that it was like a surging sea.
nightnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The unchained elements had raged that night with equal fury over the Nile city of Besa.
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 The unchained elements had raged that night with equal fury over the Nile city of Besa.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The unchained elements had raged that night with equal fury over the Nile city of Besa.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But the storm tore down the masts and the garlands, and the lashed waters of the Nile had beaten with irresistible fury on the bank; had carried away piece after piece of the fertile shore, flung its waves, like liquid wedges into the rifts of the parched land; and excavated the high bank by the landing-quay.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The unchained elements had raged that night with equal fury over the Nile city of Besa.
palmnounUS /pɑːm/
the inner surface of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers
From this reading After midnight the storm was still raging with unheard-of fury; it swept the palm thatch from many of the houses, and beat the stream with such violence that it was like a surging sea.
parchedadjectiveUS /pɑːrtʃt/
dried out by heat or excessive exposure to sunlight
From this reading But the storm tore down the masts and the garlands, and the lashed waters of the Nile had beaten with irresistible fury on the bank; had carried away piece after piece of the fertile shore, flung its waves, like liquid wedges into the rifts of the parched land; and excavated the high bank by the landing-quay.
piecenounUS /piːs/
a separate part of a whole
From this reading But the storm tore down the masts and the garlands, and the lashed waters of the Nile had beaten with irresistible fury on the bank; had carried away piece after piece of the fertile shore, flung its waves, like liquid wedges into the rifts of the parched land; and excavated the high bank by the landing-quay.
ragedverbUS /reɪdʒd/
past form of “rage” — behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading The unchained elements had raged that night with equal fury over the Nile city of Besa.
ragingadjectiveUS /ˈreɪdʒɪŋ/
characterized by violent and forceful activity or movement; very intense
From this reading After midnight the storm was still raging with unheard-of fury; it swept the palm thatch from many of the houses, and beat the stream with such violence that it was like a surging sea.
receptionnounUS /rɪˈsepʃən/
the manner in which something is greeted
From this reading The citizens of this ancient town had done all they could to give the Imperial traveller a worthy reception.
riftsnounUS /rɪfts/
plural of “rift” — a gap between cloud masses
From this reading But the storm tore down the masts and the garlands, and the lashed waters of the Nile had beaten with irresistible fury on the bank; had carried away piece after piece of the fertile shore, flung its waves, like liquid wedges into the rifts of the parched land; and excavated the high bank by the landing-quay.
rivernounUS /ˈrɪvər/
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading The chief streets had been decked with ropes of flowers strung from mast to mast and from house to house, and by the harbor, close to the river shore, statues of Hadrian and his wife had been erected.
ropesnounUS /roʊps/
plural of “rope” — a strong line
From this reading The chief streets had been decked with ropes of flowers strung from mast to mast and from house to house, and by the harbor, close to the river shore, statues of Hadrian and his wife had been erected.
seanounUS /siː/
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading After midnight the storm was still raging with unheard-of fury; it swept the palm thatch from many of the houses, and beat the stream with such violence that it was like a surging sea.
shorenounUS /ʃɔːr/
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading The chief streets had been decked with ropes of flowers strung from mast to mast and from house to house, and by the harbor, close to the river shore, statues of Hadrian and his wife had been erected.
statuesnounUS /ˈstætʃuːz/
plural of “statue” — a sculpture representing a human or animal
From this reading The chief streets had been decked with ropes of flowers strung from mast to mast and from house to house, and by the harbor, close to the river shore, statues of Hadrian and his wife had been erected.
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading After midnight the storm was still raging with unheard-of fury; it swept the palm thatch from many of the houses, and beat the stream with such violence that it was like a surging sea.
stormverbUS /stɔːrm/
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading But the storm tore down the masts and the garlands, and the lashed waters of the Nile had beaten with irresistible fury on the bank; had carried away piece after piece of the fertile shore, flung its waves, like liquid wedges into the rifts of the parched land; and excavated the high bank by the landing-quay.
streamnounUS /striːm/
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading After midnight the storm was still raging with unheard-of fury; it swept the palm thatch from many of the houses, and beat the stream with such violence that it was like a surging sea.
