adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The commendatore Giustino Morena--familiarly known as Don Giustino or, by his enemies, as "the assassin"--was a Southerner by birth, a city product.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There, bending over his work on the pavement outside the shop-door, his blue eyes and curly fair hair, his rosy cheeks, his winning smile, his precocious retorts, attracted the most favourable comment from the passers-by and secured him an unfailing supply of chocolates and cigarettes.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading From low surroundings he had risen to be a prominent member of the Chamber of Deputies and one of the most impressive figures in the country.
anxiousadjectiveUS /ˈæŋkʃəs/
eagerly desirous
From this reading People liked him so much that he quickly learned not only how to mend shoes but a good many other things which they were anxious to teach him.
apprenticedadjectiveUS /əˈprentəst/
bound by contract
From this reading As a child he was apprenticed to a cobbler.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The commendatore Giustino Morena--familiarly known as Don Giustino or, by his enemies, as "the assassin"--was a Southerner by birth, a city product.
assassinnounUS /əˈsæsən/
a murderer (especially one who kills a prominent political figure) who kills by a surprise attack and often is hired to do the deed
From this reading The commendatore Giustino Morena--familiarly known as Don Giustino or, by his enemies, as "the assassin"--was a Southerner by birth, a city product.
attractedverbUS /əˈtræktɪd/
past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
From this reading There, bending over his work on the pavement outside the shop-door, his blue eyes and curly fair hair, his rosy cheeks, his winning smile, his precocious retorts, attracted the most favourable comment from the passers-by and secured him an unfailing supply of chocolates and cigarettes.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading From low surroundings he had risen to be a prominent member of the Chamber of Deputies and one of the most impressive figures in the country.
bendingnounUS /ˈbendɪŋ/
movement that causes the formation of a curve
From this reading There, bending over his work on the pavement outside the shop-door, his blue eyes and curly fair hair, his rosy cheeks, his winning smile, his precocious retorts, attracted the most favourable comment from the passers-by and secured him an unfailing supply of chocolates and cigarettes.
birthnounUS /bɜːrθ/
the time when something begins (especially life)
From this reading The commendatore Giustino Morena--familiarly known as Don Giustino or, by his enemies, as "the assassin"--was a Southerner by birth, a city product.
blueadjectiveUS /bluː/
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading There, bending over his work on the pavement outside the shop-door, his blue eyes and curly fair hair, his rosy cheeks, his winning smile, his precocious retorts, attracted the most favourable comment from the passers-by and secured him an unfailing supply of chocolates and cigarettes.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading People liked him so much that he quickly learned not only how to mend shoes but a good many other things which they were anxious to teach him.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The commendatore Giustino Morena--familiarly known as Don Giustino or, by his enemies, as "the assassin"--was a Southerner by birth, a city product.
ChambernounUS /ˈtʃeɪmbər/
a natural or artificial enclosed space
From this reading From low surroundings he had risen to be a prominent member of the Chamber of Deputies and one of the most impressive figures in the country.
cheeksnounUS /tʃiːks/
plural of “cheek” — either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading There, bending over his work on the pavement outside the shop-door, his blue eyes and curly fair hair, his rosy cheeks, his winning smile, his precocious retorts, attracted the most favourable comment from the passers-by and secured him an unfailing supply of chocolates and cigarettes.
childnounUS /tʃaɪld/
a young person of either sex
From this reading As a child he was apprenticed to a cobbler.
chocolatesnounUS /ˈtʃɔːkləts/
plural of “chocolate” — a beverage made from cocoa powder and milk and sugar; usually drunk hot
From this reading There, bending over his work on the pavement outside the shop-door, his blue eyes and curly fair hair, his rosy cheeks, his winning smile, his precocious retorts, attracted the most favourable comment from the passers-by and secured him an unfailing supply of chocolates and cigarettes.
cigarettesnounUS /ˌsɪɡərˈets/
plural of “cigarette” — finely ground tobacco wrapped in paper; for smoking
From this reading There, bending over his work on the pavement outside the shop-door, his blue eyes and curly fair hair, his rosy cheeks, his winning smile, his precocious retorts, attracted the most favourable comment from the passers-by and secured him an unfailing supply of chocolates and cigarettes.
citynounUS /ˈsɪti/
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading The commendatore Giustino Morena--familiarly known as Don Giustino or, by his enemies, as "the assassin"--was a Southerner by birth, a city product.
cobblernounUS /ˈkɑːblər/
a person who makes or repairs shoes
From this reading As a child he was apprenticed to a cobbler.
commendatore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The commendatore Giustino Morena--familiarly known as Don Giustino or, by his enemies, as "the assassin"--was a Southerner by birth, a city product.
