Chapter XXI · Chapter 21

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

From this reading The night before Ben Kelham's return to Cairo, Zulannah sat on a pile of cushions, with her back to the crumbling plaster wall, in the filthy, smoke-filled hovel.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading "_The watchmen that went about the city found me; they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the wall took away my veil from me_."

how long something has existed

From this reading She had completely recovered, and save for the excruciating pain caused by the shrunken muscles when she moved, was as sound as a bell, and likely to live to a ripe old age, slave to her whilom servant, who sat on his heels, inhaling the fumes of the jewel-encrusted _nargileh_ which his heart had always coveted.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading She had completely recovered, and save for the excruciating pain caused by the shrunken muscles when she moved, was as sound as a bell, and likely to live to a ripe old age, slave to her whilom servant, who sat on his heels, inhaling the fumes of the jewel-encrusted _nargileh_ which his heart had always coveted.

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

From this reading She had completely recovered, and save for the excruciating pain caused by the shrunken muscles when she moved, was as sound as a bell, and likely to live to a ripe old age, slave to her whilom servant, who sat on his heels, inhaling the fumes of the jewel-encrusted _nargileh_ which his heart had always coveted.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading She had completely recovered, and save for the excruciating pain caused by the shrunken muscles when she moved, was as sound as a bell, and likely to live to a ripe old age, slave to her whilom servant, who sat on his heels, inhaling the fumes of the jewel-encrusted _nargileh_ which his heart had always coveted.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading "_The watchmen that went about the city found me; they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the wall took away my veil from me_."

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading The night before Ben Kelham's return to Cairo, Zulannah sat on a pile of cushions, with her back to the crumbling plaster wall, in the filthy, smoke-filled hovel.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The night before Ben Kelham's return to Cairo, Zulannah sat on a pile of cushions, with her back to the crumbling plaster wall, in the filthy, smoke-filled hovel.

a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck

From this reading She had completely recovered, and save for the excruciating pain caused by the shrunken muscles when she moved, was as sound as a bell, and likely to live to a ripe old age, slave to her whilom servant, who sat on his heels, inhaling the fumes of the jewel-encrusted _nargileh_ which his heart had always coveted.

a mountain or tall hill

From this reading The night before Ben Kelham's return to Cairo, Zulannah sat on a pile of cushions, with her back to the crumbling plaster wall, in the filthy, smoke-filled hovel.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading She had completely recovered, and save for the excruciating pain caused by the shrunken muscles when she moved, was as sound as a bell, and likely to live to a ripe old age, slave to her whilom servant, who sat on his heels, inhaling the fumes of the jewel-encrusted _nargileh_ which his heart had always coveted.

a town at the southern tip of Illinois at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers

From this reading The night before Ben Kelham's return to Cairo, Zulannah sat on a pile of cushions, with her back to the crumbling plaster wall, in the filthy, smoke-filled hovel.

past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally

From this reading She had completely recovered, and save for the excruciating pain caused by the shrunken muscles when she moved, was as sound as a bell, and likely to live to a ripe old age, slave to her whilom servant, who sat on his heels, inhaling the fumes of the jewel-encrusted _nargileh_ which his heart had always coveted.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading "_The watchmen that went about the city found me; they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the wall took away my veil from me_."

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading She had completely recovered, and save for the excruciating pain caused by the shrunken muscles when she moved, was as sound as a bell, and likely to live to a ripe old age, slave to her whilom servant, who sat on his heels, inhaling the fumes of the jewel-encrusted _nargileh_ which his heart had always coveted.

an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation

From this reading It is useless writing about the hell through which the woman had lived from the moment she had returned to consciousness.

greatly desired

From this reading She had completely recovered, and save for the excruciating pain caused by the shrunken muscles when she moved, was as sound as a bell, and likely to live to a ripe old age, slave to her whilom servant, who sat on his heels, inhaling the fumes of the jewel-encrusted _nargileh_ which his heart had always coveted.

-ing form of “crumble” — fall apart

From this reading The night before Ben Kelham's return to Cairo, Zulannah sat on a pile of cushions, with her back to the crumbling plaster wall, in the filthy, smoke-filled hovel.

plural of “cushion” — a mechanical damper; absorbs energy of sudden impulses

From this reading The night before Ben Kelham's return to Cairo, Zulannah sat on a pile of cushions, with her back to the crumbling plaster wall, in the filthy, smoke-filled hovel.

extremely painful

From this reading She had completely recovered, and save for the excruciating pain caused by the shrunken muscles when she moved, was as sound as a bell, and likely to live to a ripe old age, slave to her whilom servant, who sat on his heels, inhaling the fumes of the jewel-encrusted _nargileh_ which his heart had always coveted.

disgustingly dirty; filled or smeared with offensive matter

From this reading The night before Ben Kelham's return to Cairo, Zulannah sat on a pile of cushions, with her back to the crumbling plaster wall, in the filthy, smoke-filled hovel.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading She had completely recovered, and save for the excruciating pain caused by the shrunken muscles when she moved, was as sound as a bell, and likely to live to a ripe old age, slave to her whilom servant, who sat on his heels, inhaling the fumes of the jewel-encrusted _nargileh_ which his heart had always coveted.

set up or found

From this reading "_The watchmen that went about the city found me; they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the wall took away my veil from me_."

