adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE SLAVE-MARKET At the sôk-el-Abeed it was the hour of the outcry, announced by a blast of trumpets and the thudding of tom-toms.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The Hebrew pedlar of gems closed his box and effaced himself, leaving the steps about the well clear for the most prominent patrons of the market.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading These hastened to assemble there, surrounding it and facing outwards, whilst the rest of the crowd was ranged against the southern and western walls of the enclosure.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE SLAVE-MARKET At the sôk-el-Abeed it was the hour of the outcry, announced by a blast of trumpets and the thudding of tom-toms.
announcedadjectiveUS /əˈnaʊnst/
declared publicly; made widely known
From this reading THE SLAVE-MARKET At the sôk-el-Abeed it was the hour of the outcry, announced by a blast of trumpets and the thudding of tom-toms.
aspersers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Came negro water-carriers in white turbans with aspersers made of palmetto leaves to sprinkle the ground and lay the dust against the tramp of slaves and buyers.
assembleverbUS /əˈsembəl/
create by putting components or members together
From this reading These hastened to assemble there, surrounding it and facing outwards, whilst the rest of the crowd was ranged against the southern and western walls of the enclosure.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE SLAVE-MARKET At the sôk-el-Abeed it was the hour of the outcry, announced by a blast of trumpets and the thudding of tom-toms.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The traders that until then had been licensed to ply within the enclosure now put up the shutters of their little booths.
blastverbUS /blæst/
make a strident sound
From this reading THE SLAVE-MARKET At the sôk-el-Abeed it was the hour of the outcry, announced by a blast of trumpets and the thudding of tom-toms.
boothsnounUS /buːθs/
plural of “booth” — a table (in a restaurant or bar) surrounded by two high-backed benches
From this reading The traders that until then had been licensed to ply within the enclosure now put up the shutters of their little booths.
boxnounUS /bɑːks/
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading The Hebrew pedlar of gems closed his box and effaced himself, leaving the steps about the well clear for the most prominent patrons of the market.
buyersnounUS /ˈbaɪərz/
plural of “buyer” — a person who buys
From this reading Came negro water-carriers in white turbans with aspersers made of palmetto leaves to sprinkle the ground and lay the dust against the tramp of slaves and buyers.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE SLAVE-MARKET At the sôk-el-Abeed it was the hour of the outcry, announced by a blast of trumpets and the thudding of tom-toms.
CameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Came negro water-carriers in white turbans with aspersers made of palmetto leaves to sprinkle the ground and lay the dust against the tramp of slaves and buyers.
clearverbUS /klɪr/
rid of obstructions
From this reading The Hebrew pedlar of gems closed his box and effaced himself, leaving the steps about the well clear for the most prominent patrons of the market.
closedadjectiveUS /kloʊzd/
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading The Hebrew pedlar of gems closed his box and effaced himself, leaving the steps about the well clear for the most prominent patrons of the market.
crowdverbUS /kraʊd/
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading These hastened to assemble there, surrounding it and facing outwards, whilst the rest of the crowd was ranged against the southern and western walls of the enclosure.
dustverbUS /dʌst/
remove the dust from
From this reading Came negro water-carriers in white turbans with aspersers made of palmetto leaves to sprinkle the ground and lay the dust against the tramp of slaves and buyers.
effaced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Hebrew pedlar of gems closed his box and effaced himself, leaving the steps about the well clear for the most prominent patrons of the market.
enclosurenounUS /enˈkloʊʒər/
a structure consisting of an area that has been enclosed for some purpose
From this reading The traders that until then had been licensed to ply within the enclosure now put up the shutters of their little booths.
facingnounUS /ˈfeɪsɪŋ/
a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening
From this reading These hastened to assemble there, surrounding it and facing outwards, whilst the rest of the crowd was ranged against the southern and western walls of the enclosure.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The Hebrew pedlar of gems closed his box and effaced himself, leaving the steps about the well clear for the most prominent patrons of the market.
gemsnounUS /dʒemz/
plural of “gem” — art highly prized for its beauty or perfection
From this reading The Hebrew pedlar of gems closed his box and effaced himself, leaving the steps about the well clear for the most prominent patrons of the market.
groundnounUS /ɡraʊnd/
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading Came negro water-carriers in white turbans with aspersers made of palmetto leaves to sprinkle the ground and lay the dust against the tramp of slaves and buyers.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The traders that until then had been licensed to ply within the enclosure now put up the shutters of their little booths.
hastenedverbUS /ˈheɪsənd/
past form of “hasten” — act or move at high speed
From this reading These hastened to assemble there, surrounding it and facing outwards, whilst the rest of the crowd was ranged against the southern and western walls of the enclosure.
