A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter I
_Mjly is Yljm's love life. She is her sisters, her mothers, herselves and her ancestors. But poor old Yljm can never be a mother or a sister--just himself!_ It seems unnecessary to say that my story began a long time ago, but I do not intend to be subtle. I am not clever and my lying is unpolished, almost amateurish. So I certainly could not be subtle, which requires both cleverness and an ability to tell the truth and a lie in the same breath.
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 “But poor old Yljm can never be a mother or a sister--just himself!_ It seems unnecessary to say that my story began a long time ago, but I do not intend to be subtle.”
The quality of being intelligent, quick to understand, and resourceful in danger.
From this reading “So I certainly could not be subtle, which requires both cleverness and an ability to tell the truth and a lie in the same breath.”
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading “So I certainly could not be subtle, which requires both cleverness and an ability to tell the truth and a lie in the same breath.”
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading “But poor old Yljm can never be a mother or a sister--just himself!_ It seems unnecessary to say that my story began a long time ago, but I do not intend to be subtle.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “_Mjly is Yljm's love life.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “But poor old Yljm can never be a mother or a sister--just himself!_ It seems unnecessary to say that my story began a long time ago, but I do not intend to be subtle.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “But poor old Yljm can never be a mother or a sister--just himself!_ It seems unnecessary to say that my story began a long time ago, but I do not intend to be subtle.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “But poor old Yljm can never be a mother or a sister--just himself!_ It seems unnecessary to say that my story began a long time ago, but I do not intend to be subtle.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “So I certainly could not be subtle, which requires both cleverness and an ability to tell the truth and a lie in the same breath.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “So I certainly could not be subtle, which requires both cleverness and an ability to tell the truth and a lie in the same breath.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “But poor old Yljm can never be a mother or a sister--just himself!_ It seems unnecessary to say that my story began a long time ago, but I do not intend to be subtle.”
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 But poor old Yljm can never be a mother or a sister--just himself!_ It seems unnecessary to say that my story began a long time ago, but I do not intend to be subtle.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So I certainly could not be subtle, which requires both cleverness and an ability to tell the truth and a lie in the same breath.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But poor old Yljm can never be a mother or a sister--just himself!_ It seems unnecessary to say that my story began a long time ago, but I do not intend to be subtle.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I am not clever and my lying is unpolished, almost amateurish.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading I am not clever and my lying is unpolished, almost amateurish.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I am not clever and my lying is unpolished, almost amateurish.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading So I certainly could not be subtle, which requires both cleverness and an ability to tell the truth and a lie in the same breath.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She is her sisters, her mothers, herselves and her ancestors.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She is her sisters, her mothers, herselves and her ancestors.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But poor old Yljm can never be a mother or a sister--just himself!_ It seems unnecessary to say that my story began a long time ago, but I do not intend to be subtle.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But poor old Yljm can never be a mother or a sister--just himself!_ It seems unnecessary to say that my story began a long time ago, but I do not intend to be subtle.
the two together, not just one
From this reading So I certainly could not be subtle, which requires both cleverness and an ability to tell the truth and a lie in the same breath.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So I certainly could not be subtle, which requires both cleverness and an ability to tell the truth and a lie in the same breath.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But poor old Yljm can never be a mother or a sister--just himself!_ It seems unnecessary to say that my story began a long time ago, but I do not intend to be subtle.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading But poor old Yljm can never be a mother or a sister--just himself!_ It seems unnecessary to say that my story began a long time ago, but I do not intend to be subtle.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So I certainly could not be subtle, which requires both cleverness and an ability to tell the truth and a lie in the same breath.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I am not clever and my lying is unpolished, almost amateurish.
The quality of being intelligent, quick to understand, and resourceful in danger.