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading "_The watchmen that went about the city found me; they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the wall took away my veil from me_."

gases ejected from an engine as waste products

From this reading She had completely recovered, and save for the excruciating pain caused by the shrunken muscles when she moved, was as sound as a bell, and likely to live to a ripe old age, slave to her whilom servant, who sat on his heels, inhaling the fumes of the jewel-encrusted _nargileh_ which his heart had always coveted.

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

From this reading She had completely recovered, and save for the excruciating pain caused by the shrunken muscles when she moved, was as sound as a bell, and likely to live to a ripe old age, slave to her whilom servant, who sat on his heels, inhaling the fumes of the jewel-encrusted _nargileh_ which his heart had always coveted.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading She had completely recovered, and save for the excruciating pain caused by the shrunken muscles when she moved, was as sound as a bell, and likely to live to a ripe old age, slave to her whilom servant, who sat on his heels, inhaling the fumes of the jewel-encrusted _nargileh_ which his heart had always coveted.

plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation

From this reading She had completely recovered, and save for the excruciating pain caused by the shrunken muscles when she moved, was as sound as a bell, and likely to live to a ripe old age, slave to her whilom servant, who sat on his heels, inhaling the fumes of the jewel-encrusted _nargileh_ which his heart had always coveted.

any place of pain and turmoil

From this reading It is useless writing about the hell through which the woman had lived from the moment she had returned to consciousness.

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

From this reading The night before Ben Kelham's return to Cairo, Zulannah sat on a pile of cushions, with her back to the crumbling plaster wall, in the filthy, smoke-filled hovel.

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

From this reading She had completely recovered, and save for the excruciating pain caused by the shrunken muscles when she moved, was as sound as a bell, and likely to live to a ripe old age, slave to her whilom servant, who sat on his heels, inhaling the fumes of the jewel-encrusted _nargileh_ which his heart had always coveted.

small crude shelter used as a dwelling

From this reading The night before Ben Kelham's return to Cairo, Zulannah sat on a pile of cushions, with her back to the crumbling plaster wall, in the filthy, smoke-filled hovel.

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

From this reading The night before Ben Kelham's return to Cairo, Zulannah sat on a pile of cushions, with her back to the crumbling plaster wall, in the filthy, smoke-filled hovel.

-ing form of “inhale” — draw deep into the lungs in by breathing

From this reading She had completely recovered, and save for the excruciating pain caused by the shrunken muscles when she moved, was as sound as a bell, and likely to live to a ripe old age, slave to her whilom servant, who sat on his heels, inhaling the fumes of the jewel-encrusted _nargileh_ which his heart had always coveted.

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

From this reading It is useless writing about the hell through which the woman had lived from the moment she had returned to consciousness.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is useless writing about the hell through which the woman had lived from the moment she had returned to consciousness.

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

From this reading She had completely recovered, and save for the excruciating pain caused by the shrunken muscles when she moved, was as sound as a bell, and likely to live to a ripe old age, slave to her whilom servant, who sat on his heels, inhaling the fumes of the jewel-encrusted _nargileh_ which his heart had always coveted.

plural of “keeper” — someone in charge of other people

From this reading "_The watchmen that went about the city found me; they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the wall took away my veil from me_."

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

From this reading The night before Ben Kelham's return to Cairo, Zulannah sat on a pile of cushions, with her back to the crumbling plaster wall, in the filthy, smoke-filled hovel.

has a good chance of being the case or of coming about

From this reading She had completely recovered, and save for the excruciating pain caused by the shrunken muscles when she moved, was as sound as a bell, and likely to live to a ripe old age, slave to her whilom servant, who sat on his heels, inhaling the fumes of the jewel-encrusted _nargileh_ which his heart had always coveted.

be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading She had completely recovered, and save for the excruciating pain caused by the shrunken muscles when she moved, was as sound as a bell, and likely to live to a ripe old age, slave to her whilom servant, who sat on his heels, inhaling the fumes of the jewel-encrusted _nargileh_ which his heart had always coveted.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading It is useless writing about the hell through which the woman had lived from the moment she had returned to consciousness.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "_The watchmen that went about the city found me; they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the wall took away my veil from me_."

