used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Suddenly a wide staircase fell away before her, between two rows of gigantic marble candelabra; and Cornélie came to an atrio which opened over the lake.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The walls, with frescoes by Mantegna, representing feats of bygone San Stefanos, supported a cupola which, painted with sky and clouds, appeared as though it were open to the outer air and which was surrounded by groups of cupids and nymphs looking down from a balustrade.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Suddenly a wide staircase fell away before her, between two rows of gigantic marble candelabra; and Cornélie came to an atrio which opened over the lake.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Cornélie had changed her dress and now left her room.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The walls, with frescoes by Mantegna, representing feats of bygone San Stefanos, supported a cupola which, painted with sky and clouds, appeared as though it were open to the outer air and which was surrounded by groups of cupids and nymphs looking down from a balustrade.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The walls, with frescoes by Mantegna, representing feats of bygone San Stefanos, supported a cupola which, painted with sky and clouds, appeared as though it were open to the outer air and which was surrounded by groups of cupids and nymphs looking down from a balustrade.
atrio
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly a wide staircase fell away before her, between two rows of gigantic marble candelabra; and Cornélie came to an atrio which opened over the lake.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Suddenly a wide staircase fell away before her, between two rows of gigantic marble candelabra; and Cornélie came to an atrio which opened over the lake.
balustradenoun
a railing at the side of a staircase or balcony to prevent people from falling
From this reading The walls, with frescoes by Mantegna, representing feats of bygone San Stefanos, supported a cupola which, painted with sky and clouds, appeared as though it were open to the outer air and which was surrounded by groups of cupids and nymphs looking down from a balustrade.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Suddenly a wide staircase fell away before her, between two rows of gigantic marble candelabra; and Cornélie came to an atrio which opened over the lake.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Suddenly a wide staircase fell away before her, between two rows of gigantic marble candelabra; and Cornélie came to an atrio which opened over the lake.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She did not know the way, but walked on.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The walls, with frescoes by Mantegna, representing feats of bygone San Stefanos, supported a cupola which, painted with sky and clouds, appeared as though it were open to the outer air and which was surrounded by groups of cupids and nymphs looking down from a balustrade.
bygonenounUS /ˈbaɪɡɔːn/
past events to be put aside
From this reading The walls, with frescoes by Mantegna, representing feats of bygone San Stefanos, supported a cupola which, painted with sky and clouds, appeared as though it were open to the outer air and which was surrounded by groups of cupids and nymphs looking down from a balustrade.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Suddenly a wide staircase fell away before her, between two rows of gigantic marble candelabra; and Cornélie came to an atrio which opened over the lake.
candelabranounUS /ˌkændəˈlɑːbrə/
branched candlestick; ornamental; has several lights
From this reading Suddenly a wide staircase fell away before her, between two rows of gigantic marble candelabra; and Cornélie came to an atrio which opened over the lake.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading Cornélie had changed her dress and now left her room.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading The walls, with frescoes by Mantegna, representing feats of bygone San Stefanos, supported a cupola which, painted with sky and clouds, appeared as though it were open to the outer air and which was surrounded by groups of cupids and nymphs looking down from a balustrade.
Cornélie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cornélie had changed her dress and now left her room.
corridornounUS /ˈkɔːrədər/
an enclosed passageway; rooms usually open onto it
From this reading She went down the corridor and saw nobody.
cupidsnounUS /ˈkjuːpɪdz/
plural of “cupid” — (Roman mythology) god of love; counterpart of Greek Eros
From this reading The walls, with frescoes by Mantegna, representing feats of bygone San Stefanos, supported a cupola which, painted with sky and clouds, appeared as though it were open to the outer air and which was surrounded by groups of cupids and nymphs looking down from a balustrade.
cupolanounUS /kəˈpoʊlə/
a vertical cylindrical furnace for melting iron for casting
From this reading The walls, with frescoes by Mantegna, representing feats of bygone San Stefanos, supported a cupola which, painted with sky and clouds, appeared as though it were open to the outer air and which was surrounded by groups of cupids and nymphs looking down from a balustrade.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading She did not know the way, but walked on.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading She went down the corridor and saw nobody.
put on clothes
From this reading Cornélie had changed her dress and now left her room.
