used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AN INVITATION TO A BALL In the Villa Ariadne the wonderful fountain by Donatello was encircled by a deep basin in which many generations of goldfish swam about.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading AN INVITATION TO A BALL In the Villa Ariadne the wonderful fountain by Donatello was encircled by a deep basin in which many generations of goldfish swam about.
affinitynounUS /əˈfɪnəti/
(immunology) the attraction between an antigen and an antibody
From this reading Forming a kind of triangle about the basin were three ancient marble benches, such as the amiable old Roman senators were wont to lounge upon during the heat of the afternoon, or such as Catullus reclined upon while reading his latest lyric to his latest affinity.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading Forming a kind of triangle about the basin were three ancient marble benches, such as the amiable old Roman senators were wont to lounge upon during the heat of the afternoon, or such as Catullus reclined upon while reading his latest lyric to his latest affinity.
anew
From this reading Yet, every spring, about the time when the tourists began to prowl round, the little goldfish were to be seen again, ready for bread-crumbs and bugs of suicidal tendencies.
amiableadjectiveUS /ˈeɪmiəbəl/
disposed to please
From this reading Forming a kind of triangle about the basin were three ancient marble benches, such as the amiable old Roman senators were wont to lounge upon during the heat of the afternoon, or such as Catullus reclined upon while reading his latest lyric to his latest affinity.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN INVITATION TO A BALL In the Villa Ariadne the wonderful fountain by Donatello was encircled by a deep basin in which many generations of goldfish swam about.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading Forming a kind of triangle about the basin were three ancient marble benches, such as the amiable old Roman senators were wont to lounge upon during the heat of the afternoon, or such as Catullus reclined upon while reading his latest lyric to his latest affinity.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Yet, every spring, about the time when the tourists began to prowl round, the little goldfish were to be seen again, ready for bread-crumbs and bugs of suicidal tendencies.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading At any rate, they were very old, earth-stained and time-stained and full of unutterable history, and with the eternal cold touch of stone which never wholly warms even under warmest sun.
AriadnenounUS /ˌeriˈædni/
beautiful daughter of Minos and Pasiphae; she fell in love with Theseus and gave him the thread with which he found his way out of the Minotaur's labyrinth
From this reading AN INVITATION TO A BALL In the Villa Ariadne the wonderful fountain by Donatello was encircled by a deep basin in which many generations of goldfish swam about.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Forming a kind of triangle about the basin were three ancient marble benches, such as the amiable old Roman senators were wont to lounge upon during the heat of the afternoon, or such as Catullus reclined upon while reading his latest lyric to his latest affinity.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At any rate, they were very old, earth-stained and time-stained and full of unutterable history, and with the eternal cold touch of stone which never wholly warms even under warmest sun.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading AN INVITATION TO A BALL In the Villa Ariadne the wonderful fountain by Donatello was encircled by a deep basin in which many generations of goldfish swam about.
basinnounUS /ˈbeɪsən/
a bowl-shaped vessel; usually used for holding food or liquids
From this reading AN INVITATION TO A BALL In the Villa Ariadne the wonderful fountain by Donatello was encircled by a deep basin in which many generations of goldfish swam about.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Yet, every spring, about the time when the tourists began to prowl round, the little goldfish were to be seen again, ready for bread-crumbs and bugs of suicidal tendencies.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Yet, every spring, about the time when the tourists began to prowl round, the little goldfish were to be seen again, ready for bread-crumbs and bugs of suicidal tendencies.
benchesnounUS /ˈbentʃɪz/
plural of “bench” — a long seat for more than one person
From this reading Forming a kind of triangle about the basin were three ancient marble benches, such as the amiable old Roman senators were wont to lounge upon during the heat of the afternoon, or such as Catullus reclined upon while reading his latest lyric to his latest affinity.
bread-crumbs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet, every spring, about the time when the tourists began to prowl round, the little goldfish were to be seen again, ready for bread-crumbs and bugs of suicidal tendencies.
bugsnounUS /bʌɡz/
plural of “bug” — general term for any insect or similar creeping or crawling invertebrate
From this reading Yet, every spring, about the time when the tourists began to prowl round, the little goldfish were to be seen again, ready for bread-crumbs and bugs of suicidal tendencies.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading AN INVITATION TO A BALL In the Villa Ariadne the wonderful fountain by Donatello was encircled by a deep basin in which many generations of goldfish swam about.
