A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter XI
Just then the constable who had given the alarm suddenly stepped forward and stooped down. "What is it, Dick? One of the straws out of the mare's nest?" said the superintendent. For answer, the man drew at something quite low down by the floor, and it came away in his hand, to prove, on being held to the light of a wax match, a mere scrap of a handsomely-braided silk dress. "Ah!" cried the superintendent, showing the first signs of excitement, "smell of powder--that bit of silk!"
Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading “For answer, the man drew at something quite low down by the floor, and it came away in his hand, to prove, on being held to the light of a wax match, a mere scrap of a handsomely-braided silk dress.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “"Ah!" cried the superintendent, showing the first signs of excitement, "smell of powder--that bit of silk!"”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “"What is it, Dick?”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “For answer, the man drew at something quite low down by the floor, and it came away in his hand, to prove, on being held to the light of a wax match, a mere scrap of a handsomely-braided silk dress.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “"Ah!" cried the superintendent, showing the first signs of excitement, "smell of powder--that bit of silk!"”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Just then the constable who had given the alarm suddenly stepped forward and stooped down.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “For answer, the man drew at something quite low down by the floor, and it came away in his hand, to prove, on being held to the light of a wax match, a mere scrap of a handsomely-braided silk dress.”
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “One of the straws out of the mare's nest?" said the superintendent.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “For answer, the man drew at something quite low down by the floor, and it came away in his hand, to prove, on being held to the light of a wax match, a mere scrap of a handsomely-braided silk dress.”
a thing, without saying which
From this reading “For answer, the man drew at something quite low down by the floor, and it came away in his hand, to prove, on being held to the light of a wax match, a mere scrap of a handsomely-braided silk dress.”
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “Just then the constable who had given the alarm suddenly stepped forward and stooped down.”
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 For answer, the man drew at something quite low down by the floor, and it came away in his hand, to prove, on being held to the light of a wax match, a mere scrap of a handsomely-braided silk dress.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah!" cried the superintendent, showing the first signs of excitement, "smell of powder--that bit of silk!"
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just then the constable who had given the alarm suddenly stepped forward and stooped down.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Just then the constable who had given the alarm suddenly stepped forward and stooped down.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For answer, the man drew at something quite low down by the floor, and it came away in his hand, to prove, on being held to the light of a wax match, a mere scrap of a handsomely-braided silk dress.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading For answer, the man drew at something quite low down by the floor, and it came away in his hand, to prove, on being held to the light of a wax match, a mere scrap of a handsomely-braided silk dress.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For answer, the man drew at something quite low down by the floor, and it came away in his hand, to prove, on being held to the light of a wax match, a mere scrap of a handsomely-braided silk dress.
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading For answer, the man drew at something quite low down by the floor, and it came away in his hand, to prove, on being held to the light of a wax match, a mere scrap of a handsomely-braided silk dress.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah!" cried the superintendent, showing the first signs of excitement, "smell of powder--that bit of silk!"
showing who or what does the action
From this reading For answer, the man drew at something quite low down by the floor, and it came away in his hand, to prove, on being held to the light of a wax match, a mere scrap of a handsomely-braided silk dress.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For answer, the man drew at something quite low down by the floor, and it came away in his hand, to prove, on being held to the light of a wax match, a mere scrap of a handsomely-braided silk dress.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just then the constable who had given the alarm suddenly stepped forward and stooped down.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Ah!" cried the superintendent, showing the first signs of excitement, "smell of powder--that bit of silk!"
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What is it, Dick?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just then the constable who had given the alarm suddenly stepped forward and stooped down.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For answer, the man drew at something quite low down by the floor, and it came away in his hand, to prove, on being held to the light of a wax match, a mere scrap of a handsomely-braided silk dress.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For answer, the man drew at something quite low down by the floor, and it came away in his hand, to prove, on being held to the light of a wax match, a mere scrap of a handsomely-braided silk dress.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah!" cried the superintendent, showing the first signs of excitement, "smell of powder--that bit of silk!"
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Ah!" cried the superintendent, showing the first signs of excitement, "smell of powder--that bit of silk!"
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For answer, the man drew at something quite low down by the floor, and it came away in his hand, to prove, on being held to the light of a wax match, a mere scrap of a handsomely-braided silk dress.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For answer, the man drew at something quite low down by the floor, and it came away in his hand, to prove, on being held to the light of a wax match, a mere scrap of a handsomely-braided silk dress.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Just then the constable who had given the alarm suddenly stepped forward and stooped down.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just then the constable who had given the alarm suddenly stepped forward and stooped down.
