A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter III
He hitched himself up a little to peer through the gaps in the leaves, and found that his right hand was clutching the metal cylinder he had felt in his pocket earlier. He must have snatched it out at some stage in his flight--perhaps an automatic response of his alien muscles. He examined the thing, wondering if it were a weapon. He noted two controlling levers, but their function was unclear. As a last resort, he could try pointing the thing and pushing them.
Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading “As a last resort, he could try pointing the thing and pushing them.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “He hitched himself up a little to peer through the gaps in the leaves, and found that his right hand was clutching the metal cylinder he had felt in his pocket earlier.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “He hitched himself up a little to peer through the gaps in the leaves, and found that his right hand was clutching the metal cylinder he had felt in his pocket earlier.”
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “He must have snatched it out at some stage in his flight--perhaps an automatic response of his alien muscles.”
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading “He hitched himself up a little to peer through the gaps in the leaves, and found that his right hand was clutching the metal cylinder he had felt in his pocket earlier.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “As a last resort, he could try pointing the thing and pushing them.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “He hitched himself up a little to peer through the gaps in the leaves, and found that his right hand was clutching the metal cylinder he had felt in his pocket earlier.”
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading “He must have snatched it out at some stage in his flight--perhaps an automatic response of his alien muscles.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “He must have snatched it out at some stage in his flight--perhaps an automatic response of his alien muscles.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “He hitched himself up a little to peer through the gaps in the leaves, and found that his right hand was clutching the metal cylinder he had felt in his pocket earlier.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “He examined the thing, wondering if it were a weapon.”
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “He hitched himself up a little to peer through the gaps in the leaves, and found that his right hand was clutching the metal cylinder he had felt in his pocket earlier.”
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 He hitched himself up a little to peer through the gaps in the leaves, and found that his right hand was clutching the metal cylinder he had felt in his pocket earlier.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He must have snatched it out at some stage in his flight--perhaps an automatic response of his alien muscles.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He must have snatched it out at some stage in his flight--perhaps an automatic response of his alien muscles.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He hitched himself up a little to peer through the gaps in the leaves, and found that his right hand was clutching the metal cylinder he had felt in his pocket earlier.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As a last resort, he could try pointing the thing and pushing them.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He must have snatched it out at some stage in his flight--perhaps an automatic response of his alien muscles.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He must have snatched it out at some stage in his flight--perhaps an automatic response of his alien muscles.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He noted two controlling levers, but their function was unclear.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He hitched himself up a little to peer through the gaps in the leaves, and found that his right hand was clutching the metal cylinder he had felt in his pocket earlier.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He noted two controlling levers, but their function was unclear.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading As a last resort, he could try pointing the thing and pushing them.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He hitched himself up a little to peer through the gaps in the leaves, and found that his right hand was clutching the metal cylinder he had felt in his pocket earlier.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He hitched himself up a little to peer through the gaps in the leaves, and found that his right hand was clutching the metal cylinder he had felt in his pocket earlier.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He examined the thing, wondering if it were a weapon.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He hitched himself up a little to peer through the gaps in the leaves, and found that his right hand was clutching the metal cylinder he had felt in his pocket earlier.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He must have snatched it out at some stage in his flight--perhaps an automatic response of his alien muscles.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He hitched himself up a little to peer through the gaps in the leaves, and found that his right hand was clutching the metal cylinder he had felt in his pocket earlier.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He noted two controlling levers, but their function was unclear.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He hitched himself up a little to peer through the gaps in the leaves, and found that his right hand was clutching the metal cylinder he had felt in his pocket earlier.
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He hitched himself up a little to peer through the gaps in the leaves, and found that his right hand was clutching the metal cylinder he had felt in his pocket earlier.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He hitched himself up a little to peer through the gaps in the leaves, and found that his right hand was clutching the metal cylinder he had felt in his pocket earlier.
