used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A bad cold and the increasing rain were keeping him a prisoner.
past form of “act” — perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading The next afternoon the Cardinal was dictating letters to his chaplain, who also acted as his secretary.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading The next afternoon the Cardinal was dictating letters to his chaplain, who also acted as his secretary.
in addition
From this reading The next afternoon the Cardinal was dictating letters to his chaplain, who also acted as his secretary.
a cherished desire
From this reading The young priest bent over the table, writing for dear life, torn between his desire to keep up with the silver fluency of the speaker and his ambition to make the large page look like a lithographed example of perfect penmanship.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A bad cold and the increasing rain were keeping him a prisoner.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The next afternoon the Cardinal was dictating letters to his chaplain, who also acted as his secretary.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading So he sat in the little crimson-walled study, leaning back in his chair and delivering his sentences in beautiful epistolary Italian, less like every-day colloquial than Horace is like Church Latin.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading A bad cold and the increasing rain were keeping him a prisoner.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading So he sat in the little crimson-walled study, leaning back in his chair and delivering his sentences in beautiful epistolary Italian, less like every-day colloquial than Horace is like Church Latin.
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading The young priest bent over the table, writing for dear life, torn between his desire to keep up with the silver fluency of the speaker and his ambition to make the large page look like a lithographed example of perfect penmanship.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The young priest bent over the table, writing for dear life, torn between his desire to keep up with the silver fluency of the speaker and his ambition to make the large page look like a lithographed example of perfect penmanship.
the bodily process of inhalation and exhalation; the process of taking in oxygen from inhaled air and releasing carbon dioxide by exhalation
From this reading The entrance of Domenico promised him a breathing space, but it was a vain hope.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The entrance of Domenico promised him a breathing space, but it was a vain hope.
CardinalnounUS /ˈkɑːrdənəl/
(Roman Catholic Church) one of a group of more than 100 prominent bishops in the Sacred College who advise the Pope and elect new Popes
From this reading The next afternoon the Cardinal was dictating letters to his chaplain, who also acted as his secretary.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading So he sat in the little crimson-walled study, leaning back in his chair and delivering his sentences in beautiful epistolary Italian, less like every-day colloquial than Horace is like Church Latin.
chaplainnounUS /ˈtʃæplən/
a clergyman ministering to some institution
From this reading The next afternoon the Cardinal was dictating letters to his chaplain, who also acted as his secretary.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading So he sat in the little crimson-walled study, leaning back in his chair and delivering his sentences in beautiful epistolary Italian, less like every-day colloquial than Horace is like Church Latin.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading A bad cold and the increasing rain were keeping him a prisoner.
colloquialadjectiveUS /kəˈloʊkwiəl/
characteristic of informal spoken language or conversation
From this reading So he sat in the little crimson-walled study, leaning back in his chair and delivering his sentences in beautiful epistolary Italian, less like every-day colloquial than Horace is like Church Latin.
crimson-walled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So he sat in the little crimson-walled study, leaning back in his chair and delivering his sentences in beautiful epistolary Italian, less like every-day colloquial than Horace is like Church Latin.
dearly loved
From this reading The young priest bent over the table, writing for dear life, torn between his desire to keep up with the silver fluency of the speaker and his ambition to make the large page look like a lithographed example of perfect penmanship.
deliveringverbUS /dɪˈlɪvərɪŋ/
-ing form of “deliver” — deliver (a speech, oration, or idea)
From this reading So he sat in the little crimson-walled study, leaning back in his chair and delivering his sentences in beautiful epistolary Italian, less like every-day colloquial than Horace is like Church Latin.
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading The young priest bent over the table, writing for dear life, torn between his desire to keep up with the silver fluency of the speaker and his ambition to make the large page look like a lithographed example of perfect penmanship.
dictatingverbUS /ˈdɪkteɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “dictate” — issue commands or orders for
From this reading The next afternoon the Cardinal was dictating letters to his chaplain, who also acted as his secretary.