From this reading So I certainly could not be subtle, which requires both cleverness and an ability to tell the truth and a lie in the same breath.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading So I certainly could not be subtle, which requires both cleverness and an ability to tell the truth and a lie in the same breath.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading But poor old Yljm can never be a mother or a sister--just himself!_ It seems unnecessary to say that my story began a long time ago, but I do not intend to be subtle.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She is her sisters, her mothers, herselves and her ancestors.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She is her sisters, her mothers, herselves and her ancestors.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading But poor old Yljm can never be a mother or a sister--just himself!_ It seems unnecessary to say that my story began a long time ago, but I do not intend to be subtle.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading But poor old Yljm can never be a mother or a sister--just himself!_ It seems unnecessary to say that my story began a long time ago, but I do not intend to be subtle.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading So I certainly could not be subtle, which requires both cleverness and an ability to tell the truth and a lie in the same breath.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But poor old Yljm can never be a mother or a sister--just himself!_ It seems unnecessary to say that my story began a long time ago, but I do not intend to be subtle.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _Mjly is Yljm's love life.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But poor old Yljm can never be a mother or a sister--just himself!_ It seems unnecessary to say that my story began a long time ago, but I do not intend to be subtle.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But poor old Yljm can never be a mother or a sister--just himself!_ It seems unnecessary to say that my story began a long time ago, but I do not intend to be subtle.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So I certainly could not be subtle, which requires both cleverness and an ability to tell the truth and a lie in the same breath.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading _Mjly is Yljm's love life.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But poor old Yljm can never be a mother or a sister--just himself!_ It seems unnecessary to say that my story began a long time ago, but I do not intend to be subtle.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Mjly is Yljm's love life.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I am not clever and my lying is unpolished, almost amateurish.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Mjly is Yljm's love life.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But poor old Yljm can never be a mother or a sister--just himself!_ It seems unnecessary to say that my story began a long time ago, but I do not intend to be subtle.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She is her sisters, her mothers, herselves and her ancestors.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading But poor old Yljm can never be a mother or a sister--just himself!_ It seems unnecessary to say that my story began a long time ago, but I do not intend to be subtle.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But poor old Yljm can never be a mother or a sister--just himself!_ It seems unnecessary to say that my story began a long time ago, but I do not intend to be subtle.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But poor old Yljm can never be a mother or a sister--just himself!_ It seems unnecessary to say that my story began a long time ago, but I do not intend to be subtle.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But poor old Yljm can never be a mother or a sister--just himself!_ It seems unnecessary to say that my story began a long time ago, but I do not intend to be subtle.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But poor old Yljm can never be a mother or a sister--just himself!_ It seems unnecessary to say that my story began a long time ago, but I do not intend to be subtle.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But poor old Yljm can never be a mother or a sister--just himself!_ It seems unnecessary to say that my story began a long time ago, but I do not intend to be subtle.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So I certainly could not be subtle, which requires both cleverness and an ability to tell the truth and a lie in the same breath.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading So I certainly could not be subtle, which requires both cleverness and an ability to tell the truth and a lie in the same breath.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But poor old Yljm can never be a mother or a sister--just himself!_ It seems unnecessary to say that my story began a long time ago, but I do not intend to be subtle.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But poor old Yljm can never be a mother or a sister--just himself!_ It seems unnecessary to say that my story began a long time ago, but I do not intend to be subtle.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She is her sisters, her mothers, herselves and her ancestors.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But poor old Yljm can never be a mother or a sister--just himself!_ It seems unnecessary to say that my story began a long time ago, but I do not intend to be subtle.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She is her sisters, her mothers, herselves and her ancestors.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So I certainly could not be subtle, which requires both cleverness and an ability to tell the truth and a lie in the same breath.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But poor old Yljm can never be a mother or a sister--just himself!_ It seems unnecessary to say that my story began a long time ago, but I do not intend to be subtle.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But poor old Yljm can never be a mother or a sister--just himself!_ It seems unnecessary to say that my story began a long time ago, but I do not intend to be subtle.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading So I certainly could not be subtle, which requires both cleverness and an ability to tell the truth and a lie in the same breath.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But poor old Yljm can never be a mother or a sister--just himself!_ It seems unnecessary to say that my story began a long time ago, but I do not intend to be subtle.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading So I certainly could not be subtle, which requires both cleverness and an ability to tell the truth and a lie in the same breath.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But poor old Yljm can never be a mother or a sister--just himself!_ It seems unnecessary to say that my story began a long time ago, but I do not intend to be subtle.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But poor old Yljm can never be a mother or a sister--just himself!_ It seems unnecessary to say that my story began a long time ago, but I do not intend to be subtle.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So I certainly could not be subtle, which requires both cleverness and an ability to tell the truth and a lie in the same breath.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But poor old Yljm can never be a mother or a sister--just himself!_ It seems unnecessary to say that my story began a long time ago, but I do not intend to be subtle.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I am not clever and my lying is unpolished, almost amateurish.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading So I certainly could not be subtle, which requires both cleverness and an ability to tell the truth and a lie in the same breath.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But poor old Yljm can never be a mother or a sister--just himself!_ It seems unnecessary to say that my story began a long time ago, but I do not intend to be subtle.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Mjly is Yljm's love life.
