Chapter XXVII

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading "They have a good guess that the people of Florence would not have them here much longer, and so they are taking themselves away."

higher than, or over, something

From this reading High--high up in the air he stood, far above the rocks and treetops, with the whole country round, as it were, mapped out before him.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading High--high up in the air he stood, far above the rocks and treetops, with the whole country round, as it were, mapped out before him.

(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 The sun was rapidly nearing the horizon, and there was that undefinable transparent purple in the atmosphere which in Italy precedes, for nearly an hour, the shades of night; but yet all was still clear and bright, and the various objects in the landscape could be distinguished perhaps more sharply than in the full light of day.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading The sun was rapidly nearing the horizon, and there was that undefinable transparent purple in the atmosphere which in Italy precedes, for nearly an hour, the shades of night; but yet all was still clear and bright, and the various objects in the landscape could be distinguished perhaps more sharply than in the full light of day.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Lorenzo had mounted the many steps leading to the top of the belfry of the church, and there, with the old monk who was keeping watch, he gazed over the beautiful valley of the Arno.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading "They have a good guess that the people of Florence would not have them here much longer, and so they are taking themselves away."

a river in central Italy rising in the Apennines and flowing through Florence and Pisa to the Ligurian Sea

From this reading Lorenzo had mounted the many steps leading to the top of the belfry of the church, and there, with the old monk who was keeping watch, he gazed over the beautiful valley of the Arno.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading High--high up in the air he stood, far above the rocks and treetops, with the whole country round, as it were, mapped out before him.

a particular environment or surrounding influence

From this reading The sun was rapidly nearing the horizon, and there was that undefinable transparent purple in the atmosphere which in Italy precedes, for nearly an hour, the shades of night; but yet all was still clear and bright, and the various objects in the landscape could be distinguished perhaps more sharply than in the full light of day.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading "They have a good guess that the people of Florence would not have them here much longer, and so they are taking themselves away."

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading The sun was rapidly nearing the horizon, and there was that undefinable transparent purple in the atmosphere which in Italy precedes, for nearly an hour, the shades of night; but yet all was still clear and bright, and the various objects in the landscape could be distinguished perhaps more sharply than in the full light of day.

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading Lorenzo had mounted the many steps leading to the top of the belfry of the church, and there, with the old monk who was keeping watch, he gazed over the beautiful valley of the Arno.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading High--high up in the air he stood, far above the rocks and treetops, with the whole country round, as it were, mapped out before him.

a bell tower; usually stands alone unattached to a building

From this reading Lorenzo had mounted the many steps leading to the top of the belfry of the church, and there, with the old monk who was keeping watch, he gazed over the beautiful valley of the Arno.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading The sun was rapidly nearing the horizon, and there was that undefinable transparent purple in the atmosphere which in Italy precedes, for nearly an hour, the shades of night; but yet all was still clear and bright, and the various objects in the landscape could be distinguished perhaps more sharply than in the full light of day.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The sun was rapidly nearing the horizon, and there was that undefinable transparent purple in the atmosphere which in Italy precedes, for nearly an hour, the shades of night; but yet all was still clear and bright, and the various objects in the landscape could be distinguished perhaps more sharply than in the full light of day.

one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship

From this reading Lorenzo had mounted the many steps leading to the top of the belfry of the church, and there, with the old monk who was keeping watch, he gazed over the beautiful valley of the Arno.

rid of obstructions

From this reading The sun was rapidly nearing the horizon, and there was that undefinable transparent purple in the atmosphere which in Italy precedes, for nearly an hour, the shades of night; but yet all was still clear and bright, and the various objects in the landscape could be distinguished perhaps more sharply than in the full light of day.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading The sun was rapidly nearing the horizon, and there was that undefinable transparent purple in the atmosphere which in Italy precedes, for nearly an hour, the shades of night; but yet all was still clear and bright, and the various objects in the landscape could be distinguished perhaps more sharply than in the full light of day.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading High--high up in the air he stood, far above the rocks and treetops, with the whole country round, as it were, mapped out before him.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The sun was rapidly nearing the horizon, and there was that undefinable transparent purple in the atmosphere which in Italy precedes, for nearly an hour, the shades of night; but yet all was still clear and bright, and the various objects in the landscape could be distinguished perhaps more sharply than in the full light of day.

a line leading to a place or point

From this reading "There they go," said the old monk who was on watch, pointing with his hand in the direction of the mountains.

