used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As he turned toward the audience, his dazzled eyes rested upon the formidable monster with a thousand human faces, amid the gold and somber purple of the immense hall.
amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading As he turned toward the audience, his dazzled eyes rested upon the formidable monster with a thousand human faces, amid the gold and somber purple of the immense hall.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE NUPTIALS OF AUTUMN AND VENICE The murmur swelled louder, diminished, then ceased, as Stelio, with firm, light movement, ascended the marble steps of the platform.
Andriano
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He bowed to the Queen and to Donna Andriano Duodo, who smiled upon him with the same twin smiles he had seen from the gliding gondola on the Grand Canal.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE NUPTIALS OF AUTUMN AND VENICE The murmur swelled louder, diminished, then ceased, as Stelio, with firm, light movement, ascended the marble steps of the platform.
ascendedverbUS /əˈsendɪd/
past form of “ascend” — travel up
From this reading THE NUPTIALS OF AUTUMN AND VENICE The murmur swelled louder, diminished, then ceased, as Stelio, with firm, light movement, ascended the marble steps of the platform.
a gathering of spectators or listeners at a (usually public) performance
From this reading As he turned toward the audience, his dazzled eyes rested upon the formidable monster with a thousand human faces, amid the gold and somber purple of the immense hall.
the season when the leaves fall from the trees
From this reading THE NUPTIALS OF AUTUMN AND VENICE The murmur swelled louder, diminished, then ceased, as Stelio, with firm, light movement, ascended the marble steps of the platform.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He threw a keen glance toward the scintillating first rows, seeking La Foscarina, then looked toward the farther end of the hall, where only a dark zone, dotted with white spots, could be distinguished.
of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow
From this reading He bowed to the Queen and to Donna Andriano Duodo, who smiled upon him with the same twin smiles he had seen from the gliding gondola on the Grand Canal.
CanalnounUS /kəˈnæl/
(astronomy) an indistinct surface feature of Mars once thought to be a system of channels; they are now believed to be an optical illusion
From this reading He bowed to the Queen and to Donna Andriano Duodo, who smiled upon him with the same twin smiles he had seen from the gliding gondola on the Grand Canal.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading THE NUPTIALS OF AUTUMN AND VENICE The murmur swelled louder, diminished, then ceased, as Stelio, with firm, light movement, ascended the marble steps of the platform.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading A sudden thrill of pride gave him complete self-control.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He threw a keen glance toward the scintillating first rows, seeking La Foscarina, then looked toward the farther end of the hall, where only a dark zone, dotted with white spots, could be distinguished.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading He threw a keen glance toward the scintillating first rows, seeking La Foscarina, then looked toward the farther end of the hall, where only a dark zone, dotted with white spots, could be distinguished.
dazzledadjectiveUS /ˈdæzəld/
having vision overcome temporarily by or as if by intense light
From this reading As he turned toward the audience, his dazzled eyes rested upon the formidable monster with a thousand human faces, amid the gold and somber purple of the immense hall.
diminishedadjectiveUS /dɪˈmɪnɪʃt/
impaired by diminution
From this reading THE NUPTIALS OF AUTUMN AND VENICE The murmur swelled louder, diminished, then ceased, as Stelio, with firm, light movement, ascended the marble steps of the platform.
(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation
From this reading He threw a keen glance toward the scintillating first rows, seeking La Foscarina, then looked toward the farther end of the hall, where only a dark zone, dotted with white spots, could be distinguished.
DonnanounUS /ˈdɑːnə/
an Italian woman of rank
From this reading He bowed to the Queen and to Donna Andriano Duodo, who smiled upon him with the same twin smiles he had seen from the gliding gondola on the Grand Canal.
dottedadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːtəd/
having a pattern of dots
From this reading He threw a keen glance toward the scintillating first rows, seeking La Foscarina, then looked toward the farther end of the hall, where only a dark zone, dotted with white spots, could be distinguished.
