Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Not upon her sister Lucia and Paolo Tosti whom she had been assigned to chaperon by reading a book to herself in the adjoining room--no, they were safely busy with piano and violin, and she was heartily bored, anyway, with their inanities.

-ing form of “adjoin” — lie adjacent to another or share a boundary

From this reading Not upon her sister Lucia and Paolo Tosti whom she had been assigned to chaperon by reading a book to herself in the adjoining room--no, they were safely busy with piano and violin, and she was heartily bored, anyway, with their inanities.

the process of paying close and continuous attention

From this reading Voices from another direction had pricked her to alertness.

providing enjoyment; pleasantly entertaining

From this reading Maria Angelina was in the corner room of the Palazzo Santonini, a dim and beautiful old library with faded furnishings whose west arch of doorway looked into the pretentious reception room where the fiances were amusing themselves with their music and their whisperings.

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

From this reading Not upon her sister Lucia and Paolo Tosti whom she had been assigned to chaperon by reading a book to herself in the adjoining room--no, they were safely busy with piano and violin, and she was heartily bored, anyway, with their inanities.

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

From this reading Maria Angelina was eavesdropping.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading Voices from another direction had pricked her to alertness.

used to indicate that a statement explains or supports a previous statement

From this reading Not upon her sister Lucia and Paolo Tosti whom she had been assigned to chaperon by reading a book to herself in the adjoining room--no, they were safely busy with piano and violin, and she was heartily bored, anyway, with their inanities.

a curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening

From this reading Maria Angelina was in the corner room of the Palazzo Santonini, a dim and beautiful old library with faded furnishings whose west arch of doorway looked into the pretentious reception room where the fiances were amusing themselves with their music and their whisperings.

appointed to a post or duty

From this reading Not upon her sister Lucia and Paolo Tosti whom she had been assigned to chaperon by reading a book to herself in the adjoining room--no, they were safely busy with piano and violin, and she was heartily bored, anyway, with their inanities.

the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE FORTIETH DOOR," "THE PALACE OF DARKENED WINDOWS," "THE WINE OF ASTONISHMENT," "THE SPLENDID CHANCE," ETC.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE FORTIETH DOOR," "THE PALACE OF DARKENED WINDOWS," "THE WINE OF ASTONISHMENT," "THE SPLENDID CHANCE," ETC.

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading Maria Angelina was in the corner room of the Palazzo Santonini, a dim and beautiful old library with faded furnishings whose west arch of doorway looked into the pretentious reception room where the fiances were amusing themselves with their music and their whisperings.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Not upon her sister Lucia and Paolo Tosti whom she had been assigned to chaperon by reading a book to herself in the adjoining room--no, they were safely busy with piano and violin, and she was heartily bored, anyway, with their inanities.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading Not upon her sister Lucia and Paolo Tosti whom she had been assigned to chaperon by reading a book to herself in the adjoining room--no, they were safely busy with piano and violin, and she was heartily bored, anyway, with their inanities.

tired of the world

From this reading Not upon her sister Lucia and Paolo Tosti whom she had been assigned to chaperon by reading a book to herself in the adjoining room--no, they were safely busy with piano and violin, and she was heartily bored, anyway, with their inanities.

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading Not upon her sister Lucia and Paolo Tosti whom she had been assigned to chaperon by reading a book to herself in the adjoining room--no, they were safely busy with piano and violin, and she was heartily bored, anyway, with their inanities.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Not upon her sister Lucia and Paolo Tosti whom she had been assigned to chaperon by reading a book to herself in the adjoining room--no, they were safely busy with piano and violin, and she was heartily bored, anyway, with their inanities.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE FORTIETH DOOR," "THE PALACE OF DARKENED WINDOWS," "THE WINE OF ASTONISHMENT," "THE SPLENDID CHANCE," ETC.

one who accompanies and supervises a young woman or gatherings of young people

From this reading Not upon her sister Lucia and Paolo Tosti whom she had been assigned to chaperon by reading a book to herself in the adjoining room--no, they were safely busy with piano and violin, and she was heartily bored, anyway, with their inanities.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading Maria Angelina was in the corner room of the Palazzo Santonini, a dim and beautiful old library with faded furnishings whose west arch of doorway looked into the pretentious reception room where the fiances were amusing themselves with their music and their whisperings.

