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One Thousand and One Nights (Arabian Nights)
One Thousand and One Nights (Arabian Nights)

Chapter X

Chapter 10, section 1: The Story of Ali Colia, Merchant of Bagdad In the reign of Haroun-al-Raschid, there lived in Bagdad a merchant named Ali Cogia, who, having neither wife nor child, contented himsel
Context Illustration Reading 1/85 · 5 lines
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The Story of Ali Colia, Merchant of Bagdad In the reign of Haroun-al-Raschid, there lived in Bagdad a merchant named Ali Cogia, who, having neither wife nor child, contented himself with the modest profits produced by his trade.
He had spent some years quite happily in the house his father had left him, when three nights running he dreamed that an old man had appeared to him, and reproached him for having neglected the duty of a good Mussulman, in delaying so long his pilgrimage to Mecca.
Ali Cogia was much troubled by this dream, as he was unwilling to give up his shop, and lose all his customers.
He had shut his eyes for some time to the necessity of performing this pilgrimage, and tried to atone to his conscience by an extra number of good works, but the dream seemed to him a direct warning, and he resolved to put the journey off no longer.
The first thing he did was to sell his furniture and the wares he had in his shop, only reserving to himself such goods as he might trade with on the road.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

One Thousand and One Nights (Arabian Nights)

Chapter X

Reading 1/85 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The Story of Ali Colia, Merchant of Bagdad In the reign of Haroun-al-Raschid, there lived in Bagdad a merchant named Ali Cogia, who, having neither wife nor child, contented himself with the modest profits produced by his trade.
Line 2
He had spent some years quite happily in the house his father had left him, when three nights running he dreamed that an old man had appeared to him, and reproached him for having neglected the duty of a good Mussulman, in delaying so long his pilgrimage to Mecca.
Line 3
Ali Cogia was much troubled by this dream, as he was unwilling to give up his shop, and lose all his customers.
Line 4
He had shut his eyes for some time to the necessity of performing this pilgrimage, and tried to atone to his conscience by an extra number of good works, but the dream seemed to him a direct warning, and he resolved to put the journey off no longer.
Line 5
The first thing he did was to sell his furniture and the wares he had in his shop, only reserving to himself such goods as he might trade with on the road.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

story noun US /ˈstɔːri/

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading “The Story of Ali Colia, Merchant of Bagdad In the reign of Haroun-al-Raschid, there lived in Bagdad a merchant named Ali Cogia, who, having neither wife nor child, contented himself with the modest profits produced by his trade.”

Collocations
The StoryA source-grounded phrase from this reading.
Story ofA source-grounded phrase from this reading.
All words in this reading · 111

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading The Story of Ali Colia, Merchant of Bagdad In the reign of Haroun-al-Raschid, there lived in Bagdad a merchant named Ali Cogia, who, having neither wife nor child, contented himself with the modest profits produced by his trade.

Ali

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

From this reading The Story of Ali Colia, Merchant of Bagdad In the reign of Haroun-al-Raschid, there lived in Bagdad a merchant named Ali Cogia, who, having neither wife nor child, contented himself with the modest profits produced by his trade.

all

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

From this reading Ali Cogia was much troubled by this dream, as he was unwilling to give up his shop, and lose all his customers.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading He had spent some years quite happily in the house his father had left him, when three nights running he dreamed that an old man had appeared to him, and reproached him for having neglected the duty of a good Mussulman, in delaying so long his pilgrimage to Mecca.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He had spent some years quite happily in the house his father had left him, when three nights running he dreamed that an old man had appeared to him, and reproached him for having neglected the duty of a good Mussulman, in delaying so long his pilgrimage to Mecca.

appeared

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

From this reading He had spent some years quite happily in the house his father had left him, when three nights running he dreamed that an old man had appeared to him, and reproached him for having neglected the duty of a good Mussulman, in delaying so long his pilgrimage to Mecca.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Ali Cogia was much troubled by this dream, as he was unwilling to give up his shop, and lose all his customers.

atone

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

From this reading He had shut his eyes for some time to the necessity of performing this pilgrimage, and tried to atone to his conscience by an extra number of good works, but the dream seemed to him a direct warning, and he resolved to put the journey off no longer.

