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An Ambitious Man
An Ambitious Man

Chapter XVIII

Cover illustration for An Ambitious Man
Context Illustration Reading 1/19 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
WHILE Joy battled with her sorrow during the days following Preston Cheney’s burial, she woke to the consciousness that her history was known in Beryngford.
The indescribable change in the manner of her acquaintances, the curiosity in the eyes of some, the insolence or familiarity of others, all told her that her fears were realised; and then there came a letter from the church authorities requesting her to resign her position as organist.
This letter came to the young girl on one of those dreary autumn nights when all the desolation of the dying summer, and none of the exhilaration of the approaching winter, is in the air.
She had been labouring all day under a cloud of depression which hovered over her heart and brain and threatened to wholly envelop her; and the letter from the church committee cut her heart like a poniard stroke.
Sometimes we are able to bear a series of great disasters with courage and equanimity, while we utterly collapse under some slight misfortune.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

An Ambitious Man

Chapter XVIII

Reading 1/19 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
WHILE Joy battled with her sorrow during the days following Preston Cheney’s burial, she woke to the consciousness that her history was known in Beryngford.
Line 2
The indescribable change in the manner of her acquaintances, the curiosity in the eyes of some, the insolence or familiarity of others, all told her that her fears were realised; and then there came a letter from the church authorities requesting her to resign her position as organist.
Line 3
This letter came to the young girl on one of those dreary autumn nights when all the desolation of the dying summer, and none of the exhilaration of the approaching winter, is in the air.
Line 4
She had been labouring all day under a cloud of depression which hovered over her heart and brain and threatened to wholly envelop her; and the letter from the church committee cut her heart like a poniard stroke.
Line 5
Sometimes we are able to bear a series of great disasters with courage and equanimity, while we utterly collapse under some slight misfortune.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “She had been labouring all day under a cloud of depression which hovered over her heart and brain and threatened to wholly envelop her; and the letter from the church committee cut her heart like a poniard stroke.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “WHILE Joy battled with her sorrow during the days following Preston Cheney’s burial, she woke to the consciousness that her history was known in Beryngford.”

Equanimity noun US /ˌek.wəˈnɪm.ə.t̬i/

Mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation.

From this reading “Sometimes we are able to bear a series of great disasters with courage and equanimity, while we utterly collapse under some slight misfortune.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Sometimes we are able to bear a series of great disasters with courage and equanimity, while we utterly collapse under some slight misfortune.”

Indescribable adjective US /ˌɪndɪˈskraɪbəbəl/

too intense to describe too intense or unusual to describe clearly

From this reading “The indescribable change in the manner of her acquaintances, the curiosity in the eyes of some, the insolence or familiarity of others, all told her that her fears were realised; and then there came a letter from the church authorities requesting her to resign her position as organist.”

Nights noun US /naɪts/

Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.

From this reading “This letter came to the young girl on one of those dreary autumn nights when all the desolation of the dying summer, and none of the exhilaration of the approaching winter, is in the air.”

None pronoun US /nʌn/

not one, and not any

From this reading “This letter came to the young girl on one of those dreary autumn nights when all the desolation of the dying summer, and none of the exhilaration of the approaching winter, is in the air.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “This letter came to the young girl on one of those dreary autumn nights when all the desolation of the dying summer, and none of the exhilaration of the approaching winter, is in the air.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “She had been labouring all day under a cloud of depression which hovered over her heart and brain and threatened to wholly envelop her; and the letter from the church committee cut her heart like a poniard stroke.”

Resign noun US /resign/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The indescribable change in the manner of her acquaintances, the curiosity in the eyes of some, the insolence or familiarity of others, all told her that her fears were realised; and then there came a letter from the church authorities requesting her to resign her position as organist.”

Sometimes noun US /sometimes/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Sometimes we are able to bear a series of great disasters with courage and equanimity, while we utterly collapse under some slight misfortune.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading “This letter came to the young girl on one of those dreary autumn nights when all the desolation of the dying summer, and none of the exhilaration of the approaching winter, is in the air.”

