Chapter XIX

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

From this reading There were always four or five of them within her chamber, squatting on mats along the wall, conversing in low tones, ready at a breath to rearrange her pillows, or fetch some posset that was ordered for her.

(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 They were all of apelike ugliness, and, going barefoot, moved as noiselessly as ghosts.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading There were always four or five of them within her chamber, squatting on mats along the wall, conversing in low tones, ready at a breath to rearrange her pillows, or fetch some posset that was ordered for her.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading There were always four or five of them within her chamber, squatting on mats along the wall, conversing in low tones, ready at a breath to rearrange her pillows, or fetch some posset that was ordered for her.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading This was a great prize, kinship by milk, among the Muslims, being esteemed as genuine and binding as by blood.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading The Frankish doctor--an Italian--had pronounced her much too frail to nurse her baby--a decision which excited such dependants of the house as were eligible for the post of foster-mother.

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

From this reading They were all of apelike ugliness, and, going barefoot, moved as noiselessly as ghosts.

resembling apes

From this reading They were all of apelike ugliness, and, going barefoot, moved as noiselessly as ghosts.

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

From this reading They were all of apelike ugliness, and, going barefoot, moved as noiselessly as ghosts.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading There were always four or five of them within her chamber, squatting on mats along the wall, conversing in low tones, ready at a breath to rearrange her pillows, or fetch some posset that was ordered for her.

a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading The Frankish doctor--an Italian--had pronounced her much too frail to nurse her baby--a decision which excited such dependants of the house as were eligible for the post of foster-mother.

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

From this reading Never in her life had Barakah seen so many strange old women.

without shoes

From this reading They were all of apelike ugliness, and, going barefoot, moved as noiselessly as ghosts.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading This was a great prize, kinship by milk, among the Muslims, being esteemed as genuine and binding as by blood.

the capacity to attract and hold something

From this reading This was a great prize, kinship by milk, among the Muslims, being esteemed as genuine and binding as by blood.

The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.

From this reading This was a great prize, kinship by milk, among the Muslims, being esteemed as genuine and binding as by blood.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading There were always four or five of them within her chamber, squatting on mats along the wall, conversing in low tones, ready at a breath to rearrange her pillows, or fetch some posset that was ordered for her.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading This was a great prize, kinship by milk, among the Muslims, being esteemed as genuine and binding as by blood.

a natural or artificial enclosed space

From this reading There were always four or five of them within her chamber, squatting on mats along the wall, conversing in low tones, ready at a breath to rearrange her pillows, or fetch some posset that was ordered for her.

-ing form of “converse” — carry on a conversation

From this reading There were always four or five of them within her chamber, squatting on mats along the wall, conversing in low tones, ready at a breath to rearrange her pillows, or fetch some posset that was ordered for her.

the act of making up your mind about something

From this reading The Frankish doctor--an Italian--had pronounced her much too frail to nurse her baby--a decision which excited such dependants of the house as were eligible for the post of foster-mother.

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

From this reading The Frankish doctor--an Italian--had pronounced her much too frail to nurse her baby--a decision which excited such dependants of the house as were eligible for the post of foster-mother.

a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading The Frankish doctor--an Italian--had pronounced her much too frail to nurse her baby--a decision which excited such dependants of the house as were eligible for the post of foster-mother.

qualified for or allowed or worthy of being chosen

From this reading The Frankish doctor--an Italian--had pronounced her much too frail to nurse her baby--a decision which excited such dependants of the house as were eligible for the post of foster-mother.

having an illustrious reputation; respected

From this reading This was a great prize, kinship by milk, among the Muslims, being esteemed as genuine and binding as by blood.

(of persons) excessively affected by emotion

From this reading The Frankish doctor--an Italian--had pronounced her much too frail to nurse her baby--a decision which excited such dependants of the house as were eligible for the post of foster-mother.

go or come after and bring or take back

From this reading There were always four or five of them within her chamber, squatting on mats along the wall, conversing in low tones, ready at a breath to rearrange her pillows, or fetch some posset that was ordered for her.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading There were always four or five of them within her chamber, squatting on mats along the wall, conversing in low tones, ready at a breath to rearrange her pillows, or fetch some posset that was ordered for her.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading There were always four or five of them within her chamber, squatting on mats along the wall, conversing in low tones, ready at a breath to rearrange her pillows, or fetch some posset that was ordered for her.

