The Conference of the Birds Glossary

The Conference of the Birds Glossary

acquiesce

accept something reluctantly but without protest

anchorite

a religious recluse

assail

make a concerted or violent attack on

assassin

a murderer of an important person in a surprise attack for political or religious reasons

beguile

charm or enchant someone, sometimes in a deceptive way

billow

a large undulating mass of something, typically cloud, smoke, or steam

blasphemy

the act or offense of speaking sacrilegiously about God or sacred things

blithe

showing a casual and cheerful indifference

delusive

giving a false or misleading impression

forfeit

lose or be deprived of property or a right or privilege as a penalty for wrongdoing

frantic

wild or distraught with fear

herald

an official messenger bringing news

lute

a plucked stringed instrument with a long neck bearing frets and a rounded body with a flat front that is shaped like a halved egg

mote

a tiny piece of a substance

not worth a straw

having no value

paradise

heaven as the ultimate abode of the just

paragon

a person or thing regarded as a perfect example of a particular quality

prophet

a person regarded as an inspired teacher or proclaimer of the will of God

reverence

deep respect for someone or something

rite

a religious or other solemn ceremony or act

sheikh

an Arab leader, in particular the chief or head of an Arab tribe, family, or village

shrivel

cause to feel worthless or insignificant

sovereign

a supreme ruler, esp. a monarch

untrammeled

not deprived of freedom of action or expression

valiant

possessing or showing courage

worship

the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity

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