used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Of a sudden, she felt two hands over her eyes.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading The maiden looked at the paper which gave the account of Ibarra's death, drowned in the lake, but she neither saw nor read it.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Neither the diamonds in their blue velvet caskets, nor the embroidered piña, nor the pieces of silk had any attractions for Maria Clara.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The maiden looked at the paper which gave the account of Ibarra's death, drowned in the lake, but she neither saw nor read it.
attractionsnounUS /əˈtrækʃənz/
plural of “attraction” — the force by which one object attracts another
From this reading Neither the diamonds in their blue velvet caskets, nor the embroidered piña, nor the pieces of silk had any attractions for Maria Clara.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Neither the diamonds in their blue velvet caskets, nor the embroidered piña, nor the pieces of silk had any attractions for Maria Clara.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The maiden looked at the paper which gave the account of Ibarra's death, drowned in the lake, but she neither saw nor read it.
casketsnounUS /ˈkæskəts/
plural of “casket” — box in which a corpse is buried or cremated
From this reading Neither the diamonds in their blue velvet caskets, nor the embroidered piña, nor the pieces of silk had any attractions for Maria Clara.
Clara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Neither the diamonds in their blue velvet caskets, nor the embroidered piña, nor the pieces of silk had any attractions for Maria Clara.
costlyadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːstli/
entailing great loss or sacrifice
From this reading In vain the costly wedding gifts were heaped upon the table.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading The maiden looked at the paper which gave the account of Ibarra's death, drowned in the lake, but she neither saw nor read it.
diamondsnounUS /ˈdaɪməndz/
plural of “diamond” — a transparent piece of diamond that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem
From this reading Neither the diamonds in their blue velvet caskets, nor the embroidered piña, nor the pieces of silk had any attractions for Maria Clara.
drownedverbUS /draʊnd/
past form of “drown” — cover completely or make imperceptible
From this reading The maiden looked at the paper which gave the account of Ibarra's death, drowned in the lake, but she neither saw nor read it.
DÁMASO
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FATHER DÁMASO EXPLAINS.
embroideredverbUS /emˈbrɔɪdərd/
past form of “embroider” — decorate with needlework
From this reading Neither the diamonds in their blue velvet caskets, nor the embroidered piña, nor the pieces of silk had any attractions for Maria Clara.
EXPLAINSverbUS /ɪkˈspleɪnz/
third-person singular of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading FATHER DÁMASO EXPLAINS.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Of a sudden, she felt two hands over her eyes.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading FATHER DÁMASO EXPLAINS.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Of a sudden, she felt two hands over her eyes.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Neither the diamonds in their blue velvet caskets, nor the embroidered piña, nor the pieces of silk had any attractions for Maria Clara.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading The maiden looked at the paper which gave the account of Ibarra's death, drowned in the lake, but she neither saw nor read it.
giftsnounUS /ɡɪfts/
plural of “gift” — something acquired without compensation
From this reading In vain the costly wedding gifts were heaped upon the table.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Neither the diamonds in their blue velvet caskets, nor the embroidered piña, nor the pieces of silk had any attractions for Maria Clara.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Of a sudden, she felt two hands over her eyes.
heapedverbUS /hiːpt/
past form of “heap” — bestow in large quantities
From this reading In vain the costly wedding gifts were heaped upon the table.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Of a sudden, she felt two hands over her eyes.
Ibarra's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The maiden looked at the paper which gave the account of Ibarra's death, drowned in the lake, but she neither saw nor read it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In vain the costly wedding gifts were heaped upon the table.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The maiden looked at the paper which gave the account of Ibarra's death, drowned in the lake, but she neither saw nor read it.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading The maiden looked at the paper which gave the account of Ibarra's death, drowned in the lake, but she neither saw nor read it.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The maiden looked at the paper which gave the account of Ibarra's death, drowned in the lake, but she neither saw nor read it.
an unmarried girl (especially a virgin)
From this reading The maiden looked at the paper which gave the account of Ibarra's death, drowned in the lake, but she neither saw nor read it.
a dark region of considerable extent on the surface of the moon
From this reading Neither the diamonds in their blue velvet caskets, nor the embroidered piña, nor the pieces of silk had any attractions for Maria Clara.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading Neither the diamonds in their blue velvet caskets, nor the embroidered piña, nor the pieces of silk had any attractions for Maria Clara.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Neither the diamonds in their blue velvet caskets, nor the embroidered piña, nor the pieces of silk had any attractions for Maria Clara.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Neither the diamonds in their blue velvet caskets, nor the embroidered piña, nor the pieces of silk had any attractions for Maria Clara.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Of a sudden, she felt two hands over her eyes.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading The maiden looked at the paper which gave the account of Ibarra's death, drowned in the lake, but she neither saw nor read it.
plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole
From this reading Neither the diamonds in their blue velvet caskets, nor the embroidered piña, nor the pieces of silk had any attractions for Maria Clara.
piña
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Neither the diamonds in their blue velvet caskets, nor the embroidered piña, nor the pieces of silk had any attractions for Maria Clara.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading The maiden looked at the paper which gave the account of Ibarra's death, drowned in the lake, but she neither saw nor read it.
cut with a saw
From this reading The maiden looked at the paper which gave the account of Ibarra's death, drowned in the lake, but she neither saw nor read it.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The maiden looked at the paper which gave the account of Ibarra's death, drowned in the lake, but she neither saw nor read it.
a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae
From this reading Neither the diamonds in their blue velvet caskets, nor the embroidered piña, nor the pieces of silk had any attractions for Maria Clara.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading Of a sudden, she felt two hands over her eyes.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading In vain the costly wedding gifts were heaped upon the table.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In vain the costly wedding gifts were heaped upon the table.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Neither the diamonds in their blue velvet caskets, nor the embroidered piña, nor the pieces of silk had any attractions for Maria Clara.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Of a sudden, she felt two hands over her eyes.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading In vain the costly wedding gifts were heaped upon the table.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading In vain the costly wedding gifts were heaped upon the table.
velvetnounUS /ˈvelvət/
a silky densely piled fabric with a plain back
From this reading Neither the diamonds in their blue velvet caskets, nor the embroidered piña, nor the pieces of silk had any attractions for Maria Clara.
the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed
From this reading In vain the costly wedding gifts were heaped upon the table.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In vain the costly wedding gifts were heaped upon the table.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The maiden looked at the paper which gave the account of Ibarra's death, drowned in the lake, but she neither saw nor read it.
