Chapter XVI

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The English engineers had once removed these obstructions, and at one time steamers could go from Khartum to Fashoda, and even farther up.[15] But now the river was clogged up again, and as it could not flow freely, it overflowed both banks.

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The road to the upper White Nile was a difficult one.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They rode through Getena, El-Dueim, and Kawa; then they passed Abba, a wooded island in the Nile, on which, before the Mahdi’s war, a Dervish had lived in a hollow tree the life of a hermit.

periodically accumulated over time

From this reading The caravan had to go around wide tracts of land covered with papyrus and swamps called “Suddis,” from which the wind blew a stench caused by rotted and decaying leaves that had accumulated around obstructions in the river.

anew

From this reading The English engineers had once removed these obstructions, and at one time steamers could go from Khartum to Fashoda, and even farther up.[15] But now the river was clogged up again, and as it could not flow freely, it overflowed both banks.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading The old sheik, Hatim, faithfully kept the promise he had made to the Greek, and carefully protected the children.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading The caravan had to go around wide tracts of land covered with papyrus and swamps called “Suddis,” from which the wind blew a stench caused by rotted and decaying leaves that had accumulated around obstructions in the river.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading The English engineers had once removed these obstructions, and at one time steamers could go from Khartum to Fashoda, and even farther up.[15] But now the river was clogged up again, and as it could not flow freely, it overflowed both banks.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The English engineers had once removed these obstructions, and at one time steamers could go from Khartum to Fashoda, and even farther up.[15] But now the river was clogged up again, and as it could not flow freely, it overflowed both banks.

English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)

From this reading The English engineers had once removed these obstructions, and at one time steamers could go from Khartum to Fashoda, and even farther up.[15] But now the river was clogged up again, and as it could not flow freely, it overflowed both banks.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading They rode through Getena, El-Dueim, and Kawa; then they passed Abba, a wooded island in the Nile, on which, before the Mahdi’s war, a Dervish had lived in a hollow tree the life of a hermit.

inflected form of “blow” — exhale hard

From this reading The caravan had to go around wide tracts of land covered with papyrus and swamps called “Suddis,” from which the wind blew a stench caused by rotted and decaying leaves that had accumulated around obstructions in the river.

the two together, not just one

From this reading The English engineers had once removed these obstructions, and at one time steamers could go from Khartum to Fashoda, and even farther up.[15] But now the river was clogged up again, and as it could not flow freely, it overflowed both banks.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The English engineers had once removed these obstructions, and at one time steamers could go from Khartum to Fashoda, and even farther up.[15] But now the river was clogged up again, and as it could not flow freely, it overflowed both banks.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The caravan had to go around wide tracts of land covered with papyrus and swamps called “Suddis,” from which the wind blew a stench caused by rotted and decaying leaves that had accumulated around obstructions in the river.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The caravan had to go around wide tracts of land covered with papyrus and swamps called “Suddis,” from which the wind blew a stench caused by rotted and decaying leaves that had accumulated around obstructions in the river.

a procession (of wagons or mules or camels) traveling together in single file

From this reading The caravan had to go around wide tracts of land covered with papyrus and swamps called “Suddis,” from which the wind blew a stench caused by rotted and decaying leaves that had accumulated around obstructions in the river.

taking care or paying attention

From this reading The old sheik, Hatim, faithfully kept the promise he had made to the Greek, and carefully protected the children.

past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally

From this reading The caravan had to go around wide tracts of land covered with papyrus and swamps called “Suddis,” from which the wind blew a stench caused by rotted and decaying leaves that had accumulated around obstructions in the river.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading The old sheik, Hatim, faithfully kept the promise he had made to the Greek, and carefully protected the children.

thickened or coalesced in soft thick lumps (such as clogs or clots)

From this reading The English engineers had once removed these obstructions, and at one time steamers could go from Khartum to Fashoda, and even farther up.[15] But now the river was clogged up again, and as it could not flow freely, it overflowed both banks.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading The English engineers had once removed these obstructions, and at one time steamers could go from Khartum to Fashoda, and even farther up.[15] But now the river was clogged up again, and as it could not flow freely, it overflowed both banks.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading The caravan had to go around wide tracts of land covered with papyrus and swamps called “Suddis,” from which the wind blew a stench caused by rotted and decaying leaves that had accumulated around obstructions in the river.