(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation

From this reading The sun was rapidly nearing the horizon, and there was that undefinable transparent purple in the atmosphere which in Italy precedes, for nearly an hour, the shades of night; but yet all was still clear and bright, and the various objects in the landscape could be distinguished perhaps more sharply than in the full light of day.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading High--high up in the air he stood, far above the rocks and treetops, with the whole country round, as it were, mapped out before him.

a city in central Italy on the Arno; provincial capital of Tuscany; center of the Italian Renaissance from 14th to 16th centuries

From this reading "They have a good guess that the people of Florence would not have them here much longer, and so they are taking themselves away."

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The sun was rapidly nearing the horizon, and there was that undefinable transparent purple in the atmosphere which in Italy precedes, for nearly an hour, the shades of night; but yet all was still clear and bright, and the various objects in the landscape could be distinguished perhaps more sharply than in the full light of day.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading The sun was rapidly nearing the horizon, and there was that undefinable transparent purple in the atmosphere which in Italy precedes, for nearly an hour, the shades of night; but yet all was still clear and bright, and the various objects in the landscape could be distinguished perhaps more sharply than in the full light of day.

past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading Lorenzo had mounted the many steps leading to the top of the belfry of the church, and there, with the old monk who was keeping watch, he gazed over the beautiful valley of the Arno.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading "There they go," said the old monk who was on watch, pointing with his hand in the direction of the mountains.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading "They have a good guess that the people of Florence would not have them here much longer, and so they are taking themselves away."

expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading "They have a good guess that the people of Florence would not have them here much longer, and so they are taking themselves away."

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Lorenzo had mounted the many steps leading to the top of the belfry of the church, and there, with the old monk who was keeping watch, he gazed over the beautiful valley of the Arno.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading "There they go," said the old monk who was on watch, pointing with his hand in the direction of the mountains.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "They have a good guess that the people of Florence would not have them here much longer, and so they are taking themselves away."

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Lorenzo had mounted the many steps leading to the top of the belfry of the church, and there, with the old monk who was keeping watch, he gazed over the beautiful valley of the Arno.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading "They have a good guess that the people of Florence would not have them here much longer, and so they are taking themselves away."

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading High--high up in the air he stood, far above the rocks and treetops, with the whole country round, as it were, mapped out before him.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading High--high up in the air he stood, far above the rocks and treetops, with the whole country round, as it were, mapped out before him.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading "There they go," said the old monk who was on watch, pointing with his hand in the direction of the mountains.

the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet

From this reading The sun was rapidly nearing the horizon, and there was that undefinable transparent purple in the atmosphere which in Italy precedes, for nearly an hour, the shades of night; but yet all was still clear and bright, and the various objects in the landscape could be distinguished perhaps more sharply than in the full light of day.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading The sun was rapidly nearing the horizon, and there was that undefinable transparent purple in the atmosphere which in Italy precedes, for nearly an hour, the shades of night; but yet all was still clear and bright, and the various objects in the landscape could be distinguished perhaps more sharply than in the full light of day.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading High--high up in the air he stood, far above the rocks and treetops, with the whole country round, as it were, mapped out before him.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading High--high up in the air he stood, far above the rocks and treetops, with the whole country round, as it were, mapped out before him.

a republic in southern Europe on the Italian Peninsula; was the core of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire between the 4th century BC and the 5th century AD

From this reading The sun was rapidly nearing the horizon, and there was that undefinable transparent purple in the atmosphere which in Italy precedes, for nearly an hour, the shades of night; but yet all was still clear and bright, and the various objects in the landscape could be distinguished perhaps more sharply than in the full light of day.