Told noun US /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The indescribable change in the manner of her acquaintances, the curiosity in the eyes of some, the insolence or familiarity of others, all told her that her fears were realised; and then there came a letter from the church authorities requesting her to resign her position as organist.”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “She had been labouring all day under a cloud of depression which hovered over her heart and brain and threatened to wholly envelop her; and the letter from the church committee cut her heart like a poniard stroke.”

WHILE conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “WHILE Joy battled with her sorrow during the days following Preston Cheney’s burial, she woke to the consciousness that her history was known in Beryngford.”

All words in this reading · 107

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 The indescribable change in the manner of her acquaintances, the curiosity in the eyes of some, the insolence or familiarity of others, all told her that her fears were realised; and then there came a letter from the church authorities requesting her to resign her position as organist.

able

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

From this reading Sometimes we are able to bear a series of great disasters with courage and equanimity, while we utterly collapse under some slight misfortune.

acquaintances

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

From this reading The indescribable change in the manner of her acquaintances, the curiosity in the eyes of some, the insolence or familiarity of others, all told her that her fears were realised; and then there came a letter from the church authorities requesting her to resign her position as organist.

air

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

From this reading This letter came to the young girl on one of those dreary autumn nights when all the desolation of the dying summer, and none of the exhilaration of the approaching winter, is in the air.

all

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

From this reading The indescribable change in the manner of her acquaintances, the curiosity in the eyes of some, the insolence or familiarity of others, all told her that her fears were realised; and then there came a letter from the church authorities requesting her to resign her position as organist.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The indescribable change in the manner of her acquaintances, the curiosity in the eyes of some, the insolence or familiarity of others, all told her that her fears were realised; and then there came a letter from the church authorities requesting her to resign her position as organist.

approaching

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

From this reading This letter came to the young girl on one of those dreary autumn nights when all the desolation of the dying summer, and none of the exhilaration of the approaching winter, is in the air.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading Sometimes we are able to bear a series of great disasters with courage and equanimity, while we utterly collapse under some slight misfortune.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The indescribable change in the manner of her acquaintances, the curiosity in the eyes of some, the insolence or familiarity of others, all told her that her fears were realised; and then there came a letter from the church authorities requesting her to resign her position as organist.

authorities

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

From this reading The indescribable change in the manner of her acquaintances, the curiosity in the eyes of some, the insolence or familiarity of others, all told her that her fears were realised; and then there came a letter from the church authorities requesting her to resign her position as organist.

autumn

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

From this reading This letter came to the young girl on one of those dreary autumn nights when all the desolation of the dying summer, and none of the exhilaration of the approaching winter, is in the air.

battled

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

From this reading WHILE Joy battled with her sorrow during the days following Preston Cheney’s burial, she woke to the consciousness that her history was known in Beryngford.

bear

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

From this reading Sometimes we are able to bear a series of great disasters with courage and equanimity, while we utterly collapse under some slight misfortune.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading She had been labouring all day under a cloud of depression which hovered over her heart and brain and threatened to wholly envelop her; and the letter from the church committee cut her heart like a poniard stroke.

Beryngford

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

From this reading WHILE Joy battled with her sorrow during the days following Preston Cheney’s burial, she woke to the consciousness that her history was known in Beryngford.

brain

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

From this reading She had been labouring all day under a cloud of depression which hovered over her heart and brain and threatened to wholly envelop her; and the letter from the church committee cut her heart like a poniard stroke.

burial

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

From this reading WHILE Joy battled with her sorrow during the days following Preston Cheney’s burial, she woke to the consciousness that her history was known in Beryngford.

came

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

From this reading The indescribable change in the manner of her acquaintances, the curiosity in the eyes of some, the insolence or familiarity of others, all told her that her fears were realised; and then there came a letter from the church authorities requesting her to resign her position as organist.

change

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

From this reading The indescribable change in the manner of her acquaintances, the curiosity in the eyes of some, the insolence or familiarity of others, all told her that her fears were realised; and then there came a letter from the church authorities requesting her to resign her position as organist.

