adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The year was over, and just as once before the clicking of the latch had seemed to signify the end of everything, so now it sounded a quite different note--of new beginnings, of release--freedom!
abodenounUS /əˈboʊd/
any address at which you dwell more than temporarily
From this reading THE RETURN Magda slipped through the tall doorway in the wall which marked the abode of the Sisters of Penitence and stood once more on the pavement of the busy street.
allottedadjectiveUS /əˈlɑːtɪd/
given as a task
From this reading Three months prior to the completion of her allotted span at the sisterhood Magda had had a serious attack of illness.
alreadyadverbUS /ɔːlˈredi/
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading The hard and rigorous life had told upon her physically, while the unaccustomed restrictions, the constant obedience exacted, had gone far towards assisting in the utter collapse of nerves already frayed by the strain of previous happenings.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE RETURN Magda slipped through the tall doorway in the wall which marked the abode of the Sisters of Penitence and stood once more on the pavement of the busy street.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The year was over, and just as once before the clicking of the latch had seemed to signify the end of everything, so now it sounded a quite different note--of new beginnings, of release--freedom!
assistingverbUS /əˈsɪstɪŋ/
-ing form of “assist” — give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading The hard and rigorous life had told upon her physically, while the unaccustomed restrictions, the constant obedience exacted, had gone far towards assisting in the utter collapse of nerves already frayed by the strain of previous happenings.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Three months prior to the completion of her allotted span at the sisterhood Magda had had a serious attack of illness.
attacknounUS /əˈtæk/
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading Three months prior to the completion of her allotted span at the sisterhood Magda had had a serious attack of illness.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The year was over, and just as once before the clicking of the latch had seemed to signify the end of everything, so now it sounded a quite different note--of new beginnings, of release--freedom!
beginningsnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnɪŋz/
plural of “beginning” — the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading The year was over, and just as once before the clicking of the latch had seemed to signify the end of everything, so now it sounded a quite different note--of new beginnings, of release--freedom!
breakdownnounUS /ˈbreɪkdaʊn/
the act of disrupting an established order so it fails to continue
From this reading Probably her fierce determination to go through with her self-elected expiation, no matter what the cost, had a good deal to do with her ultimate breakdown.
busyadjectiveUS /ˈbɪzi/
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading THE RETURN Magda slipped through the tall doorway in the wall which marked the abode of the Sisters of Penitence and stood once more on the pavement of the busy street.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The hard and rigorous life had told upon her physically, while the unaccustomed restrictions, the constant obedience exacted, had gone far towards assisting in the utter collapse of nerves already frayed by the strain of previous happenings.
clickingverbUS /ˈklɪkɪŋ/
-ing form of “click” — move or strike with a noise
From this reading The year was over, and just as once before the clicking of the latch had seemed to signify the end of everything, so now it sounded a quite different note--of new beginnings, of release--freedom!
collapsenounUS /kəˈlæps/
an abrupt failure of function or complete physical exhaustion
From this reading The hard and rigorous life had told upon her physically, while the unaccustomed restrictions, the constant obedience exacted, had gone far towards assisting in the utter collapse of nerves already frayed by the strain of previous happenings.
completionnounUS /kəmˈpliːʃən/
(American football) a successful forward pass in football
From this reading Three months prior to the completion of her allotted span at the sisterhood Magda had had a serious attack of illness.
constantadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnstənt/
unvarying in nature
From this reading The hard and rigorous life had told upon her physically, while the unaccustomed restrictions, the constant obedience exacted, had gone far towards assisting in the utter collapse of nerves already frayed by the strain of previous happenings.
costnounUS /kɑːst/
the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor
From this reading Probably her fierce determination to go through with her self-elected expiation, no matter what the cost, had a good deal to do with her ultimate breakdown.
dealverbUS /diːl/
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading Probably her fierce determination to go through with her self-elected expiation, no matter what the cost, had a good deal to do with her ultimate breakdown.
determinationnounUS /dɪˌtɜːrməˈneɪʃən/
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading Probably her fierce determination to go through with her self-elected expiation, no matter what the cost, had a good deal to do with her ultimate breakdown.
differentadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfərənt/
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading The year was over, and just as once before the clicking of the latch had seemed to signify the end of everything, so now it sounded a quite different note--of new beginnings, of release--freedom!
