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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 She looked back across the limitless, billowing desert, showing under the stars like a great ocean of endless, unbroken waves frozen into immobility as they surged from north to south, by some magician’s hand.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading She laughed softly at the thought of the civilization she had dropped, as one drops an outworn cloak from about the shoulders, and had left for ever upon the outskirts of the great desert of which she was the child.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She laughed softly at the thought of the civilization she had dropped, as one drops an outworn cloak from about the shoulders, and had left for ever upon the outskirts of the great desert of which she was the child.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Zarah stood at the point of the great V which cleft the outer ring of the mountains, and from which started the path leading down to the plateau.
Arab
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
ARABIC
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “_Him who goodness will not mend, evil will not mend._”—ARABIC PROVERB.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Zarah stood at the point of the great V which cleft the outer ring of the mountains, and from which started the path leading down to the plateau.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked back across the limitless, billowing desert, showing under the stars like a great ocean of endless, unbroken waves frozen into immobility as they surged from north to south, by some magician’s hand.
beginningnounUS /ˈbeginning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
billowing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked back across the limitless, billowing desert, showing under the stars like a great ocean of endless, unbroken waves frozen into immobility as they surged from north to south, by some magician’s hand.
bonfires
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She looked back across the limitless, billowing desert, showing under the stars like a great ocean of endless, unbroken waves frozen into immobility as they surged from north to south, by some magician’s hand.
camels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
child
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She laughed softly at the thought of the civilization she had dropped, as one drops an outworn cloak from about the shoulders, and had left for ever upon the outskirts of the great desert of which she was the child.
civilization
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She laughed softly at the thought of the civilization she had dropped, as one drops an outworn cloak from about the shoulders, and had left for ever upon the outskirts of the great desert of which she was the child.
cleft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Zarah stood at the point of the great V which cleft the outer ring of the mountains, and from which started the path leading down to the plateau.
cloak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She laughed softly at the thought of the civilization she had dropped, as one drops an outworn cloak from about the shoulders, and had left for ever upon the outskirts of the great desert of which she was the child.
daughter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
desert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
doubt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Zarah stood at the point of the great V which cleft the outer ring of the mountains, and from which started the path leading down to the plateau.
dropped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She laughed softly at the thought of the civilization she had dropped, as one drops an outworn cloak from about the shoulders, and had left for ever upon the outskirts of the great desert of which she was the child.
drops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She laughed softly at the thought of the civilization she had dropped, as one drops an outworn cloak from about the shoulders, and had left for ever upon the outskirts of the great desert of which she was the child.
dying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
endless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked back across the limitless, billowing desert, showing under the stars like a great ocean of endless, unbroken waves frozen into immobility as they surged from north to south, by some magician’s hand.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She laughed softly at the thought of the civilization she had dropped, as one drops an outworn cloak from about the shoulders, and had left for ever upon the outskirts of the great desert of which she was the child.
evil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “_Him who goodness will not mend, evil will not mend._”—ARABIC PROVERB.
expected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
firing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
flames
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Zarah stood at the point of the great V which cleft the outer ring of the mountains, and from which started the path leading down to the plateau.
frozen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked back across the limitless, billowing desert, showing under the stars like a great ocean of endless, unbroken waves frozen into immobility as they surged from north to south, by some magician’s hand.
full
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
goodness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “_Him who goodness will not mend, evil will not mend._”—ARABIC PROVERB.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Zarah stood at the point of the great V which cleft the outer ring of the mountains, and from which started the path leading down to the plateau.
greeting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked back across the limitless, billowing desert, showing under the stars like a great ocean of endless, unbroken waves frozen into immobility as they surged from north to south, by some magician’s hand.
hidden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
highest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
HimpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “_Him who goodness will not mend, evil will not mend._”—ARABIC PROVERB.
immobility
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked back across the limitless, billowing desert, showing under the stars like a great ocean of endless, unbroken waves frozen into immobility as they surged from north to south, by some magician’s hand.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading She looked back across the limitless, billowing desert, showing under the stars like a great ocean of endless, unbroken waves frozen into immobility as they surged from north to south, by some magician’s hand.
laughed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She laughed softly at the thought of the civilization she had dropped, as one drops an outworn cloak from about the shoulders, and had left for ever upon the outskirts of the great desert of which she was the child.
leading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Zarah stood at the point of the great V which cleft the outer ring of the mountains, and from which started the path leading down to the plateau.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She laughed softly at the thought of the civilization she had dropped, as one drops an outworn cloak from about the shoulders, and had left for ever upon the outskirts of the great desert of which she was the child.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked back across the limitless, billowing desert, showing under the stars like a great ocean of endless, unbroken waves frozen into immobility as they surged from north to south, by some magician’s hand.
limitless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked back across the limitless, billowing desert, showing under the stars like a great ocean of endless, unbroken waves frozen into immobility as they surged from north to south, by some magician’s hand.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She looked back across the limitless, billowing desert, showing under the stars like a great ocean of endless, unbroken waves frozen into immobility as they surged from north to south, by some magician’s hand.
magician's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked back across the limitless, billowing desert, showing under the stars like a great ocean of endless, unbroken waves frozen into immobility as they surged from north to south, by some magician’s hand.
marked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
mend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “_Him who goodness will not mend, evil will not mend._”—ARABIC PROVERB.
