Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading To Isongo, which stands upon the tributary of that name, came a woman of the Isisi who had lost her husband through a providential tree falling upon him.

in addition

From this reading Also he made magic in the forest, and was reputedly the familiar of Bashunbi the devil brother of M'shimba-M'shamba.

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

From this reading I say "providential," for it was notorious that he was an evil man, a drinker of beer and a favourite of many bad persons.

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

From this reading I say "providential," for it was notorious that he was an evil man, a drinker of beer and a favourite of many bad persons.

a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb

From this reading So that when he was borne back to the village on a grass bier and the women of his house decked themselves with green leaves and arm in arm staggered and stamped through the village street in their death dance, there was a suspicion of hilarity in their song, and a more cheery step in their dance than the occasion called for.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading So that when he was borne back to the village on a grass bier and the women of his house decked themselves with green leaves and arm in arm staggered and stamped through the village street in their death dance, there was a suspicion of hilarity in their song, and a more cheery step in their dance than the occasion called for.

having undesirable or negative qualities

From this reading I say "providential," for it was notorious that he was an evil man, a drinker of beer and a favourite of many bad persons.

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

From this reading Also he made magic in the forest, and was reputedly the familiar of Bashunbi the devil brother of M'shimba-M'shamba.

come out better in a competition, race, or conflict

From this reading He beat his wives, and once had set fire to his house from sheer wickedness.

a general name for alcoholic beverages made by fermenting a cereal (or mixture of cereals) flavored with hops

From this reading I say "providential," for it was notorious that he was an evil man, a drinker of beer and a favourite of many bad persons.

a coffin along with its stand

From this reading So that when he was borne back to the village on a grass bier and the women of his house decked themselves with green leaves and arm in arm staggered and stamped through the village street in their death dance, there was a suspicion of hilarity in their song, and a more cheery step in their dance than the occasion called for.

inflected form of “bear” — have

From this reading So that when he was borne back to the village on a grass bier and the women of his house decked themselves with green leaves and arm in arm staggered and stamped through the village street in their death dance, there was a suspicion of hilarity in their song, and a more cheery step in their dance than the occasion called for.

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading Also he made magic in the forest, and was reputedly the familiar of Bashunbi the devil brother of M'shimba-M'shamba.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading So that when he was borne back to the village on a grass bier and the women of his house decked themselves with green leaves and arm in arm staggered and stamped through the village street in their death dance, there was a suspicion of hilarity in their song, and a more cheery step in their dance than the occasion called for.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading To Isongo, which stands upon the tributary of that name, came a woman of the Isisi who had lost her husband through a providential tree falling upon him.

bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer

From this reading So that when he was borne back to the village on a grass bier and the women of his house decked themselves with green leaves and arm in arm staggered and stamped through the village street in their death dance, there was a suspicion of hilarity in their song, and a more cheery step in their dance than the occasion called for.

an artistic form of nonverbal communication

From this reading So that when he was borne back to the village on a grass bier and the women of his house decked themselves with green leaves and arm in arm staggered and stamped through the village street in their death dance, there was a suspicion of hilarity in their song, and a more cheery step in their dance than the occasion called for.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading So that when he was borne back to the village on a grass bier and the women of his house decked themselves with green leaves and arm in arm staggered and stamped through the village street in their death dance, there was a suspicion of hilarity in their song, and a more cheery step in their dance than the occasion called for.

past form of “deck” — be beautiful to look at

From this reading So that when he was borne back to the village on a grass bier and the women of his house decked themselves with green leaves and arm in arm staggered and stamped through the village street in their death dance, there was a suspicion of hilarity in their song, and a more cheery step in their dance than the occasion called for.

(Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell

From this reading Also he made magic in the forest, and was reputedly the familiar of Bashunbi the devil brother of M'shimba-M'shamba.

a person who drinks liquids

From this reading I say "providential," for it was notorious that he was an evil man, a drinker of beer and a favourite of many bad persons.

morally objectionable behavior

From this reading I say "providential," for it was notorious that he was an evil man, a drinker of beer and a favourite of many bad persons.

decreasing in amount or degree

From this reading To Isongo, which stands upon the tributary of that name, came a woman of the Isisi who had lost her husband through a providential tree falling upon him.

well known or easily recognized

From this reading Also he made magic in the forest, and was reputedly the familiar of Bashunbi the devil brother of M'shimba-M'shamba.

a competitor thought likely to win

From this reading I say "providential," for it was notorious that he was an evil man, a drinker of beer and a favourite of many bad persons.

start firing a weapon

From this reading He beat his wives, and once had set fire to his house from sheer wickedness.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I say "providential," for it was notorious that he was an evil man, a drinker of beer and a favourite of many bad persons.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading Also he made magic in the forest, and was reputedly the familiar of Bashunbi the devil brother of M'shimba-M'shamba.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He beat his wives, and once had set fire to his house from sheer wickedness.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading So that when he was borne back to the village on a grass bier and the women of his house decked themselves with green leaves and arm in arm staggered and stamped through the village street in their death dance, there was a suspicion of hilarity in their song, and a more cheery step in their dance than the occasion called for.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading So that when he was borne back to the village on a grass bier and the women of his house decked themselves with green leaves and arm in arm staggered and stamped through the village street in their death dance, there was a suspicion of hilarity in their song, and a more cheery step in their dance than the occasion called for.

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

From this reading To Isongo, which stands upon the tributary of that name, came a woman of the Isisi who had lost her husband through a providential tree falling upon him.

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

From this reading I say "providential," for it was notorious that he was an evil man, a drinker of beer and a favourite of many bad persons.

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

From this reading To Isongo, which stands upon the tributary of that name, came a woman of the Isisi who had lost her husband through a providential tree falling upon him.

great merriment

From this reading So that when he was borne back to the village on a grass bier and the women of his house decked themselves with green leaves and arm in arm staggered and stamped through the village street in their death dance, there was a suspicion of hilarity in their song, and a more cheery step in their dance than the occasion called for.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading To Isongo, which stands upon the tributary of that name, came a woman of the Isisi who had lost her husband through a providential tree falling upon him.

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

From this reading He beat his wives, and once had set fire to his house from sheer wickedness.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading He beat his wives, and once had set fire to his house from sheer wickedness.

a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading To Isongo, which stands upon the tributary of that name, came a woman of the Isisi who had lost her husband through a providential tree falling upon him.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I say "providential," for it was notorious that he was an evil man, a drinker of beer and a favourite of many bad persons.

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

From this reading Also he made magic in the forest, and was reputedly the familiar of Bashunbi the devil brother of M'shimba-M'shamba.

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

From this reading To Isongo, which stands upon the tributary of that name, came a woman of the Isisi who had lost her husband through a providential tree falling upon him.

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

From this reading To Isongo, which stands upon the tributary of that name, came a woman of the Isisi who had lost her husband through a providential tree falling upon him.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I say "providential," for it was notorious that he was an evil man, a drinker of beer and a favourite of many bad persons.

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading So that when he was borne back to the village on a grass bier and the women of his house decked themselves with green leaves and arm in arm staggered and stamped through the village street in their death dance, there was a suspicion of hilarity in their song, and a more cheery step in their dance than the occasion called for.

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

From this reading To Isongo, which stands upon the tributary of that name, came a woman of the Isisi who had lost her husband through a providential tree falling upon him.

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

From this reading Also he made magic in the forest, and was reputedly the familiar of Bashunbi the devil brother of M'shimba-M'shamba.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Also he made magic in the forest, and was reputedly the familiar of Bashunbi the devil brother of M'shimba-M'shamba.

any art that invokes supernatural powers

From this reading Also he made magic in the forest, and was reputedly the familiar of Bashunbi the devil brother of M'shimba-M'shamba.

