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The Fighting Chance
The Fighting Chance

Chapter XIV · The Enemy Listens

Cover illustration for The Fighting Chance
Context Illustration Reading 1/31 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
In September, her marriage to Siward excitingly imminent, Sylvia had been seized with a passion for wholesale renunciation and rigid self-chastisement.
All that had been so materially desirable to her in life, all that she had heretofore worshipped, in and belonging to her own world, she now denied.
Down went the miniature golden calf from the altar in her private shrine, its tiny crashing fall making considerable racket throughout her world, and the planets and satellites adjacent to that section of the social system which she had long been expected to dominate.
The spectacle of their youthful ruler-elect in sackcloth as the future bride of a business man had more than disconcerted them.
The amazing announcement of Quarrier's engagement to Agatha Caithness stupefied the elect, rendering in one harrowing instant null and void the thousand petty plans and plots, intrigues and schemes, upon which future social constructions on the social structure had been based.
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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.

The Fighting Chance

Chapter XIV · The Enemy Listens

Reading 1/31 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
In September, her marriage to Siward excitingly imminent, Sylvia had been seized with a passion for wholesale renunciation and rigid self-chastisement.
Line 2
All that had been so materially desirable to her in life, all that she had heretofore worshipped, in and belonging to her own world, she now denied.
Line 3
Down went the miniature golden calf from the altar in her private shrine, its tiny crashing fall making considerable racket throughout her world, and the planets and satellites adjacent to that section of the social system which she had long been expected to dominate.
Line 4
The spectacle of their youthful ruler-elect in sackcloth as the future bride of a business man had more than disconcerted them.
Line 5
The amazing announcement of Quarrier's engagement to Agatha Caithness stupefied the elect, rendering in one harrowing instant null and void the thousand petty plans and plots, intrigues and schemes, upon which future social constructions on the social structure had been based.

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 “In September, her marriage to Siward excitingly imminent, Sylvia had been seized with a passion for wholesale renunciation and rigid self-chastisement.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “All that had been so materially desirable to her in life, all that she had heretofore worshipped, in and belonging to her own world, she now denied.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Down went the miniature golden calf from the altar in her private shrine, its tiny crashing fall making considerable racket throughout her world, and the planets and satellites adjacent to that section of the social system which she had long been expected to dominate.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “The amazing announcement of Quarrier's engagement to Agatha Caithness stupefied the elect, rendering in one harrowing instant null and void the thousand petty plans and plots, intrigues and schemes, upon which future social constructions on the social structure had been based.”

Throughout preposition US /θruːˈaʊt/

in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period

From this reading “Down went the miniature golden calf from the altar in her private shrine, its tiny crashing fall making considerable racket throughout her world, and the planets and satellites adjacent to that section of the social system which she had long been expected to dominate.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “The amazing announcement of Quarrier's engagement to Agatha Caithness stupefied the elect, rendering in one harrowing instant null and void the thousand petty plans and plots, intrigues and schemes, upon which future social constructions on the social structure had been based.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Down went the miniature golden calf from the altar in her private shrine, its tiny crashing fall making considerable racket throughout her world, and the planets and satellites adjacent to that section of the social system which she had long been expected to dominate.”

All words in this reading · 103

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 In September, her marriage to Siward excitingly imminent, Sylvia had been seized with a passion for wholesale renunciation and rigid self-chastisement.

adjacent

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

From this reading Down went the miniature golden calf from the altar in her private shrine, its tiny crashing fall making considerable racket throughout her world, and the planets and satellites adjacent to that section of the social system which she had long been expected to dominate.

Agatha

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

From this reading The amazing announcement of Quarrier's engagement to Agatha Caithness stupefied the elect, rendering in one harrowing instant null and void the thousand petty plans and plots, intrigues and schemes, upon which future social constructions on the social structure had been based.