streetsnounUS /striːts/
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading The chief streets had been decked with ropes of flowers strung from mast to mast and from house to house, and by the harbor, close to the river shore, statues of Hadrian and his wife had been erected.
strungadjectiveUS /strʌŋ/
that is on a string
From this reading The chief streets had been decked with ropes of flowers strung from mast to mast and from house to house, and by the harbor, close to the river shore, statues of Hadrian and his wife had been erected.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading After midnight the storm was still raging with unheard-of fury; it swept the palm thatch from many of the houses, and beat the stream with such violence that it was like a surging sea.
surgingadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrdʒɪŋ/
characterized by great swelling waves or surges
From this reading After midnight the storm was still raging with unheard-of fury; it swept the palm thatch from many of the houses, and beat the stream with such violence that it was like a surging sea.
sweptadjectiveUS /swept/
possessing sweep
From this reading After midnight the storm was still raging with unheard-of fury; it swept the palm thatch from many of the houses, and beat the stream with such violence that it was like a surging sea.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The unchained elements had raged that night with equal fury over the Nile city of Besa.
thatchnounUS /θætʃ/
hair resembling thatched roofing material
From this reading After midnight the storm was still raging with unheard-of fury; it swept the palm thatch from many of the houses, and beat the stream with such violence that it was like a surging sea.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The unchained elements had raged that night with equal fury over the Nile city of Besa.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The citizens of this ancient town had done all they could to give the Imperial traveller a worthy reception.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The citizens of this ancient town had done all they could to give the Imperial traveller a worthy reception.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The citizens of this ancient town had done all they could to give the Imperial traveller a worthy reception.
torenounUS /tɔːr/
commonly the lowest molding at the base of a column
From this reading But the storm tore down the masts and the garlands, and the lashed waters of the Nile had beaten with irresistible fury on the bank; had carried away piece after piece of the fertile shore, flung its waves, like liquid wedges into the rifts of the parched land; and excavated the high bank by the landing-quay.
townnounUS /taʊn/
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading The citizens of this ancient town had done all they could to give the Imperial traveller a worthy reception.
travellernounUS /ˈtrævələr/
a person who changes location
From this reading The citizens of this ancient town had done all they could to give the Imperial traveller a worthy reception.
unchainedadjective
not bound by shackles and chains
From this reading The unchained elements had raged that night with equal fury over the Nile city of Besa.
unheard-ofadjective
previously unknown
From this reading After midnight the storm was still raging with unheard-of fury; it swept the palm thatch from many of the houses, and beat the stream with such violence that it was like a surging sea.
violencenounUS /ˈvaɪələns/
an act of aggression (as one against a person who resists)
From this reading After midnight the storm was still raging with unheard-of fury; it swept the palm thatch from many of the houses, and beat the stream with such violence that it was like a surging sea.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading After midnight the storm was still raging with unheard-of fury; it swept the palm thatch from many of the houses, and beat the stream with such violence that it was like a surging sea.
watersnounUS /ˈwɔːtərz/
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading But the storm tore down the masts and the garlands, and the lashed waters of the Nile had beaten with irresistible fury on the bank; had carried away piece after piece of the fertile shore, flung its waves, like liquid wedges into the rifts of the parched land; and excavated the high bank by the landing-quay.
wavesnounUS /weɪvz/
plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading But the storm tore down the masts and the garlands, and the lashed waters of the Nile had beaten with irresistible fury on the bank; had carried away piece after piece of the fertile shore, flung its waves, like liquid wedges into the rifts of the parched land; and excavated the high bank by the landing-quay.
wedgesnounUS /ˈwedʒəz/
plural of “wedge” — any shape that is triangular in cross section
From this reading But the storm tore down the masts and the garlands, and the lashed waters of the Nile had beaten with irresistible fury on the bank; had carried away piece after piece of the fertile shore, flung its waves, like liquid wedges into the rifts of the parched land; and excavated the high bank by the landing-quay.
wifenounUS /waɪf/
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading The chief streets had been decked with ropes of flowers strung from mast to mast and from house to house, and by the harbor, close to the river shore, statues of Hadrian and his wife had been erected.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The unchained elements had raged that night with equal fury over the Nile city of Besa.
worthyadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːr.ði/
Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.
From this reading The citizens of this ancient town had done all they could to give the Imperial traveller a worthy reception.
