A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter XII
Stepping to the wall, he drew that cord, then with an impatient sigh, returned to the door. Another quiet but insistent knock greeted him. In no fury now, but with a vague sense of portent which gave an aspect of farewell to the one quick glance he cast about the well-known spot, he fitted the key in the lock, and stood ready to turn it. “I ask again your name and your business,” he shouted out in loud command. “Tell them or--” He meant to say, “or I do not turn this key.”
Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “In no fury now, but with a vague sense of portent which gave an aspect of farewell to the one quick glance he cast about the well-known spot, he fitted the key in the lock, and stood ready to turn it.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ““I ask again your name and your business,” he shouted out in loud command.”
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “Another quiet but insistent knock greeted him.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Stepping to the wall, he drew that cord, then with an impatient sigh, returned to the door.”
prepared and equipped for a particular purpose
From this reading “In no fury now, but with a vague sense of portent which gave an aspect of farewell to the one quick glance he cast about the well-known spot, he fitted the key in the lock, and stood ready to turn it.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ““I ask again your name and your business,” he shouted out in loud command.”
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “In no fury now, but with a vague sense of portent which gave an aspect of farewell to the one quick glance he cast about the well-known spot, he fitted the key in the lock, and stood ready to turn it.”
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “Stepping to the wall, he drew that cord, then with an impatient sigh, returned to the door.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ““I ask again your name and your business,” he shouted out in loud command.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “In no fury now, but with a vague sense of portent which gave an aspect of farewell to the one quick glance he cast about the well-known spot, he fitted the key in the lock, and stood ready to turn it.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ““Tell them or--” He meant to say, “or I do not turn this key.””
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 In no fury now, but with a vague sense of portent which gave an aspect of farewell to the one quick glance he cast about the well-known spot, he fitted the key in the lock, and stood ready to turn it.
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading In no fury now, but with a vague sense of portent which gave an aspect of farewell to the one quick glance he cast about the well-known spot, he fitted the key in the lock, and stood ready to turn it.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I ask again your name and your business,” he shouted out in loud command.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Stepping to the wall, he drew that cord, then with an impatient sigh, returned to the door.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In no fury now, but with a vague sense of portent which gave an aspect of farewell to the one quick glance he cast about the well-known spot, he fitted the key in the lock, and stood ready to turn it.
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Another quiet but insistent knock greeted him.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I ask again your name and your business,” he shouted out in loud command.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In no fury now, but with a vague sense of portent which gave an aspect of farewell to the one quick glance he cast about the well-known spot, he fitted the key in the lock, and stood ready to turn it.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I ask again your name and your business,” he shouted out in loud command.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Another quiet but insistent knock greeted him.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In no fury now, but with a vague sense of portent which gave an aspect of farewell to the one quick glance he cast about the well-known spot, he fitted the key in the lock, and stood ready to turn it.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I ask again your name and your business,” he shouted out in loud command.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stepping to the wall, he drew that cord, then with an impatient sigh, returned to the door.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “Tell them or--” He meant to say, “or I do not turn this key.”
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stepping to the wall, he drew that cord, then with an impatient sigh, returned to the door.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Stepping to the wall, he drew that cord, then with an impatient sigh, returned to the door.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In no fury now, but with a vague sense of portent which gave an aspect of farewell to the one quick glance he cast about the well-known spot, he fitted the key in the lock, and stood ready to turn it.
prepared and equipped for a particular purpose
From this reading In no fury now, but with a vague sense of portent which gave an aspect of farewell to the one quick glance he cast about the well-known spot, he fitted the key in the lock, and stood ready to turn it.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In no fury now, but with a vague sense of portent which gave an aspect of farewell to the one quick glance he cast about the well-known spot, he fitted the key in the lock, and stood ready to turn it.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In no fury now, but with a vague sense of portent which gave an aspect of farewell to the one quick glance he cast about the well-known spot, he fitted the key in the lock, and stood ready to turn it.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In no fury now, but with a vague sense of portent which gave an aspect of farewell to the one quick glance he cast about the well-known spot, he fitted the key in the lock, and stood ready to turn it.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Another quiet but insistent knock greeted him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Stepping to the wall, he drew that cord, then with an impatient sigh, returned to the door.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Another quiet but insistent knock greeted him.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I ask again your name and your business,” he shouted out in loud command.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stepping to the wall, he drew that cord, then with an impatient sigh, returned to the door.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In no fury now, but with a vague sense of portent which gave an aspect of farewell to the one quick glance he cast about the well-known spot, he fitted the key in the lock, and stood ready to turn it.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Another quiet but insistent knock greeted him.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In no fury now, but with a vague sense of portent which gave an aspect of farewell to the one quick glance he cast about the well-known spot, he fitted the key in the lock, and stood ready to turn it.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In no fury now, but with a vague sense of portent which gave an aspect of farewell to the one quick glance he cast about the well-known spot, he fitted the key in the lock, and stood ready to turn it.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Another quiet but insistent knock greeted him.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In no fury now, but with a vague sense of portent which gave an aspect of farewell to the one quick glance he cast about the well-known spot, he fitted the key in the lock, and stood ready to turn it.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I ask again your name and your business,” he shouted out in loud command.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Tell them or--” He meant to say, “or I do not turn this key.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I ask again your name and your business,” he shouted out in loud command.
