A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter V
JOSHUA MAKES UP HIS MIND TO GO TO SEA. Who was the Old Sailor? Simply an old sailor. Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water. In those times many boys did just the same thing, but that kind of boyish romance has been gradually dying away, and is now almost dead.
Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “In those times many boys did just the same thing, but that kind of boyish romance has been gradually dying away, and is now almost dead.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.”
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “In those times many boys did just the same thing, but that kind of boyish romance has been gradually dying away, and is now almost dead.”
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading “Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “JOSHUA MAKES UP HIS MIND TO GO TO SEA.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “In those times many boys did just the same thing, but that kind of boyish romance has been gradually dying away, and is now almost dead.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “In those times many boys did just the same thing, but that kind of boyish romance has been gradually dying away, and is now almost dead.”
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading “In those times many boys did just the same thing, but that kind of boyish romance has been gradually dying away, and is now almost dead.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.”
a formal word for “on”
From this reading “Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.”
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 Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In those times many boys did just the same thing, but that kind of boyish romance has been gradually dying away, and is now almost dead.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Simply an old sailor.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In those times many boys did just the same thing, but that kind of boyish romance has been gradually dying away, and is now almost dead.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In those times many boys did just the same thing, but that kind of boyish romance has been gradually dying away, and is now almost dead.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading In those times many boys did just the same thing, but that kind of boyish romance has been gradually dying away, and is now almost dead.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In those times many boys did just the same thing, but that kind of boyish romance has been gradually dying away, and is now almost dead.
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading In those times many boys did just the same thing, but that kind of boyish romance has been gradually dying away, and is now almost dead.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In those times many boys did just the same thing, but that kind of boyish romance has been gradually dying away, and is now almost dead.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JOSHUA MAKES UP HIS MIND TO GO TO SEA.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In those times many boys did just the same thing, but that kind of boyish romance has been gradually dying away, and is now almost dead.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In those times many boys did just the same thing, but that kind of boyish romance has been gradually dying away, and is now almost dead.
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading JOSHUA MAKES UP HIS MIND TO GO TO SEA.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In those times many boys did just the same thing, but that kind of boyish romance has been gradually dying away, and is now almost dead.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In those times many boys did just the same thing, but that kind of boyish romance has been gradually dying away, and is now almost dead.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JOSHUA MAKES UP HIS MIND TO GO TO SEA.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In those times many boys did just the same thing, but that kind of boyish romance has been gradually dying away, and is now almost dead.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In those times many boys did just the same thing, but that kind of boyish romance has been gradually dying away, and is now almost dead.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JOSHUA MAKES UP HIS MIND TO GO TO SEA.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading JOSHUA MAKES UP HIS MIND TO GO TO SEA.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Who was the Old Sailor?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In those times many boys did just the same thing, but that kind of boyish romance has been gradually dying away, and is now almost dead.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Who was the Old Sailor?
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In those times many boys did just the same thing, but that kind of boyish romance has been gradually dying away, and is now almost dead.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JOSHUA MAKES UP HIS MIND TO GO TO SEA.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Simply an old sailor.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In those times many boys did just the same thing, but that kind of boyish romance has been gradually dying away, and is now almost dead.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Who was the Old Sailor?
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In those times many boys did just the same thing, but that kind of boyish romance has been gradually dying away, and is now almost dead.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading In those times many boys did just the same thing, but that kind of boyish romance has been gradually dying away, and is now almost dead.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In those times many boys did just the same thing, but that kind of boyish romance has been gradually dying away, and is now almost dead.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading JOSHUA MAKES UP HIS MIND TO GO TO SEA.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JOSHUA MAKES UP HIS MIND TO GO TO SEA.
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Who was the Old Sailor?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.
at the time that
From this reading Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.
which person or people
From this reading Who was the Old Sailor?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having been a very young sailor indeed once upon a time, a great many years ago now, when, quite a little boy, he ran away from home and went to sea out of sheer love for blue water.
