Chapter I

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

From this reading When the Honourable Mrs. Carlyon came to Rome twenty years ago, a young widow and the mother of a little girl named Laura, she did not foresee the complications which her second marriage was to produce.

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

From this reading She was a good woman in her way, and if she had guessed what it would mean to be the step-mother of Adele Braccio she might have hesitated before marrying Camillo of that name, commonly known as the Prince of Gerano.

in the past

From this reading When the Honourable Mrs. Carlyon came to Rome twenty years ago, a young widow and the mother of a little girl named Laura, she did not foresee the complications which her second marriage was to produce.

in addition

From this reading For the Prince had also been married before, and his first wife had left him this one child, Adele, who was only a year and a half older than little Laura Carlyon.

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

From this reading When the Honourable Mrs. Carlyon came to Rome twenty years ago, a young widow and the mother of a little girl named Laura, she did not foresee the complications which her second marriage was to produce.

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

From this reading She was a good woman in her way, and if she had guessed what it would mean to be the step-mother of Adele Braccio she might have hesitated before marrying Camillo of that name, commonly known as the Prince of Gerano.

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

From this reading She was a good woman in her way, and if she had guessed what it would mean to be the step-mother of Adele Braccio she might have hesitated before marrying Camillo of that name, commonly known as the Prince of Gerano.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading For the Prince had also been married before, and his first wife had left him this one child, Adele, who was only a year and a half older than little Laura Carlyon.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading She was a good woman in her way, and if she had guessed what it would mean to be the step-mother of Adele Braccio she might have hesitated before marrying Camillo of that name, commonly known as the Prince of Gerano.

brought into existence

From this reading No children were born to the Gerano couple, and the two girls were brought up together as though they were sisters.

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

From this reading She was a good woman in her way, and if she had guessed what it would mean to be the step-mother of Adele Braccio she might have hesitated before marrying Camillo of that name, commonly known as the Prince of Gerano.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading No children were born to the Gerano couple, and the two girls were brought up together as though they were sisters.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading When the Honourable Mrs. Carlyon came to Rome twenty years ago, a young widow and the mother of a little girl named Laura, she did not foresee the complications which her second marriage was to produce.

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

From this reading She was a good woman in her way, and if she had guessed what it would mean to be the step-mother of Adele Braccio she might have hesitated before marrying Camillo of that name, commonly known as the Prince of Gerano.

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

From this reading When the Honourable Mrs. Carlyon came to Rome twenty years ago, a young widow and the mother of a little girl named Laura, she did not foresee the complications which her second marriage was to produce.

a young person of either sex

From this reading For the Prince had also been married before, and his first wife had left him this one child, Adele, who was only a year and a half older than little Laura Carlyon.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading No children were born to the Gerano couple, and the two girls were brought up together as though they were sisters.

under normal conditions

From this reading She was a good woman in her way, and if she had guessed what it would mean to be the step-mother of Adele Braccio she might have hesitated before marrying Camillo of that name, commonly known as the Prince of Gerano.

plural of “complication” — the act or process of complicating

From this reading When the Honourable Mrs. Carlyon came to Rome twenty years ago, a young widow and the mother of a little girl named Laura, she did not foresee the complications which her second marriage was to produce.

a pair who associate with one another

From this reading No children were born to the Gerano couple, and the two girls were brought up together as though they were sisters.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading When the Honourable Mrs. Carlyon came to Rome twenty years ago, a young widow and the mother of a little girl named Laura, she did not foresee the complications which her second marriage was to produce.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading For the Prince had also been married before, and his first wife had left him this one child, Adele, who was only a year and a half older than little Laura Carlyon.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For the Prince had also been married before, and his first wife had left him this one child, Adele, who was only a year and a half older than little Laura Carlyon.

realize beforehand

From this reading When the Honourable Mrs. Carlyon came to Rome twenty years ago, a young widow and the mother of a little girl named Laura, she did not foresee the complications which her second marriage was to produce.

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

From this reading She was a good woman in her way, and if she had guessed what it would mean to be the step-mother of Adele Braccio she might have hesitated before marrying Camillo of that name, commonly known as the Prince of Gerano.

a young female

From this reading When the Honourable Mrs. Carlyon came to Rome twenty years ago, a young widow and the mother of a little girl named Laura, she did not foresee the complications which her second marriage was to produce.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading No children were born to the Gerano couple, and the two girls were brought up together as though they were sisters.

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

From this reading She was a good woman in her way, and if she had guessed what it would mean to be the step-mother of Adele Braccio she might have hesitated before marrying Camillo of that name, commonly known as the Prince of Gerano.

past form of “guess” — expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading She was a good woman in her way, and if she had guessed what it would mean to be the step-mother of Adele Braccio she might have hesitated before marrying Camillo of that name, commonly known as the Prince of Gerano.

