adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It had seemed impossible that she could fail, and she had been almost unconsciously looking forward to seeing Magda’s wan, strained face relax into half-incredulous delight as she confided in her the news that Michael was as eager and longing for a reconciliation as she herself.
almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It had seemed impossible that she could fail, and she had been almost unconsciously looking forward to seeing Magda’s wan, strained face relax into half-incredulous delight as she confided in her the news that Michael was as eager and longing for a reconciliation as she herself.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It had seemed impossible that she could fail, and she had been almost unconsciously looking forward to seeing Magda’s wan, strained face relax into half-incredulous delight as she confided in her the news that Michael was as eager and longing for a reconciliation as she herself.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “CHILDREN STUMBLING IN THE DARK” As Gillian mingled once more with the throng on the pavements she felt curiously unwilling to return home.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It had seemed impossible that she could fail, and she had been almost unconsciously looking forward to seeing Magda’s wan, strained face relax into half-incredulous delight as she confided in her the news that Michael was as eager and longing for a reconciliation as she herself.
CHILDRENnounUS /ˈtʃɪldrən/
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading “CHILDREN STUMBLING IN THE DARK” As Gillian mingled once more with the throng on the pavements she felt curiously unwilling to return home.
confidedverbUS /kənˈfaɪdɪd/
past form of “confide” — reveal in private; tell confidentially
From this reading It had seemed impossible that she could fail, and she had been almost unconsciously looking forward to seeing Magda’s wan, strained face relax into half-incredulous delight as she confided in her the news that Michael was as eager and longing for a reconciliation as she herself.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It had seemed impossible that she could fail, and she had been almost unconsciously looking forward to seeing Magda’s wan, strained face relax into half-incredulous delight as she confided in her the news that Michael was as eager and longing for a reconciliation as she herself.
curiouslyadverbUS /ˈkjʊriəsli/
in a manner differing from the usual or expected
From this reading “CHILDREN STUMBLING IN THE DARK” As Gillian mingled once more with the throng on the pavements she felt curiously unwilling to return home.
DARKnounUS /dɑːrk/
absence of light or illumination
From this reading “CHILDREN STUMBLING IN THE DARK” As Gillian mingled once more with the throng on the pavements she felt curiously unwilling to return home.
delightverbUS /dɪˈlaɪt/
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading It had seemed impossible that she could fail, and she had been almost unconsciously looking forward to seeing Magda’s wan, strained face relax into half-incredulous delight as she confided in her the news that Michael was as eager and longing for a reconciliation as she herself.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading It had seemed impossible that she could fail, and she had been almost unconsciously looking forward to seeing Magda’s wan, strained face relax into half-incredulous delight as she confided in her the news that Michael was as eager and longing for a reconciliation as she herself.
errandnounUS /ˈerənd/
a short trip that is taken in the performance of a necessary task or mission
From this reading She had set out from Friars’ Holm so full of hope in her errand!
facenounUS /feɪs/
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading It had seemed impossible that she could fail, and she had been almost unconsciously looking forward to seeing Magda’s wan, strained face relax into half-incredulous delight as she confided in her the news that Michael was as eager and longing for a reconciliation as she herself.
failverbUS /feɪl/
fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading It had seemed impossible that she could fail, and she had been almost unconsciously looking forward to seeing Magda’s wan, strained face relax into half-incredulous delight as she confided in her the news that Michael was as eager and longing for a reconciliation as she herself.
failurenounUS /ˈfeɪljər/
an act that fails
From this reading This utter, hopeless failure to move him one jot.
feltverbUS /felt/
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading “CHILDREN STUMBLING IN THE DARK” As Gillian mingled once more with the throng on the pavements she felt curiously unwilling to return home.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It had seemed impossible that she could fail, and she had been almost unconsciously looking forward to seeing Magda’s wan, strained face relax into half-incredulous delight as she confided in her the news that Michael was as eager and longing for a reconciliation as she herself.
forwardadverbUS /ˈfɔːrwərd/
at or to or toward the front
From this reading It had seemed impossible that she could fail, and she had been almost unconsciously looking forward to seeing Magda’s wan, strained face relax into half-incredulous delight as she confided in her the news that Michael was as eager and longing for a reconciliation as she herself.
FriarsnounUS /ˈfraɪərz/
plural of “friar” — a male member of a religious order that originally relied solely on alms
From this reading She had set out from Friars’ Holm so full of hope in her errand!
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She had set out from Friars’ Holm so full of hope in her errand!
fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading She had set out from Friars’ Holm so full of hope in her errand!
