A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter XXIII
'Mud cabins swarm in This place so charming, With sailor garments Hung out to dry; And each abode is Snug and commodious, With pigs melodious In their straw-built sty.' Father Prout. '“Did the Irish elves ever explain themselves to you, Red Rose?” '“I can't say that they did,” said the English Elf. “You can't call it an explanation to say that a thing has always been that way, just: or that a thing would be a heap more bother any other way.”'
Reading 1/20 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5
Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.
the past participle of “be”
From this reading ““You can't call it an explanation to say that a thing has always been that way, just: or that a thing would be a heap more bother any other way.”'”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “'“Did the Irish elves ever explain themselves to you, Red Rose?””
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ““You can't call it an explanation to say that a thing has always been that way, just: or that a thing would be a heap more bother any other way.”'”
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading “'“Did the Irish elves ever explain themselves to you, Red Rose?””
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ““You can't call it an explanation to say that a thing has always been that way, just: or that a thing would be a heap more bother any other way.”'”
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading ““You can't call it an explanation to say that a thing has always been that way, just: or that a thing would be a heap more bother any other way.”'”
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 “You can't call it an explanation to say that a thing has always been that way, just: or that a thing would be a heap more bother any other way.”'
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Mud cabins swarm in This place so charming, With sailor garments Hung out to dry; And each abode is Snug and commodious, With pigs melodious In their straw-built sty.'
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You can't call it an explanation to say that a thing has always been that way, just: or that a thing would be a heap more bother any other way.”'
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading “You can't call it an explanation to say that a thing has always been that way, just: or that a thing would be a heap more bother any other way.”'
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading 'Mud cabins swarm in This place so charming, With sailor garments Hung out to dry; And each abode is Snug and commodious, With pigs melodious In their straw-built sty.'
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You can't call it an explanation to say that a thing has always been that way, just: or that a thing would be a heap more bother any other way.”'
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “You can't call it an explanation to say that a thing has always been that way, just: or that a thing would be a heap more bother any other way.”'
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “You can't call it an explanation to say that a thing has always been that way, just: or that a thing would be a heap more bother any other way.”'
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You can't call it an explanation to say that a thing has always been that way, just: or that a thing would be a heap more bother any other way.”'
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Mud cabins swarm in This place so charming, With sailor garments Hung out to dry; And each abode is Snug and commodious, With pigs melodious In their straw-built sty.'
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You can't call it an explanation to say that a thing has always been that way, just: or that a thing would be a heap more bother any other way.”'
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading '“I can't say that they did,” said the English Elf.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Mud cabins swarm in This place so charming, With sailor garments Hung out to dry; And each abode is Snug and commodious, With pigs melodious In their straw-built sty.'
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Mud cabins swarm in This place so charming, With sailor garments Hung out to dry; And each abode is Snug and commodious, With pigs melodious In their straw-built sty.'
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading '“Did the Irish elves ever explain themselves to you, Red Rose?”
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Mud cabins swarm in This place so charming, With sailor garments Hung out to dry; And each abode is Snug and commodious, With pigs melodious In their straw-built sty.'
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading 'Mud cabins swarm in This place so charming, With sailor garments Hung out to dry; And each abode is Snug and commodious, With pigs melodious In their straw-built sty.'
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading '“I can't say that they did,” said the English Elf.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading '“Did the Irish elves ever explain themselves to you, Red Rose?”
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading '“I can't say that they did,” said the English Elf.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading '“Did the Irish elves ever explain themselves to you, Red Rose?”
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading '“Did the Irish elves ever explain themselves to you, Red Rose?”
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You can't call it an explanation to say that a thing has always been that way, just: or that a thing would be a heap more bother any other way.”'
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Father Prout.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Mud cabins swarm in This place so charming, With sailor garments Hung out to dry; And each abode is Snug and commodious, With pigs melodious In their straw-built sty.'
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “You can't call it an explanation to say that a thing has always been that way, just: or that a thing would be a heap more bother any other way.”'
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You can't call it an explanation to say that a thing has always been that way, just: or that a thing would be a heap more bother any other way.”'
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Mud cabins swarm in This place so charming, With sailor garments Hung out to dry; And each abode is Snug and commodious, With pigs melodious In their straw-built sty.'
