used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In that case it would certainly be better to run the risk of being retaken than to throw himself from the top of a wall a hundred and eighty feet high.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading But as he heard the hours strike, each one of which brought him nearer to the moment of action, he felt himself grow brisk and cheerful.
anew
From this reading “If that misfortune overtakes me,” said Fabrizio to himself, “I will lie down close to the parapet; I will sleep for an hour, and I will start again.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The duchess had written to him that the fresh air was sure to overcome him, and that he would hardly have got outside his prison before he would find it impossible to walk.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading “If that misfortune overtakes me,” said Fabrizio to himself, “I will lie down close to the parapet; I will sleep for an hour, and I will start again.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In the course of that day Fabrizio was assailed, several times over, by certain serious and disagreeable reflections.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But as he heard the hours strike, each one of which brought him nearer to the moment of action, he felt himself grow brisk and cheerful.
assailedverbUS /əˈseɪld/
past form of “assail” — attack someone physically or emotionally
From this reading In the course of that day Fabrizio was assailed, several times over, by certain serious and disagreeable reflections.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading In that case it would certainly be better to run the risk of being retaken than to throw himself from the top of a wall a hundred and eighty feet high.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The duchess had written to him that the fresh air was sure to overcome him, and that he would hardly have got outside his prison before he would find it impossible to walk.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading In that case it would certainly be better to run the risk of being retaken than to throw himself from the top of a wall a hundred and eighty feet high.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading In that case it would certainly be better to run the risk of being retaken than to throw himself from the top of a wall a hundred and eighty feet high.
briskadjectiveUS /brɪsk/
quick and energetic
From this reading But as he heard the hours strike, each one of which brought him nearer to the moment of action, he felt himself grow brisk and cheerful.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading But as he heard the hours strike, each one of which brought him nearer to the moment of action, he felt himself grow brisk and cheerful.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But as he heard the hours strike, each one of which brought him nearer to the moment of action, he felt himself grow brisk and cheerful.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In the course of that day Fabrizio was assailed, several times over, by certain serious and disagreeable reflections.
an occurrence of something
From this reading In that case it would certainly be better to run the risk of being retaken than to throw himself from the top of a wall a hundred and eighty feet high.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading In the course of that day Fabrizio was assailed, several times over, by certain serious and disagreeable reflections.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading In that case it would certainly be better to run the risk of being retaken than to throw himself from the top of a wall a hundred and eighty feet high.
being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits
From this reading But as he heard the hours strike, each one of which brought him nearer to the moment of action, he felt himself grow brisk and cheerful.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading “If that misfortune overtakes me,” said Fabrizio to himself, “I will lie down close to the parapet; I will sleep for an hour, and I will start again.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading In the course of that day Fabrizio was assailed, several times over, by certain serious and disagreeable reflections.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading In the course of that day Fabrizio was assailed, several times over, by certain serious and disagreeable reflections.
disagreeableadjectiveUS /ˌdɪsəˈɡriːəbəl/
not to your liking
From this reading In the course of that day Fabrizio was assailed, several times over, by certain serious and disagreeable reflections.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading “If that misfortune overtakes me,” said Fabrizio to himself, “I will lie down close to the parapet; I will sleep for an hour, and I will start again.
duchessnounUS /ˈdʌtʃəs/
the wife of a duke or a woman holding ducal title in her own right
From this reading The duchess had written to him that the fresh air was sure to overcome him, and that he would hardly have got outside his prison before he would find it impossible to walk.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading But as he heard the hours strike, each one of which brought him nearer to the moment of action, he felt himself grow brisk and cheerful.
eightyadjectiveUS /ˈeɪti/
being ten more than seventy
From this reading In that case it would certainly be better to run the risk of being retaken than to throw himself from the top of a wall a hundred and eighty feet high.
