used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The shaduf workers had abandoned their skin-covered buckets and bamboo poles to seek shelter from the heat beneath a straggling tree or a straw mat elevated on stalks of ripe sugar-cane.
abandonedadjectiveUS /əˈbændənd/
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading The shaduf workers had abandoned their skin-covered buckets and bamboo poles to seek shelter from the heat beneath a straggling tree or a straw mat elevated on stalks of ripe sugar-cane.
aggressiveadjectiveUS /əˈɡresɪv/
having or showing determination and energetic pursuit of your ends
From this reading The sun fell hot upon the bosom of the Nile and clung there, vibrant, hesitating, yet aggressive, as if baffled in its desire to penetrate beneath the river’s lurid surface.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The sun fell hot upon the bosom of the Nile and clung there, vibrant, hesitating, yet aggressive, as if baffled in its desire to penetrate beneath the river’s lurid surface.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The sun fell hot upon the bosom of the Nile and clung there, vibrant, hesitating, yet aggressive, as if baffled in its desire to penetrate beneath the river’s lurid surface.
bafflednounUS /ˈbæfəld/
people who are frustrated and perplexed
From this reading The sun fell hot upon the bosom of the Nile and clung there, vibrant, hesitating, yet aggressive, as if baffled in its desire to penetrate beneath the river’s lurid surface.
bamboonounUS /bæmˈbuː/
the hard woody stems of bamboo plants; used in construction and crafts and fishing poles
From this reading The shaduf workers had abandoned their skin-covered buckets and bamboo poles to seek shelter from the heat beneath a straggling tree or a straw mat elevated on stalks of ripe sugar-cane.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading The sun fell hot upon the bosom of the Nile and clung there, vibrant, hesitating, yet aggressive, as if baffled in its desire to penetrate beneath the river’s lurid surface.
the chest considered as the place where secret thoughts are kept
From this reading The sun fell hot upon the bosom of the Nile and clung there, vibrant, hesitating, yet aggressive, as if baffled in its desire to penetrate beneath the river’s lurid surface.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading For the Nile defies the sun, and relegates him to his own broad domain, wherein his power is undisputed.
bucketsnounUS /ˈbʌkəts/
plural of “bucket” — a roughly cylindrical vessel that is open at the top
From this reading The shaduf workers had abandoned their skin-covered buckets and bamboo poles to seek shelter from the heat beneath a straggling tree or a straw mat elevated on stalks of ripe sugar-cane.
clungverbUS /klʌŋ/
inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading The sun fell hot upon the bosom of the Nile and clung there, vibrant, hesitating, yet aggressive, as if baffled in its desire to penetrate beneath the river’s lurid surface.
defiesverbUS /dɪˈfaɪz/
third-person singular of “defy” — resist or confront with resistance
From this reading For the Nile defies the sun, and relegates him to his own broad domain, wherein his power is undisputed.
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading WHERE THE DESERT MEETS THE NILE.
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading The sun fell hot upon the bosom of the Nile and clung there, vibrant, hesitating, yet aggressive, as if baffled in its desire to penetrate beneath the river’s lurid surface.
discnounUS /dɪsk/
sound recording consisting of a disk with a continuous groove; used to reproduce music by rotating while a phonograph needle tracks in the groove
From this reading On either side the broad stream humanity shrank from Ra’s seething disc.
domainnounUS /doʊˈmeɪn/
a particular environment or walk of life
From this reading For the Nile defies the sun, and relegates him to his own broad domain, wherein his power is undisputed.
one or the other of two
From this reading On either side the broad stream humanity shrank from Ra’s seething disc.
elevatedadjectiveUS /ˈeləveɪtɪd/
raised above the ground
From this reading The shaduf workers had abandoned their skin-covered buckets and bamboo poles to seek shelter from the heat beneath a straggling tree or a straw mat elevated on stalks of ripe sugar-cane.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading The sun fell hot upon the bosom of the Nile and clung there, vibrant, hesitating, yet aggressive, as if baffled in its desire to penetrate beneath the river’s lurid surface.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For the Nile defies the sun, and relegates him to his own broad domain, wherein his power is undisputed.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading On either side the broad stream humanity shrank from Ra’s seething disc.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The shaduf workers had abandoned their skin-covered buckets and bamboo poles to seek shelter from the heat beneath a straggling tree or a straw mat elevated on stalks of ripe sugar-cane.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading The shaduf workers had abandoned their skin-covered buckets and bamboo poles to seek shelter from the heat beneath a straggling tree or a straw mat elevated on stalks of ripe sugar-cane.
hesitatingadjectiveUS /ˈhezəteɪtɪŋ/
lacking decisiveness of character; unable to act or decide quickly or firmly
From this reading The sun fell hot upon the bosom of the Nile and clung there, vibrant, hesitating, yet aggressive, as if baffled in its desire to penetrate beneath the river’s lurid surface.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading For the Nile defies the sun, and relegates him to his own broad domain, wherein his power is undisputed.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading For the Nile defies the sun, and relegates him to his own broad domain, wherein his power is undisputed.
