used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Prior sat alone on a settle in a corner, his tonsured head bent so low that his face was unreadable, while with nervous fingers he stroked the cloth of his brown robe.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading The Prior sat alone on a settle in a corner, his tonsured head bent so low that his face was unreadable, while with nervous fingers he stroked the cloth of his brown robe.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE PLEDGE In the antechamber of the elder Villani's sick-room, during the talk between father and son, the monks had quietly waited the termination of the interview.
antechambernounUS /ˈæntetʃeɪmbər/
a large entrance or reception room or area
From this reading THE PLEDGE In the antechamber of the elder Villani's sick-room, during the talk between father and son, the monks had quietly waited the termination of the interview.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading A strange friar, who had on the previous night arrived from Rome, sat with the confessor of San Cataldo, but neither of them spoke.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading They, too, seemed to be listening for the sound of footsteps in the corridor.
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading The Prior sat alone on a settle in a corner, his tonsured head bent so low that his face was unreadable, while with nervous fingers he stroked the cloth of his brown robe.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading THE PLEDGE In the antechamber of the elder Villani's sick-room, during the talk between father and son, the monks had quietly waited the termination of the interview.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading The Prior sat alone on a settle in a corner, his tonsured head bent so low that his face was unreadable, while with nervous fingers he stroked the cloth of his brown robe.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A strange friar, who had on the previous night arrived from Rome, sat with the confessor of San Cataldo, but neither of them spoke.
Cataldo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A strange friar, who had on the previous night arrived from Rome, sat with the confessor of San Cataldo, but neither of them spoke.
artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers
From this reading The Prior sat alone on a settle in a corner, his tonsured head bent so low that his face was unreadable, while with nervous fingers he stroked the cloth of his brown robe.
plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading One of the monks was engaged in expounding some dogma to his companions who obviously paid little heed to his words.
confessornoun
a priest who hears confession and gives absolution
From this reading A strange friar, who had on the previous night arrived from Rome, sat with the confessor of San Cataldo, but neither of them spoke.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading The Prior sat alone on a settle in a corner, his tonsured head bent so low that his face was unreadable, while with nervous fingers he stroked the cloth of his brown robe.
corridornounUS /ˈkɔːrədər/
an enclosed passageway; rooms usually open onto it
From this reading They, too, seemed to be listening for the sound of footsteps in the corridor.
dogmanounUS /ˈdɑːɡmə/
a religious doctrine that is proclaimed as true without proof
From this reading One of the monks was engaged in expounding some dogma to his companions who obviously paid little heed to his words.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading THE PLEDGE In the antechamber of the elder Villani's sick-room, during the talk between father and son, the monks had quietly waited the termination of the interview.
a person who is older than you are
From this reading THE PLEDGE In the antechamber of the elder Villani's sick-room, during the talk between father and son, the monks had quietly waited the termination of the interview.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading One of the monks was engaged in expounding some dogma to his companions who obviously paid little heed to his words.
expoundingnounUS /ɪkˈspaʊndɪŋ/
a systematic interpretation or explanation (usually written) of a specific topic
From this reading One of the monks was engaged in expounding some dogma to his companions who obviously paid little heed to his words.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The Prior sat alone on a settle in a corner, his tonsured head bent so low that his face was unreadable, while with nervous fingers he stroked the cloth of his brown robe.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading THE PLEDGE In the antechamber of the elder Villani's sick-room, during the talk between father and son, the monks had quietly waited the termination of the interview.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading The Prior sat alone on a settle in a corner, his tonsured head bent so low that his face was unreadable, while with nervous fingers he stroked the cloth of his brown robe.
plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading They, too, seemed to be listening for the sound of footsteps in the corridor.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They, too, seemed to be listening for the sound of footsteps in the corridor.
