adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The old town in the old time derived importance chiefly from the road which, leading thence westwardly through Hejr Yemameh, brought up, after many devious stretches across waterless wastes of sand, at El Derayeh, a tented capital of the Bedouins, and there forked, one branch going to Medina, the other to Mecca.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading The old town in the old time derived importance chiefly from the road which, leading thence westwardly through Hejr Yemameh, brought up, after many devious stretches across waterless wastes of sand, at El Derayeh, a tented capital of the Bedouins, and there forked, one branch going to Medina, the other to Mecca.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The old town in the old time derived importance chiefly from the road which, leading thence westwardly through Hejr Yemameh, brought up, after many devious stretches across waterless wastes of sand, at El Derayeh, a tented capital of the Bedouins, and there forked, one branch going to Medina, the other to Mecca.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Belonging to the Arabs, the most unchangeable of peoples, both the town and the bay were known in the period of our story by their present names.
ArabsnounUS /ˈærəbz/
plural of “arab” — 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 Belonging to the Arabs, the most unchangeable of peoples, both the town and the bay were known in the period of our story by their present names.
ATprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE PILGRIM AT EL KATIF The bay of Bahrein indents the western shore of the Persian Gulf.
Bahreinnoun
an island in the Persian Gulf
From this reading THE PILGRIM AT EL KATIF The bay of Bahrein indents the western shore of the Persian Gulf.
baynounUS /beɪ/
an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
From this reading THE PILGRIM AT EL KATIF The bay of Bahrein indents the western shore of the Persian Gulf.
BedouinsnounUS /ˈbedoʊənz/
plural of “bedouin” — a member of a nomadic tribe of Arabs
From this reading The old town in the old time derived importance chiefly from the road which, leading thence westwardly through Hejr Yemameh, brought up, after many devious stretches across waterless wastes of sand, at El Derayeh, a tented capital of the Bedouins, and there forked, one branch going to Medina, the other to Mecca.
beginsnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnz/
plural of “begin” — Israeli statesman (born in Russia) who (as prime minister of Israel) negotiated a peace treaty with Anwar Sadat (then the president of Egypt) (1913-1992)
From this reading Hard by the point on the north at which it begins its inland bend rise the whitewashed, one-story mud-houses of the town El Katif.
BelongingnounUS /bɪˈlɔːŋɪŋ/
happiness felt in a secure relationship
From this reading Belonging to the Arabs, the most unchangeable of peoples, both the town and the bay were known in the period of our story by their present names.
bendverbUS /bend/
form a curve
From this reading Hard by the point on the north at which it begins its inland bend rise the whitewashed, one-story mud-houses of the town El Katif.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading Belonging to the Arabs, the most unchangeable of peoples, both the town and the bay were known in the period of our story by their present names.
branchnounUS /bræntʃ/
a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading The old town in the old time derived importance chiefly from the road which, leading thence westwardly through Hejr Yemameh, brought up, after many devious stretches across waterless wastes of sand, at El Derayeh, a tented capital of the Bedouins, and there forked, one branch going to Medina, the other to Mecca.
broughtverbUS /brɔːt/
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading The old town in the old time derived importance chiefly from the road which, leading thence westwardly through Hejr Yemameh, brought up, after many devious stretches across waterless wastes of sand, at El Derayeh, a tented capital of the Bedouins, and there forked, one branch going to Medina, the other to Mecca.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Hard by the point on the north at which it begins its inland bend rise the whitewashed, one-story mud-houses of the town El Katif.
capitalnounUS /ˈkæpətəl/
assets available for use in the production of further assets
From this reading The old town in the old time derived importance chiefly from the road which, leading thence westwardly through Hejr Yemameh, brought up, after many devious stretches across waterless wastes of sand, at El Derayeh, a tented capital of the Bedouins, and there forked, one branch going to Medina, the other to Mecca.
chieflyadverbUS /ˈtʃiːfli/
for the most part
From this reading The old town in the old time derived importance chiefly from the road which, leading thence westwardly through Hejr Yemameh, brought up, after many devious stretches across waterless wastes of sand, at El Derayeh, a tented capital of the Bedouins, and there forked, one branch going to Medina, the other to Mecca.
