used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE Ever since Chico had become grown he had been in the habit of flying from his nest in the early morning for a brief survey of the Piazza.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading First, he would make his way to the famous well and, after a refreshing bath, would walk about on the ground for a while in search of stray morsels of food, perchance left by tourists the day before.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading First, he would make his way to the famous well and, after a refreshing bath, would walk about on the ground for a while in search of stray morsels of food, perchance left by tourists the day before.
using the voice; not silently
From this reading But no matter how interested he became in the sights and news of the Square, he was always on his ledge in time to greet his dear human friends, upon whose appearance there would ensue such an excited fluttering of wings and such a delighted cooing that Maria would laugh aloud in glee, while Andrea emptied his pockets of choicest tidbits.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading But no matter how interested he became in the sights and news of the Square, he was always on his ledge in time to greet his dear human friends, upon whose appearance there would ensue such an excited fluttering of wings and such a delighted cooing that Maria would laugh aloud in glee, while Andrea emptied his pockets of choicest tidbits.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Then, on the way back to his ledge, he would stop for a moment here and there among the statuary for a gossipy "coo" with one and another pigeon friend.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But no matter how interested he became in the sights and news of the Square, he was always on his ledge in time to greet his dear human friends, upon whose appearance there would ensue such an excited fluttering of wings and such a delighted cooing that Maria would laugh aloud in glee, while Andrea emptied his pockets of choicest tidbits.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading First, he would make his way to the famous well and, after a refreshing bath, would walk about on the ground for a while in search of stray morsels of food, perchance left by tourists the day before.
Andrea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But no matter how interested he became in the sights and news of the Square, he was always on his ledge in time to greet his dear human friends, upon whose appearance there would ensue such an excited fluttering of wings and such a delighted cooing that Maria would laugh aloud in glee, while Andrea emptied his pockets of choicest tidbits.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Then, on the way back to his ledge, he would stop for a moment here and there among the statuary for a gossipy "coo" with one and another pigeon friend.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading But no matter how interested he became in the sights and news of the Square, he was always on his ledge in time to greet his dear human friends, upon whose appearance there would ensue such an excited fluttering of wings and such a delighted cooing that Maria would laugh aloud in glee, while Andrea emptied his pockets of choicest tidbits.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading One morning, a few weeks after the trip to Chioggia, as Chico was making his customary early flight, his bright eyes caught sight of some enticing crumbs on the pavement close to the steps leading to the new Campanile.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Then, on the way back to his ledge, he would stop for a moment here and there among the statuary for a gossipy "coo" with one and another pigeon friend.
bathnounUS /bæθ/
a vessel containing liquid in which something is immersed (as to process it or to maintain it at a constant temperature or to lubricate it)
From this reading First, he would make his way to the famous well and, after a refreshing bath, would walk about on the ground for a while in search of stray morsels of food, perchance left by tourists the day before.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading But no matter how interested he became in the sights and news of the Square, he was always on his ledge in time to greet his dear human friends, upon whose appearance there would ensue such an excited fluttering of wings and such a delighted cooing that Maria would laugh aloud in glee, while Andrea emptied his pockets of choicest tidbits.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE Ever since Chico had become grown he had been in the habit of flying from his nest in the early morning for a brief survey of the Piazza.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE Ever since Chico had become grown he had been in the habit of flying from his nest in the early morning for a brief survey of the Piazza.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading First, he would make his way to the famous well and, after a refreshing bath, would walk about on the ground for a while in search of stray morsels of food, perchance left by tourists the day before.
of short duration or distance
From this reading A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE Ever since Chico had become grown he had been in the habit of flying from his nest in the early morning for a brief survey of the Piazza.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading One morning, a few weeks after the trip to Chioggia, as Chico was making his customary early flight, his bright eyes caught sight of some enticing crumbs on the pavement close to the steps leading to the new Campanile.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But no matter how interested he became in the sights and news of the Square, he was always on his ledge in time to greet his dear human friends, upon whose appearance there would ensue such an excited fluttering of wings and such a delighted cooing that Maria would laugh aloud in glee, while Andrea emptied his pockets of choicest tidbits.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading First, he would make his way to the famous well and, after a refreshing bath, would walk about on the ground for a while in search of stray morsels of food, perchance left by tourists the day before.
