A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter XXII
BURGLAR HUNTING. It was an uncanny business wandering about a dark house at night; it is especially so if it be a strange house and if one knows for certain that there is a desperate burglar creeping about somewhere in it. Many a man has shrunk from that task; but the three had been bemoaning a lack of excitement, and now here it was. So they had no right to complain. Mark waited a moment for the others to join him and then side by side they stood and peered into the darkness.
Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “It was an uncanny business wandering about a dark house at night; it is especially so if it be a strange house and if one knows for certain that there is a desperate burglar creeping about somewhere in it.”
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “Many a man has shrunk from that task; but the three had been bemoaning a lack of excitement, and now here it was.”
A person who commits illegal entry into a building with intent to steal valuable treasures.
From this reading “BURGLAR HUNTING.”
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Many a man has shrunk from that task; but the three had been bemoaning a lack of excitement, and now here it was.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Many a man has shrunk from that task; but the three had been bemoaning a lack of excitement, and now here it was.”
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “It was an uncanny business wandering about a dark house at night; it is especially so if it be a strange house and if one knows for certain that there is a desperate burglar creeping about somewhere in it.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “So they had no right to complain.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Mark waited a moment for the others to join him and then side by side they stood and peered into the darkness.”
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 It was an uncanny business wandering about a dark house at night; it is especially so if it be a strange house and if one knows for certain that there is a desperate burglar creeping about somewhere in it.
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It was an uncanny business wandering about a dark house at night; it is especially so if it be a strange house and if one knows for certain that there is a desperate burglar creeping about somewhere in it.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was an uncanny business wandering about a dark house at night; it is especially so if it be a strange house and if one knows for certain that there is a desperate burglar creeping about somewhere in it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was an uncanny business wandering about a dark house at night; it is especially so if it be a strange house and if one knows for certain that there is a desperate burglar creeping about somewhere in it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was an uncanny business wandering about a dark house at night; it is especially so if it be a strange house and if one knows for certain that there is a desperate burglar creeping about somewhere in it.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was an uncanny business wandering about a dark house at night; it is especially so if it be a strange house and if one knows for certain that there is a desperate burglar creeping about somewhere in it.
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Many a man has shrunk from that task; but the three had been bemoaning a lack of excitement, and now here it was.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many a man has shrunk from that task; but the three had been bemoaning a lack of excitement, and now here it was.
A person who commits illegal entry into a building with intent to steal valuable treasures.
From this reading BURGLAR HUNTING.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was an uncanny business wandering about a dark house at night; it is especially so if it be a strange house and if one knows for certain that there is a desperate burglar creeping about somewhere in it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Many a man has shrunk from that task; but the three had been bemoaning a lack of excitement, and now here it was.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Mark waited a moment for the others to join him and then side by side they stood and peered into the darkness.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was an uncanny business wandering about a dark house at night; it is especially so if it be a strange house and if one knows for certain that there is a desperate burglar creeping about somewhere in it.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So they had no right to complain.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was an uncanny business wandering about a dark house at night; it is especially so if it be a strange house and if one knows for certain that there is a desperate burglar creeping about somewhere in it.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was an uncanny business wandering about a dark house at night; it is especially so if it be a strange house and if one knows for certain that there is a desperate burglar creeping about somewhere in it.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mark waited a moment for the others to join him and then side by side they stood and peered into the darkness.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was an uncanny business wandering about a dark house at night; it is especially so if it be a strange house and if one knows for certain that there is a desperate burglar creeping about somewhere in it.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was an uncanny business wandering about a dark house at night; it is especially so if it be a strange house and if one knows for certain that there is a desperate burglar creeping about somewhere in it.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many a man has shrunk from that task; but the three had been bemoaning a lack of excitement, and now here it was.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was an uncanny business wandering about a dark house at night; it is especially so if it be a strange house and if one knows for certain that there is a desperate burglar creeping about somewhere in it.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Many a man has shrunk from that task; but the three had been bemoaning a lack of excitement, and now here it was.
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Many a man has shrunk from that task; but the three had been bemoaning a lack of excitement, and now here it was.
