adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading His elbows rested on the shabby black oilcloth glued to the table, and his long knotted fingers twisted his few remaining locks, on each side of his head, in a way that was painful to see.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading From time to time he desisted for an instant, and held up his open hands, the fingers quivering with emotion, and his watery eyes were turned upwards, too, as if directing an unspoken prayer to the dusty rafters of the ceiling.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Signor Pompeo Sassi sat in his dingy office and tore his hair, in the good old literal Italian sense.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading From time to time he desisted for an instant, and held up his open hands, the fingers quivering with emotion, and his watery eyes were turned upwards, too, as if directing an unspoken prayer to the dusty rafters of the ceiling.
blackadjectiveUS /blæk/
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading His elbows rested on the shabby black oilcloth glued to the table, and his long knotted fingers twisted his few remaining locks, on each side of his head, in a way that was painful to see.
brokenadjectiveUS /ˈbroʊkən/
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading His heart was broken.
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
From this reading From time to time he desisted for an instant, and held up his open hands, the fingers quivering with emotion, and his watery eyes were turned upwards, too, as if directing an unspoken prayer to the dusty rafters of the ceiling.
deepenedverbUS /ˈdiːpənd/
past form of “deepen” — make more intense, stronger, or more marked
From this reading The furrows had deepened of late in his respectable, trust-inspiring face, and he was as thin as a skeleton in leather.
desisted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From time to time he desisted for an instant, and held up his open hands, the fingers quivering with emotion, and his watery eyes were turned upwards, too, as if directing an unspoken prayer to the dusty rafters of the ceiling.
dingyadjectiveUS /ˈdɪndʒi/
thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot
From this reading Signor Pompeo Sassi sat in his dingy office and tore his hair, in the good old literal Italian sense.
directingadjectiveUS /dərˈektɪŋ/
showing the way by conducting or leading; imposing direction on
From this reading From time to time he desisted for an instant, and held up his open hands, the fingers quivering with emotion, and his watery eyes were turned upwards, too, as if directing an unspoken prayer to the dusty rafters of the ceiling.
dustyadjectiveUS /ˈdʌsti/
covered with a layer of dust
From this reading From time to time he desisted for an instant, and held up his open hands, the fingers quivering with emotion, and his watery eyes were turned upwards, too, as if directing an unspoken prayer to the dusty rafters of the ceiling.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading His elbows rested on the shabby black oilcloth glued to the table, and his long knotted fingers twisted his few remaining locks, on each side of his head, in a way that was painful to see.
elbowsnounUS /ˈelboʊz/
plural of “elbow” — hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
From this reading His elbows rested on the shabby black oilcloth glued to the table, and his long knotted fingers twisted his few remaining locks, on each side of his head, in a way that was painful to see.
emotionnounUS /ɪˈmoʊʃən/
any strong feeling
From this reading From time to time he desisted for an instant, and held up his open hands, the fingers quivering with emotion, and his watery eyes were turned upwards, too, as if directing an unspoken prayer to the dusty rafters of the ceiling.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading From time to time he desisted for an instant, and held up his open hands, the fingers quivering with emotion, and his watery eyes were turned upwards, too, as if directing an unspoken prayer to the dusty rafters of the ceiling.
facenounUS /feɪs/
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The furrows had deepened of late in his respectable, trust-inspiring face, and he was as thin as a skeleton in leather.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading His elbows rested on the shabby black oilcloth glued to the table, and his long knotted fingers twisted his few remaining locks, on each side of his head, in a way that was painful to see.
fingersnounUS /ˈfɪŋɡərz/
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading His elbows rested on the shabby black oilcloth glued to the table, and his long knotted fingers twisted his few remaining locks, on each side of his head, in a way that was painful to see.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading From time to time he desisted for an instant, and held up his open hands, the fingers quivering with emotion, and his watery eyes were turned upwards, too, as if directing an unspoken prayer to the dusty rafters of the ceiling.
FromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From time to time he desisted for an instant, and held up his open hands, the fingers quivering with emotion, and his watery eyes were turned upwards, too, as if directing an unspoken prayer to the dusty rafters of the ceiling.
furrows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The furrows had deepened of late in his respectable, trust-inspiring face, and he was as thin as a skeleton in leather.
gluedadjectiveUS /ɡluːd/
affixed or as if affixed with glue or paste
From this reading His elbows rested on the shabby black oilcloth glued to the table, and his long knotted fingers twisted his few remaining locks, on each side of his head, in a way that was painful to see.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Signor Pompeo Sassi sat in his dingy office and tore his hair, in the good old literal Italian sense.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The furrows had deepened of late in his respectable, trust-inspiring face, and he was as thin as a skeleton in leather.
hairnounUS /her/
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading Signor Pompeo Sassi sat in his dingy office and tore his hair, in the good old literal Italian sense.
handsnounUS /hændz/
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading From time to time he desisted for an instant, and held up his open hands, the fingers quivering with emotion, and his watery eyes were turned upwards, too, as if directing an unspoken prayer to the dusty rafters of the ceiling.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading From time to time he desisted for an instant, and held up his open hands, the fingers quivering with emotion, and his watery eyes were turned upwards, too, as if directing an unspoken prayer to the dusty rafters of the ceiling.
headnounUS /hed/
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading His elbows rested on the shabby black oilcloth glued to the table, and his long knotted fingers twisted his few remaining locks, on each side of his head, in a way that was painful to see.
heartnounUS /hɑːrt/
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading His heart was broken.
heldadjectiveUS /held/
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading From time to time he desisted for an instant, and held up his open hands, the fingers quivering with emotion, and his watery eyes were turned upwards, too, as if directing an unspoken prayer to the dusty rafters of the ceiling.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Signor Pompeo Sassi sat in his dingy office and tore his hair, in the good old literal Italian sense.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading From time to time he desisted for an instant, and held up his open hands, the fingers quivering with emotion, and his watery eyes were turned upwards, too, as if directing an unspoken prayer to the dusty rafters of the ceiling.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Signor Pompeo Sassi sat in his dingy office and tore his hair, in the good old literal Italian sense.
instantnounUS /ˈɪnstənt/
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading From time to time he desisted for an instant, and held up his open hands, the fingers quivering with emotion, and his watery eyes were turned upwards, too, as if directing an unspoken prayer to the dusty rafters of the ceiling.
ItaliannounUS /ˌɪˈtæljən/
a native or inhabitant of Italy
From this reading Signor Pompeo Sassi sat in his dingy office and tore his hair, in the good old literal Italian sense.
knottedadjectiveUS /ˈnɑːtɪd/
tied with a knot
From this reading His elbows rested on the shabby black oilcloth glued to the table, and his long knotted fingers twisted his few remaining locks, on each side of his head, in a way that was painful to see.
lateadjectiveUS /leɪt/
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading The furrows had deepened of late in his respectable, trust-inspiring face, and he was as thin as a skeleton in leather.
leathernounUS /ˈleðər/
an animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning
From this reading The furrows had deepened of late in his respectable, trust-inspiring face, and he was as thin as a skeleton in leather.
literaladjectiveUS /ˈlɪtərəl/
being or reflecting the essential or genuine character of something
From this reading Signor Pompeo Sassi sat in his dingy office and tore his hair, in the good old literal Italian sense.
locksnounUS /lɑːks/
plural of “lock” — a fastener fitted to a door or drawer to keep it firmly closed
From this reading His elbows rested on the shabby black oilcloth glued to the table, and his long knotted fingers twisted his few remaining locks, on each side of his head, in a way that was painful to see.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
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 His elbows rested on the shabby black oilcloth glued to the table, and his long knotted fingers twisted his few remaining locks, on each side of his head, in a way that was painful to see.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His elbows rested on the shabby black oilcloth glued to the table, and his long knotted fingers twisted his few remaining locks, on each side of his head, in a way that was painful to see.