All

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

From this reading All that had been so materially desirable to her in life, all that she had heretofore worshipped, in and belonging to her own world, she now denied.

altar

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

From this reading Down went the miniature golden calf from the altar in her private shrine, its tiny crashing fall making considerable racket throughout her world, and the planets and satellites adjacent to that section of the social system which she had long been expected to dominate.

amazing

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

From this reading The amazing announcement of Quarrier's engagement to Agatha Caithness stupefied the elect, rendering in one harrowing instant null and void the thousand petty plans and plots, intrigues and schemes, upon which future social constructions on the social structure had been based.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading In September, her marriage to Siward excitingly imminent, Sylvia had been seized with a passion for wholesale renunciation and rigid self-chastisement.

announcement

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

From this reading The amazing announcement of Quarrier's engagement to Agatha Caithness stupefied the elect, rendering in one harrowing instant null and void the thousand petty plans and plots, intrigues and schemes, upon which future social constructions on the social structure had been based.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The spectacle of their youthful ruler-elect in sackcloth as the future bride of a business man had more than disconcerted them.

based

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

From this reading The amazing announcement of Quarrier's engagement to Agatha Caithness stupefied the elect, rendering in one harrowing instant null and void the thousand petty plans and plots, intrigues and schemes, upon which future social constructions on the social structure had been based.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading In September, her marriage to Siward excitingly imminent, Sylvia had been seized with a passion for wholesale renunciation and rigid self-chastisement.

belonging

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

From this reading All that had been so materially desirable to her in life, all that she had heretofore worshipped, in and belonging to her own world, she now denied.

bride

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

From this reading The spectacle of their youthful ruler-elect in sackcloth as the future bride of a business man had more than disconcerted them.

business

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

From this reading The spectacle of their youthful ruler-elect in sackcloth as the future bride of a business man had more than disconcerted them.

Caithness

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

From this reading The amazing announcement of Quarrier's engagement to Agatha Caithness stupefied the elect, rendering in one harrowing instant null and void the thousand petty plans and plots, intrigues and schemes, upon which future social constructions on the social structure had been based.

calf

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

From this reading Down went the miniature golden calf from the altar in her private shrine, its tiny crashing fall making considerable racket throughout her world, and the planets and satellites adjacent to that section of the social system which she had long been expected to dominate.

considerable

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

From this reading Down went the miniature golden calf from the altar in her private shrine, its tiny crashing fall making considerable racket throughout her world, and the planets and satellites adjacent to that section of the social system which she had long been expected to dominate.

constructions

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

From this reading The amazing announcement of Quarrier's engagement to Agatha Caithness stupefied the elect, rendering in one harrowing instant null and void the thousand petty plans and plots, intrigues and schemes, upon which future social constructions on the social structure had been based.

crashing

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

From this reading Down went the miniature golden calf from the altar in her private shrine, its tiny crashing fall making considerable racket throughout her world, and the planets and satellites adjacent to that section of the social system which she had long been expected to dominate.

denied

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

From this reading All that had been so materially desirable to her in life, all that she had heretofore worshipped, in and belonging to her own world, she now denied.

desirable

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

From this reading All that had been so materially desirable to her in life, all that she had heretofore worshipped, in and belonging to her own world, she now denied.

disconcerted

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

From this reading The spectacle of their youthful ruler-elect in sackcloth as the future bride of a business man had more than disconcerted them.

dominate

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

From this reading Down went the miniature golden calf from the altar in her private shrine, its tiny crashing fall making considerable racket throughout her world, and the planets and satellites adjacent to that section of the social system which she had long been expected to dominate.

Down

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

From this reading Down went the miniature golden calf from the altar in her private shrine, its tiny crashing fall making considerable racket throughout her world, and the planets and satellites adjacent to that section of the social system which she had long been expected to dominate.

elect

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

From this reading The amazing announcement of Quarrier's engagement to Agatha Caithness stupefied the elect, rendering in one harrowing instant null and void the thousand petty plans and plots, intrigues and schemes, upon which future social constructions on the social structure had been based.

engagement

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

From this reading The amazing announcement of Quarrier's engagement to Agatha Caithness stupefied the elect, rendering in one harrowing instant null and void the thousand petty plans and plots, intrigues and schemes, upon which future social constructions on the social structure had been based.

excitingly

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

From this reading In September, her marriage to Siward excitingly imminent, Sylvia had been seized with a passion for wholesale renunciation and rigid self-chastisement.

expected

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

From this reading Down went the miniature golden calf from the altar in her private shrine, its tiny crashing fall making considerable racket throughout her world, and the planets and satellites adjacent to that section of the social system which she had long been expected to dominate.

fall

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

From this reading Down went the miniature golden calf from the altar in her private shrine, its tiny crashing fall making considerable racket throughout her world, and the planets and satellites adjacent to that section of the social system which she had long been expected to dominate.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In September, her marriage to Siward excitingly imminent, Sylvia had been seized with a passion for wholesale renunciation and rigid self-chastisement.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Down went the miniature golden calf from the altar in her private shrine, its tiny crashing fall making considerable racket throughout her world, and the planets and satellites adjacent to that section of the social system which she had long been expected to dominate.

