A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter V
"Who was Diana's mother, my dear?" Mrs. Gosselin inquired of her daughter. "She was a beautiful old lady with pink ribbons in her cap and a genius for knitting," the girl replied, cutting her book. "Oh, I'm not speaking of you two dears; you're not like anyone else; you're an immense comfort," said Guy Firminger. "But they've reduced it to a science, and I assure you that if one were any one in particular, if one were not protected by one's obscurity, one's life would be a burden.
Reading 1/87 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5
Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.
any person at all
From this reading “"Oh, I'm not speaking of you two dears; you're not like anyone else; you're an immense comfort," said Guy Firminger.”
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “Mrs. Gosselin inquired of her daughter.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “"But they've reduced it to a science, and I assure you that if one were any one in particular, if one were not protected by one's obscurity, one's life would be a burden.”
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “"But they've reduced it to a science, and I assure you that if one were any one in particular, if one were not protected by one's obscurity, one's life would be a burden.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “"She was a beautiful old lady with pink ribbons in her cap and a genius for knitting," the girl replied, cutting her book.”
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “"But they've reduced it to a science, and I assure you that if one were any one in particular, if one were not protected by one's obscurity, one's life would be a burden.”
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 "She was a beautiful old lady with pink ribbons in her cap and a genius for knitting," the girl replied, cutting her book.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "Oh, I'm not speaking of you two dears; you're not like anyone else; you're an immense comfort," said Guy Firminger.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "She was a beautiful old lady with pink ribbons in her cap and a genius for knitting," the girl replied, cutting her book.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "But they've reduced it to a science, and I assure you that if one were any one in particular, if one were not protected by one's obscurity, one's life would be a burden.
any person at all
From this reading "Oh, I'm not speaking of you two dears; you're not like anyone else; you're an immense comfort," said Guy Firminger.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "But they've reduced it to a science, and I assure you that if one were any one in particular, if one were not protected by one's obscurity, one's life would be a burden.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "But they've reduced it to a science, and I assure you that if one were any one in particular, if one were not protected by one's obscurity, one's life would be a burden.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "She was a beautiful old lady with pink ribbons in her cap and a genius for knitting," the girl replied, cutting her book.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "She was a beautiful old lady with pink ribbons in her cap and a genius for knitting," the girl replied, cutting her book.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "But they've reduced it to a science, and I assure you that if one were any one in particular, if one were not protected by one's obscurity, one's life would be a burden.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "But they've reduced it to a science, and I assure you that if one were any one in particular, if one were not protected by one's obscurity, one's life would be a burden.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "But they've reduced it to a science, and I assure you that if one were any one in particular, if one were not protected by one's obscurity, one's life would be a burden.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "She was a beautiful old lady with pink ribbons in her cap and a genius for knitting," the girl replied, cutting her book.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, I'm not speaking of you two dears; you're not like anyone else; you're an immense comfort," said Guy Firminger.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "She was a beautiful old lady with pink ribbons in her cap and a genius for knitting," the girl replied, cutting her book.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Gosselin inquired of her daughter.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Who was Diana's mother, my dear?"
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, I'm not speaking of you two dears; you're not like anyone else; you're an immense comfort," said Guy Firminger.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Who was Diana's mother, my dear?"
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, I'm not speaking of you two dears; you're not like anyone else; you're an immense comfort," said Guy Firminger.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, I'm not speaking of you two dears; you're not like anyone else; you're an immense comfort," said Guy Firminger.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "She was a beautiful old lady with pink ribbons in her cap and a genius for knitting," the girl replied, cutting her book.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "She was a beautiful old lady with pink ribbons in her cap and a genius for knitting," the girl replied, cutting her book.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "She was a beautiful old lady with pink ribbons in her cap and a genius for knitting," the girl replied, cutting her book.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Gosselin inquired of her daughter.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, I'm not speaking of you two dears; you're not like anyone else; you're an immense comfort," said Guy Firminger.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Gosselin inquired of her daughter.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "But they've reduced it to a science, and I assure you that if one were any one in particular, if one were not protected by one's obscurity, one's life would be a burden.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, I'm not speaking of you two dears; you're not like anyone else; you're an immense comfort," said Guy Firminger.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "But they've reduced it to a science, and I assure you that if one were any one in particular, if one were not protected by one's obscurity, one's life would be a burden.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, I'm not speaking of you two dears; you're not like anyone else; you're an immense comfort," said Guy Firminger.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "She was a beautiful old lady with pink ribbons in her cap and a genius for knitting," the girl replied, cutting her book.