officenounUS /ˈɔːfɪs/
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading Signor Pompeo Sassi sat in his dingy office and tore his hair, in the good old literal Italian sense.
oilclothnoun
cloth treated on one side with a drying oil or synthetic resin
From this reading His elbows rested on the shabby black oilcloth glued to the table, and his long knotted fingers twisted his few remaining locks, on each side of his head, in a way that was painful to see.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Signor Pompeo Sassi sat in his dingy office and tore his hair, in the good old literal Italian sense.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading His elbows rested on the shabby black oilcloth glued to the table, and his long knotted fingers twisted his few remaining locks, on each side of his head, in a way that was painful to see.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading From time to time he desisted for an instant, and held up his open hands, the fingers quivering with emotion, and his watery eyes were turned upwards, too, as if directing an unspoken prayer to the dusty rafters of the ceiling.
painfuladjectiveUS /ˈpeɪnfəl/
causing physical or psychological pain
From this reading His elbows rested on the shabby black oilcloth glued to the table, and his long knotted fingers twisted his few remaining locks, on each side of his head, in a way that was painful to see.
Pompeo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Signor Pompeo Sassi sat in his dingy office and tore his hair, in the good old literal Italian sense.
prayernounUS /prer/
the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)
From this reading From time to time he desisted for an instant, and held up his open hands, the fingers quivering with emotion, and his watery eyes were turned upwards, too, as if directing an unspoken prayer to the dusty rafters of the ceiling.
quiveringnounUS /ˈkwɪvərɪŋ/
a shaky motion
From this reading From time to time he desisted for an instant, and held up his open hands, the fingers quivering with emotion, and his watery eyes were turned upwards, too, as if directing an unspoken prayer to the dusty rafters of the ceiling.
raftersnounUS /ˈræftərz/
plural of “rafter” — one of several parallel sloping beams that support a roof
From this reading From time to time he desisted for an instant, and held up his open hands, the fingers quivering with emotion, and his watery eyes were turned upwards, too, as if directing an unspoken prayer to the dusty rafters of the ceiling.
remainingadjectiveUS /rɪˈmeɪnɪŋ/
not used up
From this reading His elbows rested on the shabby black oilcloth glued to the table, and his long knotted fingers twisted his few remaining locks, on each side of his head, in a way that was painful to see.
respectableadjectiveUS /rɪˈspektəbəl/
characterized by socially or conventionally acceptable morals
From this reading The furrows had deepened of late in his respectable, trust-inspiring face, and he was as thin as a skeleton in leather.
restedadjectiveUS /ˈrestəd/
not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing
From this reading His elbows rested on the shabby black oilcloth glued to the table, and his long knotted fingers twisted his few remaining locks, on each side of his head, in a way that was painful to see.
Sassi
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Signor Pompeo Sassi sat in his dingy office and tore his hair, in the good old literal Italian sense.
satnounUS /sæt/
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Signor Pompeo Sassi sat in his dingy office and tore his hair, in the good old literal Italian sense.
seeverbUS /siː/
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading His elbows rested on the shabby black oilcloth glued to the table, and his long knotted fingers twisted his few remaining locks, on each side of his head, in a way that was painful to see.
sensenounUS /sens/
a general conscious awareness
From this reading Signor Pompeo Sassi sat in his dingy office and tore his hair, in the good old literal Italian sense.
shabbyadjectiveUS /ˈʃæbi/
showing signs of wear and tear
From this reading His elbows rested on the shabby black oilcloth glued to the table, and his long knotted fingers twisted his few remaining locks, on each side of his head, in a way that was painful to see.
sidenounUS /saɪd/
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading His elbows rested on the shabby black oilcloth glued to the table, and his long knotted fingers twisted his few remaining locks, on each side of his head, in a way that was painful to see.
