used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But the speech of the Consigliere had caused such consternation that it could not be immediately dismissed; and one of the elder ladies of the Court was obliged to explain it, for "excommunication" was a word of evil omen.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "It was unholy speech," said Dama Margherita crossing herself, "which had not been, save for the Consigliere: it hath no shade of truth; may the Holy Madonna forgive him--and us, who have listened to slander."
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading "Thou art wise, carina: and we who love her will see that the ill word goeth not beyond."
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But the speech of the Consigliere had caused such consternation that it could not be immediately dismissed; and one of the elder ladies of the Court was obliged to explain it, for "excommunication" was a word of evil omen.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading "It was unholy speech," said Dama Margherita crossing herself, "which had not been, save for the Consigliere: it hath no shade of truth; may the Holy Madonna forgive him--and us, who have listened to slander."
on the far side of; further than
From this reading "Thou art wise, carina: and we who love her will see that the ill word goeth not beyond."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the speech of the Consigliere had caused such consternation that it could not be immediately dismissed; and one of the elder ladies of the Court was obliged to explain it, for "excommunication" was a word of evil omen.
Cara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Cara Dama Margherita," said the little Contarini consolingly, "if we have listened--it is not with our hearts!"
carinanoun
a keel-shaped constellation in the southern hemisphere; contains the star Canopus
From this reading "Thou art wise, carina: and we who love her will see that the ill word goeth not beyond."
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading But the speech of the Consigliere had caused such consternation that it could not be immediately dismissed; and one of the elder ladies of the Court was obliged to explain it, for "excommunication" was a word of evil omen.
Consigliere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It was unholy speech," said Dama Margherita crossing herself, "which had not been, save for the Consigliere: it hath no shade of truth; may the Holy Madonna forgive him--and us, who have listened to slander."
consolinglyadverb
in a comforting or consoling manner
From this reading "Cara Dama Margherita," said the little Contarini consolingly, "if we have listened--it is not with our hearts!"
consternationnounUS /ˌkɑːnstərˈneɪʃən/
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading But the speech of the Consigliere had caused such consternation that it could not be immediately dismissed; and one of the elder ladies of the Court was obliged to explain it, for "excommunication" was a word of evil omen.
Contarini
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Cara Dama Margherita," said the little Contarini consolingly, "if we have listened--it is not with our hearts!"
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But the speech of the Consigliere had caused such consternation that it could not be immediately dismissed; and one of the elder ladies of the Court was obliged to explain it, for "excommunication" was a word of evil omen.
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading But the speech of the Consigliere had caused such consternation that it could not be immediately dismissed; and one of the elder ladies of the Court was obliged to explain it, for "excommunication" was a word of evil omen.
traveling across
From this reading "It was unholy speech," said Dama Margherita crossing herself, "which had not been, save for the Consigliere: it hath no shade of truth; may the Holy Madonna forgive him--and us, who have listened to slander."
DamanounUS /ˈdɑːmə/
fallow deer
From this reading "It was unholy speech," said Dama Margherita crossing herself, "which had not been, save for the Consigliere: it hath no shade of truth; may the Holy Madonna forgive him--and us, who have listened to slander."
dismissedadjectiveUS /dɪˈsmɪst/
having lost your job
From this reading But the speech of the Consigliere had caused such consternation that it could not be immediately dismissed; and one of the elder ladies of the Court was obliged to explain it, for "excommunication" was a word of evil omen.
a person who is older than you are
From this reading But the speech of the Consigliere had caused such consternation that it could not be immediately dismissed; and one of the elder ladies of the Court was obliged to explain it, for "excommunication" was a word of evil omen.
morally objectionable behavior
From this reading But the speech of the Consigliere had caused such consternation that it could not be immediately dismissed; and one of the elder ladies of the Court was obliged to explain it, for "excommunication" was a word of evil omen.
excommunicationnounUS /ˌekskəmjuːnəˈkeɪʃən/
the state of being excommunicated
From this reading But the speech of the Consigliere had caused such consternation that it could not be immediately dismissed; and one of the elder ladies of the Court was obliged to explain it, for "excommunication" was a word of evil omen.
make plain and comprehensible
From this reading But the speech of the Consigliere had caused such consternation that it could not be immediately dismissed; and one of the elder ladies of the Court was obliged to explain it, for "excommunication" was a word of evil omen.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "It was unholy speech," said Dama Margherita crossing herself, "which had not been, save for the Consigliere: it hath no shade of truth; may the Holy Madonna forgive him--and us, who have listened to slander."
