used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading On the day following that council on the sea-beach, something happened which pushed the Valley of the Kings into the background for a time.
acceptingadjectiveUS /ækˈseptɪŋ/
tolerating without protest
From this reading With this beside him and his sketch-book on his knees Iskender heard the talk around him with but half an ear, and, when referred to answered without thinking, thus assenting to propositions and accepting responsibilities the onus of which dismayed him when he came to realise it.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading With this beside him and his sketch-book on his knees Iskender heard the talk around him with but half an ear, and, when referred to answered without thinking, thus assenting to propositions and accepting responsibilities the onus of which dismayed him when he came to realise it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading With this beside him and his sketch-book on his knees Iskender heard the talk around him with but half an ear, and, when referred to answered without thinking, thus assenting to propositions and accepting responsibilities the onus of which dismayed him when he came to realise it.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading With this beside him and his sketch-book on his knees Iskender heard the talk around him with but half an ear, and, when referred to answered without thinking, thus assenting to propositions and accepting responsibilities the onus of which dismayed him when he came to realise it.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading With this beside him and his sketch-book on his knees Iskender heard the talk around him with but half an ear, and, when referred to answered without thinking, thus assenting to propositions and accepting responsibilities the onus of which dismayed him when he came to realise it.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading This was the arrival from the land of the English of a fine new paint-box, which the Emir presented to his henchman with most gracious words.
assentingnoun
agreeing with or consenting to (often unwillingly)
From this reading With this beside him and his sketch-book on his knees Iskender heard the talk around him with but half an ear, and, when referred to answered without thinking, thus assenting to propositions and accepting responsibilities the onus of which dismayed him when he came to realise it.
backgroundnounUS /ˈbækɡraʊnd/
a person's social heritage: previous experience or training
From this reading On the day following that council on the sea-beach, something happened which pushed the Valley of the Kings into the background for a time.
next to; at the side of
From this reading With this beside him and his sketch-book on his knees Iskender heard the talk around him with but half an ear, and, when referred to answered without thinking, thus assenting to propositions and accepting responsibilities the onus of which dismayed him when he came to realise it.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading The best of cooks, he vowed, was necessary for the honour and contentment of their dearest lord.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading With this beside him and his sketch-book on his knees Iskender heard the talk around him with but half an ear, and, when referred to answered without thinking, thus assenting to propositions and accepting responsibilities the onus of which dismayed him when he came to realise it.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading With this beside him and his sketch-book on his knees Iskender heard the talk around him with but half an ear, and, when referred to answered without thinking, thus assenting to propositions and accepting responsibilities the onus of which dismayed him when he came to realise it.
contentmentnounUS /kənˈtentmənt/
happiness with one's situation in life
From this reading The best of cooks, he vowed, was necessary for the honour and contentment of their dearest lord.
prepare a hot meal
From this reading For instance Elias earnestly desired to know if Iskender could have included the services of a first-rate cook in his estimate for the expedition.
cooksnounUS /kʊks/
plural of “cook” — someone who cooks food
From this reading The best of cooks, he vowed, was necessary for the honour and contentment of their dearest lord.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading For instance Elias earnestly desired to know if Iskender could have included the services of a first-rate cook in his estimate for the expedition.
a body serving in an administrative capacity
From this reading On the day following that council on the sea-beach, something happened which pushed the Valley of the Kings into the background for a time.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading On the day following that council on the sea-beach, something happened which pushed the Valley of the Kings into the background for a time.
a beloved person; used as terms of endearment
From this reading The best of cooks, he vowed, was necessary for the honour and contentment of their dearest lord.
wanted intensely
From this reading For instance Elias earnestly desired to know if Iskender could have included the services of a first-rate cook in his estimate for the expedition.
dismayedadjectiveUS /dɪˈsmeɪd/
struck with fear, dread, or consternation
From this reading With this beside him and his sketch-book on his knees Iskender heard the talk around him with but half an ear, and, when referred to answered without thinking, thus assenting to propositions and accepting responsibilities the onus of which dismayed him when he came to realise it.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading With this beside him and his sketch-book on his knees Iskender heard the talk around him with but half an ear, and, when referred to answered without thinking, thus assenting to propositions and accepting responsibilities the onus of which dismayed him when he came to realise it.
in a serious manner
From this reading For instance Elias earnestly desired to know if Iskender could have included the services of a first-rate cook in his estimate for the expedition.
EliasnounUS /əˈlaɪəs/
plural of “elia” — English essayist (1775-1834)
From this reading For instance Elias earnestly desired to know if Iskender could have included the services of a first-rate cook in his estimate for the expedition.