Campanilenoun
a bell tower; usually stands alone unattached to a building
From this reading One morning, a few weeks after the trip to Chioggia, as Chico was making his customary early flight, his bright eyes caught sight of some enticing crumbs on the pavement close to the steps leading to the new Campanile.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading One morning, a few weeks after the trip to Chioggia, as Chico was making his customary early flight, his bright eyes caught sight of some enticing crumbs on the pavement close to the steps leading to the new Campanile.
ChiconounUS /ˈtʃiːkoʊ/
United States comedian; one of four brothers who made motion pictures together (1891-1961)
From this reading A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE Ever since Chico had become grown he had been in the habit of flying from his nest in the early morning for a brief survey of the Piazza.
Chioggia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning, a few weeks after the trip to Chioggia, as Chico was making his customary early flight, his bright eyes caught sight of some enticing crumbs on the pavement close to the steps leading to the new Campanile.
choicestadjectiveUS /ˈtʃɔɪsəst/
superlative of “choice” — of superior grade
From this reading But no matter how interested he became in the sights and news of the Square, he was always on his ledge in time to greet his dear human friends, upon whose appearance there would ensue such an excited fluttering of wings and such a delighted cooing that Maria would laugh aloud in glee, while Andrea emptied his pockets of choicest tidbits.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading One morning, a few weeks after the trip to Chioggia, as Chico was making his customary early flight, his bright eyes caught sight of some enticing crumbs on the pavement close to the steps leading to the new Campanile.
cooverbUS /kuː/
speak softly or lovingly
From this reading Then, on the way back to his ledge, he would stop for a moment here and there among the statuary for a gossipy "coo" with one and another pigeon friend.
cooingverbUS /ˈkuːɪŋ/
-ing form of “coo” — speak softly or lovingly
From this reading But no matter how interested he became in the sights and news of the Square, he was always on his ledge in time to greet his dear human friends, upon whose appearance there would ensue such an excited fluttering of wings and such a delighted cooing that Maria would laugh aloud in glee, while Andrea emptied his pockets of choicest tidbits.
crumbsnounUS /krʌmz/
plural of “crumb” — a very small quantity of something
From this reading One morning, a few weeks after the trip to Chioggia, as Chico was making his customary early flight, his bright eyes caught sight of some enticing crumbs on the pavement close to the steps leading to the new Campanile.
customaryadjectiveUS /ˈkʌstəmeri/
in accordance with convention or custom
From this reading One morning, a few weeks after the trip to Chioggia, as Chico was making his customary early flight, his bright eyes caught sight of some enticing crumbs on the pavement close to the steps leading to the new Campanile.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading First, he would make his way to the famous well and, after a refreshing bath, would walk about on the ground for a while in search of stray morsels of food, perchance left by tourists the day before.
dearly loved
From this reading But no matter how interested he became in the sights and news of the Square, he was always on his ledge in time to greet his dear human friends, upon whose appearance there would ensue such an excited fluttering of wings and such a delighted cooing that Maria would laugh aloud in glee, while Andrea emptied his pockets of choicest tidbits.
greatly pleased
From this reading But no matter how interested he became in the sights and news of the Square, he was always on his ledge in time to greet his dear human friends, upon whose appearance there would ensue such an excited fluttering of wings and such a delighted cooing that Maria would laugh aloud in glee, while Andrea emptied his pockets of choicest tidbits.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE Ever since Chico had become grown he had been in the habit of flying from his nest in the early morning for a brief survey of the Piazza.
emptiedverbUS /ˈemptid/
inflected form of “empty” — make void or empty of contents
From this reading But no matter how interested he became in the sights and news of the Square, he was always on his ledge in time to greet his dear human friends, upon whose appearance there would ensue such an excited fluttering of wings and such a delighted cooing that Maria would laugh aloud in glee, while Andrea emptied his pockets of choicest tidbits.
ensueverbUS /ɪnˈsuː/
issue or terminate (in a specified way, state, etc.); end
From this reading But no matter how interested he became in the sights and news of the Square, he was always on his ledge in time to greet his dear human friends, upon whose appearance there would ensue such an excited fluttering of wings and such a delighted cooing that Maria would laugh aloud in glee, while Andrea emptied his pockets of choicest tidbits.
enticingadjectiveUS /enˈtaɪsɪŋ/
highly attractive and able to arouse hope or desire
From this reading One morning, a few weeks after the trip to Chioggia, as Chico was making his customary early flight, his bright eyes caught sight of some enticing crumbs on the pavement close to the steps leading to the new Campanile.
at any time
From this reading A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE Ever since Chico had become grown he had been in the habit of flying from his nest in the early morning for a brief survey of the Piazza.
