Chapter XI

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

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading It was not so much a rookery as a hive, whence gold-ringed _donnaccias_ flew to gather their honey, and, having collected, came back to store it, against a winter’s day, in their unconventual little cells.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading It was always very vivid and very busy--a never-ending fair, full of life and frivolity.

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

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

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

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

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

From this reading It was not so much a rookery as a hive, whence gold-ringed _donnaccias_ flew to gather their honey, and, having collected, came back to store it, against a winter’s day, in their unconventual little cells.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading It was not so much a rookery as a hive, whence gold-ringed _donnaccias_ flew to gather their honey, and, having collected, came back to store it, against a winter’s day, in their unconventual little cells.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading It was always very vivid and very busy--a never-ending fair, full of life and frivolity.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading This irregular quarter, called “L’Anonimo,” possessed the qualities of its heterodoxy, and was consistent in nothing but its moral unconformableness.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading This irregular quarter, called “L’Anonimo,” possessed the qualities of its heterodoxy, and was consistent in nothing but its moral unconformableness.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading It was not so much a rookery as a hive, whence gold-ringed _donnaccias_ flew to gather their honey, and, having collected, came back to store it, against a winter’s day, in their unconventual little cells.

plural of “cell” — any small compartment

From this reading It was not so much a rookery as a hive, whence gold-ringed _donnaccias_ flew to gather their honey, and, having collected, came back to store it, against a winter’s day, in their unconventual little cells.

a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading Its stalls displayed a characteristic opulence of cheap Parisian hosiery and Genoese jewellery.

relatively low in price or charging low prices

From this reading Its stalls displayed a characteristic opulence of cheap Parisian hosiery and Genoese jewellery.

brought together in one place

From this reading It was not so much a rookery as a hive, whence gold-ringed _donnaccias_ flew to gather their honey, and, having collected, came back to store it, against a winter’s day, in their unconventual little cells.

(sometimes followed by “with”) in agreement or consistent or reliable

From this reading This irregular quarter, called “L’Anonimo,” possessed the qualities of its heterodoxy, and was consistent in nothing but its moral unconformableness.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading It was not so much a rookery as a hive, whence gold-ringed _donnaccias_ flew to gather their honey, and, having collected, came back to store it, against a winter’s day, in their unconventual little cells.

leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

past form of “display” — to show, make visible or apparent

From this reading Its stalls displayed a characteristic opulence of cheap Parisian hosiery and Genoese jewellery.

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

From this reading It was not so much a rookery as a hive, whence gold-ringed _donnaccias_ flew to gather their honey, and, having collected, came back to store it, against a winter’s day, in their unconventual little cells.

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

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

the organ of sight

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading It was always very vivid and very busy--a never-ending fair, full of life and frivolity.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne

From this reading It was not so much a rookery as a hive, whence gold-ringed _donnaccias_ flew to gather their honey, and, having collected, came back to store it, against a winter’s day, in their unconventual little cells.

very lively and profitable

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

the trait of being frivolous; not serious or sensible

From this reading It was always very vivid and very busy--a never-ending fair, full of life and frivolity.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading It was always very vivid and very busy--a never-ending fair, full of life and frivolity.

assemble or get together

From this reading It was not so much a rookery as a hive, whence gold-ringed _donnaccias_ flew to gather their honey, and, having collected, came back to store it, against a winter’s day, in their unconventual little cells.

a native or resident of Genoa

From this reading Its stalls displayed a characteristic opulence of cheap Parisian hosiery and Genoese jewellery.

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

From this reading It was not so much a rookery as a hive, whence gold-ringed _donnaccias_ flew to gather their honey, and, having collected, came back to store it, against a winter’s day, in their unconventual little cells.

dependent upon or characterized by chance

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

any opinions or doctrines at variance with the official or orthodox position

From this reading This irregular quarter, called “L’Anonimo,” possessed the qualities of its heterodoxy, and was consistent in nothing but its moral unconformableness.

a teeming multitude

From this reading It was not so much a rookery as a hive, whence gold-ringed _donnaccias_ flew to gather their honey, and, having collected, came back to store it, against a winter’s day, in their unconventual little cells.

a sweet yellow liquid produced by bees

From this reading It was not so much a rookery as a hive, whence gold-ringed _donnaccias_ flew to gather their honey, and, having collected, came back to store it, against a winter’s day, in their unconventual little cells.

socks and stockings and tights collectively (the British include underwear)

From this reading Its stalls displayed a characteristic opulence of cheap Parisian hosiery and Genoese jewellery.