conformity or harmony

From this reading Lorenzo had mounted the many steps leading to the top of the belfry of the church, and there, with the old monk who was keeping watch, he gazed over the beautiful valley of the Arno.

an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view

From this reading The sun was rapidly nearing the horizon, and there was that undefinable transparent purple in the atmosphere which in Italy precedes, for nearly an hour, the shades of night; but yet all was still clear and bright, and the various objects in the landscape could be distinguished perhaps more sharply than in the full light of day.

indicating the most important performer or role

From this reading Lorenzo had mounted the many steps leading to the top of the belfry of the church, and there, with the old monk who was keeping watch, he gazed over the beautiful valley of the Arno.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading The sun was rapidly nearing the horizon, and there was that undefinable transparent purple in the atmosphere which in Italy precedes, for nearly an hour, the shades of night; but yet all was still clear and bright, and the various objects in the landscape could be distinguished perhaps more sharply than in the full light of day.

for more time

From this reading "They have a good guess that the people of Florence would not have them here much longer, and so they are taking themselves away."

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Lorenzo had mounted the many steps leading to the top of the belfry of the church, and there, with the old monk who was keeping watch, he gazed over the beautiful valley of the Arno.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Lorenzo had mounted the many steps leading to the top of the belfry of the church, and there, with the old monk who was keeping watch, he gazed over the beautiful valley of the Arno.

inflected form of “map” — make a map of; show or establish the features of details of

From this reading High--high up in the air he stood, far above the rocks and treetops, with the whole country round, as it were, mapped out before him.

a male religious living in a cloister and devoting himself to contemplation and prayer and work

From this reading Lorenzo had mounted the many steps leading to the top of the belfry of the church, and there, with the old monk who was keeping watch, he gazed over the beautiful valley of the Arno.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading The sun was rapidly nearing the horizon, and there was that undefinable transparent purple in the atmosphere which in Italy precedes, for nearly an hour, the shades of night; but yet all was still clear and bright, and the various objects in the landscape could be distinguished perhaps more sharply than in the full light of day.

plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading "There they go," said the old monk who was on watch, pointing with his hand in the direction of the mountains.

assembled for use; especially by being attached to a support

From this reading Lorenzo had mounted the many steps leading to the top of the belfry of the church, and there, with the old monk who was keeping watch, he gazed over the beautiful valley of the Arno.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading "They have a good guess that the people of Florence would not have them here much longer, and so they are taking themselves away."

-ing form of “near” — move towards

From this reading The sun was rapidly nearing the horizon, and there was that undefinable transparent purple in the atmosphere which in Italy precedes, for nearly an hour, the shades of night; but yet all was still clear and bright, and the various objects in the landscape could be distinguished perhaps more sharply than in the full light of day.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading The sun was rapidly nearing the horizon, and there was that undefinable transparent purple in the atmosphere which in Italy precedes, for nearly an hour, the shades of night; but yet all was still clear and bright, and the various objects in the landscape could be distinguished perhaps more sharply than in the full light of day.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading The sun was rapidly nearing the horizon, and there was that undefinable transparent purple in the atmosphere which in Italy precedes, for nearly an hour, the shades of night; but yet all was still clear and bright, and the various objects in the landscape could be distinguished perhaps more sharply than in the full light of day.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "They have a good guess that the people of Florence would not have them here much longer, and so they are taking themselves away."

plural of “object” — a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow

From this reading The sun was rapidly nearing the horizon, and there was that undefinable transparent purple in the atmosphere which in Italy precedes, for nearly an hour, the shades of night; but yet all was still clear and bright, and the various objects in the landscape could be distinguished perhaps more sharply than in the full light of day.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Lorenzo had mounted the many steps leading to the top of the belfry of the church, and there, with the old monk who was keeping watch, he gazed over the beautiful valley of the Arno.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Lorenzo had mounted the many steps leading to the top of the belfry of the church, and there, with the old monk who was keeping watch, he gazed over the beautiful valley of the Arno.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "There they go," said the old monk who was on watch, pointing with his hand in the direction of the mountains.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading High--high up in the air he stood, far above the rocks and treetops, with the whole country round, as it were, mapped out before him.

