Chapter I

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

From this reading Published September, 1905.

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

From this reading The fierce heat of the mid-day hours was waning, and the leaves stirred in the first faint breath of the evening breeze stealing over the Roman Campagna from the sea that lay like a golden streak along the western horizon.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading From twelve o’clock till four the little town of Montefiano, nestling among the lower spurs of the Sabine Hills, had been as a place from which all life had fled.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading The fierce heat of the mid-day hours was waning, and the leaves stirred in the first faint breath of the evening breeze stealing over the Roman Campagna from the sea that lay like a golden streak along the western horizon.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading From twelve o’clock till four the little town of Montefiano, nestling among the lower spurs of the Sabine Hills, had been as a place from which all life had fled.

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

From this reading The fierce heat of the mid-day hours was waning, and the leaves stirred in the first faint breath of the evening breeze stealing over the Roman Campagna from the sea that lay like a golden streak along the western horizon.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading It was the month of the _sollione_--of the midsummer sun "rejoicing as a giant to run his course."

the past participle of “be”

From this reading From twelve o’clock till four the little town of Montefiano, nestling among the lower spurs of the Sabine Hills, had been as a place from which all life had fled.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading Not a human creature had been visible in the steep, tufa-paved street leading up to the square palace that looked grimly down on the little township clustering beneath it--not even a dog; only some chickens dusting themselves, and a strayed pig.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading The fierce heat of the mid-day hours was waning, and the leaves stirred in the first faint breath of the evening breeze stealing over the Roman Campagna from the sea that lay like a golden streak along the western horizon.

a slight wind (usually refreshing)

From this reading The fierce heat of the mid-day hours was waning, and the leaves stirred in the first faint breath of the evening breeze stealing over the Roman Campagna from the sea that lay like a golden streak along the western horizon.

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

From this reading The fierce heat of the mid-day hours was waning, and the leaves stirred in the first faint breath of the evening breeze stealing over the Roman Campagna from the sea that lay like a golden streak along the western horizon.

plural of “chicken” — the flesh of a chicken used for food

From this reading Not a human creature had been visible in the steep, tufa-paved street leading up to the square palace that looked grimly down on the little township clustering beneath it--not even a dog; only some chickens dusting themselves, and a strayed pig.

a grouping of a number of similar things

From this reading Not a human creature had been visible in the steep, tufa-paved street leading up to the square palace that looked grimly down on the little township clustering beneath it--not even a dog; only some chickens dusting themselves, and a strayed pig.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading It was the month of the _sollione_--of the midsummer sun "rejoicing as a giant to run his course."

a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading Not a human creature had been visible in the steep, tufa-paved street leading up to the square palace that looked grimly down on the little township clustering beneath it--not even a dog; only some chickens dusting themselves, and a strayed pig.

a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

From this reading Not a human creature had been visible in the steep, tufa-paved street leading up to the square palace that looked grimly down on the little township clustering beneath it--not even a dog; only some chickens dusting themselves, and a strayed pig.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Not a human creature had been visible in the steep, tufa-paved street leading up to the square palace that looked grimly down on the little township clustering beneath it--not even a dog; only some chickens dusting themselves, and a strayed pig.

-ing form of “dust” — remove the dust from

From this reading Not a human creature had been visible in the steep, tufa-paved street leading up to the square palace that looked grimly down on the little township clustering beneath it--not even a dog; only some chickens dusting themselves, and a strayed pig.

divisible by two

From this reading Not a human creature had been visible in the steep, tufa-paved street leading up to the square palace that looked grimly down on the little township clustering beneath it--not even a dog; only some chickens dusting themselves, and a strayed pig.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading The fierce heat of the mid-day hours was waning, and the leaves stirred in the first faint breath of the evening breeze stealing over the Roman Campagna from the sea that lay like a golden streak along the western horizon.

deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc

From this reading The fierce heat of the mid-day hours was waning, and the leaves stirred in the first faint breath of the evening breeze stealing over the Roman Campagna from the sea that lay like a golden streak along the western horizon.

