adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The shadow of branching palms fell on the Signorina's hair and hands as she sat at work near the fountain in the garden weaving a great wreath of wild cyclamen and of fern gathered from the hillside.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Daphne only smiled at her and went on winding white cord about the stems under green fronds where it could not be seen.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading "I was ready to buy a wreath of beautiful gauze flowers from Rome," ventured Assunta, "all colors, red and yellow and purple.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The shadow of branching palms fell on the Signorina's hair and hands as she sat at work near the fountain in the garden weaving a great wreath of wild cyclamen and of fern gathered from the hillside.
anxiouslyadverbUS /ˈæŋkʃəsli/
with anxiety or apprehension
From this reading Assunta was watching her anxiously, her hands resting on her hips.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The shadow of branching palms fell on the Signorina's hair and hands as she sat at work near the fountain in the garden weaving a great wreath of wild cyclamen and of fern gathered from the hillside.
Assunta
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Assunta was watching her anxiously, her hands resting on her hips.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The shadow of branching palms fell on the Signorina's hair and hands as she sat at work near the fountain in the garden weaving a great wreath of wild cyclamen and of fern gathered from the hillside.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Daphne only smiled at her and went on winding white cord about the stems under green fronds where it could not be seen.
beautifuladjectiveUS /ˈbjuːtəfəl/
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading "I was ready to buy a wreath of beautiful gauze flowers from Rome," ventured Assunta, "all colors, red and yellow and purple.
branchingadjectiveUS /ˈbræntʃɪŋ/
having branches
From this reading The shadow of branching palms fell on the Signorina's hair and hands as she sat at work near the fountain in the garden weaving a great wreath of wild cyclamen and of fern gathered from the hillside.
buyverbUS /baɪ/
obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction
From this reading "I was ready to buy a wreath of beautiful gauze flowers from Rome," ventured Assunta, "all colors, red and yellow and purple.
colorsnounUS /ˈkʌlərz/
a flag that shows its nationality
From this reading "I was ready to buy a wreath of beautiful gauze flowers from Rome," ventured Assunta, "all colors, red and yellow and purple.
commonadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmən/
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading "It's a poor thing to offer the Madonna," she said at length, "just common things that grow."
cordnounUS /kɔːrd/
a line made of twisted fibers or threads
From this reading Daphne only smiled at her and went on winding white cord about the stems under green fronds where it could not be seen.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Daphne only smiled at her and went on winding white cord about the stems under green fronds where it could not be seen.
cyclamennounUS /ˈsaɪkləmen/
Mediterranean plant widely cultivated as a houseplant for its showy dark green leaves splotched with silver and nodding white or pink to reddish flowers with reflexed petals
From this reading The shadow of branching palms fell on the Signorina's hair and hands as she sat at work near the fountain in the garden weaving a great wreath of wild cyclamen and of fern gathered from the hillside.
DaphnenounUS /ˈdæfni/
any of several ornamental shrubs with shiny mostly evergreen leaves and clusters of small bell-shaped flowers
From this reading Daphne only smiled at her and went on winding white cord about the stems under green fronds where it could not be seen.
fellverbUS /fel/
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading The shadow of branching palms fell on the Signorina's hair and hands as she sat at work near the fountain in the garden weaving a great wreath of wild cyclamen and of fern gathered from the hillside.
fernnounUS /fɜːrn/
any of numerous flowerless and seedless vascular plants having true roots from a rhizome and fronds that uncurl upward; reproduce by spores
From this reading The shadow of branching palms fell on the Signorina's hair and hands as she sat at work near the fountain in the garden weaving a great wreath of wild cyclamen and of fern gathered from the hillside.
flowersnounUS /ˈflaʊərz/
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading "I was ready to buy a wreath of beautiful gauze flowers from Rome," ventured Assunta, "all colors, red and yellow and purple.
fountainnounUS /ˈfaʊntən/
a structure from which an artificially produced jet of water arises
From this reading The shadow of branching palms fell on the Signorina's hair and hands as she sat at work near the fountain in the garden weaving a great wreath of wild cyclamen and of fern gathered from the hillside.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The shadow of branching palms fell on the Signorina's hair and hands as she sat at work near the fountain in the garden weaving a great wreath of wild cyclamen and of fern gathered from the hillside.
frondsnounUS /frɑːndz/
plural of “frond” — compound leaf of a fern or palm or cycad
From this reading Daphne only smiled at her and went on winding white cord about the stems under green fronds where it could not be seen.