EmirnounUS /ɪˈmɪr/
an independent ruler or chieftain (especially in Africa or Arabia)
From this reading This was the arrival from the land of the English of a fine new paint-box, which the Emir presented to his henchman with most gracious words.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading This was the arrival from the land of the English of a fine new paint-box, which the Emir presented to his henchman with most gracious words.
estimatenounUS /ˈestəmət/
an approximate calculation of quantity or degree or worth
From this reading For instance Elias earnestly desired to know if Iskender could have included the services of a first-rate cook in his estimate for the expedition.
a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country
From this reading For instance Elias earnestly desired to know if Iskender could have included the services of a first-rate cook in his estimate for the expedition.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading This was the arrival from the land of the English of a fine new paint-box, which the Emir presented to his henchman with most gracious words.
first-rateadjectiveUS /ˌfɜːrˈstreɪt/
of the highest quality
From this reading For instance Elias earnestly desired to know if Iskender could have included the services of a first-rate cook in his estimate for the expedition.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading On the day following that council on the sea-beach, something happened which pushed the Valley of the Kings into the background for a time.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading On the day following that council on the sea-beach, something happened which pushed the Valley of the Kings into the background for a time.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading This was the arrival from the land of the English of a fine new paint-box, which the Emir presented to his henchman with most gracious words.
characterized by charm, good taste, and generosity of spirit
From this reading This was the arrival from the land of the English of a fine new paint-box, which the Emir presented to his henchman with most gracious words.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading With this beside him and his sketch-book on his knees Iskender heard the talk around him with but half an ear, and, when referred to answered without thinking, thus assenting to propositions and accepting responsibilities the onus of which dismayed him when he came to realise it.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading On the day following that council on the sea-beach, something happened which pushed the Valley of the Kings into the background for a time.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading For instance Elias earnestly desired to know if Iskender could have included the services of a first-rate cook in his estimate for the expedition.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading With this beside him and his sketch-book on his knees Iskender heard the talk around him with but half an ear, and, when referred to answered without thinking, thus assenting to propositions and accepting responsibilities the onus of which dismayed him when he came to realise it.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading With this beside him and his sketch-book on his knees Iskender heard the talk around him with but half an ear, and, when referred to answered without thinking, thus assenting to propositions and accepting responsibilities the onus of which dismayed him when he came to realise it.
henchmannounUS /ˈhentʃmən/
someone who assists in a plot
From this reading This was the arrival from the land of the English of a fine new paint-box, which the Emir presented to his henchman with most gracious words.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading With this beside him and his sketch-book on his knees Iskender heard the talk around him with but half an ear, and, when referred to answered without thinking, thus assenting to propositions and accepting responsibilities the onus of which dismayed him when he came to realise it.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading This was the arrival from the land of the English of a fine new paint-box, which the Emir presented to his henchman with most gracious words.
the state of being honored
From this reading The best of cooks, he vowed, was necessary for the honour and contentment of their dearest lord.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading For instance Elias earnestly desired to know if Iskender could have included the services of a first-rate cook in his estimate for the expedition.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For instance Elias earnestly desired to know if Iskender could have included the services of a first-rate cook in his estimate for the expedition.
includedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkluːdəd/
enclosed in the same envelope or package
From this reading For instance Elias earnestly desired to know if Iskender could have included the services of a first-rate cook in his estimate for the expedition.
an occurrence of something
From this reading For instance Elias earnestly desired to know if Iskender could have included the services of a first-rate cook in his estimate for the expedition.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading On the day following that council on the sea-beach, something happened which pushed the Valley of the Kings into the background for a time.
Iskender
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With this beside him and his sketch-book on his knees Iskender heard the talk around him with but half an ear, and, when referred to answered without thinking, thus assenting to propositions and accepting responsibilities the onus of which dismayed him when he came to realise it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading With this beside him and his sketch-book on his knees Iskender heard the talk around him with but half an ear, and, when referred to answered without thinking, thus assenting to propositions and accepting responsibilities the onus of which dismayed him when he came to realise it.
plural of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading On the day following that council on the sea-beach, something happened which pushed the Valley of the Kings into the background for a time.
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading With this beside him and his sketch-book on his knees Iskender heard the talk around him with but half an ear, and, when referred to answered without thinking, thus assenting to propositions and accepting responsibilities the onus of which dismayed him when he came to realise it.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading For instance Elias earnestly desired to know if Iskender could have included the services of a first-rate cook in his estimate for the expedition.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading This was the arrival from the land of the English of a fine new paint-box, which the Emir presented to his henchman with most gracious words.