Domenico
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The entrance of Domenico promised him a breathing space, but it was a vain hope.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading The entrance of Domenico promised him a breathing space, but it was a vain hope.
epistolaryadjectiveUS /ɪˈpɪstəleri/
written in the form of or carried on by letters or correspondence
From this reading So he sat in the little crimson-walled study, leaning back in his chair and delivering his sentences in beautiful epistolary Italian, less like every-day colloquial than Horace is like Church Latin.
every-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So he sat in the little crimson-walled study, leaning back in his chair and delivering his sentences in beautiful epistolary Italian, less like every-day colloquial than Horace is like Church Latin.
an item of information that is typical of a class or group
From this reading The young priest bent over the table, writing for dear life, torn between his desire to keep up with the silver fluency of the speaker and his ambition to make the large page look like a lithographed example of perfect penmanship.
fluencynounUS /ˈfluːənsi/
powerful and effective language
From this reading The young priest bent over the table, writing for dear life, torn between his desire to keep up with the silver fluency of the speaker and his ambition to make the large page look like a lithographed example of perfect penmanship.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The young priest bent over the table, writing for dear life, torn between his desire to keep up with the silver fluency of the speaker and his ambition to make the large page look like a lithographed example of perfect penmanship.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So he sat in the little crimson-walled study, leaning back in his chair and delivering his sentences in beautiful epistolary Italian, less like every-day colloquial than Horace is like Church Latin.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A bad cold and the increasing rain were keeping him a prisoner.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The next afternoon the Cardinal was dictating letters to his chaplain, who also acted as his secretary.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading The entrance of Domenico promised him a breathing space, but it was a vain hope.
HoracenounUS /ˈhɔːrəs/
Roman lyric poet said to have influenced English poetry (65-8 BC)
From this reading So he sat in the little crimson-walled study, leaning back in his chair and delivering his sentences in beautiful epistolary Italian, less like every-day colloquial than Horace is like Church Latin.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading So he sat in the little crimson-walled study, leaning back in his chair and delivering his sentences in beautiful epistolary Italian, less like every-day colloquial than Horace is like Church Latin.
increasingadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkriːsɪŋ/
becoming greater or larger
From this reading A bad cold and the increasing rain were keeping him a prisoner.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading So he sat in the little crimson-walled study, leaning back in his chair and delivering his sentences in beautiful epistolary Italian, less like every-day colloquial than Horace is like Church Latin.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The entrance of Domenico promised him a breathing space, but it was a vain hope.
a native or inhabitant of Italy
From this reading So he sat in the little crimson-walled study, leaning back in his chair and delivering his sentences in beautiful epistolary Italian, less like every-day colloquial than Horace is like Church Latin.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading The young priest bent over the table, writing for dear life, torn between his desire to keep up with the silver fluency of the speaker and his ambition to make the large page look like a lithographed example of perfect penmanship.
conformity or harmony
From this reading A bad cold and the increasing rain were keeping him a prisoner.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The young priest bent over the table, writing for dear life, torn between his desire to keep up with the silver fluency of the speaker and his ambition to make the large page look like a lithographed example of perfect penmanship.
LatinadjectiveUS /ˈlætən/
of or relating to the ancient Latins or the Latin language
From this reading So he sat in the little crimson-walled study, leaning back in his chair and delivering his sentences in beautiful epistolary Italian, less like every-day colloquial than Horace is like Church Latin.
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading So he sat in the little crimson-walled study, leaning back in his chair and delivering his sentences in beautiful epistolary Italian, less like every-day colloquial than Horace is like Church Latin.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading So he sat in the little crimson-walled study, leaning back in his chair and delivering his sentences in beautiful epistolary Italian, less like every-day colloquial than Horace is like Church Latin.
the literary culture
From this reading The next afternoon the Cardinal was dictating letters to his chaplain, who also acted as his secretary.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The young priest bent over the table, writing for dear life, torn between his desire to keep up with the silver fluency of the speaker and his ambition to make the large page look like a lithographed example of perfect penmanship.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading So he sat in the little crimson-walled study, leaning back in his chair and delivering his sentences in beautiful epistolary Italian, less like every-day colloquial than Horace is like Church Latin.
lithographed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The young priest bent over the table, writing for dear life, torn between his desire to keep up with the silver fluency of the speaker and his ambition to make the large page look like a lithographed example of perfect penmanship.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading So he sat in the little crimson-walled study, leaning back in his chair and delivering his sentences in beautiful epistolary Italian, less like every-day colloquial than Horace is like Church Latin.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The young priest bent over the table, writing for dear life, torn between his desire to keep up with the silver fluency of the speaker and his ambition to make the large page look like a lithographed example of perfect penmanship.
engage in
From this reading The young priest bent over the table, writing for dear life, torn between his desire to keep up with the silver fluency of the speaker and his ambition to make the large page look like a lithographed example of perfect penmanship.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The next afternoon the Cardinal was dictating letters to his chaplain, who also acted as his secretary.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The young priest bent over the table, writing for dear life, torn between his desire to keep up with the silver fluency of the speaker and his ambition to make the large page look like a lithographed example of perfect penmanship.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The young priest bent over the table, writing for dear life, torn between his desire to keep up with the silver fluency of the speaker and his ambition to make the large page look like a lithographed example of perfect penmanship.
