used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She looked down the mixed vista of back-yards and little gardens, and was able to catch sight of a portion of Ciccio, who was sitting on a box in the blue-brick yard of his house, bare-headed and in his shirt-sleeves, twitching away at the wailing mandoline.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading She looked down the mixed vista of back-yards and little gardens, and was able to catch sight of a portion of Ciccio, who was sitting on a box in the blue-brick yard of his house, bare-headed and in his shirt-sleeves, twitching away at the wailing mandoline.
Alvina
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FALL OF MANCHESTER HOUSE Alvina rose chastened and wistful.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE FALL OF MANCHESTER HOUSE Alvina rose chastened and wistful.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As she was doing her hair, she heard the plaintive nasal sound of Ciccio’s mandoline.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She looked down the mixed vista of back-yards and little gardens, and was able to catch sight of a portion of Ciccio, who was sitting on a box in the blue-brick yard of his house, bare-headed and in his shirt-sleeves, twitching away at the wailing mandoline.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading She looked down the mixed vista of back-yards and little gardens, and was able to catch sight of a portion of Ciccio, who was sitting on a box in the blue-brick yard of his house, bare-headed and in his shirt-sleeves, twitching away at the wailing mandoline.
back-yards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked down the mixed vista of back-yards and little gardens, and was able to catch sight of a portion of Ciccio, who was sitting on a box in the blue-brick yard of his house, bare-headed and in his shirt-sleeves, twitching away at the wailing mandoline.
bare-headed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked down the mixed vista of back-yards and little gardens, and was able to catch sight of a portion of Ciccio, who was sitting on a box in the blue-brick yard of his house, bare-headed and in his shirt-sleeves, twitching away at the wailing mandoline.
blue-brick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked down the mixed vista of back-yards and little gardens, and was able to catch sight of a portion of Ciccio, who was sitting on a box in the blue-brick yard of his house, bare-headed and in his shirt-sleeves, twitching away at the wailing mandoline.
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading She looked down the mixed vista of back-yards and little gardens, and was able to catch sight of a portion of Ciccio, who was sitting on a box in the blue-brick yard of his house, bare-headed and in his shirt-sleeves, twitching away at the wailing mandoline.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was not a warm morning, but there was a streak of sunshine.
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading She looked down the mixed vista of back-yards and little gardens, and was able to catch sight of a portion of Ciccio, who was sitting on a box in the blue-brick yard of his house, bare-headed and in his shirt-sleeves, twitching away at the wailing mandoline.
chastenedverbUS /ˈtʃeɪsənd/
past form of “chasten” — censure severely
From this reading THE FALL OF MANCHESTER HOUSE Alvina rose chastened and wistful.
Ciccio
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked down the mixed vista of back-yards and little gardens, and was able to catch sight of a portion of Ciccio, who was sitting on a box in the blue-brick yard of his house, bare-headed and in his shirt-sleeves, twitching away at the wailing mandoline.
Ciccio's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she was doing her hair, she heard the plaintive nasal sound of Ciccio’s mandoline.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading Alvina had noticed that Ciccio did not seem to feel the cold, unless it were a wind or a driving rain.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Alvina had noticed that Ciccio did not seem to feel the cold, unless it were a wind or a driving rain.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading As she was doing her hair, she heard the plaintive nasal sound of Ciccio’s mandoline.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading She looked down the mixed vista of back-yards and little gardens, and was able to catch sight of a portion of Ciccio, who was sitting on a box in the blue-brick yard of his house, bare-headed and in his shirt-sleeves, twitching away at the wailing mandoline.
having the power of driving or impelling
From this reading Alvina had noticed that Ciccio did not seem to feel the cold, unless it were a wind or a driving rain.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading THE FALL OF MANCHESTER HOUSE Alvina rose chastened and wistful.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading Alvina had noticed that Ciccio did not seem to feel the cold, unless it were a wind or a driving rain.
plural of “garden” — a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading She looked down the mixed vista of back-yards and little gardens, and was able to catch sight of a portion of Ciccio, who was sitting on a box in the blue-brick yard of his house, bare-headed and in his shirt-sleeves, twitching away at the wailing mandoline.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Alvina had noticed that Ciccio did not seem to feel the cold, unless it were a wind or a driving rain.
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 As she was doing her hair, she heard the plaintive nasal sound of Ciccio’s mandoline.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading As she was doing her hair, she heard the plaintive nasal sound of Ciccio’s mandoline.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading As she was doing her hair, she heard the plaintive nasal sound of Ciccio’s mandoline.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading She looked down the mixed vista of back-yards and little gardens, and was able to catch sight of a portion of Ciccio, who was sitting on a box in the blue-brick yard of his house, bare-headed and in his shirt-sleeves, twitching away at the wailing mandoline.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading THE FALL OF MANCHESTER HOUSE Alvina rose chastened and wistful.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She looked down the mixed vista of back-yards and little gardens, and was able to catch sight of a portion of Ciccio, who was sitting on a box in the blue-brick yard of his house, bare-headed and in his shirt-sleeves, twitching away at the wailing mandoline.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was not a warm morning, but there was a streak of sunshine.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She looked down the mixed vista of back-yards and little gardens, and was able to catch sight of a portion of Ciccio, who was sitting on a box in the blue-brick yard of his house, bare-headed and in his shirt-sleeves, twitching away at the wailing mandoline.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading She looked down the mixed vista of back-yards and little gardens, and was able to catch sight of a portion of Ciccio, who was sitting on a box in the blue-brick yard of his house, bare-headed and in his shirt-sleeves, twitching away at the wailing mandoline.
