used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A horde of brown-legged turbaned figures wearing red jerseys on which flaunted in white the names of hotels, and reconstructing Babel.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading An urbane official, lifting a gold-banded cap in the middle of a small oasis of silence and inviting Martin in the name of the Semiramis Hotel, to surrender luggage and all other cares to his keeping, and to follow the stream through the exit to the hotel motor.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An illumination of livid blue.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A horde of brown-legged turbaned figures wearing red jerseys on which flaunted in white the names of hotels, and reconstructing Babel.
arc-lamps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A phantasmagoria of East and West rendered more fantastic by the shadows cast by the high arc-lamps.
BabelnounUS /ˈbæbəl/
(Genesis 11:1-11) a tower built by Noah's descendants (probably in Babylon) who intended it to reach up to heaven; God foiled them by confusing their language so they could no longer understand one another
From this reading A horde of brown-legged turbaned figures wearing red jerseys on which flaunted in white the names of hotels, and reconstructing Babel.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading An illumination of livid blue.
brown-legged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A horde of brown-legged turbaned figures wearing red jerseys on which flaunted in white the names of hotels, and reconstructing Babel.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A phantasmagoria of East and West rendered more fantastic by the shadows cast by the high arc-lamps.
CAIROnounUS /ˈkaɪroʊ/
a town at the southern tip of Illinois at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers
From this reading CAIRO station.
a tight-fitting headdress
From this reading An urbane official, lifting a gold-banded cap in the middle of a small oasis of silence and inviting Martin in the name of the Semiramis Hotel, to surrender luggage and all other cares to his keeping, and to follow the stream through the exit to the hotel motor.
caresnounUS /kerz/
plural of “care” — the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading An urbane official, lifting a gold-banded cap in the middle of a small oasis of silence and inviting Martin in the name of the Semiramis Hotel, to surrender luggage and all other cares to his keeping, and to follow the stream through the exit to the hotel motor.
put or send forth
From this reading A phantasmagoria of East and West rendered more fantastic by the shadows cast by the high arc-lamps.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading A phantasmagoria of East and West rendered more fantastic by the shadows cast by the high arc-lamps.
exitnounUS /ˈeɡzɪt/
an opening that permits escape or release
From this reading An urbane official, lifting a gold-banded cap in the middle of a small oasis of silence and inviting Martin in the name of the Semiramis Hotel, to surrender luggage and all other cares to his keeping, and to follow the stream through the exit to the hotel motor.
fantasticadjectiveUS /fænˈtæstɪk/
ludicrously odd
From this reading A phantasmagoria of East and West rendered more fantastic by the shadows cast by the high arc-lamps.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading A horde of brown-legged turbaned figures wearing red jerseys on which flaunted in white the names of hotels, and reconstructing Babel.
flauntedverbUS /ˈflɔːntɪd/
past form of “flaunt” — display proudly; act ostentatiously or pretentiously
From this reading A horde of brown-legged turbaned figures wearing red jerseys on which flaunted in white the names of hotels, and reconstructing Babel.
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading An urbane official, lifting a gold-banded cap in the middle of a small oasis of silence and inviting Martin in the name of the Semiramis Hotel, to surrender luggage and all other cares to his keeping, and to follow the stream through the exit to the hotel motor.
gold-banded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An urbane official, lifting a gold-banded cap in the middle of a small oasis of silence and inviting Martin in the name of the Semiramis Hotel, to surrender luggage and all other cares to his keeping, and to follow the stream through the exit to the hotel motor.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading A phantasmagoria of East and West rendered more fantastic by the shadows cast by the high arc-lamps.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading An urbane official, lifting a gold-banded cap in the middle of a small oasis of silence and inviting Martin in the name of the Semiramis Hotel, to surrender luggage and all other cares to his keeping, and to follow the stream through the exit to the hotel motor.
hordenounUS /hɔːrd/
a vast multitude
From this reading A horde of brown-legged turbaned figures wearing red jerseys on which flaunted in white the names of hotels, and reconstructing Babel.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading An urbane official, lifting a gold-banded cap in the middle of a small oasis of silence and inviting Martin in the name of the Semiramis Hotel, to surrender luggage and all other cares to his keeping, and to follow the stream through the exit to the hotel motor.