(of persons) excessively affected by emotion
From this reading But no matter how interested he became in the sights and news of the Square, he was always on his ledge in time to greet his dear human friends, upon whose appearance there would ensue such an excited fluttering of wings and such a delighted cooing that Maria would laugh aloud in glee, while Andrea emptied his pockets of choicest tidbits.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE Ever since Chico had become grown he had been in the habit of flying from his nest in the early morning for a brief survey of the Piazza.
opinion or judgment
From this reading One morning, a few weeks after the trip to Chioggia, as Chico was making his customary early flight, his bright eyes caught sight of some enticing crumbs on the pavement close to the steps leading to the new Campanile.
widely known and esteemed
From this reading First, he would make his way to the famous well and, after a refreshing bath, would walk about on the ground for a while in search of stray morsels of food, perchance left by tourists the day before.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading One morning, a few weeks after the trip to Chioggia, as Chico was making his customary early flight, his bright eyes caught sight of some enticing crumbs on the pavement close to the steps leading to the new Campanile.
FirstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading First, he would make his way to the famous well and, after a refreshing bath, would walk about on the ground for a while in search of stray morsels of food, perchance left by tourists the day before.
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading One morning, a few weeks after the trip to Chioggia, as Chico was making his customary early flight, his bright eyes caught sight of some enticing crumbs on the pavement close to the steps leading to the new Campanile.
flutteringnounUS /ˈflʌtərɪŋ/
the motion made by flapping up and down
From this reading But no matter how interested he became in the sights and news of the Square, he was always on his ledge in time to greet his dear human friends, upon whose appearance there would ensue such an excited fluttering of wings and such a delighted cooing that Maria would laugh aloud in glee, while Andrea emptied his pockets of choicest tidbits.
moving swiftly
From this reading A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE Ever since Chico had become grown he had been in the habit of flying from his nest in the early morning for a brief survey of the Piazza.
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading First, he would make his way to the famous well and, after a refreshing bath, would walk about on the ground for a while in search of stray morsels of food, perchance left by tourists the day before.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE Ever since Chico had become grown he had been in the habit of flying from his nest in the early morning for a brief survey of the Piazza.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Then, on the way back to his ledge, he would stop for a moment here and there among the statuary for a gossipy "coo" with one and another pigeon friend.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading But no matter how interested he became in the sights and news of the Square, he was always on his ledge in time to greet his dear human friends, upon whose appearance there would ensue such an excited fluttering of wings and such a delighted cooing that Maria would laugh aloud in glee, while Andrea emptied his pockets of choicest tidbits.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE Ever since Chico had become grown he had been in the habit of flying from his nest in the early morning for a brief survey of the Piazza.
gleenounUS /ɡliː/
great merriment
From this reading But no matter how interested he became in the sights and news of the Square, he was always on his ledge in time to greet his dear human friends, upon whose appearance there would ensue such an excited fluttering of wings and such a delighted cooing that Maria would laugh aloud in glee, while Andrea emptied his pockets of choicest tidbits.
gossipyadjectiveUS /ˈɡɑːsəpi/
prone to friendly informal communication
From this reading Then, on the way back to his ledge, he would stop for a moment here and there among the statuary for a gossipy "coo" with one and another pigeon friend.
greetverbUS /ɡriːt/
express greetings upon meeting someone
From this reading But no matter how interested he became in the sights and news of the Square, he was always on his ledge in time to greet his dear human friends, upon whose appearance there would ensue such an excited fluttering of wings and such a delighted cooing that Maria would laugh aloud in glee, while Andrea emptied his pockets of choicest tidbits.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading First, he would make his way to the famous well and, after a refreshing bath, would walk about on the ground for a while in search of stray morsels of food, perchance left by tourists the day before.