commentnounUS /ˈkɑːment/
a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
From this reading There, bending over his work on the pavement outside the shop-door, his blue eyes and curly fair hair, his rosy cheeks, his winning smile, his precocious retorts, attracted the most favourable comment from the passers-by and secured him an unfailing supply of chocolates and cigarettes.
countrynounUS /ˈkʌntri/
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading From low surroundings he had risen to be a prominent member of the Chamber of Deputies and one of the most impressive figures in the country.
curlyadjectiveUS /ˈkɜːrli/
(of hair) having curls or waves
From this reading There, bending over his work on the pavement outside the shop-door, his blue eyes and curly fair hair, his rosy cheeks, his winning smile, his precocious retorts, attracted the most favourable comment from the passers-by and secured him an unfailing supply of chocolates and cigarettes.
DeputiesnounUS /ˈdepjətiz/
plural of “deputy” — someone authorized to exercise the powers of sheriff in emergencies
From this reading From low surroundings he had risen to be a prominent member of the Chamber of Deputies and one of the most impressive figures in the country.
DonnounUS /dɑːn/
a Spanish gentleman or nobleman
From this reading The commendatore Giustino Morena--familiarly known as Don Giustino or, by his enemies, as "the assassin"--was a Southerner by birth, a city product.
enemiesnounUS /ˈenəmiz/
plural of “enemy” — an opposing military force
From this reading The commendatore Giustino Morena--familiarly known as Don Giustino or, by his enemies, as "the assassin"--was a Southerner by birth, a city product.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading There, bending over his work on the pavement outside the shop-door, his blue eyes and curly fair hair, his rosy cheeks, his winning smile, his precocious retorts, attracted the most favourable comment from the passers-by and secured him an unfailing supply of chocolates and cigarettes.
fairadjectiveUS /fer/
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading There, bending over his work on the pavement outside the shop-door, his blue eyes and curly fair hair, his rosy cheeks, his winning smile, his precocious retorts, attracted the most favourable comment from the passers-by and secured him an unfailing supply of chocolates and cigarettes.
familiarlyadverb
in an intimately familiar manner
From this reading The commendatore Giustino Morena--familiarly known as Don Giustino or, by his enemies, as "the assassin"--was a Southerner by birth, a city product.
favourableadjective
encouraging or approving or pleasing
From this reading There, bending over his work on the pavement outside the shop-door, his blue eyes and curly fair hair, his rosy cheeks, his winning smile, his precocious retorts, attracted the most favourable comment from the passers-by and secured him an unfailing supply of chocolates and cigarettes.
figuresnounUS /ˈfɪɡjərz/
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading From low surroundings he had risen to be a prominent member of the Chamber of Deputies and one of the most impressive figures in the country.
FromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From low surroundings he had risen to be a prominent member of the Chamber of Deputies and one of the most impressive figures in the country.
Giustino
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The commendatore Giustino Morena--familiarly known as Don Giustino or, by his enemies, as "the assassin"--was a Southerner by birth, a city product.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading People liked him so much that he quickly learned not only how to mend shoes but a good many other things which they were anxious to teach him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading From low surroundings he had risen to be a prominent member of the Chamber of Deputies and one of the most impressive figures in the country.
hairnounUS /her/
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading There, bending over his work on the pavement outside the shop-door, his blue eyes and curly fair hair, his rosy cheeks, his winning smile, his precocious retorts, attracted the most favourable comment from the passers-by and secured him an unfailing supply of chocolates and cigarettes.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading From low surroundings he had risen to be a prominent member of the Chamber of Deputies and one of the most impressive figures in the country.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There, bending over his work on the pavement outside the shop-door, his blue eyes and curly fair hair, his rosy cheeks, his winning smile, his precocious retorts, attracted the most favourable comment from the passers-by and secured him an unfailing supply of chocolates and cigarettes.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The commendatore Giustino Morena--familiarly known as Don Giustino or, by his enemies, as "the assassin"--was a Southerner by birth, a city product.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading People liked him so much that he quickly learned not only how to mend shoes but a good many other things which they were anxious to teach him.
impressiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpresɪv/
making a strong or vivid impression
From this reading From low surroundings he had risen to be a prominent member of the Chamber of Deputies and one of the most impressive figures in the country.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading From low surroundings he had risen to be a prominent member of the Chamber of Deputies and one of the most impressive figures in the country.
knownadjectiveUS /noʊn/
apprehended with certainty
From this reading The commendatore Giustino Morena--familiarly known as Don Giustino or, by his enemies, as "the assassin"--was a Southerner by birth, a city product.
learnedadjectiveUS /lɜːrnd/
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading People liked him so much that he quickly learned not only how to mend shoes but a good many other things which they were anxious to teach him.