friarnounUS /ˈfraɪər/
a male member of a religious order that originally relied solely on alms
From this reading A strange friar, who had on the previous night arrived from Rome, sat with the confessor of San Cataldo, but neither of them spoke.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A strange friar, who had on the previous night arrived from Rome, sat with the confessor of San Cataldo, but neither of them spoke.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE PLEDGE In the antechamber of the elder Villani's sick-room, during the talk between father and son, the monks had quietly waited the termination of the interview.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Prior sat alone on a settle in a corner, his tonsured head bent so low that his face was unreadable, while with nervous fingers he stroked the cloth of his brown robe.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The Prior sat alone on a settle in a corner, his tonsured head bent so low that his face was unreadable, while with nervous fingers he stroked the cloth of his brown robe.
heednounUS /hiːd/
paying particular notice (as to children or helpless people)
From this reading One of the monks was engaged in expounding some dogma to his companions who obviously paid little heed to his words.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Prior sat alone on a settle in a corner, his tonsured head bent so low that his face was unreadable, while with nervous fingers he stroked the cloth of his brown robe.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE PLEDGE In the antechamber of the elder Villani's sick-room, during the talk between father and son, the monks had quietly waited the termination of the interview.
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading THE PLEDGE In the antechamber of the elder Villani's sick-room, during the talk between father and son, the monks had quietly waited the termination of the interview.
the act of hearing attentively
From this reading They, too, seemed to be listening for the sound of footsteps in the corridor.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading One of the monks was engaged in expounding some dogma to his companions who obviously paid little heed to his words.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The Prior sat alone on a settle in a corner, his tonsured head bent so low that his face was unreadable, while with nervous fingers he stroked the cloth of his brown robe.
monksnounUS /mʌŋks/
plural of “monk” — a male religious living in a cloister and devoting himself to contemplation and prayer and work
From this reading THE PLEDGE In the antechamber of the elder Villani's sick-room, during the talk between father and son, the monks had quietly waited the termination of the interview.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading A strange friar, who had on the previous night arrived from Rome, sat with the confessor of San Cataldo, but neither of them spoke.
easily agitated
From this reading The Prior sat alone on a settle in a corner, his tonsured head bent so low that his face was unreadable, while with nervous fingers he stroked the cloth of his brown robe.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A strange friar, who had on the previous night arrived from Rome, sat with the confessor of San Cataldo, but neither of them spoke.
obviouslyadverbUS /ˈɑːbviəsli/
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading One of the monks was engaged in expounding some dogma to his companions who obviously paid little heed to his words.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE PLEDGE In the antechamber of the elder Villani's sick-room, during the talk between father and son, the monks had quietly waited the termination of the interview.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The Prior sat alone on a settle in a corner, his tonsured head bent so low that his face was unreadable, while with nervous fingers he stroked the cloth of his brown robe.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One of the monks was engaged in expounding some dogma to his companions who obviously paid little heed to his words.
marked by the reception of pay
From this reading One of the monks was engaged in expounding some dogma to his companions who obviously paid little heed to his words.
PLEDGEverbUS /pledʒ/
promise solemnly and formally
From this reading THE PLEDGE In the antechamber of the elder Villani's sick-room, during the talk between father and son, the monks had quietly waited the termination of the interview.
just preceding something else in time or order
From this reading A strange friar, who had on the previous night arrived from Rome, sat with the confessor of San Cataldo, but neither of them spoke.
PrioradjectiveUS /ˈpraɪər/
earlier in time
From this reading The Prior sat alone on a settle in a corner, his tonsured head bent so low that his face was unreadable, while with nervous fingers he stroked the cloth of his brown robe.
with low volume
From this reading THE PLEDGE In the antechamber of the elder Villani's sick-room, during the talk between father and son, the monks had quietly waited the termination of the interview.
robenounUS /roʊb/
any loose flowing garment
From this reading The Prior sat alone on a settle in a corner, his tonsured head bent so low that his face was unreadable, while with nervous fingers he stroked the cloth of his brown robe.
capital and largest city of Italy; on the Tiber; seat of the Roman Catholic Church; formerly the capital of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire
From this reading A strange friar, who had on the previous night arrived from Rome, sat with the confessor of San Cataldo, but neither of them spoke.