(of animals) fully developed
From this reading A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE Ever since Chico had become grown he had been in the habit of flying from his nest in the early morning for a brief survey of the Piazza.
an established custom
From this reading A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE Ever since Chico had become grown he had been in the habit of flying from his nest in the early morning for a brief survey of the Piazza.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE Ever since Chico had become grown he had been in the habit of flying from his nest in the early morning for a brief survey of the Piazza.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE Ever since Chico had become grown he had been in the habit of flying from his nest in the early morning for a brief survey of the Piazza.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Then, on the way back to his ledge, he would stop for a moment here and there among the statuary for a gossipy "coo" with one and another pigeon friend.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE Ever since Chico had become grown he had been in the habit of flying from his nest in the early morning for a brief survey of the Piazza.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But no matter how interested he became in the sights and news of the Square, he was always on his ledge in time to greet his dear human friends, upon whose appearance there would ensue such an excited fluttering of wings and such a delighted cooing that Maria would laugh aloud in glee, while Andrea emptied his pockets of choicest tidbits.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading But no matter how interested he became in the sights and news of the Square, he was always on his ledge in time to greet his dear human friends, upon whose appearance there would ensue such an excited fluttering of wings and such a delighted cooing that Maria would laugh aloud in glee, while Andrea emptied his pockets of choicest tidbits.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE Ever since Chico had become grown he had been in the habit of flying from his nest in the early morning for a brief survey of the Piazza.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading But no matter how interested he became in the sights and news of the Square, he was always on his ledge in time to greet his dear human friends, upon whose appearance there would ensue such an excited fluttering of wings and such a delighted cooing that Maria would laugh aloud in glee, while Andrea emptied his pockets of choicest tidbits.
the sound of laughing
From this reading But no matter how interested he became in the sights and news of the Square, he was always on his ledge in time to greet his dear human friends, upon whose appearance there would ensue such an excited fluttering of wings and such a delighted cooing that Maria would laugh aloud in glee, while Andrea emptied his pockets of choicest tidbits.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading One morning, a few weeks after the trip to Chioggia, as Chico was making his customary early flight, his bright eyes caught sight of some enticing crumbs on the pavement close to the steps leading to the new Campanile.
ledgenounUS /ledʒ/
a projecting ridge on a mountain or submerged under water
From this reading Then, on the way back to his ledge, he would stop for a moment here and there among the statuary for a gossipy "coo" with one and another pigeon friend.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading First, he would make his way to the famous well and, after a refreshing bath, would walk about on the ground for a while in search of stray morsels of food, perchance left by tourists the day before.
engage in
From this reading First, he would make his way to the famous well and, after a refreshing bath, would walk about on the ground for a while in search of stray morsels of food, perchance left by tourists the day before.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading One morning, a few weeks after the trip to Chioggia, as Chico was making his customary early flight, his bright eyes caught sight of some enticing crumbs on the pavement close to the steps leading to the new Campanile.
MarianounUS /mərˈiːə/
a dark region of considerable extent on the surface of the moon
From this reading But no matter how interested he became in the sights and news of the Square, he was always on his ledge in time to greet his dear human friends, upon whose appearance there would ensue such an excited fluttering of wings and such a delighted cooing that Maria would laugh aloud in glee, while Andrea emptied his pockets of choicest tidbits.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading But no matter how interested he became in the sights and news of the Square, he was always on his ledge in time to greet his dear human friends, upon whose appearance there would ensue such an excited fluttering of wings and such a delighted cooing that Maria would laugh aloud in glee, while Andrea emptied his pockets of choicest tidbits.
a particular point in time
From this reading Then, on the way back to his ledge, he would stop for a moment here and there among the statuary for a gossipy "coo" with one and another pigeon friend.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE Ever since Chico had become grown he had been in the habit of flying from his nest in the early morning for a brief survey of the Piazza.
morselsnounUS /ˈmɔːrsəlz/
plural of “morsel” — a small quantity of anything
From this reading First, he would make his way to the famous well and, after a refreshing bath, would walk about on the ground for a while in search of stray morsels of food, perchance left by tourists the day before.
nestnounUS /nest/
a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young
From this reading A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE Ever since Chico had become grown he had been in the habit of flying from his nest in the early morning for a brief survey of the Piazza.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading One morning, a few weeks after the trip to Chioggia, as Chico was making his customary early flight, his bright eyes caught sight of some enticing crumbs on the pavement close to the steps leading to the new Campanile.
information about recent and important events
From this reading But no matter how interested he became in the sights and news of the Square, he was always on his ledge in time to greet his dear human friends, upon whose appearance there would ensue such an excited fluttering of wings and such a delighted cooing that Maria would laugh aloud in glee, while Andrea emptied his pockets of choicest tidbits.