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

From this reading She was a good woman in her way, and if she had guessed what it would mean to be the step-mother of Adele Braccio she might have hesitated before marrying Camillo of that name, commonly known as the Prince of Gerano.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading For the Prince had also been married before, and his first wife had left him this one child, Adele, who was only a year and a half older than little Laura Carlyon.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading She was a good woman in her way, and if she had guessed what it would mean to be the step-mother of Adele Braccio she might have hesitated before marrying Camillo of that name, commonly known as the Prince of Gerano.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading When the Honourable Mrs. Carlyon came to Rome twenty years ago, a young widow and the mother of a little girl named Laura, she did not foresee the complications which her second marriage was to produce.

past form of “hesitate” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness

From this reading She was a good woman in her way, and if she had guessed what it would mean to be the step-mother of Adele Braccio she might have hesitated before marrying Camillo of that name, commonly known as the Prince of Gerano.

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

From this reading For the Prince had also been married before, and his first wife had left him this one child, Adele, who was only a year and a half older than little Laura Carlyon.

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

From this reading For the Prince had also been married before, and his first wife had left him this one child, Adele, who was only a year and a half older than little Laura Carlyon.

worthy of being honored; entitled to honor and respect

From this reading When the Honourable Mrs. Carlyon came to Rome twenty years ago, a young widow and the mother of a little girl named Laura, she did not foresee the complications which her second marriage was to produce.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading She was a good woman in her way, and if she had guessed what it would mean to be the step-mother of Adele Braccio she might have hesitated before marrying Camillo of that name, commonly known as the Prince of Gerano.

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

From this reading She was a good woman in her way, and if she had guessed what it would mean to be the step-mother of Adele Braccio she might have hesitated before marrying Camillo of that name, commonly known as the Prince of Gerano.

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

From this reading The relation of two step-sisters is unusual.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading She was a good woman in her way, and if she had guessed what it would mean to be the step-mother of Adele Braccio she might have hesitated before marrying Camillo of that name, commonly known as the Prince of Gerano.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading She was a good woman in her way, and if she had guessed what it would mean to be the step-mother of Adele Braccio she might have hesitated before marrying Camillo of that name, commonly known as the Prince of Gerano.

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

From this reading When the Honourable Mrs. Carlyon came to Rome twenty years ago, a young widow and the mother of a little girl named Laura, she did not foresee the complications which her second marriage was to produce.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading For the Prince had also been married before, and his first wife had left him this one child, Adele, who was only a year and a half older than little Laura Carlyon.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading When the Honourable Mrs. Carlyon came to Rome twenty years ago, a young widow and the mother of a little girl named Laura, she did not foresee the complications which her second marriage was to produce.

the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)

From this reading When the Honourable Mrs. Carlyon came to Rome twenty years ago, a young widow and the mother of a little girl named Laura, she did not foresee the complications which her second marriage was to produce.

joined in matrimony

From this reading For the Prince had also been married before, and his first wife had left him this one child, Adele, who was only a year and a half older than little Laura Carlyon.

-ing form of “marry” — take in marriage

From this reading She was a good woman in her way, and if she had guessed what it would mean to be the step-mother of Adele Braccio she might have hesitated before marrying Camillo of that name, commonly known as the Prince of Gerano.

mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading She was a good woman in her way, and if she had guessed what it would mean to be the step-mother of Adele Braccio she might have hesitated before marrying Camillo of that name, commonly known as the Prince of Gerano.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading She was a good woman in her way, and if she had guessed what it would mean to be the step-mother of Adele Braccio she might have hesitated before marrying Camillo of that name, commonly known as the Prince of Gerano.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading When the Honourable Mrs. Carlyon came to Rome twenty years ago, a young widow and the mother of a little girl named Laura, she did not foresee the complications which her second marriage was to produce.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading When the Honourable Mrs. Carlyon came to Rome twenty years ago, a young widow and the mother of a little girl named Laura, she did not foresee the complications which her second marriage was to produce.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading She was a good woman in her way, and if she had guessed what it would mean to be the step-mother of Adele Braccio she might have hesitated before marrying Camillo of that name, commonly known as the Prince of Gerano.

past form of “name” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading When the Honourable Mrs. Carlyon came to Rome twenty years ago, a young widow and the mother of a little girl named Laura, she did not foresee the complications which her second marriage was to produce.

not any; not one

From this reading No children were born to the Gerano couple, and the two girls were brought up together as though they were sisters.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading When the Honourable Mrs. Carlyon came to Rome twenty years ago, a young widow and the mother of a little girl named Laura, she did not foresee the complications which her second marriage was to produce.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The relation of two step-sisters is unusual.