(of fabrics and paper) grown dark in color over time

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE FORTIETH DOOR," "THE PALACE OF DARKENED WINDOWS," "THE WINE OF ASTONISHMENT," "THE SPLENDID CHANCE," ETC.

lacking in light; not bright or harsh

From this reading Maria Angelina was in the corner room of the Palazzo Santonini, a dim and beautiful old library with faded furnishings whose west arch of doorway looked into the pretentious reception room where the fiances were amusing themselves with their music and their whisperings.

a line leading to a place or point

From this reading Voices from another direction had pricked her to alertness.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE FORTIETH DOOR," "THE PALACE OF DARKENED WINDOWS," "THE WINE OF ASTONISHMENT," "THE SPLENDID CHANCE," ETC.

the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close

From this reading Maria Angelina was in the corner room of the Palazzo Santonini, a dim and beautiful old library with faded furnishings whose west arch of doorway looked into the pretentious reception room where the fiances were amusing themselves with their music and their whisperings.

inflected form of “eavesdrop” — listen without the speaker's knowledge

From this reading Maria Angelina was eavesdropping.

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE FORTIETH DOOR," "THE PALACE OF DARKENED WINDOWS," "THE WINE OF ASTONISHMENT," "THE SPLENDID CHANCE," ETC.

having lost freshness or brilliance of color

From this reading Maria Angelina was in the corner room of the Palazzo Santonini, a dim and beautiful old library with faded furnishings whose west arch of doorway looked into the pretentious reception room where the fiances were amusing themselves with their music and their whisperings.

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

From this reading Maria Angelina was in the corner room of the Palazzo Santonini, a dim and beautiful old library with faded furnishings whose west arch of doorway looked into the pretentious reception room where the fiances were amusing themselves with their music and their whisperings.

position 40 in a countable series of things

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE FORTIETH DOOR," "THE PALACE OF DARKENED WINDOWS," "THE WINE OF ASTONISHMENT," "THE SPLENDID CHANCE," ETC.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Voices from another direction had pricked her to alertness.

plural of “furnishing” — (usually plural) accessory wearing apparel

From this reading Maria Angelina was in the corner room of the Palazzo Santonini, a dim and beautiful old library with faded furnishings whose west arch of doorway looked into the pretentious reception room where the fiances were amusing themselves with their music and their whisperings.

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

From this reading Not upon her sister Lucia and Paolo Tosti whom she had been assigned to chaperon by reading a book to herself in the adjoining room--no, they were safely busy with piano and violin, and she was heartily bored, anyway, with their inanities.

with gusto and without reservation

From this reading Not upon her sister Lucia and Paolo Tosti whom she had been assigned to chaperon by reading a book to herself in the adjoining room--no, they were safely busy with piano and violin, and she was heartily bored, anyway, with their inanities.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Not upon her sister Lucia and Paolo Tosti whom she had been assigned to chaperon by reading a book to herself in the adjoining room--no, they were safely busy with piano and violin, and she was heartily bored, anyway, with their inanities.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading Not upon her sister Lucia and Paolo Tosti whom she had been assigned to chaperon by reading a book to herself in the adjoining room--no, they were safely busy with piano and violin, and she was heartily bored, anyway, with their inanities.

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

From this reading Not upon her sister Lucia and Paolo Tosti whom she had been assigned to chaperon by reading a book to herself in the adjoining room--no, they were safely busy with piano and violin, and she was heartily bored, anyway, with their inanities.

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

From this reading Not upon her sister Lucia and Paolo Tosti whom she had been assigned to chaperon by reading a book to herself in the adjoining room--no, they were safely busy with piano and violin, and she was heartily bored, anyway, with their inanities.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Maria Angelina was in the corner room of the Palazzo Santonini, a dim and beautiful old library with faded furnishings whose west arch of doorway looked into the pretentious reception room where the fiances were amusing themselves with their music and their whisperings.

a room where books are kept

From this reading Maria Angelina was in the corner room of the Palazzo Santonini, a dim and beautiful old library with faded furnishings whose west arch of doorway looked into the pretentious reception room where the fiances were amusing themselves with their music and their whisperings.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Maria Angelina was in the corner room of the Palazzo Santonini, a dim and beautiful old library with faded furnishings whose west arch of doorway looked into the pretentious reception room where the fiances were amusing themselves with their music and their whisperings.