hotelsnounUS /hoʊˈtelz/
plural of “hotel” — a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading A horde of brown-legged turbaned figures wearing red jerseys on which flaunted in white the names of hotels, and reconstructing Babel.
illuminationnounUS /ˌɪluːməˈneɪʃən/
a condition of spiritual awareness; divine illumination
From this reading An illumination of livid blue.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A horde of brown-legged turbaned figures wearing red jerseys on which flaunted in white the names of hotels, and reconstructing Babel.
invitingadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvaɪtɪŋ/
attractive and tempting
From this reading An urbane official, lifting a gold-banded cap in the middle of a small oasis of silence and inviting Martin in the name of the Semiramis Hotel, to surrender luggage and all other cares to his keeping, and to follow the stream through the exit to the hotel motor.
jerseysnounUS /ˈdʒɜːrziz/
plural of “jersey” — a Mid-Atlantic state on the Atlantic; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading A horde of brown-legged turbaned figures wearing red jerseys on which flaunted in white the names of hotels, and reconstructing Babel.
conformity or harmony
From this reading An urbane official, lifting a gold-banded cap in the middle of a small oasis of silence and inviting Martin in the name of the Semiramis Hotel, to surrender luggage and all other cares to his keeping, and to follow the stream through the exit to the hotel motor.
liftingverbUS /ˈlɪftɪŋ/
-ing form of “lift” — raise from a lower to a higher position
From this reading An urbane official, lifting a gold-banded cap in the middle of a small oasis of silence and inviting Martin in the name of the Semiramis Hotel, to surrender luggage and all other cares to his keeping, and to follow the stream through the exit to the hotel motor.
lividadjectiveUS /ˈlɪvɪd/
anemic looking from illness or emotion
From this reading An illumination of livid blue.
luggagenounUS /ˈlʌɡədʒ/
cases used to carry belongings when traveling
From this reading An urbane official, lifting a gold-banded cap in the middle of a small oasis of silence and inviting Martin in the name of the Semiramis Hotel, to surrender luggage and all other cares to his keeping, and to follow the stream through the exit to the hotel motor.
French bishop who is a patron saint of France (died in 397)
From this reading An urbane official, lifting a gold-banded cap in the middle of a small oasis of silence and inviting Martin in the name of the Semiramis Hotel, to surrender luggage and all other cares to his keeping, and to follow the stream through the exit to the hotel motor.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading An urbane official, lifting a gold-banded cap in the middle of a small oasis of silence and inviting Martin in the name of the Semiramis Hotel, to surrender luggage and all other cares to his keeping, and to follow the stream through the exit to the hotel motor.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading A phantasmagoria of East and West rendered more fantastic by the shadows cast by the high arc-lamps.
motornounUS /ˈmoʊtər/
machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion
From this reading An urbane official, lifting a gold-banded cap in the middle of a small oasis of silence and inviting Martin in the name of the Semiramis Hotel, to surrender luggage and all other cares to his keeping, and to follow the stream through the exit to the hotel motor.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading An urbane official, lifting a gold-banded cap in the middle of a small oasis of silence and inviting Martin in the name of the Semiramis Hotel, to surrender luggage and all other cares to his keeping, and to follow the stream through the exit to the hotel motor.
verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument
From this reading A horde of brown-legged turbaned figures wearing red jerseys on which flaunted in white the names of hotels, and reconstructing Babel.
oasisnounUS /oʊˈeɪsɪs/
a fertile tract in a desert (where the water table approaches the surface)
From this reading An urbane official, lifting a gold-banded cap in the middle of a small oasis of silence and inviting Martin in the name of the Semiramis Hotel, to surrender luggage and all other cares to his keeping, and to follow the stream through the exit to the hotel motor.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading An illumination of livid blue.
