A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter VIII
IN THE GLOOM. All this darkness and mystery did not surprise Nick. He knew that Benton was a great man for hocus-pocus. He had signs and passwords, and surrounded himself with precautions which looked childish. There was a purpose in all this, however.
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 “He knew that Benton was a great man for hocus-pocus.”
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading “He had signs and passwords, and surrounded himself with precautions which looked childish.”
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading “There was a purpose in all this, however.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “He had signs and passwords, and surrounded himself with precautions which looked childish.”
actions taken to prevent danger
From this reading “He had signs and passwords, and surrounded himself with precautions which looked childish.”
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 knew that Benton was a great man for hocus-pocus.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All this darkness and mystery did not surprise Nick.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading All this darkness and mystery did not surprise Nick.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew that Benton was a great man for hocus-pocus.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had signs and passwords, and surrounded himself with precautions which looked childish.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All this darkness and mystery did not surprise Nick.
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading All this darkness and mystery did not surprise Nick.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He knew that Benton was a great man for hocus-pocus.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE GLOOM.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He knew that Benton was a great man for hocus-pocus.
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had signs and passwords, and surrounded himself with precautions which looked childish.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He knew that Benton was a great man for hocus-pocus.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He had signs and passwords, and surrounded himself with precautions which looked childish.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew that Benton was a great man for hocus-pocus.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading There was a purpose in all this, however.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN THE GLOOM.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew that Benton was a great man for hocus-pocus.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had signs and passwords, and surrounded himself with precautions which looked childish.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew that Benton was a great man for hocus-pocus.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All this darkness and mystery did not surprise Nick.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All this darkness and mystery did not surprise Nick.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading All this darkness and mystery did not surprise Nick.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had signs and passwords, and surrounded himself with precautions which looked childish.
actions taken to prevent danger
From this reading He had signs and passwords, and surrounded himself with precautions which looked childish.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a purpose in all this, however.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had signs and passwords, and surrounded himself with precautions which looked childish.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All this darkness and mystery did not surprise Nick.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had signs and passwords, and surrounded himself with precautions which looked childish.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He knew that Benton was a great man for hocus-pocus.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN THE GLOOM.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a purpose in all this, however.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading All this darkness and mystery did not surprise Nick.
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He knew that Benton was a great man for hocus-pocus.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had signs and passwords, and surrounded himself with precautions which looked childish.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had signs and passwords, and surrounded himself with precautions which looked childish.