San
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A strange friar, who had on the previous night arrived from Rome, sat with the confessor of San Cataldo, but neither of them spoke.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading The Prior sat alone on a settle in a corner, his tonsured head bent so low that his face was unreadable, while with nervous fingers he stroked the cloth of his brown robe.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading They, too, seemed to be listening for the sound of footsteps in the corridor.
settle into a position, usually on a surface or ground
From this reading The Prior sat alone on a settle in a corner, his tonsured head bent so low that his face was unreadable, while with nervous fingers he stroked the cloth of his brown robe.
sick-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PLEDGE In the antechamber of the elder Villani's sick-room, during the talk between father and son, the monks had quietly waited the termination of the interview.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The Prior sat alone on a settle in a corner, his tonsured head bent so low that his face was unreadable, while with nervous fingers he stroked the cloth of his brown robe.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading One of the monks was engaged in expounding some dogma to his companions who obviously paid little heed to his words.
a male human offspring
From this reading THE PLEDGE In the antechamber of the elder Villani's sick-room, during the talk between father and son, the monks had quietly waited the termination of the interview.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading They, too, seemed to be listening for the sound of footsteps in the corridor.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading A strange friar, who had on the previous night arrived from Rome, sat with the confessor of San Cataldo, but neither of them spoke.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading A strange friar, who had on the previous night arrived from Rome, sat with the confessor of San Cataldo, but neither of them spoke.
strokedverbUS /stroʊkt/
past form of “stroke” — touch lightly and repeatedly, as with brushing motions
From this reading The Prior sat alone on a settle in a corner, his tonsured head bent so low that his face was unreadable, while with nervous fingers he stroked the cloth of his brown robe.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading THE PLEDGE In the antechamber of the elder Villani's sick-room, during the talk between father and son, the monks had quietly waited the termination of the interview.
terminationnounUS /tərməˈneɪʃən/
a coming to an end of a contract period
From this reading THE PLEDGE In the antechamber of the elder Villani's sick-room, during the talk between father and son, the monks had quietly waited the termination of the interview.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The Prior sat alone on a settle in a corner, his tonsured head bent so low that his face was unreadable, while with nervous fingers he stroked the cloth of his brown robe.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PLEDGE In the antechamber of the elder Villani's sick-room, during the talk between father and son, the monks had quietly waited the termination of the interview.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading A strange friar, who had on the previous night arrived from Rome, sat with the confessor of San Cataldo, but neither of them spoke.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They, too, seemed to be listening for the sound of footsteps in the corridor.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading One of the monks was engaged in expounding some dogma to his companions who obviously paid little heed to his words.
tonsuredadjective
having a bald spot either shaved or natural
From this reading The Prior sat alone on a settle in a corner, his tonsured head bent so low that his face was unreadable, while with nervous fingers he stroked the cloth of his brown robe.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading They, too, seemed to be listening for the sound of footsteps in the corridor.
unreadableadjectiveUS /ənˈriːdəbəl/
not easily deciphered
From this reading The Prior sat alone on a settle in a corner, his tonsured head bent so low that his face was unreadable, while with nervous fingers he stroked the cloth of his brown robe.
Villani's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PLEDGE In the antechamber of the elder Villani's sick-room, during the talk between father and son, the monks had quietly waited the termination of the interview.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading THE PLEDGE In the antechamber of the elder Villani's sick-room, during the talk between father and son, the monks had quietly waited the termination of the interview.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Prior sat alone on a settle in a corner, his tonsured head bent so low that his face was unreadable, while with nervous fingers he stroked the cloth of his brown robe.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The Prior sat alone on a settle in a corner, his tonsured head bent so low that his face was unreadable, while with nervous fingers he stroked the cloth of his brown robe.
which person or people
From this reading One of the monks was engaged in expounding some dogma to his companions who obviously paid little heed to his words.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The Prior sat alone on a settle in a corner, his tonsured head bent so low that his face was unreadable, while with nervous fingers he stroked the cloth of his brown robe.
the words that are spoken
From this reading One of the monks was engaged in expounding some dogma to his companions who obviously paid little heed to his words.