future

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

From this reading The spectacle of their youthful ruler-elect in sackcloth as the future bride of a business man had more than disconcerted them.

golden

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

From this reading Down went the miniature golden calf from the altar in her private shrine, its tiny crashing fall making considerable racket throughout her world, and the planets and satellites adjacent to that section of the social system which she had long been expected to dominate.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading In September, her marriage to Siward excitingly imminent, Sylvia had been seized with a passion for wholesale renunciation and rigid self-chastisement.

harrowing

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

From this reading The amazing announcement of Quarrier's engagement to Agatha Caithness stupefied the elect, rendering in one harrowing instant null and void the thousand petty plans and plots, intrigues and schemes, upon which future social constructions on the social structure had been based.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading In September, her marriage to Siward excitingly imminent, Sylvia had been seized with a passion for wholesale renunciation and rigid self-chastisement.

heretofore

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

From this reading All that had been so materially desirable to her in life, all that she had heretofore worshipped, in and belonging to her own world, she now denied.

imminent

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

From this reading In September, her marriage to Siward excitingly imminent, Sylvia had been seized with a passion for wholesale renunciation and rigid self-chastisement.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading In September, her marriage to Siward excitingly imminent, Sylvia had been seized with a passion for wholesale renunciation and rigid self-chastisement.

instant

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

From this reading The amazing announcement of Quarrier's engagement to Agatha Caithness stupefied the elect, rendering in one harrowing instant null and void the thousand petty plans and plots, intrigues and schemes, upon which future social constructions on the social structure had been based.

intrigues

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

From this reading The amazing announcement of Quarrier's engagement to Agatha Caithness stupefied the elect, rendering in one harrowing instant null and void the thousand petty plans and plots, intrigues and schemes, upon which future social constructions on the social structure had been based.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Down went the miniature golden calf from the altar in her private shrine, its tiny crashing fall making considerable racket throughout her world, and the planets and satellites adjacent to that section of the social system which she had long been expected to dominate.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading All that had been so materially desirable to her in life, all that she had heretofore worshipped, in and belonging to her own world, she now denied.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Down went the miniature golden calf from the altar in her private shrine, its tiny crashing fall making considerable racket throughout her world, and the planets and satellites adjacent to that section of the social system which she had long been expected to dominate.

making

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

From this reading Down went the miniature golden calf from the altar in her private shrine, its tiny crashing fall making considerable racket throughout her world, and the planets and satellites adjacent to that section of the social system which she had long been expected to dominate.

man

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

From this reading The spectacle of their youthful ruler-elect in sackcloth as the future bride of a business man had more than disconcerted them.

marriage

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

From this reading In September, her marriage to Siward excitingly imminent, Sylvia had been seized with a passion for wholesale renunciation and rigid self-chastisement.

materially

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

From this reading All that had been so materially desirable to her in life, all that she had heretofore worshipped, in and belonging to her own world, she now denied.

miniature

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

From this reading Down went the miniature golden calf from the altar in her private shrine, its tiny crashing fall making considerable racket throughout her world, and the planets and satellites adjacent to that section of the social system which she had long been expected to dominate.

more

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

From this reading The spectacle of their youthful ruler-elect in sackcloth as the future bride of a business man had more than disconcerted them.

now

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

From this reading All that had been so materially desirable to her in life, all that she had heretofore worshipped, in and belonging to her own world, she now denied.

null

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

From this reading The amazing announcement of Quarrier's engagement to Agatha Caithness stupefied the elect, rendering in one harrowing instant null and void the thousand petty plans and plots, intrigues and schemes, upon which future social constructions on the social structure had been based.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Down went the miniature golden calf from the altar in her private shrine, its tiny crashing fall making considerable racket throughout her world, and the planets and satellites adjacent to that section of the social system which she had long been expected to dominate.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The amazing announcement of Quarrier's engagement to Agatha Caithness stupefied the elect, rendering in one harrowing instant null and void the thousand petty plans and plots, intrigues and schemes, upon which future social constructions on the social structure had been based.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The amazing announcement of Quarrier's engagement to Agatha Caithness stupefied the elect, rendering in one harrowing instant null and void the thousand petty plans and plots, intrigues and schemes, upon which future social constructions on the social structure had been based.

