Chapter XIV · Chapter 14

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

From this reading When Baldassarre, with his hands bound together, and the rope round his neck and body, pushed his way behind the curtain, and saw the interior of the Duomo before him, he gave a start of astonishment, and stood still against the doorway.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading When Baldassarre, with his hands bound together, and the rope round his neck and body, pushed his way behind the curtain, and saw the interior of the Duomo before him, he gave a start of astonishment, and stood still against the doorway.

plural of “altar” — the table in Christian churches where communion is given

From this reading He had expected to see a vast nave empty of everything but lifeless emblems—side altars with candles unlit, dim pictures, pale and rigid statues—with perhaps a few worshippers in the distant choir following a monotonous chant.

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

From this reading When Baldassarre, with his hands bound together, and the rope round his neck and body, pushed his way behind the curtain, and saw the interior of the Duomo before him, he gave a start of astonishment, and stood still against the doorway.

the space between two lines or planes that intersect; the inclination of one line to another; measured in degrees or radians

From this reading And he saw, instead, a vast multitude of warm, living faces, upturned in breathless silence towards the pulpit, at the angle between the nave and the choir.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading That was the ordinary aspect of churches to a man who never went into them with any religious purpose.

a distinct feature or element in a problem

From this reading That was the ordinary aspect of churches to a man who never went into them with any religious purpose.

the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising

From this reading When Baldassarre, with his hands bound together, and the rope round his neck and body, pushed his way behind the curtain, and saw the interior of the Duomo before him, he gave a start of astonishment, and stood still against the doorway.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading And he saw, instead, a vast multitude of warm, living faces, upturned in breathless silence towards the pulpit, at the angle between the nave and the choir.

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

From this reading When Baldassarre, with his hands bound together, and the rope round his neck and body, pushed his way behind the curtain, and saw the interior of the Duomo before him, he gave a start of astonishment, and stood still against the doorway.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading When Baldassarre, with his hands bound together, and the rope round his neck and body, pushed his way behind the curtain, and saw the interior of the Duomo before him, he gave a start of astonishment, and stood still against the doorway.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading When Baldassarre, with his hands bound together, and the rope round his neck and body, pushed his way behind the curtain, and saw the interior of the Duomo before him, he gave a start of astonishment, and stood still against the doorway.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading And he saw, instead, a vast multitude of warm, living faces, upturned in breathless silence towards the pulpit, at the angle between the nave and the choir.

the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading When Baldassarre, with his hands bound together, and the rope round his neck and body, pushed his way behind the curtain, and saw the interior of the Duomo before him, he gave a start of astonishment, and stood still against the doorway.

confined by bonds

From this reading When Baldassarre, with his hands bound together, and the rope round his neck and body, pushed his way behind the curtain, and saw the interior of the Duomo before him, he gave a start of astonishment, and stood still against the doorway.

not breathing or able to breathe except with difficulty

From this reading And he saw, instead, a vast multitude of warm, living faces, upturned in breathless silence towards the pulpit, at the angle between the nave and the choir.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He had expected to see a vast nave empty of everything but lifeless emblems—side altars with candles unlit, dim pictures, pale and rigid statues—with perhaps a few worshippers in the distant choir following a monotonous chant.

plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle

From this reading He had expected to see a vast nave empty of everything but lifeless emblems—side altars with candles unlit, dim pictures, pale and rigid statues—with perhaps a few worshippers in the distant choir following a monotonous chant.

recite with musical intonation; recite as a chant or a psalm

From this reading He had expected to see a vast nave empty of everything but lifeless emblems—side altars with candles unlit, dim pictures, pale and rigid statues—with perhaps a few worshippers in the distant choir following a monotonous chant.

a chorus that sings as part of a religious ceremony

From this reading He had expected to see a vast nave empty of everything but lifeless emblems—side altars with candles unlit, dim pictures, pale and rigid statues—with perhaps a few worshippers in the distant choir following a monotonous chant.

plural of “church” — one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship

From this reading That was the ordinary aspect of churches to a man who never went into them with any religious purpose.

hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)