mountain's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
mountains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Zarah stood at the point of the great V which cleft the outer ring of the mountains, and from which started the path leading down to the plateau.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/
not one and not the other of two
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
north
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked back across the limitless, billowing desert, showing under the stars like a great ocean of endless, unbroken waves frozen into immobility as they surged from north to south, by some magician’s hand.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “_Him who goodness will not mend, evil will not mend._”—ARABIC PROVERB.
ocean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked back across the limitless, billowing desert, showing under the stars like a great ocean of endless, unbroken waves frozen into immobility as they surged from north to south, by some magician’s hand.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Zarah stood at the point of the great V which cleft the outer ring of the mountains, and from which started the path leading down to the plateau.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading She laughed softly at the thought of the civilization she had dropped, as one drops an outworn cloak from about the shoulders, and had left for ever upon the outskirts of the great desert of which she was the child.
orange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
outer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Zarah stood at the point of the great V which cleft the outer ring of the mountains, and from which started the path leading down to the plateau.
outskirts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She laughed softly at the thought of the civilization she had dropped, as one drops an outworn cloak from about the shoulders, and had left for ever upon the outskirts of the great desert of which she was the child.
outworn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She laughed softly at the thought of the civilization she had dropped, as one drops an outworn cloak from about the shoulders, and had left for ever upon the outskirts of the great desert of which she was the child.
path
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Zarah stood at the point of the great V which cleft the outer ring of the mountains, and from which started the path leading down to the plateau.
patiently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
peaks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
plateaunounUS /plateau/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Zarah stood at the point of the great V which cleft the outer ring of the mountains, and from which started the path leading down to the plateau.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading Zarah stood at the point of the great V which cleft the outer ring of the mountains, and from which started the path leading down to the plateau.
PROVERB
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “_Him who goodness will not mend, evil will not mend._”—ARABIC PROVERB.
purple
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
quicksands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
rifles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
ring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Zarah stood at the point of the great V which cleft the outer ring of the mountains, and from which started the path leading down to the plateau.
safely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
salutation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
saveprepositionUS /seɪv/
except for; apart from
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She looked back across the limitless, billowing desert, showing under the stars like a great ocean of endless, unbroken waves frozen into immobility as they surged from north to south, by some magician’s hand.
Sheikh's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
shoulders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She laughed softly at the thought of the civilization she had dropped, as one drops an outworn cloak from about the shoulders, and had left for ever upon the outskirts of the great desert of which she was the child.
shout
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
showed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
showing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked back across the limitless, billowing desert, showing under the stars like a great ocean of endless, unbroken waves frozen into immobility as they surged from north to south, by some magician’s hand.
sign
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
sky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
softly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She laughed softly at the thought of the civilization she had dropped, as one drops an outworn cloak from about the shoulders, and had left for ever upon the outskirts of the great desert of which she was the child.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked back across the limitless, billowing desert, showing under the stars like a great ocean of endless, unbroken waves frozen into immobility as they surged from north to south, by some magician’s hand.
south
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked back across the limitless, billowing desert, showing under the stars like a great ocean of endless, unbroken waves frozen into immobility as they surged from north to south, by some magician’s hand.
spear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
speed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
starlit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
stars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked back across the limitless, billowing desert, showing under the stars like a great ocean of endless, unbroken waves frozen into immobility as they surged from north to south, by some magician’s hand.
started
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Zarah stood at the point of the great V which cleft the outer ring of the mountains, and from which started the path leading down to the plateau.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Zarah stood at the point of the great V which cleft the outer ring of the mountains, and from which started the path leading down to the plateau.
streaking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
surged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked back across the limitless, billowing desert, showing under the stars like a great ocean of endless, unbroken waves frozen into immobility as they surged from north to south, by some magician’s hand.
ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Zarah stood at the point of the great V which cleft the outer ring of the mountains, and from which started the path leading down to the plateau.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She looked back across the limitless, billowing desert, showing under the stars like a great ocean of endless, unbroken waves frozen into immobility as they surged from north to south, by some magician’s hand.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She laughed softly at the thought of the civilization she had dropped, as one drops an outworn cloak from about the shoulders, and had left for ever upon the outskirts of the great desert of which she was the child.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Zarah stood at the point of the great V which cleft the outer ring of the mountains, and from which started the path leading down to the plateau.
unbroken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked back across the limitless, billowing desert, showing under the stars like a great ocean of endless, unbroken waves frozen into immobility as they surged from north to south, by some magician’s hand.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading She looked back across the limitless, billowing desert, showing under the stars like a great ocean of endless, unbroken waves frozen into immobility as they surged from north to south, by some magician’s hand.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
V
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Zarah stood at the point of the great V which cleft the outer ring of the mountains, and from which started the path leading down to the plateau.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
waves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked back across the limitless, billowing desert, showing under the stars like a great ocean of endless, unbroken waves frozen into immobility as they surged from north to south, by some magician’s hand.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Zarah stood at the point of the great V which cleft the outer ring of the mountains, and from which started the path leading down to the plateau.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading “_Him who goodness will not mend, evil will not mend._”—ARABIC PROVERB.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “_Him who goodness will not mend, evil will not mend._”—ARABIC PROVERB.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading That the dying Sheikh’s daughter was expected there was no doubt, as showed the bonfires upon the mountain’s highest peaks, streaking the purple, starlit sky with orange flames; yet, save for the Arab who stood patiently near the spear which marked the beginning of the hidden path, with the camels which had brought them safely and at full speed across the desert and the quicksands, there was neither sign of life nor shout of greeting nor firing of rifles in salutation.
Zarah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Zarah stood at the point of the great V which cleft the outer ring of the mountains, and from which started the path leading down to the plateau.
