used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was not at the same dinner party with her, but she went on to a dance at the Marchese Valdeste's, feeling sure that she would have a chance to speak with him there.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading All the time, too, she was fearful of seeing a square-jawed face that kept recurring to her memory as she had last seen it that afternoon--distorted, with mouth open, and eyes protruding from their sockets.
(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 WEIGHED IN THE BALANCE All that evening Nina was tense and nervous, not only because of her experience at the Palazzo Scorpa, but because of something portentous in Giovanni's unexplained demand for silence.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading He always danced with her several times during a ball, and, as he was not very much taller than she, she could easily talk to him without danger of any one's overhearing.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading WEIGHED IN THE BALANCE All that evening Nina was tense and nervous, not only because of her experience at the Palazzo Scorpa, but because of something portentous in Giovanni's unexplained demand for silence.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He always danced with her several times during a ball, and, as he was not very much taller than she, she could easily talk to him without danger of any one's overhearing.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He always danced with her several times during a ball, and, as he was not very much taller than she, she could easily talk to him without danger of any one's overhearing.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading WEIGHED IN THE BALANCE All that evening Nina was tense and nervous, not only because of her experience at the Palazzo Scorpa, but because of something portentous in Giovanni's unexplained demand for silence.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading Her partners undoubtedly found her _distraite_; her attention vacillated from one side of the ballroom to the other, as she searched for a well-known, graceful figure and a small, sleek black head.
BALANCEverbUS /ˈbæləns/
bring into balance or equilibrium
From this reading WEIGHED IN THE BALANCE All that evening Nina was tense and nervous, not only because of her experience at the Palazzo Scorpa, but because of something portentous in Giovanni's unexplained demand for silence.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading He always danced with her several times during a ball, and, as he was not very much taller than she, she could easily talk to him without danger of any one's overhearing.
ballroomnounUS /ˈbɔːlruːm/
large room used mainly for dancing
From this reading Her partners undoubtedly found her _distraite_; her attention vacillated from one side of the ballroom to the other, as she searched for a well-known, graceful figure and a small, sleek black head.
for the reason that
From this reading WEIGHED IN THE BALANCE All that evening Nina was tense and nervous, not only because of her experience at the Palazzo Scorpa, but because of something portentous in Giovanni's unexplained demand for silence.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Her partners undoubtedly found her _distraite_; her attention vacillated from one side of the ballroom to the other, as she searched for a well-known, graceful figure and a small, sleek black head.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading WEIGHED IN THE BALANCE All that evening Nina was tense and nervous, not only because of her experience at the Palazzo Scorpa, but because of something portentous in Giovanni's unexplained demand for silence.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading He was not at the same dinner party with her, but she went on to a dance at the Marchese Valdeste's, feeling sure that she would have a chance to speak with him there.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He always danced with her several times during a ball, and, as he was not very much taller than she, she could easily talk to him without danger of any one's overhearing.
an artistic form of nonverbal communication
From this reading He was not at the same dinner party with her, but she went on to a dance at the Marchese Valdeste's, feeling sure that she would have a chance to speak with him there.
dancedverbUS /dænst/
past form of “dance” — move in a graceful and rhythmical way
From this reading He always danced with her several times during a ball, and, as he was not very much taller than she, she could easily talk to him without danger of any one's overhearing.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading He always danced with her several times during a ball, and, as he was not very much taller than she, she could easily talk to him without danger of any one's overhearing.
an urgent or peremptory request
From this reading WEIGHED IN THE BALANCE All that evening Nina was tense and nervous, not only because of her experience at the Palazzo Scorpa, but because of something portentous in Giovanni's unexplained demand for silence.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading He was not at the same dinner party with her, but she went on to a dance at the Marchese Valdeste's, feeling sure that she would have a chance to speak with him there.
distortedadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɔːrtəd/
so badly formed or out of shape as to be ugly
From this reading All the time, too, she was fearful of seeing a square-jawed face that kept recurring to her memory as she had last seen it that afternoon--distorted, with mouth open, and eyes protruding from their sockets.
