adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Monna Valentina and her ladies dined at noon in a small chamber opening from the great hall, and thither were bidden Francesco and Gonzaga.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Monna Valentina and her ladies dined at noon in a small chamber opening from the great hall, and thither were bidden Francesco and Gonzaga.
apronnounUS /ˈeɪprən/
a garment of cloth or leather or plastic that is tied about the waist and worn to protect your clothing
From this reading The company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The kitchen was to him as the shrine of some minor cult, and if his breviary and beads commanded from him the half of the ecstatic fervour of his devotions to pot and pan, to cauldron and to spit, then was canonisation indeed assured him.
assuredadjectiveUS /əˈʃʊrd/
marked by assurance; exhibiting confidence
From this reading The kitchen was to him as the shrine of some minor cult, and if his breviary and beads commanded from him the half of the ecstatic fervour of his devotions to pot and pan, to cauldron and to spit, then was canonisation indeed assured him.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Monna Valentina and her ladies dined at noon in a small chamber opening from the great hall, and thither were bidden Francesco and Gonzaga.
beadsnounUS /biːdz/
several beads threaded together on a string
From this reading The kitchen was to him as the shrine of some minor cult, and if his breviary and beads commanded from him the half of the ecstatic fervour of his devotions to pot and pan, to cauldron and to spit, then was canonisation indeed assured him.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He set before them that day a dinner than which a better no prince commanded, unless it were the Pope.
betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading He set before them that day a dinner than which a better no prince commanded, unless it were the Pope.
biddenverbUS /ˈbɪdɪn/
inflected form of “bid” — propose a payment
From this reading Monna Valentina and her ladies dined at noon in a small chamber opening from the great hall, and thither were bidden Francesco and Gonzaga.
breviarynoun
(Roman Catholic Church) a book of prayers to be recited daily certain priests and members of religious orders
From this reading The kitchen was to him as the shrine of some minor cult, and if his breviary and beads commanded from him the half of the ecstatic fervour of his devotions to pot and pan, to cauldron and to spit, then was canonisation indeed assured him.
broughtverbUS /brɔːt/
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading The company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
canonisationnoun
(Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Church) the act of admitting a deceased person into the canon of saints
From this reading The kitchen was to him as the shrine of some minor cult, and if his breviary and beads commanded from him the half of the ecstatic fervour of his devotions to pot and pan, to cauldron and to spit, then was canonisation indeed assured him.
cauldronnounUS /ˈkɑːldrən/
a very large pot that is used for boiling
From this reading The kitchen was to him as the shrine of some minor cult, and if his breviary and beads commanded from him the half of the ecstatic fervour of his devotions to pot and pan, to cauldron and to spit, then was canonisation indeed assured him.
chambernounUS /ˈtʃeɪmbər/
a natural or artificial enclosed space
From this reading Monna Valentina and her ladies dined at noon in a small chamber opening from the great hall, and thither were bidden Francesco and Gonzaga.
comestibles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
commandedverbUS /kəˈmændɪd/
past form of “command” — be in command of
From this reading The kitchen was to him as the shrine of some minor cult, and if his breviary and beads commanded from him the half of the ecstatic fervour of his devotions to pot and pan, to cauldron and to spit, then was canonisation indeed assured him.
companynounUS /ˈkʌmpəniː/
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading The company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
confectionnounUS /kənˈfekʃən/
a food rich in sugar
From this reading The company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
consumptionnounUS /kənˈsʌmpʃən/
the process of taking food into the body through the mouth (as by eating)
From this reading The company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
conventualadjective
of communal life sequestered from the world under religious vows
From this reading The company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
cultnounUS /kʌlt/
followers of an exclusive system of beliefs and practices
From this reading The kitchen was to him as the shrine of some minor cult, and if his breviary and beads commanded from him the half of the ecstatic fervour of his devotions to pot and pan, to cauldron and to spit, then was canonisation indeed assured him.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading He set before them that day a dinner than which a better no prince commanded, unless it were the Pope.
delectableadjectiveUS /dɪˈlektəbəl/
extremely pleasing to the sense of taste
From this reading The company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
delightverbUS /dɪˈlaɪt/
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading There were ortolans, shot in the valley, done with truffles, that made the epicurean Gonzaga roll his eyes, translated through the medium of his palate into a very paradise of sensual delight.
devotions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The kitchen was to him as the shrine of some minor cult, and if his breviary and beads commanded from him the half of the ecstatic fervour of his devotions to pot and pan, to cauldron and to spit, then was canonisation indeed assured him.
dinedverbUS /daɪnd/
past form of “dine” — have supper; eat dinner
From this reading Monna Valentina and her ladies dined at noon in a small chamber opening from the great hall, and thither were bidden Francesco and Gonzaga.
dinnernounUS /ˈdɪnər/
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading He set before them that day a dinner than which a better no prince commanded, unless it were the Pope.
