Chapter XXXIII · Chapter 33

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading But now, a week later, when Magda reverted to the subject with a certain purposeful definiteness, she grew suddenly frightened.

anew

From this reading “Just because Michael isn’t here, waiting for you on the doorstep, so to speak, you decide to rush off and make it impossible for him ever to see you again!”

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading AN UNANSWERED LETTER “You shan’t do it!”

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

From this reading “Just because Michael isn’t here, waiting for you on the doorstep, so to speak, you decide to rush off and make it impossible for him ever to see you again!”

on or to one side

From this reading When first Magda had bruited her idea of rejoining the sisterhood--the decision which had crystallised out of the long black hours of the night of her return to Friars’ Holm--Gillian had merely laughed the notion aside, attaching little importance to it.

-ing form of “attach” — cause to be attached

From this reading When first Magda had bruited her idea of rejoining the sisterhood--the decision which had crystallised out of the long black hours of the night of her return to Friars’ Holm--Gillian had merely laughed the notion aside, attaching little importance to it.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading “Do you want to throw away every possibility of happiness?” she demanded indignantly.

for the reason that

From this reading “Just because Michael isn’t here, waiting for you on the doorstep, so to speak, you decide to rush off and make it impossible for him ever to see you again!”

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading When first Magda had bruited her idea of rejoining the sisterhood--the decision which had crystallised out of the long black hours of the night of her return to Friars’ Holm--Gillian had merely laughed the notion aside, attaching little importance to it.

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

From this reading When first Magda had bruited her idea of rejoining the sisterhood--the decision which had crystallised out of the long black hours of the night of her return to Friars’ Holm--Gillian had merely laughed the notion aside, attaching little importance to it.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But now, a week later, when Magda reverted to the subject with a certain purposeful definiteness, she grew suddenly frightened.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading But now, a week later, when Magda reverted to the subject with a certain purposeful definiteness, she grew suddenly frightened.

having become fixed and definite in form

From this reading When first Magda had bruited her idea of rejoining the sisterhood--the decision which had crystallised out of the long black hours of the night of her return to Friars’ Holm--Gillian had merely laughed the notion aside, attaching little importance to it.

reach, make, or come to a decision about something

From this reading “Just because Michael isn’t here, waiting for you on the doorstep, so to speak, you decide to rush off and make it impossible for him ever to see you again!”

the act of making up your mind about something

From this reading When first Magda had bruited her idea of rejoining the sisterhood--the decision which had crystallised out of the long black hours of the night of her return to Friars’ Holm--Gillian had merely laughed the notion aside, attaching little importance to it.

the quality of being predictable with great confidence

From this reading But now, a week later, when Magda reverted to the subject with a certain purposeful definiteness, she grew suddenly frightened.

past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully

From this reading “Do you want to throw away every possibility of happiness?” she demanded indignantly.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading AN UNANSWERED LETTER “You shan’t do it!”

the sill of a door; a horizontal piece of wood or stone that forms the bottom of a doorway and offers support when passing through a doorway

From this reading “Just because Michael isn’t here, waiting for you on the doorstep, so to speak, you decide to rush off and make it impossible for him ever to see you again!”

at any time

From this reading “Just because Michael isn’t here, waiting for you on the doorstep, so to speak, you decide to rush off and make it impossible for him ever to see you again!”

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “Do you want to throw away every possibility of happiness?” she demanded indignantly.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading When first Magda had bruited her idea of rejoining the sisterhood--the decision which had crystallised out of the long black hours of the night of her return to Friars’ Holm--Gillian had merely laughed the notion aside, attaching little importance to it.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “Just because Michael isn’t here, waiting for you on the doorstep, so to speak, you decide to rush off and make it impossible for him ever to see you again!”

plural of “friar” — a male member of a religious order that originally relied solely on alms

From this reading When first Magda had bruited her idea of rejoining the sisterhood--the decision which had crystallised out of the long black hours of the night of her return to Friars’ Holm--Gillian had merely laughed the notion aside, attaching little importance to it.

made afraid

From this reading But now, a week later, when Magda reverted to the subject with a certain purposeful definiteness, she grew suddenly frightened.

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

From this reading When first Magda had bruited her idea of rejoining the sisterhood--the decision which had crystallised out of the long black hours of the night of her return to Friars’ Holm--Gillian had merely laughed the notion aside, attaching little importance to it.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading But now, a week later, when Magda reverted to the subject with a certain purposeful definiteness, she grew suddenly frightened.