Derayeh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old town in the old time derived importance chiefly from the road which, leading thence westwardly through Hejr Yemameh, brought up, after many devious stretches across waterless wastes of sand, at El Derayeh, a tented capital of the Bedouins, and there forked, one branch going to Medina, the other to Mecca.
derivedadjectiveUS /dərˈaɪvd/
formed or developed from something else; not original
From this reading The old town in the old time derived importance chiefly from the road which, leading thence westwardly through Hejr Yemameh, brought up, after many devious stretches across waterless wastes of sand, at El Derayeh, a tented capital of the Bedouins, and there forked, one branch going to Medina, the other to Mecca.
deviousadjectiveUS /ˈdiːviəs/
indirect in departing from the accepted or proper way; misleading
From this reading The old town in the old time derived importance chiefly from the road which, leading thence westwardly through Hejr Yemameh, brought up, after many devious stretches across waterless wastes of sand, at El Derayeh, a tented capital of the Bedouins, and there forked, one branch going to Medina, the other to Mecca.
eastnounUS /iːst/
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading In other words, El Katif was to Mecca on the east the gate Jeddo was to it on the west.
ELnounUS /el/
angular distance above the horizon (especially of a celestial object)
From this reading THE PILGRIM AT EL KATIF The bay of Bahrein indents the western shore of the Persian Gulf.
forkedadjectiveUS /fɔːrkt/
resembling a fork; divided or separated into two branches
From this reading The old town in the old time derived importance chiefly from the road which, leading thence westwardly through Hejr Yemameh, brought up, after many devious stretches across waterless wastes of sand, at El Derayeh, a tented capital of the Bedouins, and there forked, one branch going to Medina, the other to Mecca.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The old town in the old time derived importance chiefly from the road which, leading thence westwardly through Hejr Yemameh, brought up, after many devious stretches across waterless wastes of sand, at El Derayeh, a tented capital of the Bedouins, and there forked, one branch going to Medina, the other to Mecca.
gatenounUS /ɡeɪt/
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading In other words, El Katif was to Mecca on the east the gate Jeddo was to it on the west.
goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/
the act of departing
From this reading The old town in the old time derived importance chiefly from the road which, leading thence westwardly through Hejr Yemameh, brought up, after many devious stretches across waterless wastes of sand, at El Derayeh, a tented capital of the Bedouins, and there forked, one branch going to Medina, the other to Mecca.
GulfnounUS /ɡʌlf/
an arm of a sea or ocean partly enclosed by land; larger than a bay
From this reading THE PILGRIM AT EL KATIF The bay of Bahrein indents the western shore of the Persian Gulf.
HardadjectiveUS /hɑːrd/
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Hard by the point on the north at which it begins its inland bend rise the whitewashed, one-story mud-houses of the town El Katif.
Hejr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old town in the old time derived importance chiefly from the road which, leading thence westwardly through Hejr Yemameh, brought up, after many devious stretches across waterless wastes of sand, at El Derayeh, a tented capital of the Bedouins, and there forked, one branch going to Medina, the other to Mecca.
importancenounUS /ˌɪmˈpɔːrtəns/
the quality of being important and worthy of note
From this reading The old town in the old time derived importance chiefly from the road which, leading thence westwardly through Hejr Yemameh, brought up, after many devious stretches across waterless wastes of sand, at El Derayeh, a tented capital of the Bedouins, and there forked, one branch going to Medina, the other to Mecca.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Belonging to the Arabs, the most unchangeable of peoples, both the town and the bay were known in the period of our story by their present names.
indents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PILGRIM AT EL KATIF The bay of Bahrein indents the western shore of the Persian Gulf.
inlandadjectiveUS /ˈɪnlænd/
situated away from an area's coast or border
From this reading Hard by the point on the north at which it begins its inland bend rise the whitewashed, one-story mud-houses of the town El Katif.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Hard by the point on the north at which it begins its inland bend rise the whitewashed, one-story mud-houses of the town El Katif.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Hard by the point on the north at which it begins its inland bend rise the whitewashed, one-story mud-houses of the town El Katif.
Jeddo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In other words, El Katif was to Mecca on the east the gate Jeddo was to it on the west.
KATIF
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PILGRIM AT EL KATIF The bay of Bahrein indents the western shore of the Persian Gulf.
knownadjectiveUS /noʊn/
apprehended with certainty
From this reading Belonging to the Arabs, the most unchangeable of peoples, both the town and the bay were known in the period of our story by their present names.
leadingadjectiveUS /ˈliːdɪŋ/
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading The old town in the old time derived importance chiefly from the road which, leading thence westwardly through Hejr Yemameh, brought up, after many devious stretches across waterless wastes of sand, at El Derayeh, a tented capital of the Bedouins, and there forked, one branch going to Medina, the other to Mecca.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
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 The old town in the old time derived importance chiefly from the road which, leading thence westwardly through Hejr Yemameh, brought up, after many devious stretches across waterless wastes of sand, at El Derayeh, a tented capital of the Bedouins, and there forked, one branch going to Medina, the other to Mecca.
MeccanounUS /ˈmekə/
joint capital (with Riyadh) of Saudi Arabia; located in western Saudi Arabia; as the birthplace of Muhammad it is the holiest city of Islam
From this reading The old town in the old time derived importance chiefly from the road which, leading thence westwardly through Hejr Yemameh, brought up, after many devious stretches across waterless wastes of sand, at El Derayeh, a tented capital of the Bedouins, and there forked, one branch going to Medina, the other to Mecca.
