A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter VIII
LIFE’S NIGHT WATCH. It was a dull, wintry day; blank, ashen sky above--grassland, sere and stark, below. Weedy stubble wore shrouding of black; everything was still--so still, even the birds yet drowsed upon their perch, nor stirred a wing or throat to enliven the depressing wood. A soiled and sullen snowdrift lay dankly by a road that had fallen into disuse. It was crossed now for the first time, maybe, in a full year.
Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.
higher than, or over, something
From this reading “It was a dull, wintry day; blank, ashen sky above--grassland, sere and stark, below.”
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading “It was a dull, wintry day; blank, ashen sky above--grassland, sere and stark, below.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Weedy stubble wore shrouding of black; everything was still--so still, even the birds yet drowsed upon their perch, nor stirred a wing or throat to enliven the depressing wood.”
all things; all of a situation
From this reading “Weedy stubble wore shrouding of black; everything was still--so still, even the birds yet drowsed upon their perch, nor stirred a wing or throat to enliven the depressing wood.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “It was crossed now for the first time, maybe, in a full year.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Weedy stubble wore shrouding of black; everything was still--so still, even the birds yet drowsed upon their perch, nor stirred a wing or throat to enliven the depressing wood.”
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading “Weedy stubble wore shrouding of black; everything was still--so still, even the birds yet drowsed upon their perch, nor stirred a wing or throat to enliven the depressing wood.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “It was crossed now for the first time, maybe, in a full year.”
a formal word for “on”
From this reading “Weedy stubble wore shrouding of black; everything was still--so still, even the birds yet drowsed upon their perch, nor stirred a wing or throat to enliven the depressing wood.”
but in spite of that
From this reading “Weedy stubble wore shrouding of black; everything was still--so still, even the birds yet drowsed upon their perch, nor stirred a wing or throat to enliven the depressing wood.”
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 It was a dull, wintry day; blank, ashen sky above--grassland, sere and stark, below.
higher than, or over, something
From this reading It was a dull, wintry day; blank, ashen sky above--grassland, sere and stark, below.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a dull, wintry day; blank, ashen sky above--grassland, sere and stark, below.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a dull, wintry day; blank, ashen sky above--grassland, sere and stark, below.
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading It was a dull, wintry day; blank, ashen sky above--grassland, sere and stark, below.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Weedy stubble wore shrouding of black; everything was still--so still, even the birds yet drowsed upon their perch, nor stirred a wing or throat to enliven the depressing wood.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Weedy stubble wore shrouding of black; everything was still--so still, even the birds yet drowsed upon their perch, nor stirred a wing or throat to enliven the depressing wood.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a dull, wintry day; blank, ashen sky above--grassland, sere and stark, below.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A soiled and sullen snowdrift lay dankly by a road that had fallen into disuse.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was crossed now for the first time, maybe, in a full year.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A soiled and sullen snowdrift lay dankly by a road that had fallen into disuse.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a dull, wintry day; blank, ashen sky above--grassland, sere and stark, below.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Weedy stubble wore shrouding of black; everything was still--so still, even the birds yet drowsed upon their perch, nor stirred a wing or throat to enliven the depressing wood.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A soiled and sullen snowdrift lay dankly by a road that had fallen into disuse.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Weedy stubble wore shrouding of black; everything was still--so still, even the birds yet drowsed upon their perch, nor stirred a wing or throat to enliven the depressing wood.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a dull, wintry day; blank, ashen sky above--grassland, sere and stark, below.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Weedy stubble wore shrouding of black; everything was still--so still, even the birds yet drowsed upon their perch, nor stirred a wing or throat to enliven the depressing wood.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Weedy stubble wore shrouding of black; everything was still--so still, even the birds yet drowsed upon their perch, nor stirred a wing or throat to enliven the depressing wood.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Weedy stubble wore shrouding of black; everything was still--so still, even the birds yet drowsed upon their perch, nor stirred a wing or throat to enliven the depressing wood.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A soiled and sullen snowdrift lay dankly by a road that had fallen into disuse.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was crossed now for the first time, maybe, in a full year.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was crossed now for the first time, maybe, in a full year.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was crossed now for the first time, maybe, in a full year.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a dull, wintry day; blank, ashen sky above--grassland, sere and stark, below.
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A soiled and sullen snowdrift lay dankly by a road that had fallen into disuse.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was crossed now for the first time, maybe, in a full year.
