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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Composed of mud and loose stones, and covered with a thatch of turf and straw, known to the natives by the name of “driss,” the gourbi, though a grade better than the tents of the nomad Arabs, was yet far inferior to any habitation built of brick or stone.
abode
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From this reading Uncomfortable as was their temporary abode, Servadac and his attendant made no complaints; neither of them was dainty in the matter either of board or lodging.
adjoined
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From this reading It adjoined an old stone hostelry, previously occupied by a detachment of engineers, and which now afforded shelter for Ben Zoof and the two horses.
afforded
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From this reading It adjoined an old stone hostelry, previously occupied by a detachment of engineers, and which now afforded shelter for Ben Zoof and the two horses.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After dinner, leaving his orderly to stow away the remains of the repast in what he was pleased to term the “cupboard of his stomach.”
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It adjoined an old stone hostelry, previously occupied by a detachment of engineers, and which now afforded shelter for Ben Zoof and the two horses.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Composed of mud and loose stones, and covered with a thatch of turf and straw, known to the natives by the name of “driss,” the gourbi, though a grade better than the tents of the nomad Arabs, was yet far inferior to any habitation built of brick or stone.
any
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From this reading Composed of mud and loose stones, and covered with a thatch of turf and straw, known to the natives by the name of “driss,” the gourbi, though a grade better than the tents of the nomad Arabs, was yet far inferior to any habitation built of brick or stone.
Arabs
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From this reading Composed of mud and loose stones, and covered with a thatch of turf and straw, known to the natives by the name of “driss,” the gourbi, though a grade better than the tents of the nomad Arabs, was yet far inferior to any habitation built of brick or stone.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It still contained a considerable number of tools, such as mattocks, shovels, and pick-axes.
attendant
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From this reading Uncomfortable as was their temporary abode, Servadac and his attendant made no complaints; neither of them was dainty in the matter either of board or lodging.
away
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From this reading After dinner, leaving his orderly to stow away the remains of the repast in what he was pleased to term the “cupboard of his stomach.”
Ben
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From this reading It adjoined an old stone hostelry, previously occupied by a detachment of engineers, and which now afforded shelter for Ben Zoof and the two horses.
better
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From this reading Composed of mud and loose stones, and covered with a thatch of turf and straw, known to the natives by the name of “driss,” the gourbi, though a grade better than the tents of the nomad Arabs, was yet far inferior to any habitation built of brick or stone.
board
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From this reading Uncomfortable as was their temporary abode, Servadac and his attendant made no complaints; neither of them was dainty in the matter either of board or lodging.
brick
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From this reading Composed of mud and loose stones, and covered with a thatch of turf and straw, known to the natives by the name of “driss,” the gourbi, though a grade better than the tents of the nomad Arabs, was yet far inferior to any habitation built of brick or stone.
built
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From this reading Composed of mud and loose stones, and covered with a thatch of turf and straw, known to the natives by the name of “driss,” the gourbi, though a grade better than the tents of the nomad Arabs, was yet far inferior to any habitation built of brick or stone.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Composed of mud and loose stones, and covered with a thatch of turf and straw, known to the natives by the name of “driss,” the gourbi, though a grade better than the tents of the nomad Arabs, was yet far inferior to any habitation built of brick or stone.
complaints
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From this reading Uncomfortable as was their temporary abode, Servadac and his attendant made no complaints; neither of them was dainty in the matter either of board or lodging.
Composed
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From this reading Composed of mud and loose stones, and covered with a thatch of turf and straw, known to the natives by the name of “driss,” the gourbi, though a grade better than the tents of the nomad Arabs, was yet far inferior to any habitation built of brick or stone.
considerable
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From this reading It still contained a considerable number of tools, such as mattocks, shovels, and pick-axes.
contained
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From this reading It still contained a considerable number of tools, such as mattocks, shovels, and pick-axes.
covered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Composed of mud and loose stones, and covered with a thatch of turf and straw, known to the natives by the name of “driss,” the gourbi, though a grade better than the tents of the nomad Arabs, was yet far inferior to any habitation built of brick or stone.
cupboard
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From this reading After dinner, leaving his orderly to stow away the remains of the repast in what he was pleased to term the “cupboard of his stomach.”