Domenico
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
doneadjectiveUS /dʌn/
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading There were ortolans, shot in the valley, done with truffles, that made the epicurean Gonzaga roll his eyes, translated through the medium of his palate into a very paradise of sensual delight.
ecstaticadjectiveUS /ekˈstætɪk/
feeling great rapture or delight
From this reading The kitchen was to him as the shrine of some minor cult, and if his breviary and beads commanded from him the half of the ecstatic fervour of his devotions to pot and pan, to cauldron and to spit, then was canonisation indeed assured him.
epicureanadjectiveUS /ˌepəkjʊˈriːən/
of Epicurus or epicureanism
From this reading There were ortolans, shot in the valley, done with truffles, that made the epicurean Gonzaga roll his eyes, translated through the medium of his palate into a very paradise of sensual delight.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading There were ortolans, shot in the valley, done with truffles, that made the epicurean Gonzaga roll his eyes, translated through the medium of his palate into a very paradise of sensual delight.
fervournoun
the state of being emotionally aroused and worked up
From this reading The kitchen was to him as the shrine of some minor cult, and if his breviary and beads commanded from him the half of the ecstatic fervour of his devotions to pot and pan, to cauldron and to spit, then was canonisation indeed assured him.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
Fra
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
Francesco
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Monna Valentina and her ladies dined at noon in a small chamber opening from the great hall, and thither were bidden Francesco and Gonzaga.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Monna Valentina and her ladies dined at noon in a small chamber opening from the great hall, and thither were bidden Francesco and Gonzaga.
girtverbUS /ɡɜːrt/
inflected form of “gird” — prepare oneself for a military confrontation
From this reading The company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
gluttonnoun
a person who is devoted to eating and drinking to excess
From this reading The company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
Gonzaga
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Monna Valentina and her ladies dined at noon in a small chamber opening from the great hall, and thither were bidden Francesco and Gonzaga.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Monna Valentina and her ladies dined at noon in a small chamber opening from the great hall, and thither were bidden Francesco and Gonzaga.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
halfadjectiveUS /hæf/
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The kitchen was to him as the shrine of some minor cult, and if his breviary and beads commanded from him the half of the ecstatic fervour of his devotions to pot and pan, to cauldron and to spit, then was canonisation indeed assured him.
hallnounUS /hɔːl/
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading Monna Valentina and her ladies dined at noon in a small chamber opening from the great hall, and thither were bidden Francesco and Gonzaga.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Monna Valentina and her ladies dined at noon in a small chamber opening from the great hall, and thither were bidden Francesco and Gonzaga.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The kitchen was to him as the shrine of some minor cult, and if his breviary and beads commanded from him the half of the ecstatic fervour of his devotions to pot and pan, to cauldron and to spit, then was canonisation indeed assured him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The kitchen was to him as the shrine of some minor cult, and if his breviary and beads commanded from him the half of the ecstatic fervour of his devotions to pot and pan, to cauldron and to spit, then was canonisation indeed assured him.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Monna Valentina and her ladies dined at noon in a small chamber opening from the great hall, and thither were bidden Francesco and Gonzaga.
indeedadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdiːd/
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading The kitchen was to him as the shrine of some minor cult, and if his breviary and beads commanded from him the half of the ecstatic fervour of his devotions to pot and pan, to cauldron and to spit, then was canonisation indeed assured him.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading There were ortolans, shot in the valley, done with truffles, that made the epicurean Gonzaga roll his eyes, translated through the medium of his palate into a very paradise of sensual delight.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He set before them that day a dinner than which a better no prince commanded, unless it were the Pope.