distraite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her partners undoubtedly found her _distraite_; her attention vacillated from one side of the ballroom to the other, as she searched for a well-known, graceful figure and a small, sleek black head.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading He always danced with her several times during a ball, and, as he was not very much taller than she, she could easily talk to him without danger of any one's overhearing.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading He always danced with her several times during a ball, and, as he was not very much taller than she, she could easily talk to him without danger of any one's overhearing.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading WEIGHED IN THE BALANCE All that evening Nina was tense and nervous, not only because of her experience at the Palazzo Scorpa, but because of something portentous in Giovanni's unexplained demand for silence.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading WEIGHED IN THE BALANCE All that evening Nina was tense and nervous, not only because of her experience at the Palazzo Scorpa, but because of something portentous in Giovanni's unexplained demand for silence.
opinion or judgment
From this reading All the time, too, she was fearful of seeing a square-jawed face that kept recurring to her memory as she had last seen it that afternoon--distorted, with mouth open, and eyes protruding from their sockets.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading All the time, too, she was fearful of seeing a square-jawed face that kept recurring to her memory as she had last seen it that afternoon--distorted, with mouth open, and eyes protruding from their sockets.
experiencing or showing fear
From this reading All the time, too, she was fearful of seeing a square-jawed face that kept recurring to her memory as she had last seen it that afternoon--distorted, with mouth open, and eyes protruding from their sockets.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading He was not at the same dinner party with her, but she went on to a dance at the Marchese Valdeste's, feeling sure that she would have a chance to speak with him there.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Her partners undoubtedly found her _distraite_; her attention vacillated from one side of the ballroom to the other, as she searched for a well-known, graceful figure and a small, sleek black head.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading WEIGHED IN THE BALANCE All that evening Nina was tense and nervous, not only because of her experience at the Palazzo Scorpa, but because of something portentous in Giovanni's unexplained demand for silence.
set up or found
From this reading Her partners undoubtedly found her _distraite_; her attention vacillated from one side of the ballroom to the other, as she searched for a well-known, graceful figure and a small, sleek black head.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Her partners undoubtedly found her _distraite_; her attention vacillated from one side of the ballroom to the other, as she searched for a well-known, graceful figure and a small, sleek black head.
Giovanni's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WEIGHED IN THE BALANCE All that evening Nina was tense and nervous, not only because of her experience at the Palazzo Scorpa, but because of something portentous in Giovanni's unexplained demand for silence.
characterized by beauty of movement, style, form, or execution
From this reading Her partners undoubtedly found her _distraite_; her attention vacillated from one side of the ballroom to the other, as she searched for a well-known, graceful figure and a small, sleek black head.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading All the time, too, she was fearful of seeing a square-jawed face that kept recurring to her memory as she had last seen it that afternoon--distorted, with mouth open, and eyes protruding from their sockets.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He was not at the same dinner party with her, but she went on to a dance at the Marchese Valdeste's, feeling sure that she would have a chance to speak with him there.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was not at the same dinner party with her, but she went on to a dance at the Marchese Valdeste's, feeling sure that she would have a chance to speak with him there.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Her partners undoubtedly found her _distraite_; her attention vacillated from one side of the ballroom to the other, as she searched for a well-known, graceful figure and a small, sleek black head.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading WEIGHED IN THE BALANCE All that evening Nina was tense and nervous, not only because of her experience at the Palazzo Scorpa, but because of something portentous in Giovanni's unexplained demand for silence.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was not at the same dinner party with her, but she went on to a dance at the Marchese Valdeste's, feeling sure that she would have a chance to speak with him there.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading WEIGHED IN THE BALANCE All that evening Nina was tense and nervous, not only because of her experience at the Palazzo Scorpa, but because of something portentous in Giovanni's unexplained demand for silence.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading All the time, too, she was fearful of seeing a square-jawed face that kept recurring to her memory as she had last seen it that afternoon--distorted, with mouth open, and eyes protruding from their sockets.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading All the time, too, she was fearful of seeing a square-jawed face that kept recurring to her memory as she had last seen it that afternoon--distorted, with mouth open, and eyes protruding from their sockets.
immediately past
From this reading All the time, too, she was fearful of seeing a square-jawed face that kept recurring to her memory as she had last seen it that afternoon--distorted, with mouth open, and eyes protruding from their sockets.