marked by extreme and violent energy

From this reading The fierce heat of the mid-day hours was waning, and the leaves stirred in the first faint breath of the evening breeze stealing over the Roman Campagna from the sea that lay like a golden streak along the western horizon.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The fierce heat of the mid-day hours was waning, and the leaves stirred in the first faint breath of the evening breeze stealing over the Roman Campagna from the sea that lay like a golden streak along the western horizon.

inflected form of “flee” — run away quickly

From this reading From twelve o’clock till four the little town of Montefiano, nestling among the lower spurs of the Sabine Hills, had been as a place from which all life had fled.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading From twelve o’clock till four the little town of Montefiano, nestling among the lower spurs of the Sabine Hills, had been as a place from which all life had fled.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The fierce heat of the mid-day hours was waning, and the leaves stirred in the first faint breath of the evening breeze stealing over the Roman Campagna from the sea that lay like a golden streak along the western horizon.

any creature of exceptional size

From this reading It was the month of the _sollione_--of the midsummer sun "rejoicing as a giant to run his course."

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading The fierce heat of the mid-day hours was waning, and the leaves stirred in the first faint breath of the evening breeze stealing over the Roman Campagna from the sea that lay like a golden streak along the western horizon.

in a grim implacable manner

From this reading Not a human creature had been visible in the steep, tufa-paved street leading up to the square palace that looked grimly down on the little township clustering beneath it--not even a dog; only some chickens dusting themselves, and a strayed pig.

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

From this reading From twelve o’clock till four the little town of Montefiano, nestling among the lower spurs of the Sabine Hills, had been as a place from which all life had fled.

a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature

From this reading The fierce heat of the mid-day hours was waning, and the leaves stirred in the first faint breath of the evening breeze stealing over the Roman Campagna from the sea that lay like a golden streak along the western horizon.

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading From twelve o’clock till four the little town of Montefiano, nestling among the lower spurs of the Sabine Hills, had been as a place from which all life had fled.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading It was the month of the _sollione_--of the midsummer sun "rejoicing as a giant to run his course."

the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet

From this reading The fierce heat of the mid-day hours was waning, and the leaves stirred in the first faint breath of the evening breeze stealing over the Roman Campagna from the sea that lay like a golden streak along the western horizon.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading The fierce heat of the mid-day hours was waning, and the leaves stirred in the first faint breath of the evening breeze stealing over the Roman Campagna from the sea that lay like a golden streak along the western horizon.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading Not a human creature had been visible in the steep, tufa-paved street leading up to the square palace that looked grimly down on the little township clustering beneath it--not even a dog; only some chickens dusting themselves, and a strayed pig.

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

From this reading The fierce heat of the mid-day hours was waning, and the leaves stirred in the first faint breath of the evening breeze stealing over the Roman Campagna from the sea that lay like a golden streak along the western horizon.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was the month of the _sollione_--of the midsummer sun "rejoicing as a giant to run his course."

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The fierce heat of the mid-day hours was waning, and the leaves stirred in the first faint breath of the evening breeze stealing over the Roman Campagna from the sea that lay like a golden streak along the western horizon.

indicating the most important performer or role

From this reading Not a human creature had been visible in the steep, tufa-paved street leading up to the square palace that looked grimly down on the little township clustering beneath it--not even a dog; only some chickens dusting themselves, and a strayed pig.

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading The fierce heat of the mid-day hours was waning, and the leaves stirred in the first faint breath of the evening breeze stealing over the Roman Campagna from the sea that lay like a golden streak along the western horizon.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading From twelve o’clock till four the little town of Montefiano, nestling among the lower spurs of the Sabine Hills, had been as a place from which all life had fled.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading The fierce heat of the mid-day hours was waning, and the leaves stirred in the first faint breath of the evening breeze stealing over the Roman Campagna from the sea that lay like a golden streak along the western horizon.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading From twelve o’clock till four the little town of Montefiano, nestling among the lower spurs of the Sabine Hills, had been as a place from which all life had fled.

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

From this reading Not a human creature had been visible in the steep, tufa-paved street leading up to the square palace that looked grimly down on the little township clustering beneath it--not even a dog; only some chickens dusting themselves, and a strayed pig.

move something or somebody to a lower position

From this reading From twelve o’clock till four the little town of Montefiano, nestling among the lower spurs of the Sabine Hills, had been as a place from which all life had fled.

