A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter IX
The light of the cell was dim, but Dyck managed to read the letter without great difficulty, for the writing was almost as precise as print. The sight of it caught his heart like a warm hand and pressed it. This was the substance of the letter: MY DEAR FRIEND: I have wanted to visit you in prison, but my mother has forbidden it, and so, even if I could be let to enter, I must not disobey her. I have not read the papers giving an account of your trial.
Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.
A small stone room in a prison where an inmate is locked behind iron bars.
From this reading “The light of the cell was dim, but Dyck managed to read the letter without great difficulty, for the writing was almost as precise as print.”
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading “MY DEAR FRIEND: I have wanted to visit you in prison, but my mother has forbidden it, and so, even if I could be let to enter, I must not disobey her.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “MY DEAR FRIEND: I have wanted to visit you in prison, but my mother has forbidden it, and so, even if I could be let to enter, I must not disobey her.”
Not allowed; banned or prohibited by rule or law.
From this reading “MY DEAR FRIEND: I have wanted to visit you in prison, but my mother has forbidden it, and so, even if I could be let to enter, I must not disobey her.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “The light of the cell was dim, but Dyck managed to read the letter without great difficulty, for the writing was almost as precise as print.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “The sight of it caught his heart like a warm hand and pressed it.”
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “MY DEAR FRIEND: I have wanted to visit you in prison, but my mother has forbidden it, and so, even if I could be let to enter, I must not disobey her.”
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “MY DEAR FRIEND: I have wanted to visit you in prison, but my mother has forbidden it, and so, even if I could be let to enter, I must not disobey her.”
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading “MY DEAR FRIEND: I have wanted to visit you in prison, but my mother has forbidden it, and so, even if I could be let to enter, I must not disobey her.”
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading “MY DEAR FRIEND: I have wanted to visit you in prison, but my mother has forbidden it, and so, even if I could be let to enter, I must not disobey her.”
wealth or financial means
From this reading “This was the substance of the letter:”
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading “The light of the cell was dim, but Dyck managed to read the letter without great difficulty, for the writing was almost as precise as print.”
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 The sight of it caught his heart like a warm hand and pressed it.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have not read the papers giving an account of your trial.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The light of the cell was dim, but Dyck managed to read the letter without great difficulty, for the writing was almost as precise as print.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I have not read the papers giving an account of your trial.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The sight of it caught his heart like a warm hand and pressed it.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The light of the cell was dim, but Dyck managed to read the letter without great difficulty, for the writing was almost as precise as print.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading MY DEAR FRIEND: I have wanted to visit you in prison, but my mother has forbidden it, and so, even if I could be let to enter, I must not disobey her.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The light of the cell was dim, but Dyck managed to read the letter without great difficulty, for the writing was almost as precise as print.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sight of it caught his heart like a warm hand and pressed it.
A small stone room in a prison where an inmate is locked behind iron bars.
From this reading The light of the cell was dim, but Dyck managed to read the letter without great difficulty, for the writing was almost as precise as print.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading MY DEAR FRIEND: I have wanted to visit you in prison, but my mother has forbidden it, and so, even if I could be let to enter, I must not disobey her.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR FRIEND: I have wanted to visit you in prison, but my mother has forbidden it, and so, even if I could be let to enter, I must not disobey her.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The light of the cell was dim, but Dyck managed to read the letter without great difficulty, for the writing was almost as precise as print.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The light of the cell was dim, but Dyck managed to read the letter without great difficulty, for the writing was almost as precise as print.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR FRIEND: I have wanted to visit you in prison, but my mother has forbidden it, and so, even if I could be let to enter, I must not disobey her.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The light of the cell was dim, but Dyck managed to read the letter without great difficulty, for the writing was almost as precise as print.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR FRIEND: I have wanted to visit you in prison, but my mother has forbidden it, and so, even if I could be let to enter, I must not disobey her.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading MY DEAR FRIEND: I have wanted to visit you in prison, but my mother has forbidden it, and so, even if I could be let to enter, I must not disobey her.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The light of the cell was dim, but Dyck managed to read the letter without great difficulty, for the writing was almost as precise as print.
Not allowed; banned or prohibited by rule or law.
From this reading MY DEAR FRIEND: I have wanted to visit you in prison, but my mother has forbidden it, and so, even if I could be let to enter, I must not disobey her.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR FRIEND: I have wanted to visit you in prison, but my mother has forbidden it, and so, even if I could be let to enter, I must not disobey her.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have not read the papers giving an account of your trial.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The light of the cell was dim, but Dyck managed to read the letter without great difficulty, for the writing was almost as precise as print.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sight of it caught his heart like a warm hand and pressed it.
