A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter IX
I glanced at my watch. It was then half-past eleven, and the house was in total darkness. Yet I still waited, wondering vaguely if Tramu were still in the vicinity. I found an old tree-stump, and sitting upon it, waited in watchful patience, wondering if the agent of French police would make his appearance. Suddenly, however, a bright stream of light, evidently from an electric torch, shot from one of the upstairs windows, and continued for some seconds.
Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “I found an old tree-stump, and sitting upon it, waited in watchful patience, wondering if the agent of French police would make his appearance.”
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “Suddenly, however, a bright stream of light, evidently from an electric torch, shot from one of the upstairs windows, and continued for some seconds.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I found an old tree-stump, and sitting upon it, waited in watchful patience, wondering if the agent of French police would make his appearance.”
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading “Suddenly, however, a bright stream of light, evidently from an electric torch, shot from one of the upstairs windows, and continued for some seconds.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I found an old tree-stump, and sitting upon it, waited in watchful patience, wondering if the agent of French police would make his appearance.”
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “Suddenly, however, a bright stream of light, evidently from an electric torch, shot from one of the upstairs windows, and continued for some seconds.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Yet I still waited, wondering vaguely if Tramu were still in the vicinity.”
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “Suddenly, however, a bright stream of light, evidently from an electric torch, shot from one of the upstairs windows, and continued for some seconds.”
a formal word for “on”
From this reading “I found an old tree-stump, and sitting upon it, waited in watchful patience, wondering if the agent of French police would make his appearance.”
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “I found an old tree-stump, and sitting upon it, waited in watchful patience, wondering if the agent of French police would make his appearance.”
but in spite of that
From this reading “Yet I still waited, wondering vaguely if Tramu were still in the vicinity.”
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 Suddenly, however, a bright stream of light, evidently from an electric torch, shot from one of the upstairs windows, and continued for some seconds.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I found an old tree-stump, and sitting upon it, waited in watchful patience, wondering if the agent of French police would make his appearance.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I found an old tree-stump, and sitting upon it, waited in watchful patience, wondering if the agent of French police would make his appearance.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was then half-past eleven, and the house was in total darkness.
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I found an old tree-stump, and sitting upon it, waited in watchful patience, wondering if the agent of French police would make his appearance.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I glanced at my watch.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, however, a bright stream of light, evidently from an electric torch, shot from one of the upstairs windows, and continued for some seconds.
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Suddenly, however, a bright stream of light, evidently from an electric torch, shot from one of the upstairs windows, and continued for some seconds.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was then half-past eleven, and the house was in total darkness.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, however, a bright stream of light, evidently from an electric torch, shot from one of the upstairs windows, and continued for some seconds.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was then half-past eleven, and the house was in total darkness.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, however, a bright stream of light, evidently from an electric torch, shot from one of the upstairs windows, and continued for some seconds.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Suddenly, however, a bright stream of light, evidently from an electric torch, shot from one of the upstairs windows, and continued for some seconds.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I found an old tree-stump, and sitting upon it, waited in watchful patience, wondering if the agent of French police would make his appearance.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I found an old tree-stump, and sitting upon it, waited in watchful patience, wondering if the agent of French police would make his appearance.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Suddenly, however, a bright stream of light, evidently from an electric torch, shot from one of the upstairs windows, and continued for some seconds.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I glanced at my watch.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was then half-past eleven, and the house was in total darkness.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading I found an old tree-stump, and sitting upon it, waited in watchful patience, wondering if the agent of French police would make his appearance.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was then half-past eleven, and the house was in total darkness.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Suddenly, however, a bright stream of light, evidently from an electric torch, shot from one of the upstairs windows, and continued for some seconds.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I glanced at my watch.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Yet I still waited, wondering vaguely if Tramu were still in the vicinity.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was then half-past eleven, and the house was in total darkness.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was then half-past eleven, and the house was in total darkness.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, however, a bright stream of light, evidently from an electric torch, shot from one of the upstairs windows, and continued for some seconds.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I found an old tree-stump, and sitting upon it, waited in watchful patience, wondering if the agent of French police would make his appearance.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I glanced at my watch.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I found an old tree-stump, and sitting upon it, waited in watchful patience, wondering if the agent of French police would make his appearance.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I found an old tree-stump, and sitting upon it, waited in watchful patience, wondering if the agent of French police would make his appearance.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Suddenly, however, a bright stream of light, evidently from an electric torch, shot from one of the upstairs windows, and continued for some seconds.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I found an old tree-stump, and sitting upon it, waited in watchful patience, wondering if the agent of French police would make his appearance.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I found an old tree-stump, and sitting upon it, waited in watchful patience, wondering if the agent of French police would make his appearance.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, however, a bright stream of light, evidently from an electric torch, shot from one of the upstairs windows, and continued for some seconds.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, however, a bright stream of light, evidently from an electric torch, shot from one of the upstairs windows, and continued for some seconds.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I found an old tree-stump, and sitting upon it, waited in watchful patience, wondering if the agent of French police would make his appearance.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, however, a bright stream of light, evidently from an electric torch, shot from one of the upstairs windows, and continued for some seconds.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Yet I still waited, wondering vaguely if Tramu were still in the vicinity.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, however, a bright stream of light, evidently from an electric torch, shot from one of the upstairs windows, and continued for some seconds.
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Suddenly, however, a bright stream of light, evidently from an electric torch, shot from one of the upstairs windows, and continued for some seconds.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was then half-past eleven, and the house was in total darkness.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was then half-past eleven, and the house was in total darkness.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, however, a bright stream of light, evidently from an electric torch, shot from one of the upstairs windows, and continued for some seconds.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was then half-past eleven, and the house was in total darkness.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet I still waited, wondering vaguely if Tramu were still in the vicinity.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I found an old tree-stump, and sitting upon it, waited in watchful patience, wondering if the agent of French police would make his appearance.
a formal word for “on”
From this reading I found an old tree-stump, and sitting upon it, waited in watchful patience, wondering if the agent of French police would make his appearance.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, however, a bright stream of light, evidently from an electric torch, shot from one of the upstairs windows, and continued for some seconds.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet I still waited, wondering vaguely if Tramu were still in the vicinity.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet I still waited, wondering vaguely if Tramu were still in the vicinity.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet I still waited, wondering vaguely if Tramu were still in the vicinity.
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was then half-past eleven, and the house was in total darkness.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I glanced at my watch.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I found an old tree-stump, and sitting upon it, waited in watchful patience, wondering if the agent of French police would make his appearance.
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Yet I still waited, wondering vaguely if Tramu were still in the vicinity.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly, however, a bright stream of light, evidently from an electric torch, shot from one of the upstairs windows, and continued for some seconds.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet I still waited, wondering vaguely if Tramu were still in the vicinity.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I found an old tree-stump, and sitting upon it, waited in watchful patience, wondering if the agent of French police would make his appearance.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet I still waited, wondering vaguely if Tramu were still in the vicinity.