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A soiled and sullen snowdrift lay dankly by a road that had fallen into disuse.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a dull, wintry day; blank, ashen sky above--grassland, sere and stark, below.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A soiled and sullen snowdrift lay dankly by a road that had fallen into disuse.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LIFE’S NIGHT WATCH.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was crossed now for the first time, maybe, in a full year.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LIFE’S NIGHT WATCH.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Weedy stubble wore shrouding of black; everything was still--so still, even the birds yet drowsed upon their perch, nor stirred a wing or throat to enliven the depressing wood.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was crossed now for the first time, maybe, in a full year.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Weedy stubble wore shrouding of black; everything was still--so still, even the birds yet drowsed upon their perch, nor stirred a wing or throat to enliven the depressing wood.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Weedy stubble wore shrouding of black; everything was still--so still, even the birds yet drowsed upon their perch, nor stirred a wing or throat to enliven the depressing wood.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Weedy stubble wore shrouding of black; everything was still--so still, even the birds yet drowsed upon their perch, nor stirred a wing or throat to enliven the depressing wood.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A soiled and sullen snowdrift lay dankly by a road that had fallen into disuse.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a dull, wintry day; blank, ashen sky above--grassland, sere and stark, below.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Weedy stubble wore shrouding of black; everything was still--so still, even the birds yet drowsed upon their perch, nor stirred a wing or throat to enliven the depressing wood.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a dull, wintry day; blank, ashen sky above--grassland, sere and stark, below.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A soiled and sullen snowdrift lay dankly by a road that had fallen into disuse.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Weedy stubble wore shrouding of black; everything was still--so still, even the birds yet drowsed upon their perch, nor stirred a wing or throat to enliven the depressing wood.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A soiled and sullen snowdrift lay dankly by a road that had fallen into disuse.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a dull, wintry day; blank, ashen sky above--grassland, sere and stark, below.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Weedy stubble wore shrouding of black; everything was still--so still, even the birds yet drowsed upon their perch, nor stirred a wing or throat to enliven the depressing wood.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Weedy stubble wore shrouding of black; everything was still--so still, even the birds yet drowsed upon their perch, nor stirred a wing or throat to enliven the depressing wood.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Weedy stubble wore shrouding of black; everything was still--so still, even the birds yet drowsed upon their perch, nor stirred a wing or throat to enliven the depressing wood.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A soiled and sullen snowdrift lay dankly by a road that had fallen into disuse.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A soiled and sullen snowdrift lay dankly by a road that had fallen into disuse.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Weedy stubble wore shrouding of black; everything was still--so still, even the birds yet drowsed upon their perch, nor stirred a wing or throat to enliven the depressing wood.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Weedy stubble wore shrouding of black; everything was still--so still, even the birds yet drowsed upon their perch, nor stirred a wing or throat to enliven the depressing wood.
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading Weedy stubble wore shrouding of black; everything was still--so still, even the birds yet drowsed upon their perch, nor stirred a wing or throat to enliven the depressing wood.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was crossed now for the first time, maybe, in a full year.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Weedy stubble wore shrouding of black; everything was still--so still, even the birds yet drowsed upon their perch, nor stirred a wing or throat to enliven the depressing wood.
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Weedy stubble wore shrouding of black; everything was still--so still, even the birds yet drowsed upon their perch, nor stirred a wing or throat to enliven the depressing wood.
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a dull, wintry day; blank, ashen sky above--grassland, sere and stark, below.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LIFE’S NIGHT WATCH.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Weedy stubble wore shrouding of black; everything was still--so still, even the birds yet drowsed upon their perch, nor stirred a wing or throat to enliven the depressing wood.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Weedy stubble wore shrouding of black; everything was still--so still, even the birds yet drowsed upon their perch, nor stirred a wing or throat to enliven the depressing wood.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a dull, wintry day; blank, ashen sky above--grassland, sere and stark, below.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Weedy stubble wore shrouding of black; everything was still--so still, even the birds yet drowsed upon their perch, nor stirred a wing or throat to enliven the depressing wood.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Weedy stubble wore shrouding of black; everything was still--so still, even the birds yet drowsed upon their perch, nor stirred a wing or throat to enliven the depressing wood.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was crossed now for the first time, maybe, in a full year.
but in spite of that
From this reading Weedy stubble wore shrouding of black; everything was still--so still, even the birds yet drowsed upon their perch, nor stirred a wing or throat to enliven the depressing wood.
