A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter XXXIX
As Ida paused for a moment, wondering what course would be best to pursue, she concluded that her only course would be to return to the house for the money. She had scarcely turned, before a piercing cry sounded through the grounds, coming from the direction of the brook. Ida, terrified, stood for a moment rooted to the spot. She tried to fly, but if her life had depended upon it, she could not have stirred hand or foot. She distinctly heard the sound of voices.
Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading “She had scarcely turned, before a piercing cry sounded through the grounds, coming from the direction of the brook.”
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading “She tried to fly, but if her life had depended upon it, she could not have stirred hand or foot.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “As Ida paused for a moment, wondering what course would be best to pursue, she concluded that her only course would be to return to the house for the money.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “She tried to fly, but if her life had depended upon it, she could not have stirred hand or foot.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “She tried to fly, but if her life had depended upon it, she could not have stirred hand or foot.”
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “She tried to fly, but if her life had depended upon it, she could not have stirred hand or foot.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “She tried to fly, but if her life had depended upon it, she could not have stirred hand or foot.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Ida, terrified, stood for a moment rooted to the spot.”
extremely frightened
From this reading “Ida, terrified, stood for a moment rooted to the spot.”
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “She had scarcely turned, before a piercing cry sounded through the grounds, coming from the direction of the brook.”
a formal word for “on”
From this reading “She tried to fly, but if her life had depended upon it, she could not have stirred hand or foot.”
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “As Ida paused for a moment, wondering what course would be best to pursue, she concluded that her only course would be to return to the house for the money.”
Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As Ida paused for a moment, wondering what course would be best to pursue, she concluded that her only course would be to return to the house for the money.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As Ida paused for a moment, wondering what course would be best to pursue, she concluded that her only course would be to return to the house for the money.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading As Ida paused for a moment, wondering what course would be best to pursue, she concluded that her only course would be to return to the house for the money.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading She had scarcely turned, before a piercing cry sounded through the grounds, coming from the direction of the brook.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Ida paused for a moment, wondering what course would be best to pursue, she concluded that her only course would be to return to the house for the money.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had scarcely turned, before a piercing cry sounded through the grounds, coming from the direction of the brook.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She tried to fly, but if her life had depended upon it, she could not have stirred hand or foot.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had scarcely turned, before a piercing cry sounded through the grounds, coming from the direction of the brook.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Ida paused for a moment, wondering what course would be best to pursue, she concluded that her only course would be to return to the house for the money.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She tried to fly, but if her life had depended upon it, she could not have stirred hand or foot.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As Ida paused for a moment, wondering what course would be best to pursue, she concluded that her only course would be to return to the house for the money.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had scarcely turned, before a piercing cry sounded through the grounds, coming from the direction of the brook.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She tried to fly, but if her life had depended upon it, she could not have stirred hand or foot.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had scarcely turned, before a piercing cry sounded through the grounds, coming from the direction of the brook.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She distinctly heard the sound of voices.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She tried to fly, but if her life had depended upon it, she could not have stirred hand or foot.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She tried to fly, but if her life had depended upon it, she could not have stirred hand or foot.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As Ida paused for a moment, wondering what course would be best to pursue, she concluded that her only course would be to return to the house for the money.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She had scarcely turned, before a piercing cry sounded through the grounds, coming from the direction of the brook.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had scarcely turned, before a piercing cry sounded through the grounds, coming from the direction of the brook.
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had scarcely turned, before a piercing cry sounded through the grounds, coming from the direction of the brook.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She tried to fly, but if her life had depended upon it, she could not have stirred hand or foot.
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She tried to fly, but if her life had depended upon it, she could not have stirred hand or foot.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She distinctly heard the sound of voices.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading As Ida paused for a moment, wondering what course would be best to pursue, she concluded that her only course would be to return to the house for the money.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Ida paused for a moment, wondering what course would be best to pursue, she concluded that her only course would be to return to the house for the money.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Ida paused for a moment, wondering what course would be best to pursue, she concluded that her only course would be to return to the house for the money.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading She tried to fly, but if her life had depended upon it, she could not have stirred hand or foot.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She tried to fly, but if her life had depended upon it, she could not have stirred hand or foot.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She tried to fly, but if her life had depended upon it, she could not have stirred hand or foot.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Ida paused for a moment, wondering what course would be best to pursue, she concluded that her only course would be to return to the house for the money.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Ida paused for a moment, wondering what course would be best to pursue, she concluded that her only course would be to return to the house for the money.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She tried to fly, but if her life had depended upon it, she could not have stirred hand or foot.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She had scarcely turned, before a piercing cry sounded through the grounds, coming from the direction of the brook.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Ida paused for a moment, wondering what course would be best to pursue, she concluded that her only course would be to return to the house for the money.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She tried to fly, but if her life had depended upon it, she could not have stirred hand or foot.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Ida paused for a moment, wondering what course would be best to pursue, she concluded that her only course would be to return to the house for the money.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had scarcely turned, before a piercing cry sounded through the grounds, coming from the direction of the brook.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Ida paused for a moment, wondering what course would be best to pursue, she concluded that her only course would be to return to the house for the money.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Ida paused for a moment, wondering what course would be best to pursue, she concluded that her only course would be to return to the house for the money.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ida, terrified, stood for a moment rooted to the spot.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had scarcely turned, before a piercing cry sounded through the grounds, coming from the direction of the brook.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As Ida paused for a moment, wondering what course would be best to pursue, she concluded that her only course would be to return to the house for the money.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She distinctly heard the sound of voices.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had scarcely turned, before a piercing cry sounded through the grounds, coming from the direction of the brook.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ida, terrified, stood for a moment rooted to the spot.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She tried to fly, but if her life had depended upon it, she could not have stirred hand or foot.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Ida, terrified, stood for a moment rooted to the spot.
extremely frightened
From this reading Ida, terrified, stood for a moment rooted to the spot.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As Ida paused for a moment, wondering what course would be best to pursue, she concluded that her only course would be to return to the house for the money.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As Ida paused for a moment, wondering what course would be best to pursue, she concluded that her only course would be to return to the house for the money.
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading She had scarcely turned, before a piercing cry sounded through the grounds, coming from the direction of the brook.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As Ida paused for a moment, wondering what course would be best to pursue, she concluded that her only course would be to return to the house for the money.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She tried to fly, but if her life had depended upon it, she could not have stirred hand or foot.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had scarcely turned, before a piercing cry sounded through the grounds, coming from the direction of the brook.
a formal word for “on”
From this reading She tried to fly, but if her life had depended upon it, she could not have stirred hand or foot.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She distinctly heard the sound of voices.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading As Ida paused for a moment, wondering what course would be best to pursue, she concluded that her only course would be to return to the house for the money.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Ida paused for a moment, wondering what course would be best to pursue, she concluded that her only course would be to return to the house for the money.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading As Ida paused for a moment, wondering what course would be best to pursue, she concluded that her only course would be to return to the house for the money.
