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 She had taken up her abode in a small convent of nuns that adjoined the more famous monastery of Waltham; but she had promised Hilda not to enter on the novitiate, until the birthday of Harold had passed.
Abbey
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From this reading By the altar of the Abbey Church of Waltham, that night, knelt Edith in prayer for Harold.
abode
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From this reading She had taken up her abode in a small convent of nuns that adjoined the more famous monastery of Waltham; but she had promised Hilda not to enter on the novitiate, until the birthday of Harold had passed.
adjoined
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From this reading She had taken up her abode in a small convent of nuns that adjoined the more famous monastery of Waltham; but she had promised Hilda not to enter on the novitiate, until the birthday of Harold had passed.
air
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From this reading She herself had no longer faith in the omens and prophecies that had deceived her youth and darkened her life; and, in the more congenial air of our Holy Church, the spirit, ever so chastened, grew calm and resigned.
altar
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From this reading By the altar of the Abbey Church of Waltham, that night, knelt Edith in prayer for Harold.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She herself had no longer faith in the omens and prophecies that had deceived her youth and darkened her life; and, in the more congenial air of our Holy Church, the spirit, ever so chastened, grew calm and resigned.
approaching
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From this reading And suddenly, as she there knelt, only lighted by the moon through the high casements, she was startled by the sound of approaching feet and murmuring voices.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading And suddenly, as she there knelt, only lighted by the moon through the high casements, she was startled by the sound of approaching feet and murmuring voices.
birthday
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From this reading She had taken up her abode in a small convent of nuns that adjoined the more famous monastery of Waltham; but she had promised Hilda not to enter on the novitiate, until the birthday of Harold had passed.
blent
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From this reading But the tidings of the Norman's coming, and the King's victorious return to his capital, had reached even that still retreat; and love, which had blent itself with religion, led her steps to that lonely altar.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She had taken up her abode in a small convent of nuns that adjoined the more famous monastery of Waltham; but she had promised Hilda not to enter on the novitiate, until the birthday of Harold had passed.
ByprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By the altar of the Abbey Church of Waltham, that night, knelt Edith in prayer for Harold.
calm
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From this reading She herself had no longer faith in the omens and prophecies that had deceived her youth and darkened her life; and, in the more congenial air of our Holy Church, the spirit, ever so chastened, grew calm and resigned.
capital
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From this reading But the tidings of the Norman's coming, and the King's victorious return to his capital, had reached even that still retreat; and love, which had blent itself with religion, led her steps to that lonely altar.
casements
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And suddenly, as she there knelt, only lighted by the moon through the high casements, she was startled by the sound of approaching feet and murmuring voices.
chastened
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From this reading She herself had no longer faith in the omens and prophecies that had deceived her youth and darkened her life; and, in the more congenial air of our Holy Church, the spirit, ever so chastened, grew calm and resigned.
Church
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the altar of the Abbey Church of Waltham, that night, knelt Edith in prayer for Harold.
coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the tidings of the Norman's coming, and the King's victorious return to his capital, had reached even that still retreat; and love, which had blent itself with religion, led her steps to that lonely altar.
congenial
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From this reading She herself had no longer faith in the omens and prophecies that had deceived her youth and darkened her life; and, in the more congenial air of our Holy Church, the spirit, ever so chastened, grew calm and resigned.
convent
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From this reading She had taken up her abode in a small convent of nuns that adjoined the more famous monastery of Waltham; but she had promised Hilda not to enter on the novitiate, until the birthday of Harold had passed.
darkened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She herself had no longer faith in the omens and prophecies that had deceived her youth and darkened her life; and, in the more congenial air of our Holy Church, the spirit, ever so chastened, grew calm and resigned.
deceived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She herself had no longer faith in the omens and prophecies that had deceived her youth and darkened her life; and, in the more congenial air of our Holy Church, the spirit, ever so chastened, grew calm and resigned.
