used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For a time the Master sat in the thickening gloom, eating the dates and _temmin_ wafers, drinking the coffee, pondering in deep silence.
giving or marked by complete attention to
From this reading Slowly, with the contemplative appreciation of the connoisseur, the Master absorbed the flavor and the wondrous stimulation of the "flower of paradise."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For a time the Master sat in the thickening gloom, eating the dates and _temmin_ wafers, drinking the coffee, pondering in deep silence.
appreciationnounUS /əˌpriːʃiˈeɪʃən/
understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something
From this reading Slowly, with the contemplative appreciation of the connoisseur, the Master absorbed the flavor and the wondrous stimulation of the "flower of paradise."
ArabsnounUS /ˈærəbz/
plural of “arab” — a member of a Semitic people originally from the Arabian peninsula and surrounding territories who speaks Arabic and who inhabits much of the Middle East and northern Africa
From this reading This khat, gathered in the mountains back of Hodeida, on the Red Sea not far from Bab el Mandeb, had been preserved by a process known to only a few Coast Arabs.
Araby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plant now in the bowl was part of a shipment that had been more than three months on the way; yet still the fresh aroma of it, as the Master crushed the thick-set, dark-green leaves, scented the darkening room with perfumes of Araby.
aromanounUS /ərˈoʊmə/
any property detected by the olfactory system
From this reading The plant now in the bowl was part of a shipment that had been more than three months on the way; yet still the fresh aroma of it, as the Master crushed the thick-set, dark-green leaves, scented the darkening room with perfumes of Araby.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The plant now in the bowl was part of a shipment that had been more than three months on the way; yet still the fresh aroma of it, as the Master crushed the thick-set, dark-green leaves, scented the darkening room with perfumes of Araby.
Bab
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This khat, gathered in the mountains back of Hodeida, on the Red Sea not far from Bab el Mandeb, had been preserved by a process known to only a few Coast Arabs.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading This khat, gathered in the mountains back of Hodeida, on the Red Sea not far from Bab el Mandeb, had been preserved by a process known to only a few Coast Arabs.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading This khat, gathered in the mountains back of Hodeida, on the Red Sea not far from Bab el Mandeb, had been preserved by a process known to only a few Coast Arabs.
bowlnounUS /boʊl/
a round vessel that is open at the top; used chiefly for holding food or liquids
From this reading When the simple meal was ended, he plucked a little sprig of leaves from the khat plant in the bowl, and thrust them into his mouth.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading This khat, gathered in the mountains back of Hodeida, on the Red Sea not far from Bab el Mandeb, had been preserved by a process known to only a few Coast Arabs.
the shore of a sea or ocean
From this reading This khat, gathered in the mountains back of Hodeida, on the Red Sea not far from Bab el Mandeb, had been preserved by a process known to only a few Coast Arabs.
a beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans
From this reading For a time the Master sat in the thickening gloom, eating the dates and _temmin_ wafers, drinking the coffee, pondering in deep silence.
connoisseurnounUS /ˌkɑːnəˈsɜːr/
an expert able to appreciate a field; especially in the fine arts
From this reading Slowly, with the contemplative appreciation of the connoisseur, the Master absorbed the flavor and the wondrous stimulation of the "flower of paradise."
contemplativeadjectiveUS /kənˈtemplətɪv/
deeply or seriously thoughtful
From this reading Slowly, with the contemplative appreciation of the connoisseur, the Master absorbed the flavor and the wondrous stimulation of the "flower of paradise."
crushedadjectiveUS /krʌʃt/
treated so as to have a permanently wrinkled appearance
From this reading The plant now in the bowl was part of a shipment that had been more than three months on the way; yet still the fresh aroma of it, as the Master crushed the thick-set, dark-green leaves, scented the darkening room with perfumes of Araby.
dark-greenadjective
of the color between blue and yellow in the color spectrum; similar to the color of fresh grass
From this reading The plant now in the bowl was part of a shipment that had been more than three months on the way; yet still the fresh aroma of it, as the Master crushed the thick-set, dark-green leaves, scented the darkening room with perfumes of Araby.
darkeningadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːrkənɪŋ/
becoming dark or darker as from waning light or clouding over
From this reading The plant now in the bowl was part of a shipment that had been more than three months on the way; yet still the fresh aroma of it, as the Master crushed the thick-set, dark-green leaves, scented the darkening room with perfumes of Araby.
datesnounUS /deɪts/
plural of “date” — the specified day of the month
From this reading For a time the Master sat in the thickening gloom, eating the dates and _temmin_ wafers, drinking the coffee, pondering in deep silence.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading For a time the Master sat in the thickening gloom, eating the dates and _temmin_ wafers, drinking the coffee, pondering in deep silence.
