A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter IX
Michael went early to his lunch party. He was divided between wondering if his strange guest would put in an appearance at all; if he did, what he should talk about; and how he would pilot him through the embarrassing experience of the meal. One thing he was determined upon. He meant to find out if possible whether Sam knew anything about his, Michael’s, origin. It was scarcely likely; and yet, Sam might have heard some talk by older people in the neighborhood.
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 “He was divided between wondering if his strange guest would put in an appearance at all; if he did, what he should talk about; and how he would pilot him through the embarrassing experience of the meal.”
any thing at all
From this reading “He meant to find out if possible whether Sam knew anything about his, Michael’s, origin.”
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “He was divided between wondering if his strange guest would put in an appearance at all; if he did, what he should talk about; and how he would pilot him through the embarrassing experience of the meal.”
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading “He was divided between wondering if his strange guest would put in an appearance at all; if he did, what he should talk about; and how he would pilot him through the embarrassing experience of the meal.”
having firmly decided to do something
From this reading “One thing he was determined upon.”
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “He was divided between wondering if his strange guest would put in an appearance at all; if he did, what he should talk about; and how he would pilot him through the embarrassing experience of the meal.”
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “It was scarcely likely; and yet, Sam might have heard some talk by older people in the neighborhood.”
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading “It was scarcely likely; and yet, Sam might have heard some talk by older people in the neighborhood.”
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “One thing he was determined upon.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Michael went early to his lunch party.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “One thing he was determined upon.”
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “He was divided between wondering if his strange guest would put in an appearance at all; if he did, what he should talk about; and how he would pilot him through the embarrassing experience of the meal.”
a formal word for “on”
From this reading “One thing he was determined upon.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Michael went early to his lunch party.”
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading “He meant to find out if possible whether Sam knew anything about his, Michael’s, origin.”
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “He was divided between wondering if his strange guest would put in an appearance at all; if he did, what he should talk about; and how he would pilot him through the embarrassing experience of the meal.”
but in spite of that
From this reading “It was scarcely likely; and yet, Sam might have heard some talk by older people in the neighborhood.”
Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He was divided between wondering if his strange guest would put in an appearance at all; if he did, what he should talk about; and how he would pilot him through the embarrassing experience of the meal.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was divided between wondering if his strange guest would put in an appearance at all; if he did, what he should talk about; and how he would pilot him through the embarrassing experience of the meal.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was divided between wondering if his strange guest would put in an appearance at all; if he did, what he should talk about; and how he would pilot him through the embarrassing experience of the meal.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was divided between wondering if his strange guest would put in an appearance at all; if he did, what he should talk about; and how he would pilot him through the embarrassing experience of the meal.
any thing at all
From this reading He meant to find out if possible whether Sam knew anything about his, Michael’s, origin.
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He was divided between wondering if his strange guest would put in an appearance at all; if he did, what he should talk about; and how he would pilot him through the embarrassing experience of the meal.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He was divided between wondering if his strange guest would put in an appearance at all; if he did, what he should talk about; and how he would pilot him through the embarrassing experience of the meal.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading He was divided between wondering if his strange guest would put in an appearance at all; if he did, what he should talk about; and how he would pilot him through the embarrassing experience of the meal.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was scarcely likely; and yet, Sam might have heard some talk by older people in the neighborhood.
having firmly decided to do something
From this reading One thing he was determined upon.
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He was divided between wondering if his strange guest would put in an appearance at all; if he did, what he should talk about; and how he would pilot him through the embarrassing experience of the meal.
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He was divided between wondering if his strange guest would put in an appearance at all; if he did, what he should talk about; and how he would pilot him through the embarrassing experience of the meal.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Michael went early to his lunch party.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was divided between wondering if his strange guest would put in an appearance at all; if he did, what he should talk about; and how he would pilot him through the embarrassing experience of the meal.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was divided between wondering if his strange guest would put in an appearance at all; if he did, what he should talk about; and how he would pilot him through the embarrassing experience of the meal.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He meant to find out if possible whether Sam knew anything about his, Michael’s, origin.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was divided between wondering if his strange guest would put in an appearance at all; if he did, what he should talk about; and how he would pilot him through the embarrassing experience of the meal.
