used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In one circle of yellow light two bearded Sheiks were playing dominoes with imperturbable gravity; the other lamp flickered over an empty table beneath which the thin, flea-bitten legs of a ragged urchin were showing in the oblivion of his tired sleep.
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading In the shadow beyond sat a young American with a keen, impatient face, and a one-eyed Arab shrouded in a huge burnous.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In one circle of yellow light two bearded Sheiks were playing dominoes with imperturbable gravity; the other lamp flickered over an empty table beneath which the thin, flea-bitten legs of a ragged urchin were showing in the oblivion of his tired sleep.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In the shadow beyond sat a young American with a keen, impatient face, and a one-eyed Arab shrouded in a huge burnous.
ArabnounUS /ˈærəb/
a member of a Semitic people originally from the Arabian peninsula and surrounding territories who speaks Arabic and who inhabits much of the Middle East and northern Africa
From this reading In the shadow beyond sat a young American with a keen, impatient face, and a one-eyed Arab shrouded in a huge burnous.
beardedadjectiveUS /ˈbɪrdəd/
having hair on the cheeks and chin
From this reading In one circle of yellow light two bearded Sheiks were playing dominoes with imperturbable gravity; the other lamp flickered over an empty table beneath which the thin, flea-bitten legs of a ragged urchin were showing in the oblivion of his tired sleep.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading In one circle of yellow light two bearded Sheiks were playing dominoes with imperturbable gravity; the other lamp flickered over an empty table beneath which the thin, flea-bitten legs of a ragged urchin were showing in the oblivion of his tired sleep.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading In the shadow beyond sat a young American with a keen, impatient face, and a one-eyed Arab shrouded in a huge burnous.
burnousnoun
a long hooded cloak woven of wool in one piece; worn by Arabs and Moors
From this reading In the shadow beyond sat a young American with a keen, impatient face, and a one-eyed Arab shrouded in a huge burnous.
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading In one circle of yellow light two bearded Sheiks were playing dominoes with imperturbable gravity; the other lamp flickered over an empty table beneath which the thin, flea-bitten legs of a ragged urchin were showing in the oblivion of his tired sleep.
coffee-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OVER THE GARDEN WALL Two oil lamps flared in the little coffee-house.
dominoesnounUS /ˈdɑːmənoʊz/
any of several games played with small rectangular blocks
From this reading In one circle of yellow light two bearded Sheiks were playing dominoes with imperturbable gravity; the other lamp flickered over an empty table beneath which the thin, flea-bitten legs of a ragged urchin were showing in the oblivion of his tired sleep.
dragomannoun
an interpreter and guide in the Near East
From this reading "I make fine dragoman?" the Arab was saying proudly.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading In one circle of yellow light two bearded Sheiks were playing dominoes with imperturbable gravity; the other lamp flickered over an empty table beneath which the thin, flea-bitten legs of a ragged urchin were showing in the oblivion of his tired sleep.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading In the shadow beyond sat a young American with a keen, impatient face, and a one-eyed Arab shrouded in a huge burnous.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading "I make fine dragoman?" the Arab was saying proudly.
flaredverbUS /flerd/
past form of “flare” — burn brightly
From this reading OVER THE GARDEN WALL Two oil lamps flared in the little coffee-house.
flea-bittenadjective
worn and broken down by hard use
From this reading In one circle of yellow light two bearded Sheiks were playing dominoes with imperturbable gravity; the other lamp flickered over an empty table beneath which the thin, flea-bitten legs of a ragged urchin were showing in the oblivion of his tired sleep.
flickeredverbUS /ˈflɪkərd/
past form of “flicker” — move back and forth very rapidly
From this reading In one circle of yellow light two bearded Sheiks were playing dominoes with imperturbable gravity; the other lamp flickered over an empty table beneath which the thin, flea-bitten legs of a ragged urchin were showing in the oblivion of his tired sleep.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading OVER THE GARDEN WALL Two oil lamps flared in the little coffee-house.