Bagdad

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

From this reading The Story of Ali Colia, Merchant of Bagdad In the reign of Haroun-al-Raschid, there lived in Bagdad a merchant named Ali Cogia, who, having neither wife nor child, contented himself with the modest profits produced by his trade.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He had shut his eyes for some time to the necessity of performing this pilgrimage, and tried to atone to his conscience by an extra number of good works, but the dream seemed to him a direct warning, and he resolved to put the journey off no longer.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The Story of Ali Colia, Merchant of Bagdad In the reign of Haroun-al-Raschid, there lived in Bagdad a merchant named Ali Cogia, who, having neither wife nor child, contented himself with the modest profits produced by his trade.

child

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

From this reading The Story of Ali Colia, Merchant of Bagdad In the reign of Haroun-al-Raschid, there lived in Bagdad a merchant named Ali Cogia, who, having neither wife nor child, contented himself with the modest profits produced by his trade.

Cogia

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

From this reading The Story of Ali Colia, Merchant of Bagdad In the reign of Haroun-al-Raschid, there lived in Bagdad a merchant named Ali Cogia, who, having neither wife nor child, contented himself with the modest profits produced by his trade.

Colia

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

From this reading The Story of Ali Colia, Merchant of Bagdad In the reign of Haroun-al-Raschid, there lived in Bagdad a merchant named Ali Cogia, who, having neither wife nor child, contented himself with the modest profits produced by his trade.

consciencenounUS /ˈkɑːnʃəns/

the inner sense of right and wrong

From this reading He had shut his eyes for some time to the necessity of performing this pilgrimage, and tried to atone to his conscience by an extra number of good works, but the dream seemed to him a direct warning, and he resolved to put the journey off no longer.

contented

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

From this reading The Story of Ali Colia, Merchant of Bagdad In the reign of Haroun-al-Raschid, there lived in Bagdad a merchant named Ali Cogia, who, having neither wife nor child, contented himself with the modest profits produced by his trade.

customers

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

From this reading Ali Cogia was much troubled by this dream, as he was unwilling to give up his shop, and lose all his customers.

delaying

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

From this reading He had spent some years quite happily in the house his father had left him, when three nights running he dreamed that an old man had appeared to him, and reproached him for having neglected the duty of a good Mussulman, in delaying so long his pilgrimage to Mecca.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading The first thing he did was to sell his furniture and the wares he had in his shop, only reserving to himself such goods as he might trade with on the road.

direct

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

From this reading He had shut his eyes for some time to the necessity of performing this pilgrimage, and tried to atone to his conscience by an extra number of good works, but the dream seemed to him a direct warning, and he resolved to put the journey off no longer.

dreamnounUS /driːm/

A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.

From this reading Ali Cogia was much troubled by this dream, as he was unwilling to give up his shop, and lose all his customers.

dreamed

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

From this reading He had spent some years quite happily in the house his father had left him, when three nights running he dreamed that an old man had appeared to him, and reproached him for having neglected the duty of a good Mussulman, in delaying so long his pilgrimage to Mecca.

dutynounUS /ˈduːti/

a responsibility that must be carried out

From this reading He had spent some years quite happily in the house his father had left him, when three nights running he dreamed that an old man had appeared to him, and reproached him for having neglected the duty of a good Mussulman, in delaying so long his pilgrimage to Mecca.

extra

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

From this reading He had shut his eyes for some time to the necessity of performing this pilgrimage, and tried to atone to his conscience by an extra number of good works, but the dream seemed to him a direct warning, and he resolved to put the journey off no longer.

eyes

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

From this reading He had shut his eyes for some time to the necessity of performing this pilgrimage, and tried to atone to his conscience by an extra number of good works, but the dream seemed to him a direct warning, and he resolved to put the journey off no longer.

father

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

From this reading He had spent some years quite happily in the house his father had left him, when three nights running he dreamed that an old man had appeared to him, and reproached him for having neglected the duty of a good Mussulman, in delaying so long his pilgrimage to Mecca.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The first thing he did was to sell his furniture and the wares he had in his shop, only reserving to himself such goods as he might trade with on the road.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He had spent some years quite happily in the house his father had left him, when three nights running he dreamed that an old man had appeared to him, and reproached him for having neglected the duty of a good Mussulman, in delaying so long his pilgrimage to Mecca.