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Probably her fierce determination to go through with her self-elected expiation, no matter what the cost, had a good deal to do with her ultimate breakdown.
doorwaynounUS /ˈdɔːrweɪ/
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading THE RETURN Magda slipped through the tall doorway in the wall which marked the abode of the Sisters of Penitence and stood once more on the pavement of the busy street.
endnounUS /end/
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading The year was over, and just as once before the clicking of the latch had seemed to signify the end of everything, so now it sounded a quite different note--of new beginnings, of release--freedom!
everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading The year was over, and just as once before the clicking of the latch had seemed to signify the end of everything, so now it sounded a quite different note--of new beginnings, of release--freedom!
exactedverbUS /ɪɡˈzæktɪd/
past form of “exact” — claim as due or just
From this reading The hard and rigorous life had told upon her physically, while the unaccustomed restrictions, the constant obedience exacted, had gone far towards assisting in the utter collapse of nerves already frayed by the strain of previous happenings.
expiationnoun
compensation for a wrong
From this reading Probably her fierce determination to go through with her self-elected expiation, no matter what the cost, had a good deal to do with her ultimate breakdown.
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading The hard and rigorous life had told upon her physically, while the unaccustomed restrictions, the constant obedience exacted, had gone far towards assisting in the utter collapse of nerves already frayed by the strain of previous happenings.
fierceadjectiveUS /fɪrs/
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading Probably her fierce determination to go through with her self-elected expiation, no matter what the cost, had a good deal to do with her ultimate breakdown.
frayedadjectiveUS /freɪd/
worn away or tattered along the edges
From this reading The hard and rigorous life had told upon her physically, while the unaccustomed restrictions, the constant obedience exacted, had gone far towards assisting in the utter collapse of nerves already frayed by the strain of previous happenings.
freedomnounUS /ˈfriːdəm/
the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints
From this reading The year was over, and just as once before the clicking of the latch had seemed to signify the end of everything, so now it sounded a quite different note--of new beginnings, of release--freedom!
goverbUS /ɡoʊ/
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Probably her fierce determination to go through with her self-elected expiation, no matter what the cost, had a good deal to do with her ultimate breakdown.
goneadjectiveUS /ɡɔːn/
destroyed or killed
From this reading The hard and rigorous life had told upon her physically, while the unaccustomed restrictions, the constant obedience exacted, had gone far towards assisting in the utter collapse of nerves already frayed by the strain of previous happenings.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Probably her fierce determination to go through with her self-elected expiation, no matter what the cost, had a good deal to do with her ultimate breakdown.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The year was over, and just as once before the clicking of the latch had seemed to signify the end of everything, so now it sounded a quite different note--of new beginnings, of release--freedom!
happeningsnounUS /ˈhæpənɪŋz/
plural of “happening” — an event that happens
From this reading The hard and rigorous life had told upon her physically, while the unaccustomed restrictions, the constant obedience exacted, had gone far towards assisting in the utter collapse of nerves already frayed by the strain of previous happenings.
hardadjectiveUS /hɑːrd/
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading The hard and rigorous life had told upon her physically, while the unaccustomed restrictions, the constant obedience exacted, had gone far towards assisting in the utter collapse of nerves already frayed by the strain of previous happenings.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Three months prior to the completion of her allotted span at the sisterhood Magda had had a serious attack of illness.
