used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At a little distance behind her, Petersen sat in a chair reading a queer little German book that told her the stories of the principal Roman churches with the legends of the saints to which they are dedicated.
altarnounUS /ˈɔːltər/
the table in Christian churches where communion is given
From this reading A thin, smooth-shaven lay brother in black and white frock was slowly sweeping the choir behind the high altar.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading Cecilia knelt in the church of Santa Croce, near one of the ancient pillars.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A thin, smooth-shaven lay brother in black and white frock was slowly sweeping the choir behind the high altar.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading At a little distance behind her, Petersen sat in a chair reading a queer little German book that told her the stories of the principal Roman churches with the legends of the saints to which they are dedicated.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At a little distance behind her, Petersen sat in a chair reading a queer little German book that told her the stories of the principal Roman churches with the legends of the saints to which they are dedicated.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Cecilia was kneeling on the marble floor, resting her folded hands upon the back of a rough chair, and there was no sound in the dim building, but the regular, soft brushing of the monk's broom.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading At a little distance behind her, Petersen sat in a chair reading a queer little German book that told her the stories of the principal Roman churches with the legends of the saints to which they are dedicated.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading A thin, smooth-shaven lay brother in black and white frock was slowly sweeping the choir behind the high altar.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading At a little distance behind her, Petersen sat in a chair reading a queer little German book that told her the stories of the principal Roman churches with the legends of the saints to which they are dedicated.
broomnounUS /bruːm/
a cleaning implement for sweeping; bundle of straws or twigs attached to a long handle
From this reading Cecilia was kneeling on the marble floor, resting her folded hands upon the back of a rough chair, and there was no sound in the dim building, but the regular, soft brushing of the monk's broom.
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading A thin, smooth-shaven lay brother in black and white frock was slowly sweeping the choir behind the high altar.
brushingnounUS /ˈbrʌʃɪŋ/
the act of brushing your teeth
From this reading Cecilia was kneeling on the marble floor, resting her folded hands upon the back of a rough chair, and there was no sound in the dim building, but the regular, soft brushing of the monk's broom.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading Cecilia was kneeling on the marble floor, resting her folded hands upon the back of a rough chair, and there was no sound in the dim building, but the regular, soft brushing of the monk's broom.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Cecilia was kneeling on the marble floor, resting her folded hands upon the back of a rough chair, and there was no sound in the dim building, but the regular, soft brushing of the monk's broom.
Cecilia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cecilia knelt in the church of Santa Croce, near one of the ancient pillars.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading At a little distance behind her, Petersen sat in a chair reading a queer little German book that told her the stories of the principal Roman churches with the legends of the saints to which they are dedicated.
choirnounUS /ˈkwaɪər/
a chorus that sings as part of a religious ceremony
From this reading A thin, smooth-shaven lay brother in black and white frock was slowly sweeping the choir behind the high altar.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading Cecilia knelt in the church of Santa Croce, near one of the ancient pillars.
churchesnounUS /ˈtʃɜːrtʃɪz/
plural of “church” — one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading At a little distance behind her, Petersen sat in a chair reading a queer little German book that told her the stories of the principal Roman churches with the legends of the saints to which they are dedicated.
Croce
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cecilia knelt in the church of Santa Croce, near one of the ancient pillars.
dedicatedadjectiveUS /ˈdedəkeɪtəd/
devoted to a cause or ideal or purpose
From this reading At a little distance behind her, Petersen sat in a chair reading a queer little German book that told her the stories of the principal Roman churches with the legends of the saints to which they are dedicated.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading Cecilia was kneeling on the marble floor, resting her folded hands upon the back of a rough chair, and there was no sound in the dim building, but the regular, soft brushing of the monk's broom.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading At a little distance behind her, Petersen sat in a chair reading a queer little German book that told her the stories of the principal Roman churches with the legends of the saints to which they are dedicated.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no one else in the church.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading Cecilia was kneeling on the marble floor, resting her folded hands upon the back of a rough chair, and there was no sound in the dim building, but the regular, soft brushing of the monk's broom.