dainty
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From this reading Uncomfortable as was their temporary abode, Servadac and his attendant made no complaints; neither of them was dainty in the matter either of board or lodging.
detachment
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From this reading It adjoined an old stone hostelry, previously occupied by a detachment of engineers, and which now afforded shelter for Ben Zoof and the two horses.
dinner
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From this reading After dinner, leaving his orderly to stow away the remains of the repast in what he was pleased to term the “cupboard of his stomach.”
driss
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From this reading Composed of mud and loose stones, and covered with a thatch of turf and straw, known to the natives by the name of “driss,” the gourbi, though a grade better than the tents of the nomad Arabs, was yet far inferior to any habitation built of brick or stone.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading Uncomfortable as was their temporary abode, Servadac and his attendant made no complaints; neither of them was dainty in the matter either of board or lodging.
engineers
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From this reading It adjoined an old stone hostelry, previously occupied by a detachment of engineers, and which now afforded shelter for Ben Zoof and the two horses.
far
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From this reading Composed of mud and loose stones, and covered with a thatch of turf and straw, known to the natives by the name of “driss,” the gourbi, though a grade better than the tents of the nomad Arabs, was yet far inferior to any habitation built of brick or stone.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It adjoined an old stone hostelry, previously occupied by a detachment of engineers, and which now afforded shelter for Ben Zoof and the two horses.
gourbi
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From this reading Composed of mud and loose stones, and covered with a thatch of turf and straw, known to the natives by the name of “driss,” the gourbi, though a grade better than the tents of the nomad Arabs, was yet far inferior to any habitation built of brick or stone.
grade
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From this reading Composed of mud and loose stones, and covered with a thatch of turf and straw, known to the natives by the name of “driss,” the gourbi, though a grade better than the tents of the nomad Arabs, was yet far inferior to any habitation built of brick or stone.
habitation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Composed of mud and loose stones, and covered with a thatch of turf and straw, known to the natives by the name of “driss,” the gourbi, though a grade better than the tents of the nomad Arabs, was yet far inferior to any habitation built of brick or stone.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading After dinner, leaving his orderly to stow away the remains of the repast in what he was pleased to term the “cupboard of his stomach.”
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Uncomfortable as was their temporary abode, Servadac and his attendant made no complaints; neither of them was dainty in the matter either of board or lodging.
horses
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From this reading It adjoined an old stone hostelry, previously occupied by a detachment of engineers, and which now afforded shelter for Ben Zoof and the two horses.
hostelry
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From this reading It adjoined an old stone hostelry, previously occupied by a detachment of engineers, and which now afforded shelter for Ben Zoof and the two horses.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Uncomfortable as was their temporary abode, Servadac and his attendant made no complaints; neither of them was dainty in the matter either of board or lodging.
inferior
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Composed of mud and loose stones, and covered with a thatch of turf and straw, known to the natives by the name of “driss,” the gourbi, though a grade better than the tents of the nomad Arabs, was yet far inferior to any habitation built of brick or stone.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It adjoined an old stone hostelry, previously occupied by a detachment of engineers, and which now afforded shelter for Ben Zoof and the two horses.
known
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From this reading Composed of mud and loose stones, and covered with a thatch of turf and straw, known to the natives by the name of “driss,” the gourbi, though a grade better than the tents of the nomad Arabs, was yet far inferior to any habitation built of brick or stone.
leaving
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From this reading After dinner, leaving his orderly to stow away the remains of the repast in what he was pleased to term the “cupboard of his stomach.”
lodging
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From this reading Uncomfortable as was their temporary abode, Servadac and his attendant made no complaints; neither of them was dainty in the matter either of board or lodging.
loose
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From this reading Composed of mud and loose stones, and covered with a thatch of turf and straw, known to the natives by the name of “driss,” the gourbi, though a grade better than the tents of the nomad Arabs, was yet far inferior to any habitation built of brick or stone.
made
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From this reading Uncomfortable as was their temporary abode, Servadac and his attendant made no complaints; neither of them was dainty in the matter either of board or lodging.
