A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter XXI
EXCITEMENT IN TOWN The constable liked nothing better than a chance to talk about something he was concerned in. He sat down on a pile of lumber and leisurely related the story of the robbery. As he took quite a long time at it, perhaps it will be better if I condense his story into a few words. In brief, then, Mr. Lee had come down as usual that morning to open his store. He noticed nothing strange until he reached the cigar case, which he found almost emptied of its contents.
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 “EXCITEMENT IN TOWN The constable liked nothing better than a chance to talk about something he was concerned in.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “In brief, then, Mr. Lee had come down as usual that morning to open his store.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “He noticed nothing strange until he reached the cigar case, which he found almost emptied of its contents.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “As he took quite a long time at it, perhaps it will be better if I condense his story into a few words.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “In brief, then, Mr. Lee had come down as usual that morning to open his store.”
not one thing; not anything
From this reading “EXCITEMENT IN TOWN The constable liked nothing better than a chance to talk about something he was concerned in.”
To move from a closed position.
From this reading “In brief, then, Mr. Lee had come down as usual that morning to open his store.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “As he took quite a long time at it, perhaps it will be better if I condense his story into a few words.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “As he took quite a long time at it, perhaps it will be better if I condense his story into a few words.”
a thing, without saying which
From this reading “EXCITEMENT IN TOWN The constable liked nothing better than a chance to talk about something he was concerned in.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “As he took quite a long time at it, perhaps it will be better if I condense his story into a few words.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “As he took quite a long time at it, perhaps it will be better if I condense his story into a few words.”
up to a particular time
From this reading “He noticed nothing strange until he reached the cigar case, which he found almost emptied of its contents.”
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 EXCITEMENT IN TOWN The constable liked nothing better than a chance to talk about something he was concerned in.
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading EXCITEMENT IN TOWN The constable liked nothing better than a chance to talk about something he was concerned in.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He noticed nothing strange until he reached the cigar case, which he found almost emptied of its contents.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He sat down on a pile of lumber and leisurely related the story of the robbery.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As he took quite a long time at it, perhaps it will be better if I condense his story into a few words.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As he took quite a long time at it, perhaps it will be better if I condense his story into a few words.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading As he took quite a long time at it, perhaps it will be better if I condense his story into a few words.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading EXCITEMENT IN TOWN The constable liked nothing better than a chance to talk about something he was concerned in.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In brief, then, Mr. Lee had come down as usual that morning to open his store.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He noticed nothing strange until he reached the cigar case, which he found almost emptied of its contents.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading EXCITEMENT IN TOWN The constable liked nothing better than a chance to talk about something he was concerned in.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He noticed nothing strange until he reached the cigar case, which he found almost emptied of its contents.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In brief, then, Mr. Lee had come down as usual that morning to open his store.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading EXCITEMENT IN TOWN The constable liked nothing better than a chance to talk about something he was concerned in.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he took quite a long time at it, perhaps it will be better if I condense his story into a few words.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading EXCITEMENT IN TOWN The constable liked nothing better than a chance to talk about something he was concerned in.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He noticed nothing strange until he reached the cigar case, which he found almost emptied of its contents.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat down on a pile of lumber and leisurely related the story of the robbery.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He noticed nothing strange until he reached the cigar case, which he found almost emptied of its contents.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading EXCITEMENT IN TOWN The constable liked nothing better than a chance to talk about something he was concerned in.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he took quite a long time at it, perhaps it will be better if I condense his story into a few words.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He noticed nothing strange until he reached the cigar case, which he found almost emptied of its contents.
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In brief, then, Mr. Lee had come down as usual that morning to open his store.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading EXCITEMENT IN TOWN The constable liked nothing better than a chance to talk about something he was concerned in.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As he took quite a long time at it, perhaps it will be better if I condense his story into a few words.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading As he took quite a long time at it, perhaps it will be better if I condense his story into a few words.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading As he took quite a long time at it, perhaps it will be better if I condense his story into a few words.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading EXCITEMENT IN TOWN The constable liked nothing better than a chance to talk about something he was concerned in.
moving to the inside of something
From this reading As he took quite a long time at it, perhaps it will be better if I condense his story into a few words.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As he took quite a long time at it, perhaps it will be better if I condense his story into a few words.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He noticed nothing strange until he reached the cigar case, which he found almost emptied of its contents.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In brief, then, Mr. Lee had come down as usual that morning to open his store.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat down on a pile of lumber and leisurely related the story of the robbery.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading EXCITEMENT IN TOWN The constable liked nothing better than a chance to talk about something he was concerned in.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As he took quite a long time at it, perhaps it will be better if I condense his story into a few words.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat down on a pile of lumber and leisurely related the story of the robbery.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In brief, then, Mr. Lee had come down as usual that morning to open his store.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In brief, then, Mr. Lee had come down as usual that morning to open his store.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading EXCITEMENT IN TOWN The constable liked nothing better than a chance to talk about something he was concerned in.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He noticed nothing strange until he reached the cigar case, which he found almost emptied of its contents.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He sat down on a pile of lumber and leisurely related the story of the robbery.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He sat down on a pile of lumber and leisurely related the story of the robbery.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading In brief, then, Mr. Lee had come down as usual that morning to open his store.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he took quite a long time at it, perhaps it will be better if I condense his story into a few words.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat down on a pile of lumber and leisurely related the story of the robbery.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As he took quite a long time at it, perhaps it will be better if I condense his story into a few words.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He noticed nothing strange until he reached the cigar case, which he found almost emptied of its contents.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat down on a pile of lumber and leisurely related the story of the robbery.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat down on a pile of lumber and leisurely related the story of the robbery.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat down on a pile of lumber and leisurely related the story of the robbery.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading EXCITEMENT IN TOWN The constable liked nothing better than a chance to talk about something he was concerned in.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In brief, then, Mr. Lee had come down as usual that morning to open his store.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat down on a pile of lumber and leisurely related the story of the robbery.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He noticed nothing strange until he reached the cigar case, which he found almost emptied of its contents.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading EXCITEMENT IN TOWN The constable liked nothing better than a chance to talk about something he was concerned in.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading EXCITEMENT IN TOWN The constable liked nothing better than a chance to talk about something he was concerned in.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In brief, then, Mr. Lee had come down as usual that morning to open his store.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading EXCITEMENT IN TOWN The constable liked nothing better than a chance to talk about something he was concerned in.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In brief, then, Mr. Lee had come down as usual that morning to open his store.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As he took quite a long time at it, perhaps it will be better if I condense his story into a few words.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading EXCITEMENT IN TOWN The constable liked nothing better than a chance to talk about something he was concerned in.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As he took quite a long time at it, perhaps it will be better if I condense his story into a few words.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading EXCITEMENT IN TOWN The constable liked nothing better than a chance to talk about something he was concerned in.
up to a particular time
From this reading He noticed nothing strange until he reached the cigar case, which he found almost emptied of its contents.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In brief, then, Mr. Lee had come down as usual that morning to open his store.
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading EXCITEMENT IN TOWN The constable liked nothing better than a chance to talk about something he was concerned in.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He noticed nothing strange until he reached the cigar case, which he found almost emptied of its contents.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading As he took quite a long time at it, perhaps it will be better if I condense his story into a few words.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he took quite a long time at it, perhaps it will be better if I condense his story into a few words.
