used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He kept sobbing convulsively, breaking out at intervals into a fit of wild lamentation, which pierced to the very entrails of Ali, who loved him as his soul.
AlinounUS /ˈɑːli/
United States prizefighter who won the world heavyweight championship three times (born in 1942)
From this reading Unable to run or help himself because of his injured legs, he must have been knocked down and trampled in that panic rush, but for the tender care of Ali, who fought manfully to protect him.
alleynounUS /ˈæli/
a narrow street with walls on both sides
From this reading For fear lest troops should come and surprise them, alone and unprotected, on the scene of riot, Ali helped his suffering love to shelter in an archway farther up the alley, and there ensconced him in the seat of the sherbet seller, behind the stall of cooling drinks.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading For fear lest troops should come and surprise them, alone and unprotected, on the scene of riot, Ali helped his suffering love to shelter in an archway farther up the alley, and there ensconced him in the seat of the sherbet seller, behind the stall of cooling drinks.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading For fear lest troops should come and surprise them, alone and unprotected, on the scene of riot, Ali helped his suffering love to shelter in an archway farther up the alley, and there ensconced him in the seat of the sherbet seller, behind the stall of cooling drinks.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Unable to run or help himself because of his injured legs, he must have been knocked down and trampled in that panic rush, but for the tender care of Ali, who fought manfully to protect him.
archwaynounUS /ˈɑːrtʃweɪ/
a passageway under a curved masonry construction
From this reading For fear lest troops should come and surprise them, alone and unprotected, on the scene of riot, Ali helped his suffering love to shelter in an archway farther up the alley, and there ensconced him in the seat of the sherbet seller, behind the stall of cooling drinks.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He kept sobbing convulsively, breaking out at intervals into a fit of wild lamentation, which pierced to the very entrails of Ali, who loved him as his soul.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He kept sobbing convulsively, breaking out at intervals into a fit of wild lamentation, which pierced to the very entrails of Ali, who loved him as his soul.
for the reason that
From this reading Unable to run or help himself because of his injured legs, he must have been knocked down and trampled in that panic rush, but for the tender care of Ali, who fought manfully to protect him.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Unable to run or help himself because of his injured legs, he must have been knocked down and trampled in that panic rush, but for the tender care of Ali, who fought manfully to protect him.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Nesìb the Thief was left before the house of the physician.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading For fear lest troops should come and surprise them, alone and unprotected, on the scene of riot, Ali helped his suffering love to shelter in an archway farther up the alley, and there ensconced him in the seat of the sherbet seller, behind the stall of cooling drinks.
people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group
From this reading But the Thief himself was blind to the danger escaped, blind to everything except his own cruel shame in dishonor.
the act of breaking something
From this reading He kept sobbing convulsively, breaking out at intervals into a fit of wild lamentation, which pierced to the very entrails of Ali, who loved him as his soul.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Unable to run or help himself because of his injured legs, he must have been knocked down and trampled in that panic rush, but for the tender care of Ali, who fought manfully to protect him.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading Unable to run or help himself because of his injured legs, he must have been knocked down and trampled in that panic rush, but for the tender care of Ali, who fought manfully to protect him.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading For fear lest troops should come and surprise them, alone and unprotected, on the scene of riot, Ali helped his suffering love to shelter in an archway farther up the alley, and there ensconced him in the seat of the sherbet seller, behind the stall of cooling drinks.
convulsivelyadverb
with convulsions, in a convulsive way
From this reading He kept sobbing convulsively, breaking out at intervals into a fit of wild lamentation, which pierced to the very entrails of Ali, who loved him as his soul.
coolingnounUS /ˈkuːlɪŋ/
the process of becoming cooler; a falling temperature
From this reading For fear lest troops should come and surprise them, alone and unprotected, on the scene of riot, Ali helped his suffering love to shelter in an archway farther up the alley, and there ensconced him in the seat of the sherbet seller, behind the stall of cooling drinks.
crueladjectiveUS /ˈkruːəl/
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading But the Thief himself was blind to the danger escaped, blind to everything except his own cruel shame in dishonor.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading But the Thief himself was blind to the danger escaped, blind to everything except his own cruel shame in dishonor.
dishonorverbUS /dɪˈsɑːnər/
bring shame or dishonor upon
From this reading But the Thief himself was blind to the danger escaped, blind to everything except his own cruel shame in dishonor.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Unable to run or help himself because of his injured legs, he must have been knocked down and trampled in that panic rush, but for the tender care of Ali, who fought manfully to protect him.
