used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "What did the excellency command?" he asked in a dreary voice, as the marchesa did not address him.
speak to
From this reading "What did the excellency command?" he asked in a dreary voice, as the marchesa did not address him.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The Cavaliere Trenta, without an instant's delay, seized the bell and rang it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Cavaliere Trenta, without an instant's delay, seized the bell and rang it.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading "Tell the signorina that the Marchesa Guinigi desires her presence immediately," answered the cavaliere, promptly.
anteroomnoun
a large entrance or reception room or area
From this reading The broken-down retainer, in his suit of well-worn livery, shuffled in through the anteroom.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "What did the excellency command?" he asked in a dreary voice, as the marchesa did not address him.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "What did the excellency command?" he asked in a dreary voice, as the marchesa did not address him.
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading The Cavaliere Trenta, without an instant's delay, seized the bell and rang it.
broken-downadjective
in deplorable condition
From this reading The broken-down retainer, in his suit of well-worn livery, shuffled in through the anteroom.
Cavaliere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Cavaliere Trenta, without an instant's delay, seized the bell and rang it.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading "What did the excellency command?" he asked in a dreary voice, as the marchesa did not address him.
cause to be slowed down or delayed
From this reading The Cavaliere Trenta, without an instant's delay, seized the bell and rang it.
desiresnounUS /dɪˈzaɪərz/
plural of “desire” — the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading "Tell the signorina that the Marchesa Guinigi desires her presence immediately," answered the cavaliere, promptly.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "What did the excellency command?" he asked in a dreary voice, as the marchesa did not address him.
drearyadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪri/
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
From this reading "What did the excellency command?" he asked in a dreary voice, as the marchesa did not address him.
ENRICA'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ENRICA'S TRIAL.
excellencynounUS /ˈekˈslensi/
a title used to address dignitaries (such as ambassadors or governors); usually preceded by “Your” or “His” or “Her”
From this reading "What did the excellency command?" he asked in a dreary voice, as the marchesa did not address him.
Guinigi
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Tell the signorina that the Marchesa Guinigi desires her presence immediately," answered the cavaliere, promptly.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "What did the excellency command?" he asked in a dreary voice, as the marchesa did not address him.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "Tell the signorina that the Marchesa Guinigi desires her presence immediately," answered the cavaliere, promptly.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "What did the excellency command?" he asked in a dreary voice, as the marchesa did not address him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The broken-down retainer, in his suit of well-worn livery, shuffled in through the anteroom.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading "Tell the signorina that the Marchesa Guinigi desires her presence immediately," answered the cavaliere, promptly.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The broken-down retainer, in his suit of well-worn livery, shuffled in through the anteroom.
instant's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Cavaliere Trenta, without an instant's delay, seized the bell and rang it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The Cavaliere Trenta, without an instant's delay, seized the bell and rang it.
liverynounUS /ˈlɪvəri/
uniform worn by some menservants and chauffeurs
From this reading The broken-down retainer, in his suit of well-worn livery, shuffled in through the anteroom.
marchesa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What did the excellency command?" he asked in a dreary voice, as the marchesa did not address him.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "What did the excellency command?" he asked in a dreary voice, as the marchesa did not address him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The broken-down retainer, in his suit of well-worn livery, shuffled in through the anteroom.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading "Tell the signorina that the Marchesa Guinigi desires her presence immediately," answered the cavaliere, promptly.
promptlyadverbUS /ˈprɑːmptli/
with little or no delay
From this reading "Tell the signorina that the Marchesa Guinigi desires her presence immediately," answered the cavaliere, promptly.
inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading The Cavaliere Trenta, without an instant's delay, seized the bell and rang it.
retainernounUS /rɪˈteɪnər/
a fee charged in advance to retain the services of someone
From this reading The broken-down retainer, in his suit of well-worn livery, shuffled in through the anteroom.
past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab
From this reading The Cavaliere Trenta, without an instant's delay, seized the bell and rang it.
shuffledverbUS /ˈʃʌfəld/
past form of “shuffle” — walk by dragging one's feet
From this reading The broken-down retainer, in his suit of well-worn livery, shuffled in through the anteroom.
signorinanoun
an Italian courtesy title for an unmarried woman; equivalent to “Miss”, it is either used alone or before a name
From this reading "Tell the signorina that the Marchesa Guinigi desires her presence immediately," answered the cavaliere, promptly.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading The broken-down retainer, in his suit of well-worn livery, shuffled in through the anteroom.
express in words
From this reading "Tell the signorina that the Marchesa Guinigi desires her presence immediately," answered the cavaliere, promptly.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Tell the signorina that the Marchesa Guinigi desires her presence immediately," answered the cavaliere, promptly.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Cavaliere Trenta, without an instant's delay, seized the bell and rang it.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The broken-down retainer, in his suit of well-worn livery, shuffled in through the anteroom.
Trenta
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Cavaliere Trenta, without an instant's delay, seized the bell and rang it.
the act of testing something
From this reading ENRICA'S TRIAL.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading "What did the excellency command?" he asked in a dreary voice, as the marchesa did not address him.
well-wornadjective
showing signs of much wear or use
From this reading The broken-down retainer, in his suit of well-worn livery, shuffled in through the anteroom.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What did the excellency command?" he asked in a dreary voice, as the marchesa did not address him.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The Cavaliere Trenta, without an instant's delay, seized the bell and rang it.
