used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She had a slight feeling of compunction in regard to Paul, and it made her more responsive to his nonsense than she might otherwise have been.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She had a slight feeling of compunction in regard to Paul, and it made her more responsive to his nonsense than she might otherwise have been.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Marcia gave herself up gaily enough to the spirit of the play, forgetting for the time any troubling questions lurking in the background.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading When she bade him good-bye she smiled back, half laughingly, half seriously, at his parting speech—a repetition of the morning’s pretty phrase—‘_non-te-scordar-di-me!_’ As the carriage turned homeward she smiled to herself over her yesterday’s state at the prospect of meeting Paul.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When she bade him good-bye she smiled back, half laughingly, half seriously, at his parting speech—a repetition of the morning’s pretty phrase—‘_non-te-scordar-di-me!_’ As the carriage turned homeward she smiled to herself over her yesterday’s state at the prospect of meeting Paul.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading When she bade him good-bye she smiled back, half laughingly, half seriously, at his parting speech—a repetition of the morning’s pretty phrase—‘_non-te-scordar-di-me!_’ As the carriage turned homeward she smiled to herself over her yesterday’s state at the prospect of meeting Paul.
backgroundnounUS /ˈbækɡraʊnd/
a person's social heritage: previous experience or training
From this reading Marcia gave herself up gaily enough to the spirit of the play, forgetting for the time any troubling questions lurking in the background.
a Chadic language spoken in northern Nigeria
From this reading When she bade him good-bye she smiled back, half laughingly, half seriously, at his parting speech—a repetition of the morning’s pretty phrase—‘_non-te-scordar-di-me!_’ As the carriage turned homeward she smiled to herself over her yesterday’s state at the prospect of meeting Paul.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She had a slight feeling of compunction in regard to Paul, and it made her more responsive to his nonsense than she might otherwise have been.
a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading MARCIA drove to the station with the travellers, leaving the rest of the party to return to the villa in the other carriage.
ciceronenounUS /ˈsɪsəroʊn/
a guide who conducts and informs sightseers
From this reading In the rôle of cicerone he naïvely explained the story of the ruins they passed on the way, and the entire history of Rome, from Romulus and Remus to Garibaldi, unfolded itself upon that nine-mile stretch of dusty road.
compunctionnounUS /kəmˈpʌŋkʃən/
a feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed)
From this reading She had a slight feeling of compunction in regard to Paul, and it made her more responsive to his nonsense than she might otherwise have been.
a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together
From this reading MARCIA drove to the station with the travellers, leaving the rest of the party to return to the villa in the other carriage.
dustyadjectiveUS /ˈdʌsti/
covered with a layer of dust
From this reading In the rôle of cicerone he naïvely explained the story of the ruins they passed on the way, and the entire history of Rome, from Romulus and Remus to Garibaldi, unfolded itself upon that nine-mile stretch of dusty road.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Marcia gave herself up gaily enough to the spirit of the play, forgetting for the time any troubling questions lurking in the background.
constituting the full quantity or extent; complete
From this reading In the rôle of cicerone he naïvely explained the story of the ruins they passed on the way, and the entire history of Rome, from Romulus and Remus to Garibaldi, unfolded itself upon that nine-mile stretch of dusty road.
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading In the rôle of cicerone he naïvely explained the story of the ruins they passed on the way, and the entire history of Rome, from Romulus and Remus to Garibaldi, unfolded itself upon that nine-mile stretch of dusty road.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading She had a slight feeling of compunction in regard to Paul, and it made her more responsive to his nonsense than she might otherwise have been.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Marcia gave herself up gaily enough to the spirit of the play, forgetting for the time any troubling questions lurking in the background.
forgettingverbUS /fərˈɡetɪŋ/
inflected form of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading Marcia gave herself up gaily enough to the spirit of the play, forgetting for the time any troubling questions lurking in the background.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading In the rôle of cicerone he naïvely explained the story of the ruins they passed on the way, and the entire history of Rome, from Romulus and Remus to Garibaldi, unfolded itself upon that nine-mile stretch of dusty road.
gailyadverbUS /ˈɡeɪli/
in a gay manner
From this reading Marcia gave herself up gaily enough to the spirit of the play, forgetting for the time any troubling questions lurking in the background.
