Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
1000
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is the Hedjaz railway, which stretches its sinuous, glittering arm of steel from Damascus for nearly 1000 miles southwards through the inhospitable deserts of Palestine and Arabia to Mecca and Medina, the sacred cities of the Moslem faith.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE HOLY RAILWAY TO MECCA While the majority of railways are constructed to meet the exigencies of commerce, and occasionally from considerations of military strategy, there is one striking instance of a line being built expressly for religious purposes.
ago
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few years ago this was an undertaking from which all but those blinded by religious fervour shrank.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few years ago this was an undertaking from which all but those blinded by religious fervour shrank.
ambition
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every member of the Faithful cherishes one ambition in life--to make the “Hadj,” or Sacred Journey to the cradle and shrine of the Prophet.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A few years ago this was an undertaking from which all but those blinded by religious fervour shrank.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE HOLY RAILWAY TO MECCA While the majority of railways are constructed to meet the exigencies of commerce, and occasionally from considerations of military strategy, there is one striking instance of a line being built expressly for religious purposes.
Arabia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is the Hedjaz railway, which stretches its sinuous, glittering arm of steel from Damascus for nearly 1000 miles southwards through the inhospitable deserts of Palestine and Arabia to Mecca and Medina, the sacred cities of the Moslem faith.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE HOLY RAILWAY TO MECCA While the majority of railways are constructed to meet the exigencies of commerce, and occasionally from considerations of military strategy, there is one striking instance of a line being built expressly for religious purposes.
arm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is the Hedjaz railway, which stretches its sinuous, glittering arm of steel from Damascus for nearly 1000 miles southwards through the inhospitable deserts of Palestine and Arabia to Mecca and Medina, the sacred cities of the Moslem faith.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading THE HOLY RAILWAY TO MECCA While the majority of railways are constructed to meet the exigencies of commerce, and occasionally from considerations of military strategy, there is one striking instance of a line being built expressly for religious purposes.
blinded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few years ago this was an undertaking from which all but those blinded by religious fervour shrank.
built
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HOLY RAILWAY TO MECCA While the majority of railways are constructed to meet the exigencies of commerce, and occasionally from considerations of military strategy, there is one striking instance of a line being built expressly for religious purposes.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A few years ago this was an undertaking from which all but those blinded by religious fervour shrank.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The railway was built entirely by Mahommedans for Mahommedans, every penny required for the scheme being subscribed by the members of this vast sect.
cherishes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every member of the Faithful cherishes one ambition in life--to make the “Hadj,” or Sacred Journey to the cradle and shrine of the Prophet.
cities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is the Hedjaz railway, which stretches its sinuous, glittering arm of steel from Damascus for nearly 1000 miles southwards through the inhospitable deserts of Palestine and Arabia to Mecca and Medina, the sacred cities of the Moslem faith.
commerce
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HOLY RAILWAY TO MECCA While the majority of railways are constructed to meet the exigencies of commerce, and occasionally from considerations of military strategy, there is one striking instance of a line being built expressly for religious purposes.
considerations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HOLY RAILWAY TO MECCA While the majority of railways are constructed to meet the exigencies of commerce, and occasionally from considerations of military strategy, there is one striking instance of a line being built expressly for religious purposes.
constructed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HOLY RAILWAY TO MECCA While the majority of railways are constructed to meet the exigencies of commerce, and occasionally from considerations of military strategy, there is one striking instance of a line being built expressly for religious purposes.
cradle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every member of the Faithful cherishes one ambition in life--to make the “Hadj,” or Sacred Journey to the cradle and shrine of the Prophet.
Damascus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is the Hedjaz railway, which stretches its sinuous, glittering arm of steel from Damascus for nearly 1000 miles southwards through the inhospitable deserts of Palestine and Arabia to Mecca and Medina, the sacred cities of the Moslem faith.
deserts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is the Hedjaz railway, which stretches its sinuous, glittering arm of steel from Damascus for nearly 1000 miles southwards through the inhospitable deserts of Palestine and Arabia to Mecca and Medina, the sacred cities of the Moslem faith.
entirely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The railway was built entirely by Mahommedans for Mahommedans, every penny required for the scheme being subscribed by the members of this vast sect.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The railway was built entirely by Mahommedans for Mahommedans, every penny required for the scheme being subscribed by the members of this vast sect.