Cheney's

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

From this reading WHILE Joy battled with her sorrow during the days following Preston Cheney’s burial, she woke to the consciousness that her history was known in Beryngford.

church

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

From this reading The indescribable change in the manner of her acquaintances, the curiosity in the eyes of some, the insolence or familiarity of others, all told her that her fears were realised; and then there came a letter from the church authorities requesting her to resign her position as organist.

cloud

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

From this reading She had been labouring all day under a cloud of depression which hovered over her heart and brain and threatened to wholly envelop her; and the letter from the church committee cut her heart like a poniard stroke.

collapse

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

From this reading Sometimes we are able to bear a series of great disasters with courage and equanimity, while we utterly collapse under some slight misfortune.

committee

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

From this reading She had been labouring all day under a cloud of depression which hovered over her heart and brain and threatened to wholly envelop her; and the letter from the church committee cut her heart like a poniard stroke.

consciousness

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

From this reading WHILE Joy battled with her sorrow during the days following Preston Cheney’s burial, she woke to the consciousness that her history was known in Beryngford.

courage

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

From this reading Sometimes we are able to bear a series of great disasters with courage and equanimity, while we utterly collapse under some slight misfortune.

curiosity

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

From this reading The indescribable change in the manner of her acquaintances, the curiosity in the eyes of some, the insolence or familiarity of others, all told her that her fears were realised; and then there came a letter from the church authorities requesting her to resign her position as organist.

cut

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

From this reading She had been labouring all day under a cloud of depression which hovered over her heart and brain and threatened to wholly envelop her; and the letter from the church committee cut her heart like a poniard stroke.

day

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

From this reading She had been labouring all day under a cloud of depression which hovered over her heart and brain and threatened to wholly envelop her; and the letter from the church committee cut her heart like a poniard stroke.

days

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

From this reading WHILE Joy battled with her sorrow during the days following Preston Cheney’s burial, she woke to the consciousness that her history was known in Beryngford.

depression

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

From this reading She had been labouring all day under a cloud of depression which hovered over her heart and brain and threatened to wholly envelop her; and the letter from the church committee cut her heart like a poniard stroke.

desolation

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

From this reading This letter came to the young girl on one of those dreary autumn nights when all the desolation of the dying summer, and none of the exhilaration of the approaching winter, is in the air.

disasters

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

From this reading Sometimes we are able to bear a series of great disasters with courage and equanimity, while we utterly collapse under some slight misfortune.

dreary

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

From this reading This letter came to the young girl on one of those dreary autumn nights when all the desolation of the dying summer, and none of the exhilaration of the approaching winter, is in the air.

duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading WHILE Joy battled with her sorrow during the days following Preston Cheney’s burial, she woke to the consciousness that her history was known in Beryngford.

dying

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

From this reading This letter came to the young girl on one of those dreary autumn nights when all the desolation of the dying summer, and none of the exhilaration of the approaching winter, is in the air.

envelop

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

From this reading She had been labouring all day under a cloud of depression which hovered over her heart and brain and threatened to wholly envelop her; and the letter from the church committee cut her heart like a poniard stroke.

equanimitynounUS /ˌek.wəˈnɪm.ə.t̬i/

Mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation.