likedadjectiveUS /laɪkt/
found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form
From this reading People liked him so much that he quickly learned not only how to mend shoes but a good many other things which they were anxious to teach him.
lowadjectiveUS /loʊ/
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading From low surroundings he had risen to be a prominent member of the Chamber of Deputies and one of the most impressive figures in the country.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading People liked him so much that he quickly learned not only how to mend shoes but a good many other things which they were anxious to teach him.
membernounUS /ˈmembər/
one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading From low surroundings he had risen to be a prominent member of the Chamber of Deputies and one of the most impressive figures in the country.
mendverbUS /mend/
restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken
From this reading People liked him so much that he quickly learned not only how to mend shoes but a good many other things which they were anxious to teach him.
Morena
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The commendatore Giustino Morena--familiarly known as Don Giustino or, by his enemies, as "the assassin"--was a Southerner by birth, a city product.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading From low surroundings he had risen to be a prominent member of the Chamber of Deputies and one of the most impressive figures in the country.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading People liked him so much that he quickly learned not only how to mend shoes but a good many other things which they were anxious to teach him.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading People liked him so much that he quickly learned not only how to mend shoes but a good many other things which they were anxious to teach him.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading From low surroundings he had risen to be a prominent member of the Chamber of Deputies and one of the most impressive figures in the country.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There, bending over his work on the pavement outside the shop-door, his blue eyes and curly fair hair, his rosy cheeks, his winning smile, his precocious retorts, attracted the most favourable comment from the passers-by and secured him an unfailing supply of chocolates and cigarettes.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading From low surroundings he had risen to be a prominent member of the Chamber of Deputies and one of the most impressive figures in the country.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading People liked him so much that he quickly learned not only how to mend shoes but a good many other things which they were anxious to teach him.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The commendatore Giustino Morena--familiarly known as Don Giustino or, by his enemies, as "the assassin"--was a Southerner by birth, a city product.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading People liked him so much that he quickly learned not only how to mend shoes but a good many other things which they were anxious to teach him.
outsideadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtˈsaɪd/
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading There, bending over his work on the pavement outside the shop-door, his blue eyes and curly fair hair, his rosy cheeks, his winning smile, his precocious retorts, attracted the most favourable comment from the passers-by and secured him an unfailing supply of chocolates and cigarettes.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading There, bending over his work on the pavement outside the shop-door, his blue eyes and curly fair hair, his rosy cheeks, his winning smile, his precocious retorts, attracted the most favourable comment from the passers-by and secured him an unfailing supply of chocolates and cigarettes.
passers-bynounUS /ˈpæsərzbaɪ/
plural of “passer-by” — a person who passes by casually or by chance
From this reading There, bending over his work on the pavement outside the shop-door, his blue eyes and curly fair hair, his rosy cheeks, his winning smile, his precocious retorts, attracted the most favourable comment from the passers-by and secured him an unfailing supply of chocolates and cigarettes.
pavementnounUS /ˈpeɪvmənt/
the paved surface of a thoroughfare
From this reading There, bending over his work on the pavement outside the shop-door, his blue eyes and curly fair hair, his rosy cheeks, his winning smile, his precocious retorts, attracted the most favourable comment from the passers-by and secured him an unfailing supply of chocolates and cigarettes.
PeoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading People liked him so much that he quickly learned not only how to mend shoes but a good many other things which they were anxious to teach him.
precociousadjectiveUS /prɪˈkoʊʃəs/
characterized by or characteristic of exceptionally early development or maturity (especially in mental aptitude)
From this reading There, bending over his work on the pavement outside the shop-door, his blue eyes and curly fair hair, his rosy cheeks, his winning smile, his precocious retorts, attracted the most favourable comment from the passers-by and secured him an unfailing supply of chocolates and cigarettes.
productnounUS /ˈprɑːdəkt/
commodities offered for sale
From this reading The commendatore Giustino Morena--familiarly known as Don Giustino or, by his enemies, as "the assassin"--was a Southerner by birth, a city product.
prominentadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːmənənt/
having a quality that thrusts itself into attention
From this reading From low surroundings he had risen to be a prominent member of the Chamber of Deputies and one of the most impressive figures in the country.
quicklyadverbUS /ˈkwɪkli/
with speed
From this reading People liked him so much that he quickly learned not only how to mend shoes but a good many other things which they were anxious to teach him.
retortsnounUS /rɪˈtɔːrts/
plural of “retort” — a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one)
From this reading There, bending over his work on the pavement outside the shop-door, his blue eyes and curly fair hair, his rosy cheeks, his winning smile, his precocious retorts, attracted the most favourable comment from the passers-by and secured him an unfailing supply of chocolates and cigarettes.
risenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪzən/
(of e.g. celestial bodies) above the horizon
From this reading From low surroundings he had risen to be a prominent member of the Chamber of Deputies and one of the most impressive figures in the country.
rosyadjectiveUS /ˈroʊzi/
reflecting optimism
From this reading There, bending over his work on the pavement outside the shop-door, his blue eyes and curly fair hair, his rosy cheeks, his winning smile, his precocious retorts, attracted the most favourable comment from the passers-by and secured him an unfailing supply of chocolates and cigarettes.
securedverbUS /sɪˈkjʊrd/
past form of “secure” — get by special effort
From this reading There, bending over his work on the pavement outside the shop-door, his blue eyes and curly fair hair, his rosy cheeks, his winning smile, his precocious retorts, attracted the most favourable comment from the passers-by and secured him an unfailing supply of chocolates and cigarettes.
shoesnounUS /ʃuːz/
a particular situation
From this reading People liked him so much that he quickly learned not only how to mend shoes but a good many other things which they were anxious to teach him.
shop-door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There, bending over his work on the pavement outside the shop-door, his blue eyes and curly fair hair, his rosy cheeks, his winning smile, his precocious retorts, attracted the most favourable comment from the passers-by and secured him an unfailing supply of chocolates and cigarettes.
smileverbUS /smaɪl/
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading There, bending over his work on the pavement outside the shop-door, his blue eyes and curly fair hair, his rosy cheeks, his winning smile, his precocious retorts, attracted the most favourable comment from the passers-by and secured him an unfailing supply of chocolates and cigarettes.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading People liked him so much that he quickly learned not only how to mend shoes but a good many other things which they were anxious to teach him.
SouthernernounUS /ˈsʌðərnər/
an American who lives in the South
From this reading The commendatore Giustino Morena--familiarly known as Don Giustino or, by his enemies, as "the assassin"--was a Southerner by birth, a city product.
supplyverbUS /səˈplaɪ/
give something useful or necessary to
From this reading There, bending over his work on the pavement outside the shop-door, his blue eyes and curly fair hair, his rosy cheeks, his winning smile, his precocious retorts, attracted the most favourable comment from the passers-by and secured him an unfailing supply of chocolates and cigarettes.
surroundingsnounUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋz/
the environmental condition
From this reading From low surroundings he had risen to be a prominent member of the Chamber of Deputies and one of the most impressive figures in the country.
teachverbUS /tiːtʃ/
impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading People liked him so much that he quickly learned not only how to mend shoes but a good many other things which they were anxious to teach him.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading People liked him so much that he quickly learned not only how to mend shoes but a good many other things which they were anxious to teach him.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The commendatore Giustino Morena--familiarly known as Don Giustino or, by his enemies, as "the assassin"--was a Southerner by birth, a city product.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There, bending over his work on the pavement outside the shop-door, his blue eyes and curly fair hair, his rosy cheeks, his winning smile, his precocious retorts, attracted the most favourable comment from the passers-by and secured him an unfailing supply of chocolates and cigarettes.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading People liked him so much that he quickly learned not only how to mend shoes but a good many other things which they were anxious to teach him.
thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading People liked him so much that he quickly learned not only how to mend shoes but a good many other things which they were anxious to teach him.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading From low surroundings he had risen to be a prominent member of the Chamber of Deputies and one of the most impressive figures in the country.
unfailingadjectiveUS /ənˈfeɪlɪŋ/
not liable to failure
From this reading There, bending over his work on the pavement outside the shop-door, his blue eyes and curly fair hair, his rosy cheeks, his winning smile, his precocious retorts, attracted the most favourable comment from the passers-by and secured him an unfailing supply of chocolates and cigarettes.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The commendatore Giustino Morena--familiarly known as Don Giustino or, by his enemies, as "the assassin"--was a Southerner by birth, a city product.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading People liked him so much that he quickly learned not only how to mend shoes but a good many other things which they were anxious to teach him.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading People liked him so much that he quickly learned not only how to mend shoes but a good many other things which they were anxious to teach him.
winningadjectiveUS /ˈwɪnɪŋ/
having won
From this reading There, bending over his work on the pavement outside the shop-door, his blue eyes and curly fair hair, his rosy cheeks, his winning smile, his precocious retorts, attracted the most favourable comment from the passers-by and secured him an unfailing supply of chocolates and cigarettes.
workverbUS /wɜːrk/
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading There, bending over his work on the pavement outside the shop-door, his blue eyes and curly fair hair, his rosy cheeks, his winning smile, his precocious retorts, attracted the most favourable comment from the passers-by and secured him an unfailing supply of chocolates and cigarettes.