GaribaldinounUS /ˌɡærəˈbɔːldi/
Italian patriot whose conquest of Sicily and Naples led to the formation of the Italian state (1807-1882)
From this reading In the rôle of cicerone he naïvely explained the story of the ruins they passed on the way, and the entire history of Rome, from Romulus and Remus to Garibaldi, unfolded itself upon that nine-mile stretch of dusty road.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Marcia gave herself up gaily enough to the spirit of the play, forgetting for the time any troubling questions lurking in the background.
good-byenounUS /ɡɪdˈbaɪ/
a farewell remark
From this reading When she bade him good-bye she smiled back, half laughingly, half seriously, at his parting speech—a repetition of the morning’s pretty phrase—‘_non-te-scordar-di-me!_’ As the carriage turned homeward she smiled to herself over her yesterday’s state at the prospect of meeting Paul.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had a slight feeling of compunction in regard to Paul, and it made her more responsive to his nonsense than she might otherwise have been.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading When she bade him good-bye she smiled back, half laughingly, half seriously, at his parting speech—a repetition of the morning’s pretty phrase—‘_non-te-scordar-di-me!_’ As the carriage turned homeward she smiled to herself over her yesterday’s state at the prospect of meeting Paul.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She had a slight feeling of compunction in regard to Paul, and it made her more responsive to his nonsense than she might otherwise have been.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In the rôle of cicerone he naïvely explained the story of the ruins they passed on the way, and the entire history of Rome, from Romulus and Remus to Garibaldi, unfolded itself upon that nine-mile stretch of dusty road.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She had a slight feeling of compunction in regard to Paul, and it made her more responsive to his nonsense than she might otherwise have been.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Marcia gave herself up gaily enough to the spirit of the play, forgetting for the time any troubling questions lurking in the background.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When she bade him good-bye she smiled back, half laughingly, half seriously, at his parting speech—a repetition of the morning’s pretty phrase—‘_non-te-scordar-di-me!_’ As the carriage turned homeward she smiled to herself over her yesterday’s state at the prospect of meeting Paul.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading She had a slight feeling of compunction in regard to Paul, and it made her more responsive to his nonsense than she might otherwise have been.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading In the rôle of cicerone he naïvely explained the story of the ruins they passed on the way, and the entire history of Rome, from Romulus and Remus to Garibaldi, unfolded itself upon that nine-mile stretch of dusty road.
homewardadverbUS /ˈhoʊmwərd/
toward home
From this reading When she bade him good-bye she smiled back, half laughingly, half seriously, at his parting speech—a repetition of the morning’s pretty phrase—‘_non-te-scordar-di-me!_’ As the carriage turned homeward she smiled to herself over her yesterday’s state at the prospect of meeting Paul.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading MARCIA drove to the station with the travellers, leaving the rest of the party to return to the villa in the other carriage.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She had a slight feeling of compunction in regard to Paul, and it made her more responsive to his nonsense than she might otherwise have been.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading In the rôle of cicerone he naïvely explained the story of the ruins they passed on the way, and the entire history of Rome, from Romulus and Remus to Garibaldi, unfolded itself upon that nine-mile stretch of dusty road.
laughinglyadverbUS /ˈlæfɪŋli/
with laughter; while laughing
From this reading When she bade him good-bye she smiled back, half laughingly, half seriously, at his parting speech—a repetition of the morning’s pretty phrase—‘_non-te-scordar-di-me!_’ As the carriage turned homeward she smiled to herself over her yesterday’s state at the prospect of meeting Paul.
the act of departing
From this reading MARCIA drove to the station with the travellers, leaving the rest of the party to return to the villa in the other carriage.
lurkingverbUS /ˈlɜːrkɪŋ/
-ing form of “lurk” — lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner
From this reading Marcia gave herself up gaily enough to the spirit of the play, forgetting for the time any troubling questions lurking in the background.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading She had a slight feeling of compunction in regard to Paul, and it made her more responsive to his nonsense than she might otherwise have been.
