used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Mother Superior had ordered two rush-bottomed chairs to be brought out of the hall and placed under the shelter of the cloister just on one side of the glass door; for Sister Giovanna was to receive a visit, as she explained, from an officer who had known her father and had business with her.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading She carried the chairs out and set them in what she considered a proper position, about two yards apart and both facing the garden.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The Mother Superior had ordered two rush-bottomed chairs to be brought out of the hall and placed under the shelter of the cloister just on one side of the glass door; for Sister Giovanna was to receive a visit, as she explained, from an officer who had known her father and had business with her.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was raining when Giovanni and Monsignor Saracinesca rang at the door of the Convent.
separated or at a distance in place or position or time
From this reading She carried the chairs out and set them in what she considered a proper position, about two yards apart and both facing the garden.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The Mother Superior had ordered two rush-bottomed chairs to be brought out of the hall and placed under the shelter of the cloister just on one side of the glass door; for Sister Giovanna was to receive a visit, as she explained, from an officer who had known her father and had business with her.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was raining when Giovanni and Monsignor Saracinesca rang at the door of the Convent.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The Mother Superior had ordered two rush-bottomed chairs to be brought out of the hall and placed under the shelter of the cloister just on one side of the glass door; for Sister Giovanna was to receive a visit, as she explained, from an officer who had known her father and had business with her.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Such things had happened before in the community, and the lay sister was not surprised.
the two together, not just one
From this reading She carried the chairs out and set them in what she considered a proper position, about two yards apart and both facing the garden.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading The Mother Superior had ordered two rush-bottomed chairs to be brought out of the hall and placed under the shelter of the cloister just on one side of the glass door; for Sister Giovanna was to receive a visit, as she explained, from an officer who had known her father and had business with her.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading The Mother Superior had ordered two rush-bottomed chairs to be brought out of the hall and placed under the shelter of the cloister just on one side of the glass door; for Sister Giovanna was to receive a visit, as she explained, from an officer who had known her father and had business with her.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading She carried the chairs out and set them in what she considered a proper position, about two yards apart and both facing the garden.
plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading The Mother Superior had ordered two rush-bottomed chairs to be brought out of the hall and placed under the shelter of the cloister just on one side of the glass door; for Sister Giovanna was to receive a visit, as she explained, from an officer who had known her father and had business with her.
cloisterverbUS /ˈklɔɪstər/
surround with a cloister, as of a garden
From this reading The Mother Superior had ordered two rush-bottomed chairs to be brought out of the hall and placed under the shelter of the cloister just on one side of the glass door; for Sister Giovanna was to receive a visit, as she explained, from an officer who had known her father and had business with her.
communitynounUS /kəˈmjuːnəti/
a group of people living in a particular local area
From this reading Such things had happened before in the community, and the lay sister was not surprised.
carefully weighed
From this reading She carried the chairs out and set them in what she considered a proper position, about two yards apart and both facing the garden.
ConventnounUS /ˈkɑːnvənt/
a religious residence especially for nuns
From this reading It was raining when Giovanni and Monsignor Saracinesca rang at the door of the Convent.
dampadjectiveUS /dæmp/
slightly wet
From this reading The rain fell softly and steadily, the sky was of an even dove-grey, and the smell of the damp earth and the early spring flowers filled the cloister.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading It was raining when Giovanni and Monsignor Saracinesca rang at the door of the Convent.
dove-grey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain fell softly and steadily, the sky was of an even dove-grey, and the smell of the damp earth and the early spring flowers filled the cloister.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading The rain fell softly and steadily, the sky was of an even dove-grey, and the smell of the damp earth and the early spring flowers filled the cloister.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading The rain fell softly and steadily, the sky was of an even dove-grey, and the smell of the damp earth and the early spring flowers filled the cloister.
divisible by two
From this reading The rain fell softly and steadily, the sky was of an even dove-grey, and the smell of the damp earth and the early spring flowers filled the cloister.
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading The Mother Superior had ordered two rush-bottomed chairs to be brought out of the hall and placed under the shelter of the cloister just on one side of the glass door; for Sister Giovanna was to receive a visit, as she explained, from an officer who had known her father and had business with her.
facingnounUS /ˈfeɪsɪŋ/
a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening
From this reading She carried the chairs out and set them in what she considered a proper position, about two yards apart and both facing the garden.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading The Mother Superior had ordered two rush-bottomed chairs to be brought out of the hall and placed under the shelter of the cloister just on one side of the glass door; for Sister Giovanna was to receive a visit, as she explained, from an officer who had known her father and had business with her.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading The rain fell softly and steadily, the sky was of an even dove-grey, and the smell of the damp earth and the early spring flowers filled the cloister.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading The rain fell softly and steadily, the sky was of an even dove-grey, and the smell of the damp earth and the early spring flowers filled the cloister.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading The rain fell softly and steadily, the sky was of an even dove-grey, and the smell of the damp earth and the early spring flowers filled the cloister.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The Mother Superior had ordered two rush-bottomed chairs to be brought out of the hall and placed under the shelter of the cloister just on one side of the glass door; for Sister Giovanna was to receive a visit, as she explained, from an officer who had known her father and had business with her.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The Mother Superior had ordered two rush-bottomed chairs to be brought out of the hall and placed under the shelter of the cloister just on one side of the glass door; for Sister Giovanna was to receive a visit, as she explained, from an officer who had known her father and had business with her.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading She carried the chairs out and set them in what she considered a proper position, about two yards apart and both facing the garden.