gravitynounUS /ˈɡrævəti/
(physics) the force of attraction between all masses in the universe; especially the attraction of the earth's mass for bodies near its surface
From this reading In one circle of yellow light two bearded Sheiks were playing dominoes with imperturbable gravity; the other lamp flickered over an empty table beneath which the thin, flea-bitten legs of a ragged urchin were showing in the oblivion of his tired sleep.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In one circle of yellow light two bearded Sheiks were playing dominoes with imperturbable gravity; the other lamp flickered over an empty table beneath which the thin, flea-bitten legs of a ragged urchin were showing in the oblivion of his tired sleep.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading In the shadow beyond sat a young American with a keen, impatient face, and a one-eyed Arab shrouded in a huge burnous.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I make fine dragoman?" the Arab was saying proudly.
restless or short-tempered under delay or opposition
From this reading In the shadow beyond sat a young American with a keen, impatient face, and a one-eyed Arab shrouded in a huge burnous.
imperturbableadjective
not easily perturbed or excited or upset; marked by extreme calm and composure
From this reading In one circle of yellow light two bearded Sheiks were playing dominoes with imperturbable gravity; the other lamp flickered over an empty table beneath which the thin, flea-bitten legs of a ragged urchin were showing in the oblivion of his tired sleep.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading OVER THE GARDEN WALL Two oil lamps flared in the little coffee-house.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "This is ver' old coffee-house.
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading In the shadow beyond sat a young American with a keen, impatient face, and a one-eyed Arab shrouded in a huge burnous.
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading In one circle of yellow light two bearded Sheiks were playing dominoes with imperturbable gravity; the other lamp flickered over an empty table beneath which the thin, flea-bitten legs of a ragged urchin were showing in the oblivion of his tired sleep.
lampsnounUS /læmps/
plural of “lamp” — an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading OVER THE GARDEN WALL Two oil lamps flared in the little coffee-house.
staying power
From this reading In one circle of yellow light two bearded Sheiks were playing dominoes with imperturbable gravity; the other lamp flickered over an empty table beneath which the thin, flea-bitten legs of a ragged urchin were showing in the oblivion of his tired sleep.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading In one circle of yellow light two bearded Sheiks were playing dominoes with imperturbable gravity; the other lamp flickered over an empty table beneath which the thin, flea-bitten legs of a ragged urchin were showing in the oblivion of his tired sleep.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading OVER THE GARDEN WALL Two oil lamps flared in the little coffee-house.
engage in
From this reading "I make fine dragoman?" the Arab was saying proudly.
oblivionnounUS /əˈblɪviən/
the state of being disregarded or forgotten
From this reading In one circle of yellow light two bearded Sheiks were playing dominoes with imperturbable gravity; the other lamp flickered over an empty table beneath which the thin, flea-bitten legs of a ragged urchin were showing in the oblivion of his tired sleep.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In one circle of yellow light two bearded Sheiks were playing dominoes with imperturbable gravity; the other lamp flickered over an empty table beneath which the thin, flea-bitten legs of a ragged urchin were showing in the oblivion of his tired sleep.
oilnounUS /ɔɪl/
A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.
From this reading OVER THE GARDEN WALL Two oil lamps flared in the little coffee-house.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading "This is ver' old coffee-house.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In one circle of yellow light two bearded Sheiks were playing dominoes with imperturbable gravity; the other lamp flickered over an empty table beneath which the thin, flea-bitten legs of a ragged urchin were showing in the oblivion of his tired sleep.
one-eyedadjectiveUS /ˌwʌˈnaɪd/
having or showing only one eye
From this reading In the shadow beyond sat a young American with a keen, impatient face, and a one-eyed Arab shrouded in a huge burnous.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading In one circle of yellow light two bearded Sheiks were playing dominoes with imperturbable gravity; the other lamp flickered over an empty table beneath which the thin, flea-bitten legs of a ragged urchin were showing in the oblivion of his tired sleep.
OVERprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading OVER THE GARDEN WALL Two oil lamps flared in the little coffee-house.
the act of playing a musical instrument
From this reading In one circle of yellow light two bearded Sheiks were playing dominoes with imperturbable gravity; the other lamp flickered over an empty table beneath which the thin, flea-bitten legs of a ragged urchin were showing in the oblivion of his tired sleep.
proudlyadverbUS /ˈpraʊdli/
with pride; in a proud manner
From this reading "I make fine dragoman?" the Arab was saying proudly.
raggedadjectiveUS /ˈræɡəd/
being or dressed in clothes that are worn or torn
From this reading In one circle of yellow light two bearded Sheiks were playing dominoes with imperturbable gravity; the other lamp flickered over an empty table beneath which the thin, flea-bitten legs of a ragged urchin were showing in the oblivion of his tired sleep.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading In the shadow beyond sat a young American with a keen, impatient face, and a one-eyed Arab shrouded in a huge burnous.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading "I make fine dragoman?" the Arab was saying proudly.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading In the shadow beyond sat a young American with a keen, impatient face, and a one-eyed Arab shrouded in a huge burnous.
SheiksnounUS /ʃiːks/
plural of “sheik” — the leader of an Arab village or family
From this reading In one circle of yellow light two bearded Sheiks were playing dominoes with imperturbable gravity; the other lamp flickered over an empty table beneath which the thin, flea-bitten legs of a ragged urchin were showing in the oblivion of his tired sleep.
the display of a motion picture
From this reading In one circle of yellow light two bearded Sheiks were playing dominoes with imperturbable gravity; the other lamp flickered over an empty table beneath which the thin, flea-bitten legs of a ragged urchin were showing in the oblivion of his tired sleep.
shroudedverbUS /ˈʃraʊdɪd/
past form of “shroud” — cover as if with a shroud
From this reading In the shadow beyond sat a young American with a keen, impatient face, and a one-eyed Arab shrouded in a huge burnous.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading In one circle of yellow light two bearded Sheiks were playing dominoes with imperturbable gravity; the other lamp flickered over an empty table beneath which the thin, flea-bitten legs of a ragged urchin were showing in the oblivion of his tired sleep.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading In one circle of yellow light two bearded Sheiks were playing dominoes with imperturbable gravity; the other lamp flickered over an empty table beneath which the thin, flea-bitten legs of a ragged urchin were showing in the oblivion of his tired sleep.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading OVER THE GARDEN WALL Two oil lamps flared in the little coffee-house.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading In one circle of yellow light two bearded Sheiks were playing dominoes with imperturbable gravity; the other lamp flickered over an empty table beneath which the thin, flea-bitten legs of a ragged urchin were showing in the oblivion of his tired sleep.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "This is ver' old coffee-house.
tiredadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərd/
depleted of strength or energy
From this reading In one circle of yellow light two bearded Sheiks were playing dominoes with imperturbable gravity; the other lamp flickered over an empty table beneath which the thin, flea-bitten legs of a ragged urchin were showing in the oblivion of his tired sleep.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading OVER THE GARDEN WALL Two oil lamps flared in the little coffee-house.
urchinnounUS /ˈɜːrtʃən/
poor and often mischievous city child
From this reading In one circle of yellow light two bearded Sheiks were playing dominoes with imperturbable gravity; the other lamp flickered over an empty table beneath which the thin, flea-bitten legs of a ragged urchin were showing in the oblivion of his tired sleep.
ver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "This is ver' old coffee-house.
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 OVER THE GARDEN WALL Two oil lamps flared in the little coffee-house.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I make fine dragoman?" the Arab was saying proudly.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In one circle of yellow light two bearded Sheiks were playing dominoes with imperturbable gravity; the other lamp flickered over an empty table beneath which the thin, flea-bitten legs of a ragged urchin were showing in the oblivion of his tired sleep.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In one circle of yellow light two bearded Sheiks were playing dominoes with imperturbable gravity; the other lamp flickered over an empty table beneath which the thin, flea-bitten legs of a ragged urchin were showing in the oblivion of his tired sleep.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In one circle of yellow light two bearded Sheiks were playing dominoes with imperturbable gravity; the other lamp flickered over an empty table beneath which the thin, flea-bitten legs of a ragged urchin were showing in the oblivion of his tired sleep.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading In one circle of yellow light two bearded Sheiks were playing dominoes with imperturbable gravity; the other lamp flickered over an empty table beneath which the thin, flea-bitten legs of a ragged urchin were showing in the oblivion of his tired sleep.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading In the shadow beyond sat a young American with a keen, impatient face, and a one-eyed Arab shrouded in a huge burnous.