featsnounUS /fiːts/
plural of “feat” — a notable achievement
From this reading The walls, with frescoes by Mantegna, representing feats of bygone San Stefanos, supported a cupola which, painted with sky and clouds, appeared as though it were open to the outer air and which was surrounded by groups of cupids and nymphs looking down from a balustrade.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading Suddenly a wide staircase fell away before her, between two rows of gigantic marble candelabra; and Cornélie came to an atrio which opened over the lake.
frescoesnounUS /ˈfreskoʊz/
plural of “fresco” — a mural done with watercolors on wet plaster
From this reading The walls, with frescoes by Mantegna, representing feats of bygone San Stefanos, supported a cupola which, painted with sky and clouds, appeared as though it were open to the outer air and which was surrounded by groups of cupids and nymphs looking down from a balustrade.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The walls, with frescoes by Mantegna, representing feats of bygone San Stefanos, supported a cupola which, painted with sky and clouds, appeared as though it were open to the outer air and which was surrounded by groups of cupids and nymphs looking down from a balustrade.
giganticadjectiveUS /dʒaɪˈɡæntɪk/
so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth
From this reading Suddenly a wide staircase fell away before her, between two rows of gigantic marble candelabra; and Cornélie came to an atrio which opened over the lake.
groupsnounUS /ɡruːps/
plural of “group” — any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading The walls, with frescoes by Mantegna, representing feats of bygone San Stefanos, supported a cupola which, painted with sky and clouds, appeared as though it were open to the outer air and which was surrounded by groups of cupids and nymphs looking down from a balustrade.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Cornélie had changed her dress and now left her room.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Cornélie had changed her dress and now left her room.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The walls, with frescoes by Mantegna, representing feats of bygone San Stefanos, supported a cupola which, painted with sky and clouds, appeared as though it were open to the outer air and which was surrounded by groups of cupids and nymphs looking down from a balustrade.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading She did not know the way, but walked on.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading Suddenly a wide staircase fell away before her, between two rows of gigantic marble candelabra; and Cornélie came to an atrio which opened over the lake.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Cornélie had changed her dress and now left her room.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading The walls, with frescoes by Mantegna, representing feats of bygone San Stefanos, supported a cupola which, painted with sky and clouds, appeared as though it were open to the outer air and which was surrounded by groups of cupids and nymphs looking down from a balustrade.
Mantegnanoun
Italian painter and engraver noted for his frescoes (1431-1506)
From this reading The walls, with frescoes by Mantegna, representing feats of bygone San Stefanos, supported a cupola which, painted with sky and clouds, appeared as though it were open to the outer air and which was surrounded by groups of cupids and nymphs looking down from a balustrade.
a hard crystalline metamorphic rock that takes a high polish; used for sculpture and as building material
From this reading Suddenly a wide staircase fell away before her, between two rows of gigantic marble candelabra; and Cornélie came to an atrio which opened over the lake.
no person; not anyone
From this reading She went down the corridor and saw nobody.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She did not know the way, but walked on.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Cornélie had changed her dress and now left her room.
nymphsnounUS /nɪmfs/
plural of “nymph” — (classical mythology) a minor nature goddess usually depicted as a beautiful maiden
From this reading The walls, with frescoes by Mantegna, representing feats of bygone San Stefanos, supported a cupola which, painted with sky and clouds, appeared as though it were open to the outer air and which was surrounded by groups of cupids and nymphs looking down from a balustrade.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Suddenly a wide staircase fell away before her, between two rows of gigantic marble candelabra; and Cornélie came to an atrio which opened over the lake.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She did not know the way, but walked on.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The walls, with frescoes by Mantegna, representing feats of bygone San Stefanos, supported a cupola which, painted with sky and clouds, appeared as though it were open to the outer air and which was surrounded by groups of cupids and nymphs looking down from a balustrade.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading Suddenly a wide staircase fell away before her, between two rows of gigantic marble candelabra; and Cornélie came to an atrio which opened over the lake.
outeradjectiveUS /ˈaʊtər/
being on the outside or further from a center
From this reading The walls, with frescoes by Mantegna, representing feats of bygone San Stefanos, supported a cupola which, painted with sky and clouds, appeared as though it were open to the outer air and which was surrounded by groups of cupids and nymphs looking down from a balustrade.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Suddenly a wide staircase fell away before her, between two rows of gigantic marble candelabra; and Cornélie came to an atrio which opened over the lake.
coated with paint
From this reading The walls, with frescoes by Mantegna, representing feats of bygone San Stefanos, supported a cupola which, painted with sky and clouds, appeared as though it were open to the outer air and which was surrounded by groups of cupids and nymphs looking down from a balustrade.