past form of “fold” — bend or lay so that one part covers the other
From this reading Cecilia was kneeling on the marble floor, resting her folded hands upon the back of a rough chair, and there was no sound in the dim building, but the regular, soft brushing of the monk's broom.
frocknounUS /frɑːk/
a long, loose outer garment
From this reading A thin, smooth-shaven lay brother in black and white frock was slowly sweeping the choir behind the high altar.
a person of German nationality
From this reading At a little distance behind her, Petersen sat in a chair reading a queer little German book that told her the stories of the principal Roman churches with the legends of the saints to which they are dedicated.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Cecilia was kneeling on the marble floor, resting her folded hands upon the back of a rough chair, and there was no sound in the dim building, but the regular, soft brushing of the monk's broom.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading At a little distance behind her, Petersen sat in a chair reading a queer little German book that told her the stories of the principal Roman churches with the legends of the saints to which they are dedicated.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading A thin, smooth-shaven lay brother in black and white frock was slowly sweeping the choir behind the high altar.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Cecilia knelt in the church of Santa Croce, near one of the ancient pillars.
kneelingnounUS /ˈniːlɪŋ/
supporting yourself on your knees
From this reading Cecilia was kneeling on the marble floor, resting her folded hands upon the back of a rough chair, and there was no sound in the dim building, but the regular, soft brushing of the monk's broom.
kneltverbUS /nelt/
inflected form of “kneel” — rest one's weight on one's knees
From this reading Cecilia knelt in the church of Santa Croce, near one of the ancient pillars.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading A thin, smooth-shaven lay brother in black and white frock was slowly sweeping the choir behind the high altar.
legendsnounUS /ˈledʒəndz/
plural of “legend” — a story about mythical or supernatural beings or events
From this reading At a little distance behind her, Petersen sat in a chair reading a queer little German book that told her the stories of the principal Roman churches with the legends of the saints to which they are dedicated.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading At a little distance behind her, Petersen sat in a chair reading a queer little German book that told her the stories of the principal Roman churches with the legends of the saints to which they are dedicated.
a hard crystalline metamorphic rock that takes a high polish; used for sculpture and as building material
From this reading Cecilia was kneeling on the marble floor, resting her folded hands upon the back of a rough chair, and there was no sound in the dim building, but the regular, soft brushing of the monk's broom.
monk'snounUS /mʌŋks/
possessive form of “monk” — a male religious living in a cloister and devoting himself to contemplation and prayer and work
From this reading Cecilia was kneeling on the marble floor, resting her folded hands upon the back of a rough chair, and there was no sound in the dim building, but the regular, soft brushing of the monk's broom.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Cecilia knelt in the church of Santa Croce, near one of the ancient pillars.
not any; not one
From this reading There was no one else in the church.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Cecilia knelt in the church of Santa Croce, near one of the ancient pillars.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Cecilia was kneeling on the marble floor, resting her folded hands upon the back of a rough chair, and there was no sound in the dim building, but the regular, soft brushing of the monk's broom.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Cecilia knelt in the church of Santa Croce, near one of the ancient pillars.
Petersen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At a little distance behind her, Petersen sat in a chair reading a queer little German book that told her the stories of the principal Roman churches with the legends of the saints to which they are dedicated.
pillarsnounUS /ˈpɪlərz/
plural of “pillar” — a fundamental principle or practice
From this reading Cecilia knelt in the church of Santa Croce, near one of the ancient pillars.
the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated
From this reading At a little distance behind her, Petersen sat in a chair reading a queer little German book that told her the stories of the principal Roman churches with the legends of the saints to which they are dedicated.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading At a little distance behind her, Petersen sat in a chair reading a queer little German book that told her the stories of the principal Roman churches with the legends of the saints to which they are dedicated.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading At a little distance behind her, Petersen sat in a chair reading a queer little German book that told her the stories of the principal Roman churches with the legends of the saints to which they are dedicated.
in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle
From this reading Cecilia was kneeling on the marble floor, resting her folded hands upon the back of a rough chair, and there was no sound in the dim building, but the regular, soft brushing of the monk's broom.