stop blaming or grant forgiveness
From this reading "It was unholy speech," said Dama Margherita crossing herself, "which had not been, save for the Consigliere: it hath no shade of truth; may the Holy Madonna forgive him--and us, who have listened to slander."
goeth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Thou art wise, carina: and we who love her will see that the ill word goeth not beyond."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "It was unholy speech," said Dama Margherita crossing herself, "which had not been, save for the Consigliere: it hath no shade of truth; may the Holy Madonna forgive him--and us, who have listened to slander."
hathauxiliary verbUS /hæθ/
an old form of “has”
From this reading "It was unholy speech," said Dama Margherita crossing herself, "which had not been, save for the Consigliere: it hath no shade of truth; may the Holy Madonna forgive him--and us, who have listened to slander."
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "It was unholy speech," said Dama Margherita crossing herself, "which had not been, save for the Consigliere: it hath no shade of truth; may the Holy Madonna forgive him--and us, who have listened to slander."
a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades
From this reading "Cara Dama Margherita," said the little Contarini consolingly, "if we have listened--it is not with our hearts!"
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "Thou art wise, carina: and we who love her will see that the ill word goeth not beyond."
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading "It was unholy speech," said Dama Margherita crossing herself, "which had not been, save for the Consigliere: it hath no shade of truth; may the Holy Madonna forgive him--and us, who have listened to slander."
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "It was unholy speech," said Dama Margherita crossing herself, "which had not been, save for the Consigliere: it hath no shade of truth; may the Holy Madonna forgive him--and us, who have listened to slander."
a sacred place of pilgrimage
From this reading "It was unholy speech," said Dama Margherita crossing herself, "which had not been, save for the Consigliere: it hath no shade of truth; may the Holy Madonna forgive him--and us, who have listened to slander."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "Cara Dama Margherita," said the little Contarini consolingly, "if we have listened--it is not with our hearts!"
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading "Thou art wise, carina: and we who love her will see that the ill word goeth not beyond."
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading But the speech of the Consigliere had caused such consternation that it could not be immediately dismissed; and one of the elder ladies of the Court was obliged to explain it, for "excommunication" was a word of evil omen.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Cara Dama Margherita," said the little Contarini consolingly, "if we have listened--it is not with our hearts!"
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "It was unholy speech," said Dama Margherita crossing herself, "which had not been, save for the Consigliere: it hath no shade of truth; may the Holy Madonna forgive him--and us, who have listened to slander."
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading But the speech of the Consigliere had caused such consternation that it could not be immediately dismissed; and one of the elder ladies of the Court was obliged to explain it, for "excommunication" was a word of evil omen.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading "It was unholy speech," said Dama Margherita crossing herself, "which had not been, save for the Consigliere: it hath no shade of truth; may the Holy Madonna forgive him--and us, who have listened to slander."
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "Cara Dama Margherita," said the little Contarini consolingly, "if we have listened--it is not with our hearts!"
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading "Thou art wise, carina: and we who love her will see that the ill word goeth not beyond."
MadonnanounUS /məˈdɑːnə/
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading "It was unholy speech," said Dama Margherita crossing herself, "which had not been, save for the Consigliere: it hath no shade of truth; may the Holy Madonna forgive him--and us, who have listened to slander."
Margherita
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It was unholy speech," said Dama Margherita crossing herself, "which had not been, save for the Consigliere: it hath no shade of truth; may the Holy Madonna forgive him--and us, who have listened to slander."
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading "It was unholy speech," said Dama Margherita crossing herself, "which had not been, save for the Consigliere: it hath no shade of truth; may the Holy Madonna forgive him--and us, who have listened to slander."
not any; not one
From this reading "It was unholy speech," said Dama Margherita crossing herself, "which had not been, save for the Consigliere: it hath no shade of truth; may the Holy Madonna forgive him--and us, who have listened to slander."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "It was unholy speech," said Dama Margherita crossing herself, "which had not been, save for the Consigliere: it hath no shade of truth; may the Holy Madonna forgive him--and us, who have listened to slander."
under a moral obligation to do something
From this reading But the speech of the Consigliere had caused such consternation that it could not be immediately dismissed; and one of the elder ladies of the Court was obliged to explain it, for "excommunication" was a word of evil omen.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "It was unholy speech," said Dama Margherita crossing herself, "which had not been, save for the Consigliere: it hath no shade of truth; may the Holy Madonna forgive him--and us, who have listened to slander."