Marchese
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not at the same dinner party with her, but she went on to a dance at the Marchese Valdeste's, feeling sure that she would have a chance to speak with him there.
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading All the time, too, she was fearful of seeing a square-jawed face that kept recurring to her memory as she had last seen it that afternoon--distorted, with mouth open, and eyes protruding from their sockets.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading All the time, too, she was fearful of seeing a square-jawed face that kept recurring to her memory as she had last seen it that afternoon--distorted, with mouth open, and eyes protruding from their sockets.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He always danced with her several times during a ball, and, as he was not very much taller than she, she could easily talk to him without danger of any one's overhearing.
easily agitated
From this reading WEIGHED IN THE BALANCE All that evening Nina was tense and nervous, not only because of her experience at the Palazzo Scorpa, but because of something portentous in Giovanni's unexplained demand for silence.
NinanounUS /ˈniːnə/
the Babylonian goddess of the watery deep and daughter of Ea
From this reading WEIGHED IN THE BALANCE All that evening Nina was tense and nervous, not only because of her experience at the Palazzo Scorpa, but because of something portentous in Giovanni's unexplained demand for silence.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading WEIGHED IN THE BALANCE All that evening Nina was tense and nervous, not only because of her experience at the Palazzo Scorpa, but because of something portentous in Giovanni's unexplained demand for silence.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading WEIGHED IN THE BALANCE All that evening Nina was tense and nervous, not only because of her experience at the Palazzo Scorpa, but because of something portentous in Giovanni's unexplained demand for silence.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He was not at the same dinner party with her, but she went on to a dance at the Marchese Valdeste's, feeling sure that she would have a chance to speak with him there.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Her partners undoubtedly found her _distraite_; her attention vacillated from one side of the ballroom to the other, as she searched for a well-known, graceful figure and a small, sleek black head.
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He always danced with her several times during a ball, and, as he was not very much taller than she, she could easily talk to him without danger of any one's overhearing.
and nothing more
From this reading WEIGHED IN THE BALANCE All that evening Nina was tense and nervous, not only because of her experience at the Palazzo Scorpa, but because of something portentous in Giovanni's unexplained demand for silence.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading All the time, too, she was fearful of seeing a square-jawed face that kept recurring to her memory as she had last seen it that afternoon--distorted, with mouth open, and eyes protruding from their sockets.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Her partners undoubtedly found her _distraite_; her attention vacillated from one side of the ballroom to the other, as she searched for a well-known, graceful figure and a small, sleek black head.
overhearingverbUS /ˌoʊvərˈhiːrɪŋ/
-ing form of “overhear” — hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers
From this reading He always danced with her several times during a ball, and, as he was not very much taller than she, she could easily talk to him without danger of any one's overhearing.
Palazzo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WEIGHED IN THE BALANCE All that evening Nina was tense and nervous, not only because of her experience at the Palazzo Scorpa, but because of something portentous in Giovanni's unexplained demand for silence.
partnersnounUS /ˈpɑːrtnərz/
plural of “partner” — a person's partner in marriage
From this reading Her partners undoubtedly found her _distraite_; her attention vacillated from one side of the ballroom to the other, as she searched for a well-known, graceful figure and a small, sleek black head.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading He was not at the same dinner party with her, but she went on to a dance at the Marchese Valdeste's, feeling sure that she would have a chance to speak with him there.
portentousadjectiveUS /pɔːrˈtentəs/
of momentous or ominous significance
From this reading WEIGHED IN THE BALANCE All that evening Nina was tense and nervous, not only because of her experience at the Palazzo Scorpa, but because of something portentous in Giovanni's unexplained demand for silence.