exigencies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HOLY RAILWAY TO MECCA While the majority of railways are constructed to meet the exigencies of commerce, and occasionally from considerations of military strategy, there is one striking instance of a line being built expressly for religious purposes.
expressly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HOLY RAILWAY TO MECCA While the majority of railways are constructed to meet the exigencies of commerce, and occasionally from considerations of military strategy, there is one striking instance of a line being built expressly for religious purposes.
faith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is the Hedjaz railway, which stretches its sinuous, glittering arm of steel from Damascus for nearly 1000 miles southwards through the inhospitable deserts of Palestine and Arabia to Mecca and Medina, the sacred cities of the Moslem faith.
Faithful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every member of the Faithful cherishes one ambition in life--to make the “Hadj,” or Sacred Journey to the cradle and shrine of the Prophet.
fervour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few years ago this was an undertaking from which all but those blinded by religious fervour shrank.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few years ago this was an undertaking from which all but those blinded by religious fervour shrank.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE HOLY RAILWAY TO MECCA While the majority of railways are constructed to meet the exigencies of commerce, and occasionally from considerations of military strategy, there is one striking instance of a line being built expressly for religious purposes.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE HOLY RAILWAY TO MECCA While the majority of railways are constructed to meet the exigencies of commerce, and occasionally from considerations of military strategy, there is one striking instance of a line being built expressly for religious purposes.
glittering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is the Hedjaz railway, which stretches its sinuous, glittering arm of steel from Damascus for nearly 1000 miles southwards through the inhospitable deserts of Palestine and Arabia to Mecca and Medina, the sacred cities of the Moslem faith.
Hadj
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every member of the Faithful cherishes one ambition in life--to make the “Hadj,” or Sacred Journey to the cradle and shrine of the Prophet.
Hedjaz
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is the Hedjaz railway, which stretches its sinuous, glittering arm of steel from Damascus for nearly 1000 miles southwards through the inhospitable deserts of Palestine and Arabia to Mecca and Medina, the sacred cities of the Moslem faith.
HOLY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HOLY RAILWAY TO MECCA While the majority of railways are constructed to meet the exigencies of commerce, and occasionally from considerations of military strategy, there is one striking instance of a line being built expressly for religious purposes.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Every member of the Faithful cherishes one ambition in life--to make the “Hadj,” or Sacred Journey to the cradle and shrine of the Prophet.
inhospitable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is the Hedjaz railway, which stretches its sinuous, glittering arm of steel from Damascus for nearly 1000 miles southwards through the inhospitable deserts of Palestine and Arabia to Mecca and Medina, the sacred cities of the Moslem faith.
instance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HOLY RAILWAY TO MECCA While the majority of railways are constructed to meet the exigencies of commerce, and occasionally from considerations of military strategy, there is one striking instance of a line being built expressly for religious purposes.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE HOLY RAILWAY TO MECCA While the majority of railways are constructed to meet the exigencies of commerce, and occasionally from considerations of military strategy, there is one striking instance of a line being built expressly for religious purposes.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading This is the Hedjaz railway, which stretches its sinuous, glittering arm of steel from Damascus for nearly 1000 miles southwards through the inhospitable deserts of Palestine and Arabia to Mecca and Medina, the sacred cities of the Moslem faith.
Journey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every member of the Faithful cherishes one ambition in life--to make the “Hadj,” or Sacred Journey to the cradle and shrine of the Prophet.
life
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every member of the Faithful cherishes one ambition in life--to make the “Hadj,” or Sacred Journey to the cradle and shrine of the Prophet.
line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HOLY RAILWAY TO MECCA While the majority of railways are constructed to meet the exigencies of commerce, and occasionally from considerations of military strategy, there is one striking instance of a line being built expressly for religious purposes.
Mahommedans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The railway was built entirely by Mahommedans for Mahommedans, every penny required for the scheme being subscribed by the members of this vast sect.
majority
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HOLY RAILWAY TO MECCA While the majority of railways are constructed to meet the exigencies of commerce, and occasionally from considerations of military strategy, there is one striking instance of a line being built expressly for religious purposes.
make
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every member of the Faithful cherishes one ambition in life--to make the “Hadj,” or Sacred Journey to the cradle and shrine of the Prophet.