SignornounUS /ˈsiːnjɔːr/
used as an Italian courtesy title; can be prefixed to the name or used separately
From this reading Signor Pompeo Sassi sat in his dingy office and tore his hair, in the good old literal Italian sense.
skeletonnounUS /ˈskelətən/
something reduced to its minimal form
From this reading The furrows had deepened of late in his respectable, trust-inspiring face, and he was as thin as a skeleton in leather.
tablenounUS /ˈteɪbəl/
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading His elbows rested on the shabby black oilcloth glued to the table, and his long knotted fingers twisted his few remaining locks, on each side of his head, in a way that was painful to see.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading His elbows rested on the shabby black oilcloth glued to the table, and his long knotted fingers twisted his few remaining locks, on each side of his head, in a way that was painful to see.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Signor Pompeo Sassi sat in his dingy office and tore his hair, in the good old literal Italian sense.
thinadjectiveUS /θɪn/
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading The furrows had deepened of late in his respectable, trust-inspiring face, and he was as thin as a skeleton in leather.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading From time to time he desisted for an instant, and held up his open hands, the fingers quivering with emotion, and his watery eyes were turned upwards, too, as if directing an unspoken prayer to the dusty rafters of the ceiling.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His elbows rested on the shabby black oilcloth glued to the table, and his long knotted fingers twisted his few remaining locks, on each side of his head, in a way that was painful to see.
tooadverbUS /tuː/
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading From time to time he desisted for an instant, and held up his open hands, the fingers quivering with emotion, and his watery eyes were turned upwards, too, as if directing an unspoken prayer to the dusty rafters of the ceiling.
torenounUS /tɔːr/
commonly the lowest molding at the base of a column
From this reading Signor Pompeo Sassi sat in his dingy office and tore his hair, in the good old literal Italian sense.
trust-inspiring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The furrows had deepened of late in his respectable, trust-inspiring face, and he was as thin as a skeleton in leather.
turnedadjectiveUS /tɜːrnd/
moved around an axis or center
From this reading From time to time he desisted for an instant, and held up his open hands, the fingers quivering with emotion, and his watery eyes were turned upwards, too, as if directing an unspoken prayer to the dusty rafters of the ceiling.
twistedadjectiveUS /ˈtwɪstɪd/
having an intended meaning altered or misrepresented
From this reading His elbows rested on the shabby black oilcloth glued to the table, and his long knotted fingers twisted his few remaining locks, on each side of his head, in a way that was painful to see.
unspokenadjectiveUS /ənˈspoʊkən/
expressed without speech
From this reading From time to time he desisted for an instant, and held up his open hands, the fingers quivering with emotion, and his watery eyes were turned upwards, too, as if directing an unspoken prayer to the dusty rafters of the ceiling.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading From time to time he desisted for an instant, and held up his open hands, the fingers quivering with emotion, and his watery eyes were turned upwards, too, as if directing an unspoken prayer to the dusty rafters of the ceiling.
upwardsadverbUS /ˈʌpwərdz/
spatially or metaphorically from a lower to a higher position
From this reading From time to time he desisted for an instant, and held up his open hands, the fingers quivering with emotion, and his watery eyes were turned upwards, too, as if directing an unspoken prayer to the dusty rafters of the ceiling.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His elbows rested on the shabby black oilcloth glued to the table, and his long knotted fingers twisted his few remaining locks, on each side of his head, in a way that was painful to see.
wateryadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːtəri/
filled with water
From this reading From time to time he desisted for an instant, and held up his open hands, the fingers quivering with emotion, and his watery eyes were turned upwards, too, as if directing an unspoken prayer to the dusty rafters of the ceiling.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading His elbows rested on the shabby black oilcloth glued to the table, and his long knotted fingers twisted his few remaining locks, on each side of his head, in a way that was painful to see.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading From time to time he desisted for an instant, and held up his open hands, the fingers quivering with emotion, and his watery eyes were turned upwards, too, as if directing an unspoken prayer to the dusty rafters of the ceiling.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading From time to time he desisted for an instant, and held up his open hands, the fingers quivering with emotion, and his watery eyes were turned upwards, too, as if directing an unspoken prayer to the dusty rafters of the ceiling.