Duodo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He bowed to the Queen and to Donna Andriano Duodo, who smiled upon him with the same twin smiles he had seen from the gliding gondola on the Grand Canal.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading He threw a keen glance toward the scintillating first rows, seeking La Foscarina, then looked toward the farther end of the hall, where only a dark zone, dotted with white spots, could be distinguished.
opinion or judgment
From this reading As he turned toward the audience, his dazzled eyes rested upon the formidable monster with a thousand human faces, amid the gold and somber purple of the immense hall.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading As he turned toward the audience, his dazzled eyes rested upon the formidable monster with a thousand human faces, amid the gold and somber purple of the immense hall.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading He threw a keen glance toward the scintillating first rows, seeking La Foscarina, then looked toward the farther end of the hall, where only a dark zone, dotted with white spots, could be distinguished.
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading THE NUPTIALS OF AUTUMN AND VENICE The murmur swelled louder, diminished, then ceased, as Stelio, with firm, light movement, ascended the marble steps of the platform.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading He threw a keen glance toward the scintillating first rows, seeking La Foscarina, then looked toward the farther end of the hall, where only a dark zone, dotted with white spots, could be distinguished.
formidableadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrmədəbəl/
extremely impressive in strength or excellence
From this reading As he turned toward the audience, his dazzled eyes rested upon the formidable monster with a thousand human faces, amid the gold and somber purple of the immense hall.
Foscarina
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He threw a keen glance toward the scintillating first rows, seeking La Foscarina, then looked toward the farther end of the hall, where only a dark zone, dotted with white spots, could be distinguished.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He bowed to the Queen and to Donna Andriano Duodo, who smiled upon him with the same twin smiles he had seen from the gliding gondola on the Grand Canal.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading A sudden thrill of pride gave him complete self-control.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading He threw a keen glance toward the scintillating first rows, seeking La Foscarina, then looked toward the farther end of the hall, where only a dark zone, dotted with white spots, could be distinguished.
glidingnounUS /ˈɡlaɪdɪŋ/
the activity of flying a glider
From this reading He bowed to the Queen and to Donna Andriano Duodo, who smiled upon him with the same twin smiles he had seen from the gliding gondola on the Grand Canal.
coins made of gold
From this reading As he turned toward the audience, his dazzled eyes rested upon the formidable monster with a thousand human faces, amid the gold and somber purple of the immense hall.
gondolanounUS /ˈɡɑːndələ/
a low flat-bottomed freight car with fixed sides but no roof
From this reading He bowed to the Queen and to Donna Andriano Duodo, who smiled upon him with the same twin smiles he had seen from the gliding gondola on the Grand Canal.
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading He bowed to the Queen and to Donna Andriano Duodo, who smiled upon him with the same twin smiles he had seen from the gliding gondola on the Grand Canal.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He bowed to the Queen and to Donna Andriano Duodo, who smiled upon him with the same twin smiles he had seen from the gliding gondola on the Grand Canal.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading As he turned toward the audience, his dazzled eyes rested upon the formidable monster with a thousand human faces, amid the gold and somber purple of the immense hall.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As he turned toward the audience, his dazzled eyes rested upon the formidable monster with a thousand human faces, amid the gold and somber purple of the immense hall.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A sudden thrill of pride gave him complete self-control.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As he turned toward the audience, his dazzled eyes rested upon the formidable monster with a thousand human faces, amid the gold and somber purple of the immense hall.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading As he turned toward the audience, his dazzled eyes rested upon the formidable monster with a thousand human faces, amid the gold and somber purple of the immense hall.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading As he turned toward the audience, his dazzled eyes rested upon the formidable monster with a thousand human faces, amid the gold and somber purple of the immense hall.
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading He threw a keen glance toward the scintillating first rows, seeking La Foscarina, then looked toward the farther end of the hall, where only a dark zone, dotted with white spots, could be distinguished.
a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth
From this reading He threw a keen glance toward the scintillating first rows, seeking La Foscarina, then looked toward the farther end of the hall, where only a dark zone, dotted with white spots, could be distinguished.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading THE NUPTIALS OF AUTUMN AND VENICE The murmur swelled louder, diminished, then ceased, as Stelio, with firm, light movement, ascended the marble steps of the platform.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He threw a keen glance toward the scintillating first rows, seeking La Foscarina, then looked toward the farther end of the hall, where only a dark zone, dotted with white spots, could be distinguished.