furniture

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

From this reading The first thing he did was to sell his furniture and the wares he had in his shop, only reserving to himself such goods as he might trade with on the road.

give

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

From this reading Ali Cogia was much troubled by this dream, as he was unwilling to give up his shop, and lose all his customers.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had spent some years quite happily in the house his father had left him, when three nights running he dreamed that an old man had appeared to him, and reproached him for having neglected the duty of a good Mussulman, in delaying so long his pilgrimage to Mecca.

goods

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

From this reading The first thing he did was to sell his furniture and the wares he had in his shop, only reserving to himself such goods as he might trade with on the road.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He had spent some years quite happily in the house his father had left him, when three nights running he dreamed that an old man had appeared to him, and reproached him for having neglected the duty of a good Mussulman, in delaying so long his pilgrimage to Mecca.

happily

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

From this reading He had spent some years quite happily in the house his father had left him, when three nights running he dreamed that an old man had appeared to him, and reproached him for having neglected the duty of a good Mussulman, in delaying so long his pilgrimage to Mecca.

Haroun-al-Raschid

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

From this reading The Story of Ali Colia, Merchant of Bagdad In the reign of Haroun-al-Raschid, there lived in Bagdad a merchant named Ali Cogia, who, having neither wife nor child, contented himself with the modest profits produced by his trade.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading The Story of Ali Colia, Merchant of Bagdad In the reign of Haroun-al-Raschid, there lived in Bagdad a merchant named Ali Cogia, who, having neither wife nor child, contented himself with the modest profits produced by his trade.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He had spent some years quite happily in the house his father had left him, when three nights running he dreamed that an old man had appeared to him, and reproached him for having neglected the duty of a good Mussulman, in delaying so long his pilgrimage to Mecca.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He had spent some years quite happily in the house his father had left him, when three nights running he dreamed that an old man had appeared to him, and reproached him for having neglected the duty of a good Mussulman, in delaying so long his pilgrimage to Mecca.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading The Story of Ali Colia, Merchant of Bagdad In the reign of Haroun-al-Raschid, there lived in Bagdad a merchant named Ali Cogia, who, having neither wife nor child, contented himself with the modest profits produced by his trade.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading The Story of Ali Colia, Merchant of Bagdad In the reign of Haroun-al-Raschid, there lived in Bagdad a merchant named Ali Cogia, who, having neither wife nor child, contented himself with the modest profits produced by his trade.

house

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

From this reading He had spent some years quite happily in the house his father had left him, when three nights running he dreamed that an old man had appeared to him, and reproached him for having neglected the duty of a good Mussulman, in delaying so long his pilgrimage to Mecca.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The Story of Ali Colia, Merchant of Bagdad In the reign of Haroun-al-Raschid, there lived in Bagdad a merchant named Ali Cogia, who, having neither wife nor child, contented himself with the modest profits produced by his trade.

journeynounUS /ˈjourney/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading He had shut his eyes for some time to the necessity of performing this pilgrimage, and tried to atone to his conscience by an extra number of good works, but the dream seemed to him a direct warning, and he resolved to put the journey off no longer.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had spent some years quite happily in the house his father had left him, when three nights running he dreamed that an old man had appeared to him, and reproached him for having neglected the duty of a good Mussulman, in delaying so long his pilgrimage to Mecca.

lived

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

From this reading The Story of Ali Colia, Merchant of Bagdad In the reign of Haroun-al-Raschid, there lived in Bagdad a merchant named Ali Cogia, who, having neither wife nor child, contented himself with the modest profits produced by his trade.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had spent some years quite happily in the house his father had left him, when three nights running he dreamed that an old man had appeared to him, and reproached him for having neglected the duty of a good Mussulman, in delaying so long his pilgrimage to Mecca.

longer

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

From this reading He had shut his eyes for some time to the necessity of performing this pilgrimage, and tried to atone to his conscience by an extra number of good works, but the dream seemed to him a direct warning, and he resolved to put the journey off no longer.

lose

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

From this reading Ali Cogia was much troubled by this dream, as he was unwilling to give up his shop, and lose all his customers.

man

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

From this reading He had spent some years quite happily in the house his father had left him, when three nights running he dreamed that an old man had appeared to him, and reproached him for having neglected the duty of a good Mussulman, in delaying so long his pilgrimage to Mecca.