-ing form of “decay” — lose a stored charge, magnetic flux, or current

From this reading The caravan had to go around wide tracts of land covered with papyrus and swamps called “Suddis,” from which the wind blew a stench caused by rotted and decaying leaves that had accumulated around obstructions in the river.

an ascetic Muslim monk; a member of an order noted for devotional exercises involving bodily movements

From this reading They rode through Getena, El-Dueim, and Kawa; then they passed Abba, a wooded island in the Nile, on which, before the Mahdi’s war, a Dervish had lived in a hollow tree the life of a hermit.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading The road to the upper White Nile was a difficult one.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They rode through Getena, El-Dueim, and Kawa; then they passed Abba, a wooded island in the Nile, on which, before the Mahdi’s war, a Dervish had lived in a hollow tree the life of a hermit.

plural of “engineer” — a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems

From this reading The English engineers had once removed these obstructions, and at one time steamers could go from Khartum to Fashoda, and even farther up.[15] But now the river was clogged up again, and as it could not flow freely, it overflowed both banks.

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 The English engineers had once removed these obstructions, and at one time steamers could go from Khartum to Fashoda, and even farther up.[15] But now the river was clogged up again, and as it could not flow freely, it overflowed both banks.

divisible by two

From this reading The English engineers had once removed these obstructions, and at one time steamers could go from Khartum to Fashoda, and even farther up.[15] But now the river was clogged up again, and as it could not flow freely, it overflowed both banks.

in a faithful manner

From this reading The old sheik, Hatim, faithfully kept the promise he had made to the Greek, and carefully protected the children.

more distant in especially space or time

From this reading The English engineers had once removed these obstructions, and at one time steamers could go from Khartum to Fashoda, and even farther up.[15] But now the river was clogged up again, and as it could not flow freely, it overflowed both banks.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The English engineers had once removed these obstructions, and at one time steamers could go from Khartum to Fashoda, and even farther up.[15] But now the river was clogged up again, and as it could not flow freely, it overflowed both banks.

the motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases)

From this reading The English engineers had once removed these obstructions, and at one time steamers could go from Khartum to Fashoda, and even farther up.[15] But now the river was clogged up again, and as it could not flow freely, it overflowed both banks.

in a free manner

From this reading The English engineers had once removed these obstructions, and at one time steamers could go from Khartum to Fashoda, and even farther up.[15] But now the river was clogged up again, and as it could not flow freely, it overflowed both banks.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The caravan had to go around wide tracts of land covered with papyrus and swamps called “Suddis,” from which the wind blew a stench caused by rotted and decaying leaves that had accumulated around obstructions in the river.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They rode through Getena, El-Dueim, and Kawa; then they passed Abba, a wooded island in the Nile, on which, before the Mahdi’s war, a Dervish had lived in a hollow tree the life of a hermit.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading The caravan had to go around wide tracts of land covered with papyrus and swamps called “Suddis,” from which the wind blew a stench caused by rotted and decaying leaves that had accumulated around obstructions in the river.

the Hellenic branch of the Indo-European family of languages

From this reading The old sheik, Hatim, faithfully kept the promise he had made to the Greek, and carefully protected the children.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The old sheik, Hatim, faithfully kept the promise he had made to the Greek, and carefully protected the children.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The old sheik, Hatim, faithfully kept the promise he had made to the Greek, and carefully protected the children.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The old sheik, Hatim, faithfully kept the promise he had made to the Greek, and carefully protected the children.

one retired from society for religious reasons

From this reading They rode through Getena, El-Dueim, and Kawa; then they passed Abba, a wooded island in the Nile, on which, before the Mahdi’s war, a Dervish had lived in a hollow tree the life of a hermit.

not solid; having a space or gap or cavity

From this reading They rode through Getena, El-Dueim, and Kawa; then they passed Abba, a wooded island in the Nile, on which, before the Mahdi’s war, a Dervish had lived in a hollow tree the life of a hermit.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading They rode through Getena, El-Dueim, and Kawa; then they passed Abba, a wooded island in the Nile, on which, before the Mahdi’s war, a Dervish had lived in a hollow tree the life of a hermit.

a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water

From this reading They rode through Getena, El-Dueim, and Kawa; then they passed Abba, a wooded island in the Nile, on which, before the Mahdi’s war, a Dervish had lived in a hollow tree the life of a hermit.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The English engineers had once removed these obstructions, and at one time steamers could go from Khartum to Fashoda, and even farther up.[15] But now the river was clogged up again, and as it could not flow freely, it overflowed both banks.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They rode through Getena, El-Dueim, and Kawa; then they passed Abba, a wooded island in the Nile, on which, before the Mahdi’s war, a Dervish had lived in a hollow tree the life of a hermit.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading The old sheik, Hatim, faithfully kept the promise he had made to the Greek, and carefully protected the children.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The English engineers had once removed these obstructions, and at one time steamers could go from Khartum to Fashoda, and even farther up.[15] But now the river was clogged up again, and as it could not flow freely, it overflowed both banks.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading The caravan had to go around wide tracts of land covered with papyrus and swamps called “Suddis,” from which the wind blew a stench caused by rotted and decaying leaves that had accumulated around obstructions in the river.