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

From this reading Not upon her sister Lucia and Paolo Tosti whom she had been assigned to chaperon by reading a book to herself in the adjoining room--no, they were safely busy with piano and violin, and she was heartily bored, anyway, with their inanities.

a dark region of considerable extent on the surface of the moon

From this reading Maria Angelina was eavesdropping.

an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner

From this reading Maria Angelina was in the corner room of the Palazzo Santonini, a dim and beautiful old library with faded furnishings whose west arch of doorway looked into the pretentious reception room where the fiances were amusing themselves with their music and their whisperings.

not any; not one

From this reading Not upon her sister Lucia and Paolo Tosti whom she had been assigned to chaperon by reading a book to herself in the adjoining room--no, they were safely busy with piano and violin, and she was heartily bored, anyway, with their inanities.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Not upon her sister Lucia and Paolo Tosti whom she had been assigned to chaperon by reading a book to herself in the adjoining room--no, they were safely busy with piano and violin, and she was heartily bored, anyway, with their inanities.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE FORTIETH DOOR," "THE PALACE OF DARKENED WINDOWS," "THE WINE OF ASTONISHMENT," "THE SPLENDID CHANCE," ETC.

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

From this reading Maria Angelina was in the corner room of the Palazzo Santonini, a dim and beautiful old library with faded furnishings whose west arch of doorway looked into the pretentious reception room where the fiances were amusing themselves with their music and their whisperings.

a large and stately mansion

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE FORTIETH DOOR," "THE PALACE OF DARKENED WINDOWS," "THE WINE OF ASTONISHMENT," "THE SPLENDID CHANCE," ETC.

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

From this reading Maria Angelina was in the corner room of the Palazzo Santonini, a dim and beautiful old library with faded furnishings whose west arch of doorway looked into the pretentious reception room where the fiances were amusing themselves with their music and their whisperings.

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

From this reading Not upon her sister Lucia and Paolo Tosti whom she had been assigned to chaperon by reading a book to herself in the adjoining room--no, they were safely busy with piano and violin, and she was heartily bored, anyway, with their inanities.

a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds

From this reading Not upon her sister Lucia and Paolo Tosti whom she had been assigned to chaperon by reading a book to herself in the adjoining room--no, they were safely busy with piano and violin, and she was heartily bored, anyway, with their inanities.

making claim to or creating an appearance of (often undeserved) importance or distinction

From this reading Maria Angelina was in the corner room of the Palazzo Santonini, a dim and beautiful old library with faded furnishings whose west arch of doorway looked into the pretentious reception room where the fiances were amusing themselves with their music and their whisperings.

past form of “prick” — make a small hole into, as with a needle or a thorn

From this reading Voices from another direction had pricked her to alertness.

the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message

From this reading Not upon her sister Lucia and Paolo Tosti whom she had been assigned to chaperon by reading a book to herself in the adjoining room--no, they were safely busy with piano and violin, and she was heartily bored, anyway, with their inanities.

the manner in which something is greeted

From this reading Maria Angelina was in the corner room of the Palazzo Santonini, a dim and beautiful old library with faded furnishings whose west arch of doorway looked into the pretentious reception room where the fiances were amusing themselves with their music and their whisperings.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading Not upon her sister Lucia and Paolo Tosti whom she had been assigned to chaperon by reading a book to herself in the adjoining room--no, they were safely busy with piano and violin, and she was heartily bored, anyway, with their inanities.

with safety; in a safe manner

From this reading Not upon her sister Lucia and Paolo Tosti whom she had been assigned to chaperon by reading a book to herself in the adjoining room--no, they were safely busy with piano and violin, and she was heartily bored, anyway, with their inanities.

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

From this reading Maria Angelina was in the corner room of the Palazzo Santonini, a dim and beautiful old library with faded furnishings whose west arch of doorway looked into the pretentious reception room where the fiances were amusing themselves with their music and their whisperings.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Not upon her sister Lucia and Paolo Tosti whom she had been assigned to chaperon by reading a book to herself in the adjoining room--no, they were safely busy with piano and violin, and she was heartily bored, anyway, with their inanities.

a female person who has the same parents as another person

From this reading Not upon her sister Lucia and Paolo Tosti whom she had been assigned to chaperon by reading a book to herself in the adjoining room--no, they were safely busy with piano and violin, and she was heartily bored, anyway, with their inanities.

having great beauty and splendor

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE FORTIETH DOOR," "THE PALACE OF DARKENED WINDOWS," "THE WINE OF ASTONISHMENT," "THE SPLENDID CHANCE," ETC.

