A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter XVI
DACIA EXPLAINS. Not much sleep visited the pillow of Burgo Brabazon that night. The mere thought that a possibility of escape seemed to be opening itself out before him would alone have been enough to break his rest. Supposing that when he saw her next Miss Roylance should ask him in what way she could help him best, ought he not to be ready with an answer to her question? And what ought that answer to be?
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 “The mere thought that a possibility of escape seemed to be opening itself out before him would alone have been enough to break his rest.”
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “The mere thought that a possibility of escape seemed to be opening itself out before him would alone have been enough to break his rest.”
earlier than; in front of
From this reading “The mere thought that a possibility of escape seemed to be opening itself out before him would alone have been enough to break his rest.”
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading “Supposing that when he saw her next Miss Roylance should ask him in what way she could help him best, ought he not to be ready with an answer to her question?”
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “The mere thought that a possibility of escape seemed to be opening itself out before him would alone have been enough to break his rest.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Supposing that when he saw her next Miss Roylance should ask him in what way she could help him best, ought he not to be ready with an answer to her question?”
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading “The mere thought that a possibility of escape seemed to be opening itself out before him would alone have been enough to break his rest.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Supposing that when he saw her next Miss Roylance should ask him in what way she could help him best, ought he not to be ready with an answer to her question?”
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading “Supposing that when he saw her next Miss Roylance should ask him in what way she could help him best, ought he not to be ready with an answer to her question?”
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “Supposing that when he saw her next Miss Roylance should ask him in what way she could help him best, ought he not to be ready with an answer to her question?”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “The mere thought that a possibility of escape seemed to be opening itself out before him would alone have been enough to break his rest.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “The mere thought that a possibility of escape seemed to be opening itself out before him would alone have been enough to break his rest.”
assuming something is true for the purpose of discussion
From this reading “Supposing that when he saw her next Miss Roylance should ask him in what way she could help him best, ought he not to be ready with an answer to her question?”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “The mere thought that a possibility of escape seemed to be opening itself out before him would alone have been enough to break his rest.”
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “The mere thought that a possibility of escape seemed to be opening itself out before him would alone have been enough to break his rest.”
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 The mere thought that a possibility of escape seemed to be opening itself out before him would alone have been enough to break his rest.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The mere thought that a possibility of escape seemed to be opening itself out before him would alone have been enough to break his rest.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Supposing that when he saw her next Miss Roylance should ask him in what way she could help him best, ought he not to be ready with an answer to her question?
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And what ought that answer to be?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Supposing that when he saw her next Miss Roylance should ask him in what way she could help him best, ought he not to be ready with an answer to her question?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Supposing that when he saw her next Miss Roylance should ask him in what way she could help him best, ought he not to be ready with an answer to her question?
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The mere thought that a possibility of escape seemed to be opening itself out before him would alone have been enough to break his rest.
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The mere thought that a possibility of escape seemed to be opening itself out before him would alone have been enough to break his rest.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The mere thought that a possibility of escape seemed to be opening itself out before him would alone have been enough to break his rest.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Supposing that when he saw her next Miss Roylance should ask him in what way she could help him best, ought he not to be ready with an answer to her question?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not much sleep visited the pillow of Burgo Brabazon that night.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mere thought that a possibility of escape seemed to be opening itself out before him would alone have been enough to break his rest.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not much sleep visited the pillow of Burgo Brabazon that night.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Supposing that when he saw her next Miss Roylance should ask him in what way she could help him best, ought he not to be ready with an answer to her question?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DACIA EXPLAINS.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mere thought that a possibility of escape seemed to be opening itself out before him would alone have been enough to break his rest.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mere thought that a possibility of escape seemed to be opening itself out before him would alone have been enough to break his rest.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DACIA EXPLAINS.
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The mere thought that a possibility of escape seemed to be opening itself out before him would alone have been enough to break his rest.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Supposing that when he saw her next Miss Roylance should ask him in what way she could help him best, ought he not to be ready with an answer to her question?