From this reading When Baldassarre, with his hands bound together, and the rope round his neck and body, pushed his way behind the curtain, and saw the interior of the Duomo before him, he gave a start of astonishment, and stood still against the doorway.

lacking in light; not bright or harsh

From this reading He had expected to see a vast nave empty of everything but lifeless emblems—side altars with candles unlit, dim pictures, pale and rigid statues—with perhaps a few worshippers in the distant choir following a monotonous chant.

separated in space or coming from or going to a distance

From this reading He had expected to see a vast nave empty of everything but lifeless emblems—side altars with candles unlit, dim pictures, pale and rigid statues—with perhaps a few worshippers in the distant choir following a monotonous chant.

the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close

From this reading When Baldassarre, with his hands bound together, and the rope round his neck and body, pushed his way behind the curtain, and saw the interior of the Duomo before him, he gave a start of astonishment, and stood still against the doorway.

the principal Christian church building of a bishop's diocese

From this reading Inside the Duomo.

plural of “emblem” — special design or visual object representing a quality, type, group, etc.

From this reading He had expected to see a vast nave empty of everything but lifeless emblems—side altars with candles unlit, dim pictures, pale and rigid statues—with perhaps a few worshippers in the distant choir following a monotonous chant.

make void or empty of contents

From this reading He had expected to see a vast nave empty of everything but lifeless emblems—side altars with candles unlit, dim pictures, pale and rigid statues—with perhaps a few worshippers in the distant choir following a monotonous chant.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading He had expected to see a vast nave empty of everything but lifeless emblems—side altars with candles unlit, dim pictures, pale and rigid statues—with perhaps a few worshippers in the distant choir following a monotonous chant.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading He had expected to see a vast nave empty of everything but lifeless emblems—side altars with candles unlit, dim pictures, pale and rigid statues—with perhaps a few worshippers in the distant choir following a monotonous chant.

plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading And he saw, instead, a vast multitude of warm, living faces, upturned in breathless silence towards the pulpit, at the angle between the nave and the choir.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading He had expected to see a vast nave empty of everything but lifeless emblems—side altars with candles unlit, dim pictures, pale and rigid statues—with perhaps a few worshippers in the distant choir following a monotonous chant.

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading He had expected to see a vast nave empty of everything but lifeless emblems—side altars with candles unlit, dim pictures, pale and rigid statues—with perhaps a few worshippers in the distant choir following a monotonous chant.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading When Baldassarre, with his hands bound together, and the rope round his neck and body, pushed his way behind the curtain, and saw the interior of the Duomo before him, he gave a start of astonishment, and stood still against the doorway.

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

From this reading He had expected to see a vast nave empty of everything but lifeless emblems—side altars with candles unlit, dim pictures, pale and rigid statues—with perhaps a few worshippers in the distant choir following a monotonous chant.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading When Baldassarre, with his hands bound together, and the rope round his neck and body, pushed his way behind the curtain, and saw the interior of the Duomo before him, he gave a start of astonishment, and stood still against the doorway.

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

From this reading When Baldassarre, with his hands bound together, and the rope round his neck and body, pushed his way behind the curtain, and saw the interior of the Duomo before him, he gave a start of astonishment, and stood still against the doorway.

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

From this reading When Baldassarre, with his hands bound together, and the rope round his neck and body, pushed his way behind the curtain, and saw the interior of the Duomo before him, he gave a start of astonishment, and stood still against the doorway.

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

From this reading When Baldassarre, with his hands bound together, and the rope round his neck and body, pushed his way behind the curtain, and saw the interior of the Duomo before him, he gave a start of astonishment, and stood still against the doorway.