a particular point in time

From this reading It is useless writing about the hell through which the woman had lived from the moment she had returned to consciousness.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading She had completely recovered, and save for the excruciating pain caused by the shrunken muscles when she moved, was as sound as a bell, and likely to live to a ripe old age, slave to her whilom servant, who sat on his heels, inhaling the fumes of the jewel-encrusted _nargileh_ which his heart had always coveted.

plural of “muscle” — one of the contractile organs of the body

From this reading She had completely recovered, and save for the excruciating pain caused by the shrunken muscles when she moved, was as sound as a bell, and likely to live to a ripe old age, slave to her whilom servant, who sat on his heels, inhaling the fumes of the jewel-encrusted _nargileh_ which his heart had always coveted.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "_The watchmen that went about the city found me; they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the wall took away my veil from me_."

an oriental tobacco pipe with a long flexible tube connected to a container where the smoke is cooled by passing through water

From this reading She had completely recovered, and save for the excruciating pain caused by the shrunken muscles when she moved, was as sound as a bell, and likely to live to a ripe old age, slave to her whilom servant, who sat on his heels, inhaling the fumes of the jewel-encrusted _nargileh_ which his heart had always coveted.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading The night before Ben Kelham's return to Cairo, Zulannah sat on a pile of cushions, with her back to the crumbling plaster wall, in the filthy, smoke-filled hovel.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "_The watchmen that went about the city found me; they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the wall took away my veil from me_."

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

From this reading She had completely recovered, and save for the excruciating pain caused by the shrunken muscles when she moved, was as sound as a bell, and likely to live to a ripe old age, slave to her whilom servant, who sat on his heels, inhaling the fumes of the jewel-encrusted _nargileh_ which his heart had always coveted.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The night before Ben Kelham's return to Cairo, Zulannah sat on a pile of cushions, with her back to the crumbling plaster wall, in the filthy, smoke-filled hovel.

a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder

From this reading She had completely recovered, and save for the excruciating pain caused by the shrunken muscles when she moved, was as sound as a bell, and likely to live to a ripe old age, slave to her whilom servant, who sat on his heels, inhaling the fumes of the jewel-encrusted _nargileh_ which his heart had always coveted.

a collection of objects laid on top of each other

From this reading The night before Ben Kelham's return to Cairo, Zulannah sat on a pile of cushions, with her back to the crumbling plaster wall, in the filthy, smoke-filled hovel.

apply a heavy coat to

From this reading The night before Ben Kelham's return to Cairo, Zulannah sat on a pile of cushions, with her back to the crumbling plaster wall, in the filthy, smoke-filled hovel.

freed from illness or injury

From this reading She had completely recovered, and save for the excruciating pain caused by the shrunken muscles when she moved, was as sound as a bell, and likely to live to a ripe old age, slave to her whilom servant, who sat on his heels, inhaling the fumes of the jewel-encrusted _nargileh_ which his heart had always coveted.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading The night before Ben Kelham's return to Cairo, Zulannah sat on a pile of cushions, with her back to the crumbling plaster wall, in the filthy, smoke-filled hovel.

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading It is useless writing about the hell through which the woman had lived from the moment she had returned to consciousness.

fully developed or matured and ready to be eaten or used

From this reading She had completely recovered, and save for the excruciating pain caused by the shrunken muscles when she moved, was as sound as a bell, and likely to live to a ripe old age, slave to her whilom servant, who sat on his heels, inhaling the fumes of the jewel-encrusted _nargileh_ which his heart had always coveted.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading The night before Ben Kelham's return to Cairo, Zulannah sat on a pile of cushions, with her back to the crumbling plaster wall, in the filthy, smoke-filled hovel.

except for; apart from

From this reading She had completely recovered, and save for the excruciating pain caused by the shrunken muscles when she moved, was as sound as a bell, and likely to live to a ripe old age, slave to her whilom servant, who sat on his heels, inhaling the fumes of the jewel-encrusted _nargileh_ which his heart had always coveted.

a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading She had completely recovered, and save for the excruciating pain caused by the shrunken muscles when she moved, was as sound as a bell, and likely to live to a ripe old age, slave to her whilom servant, who sat on his heels, inhaling the fumes of the jewel-encrusted _nargileh_ which his heart had always coveted.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She had completely recovered, and save for the excruciating pain caused by the shrunken muscles when she moved, was as sound as a bell, and likely to live to a ripe old age, slave to her whilom servant, who sat on his heels, inhaling the fumes of the jewel-encrusted _nargileh_ which his heart had always coveted.