the act of consuming liquids
From this reading For a time the Master sat in the thickening gloom, eating the dates and _temmin_ wafers, drinking the coffee, pondering in deep silence.
the act of consuming food
From this reading For a time the Master sat in the thickening gloom, eating the dates and _temmin_ wafers, drinking the coffee, pondering in deep silence.
elnounUS /el/
angular distance above the horizon (especially of a celestial object)
From this reading This khat, gathered in the mountains back of Hodeida, on the Red Sea not far from Bab el Mandeb, had been preserved by a process known to only a few Coast Arabs.
endedadjectiveUS /ˈendəd/
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading When the simple meal was ended, he plucked a little sprig of leaves from the khat plant in the bowl, and thrust them into his mouth.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading This khat, gathered in the mountains back of Hodeida, on the Red Sea not far from Bab el Mandeb, had been preserved by a process known to only a few Coast Arabs.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading This khat, gathered in the mountains back of Hodeida, on the Red Sea not far from Bab el Mandeb, had been preserved by a process known to only a few Coast Arabs.
flavornounUS /ˈfleɪvər/
the general atmosphere of a place or situation and the effect that it has on people
From this reading Slowly, with the contemplative appreciation of the connoisseur, the Master absorbed the flavor and the wondrous stimulation of the "flower of paradise."
a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading Slowly, with the contemplative appreciation of the connoisseur, the Master absorbed the flavor and the wondrous stimulation of the "flower of paradise."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a time the Master sat in the thickening gloom, eating the dates and _temmin_ wafers, drinking the coffee, pondering in deep silence.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading The plant now in the bowl was part of a shipment that had been more than three months on the way; yet still the fresh aroma of it, as the Master crushed the thick-set, dark-green leaves, scented the darkening room with perfumes of Araby.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading When the simple meal was ended, he plucked a little sprig of leaves from the khat plant in the bowl, and thrust them into his mouth.
brought together in one place
From this reading This khat, gathered in the mountains back of Hodeida, on the Red Sea not far from Bab el Mandeb, had been preserved by a process known to only a few Coast Arabs.
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading For a time the Master sat in the thickening gloom, eating the dates and _temmin_ wafers, drinking the coffee, pondering in deep silence.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading This khat, gathered in the mountains back of Hodeida, on the Red Sea not far from Bab el Mandeb, had been preserved by a process known to only a few Coast Arabs.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When the simple meal was ended, he plucked a little sprig of leaves from the khat plant in the bowl, and thrust them into his mouth.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When the simple meal was ended, he plucked a little sprig of leaves from the khat plant in the bowl, and thrust them into his mouth.
Hodeidanoun
an important port in Yemen on the Red Sea
From this reading This khat, gathered in the mountains back of Hodeida, on the Red Sea not far from Bab el Mandeb, had been preserved by a process known to only a few Coast Arabs.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For a time the Master sat in the thickening gloom, eating the dates and _temmin_ wafers, drinking the coffee, pondering in deep silence.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading When the simple meal was ended, he plucked a little sprig of leaves from the khat plant in the bowl, and thrust them into his mouth.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The plant now in the bowl was part of a shipment that had been more than three months on the way; yet still the fresh aroma of it, as the Master crushed the thick-set, dark-green leaves, scented the darkening room with perfumes of Araby.
khatnounUS /kɑːt/
the leaves of the shrub Catha edulis which are chewed like tobacco or used to make tea; has the effect of a euphoric stimulant
From this reading When the simple meal was ended, he plucked a little sprig of leaves from the khat plant in the bowl, and thrust them into his mouth.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading This khat, gathered in the mountains back of Hodeida, on the Red Sea not far from Bab el Mandeb, had been preserved by a process known to only a few Coast Arabs.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading When the simple meal was ended, he plucked a little sprig of leaves from the khat plant in the bowl, and thrust them into his mouth.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading When the simple meal was ended, he plucked a little sprig of leaves from the khat plant in the bowl, and thrust them into his mouth.
Mandeb
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This khat, gathered in the mountains back of Hodeida, on the Red Sea not far from Bab el Mandeb, had been preserved by a process known to only a few Coast Arabs.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading For a time the Master sat in the thickening gloom, eating the dates and _temmin_ wafers, drinking the coffee, pondering in deep silence.
