A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter V
"At last came a time when my fishing had been rather unlucky, and he began to hang about me in a queer, meditative way. I thought he might have been eating sea-cucumbers or something, but it was really just discontent on his part. I was hungry too, and when at last I landed a fish I wanted it for myself. Tempers were short that morning on both sides. He pecked at it and grabbed it, and I gave him a whack on the head to make him leave go.
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 “"At last came a time when my fishing had been rather unlucky, and he began to hang about me in a queer, meditative way.”
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “"At last came a time when my fishing had been rather unlucky, and he began to hang about me in a queer, meditative way.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “"At last came a time when my fishing had been rather unlucky, and he began to hang about me in a queer, meditative way.”
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “I thought he might have been eating sea-cucumbers or something, but it was really just discontent on his part.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “"At last came a time when my fishing had been rather unlucky, and he began to hang about me in a queer, meditative way.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “He pecked at it and grabbed it, and I gave him a whack on the head to make him leave go.”
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading “I thought he might have been eating sea-cucumbers or something, but it was really just discontent on his part.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Tempers were short that morning on both sides.”
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading “I was hungry too, and when at last I landed a fish I wanted it for myself.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I thought he might have been eating sea-cucumbers or something, but it was really just discontent on his part.”
brief or direct in expression
From this reading “Tempers were short that morning on both sides.”
a thing, without saying which
From this reading “I thought he might have been eating sea-cucumbers or something, but it was really just discontent on his part.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I thought he might have been eating sea-cucumbers or something, but it was really just discontent on his part.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “"At last came a time when my fishing had been rather unlucky, and he began to hang about me in a queer, meditative way.”
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 "At last came a time when my fishing had been rather unlucky, and he began to hang about me in a queer, meditative way.
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "At last came a time when my fishing had been rather unlucky, and he began to hang about me in a queer, meditative way.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "At last came a time when my fishing had been rather unlucky, and he began to hang about me in a queer, meditative way.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "At last came a time when my fishing had been rather unlucky, and he began to hang about me in a queer, meditative way.
the past participle of “be”
From this reading "At last came a time when my fishing had been rather unlucky, and he began to hang about me in a queer, meditative way.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "At last came a time when my fishing had been rather unlucky, and he began to hang about me in a queer, meditative way.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Tempers were short that morning on both sides.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I thought he might have been eating sea-cucumbers or something, but it was really just discontent on his part.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "At last came a time when my fishing had been rather unlucky, and he began to hang about me in a queer, meditative way.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I thought he might have been eating sea-cucumbers or something, but it was really just discontent on his part.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I thought he might have been eating sea-cucumbers or something, but it was really just discontent on his part.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was hungry too, and when at last I landed a fish I wanted it for myself.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "At last came a time when my fishing had been rather unlucky, and he began to hang about me in a queer, meditative way.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I was hungry too, and when at last I landed a fish I wanted it for myself.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He pecked at it and grabbed it, and I gave him a whack on the head to make him leave go.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He pecked at it and grabbed it, and I gave him a whack on the head to make him leave go.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He pecked at it and grabbed it, and I gave him a whack on the head to make him leave go.
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "At last came a time when my fishing had been rather unlucky, and he began to hang about me in a queer, meditative way.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "At last came a time when my fishing had been rather unlucky, and he began to hang about me in a queer, meditative way.
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I thought he might have been eating sea-cucumbers or something, but it was really just discontent on his part.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "At last came a time when my fishing had been rather unlucky, and he began to hang about me in a queer, meditative way.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He pecked at it and grabbed it, and I gave him a whack on the head to make him leave go.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He pecked at it and grabbed it, and I gave him a whack on the head to make him leave go.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading I thought he might have been eating sea-cucumbers or something, but it was really just discontent on his part.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was hungry too, and when at last I landed a fish I wanted it for myself.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I thought he might have been eating sea-cucumbers or something, but it was really just discontent on his part.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "At last came a time when my fishing had been rather unlucky, and he began to hang about me in a queer, meditative way.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I thought he might have been eating sea-cucumbers or something, but it was really just discontent on his part.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I thought he might have been eating sea-cucumbers or something, but it was really just discontent on his part.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was hungry too, and when at last I landed a fish I wanted it for myself.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "At last came a time when my fishing had been rather unlucky, and he began to hang about me in a queer, meditative way.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He pecked at it and grabbed it, and I gave him a whack on the head to make him leave go.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He pecked at it and grabbed it, and I gave him a whack on the head to make him leave go.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "At last came a time when my fishing had been rather unlucky, and he began to hang about me in a queer, meditative way.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "At last came a time when my fishing had been rather unlucky, and he began to hang about me in a queer, meditative way.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading I thought he might have been eating sea-cucumbers or something, but it was really just discontent on his part.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Tempers were short that morning on both sides.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "At last came a time when my fishing had been rather unlucky, and he began to hang about me in a queer, meditative way.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading I was hungry too, and when at last I landed a fish I wanted it for myself.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I thought he might have been eating sea-cucumbers or something, but it was really just discontent on his part.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I thought he might have been eating sea-cucumbers or something, but it was really just discontent on his part.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I thought he might have been eating sea-cucumbers or something, but it was really just discontent on his part.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He pecked at it and grabbed it, and I gave him a whack on the head to make him leave go.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "At last came a time when my fishing had been rather unlucky, and he began to hang about me in a queer, meditative way.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "At last came a time when my fishing had been rather unlucky, and he began to hang about me in a queer, meditative way.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I thought he might have been eating sea-cucumbers or something, but it was really just discontent on his part.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I thought he might have been eating sea-cucumbers or something, but it was really just discontent on his part.
brief or direct in expression
From this reading Tempers were short that morning on both sides.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tempers were short that morning on both sides.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading I thought he might have been eating sea-cucumbers or something, but it was really just discontent on his part.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tempers were short that morning on both sides.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Tempers were short that morning on both sides.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He pecked at it and grabbed it, and I gave him a whack on the head to make him leave go.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I thought he might have been eating sea-cucumbers or something, but it was really just discontent on his part.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "At last came a time when my fishing had been rather unlucky, and he began to hang about me in a queer, meditative way.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "At last came a time when my fishing had been rather unlucky, and he began to hang about me in a queer, meditative way.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was hungry too, and when at last I landed a fish I wanted it for myself.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "At last came a time when my fishing had been rather unlucky, and he began to hang about me in a queer, meditative way.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was hungry too, and when at last I landed a fish I wanted it for myself.
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I thought he might have been eating sea-cucumbers or something, but it was really just discontent on his part.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "At last came a time when my fishing had been rather unlucky, and he began to hang about me in a queer, meditative way.
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Tempers were short that morning on both sides.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He pecked at it and grabbed it, and I gave him a whack on the head to make him leave go.
at the time that
From this reading "At last came a time when my fishing had been rather unlucky, and he began to hang about me in a queer, meditative way.