drinksnounUS /drɪŋks/
plural of “drink” — a single serving of a beverage
From this reading For fear lest troops should come and surprise them, alone and unprotected, on the scene of riot, Ali helped his suffering love to shelter in an archway farther up the alley, and there ensconced him in the seat of the sherbet seller, behind the stall of cooling drinks.
ensconcedverbUS /ɪnˈskɑːnst/
past form of “ensconce” — fix firmly
From this reading For fear lest troops should come and surprise them, alone and unprotected, on the scene of riot, Ali helped his suffering love to shelter in an archway farther up the alley, and there ensconced him in the seat of the sherbet seller, behind the stall of cooling drinks.
entrailsnounUS /ˈentrəlz/
internal organs collectively (especially those in the abdominal cavity)
From this reading He kept sobbing convulsively, breaking out at intervals into a fit of wild lamentation, which pierced to the very entrails of Ali, who loved him as his soul.
having escaped, especially from confinement
From this reading But the Thief himself was blind to the danger escaped, blind to everything except his own cruel shame in dishonor.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading But the Thief himself was blind to the danger escaped, blind to everything except his own cruel shame in dishonor.
apart from; not including
From this reading But the Thief himself was blind to the danger escaped, blind to everything except his own cruel shame in dishonor.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading For fear lest troops should come and surprise them, alone and unprotected, on the scene of riot, Ali helped his suffering love to shelter in an archway farther up the alley, and there ensconced him in the seat of the sherbet seller, behind the stall of cooling drinks.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading For fear lest troops should come and surprise them, alone and unprotected, on the scene of riot, Ali helped his suffering love to shelter in an archway farther up the alley, and there ensconced him in the seat of the sherbet seller, behind the stall of cooling drinks.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading He kept sobbing convulsively, breaking out at intervals into a fit of wild lamentation, which pierced to the very entrails of Ali, who loved him as his soul.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Unable to run or help himself because of his injured legs, he must have been knocked down and trampled in that panic rush, but for the tender care of Ali, who fought manfully to protect him.
inflected form of “fight” — be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading Unable to run or help himself because of his injured legs, he must have been knocked down and trampled in that panic rush, but for the tender care of Ali, who fought manfully to protect him.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Unable to run or help himself because of his injured legs, he must have been knocked down and trampled in that panic rush, but for the tender care of Ali, who fought manfully to protect him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Unable to run or help himself because of his injured legs, he must have been knocked down and trampled in that panic rush, but for the tender care of Ali, who fought manfully to protect him.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Unable to run or help himself because of his injured legs, he must have been knocked down and trampled in that panic rush, but for the tender care of Ali, who fought manfully to protect him.
past form of “help” — give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading For fear lest troops should come and surprise them, alone and unprotected, on the scene of riot, Ali helped his suffering love to shelter in an archway farther up the alley, and there ensconced him in the seat of the sherbet seller, behind the stall of cooling drinks.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Unable to run or help himself because of his injured legs, he must have been knocked down and trampled in that panic rush, but for the tender care of Ali, who fought manfully to protect him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Unable to run or help himself because of his injured legs, he must have been knocked down and trampled in that panic rush, but for the tender care of Ali, who fought manfully to protect him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Unable to run or help himself because of his injured legs, he must have been knocked down and trampled in that panic rush, but for the tender care of Ali, who fought manfully to protect him.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Nesìb the Thief was left before the house of the physician.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Unable to run or help himself because of his injured legs, he must have been knocked down and trampled in that panic rush, but for the tender care of Ali, who fought manfully to protect him.
injuredadjectiveUS /ˈɪndʒərd/
harmed
From this reading Unable to run or help himself because of his injured legs, he must have been knocked down and trampled in that panic rush, but for the tender care of Ali, who fought manfully to protect him.
intervalsnounUS /ˈɪntərvəlz/
plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading He kept sobbing convulsively, breaking out at intervals into a fit of wild lamentation, which pierced to the very entrails of Ali, who loved him as his soul.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He kept sobbing convulsively, breaking out at intervals into a fit of wild lamentation, which pierced to the very entrails of Ali, who loved him as his soul.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading He kept sobbing convulsively, breaking out at intervals into a fit of wild lamentation, which pierced to the very entrails of Ali, who loved him as his soul.
past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading Unable to run or help himself because of his injured legs, he must have been knocked down and trampled in that panic rush, but for the tender care of Ali, who fought manfully to protect him.
lamentationnoun
a cry of sorrow and grief
From this reading He kept sobbing convulsively, breaking out at intervals into a fit of wild lamentation, which pierced to the very entrails of Ali, who loved him as his soul.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Nesìb the Thief was left before the house of the physician.