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

From this reading The fierce heat of the mid-day hours was waning, and the leaves stirred in the first faint breath of the evening breeze stealing over the Roman Campagna from the sea that lay like a golden streak along the western horizon.

June 21, when the sun is at its northernmost point

From this reading It was the month of the _sollione_--of the midsummer sun "rejoicing as a giant to run his course."

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

From this reading From twelve o’clock till four the little town of Montefiano, nestling among the lower spurs of the Sabine Hills, had been as a place from which all life had fled.

one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading It was the month of the _sollione_--of the midsummer sun "rejoicing as a giant to run his course."

young bird not yet fledged

From this reading From twelve o’clock till four the little town of Montefiano, nestling among the lower spurs of the Sabine Hills, had been as a place from which all life had fled.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Not a human creature had been visible in the steep, tufa-paved street leading up to the square palace that looked grimly down on the little township clustering beneath it--not even a dog; only some chickens dusting themselves, and a strayed pig.

according to the clock

From this reading From twelve o’clock till four the little town of Montefiano, nestling among the lower spurs of the Sabine Hills, had been as a place from which all life had fled.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The fierce heat of the mid-day hours was waning, and the leaves stirred in the first faint breath of the evening breeze stealing over the Roman Campagna from the sea that lay like a golden streak along the western horizon.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Not a human creature had been visible in the steep, tufa-paved street leading up to the square palace that looked grimly down on the little township clustering beneath it--not even a dog; only some chickens dusting themselves, and a strayed pig.

and nothing more

From this reading Not a human creature had been visible in the steep, tufa-paved street leading up to the square palace that looked grimly down on the little township clustering beneath it--not even a dog; only some chickens dusting themselves, and a strayed pig.

above and across; more than

From this reading The fierce heat of the mid-day hours was waning, and the leaves stirred in the first faint breath of the evening breeze stealing over the Roman Campagna from the sea that lay like a golden streak along the western horizon.

a large and stately mansion

From this reading Not a human creature had been visible in the steep, tufa-paved street leading up to the square palace that looked grimly down on the little township clustering beneath it--not even a dog; only some chickens dusting themselves, and a strayed pig.

domestic swine

From this reading Not a human creature had been visible in the steep, tufa-paved street leading up to the square palace that looked grimly down on the little township clustering beneath it--not even a dog; only some chickens dusting themselves, and a strayed pig.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading From twelve o’clock till four the little town of Montefiano, nestling among the lower spurs of the Sabine Hills, had been as a place from which all life had fled.

prepared and printed for distribution and sale

From this reading Published September, 1905.

a feeling of great happiness

From this reading It was the month of the _sollione_--of the midsummer sun "rejoicing as a giant to run his course."

relating to or characteristic of people of Rome

From this reading The fierce heat of the mid-day hours was waning, and the leaves stirred in the first faint breath of the evening breeze stealing over the Roman Campagna from the sea that lay like a golden streak along the western horizon.

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading It was the month of the _sollione_--of the midsummer sun "rejoicing as a giant to run his course."

a river in eastern Texas that flows south into the Gulf of Mexico

From this reading From twelve o’clock till four the little town of Montefiano, nestling among the lower spurs of the Sabine Hills, had been as a place from which all life had fled.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading The fierce heat of the mid-day hours was waning, and the leaves stirred in the first faint breath of the evening breeze stealing over the Roman Campagna from the sea that lay like a golden streak along the western horizon.

the month following August and preceding October

From this reading Published September, 1905.

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

From this reading It was the month of the _sollione_--of the midsummer sun "rejoicing as a giant to run his course."