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading MY DEAR FRIEND: I have wanted to visit you in prison, but my mother has forbidden it, and so, even if I could be let to enter, I must not disobey her.
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading MY DEAR FRIEND: I have wanted to visit you in prison, but my mother has forbidden it, and so, even if I could be let to enter, I must not disobey her.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sight of it caught his heart like a warm hand and pressed it.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading MY DEAR FRIEND: I have wanted to visit you in prison, but my mother has forbidden it, and so, even if I could be let to enter, I must not disobey her.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The sight of it caught his heart like a warm hand and pressed it.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading MY DEAR FRIEND: I have wanted to visit you in prison, but my mother has forbidden it, and so, even if I could be let to enter, I must not disobey her.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading MY DEAR FRIEND: I have wanted to visit you in prison, but my mother has forbidden it, and so, even if I could be let to enter, I must not disobey her.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading MY DEAR FRIEND: I have wanted to visit you in prison, but my mother has forbidden it, and so, even if I could be let to enter, I must not disobey her.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The sight of it caught his heart like a warm hand and pressed it.
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading MY DEAR FRIEND: I have wanted to visit you in prison, but my mother has forbidden it, and so, even if I could be let to enter, I must not disobey her.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The light of the cell was dim, but Dyck managed to read the letter without great difficulty, for the writing was almost as precise as print.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The light of the cell was dim, but Dyck managed to read the letter without great difficulty, for the writing was almost as precise as print.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sight of it caught his heart like a warm hand and pressed it.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The light of the cell was dim, but Dyck managed to read the letter without great difficulty, for the writing was almost as precise as print.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR FRIEND: I have wanted to visit you in prison, but my mother has forbidden it, and so, even if I could be let to enter, I must not disobey her.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading MY DEAR FRIEND: I have wanted to visit you in prison, but my mother has forbidden it, and so, even if I could be let to enter, I must not disobey her.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading MY DEAR FRIEND: I have wanted to visit you in prison, but my mother has forbidden it, and so, even if I could be let to enter, I must not disobey her.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading MY DEAR FRIEND: I have wanted to visit you in prison, but my mother has forbidden it, and so, even if I could be let to enter, I must not disobey her.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The light of the cell was dim, but Dyck managed to read the letter without great difficulty, for the writing was almost as precise as print.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have not read the papers giving an account of your trial.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The light of the cell was dim, but Dyck managed to read the letter without great difficulty, for the writing was almost as precise as print.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sight of it caught his heart like a warm hand and pressed it.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The light of the cell was dim, but Dyck managed to read the letter without great difficulty, for the writing was almost as precise as print.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR FRIEND: I have wanted to visit you in prison, but my mother has forbidden it, and so, even if I could be let to enter, I must not disobey her.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The light of the cell was dim, but Dyck managed to read the letter without great difficulty, for the writing was almost as precise as print.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sight of it caught his heart like a warm hand and pressed it.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading MY DEAR FRIEND: I have wanted to visit you in prison, but my mother has forbidden it, and so, even if I could be let to enter, I must not disobey her.
wealth or financial means
From this reading This was the substance of the letter:
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The light of the cell was dim, but Dyck managed to read the letter without great difficulty, for the writing was almost as precise as print.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was the substance of the letter:
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The light of the cell was dim, but Dyck managed to read the letter without great difficulty, for the writing was almost as precise as print.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have not read the papers giving an account of your trial.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR FRIEND: I have wanted to visit you in prison, but my mother has forbidden it, and so, even if I could be let to enter, I must not disobey her.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR FRIEND: I have wanted to visit you in prison, but my mother has forbidden it, and so, even if I could be let to enter, I must not disobey her.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sight of it caught his heart like a warm hand and pressed it.
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The light of the cell was dim, but Dyck managed to read the letter without great difficulty, for the writing was almost as precise as print.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The light of the cell was dim, but Dyck managed to read the letter without great difficulty, for the writing was almost as precise as print.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The light of the cell was dim, but Dyck managed to read the letter without great difficulty, for the writing was almost as precise as print.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading MY DEAR FRIEND: I have wanted to visit you in prison, but my mother has forbidden it, and so, even if I could be let to enter, I must not disobey her.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading I have not read the papers giving an account of your trial.