MARCIA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MARCIA drove to the station with the travellers, leaving the rest of the party to return to the villa in the other carriage.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading When she bade him good-bye she smiled back, half laughingly, half seriously, at his parting speech—a repetition of the morning’s pretty phrase—‘_non-te-scordar-di-me!_’ As the carriage turned homeward she smiled to herself over her yesterday’s state at the prospect of meeting Paul.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading She had a slight feeling of compunction in regard to Paul, and it made her more responsive to his nonsense than she might otherwise have been.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading She had a slight feeling of compunction in regard to Paul, and it made her more responsive to his nonsense than she might otherwise have been.
morning'snounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋz/
possessive form of “morning” — the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading When she bade him good-bye she smiled back, half laughingly, half seriously, at his parting speech—a repetition of the morning’s pretty phrase—‘_non-te-scordar-di-me!_’ As the carriage turned homeward she smiled to herself over her yesterday’s state at the prospect of meeting Paul.
naïvely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the rôle of cicerone he naïvely explained the story of the ruins they passed on the way, and the entire history of Rome, from Romulus and Remus to Garibaldi, unfolded itself upon that nine-mile stretch of dusty road.
nine-mile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the rôle of cicerone he naïvely explained the story of the ruins they passed on the way, and the entire history of Rome, from Romulus and Remus to Garibaldi, unfolded itself upon that nine-mile stretch of dusty road.
non-te-scordar-di-me
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she bade him good-bye she smiled back, half laughingly, half seriously, at his parting speech—a repetition of the morning’s pretty phrase—‘_non-te-scordar-di-me!_’ As the carriage turned homeward she smiled to herself over her yesterday’s state at the prospect of meeting Paul.
a message that seems to convey no meaning
From this reading She had a slight feeling of compunction in regard to Paul, and it made her more responsive to his nonsense than she might otherwise have been.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MARCIA drove to the station with the travellers, leaving the rest of the party to return to the villa in the other carriage.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In the rôle of cicerone he naïvely explained the story of the ruins they passed on the way, and the entire history of Rome, from Romulus and Remus to Garibaldi, unfolded itself upon that nine-mile stretch of dusty road.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading MARCIA drove to the station with the travellers, leaving the rest of the party to return to the villa in the other carriage.
in other respects or ways
From this reading She had a slight feeling of compunction in regard to Paul, and it made her more responsive to his nonsense than she might otherwise have been.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading When she bade him good-bye she smiled back, half laughingly, half seriously, at his parting speech—a repetition of the morning’s pretty phrase—‘_non-te-scordar-di-me!_’ As the carriage turned homeward she smiled to herself over her yesterday’s state at the prospect of meeting Paul.
the act of departing politely
From this reading When she bade him good-bye she smiled back, half laughingly, half seriously, at his parting speech—a repetition of the morning’s pretty phrase—‘_non-te-scordar-di-me!_’ As the carriage turned homeward she smiled to herself over her yesterday’s state at the prospect of meeting Paul.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading MARCIA drove to the station with the travellers, leaving the rest of the party to return to the villa in the other carriage.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading In the rôle of cicerone he naïvely explained the story of the ruins they passed on the way, and the entire history of Rome, from Romulus and Remus to Garibaldi, unfolded itself upon that nine-mile stretch of dusty road.
United States feminist (1885-1977)
From this reading She had a slight feeling of compunction in regard to Paul, and it made her more responsive to his nonsense than she might otherwise have been.
phrasenounUS /freɪz/
an expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence
From this reading When she bade him good-bye she smiled back, half laughingly, half seriously, at his parting speech—a repetition of the morning’s pretty phrase—‘_non-te-scordar-di-me!_’ As the carriage turned homeward she smiled to herself over her yesterday’s state at the prospect of meeting Paul.
participate in games or sport
From this reading Marcia gave herself up gaily enough to the spirit of the play, forgetting for the time any troubling questions lurking in the background.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading When she bade him good-bye she smiled back, half laughingly, half seriously, at his parting speech—a repetition of the morning’s pretty phrase—‘_non-te-scordar-di-me!_’ As the carriage turned homeward she smiled to herself over her yesterday’s state at the prospect of meeting Paul.
the possibility of future success
From this reading When she bade him good-bye she smiled back, half laughingly, half seriously, at his parting speech—a repetition of the morning’s pretty phrase—‘_non-te-scordar-di-me!_’ As the carriage turned homeward she smiled to herself over her yesterday’s state at the prospect of meeting Paul.
