Chapter I

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

From this reading _Giovanni Verga was born at Catania, in Sicily, in 1840.

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

From this reading After experiencing grievous family losses he returned to Milan, where he now resides._ _In "L'Amante di Gramigna" Verga gives, in the form of a letter to his friend, the novelist, S. Farina, a sort of brief exposition of his literary Creed.

later than; following

From this reading After experiencing grievous family losses he returned to Milan, where he now resides._ _In "L'Amante di Gramigna" Verga gives, in the form of a letter to his friend, the novelist, S. Farina, a sort of brief exposition of his literary Creed.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading He afterwards lived in Catania again, where he had an opportunity of studying those types of the Sicilian peasantry which he introduces so effectively, and with such dramatic suggestion, into many of his stories and sketches.

anew

From this reading He afterwards lived in Catania again, where he had an opportunity of studying those types of the Sicilian peasantry which he introduces so effectively, and with such dramatic suggestion, into many of his stories and sketches.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading He afterwards lived in Catania again, where he had an opportunity of studying those types of the Sicilian peasantry which he introduces so effectively, and with such dramatic suggestion, into many of his stories and sketches.

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

From this reading Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by =equal signs=.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading _Giovanni Verga was born at Catania, in Sicily, in 1840.

fearless and daring

From this reading Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by =equal signs=.

brought into existence

From this reading _Giovanni Verga was born at Catania, in Sicily, in 1840.

of short duration or distance

From this reading After experiencing grievous family losses he returned to Milan, where he now resides._ _In "L'Amante di Gramigna" Verga gives, in the form of a letter to his friend, the novelist, S. Farina, a sort of brief exposition of his literary Creed.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by =equal signs=.

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

From this reading _Giovanni Verga was born at Catania, in Sicily, in 1840.

any system of principles or beliefs

From this reading After experiencing grievous family losses he returned to Milan, where he now resides._ _In "L'Amante di Gramigna" Verga gives, in the form of a letter to his friend, the novelist, S. Farina, a sort of brief exposition of his literary Creed.

past form of “denote” — be a sign or indication of

From this reading Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by =equal signs=.

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

From this reading After experiencing grievous family losses he returned to Milan, where he now resides._ _In "L'Amante di Gramigna" Verga gives, in the form of a letter to his friend, the novelist, S. Farina, a sort of brief exposition of his literary Creed.

suitable to or characteristic of drama

From this reading He afterwards lived in Catania again, where he had an opportunity of studying those types of the Sicilian peasantry which he introduces so effectively, and with such dramatic suggestion, into many of his stories and sketches.

in an effective manner

From this reading He afterwards lived in Catania again, where he had an opportunity of studying those types of the Sicilian peasantry which he introduces so effectively, and with such dramatic suggestion, into many of his stories and sketches.

be identical or equivalent to

From this reading Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by =equal signs=.

-ing form of “experience” — undergo or live through a difficult experience

From this reading After experiencing grievous family losses he returned to Milan, where he now resides._ _In "L'Amante di Gramigna" Verga gives, in the form of a letter to his friend, the novelist, S. Farina, a sort of brief exposition of his literary Creed.

a systematic interpretation or explanation (usually written) of a specific topic

From this reading After experiencing grievous family losses he returned to Milan, where he now resides._ _In "L'Amante di Gramigna" Verga gives, in the form of a letter to his friend, the novelist, S. Farina, a sort of brief exposition of his literary Creed.

a social unit living together

From this reading After experiencing grievous family losses he returned to Milan, where he now resides._ _In "L'Amante di Gramigna" Verga gives, in the form of a letter to his friend, the novelist, S. Farina, a sort of brief exposition of his literary Creed.

fine meal made from cereal grain especially wheat; often used as a cooked cereal or in puddings

From this reading After experiencing grievous family losses he returned to Milan, where he now resides._ _In "L'Amante di Gramigna" Verga gives, in the form of a letter to his friend, the novelist, S. Farina, a sort of brief exposition of his literary Creed.

a city in central Italy on the Arno; provincial capital of Tuscany; center of the Italian Renaissance from 14th to 16th centuries

From this reading His youth was spent in Florence and Milan.

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading After experiencing grievous family losses he returned to Milan, where he now resides._ _In "L'Amante di Gramigna" Verga gives, in the form of a letter to his friend, the novelist, S. Farina, a sort of brief exposition of his literary Creed.

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading After experiencing grievous family losses he returned to Milan, where he now resides._ _In "L'Amante di Gramigna" Verga gives, in the form of a letter to his friend, the novelist, S. Farina, a sort of brief exposition of his literary Creed.