Catullusnoun
Roman lyric poet remembered for his love poems to an aristocratic Roman woman (84-54 BC)
From this reading Forming a kind of triangle about the basin were three ancient marble benches, such as the amiable old Roman senators were wont to lounge upon during the heat of the afternoon, or such as Catullus reclined upon while reading his latest lyric to his latest affinity.
chillnounUS /tʃɪl/
coldness due to a cold environment
From this reading Only the old gardener knew the secret of how these fish lived through the chill Florentine winters.
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 At any rate, they were very old, earth-stained and time-stained and full of unutterable history, and with the eternal cold touch of stone which never wholly warms even under warmest sun.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading AN INVITATION TO A BALL In the Villa Ariadne the wonderful fountain by Donatello was encircled by a deep basin in which many generations of goldfish swam about.
Donatellonoun
Florentine sculptor famous for his lifelike sculptures (1386-1466)
From this reading AN INVITATION TO A BALL In the Villa Ariadne the wonderful fountain by Donatello was encircled by a deep basin in which many generations of goldfish swam about.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Forming a kind of triangle about the basin were three ancient marble benches, such as the amiable old Roman senators were wont to lounge upon during the heat of the afternoon, or such as Catullus reclined upon while reading his latest lyric to his latest affinity.
earth-stained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At any rate, they were very old, earth-stained and time-stained and full of unutterable history, and with the eternal cold touch of stone which never wholly warms even under warmest sun.
encircledadjectiveUS /ɪnˈsɜːrkəld/
confined on all sides
From this reading AN INVITATION TO A BALL In the Villa Ariadne the wonderful fountain by Donatello was encircled by a deep basin in which many generations of goldfish swam about.
continuing forever or indefinitely
From this reading At any rate, they were very old, earth-stained and time-stained and full of unutterable history, and with the eternal cold touch of stone which never wholly warms even under warmest sun.
divisible by two
From this reading At any rate, they were very old, earth-stained and time-stained and full of unutterable history, and with the eternal cold touch of stone which never wholly warms even under warmest sun.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Yet, every spring, about the time when the tourists began to prowl round, the little goldfish were to be seen again, ready for bread-crumbs and bugs of suicidal tendencies.
any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills
From this reading Only the old gardener knew the secret of how these fish lived through the chill Florentine winters.
FlorentineadjectiveUS /ˈflɔːrəntiːn/
of or relating to or characteristic of the city of Florence, Italy
From this reading Only the old gardener knew the secret of how these fish lived through the chill Florentine winters.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Yet, every spring, about the time when the tourists began to prowl round, the little goldfish were to be seen again, ready for bread-crumbs and bugs of suicidal tendencies.
FormingverbUS /ˈfɔːrmɪŋ/
-ing form of “form” — create (as an entity)
From this reading Forming a kind of triangle about the basin were three ancient marble benches, such as the amiable old Roman senators were wont to lounge upon during the heat of the afternoon, or such as Catullus reclined upon while reading his latest lyric to his latest affinity.
fountainnounUS /ˈfaʊntən/
a structure from which an artificially produced jet of water arises
From this reading AN INVITATION TO A BALL In the Villa Ariadne the wonderful fountain by Donatello was encircled by a deep basin in which many generations of goldfish swam about.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading At any rate, they were very old, earth-stained and time-stained and full of unutterable history, and with the eternal cold touch of stone which never wholly warms even under warmest sun.
gardenernounUS /ˈɡɑːrdənər/
someone who takes care of a garden
From this reading Only the old gardener knew the secret of how these fish lived through the chill Florentine winters.
generationsnounUS /ˌdʒenərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “generation” — all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age
From this reading AN INVITATION TO A BALL In the Villa Ariadne the wonderful fountain by Donatello was encircled by a deep basin in which many generations of goldfish swam about.
