Chapter V · Chapter 5

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A SECRET OF THE SANDS The siesta was past.

associated with academia or an academy

From this reading A man with a short, pointed red beard and an academic face beneath a pith helmet was stooping over the siftings from those baskets, intent upon the stream of sand through the wire screens.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading The sun was tilting towards the west and shadows were beginning to jut out across the blazing sands.

anew

From this reading Over the mounds of rubbish the bearers had resumed their slow procession, a picturesque frieze of tattered, indigo-robed, ebony figures, baskets on heads, against a cloudless cobalt sky, and again the hot air was invaded with the monotonous rise and fall of their labor chant.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Over the mounds of rubbish the bearers had resumed their slow procession, a picturesque frieze of tattered, indigo-robed, ebony figures, baskets on heads, against a cloudless cobalt sky, and again the hot air was invaded with the monotonous rise and fall of their labor chant.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading Over the mounds of rubbish the bearers had resumed their slow procession, a picturesque frieze of tattered, indigo-robed, ebony figures, baskets on heads, against a cloudless cobalt sky, and again the hot air was invaded with the monotonous rise and fall of their labor chant.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading A man with a short, pointed red beard and an academic face beneath a pith helmet was stooping over the siftings from those baskets, intent upon the stream of sand through the wire screens.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading The sun was tilting towards the west and shadows were beginning to jut out across the blazing sands.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Patiently he discarded the unending pebbles, discovering at rare intervals some lost bead, some splinter of old sycamore wood, some fragment of pottery in which a Ptolemy had sipped his wine--or a kitchen wench had soaked her lentils.

plural of “basket” — a container that is usually woven and has handles

From this reading Over the mounds of rubbish the bearers had resumed their slow procession, a picturesque frieze of tattered, indigo-robed, ebony figures, baskets on heads, against a cloudless cobalt sky, and again the hot air was invaded with the monotonous rise and fall of their labor chant.

a small ball with a hole through the middle

From this reading Patiently he discarded the unending pebbles, discovering at rare intervals some lost bead, some splinter of old sycamore wood, some fragment of pottery in which a Ptolemy had sipped his wine--or a kitchen wench had soaked her lentils.

the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face

From this reading A man with a short, pointed red beard and an academic face beneath a pith helmet was stooping over the siftings from those baskets, intent upon the stream of sand through the wire screens.

plural of “bearer” — someone whose employment involves carrying something

From this reading Over the mounds of rubbish the bearers had resumed their slow procession, a picturesque frieze of tattered, indigo-robed, ebony figures, baskets on heads, against a cloudless cobalt sky, and again the hot air was invaded with the monotonous rise and fall of their labor chant.

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading The sun was tilting towards the west and shadows were beginning to jut out across the blazing sands.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading A man with a short, pointed red beard and an academic face beneath a pith helmet was stooping over the siftings from those baskets, intent upon the stream of sand through the wire screens.

shining intensely

From this reading The sun was tilting towards the west and shadows were beginning to jut out across the blazing sands.

recite with musical intonation; recite as a chant or a psalm

From this reading Over the mounds of rubbish the bearers had resumed their slow procession, a picturesque frieze of tattered, indigo-robed, ebony figures, baskets on heads, against a cloudless cobalt sky, and again the hot air was invaded with the monotonous rise and fall of their labor chant.

free from clouds

From this reading Over the mounds of rubbish the bearers had resumed their slow procession, a picturesque frieze of tattered, indigo-robed, ebony figures, baskets on heads, against a cloudless cobalt sky, and again the hot air was invaded with the monotonous rise and fall of their labor chant.

a hard ferromagnetic silver-white bivalent or trivalent metallic element; a trace element in plant and animal nutrition

From this reading Over the mounds of rubbish the bearers had resumed their slow procession, a picturesque frieze of tattered, indigo-robed, ebony figures, baskets on heads, against a cloudless cobalt sky, and again the hot air was invaded with the monotonous rise and fall of their labor chant.

thrown away

From this reading Patiently he discarded the unending pebbles, discovering at rare intervals some lost bead, some splinter of old sycamore wood, some fragment of pottery in which a Ptolemy had sipped his wine--or a kitchen wench had soaked her lentils.