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

From this reading He had expected to see a vast nave empty of everything but lifeless emblems—side altars with candles unlit, dim pictures, pale and rigid statues—with perhaps a few worshippers in the distant choir following a monotonous chant.

relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space

From this reading Inside the Duomo.

in place of, or as an alternative to

From this reading And he saw, instead, a vast multitude of warm, living faces, upturned in breathless silence towards the pulpit, at the angle between the nave and the choir.

situated within or suitable for inside a building

From this reading When Baldassarre, with his hands bound together, and the rope round his neck and body, pushed his way behind the curtain, and saw the interior of the Duomo before him, he gave a start of astonishment, and stood still against the doorway.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading That was the ordinary aspect of churches to a man who never went into them with any religious purpose.

deprived of life; no longer living

From this reading He had expected to see a vast nave empty of everything but lifeless emblems—side altars with candles unlit, dim pictures, pale and rigid statues—with perhaps a few worshippers in the distant choir following a monotonous chant.

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading And he saw, instead, a vast multitude of warm, living faces, upturned in breathless silence towards the pulpit, at the angle between the nave and the choir.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading That was the ordinary aspect of churches to a man who never went into them with any religious purpose.

tediously repetitious or lacking in variety

From this reading He had expected to see a vast nave empty of everything but lifeless emblems—side altars with candles unlit, dim pictures, pale and rigid statues—with perhaps a few worshippers in the distant choir following a monotonous chant.

a large indefinite number

From this reading And he saw, instead, a vast multitude of warm, living faces, upturned in breathless silence towards the pulpit, at the angle between the nave and the choir.

the central area of a church

From this reading He had expected to see a vast nave empty of everything but lifeless emblems—side altars with candles unlit, dim pictures, pale and rigid statues—with perhaps a few worshippers in the distant choir following a monotonous chant.

the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body

From this reading When Baldassarre, with his hands bound together, and the rope round his neck and body, pushed his way behind the curtain, and saw the interior of the Duomo before him, he gave a start of astonishment, and stood still against the doorway.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading That was the ordinary aspect of churches to a man who never went into them with any religious purpose.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading When Baldassarre, with his hands bound together, and the rope round his neck and body, pushed his way behind the curtain, and saw the interior of the Duomo before him, he gave a start of astonishment, and stood still against the doorway.

a judge of a probate court

From this reading That was the ordinary aspect of churches to a man who never went into them with any religious purpose.

very light colored; highly diluted with white

From this reading He had expected to see a vast nave empty of everything but lifeless emblems—side altars with candles unlit, dim pictures, pale and rigid statues—with perhaps a few worshippers in the distant choir following a monotonous chant.

by chance

From this reading He had expected to see a vast nave empty of everything but lifeless emblems—side altars with candles unlit, dim pictures, pale and rigid statues—with perhaps a few worshippers in the distant choir following a monotonous chant.

plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading He had expected to see a vast nave empty of everything but lifeless emblems—side altars with candles unlit, dim pictures, pale and rigid statues—with perhaps a few worshippers in the distant choir following a monotonous chant.

a platform raised above the surrounding level to give prominence to the person on it

From this reading And he saw, instead, a vast multitude of warm, living faces, upturned in breathless silence towards the pulpit, at the angle between the nave and the choir.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading That was the ordinary aspect of churches to a man who never went into them with any religious purpose.

past form of “push” — move with force

From this reading When Baldassarre, with his hands bound together, and the rope round his neck and body, pushed his way behind the curtain, and saw the interior of the Duomo before him, he gave a start of astonishment, and stood still against the doorway.

concerned with sacred matters or religion or the church

From this reading That was the ordinary aspect of churches to a man who never went into them with any religious purpose.

incapable of or resistant to bending

From this reading He had expected to see a vast nave empty of everything but lifeless emblems—side altars with candles unlit, dim pictures, pale and rigid statues—with perhaps a few worshippers in the distant choir following a monotonous chant.

a strong line

From this reading When Baldassarre, with his hands bound together, and the rope round his neck and body, pushed his way behind the curtain, and saw the interior of the Duomo before him, he gave a start of astonishment, and stood still against the doorway.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading When Baldassarre, with his hands bound together, and the rope round his neck and body, pushed his way behind the curtain, and saw the interior of the Duomo before him, he gave a start of astonishment, and stood still against the doorway.