Gillian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “CHILDREN STUMBLING IN THE DARK” As Gillian mingled once more with the throng on the pavements she felt curiously unwilling to return home.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had set out from Friars’ Holm so full of hope in her errand!
half-incredulous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had seemed impossible that she could fail, and she had been almost unconsciously looking forward to seeing Magda’s wan, strained face relax into half-incredulous delight as she confided in her the news that Michael was as eager and longing for a reconciliation as she herself.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She had set out from Friars’ Holm so full of hope in her errand!
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading It had seemed impossible that she could fail, and she had been almost unconsciously looking forward to seeing Magda’s wan, strained face relax into half-incredulous delight as she confided in her the news that Michael was as eager and longing for a reconciliation as she herself.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading This utter, hopeless failure to move him one jot.
Holm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had set out from Friars’ Holm so full of hope in her errand!
homenounUS /hoʊm/
where you live at a particular time
From this reading “CHILDREN STUMBLING IN THE DARK” As Gillian mingled once more with the throng on the pavements she felt curiously unwilling to return home.
hopenounUS /hoʊp/
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading She had set out from Friars’ Holm so full of hope in her errand!
hopelessadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊpləs/
without hope because there seems to be no possibility of comfort or success
From this reading This utter, hopeless failure to move him one jot.
impossibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɑːsəbəl/
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading It had seemed impossible that she could fail, and she had been almost unconsciously looking forward to seeing Magda’s wan, strained face relax into half-incredulous delight as she confided in her the news that Michael was as eager and longing for a reconciliation as she herself.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “CHILDREN STUMBLING IN THE DARK” As Gillian mingled once more with the throng on the pavements she felt curiously unwilling to return home.
insteadadverbUS /ˌɪnˈsted/
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading And instead--this!
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It had seemed impossible that she could fail, and she had been almost unconsciously looking forward to seeing Magda’s wan, strained face relax into half-incredulous delight as she confided in her the news that Michael was as eager and longing for a reconciliation as she herself.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It had seemed impossible that she could fail, and she had been almost unconsciously looking forward to seeing Magda’s wan, strained face relax into half-incredulous delight as she confided in her the news that Michael was as eager and longing for a reconciliation as she herself.
jotnounUS /dʒɑːt/
a brief (and hurriedly handwritten) note
From this reading This utter, hopeless failure to move him one jot.
longingnounUS /ˈlɔːŋɪŋ/
prolonged unfulfilled desire or need
From this reading It had seemed impossible that she could fail, and she had been almost unconsciously looking forward to seeing Magda’s wan, strained face relax into half-incredulous delight as she confided in her the news that Michael was as eager and longing for a reconciliation as she herself.
lookingnounUS /ˈlʊkɪŋ/
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading It had seemed impossible that she could fail, and she had been almost unconsciously looking forward to seeing Magda’s wan, strained face relax into half-incredulous delight as she confided in her the news that Michael was as eager and longing for a reconciliation as she herself.
Magda's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had seemed impossible that she could fail, and she had been almost unconsciously looking forward to seeing Magda’s wan, strained face relax into half-incredulous delight as she confided in her the news that Michael was as eager and longing for a reconciliation as she herself.
MichaelnounUS /ˈmaɪkəl/
(Old Testament) the guardian archangel of the Jews
From this reading It had seemed impossible that she could fail, and she had been almost unconsciously looking forward to seeing Magda’s wan, strained face relax into half-incredulous delight as she confided in her the news that Michael was as eager and longing for a reconciliation as she herself.
mingledverbUS /ˈmɪŋɡəld/
past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else
From this reading “CHILDREN STUMBLING IN THE DARK” As Gillian mingled once more with the throng on the pavements she felt curiously unwilling to return home.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading “CHILDREN STUMBLING IN THE DARK” As Gillian mingled once more with the throng on the pavements she felt curiously unwilling to return home.
moveverbUS /muːv/
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading This utter, hopeless failure to move him one jot.
newsnounUS /nuːz/
information about recent and important events
From this reading It had seemed impossible that she could fail, and she had been almost unconsciously looking forward to seeing Magda’s wan, strained face relax into half-incredulous delight as she confided in her the news that Michael was as eager and longing for a reconciliation as she herself.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She had set out from Friars’ Holm so full of hope in her errand!