matter
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From this reading Uncomfortable as was their temporary abode, Servadac and his attendant made no complaints; neither of them was dainty in the matter either of board or lodging.
mattocks
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From this reading It still contained a considerable number of tools, such as mattocks, shovels, and pick-axes.
mud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Composed of mud and loose stones, and covered with a thatch of turf and straw, known to the natives by the name of “driss,” the gourbi, though a grade better than the tents of the nomad Arabs, was yet far inferior to any habitation built of brick or stone.
namenounUS /name/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Composed of mud and loose stones, and covered with a thatch of turf and straw, known to the natives by the name of “driss,” the gourbi, though a grade better than the tents of the nomad Arabs, was yet far inferior to any habitation built of brick or stone.
natives
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From this reading Composed of mud and loose stones, and covered with a thatch of turf and straw, known to the natives by the name of “driss,” the gourbi, though a grade better than the tents of the nomad Arabs, was yet far inferior to any habitation built of brick or stone.
neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/
not one and not the other of two
From this reading Uncomfortable as was their temporary abode, Servadac and his attendant made no complaints; neither of them was dainty in the matter either of board or lodging.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Uncomfortable as was their temporary abode, Servadac and his attendant made no complaints; neither of them was dainty in the matter either of board or lodging.
nomad
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From this reading Composed of mud and loose stones, and covered with a thatch of turf and straw, known to the natives by the name of “driss,” the gourbi, though a grade better than the tents of the nomad Arabs, was yet far inferior to any habitation built of brick or stone.
now
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From this reading It adjoined an old stone hostelry, previously occupied by a detachment of engineers, and which now afforded shelter for Ben Zoof and the two horses.
number
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From this reading It still contained a considerable number of tools, such as mattocks, shovels, and pick-axes.
occupied
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From this reading It adjoined an old stone hostelry, previously occupied by a detachment of engineers, and which now afforded shelter for Ben Zoof and the two horses.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Composed of mud and loose stones, and covered with a thatch of turf and straw, known to the natives by the name of “driss,” the gourbi, though a grade better than the tents of the nomad Arabs, was yet far inferior to any habitation built of brick or stone.
old
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From this reading It adjoined an old stone hostelry, previously occupied by a detachment of engineers, and which now afforded shelter for Ben Zoof and the two horses.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Composed of mud and loose stones, and covered with a thatch of turf and straw, known to the natives by the name of “driss,” the gourbi, though a grade better than the tents of the nomad Arabs, was yet far inferior to any habitation built of brick or stone.
orderly
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From this reading After dinner, leaving his orderly to stow away the remains of the repast in what he was pleased to term the “cupboard of his stomach.”
pick-axes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It still contained a considerable number of tools, such as mattocks, shovels, and pick-axes.
pleasednounUS /ˈpleased/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading After dinner, leaving his orderly to stow away the remains of the repast in what he was pleased to term the “cupboard of his stomach.”
previously
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From this reading It adjoined an old stone hostelry, previously occupied by a detachment of engineers, and which now afforded shelter for Ben Zoof and the two horses.
remains
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From this reading After dinner, leaving his orderly to stow away the remains of the repast in what he was pleased to term the “cupboard of his stomach.”
repast
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From this reading After dinner, leaving his orderly to stow away the remains of the repast in what he was pleased to term the “cupboard of his stomach.”
Servadac
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From this reading Uncomfortable as was their temporary abode, Servadac and his attendant made no complaints; neither of them was dainty in the matter either of board or lodging.
shelter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It adjoined an old stone hostelry, previously occupied by a detachment of engineers, and which now afforded shelter for Ben Zoof and the two horses.
shovels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It still contained a considerable number of tools, such as mattocks, shovels, and pick-axes.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It still contained a considerable number of tools, such as mattocks, shovels, and pick-axes.
stomach
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From this reading After dinner, leaving his orderly to stow away the remains of the repast in what he was pleased to term the “cupboard of his stomach.”
stone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Composed of mud and loose stones, and covered with a thatch of turf and straw, known to the natives by the name of “driss,” the gourbi, though a grade better than the tents of the nomad Arabs, was yet far inferior to any habitation built of brick or stone.
