Neurosis
a mental illness that is not caused by organic disease, involving symptoms of stress (depression, anxiety, obsessive behavior, hypochondria) but not a radical disconnection from reality
Appeal
1. a serious or urgent request, typically one made to the public
2. an application to a higher court for a decision to be reversed
Bemused
puzzled, confused, or bewildered
Headman
the chief or leader of a community or tribe
Galabeya
a traditional Egyptian garment native to the Nile Valley
Imam
the person who leads prayers in a mosque
Verily
truly; certainly
Guttural
(of a speech sound) produced in the throat; harsh-sounding
Earthenware
pottery made of clay fired to a porous state which can be made impervious to liquids by the use of a glaze.
Servile
having or showing an excessive willingness to serve or please others
Maize
a Central American cereal plant that yields large grains set in rows on a cob; corn
Molasses
thick, dark brown syrup obtained from raw sugar during the refining process, a version of which is used in baking
Carob
a brown floury powder extracted from the carob bean, used as a substitute for chocolate
Tamarind
sticky brown acidic pulp from the pod of a tree of the pea family, widely used as a flavoring in Asian cooking
Kaftan
1. a man's long belted tunic, worn in countries of the Near East
2. a woman's long loose dress
Resonate
produce or be filled with a deep, full, reverberating sound
Eiderdown
1. small, soft feathers from the breast of the female eider duck
2. a quilt filled with down (originally from the eider) or some other soft material
Vitality
the state of being strong and active; energy
Scour
to remove (dirt or unwanted matter) by rubbing with an abrasive or detergent
Avaricious
having or showing an extreme greed for wealth or material gain
Humility
a modest or low view of one's own importance; humbleness
Pestilence
a fatal epidemic disease, especially bubonic plague
Respite
a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant
Partition
a structure dividing a space into two parts, especially a light interior wall
Okra
a plant of the mallow family with long ridged seedpods, native to the Old World tropics
Sheikh
1. an Arab leader, in particular the chief or head of an Arab tribe, family, or village
2. a leader in a Muslim community or organization
Millimes
A unit of currency equal to one thousandth of an Egyptian pound
Dowry
property or money brought by a bride to her husband on their marriage
Piastre
a monetary unit of several Middle Eastern countries, equal to one-hundredth of a pound
Jaundice
a medical condition with yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, arising from excess of the pigment bilirubin and typically caused by obstruction of the bile duct, by liver disease, or by excessive breakdown of red blood cell
Ghee
clarified butter made from the milk of a buffalo or cow, used in South Asian cooking
Lattice
a structure consisting of strips of wood or metal crossed and fastened together with square or diamond-shaped spaces left between, used as a screen or fence or as a support for climbing plants
Thoroughfare
a road or path forming a route between two places
Paunch
a large or protruding abdomen or stomach
Copiously
in large quantities
Fetid
smelling extremely unpleasant
Betide
to happen
Shroud
1. a length of cloth or an enveloping garment in which a dead person is wrapped for burial
2. a thing that envelops or obscures something
Eed El Kebir / Eid al-Adha
also called the "Festival of Sacrifice," is the second of two Islamic holidays celebrated worldwide each year, and considered the more holy of the two; it honors the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God's command
Exhortations
an address or communication emphatically urging someone to do something
Aversion
a strong dislike or disinclination
Traversed
to travel across or through
Dint
1. an impression or hollow in a surface
2. a blow or stroke, typically one made with a weapon in fighting
Plied
to work with (a tool, especially one requiring steady, rhythmic movements)
Guileless
devoid of guile; innocent and without deception
"Curry the favor"
to try too hard to gain somebody else's favor
Dreary
dull, bleak, and lifeless; depressing
Zeal
great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective
Throng
a large, densely packed crowd of people or animals
Hitherto
until now, or until the point in time under discussion