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

From this reading I say "providential," for it was notorious that he was an evil man, a drinker of beer and a favourite of many bad persons.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading I say "providential," for it was notorious that he was an evil man, a drinker of beer and a favourite of many bad persons.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading So that when he was borne back to the village on a grass bier and the women of his house decked themselves with green leaves and arm in arm staggered and stamped through the village street in their death dance, there was a suspicion of hilarity in their song, and a more cheery step in their dance than the occasion called for.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading To Isongo, which stands upon the tributary of that name, came a woman of the Isisi who had lost her husband through a providential tree falling upon him.

known widely and usually unfavorably

From this reading I say "providential," for it was notorious that he was an evil man, a drinker of beer and a favourite of many bad persons.

an event that occurs at a critical time

From this reading So that when he was borne back to the village on a grass bier and the women of his house decked themselves with green leaves and arm in arm staggered and stamped through the village street in their death dance, there was a suspicion of hilarity in their song, and a more cheery step in their dance than the occasion called for.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading To Isongo, which stands upon the tributary of that name, came a woman of the Isisi who had lost her husband through a providential tree falling upon him.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading So that when he was borne back to the village on a grass bier and the women of his house decked themselves with green leaves and arm in arm staggered and stamped through the village street in their death dance, there was a suspicion of hilarity in their song, and a more cheery step in their dance than the occasion called for.

on one occasion

From this reading He beat his wives, and once had set fire to his house from sheer wickedness.

plural of “person” — a human being

From this reading I say "providential," for it was notorious that he was an evil man, a drinker of beer and a favourite of many bad persons.

peculiarly fortunate or appropriate; as if by divine intervention

From this reading To Isongo, which stands upon the tributary of that name, came a woman of the Isisi who had lost her husband through a providential tree falling upon him.

by repute; according to general belief

From this reading Also he made magic in the forest, and was reputedly the familiar of Bashunbi the devil brother of M'shimba-M'shamba.

express in words

From this reading I say "providential," for it was notorious that he was an evil man, a drinker of beer and a favourite of many bad persons.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading He beat his wives, and once had set fire to his house from sheer wickedness.

complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers

From this reading He beat his wives, and once had set fire to his house from sheer wickedness.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So that when he was borne back to the village on a grass bier and the women of his house decked themselves with green leaves and arm in arm staggered and stamped through the village street in their death dance, there was a suspicion of hilarity in their song, and a more cheery step in their dance than the occasion called for.

a short musical composition with words

From this reading So that when he was borne back to the village on a grass bier and the women of his house decked themselves with green leaves and arm in arm staggered and stamped through the village street in their death dance, there was a suspicion of hilarity in their song, and a more cheery step in their dance than the occasion called for.

past form of “stagger” — walk as if unable to control one's movements

From this reading So that when he was borne back to the village on a grass bier and the women of his house decked themselves with green leaves and arm in arm staggered and stamped through the village street in their death dance, there was a suspicion of hilarity in their song, and a more cheery step in their dance than the occasion called for.

past form of “stamp” — walk heavily

From this reading So that when he was borne back to the village on a grass bier and the women of his house decked themselves with green leaves and arm in arm staggered and stamped through the village street in their death dance, there was a suspicion of hilarity in their song, and a more cheery step in their dance than the occasion called for.

plural of “stand” — a support or foundation

From this reading To Isongo, which stands upon the tributary of that name, came a woman of the Isisi who had lost her husband through a providential tree falling upon him.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading So that when he was borne back to the village on a grass bier and the women of his house decked themselves with green leaves and arm in arm staggered and stamped through the village street in their death dance, there was a suspicion of hilarity in their song, and a more cheery step in their dance than the occasion called for.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading So that when he was borne back to the village on a grass bier and the women of his house decked themselves with green leaves and arm in arm staggered and stamped through the village street in their death dance, there was a suspicion of hilarity in their song, and a more cheery step in their dance than the occasion called for.