Giovanna
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Mother Superior had ordered two rush-bottomed chairs to be brought out of the hall and placed under the shelter of the cloister just on one side of the glass door; for Sister Giovanna was to receive a visit, as she explained, from an officer who had known her father and had business with her.
Giovanni
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was raining when Giovanni and Monsignor Saracinesca rang at the door of the Convent.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading The Mother Superior had ordered two rush-bottomed chairs to be brought out of the hall and placed under the shelter of the cloister just on one side of the glass door; for Sister Giovanna was to receive a visit, as she explained, from an officer who had known her father and had business with her.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Mother Superior had ordered two rush-bottomed chairs to be brought out of the hall and placed under the shelter of the cloister just on one side of the glass door; for Sister Giovanna was to receive a visit, as she explained, from an officer who had known her father and had business with her.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading The Mother Superior had ordered two rush-bottomed chairs to be brought out of the hall and placed under the shelter of the cloister just on one side of the glass door; for Sister Giovanna was to receive a visit, as she explained, from an officer who had known her father and had business with her.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading Such things had happened before in the community, and the lay sister was not surprised.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The Mother Superior had ordered two rush-bottomed chairs to be brought out of the hall and placed under the shelter of the cloister just on one side of the glass door; for Sister Giovanna was to receive a visit, as she explained, from an officer who had known her father and had business with her.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Such things had happened before in the community, and the lay sister was not surprised.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was raining when Giovanni and Monsignor Saracinesca rang at the door of the Convent.
and nothing more
From this reading The Mother Superior had ordered two rush-bottomed chairs to be brought out of the hall and placed under the shelter of the cloister just on one side of the glass door; for Sister Giovanna was to receive a visit, as she explained, from an officer who had known her father and had business with her.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading The Mother Superior had ordered two rush-bottomed chairs to be brought out of the hall and placed under the shelter of the cloister just on one side of the glass door; for Sister Giovanna was to receive a visit, as she explained, from an officer who had known her father and had business with her.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Such things had happened before in the community, and the lay sister was not surprised.
MonsignornounUS /mɑːnˈsiːnjər/
(Roman Catholic Church) an ecclesiastical title of honor bestowed on some priests
From this reading It was raining when Giovanni and Monsignor Saracinesca rang at the door of the Convent.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading The Mother Superior had ordered two rush-bottomed chairs to be brought out of the hall and placed under the shelter of the cloister just on one side of the glass door; for Sister Giovanna was to receive a visit, as she explained, from an officer who had known her father and had business with her.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Such things had happened before in the community, and the lay sister was not surprised.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was raining when Giovanni and Monsignor Saracinesca rang at the door of the Convent.
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading The Mother Superior had ordered two rush-bottomed chairs to be brought out of the hall and placed under the shelter of the cloister just on one side of the glass door; for Sister Giovanna was to receive a visit, as she explained, from an officer who had known her father and had business with her.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The Mother Superior had ordered two rush-bottomed chairs to be brought out of the hall and placed under the shelter of the cloister just on one side of the glass door; for Sister Giovanna was to receive a visit, as she explained, from an officer who had known her father and had business with her.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The Mother Superior had ordered two rush-bottomed chairs to be brought out of the hall and placed under the shelter of the cloister just on one side of the glass door; for Sister Giovanna was to receive a visit, as she explained, from an officer who had known her father and had business with her.
having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule
From this reading The Mother Superior had ordered two rush-bottomed chairs to be brought out of the hall and placed under the shelter of the cloister just on one side of the glass door; for Sister Giovanna was to receive a visit, as she explained, from an officer who had known her father and had business with her.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The Mother Superior had ordered two rush-bottomed chairs to be brought out of the hall and placed under the shelter of the cloister just on one side of the glass door; for Sister Giovanna was to receive a visit, as she explained, from an officer who had known her father and had business with her.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading The Mother Superior had ordered two rush-bottomed chairs to be brought out of the hall and placed under the shelter of the cloister just on one side of the glass door; for Sister Giovanna was to receive a visit, as she explained, from an officer who had known her father and had business with her.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading She carried the chairs out and set them in what she considered a proper position, about two yards apart and both facing the garden.
marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
From this reading She carried the chairs out and set them in what she considered a proper position, about two yards apart and both facing the garden.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading The rain fell softly and steadily, the sky was of an even dove-grey, and the smell of the damp earth and the early spring flowers filled the cloister.
rainingadjectiveUS /ˈreɪnɪŋ/
falling in drops or as if falling like rain
From this reading It was raining when Giovanni and Monsignor Saracinesca rang at the door of the Convent.
inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading It was raining when Giovanni and Monsignor Saracinesca rang at the door of the Convent.
get something; come into possession of
From this reading The Mother Superior had ordered two rush-bottomed chairs to be brought out of the hall and placed under the shelter of the cloister just on one side of the glass door; for Sister Giovanna was to receive a visit, as she explained, from an officer who had known her father and had business with her.
rush-bottomed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Mother Superior had ordered two rush-bottomed chairs to be brought out of the hall and placed under the shelter of the cloister just on one side of the glass door; for Sister Giovanna was to receive a visit, as she explained, from an officer who had known her father and had business with her.
