used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
having companions or an escort
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
in the past
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
Ah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
brought into existence
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow
From this reading I rose instantly, removed my hat, and drawing my heels together in Italian fashion, bowed.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
female equivalent of a count or earl
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
countessesnounUS /ˈkaʊntəsɪz/
plural of “countess” — female equivalent of a count or earl
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
a female human offspring
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Gemma was speaking of you only the other day, and wondered if you had deserted Italy entirely."
dearly loved
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading Gemma was speaking of you only the other day, and wondered if you had deserted Italy entirely."
an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper
From this reading I rose instantly, removed my hat, and drawing my heels together in Italian fashion, bowed.
elderlyadjectiveUS /ˈeldərli/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Gemma was speaking of you only the other day, and wondered if you had deserted Italy entirely."
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading I rose instantly, removed my hat, and drawing my heels together in Italian fashion, bowed.
a boy or man
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
set up or found
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
GemmanounUS /ˈdʒemə/
small asexual reproductive structure in e.g. liverworts and mosses that detaches from the parent and develops into a new individual
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
a young female
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading I rose instantly, removed my hat, and drawing my heels together in Italian fashion, bowed.
plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
From this reading I rose instantly, removed my hat, and drawing my heels together in Italian fashion, bowed.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Gemma was speaking of you only the other day, and wondered if you had deserted Italy entirely."
impoverishedadjectiveUS /ɪmˈpɒv.ər.ɪʃt/
Reduced to poverty; having very little money or resources.
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading I rose instantly, removed my hat, and drawing my heels together in Italian fashion, bowed.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Why, this is a surprise!
a native or inhabitant of Italy
From this reading I rose instantly, removed my hat, and drawing my heels together in Italian fashion, bowed.
a republic in southern Europe on the Italian Peninsula; was the core of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire between the 4th century BC and the 5th century AD
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
LeafnounUS /liːf/
the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
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 "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
joined in matrimony
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
and nothing more
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
merrilyadverbUS /ˈmerəli/
in a joyous manner
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
Moltedo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I rose instantly, removed my hat, and drawing my heels together in Italian fashion, bowed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
and nothing more
From this reading Gemma was speaking of you only the other day, and wondered if you had deserted Italy entirely."
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
pursenounUS /pɜːrs/
a container used for carrying money and small personal items or accessories (especially by women)
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
recognisedadjectiveUS /ˈrekəɡnaɪzd/
provided with a secure reputation
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
separated in relationship by a given degree of descent
From this reading I rose instantly, removed my hat, and drawing my heels together in Italian fashion, bowed.
replenishverbUS /riˈplenɪʃ/
fill something that had previously been emptied
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading I rose instantly, removed my hat, and drawing my heels together in Italian fashion, bowed.
cut with a saw
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
seventeenadjectiveUS /ˈsevənˈtiːn/
being one more than sixteen
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
SignornounUS /ˈsiːnjɔːr/
used as an Italian courtesy title; can be prefixed to the name or used separately
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
slimadjectiveUS /slɪm/
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading Gemma was speaking of you only the other day, and wondered if you had deserted Italy entirely."
dependable
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading "Why, this is a surprise!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "Why, this is a surprise!
a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading I rose instantly, removed my hat, and drawing my heels together in Italian fashion, bowed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
a Caucasian
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
which person or people
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading "Why, this is a surprise!
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading Gemma was speaking of you only the other day, and wondered if you had deserted Italy entirely."
worthlessadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrθləs/
lacking in usefulness or value
From this reading "Ah! my dear Signor Leaf!" cried the Countess in English merrily, for she was American born, and like so many other countesses in Italy had been attracted by a title, and had long ago found her husband to be a worthless fellow who had married her merely in order to replenish his impoverished purse.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Gemma was speaking of you only the other day, and wondered if you had deserted Italy entirely."
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Suddenly, approaching me, I saw a stout elderly lady in white, accompanied by a slim young girl of seventeen, whom I recognised as the Countess Moltedo and her daughter Gemma.
