AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A cloud had hung over the valley where Mecca lies like drift in the bed of a winding gorge.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading About ten o'clock in the morning the cloud disappeared over the summit of Abu Kubays in the east.
Abu
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About ten o'clock in the morning the cloud disappeared over the summit of Abu Kubays in the east.
airnounUS /er/
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The promise of rain was followed by a simoom so stifling that it plunged every breathing thing into a struggle for air.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The dogs burrowed in the shade of old walls; birds flew about with open beaks; the herbage wilted, and the leaves on the stunted shrubs ruffled, then rolled up, like drying cinnamon.
ATprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AT THE KAABA The day before the pilgrimage.
beaksnounUS /biːks/
plural of “beak” — beaklike mouth of animals other than birds (e.g., turtles)
From this reading The dogs burrowed in the shade of old walls; birds flew about with open beaks; the herbage wilted, and the leaves on the stunted shrubs ruffled, then rolled up, like drying cinnamon.
bednounUS /bed/
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading A cloud had hung over the valley where Mecca lies like drift in the bed of a winding gorge.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading AT THE KAABA The day before the pilgrimage.
birdsnounUS /bɜːrdz/
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading The dogs burrowed in the shade of old walls; birds flew about with open beaks; the herbage wilted, and the leaves on the stunted shrubs ruffled, then rolled up, like drying cinnamon.
breathingnounUS /ˈbriːðɪŋ/
the bodily process of inhalation and exhalation; the process of taking in oxygen from inhaled air and releasing carbon dioxide by exhalation
From this reading The promise of rain was followed by a simoom so stifling that it plunged every breathing thing into a struggle for air.
burrowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dogs burrowed in the shade of old walls; birds flew about with open beaks; the herbage wilted, and the leaves on the stunted shrubs ruffled, then rolled up, like drying cinnamon.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The promise of rain was followed by a simoom so stifling that it plunged every breathing thing into a struggle for air.
cinnamonnounUS /ˈsɪnəmən/
aromatic bark used as a spice
From this reading The dogs burrowed in the shade of old walls; birds flew about with open beaks; the herbage wilted, and the leaves on the stunted shrubs ruffled, then rolled up, like drying cinnamon.
cloudverbUS /klaʊd/
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading A cloud had hung over the valley where Mecca lies like drift in the bed of a winding gorge.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading AT THE KAABA The day before the pilgrimage.
disappearedverbUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪrd/
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading About ten o'clock in the morning the cloud disappeared over the summit of Abu Kubays in the east.
dogsnounUS /dɑːɡz/
plural of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading The dogs burrowed in the shade of old walls; birds flew about with open beaks; the herbage wilted, and the leaves on the stunted shrubs ruffled, then rolled up, like drying cinnamon.
driftverbUS /drɪft/
be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading A cloud had hung over the valley where Mecca lies like drift in the bed of a winding gorge.
dryingverbUS /ˈdraɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “dry” — remove the moisture from and make dry
From this reading The dogs burrowed in the shade of old walls; birds flew about with open beaks; the herbage wilted, and the leaves on the stunted shrubs ruffled, then rolled up, like drying cinnamon.
eastnounUS /iːst/
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading About ten o'clock in the morning the cloud disappeared over the summit of Abu Kubays in the east.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The promise of rain was followed by a simoom so stifling that it plunged every breathing thing into a struggle for air.
flewverbUS /fluː/
inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading The dogs burrowed in the shade of old walls; birds flew about with open beaks; the herbage wilted, and the leaves on the stunted shrubs ruffled, then rolled up, like drying cinnamon.
followedverbUS /ˈfɑːloʊd/
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading The promise of rain was followed by a simoom so stifling that it plunged every breathing thing into a struggle for air.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The promise of rain was followed by a simoom so stifling that it plunged every breathing thing into a struggle for air.
gorgeverbUS /ɡɔːrdʒ/
overeat or eat immodestly; make a pig of oneself
From this reading A cloud had hung over the valley where Mecca lies like drift in the bed of a winding gorge.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A cloud had hung over the valley where Mecca lies like drift in the bed of a winding gorge.
herbagenoun
succulent herbaceous vegetation of pasture land
From this reading The dogs burrowed in the shade of old walls; birds flew about with open beaks; the herbage wilted, and the leaves on the stunted shrubs ruffled, then rolled up, like drying cinnamon.
hungverbUS /hʌŋ/
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading A cloud had hung over the valley where Mecca lies like drift in the bed of a winding gorge.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A cloud had hung over the valley where Mecca lies like drift in the bed of a winding gorge.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The promise of rain was followed by a simoom so stifling that it plunged every breathing thing into a struggle for air.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The promise of rain was followed by a simoom so stifling that it plunged every breathing thing into a struggle for air.
KAABAnoun
(Islam) a black stone building in Mecca that is shaped like a cube and that is the most sacred Muslim pilgrim shrine; believed to have been given by Gabriel to Abraham; Muslims turn in its direction when praying
From this reading AT THE KAABA The day before the pilgrimage.
Kubays
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About ten o'clock in the morning the cloud disappeared over the summit of Abu Kubays in the east.
leavesnounUS /liːvz/
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading The dogs burrowed in the shade of old walls; birds flew about with open beaks; the herbage wilted, and the leaves on the stunted shrubs ruffled, then rolled up, like drying cinnamon.
liesnounUS /laɪz/
plural of “lie” — a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth
From this reading A cloud had hung over the valley where Mecca lies like drift in the bed of a winding gorge.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading A cloud had hung over the valley where Mecca lies like drift in the bed of a winding gorge.
