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Colomba
Colomba

Chapter XII

Cover illustration for Colomba
Context Illustration Reading 1/47 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Orso found Colomba in a state of considerable anxiety because of his prolonged absence.
But as soon as she saw him she recovered her usual serene, though sad, expression.
During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
“Brandolaccio is an upright man,” said Colomba; “but as to Castriconi, I have heard he is quite unprincipled.”
“I think,” said Orso, “that he is as good as Brandolaccio, and Brandolaccio is as good as he.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Colomba

Chapter XII

Reading 1/47 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Orso found Colomba in a state of considerable anxiety because of his prolonged absence.
Line 2
But as soon as she saw him she recovered her usual serene, though sad, expression.
Line 3
During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.
Line 4
“Brandolaccio is an upright man,” said Colomba; “but as to Castriconi, I have heard he is quite unprincipled.”
Line 5
“I think,” said Orso, “that he is as good as Brandolaccio, and Brandolaccio is as good as he.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Because conjunction US /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading “Orso found Colomba in a state of considerable anxiety because of his prolonged absence.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Orso found Colomba in a state of considerable anxiety because of his prolonged absence.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““I think,” said Orso, “that he is as good as Brandolaccio, and Brandolaccio is as good as he.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading ““Brandolaccio is an upright man,” said Colomba; “but as to Castriconi, I have heard he is quite unprincipled.””

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.”

Quite noun US /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Brandolaccio is an upright man,” said Colomba; “but as to Castriconi, I have heard he is quite unprincipled.””

Soon noun US /soon/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But as soon as she saw him she recovered her usual serene, though sad, expression.”

Think noun US /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““I think,” said Orso, “that he is as good as Brandolaccio, and Brandolaccio is as good as he.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “But as soon as she saw him she recovered her usual serene, though sad, expression.”

Worthy adjective US /ˈwɜːr.ði/

Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.

From this reading “During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.”

All words in this reading · 82

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading Orso found Colomba in a state of considerable anxiety because of his prolonged absence.

absence

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

From this reading Orso found Colomba in a state of considerable anxiety because of his prolonged absence.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading “Brandolaccio is an upright man,” said Colomba; “but as to Castriconi, I have heard he is quite unprincipled.”

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

anxiety

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

From this reading Orso found Colomba in a state of considerable anxiety because of his prolonged absence.

apparent

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

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading But as soon as she saw him she recovered her usual serene, though sad, expression.

bandits

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

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading Orso found Colomba in a state of considerable anxiety because of his prolonged absence.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

Brandolaccio

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

From this reading “Brandolaccio is an upright man,” said Colomba; “but as to Castriconi, I have heard he is quite unprincipled.”

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But as soon as she saw him she recovered her usual serene, though sad, expression.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

calm

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

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

care

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

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

Castriconi

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

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

Chilina

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

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

colleague

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

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

Colomba

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

From this reading Orso found Colomba in a state of considerable anxiety because of his prolonged absence.

concerning

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

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

considerable

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

From this reading Orso found Colomba in a state of considerable anxiety because of his prolonged absence.

conversation

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

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

education

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

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

emboldened

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

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

encounter

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

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

evening

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

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

expression

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

From this reading But as soon as she saw him she recovered her usual serene, though sad, expression.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Orso found Colomba in a state of considerable anxiety because of his prolonged absence.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I think,” said Orso, “that he is as good as Brandolaccio, and Brandolaccio is as good as he.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Brandolaccio is an upright man,” said Colomba; “but as to Castriconi, I have heard he is quite unprincipled.”

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading “Brandolaccio is an upright man,” said Colomba; “but as to Castriconi, I have heard he is quite unprincipled.”

heard

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

From this reading “Brandolaccio is an upright man,” said Colomba; “but as to Castriconi, I have heard he is quite unprincipled.”

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading But as soon as she saw him she recovered her usual serene, though sad, expression.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading But as soon as she saw him she recovered her usual serene, though sad, expression.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Orso found Colomba in a state of considerable anxiety because of his prolonged absence.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading “Brandolaccio is an upright man,” said Colomba; “but as to Castriconi, I have heard he is quite unprincipled.”

imparted

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

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Orso found Colomba in a state of considerable anxiety because of his prolonged absence.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading “Brandolaccio is an upright man,” said Colomba; “but as to Castriconi, I have heard he is quite unprincipled.”

joke

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

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

man

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

From this reading “Brandolaccio is an upright man,” said Colomba; “but as to Castriconi, I have heard he is quite unprincipled.”

meal

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

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

moral

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

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Orso found Colomba in a state of considerable anxiety because of his prolonged absence.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

Orso

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

From this reading Orso found Colomba in a state of considerable anxiety because of his prolonged absence.

prolonged

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

From this reading Orso found Colomba in a state of considerable anxiety because of his prolonged absence.

quitenounUS /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Brandolaccio is an upright man,” said Colomba; “but as to Castriconi, I have heard he is quite unprincipled.”

recovered

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

From this reading But as soon as she saw him she recovered her usual serene, though sad, expression.

related

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

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

religious

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

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

sad

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

From this reading But as soon as she saw him she recovered her usual serene, though sad, expression.

said

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

From this reading “Brandolaccio is an upright man,” said Colomba; “but as to Castriconi, I have heard he is quite unprincipled.”

saw

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

From this reading But as soon as she saw him she recovered her usual serene, though sad, expression.

serene

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

From this reading But as soon as she saw him she recovered her usual serene, though sad, expression.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading But as soon as she saw him she recovered her usual serene, though sad, expression.

Signor

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

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

sister's

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

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

soon

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

From this reading But as soon as she saw him she recovered her usual serene, though sad, expression.

state

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

From this reading Orso found Colomba in a state of considerable anxiety because of his prolonged absence.

subjects

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

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

thanks

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

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

thinknounUS /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I think,” said Orso, “that he is as good as Brandolaccio, and Brandolaccio is as good as he.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading But as soon as she saw him she recovered her usual serene, though sad, expression.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

trivial

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

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

turned

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

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

two

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

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

uncle

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

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

unprincipled

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

From this reading “Brandolaccio is an upright man,” said Colomba; “but as to Castriconi, I have heard he is quite unprincipled.”

upright

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

From this reading “Brandolaccio is an upright man,” said Colomba; “but as to Castriconi, I have heard he is quite unprincipled.”

usual

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

From this reading But as soon as she saw him she recovered her usual serene, though sad, expression.

ventured

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

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.

worthyadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːr.ði/

Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.

From this reading During the evening meal the conversation turned on trivial subjects, and Orso, emboldened by his sister’s apparent calm, related his encounter with the bandits, and even ventured on a joke or two concerning the moral and religious education that was being imparted to little Chilina, thanks to the care of her uncle and of his worthy colleague Signor Castriconi.