adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He was received by Colomba, and informed her the prefect was about to start, and was expecting her brother.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A few minutes after this message had been despatched, Orso came downstairs, and asked his sister whether the prefect had not sent for him.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Toward six o’clock next morning one of the prefect’s servants came and knocked at the door of Orso’s house.
askedverbUS /æskt/
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading A few minutes after this message had been despatched, Orso came downstairs, and asked his sister whether the prefect had not sent for him.
assurancenounUS /əˈʃʊrəns/
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading With the most perfect assurance she rejoined:
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Toward six o’clock next morning one of the prefect’s servants came and knocked at the door of Orso’s house.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A few minutes after this message had been despatched, Orso came downstairs, and asked his sister whether the prefect had not sent for him.
beggedverbUS /beɡd/
inflected form of “beg” — call upon in supplication; entreat
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
brothernounUS /ˈbrʌðər/
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading He was received by Colomba, and informed her the prefect was about to start, and was expecting her brother.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He was received by Colomba, and informed her the prefect was about to start, and was expecting her brother.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Toward six o’clock next morning one of the prefect’s servants came and knocked at the door of Orso’s house.
Colomba
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was received by Colomba, and informed her the prefect was about to start, and was expecting her brother.
comingnounUS /ˈkʌmɪŋ/
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
condescendverbUS /ˌkɑːndɪˈsend/
behave in a patronizing and condescending manner
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
despatched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few minutes after this message had been despatched, Orso came downstairs, and asked his sister whether the prefect had not sent for him.
doornounUS /dɔːr/
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Toward six o’clock next morning one of the prefect’s servants came and knocked at the door of Orso’s house.
downstairsadverbUS /ˈdaʊnˈsterz/
on a floor below
From this reading A few minutes after this message had been despatched, Orso came downstairs, and asked his sister whether the prefect had not sent for him.
excuseverbUS /ɪksˈkjuːs/
accept an excuse for
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
expectingverbUS /ɪkˈspektɪŋ/
-ing form of “expect” — regard something as probable or likely
From this reading He was received by Colomba, and informed her the prefect was about to start, and was expecting her brother.
fallverbUS /fɔːl/
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A few minutes after this message had been despatched, Orso came downstairs, and asked his sister whether the prefect had not sent for him.
footnounUS /fʊt/
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A few minutes after this message had been despatched, Orso came downstairs, and asked his sister whether the prefect had not sent for him.
gratefuladjectiveUS /ˈɡreɪtfəl/
feeling or showing gratitude
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was received by Colomba, and informed her the prefect was about to start, and was expecting her brother.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He was received by Colomba, and informed her the prefect was about to start, and was expecting her brother.
hesitationnounUS /ˌhezəˈteɪʃən/
indecision in speech or action
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Toward six o’clock next morning one of the prefect’s servants came and knocked at the door of Orso’s house.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
informedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfɔːrmd/
having much knowledge or education
From this reading He was received by Colomba, and informed her the prefect was about to start, and was expecting her brother.
justadverbUS /dʒʌst/
and nothing more
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
knockedverbUS /nɑːkt/
past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading Toward six o’clock next morning one of the prefect’s servants came and knocked at the door of Orso’s house.
messagenounUS /ˈmesədʒ/
a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled
From this reading A few minutes after this message had been despatched, Orso came downstairs, and asked his sister whether the prefect had not sent for him.
minutesnounUS /ˈmɪnəts/
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading A few minutes after this message had been despatched, Orso came downstairs, and asked his sister whether the prefect had not sent for him.
moment'snounUS /ˈmoʊmənts/
possessive form of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Toward six o’clock next morning one of the prefect’s servants came and knocked at the door of Orso’s house.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading With the most perfect assurance she rejoined:
nextadjectiveUS /nekst/
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Toward six o’clock next morning one of the prefect’s servants came and knocked at the door of Orso’s house.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A few minutes after this message had been despatched, Orso came downstairs, and asked his sister whether the prefect had not sent for him.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading Toward six o’clock next morning one of the prefect’s servants came and knocked at the door of Orso’s house.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Toward six o’clock next morning one of the prefect’s servants came and knocked at the door of Orso’s house.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Toward six o’clock next morning one of the prefect’s servants came and knocked at the door of Orso’s house.
Orso
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few minutes after this message had been despatched, Orso came downstairs, and asked his sister whether the prefect had not sent for him.
Orso's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Toward six o’clock next morning one of the prefect’s servants came and knocked at the door of Orso’s house.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
perfectadjectiveUS /pərˈfekt/
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading With the most perfect assurance she rejoined:
prefectnounUS /ˈpriːfekt/
a chief officer or chief magistrate
From this reading He was received by Colomba, and informed her the prefect was about to start, and was expecting her brother.
prefect's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Toward six o’clock next morning one of the prefect’s servants came and knocked at the door of Orso’s house.
receivedadjectiveUS /rəˈsiːvd/
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading He was received by Colomba, and informed her the prefect was about to start, and was expecting her brother.
rejoinedverbUS /riˈdʒɔɪnd/
past form of “rejoin” — join again
From this reading With the most perfect assurance she rejoined:
repliedverbUS /rɪˈplaɪd/
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
sentnounUS /sent/
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading A few minutes after this message had been despatched, Orso came downstairs, and asked his sister whether the prefect had not sent for him.
servantsnounUS /ˈsɜːrvənts/
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading Toward six o’clock next morning one of the prefect’s servants came and knocked at the door of Orso’s house.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading With the most perfect assurance she rejoined:
singleadjectiveUS /ˈsɪŋɡəl/
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
sisternounUS /ˈsɪstər/
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading A few minutes after this message had been despatched, Orso came downstairs, and asked his sister whether the prefect had not sent for him.
sixnounUS /sɪks/
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading Toward six o’clock next morning one of the prefect’s servants came and knocked at the door of Orso’s house.
sprainedverbUS /spreɪnd/
past form of “sprain” — twist suddenly so as to sprain
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
stairsnounUS /sterz/
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
startverbUS /stɑːrt/
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading He was received by Colomba, and informed her the prefect was about to start, and was expecting her brother.
stepnounUS /step/
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
takeverbUS /teɪk/
carry out
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Toward six o’clock next morning one of the prefect’s servants came and knocked at the door of Orso’s house.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading A few minutes after this message had been despatched, Orso came downstairs, and asked his sister whether the prefect had not sent for him.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was received by Colomba, and informed her the prefect was about to start, and was expecting her brother.
TowardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Toward six o’clock next morning one of the prefect’s servants came and knocked at the door of Orso’s house.
troublenounUS /ˈtrʌbəl/
a source of difficulty
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
unableadjectiveUS /əˈneɪbəl/
(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
walknounUS /wɔːk/
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was received by Colomba, and informed her the prefect was about to start, and was expecting her brother.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading A few minutes after this message had been despatched, Orso came downstairs, and asked his sister whether the prefect had not sent for him.
WithprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading With the most perfect assurance she rejoined:
WithoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