From this reading Sometimes we are able to bear a series of great disasters with courage and equanimity, while we utterly collapse under some slight misfortune.

exhilaration

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

From this reading This letter came to the young girl on one of those dreary autumn nights when all the desolation of the dying summer, and none of the exhilaration of the approaching winter, is in the air.

eyes

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

From this reading The indescribable change in the manner of her acquaintances, the curiosity in the eyes of some, the insolence or familiarity of others, all told her that her fears were realised; and then there came a letter from the church authorities requesting her to resign her position as organist.

familiarity

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

From this reading The indescribable change in the manner of her acquaintances, the curiosity in the eyes of some, the insolence or familiarity of others, all told her that her fears were realised; and then there came a letter from the church authorities requesting her to resign her position as organist.

fears

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

From this reading The indescribable change in the manner of her acquaintances, the curiosity in the eyes of some, the insolence or familiarity of others, all told her that her fears were realised; and then there came a letter from the church authorities requesting her to resign her position as organist.

following

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

From this reading WHILE Joy battled with her sorrow during the days following Preston Cheney’s burial, she woke to the consciousness that her history was known in Beryngford.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The indescribable change in the manner of her acquaintances, the curiosity in the eyes of some, the insolence or familiarity of others, all told her that her fears were realised; and then there came a letter from the church authorities requesting her to resign her position as organist.

girl

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

From this reading This letter came to the young girl on one of those dreary autumn nights when all the desolation of the dying summer, and none of the exhilaration of the approaching winter, is in the air.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Sometimes we are able to bear a series of great disasters with courage and equanimity, while we utterly collapse under some slight misfortune.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading She had been labouring all day under a cloud of depression which hovered over her heart and brain and threatened to wholly envelop her; and the letter from the church committee cut her heart like a poniard stroke.

heart

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

From this reading She had been labouring all day under a cloud of depression which hovered over her heart and brain and threatened to wholly envelop her; and the letter from the church committee cut her heart like a poniard stroke.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading WHILE Joy battled with her sorrow during the days following Preston Cheney’s burial, she woke to the consciousness that her history was known in Beryngford.

history

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

From this reading WHILE Joy battled with her sorrow during the days following Preston Cheney’s burial, she woke to the consciousness that her history was known in Beryngford.

hovered

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

From this reading She had been labouring all day under a cloud of depression which hovered over her heart and brain and threatened to wholly envelop her; and the letter from the church committee cut her heart like a poniard stroke.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading WHILE Joy battled with her sorrow during the days following Preston Cheney’s burial, she woke to the consciousness that her history was known in Beryngford.

indescribableadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈskraɪbəbəl/

too intense to describe too intense or unusual to describe clearly

From this reading The indescribable change in the manner of her acquaintances, the curiosity in the eyes of some, the insolence or familiarity of others, all told her that her fears were realised; and then there came a letter from the church authorities requesting her to resign her position as organist.

insolence

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

From this reading The indescribable change in the manner of her acquaintances, the curiosity in the eyes of some, the insolence or familiarity of others, all told her that her fears were realised; and then there came a letter from the church authorities requesting her to resign her position as organist.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading This letter came to the young girl on one of those dreary autumn nights when all the desolation of the dying summer, and none of the exhilaration of the approaching winter, is in the air.

Joy

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

From this reading WHILE Joy battled with her sorrow during the days following Preston Cheney’s burial, she woke to the consciousness that her history was known in Beryngford.

known

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

From this reading WHILE Joy battled with her sorrow during the days following Preston Cheney’s burial, she woke to the consciousness that her history was known in Beryngford.

labouring

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

From this reading She had been labouring all day under a cloud of depression which hovered over her heart and brain and threatened to wholly envelop her; and the letter from the church committee cut her heart like a poniard stroke.

letter

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

From this reading The indescribable change in the manner of her acquaintances, the curiosity in the eyes of some, the insolence or familiarity of others, all told her that her fears were realised; and then there came a letter from the church authorities requesting her to resign her position as organist.

like

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

From this reading She had been labouring all day under a cloud of depression which hovered over her heart and brain and threatened to wholly envelop her; and the letter from the church committee cut her heart like a poniard stroke.

manner

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

From this reading The indescribable change in the manner of her acquaintances, the curiosity in the eyes of some, the insolence or familiarity of others, all told her that her fears were realised; and then there came a letter from the church authorities requesting her to resign her position as organist.

misfortune

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

From this reading Sometimes we are able to bear a series of great disasters with courage and equanimity, while we utterly collapse under some slight misfortune.

nightsnounUS /naɪts/

Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.