lean and wrinkled by shrinkage as from age or illness

From this reading She had completely recovered, and save for the excruciating pain caused by the shrunken muscles when she moved, was as sound as a bell, and likely to live to a ripe old age, slave to her whilom servant, who sat on his heels, inhaling the fumes of the jewel-encrusted _nargileh_ which his heart had always coveted.

a person who is owned by someone

From this reading She had completely recovered, and save for the excruciating pain caused by the shrunken muscles when she moved, was as sound as a bell, and likely to live to a ripe old age, slave to her whilom servant, who sat on his heels, inhaling the fumes of the jewel-encrusted _nargileh_ which his heart had always coveted.

containing smoke

From this reading The night before Ben Kelham's return to Cairo, Zulannah sat on a pile of cushions, with her back to the crumbling plaster wall, in the filthy, smoke-filled hovel.

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

From this reading "_The watchmen that went about the city found me; they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the wall took away my veil from me_."

A legendary king renowned for his wisdom and fabulous hidden mines.

From this reading SONG OF SOLOMON.

a short musical composition with words

From this reading SONG OF SOLOMON.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading She had completely recovered, and save for the excruciating pain caused by the shrunken muscles when she moved, was as sound as a bell, and likely to live to a ripe old age, slave to her whilom servant, who sat on his heels, inhaling the fumes of the jewel-encrusted _nargileh_ which his heart had always coveted.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "_The watchmen that went about the city found me; they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the wall took away my veil from me_."

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

From this reading "_The watchmen that went about the city found me; they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the wall took away my veil from me_."

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "_The watchmen that went about the city found me; they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the wall took away my veil from me_."

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading It is useless writing about the hell through which the woman had lived from the moment she had returned to consciousness.

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

From this reading The night before Ben Kelham's return to Cairo, Zulannah sat on a pile of cushions, with her back to the crumbling plaster wall, in the filthy, smoke-filled hovel.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading "_The watchmen that went about the city found me; they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the wall took away my veil from me_."

having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully

From this reading It is useless writing about the hell through which the woman had lived from the moment she had returned to consciousness.

a garment that covers the head and face

From this reading "_The watchmen that went about the city found me; they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the wall took away my veil from me_."

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 "_The watchmen that went about the city found me; they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the wall took away my veil from me_."

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

From this reading She had completely recovered, and save for the excruciating pain caused by the shrunken muscles when she moved, was as sound as a bell, and likely to live to a ripe old age, slave to her whilom servant, who sat on his heels, inhaling the fumes of the jewel-encrusted _nargileh_ which his heart had always coveted.

plural of “watchman” — a guard who keeps watch

From this reading "_The watchmen that went about the city found me; they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the wall took away my veil from me_."

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading "_The watchmen that went about the city found me; they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the wall took away my veil from me_."

at the time that

From this reading She had completely recovered, and save for the excruciating pain caused by the shrunken muscles when she moved, was as sound as a bell, and likely to live to a ripe old age, slave to her whilom servant, who sat on his heels, inhaling the fumes of the jewel-encrusted _nargileh_ which his heart had always coveted.

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

From this reading She had completely recovered, and save for the excruciating pain caused by the shrunken muscles when she moved, was as sound as a bell, and likely to live to a ripe old age, slave to her whilom servant, who sat on his heels, inhaling the fumes of the jewel-encrusted _nargileh_ which his heart had always coveted.

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

From this reading She had completely recovered, and save for the excruciating pain caused by the shrunken muscles when she moved, was as sound as a bell, and likely to live to a ripe old age, slave to her whilom servant, who sat on his heels, inhaling the fumes of the jewel-encrusted _nargileh_ which his heart had always coveted.

which person or people

From this reading She had completely recovered, and save for the excruciating pain caused by the shrunken muscles when she moved, was as sound as a bell, and likely to live to a ripe old age, slave to her whilom servant, who sat on his heels, inhaling the fumes of the jewel-encrusted _nargileh_ which his heart had always coveted.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The night before Ben Kelham's return to Cairo, Zulannah sat on a pile of cushions, with her back to the crumbling plaster wall, in the filthy, smoke-filled hovel.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading It is useless writing about the hell through which the woman had lived from the moment she had returned to consciousness.

people who are wounded

From this reading "_The watchmen that went about the city found me; they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the wall took away my veil from me_."

the act of creating written works

From this reading It is useless writing about the hell through which the woman had lived from the moment she had returned to consciousness.

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

From this reading The night before Ben Kelham's return to Cairo, Zulannah sat on a pile of cushions, with her back to the crumbling plaster wall, in the filthy, smoke-filled hovel.