-ing form of “discover” — discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of

From this reading Patiently he discarded the unending pebbles, discovering at rare intervals some lost bead, some splinter of old sycamore wood, some fragment of pottery in which a Ptolemy had sipped his wine--or a kitchen wench had soaked her lentils.

a very dark black

From this reading Over the mounds of rubbish the bearers had resumed their slow procession, a picturesque frieze of tattered, indigo-robed, ebony figures, baskets on heads, against a cloudless cobalt sky, and again the hot air was invaded with the monotonous rise and fall of their labor chant.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading A man with a short, pointed red beard and an academic face beneath a pith helmet was stooping over the siftings from those baskets, intent upon the stream of sand through the wire screens.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading Over the mounds of rubbish the bearers had resumed their slow procession, a picturesque frieze of tattered, indigo-robed, ebony figures, baskets on heads, against a cloudless cobalt sky, and again the hot air was invaded with the monotonous rise and fall of their labor chant.

plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading Over the mounds of rubbish the bearers had resumed their slow procession, a picturesque frieze of tattered, indigo-robed, ebony figures, baskets on heads, against a cloudless cobalt sky, and again the hot air was invaded with the monotonous rise and fall of their labor chant.

A small part broken or separated off something larger.

From this reading Patiently he discarded the unending pebbles, discovering at rare intervals some lost bead, some splinter of old sycamore wood, some fragment of pottery in which a Ptolemy had sipped his wine--or a kitchen wench had soaked her lentils.

an architectural ornament consisting of a horizontal sculptured band between the architrave and the cornice

From this reading Over the mounds of rubbish the bearers had resumed their slow procession, a picturesque frieze of tattered, indigo-robed, ebony figures, baskets on heads, against a cloudless cobalt sky, and again the hot air was invaded with the monotonous rise and fall of their labor chant.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A man with a short, pointed red beard and an academic face beneath a pith helmet was stooping over the siftings from those baskets, intent upon the stream of sand through the wire screens.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Over the mounds of rubbish the bearers had resumed their slow procession, a picturesque frieze of tattered, indigo-robed, ebony figures, baskets on heads, against a cloudless cobalt sky, and again the hot air was invaded with the monotonous rise and fall of their labor chant.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Patiently he discarded the unending pebbles, discovering at rare intervals some lost bead, some splinter of old sycamore wood, some fragment of pottery in which a Ptolemy had sipped his wine--or a kitchen wench had soaked her lentils.

plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Over the mounds of rubbish the bearers had resumed their slow procession, a picturesque frieze of tattered, indigo-robed, ebony figures, baskets on heads, against a cloudless cobalt sky, and again the hot air was invaded with the monotonous rise and fall of their labor chant.

armor plate that protects the head

From this reading A man with a short, pointed red beard and an academic face beneath a pith helmet was stooping over the siftings from those baskets, intent upon the stream of sand through the wire screens.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Patiently he discarded the unending pebbles, discovering at rare intervals some lost bead, some splinter of old sycamore wood, some fragment of pottery in which a Ptolemy had sipped his wine--or a kitchen wench had soaked her lentils.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Patiently he discarded the unending pebbles, discovering at rare intervals some lost bead, some splinter of old sycamore wood, some fragment of pottery in which a Ptolemy had sipped his wine--or a kitchen wench had soaked her lentils.

used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading Over the mounds of rubbish the bearers had resumed their slow procession, a picturesque frieze of tattered, indigo-robed, ebony figures, baskets on heads, against a cloudless cobalt sky, and again the hot air was invaded with the monotonous rise and fall of their labor chant.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Patiently he discarded the unending pebbles, discovering at rare intervals some lost bead, some splinter of old sycamore wood, some fragment of pottery in which a Ptolemy had sipped his wine--or a kitchen wench had soaked her lentils.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Over the mounds of rubbish the bearers had resumed their slow procession, a picturesque frieze of tattered, indigo-robed, ebony figures, baskets on heads, against a cloudless cobalt sky, and again the hot air was invaded with the monotonous rise and fall of their labor chant.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading A man with a short, pointed red beard and an academic face beneath a pith helmet was stooping over the siftings from those baskets, intent upon the stream of sand through the wire screens.

plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants

From this reading Patiently he discarded the unending pebbles, discovering at rare intervals some lost bead, some splinter of old sycamore wood, some fragment of pottery in which a Ptolemy had sipped his wine--or a kitchen wench had soaked her lentils.

past form of “invade” — march aggressively into another's territory by military force for the purposes of conquest and occupation

From this reading Over the mounds of rubbish the bearers had resumed their slow procession, a picturesque frieze of tattered, indigo-robed, ebony figures, baskets on heads, against a cloudless cobalt sky, and again the hot air was invaded with the monotonous rise and fall of their labor chant.