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “CHILDREN STUMBLING IN THE DARK” As Gillian mingled once more with the throng on the pavements she felt curiously unwilling to return home.
onceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading “CHILDREN STUMBLING IN THE DARK” As Gillian mingled once more with the throng on the pavements she felt curiously unwilling to return home.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading This utter, hopeless failure to move him one jot.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading She had set out from Friars’ Holm so full of hope in her errand!
pavementsnounUS /ˈpeɪvmənts/
plural of “pavement” — the paved surface of a thoroughfare
From this reading “CHILDREN STUMBLING IN THE DARK” As Gillian mingled once more with the throng on the pavements she felt curiously unwilling to return home.
reconciliationnounUS /ˌrekənsɪliˈeɪʃən/
the reestablishing of cordial relations
From this reading It had seemed impossible that she could fail, and she had been almost unconsciously looking forward to seeing Magda’s wan, strained face relax into half-incredulous delight as she confided in her the news that Michael was as eager and longing for a reconciliation as she herself.
relaxverbUS /rɪˈlæks/
become less tense, rest, or take one's ease
From this reading It had seemed impossible that she could fail, and she had been almost unconsciously looking forward to seeing Magda’s wan, strained face relax into half-incredulous delight as she confided in her the news that Michael was as eager and longing for a reconciliation as she herself.
returnverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrn/
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading “CHILDREN STUMBLING IN THE DARK” As Gillian mingled once more with the throng on the pavements she felt curiously unwilling to return home.
seeingnounUS /ˈsiːɪŋ/
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading It had seemed impossible that she could fail, and she had been almost unconsciously looking forward to seeing Magda’s wan, strained face relax into half-incredulous delight as she confided in her the news that Michael was as eager and longing for a reconciliation as she herself.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It had seemed impossible that she could fail, and she had been almost unconsciously looking forward to seeing Magda’s wan, strained face relax into half-incredulous delight as she confided in her the news that Michael was as eager and longing for a reconciliation as she herself.
setverbUS /set/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading She had set out from Friars’ Holm so full of hope in her errand!
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “CHILDREN STUMBLING IN THE DARK” As Gillian mingled once more with the throng on the pavements she felt curiously unwilling to return home.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She had set out from Friars’ Holm so full of hope in her errand!
strainedadjectiveUS /streɪnd/
lacking natural ease
From this reading It had seemed impossible that she could fail, and she had been almost unconsciously looking forward to seeing Magda’s wan, strained face relax into half-incredulous delight as she confided in her the news that Michael was as eager and longing for a reconciliation as she herself.
STUMBLINGverbUS /ˈstʌmbəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “stumble” — walk unsteadily
From this reading “CHILDREN STUMBLING IN THE DARK” As Gillian mingled once more with the throng on the pavements she felt curiously unwilling to return home.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It had seemed impossible that she could fail, and she had been almost unconsciously looking forward to seeing Magda’s wan, strained face relax into half-incredulous delight as she confided in her the news that Michael was as eager and longing for a reconciliation as she herself.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “CHILDREN STUMBLING IN THE DARK” As Gillian mingled once more with the throng on the pavements she felt curiously unwilling to return home.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading And instead--this!
throngnounUS /θrɔːŋ/
a large gathering of people
From this reading “CHILDREN STUMBLING IN THE DARK” As Gillian mingled once more with the throng on the pavements she felt curiously unwilling to return home.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “CHILDREN STUMBLING IN THE DARK” As Gillian mingled once more with the throng on the pavements she felt curiously unwilling to return home.
unconsciouslyadverbUS /ˌʌnˈkɑːnʃəsli/
without awareness
From this reading It had seemed impossible that she could fail, and she had been almost unconsciously looking forward to seeing Magda’s wan, strained face relax into half-incredulous delight as she confided in her the news that Michael was as eager and longing for a reconciliation as she herself.
unwillingadjectiveUS /ənˈwɪlɪŋ/
not disposed or inclined toward
From this reading “CHILDREN STUMBLING IN THE DARK” As Gillian mingled once more with the throng on the pavements she felt curiously unwilling to return home.
utterverbUS /ˈʌtər/
articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise
From this reading This utter, hopeless failure to move him one jot.
wanadjectiveUS /wɑːn/
(of light) lacking in intensity or brightness; dim or feeble
From this reading It had seemed impossible that she could fail, and she had been almost unconsciously looking forward to seeing Magda’s wan, strained face relax into half-incredulous delight as she confided in her the news that Michael was as eager and longing for a reconciliation as she herself.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It had seemed impossible that she could fail, and she had been almost unconsciously looking forward to seeing Magda’s wan, strained face relax into half-incredulous delight as she confided in her the news that Michael was as eager and longing for a reconciliation as she herself.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading “CHILDREN STUMBLING IN THE DARK” As Gillian mingled once more with the throng on the pavements she felt curiously unwilling to return home.