illnessnounUS /ˈɪlnəs/
impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism
From this reading Three months prior to the completion of her allotted span at the sisterhood Magda had had a serious attack of illness.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE RETURN Magda slipped through the tall doorway in the wall which marked the abode of the Sisters of Penitence and stood once more on the pavement of the busy street.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The year was over, and just as once before the clicking of the latch had seemed to signify the end of everything, so now it sounded a quite different note--of new beginnings, of release--freedom!
justadverbUS /dʒʌst/
and nothing more
From this reading The year was over, and just as once before the clicking of the latch had seemed to signify the end of everything, so now it sounded a quite different note--of new beginnings, of release--freedom!
latchverbUS /lætʃ/
fasten with a latch
From this reading The year was over, and just as once before the clicking of the latch had seemed to signify the end of everything, so now it sounded a quite different note--of new beginnings, of release--freedom!
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The hard and rigorous life had told upon her physically, while the unaccustomed restrictions, the constant obedience exacted, had gone far towards assisting in the utter collapse of nerves already frayed by the strain of previous happenings.
Magda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE RETURN Magda slipped through the tall doorway in the wall which marked the abode of the Sisters of Penitence and stood once more on the pavement of the busy street.
markedadjectiveUS /mɑːrkt/
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading THE RETURN Magda slipped through the tall doorway in the wall which marked the abode of the Sisters of Penitence and stood once more on the pavement of the busy street.
matternounUS /ˈmætər/
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Probably her fierce determination to go through with her self-elected expiation, no matter what the cost, had a good deal to do with her ultimate breakdown.
monthsnounUS /mʌnθs/
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading Three months prior to the completion of her allotted span at the sisterhood Magda had had a serious attack of illness.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading THE RETURN Magda slipped through the tall doorway in the wall which marked the abode of the Sisters of Penitence and stood once more on the pavement of the busy street.
nervesnounUS /nɜːrvz/
an uneasy psychological state
From this reading The hard and rigorous life had told upon her physically, while the unaccustomed restrictions, the constant obedience exacted, had gone far towards assisting in the utter collapse of nerves already frayed by the strain of previous happenings.
newadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The year was over, and just as once before the clicking of the latch had seemed to signify the end of everything, so now it sounded a quite different note--of new beginnings, of release--freedom!
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Probably her fierce determination to go through with her self-elected expiation, no matter what the cost, had a good deal to do with her ultimate breakdown.
notenounUS /noʊt/
a brief written record
From this reading The year was over, and just as once before the clicking of the latch had seemed to signify the end of everything, so now it sounded a quite different note--of new beginnings, of release--freedom!
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The year was over, and just as once before the clicking of the latch had seemed to signify the end of everything, so now it sounded a quite different note--of new beginnings, of release--freedom!
obediencenounUS /oʊˈbiːdiəns/
the act of obeying; dutiful or submissive behavior with respect to another person
From this reading The hard and rigorous life had told upon her physically, while the unaccustomed restrictions, the constant obedience exacted, had gone far towards assisting in the utter collapse of nerves already frayed by the strain of previous happenings.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE RETURN Magda slipped through the tall doorway in the wall which marked the abode of the Sisters of Penitence and stood once more on the pavement of the busy street.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE RETURN Magda slipped through the tall doorway in the wall which marked the abode of the Sisters of Penitence and stood once more on the pavement of the busy street.
onceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading THE RETURN Magda slipped through the tall doorway in the wall which marked the abode of the Sisters of Penitence and stood once more on the pavement of the busy street.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The year was over, and just as once before the clicking of the latch had seemed to signify the end of everything, so now it sounded a quite different note--of new beginnings, of release--freedom!
pavementnounUS /ˈpeɪvmənt/
the paved surface of a thoroughfare
From this reading THE RETURN Magda slipped through the tall doorway in the wall which marked the abode of the Sisters of Penitence and stood once more on the pavement of the busy street.