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading '“I can't say that they did,” said the English Elf.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading 'Mud cabins swarm in This place so charming, With sailor garments Hung out to dry; And each abode is Snug and commodious, With pigs melodious In their straw-built sty.'
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading '“Did the Irish elves ever explain themselves to you, Red Rose?”
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading 'Mud cabins swarm in This place so charming, With sailor garments Hung out to dry; And each abode is Snug and commodious, With pigs melodious In their straw-built sty.'
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “You can't call it an explanation to say that a thing has always been that way, just: or that a thing would be a heap more bother any other way.”'
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You can't call it an explanation to say that a thing has always been that way, just: or that a thing would be a heap more bother any other way.”'
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Mud cabins swarm in This place so charming, With sailor garments Hung out to dry; And each abode is Snug and commodious, With pigs melodious In their straw-built sty.'
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You can't call it an explanation to say that a thing has always been that way, just: or that a thing would be a heap more bother any other way.”'
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Mud cabins swarm in This place so charming, With sailor garments Hung out to dry; And each abode is Snug and commodious, With pigs melodious In their straw-built sty.'
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “You can't call it an explanation to say that a thing has always been that way, just: or that a thing would be a heap more bother any other way.”'
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You can't call it an explanation to say that a thing has always been that way, just: or that a thing would be a heap more bother any other way.”'
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Mud cabins swarm in This place so charming, With sailor garments Hung out to dry; And each abode is Snug and commodious, With pigs melodious In their straw-built sty.'
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Mud cabins swarm in This place so charming, With sailor garments Hung out to dry; And each abode is Snug and commodious, With pigs melodious In their straw-built sty.'
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Mud cabins swarm in This place so charming, With sailor garments Hung out to dry; And each abode is Snug and commodious, With pigs melodious In their straw-built sty.'
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Father Prout.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading '“Did the Irish elves ever explain themselves to you, Red Rose?”
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading '“Did the Irish elves ever explain themselves to you, Red Rose?”
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading '“I can't say that they did,” said the English Elf.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Mud cabins swarm in This place so charming, With sailor garments Hung out to dry; And each abode is Snug and commodious, With pigs melodious In their straw-built sty.'
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading '“I can't say that they did,” said the English Elf.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Mud cabins swarm in This place so charming, With sailor garments Hung out to dry; And each abode is Snug and commodious, With pigs melodious In their straw-built sty.'
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading 'Mud cabins swarm in This place so charming, With sailor garments Hung out to dry; And each abode is Snug and commodious, With pigs melodious In their straw-built sty.'
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Mud cabins swarm in This place so charming, With sailor garments Hung out to dry; And each abode is Snug and commodious, With pigs melodious In their straw-built sty.'
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Mud cabins swarm in This place so charming, With sailor garments Hung out to dry; And each abode is Snug and commodious, With pigs melodious In their straw-built sty.'
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Mud cabins swarm in This place so charming, With sailor garments Hung out to dry; And each abode is Snug and commodious, With pigs melodious In their straw-built sty.'
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading '“I can't say that they did,” said the English Elf.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading '“Did the Irish elves ever explain themselves to you, Red Rose?”
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading 'Mud cabins swarm in This place so charming, With sailor garments Hung out to dry; And each abode is Snug and commodious, With pigs melodious In their straw-built sty.'
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading '“Did the Irish elves ever explain themselves to you, Red Rose?”
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading '“I can't say that they did,” said the English Elf.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “You can't call it an explanation to say that a thing has always been that way, just: or that a thing would be a heap more bother any other way.”'
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading 'Mud cabins swarm in This place so charming, With sailor garments Hung out to dry; And each abode is Snug and commodious, With pigs melodious In their straw-built sty.'
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading 'Mud cabins swarm in This place so charming, With sailor garments Hung out to dry; And each abode is Snug and commodious, With pigs melodious In their straw-built sty.'
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You can't call it an explanation to say that a thing has always been that way, just: or that a thing would be a heap more bother any other way.”'
in the company of; together with
From this reading 'Mud cabins swarm in This place so charming, With sailor garments Hung out to dry; And each abode is Snug and commodious, With pigs melodious In their straw-built sty.'
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “You can't call it an explanation to say that a thing has always been that way, just: or that a thing would be a heap more bother any other way.”'
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading '“Did the Irish elves ever explain themselves to you, Red Rose?”