above and across; more than

From this reading Lorenzo had mounted the many steps leading to the top of the belfry of the church, and there, with the old monk who was keeping watch, he gazed over the beautiful valley of the Arno.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading "They have a good guess that the people of Florence would not have them here much longer, and so they are taking themselves away."

by chance

From this reading The sun was rapidly nearing the horizon, and there was that undefinable transparent purple in the atmosphere which in Italy precedes, for nearly an hour, the shades of night; but yet all was still clear and bright, and the various objects in the landscape could be distinguished perhaps more sharply than in the full light of day.

-ing form of “point” — indicate a place, direction, person, or thing; either spatially or figuratively

From this reading "There they go," said the old monk who was on watch, pointing with his hand in the direction of the mountains.

third-person singular of “precede” — be earlier in time; go back further

From this reading The sun was rapidly nearing the horizon, and there was that undefinable transparent purple in the atmosphere which in Italy precedes, for nearly an hour, the shades of night; but yet all was still clear and bright, and the various objects in the landscape could be distinguished perhaps more sharply than in the full light of day.

a purple color or pigment

From this reading The sun was rapidly nearing the horizon, and there was that undefinable transparent purple in the atmosphere which in Italy precedes, for nearly an hour, the shades of night; but yet all was still clear and bright, and the various objects in the landscape could be distinguished perhaps more sharply than in the full light of day.

with speed

From this reading The sun was rapidly nearing the horizon, and there was that undefinable transparent purple in the atmosphere which in Italy precedes, for nearly an hour, the shades of night; but yet all was still clear and bright, and the various objects in the landscape could be distinguished perhaps more sharply than in the full light of day.

plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading High--high up in the air he stood, far above the rocks and treetops, with the whole country round, as it were, mapped out before him.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading High--high up in the air he stood, far above the rocks and treetops, with the whole country round, as it were, mapped out before him.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "There they go," said the old monk who was on watch, pointing with his hand in the direction of the mountains.

(plural) something that reminds you of someone or something

From this reading The sun was rapidly nearing the horizon, and there was that undefinable transparent purple in the atmosphere which in Italy precedes, for nearly an hour, the shades of night; but yet all was still clear and bright, and the various objects in the landscape could be distinguished perhaps more sharply than in the full light of day.

in an aggressive manner

From this reading The sun was rapidly nearing the horizon, and there was that undefinable transparent purple in the atmosphere which in Italy precedes, for nearly an hour, the shades of night; but yet all was still clear and bright, and the various objects in the landscape could be distinguished perhaps more sharply than in the full light of day.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "They have a good guess that the people of Florence would not have them here much longer, and so they are taking themselves away."

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading Lorenzo had mounted the many steps leading to the top of the belfry of the church, and there, with the old monk who was keeping watch, he gazed over the beautiful valley of the Arno.

not in physical motion

From this reading The sun was rapidly nearing the horizon, and there was that undefinable transparent purple in the atmosphere which in Italy precedes, for nearly an hour, the shades of night; but yet all was still clear and bright, and the various objects in the landscape could be distinguished perhaps more sharply than in the full light of day.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading High--high up in the air he stood, far above the rocks and treetops, with the whole country round, as it were, mapped out before him.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading The sun was rapidly nearing the horizon, and there was that undefinable transparent purple in the atmosphere which in Italy precedes, for nearly an hour, the shades of night; but yet all was still clear and bright, and the various objects in the landscape could be distinguished perhaps more sharply than in the full light of day.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading "They have a good guess that the people of Florence would not have them here much longer, and so they are taking themselves away."