MECCA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HOLY RAILWAY TO MECCA While the majority of railways are constructed to meet the exigencies of commerce, and occasionally from considerations of military strategy, there is one striking instance of a line being built expressly for religious purposes.
Medina
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is the Hedjaz railway, which stretches its sinuous, glittering arm of steel from Damascus for nearly 1000 miles southwards through the inhospitable deserts of Palestine and Arabia to Mecca and Medina, the sacred cities of the Moslem faith.
meet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HOLY RAILWAY TO MECCA While the majority of railways are constructed to meet the exigencies of commerce, and occasionally from considerations of military strategy, there is one striking instance of a line being built expressly for religious purposes.
member
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every member of the Faithful cherishes one ambition in life--to make the “Hadj,” or Sacred Journey to the cradle and shrine of the Prophet.
members
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The railway was built entirely by Mahommedans for Mahommedans, every penny required for the scheme being subscribed by the members of this vast sect.
miles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is the Hedjaz railway, which stretches its sinuous, glittering arm of steel from Damascus for nearly 1000 miles southwards through the inhospitable deserts of Palestine and Arabia to Mecca and Medina, the sacred cities of the Moslem faith.
military
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HOLY RAILWAY TO MECCA While the majority of railways are constructed to meet the exigencies of commerce, and occasionally from considerations of military strategy, there is one striking instance of a line being built expressly for religious purposes.
Moslem
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is the Hedjaz railway, which stretches its sinuous, glittering arm of steel from Damascus for nearly 1000 miles southwards through the inhospitable deserts of Palestine and Arabia to Mecca and Medina, the sacred cities of the Moslem faith.
nearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is the Hedjaz railway, which stretches its sinuous, glittering arm of steel from Damascus for nearly 1000 miles southwards through the inhospitable deserts of Palestine and Arabia to Mecca and Medina, the sacred cities of the Moslem faith.
occasionally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HOLY RAILWAY TO MECCA While the majority of railways are constructed to meet the exigencies of commerce, and occasionally from considerations of military strategy, there is one striking instance of a line being built expressly for religious purposes.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE HOLY RAILWAY TO MECCA While the majority of railways are constructed to meet the exigencies of commerce, and occasionally from considerations of military strategy, there is one striking instance of a line being built expressly for religious purposes.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading THE HOLY RAILWAY TO MECCA While the majority of railways are constructed to meet the exigencies of commerce, and occasionally from considerations of military strategy, there is one striking instance of a line being built expressly for religious purposes.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Every member of the Faithful cherishes one ambition in life--to make the “Hadj,” or Sacred Journey to the cradle and shrine of the Prophet.
Palestine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is the Hedjaz railway, which stretches its sinuous, glittering arm of steel from Damascus for nearly 1000 miles southwards through the inhospitable deserts of Palestine and Arabia to Mecca and Medina, the sacred cities of the Moslem faith.
penny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The railway was built entirely by Mahommedans for Mahommedans, every penny required for the scheme being subscribed by the members of this vast sect.
Prophet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every member of the Faithful cherishes one ambition in life--to make the “Hadj,” or Sacred Journey to the cradle and shrine of the Prophet.
purposes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HOLY RAILWAY TO MECCA While the majority of railways are constructed to meet the exigencies of commerce, and occasionally from considerations of military strategy, there is one striking instance of a line being built expressly for religious purposes.
RAILWAY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HOLY RAILWAY TO MECCA While the majority of railways are constructed to meet the exigencies of commerce, and occasionally from considerations of military strategy, there is one striking instance of a line being built expressly for religious purposes.
railways
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HOLY RAILWAY TO MECCA While the majority of railways are constructed to meet the exigencies of commerce, and occasionally from considerations of military strategy, there is one striking instance of a line being built expressly for religious purposes.
religious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HOLY RAILWAY TO MECCA While the majority of railways are constructed to meet the exigencies of commerce, and occasionally from considerations of military strategy, there is one striking instance of a line being built expressly for religious purposes.
required
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The railway was built entirely by Mahommedans for Mahommedans, every penny required for the scheme being subscribed by the members of this vast sect.