an impression that something might be the case

From this reading So that when he was borne back to the village on a grass bier and the women of his house decked themselves with green leaves and arm in arm staggered and stamped through the village street in their death dance, there was a suspicion of hilarity in their song, and a more cheery step in their dance than the occasion called for.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading So that when he was borne back to the village on a grass bier and the women of his house decked themselves with green leaves and arm in arm staggered and stamped through the village street in their death dance, there was a suspicion of hilarity in their song, and a more cheery step in their dance than the occasion called for.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading To Isongo, which stands upon the tributary of that name, came a woman of the Isisi who had lost her husband through a providential tree falling upon him.

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

From this reading To Isongo, which stands upon the tributary of that name, came a woman of the Isisi who had lost her husband through a providential tree falling upon him.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading So that when he was borne back to the village on a grass bier and the women of his house decked themselves with green leaves and arm in arm staggered and stamped through the village street in their death dance, there was a suspicion of hilarity in their song, and a more cheery step in their dance than the occasion called for.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading So that when he was borne back to the village on a grass bier and the women of his house decked themselves with green leaves and arm in arm staggered and stamped through the village street in their death dance, there was a suspicion of hilarity in their song, and a more cheery step in their dance than the occasion called for.

in or at that place or location

From this reading So that when he was borne back to the village on a grass bier and the women of his house decked themselves with green leaves and arm in arm staggered and stamped through the village street in their death dance, there was a suspicion of hilarity in their song, and a more cheery step in their dance than the occasion called for.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading To Isongo, which stands upon the tributary of that name, came a woman of the Isisi who had lost her husband through a providential tree falling upon him.

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

From this reading To Isongo, which stands upon the tributary of that name, came a woman of the Isisi who had lost her husband through a providential tree falling upon him.

a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading To Isongo, which stands upon the tributary of that name, came a woman of the Isisi who had lost her husband through a providential tree falling upon him.

(of a stream) flowing into a larger stream

From this reading To Isongo, which stands upon the tributary of that name, came a woman of the Isisi who had lost her husband through a providential tree falling upon him.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading To Isongo, which stands upon the tributary of that name, came a woman of the Isisi who had lost her husband through a providential tree falling upon him.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading So that when he was borne back to the village on a grass bier and the women of his house decked themselves with green leaves and arm in arm staggered and stamped through the village street in their death dance, there was a suspicion of hilarity in their song, and a more cheery step in their dance than the occasion called for.

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

From this reading I say "providential," for it was notorious that he was an evil man, a drinker of beer and a favourite of many bad persons.

at the time that

From this reading So that when he was borne back to the village on a grass bier and the women of his house decked themselves with green leaves and arm in arm staggered and stamped through the village street in their death dance, there was a suspicion of hilarity in their song, and a more cheery step in their dance than the occasion called for.

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

From this reading To Isongo, which stands upon the tributary of that name, came a woman of the Isisi who had lost her husband through a providential tree falling upon him.

which person or people

From this reading To Isongo, which stands upon the tributary of that name, came a woman of the Isisi who had lost her husband through a providential tree falling upon him.

morally objectionable behavior

From this reading He beat his wives, and once had set fire to his house from sheer wickedness.

in the company of; together with

From this reading So that when he was borne back to the village on a grass bier and the women of his house decked themselves with green leaves and arm in arm staggered and stamped through the village street in their death dance, there was a suspicion of hilarity in their song, and a more cheery step in their dance than the occasion called for.

plural of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading He beat his wives, and once had set fire to his house from sheer wickedness.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading To Isongo, which stands upon the tributary of that name, came a woman of the Isisi who had lost her husband through a providential tree falling upon him.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading So that when he was borne back to the village on a grass bier and the women of his house decked themselves with green leaves and arm in arm staggered and stamped through the village street in their death dance, there was a suspicion of hilarity in their song, and a more cheery step in their dance than the occasion called for.