A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter II
THE LOST FORMULA The two young men stood side by side before the window of the Milan smoke-room--Ambrose Lavendale, the American, and his friend Captain Merrill from the War Office. Directly opposite to them was a narrow street running down to the Embankment, at the foot of which they could catch a glimpse of the river. A little to the left was a dark and melancholy building with a number of sightless windows. 'Wonder what sort of people live in that place?' Merrill asked curiously.
Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Merrill asked curiously.”
earlier than; in front of
From this reading “THE LOST FORMULA The two young men stood side by side before the window of the Milan smoke-room--Ambrose Lavendale, the American, and his friend Captain Merrill from the War Office.”
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “THE LOST FORMULA The two young men stood side by side before the window of the Milan smoke-room--Ambrose Lavendale, the American, and his friend Captain Merrill from the War Office.”
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading “Directly opposite to them was a narrow street running down to the Embankment, at the foot of which they could catch a glimpse of the river.”
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “Directly opposite to them was a narrow street running down to the Embankment, at the foot of which they could catch a glimpse of the river.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Directly opposite to them was a narrow street running down to the Embankment, at the foot of which they could catch a glimpse of the river.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “A little to the left was a dark and melancholy building with a number of sightless windows.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “A little to the left was a dark and melancholy building with a number of sightless windows.”
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “Directly opposite to them was a narrow street running down to the Embankment, at the foot of which they could catch a glimpse of the river.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “THE LOST FORMULA The two young men stood side by side before the window of the Milan smoke-room--Ambrose Lavendale, the American, and his friend Captain Merrill from the War Office.”
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 Directly opposite to them was a narrow street running down to the Embankment, at the foot of which they could catch a glimpse of the river.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LOST FORMULA The two young men stood side by side before the window of the Milan smoke-room--Ambrose Lavendale, the American, and his friend Captain Merrill from the War Office.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LOST FORMULA The two young men stood side by side before the window of the Milan smoke-room--Ambrose Lavendale, the American, and his friend Captain Merrill from the War Office.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE LOST FORMULA The two young men stood side by side before the window of the Milan smoke-room--Ambrose Lavendale, the American, and his friend Captain Merrill from the War Office.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Merrill asked curiously.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Directly opposite to them was a narrow street running down to the Embankment, at the foot of which they could catch a glimpse of the river.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading THE LOST FORMULA The two young men stood side by side before the window of the Milan smoke-room--Ambrose Lavendale, the American, and his friend Captain Merrill from the War Office.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A little to the left was a dark and melancholy building with a number of sightless windows.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE LOST FORMULA The two young men stood side by side before the window of the Milan smoke-room--Ambrose Lavendale, the American, and his friend Captain Merrill from the War Office.
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading THE LOST FORMULA The two young men stood side by side before the window of the Milan smoke-room--Ambrose Lavendale, the American, and his friend Captain Merrill from the War Office.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Directly opposite to them was a narrow street running down to the Embankment, at the foot of which they could catch a glimpse of the river.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Directly opposite to them was a narrow street running down to the Embankment, at the foot of which they could catch a glimpse of the river.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Merrill asked curiously.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A little to the left was a dark and melancholy building with a number of sightless windows.
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Directly opposite to them was a narrow street running down to the Embankment, at the foot of which they could catch a glimpse of the river.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Directly opposite to them was a narrow street running down to the Embankment, at the foot of which they could catch a glimpse of the river.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Directly opposite to them was a narrow street running down to the Embankment, at the foot of which they could catch a glimpse of the river.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Directly opposite to them was a narrow street running down to the Embankment, at the foot of which they could catch a glimpse of the river.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LOST FORMULA The two young men stood side by side before the window of the Milan smoke-room--Ambrose Lavendale, the American, and his friend Captain Merrill from the War Office.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LOST FORMULA The two young men stood side by side before the window of the Milan smoke-room--Ambrose Lavendale, the American, and his friend Captain Merrill from the War Office.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE LOST FORMULA The two young men stood side by side before the window of the Milan smoke-room--Ambrose Lavendale, the American, and his friend Captain Merrill from the War Office.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Directly opposite to them was a narrow street running down to the Embankment, at the foot of which they could catch a glimpse of the river.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE LOST FORMULA The two young men stood side by side before the window of the Milan smoke-room--Ambrose Lavendale, the American, and his friend Captain Merrill from the War Office.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading 'Wonder what sort of people live in that place?'