protrudingadjectiveUS /proʊˈtruːdɪŋ/
extending out above or beyond a surface or boundary
From this reading All the time, too, she was fearful of seeing a square-jawed face that kept recurring to her memory as she had last seen it that afternoon--distorted, with mouth open, and eyes protruding from their sockets.
recurringadjectiveUS /rɪˈkɜːrɪŋ/
coming back
From this reading All the time, too, she was fearful of seeing a square-jawed face that kept recurring to her memory as she had last seen it that afternoon--distorted, with mouth open, and eyes protruding from their sockets.
Identical; not different.
From this reading He was not at the same dinner party with her, but she went on to a dance at the Marchese Valdeste's, feeling sure that she would have a chance to speak with him there.
Scorpa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WEIGHED IN THE BALANCE All that evening Nina was tense and nervous, not only because of her experience at the Palazzo Scorpa, but because of something portentous in Giovanni's unexplained demand for silence.
searchedverbUS /sɜːrtʃt/
past form of “search” — try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading Her partners undoubtedly found her _distraite_; her attention vacillated from one side of the ballroom to the other, as she searched for a well-known, graceful figure and a small, sleek black head.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading All the time, too, she was fearful of seeing a square-jawed face that kept recurring to her memory as she had last seen it that afternoon--distorted, with mouth open, and eyes protruding from their sockets.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading All the time, too, she was fearful of seeing a square-jawed face that kept recurring to her memory as she had last seen it that afternoon--distorted, with mouth open, and eyes protruding from their sockets.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading He always danced with her several times during a ball, and, as he was not very much taller than she, she could easily talk to him without danger of any one's overhearing.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was not at the same dinner party with her, but she went on to a dance at the Marchese Valdeste's, feeling sure that she would have a chance to speak with him there.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Her partners undoubtedly found her _distraite_; her attention vacillated from one side of the ballroom to the other, as she searched for a well-known, graceful figure and a small, sleek black head.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading WEIGHED IN THE BALANCE All that evening Nina was tense and nervous, not only because of her experience at the Palazzo Scorpa, but because of something portentous in Giovanni's unexplained demand for silence.
sleekadjectiveUS /sliːk/
well-groomed and neatly tailored; especially too well-groomed
From this reading Her partners undoubtedly found her _distraite_; her attention vacillated from one side of the ballroom to the other, as she searched for a well-known, graceful figure and a small, sleek black head.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Her partners undoubtedly found her _distraite_; her attention vacillated from one side of the ballroom to the other, as she searched for a well-known, graceful figure and a small, sleek black head.
socketsnounUS /ˈsɑːkəts/
plural of “socket” — a bony hollow into which a structure fits
From this reading All the time, too, she was fearful of seeing a square-jawed face that kept recurring to her memory as she had last seen it that afternoon--distorted, with mouth open, and eyes protruding from their sockets.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading WEIGHED IN THE BALANCE All that evening Nina was tense and nervous, not only because of her experience at the Palazzo Scorpa, but because of something portentous in Giovanni's unexplained demand for silence.
express in speech
From this reading He was not at the same dinner party with her, but she went on to a dance at the Marchese Valdeste's, feeling sure that she would have a chance to speak with him there.
square-jawedadjective
having a relatively square jaw
From this reading All the time, too, she was fearful of seeing a square-jawed face that kept recurring to her memory as she had last seen it that afternoon--distorted, with mouth open, and eyes protruding from their sockets.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading He was not at the same dinner party with her, but she went on to a dance at the Marchese Valdeste's, feeling sure that she would have a chance to speak with him there.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading He always danced with her several times during a ball, and, as he was not very much taller than she, she could easily talk to him without danger of any one's overhearing.
talleradjectiveUS /ˈtɔːlər/
comparative of “tall” — great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading He always danced with her several times during a ball, and, as he was not very much taller than she, she could easily talk to him without danger of any one's overhearing.