not any; not one
From this reading But no matter how interested he became in the sights and news of the Square, he was always on his ledge in time to greet his dear human friends, upon whose appearance there would ensue such an excited fluttering of wings and such a delighted cooing that Maria would laugh aloud in glee, while Andrea emptied his pockets of choicest tidbits.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE Ever since Chico had become grown he had been in the habit of flying from his nest in the early morning for a brief survey of the Piazza.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading First, he would make his way to the famous well and, after a refreshing bath, would walk about on the ground for a while in search of stray morsels of food, perchance left by tourists the day before.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Then, on the way back to his ledge, he would stop for a moment here and there among the statuary for a gossipy "coo" with one and another pigeon friend.
pavementnounUS /ˈpeɪvmənt/
the paved surface of a thoroughfare
From this reading One morning, a few weeks after the trip to Chioggia, as Chico was making his customary early flight, his bright eyes caught sight of some enticing crumbs on the pavement close to the steps leading to the new Campanile.
perchanceadverbUS /pərˈtʃæns/
through chance
From this reading First, he would make his way to the famous well and, after a refreshing bath, would walk about on the ground for a while in search of stray morsels of food, perchance left by tourists the day before.
PiazzanounUS /piˈæzə/
a public square with room for pedestrians
From this reading A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE Ever since Chico had become grown he had been in the habit of flying from his nest in the early morning for a brief survey of the Piazza.
pigeonnounUS /ˈpɪdʒən/
wild and domesticated birds having a heavy body and short legs
From this reading Then, on the way back to his ledge, he would stop for a moment here and there among the statuary for a gossipy "coo" with one and another pigeon friend.
plural of “pocket” — a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading But no matter how interested he became in the sights and news of the Square, he was always on his ledge in time to greet his dear human friends, upon whose appearance there would ensue such an excited fluttering of wings and such a delighted cooing that Maria would laugh aloud in glee, while Andrea emptied his pockets of choicest tidbits.
refreshingadjectiveUS /rɪˈfreʃɪŋ/
imparting vitality and energy
From this reading First, he would make his way to the famous well and, after a refreshing bath, would walk about on the ground for a while in search of stray morsels of food, perchance left by tourists the day before.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading First, he would make his way to the famous well and, after a refreshing bath, would walk about on the ground for a while in search of stray morsels of food, perchance left by tourists the day before.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading One morning, a few weeks after the trip to Chioggia, as Chico was making his customary early flight, his bright eyes caught sight of some enticing crumbs on the pavement close to the steps leading to the new Campanile.
sightsnounUS /saɪts/
an optical instrument for aiding the eye in aiming, as on a firearm or surveying instrument
From this reading But no matter how interested he became in the sights and news of the Square, he was always on his ledge in time to greet his dear human friends, upon whose appearance there would ensue such an excited fluttering of wings and such a delighted cooing that Maria would laugh aloud in glee, while Andrea emptied his pockets of choicest tidbits.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE Ever since Chico had become grown he had been in the habit of flying from his nest in the early morning for a brief survey of the Piazza.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading One morning, a few weeks after the trip to Chioggia, as Chico was making his customary early flight, his bright eyes caught sight of some enticing crumbs on the pavement close to the steps leading to the new Campanile.
make square
From this reading But no matter how interested he became in the sights and news of the Square, he was always on his ledge in time to greet his dear human friends, upon whose appearance there would ensue such an excited fluttering of wings and such a delighted cooing that Maria would laugh aloud in glee, while Andrea emptied his pockets of choicest tidbits.
statuarynounUS /ˈstætʃuːeri/
statues collectively
From this reading Then, on the way back to his ledge, he would stop for a moment here and there among the statuary for a gossipy "coo" with one and another pigeon friend.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading One morning, a few weeks after the trip to Chioggia, as Chico was making his customary early flight, his bright eyes caught sight of some enticing crumbs on the pavement close to the steps leading to the new Campanile.
come to a halt, stop moving
From this reading Then, on the way back to his ledge, he would stop for a moment here and there among the statuary for a gossipy "coo" with one and another pigeon friend.
strayverbUS /streɪ/
move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading First, he would make his way to the famous well and, after a refreshing bath, would walk about on the ground for a while in search of stray morsels of food, perchance left by tourists the day before.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading But no matter how interested he became in the sights and news of the Square, he was always on his ledge in time to greet his dear human friends, upon whose appearance there would ensue such an excited fluttering of wings and such a delighted cooing that Maria would laugh aloud in glee, while Andrea emptied his pockets of choicest tidbits.