Mecca

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

From this reading He had spent some years quite happily in the house his father had left him, when three nights running he dreamed that an old man had appeared to him, and reproached him for having neglected the duty of a good Mussulman, in delaying so long his pilgrimage to Mecca.

MerchantnounUS /ˈmɜːr.tʃənt/

A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.

From this reading The Story of Ali Colia, Merchant of Bagdad In the reign of Haroun-al-Raschid, there lived in Bagdad a merchant named Ali Cogia, who, having neither wife nor child, contented himself with the modest profits produced by his trade.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading The first thing he did was to sell his furniture and the wares he had in his shop, only reserving to himself such goods as he might trade with on the road.

modest

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

From this reading The Story of Ali Colia, Merchant of Bagdad In the reign of Haroun-al-Raschid, there lived in Bagdad a merchant named Ali Cogia, who, having neither wife nor child, contented himself with the modest profits produced by his trade.

much

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

From this reading Ali Cogia was much troubled by this dream, as he was unwilling to give up his shop, and lose all his customers.

Mussulman

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

From this reading He had spent some years quite happily in the house his father had left him, when three nights running he dreamed that an old man had appeared to him, and reproached him for having neglected the duty of a good Mussulman, in delaying so long his pilgrimage to Mecca.

named

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

From this reading The Story of Ali Colia, Merchant of Bagdad In the reign of Haroun-al-Raschid, there lived in Bagdad a merchant named Ali Cogia, who, having neither wife nor child, contented himself with the modest profits produced by his trade.

necessity

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

From this reading He had shut his eyes for some time to the necessity of performing this pilgrimage, and tried to atone to his conscience by an extra number of good works, but the dream seemed to him a direct warning, and he resolved to put the journey off no longer.

neglected

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

From this reading He had spent some years quite happily in the house his father had left him, when three nights running he dreamed that an old man had appeared to him, and reproached him for having neglected the duty of a good Mussulman, in delaying so long his pilgrimage to Mecca.

neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/

not one and not the other of two

From this reading The Story of Ali Colia, Merchant of Bagdad In the reign of Haroun-al-Raschid, there lived in Bagdad a merchant named Ali Cogia, who, having neither wife nor child, contented himself with the modest profits produced by his trade.

nightsnounUS /naɪts/

Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.

From this reading He had spent some years quite happily in the house his father had left him, when three nights running he dreamed that an old man had appeared to him, and reproached him for having neglected the duty of a good Mussulman, in delaying so long his pilgrimage to Mecca.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading He had shut his eyes for some time to the necessity of performing this pilgrimage, and tried to atone to his conscience by an extra number of good works, but the dream seemed to him a direct warning, and he resolved to put the journey off no longer.

norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading The Story of Ali Colia, Merchant of Bagdad In the reign of Haroun-al-Raschid, there lived in Bagdad a merchant named Ali Cogia, who, having neither wife nor child, contented himself with the modest profits produced by his trade.

number

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

From this reading He had shut his eyes for some time to the necessity of performing this pilgrimage, and tried to atone to his conscience by an extra number of good works, but the dream seemed to him a direct warning, and he resolved to put the journey off no longer.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Story of Ali Colia, Merchant of Bagdad In the reign of Haroun-al-Raschid, there lived in Bagdad a merchant named Ali Cogia, who, having neither wife nor child, contented himself with the modest profits produced by his trade.

off

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

From this reading He had shut his eyes for some time to the necessity of performing this pilgrimage, and tried to atone to his conscience by an extra number of good works, but the dream seemed to him a direct warning, and he resolved to put the journey off no longer.

old

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

From this reading He had spent some years quite happily in the house his father had left him, when three nights running he dreamed that an old man had appeared to him, and reproached him for having neglected the duty of a good Mussulman, in delaying so long his pilgrimage to Mecca.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The first thing he did was to sell his furniture and the wares he had in his shop, only reserving to himself such goods as he might trade with on the road.

only

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

From this reading The first thing he did was to sell his furniture and the wares he had in his shop, only reserving to himself such goods as he might trade with on the road.