gardennounUS /ˈɡɑːrdən/
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading The shadow of branching palms fell on the Signorina's hair and hands as she sat at work near the fountain in the garden weaving a great wreath of wild cyclamen and of fern gathered from the hillside.
gatheredadjectiveUS /ˈɡæðərd/
brought together in one place
From this reading The shadow of branching palms fell on the Signorina's hair and hands as she sat at work near the fountain in the garden weaving a great wreath of wild cyclamen and of fern gathered from the hillside.
gauzenounUS /ɡɔːz/
(medicine) bleached cotton cloth of plain weave used for bandages and dressings
From this reading "I was ready to buy a wreath of beautiful gauze flowers from Rome," ventured Assunta, "all colors, red and yellow and purple.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The shadow of branching palms fell on the Signorina's hair and hands as she sat at work near the fountain in the garden weaving a great wreath of wild cyclamen and of fern gathered from the hillside.
greennounUS /ɡriːn/
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading Daphne only smiled at her and went on winding white cord about the stems under green fronds where it could not be seen.
growverbUS /ɡroʊ/
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading "It's a poor thing to offer the Madonna," she said at length, "just common things that grow."
hairnounUS /her/
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading The shadow of branching palms fell on the Signorina's hair and hands as she sat at work near the fountain in the garden weaving a great wreath of wild cyclamen and of fern gathered from the hillside.
handsnounUS /hændz/
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading The shadow of branching palms fell on the Signorina's hair and hands as she sat at work near the fountain in the garden weaving a great wreath of wild cyclamen and of fern gathered from the hillside.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Assunta was watching her anxiously, her hands resting on her hips.
hillsidenounUS /ˈhɪlsaɪd/
the side or slope of a hill
From this reading The shadow of branching palms fell on the Signorina's hair and hands as she sat at work near the fountain in the garden weaving a great wreath of wild cyclamen and of fern gathered from the hillside.
hipsnounUS /hɪps/
plural of “hip” — either side of the body below the waist and above the thigh
From this reading Assunta was watching her anxiously, her hands resting on her hips.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I was ready to buy a wreath of beautiful gauze flowers from Rome," ventured Assunta, "all colors, red and yellow and purple.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The shadow of branching palms fell on the Signorina's hair and hands as she sat at work near the fountain in the garden weaving a great wreath of wild cyclamen and of fern gathered from the hillside.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Daphne only smiled at her and went on winding white cord about the stems under green fronds where it could not be seen.
It's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It's a poor thing to offer the Madonna," she said at length, "just common things that grow."
justadverbUS /dʒʌst/
and nothing more
From this reading "It's a poor thing to offer the Madonna," she said at length, "just common things that grow."
lengthnounUS /leŋkθ/
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading "It's a poor thing to offer the Madonna," she said at length, "just common things that grow."
MadonnanounUS /məˈdɑːnə/
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading "It's a poor thing to offer the Madonna," she said at length, "just common things that grow."
nearadverbUS /nɪr/
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading The shadow of branching palms fell on the Signorina's hair and hands as she sat at work near the fountain in the garden weaving a great wreath of wild cyclamen and of fern gathered from the hillside.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Daphne only smiled at her and went on winding white cord about the stems under green fronds where it could not be seen.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The shadow of branching palms fell on the Signorina's hair and hands as she sat at work near the fountain in the garden weaving a great wreath of wild cyclamen and of fern gathered from the hillside.
offerverbUS /ˈɔːfər/
make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading "It's a poor thing to offer the Madonna," she said at length, "just common things that grow."
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The shadow of branching palms fell on the Signorina's hair and hands as she sat at work near the fountain in the garden weaving a great wreath of wild cyclamen and of fern gathered from the hillside.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading Daphne only smiled at her and went on winding white cord about the stems under green fronds where it could not be seen.
palmsnounUS /pɑːmz/
plural of “palm” — the inner surface of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers
From this reading The shadow of branching palms fell on the Signorina's hair and hands as she sat at work near the fountain in the garden weaving a great wreath of wild cyclamen and of fern gathered from the hillside.
pooradjectiveUS /puːr/
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading "It's a poor thing to offer the Madonna," she said at length, "just common things that grow."
purplenounUS /ˈpɜːrpəl/
a purple color or pigment
From this reading "I was ready to buy a wreath of beautiful gauze flowers from Rome," ventured Assunta, "all colors, red and yellow and purple.
readyadjectiveUS /ˈredi/
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading "I was ready to buy a wreath of beautiful gauze flowers from Rome," ventured Assunta, "all colors, red and yellow and purple.
rednounUS /red/
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading "I was ready to buy a wreath of beautiful gauze flowers from Rome," ventured Assunta, "all colors, red and yellow and purple.
restingverbUS /ˈrestɪŋ/
-ing form of “rest” — not move; be in a resting position
From this reading Assunta was watching her anxiously, her hands resting on her hips.