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Just then the constable who had given the alarm suddenly stepped forward and stooped down.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For answer, the man drew at something quite low down by the floor, and it came away in his hand, to prove, on being held to the light of a wax match, a mere scrap of a handsomely-braided silk dress.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For answer, the man drew at something quite low down by the floor, and it came away in his hand, to prove, on being held to the light of a wax match, a mere scrap of a handsomely-braided silk dress.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For answer, the man drew at something quite low down by the floor, and it came away in his hand, to prove, on being held to the light of a wax match, a mere scrap of a handsomely-braided silk dress.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading For answer, the man drew at something quite low down by the floor, and it came away in his hand, to prove, on being held to the light of a wax match, a mere scrap of a handsomely-braided silk dress.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For answer, the man drew at something quite low down by the floor, and it came away in his hand, to prove, on being held to the light of a wax match, a mere scrap of a handsomely-braided silk dress.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "What is it, Dick?
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "What is it, Dick?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just then the constable who had given the alarm suddenly stepped forward and stooped down.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For answer, the man drew at something quite low down by the floor, and it came away in his hand, to prove, on being held to the light of a wax match, a mere scrap of a handsomely-braided silk dress.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For answer, the man drew at something quite low down by the floor, and it came away in his hand, to prove, on being held to the light of a wax match, a mere scrap of a handsomely-braided silk dress.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For answer, the man drew at something quite low down by the floor, and it came away in his hand, to prove, on being held to the light of a wax match, a mere scrap of a handsomely-braided silk dress.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the straws out of the mare's nest?" said the superintendent.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For answer, the man drew at something quite low down by the floor, and it came away in his hand, to prove, on being held to the light of a wax match, a mere scrap of a handsomely-braided silk dress.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For answer, the man drew at something quite low down by the floor, and it came away in his hand, to prove, on being held to the light of a wax match, a mere scrap of a handsomely-braided silk dress.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the straws out of the mare's nest?" said the superintendent.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading One of the straws out of the mare's nest?" said the superintendent.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading For answer, the man drew at something quite low down by the floor, and it came away in his hand, to prove, on being held to the light of a wax match, a mere scrap of a handsomely-braided silk dress.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One of the straws out of the mare's nest?" said the superintendent.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the straws out of the mare's nest?" said the superintendent.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah!" cried the superintendent, showing the first signs of excitement, "smell of powder--that bit of silk!"
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For answer, the man drew at something quite low down by the floor, and it came away in his hand, to prove, on being held to the light of a wax match, a mere scrap of a handsomely-braided silk dress.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For answer, the man drew at something quite low down by the floor, and it came away in his hand, to prove, on being held to the light of a wax match, a mere scrap of a handsomely-braided silk dress.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the straws out of the mare's nest?" said the superintendent.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For answer, the man drew at something quite low down by the floor, and it came away in his hand, to prove, on being held to the light of a wax match, a mere scrap of a handsomely-braided silk dress.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah!" cried the superintendent, showing the first signs of excitement, "smell of powder--that bit of silk!"
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah!" cried the superintendent, showing the first signs of excitement, "smell of powder--that bit of silk!"
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For answer, the man drew at something quite low down by the floor, and it came away in his hand, to prove, on being held to the light of a wax match, a mere scrap of a handsomely-braided silk dress.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah!" cried the superintendent, showing the first signs of excitement, "smell of powder--that bit of silk!"
a thing, without saying which
From this reading For answer, the man drew at something quite low down by the floor, and it came away in his hand, to prove, on being held to the light of a wax match, a mere scrap of a handsomely-braided silk dress.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just then the constable who had given the alarm suddenly stepped forward and stooped down.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just then the constable who had given the alarm suddenly stepped forward and stooped down.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the straws out of the mare's nest?" said the superintendent.
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Just then the constable who had given the alarm suddenly stepped forward and stooped down.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the straws out of the mare's nest?" said the superintendent.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Ah!" cried the superintendent, showing the first signs of excitement, "smell of powder--that bit of silk!"
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Just then the constable who had given the alarm suddenly stepped forward and stooped down.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just then the constable who had given the alarm suddenly stepped forward and stooped down.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For answer, the man drew at something quite low down by the floor, and it came away in his hand, to prove, on being held to the light of a wax match, a mere scrap of a handsomely-braided silk dress.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For answer, the man drew at something quite low down by the floor, and it came away in his hand, to prove, on being held to the light of a wax match, a mere scrap of a handsomely-braided silk dress.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What is it, Dick?
which person or people
From this reading Just then the constable who had given the alarm suddenly stepped forward and stooped down.
