Chapter XVI

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

From this reading It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.

(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

(of mail) marked with a destination

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

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

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER.

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

From this reading She was called Miss Beachey in the household, a name which was received--by the servants at least--as a quite proper and natural name; a great deal more sensible than Forno-Populo.

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

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading She was called Miss Beachey in the household, a name which was received--by the servants at least--as a quite proper and natural name; a great deal more sensible than Forno-Populo.

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

From this reading She was called Miss Beachey in the household, a name which was received--by the servants at least--as a quite proper and natural name; a great deal more sensible than Forno-Populo.

the woman who guided Dante through Paradise in the Divine Comedy

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading In the meantime something had been going on behind-backs of which nobody took much notice.

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

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

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

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.

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

From this reading In the meantime something had been going on behind-backs of which nobody took much notice.

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

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

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

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

relating to or characteristic of Christianity

From this reading It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.

a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.

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

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

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

From this reading It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.

(physiology) a shortening or tensing of a part or organ (especially of a muscle or muscle fiber)

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading She was called Miss Beachey in the household, a name which was received--by the servants at least--as a quite proper and natural name; a great deal more sensible than Forno-Populo.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.

come together

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER.

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

every person

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

a social unit living together

From this reading It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.

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

From this reading She was called Miss Beachey in the household, a name which was received--by the servants at least--as a quite proper and natural name; a great deal more sensible than Forno-Populo.

the act of departing

From this reading In the meantime something had been going on behind-backs of which nobody took much notice.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading She was called Miss Beachey in the household, a name which was received--by the servants at least--as a quite proper and natural name; a great deal more sensible than Forno-Populo.

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

From this reading In the meantime something had been going on behind-backs of which nobody took much notice.

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

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

a social unit living together

From this reading She was called Miss Beachey in the household, a name which was received--by the servants at least--as a quite proper and natural name; a great deal more sensible than Forno-Populo.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

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

From this reading In the meantime something had been going on behind-backs of which nobody took much notice.

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

From this reading It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.

a native or inhabitant of Italy

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading She was called Miss Beachey in the household, a name which was received--by the servants at least--as a quite proper and natural name; a great deal more sensible than Forno-Populo.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.

the time between one event, process, or period and another

From this reading In the meantime something had been going on behind-backs of which nobody took much notice.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading She was called Miss Beachey in the household, a name which was received--by the servants at least--as a quite proper and natural name; a great deal more sensible than Forno-Populo.

plural of “moment” — a particular point in time

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

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

From this reading She was called Miss Beachey in the household, a name which was received--by the servants at least--as a quite proper and natural name; a great deal more sensible than Forno-Populo.

the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading In the meantime something had been going on behind-backs of which nobody took much notice.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading She was called Miss Beachey in the household, a name which was received--by the servants at least--as a quite proper and natural name; a great deal more sensible than Forno-Populo.

no person; not anyone

From this reading In the meantime something had been going on behind-backs of which nobody took much notice.

an announcement containing information about an event

From this reading In the meantime something had been going on behind-backs of which nobody took much notice.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In the meantime something had been going on behind-backs of which nobody took much notice.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading In the meantime something had been going on behind-backs of which nobody took much notice.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.

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

From this reading It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.

with considerable certainty; without much doubt

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

the manner in which someone utters a word

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness

From this reading She was called Miss Beachey in the household, a name which was received--by the servants at least--as a quite proper and natural name; a great deal more sensible than Forno-Populo.

a condensed but memorable saying embodying some important fact of experience that is taken as true by many people

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading She was called Miss Beachey in the household, a name which was received--by the servants at least--as a quite proper and natural name; a great deal more sensible than Forno-Populo.

not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading She was called Miss Beachey in the household, a name which was received--by the servants at least--as a quite proper and natural name; a great deal more sensible than Forno-Populo.

relating to or characteristic of people of Rome

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

express in words

From this reading It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.

showing reason or sound judgment

From this reading She was called Miss Beachey in the household, a name which was received--by the servants at least--as a quite proper and natural name; a great deal more sensible than Forno-Populo.

plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading She was called Miss Beachey in the household, a name which was received--by the servants at least--as a quite proper and natural name; a great deal more sensible than Forno-Populo.

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

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading In the meantime something had been going on behind-backs of which nobody took much notice.

express in speech

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading She was called Miss Beachey in the household, a name which was received--by the servants at least--as a quite proper and natural name; a great deal more sensible than Forno-Populo.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.

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

From this reading In the meantime something had been going on behind-backs of which nobody took much notice.

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

From this reading It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.

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

From this reading It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.

a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading In the meantime something had been going on behind-backs of which nobody took much notice.

a resident of Tuscany

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

not expected or anticipated

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER.

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

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

at the time that

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

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

From this reading In the meantime something had been going on behind-backs of which nobody took much notice.

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

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading She was called by the Contessa, in the rare moments when she addressed her, Bice--that is to say, according to English pronunciation, Beeshee (you would probably call it Beetchee if you learned to speak Italian in England, but the Contessa had the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth, according to the proverb), which, as everybody knows, is the contraction of Beatrice.

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

From this reading It had been discovered long before this, in the family, that the Contessa's young companion had a name like other people--that is to say, a Christian name.