RomenounUS /roʊm/
capital and largest city of Italy; on the Tiber; seat of the Roman Catholic Church; formerly the capital of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire
From this reading "I was ready to buy a wreath of beautiful gauze flowers from Rome," ventured Assunta, "all colors, red and yellow and purple.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "It's a poor thing to offer the Madonna," she said at length, "just common things that grow."
satnounUS /sæt/
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading The shadow of branching palms fell on the Signorina's hair and hands as she sat at work near the fountain in the garden weaving a great wreath of wild cyclamen and of fern gathered from the hillside.
seenverbUS /siːn/
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Daphne only smiled at her and went on winding white cord about the stems under green fronds where it could not be seen.
shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading The shadow of branching palms fell on the Signorina's hair and hands as she sat at work near the fountain in the garden weaving a great wreath of wild cyclamen and of fern gathered from the hillside.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The shadow of branching palms fell on the Signorina's hair and hands as she sat at work near the fountain in the garden weaving a great wreath of wild cyclamen and of fern gathered from the hillside.
Signorina's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shadow of branching palms fell on the Signorina's hair and hands as she sat at work near the fountain in the garden weaving a great wreath of wild cyclamen and of fern gathered from the hillside.
smiledverbUS /smaɪld/
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading Daphne only smiled at her and went on winding white cord about the stems under green fronds where it could not be seen.
stemsnounUS /stemz/
plural of “stem” — (linguistics) the form of a word after all affixes are removed
From this reading Daphne only smiled at her and went on winding white cord about the stems under green fronds where it could not be seen.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "It's a poor thing to offer the Madonna," she said at length, "just common things that grow."
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The shadow of branching palms fell on the Signorina's hair and hands as she sat at work near the fountain in the garden weaving a great wreath of wild cyclamen and of fern gathered from the hillside.
thingnounUS /θɪŋ/
a special situation
From this reading "It's a poor thing to offer the Madonna," she said at length, "just common things that grow."
thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading "It's a poor thing to offer the Madonna," she said at length, "just common things that grow."
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "It's a poor thing to offer the Madonna," she said at length, "just common things that grow."
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Daphne only smiled at her and went on winding white cord about the stems under green fronds where it could not be seen.
venturedverbUS /ˈventʃərd/
past form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers
From this reading "I was ready to buy a wreath of beautiful gauze flowers from Rome," ventured Assunta, "all colors, red and yellow and purple.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Assunta was watching her anxiously, her hands resting on her hips.
watchingnounUS /ˈwɑːtʃɪŋ/
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading Assunta was watching her anxiously, her hands resting on her hips.
weavingnounUS /ˈwiːvɪŋ/
creating fabric
From this reading The shadow of branching palms fell on the Signorina's hair and hands as she sat at work near the fountain in the garden weaving a great wreath of wild cyclamen and of fern gathered from the hillside.
wentverbUS /went/
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Daphne only smiled at her and went on winding white cord about the stems under green fronds where it could not be seen.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading Daphne only smiled at her and went on winding white cord about the stems under green fronds where it could not be seen.
whitenounUS /waɪt/
a Caucasian
From this reading Daphne only smiled at her and went on winding white cord about the stems under green fronds where it could not be seen.
wildadjectiveUS /waɪld/
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading The shadow of branching palms fell on the Signorina's hair and hands as she sat at work near the fountain in the garden weaving a great wreath of wild cyclamen and of fern gathered from the hillside.
windingadjectiveUS /ˈwaɪndɪŋ/
marked by repeated turns and bends
From this reading Daphne only smiled at her and went on winding white cord about the stems under green fronds where it could not be seen.
workverbUS /wɜːrk/
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading The shadow of branching palms fell on the Signorina's hair and hands as she sat at work near the fountain in the garden weaving a great wreath of wild cyclamen and of fern gathered from the hillside.
wreathnounUS /riːθ/
flower arrangement consisting of a circular band of foliage or flowers for ornamental purposes
From this reading The shadow of branching palms fell on the Signorina's hair and hands as she sat at work near the fountain in the garden weaving a great wreath of wild cyclamen and of fern gathered from the hillside.
yellowadjectiveUS /ˈjeloʊ/
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading "I was ready to buy a wreath of beautiful gauze flowers from Rome," ventured Assunta, "all colors, red and yellow and purple.