HebrewnounUS /ˈhiːbruː/
the ancient Canaanitic language of the Hebrews that has been revived as the official language of Israel
From this reading The Hebrew pedlar of gems closed his box and effaced himself, leaving the steps about the well clear for the most prominent patrons of the market.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The Hebrew pedlar of gems closed his box and effaced himself, leaving the steps about the well clear for the most prominent patrons of the market.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Hebrew pedlar of gems closed his box and effaced himself, leaving the steps about the well clear for the most prominent patrons of the market.
hournounUS /ˈaʊər/
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading THE SLAVE-MARKET At the sôk-el-Abeed it was the hour of the outcry, announced by a blast of trumpets and the thudding of tom-toms.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Came negro water-carriers in white turbans with aspersers made of palmetto leaves to sprinkle the ground and lay the dust against the tramp of slaves and buyers.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE SLAVE-MARKET At the sôk-el-Abeed it was the hour of the outcry, announced by a blast of trumpets and the thudding of tom-toms.
layverbUS /leɪ/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Came negro water-carriers in white turbans with aspersers made of palmetto leaves to sprinkle the ground and lay the dust against the tramp of slaves and buyers.
leavesnounUS /liːvz/
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading Came negro water-carriers in white turbans with aspersers made of palmetto leaves to sprinkle the ground and lay the dust against the tramp of slaves and buyers.
leavingnounUS /ˈliːvɪŋ/
the act of departing
From this reading The Hebrew pedlar of gems closed his box and effaced himself, leaving the steps about the well clear for the most prominent patrons of the market.
licensedadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪsənst/
given official approval to act
From this reading The traders that until then had been licensed to ply within the enclosure now put up the shutters of their little booths.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The traders that until then had been licensed to ply within the enclosure now put up the shutters of their little booths.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Came negro water-carriers in white turbans with aspersers made of palmetto leaves to sprinkle the ground and lay the dust against the tramp of slaves and buyers.
marketnounUS /ˈmɑːrkət/
the world of commercial activity where goods and services are bought and sold
From this reading The Hebrew pedlar of gems closed his box and effaced himself, leaving the steps about the well clear for the most prominent patrons of the market.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading The Hebrew pedlar of gems closed his box and effaced himself, leaving the steps about the well clear for the most prominent patrons of the market.
negronounUS /ˈniːɡroʊ/
a person with African ancestry, "Negro" and "Negroid" are archaic and pejorative today
From this reading Came negro water-carriers in white turbans with aspersers made of palmetto leaves to sprinkle the ground and lay the dust against the tramp of slaves and buyers.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The traders that until then had been licensed to ply within the enclosure now put up the shutters of their little booths.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE SLAVE-MARKET At the sôk-el-Abeed it was the hour of the outcry, announced by a blast of trumpets and the thudding of tom-toms.
outcrynounUS /ˈaʊtkraɪ/
a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading THE SLAVE-MARKET At the sôk-el-Abeed it was the hour of the outcry, announced by a blast of trumpets and the thudding of tom-toms.
outwardsadverbUS /ˈaʊtwərdz/
toward the outside
From this reading These hastened to assemble there, surrounding it and facing outwards, whilst the rest of the crowd was ranged against the southern and western walls of the enclosure.
palmettonounUS /pælˈmetoʊ/
any of several low-growing palms with fan-shaped leaves
From this reading Came negro water-carriers in white turbans with aspersers made of palmetto leaves to sprinkle the ground and lay the dust against the tramp of slaves and buyers.
patronsnounUS /ˈpeɪtrənz/
plural of “patron” — a regular customer
From this reading The Hebrew pedlar of gems closed his box and effaced himself, leaving the steps about the well clear for the most prominent patrons of the market.
pedlarnoun
someone who travels about selling his wares (as on the streets or at carnivals)
From this reading The Hebrew pedlar of gems closed his box and effaced himself, leaving the steps about the well clear for the most prominent patrons of the market.
plyverbUS /plaɪ/
give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance
From this reading The traders that until then had been licensed to ply within the enclosure now put up the shutters of their little booths.
prominentadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːmənənt/
having a quality that thrusts itself into attention
From this reading The Hebrew pedlar of gems closed his box and effaced himself, leaving the steps about the well clear for the most prominent patrons of the market.
putverbUS /pʊt/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The traders that until then had been licensed to ply within the enclosure now put up the shutters of their little booths.
rangedverbUS /reɪndʒd/
past form of “range” — change or be different within limits
From this reading These hastened to assemble there, surrounding it and facing outwards, whilst the rest of the crowd was ranged against the southern and western walls of the enclosure.
restverbUS /rest/
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading These hastened to assemble there, surrounding it and facing outwards, whilst the rest of the crowd was ranged against the southern and western walls of the enclosure.
shuttersnounUS /ˈʃʌtərz/
plural of “shutter” — a mechanical device on a camera that opens and closes to control the time of a photographic exposure
From this reading The traders that until then had been licensed to ply within the enclosure now put up the shutters of their little booths.