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Mrs. Gosselin inquired of her daughter.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "But they've reduced it to a science, and I assure you that if one were any one in particular, if one were not protected by one's obscurity, one's life would be a burden.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "She was a beautiful old lady with pink ribbons in her cap and a genius for knitting," the girl replied, cutting her book.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "She was a beautiful old lady with pink ribbons in her cap and a genius for knitting," the girl replied, cutting her book.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "But they've reduced it to a science, and I assure you that if one were any one in particular, if one were not protected by one's obscurity, one's life would be a burden.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, I'm not speaking of you two dears; you're not like anyone else; you're an immense comfort," said Guy Firminger.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Who was Diana's mother, my dear?"
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Gosselin inquired of her daughter.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Who was Diana's mother, my dear?"
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Oh, I'm not speaking of you two dears; you're not like anyone else; you're an immense comfort," said Guy Firminger.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "But they've reduced it to a science, and I assure you that if one were any one in particular, if one were not protected by one's obscurity, one's life would be a burden.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mrs. Gosselin inquired of her daughter.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, I'm not speaking of you two dears; you're not like anyone else; you're an immense comfort," said Guy Firminger.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "She was a beautiful old lady with pink ribbons in her cap and a genius for knitting," the girl replied, cutting her book.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "But they've reduced it to a science, and I assure you that if one were any one in particular, if one were not protected by one's obscurity, one's life would be a burden.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "But they've reduced it to a science, and I assure you that if one were any one in particular, if one were not protected by one's obscurity, one's life would be a burden.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "But they've reduced it to a science, and I assure you that if one were any one in particular, if one were not protected by one's obscurity, one's life would be a burden.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "She was a beautiful old lady with pink ribbons in her cap and a genius for knitting," the girl replied, cutting her book.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "But they've reduced it to a science, and I assure you that if one were any one in particular, if one were not protected by one's obscurity, one's life would be a burden.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "But they've reduced it to a science, and I assure you that if one were any one in particular, if one were not protected by one's obscurity, one's life would be a burden.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "She was a beautiful old lady with pink ribbons in her cap and a genius for knitting," the girl replied, cutting her book.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "She was a beautiful old lady with pink ribbons in her cap and a genius for knitting," the girl replied, cutting her book.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, I'm not speaking of you two dears; you're not like anyone else; you're an immense comfort," said Guy Firminger.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "But they've reduced it to a science, and I assure you that if one were any one in particular, if one were not protected by one's obscurity, one's life would be a burden.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "She was a beautiful old lady with pink ribbons in her cap and a genius for knitting," the girl replied, cutting her book.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, I'm not speaking of you two dears; you're not like anyone else; you're an immense comfort," said Guy Firminger.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "But they've reduced it to a science, and I assure you that if one were any one in particular, if one were not protected by one's obscurity, one's life would be a burden.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "She was a beautiful old lady with pink ribbons in her cap and a genius for knitting," the girl replied, cutting her book.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "But they've reduced it to a science, and I assure you that if one were any one in particular, if one were not protected by one's obscurity, one's life would be a burden.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "But they've reduced it to a science, and I assure you that if one were any one in particular, if one were not protected by one's obscurity, one's life would be a burden.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, I'm not speaking of you two dears; you're not like anyone else; you're an immense comfort," said Guy Firminger.
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Who was Diana's mother, my dear?"
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "But they've reduced it to a science, and I assure you that if one were any one in particular, if one were not protected by one's obscurity, one's life would be a burden.
which person or people
From this reading "Who was Diana's mother, my dear?"
in the company of; together with
From this reading "She was a beautiful old lady with pink ribbons in her cap and a genius for knitting," the girl replied, cutting her book.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "But they've reduced it to a science, and I assure you that if one were any one in particular, if one were not protected by one's obscurity, one's life would be a burden.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Oh, I'm not speaking of you two dears; you're not like anyone else; you're an immense comfort," said Guy Firminger.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, I'm not speaking of you two dears; you're not like anyone else; you're an immense comfort," said Guy Firminger.