sacred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is the Hedjaz railway, which stretches its sinuous, glittering arm of steel from Damascus for nearly 1000 miles southwards through the inhospitable deserts of Palestine and Arabia to Mecca and Medina, the sacred cities of the Moslem faith.
scheme
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The railway was built entirely by Mahommedans for Mahommedans, every penny required for the scheme being subscribed by the members of this vast sect.
sect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The railway was built entirely by Mahommedans for Mahommedans, every penny required for the scheme being subscribed by the members of this vast sect.
shrank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few years ago this was an undertaking from which all but those blinded by religious fervour shrank.
shrine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every member of the Faithful cherishes one ambition in life--to make the “Hadj,” or Sacred Journey to the cradle and shrine of the Prophet.
sinuous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is the Hedjaz railway, which stretches its sinuous, glittering arm of steel from Damascus for nearly 1000 miles southwards through the inhospitable deserts of Palestine and Arabia to Mecca and Medina, the sacred cities of the Moslem faith.
southwards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is the Hedjaz railway, which stretches its sinuous, glittering arm of steel from Damascus for nearly 1000 miles southwards through the inhospitable deserts of Palestine and Arabia to Mecca and Medina, the sacred cities of the Moslem faith.
steel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is the Hedjaz railway, which stretches its sinuous, glittering arm of steel from Damascus for nearly 1000 miles southwards through the inhospitable deserts of Palestine and Arabia to Mecca and Medina, the sacred cities of the Moslem faith.
strategy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HOLY RAILWAY TO MECCA While the majority of railways are constructed to meet the exigencies of commerce, and occasionally from considerations of military strategy, there is one striking instance of a line being built expressly for religious purposes.
stretches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is the Hedjaz railway, which stretches its sinuous, glittering arm of steel from Damascus for nearly 1000 miles southwards through the inhospitable deserts of Palestine and Arabia to Mecca and Medina, the sacred cities of the Moslem faith.
striking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HOLY RAILWAY TO MECCA While the majority of railways are constructed to meet the exigencies of commerce, and occasionally from considerations of military strategy, there is one striking instance of a line being built expressly for religious purposes.
subscribed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The railway was built entirely by Mahommedans for Mahommedans, every penny required for the scheme being subscribed by the members of this vast sect.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE HOLY RAILWAY TO MECCA While the majority of railways are constructed to meet the exigencies of commerce, and occasionally from considerations of military strategy, there is one striking instance of a line being built expressly for religious purposes.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HOLY RAILWAY TO MECCA While the majority of railways are constructed to meet the exigencies of commerce, and occasionally from considerations of military strategy, there is one striking instance of a line being built expressly for religious purposes.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This is the Hedjaz railway, which stretches its sinuous, glittering arm of steel from Damascus for nearly 1000 miles southwards through the inhospitable deserts of Palestine and Arabia to Mecca and Medina, the sacred cities of the Moslem faith.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading A few years ago this was an undertaking from which all but those blinded by religious fervour shrank.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading This is the Hedjaz railway, which stretches its sinuous, glittering arm of steel from Damascus for nearly 1000 miles southwards through the inhospitable deserts of Palestine and Arabia to Mecca and Medina, the sacred cities of the Moslem faith.
TOparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE HOLY RAILWAY TO MECCA While the majority of railways are constructed to meet the exigencies of commerce, and occasionally from considerations of military strategy, there is one striking instance of a line being built expressly for religious purposes.
undertaking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few years ago this was an undertaking from which all but those blinded by religious fervour shrank.
vast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The railway was built entirely by Mahommedans for Mahommedans, every penny required for the scheme being subscribed by the members of this vast sect.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The railway was built entirely by Mahommedans for Mahommedans, every penny required for the scheme being subscribed by the members of this vast sect.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading This is the Hedjaz railway, which stretches its sinuous, glittering arm of steel from Damascus for nearly 1000 miles southwards through the inhospitable deserts of Palestine and Arabia to Mecca and Medina, the sacred cities of the Moslem faith.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading THE HOLY RAILWAY TO MECCA While the majority of railways are constructed to meet the exigencies of commerce, and occasionally from considerations of military strategy, there is one striking instance of a line being built expressly for religious purposes.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few years ago this was an undertaking from which all but those blinded by religious fervour shrank.