MANCHESTERnounUS /ˈmæntʃestər/
largest city in New Hampshire; located in southeastern New Hampshire on the Merrimack river
From this reading THE FALL OF MANCHESTER HOUSE Alvina rose chastened and wistful.
mandoline
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she was doing her hair, she heard the plaintive nasal sound of Ciccio’s mandoline.
consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds
From this reading She looked down the mixed vista of back-yards and little gardens, and was able to catch sight of a portion of Ciccio, who was sitting on a box in the blue-brick yard of his house, bare-headed and in his shirt-sleeves, twitching away at the wailing mandoline.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading It was not a warm morning, but there was a streak of sunshine.
nasaladjectiveUS /ˈneɪzəl/
of or in or relating to the nose
From this reading As she was doing her hair, she heard the plaintive nasal sound of Ciccio’s mandoline.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was not a warm morning, but there was a streak of sunshine.
being perceived or observed
From this reading Alvina had noticed that Ciccio did not seem to feel the cold, unless it were a wind or a driving rain.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE FALL OF MANCHESTER HOUSE Alvina rose chastened and wistful.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She looked down the mixed vista of back-yards and little gardens, and was able to catch sight of a portion of Ciccio, who was sitting on a box in the blue-brick yard of his house, bare-headed and in his shirt-sleeves, twitching away at the wailing mandoline.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Alvina had noticed that Ciccio did not seem to feel the cold, unless it were a wind or a driving rain.
plaintiveadjectiveUS /ˈpleɪntɪv/
expressing sorrow
From this reading As she was doing her hair, she heard the plaintive nasal sound of Ciccio’s mandoline.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading She looked down the mixed vista of back-yards and little gardens, and was able to catch sight of a portion of Ciccio, who was sitting on a box in the blue-brick yard of his house, bare-headed and in his shirt-sleeves, twitching away at the wailing mandoline.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading Alvina had noticed that Ciccio did not seem to feel the cold, unless it were a wind or a driving rain.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading THE FALL OF MANCHESTER HOUSE Alvina rose chastened and wistful.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Alvina had noticed that Ciccio did not seem to feel the cold, unless it were a wind or a driving rain.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As she was doing her hair, she heard the plaintive nasal sound of Ciccio’s mandoline.
shirt-sleeves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked down the mixed vista of back-yards and little gardens, and was able to catch sight of a portion of Ciccio, who was sitting on a box in the blue-brick yard of his house, bare-headed and in his shirt-sleeves, twitching away at the wailing mandoline.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading She looked down the mixed vista of back-yards and little gardens, and was able to catch sight of a portion of Ciccio, who was sitting on a box in the blue-brick yard of his house, bare-headed and in his shirt-sleeves, twitching away at the wailing mandoline.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading She looked down the mixed vista of back-yards and little gardens, and was able to catch sight of a portion of Ciccio, who was sitting on a box in the blue-brick yard of his house, bare-headed and in his shirt-sleeves, twitching away at the wailing mandoline.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading As she was doing her hair, she heard the plaintive nasal sound of Ciccio’s mandoline.
streaknounUS /striːk/
an unbroken series of events
From this reading It was not a warm morning, but there was a streak of sunshine.
the rays of the sun
From this reading It was not a warm morning, but there was a streak of sunshine.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Alvina had noticed that Ciccio did not seem to feel the cold, unless it were a wind or a driving rain.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FALL OF MANCHESTER HOUSE Alvina rose chastened and wistful.
in or at that place or location
From this reading It was not a warm morning, but there was a streak of sunshine.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She looked down the mixed vista of back-yards and little gardens, and was able to catch sight of a portion of Ciccio, who was sitting on a box in the blue-brick yard of his house, bare-headed and in his shirt-sleeves, twitching away at the wailing mandoline.
twitchingnounUS /ˈtwɪtʃɪŋ/
a sudden muscle spasm; especially one caused by a nervous condition
From this reading She looked down the mixed vista of back-yards and little gardens, and was able to catch sight of a portion of Ciccio, who was sitting on a box in the blue-brick yard of his house, bare-headed and in his shirt-sleeves, twitching away at the wailing mandoline.
except if; if not
From this reading Alvina had noticed that Ciccio did not seem to feel the cold, unless it were a wind or a driving rain.
vistanounUS /ˈvɪstə/
the visual percept of a region
From this reading She looked down the mixed vista of back-yards and little gardens, and was able to catch sight of a portion of Ciccio, who was sitting on a box in the blue-brick yard of his house, bare-headed and in his shirt-sleeves, twitching away at the wailing mandoline.
wailingnounUS /ˈweɪlɪŋ/
loud cries made while weeping
From this reading She looked down the mixed vista of back-yards and little gardens, and was able to catch sight of a portion of Ciccio, who was sitting on a box in the blue-brick yard of his house, bare-headed and in his shirt-sleeves, twitching away at the wailing mandoline.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading It was not a warm morning, but there was a streak of sunshine.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As she was doing her hair, she heard the plaintive nasal sound of Ciccio’s mandoline.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Alvina had noticed that Ciccio did not seem to feel the cold, unless it were a wind or a driving rain.
which person or people
From this reading She looked down the mixed vista of back-yards and little gardens, and was able to catch sight of a portion of Ciccio, who was sitting on a box in the blue-brick yard of his house, bare-headed and in his shirt-sleeves, twitching away at the wailing mandoline.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading Alvina had noticed that Ciccio did not seem to feel the cold, unless it were a wind or a driving rain.
wistfuladjectiveUS /ˈwɪstfəl/
showing pensive sadness
From this reading THE FALL OF MANCHESTER HOUSE Alvina rose chastened and wistful.
a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading She looked down the mixed vista of back-yards and little gardens, and was able to catch sight of a portion of Ciccio, who was sitting on a box in the blue-brick yard of his house, bare-headed and in his shirt-sleeves, twitching away at the wailing mandoline.