having official authority or sanction
From this reading An urbane official, lifting a gold-banded cap in the middle of a small oasis of silence and inviting Martin in the name of the Semiramis Hotel, to surrender luggage and all other cares to his keeping, and to follow the stream through the exit to the hotel motor.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A horde of brown-legged turbaned figures wearing red jerseys on which flaunted in white the names of hotels, and reconstructing Babel.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading An urbane official, lifting a gold-banded cap in the middle of a small oasis of silence and inviting Martin in the name of the Semiramis Hotel, to surrender luggage and all other cares to his keeping, and to follow the stream through the exit to the hotel motor.
phantasmagorianounUS /fænˌtæzməˈɡɔːriə/
a constantly changing medley of real or imagined images (as in a dream)
From this reading A phantasmagoria of East and West rendered more fantastic by the shadows cast by the high arc-lamps.
reconstructingverbUS /ˌriːkənˈstrʌktɪŋ/
-ing form of “reconstruct” — reassemble mentally
From this reading A horde of brown-legged turbaned figures wearing red jerseys on which flaunted in white the names of hotels, and reconstructing Babel.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading A horde of brown-legged turbaned figures wearing red jerseys on which flaunted in white the names of hotels, and reconstructing Babel.
past form of “render” — cause to become
From this reading A phantasmagoria of East and West rendered more fantastic by the shadows cast by the high arc-lamps.
Semiramis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An urbane official, lifting a gold-banded cap in the middle of a small oasis of silence and inviting Martin in the name of the Semiramis Hotel, to surrender luggage and all other cares to his keeping, and to follow the stream through the exit to the hotel motor.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading A phantasmagoria of East and West rendered more fantastic by the shadows cast by the high arc-lamps.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading An urbane official, lifting a gold-banded cap in the middle of a small oasis of silence and inviting Martin in the name of the Semiramis Hotel, to surrender luggage and all other cares to his keeping, and to follow the stream through the exit to the hotel motor.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading An urbane official, lifting a gold-banded cap in the middle of a small oasis of silence and inviting Martin in the name of the Semiramis Hotel, to surrender luggage and all other cares to his keeping, and to follow the stream through the exit to the hotel motor.
a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose
From this reading CAIRO station.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading An urbane official, lifting a gold-banded cap in the middle of a small oasis of silence and inviting Martin in the name of the Semiramis Hotel, to surrender luggage and all other cares to his keeping, and to follow the stream through the exit to the hotel motor.
surrendernounUS /sərˈendər/
acceptance of despair
From this reading An urbane official, lifting a gold-banded cap in the middle of a small oasis of silence and inviting Martin in the name of the Semiramis Hotel, to surrender luggage and all other cares to his keeping, and to follow the stream through the exit to the hotel motor.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A horde of brown-legged turbaned figures wearing red jerseys on which flaunted in white the names of hotels, and reconstructing Babel.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading An urbane official, lifting a gold-banded cap in the middle of a small oasis of silence and inviting Martin in the name of the Semiramis Hotel, to surrender luggage and all other cares to his keeping, and to follow the stream through the exit to the hotel motor.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading An urbane official, lifting a gold-banded cap in the middle of a small oasis of silence and inviting Martin in the name of the Semiramis Hotel, to surrender luggage and all other cares to his keeping, and to follow the stream through the exit to the hotel motor.
turbanedadjective
wearing a turban
From this reading A horde of brown-legged turbaned figures wearing red jerseys on which flaunted in white the names of hotels, and reconstructing Babel.
urbaneadjectiveUS /ərˈbeɪn/
showing a high degree of refinement and the assurance that comes from wide social experience
From this reading An urbane official, lifting a gold-banded cap in the middle of a small oasis of silence and inviting Martin in the name of the Semiramis Hotel, to surrender luggage and all other cares to his keeping, and to follow the stream through the exit to the hotel motor.
(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)
From this reading A horde of brown-legged turbaned figures wearing red jerseys on which flaunted in white the names of hotels, and reconstructing Babel.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading A phantasmagoria of East and West rendered more fantastic by the shadows cast by the high arc-lamps.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A horde of brown-legged turbaned figures wearing red jerseys on which flaunted in white the names of hotels, and reconstructing Babel.
a Caucasian
From this reading A horde of brown-legged turbaned figures wearing red jerseys on which flaunted in white the names of hotels, and reconstructing Babel.
