The Angel in the House — Page 5

Vocabulary

Geranio

A flowering plant commonly kept in gardens or windowsills.

rosa

A rose; a common flowering plant with fragrant blooms.

adornaban

They decorated or adorned something with ornaments.

Las

Definite article 'the' used before feminine plural nouns.

ventanas

Windows; openings in a wall fitted with glass.

todas

All; every one of a group of things or people.

abiertas

Open; not closed, used for doors or windows.

de

Of or from; a common Spanish preposition.

par

Pair; used in 'de par en par' meaning wide open.

en

In or on; a basic Spanish preposition of location.

Y

And; a basic coordinating conjunction in Spanish.

alguien

Someone; an indefinite pronoun referring to a person.

el

The; definite article used before masculine singular nouns.

estudio

Study or studio; a room used for work or music.

tocaba

Was playing; past imperfect of tocar, to play music.

La

The; definite article used before feminine singular nouns.

Marcha

March; a rhythmic musical piece or procession.

Nupcial

Nuptial; relating to a wedding or marriage ceremony.

allí

There; indicating a place away from the speaker.

fue

Was or went; past tense of ser or ir.

donde

Where; a relative adverb indicating place or location.

me

Me; first-person singular reflexive or object pronoun.

despedí

I said goodbye; first person past of despedirse.

por

For or by; a Spanish preposition with multiple uses.

última

Last; final in a sequence or series of events.

vez

Time or instance; as in 'one time' or 'last time'.

Era

Was; past imperfect third-person singular of ser.

Navidad

Christmas; the Christian holiday celebrated on December 25th.

lo

It or him; a masculine direct object pronoun.

recordaba

Was remembering; past imperfect of recordar, to remember.

ahora

Now; referring to the current moment in time.

crueles

Cruel; causing pain or suffering without mercy.

muchachas

Girls; young women or female youth.

que

That or who; a common relative pronoun or conjunction.

fingían

They pretended; past imperfect of fingir, to feign.

afligirse

To grieve or distress oneself; to feel great sorrow.

Retiraron

They removed or withdrew; past tense of retirar.

los

The; definite article for masculine plural nouns.

adornos

Decorations or ornaments used to beautify a space.

hoja

Leaf; the flat green part of a plant or tree.

perenne

Perennial or evergreen; lasting throughout the year continuously.

y

And; basic coordinating conjunction connecting words or clauses.

cómo

How; used to ask about manner or way of doing.

El

The; definite article for masculine singular nouns.

acebo

Holly; an evergreen shrub with red berries and prickly leaves.

encendió

Lit or ignited; past tense of encender, to light.

llamaradas

Flames or flare-ups; sudden bursts of fire or light.

fuego

Fire; combustion producing heat, light, and flames.

iluminando

Illuminating or lighting up; present participle of iluminar.

la

The; definite article for feminine singular nouns.

amplia

Wide or spacious; describing a large or broad area.

baja

Low; describing something at a reduced height or level.

estancia

Room or stay; a space within a building or dwelling.

Un

A or an; indefinite article for masculine singular nouns.

tenue

Faint or dim; describing something subtle or barely perceptible.

rico

Rich; having wealth or a full, deep quality.

lustre

Sheen or luster; a gentle glow or shine on a surface.

roble

Oak; a strong hardwood tree or its wood.

añejo

Aged or old; describing something matured over many years.

penumbra

Penumbra or half-shadow; a dim area between light and dark.

resplandeciente

Gleaming or radiant; shining brightly with reflected light.

del

Of the; contraction of de and el in Spanish.

terciopelo

Velvet; a soft, luxurious fabric with a dense pile.

carmesí

Crimson; a deep, vivid red color.

Ningún

No or none; indicating the absence of something entirely.

cambio

Change; an alteration or difference from a previous state.

había

There was or had; past imperfect of haber.

tocado

Touched or affected; past participle of tocar.

al

To the; contraction of a and el in Spanish.

Decano

Dean; the senior or head of a faculty or group.

bondadoso

Kind or good-natured; having a generous and benevolent character.

Más

More; indicating a greater degree or quantity of something.

doblegado

Bent or bowed; subdued or weighed down by something.

viudez

Widowhood; the state of having lost one's spouse to death.

años

Years; units of time equal to twelve months.

asentado

Settled or established; firmly placed or composed in manner.

un

A or an; indefinite article for masculine singular nouns.

ánimo

Spirit or mood; one's emotional state or disposition.

alegre

Cheerful or happy; showing or feeling joy and liveliness.

Como

Like or as; used for comparisons or to introduce clauses.

quien

Who; a relative pronoun referring to a person.

aún

Still or yet; indicating continuation of a state or action.

presagia

Foreshadows or foretells; to sense or predict something coming.

dicha

Happiness or bliss; a state of great joy or felicity.

celestial

Celestial or heavenly; relating to the sky or divine realm.

Con

With; a preposition indicating accompaniment or means.

razón

Reason; the ability to think logically or a justification.

sus

His, her, or their; a possessive adjective in Spanish.

pensamientos

Thoughts; ideas or reflections formed in the mind.

se

Himself, herself, themselves; a reflexive or impersonal pronoun.

fijaban

Were fixed or focused; past imperfect of fijar, to fix.

alto

High or tall; elevated in position, degree, or stature.

Ahora

Now; at the present moment in time.

ella

She; third-person feminine singular subject pronoun.

estaba

Was; past imperfect of estar, indicating a state or condition.

En

In or on; a preposition indicating location or situation.

su

His, her, or your; possessive adjective for singular noun.

rostro

Face; the front part of a person's head.

humildad

Humility; the quality of being modest and unassuming.

dignidad

Dignity; a sense of worth and proper self-respect.