one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains
From this reading The young priest bent over the table, writing for dear life, torn between his desire to keep up with the silver fluency of the speaker and his ambition to make the large page look like a lithographed example of perfect penmanship.
penmanshipnoun
beautiful handwriting
From this reading The young priest bent over the table, writing for dear life, torn between his desire to keep up with the silver fluency of the speaker and his ambition to make the large page look like a lithographed example of perfect penmanship.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading The young priest bent over the table, writing for dear life, torn between his desire to keep up with the silver fluency of the speaker and his ambition to make the large page look like a lithographed example of perfect penmanship.
a clergyman in Christian churches who has the authority to perform or administer various religious rites; one of the Holy Orders
From this reading The young priest bent over the table, writing for dear life, torn between his desire to keep up with the silver fluency of the speaker and his ambition to make the large page look like a lithographed example of perfect penmanship.
a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading A bad cold and the increasing rain were keeping him a prisoner.
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading The entrance of Domenico promised him a breathing space, but it was a vain hope.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading A bad cold and the increasing rain were keeping him a prisoner.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading So he sat in the little crimson-walled study, leaning back in his chair and delivering his sentences in beautiful epistolary Italian, less like every-day colloquial than Horace is like Church Latin.
a person who is head of an administrative department of government
From this reading The next afternoon the Cardinal was dictating letters to his chaplain, who also acted as his secretary.
sentencesnounUS /ˈsentənsəz/
plural of “sentence” — a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language
From this reading So he sat in the little crimson-walled study, leaning back in his chair and delivering his sentences in beautiful epistolary Italian, less like every-day colloquial than Horace is like Church Latin.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading The young priest bent over the table, writing for dear life, torn between his desire to keep up with the silver fluency of the speaker and his ambition to make the large page look like a lithographed example of perfect penmanship.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So he sat in the little crimson-walled study, leaning back in his chair and delivering his sentences in beautiful epistolary Italian, less like every-day colloquial than Horace is like Church Latin.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading The entrance of Domenico promised him a breathing space, but it was a vain hope.
speakernounUS /ˈspiːkər/
someone who expresses in language; someone who talks (especially someone who delivers a public speech or someone especially garrulous)
From this reading The young priest bent over the table, writing for dear life, torn between his desire to keep up with the silver fluency of the speaker and his ambition to make the large page look like a lithographed example of perfect penmanship.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading So he sat in the little crimson-walled study, leaning back in his chair and delivering his sentences in beautiful epistolary Italian, less like every-day colloquial than Horace is like Church Latin.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading The young priest bent over the table, writing for dear life, torn between his desire to keep up with the silver fluency of the speaker and his ambition to make the large page look like a lithographed example of perfect penmanship.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading So he sat in the little crimson-walled study, leaning back in his chair and delivering his sentences in beautiful epistolary Italian, less like every-day colloquial than Horace is like Church Latin.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The next afternoon the Cardinal was dictating letters to his chaplain, who also acted as his secretary.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The next afternoon the Cardinal was dictating letters to his chaplain, who also acted as his secretary.
having edges that are jagged from injury
From this reading The young priest bent over the table, writing for dear life, torn between his desire to keep up with the silver fluency of the speaker and his ambition to make the large page look like a lithographed example of perfect penmanship.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The young priest bent over the table, writing for dear life, torn between his desire to keep up with the silver fluency of the speaker and his ambition to make the large page look like a lithographed example of perfect penmanship.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading The entrance of Domenico promised him a breathing space, but it was a vain hope.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The next afternoon the Cardinal was dictating letters to his chaplain, who also acted as his secretary.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A bad cold and the increasing rain were keeping him a prisoner.
which person or people
From this reading The next afternoon the Cardinal was dictating letters to his chaplain, who also acted as his secretary.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The young priest bent over the table, writing for dear life, torn between his desire to keep up with the silver fluency of the speaker and his ambition to make the large page look like a lithographed example of perfect penmanship.
the act of creating written works
From this reading The young priest bent over the table, writing for dear life, torn between his desire to keep up with the silver fluency of the speaker and his ambition to make the large page look like a lithographed example of perfect penmanship.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading The young priest bent over the table, writing for dear life, torn between his desire to keep up with the silver fluency of the speaker and his ambition to make the large page look like a lithographed example of perfect penmanship.