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It was scarcely likely; and yet, Sam might have heard some talk by older people in the neighborhood.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was divided between wondering if his strange guest would put in an appearance at all; if he did, what he should talk about; and how he would pilot him through the embarrassing experience of the meal.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was scarcely likely; and yet, Sam might have heard some talk by older people in the neighborhood.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was divided between wondering if his strange guest would put in an appearance at all; if he did, what he should talk about; and how he would pilot him through the embarrassing experience of the meal.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Michael went early to his lunch party.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was divided between wondering if his strange guest would put in an appearance at all; if he did, what he should talk about; and how he would pilot him through the embarrassing experience of the meal.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He was divided between wondering if his strange guest would put in an appearance at all; if he did, what he should talk about; and how he would pilot him through the embarrassing experience of the meal.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was divided between wondering if his strange guest would put in an appearance at all; if he did, what he should talk about; and how he would pilot him through the embarrassing experience of the meal.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was scarcely likely; and yet, Sam might have heard some talk by older people in the neighborhood.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He meant to find out if possible whether Sam knew anything about his, Michael’s, origin.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was scarcely likely; and yet, Sam might have heard some talk by older people in the neighborhood.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Michael went early to his lunch party.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was divided between wondering if his strange guest would put in an appearance at all; if he did, what he should talk about; and how he would pilot him through the embarrassing experience of the meal.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He meant to find out if possible whether Sam knew anything about his, Michael’s, origin.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Michael went early to his lunch party.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He meant to find out if possible whether Sam knew anything about his, Michael’s, origin.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading It was scarcely likely; and yet, Sam might have heard some talk by older people in the neighborhood.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was scarcely likely; and yet, Sam might have heard some talk by older people in the neighborhood.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was divided between wondering if his strange guest would put in an appearance at all; if he did, what he should talk about; and how he would pilot him through the embarrassing experience of the meal.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was scarcely likely; and yet, Sam might have heard some talk by older people in the neighborhood.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One thing he was determined upon.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He meant to find out if possible whether Sam knew anything about his, Michael’s, origin.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He meant to find out if possible whether Sam knew anything about his, Michael’s, origin.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Michael went early to his lunch party.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was scarcely likely; and yet, Sam might have heard some talk by older people in the neighborhood.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was divided between wondering if his strange guest would put in an appearance at all; if he did, what he should talk about; and how he would pilot him through the embarrassing experience of the meal.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He meant to find out if possible whether Sam knew anything about his, Michael’s, origin.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was divided between wondering if his strange guest would put in an appearance at all; if he did, what he should talk about; and how he would pilot him through the embarrassing experience of the meal.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He meant to find out if possible whether Sam knew anything about his, Michael’s, origin.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was scarcely likely; and yet, Sam might have heard some talk by older people in the neighborhood.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading He was divided between wondering if his strange guest would put in an appearance at all; if he did, what he should talk about; and how he would pilot him through the embarrassing experience of the meal.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was scarcely likely; and yet, Sam might have heard some talk by older people in the neighborhood.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was divided between wondering if his strange guest would put in an appearance at all; if he did, what he should talk about; and how he would pilot him through the embarrassing experience of the meal.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was divided between wondering if his strange guest would put in an appearance at all; if he did, what he should talk about; and how he would pilot him through the embarrassing experience of the meal.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He was divided between wondering if his strange guest would put in an appearance at all; if he did, what he should talk about; and how he would pilot him through the embarrassing experience of the meal.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One thing he was determined upon.
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He was divided between wondering if his strange guest would put in an appearance at all; if he did, what he should talk about; and how he would pilot him through the embarrassing experience of the meal.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Michael went early to his lunch party.
a formal word for “on”
From this reading One thing he was determined upon.
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was divided between wondering if his strange guest would put in an appearance at all; if he did, what he should talk about; and how he would pilot him through the embarrassing experience of the meal.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Michael went early to his lunch party.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He was divided between wondering if his strange guest would put in an appearance at all; if he did, what he should talk about; and how he would pilot him through the embarrassing experience of the meal.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading He meant to find out if possible whether Sam knew anything about his, Michael’s, origin.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was divided between wondering if his strange guest would put in an appearance at all; if he did, what he should talk about; and how he would pilot him through the embarrassing experience of the meal.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He was divided between wondering if his strange guest would put in an appearance at all; if he did, what he should talk about; and how he would pilot him through the embarrassing experience of the meal.
but in spite of that
From this reading It was scarcely likely; and yet, Sam might have heard some talk by older people in the neighborhood.