MedinanounUS /məˈdaɪnə/
a city in western Saudi Arabia; site of the tomb of Muhammad; the second most holy city of Islam
From this reading The old town in the old time derived importance chiefly from the road which, leading thence westwardly through Hejr Yemameh, brought up, after many devious stretches across waterless wastes of sand, at El Derayeh, a tented capital of the Bedouins, and there forked, one branch going to Medina, the other to Mecca.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading Belonging to the Arabs, the most unchangeable of peoples, both the town and the bay were known in the period of our story by their present names.
mud-houses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hard by the point on the north at which it begins its inland bend rise the whitewashed, one-story mud-houses of the town El Katif.
namesnounUS /neɪmz/
verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument
From this reading Belonging to the Arabs, the most unchangeable of peoples, both the town and the bay were known in the period of our story by their present names.
northnounUS /nɔːrθ/
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading Hard by the point on the north at which it begins its inland bend rise the whitewashed, one-story mud-houses of the town El Katif.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE PILGRIM AT EL KATIF The bay of Bahrein indents the western shore of the Persian Gulf.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The old town in the old time derived importance chiefly from the road which, leading thence westwardly through Hejr Yemameh, brought up, after many devious stretches across waterless wastes of sand, at El Derayeh, a tented capital of the Bedouins, and there forked, one branch going to Medina, the other to Mecca.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Hard by the point on the north at which it begins its inland bend rise the whitewashed, one-story mud-houses of the town El Katif.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The old town in the old time derived importance chiefly from the road which, leading thence westwardly through Hejr Yemameh, brought up, after many devious stretches across waterless wastes of sand, at El Derayeh, a tented capital of the Bedouins, and there forked, one branch going to Medina, the other to Mecca.
one-story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hard by the point on the north at which it begins its inland bend rise the whitewashed, one-story mud-houses of the town El Katif.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The old town in the old time derived importance chiefly from the road which, leading thence westwardly through Hejr Yemameh, brought up, after many devious stretches across waterless wastes of sand, at El Derayeh, a tented capital of the Bedouins, and there forked, one branch going to Medina, the other to Mecca.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Belonging to the Arabs, the most unchangeable of peoples, both the town and the bay were known in the period of our story by their present names.
peoplesnounUS /ˈpiːpəlz/
the human beings of a particular nation or community or ethnic group
From this reading Belonging to the Arabs, the most unchangeable of peoples, both the town and the bay were known in the period of our story by their present names.
periodnounUS /ˈpɪriəd/
an amount of time
From this reading Belonging to the Arabs, the most unchangeable of peoples, both the town and the bay were known in the period of our story by their present names.
PersiannounUS /ˈpɜːrʒən/
a native or inhabitant of Iran
From this reading THE PILGRIM AT EL KATIF The bay of Bahrein indents the western shore of the Persian Gulf.
PILGRIMnounUS /ˈpɪlɡrəm/
someone who journeys in foreign lands
From this reading THE PILGRIM AT EL KATIF The bay of Bahrein indents the western shore of the Persian Gulf.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Hard by the point on the north at which it begins its inland bend rise the whitewashed, one-story mud-houses of the town El Katif.
presentverbUS /ˈprezənt/
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Belonging to the Arabs, the most unchangeable of peoples, both the town and the bay were known in the period of our story by their present names.
riseverbUS /raɪz/
move upward
From this reading Hard by the point on the north at which it begins its inland bend rise the whitewashed, one-story mud-houses of the town El Katif.
roadnounUS /roʊd/
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading The old town in the old time derived importance chiefly from the road which, leading thence westwardly through Hejr Yemameh, brought up, after many devious stretches across waterless wastes of sand, at El Derayeh, a tented capital of the Bedouins, and there forked, one branch going to Medina, the other to Mecca.
sandnounUS /sænd/
a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral
From this reading The old town in the old time derived importance chiefly from the road which, leading thence westwardly through Hejr Yemameh, brought up, after many devious stretches across waterless wastes of sand, at El Derayeh, a tented capital of the Bedouins, and there forked, one branch going to Medina, the other to Mecca.
shorenounUS /ʃɔːr/
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading THE PILGRIM AT EL KATIF The bay of Bahrein indents the western shore of the Persian Gulf.
storynounUS /ˈstɔːri/
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading Belonging to the Arabs, the most unchangeable of peoples, both the town and the bay were known in the period of our story by their present names.