louderadjectiveUS /ˈlaʊdər/
comparative of “loud” — characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading THE NUPTIALS OF AUTUMN AND VENICE The murmur swelled louder, diminished, then ceased, as Stelio, with firm, light movement, ascended the marble steps of the platform.
a hard crystalline metamorphic rock that takes a high polish; used for sculpture and as building material
From this reading THE NUPTIALS OF AUTUMN AND VENICE The murmur swelled louder, diminished, then ceased, as Stelio, with firm, light movement, ascended the marble steps of the platform.
monsternounUS /ˈmɑːnstər/
an imaginary creature usually having various human and animal parts
From this reading As he turned toward the audience, his dazzled eyes rested upon the formidable monster with a thousand human faces, amid the gold and somber purple of the immense hall.
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading THE NUPTIALS OF AUTUMN AND VENICE The murmur swelled louder, diminished, then ceased, as Stelio, with firm, light movement, ascended the marble steps of the platform.
murmurnounUS /ˈmɜːrmər/
a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading THE NUPTIALS OF AUTUMN AND VENICE The murmur swelled louder, diminished, then ceased, as Stelio, with firm, light movement, ascended the marble steps of the platform.
NUPTIALSnounUS /ˈnʌptʃəlz/
the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed
From this reading THE NUPTIALS OF AUTUMN AND VENICE The murmur swelled louder, diminished, then ceased, as Stelio, with firm, light movement, ascended the marble steps of the platform.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE NUPTIALS OF AUTUMN AND VENICE The murmur swelled louder, diminished, then ceased, as Stelio, with firm, light movement, ascended the marble steps of the platform.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He bowed to the Queen and to Donna Andriano Duodo, who smiled upon him with the same twin smiles he had seen from the gliding gondola on the Grand Canal.
and nothing more
From this reading He threw a keen glance toward the scintillating first rows, seeking La Foscarina, then looked toward the farther end of the hall, where only a dark zone, dotted with white spots, could be distinguished.
a raised horizontal surface
From this reading THE NUPTIALS OF AUTUMN AND VENICE The murmur swelled louder, diminished, then ceased, as Stelio, with firm, light movement, ascended the marble steps of the platform.
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading A sudden thrill of pride gave him complete self-control.
a purple color or pigment
From this reading As he turned toward the audience, his dazzled eyes rested upon the formidable monster with a thousand human faces, amid the gold and somber purple of the immense hall.
the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs
From this reading He bowed to the Queen and to Donna Andriano Duodo, who smiled upon him with the same twin smiles he had seen from the gliding gondola on the Grand Canal.
not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing
From this reading As he turned toward the audience, his dazzled eyes rested upon the formidable monster with a thousand human faces, amid the gold and somber purple of the immense hall.
rowsnounUS /roʊz/
plural of “row” — an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line
From this reading He threw a keen glance toward the scintillating first rows, seeking La Foscarina, then looked toward the farther end of the hall, where only a dark zone, dotted with white spots, could be distinguished.
Identical; not different.
From this reading He bowed to the Queen and to Donna Andriano Duodo, who smiled upon him with the same twin smiles he had seen from the gliding gondola on the Grand Canal.
scintillatingadjective
brilliantly clever
From this reading He threw a keen glance toward the scintillating first rows, seeking La Foscarina, then looked toward the farther end of the hall, where only a dark zone, dotted with white spots, could be distinguished.
the act of searching for something
From this reading He threw a keen glance toward the scintillating first rows, seeking La Foscarina, then looked toward the farther end of the hall, where only a dark zone, dotted with white spots, could be distinguished.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He bowed to the Queen and to Donna Andriano Duodo, who smiled upon him with the same twin smiles he had seen from the gliding gondola on the Grand Canal.
self-controlnounUS /ˌselfkənˈtroʊl/
the act of denying yourself; controlling your impulses
From this reading A sudden thrill of pride gave him complete self-control.