surveynounUS /sərˈveɪ/
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE Ever since Chico had become grown he had been in the habit of flying from his nest in the early morning for a brief survey of the Piazza.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE Ever since Chico had become grown he had been in the habit of flying from his nest in the early morning for a brief survey of the Piazza.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But no matter how interested he became in the sights and news of the Square, he was always on his ledge in time to greet his dear human friends, upon whose appearance there would ensue such an excited fluttering of wings and such a delighted cooing that Maria would laugh aloud in glee, while Andrea emptied his pockets of choicest tidbits.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE Ever since Chico had become grown he had been in the habit of flying from his nest in the early morning for a brief survey of the Piazza.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then, on the way back to his ledge, he would stop for a moment here and there among the statuary for a gossipy "coo" with one and another pigeon friend.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Then, on the way back to his ledge, he would stop for a moment here and there among the statuary for a gossipy "coo" with one and another pigeon friend.
tidbitsnounUS /ˈtɪdbɪts/
plural of “tidbit” — a small tasty bit of food
From this reading But no matter how interested he became in the sights and news of the Square, he was always on his ledge in time to greet his dear human friends, upon whose appearance there would ensue such an excited fluttering of wings and such a delighted cooing that Maria would laugh aloud in glee, while Andrea emptied his pockets of choicest tidbits.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading But no matter how interested he became in the sights and news of the Square, he was always on his ledge in time to greet his dear human friends, upon whose appearance there would ensue such an excited fluttering of wings and such a delighted cooing that Maria would laugh aloud in glee, while Andrea emptied his pockets of choicest tidbits.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading First, he would make his way to the famous well and, after a refreshing bath, would walk about on the ground for a while in search of stray morsels of food, perchance left by tourists the day before.
touristsnounUS /ˈtʊrəsts/
plural of “tourist” — someone who travels for pleasure
From this reading First, he would make his way to the famous well and, after a refreshing bath, would walk about on the ground for a while in search of stray morsels of food, perchance left by tourists the day before.
a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)
From this reading One morning, a few weeks after the trip to Chioggia, as Chico was making his customary early flight, his bright eyes caught sight of some enticing crumbs on the pavement close to the steps leading to the new Campanile.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading But no matter how interested he became in the sights and news of the Square, he was always on his ledge in time to greet his dear human friends, upon whose appearance there would ensue such an excited fluttering of wings and such a delighted cooing that Maria would laugh aloud in glee, while Andrea emptied his pockets of choicest tidbits.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading First, he would make his way to the famous well and, after a refreshing bath, would walk about on the ground for a while in search of stray morsels of food, perchance left by tourists the day before.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But no matter how interested he became in the sights and news of the Square, he was always on his ledge in time to greet his dear human friends, upon whose appearance there would ensue such an excited fluttering of wings and such a delighted cooing that Maria would laugh aloud in glee, while Andrea emptied his pockets of choicest tidbits.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading First, he would make his way to the famous well and, after a refreshing bath, would walk about on the ground for a while in search of stray morsels of food, perchance left by tourists the day before.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading One morning, a few weeks after the trip to Chioggia, as Chico was making his customary early flight, his bright eyes caught sight of some enticing crumbs on the pavement close to the steps leading to the new Campanile.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading First, he would make his way to the famous well and, after a refreshing bath, would walk about on the ground for a while in search of stray morsels of food, perchance left by tourists the day before.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading First, he would make his way to the famous well and, after a refreshing bath, would walk about on the ground for a while in search of stray morsels of food, perchance left by tourists the day before.
belonging to which person
From this reading But no matter how interested he became in the sights and news of the Square, he was always on his ledge in time to greet his dear human friends, upon whose appearance there would ensue such an excited fluttering of wings and such a delighted cooing that Maria would laugh aloud in glee, while Andrea emptied his pockets of choicest tidbits.
a means of flight or ascent
From this reading But no matter how interested he became in the sights and news of the Square, he was always on his ledge in time to greet his dear human friends, upon whose appearance there would ensue such an excited fluttering of wings and such a delighted cooing that Maria would laugh aloud in glee, while Andrea emptied his pockets of choicest tidbits.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Then, on the way back to his ledge, he would stop for a moment here and there among the statuary for a gossipy "coo" with one and another pigeon friend.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading First, he would make his way to the famous well and, after a refreshing bath, would walk about on the ground for a while in search of stray morsels of food, perchance left by tourists the day before.