own

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

From this reading All that had been so materially desirable to her in life, all that she had heretofore worshipped, in and belonging to her own world, she now denied.

passion

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

From this reading In September, her marriage to Siward excitingly imminent, Sylvia had been seized with a passion for wholesale renunciation and rigid self-chastisement.

petty

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

From this reading The amazing announcement of Quarrier's engagement to Agatha Caithness stupefied the elect, rendering in one harrowing instant null and void the thousand petty plans and plots, intrigues and schemes, upon which future social constructions on the social structure had been based.

planets

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

From this reading Down went the miniature golden calf from the altar in her private shrine, its tiny crashing fall making considerable racket throughout her world, and the planets and satellites adjacent to that section of the social system which she had long been expected to dominate.

plans

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

From this reading The amazing announcement of Quarrier's engagement to Agatha Caithness stupefied the elect, rendering in one harrowing instant null and void the thousand petty plans and plots, intrigues and schemes, upon which future social constructions on the social structure had been based.

plots

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

From this reading The amazing announcement of Quarrier's engagement to Agatha Caithness stupefied the elect, rendering in one harrowing instant null and void the thousand petty plans and plots, intrigues and schemes, upon which future social constructions on the social structure had been based.

private

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

From this reading Down went the miniature golden calf from the altar in her private shrine, its tiny crashing fall making considerable racket throughout her world, and the planets and satellites adjacent to that section of the social system which she had long been expected to dominate.

Quarrier's

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

From this reading The amazing announcement of Quarrier's engagement to Agatha Caithness stupefied the elect, rendering in one harrowing instant null and void the thousand petty plans and plots, intrigues and schemes, upon which future social constructions on the social structure had been based.

racket

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

From this reading Down went the miniature golden calf from the altar in her private shrine, its tiny crashing fall making considerable racket throughout her world, and the planets and satellites adjacent to that section of the social system which she had long been expected to dominate.

rendering

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

From this reading The amazing announcement of Quarrier's engagement to Agatha Caithness stupefied the elect, rendering in one harrowing instant null and void the thousand petty plans and plots, intrigues and schemes, upon which future social constructions on the social structure had been based.

renunciation

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

From this reading In September, her marriage to Siward excitingly imminent, Sylvia had been seized with a passion for wholesale renunciation and rigid self-chastisement.

rigid

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

From this reading In September, her marriage to Siward excitingly imminent, Sylvia had been seized with a passion for wholesale renunciation and rigid self-chastisement.

ruler-elect

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

From this reading The spectacle of their youthful ruler-elect in sackcloth as the future bride of a business man had more than disconcerted them.

sackcloth

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

From this reading The spectacle of their youthful ruler-elect in sackcloth as the future bride of a business man had more than disconcerted them.

satellites

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

From this reading Down went the miniature golden calf from the altar in her private shrine, its tiny crashing fall making considerable racket throughout her world, and the planets and satellites adjacent to that section of the social system which she had long been expected to dominate.

schemes

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

From this reading The amazing announcement of Quarrier's engagement to Agatha Caithness stupefied the elect, rendering in one harrowing instant null and void the thousand petty plans and plots, intrigues and schemes, upon which future social constructions on the social structure had been based.

section

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

From this reading Down went the miniature golden calf from the altar in her private shrine, its tiny crashing fall making considerable racket throughout her world, and the planets and satellites adjacent to that section of the social system which she had long been expected to dominate.

seized

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

From this reading In September, her marriage to Siward excitingly imminent, Sylvia had been seized with a passion for wholesale renunciation and rigid self-chastisement.

self-chastisement

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

From this reading In September, her marriage to Siward excitingly imminent, Sylvia had been seized with a passion for wholesale renunciation and rigid self-chastisement.

September

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

From this reading In September, her marriage to Siward excitingly imminent, Sylvia had been seized with a passion for wholesale renunciation and rigid self-chastisement.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading All that had been so materially desirable to her in life, all that she had heretofore worshipped, in and belonging to her own world, she now denied.

shrine

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

From this reading Down went the miniature golden calf from the altar in her private shrine, its tiny crashing fall making considerable racket throughout her world, and the planets and satellites adjacent to that section of the social system which she had long been expected to dominate.

