Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

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

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

Having no one else present.

From this reading He had a trick of pinching the lower of them, in the hope, I suppose, that the difficulty of using the upper one alone would hold him silent.

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

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

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

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

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

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He was a tall man, but stooped at the shoulders, threw his head forward like a long-necked bird, and nodded as he walked.

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

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading He was a tall man, but stooped at the shoulders, threw his head forward like a long-necked bird, and nodded as he walked.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But it did not.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

a person who captures and holds people or animals

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

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

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading He talked to himself continually, the habit was inveterate, and as he never let go of his lower lip it was very difficult to catch what he said.

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

the body of faculty and students of a college

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

seemingly without interruption

From this reading He talked to himself continually, the habit was inveterate, and as he never let go of his lower lip it was very difficult to catch what he said.

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

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading He talked to himself continually, the habit was inveterate, and as he never let go of his lower lip it was very difficult to catch what he said.

an effort that is inconvenient

From this reading He had a trick of pinching the lower of them, in the hope, I suppose, that the difficulty of using the upper one alone would hold him silent.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

opinion or judgment

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

a social unit living together

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

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

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

a city in central Italy on the Arno; provincial capital of Tuscany; center of the Italian Renaissance from 14th to 16th centuries

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

with official authorization

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

plural of “fortune” — an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading He was a tall man, but stooped at the shoulders, threw his head forward like a long-necked bird, and nodded as he walked.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading He talked to himself continually, the habit was inveterate, and as he never let go of his lower lip it was very difficult to catch what he said.

an established custom

From this reading He talked to himself continually, the habit was inveterate, and as he never let go of his lower lip it was very difficult to catch what he said.

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

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

having or involving the use of hands

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

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

From this reading He had a trick of pinching the lower of them, in the hope, I suppose, that the difficulty of using the upper one alone would hold him silent.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading He was a tall man, but stooped at the shoulders, threw his head forward like a long-necked bird, and nodded as he walked.

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

From this reading He had a trick of pinching the lower of them, in the hope, I suppose, that the difficulty of using the upper one alone would hold him silent.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He talked to himself continually, the habit was inveterate, and as he never let go of his lower lip it was very difficult to catch what he said.

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

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading He had a trick of pinching the lower of them, in the hope, I suppose, that the difficulty of using the upper one alone would hold him silent.

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading He had a trick of pinching the lower of them, in the hope, I suppose, that the difficulty of using the upper one alone would hold him silent.

low or inferior in station or quality

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

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

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

become fixed or established

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

having the capacity for thought and reason especially to a high degree

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

habitual

From this reading He talked to himself continually, the habit was inveterate, and as he never let go of his lower lip it was very difficult to catch what he said.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But it did not.

a teacher and prophet born in Bethlehem and active in Nazareth; his life and sermons form the basis for Christianity (circa 4 BC - AD 29)

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading He talked to himself continually, the habit was inveterate, and as he never let go of his lower lip it was very difficult to catch what he said.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading He was a tall man, but stooped at the shoulders, threw his head forward like a long-necked bird, and nodded as he walked.

either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking

From this reading He talked to himself continually, the habit was inveterate, and as he never let go of his lower lip it was very difficult to catch what he said.

plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

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 SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

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

From this reading He was a tall man, but stooped at the shoulders, threw his head forward like a long-necked bird, and nodded as he walked.

move something or somebody to a lower position

From this reading He had a trick of pinching the lower of them, in the hope, I suppose, that the difficulty of using the upper one alone would hold him silent.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading He talked to himself continually, the habit was inveterate, and as he never let go of his lower lip it was very difficult to catch what he said.

inflected form of “nod” — express or signify by nodding

From this reading He was a tall man, but stooped at the shoulders, threw his head forward like a long-necked bird, and nodded as he walked.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But it did not.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He had a trick of pinching the lower of them, in the hope, I suppose, that the difficulty of using the upper one alone would hold him silent.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

above and across; more than

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

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

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

-ing form of “pinch” — squeeze tightly between the fingers

From this reading He had a trick of pinching the lower of them, in the hope, I suppose, that the difficulty of using the upper one alone would hold him silent.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading He talked to himself continually, the habit was inveterate, and as he never let go of his lower lip it was very difficult to catch what he said.

established or decided beyond dispute or doubt

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

in an aggressive manner

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm

From this reading He was a tall man, but stooped at the shoulders, threw his head forward like a long-necked bird, and nodded as he walked.

marked by absence of sound

From this reading He had a trick of pinching the lower of them, in the hope, I suppose, that the difficulty of using the upper one alone would hold him silent.

an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

the utterance of intelligible speech

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

having the back and shoulders rounded; not erect

From this reading He was a tall man, but stooped at the shoulders, threw his head forward like a long-necked bird, and nodded as he walked.

express a supposition

From this reading He had a trick of pinching the lower of them, in the hope, I suppose, that the difficulty of using the upper one alone would hold him silent.

causing surprise or wonder or amazement

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading He talked to himself continually, the habit was inveterate, and as he never let go of his lower lip it was very difficult to catch what he said.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading He was a tall man, but stooped at the shoulders, threw his head forward like a long-necked bird, and nodded as he walked.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He had a trick of pinching the lower of them, in the hope, I suppose, that the difficulty of using the upper one alone would hold him silent.

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

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He had a trick of pinching the lower of them, in the hope, I suppose, that the difficulty of using the upper one alone would hold him silent.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air

From this reading He was a tall man, but stooped at the shoulders, threw his head forward like a long-necked bird, and nodded as he walked.

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

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

a cunning or deceitful action or device

From this reading He had a trick of pinching the lower of them, in the hope, I suppose, that the difficulty of using the upper one alone would hold him silent.

the topmost one of two

From this reading He had a trick of pinching the lower of them, in the hope, I suppose, that the difficulty of using the upper one alone would hold him silent.

an act that exploits or victimizes someone (treats them unfairly)

From this reading He had a trick of pinching the lower of them, in the hope, I suppose, that the difficulty of using the upper one alone would hold him silent.

precisely as stated

From this reading He talked to himself continually, the habit was inveterate, and as he never let go of his lower lip it was very difficult to catch what he said.

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading He was a tall man, but stooped at the shoulders, threw his head forward like a long-necked bird, and nodded as he walked.

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

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading He talked to himself continually, the habit was inveterate, and as he never let go of his lower lip it was very difficult to catch what he said.

which person or people

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading SURPRISING CHANGE IN MY FORTUNES Father Carnesecchi, of the Society of Jesus, who had charge of the penitents in the college of his Order, and to whom I was formally handed over by my indurate captor, was a member of an old family of Fiesole long settled in Florence, a thin, threadbare, humble old man, who kept his eyes fixed to the earth--sharply piercing, intelligent eyes as they could be--and did his best to keep his lips from speaking.

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

From this reading He had a trick of pinching the lower of them, in the hope, I suppose, that the difficulty of using the upper one alone would hold him silent.