From this reading This letter came to the young girl on one of those dreary autumn nights when all the desolation of the dying summer, and none of the exhilaration of the approaching winter, is in the air.

nonepronounUS /nʌn/

not one, and not any

From this reading This letter came to the young girl on one of those dreary autumn nights when all the desolation of the dying summer, and none of the exhilaration of the approaching winter, is in the air.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The indescribable change in the manner of her acquaintances, the curiosity in the eyes of some, the insolence or familiarity of others, all told her that her fears were realised; and then there came a letter from the church authorities requesting her to resign her position as organist.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading This letter came to the young girl on one of those dreary autumn nights when all the desolation of the dying summer, and none of the exhilaration of the approaching winter, is in the air.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading This letter came to the young girl on one of those dreary autumn nights when all the desolation of the dying summer, and none of the exhilaration of the approaching winter, is in the air.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The indescribable change in the manner of her acquaintances, the curiosity in the eyes of some, the insolence or familiarity of others, all told her that her fears were realised; and then there came a letter from the church authorities requesting her to resign her position as organist.

organist

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

From this reading The indescribable change in the manner of her acquaintances, the curiosity in the eyes of some, the insolence or familiarity of others, all told her that her fears were realised; and then there came a letter from the church authorities requesting her to resign her position as organist.

others

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

From this reading The indescribable change in the manner of her acquaintances, the curiosity in the eyes of some, the insolence or familiarity of others, all told her that her fears were realised; and then there came a letter from the church authorities requesting her to resign her position as organist.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading She had been labouring all day under a cloud of depression which hovered over her heart and brain and threatened to wholly envelop her; and the letter from the church committee cut her heart like a poniard stroke.

poniard

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

From this reading She had been labouring all day under a cloud of depression which hovered over her heart and brain and threatened to wholly envelop her; and the letter from the church committee cut her heart like a poniard stroke.

position

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

From this reading The indescribable change in the manner of her acquaintances, the curiosity in the eyes of some, the insolence or familiarity of others, all told her that her fears were realised; and then there came a letter from the church authorities requesting her to resign her position as organist.

Preston

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

From this reading WHILE Joy battled with her sorrow during the days following Preston Cheney’s burial, she woke to the consciousness that her history was known in Beryngford.

realised

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

From this reading The indescribable change in the manner of her acquaintances, the curiosity in the eyes of some, the insolence or familiarity of others, all told her that her fears were realised; and then there came a letter from the church authorities requesting her to resign her position as organist.

requesting

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

From this reading The indescribable change in the manner of her acquaintances, the curiosity in the eyes of some, the insolence or familiarity of others, all told her that her fears were realised; and then there came a letter from the church authorities requesting her to resign her position as organist.

resignnounUS /resign/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The indescribable change in the manner of her acquaintances, the curiosity in the eyes of some, the insolence or familiarity of others, all told her that her fears were realised; and then there came a letter from the church authorities requesting her to resign her position as organist.

series

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

From this reading Sometimes we are able to bear a series of great disasters with courage and equanimity, while we utterly collapse under some slight misfortune.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading WHILE Joy battled with her sorrow during the days following Preston Cheney’s burial, she woke to the consciousness that her history was known in Beryngford.

slight

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

From this reading Sometimes we are able to bear a series of great disasters with courage and equanimity, while we utterly collapse under some slight misfortune.

some

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

From this reading The indescribable change in the manner of her acquaintances, the curiosity in the eyes of some, the insolence or familiarity of others, all told her that her fears were realised; and then there came a letter from the church authorities requesting her to resign her position as organist.