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading The caravan had to go around wide tracts of land covered with papyrus and swamps called “Suddis,” from which the wind blew a stench caused by rotted and decaying leaves that had accumulated around obstructions in the river.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading They rode through Getena, El-Dueim, and Kawa; then they passed Abba, a wooded island in the Nile, on which, before the Mahdi’s war, a Dervish had lived in a hollow tree the life of a hermit.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading They rode through Getena, El-Dueim, and Kawa; then they passed Abba, a wooded island in the Nile, on which, before the Mahdi’s war, a Dervish had lived in a hollow tree the life of a hermit.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading The old sheik, Hatim, faithfully kept the promise he had made to the Greek, and carefully protected the children.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They rode through Getena, El-Dueim, and Kawa; then they passed Abba, a wooded island in the Nile, on which, before the Mahdi’s war, a Dervish had lived in a hollow tree the life of a hermit.

the world's longest river (4150 miles); flows northward through eastern Africa into the Mediterranean; the Nile River valley in Egypt was the site of the world's first great civilization

From this reading The road to the upper White Nile was a difficult one.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The English engineers had once removed these obstructions, and at one time steamers could go from Khartum to Fashoda, and even farther up.[15] But now the river was clogged up again, and as it could not flow freely, it overflowed both banks.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading The English engineers had once removed these obstructions, and at one time steamers could go from Khartum to Fashoda, and even farther up.[15] But now the river was clogged up again, and as it could not flow freely, it overflowed both banks.

plural of “obstruction” — any structure that makes progress difficult

From this reading The caravan had to go around wide tracts of land covered with papyrus and swamps called “Suddis,” from which the wind blew a stench caused by rotted and decaying leaves that had accumulated around obstructions in the river.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading They rode through Getena, El-Dueim, and Kawa; then they passed Abba, a wooded island in the Nile, on which, before the Mahdi’s war, a Dervish had lived in a hollow tree the life of a hermit.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading The old sheik, Hatim, faithfully kept the promise he had made to the Greek, and carefully protected the children.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading They rode through Getena, El-Dueim, and Kawa; then they passed Abba, a wooded island in the Nile, on which, before the Mahdi’s war, a Dervish had lived in a hollow tree the life of a hermit.

on one occasion

From this reading The English engineers had once removed these obstructions, and at one time steamers could go from Khartum to Fashoda, and even farther up.[15] But now the river was clogged up again, and as it could not flow freely, it overflowed both banks.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The road to the upper White Nile was a difficult one.

past form of “overflow” — flow or run over (a limit or brim)

From this reading The English engineers had once removed these obstructions, and at one time steamers could go from Khartum to Fashoda, and even farther up.[15] But now the river was clogged up again, and as it could not flow freely, it overflowed both banks.

paper made from the papyrus plant by cutting it in strips and pressing it flat; used by ancient Egyptians and Greeks and Romans

From this reading The caravan had to go around wide tracts of land covered with papyrus and swamps called “Suddis,” from which the wind blew a stench caused by rotted and decaying leaves that had accumulated around obstructions in the river.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading They rode through Getena, El-Dueim, and Kawa; then they passed Abba, a wooded island in the Nile, on which, before the Mahdi’s war, a Dervish had lived in a hollow tree the life of a hermit.

make a promise or commitment

From this reading The old sheik, Hatim, faithfully kept the promise he had made to the Greek, and carefully protected the children.

kept safe or defended from danger or injury or loss

From this reading The old sheik, Hatim, faithfully kept the promise he had made to the Greek, and carefully protected the children.

separated in relationship by a given degree of descent

From this reading The English engineers had once removed these obstructions, and at one time steamers could go from Khartum to Fashoda, and even farther up.[15] But now the river was clogged up again, and as it could not flow freely, it overflowed both banks.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading The caravan had to go around wide tracts of land covered with papyrus and swamps called “Suddis,” from which the wind blew a stench caused by rotted and decaying leaves that had accumulated around obstructions in the river.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading The road to the upper White Nile was a difficult one.

inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading They rode through Getena, El-Dueim, and Kawa; then they passed Abba, a wooded island in the Nile, on which, before the Mahdi’s war, a Dervish had lived in a hollow tree the life of a hermit.