something that bulges out or is protuberant or projects from its surroundings

From this reading The sun was tilting towards the west and shadows were beginning to jut out across the blazing sands.

a room equipped for preparing meals

From this reading Patiently he discarded the unending pebbles, discovering at rare intervals some lost bead, some splinter of old sycamore wood, some fragment of pottery in which a Ptolemy had sipped his wine--or a kitchen wench had soaked her lentils.

a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages

From this reading Over the mounds of rubbish the bearers had resumed their slow procession, a picturesque frieze of tattered, indigo-robed, ebony figures, baskets on heads, against a cloudless cobalt sky, and again the hot air was invaded with the monotonous rise and fall of their labor chant.

plural of “lentil” — round flat seed of the lentil plant used for food

From this reading Patiently he discarded the unending pebbles, discovering at rare intervals some lost bead, some splinter of old sycamore wood, some fragment of pottery in which a Ptolemy had sipped his wine--or a kitchen wench had soaked her lentils.

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading Patiently he discarded the unending pebbles, discovering at rare intervals some lost bead, some splinter of old sycamore wood, some fragment of pottery in which a Ptolemy had sipped his wine--or a kitchen wench had soaked her lentils.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading A man with a short, pointed red beard and an academic face beneath a pith helmet was stooping over the siftings from those baskets, intent upon the stream of sand through the wire screens.

tediously repetitious or lacking in variety

From this reading Over the mounds of rubbish the bearers had resumed their slow procession, a picturesque frieze of tattered, indigo-robed, ebony figures, baskets on heads, against a cloudless cobalt sky, and again the hot air was invaded with the monotonous rise and fall of their labor chant.

plural of “mound” — (baseball) the slight elevation on which the pitcher stands

From this reading Over the mounds of rubbish the bearers had resumed their slow procession, a picturesque frieze of tattered, indigo-robed, ebony figures, baskets on heads, against a cloudless cobalt sky, and again the hot air was invaded with the monotonous rise and fall of their labor chant.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A SECRET OF THE SANDS The siesta was past.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Patiently he discarded the unending pebbles, discovering at rare intervals some lost bead, some splinter of old sycamore wood, some fragment of pottery in which a Ptolemy had sipped his wine--or a kitchen wench had soaked her lentils.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Over the mounds of rubbish the bearers had resumed their slow procession, a picturesque frieze of tattered, indigo-robed, ebony figures, baskets on heads, against a cloudless cobalt sky, and again the hot air was invaded with the monotonous rise and fall of their labor chant.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Patiently he discarded the unending pebbles, discovering at rare intervals some lost bead, some splinter of old sycamore wood, some fragment of pottery in which a Ptolemy had sipped his wine--or a kitchen wench had soaked her lentils.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The sun was tilting towards the west and shadows were beginning to jut out across the blazing sands.

above and across; more than

From this reading Over the mounds of rubbish the bearers had resumed their slow procession, a picturesque frieze of tattered, indigo-robed, ebony figures, baskets on heads, against a cloudless cobalt sky, and again the hot air was invaded with the monotonous rise and fall of their labor chant.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading A SECRET OF THE SANDS The siesta was past.

with patience; in a patient manner

From this reading Patiently he discarded the unending pebbles, discovering at rare intervals some lost bead, some splinter of old sycamore wood, some fragment of pottery in which a Ptolemy had sipped his wine--or a kitchen wench had soaked her lentils.

plural of “pebble” — a small smooth rounded rock

From this reading Patiently he discarded the unending pebbles, discovering at rare intervals some lost bead, some splinter of old sycamore wood, some fragment of pottery in which a Ptolemy had sipped his wine--or a kitchen wench had soaked her lentils.

suggesting or suitable for a picture; pretty as a picture

From this reading Over the mounds of rubbish the bearers had resumed their slow procession, a picturesque frieze of tattered, indigo-robed, ebony figures, baskets on heads, against a cloudless cobalt sky, and again the hot air was invaded with the monotonous rise and fall of their labor chant.

soft spongelike central cylinder of the stems of most flowering plants

From this reading A man with a short, pointed red beard and an academic face beneath a pith helmet was stooping over the siftings from those baskets, intent upon the stream of sand through the wire screens.

having a point

From this reading A man with a short, pointed red beard and an academic face beneath a pith helmet was stooping over the siftings from those baskets, intent upon the stream of sand through the wire screens.

ceramic ware made from clay and baked in a kiln

From this reading Patiently he discarded the unending pebbles, discovering at rare intervals some lost bead, some splinter of old sycamore wood, some fragment of pottery in which a Ptolemy had sipped his wine--or a kitchen wench had soaked her lentils.