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading When the simple meal was ended, he plucked a little sprig of leaves from the khat plant in the bowl, and thrust them into his mouth.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading The plant now in the bowl was part of a shipment that had been more than three months on the way; yet still the fresh aroma of it, as the Master crushed the thick-set, dark-green leaves, scented the darkening room with perfumes of Araby.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The plant now in the bowl was part of a shipment that had been more than three months on the way; yet still the fresh aroma of it, as the Master crushed the thick-set, dark-green leaves, scented the darkening room with perfumes of Araby.
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading This khat, gathered in the mountains back of Hodeida, on the Red Sea not far from Bab el Mandeb, had been preserved by a process known to only a few Coast Arabs.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading When the simple meal was ended, he plucked a little sprig of leaves from the khat plant in the bowl, and thrust them into his mouth.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading This khat, gathered in the mountains back of Hodeida, on the Red Sea not far from Bab el Mandeb, had been preserved by a process known to only a few Coast Arabs.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The plant now in the bowl was part of a shipment that had been more than three months on the way; yet still the fresh aroma of it, as the Master crushed the thick-set, dark-green leaves, scented the darkening room with perfumes of Araby.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When the simple meal was ended, he plucked a little sprig of leaves from the khat plant in the bowl, and thrust them into his mouth.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading This khat, gathered in the mountains back of Hodeida, on the Red Sea not far from Bab el Mandeb, had been preserved by a process known to only a few Coast Arabs.
and nothing more
From this reading This khat, gathered in the mountains back of Hodeida, on the Red Sea not far from Bab el Mandeb, had been preserved by a process known to only a few Coast Arabs.
paradisenounUS /ˈperədaɪs/
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading Slowly, with the contemplative appreciation of the connoisseur, the Master absorbed the flavor and the wondrous stimulation of the "flower of paradise."
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The plant now in the bowl was part of a shipment that had been more than three months on the way; yet still the fresh aroma of it, as the Master crushed the thick-set, dark-green leaves, scented the darkening room with perfumes of Araby.
perfumesnounUS /pərˈfjuːmz/
plural of “perfume” — a distinctive odor that is pleasant
From this reading The plant now in the bowl was part of a shipment that had been more than three months on the way; yet still the fresh aroma of it, as the Master crushed the thick-set, dark-green leaves, scented the darkening room with perfumes of Araby.
plantverbUS /plænt/
put or set (seeds, seedlings, or plants) into the ground
From this reading When the simple meal was ended, he plucked a little sprig of leaves from the khat plant in the bowl, and thrust them into his mouth.
pluckedadjectiveUS /plʌkt/
of a stringed instrument; sounded with the fingers or a plectrum
From this reading When the simple meal was ended, he plucked a little sprig of leaves from the khat plant in the bowl, and thrust them into his mouth.
ponderingadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːndərɪŋ/
deeply or seriously thoughtful
From this reading For a time the Master sat in the thickening gloom, eating the dates and _temmin_ wafers, drinking the coffee, pondering in deep silence.
preservedadjectiveUS /prəˈzɜːrvd/
prevented from decaying or spoiling and prepared for future use
From this reading This khat, gathered in the mountains back of Hodeida, on the Red Sea not far from Bab el Mandeb, had been preserved by a process known to only a few Coast Arabs.
subject to a process or treatment, with the aim of readying for some purpose, improving, or remedying a condition
From this reading This khat, gathered in the mountains back of Hodeida, on the Red Sea not far from Bab el Mandeb, had been preserved by a process known to only a few Coast Arabs.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading This khat, gathered in the mountains back of Hodeida, on the Red Sea not far from Bab el Mandeb, had been preserved by a process known to only a few Coast Arabs.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The plant now in the bowl was part of a shipment that had been more than three months on the way; yet still the fresh aroma of it, as the Master crushed the thick-set, dark-green leaves, scented the darkening room with perfumes of Araby.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading For a time the Master sat in the thickening gloom, eating the dates and _temmin_ wafers, drinking the coffee, pondering in deep silence.
scentedadjectiveUS /ˈsentɪd/
having the sense of smell
From this reading The plant now in the bowl was part of a shipment that had been more than three months on the way; yet still the fresh aroma of it, as the Master crushed the thick-set, dark-green leaves, scented the darkening room with perfumes of Araby.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading This khat, gathered in the mountains back of Hodeida, on the Red Sea not far from Bab el Mandeb, had been preserved by a process known to only a few Coast Arabs.
