Chapter XXI · Chapter 21

generally approved or compelling recognition

From this reading Veronica had little doubt but that her invitation would be accepted by the Della Spina.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Had she been as worldly wise, as she was practical in most things, she would have had no doubts at all, though she would have hesitated long before writing to the Duchessa.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading Gianluca must either die, or not die; in the first case the least which his family could do would be to give him the opportunity of seeing the woman he loved, before his death, and, in the second, such an invitation on Veronica's part was almost equivalent to consenting to marry him if he recovered.

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

From this reading Gianluca must either die, or not die; in the first case the least which his family could do would be to give him the opportunity of seeing the woman he loved, before his death, and, in the second, such an invitation on Veronica's part was almost equivalent to consenting to marry him if he recovered.

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

From this reading Gianluca must either die, or not die; in the first case the least which his family could do would be to give him the opportunity of seeing the woman he loved, before his death, and, in the second, such an invitation on Veronica's part was almost equivalent to consenting to marry him if he recovered.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading To every one except Veronica herself, the marriage would have seemed in every way as desirable as any that could be proposed to her, both for herself and for Gianluca.

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

From this reading Had she been as worldly wise, as she was practical in most things, she would have had no doubts at all, though she would have hesitated long before writing to the Duchessa.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Had she been as worldly wise, as she was practical in most things, she would have had no doubts at all, though she would have hesitated long before writing to the Duchessa.

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

From this reading Veronica had little doubt but that her invitation would be accepted by the Della Spina.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Had she been as worldly wise, as she was practical in most things, she would have had no doubts at all, though she would have hesitated long before writing to the Duchessa.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Had she been as worldly wise, as she was practical in most things, she would have had no doubts at all, though she would have hesitated long before writing to the Duchessa.

the two together, not just one

From this reading To every one except Veronica herself, the marriage would have seemed in every way as desirable as any that could be proposed to her, both for herself and for Gianluca.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Veronica had little doubt but that her invitation would be accepted by the Della Spina.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Veronica had little doubt but that her invitation would be accepted by the Della Spina.

an occurrence of something

From this reading Gianluca must either die, or not die; in the first case the least which his family could do would be to give him the opportunity of seeing the woman he loved, before his death, and, in the second, such an invitation on Veronica's part was almost equivalent to consenting to marry him if he recovered.

having given consent

From this reading Gianluca must either die, or not die; in the first case the least which his family could do would be to give him the opportunity of seeing the woman he loved, before his death, and, in the second, such an invitation on Veronica's part was almost equivalent to consenting to marry him if he recovered.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Gianluca must either die, or not die; in the first case the least which his family could do would be to give him the opportunity of seeing the woman he loved, before his death, and, in the second, such an invitation on Veronica's part was almost equivalent to consenting to marry him if he recovered.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading Gianluca must either die, or not die; in the first case the least which his family could do would be to give him the opportunity of seeing the woman he loved, before his death, and, in the second, such an invitation on Veronica's part was almost equivalent to consenting to marry him if he recovered.

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

From this reading Veronica had little doubt but that her invitation would be accepted by the Della Spina.

worth having or seeking or achieving

From this reading To every one except Veronica herself, the marriage would have seemed in every way as desirable as any that could be proposed to her, both for herself and for Gianluca.

pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading Gianluca must either die, or not die; in the first case the least which his family could do would be to give him the opportunity of seeing the woman he loved, before his death, and, in the second, such an invitation on Veronica's part was almost equivalent to consenting to marry him if he recovered.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Gianluca must either die, or not die; in the first case the least which his family could do would be to give him the opportunity of seeing the woman he loved, before his death, and, in the second, such an invitation on Veronica's part was almost equivalent to consenting to marry him if he recovered.

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading Veronica had little doubt but that her invitation would be accepted by the Della Spina.

plural of “doubt” — the state of being unsure of something

From this reading Had she been as worldly wise, as she was practical in most things, she would have had no doubts at all, though she would have hesitated long before writing to the Duchessa.

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

From this reading Had she been as worldly wise, as she was practical in most things, she would have had no doubts at all, though she would have hesitated long before writing to the Duchessa.

one or the other of two

From this reading Gianluca must either die, or not die; in the first case the least which his family could do would be to give him the opportunity of seeing the woman he loved, before his death, and, in the second, such an invitation on Veronica's part was almost equivalent to consenting to marry him if he recovered.

a person or thing equal to another in value or measure or force or effect or significance etc

From this reading Gianluca must either die, or not die; in the first case the least which his family could do would be to give him the opportunity of seeing the woman he loved, before his death, and, in the second, such an invitation on Veronica's part was almost equivalent to consenting to marry him if he recovered.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading To every one except Veronica herself, the marriage would have seemed in every way as desirable as any that could be proposed to her, both for herself and for Gianluca.