tensenounUS /tens/
a grammatical category of verbs used to express distinctions of time
From this reading WEIGHED IN THE BALANCE All that evening Nina was tense and nervous, not only because of her experience at the Palazzo Scorpa, but because of something portentous in Giovanni's unexplained demand for silence.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He always danced with her several times during a ball, and, as he was not very much taller than she, she could easily talk to him without danger of any one's overhearing.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading WEIGHED IN THE BALANCE All that evening Nina was tense and nervous, not only because of her experience at the Palazzo Scorpa, but because of something portentous in Giovanni's unexplained demand for silence.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WEIGHED IN THE BALANCE All that evening Nina was tense and nervous, not only because of her experience at the Palazzo Scorpa, but because of something portentous in Giovanni's unexplained demand for silence.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading All the time, too, she was fearful of seeing a square-jawed face that kept recurring to her memory as she had last seen it that afternoon--distorted, with mouth open, and eyes protruding from their sockets.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He was not at the same dinner party with her, but she went on to a dance at the Marchese Valdeste's, feeling sure that she would have a chance to speak with him there.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading All the time, too, she was fearful of seeing a square-jawed face that kept recurring to her memory as she had last seen it that afternoon--distorted, with mouth open, and eyes protruding from their sockets.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading He always danced with her several times during a ball, and, as he was not very much taller than she, she could easily talk to him without danger of any one's overhearing.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was not at the same dinner party with her, but she went on to a dance at the Marchese Valdeste's, feeling sure that she would have a chance to speak with him there.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading All the time, too, she was fearful of seeing a square-jawed face that kept recurring to her memory as she had last seen it that afternoon--distorted, with mouth open, and eyes protruding from their sockets.
undoubtedlyadverbUS /ənˈdaʊtɪdli/
without doubt; certainly
From this reading Her partners undoubtedly found her _distraite_; her attention vacillated from one side of the ballroom to the other, as she searched for a well-known, graceful figure and a small, sleek black head.
unexplainedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnɪkˈspleɪnd/
not explained
From this reading WEIGHED IN THE BALANCE All that evening Nina was tense and nervous, not only because of her experience at the Palazzo Scorpa, but because of something portentous in Giovanni's unexplained demand for silence.
vacillatedverbUS /ˈvæsəleɪtɪd/
past form of “vacillate” — be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action
From this reading Her partners undoubtedly found her _distraite_; her attention vacillated from one side of the ballroom to the other, as she searched for a well-known, graceful figure and a small, sleek black head.
Valdeste's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not at the same dinner party with her, but she went on to a dance at the Marchese Valdeste's, feeling sure that she would have a chance to speak with him there.
precisely as stated
From this reading He always danced with her several times during a ball, and, as he was not very much taller than she, she could easily talk to him without danger of any one's overhearing.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading WEIGHED IN THE BALANCE All that evening Nina was tense and nervous, not only because of her experience at the Palazzo Scorpa, but because of something portentous in Giovanni's unexplained demand for silence.
WEIGHEDverbUS /weɪd/
past form of “weigh” — have a certain weight
From this reading WEIGHED IN THE BALANCE All that evening Nina was tense and nervous, not only because of her experience at the Palazzo Scorpa, but because of something portentous in Giovanni's unexplained demand for silence.
well-knownadjectiveUS /ˈwelˈnoʊn/
widely or fully known
From this reading Her partners undoubtedly found her _distraite_; her attention vacillated from one side of the ballroom to the other, as she searched for a well-known, graceful figure and a small, sleek black head.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He was not at the same dinner party with her, but she went on to a dance at the Marchese Valdeste's, feeling sure that she would have a chance to speak with him there.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was not at the same dinner party with her, but she went on to a dance at the Marchese Valdeste's, feeling sure that she would have a chance to speak with him there.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He always danced with her several times during a ball, and, as he was not very much taller than she, she could easily talk to him without danger of any one's overhearing.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He was not at the same dinner party with her, but she went on to a dance at the Marchese Valdeste's, feeling sure that she would have a chance to speak with him there.