staying power
From this reading Unable to run or help himself because of his injured legs, he must have been knocked down and trampled in that panic rush, but for the tender care of Ali, who fought manfully to protect him.
in order that something should not happen
From this reading For fear lest troops should come and surprise them, alone and unprotected, on the scene of riot, Ali helped his suffering love to shelter in an archway farther up the alley, and there ensconced him in the seat of the sherbet seller, behind the stall of cooling drinks.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading For fear lest troops should come and surprise them, alone and unprotected, on the scene of riot, Ali helped his suffering love to shelter in an archway farther up the alley, and there ensconced him in the seat of the sherbet seller, behind the stall of cooling drinks.
held dear
From this reading He kept sobbing convulsively, breaking out at intervals into a fit of wild lamentation, which pierced to the very entrails of Ali, who loved him as his soul.
manfullyadverbUS /ˈmænfəli/
in a manful manner; with qualities thought to befit a man
From this reading Unable to run or help himself because of his injured legs, he must have been knocked down and trampled in that panic rush, but for the tender care of Ali, who fought manfully to protect him.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Unable to run or help himself because of his injured legs, he must have been knocked down and trampled in that panic rush, but for the tender care of Ali, who fought manfully to protect him.
Nesìb
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nesìb the Thief was left before the house of the physician.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Nesìb the Thief was left before the house of the physician.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading For fear lest troops should come and surprise them, alone and unprotected, on the scene of riot, Ali helped his suffering love to shelter in an archway farther up the alley, and there ensconced him in the seat of the sherbet seller, behind the stall of cooling drinks.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Unable to run or help himself because of his injured legs, he must have been knocked down and trampled in that panic rush, but for the tender care of Ali, who fought manfully to protect him.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He kept sobbing convulsively, breaking out at intervals into a fit of wild lamentation, which pierced to the very entrails of Ali, who loved him as his soul.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading But the Thief himself was blind to the danger escaped, blind to everything except his own cruel shame in dishonor.
panicnounUS /ˈpænɪk/
an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading Unable to run or help himself because of his injured legs, he must have been knocked down and trampled in that panic rush, but for the tender care of Ali, who fought manfully to protect him.
physiciannounUS /fəˈzɪʃən/
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading Nesìb the Thief was left before the house of the physician.
piercedadjectiveUS /pɪrst/
having a hole cut through
From this reading He kept sobbing convulsively, breaking out at intervals into a fit of wild lamentation, which pierced to the very entrails of Ali, who loved him as his soul.
shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage
From this reading Unable to run or help himself because of his injured legs, he must have been knocked down and trampled in that panic rush, but for the tender care of Ali, who fought manfully to protect him.
riotnounUS /ˈraɪət/
a public act of violence by an unruly mob
From this reading For fear lest troops should come and surprise them, alone and unprotected, on the scene of riot, Ali helped his suffering love to shelter in an archway farther up the alley, and there ensconced him in the seat of the sherbet seller, behind the stall of cooling drinks.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Unable to run or help himself because of his injured legs, he must have been knocked down and trampled in that panic rush, but for the tender care of Ali, who fought manfully to protect him.
move hurridly
From this reading Unable to run or help himself because of his injured legs, he must have been knocked down and trampled in that panic rush, but for the tender care of Ali, who fought manfully to protect him.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading For fear lest troops should come and surprise them, alone and unprotected, on the scene of riot, Ali helped his suffering love to shelter in an archway farther up the alley, and there ensconced him in the seat of the sherbet seller, behind the stall of cooling drinks.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading For fear lest troops should come and surprise them, alone and unprotected, on the scene of riot, Ali helped his suffering love to shelter in an archway farther up the alley, and there ensconced him in the seat of the sherbet seller, behind the stall of cooling drinks.
sellernounUS /ˈselər/
someone who promotes or exchanges goods or services for money
From this reading For fear lest troops should come and surprise them, alone and unprotected, on the scene of riot, Ali helped his suffering love to shelter in an archway farther up the alley, and there ensconced him in the seat of the sherbet seller, behind the stall of cooling drinks.
a painful emotion resulting from an awareness of inadequacy or guilt
From this reading But the Thief himself was blind to the danger escaped, blind to everything except his own cruel shame in dishonor.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading For fear lest troops should come and surprise them, alone and unprotected, on the scene of riot, Ali helped his suffering love to shelter in an archway farther up the alley, and there ensconced him in the seat of the sherbet seller, behind the stall of cooling drinks.
sherbetnounUS /ˈʃɜːrbət/
a frozen dessert made primarily of fruit juice and sugar, but also containing milk or egg-white or gelatin
From this reading For fear lest troops should come and surprise them, alone and unprotected, on the scene of riot, Ali helped his suffering love to shelter in an archway farther up the alley, and there ensconced him in the seat of the sherbet seller, behind the stall of cooling drinks.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading For fear lest troops should come and surprise them, alone and unprotected, on the scene of riot, Ali helped his suffering love to shelter in an archway farther up the alley, and there ensconced him in the seat of the sherbet seller, behind the stall of cooling drinks.
sobbingnounUS /ˈsɑːbɪŋ/
convulsive gasp made while weeping
From this reading He kept sobbing convulsively, breaking out at intervals into a fit of wild lamentation, which pierced to the very entrails of Ali, who loved him as his soul.