apart from; not including

From this reading To every one except Veronica herself, the marriage would have seemed in every way as desirable as any that could be proposed to her, both for herself and for Gianluca.

a social unit living together

From this reading Gianluca must either die, or not die; in the first case the least which his family could do would be to give him the opportunity of seeing the woman he loved, before his death, and, in the second, such an invitation on Veronica's part was almost equivalent to consenting to marry him if he recovered.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Gianluca must either die, or not die; in the first case the least which his family could do would be to give him the opportunity of seeing the woman he loved, before his death, and, in the second, such an invitation on Veronica's part was almost equivalent to consenting to marry him if he recovered.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For, of two things, one or the other must happen.

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

From this reading Gianluca must either die, or not die; in the first case the least which his family could do would be to give him the opportunity of seeing the woman he loved, before his death, and, in the second, such an invitation on Veronica's part was almost equivalent to consenting to marry him if he recovered.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading Gianluca must either die, or not die; in the first case the least which his family could do would be to give him the opportunity of seeing the woman he loved, before his death, and, in the second, such an invitation on Veronica's part was almost equivalent to consenting to marry him if he recovered.

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

From this reading Veronica had little doubt but that her invitation would be accepted by the Della Spina.

come to pass

From this reading For, of two things, one or the other must happen.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Had she been as worldly wise, as she was practical in most things, she would have had no doubts at all, though she would have hesitated long before writing to the Duchessa.

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

From this reading Gianluca must either die, or not die; in the first case the least which his family could do would be to give him the opportunity of seeing the woman he loved, before his death, and, in the second, such an invitation on Veronica's part was almost equivalent to consenting to marry him if he recovered.

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

From this reading Veronica had little doubt but that her invitation would be accepted by the Della Spina.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading To every one except Veronica herself, the marriage would have seemed in every way as desirable as any that could be proposed to her, both for herself and for Gianluca.

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

From this reading Had she been as worldly wise, as she was practical in most things, she would have had no doubts at all, though she would have hesitated long before writing to the Duchessa.

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

From this reading Gianluca must either die, or not die; in the first case the least which his family could do would be to give him the opportunity of seeing the woman he loved, before his death, and, in the second, such an invitation on Veronica's part was almost equivalent to consenting to marry him if he recovered.

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

From this reading Gianluca must either die, or not die; in the first case the least which his family could do would be to give him the opportunity of seeing the woman he loved, before his death, and, in the second, such an invitation on Veronica's part was almost equivalent to consenting to marry him if he recovered.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Gianluca must either die, or not die; in the first case the least which his family could do would be to give him the opportunity of seeing the woman he loved, before his death, and, in the second, such an invitation on Veronica's part was almost equivalent to consenting to marry him if he recovered.

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

From this reading Had she been as worldly wise, as she was practical in most things, she would have had no doubts at all, though she would have hesitated long before writing to the Duchessa.

a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something

From this reading Veronica had little doubt but that her invitation would be accepted by the Della Spina.

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 Gianluca must either die, or not die; in the first case the least which his family could do would be to give him the opportunity of seeing the woman he loved, before his death, and, in the second, such an invitation on Veronica's part was almost equivalent to consenting to marry him if he recovered.

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

From this reading Veronica had little doubt but that her invitation would be accepted by the Della Spina.

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 Had she been as worldly wise, as she was practical in most things, she would have had no doubts at all, though she would have hesitated long before writing to the Duchessa.

held dear

From this reading Gianluca must either die, or not die; in the first case the least which his family could do would be to give him the opportunity of seeing the woman he loved, before his death, and, in the second, such an invitation on Veronica's part was almost equivalent to consenting to marry him if he recovered.

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

From this reading To every one except Veronica herself, the marriage would have seemed in every way as desirable as any that could be proposed to her, both for herself and for Gianluca.

take in marriage

From this reading Gianluca must either die, or not die; in the first case the least which his family could do would be to give him the opportunity of seeing the woman he loved, before his death, and, in the second, such an invitation on Veronica's part was almost equivalent to consenting to marry him if he recovered.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Had she been as worldly wise, as she was practical in most things, she would have had no doubts at all, though she would have hesitated long before writing to the Duchessa.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading For, of two things, one or the other must happen.

