Chapter VII · Chapter 7

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

From this reading While Vergilius, going slowly, was thinking of these things, Vanity, the only real goddess who, in Rome, managed the great theatre of fashion, had her stage set for a love scene.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading There were portrait-masks and mural paintings on either wall; ancestral statues of white marble stood in a row against the red wall; there were seats and divans of ebony enriched by cunning hands; lamp-holders of wrought metal standing high as a man's head, and immense violet rugs on the floor.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading There was always a pretty artfulness in the match-making of a patrician beauty and her mother.

inherited or inheritable by established rules (usually legal rules) of descent

From this reading There were portrait-masks and mural paintings on either wall; ancestral statues of white marble stood in a row against the red wall; there were seats and divans of ebony enriched by cunning hands; lamp-holders of wrought metal standing high as a man's head, and immense violet rugs on the floor.

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

From this reading There were portrait-masks and mural paintings on either wall; ancestral statues of white marble stood in a row against the red wall; there were seats and divans of ebony enriched by cunning hands; lamp-holders of wrought metal standing high as a man's head, and immense violet rugs on the floor.

the quality of being adroit in taking unfair advantage

From this reading There was always a pretty artfulness in the match-making of a patrician beauty and her mother.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading There were portrait-masks and mural paintings on either wall; ancestral statues of white marble stood in a row against the red wall; there were seats and divans of ebony enriched by cunning hands; lamp-holders of wrought metal standing high as a man's head, and immense violet rugs on the floor.

identified with a band especially around a leg

From this reading The heroine wore a white robe banded low with purple, and her jewelled hair was in fillets of gold.

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

From this reading It was to occur in the triclinium, or great banquet-hall, of a palace--that of the Lady Lucia.

the qualities that give pleasure to the senses

From this reading There was always a pretty artfulness in the match-making of a patrician beauty and her mother.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading There were portrait-masks and mural paintings on either wall; ancestral statues of white marble stood in a row against the red wall; there were seats and divans of ebony enriched by cunning hands; lamp-holders of wrought metal standing high as a man's head, and immense violet rugs on the floor.

attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness

From this reading There were portrait-masks and mural paintings on either wall; ancestral statues of white marble stood in a row against the red wall; there were seats and divans of ebony enriched by cunning hands; lamp-holders of wrought metal standing high as a man's head, and immense violet rugs on the floor.

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

From this reading There were portrait-masks and mural paintings on either wall; ancestral statues of white marble stood in a row against the red wall; there were seats and divans of ebony enriched by cunning hands; lamp-holders of wrought metal standing high as a man's head, and immense violet rugs on the floor.

a very dark black

From this reading There were portrait-masks and mural paintings on either wall; ancestral statues of white marble stood in a row against the red wall; there were seats and divans of ebony enriched by cunning hands; lamp-holders of wrought metal standing high as a man's head, and immense violet rugs on the floor.

one or the other of two

From this reading There were portrait-masks and mural paintings on either wall; ancestral statues of white marble stood in a row against the red wall; there were seats and divans of ebony enriched by cunning hands; lamp-holders of wrought metal standing high as a man's head, and immense violet rugs on the floor.

past form of “enrich” — make better or improve in quality

From this reading There were portrait-masks and mural paintings on either wall; ancestral statues of white marble stood in a row against the red wall; there were seats and divans of ebony enriched by cunning hands; lamp-holders of wrought metal standing high as a man's head, and immense violet rugs on the floor.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading While Vergilius, going slowly, was thinking of these things, Vanity, the only real goddess who, in Rome, managed the great theatre of fashion, had her stage set for a love scene.

plural of “fillet” — a boneless steak cut from the tenderloin of beef

From this reading The heroine wore a white robe banded low with purple, and her jewelled hair was in fillets of gold.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading There were portrait-masks and mural paintings on either wall; ancestral statues of white marble stood in a row against the red wall; there were seats and divans of ebony enriched by cunning hands; lamp-holders of wrought metal standing high as a man's head, and immense violet rugs on the floor.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading While Vergilius, going slowly, was thinking of these things, Vanity, the only real goddess who, in Rome, managed the great theatre of fashion, had her stage set for a love scene.

a female deity

From this reading While Vergilius, going slowly, was thinking of these things, Vanity, the only real goddess who, in Rome, managed the great theatre of fashion, had her stage set for a love scene.

the act of departing

From this reading While Vergilius, going slowly, was thinking of these things, Vanity, the only real goddess who, in Rome, managed the great theatre of fashion, had her stage set for a love scene.

coins made of gold

From this reading The heroine wore a white robe banded low with purple, and her jewelled hair was in fillets of gold.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading While Vergilius, going slowly, was thinking of these things, Vanity, the only real goddess who, in Rome, managed the great theatre of fashion, had her stage set for a love scene.

