A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter I
Keith Laumer is a writer new to science fiction. In this story he displays the finesse, artistry and imagination of an old pro. Here is one of the tightest, tautest stories of interplanetary adventure in a long while: The murmur of conversation around the conference table died as the World Secretary entered the room and took his place at the head of the table. "Ladies and Gentlemen," he said.
Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading “The murmur of conversation around the conference table died as the World Secretary entered the room and took his place at the head of the table.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “"Ladies and Gentlemen," he said.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Here is one of the tightest, tautest stories of interplanetary adventure in a long while:”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Here is one of the tightest, tautest stories of interplanetary adventure in a long while:”
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “Here is one of the tightest, tautest stories of interplanetary adventure in a long while:”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “The murmur of conversation around the conference table died as the World Secretary entered the room and took his place at the head of the table.”
during the time that
From this reading “Here is one of the tightest, tautest stories of interplanetary adventure in a long while:”
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 Keith Laumer is a writer new to science fiction.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here is one of the tightest, tautest stories of interplanetary adventure in a long while:
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In this story he displays the finesse, artistry and imagination of an old pro.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In this story he displays the finesse, artistry and imagination of an old pro.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The murmur of conversation around the conference table died as the World Secretary entered the room and took his place at the head of the table.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this story he displays the finesse, artistry and imagination of an old pro.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The murmur of conversation around the conference table died as the World Secretary entered the room and took his place at the head of the table.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The murmur of conversation around the conference table died as the World Secretary entered the room and took his place at the head of the table.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The murmur of conversation around the conference table died as the World Secretary entered the room and took his place at the head of the table.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The murmur of conversation around the conference table died as the World Secretary entered the room and took his place at the head of the table.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The murmur of conversation around the conference table died as the World Secretary entered the room and took his place at the head of the table.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this story he displays the finesse, artistry and imagination of an old pro.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The murmur of conversation around the conference table died as the World Secretary entered the room and took his place at the head of the table.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Keith Laumer is a writer new to science fiction.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this story he displays the finesse, artistry and imagination of an old pro.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Ladies and Gentlemen," he said.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In this story he displays the finesse, artistry and imagination of an old pro.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The murmur of conversation around the conference table died as the World Secretary entered the room and took his place at the head of the table.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Here is one of the tightest, tautest stories of interplanetary adventure in a long while:
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The murmur of conversation around the conference table died as the World Secretary entered the room and took his place at the head of the table.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this story he displays the finesse, artistry and imagination of an old pro.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In this story he displays the finesse, artistry and imagination of an old pro.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here is one of the tightest, tautest stories of interplanetary adventure in a long while:
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Keith Laumer is a writer new to science fiction.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Keith Laumer is a writer new to science fiction.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ladies and Gentlemen," he said.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Keith Laumer is a writer new to science fiction.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Here is one of the tightest, tautest stories of interplanetary adventure in a long while:
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The murmur of conversation around the conference table died as the World Secretary entered the room and took his place at the head of the table.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Keith Laumer is a writer new to science fiction.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In this story he displays the finesse, artistry and imagination of an old pro.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this story he displays the finesse, artistry and imagination of an old pro.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Here is one of the tightest, tautest stories of interplanetary adventure in a long while:
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The murmur of conversation around the conference table died as the World Secretary entered the room and took his place at the head of the table.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this story he displays the finesse, artistry and imagination of an old pro.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The murmur of conversation around the conference table died as the World Secretary entered the room and took his place at the head of the table.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ladies and Gentlemen," he said.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Keith Laumer is a writer new to science fiction.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The murmur of conversation around the conference table died as the World Secretary entered the room and took his place at the head of the table.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here is one of the tightest, tautest stories of interplanetary adventure in a long while:
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this story he displays the finesse, artistry and imagination of an old pro.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The murmur of conversation around the conference table died as the World Secretary entered the room and took his place at the head of the table.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here is one of the tightest, tautest stories of interplanetary adventure in a long while:
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In this story he displays the finesse, artistry and imagination of an old pro.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In this story he displays the finesse, artistry and imagination of an old pro.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here is one of the tightest, tautest stories of interplanetary adventure in a long while:
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Keith Laumer is a writer new to science fiction.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The murmur of conversation around the conference table died as the World Secretary entered the room and took his place at the head of the table.
during the time that
From this reading Here is one of the tightest, tautest stories of interplanetary adventure in a long while:
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The murmur of conversation around the conference table died as the World Secretary entered the room and took his place at the head of the table.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Keith Laumer is a writer new to science fiction.