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading He bowed to the Queen and to Donna Andriano Duodo, who smiled upon him with the same twin smiles he had seen from the gliding gondola on the Grand Canal.
smilesnounUS /smaɪlz/
plural of “smile” — a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading He bowed to the Queen and to Donna Andriano Duodo, who smiled upon him with the same twin smiles he had seen from the gliding gondola on the Grand Canal.
somberadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːmbər/
lacking brightness or color; dull
From this reading As he turned toward the audience, his dazzled eyes rested upon the formidable monster with a thousand human faces, amid the gold and somber purple of the immense hall.
spotsnounUS /spɑːts/
spots before the eyes caused by opaque cell fragments in the vitreous humor and lens
From this reading He threw a keen glance toward the scintillating first rows, seeking La Foscarina, then looked toward the farther end of the hall, where only a dark zone, dotted with white spots, could be distinguished.
Stelio
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NUPTIALS OF AUTUMN AND VENICE The murmur swelled louder, diminished, then ceased, as Stelio, with firm, light movement, ascended the marble steps of the platform.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading THE NUPTIALS OF AUTUMN AND VENICE The murmur swelled louder, diminished, then ceased, as Stelio, with firm, light movement, ascended the marble steps of the platform.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading A sudden thrill of pride gave him complete self-control.
swelledadjectiveUS /sweld/
feeling self-importance
From this reading THE NUPTIALS OF AUTUMN AND VENICE The murmur swelled louder, diminished, then ceased, as Stelio, with firm, light movement, ascended the marble steps of the platform.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE NUPTIALS OF AUTUMN AND VENICE The murmur swelled louder, diminished, then ceased, as Stelio, with firm, light movement, ascended the marble steps of the platform.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading THE NUPTIALS OF AUTUMN AND VENICE The murmur swelled louder, diminished, then ceased, as Stelio, with firm, light movement, ascended the marble steps of the platform.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading As he turned toward the audience, his dazzled eyes rested upon the formidable monster with a thousand human faces, amid the gold and somber purple of the immense hall.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading He threw a keen glance toward the scintillating first rows, seeking La Foscarina, then looked toward the farther end of the hall, where only a dark zone, dotted with white spots, could be distinguished.
thrillnounUS /θrɪl/
the swift release of a store of affective force
From this reading A sudden thrill of pride gave him complete self-control.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He bowed to the Queen and to Donna Andriano Duodo, who smiled upon him with the same twin smiles he had seen from the gliding gondola on the Grand Canal.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading As he turned toward the audience, his dazzled eyes rested upon the formidable monster with a thousand human faces, amid the gold and somber purple of the immense hall.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading As he turned toward the audience, his dazzled eyes rested upon the formidable monster with a thousand human faces, amid the gold and somber purple of the immense hall.
twinnounUS /twɪn/
either of two offspring born at the same time from the same pregnancy
From this reading He bowed to the Queen and to Donna Andriano Duodo, who smiled upon him with the same twin smiles he had seen from the gliding gondola on the Grand Canal.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading As he turned toward the audience, his dazzled eyes rested upon the formidable monster with a thousand human faces, amid the gold and somber purple of the immense hall.
VENICEnounUS /ˈvenəs/
the provincial capital of Veneto; built on 118 islands within a lagoon in the Gulf of Venice; has canals instead of streets; one of Italy's major ports and a famous tourist attraction
From this reading THE NUPTIALS OF AUTUMN AND VENICE The murmur swelled louder, diminished, then ceased, as Stelio, with firm, light movement, ascended the marble steps of the platform.
in or at the place that
From this reading He threw a keen glance toward the scintillating first rows, seeking La Foscarina, then looked toward the farther end of the hall, where only a dark zone, dotted with white spots, could be distinguished.
a Caucasian
From this reading He threw a keen glance toward the scintillating first rows, seeking La Foscarina, then looked toward the farther end of the hall, where only a dark zone, dotted with white spots, could be distinguished.
which person or people
From this reading He bowed to the Queen and to Donna Andriano Duodo, who smiled upon him with the same twin smiles he had seen from the gliding gondola on the Grand Canal.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE NUPTIALS OF AUTUMN AND VENICE The murmur swelled louder, diminished, then ceased, as Stelio, with firm, light movement, ascended the marble steps of the platform.
zonenounUS /zoʊn/
a locally circumscribed place characterized by some distinctive features
From this reading He threw a keen glance toward the scintillating first rows, seeking La Foscarina, then looked toward the farther end of the hall, where only a dark zone, dotted with white spots, could be distinguished.