Siward

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

From this reading In September, her marriage to Siward excitingly imminent, Sylvia had been seized with a passion for wholesale renunciation and rigid self-chastisement.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading All that had been so materially desirable to her in life, all that she had heretofore worshipped, in and belonging to her own world, she now denied.

social

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

From this reading Down went the miniature golden calf from the altar in her private shrine, its tiny crashing fall making considerable racket throughout her world, and the planets and satellites adjacent to that section of the social system which she had long been expected to dominate.

spectacle

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

From this reading The spectacle of their youthful ruler-elect in sackcloth as the future bride of a business man had more than disconcerted them.

structure

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

From this reading The amazing announcement of Quarrier's engagement to Agatha Caithness stupefied the elect, rendering in one harrowing instant null and void the thousand petty plans and plots, intrigues and schemes, upon which future social constructions on the social structure had been based.

stupefied

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

From this reading The amazing announcement of Quarrier's engagement to Agatha Caithness stupefied the elect, rendering in one harrowing instant null and void the thousand petty plans and plots, intrigues and schemes, upon which future social constructions on the social structure had been based.

Sylvia

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

From this reading In September, her marriage to Siward excitingly imminent, Sylvia had been seized with a passion for wholesale renunciation and rigid self-chastisement.

system

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

From this reading Down went the miniature golden calf from the altar in her private shrine, its tiny crashing fall making considerable racket throughout her world, and the planets and satellites adjacent to that section of the social system which she had long been expected to dominate.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The spectacle of their youthful ruler-elect in sackcloth as the future bride of a business man had more than disconcerted them.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading All that had been so materially desirable to her in life, all that she had heretofore worshipped, in and belonging to her own world, she now denied.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Down went the miniature golden calf from the altar in her private shrine, its tiny crashing fall making considerable racket throughout her world, and the planets and satellites adjacent to that section of the social system which she had long been expected to dominate.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The spectacle of their youthful ruler-elect in sackcloth as the future bride of a business man had more than disconcerted them.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The spectacle of their youthful ruler-elect in sackcloth as the future bride of a business man had more than disconcerted them.

thousand

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

From this reading The amazing announcement of Quarrier's engagement to Agatha Caithness stupefied the elect, rendering in one harrowing instant null and void the thousand petty plans and plots, intrigues and schemes, upon which future social constructions on the social structure had been based.

throughoutprepositionUS /θruːˈaʊt/

in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period

From this reading Down went the miniature golden calf from the altar in her private shrine, its tiny crashing fall making considerable racket throughout her world, and the planets and satellites adjacent to that section of the social system which she had long been expected to dominate.

tiny

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

From this reading Down went the miniature golden calf from the altar in her private shrine, its tiny crashing fall making considerable racket throughout her world, and the planets and satellites adjacent to that section of the social system which she had long been expected to dominate.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading In September, her marriage to Siward excitingly imminent, Sylvia had been seized with a passion for wholesale renunciation and rigid self-chastisement.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The amazing announcement of Quarrier's engagement to Agatha Caithness stupefied the elect, rendering in one harrowing instant null and void the thousand petty plans and plots, intrigues and schemes, upon which future social constructions on the social structure had been based.

void

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

From this reading The amazing announcement of Quarrier's engagement to Agatha Caithness stupefied the elect, rendering in one harrowing instant null and void the thousand petty plans and plots, intrigues and schemes, upon which future social constructions on the social structure had been based.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Down went the miniature golden calf from the altar in her private shrine, its tiny crashing fall making considerable racket throughout her world, and the planets and satellites adjacent to that section of the social system which she had long been expected to dominate.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Down went the miniature golden calf from the altar in her private shrine, its tiny crashing fall making considerable racket throughout her world, and the planets and satellites adjacent to that section of the social system which she had long been expected to dominate.

wholesale

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

From this reading In September, her marriage to Siward excitingly imminent, Sylvia had been seized with a passion for wholesale renunciation and rigid self-chastisement.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading In September, her marriage to Siward excitingly imminent, Sylvia had been seized with a passion for wholesale renunciation and rigid self-chastisement.

world

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

From this reading All that had been so materially desirable to her in life, all that she had heretofore worshipped, in and belonging to her own world, she now denied.

worshipped

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

From this reading All that had been so materially desirable to her in life, all that she had heretofore worshipped, in and belonging to her own world, she now denied.

youthful

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

From this reading The spectacle of their youthful ruler-elect in sackcloth as the future bride of a business man had more than disconcerted them.