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Not a human creature had been visible in the steep, tufa-paved street leading up to the square palace that looked grimly down on the little township clustering beneath it--not even a dog; only some chickens dusting themselves, and a strayed pig.

plural of “spur” — a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something

From this reading From twelve o’clock till four the little town of Montefiano, nestling among the lower spurs of the Sabine Hills, had been as a place from which all life had fled.

make square

From this reading Not a human creature had been visible in the steep, tufa-paved street leading up to the square palace that looked grimly down on the little township clustering beneath it--not even a dog; only some chickens dusting themselves, and a strayed pig.

the act of taking something from someone unlawfully

From this reading The fierce heat of the mid-day hours was waning, and the leaves stirred in the first faint breath of the evening breeze stealing over the Roman Campagna from the sea that lay like a golden streak along the western horizon.

having a sharp inclination

From this reading Not a human creature had been visible in the steep, tufa-paved street leading up to the square palace that looked grimly down on the little township clustering beneath it--not even a dog; only some chickens dusting themselves, and a strayed pig.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading The fierce heat of the mid-day hours was waning, and the leaves stirred in the first faint breath of the evening breeze stealing over the Roman Campagna from the sea that lay like a golden streak along the western horizon.

past form of “stray” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

From this reading Not a human creature had been visible in the steep, tufa-paved street leading up to the square palace that looked grimly down on the little township clustering beneath it--not even a dog; only some chickens dusting themselves, and a strayed pig.

an unbroken series of events

From this reading The fierce heat of the mid-day hours was waning, and the leaves stirred in the first faint breath of the evening breeze stealing over the Roman Campagna from the sea that lay like a golden streak along the western horizon.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading Not a human creature had been visible in the steep, tufa-paved street leading up to the square palace that looked grimly down on the little township clustering beneath it--not even a dog; only some chickens dusting themselves, and a strayed pig.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading It was the month of the _sollione_--of the midsummer sun "rejoicing as a giant to run his course."

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The fierce heat of the mid-day hours was waning, and the leaves stirred in the first faint breath of the evening breeze stealing over the Roman Campagna from the sea that lay like a golden streak along the western horizon.

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

From this reading The fierce heat of the mid-day hours was waning, and the leaves stirred in the first faint breath of the evening breeze stealing over the Roman Campagna from the sea that lay like a golden streak along the western horizon.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading Not a human creature had been visible in the steep, tufa-paved street leading up to the square palace that looked grimly down on the little township clustering beneath it--not even a dog; only some chickens dusting themselves, and a strayed pig.

up to a particular time

From this reading From twelve o’clock till four the little town of Montefiano, nestling among the lower spurs of the Sabine Hills, had been as a place from which all life had fled.

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

From this reading It was the month of the _sollione_--of the midsummer sun "rejoicing as a giant to run his course."

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading From twelve o’clock till four the little town of Montefiano, nestling among the lower spurs of the Sabine Hills, had been as a place from which all life had fled.

an administrative division of a county

From this reading Not a human creature had been visible in the steep, tufa-paved street leading up to the square palace that looked grimly down on the little township clustering beneath it--not even a dog; only some chickens dusting themselves, and a strayed pig.

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

From this reading Not a human creature had been visible in the steep, tufa-paved street leading up to the square palace that looked grimly down on the little township clustering beneath it--not even a dog; only some chickens dusting themselves, and a strayed pig.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading From twelve o’clock till four the little town of Montefiano, nestling among the lower spurs of the Sabine Hills, had been as a place from which all life had fled.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Not a human creature had been visible in the steep, tufa-paved street leading up to the square palace that looked grimly down on the little township clustering beneath it--not even a dog; only some chickens dusting themselves, and a strayed pig.

capable of being seen; or open to easy view

From this reading Not a human creature had been visible in the steep, tufa-paved street leading up to the square palace that looked grimly down on the little township clustering beneath it--not even a dog; only some chickens dusting themselves, and a strayed pig.

a gradual decrease in magnitude or extent

From this reading The fierce heat of the mid-day hours was waning, and the leaves stirred in the first faint breath of the evening breeze stealing over the Roman Campagna from the sea that lay like a golden streak along the western horizon.

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

From this reading The fierce heat of the mid-day hours was waning, and the leaves stirred in the first faint breath of the evening breeze stealing over the Roman Campagna from the sea that lay like a golden streak along the western horizon.

relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts

From this reading The fierce heat of the mid-day hours was waning, and the leaves stirred in the first faint breath of the evening breeze stealing over the Roman Campagna from the sea that lay like a golden streak along the western horizon.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading From twelve o’clock till four the little town of Montefiano, nestling among the lower spurs of the Sabine Hills, had been as a place from which all life had fled.