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

From this reading _Giovanni Verga was born at Catania, in Sicily, in 1840.

plural of “give” — the elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length

From this reading After experiencing grievous family losses he returned to Milan, where he now resides._ _In "L'Amante di Gramigna" Verga gives, in the form of a letter to his friend, the novelist, S. Farina, a sort of brief exposition of his literary Creed.

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

From this reading After experiencing grievous family losses he returned to Milan, where he now resides._ _In "L'Amante di Gramigna" Verga gives, in the form of a letter to his friend, the novelist, S. Farina, a sort of brief exposition of his literary Creed.

causing fear or anxiety by threatening great harm

From this reading After experiencing grievous family losses he returned to Milan, where he now resides._ _In "L'Amante di Gramigna" Verga gives, in the form of a letter to his friend, the novelist, S. Farina, a sort of brief exposition of his literary Creed.

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

From this reading He afterwards lived in Catania again, where he had an opportunity of studying those types of the Sicilian peasantry which he introduces so effectively, and with such dramatic suggestion, into many of his stories and sketches.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He afterwards lived in Catania again, where he had an opportunity of studying those types of the Sicilian peasantry which he introduces so effectively, and with such dramatic suggestion, into many of his stories and sketches.

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

From this reading His youth was spent in Florence and Milan.

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

From this reading _Giovanni Verga was born at Catania, in Sicily, in 1840.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He afterwards lived in Catania again, where he had an opportunity of studying those types of the Sicilian peasantry which he introduces so effectively, and with such dramatic suggestion, into many of his stories and sketches.

third-person singular of “introduce” — cause to come to know personally

From this reading He afterwards lived in Catania again, where he had an opportunity of studying those types of the Sicilian peasantry which he introduces so effectively, and with such dramatic suggestion, into many of his stories and sketches.

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

From this reading Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by =equal signs=.

a style of handwriting with the letters slanting to the right

From this reading Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by =equal signs=.

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

From this reading After experiencing grievous family losses he returned to Milan, where he now resides._ _In "L'Amante di Gramigna" Verga gives, in the form of a letter to his friend, the novelist, S. Farina, a sort of brief exposition of his literary Creed.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading After experiencing grievous family losses he returned to Milan, where he now resides._ _In "L'Amante di Gramigna" Verga gives, in the form of a letter to his friend, the novelist, S. Farina, a sort of brief exposition of his literary Creed.

of or relating to or characteristic of literature

From this reading After experiencing grievous family losses he returned to Milan, where he now resides._ _In "L'Amante di Gramigna" Verga gives, in the form of a letter to his friend, the novelist, S. Farina, a sort of brief exposition of his literary Creed.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading He afterwards lived in Catania again, where he had an opportunity of studying those types of the Sicilian peasantry which he introduces so effectively, and with such dramatic suggestion, into many of his stories and sketches.

something lost (especially money lost at gambling)

From this reading After experiencing grievous family losses he returned to Milan, where he now resides._ _In "L'Amante di Gramigna" Verga gives, in the form of a letter to his friend, the novelist, S. Farina, a sort of brief exposition of his literary Creed.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading He afterwards lived in Catania again, where he had an opportunity of studying those types of the Sicilian peasantry which he introduces so effectively, and with such dramatic suggestion, into many of his stories and sketches.

the capital of Lombardy in northern Italy; has been an international center of trade and industry since the Middle Ages

From this reading His youth was spent in Florence and Milan.

one who writes novels

From this reading After experiencing grievous family losses he returned to Milan, where he now resides._ _In "L'Amante di Gramigna" Verga gives, in the form of a letter to his friend, the novelist, S. Farina, a sort of brief exposition of his literary Creed.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading After experiencing grievous family losses he returned to Milan, where he now resides._ _In "L'Amante di Gramigna" Verga gives, in the form of a letter to his friend, the novelist, S. Farina, a sort of brief exposition of his literary Creed.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He afterwards lived in Catania again, where he had an opportunity of studying those types of the Sicilian peasantry which he introduces so effectively, and with such dramatic suggestion, into many of his stories and sketches.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading He afterwards lived in Catania again, where he had an opportunity of studying those types of the Sicilian peasantry which he introduces so effectively, and with such dramatic suggestion, into many of his stories and sketches.

the class of peasants

From this reading He afterwards lived in Catania again, where he had an opportunity of studying those types of the Sicilian peasantry which he introduces so effectively, and with such dramatic suggestion, into many of his stories and sketches.

third-person singular of “reside” — make one's home in a particular place or community

From this reading After experiencing grievous family losses he returned to Milan, where he now resides._ _In "L'Amante di Gramigna" Verga gives, in the form of a letter to his friend, the novelist, S. Farina, a sort of brief exposition of his literary Creed.