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

From this reading While Vergilius, going slowly, was thinking of these things, Vanity, the only real goddess who, in Rome, managed the great theatre of fashion, had her stage set for a love scene.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading The heroine wore a white robe banded low with purple, and her jewelled hair was in fillets of gold.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading There were portrait-masks and mural paintings on either wall; ancestral statues of white marble stood in a row against the red wall; there were seats and divans of ebony enriched by cunning hands; lamp-holders of wrought metal standing high as a man's head, and immense violet rugs on the floor.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading There were portrait-masks and mural paintings on either wall; ancestral statues of white marble stood in a row against the red wall; there were seats and divans of ebony enriched by cunning hands; lamp-holders of wrought metal standing high as a man's head, and immense violet rugs on the floor.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading While Vergilius, going slowly, was thinking of these things, Vanity, the only real goddess who, in Rome, managed the great theatre of fashion, had her stage set for a love scene.

the main good female character in a work of fiction

From this reading The heroine wore a white robe banded low with purple, and her jewelled hair was in fillets of gold.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading There were portrait-masks and mural paintings on either wall; ancestral statues of white marble stood in a row against the red wall; there were seats and divans of ebony enriched by cunning hands; lamp-holders of wrought metal standing high as a man's head, and immense violet rugs on the floor.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading There were portrait-masks and mural paintings on either wall; ancestral statues of white marble stood in a row against the red wall; there were seats and divans of ebony enriched by cunning hands; lamp-holders of wrought metal standing high as a man's head, and immense violet rugs on the floor.

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

From this reading While Vergilius, going slowly, was thinking of these things, Vanity, the only real goddess who, in Rome, managed the great theatre of fashion, had her stage set for a love scene.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was to occur in the triclinium, or great banquet-hall, of a palace--that of the Lady Lucia.

covered with beads or jewels or sequins

From this reading The heroine wore a white robe banded low with purple, and her jewelled hair was in fillets of gold.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading It was to occur in the triclinium, or great banquet-hall, of a palace--that of the Lady Lucia.

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

From this reading There were portrait-masks and mural paintings on either wall; ancestral statues of white marble stood in a row against the red wall; there were seats and divans of ebony enriched by cunning hands; lamp-holders of wrought metal standing high as a man's head, and immense violet rugs on the floor.

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading While Vergilius, going slowly, was thinking of these things, Vanity, the only real goddess who, in Rome, managed the great theatre of fashion, had her stage set for a love scene.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The heroine wore a white robe banded low with purple, and her jewelled hair was in fillets of gold.

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

From this reading It was to occur in the triclinium, or great banquet-hall, of a palace--that of the Lady Lucia.

possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading There were portrait-masks and mural paintings on either wall; ancestral statues of white marble stood in a row against the red wall; there were seats and divans of ebony enriched by cunning hands; lamp-holders of wrought metal standing high as a man's head, and immense violet rugs on the floor.

past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal

From this reading While Vergilius, going slowly, was thinking of these things, Vanity, the only real goddess who, in Rome, managed the great theatre of fashion, had her stage set for a love scene.

a hard crystalline metamorphic rock that takes a high polish; used for sculpture and as building material

From this reading There were portrait-masks and mural paintings on either wall; ancestral statues of white marble stood in a row against the red wall; there were seats and divans of ebony enriched by cunning hands; lamp-holders of wrought metal standing high as a man's head, and immense violet rugs on the floor.

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

From this reading There was always a pretty artfulness in the match-making of a patrician beauty and her mother.

any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids that conduct heat or electricity and can be formed into sheets etc.

