adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Orso found Colomba in a state of considerable anxiety because of his prolonged absence.
absencenounUS /ˈæbsəns/
the state of being absent
From this reading Orso found Colomba in a state of considerable anxiety because of his prolonged absence.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading “Brandolaccio is an upright man,” said Colomba; “but as to Castriconi, I have heard he is quite unprincipled.”
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
anxietynounUS /æŋˈzaɪəti/
(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic
From this reading Orso found Colomba in a state of considerable anxiety because of his prolonged absence.
apparentadjectiveUS /əˈperənt/
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But as soon as she saw him she recovered her usual serene, though sad, expression.
banditsnounUS /ˈbændəts/
plural of “bandit” — an armed thief who is (usually) a member of a band
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading Orso found Colomba in a state of considerable anxiety because of his prolonged absence.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
Brandolaccio
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Brandolaccio is an upright man,” said Colomba; “but as to Castriconi, I have heard he is quite unprincipled.”
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But as soon as she saw him she recovered her usual serene, though sad, expression.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
calmverbUS /kɑːm/
make calm or still
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
carenounUS /ker/
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
Castriconi
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
Chilina
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
colleaguenounUS /ˈkɑːliɡ/
an associate that one works with
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
Colomba
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Orso found Colomba in a state of considerable anxiety because of his prolonged absence.
concerningverbUS /kənˈsɜːrnɪŋ/
-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
considerableadjectiveUS /kənˈsɪdərəbəl/
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Orso found Colomba in a state of considerable anxiety because of his prolonged absence.
conversationnounUS /ˌkɑːnvərˈseɪʃən/
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
educationnounUS /ˌedʒəˈkeɪʃən/
the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
emboldenedadjectiveUS /emˈboʊldənd/
made bold or courageous
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
encounterverbUS /ɪnˈkaʊntər/
come together
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
expressionnounUS /ɪkˈspreʃən/
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading But as soon as she saw him she recovered her usual serene, though sad, expression.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading Orso found Colomba in a state of considerable anxiety because of his prolonged absence.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading “I think,” said Orso, “that he is as good as Brandolaccio, and Brandolaccio is as good as he.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “Brandolaccio is an upright man,” said Colomba; “but as to Castriconi, I have heard he is quite unprincipled.”
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Brandolaccio is an upright man,” said Colomba; “but as to Castriconi, I have heard he is quite unprincipled.”
heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading “Brandolaccio is an upright man,” said Colomba; “but as to Castriconi, I have heard he is quite unprincipled.”
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading But as soon as she saw him she recovered her usual serene, though sad, expression.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But as soon as she saw him she recovered her usual serene, though sad, expression.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Orso found Colomba in a state of considerable anxiety because of his prolonged absence.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Brandolaccio is an upright man,” said Colomba; “but as to Castriconi, I have heard he is quite unprincipled.”
impartedverbUS /ˌɪmˈpɑːrtɪd/
past form of “impart” — transmit (knowledge or skills)
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Orso found Colomba in a state of considerable anxiety because of his prolonged absence.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Brandolaccio is an upright man,” said Colomba; “but as to Castriconi, I have heard he is quite unprincipled.”
jokenounUS /dʒoʊk/
a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading “Brandolaccio is an upright man,” said Colomba; “but as to Castriconi, I have heard he is quite unprincipled.”
mealnounUS /miːl/
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
moraladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrəl/
concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Orso found Colomba in a state of considerable anxiety because of his prolonged absence.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
Orso
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Orso found Colomba in a state of considerable anxiety because of his prolonged absence.
prolongedadjectiveUS /prəˈlɔːŋd/
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading Orso found Colomba in a state of considerable anxiety because of his prolonged absence.
quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading “Brandolaccio is an upright man,” said Colomba; “but as to Castriconi, I have heard he is quite unprincipled.”
recoveredadjectiveUS /rəˈkʌvərd/
freed from illness or injury
From this reading But as soon as she saw him she recovered her usual serene, though sad, expression.
relatedadjectiveUS /rɪˈleɪtɪd/
being connected either logically or causally or by shared characteristics
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
religiousadjectiveUS /rɪˈlɪdʒəs/
concerned with sacred matters or religion or the church
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
sadadjectiveUS /sæd/
experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading But as soon as she saw him she recovered her usual serene, though sad, expression.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Brandolaccio is an upright man,” said Colomba; “but as to Castriconi, I have heard he is quite unprincipled.”
sawverbUS /sɔː/
cut with a saw
From this reading But as soon as she saw him she recovered her usual serene, though sad, expression.
sereneadjectiveUS /sərˈiːn/
not agitated; without losing self-possession
From this reading But as soon as she saw him she recovered her usual serene, though sad, expression.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But as soon as she saw him she recovered her usual serene, though sad, expression.
SignornounUS /ˈsiːnjɔːr/
used as an Italian courtesy title; can be prefixed to the name or used separately
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
sister'snounUS /ˈsɪstərz/
possessive form of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
soonadverbUS /suːn/
in the near future
From this reading But as soon as she saw him she recovered her usual serene, though sad, expression.
statenounUS /steɪt/
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading Orso found Colomba in a state of considerable anxiety because of his prolonged absence.
subjectsnounUS /ˈsʌbdʒɪkts/
plural of “subject” — the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
thanksnounUS /θæŋks/
an acknowledgment of appreciation
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading “I think,” said Orso, “that he is as good as Brandolaccio, and Brandolaccio is as good as he.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading But as soon as she saw him she recovered her usual serene, though sad, expression.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
trivialadjectiveUS /ˈtrɪviəl/
(informal) small and of little importance
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
turnedadjectiveUS /tɜːrnd/
moved around an axis or center
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
unclenounUS /ˈʌŋkəl/
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
unprincipledadjectiveUS /ənˈprɪnsəpəld/
lacking principles or moral scruples
From this reading “Brandolaccio is an upright man,” said Colomba; “but as to Castriconi, I have heard he is quite unprincipled.”
uprightadjectiveUS /əˈpraɪt/
in a vertical position; not sloping
From this reading “Brandolaccio is an upright man,” said Colomba; “but as to Castriconi, I have heard he is quite unprincipled.”
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading But as soon as she saw him she recovered her usual serene, though sad, expression.
venturedverbUS /ˈventʃərd/
past form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
worthyadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːr.ði/
Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.
From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