Sometimes

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

From this reading Sometimes we are able to bear a series of great disasters with courage and equanimity, while we utterly collapse under some slight misfortune.

sorrow

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

From this reading WHILE Joy battled with her sorrow during the days following Preston Cheney’s burial, she woke to the consciousness that her history was known in Beryngford.

stroke

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

From this reading She had been labouring all day under a cloud of depression which hovered over her heart and brain and threatened to wholly envelop her; and the letter from the church committee cut her heart like a poniard stroke.

summer

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

From this reading This letter came to the young girl on one of those dreary autumn nights when all the desolation of the dying summer, and none of the exhilaration of the approaching winter, is in the air.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading WHILE Joy battled with her sorrow during the days following Preston Cheney’s burial, she woke to the consciousness that her history was known in Beryngford.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading WHILE Joy battled with her sorrow during the days following Preston Cheney’s burial, she woke to the consciousness that her history was known in Beryngford.

then

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

From this reading The indescribable change in the manner of her acquaintances, the curiosity in the eyes of some, the insolence or familiarity of others, all told her that her fears were realised; and then there came a letter from the church authorities requesting her to resign her position as organist.

there

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

From this reading The indescribable change in the manner of her acquaintances, the curiosity in the eyes of some, the insolence or familiarity of others, all told her that her fears were realised; and then there came a letter from the church authorities requesting her to resign her position as organist.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This letter came to the young girl on one of those dreary autumn nights when all the desolation of the dying summer, and none of the exhilaration of the approaching winter, is in the air.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading This letter came to the young girl on one of those dreary autumn nights when all the desolation of the dying summer, and none of the exhilaration of the approaching winter, is in the air.

threatened

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

From this reading She had been labouring all day under a cloud of depression which hovered over her heart and brain and threatened to wholly envelop her; and the letter from the church committee cut her heart like a poniard stroke.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading WHILE Joy battled with her sorrow during the days following Preston Cheney’s burial, she woke to the consciousness that her history was known in Beryngford.

toldnounUS /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The indescribable change in the manner of her acquaintances, the curiosity in the eyes of some, the insolence or familiarity of others, all told her that her fears were realised; and then there came a letter from the church authorities requesting her to resign her position as organist.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading She had been labouring all day under a cloud of depression which hovered over her heart and brain and threatened to wholly envelop her; and the letter from the church committee cut her heart like a poniard stroke.

utterly

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

From this reading Sometimes we are able to bear a series of great disasters with courage and equanimity, while we utterly collapse under some slight misfortune.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading WHILE Joy battled with her sorrow during the days following Preston Cheney’s burial, she woke to the consciousness that her history was known in Beryngford.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Sometimes we are able to bear a series of great disasters with courage and equanimity, while we utterly collapse under some slight misfortune.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The indescribable change in the manner of her acquaintances, the curiosity in the eyes of some, the insolence or familiarity of others, all told her that her fears were realised; and then there came a letter from the church authorities requesting her to resign her position as organist.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading This letter came to the young girl on one of those dreary autumn nights when all the desolation of the dying summer, and none of the exhilaration of the approaching winter, is in the air.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading She had been labouring all day under a cloud of depression which hovered over her heart and brain and threatened to wholly envelop her; and the letter from the church committee cut her heart like a poniard stroke.

WHILEconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading WHILE Joy battled with her sorrow during the days following Preston Cheney’s burial, she woke to the consciousness that her history was known in Beryngford.

wholly

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

From this reading She had been labouring all day under a cloud of depression which hovered over her heart and brain and threatened to wholly envelop her; and the letter from the church committee cut her heart like a poniard stroke.

winter

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

From this reading This letter came to the young girl on one of those dreary autumn nights when all the desolation of the dying summer, and none of the exhilaration of the approaching winter, is in the air.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading WHILE Joy battled with her sorrow during the days following Preston Cheney’s burial, she woke to the consciousness that her history was known in Beryngford.

woke

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

From this reading WHILE Joy battled with her sorrow during the days following Preston Cheney’s burial, she woke to the consciousness that her history was known in Beryngford.

young

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

From this reading This letter came to the young girl on one of those dreary autumn nights when all the desolation of the dying summer, and none of the exhilaration of the approaching winter, is in the air.