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

From this reading When first Magda had bruited her idea of rejoining the sisterhood--the decision which had crystallised out of the long black hours of the night of her return to Friars’ Holm--Gillian had merely laughed the notion aside, attaching little importance to it.

state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy

From this reading “Do you want to throw away every possibility of happiness?” she demanded indignantly.

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

From this reading When first Magda had bruited her idea of rejoining the sisterhood--the decision which had crystallised out of the long black hours of the night of her return to Friars’ Holm--Gillian had merely laughed the notion aside, attaching little importance to it.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading “Just because Michael isn’t here, waiting for you on the doorstep, so to speak, you decide to rush off and make it impossible for him ever to see you again!”

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “Just because Michael isn’t here, waiting for you on the doorstep, so to speak, you decide to rush off and make it impossible for him ever to see you again!”

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

From this reading When first Magda had bruited her idea of rejoining the sisterhood--the decision which had crystallised out of the long black hours of the night of her return to Friars’ Holm--Gillian had merely laughed the notion aside, attaching little importance to it.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading When first Magda had bruited her idea of rejoining the sisterhood--the decision which had crystallised out of the long black hours of the night of her return to Friars’ Holm--Gillian had merely laughed the notion aside, attaching little importance to it.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading When first Magda had bruited her idea of rejoining the sisterhood--the decision which had crystallised out of the long black hours of the night of her return to Friars’ Holm--Gillian had merely laughed the notion aside, attaching little importance to it.

the quality of being important and worthy of note

From this reading When first Magda had bruited her idea of rejoining the sisterhood--the decision which had crystallised out of the long black hours of the night of her return to Friars’ Holm--Gillian had merely laughed the notion aside, attaching little importance to it.

not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with

From this reading “Just because Michael isn’t here, waiting for you on the doorstep, so to speak, you decide to rush off and make it impossible for him ever to see you again!”

in an indignant manner

From this reading “Do you want to throw away every possibility of happiness?” she demanded indignantly.

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

From this reading “Just because Michael isn’t here, waiting for you on the doorstep, so to speak, you decide to rush off and make it impossible for him ever to see you again!”

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading AN UNANSWERED LETTER “You shan’t do it!”

and nothing more

From this reading “Just because Michael isn’t here, waiting for you on the doorstep, so to speak, you decide to rush off and make it impossible for him ever to see you again!”

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading But now, a week later, when Magda reverted to the subject with a certain purposeful definiteness, she grew suddenly frightened.

past form of “laugh” — produce laughter

From this reading When first Magda had bruited her idea of rejoining the sisterhood--the decision which had crystallised out of the long black hours of the night of her return to Friars’ Holm--Gillian had merely laughed the notion aside, attaching little importance to it.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading AN UNANSWERED LETTER “You shan’t do it!”

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading When first Magda had bruited her idea of rejoining the sisterhood--the decision which had crystallised out of the long black hours of the night of her return to Friars’ Holm--Gillian had merely laughed the notion aside, attaching little importance to it.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading When first Magda had bruited her idea of rejoining the sisterhood--the decision which had crystallised out of the long black hours of the night of her return to Friars’ Holm--Gillian had merely laughed the notion aside, attaching little importance to it.

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

From this reading When first Magda had bruited her idea of rejoining the sisterhood--the decision which had crystallised out of the long black hours of the night of her return to Friars’ Holm--Gillian had merely laughed the notion aside, attaching little importance to it.

engage in

From this reading “Just because Michael isn’t here, waiting for you on the doorstep, so to speak, you decide to rush off and make it impossible for him ever to see you again!”

and nothing more

From this reading When first Magda had bruited her idea of rejoining the sisterhood--the decision which had crystallised out of the long black hours of the night of her return to Friars’ Holm--Gillian had merely laughed the notion aside, attaching little importance to it.

(Old Testament) the guardian archangel of the Jews

From this reading “Just because Michael isn’t here, waiting for you on the doorstep, so to speak, you decide to rush off and make it impossible for him ever to see you again!”

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading When first Magda had bruited her idea of rejoining the sisterhood--the decision which had crystallised out of the long black hours of the night of her return to Friars’ Holm--Gillian had merely laughed the notion aside, attaching little importance to it.

a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading When first Magda had bruited her idea of rejoining the sisterhood--the decision which had crystallised out of the long black hours of the night of her return to Friars’ Holm--Gillian had merely laughed the notion aside, attaching little importance to it.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading But now, a week later, when Magda reverted to the subject with a certain purposeful definiteness, she grew suddenly frightened.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading When first Magda had bruited her idea of rejoining the sisterhood--the decision which had crystallised out of the long black hours of the night of her return to Friars’ Holm--Gillian had merely laughed the notion aside, attaching little importance to it.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading “Just because Michael isn’t here, waiting for you on the doorstep, so to speak, you decide to rush off and make it impossible for him ever to see you again!”