From this reading There were portrait-masks and mural paintings on either wall; ancestral statues of white marble stood in a row against the red wall; there were seats and divans of ebony enriched by cunning hands; lamp-holders of wrought metal standing high as a man's head, and immense violet rugs on the floor.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading There was always a pretty artfulness in the match-making of a patrician beauty and her mother.

a painting that is applied to a wall surface

From this reading There were portrait-masks and mural paintings on either wall; ancestral statues of white marble stood in a row against the red wall; there were seats and divans of ebony enriched by cunning hands; lamp-holders of wrought metal standing high as a man's head, and immense violet rugs on the floor.

come to pass

From this reading It was to occur in the triclinium, or great banquet-hall, of a palace--that of the Lady Lucia.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading While Vergilius, going slowly, was thinking of these things, Vanity, the only real goddess who, in Rome, managed the great theatre of fashion, had her stage set for a love scene.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading There were portrait-masks and mural paintings on either wall; ancestral statues of white marble stood in a row against the red wall; there were seats and divans of ebony enriched by cunning hands; lamp-holders of wrought metal standing high as a man's head, and immense violet rugs on the floor.

and nothing more

From this reading While Vergilius, going slowly, was thinking of these things, Vanity, the only real goddess who, in Rome, managed the great theatre of fashion, had her stage set for a love scene.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It was to occur in the triclinium, or great banquet-hall, of a palace--that of the Lady Lucia.

plural of “painting” — graphic art consisting of an artistic composition made by applying paints to a surface

From this reading There were portrait-masks and mural paintings on either wall; ancestral statues of white marble stood in a row against the red wall; there were seats and divans of ebony enriched by cunning hands; lamp-holders of wrought metal standing high as a man's head, and immense violet rugs on the floor.

a large and stately mansion

From this reading It was to occur in the triclinium, or great banquet-hall, of a palace--that of the Lady Lucia.

a person of refined upbringing and manners

From this reading There was always a pretty artfulness in the match-making of a patrician beauty and her mother.

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

From this reading There were portrait-masks and mural paintings on either wall; ancestral statues of white marble stood in a row against the red wall; there were seats and divans of ebony enriched by cunning hands; lamp-holders of wrought metal standing high as a man's head, and immense violet rugs on the floor.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading There was always a pretty artfulness in the match-making of a patrician beauty and her mother.

a purple color or pigment

From this reading The heroine wore a white robe banded low with purple, and her jewelled hair was in fillets of gold.

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading While Vergilius, going slowly, was thinking of these things, Vanity, the only real goddess who, in Rome, managed the great theatre of fashion, had her stage set for a love scene.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading There were portrait-masks and mural paintings on either wall; ancestral statues of white marble stood in a row against the red wall; there were seats and divans of ebony enriched by cunning hands; lamp-holders of wrought metal standing high as a man's head, and immense violet rugs on the floor.

any loose flowing garment

From this reading The heroine wore a white robe banded low with purple, and her jewelled hair was in fillets of gold.

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 While Vergilius, going slowly, was thinking of these things, Vanity, the only real goddess who, in Rome, managed the great theatre of fashion, had her stage set for a love scene.

an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line

From this reading There were portrait-masks and mural paintings on either wall; ancestral statues of white marble stood in a row against the red wall; there were seats and divans of ebony enriched by cunning hands; lamp-holders of wrought metal standing high as a man's head, and immense violet rugs on the floor.

plural of “rug” — floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)

From this reading There were portrait-masks and mural paintings on either wall; ancestral statues of white marble stood in a row against the red wall; there were seats and divans of ebony enriched by cunning hands; lamp-holders of wrought metal standing high as a man's head, and immense violet rugs on the floor.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading While Vergilius, going slowly, was thinking of these things, Vanity, the only real goddess who, in Rome, managed the great theatre of fashion, had her stage set for a love scene.

an area that includes places where several people can sit

From this reading There were portrait-masks and mural paintings on either wall; ancestral statues of white marble stood in a row against the red wall; there were seats and divans of ebony enriched by cunning hands; lamp-holders of wrought metal standing high as a man's head, and immense violet rugs on the floor.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading While Vergilius, going slowly, was thinking of these things, Vanity, the only real goddess who, in Rome, managed the great theatre of fashion, had her stage set for a love scene.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading While Vergilius, going slowly, was thinking of these things, Vanity, the only real goddess who, in Rome, managed the great theatre of fashion, had her stage set for a love scene.

any distinct time period in a sequence of events

From this reading While Vergilius, going slowly, was thinking of these things, Vanity, the only real goddess who, in Rome, managed the great theatre of fashion, had her stage set for a love scene.

having a supporting base

From this reading There were portrait-masks and mural paintings on either wall; ancestral statues of white marble stood in a row against the red wall; there were seats and divans of ebony enriched by cunning hands; lamp-holders of wrought metal standing high as a man's head, and immense violet rugs on the floor.

plural of “statue” — a sculpture representing a human or animal

From this reading There were portrait-masks and mural paintings on either wall; ancestral statues of white marble stood in a row against the red wall; there were seats and divans of ebony enriched by cunning hands; lamp-holders of wrought metal standing high as a man's head, and immense violet rugs on the floor.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading There were portrait-masks and mural paintings on either wall; ancestral statues of white marble stood in a row against the red wall; there were seats and divans of ebony enriched by cunning hands; lamp-holders of wrought metal standing high as a man's head, and immense violet rugs on the floor.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was to occur in the triclinium, or great banquet-hall, of a palace--that of the Lady Lucia.