kitchennounUS /ˈkɪtʃən/
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading The company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
ladiesnounUS /ˈleɪdiz/
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading Monna Valentina and her ladies dined at noon in a small chamber opening from the great hall, and thither were bidden Francesco and Gonzaga.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading There were ortolans, shot in the valley, done with truffles, that made the epicurean Gonzaga roll his eyes, translated through the medium of his palate into a very paradise of sensual delight.
masternounUS /ˈmæstər/
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading The company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
mediumnounUS /ˈmiːdiəm/
a means or instrumentality for storing or communicating information
From this reading There were ortolans, shot in the valley, done with truffles, that made the epicurean Gonzaga roll his eyes, translated through the medium of his palate into a very paradise of sensual delight.
minoradjectiveUS /ˈmaɪnər/
of lesser importance or stature or rank
From this reading The kitchen was to him as the shrine of some minor cult, and if his breviary and beads commanded from him the half of the ecstatic fervour of his devotions to pot and pan, to cauldron and to spit, then was canonisation indeed assured him.
Monna
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Monna Valentina and her ladies dined at noon in a small chamber opening from the great hall, and thither were bidden Francesco and Gonzaga.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading He set before them that day a dinner than which a better no prince commanded, unless it were the Pope.
noonnounUS /nuːn/
the middle of the day
From this reading Monna Valentina and her ladies dined at noon in a small chamber opening from the great hall, and thither were bidden Francesco and Gonzaga.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
openingnounUS /ˈoʊpənɪŋ/
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading Monna Valentina and her ladies dined at noon in a small chamber opening from the great hall, and thither were bidden Francesco and Gonzaga.
ortolans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were ortolans, shot in the valley, done with truffles, that made the epicurean Gonzaga roll his eyes, translated through the medium of his palate into a very paradise of sensual delight.
pagesnounUS /ˈpeɪdʒəz/
plural of “page” — 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 company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
palatenounUS /ˈpælət/
the upper surface of the mouth that separates the oral and nasal cavities
From this reading There were ortolans, shot in the valley, done with truffles, that made the epicurean Gonzaga roll his eyes, translated through the medium of his palate into a very paradise of sensual delight.
panverbUS /pæn/
make a sweeping movement
From this reading The kitchen was to him as the shrine of some minor cult, and if his breviary and beads commanded from him the half of the ecstatic fervour of his devotions to pot and pan, to cauldron and to spit, then was canonisation indeed assured him.
paradisenounUS /ˈperədaɪs/
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading There were ortolans, shot in the valley, done with truffles, that made the epicurean Gonzaga roll his eyes, translated through the medium of his palate into a very paradise of sensual delight.
PopenounUS /poʊp/
the head of the Roman Catholic Church
From this reading He set before them that day a dinner than which a better no prince commanded, unless it were the Pope.
portentousadjectiveUS /pɔːrˈtentəs/
of momentous or ominous significance
From this reading The company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
potnounUS /pɑːt/
metal or earthenware cooking vessel that is usually round and deep; often has a handle and lid
From this reading The kitchen was to him as the shrine of some minor cult, and if his breviary and beads commanded from him the half of the ecstatic fervour of his devotions to pot and pan, to cauldron and to spit, then was canonisation indeed assured him.
preparedadjectiveUS /priˈperd/
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading The company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
princenounUS /prɪns/
a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)
From this reading He set before them that day a dinner than which a better no prince commanded, unless it were the Pope.
rollverbUS /roʊl/
move by turning over or rotating
From this reading There were ortolans, shot in the valley, done with truffles, that made the epicurean Gonzaga roll his eyes, translated through the medium of his palate into a very paradise of sensual delight.
sensualadjectiveUS /ˈsenʃəwəl/
marked by the appetites and passions of the body
From this reading There were ortolans, shot in the valley, done with truffles, that made the epicurean Gonzaga roll his eyes, translated through the medium of his palate into a very paradise of sensual delight.
setverbUS /set/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He set before them that day a dinner than which a better no prince commanded, unless it were the Pope.
shotnounUS /ʃɑːt/
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading There were ortolans, shot in the valley, done with truffles, that made the epicurean Gonzaga roll his eyes, translated through the medium of his palate into a very paradise of sensual delight.