omennounUS /ˈoʊmən/
a sign of something about to happen
From this reading But the speech of the Consigliere had caused such consternation that it could not be immediately dismissed; and one of the elder ladies of the Court was obliged to explain it, for "excommunication" was a word of evil omen.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But the speech of the Consigliere had caused such consternation that it could not be immediately dismissed; and one of the elder ladies of the Court was obliged to explain it, for "excommunication" was a word of evil omen.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading "Cara Dama Margherita," said the little Contarini consolingly, "if we have listened--it is not with our hearts!"
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "It was unholy speech," said Dama Margherita crossing herself, "which had not been, save for the Consigliere: it hath no shade of truth; may the Holy Madonna forgive him--and us, who have listened to slander."
except for; apart from
From this reading "It was unholy speech," said Dama Margherita crossing herself, "which had not been, save for the Consigliere: it hath no shade of truth; may the Holy Madonna forgive him--and us, who have listened to slander."
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "Thou art wise, carina: and we who love her will see that the ill word goeth not beyond."
relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body
From this reading "It was unholy speech," said Dama Margherita crossing herself, "which had not been, save for the Consigliere: it hath no shade of truth; may the Holy Madonna forgive him--and us, who have listened to slander."
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "The word is a slander," she said.
slandernounUS /ˈslændər/
words falsely spoken that damage the reputation of another
From this reading "It was unholy speech," said Dama Margherita crossing herself, "which had not been, save for the Consigliere: it hath no shade of truth; may the Holy Madonna forgive him--and us, who have listened to slander."
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading "It was unholy speech," said Dama Margherita crossing herself, "which had not been, save for the Consigliere: it hath no shade of truth; may the Holy Madonna forgive him--and us, who have listened to slander."
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading But the speech of the Consigliere had caused such consternation that it could not be immediately dismissed; and one of the elder ladies of the Court was obliged to explain it, for "excommunication" was a word of evil omen.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Thou art wise, carina: and we who love her will see that the ill word goeth not beyond."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "It was unholy speech," said Dama Margherita crossing herself, "which had not been, save for the Consigliere: it hath no shade of truth; may the Holy Madonna forgive him--and us, who have listened to slander."
an old word for “you”, as the subject, speaking to one person
From this reading "Thou art wise, carina: and we who love her will see that the ill word goeth not beyond."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "It was unholy speech," said Dama Margherita crossing herself, "which had not been, save for the Consigliere: it hath no shade of truth; may the Holy Madonna forgive him--and us, who have listened to slander."
a fact that has been verified
From this reading "It was unholy speech," said Dama Margherita crossing herself, "which had not been, save for the Consigliere: it hath no shade of truth; may the Holy Madonna forgive him--and us, who have listened to slander."
unholyadjectiveUS /ənˈhoʊli/
not hallowed or consecrated
From this reading "It was unholy speech," said Dama Margherita crossing herself, "which had not been, save for the Consigliere: it hath no shade of truth; may the Holy Madonna forgive him--and us, who have listened to slander."
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "It was unholy speech," said Dama Margherita crossing herself, "which had not been, save for the Consigliere: it hath no shade of truth; may the Holy Madonna forgive him--and us, who have listened to slander."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "It was unholy speech," said Dama Margherita crossing herself, "which had not been, save for the Consigliere: it hath no shade of truth; may the Holy Madonna forgive him--and us, who have listened to slander."
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "Cara Dama Margherita," said the little Contarini consolingly, "if we have listened--it is not with our hearts!"
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "It was unholy speech," said Dama Margherita crossing herself, "which had not been, save for the Consigliere: it hath no shade of truth; may the Holy Madonna forgive him--and us, who have listened to slander."
which person or people
From this reading "It was unholy speech," said Dama Margherita crossing herself, "which had not been, save for the Consigliere: it hath no shade of truth; may the Holy Madonna forgive him--and us, who have listened to slander."
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "Thou art wise, carina: and we who love her will see that the ill word goeth not beyond."
having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading "Thou art wise, carina: and we who love her will see that the ill word goeth not beyond."
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Cara Dama Margherita," said the little Contarini consolingly, "if we have listened--it is not with our hearts!"
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading "Thou art wise, carina: and we who love her will see that the ill word goeth not beyond."
