A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter XII
"Bismillah! What a mercy that I met you!" While the fireman scraped the iron floor for his last two shovelfuls of coal-dust and the train wheezed wearily into the dark station, Grim began to busy himself in mysterious ways. Part of his own costume consisted of a short, curved scimitar attached to an embroidered belt-- the sort of thing that Arabs wear for ornament rather than use. He took it off and, groping in the dark, helped Mabel put it on, without a word of explanation.
Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “While the fireman scraped the iron floor for his last two shovelfuls of coal-dust and the train wheezed wearily into the dark station, Grim began to busy himself in mysterious ways.”
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading “While the fireman scraped the iron floor for his last two shovelfuls of coal-dust and the train wheezed wearily into the dark station, Grim began to busy himself in mysterious ways.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “While the fireman scraped the iron floor for his last two shovelfuls of coal-dust and the train wheezed wearily into the dark station, Grim began to busy himself in mysterious ways.”
difficult to explain or understand
From this reading “While the fireman scraped the iron floor for his last two shovelfuls of coal-dust and the train wheezed wearily into the dark station, Grim began to busy himself in mysterious ways.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Part of his own costume consisted of a short, curved scimitar attached to an embroidered belt-- the sort of thing that Arabs wear for ornament rather than use.”
brief or direct in expression
From this reading “Part of his own costume consisted of a short, curved scimitar attached to an embroidered belt-- the sort of thing that Arabs wear for ornament rather than use.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Part of his own costume consisted of a short, curved scimitar attached to an embroidered belt-- the sort of thing that Arabs wear for ornament rather than use.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “He took it off and, groping in the dark, helped Mabel put it on, without a word of explanation.”
during the time that
From this reading “While the fireman scraped the iron floor for his last two shovelfuls of coal-dust and the train wheezed wearily into the dark station, Grim began to busy himself in mysterious ways.”
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading “He took it off and, groping in the dark, helped Mabel put it on, without a word of explanation.”
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 What a mercy that I met you!"
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Part of his own costume consisted of a short, curved scimitar attached to an embroidered belt-- the sort of thing that Arabs wear for ornament rather than use.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading While the fireman scraped the iron floor for his last two shovelfuls of coal-dust and the train wheezed wearily into the dark station, Grim began to busy himself in mysterious ways.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Part of his own costume consisted of a short, curved scimitar attached to an embroidered belt-- the sort of thing that Arabs wear for ornament rather than use.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Part of his own costume consisted of a short, curved scimitar attached to an embroidered belt-- the sort of thing that Arabs wear for ornament rather than use.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading While the fireman scraped the iron floor for his last two shovelfuls of coal-dust and the train wheezed wearily into the dark station, Grim began to busy himself in mysterious ways.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Part of his own costume consisted of a short, curved scimitar attached to an embroidered belt-- the sort of thing that Arabs wear for ornament rather than use.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Bismillah!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the fireman scraped the iron floor for his last two shovelfuls of coal-dust and the train wheezed wearily into the dark station, Grim began to busy himself in mysterious ways.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the fireman scraped the iron floor for his last two shovelfuls of coal-dust and the train wheezed wearily into the dark station, Grim began to busy himself in mysterious ways.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Part of his own costume consisted of a short, curved scimitar attached to an embroidered belt-- the sort of thing that Arabs wear for ornament rather than use.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Part of his own costume consisted of a short, curved scimitar attached to an embroidered belt-- the sort of thing that Arabs wear for ornament rather than use.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Part of his own costume consisted of a short, curved scimitar attached to an embroidered belt-- the sort of thing that Arabs wear for ornament rather than use.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the fireman scraped the iron floor for his last two shovelfuls of coal-dust and the train wheezed wearily into the dark station, Grim began to busy himself in mysterious ways.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Part of his own costume consisted of a short, curved scimitar attached to an embroidered belt-- the sort of thing that Arabs wear for ornament rather than use.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took it off and, groping in the dark, helped Mabel put it on, without a word of explanation.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the fireman scraped the iron floor for his last two shovelfuls of coal-dust and the train wheezed wearily into the dark station, Grim began to busy himself in mysterious ways.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the fireman scraped the iron floor for his last two shovelfuls of coal-dust and the train wheezed wearily into the dark station, Grim began to busy himself in mysterious ways.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading While the fireman scraped the iron floor for his last two shovelfuls of coal-dust and the train wheezed wearily into the dark station, Grim began to busy himself in mysterious ways.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the fireman scraped the iron floor for his last two shovelfuls of coal-dust and the train wheezed wearily into the dark station, Grim began to busy himself in mysterious ways.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took it off and, groping in the dark, helped Mabel put it on, without a word of explanation.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He took it off and, groping in the dark, helped Mabel put it on, without a word of explanation.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took it off and, groping in the dark, helped Mabel put it on, without a word of explanation.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading While the fireman scraped the iron floor for his last two shovelfuls of coal-dust and the train wheezed wearily into the dark station, Grim began to busy himself in mysterious ways.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading While the fireman scraped the iron floor for his last two shovelfuls of coal-dust and the train wheezed wearily into the dark station, Grim began to busy himself in mysterious ways.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading What a mercy that I met you!"