Fabrizio
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the course of that day Fabrizio was assailed, several times over, by certain serious and disagreeable reflections.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading In that case it would certainly be better to run the risk of being retaken than to throw himself from the top of a wall a hundred and eighty feet high.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading But as he heard the hours strike, each one of which brought him nearer to the moment of action, he felt himself grow brisk and cheerful.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading The duchess had written to him that the fresh air was sure to overcome him, and that he would hardly have got outside his prison before he would find it impossible to walk.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “If that misfortune overtakes me,” said Fabrizio to himself, “I will lie down close to the parapet; I will sleep for an hour, and I will start again.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading The duchess had written to him that the fresh air was sure to overcome him, and that he would hardly have got outside his prison before he would find it impossible to walk.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading In that case it would certainly be better to run the risk of being retaken than to throw himself from the top of a wall a hundred and eighty feet high.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading The duchess had written to him that the fresh air was sure to overcome him, and that he would hardly have got outside his prison before he would find it impossible to walk.
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading But as he heard the hours strike, each one of which brought him nearer to the moment of action, he felt himself grow brisk and cheerful.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The duchess had written to him that the fresh air was sure to overcome him, and that he would hardly have got outside his prison before he would find it impossible to walk.
only a very short time before
From this reading The duchess had written to him that the fresh air was sure to overcome him, and that he would hardly have got outside his prison before he would find it impossible to walk.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The duchess had written to him that the fresh air was sure to overcome him, and that he would hardly have got outside his prison before he would find it impossible to walk.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But as he heard the hours strike, each one of which brought him nearer to the moment of action, he felt himself grow brisk and cheerful.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading But as he heard the hours strike, each one of which brought him nearer to the moment of action, he felt himself grow brisk and cheerful.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading In that case it would certainly be better to run the risk of being retaken than to throw himself from the top of a wall a hundred and eighty feet high.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But as he heard the hours strike, each one of which brought him nearer to the moment of action, he felt himself grow brisk and cheerful.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading But as he heard the hours strike, each one of which brought him nearer to the moment of action, he felt himself grow brisk and cheerful.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The duchess had written to him that the fresh air was sure to overcome him, and that he would hardly have got outside his prison before he would find it impossible to walk.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading “If that misfortune overtakes me,” said Fabrizio to himself, “I will lie down close to the parapet; I will sleep for an hour, and I will start again.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading But as he heard the hours strike, each one of which brought him nearer to the moment of action, he felt himself grow brisk and cheerful.
ten 10s
From this reading In that case it would certainly be better to run the risk of being retaken than to throw himself from the top of a wall a hundred and eighty feet high.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “If that misfortune overtakes me,” said Fabrizio to himself, “I will lie down close to the parapet; I will sleep for an hour, and I will start again.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “If that misfortune overtakes me,” said Fabrizio to himself, “I will lie down close to the parapet; I will sleep for an hour, and I will start again.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading The duchess had written to him that the fresh air was sure to overcome him, and that he would hardly have got outside his prison before he would find it impossible to walk.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the course of that day Fabrizio was assailed, several times over, by certain serious and disagreeable reflections.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The duchess had written to him that the fresh air was sure to overcome him, and that he would hardly have got outside his prison before he would find it impossible to walk.
be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading “If that misfortune overtakes me,” said Fabrizio to himself, “I will lie down close to the parapet; I will sleep for an hour, and I will start again.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “If that misfortune overtakes me,” said Fabrizio to himself, “I will lie down close to the parapet; I will sleep for an hour, and I will start again.
misfortunenounUS /mɪˈsfɔːrtʃən/
unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from an unfortunate event
From this reading “If that misfortune overtakes me,” said Fabrizio to himself, “I will lie down close to the parapet; I will sleep for an hour, and I will start again.
a particular point in time
From this reading But as he heard the hours strike, each one of which brought him nearer to the moment of action, he felt himself grow brisk and cheerful.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading But as he heard the hours strike, each one of which brought him nearer to the moment of action, he felt himself grow brisk and cheerful.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the course of that day Fabrizio was assailed, several times over, by certain serious and disagreeable reflections.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But as he heard the hours strike, each one of which brought him nearer to the moment of action, he felt himself grow brisk and cheerful.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading The duchess had written to him that the fresh air was sure to overcome him, and that he would hardly have got outside his prison before he would find it impossible to walk.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading In the course of that day Fabrizio was assailed, several times over, by certain serious and disagreeable reflections.
