A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter XII
FOILING THE FIRE I don't know what a record I made in climbing that tree--an aspen's bark is slick--but in a jiffy I was at the top and could peer out. (Note 47.) All the sky was smoke, veiling the upper end of the valley and of the ridge. The ridge must be afire; the fire was spreading along our side; and if we tried for the opposite slope and the bare spot we might be caught halfway! Something whisked through the trees under me. It was a coyote.
Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading “The ridge must be afire; the fire was spreading along our side; and if we tried for the opposite slope and the bare spot we might be caught halfway!”
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading “FOILING THE FIRE I don't know what a record I made in climbing that tree--an aspen's bark is slick--but in a jiffy I was at the top and could peer out.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “FOILING THE FIRE I don't know what a record I made in climbing that tree--an aspen's bark is slick--but in a jiffy I was at the top and could peer out.”
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading “The ridge must be afire; the fire was spreading along our side; and if we tried for the opposite slope and the bare spot we might be caught halfway!”
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading “The ridge must be afire; the fire was spreading along our side; and if we tried for the opposite slope and the bare spot we might be caught halfway!”
a thing, without saying which
From this reading “Something whisked through the trees under me.”
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “Something whisked through the trees under me.”
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading “Something whisked through the trees under me.”
Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading (Note 47.) All the sky was smoke, veiling the upper end of the valley and of the ridge.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading FOILING THE FIRE I don't know what a record I made in climbing that tree--an aspen's bark is slick--but in a jiffy I was at the top and could peer out.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ridge must be afire; the fire was spreading along our side; and if we tried for the opposite slope and the bare spot we might be caught halfway!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading (Note 47.) All the sky was smoke, veiling the upper end of the valley and of the ridge.
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading The ridge must be afire; the fire was spreading along our side; and if we tried for the opposite slope and the bare spot we might be caught halfway!
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading FOILING THE FIRE I don't know what a record I made in climbing that tree--an aspen's bark is slick--but in a jiffy I was at the top and could peer out.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading FOILING THE FIRE I don't know what a record I made in climbing that tree--an aspen's bark is slick--but in a jiffy I was at the top and could peer out.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOILING THE FIRE I don't know what a record I made in climbing that tree--an aspen's bark is slick--but in a jiffy I was at the top and could peer out.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading FOILING THE FIRE I don't know what a record I made in climbing that tree--an aspen's bark is slick--but in a jiffy I was at the top and could peer out.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ridge must be afire; the fire was spreading along our side; and if we tried for the opposite slope and the bare spot we might be caught halfway!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOILING THE FIRE I don't know what a record I made in climbing that tree--an aspen's bark is slick--but in a jiffy I was at the top and could peer out.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The ridge must be afire; the fire was spreading along our side; and if we tried for the opposite slope and the bare spot we might be caught halfway!
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading FOILING THE FIRE I don't know what a record I made in climbing that tree--an aspen's bark is slick--but in a jiffy I was at the top and could peer out.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ridge must be afire; the fire was spreading along our side; and if we tried for the opposite slope and the bare spot we might be caught halfway!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOILING THE FIRE I don't know what a record I made in climbing that tree--an aspen's bark is slick--but in a jiffy I was at the top and could peer out.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading FOILING THE FIRE I don't know what a record I made in climbing that tree--an aspen's bark is slick--but in a jiffy I was at the top and could peer out.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a coyote.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOILING THE FIRE I don't know what a record I made in climbing that tree--an aspen's bark is slick--but in a jiffy I was at the top and could peer out.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading (Note 47.) All the sky was smoke, veiling the upper end of the valley and of the ridge.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOILING THE FIRE I don't know what a record I made in climbing that tree--an aspen's bark is slick--but in a jiffy I was at the top and could peer out.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOILING THE FIRE I don't know what a record I made in climbing that tree--an aspen's bark is slick--but in a jiffy I was at the top and could peer out.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The ridge must be afire; the fire was spreading along our side; and if we tried for the opposite slope and the bare spot we might be caught halfway!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ridge must be afire; the fire was spreading along our side; and if we tried for the opposite slope and the bare spot we might be caught halfway!