not any; not one

From this reading Had she been as worldly wise, as she was practical in most things, she would have had no doubts at all, though she would have hesitated long before writing to the Duchessa.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Gianluca must either die, or not die; in the first case the least which his family could do would be to give him the opportunity of seeing the woman he loved, before his death, and, in the second, such an invitation on Veronica's part was almost equivalent to consenting to marry him if he recovered.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading For, of two things, one or the other must happen.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Gianluca must either die, or not die; in the first case the least which his family could do would be to give him the opportunity of seeing the woman he loved, before his death, and, in the second, such an invitation on Veronica's part was almost equivalent to consenting to marry him if he recovered.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading For, of two things, one or the other must happen.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading Gianluca must either die, or not die; in the first case the least which his family could do would be to give him the opportunity of seeing the woman he loved, before his death, and, in the second, such an invitation on Veronica's part was almost equivalent to consenting to marry him if he recovered.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading For, of two things, one or the other must happen.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading For, of two things, one or the other must happen.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading Gianluca must either die, or not die; in the first case the least which his family could do would be to give him the opportunity of seeing the woman he loved, before his death, and, in the second, such an invitation on Veronica's part was almost equivalent to consenting to marry him if he recovered.

concerned with actual use or practice

From this reading Had she been as worldly wise, as she was practical in most things, she would have had no doubts at all, though she would have hesitated long before writing to the Duchessa.

past form of “propose” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading To every one except Veronica herself, the marriage would have seemed in every way as desirable as any that could be proposed to her, both for herself and for Gianluca.

freed from illness or injury

From this reading Gianluca must either die, or not die; in the first case the least which his family could do would be to give him the opportunity of seeing the woman he loved, before his death, and, in the second, such an invitation on Veronica's part was almost equivalent to consenting to marry him if he recovered.

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

From this reading Gianluca must either die, or not die; in the first case the least which his family could do would be to give him the opportunity of seeing the woman he loved, before his death, and, in the second, such an invitation on Veronica's part was almost equivalent to consenting to marry him if he recovered.

perception by means of the eyes

From this reading Gianluca must either die, or not die; in the first case the least which his family could do would be to give him the opportunity of seeing the woman he loved, before his death, and, in the second, such an invitation on Veronica's part was almost equivalent to consenting to marry him if he recovered.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading To every one except Veronica herself, the marriage would have seemed in every way as desirable as any that could be proposed to her, both for herself and for Gianluca.

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

From this reading Had she been as worldly wise, as she was practical in most things, she would have had no doubts at all, though she would have hesitated long before writing to the Duchessa.

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

From this reading Veronica had little doubt but that her invitation would be accepted by the Della Spina.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Gianluca must either die, or not die; in the first case the least which his family could do would be to give him the opportunity of seeing the woman he loved, before his death, and, in the second, such an invitation on Veronica's part was almost equivalent to consenting to marry him if he recovered.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Veronica had little doubt but that her invitation would be accepted by the Della Spina.

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

From this reading Veronica had little doubt but that her invitation would be accepted by the Della Spina.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading Had she been as worldly wise, as she was practical in most things, she would have had no doubts at all, though she would have hesitated long before writing to the Duchessa.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Had she been as worldly wise, as she was practical in most things, she would have had no doubts at all, though she would have hesitated long before writing to the Duchessa.

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

From this reading Had she been as worldly wise, as she was practical in most things, she would have had no doubts at all, though she would have hesitated long before writing to the Duchessa.

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

From this reading For, of two things, one or the other must happen.

any plant of the genus Veronica

From this reading Veronica had little doubt but that her invitation would be accepted by the Della Spina.

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

From this reading Gianluca must either die, or not die; in the first case the least which his family could do would be to give him the opportunity of seeing the woman he loved, before his death, and, in the second, such an invitation on Veronica's part was almost equivalent to consenting to marry him if he recovered.

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

From this reading Had she been as worldly wise, as she was practical in most things, she would have had no doubts at all, though she would have hesitated long before writing to the Duchessa.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading To every one except Veronica herself, the marriage would have seemed in every way as desirable as any that could be proposed to her, both for herself and for Gianluca.

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

From this reading Gianluca must either die, or not die; in the first case the least which his family could do would be to give him the opportunity of seeing the woman he loved, before his death, and, in the second, such an invitation on Veronica's part was almost equivalent to consenting to marry him if he recovered.

having or prompted by wisdom or discernment

From this reading Had she been as worldly wise, as she was practical in most things, she would have had no doubts at all, though she would have hesitated long before writing to the Duchessa.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Gianluca must either die, or not die; in the first case the least which his family could do would be to give him the opportunity of seeing the woman he loved, before his death, and, in the second, such an invitation on Veronica's part was almost equivalent to consenting to marry him if he recovered.

characteristic of or devoted to the temporal world as opposed to the spiritual world

From this reading Had she been as worldly wise, as she was practical in most things, she would have had no doubts at all, though she would have hesitated long before writing to the Duchessa.

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

From this reading Veronica had little doubt but that her invitation would be accepted by the Della Spina.

the act of creating written works

From this reading Had she been as worldly wise, as she was practical in most things, she would have had no doubts at all, though she would have hesitated long before writing to the Duchessa.