win a victory over
From this reading The duchess had written to him that the fresh air was sure to overcome him, and that he would hardly have got outside his prison before he would find it impossible to walk.
overtakesverbUS /ˈoʊvərteɪks/
third-person singular of “overtake” — catch up with and possibly overtake
From this reading “If that misfortune overtakes me,” said Fabrizio to himself, “I will lie down close to the parapet; I will sleep for an hour, and I will start again.
parapetnounUS /ˈperəpet/
a low wall along the edge of a roof or balcony
From this reading “If that misfortune overtakes me,” said Fabrizio to himself, “I will lie down close to the parapet; I will sleep for an hour, and I will start again.
a correctional institution where persons are confined while on trial or for punishment
From this reading The duchess had written to him that the fresh air was sure to overcome him, and that he would hardly have got outside his prison before he would find it impossible to walk.
reflectionsnounUS /rɪˈflekʃənz/
plural of “reflection” — a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading In the course of that day Fabrizio was assailed, several times over, by certain serious and disagreeable reflections.
retakenverbUS /riˈteɪkən/
inflected form of “retake” — take back by force, as after a battle
From this reading In that case it would certainly be better to run the risk of being retaken than to throw himself from the top of a wall a hundred and eighty feet high.
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading In that case it would certainly be better to run the risk of being retaken than to throw himself from the top of a wall a hundred and eighty feet high.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading In that case it would certainly be better to run the risk of being retaken than to throw himself from the top of a wall a hundred and eighty feet high.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “If that misfortune overtakes me,” said Fabrizio to himself, “I will lie down close to the parapet; I will sleep for an hour, and I will start again.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading In the course of that day Fabrizio was assailed, several times over, by certain serious and disagreeable reflections.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading In the course of that day Fabrizio was assailed, several times over, by certain serious and disagreeable reflections.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading “If that misfortune overtakes me,” said Fabrizio to himself, “I will lie down close to the parapet; I will sleep for an hour, and I will start again.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading “If that misfortune overtakes me,” said Fabrizio to himself, “I will lie down close to the parapet; I will sleep for an hour, and I will start again.
deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon
From this reading But as he heard the hours strike, each one of which brought him nearer to the moment of action, he felt himself grow brisk and cheerful.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading The duchess had written to him that the fresh air was sure to overcome him, and that he would hardly have got outside his prison before he would find it impossible to walk.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading In that case it would certainly be better to run the risk of being retaken than to throw himself from the top of a wall a hundred and eighty feet high.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In the course of that day Fabrizio was assailed, several times over, by certain serious and disagreeable reflections.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the course of that day Fabrizio was assailed, several times over, by certain serious and disagreeable reflections.
propel through the air
From this reading In that case it would certainly be better to run the risk of being retaken than to throw himself from the top of a wall a hundred and eighty feet high.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading In the course of that day Fabrizio was assailed, several times over, by certain serious and disagreeable reflections.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But as he heard the hours strike, each one of which brought him nearer to the moment of action, he felt himself grow brisk and cheerful.
the upper part of anything
From this reading In that case it would certainly be better to run the risk of being retaken than to throw himself from the top of a wall a hundred and eighty feet high.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading The duchess had written to him that the fresh air was sure to overcome him, and that he would hardly have got outside his prison before he would find it impossible to walk.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading In that case it would certainly be better to run the risk of being retaken than to throw himself from the top of a wall a hundred and eighty feet high.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In the course of that day Fabrizio was assailed, several times over, by certain serious and disagreeable reflections.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But as he heard the hours strike, each one of which brought him nearer to the moment of action, he felt himself grow brisk and cheerful.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “If that misfortune overtakes me,” said Fabrizio to himself, “I will lie down close to the parapet; I will sleep for an hour, and I will start again.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The duchess had written to him that the fresh air was sure to overcome him, and that he would hardly have got outside his prison before he would find it impossible to walk.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading The duchess had written to him that the fresh air was sure to overcome him, and that he would hardly have got outside his prison before he would find it impossible to walk.