shrinenounUS /ʃraɪn/
a place of worship hallowed by association with some sacred thing or person
From this reading The kitchen was to him as the shrine of some minor cult, and if his breviary and beads commanded from him the half of the ecstatic fervour of his devotions to pot and pan, to cauldron and to spit, then was canonisation indeed assured him.
smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Monna Valentina and her ladies dined at noon in a small chamber opening from the great hall, and thither were bidden Francesco and Gonzaga.
snow-whiteadjective
of the white color of snow
From this reading The company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The kitchen was to him as the shrine of some minor cult, and if his breviary and beads commanded from him the half of the ecstatic fervour of his devotions to pot and pan, to cauldron and to spit, then was canonisation indeed assured him.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading The company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
spitverbUS /spɪt/
expel or eject (saliva or phlegm or sputum) from the mouth
From this reading The kitchen was to him as the shrine of some minor cult, and if his breviary and beads commanded from him the half of the ecstatic fervour of his devotions to pot and pan, to cauldron and to spit, then was canonisation indeed assured him.
steamingadjectiveUS /ˈstiːmɪŋ/
filled with steam or emitting moisture in the form of vapor or mist
From this reading The company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He set before them that day a dinner than which a better no prince commanded, unless it were the Pope.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He set before them that day a dinner than which a better no prince commanded, unless it were the Pope.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Monna Valentina and her ladies dined at noon in a small chamber opening from the great hall, and thither were bidden Francesco and Gonzaga.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The kitchen was to him as the shrine of some minor cult, and if his breviary and beads commanded from him the half of the ecstatic fervour of his devotions to pot and pan, to cauldron and to spit, then was canonisation indeed assured him.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were ortolans, shot in the valley, done with truffles, that made the epicurean Gonzaga roll his eyes, translated through the medium of his palate into a very paradise of sensual delight.
thitheradverbUS /ˈðɪθɜːr/
an old word meaning “to that place”
From this reading Monna Valentina and her ladies dined at noon in a small chamber opening from the great hall, and thither were bidden Francesco and Gonzaga.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading There were ortolans, shot in the valley, done with truffles, that made the epicurean Gonzaga roll his eyes, translated through the medium of his palate into a very paradise of sensual delight.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The kitchen was to him as the shrine of some minor cult, and if his breviary and beads commanded from him the half of the ecstatic fervour of his devotions to pot and pan, to cauldron and to spit, then was canonisation indeed assured him.
translatedverbUS /trænzˈleɪtɪd/
past form of “translate” — restate (words) from one language into another language
From this reading There were ortolans, shot in the valley, done with truffles, that made the epicurean Gonzaga roll his eyes, translated through the medium of his palate into a very paradise of sensual delight.
trueadjectiveUS /truː/
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading The company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
trufflesnounUS /ˈtrʌfəlz/
plural of “truffle” — any of various highly prized edible subterranean fungi of the genus Tuber; grow naturally in southwestern Europe
From this reading There were ortolans, shot in the valley, done with truffles, that made the epicurean Gonzaga roll his eyes, translated through the medium of his palate into a very paradise of sensual delight.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
unlessconjunctionUS /ənˈles/
except if; if not
From this reading He set before them that day a dinner than which a better no prince commanded, unless it were the Pope.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
Valentina
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Monna Valentina and her ladies dined at noon in a small chamber opening from the great hall, and thither were bidden Francesco and Gonzaga.
valleynounUS /ˈvæli/
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading There were ortolans, shot in the valley, done with truffles, that made the epicurean Gonzaga roll his eyes, translated through the medium of his palate into a very paradise of sensual delight.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading The company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
viandsnoun
a stock or supply of foods
From this reading The company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
waistnounUS /weɪst/
the narrowing of the body between the ribs and hips
From this reading The company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
waitedverbUS /ˈweɪtɪd/
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading The company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Monna Valentina and her ladies dined at noon in a small chamber opening from the great hall, and thither were bidden Francesco and Gonzaga.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading The company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He set before them that day a dinner than which a better no prince commanded, unless it were the Pope.
whilstconjunctionUS /waɪlst/
an old and formal word for “while”
From this reading The company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The company was waited upon by the two pages, whilst Fra Domenico, with a snow-white apron girt about his portentous waist, brought up the steaming viands from the kitchen where he had prepared them; for, like a true conventual, he was something of a master in the confection--and a very glutton in the consumption--of delectable comestibles.