Se

Reflexive pronoun; used with reflexive or impersonal verbs.

encontraban

Were meeting or found each other; past imperfect of encontrar.

abrazo

Embrace or hug; holding someone closely in one's arms.

muy

Very; an intensifying adverb modifying adjectives or adverbs.

dulce

Sweet; pleasant in taste, sound, or manner.

Parecía

Seemed or appeared; past imperfect of parecer, to seem.

enviada

Sent; past participle of enviar, used here for a woman.

expresamente

Expressly or specifically; done with a clear specific purpose.

a

To or at; a basic Spanish preposition of direction or purpose.

este

This; a demonstrative adjective pointing to something nearby.

mundo

World; the earth or all of human society and existence.

Para

For or in order to; indicating purpose or destination.

enseñar

To teach or show; to impart knowledge or demonstrate something.

nuestras

Our; first-person plural feminine possessive adjective.

mentes

Minds; the faculties of thought, reason, and consciousness.

extraviadas

Lost or led astray; wandering away from the right path.

ver

To see; the infinitive of the verb meaning to perceive visually.

rítmico

Rhythmic; having a regular, measured pattern of movement or sound.

veloz

Swift or fast; moving with great speed.

fluir

To flow; to move smoothly and continuously like a stream.

tiempo

Time or weather; the passing of moments or atmospheric conditions.

parte

Part; a portion or section of a whole thing.

quieta

Still or quiet; calm, motionless, or free from disturbance.

eternidad

Eternity; infinite or unending time beyond ordinary human experience.

Su

His, her, or your; possessive adjective for singular noun.

vida

Life; the state of being alive or one's existence.

toda

All or whole; encompassing the entirety of something.

honor

Honor; great respect, integrity, and a sense of pride.

observaba

Was observing; past imperfect of observar, to watch carefully.

con

With; a preposition expressing accompaniment or association.

reverencia

Reverence; deep respect and awe for someone or something.

Que

That or which; a conjunction or relative pronoun in Spanish.

ninguna

No or none; feminine form indicating absence of any instance.

experiencia

Experience; knowledge or skill gained through practice or events.

amarga

Bitter; having a sharp, unpleasant taste or painful quality.

podía

Could; past imperfect of poder, indicating ability or possibility.

empañar

To tarnish or cloud; to diminish or obscure the quality of something.

ficción

Fiction; something invented or imagined, not based on fact.

ley

Law; a rule or system of rules recognized by a community.

cristiana

Christian; relating to Christianity or its beliefs and practices.

De

Of or from; a preposition expressing origin or belonging.

todos

All or everyone; referring to every person in a group.

hombres

Men; adult male human beings or people in general.

son

Are; third-person plural present tense of ser.

honorables

Honorable; deserving of respect and having high moral standards.

así

So or thus; in this way or manner.

sonrisa

Smile; a facial expression showing happiness or approval.

otorgaba

Was granting or bestowing; past imperfect of otorgar.

Alta

High or lofty; elevated in position, value, or degree.

adulación

Flattery or adulation; excessive and insincere praise of someone.

benigna

Benign or gentle; kind and not harmful or threatening.

reprensión

Reprimand or rebuke; an expression of disapproval or criticism.

yo

I; first-person singular subject pronoun in Spanish.

muchacho

Boy or young man; a male youth or young person.

rudo

Rude or rough; lacking refinement or social polish.

extrañamente

Strangely; in an unusual or unexpected manner.

conmovido

Moved or touched; emotionally affected by something deeply felt.

Me

Me; first-person singular object or reflexive pronoun.

volví

I turned or became; first-person past of volver.

cortés

Courteous or polite; showing good manners and consideration.

mi

My; first-person singular possessive adjective in Spanish.

propio

Own; belonging to oneself or one's particular self.

provecho

Benefit or profit; advantage gained from an action or situation.

Los

The; definite article for masculine plural nouns.

lejos

Far; at a great distance from a place or person.

hacerle

To do or make for someone; infinitive with indirect object pronoun.

daño

Harm or damage; injury or negative impact on someone or something.

bálsamo

Balm; a soothing substance that relieves pain or distress.

apacible

Gentle or calm; peaceful and free from agitation or disturbance.

hicieron

They made or did; third-person plural preterite of hacer.

frente

Front or forehead; the forward part of something or the face.

cada

Each or every; referring individually to all members of a group.

más

More; indicating a greater amount, degree, or quantity.

joven

Young; being in an early stage of life or development.

guirnaldas

Garlands or wreaths; decorative chains of flowers or leaves.

palma

Palm; a tropical tree or the inner surface of the hand.

esta

This; a feminine demonstrative adjective pointing to something near.

hija

Daughter; a female child in relation to her parents.

mayor

Older or greater; larger or more senior than others.

Honor

Honor; respect, integrity, and moral uprightness in character.

mojigata

Prudish or sanctimonious; excessively prim and easily shocked.

no

No or not; a negation word used to deny or refuse.

dejaba

Was letting or allowing; past imperfect of dejar.

columpiarme

To swing me; reflexive infinitive of columpiarse, to swing.

besada

Kissed; past participle of besar, used to describe a woman.

llamó

Called or named; third-person singular preterite of llamar.

grosero

Rude or crude; behaving in a coarse and impolite manner.

sollozando

Sobbing; present participle of sollozar, weeping with gasps.

quedamente

Quietly or softly; in a hushed or subdued manner.

negó

Refused or denied; third-person singular preterite of negar.

cantar

To sing; to produce musical sounds with the voice.

Cuánto

How much; an interrogative expressing degree or quantity.

cambiado

Changed; past participle of cambiar, indicating transformation over time.