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading The best of cooks, he vowed, was necessary for the honour and contentment of their dearest lord.
used to form the superlative
From this reading This was the arrival from the land of the English of a fine new paint-box, which the Emir presented to his henchman with most gracious words.
absolutely essential
From this reading The best of cooks, he vowed, was necessary for the honour and contentment of their dearest lord.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading This was the arrival from the land of the English of a fine new paint-box, which the Emir presented to his henchman with most gracious words.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading On the day following that council on the sea-beach, something happened which pushed the Valley of the Kings into the background for a time.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the day following that council on the sea-beach, something happened which pushed the Valley of the Kings into the background for a time.
onusnounUS /ˈoʊnəs/
an onerous or difficult concern
From this reading With this beside him and his sketch-book on his knees Iskender heard the talk around him with but half an ear, and, when referred to answered without thinking, thus assenting to propositions and accepting responsibilities the onus of which dismayed him when he came to realise it.
paint-box
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was the arrival from the land of the English of a fine new paint-box, which the Emir presented to his henchman with most gracious words.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading This was the arrival from the land of the English of a fine new paint-box, which the Emir presented to his henchman with most gracious words.
propositionsnounUS /ˌprɑːpəˈzɪʃənz/
plural of “proposition” — (logic) a statement that affirms or denies something and is either true or false
From this reading With this beside him and his sketch-book on his knees Iskender heard the talk around him with but half an ear, and, when referred to answered without thinking, thus assenting to propositions and accepting responsibilities the onus of which dismayed him when he came to realise it.
past form of “push” — move with force
From this reading On the day following that council on the sea-beach, something happened which pushed the Valley of the Kings into the background for a time.
realiseverbUS /ˈriːəlaɪz/
earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages
From this reading With this beside him and his sketch-book on his knees Iskender heard the talk around him with but half an ear, and, when referred to answered without thinking, thus assenting to propositions and accepting responsibilities the onus of which dismayed him when he came to realise it.
referredverbUS /rəˈfɜːrd/
inflected form of “refer” — make reference to
From this reading With this beside him and his sketch-book on his knees Iskender heard the talk around him with but half an ear, and, when referred to answered without thinking, thus assenting to propositions and accepting responsibilities the onus of which dismayed him when he came to realise it.
responsibilitiesnounUS /riˌspɑːnsəˈbɪlətiz/
plural of “responsibility” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading With this beside him and his sketch-book on his knees Iskender heard the talk around him with but half an ear, and, when referred to answered without thinking, thus assenting to propositions and accepting responsibilities the onus of which dismayed him when he came to realise it.
sea-beach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the day following that council on the sea-beach, something happened which pushed the Valley of the Kings into the background for a time.
performance of duties or provision of space and equipment helpful to others
From this reading For instance Elias earnestly desired to know if Iskender could have included the services of a first-rate cook in his estimate for the expedition.
sketch-book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With this beside him and his sketch-book on his knees Iskender heard the talk around him with but half an ear, and, when referred to answered without thinking, thus assenting to propositions and accepting responsibilities the onus of which dismayed him when he came to realise it.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading On the day following that council on the sea-beach, something happened which pushed the Valley of the Kings into the background for a time.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading With this beside him and his sketch-book on his knees Iskender heard the talk around him with but half an ear, and, when referred to answered without thinking, thus assenting to propositions and accepting responsibilities the onus of which dismayed him when he came to realise it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading On the day following that council on the sea-beach, something happened which pushed the Valley of the Kings into the background for a time.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading On the day following that council on the sea-beach, something happened which pushed the Valley of the Kings into the background for a time.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The best of cooks, he vowed, was necessary for the honour and contentment of their dearest lord.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading With this beside him and his sketch-book on his knees Iskender heard the talk around him with but half an ear, and, when referred to answered without thinking, thus assenting to propositions and accepting responsibilities the onus of which dismayed him when he came to realise it.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was the arrival from the land of the English of a fine new paint-box, which the Emir presented to his henchman with most gracious words.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading With this beside him and his sketch-book on his knees Iskender heard the talk around him with but half an ear, and, when referred to answered without thinking, thus assenting to propositions and accepting responsibilities the onus of which dismayed him when he came to realise it.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading On the day following that council on the sea-beach, something happened which pushed the Valley of the Kings into the background for a time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This was the arrival from the land of the English of a fine new paint-box, which the Emir presented to his henchman with most gracious words.
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading On the day following that council on the sea-beach, something happened which pushed the Valley of the Kings into the background for a time.
vowedverbUS /vaʊd/
past form of “vow” — make a vow; promise
From this reading The best of cooks, he vowed, was necessary for the honour and contentment of their dearest lord.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This was the arrival from the land of the English of a fine new paint-box, which the Emir presented to his henchman with most gracious words.
at the time that
From this reading With this beside him and his sketch-book on his knees Iskender heard the talk around him with but half an ear, and, when referred to answered without thinking, thus assenting to propositions and accepting responsibilities the onus of which dismayed him when he came to realise it.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading On the day following that council on the sea-beach, something happened which pushed the Valley of the Kings into the background for a time.
in the company of; together with
From this reading This was the arrival from the land of the English of a fine new paint-box, which the Emir presented to his henchman with most gracious words.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading With this beside him and his sketch-book on his knees Iskender heard the talk around him with but half an ear, and, when referred to answered without thinking, thus assenting to propositions and accepting responsibilities the onus of which dismayed him when he came to realise it.
the words that are spoken
From this reading This was the arrival from the land of the English of a fine new paint-box, which the Emir presented to his henchman with most gracious words.