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LOST FORMULA The two young men stood side by side before the window of the Milan smoke-room--Ambrose Lavendale, the American, and his friend Captain Merrill from the War Office.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A little to the left was a dark and melancholy building with a number of sightless windows.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A little to the left was a dark and melancholy building with a number of sightless windows.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Wonder what sort of people live in that place?'
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LOST FORMULA The two young men stood side by side before the window of the Milan smoke-room--Ambrose Lavendale, the American, and his friend Captain Merrill from the War Office.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A little to the left was a dark and melancholy building with a number of sightless windows.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LOST FORMULA The two young men stood side by side before the window of the Milan smoke-room--Ambrose Lavendale, the American, and his friend Captain Merrill from the War Office.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LOST FORMULA The two young men stood side by side before the window of the Milan smoke-room--Ambrose Lavendale, the American, and his friend Captain Merrill from the War Office.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LOST FORMULA The two young men stood side by side before the window of the Milan smoke-room--Ambrose Lavendale, the American, and his friend Captain Merrill from the War Office.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Directly opposite to them was a narrow street running down to the Embankment, at the foot of which they could catch a glimpse of the river.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A little to the left was a dark and melancholy building with a number of sightless windows.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE LOST FORMULA The two young men stood side by side before the window of the Milan smoke-room--Ambrose Lavendale, the American, and his friend Captain Merrill from the War Office.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LOST FORMULA The two young men stood side by side before the window of the Milan smoke-room--Ambrose Lavendale, the American, and his friend Captain Merrill from the War Office.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Directly opposite to them was a narrow street running down to the Embankment, at the foot of which they could catch a glimpse of the river.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Wonder what sort of people live in that place?'
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Wonder what sort of people live in that place?'
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Directly opposite to them was a narrow street running down to the Embankment, at the foot of which they could catch a glimpse of the river.
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Directly opposite to them was a narrow street running down to the Embankment, at the foot of which they could catch a glimpse of the river.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LOST FORMULA The two young men stood side by side before the window of the Milan smoke-room--Ambrose Lavendale, the American, and his friend Captain Merrill from the War Office.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A little to the left was a dark and melancholy building with a number of sightless windows.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LOST FORMULA The two young men stood side by side before the window of the Milan smoke-room--Ambrose Lavendale, the American, and his friend Captain Merrill from the War Office.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Wonder what sort of people live in that place?'
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE LOST FORMULA The two young men stood side by side before the window of the Milan smoke-room--Ambrose Lavendale, the American, and his friend Captain Merrill from the War Office.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Directly opposite to them was a narrow street running down to the Embankment, at the foot of which they could catch a glimpse of the river.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading 'Wonder what sort of people live in that place?'
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE LOST FORMULA The two young men stood side by side before the window of the Milan smoke-room--Ambrose Lavendale, the American, and his friend Captain Merrill from the War Office.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Directly opposite to them was a narrow street running down to the Embankment, at the foot of which they could catch a glimpse of the river.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Directly opposite to them was a narrow street running down to the Embankment, at the foot of which they could catch a glimpse of the river.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Directly opposite to them was a narrow street running down to the Embankment, at the foot of which they could catch a glimpse of the river.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LOST FORMULA The two young men stood side by side before the window of the Milan smoke-room--Ambrose Lavendale, the American, and his friend Captain Merrill from the War Office.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LOST FORMULA The two young men stood side by side before the window of the Milan smoke-room--Ambrose Lavendale, the American, and his friend Captain Merrill from the War Office.
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Directly opposite to them was a narrow street running down to the Embankment, at the foot of which they could catch a glimpse of the river.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading 'Wonder what sort of people live in that place?'
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Directly opposite to them was a narrow street running down to the Embankment, at the foot of which they could catch a glimpse of the river.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LOST FORMULA The two young men stood side by side before the window of the Milan smoke-room--Ambrose Lavendale, the American, and his friend Captain Merrill from the War Office.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A little to the left was a dark and melancholy building with a number of sightless windows.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A little to the left was a dark and melancholy building with a number of sightless windows.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Wonder what sort of people live in that place?'
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LOST FORMULA The two young men stood side by side before the window of the Milan smoke-room--Ambrose Lavendale, the American, and his friend Captain Merrill from the War Office.