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Many a man has shrunk from that task; but the three had been bemoaning a lack of excitement, and now here it was.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Many a man has shrunk from that task; but the three had been bemoaning a lack of excitement, and now here it was.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Mark waited a moment for the others to join him and then side by side they stood and peered into the darkness.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was an uncanny business wandering about a dark house at night; it is especially so if it be a strange house and if one knows for certain that there is a desperate burglar creeping about somewhere in it.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BURGLAR HUNTING.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It was an uncanny business wandering about a dark house at night; it is especially so if it be a strange house and if one knows for certain that there is a desperate burglar creeping about somewhere in it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was an uncanny business wandering about a dark house at night; it is especially so if it be a strange house and if one knows for certain that there is a desperate burglar creeping about somewhere in it.
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Mark waited a moment for the others to join him and then side by side they stood and peered into the darkness.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was an uncanny business wandering about a dark house at night; it is especially so if it be a strange house and if one knows for certain that there is a desperate burglar creeping about somewhere in it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was an uncanny business wandering about a dark house at night; it is especially so if it be a strange house and if one knows for certain that there is a desperate burglar creeping about somewhere in it.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mark waited a moment for the others to join him and then side by side they stood and peered into the darkness.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was an uncanny business wandering about a dark house at night; it is especially so if it be a strange house and if one knows for certain that there is a desperate burglar creeping about somewhere in it.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many a man has shrunk from that task; but the three had been bemoaning a lack of excitement, and now here it was.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many a man has shrunk from that task; but the three had been bemoaning a lack of excitement, and now here it was.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many a man has shrunk from that task; but the three had been bemoaning a lack of excitement, and now here it was.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mark waited a moment for the others to join him and then side by side they stood and peered into the darkness.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mark waited a moment for the others to join him and then side by side they stood and peered into the darkness.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was an uncanny business wandering about a dark house at night; it is especially so if it be a strange house and if one knows for certain that there is a desperate burglar creeping about somewhere in it.
not any; not one
From this reading So they had no right to complain.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many a man has shrunk from that task; but the three had been bemoaning a lack of excitement, and now here it was.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Many a man has shrunk from that task; but the three had been bemoaning a lack of excitement, and now here it was.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was an uncanny business wandering about a dark house at night; it is especially so if it be a strange house and if one knows for certain that there is a desperate burglar creeping about somewhere in it.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mark waited a moment for the others to join him and then side by side they stood and peered into the darkness.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mark waited a moment for the others to join him and then side by side they stood and peered into the darkness.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading So they had no right to complain.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many a man has shrunk from that task; but the three had been bemoaning a lack of excitement, and now here it was.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mark waited a moment for the others to join him and then side by side they stood and peered into the darkness.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was an uncanny business wandering about a dark house at night; it is especially so if it be a strange house and if one knows for certain that there is a desperate burglar creeping about somewhere in it.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was an uncanny business wandering about a dark house at night; it is especially so if it be a strange house and if one knows for certain that there is a desperate burglar creeping about somewhere in it.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mark waited a moment for the others to join him and then side by side they stood and peered into the darkness.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was an uncanny business wandering about a dark house at night; it is especially so if it be a strange house and if one knows for certain that there is a desperate burglar creeping about somewhere in it.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many a man has shrunk from that task; but the three had been bemoaning a lack of excitement, and now here it was.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was an uncanny business wandering about a dark house at night; it is especially so if it be a strange house and if one knows for certain that there is a desperate burglar creeping about somewhere in it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Many a man has shrunk from that task; but the three had been bemoaning a lack of excitement, and now here it was.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mark waited a moment for the others to join him and then side by side they stood and peered into the darkness.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was an uncanny business wandering about a dark house at night; it is especially so if it be a strange house and if one knows for certain that there is a desperate burglar creeping about somewhere in it.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So they had no right to complain.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many a man has shrunk from that task; but the three had been bemoaning a lack of excitement, and now here it was.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading So they had no right to complain.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was an uncanny business wandering about a dark house at night; it is especially so if it be a strange house and if one knows for certain that there is a desperate burglar creeping about somewhere in it.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mark waited a moment for the others to join him and then side by side they stood and peered into the darkness.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was an uncanny business wandering about a dark house at night; it is especially so if it be a strange house and if one knows for certain that there is a desperate burglar creeping about somewhere in it.
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was an uncanny business wandering about a dark house at night; it is especially so if it be a strange house and if one knows for certain that there is a desperate burglar creeping about somewhere in it.