goldfishnounUS /ˈɡoʊldfɪʃ/
small golden or orange-red freshwater fishes of Eurasia used as pond or aquarium fishes
From this reading AN INVITATION TO A BALL In the Villa Ariadne the wonderful fountain by Donatello was encircled by a deep basin in which many generations of goldfish swam about.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading Forming a kind of triangle about the basin were three ancient marble benches, such as the amiable old Roman senators were wont to lounge upon during the heat of the afternoon, or such as Catullus reclined upon while reading his latest lyric to his latest affinity.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Forming a kind of triangle about the basin were three ancient marble benches, such as the amiable old Roman senators were wont to lounge upon during the heat of the afternoon, or such as Catullus reclined upon while reading his latest lyric to his latest affinity.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading At any rate, they were very old, earth-stained and time-stained and full of unutterable history, and with the eternal cold touch of stone which never wholly warms even under warmest sun.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only the old gardener knew the secret of how these fish lived through the chill Florentine winters.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading AN INVITATION TO A BALL In the Villa Ariadne the wonderful fountain by Donatello was encircled by a deep basin in which many generations of goldfish swam about.
a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something
From this reading AN INVITATION TO A BALL In the Villa Ariadne the wonderful fountain by Donatello was encircled by a deep basin in which many generations of goldfish swam about.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading Forming a kind of triangle about the basin were three ancient marble benches, such as the amiable old Roman senators were wont to lounge upon during the heat of the afternoon, or such as Catullus reclined upon while reading his latest lyric to his latest affinity.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Only the old gardener knew the secret of how these fish lived through the chill Florentine winters.
latestadjectiveUS /ˈleɪtəst/
up to the immediate present; most recent or most up-to-date
From this reading Forming a kind of triangle about the basin were three ancient marble benches, such as the amiable old Roman senators were wont to lounge upon during the heat of the afternoon, or such as Catullus reclined upon while reading his latest lyric to his latest affinity.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Yet, every spring, about the time when the tourists began to prowl round, the little goldfish were to be seen again, ready for bread-crumbs and bugs of suicidal tendencies.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Only the old gardener knew the secret of how these fish lived through the chill Florentine winters.
loungeverbUS /laʊndʒ/
sit or recline comfortably
From this reading Forming a kind of triangle about the basin were three ancient marble benches, such as the amiable old Roman senators were wont to lounge upon during the heat of the afternoon, or such as Catullus reclined upon while reading his latest lyric to his latest affinity.
lyricadjectiveUS /ˈlɪrɪk/
expressing deep emotion
From this reading Forming a kind of triangle about the basin were three ancient marble benches, such as the amiable old Roman senators were wont to lounge upon during the heat of the afternoon, or such as Catullus reclined upon while reading his latest lyric to his latest affinity.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading AN INVITATION TO A BALL In the Villa Ariadne the wonderful fountain by Donatello was encircled by a deep basin in which many generations of goldfish swam about.
a hard crystalline metamorphic rock that takes a high polish; used for sculpture and as building material
From this reading Forming a kind of triangle about the basin were three ancient marble benches, such as the amiable old Roman senators were wont to lounge upon during the heat of the afternoon, or such as Catullus reclined upon while reading his latest lyric to his latest affinity.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading At any rate, they were very old, earth-stained and time-stained and full of unutterable history, and with the eternal cold touch of stone which never wholly warms even under warmest sun.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AN INVITATION TO A BALL In the Villa Ariadne the wonderful fountain by Donatello was encircled by a deep basin in which many generations of goldfish swam about.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Only the old gardener knew the secret of how these fish lived through the chill Florentine winters.
and nothing more
From this reading Only the old gardener knew the secret of how these fish lived through the chill Florentine winters.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Forming a kind of triangle about the basin were three ancient marble benches, such as the amiable old Roman senators were wont to lounge upon during the heat of the afternoon, or such as Catullus reclined upon while reading his latest lyric to his latest affinity.
prowlverbUS /praʊl/
move about in or as if in a predatory manner
From this reading Yet, every spring, about the time when the tourists began to prowl round, the little goldfish were to be seen again, ready for bread-crumbs and bugs of suicidal tendencies.
