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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He was received by Colomba, and informed her the prefect was about to start, and was expecting her brother.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A few minutes after this message had been despatched, Orso came downstairs, and asked his sister whether the prefect had not sent for him.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Toward six o’clock next morning one of the prefect’s servants came and knocked at the door of Orso’s house.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A few minutes after this message had been despatched, Orso came downstairs, and asked his sister whether the prefect had not sent for him.
assurance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the most perfect assurance she rejoined:
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Toward six o’clock next morning one of the prefect’s servants came and knocked at the door of Orso’s house.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A few minutes after this message had been despatched, Orso came downstairs, and asked his sister whether the prefect had not sent for him.
begged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
brother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was received by Colomba, and informed her the prefect was about to start, and was expecting her brother.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He was received by Colomba, and informed her the prefect was about to start, and was expecting her brother.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Toward six o’clock next morning one of the prefect’s servants came and knocked at the door of Orso’s house.
Colomba
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was received by Colomba, and informed her the prefect was about to start, and was expecting her brother.
coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
condescend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
despatched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few minutes after this message had been despatched, Orso came downstairs, and asked his sister whether the prefect had not sent for him.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Toward six o’clock next morning one of the prefect’s servants came and knocked at the door of Orso’s house.
downstairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few minutes after this message had been despatched, Orso came downstairs, and asked his sister whether the prefect had not sent for him.
excuse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
expectingverbUS /ɪkˈspektɪŋ/
thinking that somebody or something will arrive
From this reading He was received by Colomba, and informed her the prefect was about to start, and was expecting her brother.
fall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few minutes after this message had been despatched, Orso came downstairs, and asked his sister whether the prefect had not sent for him.
footnounUS /foot/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A few minutes after this message had been despatched, Orso came downstairs, and asked his sister whether the prefect had not sent for him.
grateful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was received by Colomba, and informed her the prefect was about to start, and was expecting her brother.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He was received by Colomba, and informed her the prefect was about to start, and was expecting her brother.
hesitation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Toward six o’clock next morning one of the prefect’s servants came and knocked at the door of Orso’s house.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
informed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was received by Colomba, and informed her the prefect was about to start, and was expecting her brother.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
knocked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Toward six o’clock next morning one of the prefect’s servants came and knocked at the door of Orso’s house.
message
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few minutes after this message had been despatched, Orso came downstairs, and asked his sister whether the prefect had not sent for him.
minutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few minutes after this message had been despatched, Orso came downstairs, and asked his sister whether the prefect had not sent for him.
moment's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Toward six o’clock next morning one of the prefect’s servants came and knocked at the door of Orso’s house.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the most perfect assurance she rejoined:
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Toward six o’clock next morning one of the prefect’s servants came and knocked at the door of Orso’s house.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A few minutes after this message had been despatched, Orso came downstairs, and asked his sister whether the prefect had not sent for him.
o'clock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Toward six o’clock next morning one of the prefect’s servants came and knocked at the door of Orso’s house.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Toward six o’clock next morning one of the prefect’s servants came and knocked at the door of Orso’s house.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Toward six o’clock next morning one of the prefect’s servants came and knocked at the door of Orso’s house.
Orso
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few minutes after this message had been despatched, Orso came downstairs, and asked his sister whether the prefect had not sent for him.
Orso's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Toward six o’clock next morning one of the prefect’s servants came and knocked at the door of Orso’s house.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
perfect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the most perfect assurance she rejoined:
prefect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was received by Colomba, and informed her the prefect was about to start, and was expecting her brother.
prefect's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Toward six o’clock next morning one of the prefect’s servants came and knocked at the door of Orso’s house.
received
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was received by Colomba, and informed her the prefect was about to start, and was expecting her brother.
rejoinednounUS /ˈrejoined/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading With the most perfect assurance she rejoined:
repliednounUS /replied/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
sent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few minutes after this message had been despatched, Orso came downstairs, and asked his sister whether the prefect had not sent for him.
servants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Toward six o’clock next morning one of the prefect’s servants came and knocked at the door of Orso’s house.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading With the most perfect assurance she rejoined:
single
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
sister
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few minutes after this message had been despatched, Orso came downstairs, and asked his sister whether the prefect had not sent for him.
six
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Toward six o’clock next morning one of the prefect’s servants came and knocked at the door of Orso’s house.
sprained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
stairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
startnounUS /start/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was received by Colomba, and informed her the prefect was about to start, and was expecting her brother.
stepnounUS /step/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Toward six o’clock next morning one of the prefect’s servants came and knocked at the door of Orso’s house.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading A few minutes after this message had been despatched, Orso came downstairs, and asked his sister whether the prefect had not sent for him.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was received by Colomba, and informed her the prefect was about to start, and was expecting her brother.
TowardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Toward six o’clock next morning one of the prefect’s servants came and knocked at the door of Orso’s house.
trouble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
unable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
walk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was received by Colomba, and informed her the prefect was about to start, and was expecting her brother.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading A few minutes after this message had been despatched, Orso came downstairs, and asked his sister whether the prefect had not sent for him.
WithprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading With the most perfect assurance she rejoined:
WithoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Without a moment’s hesitation Colomba replied that her brother had just had a fall on the stairs, and sprained his foot; and he was unable to walk a single step, that he begged the prefect to excuse him, and would be very grateful if he would condescend to take the trouble of coming over to him.