Edith
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From this reading By the altar of the Abbey Church of Waltham, that night, knelt Edith in prayer for Harold.
enter
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From this reading She had taken up her abode in a small convent of nuns that adjoined the more famous monastery of Waltham; but she had promised Hilda not to enter on the novitiate, until the birthday of Harold had passed.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But the tidings of the Norman's coming, and the King's victorious return to his capital, had reached even that still retreat; and love, which had blent itself with religion, led her steps to that lonely altar.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She herself had no longer faith in the omens and prophecies that had deceived her youth and darkened her life; and, in the more congenial air of our Holy Church, the spirit, ever so chastened, grew calm and resigned.
faith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She herself had no longer faith in the omens and prophecies that had deceived her youth and darkened her life; and, in the more congenial air of our Holy Church, the spirit, ever so chastened, grew calm and resigned.
famous
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From this reading She had taken up her abode in a small convent of nuns that adjoined the more famous monastery of Waltham; but she had promised Hilda not to enter on the novitiate, until the birthday of Harold had passed.
feet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And suddenly, as she there knelt, only lighted by the moon through the high casements, she was startled by the sound of approaching feet and murmuring voices.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading By the altar of the Abbey Church of Waltham, that night, knelt Edith in prayer for Harold.
grew
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From this reading She herself had no longer faith in the omens and prophecies that had deceived her youth and darkened her life; and, in the more congenial air of our Holy Church, the spirit, ever so chastened, grew calm and resigned.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had taken up her abode in a small convent of nuns that adjoined the more famous monastery of Waltham; but she had promised Hilda not to enter on the novitiate, until the birthday of Harold had passed.
Harold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the altar of the Abbey Church of Waltham, that night, knelt Edith in prayer for Harold.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She had taken up her abode in a small convent of nuns that adjoined the more famous monastery of Waltham; but she had promised Hilda not to enter on the novitiate, until the birthday of Harold had passed.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She herself had no longer faith in the omens and prophecies that had deceived her youth and darkened her life; and, in the more congenial air of our Holy Church, the spirit, ever so chastened, grew calm and resigned.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And suddenly, as she there knelt, only lighted by the moon through the high casements, she was startled by the sound of approaching feet and murmuring voices.
Hilda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had taken up her abode in a small convent of nuns that adjoined the more famous monastery of Waltham; but she had promised Hilda not to enter on the novitiate, until the birthday of Harold had passed.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But the tidings of the Norman's coming, and the King's victorious return to his capital, had reached even that still retreat; and love, which had blent itself with religion, led her steps to that lonely altar.
Holy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She herself had no longer faith in the omens and prophecies that had deceived her youth and darkened her life; and, in the more congenial air of our Holy Church, the spirit, ever so chastened, grew calm and resigned.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading By the altar of the Abbey Church of Waltham, that night, knelt Edith in prayer for Harold.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading But the tidings of the Norman's coming, and the King's victorious return to his capital, had reached even that still retreat; and love, which had blent itself with religion, led her steps to that lonely altar.
King's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the tidings of the Norman's coming, and the King's victorious return to his capital, had reached even that still retreat; and love, which had blent itself with religion, led her steps to that lonely altar.
knelt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the altar of the Abbey Church of Waltham, that night, knelt Edith in prayer for Harold.
led
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the tidings of the Norman's coming, and the King's victorious return to his capital, had reached even that still retreat; and love, which had blent itself with religion, led her steps to that lonely altar.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She herself had no longer faith in the omens and prophecies that had deceived her youth and darkened her life; and, in the more congenial air of our Holy Church, the spirit, ever so chastened, grew calm and resigned.
lighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And suddenly, as she there knelt, only lighted by the moon through the high casements, she was startled by the sound of approaching feet and murmuring voices.
lonely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the tidings of the Norman's coming, and the King's victorious return to his capital, had reached even that still retreat; and love, which had blent itself with religion, led her steps to that lonely altar.
longer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She herself had no longer faith in the omens and prophecies that had deceived her youth and darkened her life; and, in the more congenial air of our Holy Church, the spirit, ever so chastened, grew calm and resigned.