a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit
From this reading At any rate, they were very old, earth-stained and time-stained and full of unutterable history, and with the eternal cold touch of stone which never wholly warms even under warmest sun.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading Forming a kind of triangle about the basin were three ancient marble benches, such as the amiable old Roman senators were wont to lounge upon during the heat of the afternoon, or such as Catullus reclined upon while reading his latest lyric to his latest affinity.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading Yet, every spring, about the time when the tourists began to prowl round, the little goldfish were to be seen again, ready for bread-crumbs and bugs of suicidal tendencies.
reclinedverbUS /rɪˈklaɪnd/
past form of “recline” — move the upper body backwards and down
From this reading Forming a kind of triangle about the basin were three ancient marble benches, such as the amiable old Roman senators were wont to lounge upon during the heat of the afternoon, or such as Catullus reclined upon while reading his latest lyric to his latest affinity.
RomanadjectiveUS /ˈroʊmən/
relating to or characteristic of people of Rome
From this reading Forming a kind of triangle about the basin were three ancient marble benches, such as the amiable old Roman senators were wont to lounge upon during the heat of the afternoon, or such as Catullus reclined upon while reading his latest lyric to his latest affinity.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Yet, every spring, about the time when the tourists began to prowl round, the little goldfish were to be seen again, ready for bread-crumbs and bugs of suicidal tendencies.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading Only the old gardener knew the secret of how these fish lived through the chill Florentine winters.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Yet, every spring, about the time when the tourists began to prowl round, the little goldfish were to be seen again, ready for bread-crumbs and bugs of suicidal tendencies.
senatorsnounUS /ˈsenətərz/
plural of “senator” — a member of a senate
From this reading Forming a kind of triangle about the basin were three ancient marble benches, such as the amiable old Roman senators were wont to lounge upon during the heat of the afternoon, or such as Catullus reclined upon while reading his latest lyric to his latest affinity.
the season of growth
From this reading Yet, every spring, about the time when the tourists began to prowl round, the little goldfish were to be seen again, ready for bread-crumbs and bugs of suicidal tendencies.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading At any rate, they were very old, earth-stained and time-stained and full of unutterable history, and with the eternal cold touch of stone which never wholly warms even under warmest sun.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Forming a kind of triangle about the basin were three ancient marble benches, such as the amiable old Roman senators were wont to lounge upon during the heat of the afternoon, or such as Catullus reclined upon while reading his latest lyric to his latest affinity.
suicidaladjectiveUS /ˌsuːəˈsaɪdəl/
dangerous to yourself or your interests
From this reading Yet, every spring, about the time when the tourists began to prowl round, the little goldfish were to be seen again, ready for bread-crumbs and bugs of suicidal tendencies.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading At any rate, they were very old, earth-stained and time-stained and full of unutterable history, and with the eternal cold touch of stone which never wholly warms even under warmest sun.
swamverbUS /swæm/
inflected form of “swim” — travel through water
From this reading AN INVITATION TO A BALL In the Villa Ariadne the wonderful fountain by Donatello was encircled by a deep basin in which many generations of goldfish swam about.
tendenciesnounUS /ˈtendənsiz/
plural of “tendency” — an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others
From this reading Yet, every spring, about the time when the tourists began to prowl round, the little goldfish were to be seen again, ready for bread-crumbs and bugs of suicidal tendencies.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN INVITATION TO A BALL In the Villa Ariadne the wonderful fountain by Donatello was encircled by a deep basin in which many generations of goldfish swam about.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Only the old gardener knew the secret of how these fish lived through the chill Florentine winters.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At any rate, they were very old, earth-stained and time-stained and full of unutterable history, and with the eternal cold touch of stone which never wholly warms even under warmest sun.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Forming a kind of triangle about the basin were three ancient marble benches, such as the amiable old Roman senators were wont to lounge upon during the heat of the afternoon, or such as Catullus reclined upon while reading his latest lyric to his latest affinity.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Only the old gardener knew the secret of how these fish lived through the chill Florentine winters.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Yet, every spring, about the time when the tourists began to prowl round, the little goldfish were to be seen again, ready for bread-crumbs and bugs of suicidal tendencies.