not any; not one
From this reading In no fury now, but with a vague sense of portent which gave an aspect of farewell to the one quick glance he cast about the well-known spot, he fitted the key in the lock, and stood ready to turn it.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “Tell them or--” He meant to say, “or I do not turn this key.”
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In no fury now, but with a vague sense of portent which gave an aspect of farewell to the one quick glance he cast about the well-known spot, he fitted the key in the lock, and stood ready to turn it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In no fury now, but with a vague sense of portent which gave an aspect of farewell to the one quick glance he cast about the well-known spot, he fitted the key in the lock, and stood ready to turn it.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In no fury now, but with a vague sense of portent which gave an aspect of farewell to the one quick glance he cast about the well-known spot, he fitted the key in the lock, and stood ready to turn it.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “Tell them or--” He meant to say, “or I do not turn this key.”
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I ask again your name and your business,” he shouted out in loud command.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In no fury now, but with a vague sense of portent which gave an aspect of farewell to the one quick glance he cast about the well-known spot, he fitted the key in the lock, and stood ready to turn it.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In no fury now, but with a vague sense of portent which gave an aspect of farewell to the one quick glance he cast about the well-known spot, he fitted the key in the lock, and stood ready to turn it.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Another quiet but insistent knock greeted him.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In no fury now, but with a vague sense of portent which gave an aspect of farewell to the one quick glance he cast about the well-known spot, he fitted the key in the lock, and stood ready to turn it.
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Stepping to the wall, he drew that cord, then with an impatient sigh, returned to the door.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Tell them or--” He meant to say, “or I do not turn this key.”
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In no fury now, but with a vague sense of portent which gave an aspect of farewell to the one quick glance he cast about the well-known spot, he fitted the key in the lock, and stood ready to turn it.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I ask again your name and your business,” he shouted out in loud command.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stepping to the wall, he drew that cord, then with an impatient sigh, returned to the door.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In no fury now, but with a vague sense of portent which gave an aspect of farewell to the one quick glance he cast about the well-known spot, he fitted the key in the lock, and stood ready to turn it.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stepping to the wall, he drew that cord, then with an impatient sigh, returned to the door.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In no fury now, but with a vague sense of portent which gave an aspect of farewell to the one quick glance he cast about the well-known spot, he fitted the key in the lock, and stood ready to turn it.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Tell them or--” He meant to say, “or I do not turn this key.”
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Stepping to the wall, he drew that cord, then with an impatient sigh, returned to the door.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Stepping to the wall, he drew that cord, then with an impatient sigh, returned to the door.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading “Tell them or--” He meant to say, “or I do not turn this key.”
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stepping to the wall, he drew that cord, then with an impatient sigh, returned to the door.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “Tell them or--” He meant to say, “or I do not turn this key.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Stepping to the wall, he drew that cord, then with an impatient sigh, returned to the door.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In no fury now, but with a vague sense of portent which gave an aspect of farewell to the one quick glance he cast about the well-known spot, he fitted the key in the lock, and stood ready to turn it.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In no fury now, but with a vague sense of portent which gave an aspect of farewell to the one quick glance he cast about the well-known spot, he fitted the key in the lock, and stood ready to turn it.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stepping to the wall, he drew that cord, then with an impatient sigh, returned to the door.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In no fury now, but with a vague sense of portent which gave an aspect of farewell to the one quick glance he cast about the well-known spot, he fitted the key in the lock, and stood ready to turn it.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In no fury now, but with a vague sense of portent which gave an aspect of farewell to the one quick glance he cast about the well-known spot, he fitted the key in the lock, and stood ready to turn it.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Stepping to the wall, he drew that cord, then with an impatient sigh, returned to the door.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “I ask again your name and your business,” he shouted out in loud command.