Saracinesca
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was raining when Giovanni and Monsignor Saracinesca rang at the door of the Convent.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading She carried the chairs out and set them in what she considered a proper position, about two yards apart and both facing the garden.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Mother Superior had ordered two rush-bottomed chairs to be brought out of the hall and placed under the shelter of the cloister just on one side of the glass door; for Sister Giovanna was to receive a visit, as she explained, from an officer who had known her father and had business with her.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading The Mother Superior had ordered two rush-bottomed chairs to be brought out of the hall and placed under the shelter of the cloister just on one side of the glass door; for Sister Giovanna was to receive a visit, as she explained, from an officer who had known her father and had business with her.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The Mother Superior had ordered two rush-bottomed chairs to be brought out of the hall and placed under the shelter of the cloister just on one side of the glass door; for Sister Giovanna was to receive a visit, as she explained, from an officer who had known her father and had business with her.
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading The Mother Superior had ordered two rush-bottomed chairs to be brought out of the hall and placed under the shelter of the cloister just on one side of the glass door; for Sister Giovanna was to receive a visit, as she explained, from an officer who had known her father and had business with her.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading The rain fell softly and steadily, the sky was of an even dove-grey, and the smell of the damp earth and the early spring flowers filled the cloister.
the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form
From this reading The rain fell softly and steadily, the sky was of an even dove-grey, and the smell of the damp earth and the early spring flowers filled the cloister.
with low volume
From this reading The rain fell softly and steadily, the sky was of an even dove-grey, and the smell of the damp earth and the early spring flowers filled the cloister.
the season of growth
From this reading The rain fell softly and steadily, the sky was of an even dove-grey, and the smell of the damp earth and the early spring flowers filled the cloister.
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading The rain fell softly and steadily, the sky was of an even dove-grey, and the smell of the damp earth and the early spring flowers filled the cloister.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Such things had happened before in the community, and the lay sister was not surprised.
of high or superior quality or performance
From this reading The Mother Superior had ordered two rush-bottomed chairs to be brought out of the hall and placed under the shelter of the cloister just on one side of the glass door; for Sister Giovanna was to receive a visit, as she explained, from an officer who had known her father and had business with her.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading Such things had happened before in the community, and the lay sister was not surprised.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was raining when Giovanni and Monsignor Saracinesca rang at the door of the Convent.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading She carried the chairs out and set them in what she considered a proper position, about two yards apart and both facing the garden.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Such things had happened before in the community, and the lay sister was not surprised.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Mother Superior had ordered two rush-bottomed chairs to be brought out of the hall and placed under the shelter of the cloister just on one side of the glass door; for Sister Giovanna was to receive a visit, as she explained, from an officer who had known her father and had business with her.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The Mother Superior had ordered two rush-bottomed chairs to be brought out of the hall and placed under the shelter of the cloister just on one side of the glass door; for Sister Giovanna was to receive a visit, as she explained, from an officer who had known her father and had business with her.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The Mother Superior had ordered two rush-bottomed chairs to be brought out of the hall and placed under the shelter of the cloister just on one side of the glass door; for Sister Giovanna was to receive a visit, as she explained, from an officer who had known her father and had business with her.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading The Mother Superior had ordered two rush-bottomed chairs to be brought out of the hall and placed under the shelter of the cloister just on one side of the glass door; for Sister Giovanna was to receive a visit, as she explained, from an officer who had known her father and had business with her.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was raining when Giovanni and Monsignor Saracinesca rang at the door of the Convent.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading She carried the chairs out and set them in what she considered a proper position, about two yards apart and both facing the garden.
at the time that
From this reading It was raining when Giovanni and Monsignor Saracinesca rang at the door of the Convent.
which person or people
From this reading The Mother Superior had ordered two rush-bottomed chairs to be brought out of the hall and placed under the shelter of the cloister just on one side of the glass door; for Sister Giovanna was to receive a visit, as she explained, from an officer who had known her father and had business with her.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The Mother Superior had ordered two rush-bottomed chairs to be brought out of the hall and placed under the shelter of the cloister just on one side of the glass door; for Sister Giovanna was to receive a visit, as she explained, from an officer who had known her father and had business with her.
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading She carried the chairs out and set them in what she considered a proper position, about two yards apart and both facing the garden.