Penitencenoun
remorse for your past conduct
From this reading THE RETURN Magda slipped through the tall doorway in the wall which marked the abode of the Sisters of Penitence and stood once more on the pavement of the busy street.
physicallyadverbUS /ˈfɪzɪkəli/
in accord with physical laws
From this reading The hard and rigorous life had told upon her physically, while the unaccustomed restrictions, the constant obedience exacted, had gone far towards assisting in the utter collapse of nerves already frayed by the strain of previous happenings.
previousadjectiveUS /ˈpriːviəs/
just preceding something else in time or order
From this reading The hard and rigorous life had told upon her physically, while the unaccustomed restrictions, the constant obedience exacted, had gone far towards assisting in the utter collapse of nerves already frayed by the strain of previous happenings.
prioradjectiveUS /ˈpraɪər/
earlier in time
From this reading Three months prior to the completion of her allotted span at the sisterhood Magda had had a serious attack of illness.
ProbablyadverbUS /ˈprɑːbəbliː/
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading Probably her fierce determination to go through with her self-elected expiation, no matter what the cost, had a good deal to do with her ultimate breakdown.
quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading The year was over, and just as once before the clicking of the latch had seemed to signify the end of everything, so now it sounded a quite different note--of new beginnings, of release--freedom!
releaseverbUS /riˈliːs/
release, as from one's grip
From this reading The year was over, and just as once before the clicking of the latch had seemed to signify the end of everything, so now it sounded a quite different note--of new beginnings, of release--freedom!
restrictionsnounUS /riˈstrɪkʃənz/
plural of “restriction” — a principle that limits the extent of something
From this reading The hard and rigorous life had told upon her physically, while the unaccustomed restrictions, the constant obedience exacted, had gone far towards assisting in the utter collapse of nerves already frayed by the strain of previous happenings.
RETURNverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrn/
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading THE RETURN Magda slipped through the tall doorway in the wall which marked the abode of the Sisters of Penitence and stood once more on the pavement of the busy street.
rigorousadjectiveUS /ˈrɪɡərəs/
rigidly accurate; allowing no deviation from a standard
From this reading The hard and rigorous life had told upon her physically, while the unaccustomed restrictions, the constant obedience exacted, had gone far towards assisting in the utter collapse of nerves already frayed by the strain of previous happenings.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The year was over, and just as once before the clicking of the latch had seemed to signify the end of everything, so now it sounded a quite different note--of new beginnings, of release--freedom!
self-elected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Probably her fierce determination to go through with her self-elected expiation, no matter what the cost, had a good deal to do with her ultimate breakdown.
seriousadjectiveUS /ˈsɪriəs/
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading Three months prior to the completion of her allotted span at the sisterhood Magda had had a serious attack of illness.
signifyverbUS /ˈsɪɡnəfaɪ/
denote or connote
From this reading The year was over, and just as once before the clicking of the latch had seemed to signify the end of everything, so now it sounded a quite different note--of new beginnings, of release--freedom!
sisterhoodnounUS /ˈsɪstərhʊd/
the kinship relation between a female offspring and the siblings
From this reading Three months prior to the completion of her allotted span at the sisterhood Magda had had a serious attack of illness.
SistersnounUS /ˈsɪstərz/
plural of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading THE RETURN Magda slipped through the tall doorway in the wall which marked the abode of the Sisters of Penitence and stood once more on the pavement of the busy street.
slippedverbUS /slɪpt/
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading THE RETURN Magda slipped through the tall doorway in the wall which marked the abode of the Sisters of Penitence and stood once more on the pavement of the busy street.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The year was over, and just as once before the clicking of the latch had seemed to signify the end of everything, so now it sounded a quite different note--of new beginnings, of release--freedom!
soundedverbUS /ˈsaʊndɪd/
past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way
From this reading The year was over, and just as once before the clicking of the latch had seemed to signify the end of everything, so now it sounded a quite different note--of new beginnings, of release--freedom!