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Supposing that when he saw her next Miss Roylance should ask him in what way she could help him best, ought he not to be ready with an answer to her question?
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Supposing that when he saw her next Miss Roylance should ask him in what way she could help him best, ought he not to be ready with an answer to her question?
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The mere thought that a possibility of escape seemed to be opening itself out before him would alone have been enough to break his rest.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The mere thought that a possibility of escape seemed to be opening itself out before him would alone have been enough to break his rest.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Supposing that when he saw her next Miss Roylance should ask him in what way she could help him best, ought he not to be ready with an answer to her question?
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The mere thought that a possibility of escape seemed to be opening itself out before him would alone have been enough to break his rest.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mere thought that a possibility of escape seemed to be opening itself out before him would alone have been enough to break his rest.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Supposing that when he saw her next Miss Roylance should ask him in what way she could help him best, ought he not to be ready with an answer to her question?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not much sleep visited the pillow of Burgo Brabazon that night.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Supposing that when he saw her next Miss Roylance should ask him in what way she could help him best, ought he not to be ready with an answer to her question?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not much sleep visited the pillow of Burgo Brabazon that night.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not much sleep visited the pillow of Burgo Brabazon that night.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Not much sleep visited the pillow of Burgo Brabazon that night.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mere thought that a possibility of escape seemed to be opening itself out before him would alone have been enough to break his rest.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading Supposing that when he saw her next Miss Roylance should ask him in what way she could help him best, ought he not to be ready with an answer to her question?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mere thought that a possibility of escape seemed to be opening itself out before him would alone have been enough to break his rest.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not much sleep visited the pillow of Burgo Brabazon that night.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mere thought that a possibility of escape seemed to be opening itself out before him would alone have been enough to break his rest.
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Supposing that when he saw her next Miss Roylance should ask him in what way she could help him best, ought he not to be ready with an answer to her question?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Supposing that when he saw her next Miss Roylance should ask him in what way she could help him best, ought he not to be ready with an answer to her question?
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The mere thought that a possibility of escape seemed to be opening itself out before him would alone have been enough to break his rest.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Supposing that when he saw her next Miss Roylance should ask him in what way she could help him best, ought he not to be ready with an answer to her question?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Supposing that when he saw her next Miss Roylance should ask him in what way she could help him best, ought he not to be ready with an answer to her question?
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The mere thought that a possibility of escape seemed to be opening itself out before him would alone have been enough to break his rest.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Supposing that when he saw her next Miss Roylance should ask him in what way she could help him best, ought he not to be ready with an answer to her question?
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Supposing that when he saw her next Miss Roylance should ask him in what way she could help him best, ought he not to be ready with an answer to her question?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not much sleep visited the pillow of Burgo Brabazon that night.
assuming something is true for the purpose of discussion
From this reading Supposing that when he saw her next Miss Roylance should ask him in what way she could help him best, ought he not to be ready with an answer to her question?
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Not much sleep visited the pillow of Burgo Brabazon that night.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Not much sleep visited the pillow of Burgo Brabazon that night.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The mere thought that a possibility of escape seemed to be opening itself out before him would alone have been enough to break his rest.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The mere thought that a possibility of escape seemed to be opening itself out before him would alone have been enough to break his rest.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not much sleep visited the pillow of Burgo Brabazon that night.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Supposing that when he saw her next Miss Roylance should ask him in what way she could help him best, ought he not to be ready with an answer to her question?
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Supposing that when he saw her next Miss Roylance should ask him in what way she could help him best, ought he not to be ready with an answer to her question?
at the time that
From this reading Supposing that when he saw her next Miss Roylance should ask him in what way she could help him best, ought he not to be ready with an answer to her question?
in the company of; together with
From this reading Supposing that when he saw her next Miss Roylance should ask him in what way she could help him best, ought he not to be ready with an answer to her question?
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The mere thought that a possibility of escape seemed to be opening itself out before him would alone have been enough to break his rest.