damaged by decay; hence unsound and useless

From this reading The caravan had to go around wide tracts of land covered with papyrus and swamps called “Suddis,” from which the wind blew a stench caused by rotted and decaying leaves that had accumulated around obstructions in the river.

the leader of an Arab village or family

From this reading The old sheik, Hatim, faithfully kept the promise he had made to the Greek, and carefully protected the children.

plural of “steamer” — a clam that is usually steamed in the shell

From this reading The English engineers had once removed these obstructions, and at one time steamers could go from Khartum to Fashoda, and even farther up.[15] But now the river was clogged up again, and as it could not flow freely, it overflowed both banks.

a distinctive odor that is offensively unpleasant

From this reading The caravan had to go around wide tracts of land covered with papyrus and swamps called “Suddis,” from which the wind blew a stench caused by rotted and decaying leaves that had accumulated around obstructions in the river.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The caravan had to go around wide tracts of land covered with papyrus and swamps called “Suddis,” from which the wind blew a stench caused by rotted and decaying leaves that had accumulated around obstructions in the river.

plural of “swamp” — low land that is seasonally flooded; has more woody plants than a marsh and better drainage than a bog

From this reading The caravan had to go around wide tracts of land covered with papyrus and swamps called “Suddis,” from which the wind blew a stench caused by rotted and decaying leaves that had accumulated around obstructions in the river.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The caravan had to go around wide tracts of land covered with papyrus and swamps called “Suddis,” from which the wind blew a stench caused by rotted and decaying leaves that had accumulated around obstructions in the river.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The old sheik, Hatim, faithfully kept the promise he had made to the Greek, and carefully protected the children.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading They rode through Getena, El-Dueim, and Kawa; then they passed Abba, a wooded island in the Nile, on which, before the Mahdi’s war, a Dervish had lived in a hollow tree the life of a hermit.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading The English engineers had once removed these obstructions, and at one time steamers could go from Khartum to Fashoda, and even farther up.[15] But now the river was clogged up again, and as it could not flow freely, it overflowed both banks.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They rode through Getena, El-Dueim, and Kawa; then they passed Abba, a wooded island in the Nile, on which, before the Mahdi’s war, a Dervish had lived in a hollow tree the life of a hermit.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading They rode through Getena, El-Dueim, and Kawa; then they passed Abba, a wooded island in the Nile, on which, before the Mahdi’s war, a Dervish had lived in a hollow tree the life of a hermit.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The English engineers had once removed these obstructions, and at one time steamers could go from Khartum to Fashoda, and even farther up.[15] But now the river was clogged up again, and as it could not flow freely, it overflowed both banks.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The old sheik, Hatim, faithfully kept the promise he had made to the Greek, and carefully protected the children.

plural of “tract” — an extended area of land

From this reading The caravan had to go around wide tracts of land covered with papyrus and swamps called “Suddis,” from which the wind blew a stench caused by rotted and decaying leaves that had accumulated around obstructions in the river.

a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading They rode through Getena, El-Dueim, and Kawa; then they passed Abba, a wooded island in the Nile, on which, before the Mahdi’s war, a Dervish had lived in a hollow tree the life of a hermit.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading The English engineers had once removed these obstructions, and at one time steamers could go from Khartum to Fashoda, and even farther up.[15] But now the river was clogged up again, and as it could not flow freely, it overflowed both banks.

the topmost one of two

From this reading The road to the upper White Nile was a difficult one.

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading They rode through Getena, El-Dueim, and Kawa; then they passed Abba, a wooded island in the Nile, on which, before the Mahdi’s war, a Dervish had lived in a hollow tree the life of a hermit.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The road to the upper White Nile was a difficult one.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading They rode through Getena, El-Dueim, and Kawa; then they passed Abba, a wooded island in the Nile, on which, before the Mahdi’s war, a Dervish had lived in a hollow tree the life of a hermit.

a Caucasian

From this reading The road to the upper White Nile was a difficult one.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading The caravan had to go around wide tracts of land covered with papyrus and swamps called “Suddis,” from which the wind blew a stench caused by rotted and decaying leaves that had accumulated around obstructions in the river.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading The caravan had to go around wide tracts of land covered with papyrus and swamps called “Suddis,” from which the wind blew a stench caused by rotted and decaying leaves that had accumulated around obstructions in the river.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The caravan had to go around wide tracts of land covered with papyrus and swamps called “Suddis,” from which the wind blew a stench caused by rotted and decaying leaves that had accumulated around obstructions in the river.

covered with growing trees and bushes etc

From this reading They rode through Getena, El-Dueim, and Kawa; then they passed Abba, a wooded island in the Nile, on which, before the Mahdi’s war, a Dervish had lived in a hollow tree the life of a hermit.