SLAVE-MARKET
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SLAVE-MARKET At the sôk-el-Abeed it was the hour of the outcry, announced by a blast of trumpets and the thudding of tom-toms.
slavesnounUS /sleɪvz/
plural of “slave” — a person who is owned by someone
From this reading Came negro water-carriers in white turbans with aspersers made of palmetto leaves to sprinkle the ground and lay the dust against the tramp of slaves and buyers.
southernadjectiveUS /ˈsʌðərn/
in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading These hastened to assemble there, surrounding it and facing outwards, whilst the rest of the crowd was ranged against the southern and western walls of the enclosure.
sprinkleverbUS /ˈsprɪŋkəl/
distribute loosely
From this reading Came negro water-carriers in white turbans with aspersers made of palmetto leaves to sprinkle the ground and lay the dust against the tramp of slaves and buyers.
stepsnounUS /steps/
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading The Hebrew pedlar of gems closed his box and effaced himself, leaving the steps about the well clear for the most prominent patrons of the market.
surroundingadjectiveUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋ/
closely encircling
From this reading These hastened to assemble there, surrounding it and facing outwards, whilst the rest of the crowd was ranged against the southern and western walls of the enclosure.
sôk-el-Abeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SLAVE-MARKET At the sôk-el-Abeed it was the hour of the outcry, announced by a blast of trumpets and the thudding of tom-toms.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The traders that until then had been licensed to ply within the enclosure now put up the shutters of their little booths.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SLAVE-MARKET At the sôk-el-Abeed it was the hour of the outcry, announced by a blast of trumpets and the thudding of tom-toms.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The traders that until then had been licensed to ply within the enclosure now put up the shutters of their little booths.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The traders that until then had been licensed to ply within the enclosure now put up the shutters of their little booths.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading These hastened to assemble there, surrounding it and facing outwards, whilst the rest of the crowd was ranged against the southern and western walls of the enclosure.
ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These hastened to assemble there, surrounding it and facing outwards, whilst the rest of the crowd was ranged against the southern and western walls of the enclosure.
thuddingadjective
not clear and resonant; sounding as if striking with or against something relatively soft
From this reading THE SLAVE-MARKET At the sôk-el-Abeed it was the hour of the outcry, announced by a blast of trumpets and the thudding of tom-toms.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The traders that until then had been licensed to ply within the enclosure now put up the shutters of their little booths.
tom-toms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SLAVE-MARKET At the sôk-el-Abeed it was the hour of the outcry, announced by a blast of trumpets and the thudding of tom-toms.
tradersnounUS /ˈtreɪdərz/
plural of “trader” — someone who purchases and maintains an inventory of goods to be sold
From this reading The traders that until then had been licensed to ply within the enclosure now put up the shutters of their little booths.
trampnounUS /træmp/
a vagrant
From this reading Came negro water-carriers in white turbans with aspersers made of palmetto leaves to sprinkle the ground and lay the dust against the tramp of slaves and buyers.
trumpetsnounUS /ˈtrʌmpəts/
pitcher plant of southeastern United States having erect yellow trumpet-shaped pitchers with wide mouths and erect lids
From this reading THE SLAVE-MARKET At the sôk-el-Abeed it was the hour of the outcry, announced by a blast of trumpets and the thudding of tom-toms.
turbansnounUS /ˈtɜːrbənz/
plural of “turban” — a traditional Muslim headdress consisting of a long scarf wrapped around the head
From this reading Came negro water-carriers in white turbans with aspersers made of palmetto leaves to sprinkle the ground and lay the dust against the tramp of slaves and buyers.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The traders that until then had been licensed to ply within the enclosure now put up the shutters of their little booths.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The traders that until then had been licensed to ply within the enclosure now put up the shutters of their little booths.
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 These hastened to assemble there, surrounding it and facing outwards, whilst the rest of the crowd was ranged against the southern and western walls of the enclosure.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE SLAVE-MARKET At the sôk-el-Abeed it was the hour of the outcry, announced by a blast of trumpets and the thudding of tom-toms.
water-carriers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Came negro water-carriers in white turbans with aspersers made of palmetto leaves to sprinkle the ground and lay the dust against the tramp of slaves and buyers.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading The Hebrew pedlar of gems closed his box and effaced himself, leaving the steps about the well clear for the most prominent patrons of the market.
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 These hastened to assemble there, surrounding it and facing outwards, whilst the rest of the crowd was ranged against the southern and western walls of the enclosure.
whilstconjunctionUS /waɪlst/
an old and formal word for “while”
From this reading These hastened to assemble there, surrounding it and facing outwards, whilst the rest of the crowd was ranged against the southern and western walls of the enclosure.
whitenounUS /waɪt/
a Caucasian
From this reading Came negro water-carriers in white turbans with aspersers made of palmetto leaves to sprinkle the ground and lay the dust against the tramp of slaves and buyers.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Came negro water-carriers in white turbans with aspersers made of palmetto leaves to sprinkle the ground and lay the dust against the tramp of slaves and buyers.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading The traders that until then had been licensed to ply within the enclosure now put up the shutters of their little booths.