love
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the tidings of the Norman's coming, and the King's victorious return to his capital, had reached even that still retreat; and love, which had blent itself with religion, led her steps to that lonely altar.
monastery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had taken up her abode in a small convent of nuns that adjoined the more famous monastery of Waltham; but she had promised Hilda not to enter on the novitiate, until the birthday of Harold had passed.
moon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And suddenly, as she there knelt, only lighted by the moon through the high casements, she was startled by the sound of approaching feet and murmuring voices.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had taken up her abode in a small convent of nuns that adjoined the more famous monastery of Waltham; but she had promised Hilda not to enter on the novitiate, until the birthday of Harold had passed.
murmuring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And suddenly, as she there knelt, only lighted by the moon through the high casements, she was startled by the sound of approaching feet and murmuring voices.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the altar of the Abbey Church of Waltham, that night, knelt Edith in prayer for Harold.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading She herself had no longer faith in the omens and prophecies that had deceived her youth and darkened her life; and, in the more congenial air of our Holy Church, the spirit, ever so chastened, grew calm and resigned.
Norman's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the tidings of the Norman's coming, and the King's victorious return to his capital, had reached even that still retreat; and love, which had blent itself with religion, led her steps to that lonely altar.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She had taken up her abode in a small convent of nuns that adjoined the more famous monastery of Waltham; but she had promised Hilda not to enter on the novitiate, until the birthday of Harold had passed.
novitiate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had taken up her abode in a small convent of nuns that adjoined the more famous monastery of Waltham; but she had promised Hilda not to enter on the novitiate, until the birthday of Harold had passed.
nuns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had taken up her abode in a small convent of nuns that adjoined the more famous monastery of Waltham; but she had promised Hilda not to enter on the novitiate, until the birthday of Harold had passed.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading By the altar of the Abbey Church of Waltham, that night, knelt Edith in prayer for Harold.
omens
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She herself had no longer faith in the omens and prophecies that had deceived her youth and darkened her life; and, in the more congenial air of our Holy Church, the spirit, ever so chastened, grew calm and resigned.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She had taken up her abode in a small convent of nuns that adjoined the more famous monastery of Waltham; but she had promised Hilda not to enter on the novitiate, until the birthday of Harold had passed.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And suddenly, as she there knelt, only lighted by the moon through the high casements, she was startled by the sound of approaching feet and murmuring voices.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading She herself had no longer faith in the omens and prophecies that had deceived her youth and darkened her life; and, in the more congenial air of our Holy Church, the spirit, ever so chastened, grew calm and resigned.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She had taken up her abode in a small convent of nuns that adjoined the more famous monastery of Waltham; but she had promised Hilda not to enter on the novitiate, until the birthday of Harold had passed.
prayer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the altar of the Abbey Church of Waltham, that night, knelt Edith in prayer for Harold.
promised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had taken up her abode in a small convent of nuns that adjoined the more famous monastery of Waltham; but she had promised Hilda not to enter on the novitiate, until the birthday of Harold had passed.
prophecies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She herself had no longer faith in the omens and prophecies that had deceived her youth and darkened her life; and, in the more congenial air of our Holy Church, the spirit, ever so chastened, grew calm and resigned.
reached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the tidings of the Norman's coming, and the King's victorious return to his capital, had reached even that still retreat; and love, which had blent itself with religion, led her steps to that lonely altar.
religion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the tidings of the Norman's coming, and the King's victorious return to his capital, had reached even that still retreat; and love, which had blent itself with religion, led her steps to that lonely altar.
resigned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She herself had no longer faith in the omens and prophecies that had deceived her youth and darkened her life; and, in the more congenial air of our Holy Church, the spirit, ever so chastened, grew calm and resigned.
retreat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the tidings of the Norman's coming, and the King's victorious return to his capital, had reached even that still retreat; and love, which had blent itself with religion, led her steps to that lonely altar.
