A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter I
He had to find a single planet somewhere in the vast Universe. The trouble was, if he found it--would he remember what he must do? He knew that there had been trouble, and he had been told what he had to do. The trouble was he had forgotten. He didn't remember where it was.
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 “He knew that there had been trouble, and he had been told what he had to do.”
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading “The trouble was he had forgotten.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “The trouble was, if he found it--would he remember what he must do?”
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading “The trouble was, if he found it--would he remember what he must do?”
To recall to mind.
From this reading “The trouble was, if he found it--would he remember what he must do?”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “He knew that there had been trouble, and he had been told what he had to do.”
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “The trouble was, if he found it--would he remember what he must do?”
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 had to find a single planet somewhere in the vast Universe.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He knew that there had been trouble, and he had been told what he had to do.
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He knew that there had been trouble, and he had been told what he had to do.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He didn't remember where it was.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The trouble was, if he found it--would he remember what he must do?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had to find a single planet somewhere in the vast Universe.
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading The trouble was he had forgotten.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The trouble was, if he found it--would he remember what he must do?
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had to find a single planet somewhere in the vast Universe.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had to find a single planet somewhere in the vast Universe.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The trouble was, if he found it--would he remember what he must do?
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had to find a single planet somewhere in the vast Universe.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The trouble was, if he found it--would he remember what he must do?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew that there had been trouble, and he had been told what he had to do.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading The trouble was, if he found it--would he remember what he must do?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had to find a single planet somewhere in the vast Universe.
To recall to mind.
From this reading The trouble was, if he found it--would he remember what he must do?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had to find a single planet somewhere in the vast Universe.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had to find a single planet somewhere in the vast Universe.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He knew that there had been trouble, and he had been told what he had to do.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He had to find a single planet somewhere in the vast Universe.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew that there had been trouble, and he had been told what he had to do.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had to find a single planet somewhere in the vast Universe.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He knew that there had been trouble, and he had been told what he had to do.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trouble was, if he found it--would he remember what he must do?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had to find a single planet somewhere in the vast Universe.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had to find a single planet somewhere in the vast Universe.
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The trouble was, if he found it--would he remember what he must do?
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The trouble was, if he found it--would he remember what he must do?
in or at the place that
From this reading He didn't remember where it was.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The trouble was, if he found it--would he remember what he must do?