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading Marcia gave herself up gaily enough to the spirit of the play, forgetting for the time any troubling questions lurking in the background.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading She had a slight feeling of compunction in regard to Paul, and it made her more responsive to his nonsense than she might otherwise have been.
RemusnounUS /ˈriːməs/
(Roman mythology) the twin brother of Romulus
From this reading In the rôle of cicerone he naïvely explained the story of the ruins they passed on the way, and the entire history of Rome, from Romulus and Remus to Garibaldi, unfolded itself upon that nine-mile stretch of dusty road.
repetitionnounUS /ˌrepəˈtɪʃən/
an event that repeats
From this reading When she bade him good-bye she smiled back, half laughingly, half seriously, at his parting speech—a repetition of the morning’s pretty phrase—‘_non-te-scordar-di-me!_’ As the carriage turned homeward she smiled to herself over her yesterday’s state at the prospect of meeting Paul.
responsiveadjectiveUS /rɪˈspɑːnsɪv/
containing or using responses; alternating
From this reading She had a slight feeling of compunction in regard to Paul, and it made her more responsive to his nonsense than she might otherwise have been.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading MARCIA drove to the station with the travellers, leaving the rest of the party to return to the villa in the other carriage.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading MARCIA drove to the station with the travellers, leaving the rest of the party to return to the villa in the other carriage.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading In the rôle of cicerone he naïvely explained the story of the ruins they passed on the way, and the entire history of Rome, from Romulus and Remus to Garibaldi, unfolded itself upon that nine-mile stretch of dusty road.
capital and largest city of Italy; on the Tiber; seat of the Roman Catholic Church; formerly the capital of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire
From this reading In the rôle of cicerone he naïvely explained the story of the ruins they passed on the way, and the entire history of Rome, from Romulus and Remus to Garibaldi, unfolded itself upon that nine-mile stretch of dusty road.
RomulusnounUS /ˈrɑːmjələs/
(Roman mythology) founder of Rome; suckled with his twin brother Remus by a wolf after their parents (Mars and Rhea Silvia) abandoned them; Romulus killed Remus in an argument over the building of Rome
From this reading In the rôle of cicerone he naïvely explained the story of the ruins they passed on the way, and the entire history of Rome, from Romulus and Remus to Garibaldi, unfolded itself upon that nine-mile stretch of dusty road.
ruinsnounUS /ˈruːənz/
plural of “ruin” — an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
From this reading In the rôle of cicerone he naïvely explained the story of the ruins they passed on the way, and the entire history of Rome, from Romulus and Remus to Garibaldi, unfolded itself upon that nine-mile stretch of dusty road.
rôle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the rôle of cicerone he naïvely explained the story of the ruins they passed on the way, and the entire history of Rome, from Romulus and Remus to Garibaldi, unfolded itself upon that nine-mile stretch of dusty road.
in a serious manner
From this reading When she bade him good-bye she smiled back, half laughingly, half seriously, at his parting speech—a repetition of the morning’s pretty phrase—‘_non-te-scordar-di-me!_’ As the carriage turned homeward she smiled to herself over her yesterday’s state at the prospect of meeting Paul.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had a slight feeling of compunction in regard to Paul, and it made her more responsive to his nonsense than she might otherwise have been.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading She had a slight feeling of compunction in regard to Paul, and it made her more responsive to his nonsense than she might otherwise have been.
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading When she bade him good-bye she smiled back, half laughingly, half seriously, at his parting speech—a repetition of the morning’s pretty phrase—‘_non-te-scordar-di-me!_’ As the carriage turned homeward she smiled to herself over her yesterday’s state at the prospect of meeting Paul.