return
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the tidings of the Norman's coming, and the King's victorious return to his capital, had reached even that still retreat; and love, which had blent itself with religion, led her steps to that lonely altar.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had taken up her abode in a small convent of nuns that adjoined the more famous monastery of Waltham; but she had promised Hilda not to enter on the novitiate, until the birthday of Harold had passed.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had taken up her abode in a small convent of nuns that adjoined the more famous monastery of Waltham; but she had promised Hilda not to enter on the novitiate, until the birthday of Harold had passed.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She herself had no longer faith in the omens and prophecies that had deceived her youth and darkened her life; and, in the more congenial air of our Holy Church, the spirit, ever so chastened, grew calm and resigned.
sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And suddenly, as she there knelt, only lighted by the moon through the high casements, she was startled by the sound of approaching feet and murmuring voices.
spirit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She herself had no longer faith in the omens and prophecies that had deceived her youth and darkened her life; and, in the more congenial air of our Holy Church, the spirit, ever so chastened, grew calm and resigned.
startled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And suddenly, as she there knelt, only lighted by the moon through the high casements, she was startled by the sound of approaching feet and murmuring voices.
steps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the tidings of the Norman's coming, and the King's victorious return to his capital, had reached even that still retreat; and love, which had blent itself with religion, led her steps to that lonely altar.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But the tidings of the Norman's coming, and the King's victorious return to his capital, had reached even that still retreat; and love, which had blent itself with religion, led her steps to that lonely altar.
suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading And suddenly, as she there knelt, only lighted by the moon through the high casements, she was startled by the sound of approaching feet and murmuring voices.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had taken up her abode in a small convent of nuns that adjoined the more famous monastery of Waltham; but she had promised Hilda not to enter on the novitiate, until the birthday of Harold had passed.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading By the altar of the Abbey Church of Waltham, that night, knelt Edith in prayer for Harold.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading By the altar of the Abbey Church of Waltham, that night, knelt Edith in prayer for Harold.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And suddenly, as she there knelt, only lighted by the moon through the high casements, she was startled by the sound of approaching feet and murmuring voices.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading And suddenly, as she there knelt, only lighted by the moon through the high casements, she was startled by the sound of approaching feet and murmuring voices.
tidings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the tidings of the Norman's coming, and the King's victorious return to his capital, had reached even that still retreat; and love, which had blent itself with religion, led her steps to that lonely altar.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She had taken up her abode in a small convent of nuns that adjoined the more famous monastery of Waltham; but she had promised Hilda not to enter on the novitiate, until the birthday of Harold had passed.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading She had taken up her abode in a small convent of nuns that adjoined the more famous monastery of Waltham; but she had promised Hilda not to enter on the novitiate, until the birthday of Harold had passed.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had taken up her abode in a small convent of nuns that adjoined the more famous monastery of Waltham; but she had promised Hilda not to enter on the novitiate, until the birthday of Harold had passed.
victorious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the tidings of the Norman's coming, and the King's victorious return to his capital, had reached even that still retreat; and love, which had blent itself with religion, led her steps to that lonely altar.
voices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And suddenly, as she there knelt, only lighted by the moon through the high casements, she was startled by the sound of approaching feet and murmuring voices.
Waltham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the altar of the Abbey Church of Waltham, that night, knelt Edith in prayer for Harold.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And suddenly, as she there knelt, only lighted by the moon through the high casements, she was startled by the sound of approaching feet and murmuring voices.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But the tidings of the Norman's coming, and the King's victorious return to his capital, had reached even that still retreat; and love, which had blent itself with religion, led her steps to that lonely altar.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading But the tidings of the Norman's coming, and the King's victorious return to his capital, had reached even that still retreat; and love, which had blent itself with religion, led her steps to that lonely altar.
youth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She herself had no longer faith in the omens and prophecies that had deceived her youth and darkened her life; and, in the more congenial air of our Holy Church, the spirit, ever so chastened, grew calm and resigned.