a woman who is a foster parent and raises another's child

From this reading The Frankish doctor--an Italian--had pronounced her much too frail to nurse her baby--a decision which excited such dependants of the house as were eligible for the post of foster-mother.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading There were always four or five of them within her chamber, squatting on mats along the wall, conversing in low tones, ready at a breath to rearrange her pillows, or fetch some posset that was ordered for her.

physically weak

From this reading The Frankish doctor--an Italian--had pronounced her much too frail to nurse her baby--a decision which excited such dependants of the house as were eligible for the post of foster-mother.

of or relating to the Franks

From this reading The Frankish doctor--an Italian--had pronounced her much too frail to nurse her baby--a decision which excited such dependants of the house as were eligible for the post of foster-mother.

not fake or counterfeit

From this reading This was a great prize, kinship by milk, among the Muslims, being esteemed as genuine and binding as by blood.

plural of “ghost” — a mental representation of some haunting experience

From this reading They were all of apelike ugliness, and, going barefoot, moved as noiselessly as ghosts.

the act of departing

From this reading They were all of apelike ugliness, and, going barefoot, moved as noiselessly as ghosts.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading This was a great prize, kinship by milk, among the Muslims, being esteemed as genuine and binding as by blood.

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

From this reading Never in her life had Barakah seen so many strange old women.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Never in her life had Barakah seen so many strange old women.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading The Frankish doctor--an Italian--had pronounced her much too frail to nurse her baby--a decision which excited such dependants of the house as were eligible for the post of foster-mother.

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

From this reading Never in her life had Barakah seen so many strange old women.

a native or inhabitant of Italy

From this reading The Frankish doctor--an Italian--had pronounced her much too frail to nurse her baby--a decision which excited such dependants of the house as were eligible for the post of foster-mother.

a close connection marked by community of interests or similarity in nature or character

From this reading This was a great prize, kinship by milk, among the Muslims, being esteemed as genuine and binding as by blood.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Never in her life had Barakah seen so many strange old women.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading There were always four or five of them within her chamber, squatting on mats along the wall, conversing in low tones, ready at a breath to rearrange her pillows, or fetch some posset that was ordered for her.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Never in her life had Barakah seen so many strange old women.

plural of “mat” — a thick flat pad used as a floor covering

From this reading There were always four or five of them within her chamber, squatting on mats along the wall, conversing in low tones, ready at a breath to rearrange her pillows, or fetch some posset that was ordered for her.

a white nutritious liquid secreted by mammals and used as food by human beings

From this reading This was a great prize, kinship by milk, among the Muslims, being esteemed as genuine and binding as by blood.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading They were all of apelike ugliness, and, going barefoot, moved as noiselessly as ghosts.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading The Frankish doctor--an Italian--had pronounced her much too frail to nurse her baby--a decision which excited such dependants of the house as were eligible for the post of foster-mother.

plural of “muslim” — a believer in or follower of Islam

From this reading This was a great prize, kinship by milk, among the Muslims, being esteemed as genuine and binding as by blood.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Never in her life had Barakah seen so many strange old women.

without a sound

From this reading They were all of apelike ugliness, and, going barefoot, moved as noiselessly as ghosts.

try to cure by special care of treatment, of an illness or injury

From this reading The Frankish doctor--an Italian--had pronounced her much too frail to nurse her baby--a decision which excited such dependants of the house as were eligible for the post of foster-mother.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading There were always four or five of them within her chamber, squatting on mats along the wall, conversing in low tones, ready at a breath to rearrange her pillows, or fetch some posset that was ordered for her.

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

From this reading Never in her life had Barakah seen so many strange old women.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading There were always four or five of them within her chamber, squatting on mats along the wall, conversing in low tones, ready at a breath to rearrange her pillows, or fetch some posset that was ordered for her.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading There were always four or five of them within her chamber, squatting on mats along the wall, conversing in low tones, ready at a breath to rearrange her pillows, or fetch some posset that was ordered for her.

having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule

From this reading There were always four or five of them within her chamber, squatting on mats along the wall, conversing in low tones, ready at a breath to rearrange her pillows, or fetch some posset that was ordered for her.

plural of “pillow” — a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person

From this reading There were always four or five of them within her chamber, squatting on mats along the wall, conversing in low tones, ready at a breath to rearrange her pillows, or fetch some posset that was ordered for her.