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The sun was rapidly nearing the horizon, and there was that undefinable transparent purple in the atmosphere which in Italy precedes, for nearly an hour, the shades of night; but yet all was still clear and bright, and the various objects in the landscape could be distinguished perhaps more sharply than in the full light of day.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The sun was rapidly nearing the horizon, and there was that undefinable transparent purple in the atmosphere which in Italy precedes, for nearly an hour, the shades of night; but yet all was still clear and bright, and the various objects in the landscape could be distinguished perhaps more sharply than in the full light of day.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Lorenzo had mounted the many steps leading to the top of the belfry of the church, and there, with the old monk who was keeping watch, he gazed over the beautiful valley of the Arno.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading "They have a good guess that the people of Florence would not have them here much longer, and so they are taking themselves away."

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading "They have a good guess that the people of Florence would not have them here much longer, and so they are taking themselves away."

in or at that place or location

From this reading Lorenzo had mounted the many steps leading to the top of the belfry of the church, and there, with the old monk who was keeping watch, he gazed over the beautiful valley of the Arno.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "There they go," said the old monk who was on watch, pointing with his hand in the direction of the mountains.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Lorenzo had mounted the many steps leading to the top of the belfry of the church, and there, with the old monk who was keeping watch, he gazed over the beautiful valley of the Arno.

the upper part of anything

From this reading Lorenzo had mounted the many steps leading to the top of the belfry of the church, and there, with the old monk who was keeping watch, he gazed over the beautiful valley of the Arno.

transmitting light; able to be seen through with clarity

From this reading The sun was rapidly nearing the horizon, and there was that undefinable transparent purple in the atmosphere which in Italy precedes, for nearly an hour, the shades of night; but yet all was still clear and bright, and the various objects in the landscape could be distinguished perhaps more sharply than in the full light of day.

plural of “treetop” — the upper branches and leaves of a tree or other plant

From this reading High--high up in the air he stood, far above the rocks and treetops, with the whole country round, as it were, mapped out before him.

not capable of being precisely or readily described; not easily put into words

From this reading The sun was rapidly nearing the horizon, and there was that undefinable transparent purple in the atmosphere which in Italy precedes, for nearly an hour, the shades of night; but yet all was still clear and bright, and the various objects in the landscape could be distinguished perhaps more sharply than in the full light of day.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading High--high up in the air he stood, far above the rocks and treetops, with the whole country round, as it were, mapped out before him.

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading Lorenzo had mounted the many steps leading to the top of the belfry of the church, and there, with the old monk who was keeping watch, he gazed over the beautiful valley of the Arno.

of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity

From this reading The sun was rapidly nearing the horizon, and there was that undefinable transparent purple in the atmosphere which in Italy precedes, for nearly an hour, the shades of night; but yet all was still clear and bright, and the various objects in the landscape could be distinguished perhaps more sharply than in the full light of day.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Lorenzo had mounted the many steps leading to the top of the belfry of the church, and there, with the old monk who was keeping watch, he gazed over the beautiful valley of the Arno.

look attentively

From this reading Lorenzo had mounted the many steps leading to the top of the belfry of the church, and there, with the old monk who was keeping watch, he gazed over the beautiful valley of the Arno.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading High--high up in the air he stood, far above the rocks and treetops, with the whole country round, as it were, mapped out before him.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The sun was rapidly nearing the horizon, and there was that undefinable transparent purple in the atmosphere which in Italy precedes, for nearly an hour, the shades of night; but yet all was still clear and bright, and the various objects in the landscape could be distinguished perhaps more sharply than in the full light of day.

which person or people

From this reading Lorenzo had mounted the many steps leading to the top of the belfry of the church, and there, with the old monk who was keeping watch, he gazed over the beautiful valley of the Arno.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading High--high up in the air he stood, far above the rocks and treetops, with the whole country round, as it were, mapped out before him.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Lorenzo had mounted the many steps leading to the top of the belfry of the church, and there, with the old monk who was keeping watch, he gazed over the beautiful valley of the Arno.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading "They have a good guess that the people of Florence would not have them here much longer, and so they are taking themselves away."

but in spite of that

From this reading The sun was rapidly nearing the horizon, and there was that undefinable transparent purple in the atmosphere which in Italy precedes, for nearly an hour, the shades of night; but yet all was still clear and bright, and the various objects in the landscape could be distinguished perhaps more sharply than in the full light of day.