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading After experiencing grievous family losses he returned to Milan, where he now resides._ _In "L'Amante di Gramigna" Verga gives, in the form of a letter to his friend, the novelist, S. Farina, a sort of brief exposition of his literary Creed.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading After experiencing grievous family losses he returned to Milan, where he now resides._ _In "L'Amante di Gramigna" Verga gives, in the form of a letter to his friend, the novelist, S. Farina, a sort of brief exposition of his literary Creed.

a resident of Sicily

From this reading He afterwards lived in Catania again, where he had an opportunity of studying those types of the Sicilian peasantry which he introduces so effectively, and with such dramatic suggestion, into many of his stories and sketches.

the Italian region on the island of Sicily

From this reading _Giovanni Verga was born at Catania, in Sicily, in 1840.

plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by =equal signs=.

plural of “sketch” — preliminary drawing for later elaboration

From this reading He afterwards lived in Catania again, where he had an opportunity of studying those types of the Sicilian peasantry which he introduces so effectively, and with such dramatic suggestion, into many of his stories and sketches.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He afterwards lived in Catania again, where he had an opportunity of studying those types of the Sicilian peasantry which he introduces so effectively, and with such dramatic suggestion, into many of his stories and sketches.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading After experiencing grievous family losses he returned to Milan, where he now resides._ _In "L'Amante di Gramigna" Verga gives, in the form of a letter to his friend, the novelist, S. Farina, a sort of brief exposition of his literary Creed.

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading His youth was spent in Florence and Milan.

plural of “story” — 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 He afterwards lived in Catania again, where he had an opportunity of studying those types of the Sicilian peasantry which he introduces so effectively, and with such dramatic suggestion, into many of his stories and sketches.

reading carefully with intent to remember

From this reading He afterwards lived in Catania again, where he had an opportunity of studying those types of the Sicilian peasantry which he introduces so effectively, and with such dramatic suggestion, into many of his stories and sketches.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading He afterwards lived in Catania again, where he had an opportunity of studying those types of the Sicilian peasantry which he introduces so effectively, and with such dramatic suggestion, into many of his stories and sketches.

an idea that is suggested

From this reading He afterwards lived in Catania again, where he had an opportunity of studying those types of the Sicilian peasantry which he introduces so effectively, and with such dramatic suggestion, into many of his stories and sketches.

the words of something written

From this reading Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by =equal signs=.

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

From this reading He afterwards lived in Catania again, where he had an opportunity of studying those types of the Sicilian peasantry which he introduces so effectively, and with such dramatic suggestion, into many of his stories and sketches.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading He afterwards lived in Catania again, where he had an opportunity of studying those types of the Sicilian peasantry which he introduces so effectively, and with such dramatic suggestion, into many of his stories and sketches.

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

From this reading After experiencing grievous family losses he returned to Milan, where he now resides._ _In "L'Amante di Gramigna" Verga gives, in the form of a letter to his friend, the novelist, S. Farina, a sort of brief exposition of his literary Creed.

plural of “type” — a subdivision of a particular kind of thing

From this reading He afterwards lived in Catania again, where he had an opportunity of studying those types of the Sicilian peasantry which he introduces so effectively, and with such dramatic suggestion, into many of his stories and sketches.

plural of “underscore” — a line drawn underneath (especially under written matter)

From this reading Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by =equal signs=.

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

From this reading _Giovanni Verga was born at Catania, in Sicily, in 1840.

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

From this reading _Giovanni Verga was born at Catania, in Sicily, in 1840.

in or at the place that

From this reading He afterwards lived in Catania again, where he had an opportunity of studying those types of the Sicilian peasantry which he introduces so effectively, and with such dramatic suggestion, into many of his stories and sketches.

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

From this reading He afterwards lived in Catania again, where he had an opportunity of studying those types of the Sicilian peasantry which he introduces so effectively, and with such dramatic suggestion, into many of his stories and sketches.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He afterwards lived in Catania again, where he had an opportunity of studying those types of the Sicilian peasantry which he introduces so effectively, and with such dramatic suggestion, into many of his stories and sketches.

a young person (especially a young man or boy)

From this reading His youth was spent in Florence and Milan.