spannounUS /spæn/
the complete duration of something
From this reading Three months prior to the completion of her allotted span at the sisterhood Magda had had a serious attack of illness.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading THE RETURN Magda slipped through the tall doorway in the wall which marked the abode of the Sisters of Penitence and stood once more on the pavement of the busy street.
strainnounUS /streɪn/
(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces
From this reading The hard and rigorous life had told upon her physically, while the unaccustomed restrictions, the constant obedience exacted, had gone far towards assisting in the utter collapse of nerves already frayed by the strain of previous happenings.
streetnounUS /striːt/
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading THE RETURN Magda slipped through the tall doorway in the wall which marked the abode of the Sisters of Penitence and stood once more on the pavement of the busy street.
talladjectiveUS /tɔːl/
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading THE RETURN Magda slipped through the tall doorway in the wall which marked the abode of the Sisters of Penitence and stood once more on the pavement of the busy street.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE RETURN Magda slipped through the tall doorway in the wall which marked the abode of the Sisters of Penitence and stood once more on the pavement of the busy street.
ThreenounUS /θriː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Three months prior to the completion of her allotted span at the sisterhood Magda had had a serious attack of illness.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading THE RETURN Magda slipped through the tall doorway in the wall which marked the abode of the Sisters of Penitence and stood once more on the pavement of the busy street.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The year was over, and just as once before the clicking of the latch had seemed to signify the end of everything, so now it sounded a quite different note--of new beginnings, of release--freedom!
toldverbUS /toʊld/
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading The hard and rigorous life had told upon her physically, while the unaccustomed restrictions, the constant obedience exacted, had gone far towards assisting in the utter collapse of nerves already frayed by the strain of previous happenings.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading The hard and rigorous life had told upon her physically, while the unaccustomed restrictions, the constant obedience exacted, had gone far towards assisting in the utter collapse of nerves already frayed by the strain of previous happenings.
ultimateadjectiveUS /ˈʌltəmət/
furthest or highest in degree or order; utmost or extreme
From this reading Probably her fierce determination to go through with her self-elected expiation, no matter what the cost, had a good deal to do with her ultimate breakdown.
unaccustomedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈkʌstəmd/
unusual or unfamiliar
From this reading The hard and rigorous life had told upon her physically, while the unaccustomed restrictions, the constant obedience exacted, had gone far towards assisting in the utter collapse of nerves already frayed by the strain of previous happenings.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The hard and rigorous life had told upon her physically, while the unaccustomed restrictions, the constant obedience exacted, had gone far towards assisting in the utter collapse of nerves already frayed by the strain of previous happenings.
utterverbUS /ˈʌtər/
articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise
From this reading The hard and rigorous life had told upon her physically, while the unaccustomed restrictions, the constant obedience exacted, had gone far towards assisting in the utter collapse of nerves already frayed by the strain of previous happenings.
wallnounUS /wɔːl/
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading THE RETURN Magda slipped through the tall doorway in the wall which marked the abode of the Sisters of Penitence and stood once more on the pavement of the busy street.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The year was over, and just as once before the clicking of the latch had seemed to signify the end of everything, so now it sounded a quite different note--of new beginnings, of release--freedom!
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Probably her fierce determination to go through with her self-elected expiation, no matter what the cost, had a good deal to do with her ultimate breakdown.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE RETURN Magda slipped through the tall doorway in the wall which marked the abode of the Sisters of Penitence and stood once more on the pavement of the busy street.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The hard and rigorous life had told upon her physically, while the unaccustomed restrictions, the constant obedience exacted, had gone far towards assisting in the utter collapse of nerves already frayed by the strain of previous happenings.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Probably her fierce determination to go through with her self-elected expiation, no matter what the cost, had a good deal to do with her ultimate breakdown.
yearnounUS /jɪr/
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading The year was over, and just as once before the clicking of the latch had seemed to signify the end of everything, so now it sounded a quite different note--of new beginnings, of release--freedom!