-ing form of “rest” — not move; be in a resting position
From this reading Cecilia was kneeling on the marble floor, resting her folded hands upon the back of a rough chair, and there was no sound in the dim building, but the regular, soft brushing of the monk's broom.
RomanadjectiveUS /ˈroʊmən/
relating to or characteristic of people of Rome
From this reading At a little distance behind her, Petersen sat in a chair reading a queer little German book that told her the stories of the principal Roman churches with the legends of the saints to which they are dedicated.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading Cecilia was kneeling on the marble floor, resting her folded hands upon the back of a rough chair, and there was no sound in the dim building, but the regular, soft brushing of the monk's broom.
saintsnounUS /seɪnts/
plural of “saint” — a person who has died and has been declared a saint by canonization
From this reading At a little distance behind her, Petersen sat in a chair reading a queer little German book that told her the stories of the principal Roman churches with the legends of the saints to which they are dedicated.
SantanounUS /ˈsæntə/
the legendary patron saint of children; an imaginary being who is thought to bring presents to children at Christmas
From this reading Cecilia knelt in the church of Santa Croce, near one of the ancient pillars.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading At a little distance behind her, Petersen sat in a chair reading a queer little German book that told her the stories of the principal Roman churches with the legends of the saints to which they are dedicated.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading A thin, smooth-shaven lay brother in black and white frock was slowly sweeping the choir behind the high altar.
smooth-shavenadjectiveUS /ˌsmuːθˈʃeɪvən/
closely shaved recently
From this reading A thin, smooth-shaven lay brother in black and white frock was slowly sweeping the choir behind the high altar.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading Cecilia was kneeling on the marble floor, resting her folded hands upon the back of a rough chair, and there was no sound in the dim building, but the regular, soft brushing of the monk's broom.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Cecilia was kneeling on the marble floor, resting her folded hands upon the back of a rough chair, and there was no sound in the dim building, but the regular, soft brushing of the monk's broom.
plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading At a little distance behind her, Petersen sat in a chair reading a queer little German book that told her the stories of the principal Roman churches with the legends of the saints to which they are dedicated.
sweepingadjectiveUS /ˈswiːpɪŋ/
taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination
From this reading A thin, smooth-shaven lay brother in black and white frock was slowly sweeping the choir behind the high altar.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At a little distance behind her, Petersen sat in a chair reading a queer little German book that told her the stories of the principal Roman churches with the legends of the saints to which they are dedicated.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Cecilia knelt in the church of Santa Croce, near one of the ancient pillars.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was no one else in the church.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At a little distance behind her, Petersen sat in a chair reading a queer little German book that told her the stories of the principal Roman churches with the legends of the saints to which they are dedicated.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading A thin, smooth-shaven lay brother in black and white frock was slowly sweeping the choir behind the high altar.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At a little distance behind her, Petersen sat in a chair reading a queer little German book that told her the stories of the principal Roman churches with the legends of the saints to which they are dedicated.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading At a little distance behind her, Petersen sat in a chair reading a queer little German book that told her the stories of the principal Roman churches with the legends of the saints to which they are dedicated.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Cecilia was kneeling on the marble floor, resting her folded hands upon the back of a rough chair, and there was no sound in the dim building, but the regular, soft brushing of the monk's broom.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A thin, smooth-shaven lay brother in black and white frock was slowly sweeping the choir behind the high altar.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading At a little distance behind her, Petersen sat in a chair reading a queer little German book that told her the stories of the principal Roman churches with the legends of the saints to which they are dedicated.
a Caucasian
From this reading A thin, smooth-shaven lay brother in black and white frock was slowly sweeping the choir behind the high altar.
in the company of; together with
From this reading At a little distance behind her, Petersen sat in a chair reading a queer little German book that told her the stories of the principal Roman churches with the legends of the saints to which they are dedicated.