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 A cloud had hung over the valley where Mecca lies like drift in the bed of a winding gorge.
morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading About ten o'clock in the morning the cloud disappeared over the summit of Abu Kubays in the east.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading About ten o'clock in the morning the cloud disappeared over the summit of Abu Kubays in the east.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A cloud had hung over the valley where Mecca lies like drift in the bed of a winding gorge.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The dogs burrowed in the shade of old walls; birds flew about with open beaks; the herbage wilted, and the leaves on the stunted shrubs ruffled, then rolled up, like drying cinnamon.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The dogs burrowed in the shade of old walls; birds flew about with open beaks; the herbage wilted, and the leaves on the stunted shrubs ruffled, then rolled up, like drying cinnamon.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The dogs burrowed in the shade of old walls; birds flew about with open beaks; the herbage wilted, and the leaves on the stunted shrubs ruffled, then rolled up, like drying cinnamon.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A cloud had hung over the valley where Mecca lies like drift in the bed of a winding gorge.
pilgrimagenounUS /ˈpɪlɡrəmədʒ/
a journey to a sacred place
From this reading AT THE KAABA The day before the pilgrimage.
plungedverbUS /plʌndʒd/
past form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into
From this reading The promise of rain was followed by a simoom so stifling that it plunged every breathing thing into a struggle for air.
promiseverbUS /ˈprɑːməs/
make a promise or commitment
From this reading The promise of rain was followed by a simoom so stifling that it plunged every breathing thing into a struggle for air.
rainnounUS /reɪn/
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading The promise of rain was followed by a simoom so stifling that it plunged every breathing thing into a struggle for air.
rolledadjectiveUS /roʊld/
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
From this reading The dogs burrowed in the shade of old walls; birds flew about with open beaks; the herbage wilted, and the leaves on the stunted shrubs ruffled, then rolled up, like drying cinnamon.
ruffledadjectiveUS /ˈrʌfəld/
shaken into waves or undulations as by wind
From this reading The dogs burrowed in the shade of old walls; birds flew about with open beaks; the herbage wilted, and the leaves on the stunted shrubs ruffled, then rolled up, like drying cinnamon.
shadenounUS /ʃeɪd/
relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body
From this reading The dogs burrowed in the shade of old walls; birds flew about with open beaks; the herbage wilted, and the leaves on the stunted shrubs ruffled, then rolled up, like drying cinnamon.
shrubsnounUS /ʃrʌbz/
plural of “shrub” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading The dogs burrowed in the shade of old walls; birds flew about with open beaks; the herbage wilted, and the leaves on the stunted shrubs ruffled, then rolled up, like drying cinnamon.
simoomnoun
a violent hot sand-laden wind on the deserts of Arabia and North Africa
From this reading The promise of rain was followed by a simoom so stifling that it plunged every breathing thing into a struggle for air.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The promise of rain was followed by a simoom so stifling that it plunged every breathing thing into a struggle for air.
stiflingnounUS /ˈstaɪflɪŋ/
forceful prevention; putting down by power or authority
From this reading The promise of rain was followed by a simoom so stifling that it plunged every breathing thing into a struggle for air.
struggleverbUS /ˈstrʌɡəl/
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading The promise of rain was followed by a simoom so stifling that it plunged every breathing thing into a struggle for air.
stuntedadjectiveUS /ˈstʌntɪd/
inferior in size or quality
From this reading The dogs burrowed in the shade of old walls; birds flew about with open beaks; the herbage wilted, and the leaves on the stunted shrubs ruffled, then rolled up, like drying cinnamon.
summitnounUS /ˈsʌmət/
the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development
From this reading About ten o'clock in the morning the cloud disappeared over the summit of Abu Kubays in the east.
tennounUS /ten/
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading About ten o'clock in the morning the cloud disappeared over the summit of Abu Kubays in the east.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The promise of rain was followed by a simoom so stifling that it plunged every breathing thing into a struggle for air.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AT THE KAABA The day before the pilgrimage.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The dogs burrowed in the shade of old walls; birds flew about with open beaks; the herbage wilted, and the leaves on the stunted shrubs ruffled, then rolled up, like drying cinnamon.
thingnounUS /θɪŋ/
a special situation
From this reading The promise of rain was followed by a simoom so stifling that it plunged every breathing thing into a struggle for air.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The dogs burrowed in the shade of old walls; birds flew about with open beaks; the herbage wilted, and the leaves on the stunted shrubs ruffled, then rolled up, like drying cinnamon.
valleynounUS /ˈvæli/
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading A cloud had hung over the valley where Mecca lies like drift in the bed of a winding gorge.
wallsnounUS /wɔːlz/
plural of “wall” — 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 The dogs burrowed in the shade of old walls; birds flew about with open beaks; the herbage wilted, and the leaves on the stunted shrubs ruffled, then rolled up, like drying cinnamon.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The promise of rain was followed by a simoom so stifling that it plunged every breathing thing into a struggle for air.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading A cloud had hung over the valley where Mecca lies like drift in the bed of a winding gorge.
wiltedadjectiveUS /ˈwɪltɪd/
(of plants) limp due to heat, loss of water, or disease
From this reading The dogs burrowed in the shade of old walls; birds flew about with open beaks; the herbage wilted, and the leaves on the stunted shrubs ruffled, then rolled up, like drying cinnamon.
windingadjectiveUS /ˈwaɪndɪŋ/
marked by repeated turns and bends
From this reading A cloud had hung over the valley where Mecca lies like drift in the bed of a winding gorge.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The dogs burrowed in the shade of old walls; birds flew about with open beaks; the herbage wilted, and the leaves on the stunted shrubs ruffled, then rolled up, like drying cinnamon.