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 The sun fell hot upon the bosom of the Nile and clung there, vibrant, hesitating, yet aggressive, as if baffled in its desire to penetrate beneath the river’s lurid surface.
the quality of being humane
From this reading On either side the broad stream humanity shrank from Ra’s seething disc.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The sun fell hot upon the bosom of the Nile and clung there, vibrant, hesitating, yet aggressive, as if baffled in its desire to penetrate beneath the river’s lurid surface.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The sun fell hot upon the bosom of the Nile and clung there, vibrant, hesitating, yet aggressive, as if baffled in its desire to penetrate beneath the river’s lurid surface.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For the Nile defies the sun, and relegates him to his own broad domain, wherein his power is undisputed.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The sun fell hot upon the bosom of the Nile and clung there, vibrant, hesitating, yet aggressive, as if baffled in its desire to penetrate beneath the river’s lurid surface.
luridadjectiveUS /ˈlʊrəd/
horrible in fierceness or savagery
From this reading The sun fell hot upon the bosom of the Nile and clung there, vibrant, hesitating, yet aggressive, as if baffled in its desire to penetrate beneath the river’s lurid surface.
matnounUS /mæt/
a thick flat pad used as a floor covering
From this reading The shaduf workers had abandoned their skin-covered buckets and bamboo poles to seek shelter from the heat beneath a straggling tree or a straw mat elevated on stalks of ripe sugar-cane.
MEETSnounUS /miːts/
plural of “meet” — a meeting at which a number of athletic contests are held
From this reading WHERE THE DESERT MEETS THE NILE.
NILEnounUS /naɪl/
the world's longest river (4150 miles); flows northward through eastern Africa into the Mediterranean; the Nile River valley in Egypt was the site of the world's first great civilization
From this reading WHERE THE DESERT MEETS THE NILE.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The sun fell hot upon the bosom of the Nile and clung there, vibrant, hesitating, yet aggressive, as if baffled in its desire to penetrate beneath the river’s lurid surface.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On either side the broad stream humanity shrank from Ra’s seething disc.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The shaduf workers had abandoned their skin-covered buckets and bamboo poles to seek shelter from the heat beneath a straggling tree or a straw mat elevated on stalks of ripe sugar-cane.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading For the Nile defies the sun, and relegates him to his own broad domain, wherein his power is undisputed.
penetrateverbUS /ˈpenətreɪt/
pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance
From this reading The sun fell hot upon the bosom of the Nile and clung there, vibrant, hesitating, yet aggressive, as if baffled in its desire to penetrate beneath the river’s lurid surface.
polesnounUS /poʊlz/
plural of “pole” — a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic
From this reading The shaduf workers had abandoned their skin-covered buckets and bamboo poles to seek shelter from the heat beneath a straggling tree or a straw mat elevated on stalks of ripe sugar-cane.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading For the Nile defies the sun, and relegates him to his own broad domain, wherein his power is undisputed.
Ra's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On either side the broad stream humanity shrank from Ra’s seething disc.
relegates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the Nile defies the sun, and relegates him to his own broad domain, wherein his power is undisputed.
ripeadjectiveUS /raɪp/
fully developed or matured and ready to be eaten or used
From this reading The shaduf workers had abandoned their skin-covered buckets and bamboo poles to seek shelter from the heat beneath a straggling tree or a straw mat elevated on stalks of ripe sugar-cane.
river'snounUS /ˈrɪvərz/
possessive form of “river” — a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading The sun fell hot upon the bosom of the Nile and clung there, vibrant, hesitating, yet aggressive, as if baffled in its desire to penetrate beneath the river’s lurid surface.
try to get or reach
From this reading The shaduf workers had abandoned their skin-covered buckets and bamboo poles to seek shelter from the heat beneath a straggling tree or a straw mat elevated on stalks of ripe sugar-cane.