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading While the fireman scraped the iron floor for his last two shovelfuls of coal-dust and the train wheezed wearily into the dark station, Grim began to busy himself in mysterious ways.
moving to the inside of something
From this reading While the fireman scraped the iron floor for his last two shovelfuls of coal-dust and the train wheezed wearily into the dark station, Grim began to busy himself in mysterious ways.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the fireman scraped the iron floor for his last two shovelfuls of coal-dust and the train wheezed wearily into the dark station, Grim began to busy himself in mysterious ways.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He took it off and, groping in the dark, helped Mabel put it on, without a word of explanation.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading While the fireman scraped the iron floor for his last two shovelfuls of coal-dust and the train wheezed wearily into the dark station, Grim began to busy himself in mysterious ways.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took it off and, groping in the dark, helped Mabel put it on, without a word of explanation.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What a mercy that I met you!"
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What a mercy that I met you!"
difficult to explain or understand
From this reading While the fireman scraped the iron floor for his last two shovelfuls of coal-dust and the train wheezed wearily into the dark station, Grim began to busy himself in mysterious ways.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading While the fireman scraped the iron floor for his last two shovelfuls of coal-dust and the train wheezed wearily into the dark station, Grim began to busy himself in mysterious ways.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took it off and, groping in the dark, helped Mabel put it on, without a word of explanation.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He took it off and, groping in the dark, helped Mabel put it on, without a word of explanation.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Part of his own costume consisted of a short, curved scimitar attached to an embroidered belt-- the sort of thing that Arabs wear for ornament rather than use.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Part of his own costume consisted of a short, curved scimitar attached to an embroidered belt-- the sort of thing that Arabs wear for ornament rather than use.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Part of his own costume consisted of a short, curved scimitar attached to an embroidered belt-- the sort of thing that Arabs wear for ornament rather than use.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took it off and, groping in the dark, helped Mabel put it on, without a word of explanation.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Part of his own costume consisted of a short, curved scimitar attached to an embroidered belt-- the sort of thing that Arabs wear for ornament rather than use.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Part of his own costume consisted of a short, curved scimitar attached to an embroidered belt-- the sort of thing that Arabs wear for ornament rather than use.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the fireman scraped the iron floor for his last two shovelfuls of coal-dust and the train wheezed wearily into the dark station, Grim began to busy himself in mysterious ways.
brief or direct in expression
From this reading Part of his own costume consisted of a short, curved scimitar attached to an embroidered belt-- the sort of thing that Arabs wear for ornament rather than use.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the fireman scraped the iron floor for his last two shovelfuls of coal-dust and the train wheezed wearily into the dark station, Grim began to busy himself in mysterious ways.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Part of his own costume consisted of a short, curved scimitar attached to an embroidered belt-- the sort of thing that Arabs wear for ornament rather than use.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the fireman scraped the iron floor for his last two shovelfuls of coal-dust and the train wheezed wearily into the dark station, Grim began to busy himself in mysterious ways.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Part of his own costume consisted of a short, curved scimitar attached to an embroidered belt-- the sort of thing that Arabs wear for ornament rather than use.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading What a mercy that I met you!"
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading While the fireman scraped the iron floor for his last two shovelfuls of coal-dust and the train wheezed wearily into the dark station, Grim began to busy himself in mysterious ways.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Part of his own costume consisted of a short, curved scimitar attached to an embroidered belt-- the sort of thing that Arabs wear for ornament rather than use.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading While the fireman scraped the iron floor for his last two shovelfuls of coal-dust and the train wheezed wearily into the dark station, Grim began to busy himself in mysterious ways.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He took it off and, groping in the dark, helped Mabel put it on, without a word of explanation.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the fireman scraped the iron floor for his last two shovelfuls of coal-dust and the train wheezed wearily into the dark station, Grim began to busy himself in mysterious ways.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the fireman scraped the iron floor for his last two shovelfuls of coal-dust and the train wheezed wearily into the dark station, Grim began to busy himself in mysterious ways.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Part of his own costume consisted of a short, curved scimitar attached to an embroidered belt-- the sort of thing that Arabs wear for ornament rather than use.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the fireman scraped the iron floor for his last two shovelfuls of coal-dust and the train wheezed wearily into the dark station, Grim began to busy himself in mysterious ways.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Part of his own costume consisted of a short, curved scimitar attached to an embroidered belt-- the sort of thing that Arabs wear for ornament rather than use.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the fireman scraped the iron floor for his last two shovelfuls of coal-dust and the train wheezed wearily into the dark station, Grim began to busy himself in mysterious ways.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What a mercy that I met you!"
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the fireman scraped the iron floor for his last two shovelfuls of coal-dust and the train wheezed wearily into the dark station, Grim began to busy himself in mysterious ways.
during the time that
From this reading While the fireman scraped the iron floor for his last two shovelfuls of coal-dust and the train wheezed wearily into the dark station, Grim began to busy himself in mysterious ways.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He took it off and, groping in the dark, helped Mabel put it on, without a word of explanation.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took it off and, groping in the dark, helped Mabel put it on, without a word of explanation.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading What a mercy that I met you!"