shipmentnounUS /ˈʃɪpmənt/
goods carried by a large vehicle
From this reading The plant now in the bowl was part of a shipment that had been more than three months on the way; yet still the fresh aroma of it, as the Master crushed the thick-set, dark-green leaves, scented the darkening room with perfumes of Araby.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading For a time the Master sat in the thickening gloom, eating the dates and _temmin_ wafers, drinking the coffee, pondering in deep silence.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading When the simple meal was ended, he plucked a little sprig of leaves from the khat plant in the bowl, and thrust them into his mouth.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Slowly, with the contemplative appreciation of the connoisseur, the Master absorbed the flavor and the wondrous stimulation of the "flower of paradise."
sprignoun
a small branch or division of a branch (especially a terminal division); usually applied to branches of the current or preceding year
From this reading When the simple meal was ended, he plucked a little sprig of leaves from the khat plant in the bowl, and thrust them into his mouth.
not in physical motion
From this reading The plant now in the bowl was part of a shipment that had been more than three months on the way; yet still the fresh aroma of it, as the Master crushed the thick-set, dark-green leaves, scented the darkening room with perfumes of Araby.
stimulationnounUS /ˌstɪmjəˈleɪʃən/
the act of arousing an organism to action
From this reading Slowly, with the contemplative appreciation of the connoisseur, the Master absorbed the flavor and the wondrous stimulation of the "flower of paradise."
temmin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a time the Master sat in the thickening gloom, eating the dates and _temmin_ wafers, drinking the coffee, pondering in deep silence.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The plant now in the bowl was part of a shipment that had been more than three months on the way; yet still the fresh aroma of it, as the Master crushed the thick-set, dark-green leaves, scented the darkening room with perfumes of Araby.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The plant now in the bowl was part of a shipment that had been more than three months on the way; yet still the fresh aroma of it, as the Master crushed the thick-set, dark-green leaves, scented the darkening room with perfumes of Araby.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For a time the Master sat in the thickening gloom, eating the dates and _temmin_ wafers, drinking the coffee, pondering in deep silence.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading When the simple meal was ended, he plucked a little sprig of leaves from the khat plant in the bowl, and thrust them into his mouth.
thick-set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plant now in the bowl was part of a shipment that had been more than three months on the way; yet still the fresh aroma of it, as the Master crushed the thick-set, dark-green leaves, scented the darkening room with perfumes of Araby.
thickeningadjectiveUS /ˈθɪkənɪŋ/
accumulating and becoming more intense
From this reading For a time the Master sat in the thickening gloom, eating the dates and _temmin_ wafers, drinking the coffee, pondering in deep silence.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This khat, gathered in the mountains back of Hodeida, on the Red Sea not far from Bab el Mandeb, had been preserved by a process known to only a few Coast Arabs.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading The plant now in the bowl was part of a shipment that had been more than three months on the way; yet still the fresh aroma of it, as the Master crushed the thick-set, dark-green leaves, scented the darkening room with perfumes of Araby.
push forcefully
From this reading When the simple meal was ended, he plucked a little sprig of leaves from the khat plant in the bowl, and thrust them into his mouth.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading For a time the Master sat in the thickening gloom, eating the dates and _temmin_ wafers, drinking the coffee, pondering in deep silence.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This khat, gathered in the mountains back of Hodeida, on the Red Sea not far from Bab el Mandeb, had been preserved by a process known to only a few Coast Arabs.
wafersnounUS /ˈweɪfərz/
plural of “wafer” — a small adhesive disk of paste; used to seal letters
From this reading For a time the Master sat in the thickening gloom, eating the dates and _temmin_ wafers, drinking the coffee, pondering in deep silence.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When the simple meal was ended, he plucked a little sprig of leaves from the khat plant in the bowl, and thrust them into his mouth.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The plant now in the bowl was part of a shipment that had been more than three months on the way; yet still the fresh aroma of it, as the Master crushed the thick-set, dark-green leaves, scented the darkening room with perfumes of Araby.
at the time that
From this reading When the simple meal was ended, he plucked a little sprig of leaves from the khat plant in the bowl, and thrust them into his mouth.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The plant now in the bowl was part of a shipment that had been more than three months on the way; yet still the fresh aroma of it, as the Master crushed the thick-set, dark-green leaves, scented the darkening room with perfumes of Araby.
wondrousadjectiveUS /ˈwʌndrəs/
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading Slowly, with the contemplative appreciation of the connoisseur, the Master absorbed the flavor and the wondrous stimulation of the "flower of paradise."
but in spite of that
From this reading The plant now in the bowl was part of a shipment that had been more than three months on the way; yet still the fresh aroma of it, as the Master crushed the thick-set, dark-green leaves, scented the darkening room with perfumes of Araby.