stones
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Composed of mud and loose stones, and covered with a thatch of turf and straw, known to the natives by the name of “driss,” the gourbi, though a grade better than the tents of the nomad Arabs, was yet far inferior to any habitation built of brick or stone.
stow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After dinner, leaving his orderly to stow away the remains of the repast in what he was pleased to term the “cupboard of his stomach.”
straw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Composed of mud and loose stones, and covered with a thatch of turf and straw, known to the natives by the name of “driss,” the gourbi, though a grade better than the tents of the nomad Arabs, was yet far inferior to any habitation built of brick or stone.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading It still contained a considerable number of tools, such as mattocks, shovels, and pick-axes.
temporary
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From this reading Uncomfortable as was their temporary abode, Servadac and his attendant made no complaints; neither of them was dainty in the matter either of board or lodging.
tents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Composed of mud and loose stones, and covered with a thatch of turf and straw, known to the natives by the name of “driss,” the gourbi, though a grade better than the tents of the nomad Arabs, was yet far inferior to any habitation built of brick or stone.
term
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From this reading After dinner, leaving his orderly to stow away the remains of the repast in what he was pleased to term the “cupboard of his stomach.”
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Composed of mud and loose stones, and covered with a thatch of turf and straw, known to the natives by the name of “driss,” the gourbi, though a grade better than the tents of the nomad Arabs, was yet far inferior to any habitation built of brick or stone.
thatch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Composed of mud and loose stones, and covered with a thatch of turf and straw, known to the natives by the name of “driss,” the gourbi, though a grade better than the tents of the nomad Arabs, was yet far inferior to any habitation built of brick or stone.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Composed of mud and loose stones, and covered with a thatch of turf and straw, known to the natives by the name of “driss,” the gourbi, though a grade better than the tents of the nomad Arabs, was yet far inferior to any habitation built of brick or stone.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Uncomfortable as was their temporary abode, Servadac and his attendant made no complaints; neither of them was dainty in the matter either of board or lodging.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Uncomfortable as was their temporary abode, Servadac and his attendant made no complaints; neither of them was dainty in the matter either of board or lodging.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Composed of mud and loose stones, and covered with a thatch of turf and straw, known to the natives by the name of “driss,” the gourbi, though a grade better than the tents of the nomad Arabs, was yet far inferior to any habitation built of brick or stone.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Composed of mud and loose stones, and covered with a thatch of turf and straw, known to the natives by the name of “driss,” the gourbi, though a grade better than the tents of the nomad Arabs, was yet far inferior to any habitation built of brick or stone.
tools
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It still contained a considerable number of tools, such as mattocks, shovels, and pick-axes.
turf
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Composed of mud and loose stones, and covered with a thatch of turf and straw, known to the natives by the name of “driss,” the gourbi, though a grade better than the tents of the nomad Arabs, was yet far inferior to any habitation built of brick or stone.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It adjoined an old stone hostelry, previously occupied by a detachment of engineers, and which now afforded shelter for Ben Zoof and the two horses.
Uncomfortable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Uncomfortable as was their temporary abode, Servadac and his attendant made no complaints; neither of them was dainty in the matter either of board or lodging.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Composed of mud and loose stones, and covered with a thatch of turf and straw, known to the natives by the name of “driss,” the gourbi, though a grade better than the tents of the nomad Arabs, was yet far inferior to any habitation built of brick or stone.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading After dinner, leaving his orderly to stow away the remains of the repast in what he was pleased to term the “cupboard of his stomach.”
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It adjoined an old stone hostelry, previously occupied by a detachment of engineers, and which now afforded shelter for Ben Zoof and the two horses.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Composed of mud and loose stones, and covered with a thatch of turf and straw, known to the natives by the name of “driss,” the gourbi, though a grade better than the tents of the nomad Arabs, was yet far inferior to any habitation built of brick or stone.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Composed of mud and loose stones, and covered with a thatch of turf and straw, known to the natives by the name of “driss,” the gourbi, though a grade better than the tents of the nomad Arabs, was yet far inferior to any habitation built of brick or stone.
Zoof
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It adjoined an old stone hostelry, previously occupied by a detachment of engineers, and which now afforded shelter for Ben Zoof and the two horses.