stretchesnounUS /ˈstretʃəz/
plural of “stretch” — a large and unbroken expanse or distance
From this reading The old town in the old time derived importance chiefly from the road which, leading thence westwardly through Hejr Yemameh, brought up, after many devious stretches across waterless wastes of sand, at El Derayeh, a tented capital of the Bedouins, and there forked, one branch going to Medina, the other to Mecca.
tented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old town in the old time derived importance chiefly from the road which, leading thence westwardly through Hejr Yemameh, brought up, after many devious stretches across waterless wastes of sand, at El Derayeh, a tented capital of the Bedouins, and there forked, one branch going to Medina, the other to Mecca.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PILGRIM AT EL KATIF The bay of Bahrein indents the western shore of the Persian Gulf.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Belonging to the Arabs, the most unchangeable of peoples, both the town and the bay were known in the period of our story by their present names.
thenceadverbUS /ðens/
from that place or that time
From this reading The old town in the old time derived importance chiefly from the road which, leading thence westwardly through Hejr Yemameh, brought up, after many devious stretches across waterless wastes of sand, at El Derayeh, a tented capital of the Bedouins, and there forked, one branch going to Medina, the other to Mecca.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading The old town in the old time derived importance chiefly from the road which, leading thence westwardly through Hejr Yemameh, brought up, after many devious stretches across waterless wastes of sand, at El Derayeh, a tented capital of the Bedouins, and there forked, one branch going to Medina, the other to Mecca.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The old town in the old time derived importance chiefly from the road which, leading thence westwardly through Hejr Yemameh, brought up, after many devious stretches across waterless wastes of sand, at El Derayeh, a tented capital of the Bedouins, and there forked, one branch going to Medina, the other to Mecca.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The old town in the old time derived importance chiefly from the road which, leading thence westwardly through Hejr Yemameh, brought up, after many devious stretches across waterless wastes of sand, at El Derayeh, a tented capital of the Bedouins, and there forked, one branch going to Medina, the other to Mecca.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Belonging to the Arabs, the most unchangeable of peoples, both the town and the bay were known in the period of our story by their present names.
townnounUS /taʊn/
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Hard by the point on the north at which it begins its inland bend rise the whitewashed, one-story mud-houses of the town El Katif.
unchangeableadjective
not changeable or subject to change
From this reading Belonging to the Arabs, the most unchangeable of peoples, both the town and the bay were known in the period of our story by their present names.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The old town in the old time derived importance chiefly from the road which, leading thence westwardly through Hejr Yemameh, brought up, after many devious stretches across waterless wastes of sand, at El Derayeh, a tented capital of the Bedouins, and there forked, one branch going to Medina, the other to Mecca.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In other words, El Katif was to Mecca on the east the gate Jeddo was to it on the west.
wastesnounUS /weɪsts/
plural of “waste” — any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted
From this reading The old town in the old time derived importance chiefly from the road which, leading thence westwardly through Hejr Yemameh, brought up, after many devious stretches across waterless wastes of sand, at El Derayeh, a tented capital of the Bedouins, and there forked, one branch going to Medina, the other to Mecca.
waterlessadjective
lacking sufficient water or rainfall
From this reading The old town in the old time derived importance chiefly from the road which, leading thence westwardly through Hejr Yemameh, brought up, after many devious stretches across waterless wastes of sand, at El Derayeh, a tented capital of the Bedouins, and there forked, one branch going to Medina, the other to Mecca.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Belonging to the Arabs, the most unchangeable of peoples, both the town and the bay were known in the period of our story by their present names.
westnounUS /west/
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading In other words, El Katif was to Mecca on the east the gate Jeddo was to it on the west.
westernadjectiveUS /ˈwestərn/
relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts
From this reading THE PILGRIM AT EL KATIF The bay of Bahrein indents the western shore of the Persian Gulf.
westwardly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old town in the old time derived importance chiefly from the road which, leading thence westwardly through Hejr Yemameh, brought up, after many devious stretches across waterless wastes of sand, at El Derayeh, a tented capital of the Bedouins, and there forked, one branch going to Medina, the other to Mecca.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Hard by the point on the north at which it begins its inland bend rise the whitewashed, one-story mud-houses of the town El Katif.
whitewashedadjectiveUS /ˈwaɪtwɑːʃt/
coated with whitewash
From this reading Hard by the point on the north at which it begins its inland bend rise the whitewashed, one-story mud-houses of the town El Katif.
wordsnounUS /wɜːrdz/
the words that are spoken
From this reading In other words, El Katif was to Mecca on the east the gate Jeddo was to it on the west.
Yemameh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old town in the old time derived importance chiefly from the road which, leading thence westwardly through Hejr Yemameh, brought up, after many devious stretches across waterless wastes of sand, at El Derayeh, a tented capital of the Bedouins, and there forked, one branch going to Medina, the other to Mecca.