time-stained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At any rate, they were very old, earth-stained and time-stained and full of unutterable history, and with the eternal cold touch of stone which never wholly warms even under warmest sun.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AN INVITATION TO A BALL In the Villa Ariadne the wonderful fountain by Donatello was encircled by a deep basin in which many generations of goldfish swam about.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading At any rate, they were very old, earth-stained and time-stained and full of unutterable history, and with the eternal cold touch of stone which never wholly warms even under warmest sun.
touristsnounUS /ˈtʊrəsts/
plural of “tourist” — someone who travels for pleasure
From this reading Yet, every spring, about the time when the tourists began to prowl round, the little goldfish were to be seen again, ready for bread-crumbs and bugs of suicidal tendencies.
trianglenounUS /ˈtraɪæŋɡəl/
a three-sided polygon
From this reading Forming a kind of triangle about the basin were three ancient marble benches, such as the amiable old Roman senators were wont to lounge upon during the heat of the afternoon, or such as Catullus reclined upon while reading his latest lyric to his latest affinity.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading At any rate, they were very old, earth-stained and time-stained and full of unutterable history, and with the eternal cold touch of stone which never wholly warms even under warmest sun.
unutterableadjective
too sacred to be uttered
From this reading At any rate, they were very old, earth-stained and time-stained and full of unutterable history, and with the eternal cold touch of stone which never wholly warms even under warmest sun.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Forming a kind of triangle about the basin were three ancient marble benches, such as the amiable old Roman senators were wont to lounge upon during the heat of the afternoon, or such as Catullus reclined upon while reading his latest lyric to his latest affinity.
precisely as stated
From this reading At any rate, they were very old, earth-stained and time-stained and full of unutterable history, and with the eternal cold touch of stone which never wholly warms even under warmest sun.
VillanounUS /ˈvɪlə/
Mexican revolutionary leader (1877-1923)
From this reading AN INVITATION TO A BALL In the Villa Ariadne the wonderful fountain by Donatello was encircled by a deep basin in which many generations of goldfish swam about.
warmestadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːrməst/
superlative of “warm” — having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading At any rate, they were very old, earth-stained and time-stained and full of unutterable history, and with the eternal cold touch of stone which never wholly warms even under warmest sun.
warmsverbUS /wɔːrmz/
third-person singular of “warm” — get warm or warmer
From this reading At any rate, they were very old, earth-stained and time-stained and full of unutterable history, and with the eternal cold touch of stone which never wholly warms even under warmest sun.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AN INVITATION TO A BALL In the Villa Ariadne the wonderful fountain by Donatello was encircled by a deep basin in which many generations of goldfish swam about.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Yet, every spring, about the time when the tourists began to prowl round, the little goldfish were to be seen again, ready for bread-crumbs and bugs of suicidal tendencies.
at the time that
From this reading Yet, every spring, about the time when the tourists began to prowl round, the little goldfish were to be seen again, ready for bread-crumbs and bugs of suicidal tendencies.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading AN INVITATION TO A BALL In the Villa Ariadne the wonderful fountain by Donatello was encircled by a deep basin in which many generations of goldfish swam about.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Forming a kind of triangle about the basin were three ancient marble benches, such as the amiable old Roman senators were wont to lounge upon during the heat of the afternoon, or such as Catullus reclined upon while reading his latest lyric to his latest affinity.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading At any rate, they were very old, earth-stained and time-stained and full of unutterable history, and with the eternal cold touch of stone which never wholly warms even under warmest sun.
wintersnounUS /ˈwɪntərz/
plural of “winter” — the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading Only the old gardener knew the secret of how these fish lived through the chill Florentine winters.
in the company of; together with
From this reading At any rate, they were very old, earth-stained and time-stained and full of unutterable history, and with the eternal cold touch of stone which never wholly warms even under warmest sun.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading AN INVITATION TO A BALL In the Villa Ariadne the wonderful fountain by Donatello was encircled by a deep basin in which many generations of goldfish swam about.
wontnounUS /woʊnt/
an established custom
From this reading Forming a kind of triangle about the basin were three ancient marble benches, such as the amiable old Roman senators were wont to lounge upon during the heat of the afternoon, or such as Catullus reclined upon while reading his latest lyric to his latest affinity.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet, every spring, about the time when the tourists began to prowl round, the little goldfish were to be seen again, ready for bread-crumbs and bugs of suicidal tendencies.