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading He kept sobbing convulsively, breaking out at intervals into a fit of wild lamentation, which pierced to the very entrails of Ali, who loved him as his soul.
stallnounUS /stɔːl/
a compartment in a stable where a single animal is confined and fed
From this reading For fear lest troops should come and surprise them, alone and unprotected, on the scene of riot, Ali helped his suffering love to shelter in an archway farther up the alley, and there ensconced him in the seat of the sherbet seller, behind the stall of cooling drinks.
a state of acute pain
From this reading For fear lest troops should come and surprise them, alone and unprotected, on the scene of riot, Ali helped his suffering love to shelter in an archway farther up the alley, and there ensconced him in the seat of the sherbet seller, behind the stall of cooling drinks.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading For fear lest troops should come and surprise them, alone and unprotected, on the scene of riot, Ali helped his suffering love to shelter in an archway farther up the alley, and there ensconced him in the seat of the sherbet seller, behind the stall of cooling drinks.
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading Unable to run or help himself because of his injured legs, he must have been knocked down and trampled in that panic rush, but for the tender care of Ali, who fought manfully to protect him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Unable to run or help himself because of his injured legs, he must have been knocked down and trampled in that panic rush, but for the tender care of Ali, who fought manfully to protect him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Nesìb the Thief was left before the house of the physician.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading For fear lest troops should come and surprise them, alone and unprotected, on the scene of riot, Ali helped his suffering love to shelter in an archway farther up the alley, and there ensconced him in the seat of the sherbet seller, behind the stall of cooling drinks.
in or at that place or location
From this reading For fear lest troops should come and surprise them, alone and unprotected, on the scene of riot, Ali helped his suffering love to shelter in an archway farther up the alley, and there ensconced him in the seat of the sherbet seller, behind the stall of cooling drinks.
ThiefnounUS /θiːf/
a criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it
From this reading Nesìb the Thief was left before the house of the physician.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Unable to run or help himself because of his injured legs, he must have been knocked down and trampled in that panic rush, but for the tender care of Ali, who fought manfully to protect him.
trampledverbUS /ˈtræmpəld/
past form of “trample” — tread or stomp heavily or roughly
From this reading Unable to run or help himself because of his injured legs, he must have been knocked down and trampled in that panic rush, but for the tender care of Ali, who fought manfully to protect him.
soldiers collectively
From this reading For fear lest troops should come and surprise them, alone and unprotected, on the scene of riot, Ali helped his suffering love to shelter in an archway farther up the alley, and there ensconced him in the seat of the sherbet seller, behind the stall of cooling drinks.
(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
From this reading Unable to run or help himself because of his injured legs, he must have been knocked down and trampled in that panic rush, but for the tender care of Ali, who fought manfully to protect him.
unprotectedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnprəˈtektɪd/
lacking protection or defense
From this reading For fear lest troops should come and surprise them, alone and unprotected, on the scene of riot, Ali helped his suffering love to shelter in an archway farther up the alley, and there ensconced him in the seat of the sherbet seller, behind the stall of cooling drinks.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading For fear lest troops should come and surprise them, alone and unprotected, on the scene of riot, Ali helped his suffering love to shelter in an archway farther up the alley, and there ensconced him in the seat of the sherbet seller, behind the stall of cooling drinks.
precisely as stated
From this reading He kept sobbing convulsively, breaking out at intervals into a fit of wild lamentation, which pierced to the very entrails of Ali, who loved him as his soul.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Nesìb the Thief was left before the house of the physician.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He kept sobbing convulsively, breaking out at intervals into a fit of wild lamentation, which pierced to the very entrails of Ali, who loved him as his soul.
which person or people
From this reading Unable to run or help himself because of his injured legs, he must have been knocked down and trampled in that panic rush, but for the tender care of Ali, who fought manfully to protect him.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading He kept sobbing convulsively, breaking out at intervals into a fit of wild lamentation, which pierced to the very entrails of Ali, who loved him as his soul.