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading When she bade him good-bye she smiled back, half laughingly, half seriously, at his parting speech—a repetition of the morning’s pretty phrase—‘_non-te-scordar-di-me!_’ As the carriage turned homeward she smiled to herself over her yesterday’s state at the prospect of meeting Paul.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading Marcia gave herself up gaily enough to the spirit of the play, forgetting for the time any troubling questions lurking in the background.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading When she bade him good-bye she smiled back, half laughingly, half seriously, at his parting speech—a repetition of the morning’s pretty phrase—‘_non-te-scordar-di-me!_’ As the carriage turned homeward she smiled to herself over her yesterday’s state at the prospect of meeting Paul.
a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose
From this reading MARCIA drove to the station with the travellers, leaving the rest of the party to return to the villa in the other carriage.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading In the rôle of cicerone he naïvely explained the story of the ruins they passed on the way, and the entire history of Rome, from Romulus and Remus to Garibaldi, unfolded itself upon that nine-mile stretch of dusty road.
stretchverbUS /stretʃ/
occupy a large, elongated area
From this reading In the rôle of cicerone he naïvely explained the story of the ruins they passed on the way, and the entire history of Rome, from Romulus and Remus to Garibaldi, unfolded itself upon that nine-mile stretch of dusty road.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading She had a slight feeling of compunction in regard to Paul, and it made her more responsive to his nonsense than she might otherwise have been.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In the rôle of cicerone he naïvely explained the story of the ruins they passed on the way, and the entire history of Rome, from Romulus and Remus to Garibaldi, unfolded itself upon that nine-mile stretch of dusty road.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MARCIA drove to the station with the travellers, leaving the rest of the party to return to the villa in the other carriage.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In the rôle of cicerone he naïvely explained the story of the ruins they passed on the way, and the entire history of Rome, from Romulus and Remus to Garibaldi, unfolded itself upon that nine-mile stretch of dusty road.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Marcia gave herself up gaily enough to the spirit of the play, forgetting for the time any troubling questions lurking in the background.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading MARCIA drove to the station with the travellers, leaving the rest of the party to return to the villa in the other carriage.
travellersnounUS /ˈtrævələrz/
plural of “traveller” — a person who changes location
From this reading MARCIA drove to the station with the travellers, leaving the rest of the party to return to the villa in the other carriage.
troublingadjectiveUS /ˈtrʌbəlɪŋ/
causing distress or worry or anxiety
From this reading Marcia gave herself up gaily enough to the spirit of the play, forgetting for the time any troubling questions lurking in the background.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading When she bade him good-bye she smiled back, half laughingly, half seriously, at his parting speech—a repetition of the morning’s pretty phrase—‘_non-te-scordar-di-me!_’ As the carriage turned homeward she smiled to herself over her yesterday’s state at the prospect of meeting Paul.
unfoldedverbUS /ənˈfoʊldɪd/
past form of “unfold” — develop or come to a promising stage
From this reading In the rôle of cicerone he naïvely explained the story of the ruins they passed on the way, and the entire history of Rome, from Romulus and Remus to Garibaldi, unfolded itself upon that nine-mile stretch of dusty road.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Marcia gave herself up gaily enough to the spirit of the play, forgetting for the time any troubling questions lurking in the background.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading In the rôle of cicerone he naïvely explained the story of the ruins they passed on the way, and the entire history of Rome, from Romulus and Remus to Garibaldi, unfolded itself upon that nine-mile stretch of dusty road.
villanounUS /ˈvɪlə/
Mexican revolutionary leader (1877-1923)
From this reading MARCIA drove to the station with the travellers, leaving the rest of the party to return to the villa in the other carriage.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading In the rôle of cicerone he naïvely explained the story of the ruins they passed on the way, and the entire history of Rome, from Romulus and Remus to Garibaldi, unfolded itself upon that nine-mile stretch of dusty road.
at the time that
From this reading When she bade him good-bye she smiled back, half laughingly, half seriously, at his parting speech—a repetition of the morning’s pretty phrase—‘_non-te-scordar-di-me!_’ As the carriage turned homeward she smiled to herself over her yesterday’s state at the prospect of meeting Paul.
in the company of; together with
From this reading MARCIA drove to the station with the travellers, leaving the rest of the party to return to the villa in the other carriage.
yesterday'snounUS /ˈjestərdeɪz/
possessive form of “yesterday” — the day immediately before today
From this reading When she bade him good-bye she smiled back, half laughingly, half seriously, at his parting speech—a repetition of the morning’s pretty phrase—‘_non-te-scordar-di-me!_’ As the carriage turned homeward she smiled to herself over her yesterday’s state at the prospect of meeting Paul.