sweet spiced hot milk curdled with ale or beer

From this reading There were always four or five of them within her chamber, squatting on mats along the wall, conversing in low tones, ready at a breath to rearrange her pillows, or fetch some posset that was ordered for her.

affix in a public place or for public notice

From this reading The Frankish doctor--an Italian--had pronounced her much too frail to nurse her baby--a decision which excited such dependants of the house as were eligible for the post of foster-mother.

something given for victory or superiority in a contest or competition or for winning a lottery

From this reading This was a great prize, kinship by milk, among the Muslims, being esteemed as genuine and binding as by blood.

strongly marked; easily noticeable

From this reading The Frankish doctor--an Italian--had pronounced her much too frail to nurse her baby--a decision which excited such dependants of the house as were eligible for the post of foster-mother.

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading There were always four or five of them within her chamber, squatting on mats along the wall, conversing in low tones, ready at a breath to rearrange her pillows, or fetch some posset that was ordered for her.

put into a new order or arrangement

From this reading There were always four or five of them within her chamber, squatting on mats along the wall, conversing in low tones, ready at a breath to rearrange her pillows, or fetch some posset that was ordered for her.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Never in her life had Barakah seen so many strange old women.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Never in her life had Barakah seen so many strange old women.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading There were always four or five of them within her chamber, squatting on mats along the wall, conversing in low tones, ready at a breath to rearrange her pillows, or fetch some posset that was ordered for her.

exercising by repeatedly assuming a crouching position with the knees bent; strengthens the leg muscles

From this reading There were always four or five of them within her chamber, squatting on mats along the wall, conversing in low tones, ready at a breath to rearrange her pillows, or fetch some posset that was ordered for her.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading Never in her life had Barakah seen so many strange old women.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The Frankish doctor--an Italian--had pronounced her much too frail to nurse her baby--a decision which excited such dependants of the house as were eligible for the post of foster-mother.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading There were always four or five of them within her chamber, squatting on mats along the wall, conversing in low tones, ready at a breath to rearrange her pillows, or fetch some posset that was ordered for her.

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

From this reading There were always four or five of them within her chamber, squatting on mats along the wall, conversing in low tones, ready at a breath to rearrange her pillows, or fetch some posset that was ordered for her.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading There were always four or five of them within her chamber, squatting on mats along the wall, conversing in low tones, ready at a breath to rearrange her pillows, or fetch some posset that was ordered for her.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There were always four or five of them within her chamber, squatting on mats along the wall, conversing in low tones, ready at a breath to rearrange her pillows, or fetch some posset that was ordered for her.

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

From this reading They were all of apelike ugliness, and, going barefoot, moved as noiselessly as ghosts.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This was a great prize, kinship by milk, among the Muslims, being esteemed as genuine and binding as by blood.

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

From this reading There were always four or five of them within her chamber, squatting on mats along the wall, conversing in low tones, ready at a breath to rearrange her pillows, or fetch some posset that was ordered for her.

plural of “tone” — the quality of a person's voice

From this reading There were always four or five of them within her chamber, squatting on mats along the wall, conversing in low tones, ready at a breath to rearrange her pillows, or fetch some posset that was ordered for her.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading The Frankish doctor--an Italian--had pronounced her much too frail to nurse her baby--a decision which excited such dependants of the house as were eligible for the post of foster-mother.

qualities of appearance that do not give pleasure to the senses

From this reading They were all of apelike ugliness, and, going barefoot, moved as noiselessly as ghosts.

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 There were always four or five of them within her chamber, squatting on mats along the wall, conversing in low tones, ready at a breath to rearrange her pillows, or fetch some posset that was ordered for her.

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

From this reading There were always four or five of them within her chamber, squatting on mats along the wall, conversing in low tones, ready at a breath to rearrange her pillows, or fetch some posset that was ordered for her.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading There were always four or five of them within her chamber, squatting on mats along the wall, conversing in low tones, ready at a breath to rearrange her pillows, or fetch some posset that was ordered for her.

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

From this reading The Frankish doctor--an Italian--had pronounced her much too frail to nurse her baby--a decision which excited such dependants of the house as were eligible for the post of foster-mother.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading There were always four or five of them within her chamber, squatting on mats along the wall, conversing in low tones, ready at a breath to rearrange her pillows, or fetch some posset that was ordered for her.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Never in her life had Barakah seen so many strange old women.