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He must have snatched it out at some stage in his flight--perhaps an automatic response of his alien muscles.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He hitched himself up a little to peer through the gaps in the leaves, and found that his right hand was clutching the metal cylinder he had felt in his pocket earlier.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He hitched himself up a little to peer through the gaps in the leaves, and found that his right hand was clutching the metal cylinder he had felt in his pocket earlier.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He hitched himself up a little to peer through the gaps in the leaves, and found that his right hand was clutching the metal cylinder he had felt in his pocket earlier.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He hitched himself up a little to peer through the gaps in the leaves, and found that his right hand was clutching the metal cylinder he had felt in his pocket earlier.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He examined the thing, wondering if it were a weapon.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He hitched himself up a little to peer through the gaps in the leaves, and found that his right hand was clutching the metal cylinder he had felt in his pocket earlier.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He must have snatched it out at some stage in his flight--perhaps an automatic response of his alien muscles.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As a last resort, he could try pointing the thing and pushing them.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He hitched himself up a little to peer through the gaps in the leaves, and found that his right hand was clutching the metal cylinder he had felt in his pocket earlier.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He noted two controlling levers, but their function was unclear.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He hitched himself up a little to peer through the gaps in the leaves, and found that his right hand was clutching the metal cylinder he had felt in his pocket earlier.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He hitched himself up a little to peer through the gaps in the leaves, and found that his right hand was clutching the metal cylinder he had felt in his pocket earlier.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He must have snatched it out at some stage in his flight--perhaps an automatic response of his alien muscles.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading He must have snatched it out at some stage in his flight--perhaps an automatic response of his alien muscles.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He noted two controlling levers, but their function was unclear.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He must have snatched it out at some stage in his flight--perhaps an automatic response of his alien muscles.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He must have snatched it out at some stage in his flight--perhaps an automatic response of his alien muscles.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He hitched himself up a little to peer through the gaps in the leaves, and found that his right hand was clutching the metal cylinder he had felt in his pocket earlier.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He must have snatched it out at some stage in his flight--perhaps an automatic response of his alien muscles.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He hitched himself up a little to peer through the gaps in the leaves, and found that his right hand was clutching the metal cylinder he had felt in his pocket earlier.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a last resort, he could try pointing the thing and pushing them.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a last resort, he could try pointing the thing and pushing them.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a last resort, he could try pointing the thing and pushing them.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He must have snatched it out at some stage in his flight--perhaps an automatic response of his alien muscles.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He hitched himself up a little to peer through the gaps in the leaves, and found that his right hand was clutching the metal cylinder he had felt in his pocket earlier.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He must have snatched it out at some stage in his flight--perhaps an automatic response of his alien muscles.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He must have snatched it out at some stage in his flight--perhaps an automatic response of his alien muscles.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He must have snatched it out at some stage in his flight--perhaps an automatic response of his alien muscles.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He hitched himself up a little to peer through the gaps in the leaves, and found that his right hand was clutching the metal cylinder he had felt in his pocket earlier.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He hitched himself up a little to peer through the gaps in the leaves, and found that his right hand was clutching the metal cylinder he had felt in his pocket earlier.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He noted two controlling levers, but their function was unclear.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading As a last resort, he could try pointing the thing and pushing them.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He examined the thing, wondering if it were a weapon.
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He hitched himself up a little to peer through the gaps in the leaves, and found that his right hand was clutching the metal cylinder he had felt in his pocket earlier.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He hitched himself up a little to peer through the gaps in the leaves, and found that his right hand was clutching the metal cylinder he had felt in his pocket earlier.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a last resort, he could try pointing the thing and pushing them.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He noted two controlling levers, but their function was unclear.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He noted two controlling levers, but their function was unclear.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He hitched himself up a little to peer through the gaps in the leaves, and found that his right hand was clutching the metal cylinder he had felt in his pocket earlier.
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He hitched himself up a little to peer through the gaps in the leaves, and found that his right hand was clutching the metal cylinder he had felt in his pocket earlier.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He examined the thing, wondering if it were a weapon.
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He examined the thing, wondering if it were a weapon.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He examined the thing, wondering if it were a weapon.