(theology) the origination of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost

From this reading Over the mounds of rubbish the bearers had resumed their slow procession, a picturesque frieze of tattered, indigo-robed, ebony figures, baskets on heads, against a cloudless cobalt sky, and again the hot air was invaded with the monotonous rise and fall of their labor chant.

Alexandrian astronomer (of the 2nd century) who proposed a geocentric system of astronomy that was undisputed until the late Renaissance

From this reading Patiently he discarded the unending pebbles, discovering at rare intervals some lost bead, some splinter of old sycamore wood, some fragment of pottery in which a Ptolemy had sipped his wine--or a kitchen wench had soaked her lentils.

not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness

From this reading Patiently he discarded the unending pebbles, discovering at rare intervals some lost bead, some splinter of old sycamore wood, some fragment of pottery in which a Ptolemy had sipped his wine--or a kitchen wench had soaked her lentils.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading A man with a short, pointed red beard and an academic face beneath a pith helmet was stooping over the siftings from those baskets, intent upon the stream of sand through the wire screens.

past form of “resume” — take up or begin anew

From this reading Over the mounds of rubbish the bearers had resumed their slow procession, a picturesque frieze of tattered, indigo-robed, ebony figures, baskets on heads, against a cloudless cobalt sky, and again the hot air was invaded with the monotonous rise and fall of their labor chant.

move upward

From this reading Over the mounds of rubbish the bearers had resumed their slow procession, a picturesque frieze of tattered, indigo-robed, ebony figures, baskets on heads, against a cloudless cobalt sky, and again the hot air was invaded with the monotonous rise and fall of their labor chant.

worthless material that is to be disposed of

From this reading Over the mounds of rubbish the bearers had resumed their slow procession, a picturesque frieze of tattered, indigo-robed, ebony figures, baskets on heads, against a cloudless cobalt sky, and again the hot air was invaded with the monotonous rise and fall of their labor chant.

a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral

From this reading A man with a short, pointed red beard and an academic face beneath a pith helmet was stooping over the siftings from those baskets, intent upon the stream of sand through the wire screens.

the region of the shore of a lake or sea or ocean

From this reading A SECRET OF THE SANDS The siesta was past.

plural of “screen” — a white or silvered surface where pictures can be projected for viewing

From this reading A man with a short, pointed red beard and an academic face beneath a pith helmet was stooping over the siftings from those baskets, intent upon the stream of sand through the wire screens.

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading A SECRET OF THE SANDS The siesta was past.

plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries

From this reading The sun was tilting towards the west and shadows were beginning to jut out across the blazing sands.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading A man with a short, pointed red beard and an academic face beneath a pith helmet was stooping over the siftings from those baskets, intent upon the stream of sand through the wire screens.

a nap in the early afternoon (especially in hot countries)

From this reading A SECRET OF THE SANDS The siesta was past.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A man with a short, pointed red beard and an academic face beneath a pith helmet was stooping over the siftings from those baskets, intent upon the stream of sand through the wire screens.

inflected form of “sip” — drink in sips

From this reading Patiently he discarded the unending pebbles, discovering at rare intervals some lost bead, some splinter of old sycamore wood, some fragment of pottery in which a Ptolemy had sipped his wine--or a kitchen wench had soaked her lentils.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading Over the mounds of rubbish the bearers had resumed their slow procession, a picturesque frieze of tattered, indigo-robed, ebony figures, baskets on heads, against a cloudless cobalt sky, and again the hot air was invaded with the monotonous rise and fall of their labor chant.

not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time

From this reading Over the mounds of rubbish the bearers had resumed their slow procession, a picturesque frieze of tattered, indigo-robed, ebony figures, baskets on heads, against a cloudless cobalt sky, and again the hot air was invaded with the monotonous rise and fall of their labor chant.

very drunk

From this reading Patiently he discarded the unending pebbles, discovering at rare intervals some lost bead, some splinter of old sycamore wood, some fragment of pottery in which a Ptolemy had sipped his wine--or a kitchen wench had soaked her lentils.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Patiently he discarded the unending pebbles, discovering at rare intervals some lost bead, some splinter of old sycamore wood, some fragment of pottery in which a Ptolemy had sipped his wine--or a kitchen wench had soaked her lentils.