cut with a saw

From this reading When Baldassarre, with his hands bound together, and the rope round his neck and body, pushed his way behind the curtain, and saw the interior of the Duomo before him, he gave a start of astonishment, and stood still against the doorway.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading He had expected to see a vast nave empty of everything but lifeless emblems—side altars with candles unlit, dim pictures, pale and rigid statues—with perhaps a few worshippers in the distant choir following a monotonous chant.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading He had expected to see a vast nave empty of everything but lifeless emblems—side altars with candles unlit, dim pictures, pale and rigid statues—with perhaps a few worshippers in the distant choir following a monotonous chant.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading And he saw, instead, a vast multitude of warm, living faces, upturned in breathless silence towards the pulpit, at the angle between the nave and the choir.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading When Baldassarre, with his hands bound together, and the rope round his neck and body, pushed his way behind the curtain, and saw the interior of the Duomo before him, he gave a start of astonishment, and stood still against the doorway.

plural of “statue” — a sculpture representing a human or animal

From this reading He had expected to see a vast nave empty of everything but lifeless emblems—side altars with candles unlit, dim pictures, pale and rigid statues—with perhaps a few worshippers in the distant choir following a monotonous chant.

not in physical motion

From this reading When Baldassarre, with his hands bound together, and the rope round his neck and body, pushed his way behind the curtain, and saw the interior of the Duomo before him, he gave a start of astonishment, and stood still against the doorway.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading When Baldassarre, with his hands bound together, and the rope round his neck and body, pushed his way behind the curtain, and saw the interior of the Duomo before him, he gave a start of astonishment, and stood still against the doorway.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That was the ordinary aspect of churches to a man who never went into them with any religious purpose.

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

From this reading Inside the Duomo.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading That was the ordinary aspect of churches to a man who never went into them with any religious purpose.

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

From this reading He had expected to see a vast nave empty of everything but lifeless emblems—side altars with candles unlit, dim pictures, pale and rigid statues—with perhaps a few worshippers in the distant choir following a monotonous chant.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading When Baldassarre, with his hands bound together, and the rope round his neck and body, pushed his way behind the curtain, and saw the interior of the Duomo before him, he gave a start of astonishment, and stood still against the doorway.

in the direction of

From this reading And he saw, instead, a vast multitude of warm, living faces, upturned in breathless silence towards the pulpit, at the angle between the nave and the choir.

not set afire or burning

From this reading He had expected to see a vast nave empty of everything but lifeless emblems—side altars with candles unlit, dim pictures, pale and rigid statues—with perhaps a few worshippers in the distant choir following a monotonous chant.

having been turned so that the bottom is no longer the bottom

From this reading And he saw, instead, a vast multitude of warm, living faces, upturned in breathless silence towards the pulpit, at the angle between the nave and the choir.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading He had expected to see a vast nave empty of everything but lifeless emblems—side altars with candles unlit, dim pictures, pale and rigid statues—with perhaps a few worshippers in the distant choir following a monotonous chant.

having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat

From this reading And he saw, instead, a vast multitude of warm, living faces, upturned in breathless silence towards the pulpit, at the angle between the nave and the choir.

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

From this reading That was the ordinary aspect of churches to a man who never went into them with any religious purpose.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading When Baldassarre, with his hands bound together, and the rope round his neck and body, pushed his way behind the curtain, and saw the interior of the Duomo before him, he gave a start of astonishment, and stood still against the doorway.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading That was the ordinary aspect of churches to a man who never went into them with any religious purpose.

at the time that

From this reading When Baldassarre, with his hands bound together, and the rope round his neck and body, pushed his way behind the curtain, and saw the interior of the Duomo before him, he gave a start of astonishment, and stood still against the doorway.

which person or people

From this reading That was the ordinary aspect of churches to a man who never went into them with any religious purpose.

in the company of; together with

From this reading When Baldassarre, with his hands bound together, and the rope round his neck and body, pushed his way behind the curtain, and saw the interior of the Duomo before him, he gave a start of astonishment, and stood still against the doorway.

plural of “worshipper” — a person who has religious faith

From this reading He had expected to see a vast nave empty of everything but lifeless emblems—side altars with candles unlit, dim pictures, pale and rigid statues—with perhaps a few worshippers in the distant choir following a monotonous chant.