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

From this reading While Vergilius, going slowly, was thinking of these things, Vanity, the only real goddess who, in Rome, managed the great theatre of fashion, had her stage set for a love scene.

a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented

From this reading While Vergilius, going slowly, was thinking of these things, Vanity, the only real goddess who, in Rome, managed the great theatre of fashion, had her stage set for a love scene.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There were portrait-masks and mural paintings on either wall; ancestral statues of white marble stood in a row against the red wall; there were seats and divans of ebony enriched by cunning hands; lamp-holders of wrought metal standing high as a man's head, and immense violet rugs on the floor.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading While Vergilius, going slowly, was thinking of these things, Vanity, the only real goddess who, in Rome, managed the great theatre of fashion, had her stage set for a love scene.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading While Vergilius, going slowly, was thinking of these things, Vanity, the only real goddess who, in Rome, managed the great theatre of fashion, had her stage set for a love scene.

the process of using your mind to consider something carefully

From this reading While Vergilius, going slowly, was thinking of these things, Vanity, the only real goddess who, in Rome, managed the great theatre of fashion, had her stage set for a love scene.

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

From this reading It was to occur in the triclinium, or great banquet-hall, of a palace--that of the Lady Lucia.

a dining room (especially a dining room containing a dining table with couches along three sides)

From this reading It was to occur in the triclinium, or great banquet-hall, of a palace--that of the Lady Lucia.

feelings of excessive pride

From this reading While Vergilius, going slowly, was thinking of these things, Vanity, the only real goddess who, in Rome, managed the great theatre of fashion, had her stage set for a love scene.

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

From this reading While Vergilius, going slowly, was thinking of these things, Vanity, the only real goddess who, in Rome, managed the great theatre of fashion, had her stage set for a love scene.

any of numerous low-growing violas with small flowers

From this reading There were portrait-masks and mural paintings on either wall; ancestral statues of white marble stood in a row against the red wall; there were seats and divans of ebony enriched by cunning hands; lamp-holders of wrought metal standing high as a man's head, and immense violet rugs on the floor.

an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading There were portrait-masks and mural paintings on either wall; ancestral statues of white marble stood in a row against the red wall; there were seats and divans of ebony enriched by cunning hands; lamp-holders of wrought metal standing high as a man's head, and immense violet rugs on the floor.

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

From this reading While Vergilius, going slowly, was thinking of these things, Vanity, the only real goddess who, in Rome, managed the great theatre of fashion, had her stage set for a love scene.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading There were portrait-masks and mural paintings on either wall; ancestral statues of white marble stood in a row against the red wall; there were seats and divans of ebony enriched by cunning hands; lamp-holders of wrought metal standing high as a man's head, and immense violet rugs on the floor.

during the time that

From this reading While Vergilius, going slowly, was thinking of these things, Vanity, the only real goddess who, in Rome, managed the great theatre of fashion, had her stage set for a love scene.

a Caucasian

From this reading There were portrait-masks and mural paintings on either wall; ancestral statues of white marble stood in a row against the red wall; there were seats and divans of ebony enriched by cunning hands; lamp-holders of wrought metal standing high as a man's head, and immense violet rugs on the floor.

which person or people

From this reading While Vergilius, going slowly, was thinking of these things, Vanity, the only real goddess who, in Rome, managed the great theatre of fashion, had her stage set for a love scene.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The heroine wore a white robe banded low with purple, and her jewelled hair was in fillets of gold.

inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in

From this reading The heroine wore a white robe banded low with purple, and her jewelled hair was in fillets of gold.

shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or effort)

From this reading There were portrait-masks and mural paintings on either wall; ancestral statues of white marble stood in a row against the red wall; there were seats and divans of ebony enriched by cunning hands; lamp-holders of wrought metal standing high as a man's head, and immense violet rugs on the floor.