representingverbUS /ˌreprɪˈzentɪŋ/
-ing form of “represent” — take the place of or be parallel or equivalent to
From this reading The walls, with frescoes by Mantegna, representing feats of bygone San Stefanos, supported a cupola which, painted with sky and clouds, appeared as though it were open to the outer air and which was surrounded by groups of cupids and nymphs looking down from a balustrade.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Cornélie had changed her dress and now left her room.
rowsnounUS /roʊz/
plural of “row” — an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line
From this reading Suddenly a wide staircase fell away before her, between two rows of gigantic marble candelabra; and Cornélie came to an atrio which opened over the lake.
San
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The walls, with frescoes by Mantegna, representing feats of bygone San Stefanos, supported a cupola which, painted with sky and clouds, appeared as though it were open to the outer air and which was surrounded by groups of cupids and nymphs looking down from a balustrade.
cut with a saw
From this reading She went down the corridor and saw nobody.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She went down the corridor and saw nobody.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading The walls, with frescoes by Mantegna, representing feats of bygone San Stefanos, supported a cupola which, painted with sky and clouds, appeared as though it were open to the outer air and which was surrounded by groups of cupids and nymphs looking down from a balustrade.
staircasenounUS /ˈsterkeɪs/
a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps
From this reading Suddenly a wide staircase fell away before her, between two rows of gigantic marble candelabra; and Cornélie came to an atrio which opened over the lake.
Stefanos
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The walls, with frescoes by Mantegna, representing feats of bygone San Stefanos, supported a cupola which, painted with sky and clouds, appeared as though it were open to the outer air and which was surrounded by groups of cupids and nymphs looking down from a balustrade.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Suddenly a wide staircase fell away before her, between two rows of gigantic marble candelabra; and Cornélie came to an atrio which opened over the lake.
supportedadjectiveUS /səˈpɔːrtɪd/
sustained or maintained by aid (as distinct from physical support)
From this reading The walls, with frescoes by Mantegna, representing feats of bygone San Stefanos, supported a cupola which, painted with sky and clouds, appeared as though it were open to the outer air and which was surrounded by groups of cupids and nymphs looking down from a balustrade.
confined on all sides
From this reading The walls, with frescoes by Mantegna, representing feats of bygone San Stefanos, supported a cupola which, painted with sky and clouds, appeared as though it were open to the outer air and which was surrounded by groups of cupids and nymphs looking down from a balustrade.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She went down the corridor and saw nobody.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The walls, with frescoes by Mantegna, representing feats of bygone San Stefanos, supported a cupola which, painted with sky and clouds, appeared as though it were open to the outer air and which was surrounded by groups of cupids and nymphs looking down from a balustrade.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Suddenly a wide staircase fell away before her, between two rows of gigantic marble candelabra; and Cornélie came to an atrio which opened over the lake.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Suddenly a wide staircase fell away before her, between two rows of gigantic marble candelabra; and Cornélie came to an atrio which opened over the lake.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading She did not know the way, but walked on.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading The walls, with frescoes by Mantegna, representing feats of bygone San Stefanos, supported a cupola which, painted with sky and clouds, appeared as though it were open to the outer air and which was surrounded by groups of cupids and nymphs looking down from a balustrade.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The walls, with frescoes by Mantegna, representing feats of bygone San Stefanos, supported a cupola which, painted with sky and clouds, appeared as though it were open to the outer air and which was surrounded by groups of cupids and nymphs looking down from a balustrade.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading She did not know the way, but walked on.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading She went down the corridor and saw nobody.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The walls, with frescoes by Mantegna, representing feats of bygone San Stefanos, supported a cupola which, painted with sky and clouds, appeared as though it were open to the outer air and which was surrounded by groups of cupids and nymphs looking down from a balustrade.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Suddenly a wide staircase fell away before her, between two rows of gigantic marble candelabra; and Cornélie came to an atrio which opened over the lake.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Suddenly a wide staircase fell away before her, between two rows of gigantic marble candelabra; and Cornélie came to an atrio which opened over the lake.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The walls, with frescoes by Mantegna, representing feats of bygone San Stefanos, supported a cupola which, painted with sky and clouds, appeared as though it were open to the outer air and which was surrounded by groups of cupids and nymphs looking down from a balustrade.