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

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

contrary to rule or accepted order or general practice

From this reading This irregular quarter, called “L’Anonimo,” possessed the qualities of its heterodoxy, and was consistent in nothing but its moral unconformableness.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was not so much a rookery as a hive, whence gold-ringed _donnaccias_ flew to gather their honey, and, having collected, came back to store it, against a winter’s day, in their unconventual little cells.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading This irregular quarter, called “L’Anonimo,” possessed the qualities of its heterodoxy, and was consistent in nothing but its moral unconformableness.

an adornment (as a bracelet or ring or necklace) made of precious metals and set with gems (or imitation gems)

From this reading Its stalls displayed a characteristic opulence of cheap Parisian hosiery and Genoese jewellery.

a confused multitude of things

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

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

From this reading This irregular quarter, called “L’Anonimo,” possessed the qualities of its heterodoxy, and was consistent in nothing but its moral unconformableness.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading It was always very vivid and very busy--a never-ending fair, full of life and frivolity.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading It was not so much a rookery as a hive, whence gold-ringed _donnaccias_ flew to gather their honey, and, having collected, came back to store it, against a winter’s day, in their unconventual little cells.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles

From this reading This irregular quarter, called “L’Anonimo,” possessed the qualities of its heterodoxy, and was consistent in nothing but its moral unconformableness.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading It was not so much a rookery as a hive, whence gold-ringed _donnaccias_ flew to gather their honey, and, having collected, came back to store it, against a winter’s day, in their unconventual little cells.

uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing

From this reading It was always very vivid and very busy--a never-ending fair, full of life and frivolity.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was not so much a rookery as a hive, whence gold-ringed _donnaccias_ flew to gather their honey, and, having collected, came back to store it, against a winter’s day, in their unconventual little cells.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading This irregular quarter, called “L’Anonimo,” possessed the qualities of its heterodoxy, and was consistent in nothing but its moral unconformableness.

a fertile tract in a desert (where the water table approaches the surface)

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

wealth as evidenced by sumptuous living

From this reading Its stalls displayed a characteristic opulence of cheap Parisian hosiery and Genoese jewellery.

the quality of appreciating method and system

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

not taken into account

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

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

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

of or relating to or characteristic of Paris or its inhabitants

From this reading Its stalls displayed a characteristic opulence of cheap Parisian hosiery and Genoese jewellery.

the quality of being strikingly expressive or vivid

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion

From this reading This irregular quarter, called “L’Anonimo,” possessed the qualities of its heterodoxy, and was consistent in nothing but its moral unconformableness.

plural of “quality” — an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone

From this reading This irregular quarter, called “L’Anonimo,” possessed the qualities of its heterodoxy, and was consistent in nothing but its moral unconformableness.

one of four equal parts

From this reading This irregular quarter, called “L’Anonimo,” possessed the qualities of its heterodoxy, and was consistent in nothing but its moral unconformableness.

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

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

the conversion of wasteland into land suitable for use of habitation or cultivation

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

honorableness by virtue of being respectable and having a good reputation

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

a breeding ground for gregarious birds (such as rooks)

From this reading It was not so much a rookery as a hive, whence gold-ringed _donnaccias_ flew to gather their honey, and, having collected, came back to store it, against a winter’s day, in their unconventual little cells.

disgraceful gossip about the private lives of other people

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

a small fragment of something broken off from the whole

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It was not so much a rookery as a hive, whence gold-ringed _donnaccias_ flew to gather their honey, and, having collected, came back to store it, against a winter’s day, in their unconventual little cells.

characterized by or preferring solitude

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

a farm building for housing horses or other livestock

From this reading Its stalls displayed a characteristic opulence of cheap Parisian hosiery and Genoese jewellery.

a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services

From this reading It was not so much a rookery as a hive, whence gold-ringed _donnaccias_ flew to gather their honey, and, having collected, came back to store it, against a winter’s day, in their unconventual little cells.

plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

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

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It was not so much a rookery as a hive, whence gold-ringed _donnaccias_ flew to gather their honey, and, having collected, came back to store it, against a winter’s day, in their unconventual little cells.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

a dense growth of bushes

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

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

From this reading This irregular quarter, called “L’Anonimo,” possessed the qualities of its heterodoxy, and was consistent in nothing but its moral unconformableness.

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

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

capital city of the Piemonte region of northwestern Italy

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

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

From this reading This irregular quarter, called “L’Anonimo,” possessed the qualities of its heterodoxy, and was consistent in nothing but its moral unconformableness.

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

From this reading It was not so much a rookery as a hive, whence gold-ringed _donnaccias_ flew to gather their honey, and, having collected, came back to store it, against a winter’s day, in their unconventual little cells.

a condition in which everything is regular and unvarying

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

precisely as stated

From this reading It was always very vivid and very busy--a never-ending fair, full of life and frivolity.

evoking lifelike images within the mind

From this reading It was always very vivid and very busy--a never-ending fair, full of life and frivolity.

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

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

an old word meaning “from where”

From this reading It was not so much a rookery as a hive, whence gold-ringed _donnaccias_ flew to gather their honey, and, having collected, came back to store it, against a winter’s day, in their unconventual little cells.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading There was a jumble of old streets and buildings in Turin, flourishing out of sight behind the Palazzo Reale--like a scrap of wild thicket overlooked in the reclamation of a waste--which, to the many enamoured of orderliness and respectability, was a scandal, and to the few, having an eye for haphazard picturesqueness, the solitary oasis in a desert of uniformity.

possessive form of “winter” — the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading It was not so much a rookery as a hive, whence gold-ringed _donnaccias_ flew to gather their honey, and, having collected, came back to store it, against a winter’s day, in their unconventual little cells.