performing

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

From this reading He had shut his eyes for some time to the necessity of performing this pilgrimage, and tried to atone to his conscience by an extra number of good works, but the dream seemed to him a direct warning, and he resolved to put the journey off no longer.

pilgrimage

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

From this reading He had spent some years quite happily in the house his father had left him, when three nights running he dreamed that an old man had appeared to him, and reproached him for having neglected the duty of a good Mussulman, in delaying so long his pilgrimage to Mecca.

produced

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

From this reading The Story of Ali Colia, Merchant of Bagdad In the reign of Haroun-al-Raschid, there lived in Bagdad a merchant named Ali Cogia, who, having neither wife nor child, contented himself with the modest profits produced by his trade.

profits

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

From this reading The Story of Ali Colia, Merchant of Bagdad In the reign of Haroun-al-Raschid, there lived in Bagdad a merchant named Ali Cogia, who, having neither wife nor child, contented himself with the modest profits produced by his trade.

put

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

From this reading He had shut his eyes for some time to the necessity of performing this pilgrimage, and tried to atone to his conscience by an extra number of good works, but the dream seemed to him a direct warning, and he resolved to put the journey off no longer.

quitenounUS /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had spent some years quite happily in the house his father had left him, when three nights running he dreamed that an old man had appeared to him, and reproached him for having neglected the duty of a good Mussulman, in delaying so long his pilgrimage to Mecca.

reign

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

From this reading The Story of Ali Colia, Merchant of Bagdad In the reign of Haroun-al-Raschid, there lived in Bagdad a merchant named Ali Cogia, who, having neither wife nor child, contented himself with the modest profits produced by his trade.

reproached

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

From this reading He had spent some years quite happily in the house his father had left him, when three nights running he dreamed that an old man had appeared to him, and reproached him for having neglected the duty of a good Mussulman, in delaying so long his pilgrimage to Mecca.

reserving

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

From this reading The first thing he did was to sell his furniture and the wares he had in his shop, only reserving to himself such goods as he might trade with on the road.

resolved

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

From this reading He had shut his eyes for some time to the necessity of performing this pilgrimage, and tried to atone to his conscience by an extra number of good works, but the dream seemed to him a direct warning, and he resolved to put the journey off no longer.

road

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

From this reading The first thing he did was to sell his furniture and the wares he had in his shop, only reserving to himself such goods as he might trade with on the road.

runningnounUS /ˈrunning/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading He had spent some years quite happily in the house his father had left him, when three nights running he dreamed that an old man had appeared to him, and reproached him for having neglected the duty of a good Mussulman, in delaying so long his pilgrimage to Mecca.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had shut his eyes for some time to the necessity of performing this pilgrimage, and tried to atone to his conscience by an extra number of good works, but the dream seemed to him a direct warning, and he resolved to put the journey off no longer.

sell

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

From this reading The first thing he did was to sell his furniture and the wares he had in his shop, only reserving to himself such goods as he might trade with on the road.

shop

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

From this reading Ali Cogia was much troubled by this dream, as he was unwilling to give up his shop, and lose all his customers.

shut

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

From this reading He had shut his eyes for some time to the necessity of performing this pilgrimage, and tried to atone to his conscience by an extra number of good works, but the dream seemed to him a direct warning, and he resolved to put the journey off no longer.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He had spent some years quite happily in the house his father had left him, when three nights running he dreamed that an old man had appeared to him, and reproached him for having neglected the duty of a good Mussulman, in delaying so long his pilgrimage to Mecca.

some

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

From this reading He had spent some years quite happily in the house his father had left him, when three nights running he dreamed that an old man had appeared to him, and reproached him for having neglected the duty of a good Mussulman, in delaying so long his pilgrimage to Mecca.

spent

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

From this reading He had spent some years quite happily in the house his father had left him, when three nights running he dreamed that an old man had appeared to him, and reproached him for having neglected the duty of a good Mussulman, in delaying so long his pilgrimage to Mecca.