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE FORTIETH DOOR," "THE PALACE OF DARKENED WINDOWS," "THE WINE OF ASTONISHMENT," "THE SPLENDID CHANCE," ETC.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Not upon her sister Lucia and Paolo Tosti whom she had been assigned to chaperon by reading a book to herself in the adjoining room--no, they were safely busy with piano and violin, and she was heartily bored, anyway, with their inanities.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading Maria Angelina was in the corner room of the Palazzo Santonini, a dim and beautiful old library with faded furnishings whose west arch of doorway looked into the pretentious reception room where the fiances were amusing themselves with their music and their whisperings.

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

From this reading Not upon her sister Lucia and Paolo Tosti whom she had been assigned to chaperon by reading a book to herself in the adjoining room--no, they were safely busy with piano and violin, and she was heartily bored, anyway, with their inanities.

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

From this reading Not upon her sister Lucia and Paolo Tosti whom she had been assigned to chaperon by reading a book to herself in the adjoining room--no, they were safely busy with piano and violin, and she was heartily bored, anyway, with their inanities.

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

From this reading Not upon her sister Lucia and Paolo Tosti whom she had been assigned to chaperon by reading a book to herself in the adjoining room--no, they were safely busy with piano and violin, and she was heartily bored, anyway, with their inanities.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Not upon her sister Lucia and Paolo Tosti whom she had been assigned to chaperon by reading a book to herself in the adjoining room--no, they were safely busy with piano and violin, and she was heartily bored, anyway, with their inanities.

bowed stringed instrument that is the highest member of the violin family; this instrument has four strings and a hollow body and an unfretted fingerboard and is played with a bow

From this reading Not upon her sister Lucia and Paolo Tosti whom she had been assigned to chaperon by reading a book to herself in the adjoining room--no, they were safely busy with piano and violin, and she was heartily bored, anyway, with their inanities.

plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading Voices from another direction had pricked her to alertness.

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

From this reading Maria Angelina was eavesdropping.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Not upon her sister Lucia and Paolo Tosti whom she had been assigned to chaperon by reading a book to herself in the adjoining room--no, they were safely busy with piano and violin, and she was heartily bored, anyway, with their inanities.

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading Maria Angelina was in the corner room of the Palazzo Santonini, a dim and beautiful old library with faded furnishings whose west arch of doorway looked into the pretentious reception room where the fiances were amusing themselves with their music and their whisperings.

in or at the place that

From this reading Maria Angelina was in the corner room of the Palazzo Santonini, a dim and beautiful old library with faded furnishings whose west arch of doorway looked into the pretentious reception room where the fiances were amusing themselves with their music and their whisperings.

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

From this reading Maria Angelina was in the corner room of the Palazzo Santonini, a dim and beautiful old library with faded furnishings whose west arch of doorway looked into the pretentious reception room where the fiances were amusing themselves with their music and their whisperings.

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

From this reading Not upon her sister Lucia and Paolo Tosti whom she had been assigned to chaperon by reading a book to herself in the adjoining room--no, they were safely busy with piano and violin, and she was heartily bored, anyway, with their inanities.

belonging to which person

From this reading Maria Angelina was in the corner room of the Palazzo Santonini, a dim and beautiful old library with faded furnishings whose west arch of doorway looked into the pretentious reception room where the fiances were amusing themselves with their music and their whisperings.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE FORTIETH DOOR," "THE PALACE OF DARKENED WINDOWS," "THE WINE OF ASTONISHMENT," "THE SPLENDID CHANCE," ETC.

fermented juice (of grapes especially)

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE FORTIETH DOOR," "THE PALACE OF DARKENED WINDOWS," "THE WINE OF ASTONISHMENT," "THE SPLENDID CHANCE," ETC.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Not upon her sister Lucia and Paolo Tosti whom she had been assigned to chaperon by reading a book to herself in the adjoining room--no, they were safely busy with piano and violin, and she was heartily bored, anyway, with their inanities.