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading For the Prince had also been married before, and his first wife had left him this one child, Adele, who was only a year and a half older than little Laura Carlyon.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading For the Prince had also been married before, and his first wife had left him this one child, Adele, who was only a year and a half older than little Laura Carlyon.

and nothing more

From this reading For the Prince had also been married before, and his first wife had left him this one child, Adele, who was only a year and a half older than little Laura Carlyon.

a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)

From this reading She was a good woman in her way, and if she had guessed what it would mean to be the step-mother of Adele Braccio she might have hesitated before marrying Camillo of that name, commonly known as the Prince of Gerano.

bring forth or yield

From this reading When the Honourable Mrs. Carlyon came to Rome twenty years ago, a young widow and the mother of a little girl named Laura, she did not foresee the complications which her second marriage was to produce.

an abstraction belonging to or characteristic of two entities or parts together

From this reading The relation of two step-sisters is unusual.

capital and largest city of Italy; on the Tiber; seat of the Roman Catholic Church; formerly the capital of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire

From this reading When the Honourable Mrs. Carlyon came to Rome twenty years ago, a young widow and the mother of a little girl named Laura, she did not foresee the complications which her second marriage was to produce.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading When the Honourable Mrs. Carlyon came to Rome twenty years ago, a young widow and the mother of a little girl named Laura, she did not foresee the complications which her second marriage was to produce.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading When the Honourable Mrs. Carlyon came to Rome twenty years ago, a young widow and the mother of a little girl named Laura, she did not foresee the complications which her second marriage was to produce.

plural of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person

From this reading No children were born to the Gerano couple, and the two girls were brought up together as though they were sisters.

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

From this reading She was a good woman in her way, and if she had guessed what it would mean to be the step-mother of Adele Braccio she might have hesitated before marrying Camillo of that name, commonly known as the Prince of Gerano.

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

From this reading The relation of two step-sisters is unusual.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading For the Prince had also been married before, and his first wife had left him this one child, Adele, who was only a year and a half older than little Laura Carlyon.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She was a good woman in her way, and if she had guessed what it would mean to be the step-mother of Adele Braccio she might have hesitated before marrying Camillo of that name, commonly known as the Prince of Gerano.

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

From this reading The relation of two step-sisters is unusual.

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

From this reading No children were born to the Gerano couple, and the two girls were brought up together as though they were sisters.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading For the Prince had also been married before, and his first wife had left him this one child, Adele, who was only a year and a half older than little Laura Carlyon.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading No children were born to the Gerano couple, and the two girls were brought up together as though they were sisters.

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

From this reading When the Honourable Mrs. Carlyon came to Rome twenty years ago, a young widow and the mother of a little girl named Laura, she did not foresee the complications which her second marriage was to produce.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading No children were born to the Gerano couple, and the two girls were brought up together as though they were sisters.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one

From this reading When the Honourable Mrs. Carlyon came to Rome twenty years ago, a young widow and the mother of a little girl named Laura, she did not foresee the complications which her second marriage was to produce.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading The relation of two step-sisters is unusual.

not usual or common or ordinary

From this reading The relation of two step-sisters is unusual.

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

From this reading No children were born to the Gerano couple, and the two girls were brought up together as though they were sisters.

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

From this reading When the Honourable Mrs. Carlyon came to Rome twenty years ago, a young widow and the mother of a little girl named Laura, she did not foresee the complications which her second marriage was to produce.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading She was a good woman in her way, and if she had guessed what it would mean to be the step-mother of Adele Braccio she might have hesitated before marrying Camillo of that name, commonly known as the Prince of Gerano.

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

From this reading No children were born to the Gerano couple, and the two girls were brought up together as though they were sisters.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading She was a good woman in her way, and if she had guessed what it would mean to be the step-mother of Adele Braccio she might have hesitated before marrying Camillo of that name, commonly known as the Prince of Gerano.

at the time that

From this reading When the Honourable Mrs. Carlyon came to Rome twenty years ago, a young widow and the mother of a little girl named Laura, she did not foresee the complications which her second marriage was to produce.

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

From this reading When the Honourable Mrs. Carlyon came to Rome twenty years ago, a young widow and the mother of a little girl named Laura, she did not foresee the complications which her second marriage was to produce.

which person or people

From this reading For the Prince had also been married before, and his first wife had left him this one child, Adele, who was only a year and a half older than little Laura Carlyon.

a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried

From this reading When the Honourable Mrs. Carlyon came to Rome twenty years ago, a young widow and the mother of a little girl named Laura, she did not foresee the complications which her second marriage was to produce.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading For the Prince had also been married before, and his first wife had left him this one child, Adele, who was only a year and a half older than little Laura Carlyon.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading She was a good woman in her way, and if she had guessed what it would mean to be the step-mother of Adele Braccio she might have hesitated before marrying Camillo of that name, commonly known as the Prince of Gerano.

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

From this reading She was a good woman in her way, and if she had guessed what it would mean to be the step-mother of Adele Braccio she might have hesitated before marrying Camillo of that name, commonly known as the Prince of Gerano.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading For the Prince had also been married before, and his first wife had left him this one child, Adele, who was only a year and a half older than little Laura Carlyon.

a late time of life

From this reading When the Honourable Mrs. Carlyon came to Rome twenty years ago, a young widow and the mother of a little girl named Laura, she did not foresee the complications which her second marriage was to produce.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading When the Honourable Mrs. Carlyon came to Rome twenty years ago, a young widow and the mother of a little girl named Laura, she did not foresee the complications which her second marriage was to produce.