withdraw from an organization or communion

From this reading Patiently he discarded the unending pebbles, discovering at rare intervals some lost bead, some splinter of old sycamore wood, some fragment of pottery in which a Ptolemy had sipped his wine--or a kitchen wench had soaked her lentils.

having the back and shoulders rounded; not erect

From this reading A man with a short, pointed red beard and an academic face beneath a pith helmet was stooping over the siftings from those baskets, intent upon the stream of sand through the wire screens.

a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading A man with a short, pointed red beard and an academic face beneath a pith helmet was stooping over the siftings from those baskets, intent upon the stream of sand through the wire screens.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading The sun was tilting towards the west and shadows were beginning to jut out across the blazing sands.

variably colored and sometimes variegated hard tough elastic wood of a sycamore tree

From this reading Patiently he discarded the unending pebbles, discovering at rare intervals some lost bead, some splinter of old sycamore wood, some fragment of pottery in which a Ptolemy had sipped his wine--or a kitchen wench had soaked her lentils.

worn to shreds; or wearing torn or ragged clothing

From this reading Over the mounds of rubbish the bearers had resumed their slow procession, a picturesque frieze of tattered, indigo-robed, ebony figures, baskets on heads, against a cloudless cobalt sky, and again the hot air was invaded with the monotonous rise and fall of their labor chant.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading A SECRET OF THE SANDS The siesta was past.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Over the mounds of rubbish the bearers had resumed their slow procession, a picturesque frieze of tattered, indigo-robed, ebony figures, baskets on heads, against a cloudless cobalt sky, and again the hot air was invaded with the monotonous rise and fall of their labor chant.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading A man with a short, pointed red beard and an academic face beneath a pith helmet was stooping over the siftings from those baskets, intent upon the stream of sand through the wire screens.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading A man with a short, pointed red beard and an academic face beneath a pith helmet was stooping over the siftings from those baskets, intent upon the stream of sand through the wire screens.

-ing form of “tilt” — to incline or bend from a vertical position

From this reading The sun was tilting towards the west and shadows were beginning to jut out across the blazing sands.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The sun was tilting towards the west and shadows were beginning to jut out across the blazing sands.

in the direction of

From this reading The sun was tilting towards the west and shadows were beginning to jut out across the blazing sands.

continuing forever or indefinitely

From this reading Patiently he discarded the unending pebbles, discovering at rare intervals some lost bead, some splinter of old sycamore wood, some fragment of pottery in which a Ptolemy had sipped his wine--or a kitchen wench had soaked her lentils.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading A man with a short, pointed red beard and an academic face beneath a pith helmet was stooping over the siftings from those baskets, intent upon the stream of sand through the wire screens.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading A SECRET OF THE SANDS The siesta was past.

informal terms for a (young) woman

From this reading Patiently he discarded the unending pebbles, discovering at rare intervals some lost bead, some splinter of old sycamore wood, some fragment of pottery in which a Ptolemy had sipped his wine--or a kitchen wench had soaked her lentils.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The sun was tilting towards the west and shadows were beginning to jut out across the blazing sands.

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading The sun was tilting towards the west and shadows were beginning to jut out across the blazing sands.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Patiently he discarded the unending pebbles, discovering at rare intervals some lost bead, some splinter of old sycamore wood, some fragment of pottery in which a Ptolemy had sipped his wine--or a kitchen wench had soaked her lentils.

fermented juice (of grapes especially)

From this reading Patiently he discarded the unending pebbles, discovering at rare intervals some lost bead, some splinter of old sycamore wood, some fragment of pottery in which a Ptolemy had sipped his wine--or a kitchen wench had soaked her lentils.

ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc

From this reading A man with a short, pointed red beard and an academic face beneath a pith helmet was stooping over the siftings from those baskets, intent upon the stream of sand through the wire screens.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Over the mounds of rubbish the bearers had resumed their slow procession, a picturesque frieze of tattered, indigo-robed, ebony figures, baskets on heads, against a cloudless cobalt sky, and again the hot air was invaded with the monotonous rise and fall of their labor chant.

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading Patiently he discarded the unending pebbles, discovering at rare intervals some lost bead, some splinter of old sycamore wood, some fragment of pottery in which a Ptolemy had sipped his wine--or a kitchen wench had soaked her lentils.