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading “Just because Michael isn’t here, waiting for you on the doorstep, so to speak, you decide to rush off and make it impossible for him ever to see you again!”

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading When first Magda had bruited her idea of rejoining the sisterhood--the decision which had crystallised out of the long black hours of the night of her return to Friars’ Holm--Gillian had merely laughed the notion aside, attaching little importance to it.

a future prospect or potential

From this reading “Do you want to throw away every possibility of happiness?” she demanded indignantly.

serving as or indicating the existence of a purpose or goal

From this reading But now, a week later, when Magda reverted to the subject with a certain purposeful definiteness, she grew suddenly frightened.

-ing form of “rejoin” — join again

From this reading When first Magda had bruited her idea of rejoining the sisterhood--the decision which had crystallised out of the long black hours of the night of her return to Friars’ Holm--Gillian had merely laughed the notion aside, attaching little importance to it.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading When first Magda had bruited her idea of rejoining the sisterhood--the decision which had crystallised out of the long black hours of the night of her return to Friars’ Holm--Gillian had merely laughed the notion aside, attaching little importance to it.

past form of “revert” — go back to a previous state

From this reading But now, a week later, when Magda reverted to the subject with a certain purposeful definiteness, she grew suddenly frightened.

move hurridly

From this reading “Just because Michael isn’t here, waiting for you on the doorstep, so to speak, you decide to rush off and make it impossible for him ever to see you again!”

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading “Just because Michael isn’t here, waiting for you on the doorstep, so to speak, you decide to rush off and make it impossible for him ever to see you again!”

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

From this reading AN UNANSWERED LETTER “You shan’t do it!”

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

From this reading But now, a week later, when Magda reverted to the subject with a certain purposeful definiteness, she grew suddenly frightened.

the kinship relation between a female offspring and the siblings

From this reading When first Magda had bruited her idea of rejoining the sisterhood--the decision which had crystallised out of the long black hours of the night of her return to Friars’ Holm--Gillian had merely laughed the notion aside, attaching little importance to it.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading “Just because Michael isn’t here, waiting for you on the doorstep, so to speak, you decide to rush off and make it impossible for him ever to see you again!”

express in speech

From this reading “Just because Michael isn’t here, waiting for you on the doorstep, so to speak, you decide to rush off and make it impossible for him ever to see you again!”

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading But now, a week later, when Magda reverted to the subject with a certain purposeful definiteness, she grew suddenly frightened.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading But now, a week later, when Magda reverted to the subject with a certain purposeful definiteness, she grew suddenly frightened.

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

From this reading When first Magda had bruited her idea of rejoining the sisterhood--the decision which had crystallised out of the long black hours of the night of her return to Friars’ Holm--Gillian had merely laughed the notion aside, attaching little importance to it.

propel through the air

From this reading “Do you want to throw away every possibility of happiness?” she demanded indignantly.

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

From this reading When first Magda had bruited her idea of rejoining the sisterhood--the decision which had crystallised out of the long black hours of the night of her return to Friars’ Holm--Gillian had merely laughed the notion aside, attaching little importance to it.

not returned in kind

From this reading AN UNANSWERED LETTER “You shan’t do it!”

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading “Just because Michael isn’t here, waiting for you on the doorstep, so to speak, you decide to rush off and make it impossible for him ever to see you again!”

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading “Do you want to throw away every possibility of happiness?” she demanded indignantly.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading But now, a week later, when Magda reverted to the subject with a certain purposeful definiteness, she grew suddenly frightened.

at the time that

From this reading When first Magda had bruited her idea of rejoining the sisterhood--the decision which had crystallised out of the long black hours of the night of her return to Friars’ Holm--Gillian had merely laughed the notion aside, attaching little importance to it.

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

From this reading When first Magda had bruited her idea of rejoining the sisterhood--the decision which had crystallised out of the long black hours of the night of her return to Friars’ Holm--Gillian had merely laughed the notion aside, attaching little importance to it.

in the company of; together with

From this reading But now, a week later, when Magda reverted to the subject with a certain purposeful definiteness, she grew suddenly frightened.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading AN UNANSWERED LETTER “You shan’t do it!”