seethingadjectiveUS /ˈsiːðɪŋ/
in constant agitation
From this reading On either side the broad stream humanity shrank from Ra’s seething disc.
shaduf
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shaduf workers had abandoned their skin-covered buckets and bamboo poles to seek shelter from the heat beneath a straggling tree or a straw mat elevated on stalks of ripe sugar-cane.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading The shaduf workers had abandoned their skin-covered buckets and bamboo poles to seek shelter from the heat beneath a straggling tree or a straw mat elevated on stalks of ripe sugar-cane.
shrankverbUS /ʃræŋk/
inflected form of “shrink” — wither, as with a loss of moisture
From this reading On either side the broad stream humanity shrank from Ra’s seething disc.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading On either side the broad stream humanity shrank from Ra’s seething disc.
skin-covered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shaduf workers had abandoned their skin-covered buckets and bamboo poles to seek shelter from the heat beneath a straggling tree or a straw mat elevated on stalks of ripe sugar-cane.
stalksnounUS /stɔːks/
plural of “stalk” — material consisting of seed coverings and small pieces of stem or leaves that have been separated from the seeds
From this reading The shaduf workers had abandoned their skin-covered buckets and bamboo poles to seek shelter from the heat beneath a straggling tree or a straw mat elevated on stalks of ripe sugar-cane.
stragglingadjective
spreading out in different directions or distributed irregularly
From this reading The shaduf workers had abandoned their skin-covered buckets and bamboo poles to seek shelter from the heat beneath a straggling tree or a straw mat elevated on stalks of ripe sugar-cane.
plant fiber used e.g. for making baskets and hats or as fodder
From this reading The shaduf workers had abandoned their skin-covered buckets and bamboo poles to seek shelter from the heat beneath a straggling tree or a straw mat elevated on stalks of ripe sugar-cane.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading On either side the broad stream humanity shrank from Ra’s seething disc.
sugar-cane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shaduf workers had abandoned their skin-covered buckets and bamboo poles to seek shelter from the heat beneath a straggling tree or a straw mat elevated on stalks of ripe sugar-cane.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The sun fell hot upon the bosom of the Nile and clung there, vibrant, hesitating, yet aggressive, as if baffled in its desire to penetrate beneath the river’s lurid surface.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading The sun fell hot upon the bosom of the Nile and clung there, vibrant, hesitating, yet aggressive, as if baffled in its desire to penetrate beneath the river’s lurid surface.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WHERE THE DESERT MEETS THE NILE.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The shaduf workers had abandoned their skin-covered buckets and bamboo poles to seek shelter from the heat beneath a straggling tree or a straw mat elevated on stalks of ripe sugar-cane.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The sun fell hot upon the bosom of the Nile and clung there, vibrant, hesitating, yet aggressive, as if baffled in its desire to penetrate beneath the river’s lurid surface.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The sun fell hot upon the bosom of the Nile and clung there, vibrant, hesitating, yet aggressive, as if baffled in its desire to penetrate beneath the river’s lurid surface.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading The shaduf workers had abandoned their skin-covered buckets and bamboo poles to seek shelter from the heat beneath a straggling tree or a straw mat elevated on stalks of ripe sugar-cane.
undisputedadjectiveUS /ˌʌndɪsˈpjuːtɪd/
generally agreed upon; not subject to dispute
From this reading For the Nile defies the sun, and relegates him to his own broad domain, wherein his power is undisputed.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The sun fell hot upon the bosom of the Nile and clung there, vibrant, hesitating, yet aggressive, as if baffled in its desire to penetrate beneath the river’s lurid surface.
vibrantadjectiveUS /ˈvaɪbrənt/
vigorous and animated
From this reading The sun fell hot upon the bosom of the Nile and clung there, vibrant, hesitating, yet aggressive, as if baffled in its desire to penetrate beneath the river’s lurid surface.
in or at the place that
From this reading WHERE THE DESERT MEETS THE NILE.
wherein
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the Nile defies the sun, and relegates him to his own broad domain, wherein his power is undisputed.
workersnounUS /ˈwɜːrkərz/
plural of “worker” — a person who works at a specific occupation
From this reading The shaduf workers had abandoned their skin-covered buckets and bamboo poles to seek shelter from the heat beneath a straggling tree or a straw mat elevated on stalks of ripe sugar-cane.
but in spite of that
From this reading The sun fell hot upon the bosom of the Nile and clung there, vibrant, hesitating, yet aggressive, as if baffled in its desire to penetrate beneath the river’s lurid surface.