StorynounUS /ˈstɔːri/

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading The Story of Ali Colia, Merchant of Bagdad In the reign of Haroun-al-Raschid, there lived in Bagdad a merchant named Ali Cogia, who, having neither wife nor child, contented himself with the modest profits produced by his trade.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The first thing he did was to sell his furniture and the wares he had in his shop, only reserving to himself such goods as he might trade with on the road.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He had spent some years quite happily in the house his father had left him, when three nights running he dreamed that an old man had appeared to him, and reproached him for having neglected the duty of a good Mussulman, in delaying so long his pilgrimage to Mecca.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The Story of Ali Colia, Merchant of Bagdad In the reign of Haroun-al-Raschid, there lived in Bagdad a merchant named Ali Cogia, who, having neither wife nor child, contented himself with the modest profits produced by his trade.

there

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From this reading The Story of Ali Colia, Merchant of Bagdad In the reign of Haroun-al-Raschid, there lived in Bagdad a merchant named Ali Cogia, who, having neither wife nor child, contented himself with the modest profits produced by his trade.

thingnounUS /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The first thing he did was to sell his furniture and the wares he had in his shop, only reserving to himself such goods as he might trade with on the road.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Ali Cogia was much troubled by this dream, as he was unwilling to give up his shop, and lose all his customers.

three

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From this reading He had spent some years quite happily in the house his father had left him, when three nights running he dreamed that an old man had appeared to him, and reproached him for having neglected the duty of a good Mussulman, in delaying so long his pilgrimage to Mecca.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had shut his eyes for some time to the necessity of performing this pilgrimage, and tried to atone to his conscience by an extra number of good works, but the dream seemed to him a direct warning, and he resolved to put the journey off no longer.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading He had spent some years quite happily in the house his father had left him, when three nights running he dreamed that an old man had appeared to him, and reproached him for having neglected the duty of a good Mussulman, in delaying so long his pilgrimage to Mecca.

trade

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

From this reading The Story of Ali Colia, Merchant of Bagdad In the reign of Haroun-al-Raschid, there lived in Bagdad a merchant named Ali Cogia, who, having neither wife nor child, contented himself with the modest profits produced by his trade.

tried

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

From this reading He had shut his eyes for some time to the necessity of performing this pilgrimage, and tried to atone to his conscience by an extra number of good works, but the dream seemed to him a direct warning, and he resolved to put the journey off no longer.

troubled

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From this reading Ali Cogia was much troubled by this dream, as he was unwilling to give up his shop, and lose all his customers.

unwilling

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From this reading Ali Cogia was much troubled by this dream, as he was unwilling to give up his shop, and lose all his customers.

up

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

From this reading Ali Cogia was much troubled by this dream, as he was unwilling to give up his shop, and lose all his customers.

wares

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

From this reading The first thing he did was to sell his furniture and the wares he had in his shop, only reserving to himself such goods as he might trade with on the road.

warning

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

From this reading He had shut his eyes for some time to the necessity of performing this pilgrimage, and tried to atone to his conscience by an extra number of good works, but the dream seemed to him a direct warning, and he resolved to put the journey off no longer.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Ali Cogia was much troubled by this dream, as he was unwilling to give up his shop, and lose all his customers.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading He had spent some years quite happily in the house his father had left him, when three nights running he dreamed that an old man had appeared to him, and reproached him for having neglected the duty of a good Mussulman, in delaying so long his pilgrimage to Mecca.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading The Story of Ali Colia, Merchant of Bagdad In the reign of Haroun-al-Raschid, there lived in Bagdad a merchant named Ali Cogia, who, having neither wife nor child, contented himself with the modest profits produced by his trade.

wife

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

From this reading The Story of Ali Colia, Merchant of Bagdad In the reign of Haroun-al-Raschid, there lived in Bagdad a merchant named Ali Cogia, who, having neither wife nor child, contented himself with the modest profits produced by his trade.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The Story of Ali Colia, Merchant of Bagdad In the reign of Haroun-al-Raschid, there lived in Bagdad a merchant named Ali Cogia, who, having neither wife nor child, contented himself with the modest profits produced by his trade.

works

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

From this reading He had shut his eyes for some time to the necessity of performing this pilgrimage, and tried to atone to his conscience by an extra number of good works, but the dream seemed to him a direct warning, and he resolved to put the journey off no longer.

years

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

From this reading He had spent some years quite happily in the house his father had left him, when three nights running he dreamed that an old man had appeared to him, and reproached him for having neglected the duty of a good Mussulman, in delaying so long his pilgrimage to Mecca.