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading FOILING THE FIRE I don't know what a record I made in climbing that tree--an aspen's bark is slick--but in a jiffy I was at the top and could peer out.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The ridge must be afire; the fire was spreading along our side; and if we tried for the opposite slope and the bare spot we might be caught halfway!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading FOILING THE FIRE I don't know what a record I made in climbing that tree--an aspen's bark is slick--but in a jiffy I was at the top and could peer out.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading FOILING THE FIRE I don't know what a record I made in climbing that tree--an aspen's bark is slick--but in a jiffy I was at the top and could peer out.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a coyote.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOILING THE FIRE I don't know what a record I made in climbing that tree--an aspen's bark is slick--but in a jiffy I was at the top and could peer out.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading FOILING THE FIRE I don't know what a record I made in climbing that tree--an aspen's bark is slick--but in a jiffy I was at the top and could peer out.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOILING THE FIRE I don't know what a record I made in climbing that tree--an aspen's bark is slick--but in a jiffy I was at the top and could peer out.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Something whisked through the trees under me.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The ridge must be afire; the fire was spreading along our side; and if we tried for the opposite slope and the bare spot we might be caught halfway!
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading The ridge must be afire; the fire was spreading along our side; and if we tried for the opposite slope and the bare spot we might be caught halfway!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading (Note 47.) All the sky was smoke, veiling the upper end of the valley and of the ridge.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading (Note 47.) All the sky was smoke, veiling the upper end of the valley and of the ridge.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ridge must be afire; the fire was spreading along our side; and if we tried for the opposite slope and the bare spot we might be caught halfway!
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading The ridge must be afire; the fire was spreading along our side; and if we tried for the opposite slope and the bare spot we might be caught halfway!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOILING THE FIRE I don't know what a record I made in climbing that tree--an aspen's bark is slick--but in a jiffy I was at the top and could peer out.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOILING THE FIRE I don't know what a record I made in climbing that tree--an aspen's bark is slick--but in a jiffy I was at the top and could peer out.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOILING THE FIRE I don't know what a record I made in climbing that tree--an aspen's bark is slick--but in a jiffy I was at the top and could peer out.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading (Note 47.) All the sky was smoke, veiling the upper end of the valley and of the ridge.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ridge must be afire; the fire was spreading along our side; and if we tried for the opposite slope and the bare spot we might be caught halfway!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading (Note 47.) All the sky was smoke, veiling the upper end of the valley and of the ridge.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOILING THE FIRE I don't know what a record I made in climbing that tree--an aspen's bark is slick--but in a jiffy I was at the top and could peer out.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ridge must be afire; the fire was spreading along our side; and if we tried for the opposite slope and the bare spot we might be caught halfway!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading (Note 47.) All the sky was smoke, veiling the upper end of the valley and of the ridge.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Something whisked through the trees under me.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ridge must be afire; the fire was spreading along our side; and if we tried for the opposite slope and the bare spot we might be caught halfway!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ridge must be afire; the fire was spreading along our side; and if we tried for the opposite slope and the bare spot we might be caught halfway!
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading FOILING THE FIRE I don't know what a record I made in climbing that tree--an aspen's bark is slick--but in a jiffy I was at the top and could peer out.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading FOILING THE FIRE I don't know what a record I made in climbing that tree--an aspen's bark is slick--but in a jiffy I was at the top and could peer out.
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Something whisked through the trees under me.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOILING THE FIRE I don't know what a record I made in climbing that tree--an aspen's bark is slick--but in a jiffy I was at the top and could peer out.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOILING THE FIRE I don't know what a record I made in climbing that tree--an aspen's bark is slick--but in a jiffy I was at the top and could peer out.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Something whisked through the trees under me.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ridge must be afire; the fire was spreading along our side; and if we tried for the opposite slope and the bare spot we might be caught halfway!
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Something whisked through the trees under me.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading (Note 47.) All the sky was smoke, veiling the upper end of the valley and of the ridge.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading (Note 47.) All the sky was smoke, veiling the upper end of the valley and of the ridge.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading (Note 47.) All the sky was smoke, veiling the upper end of the valley and of the ridge.
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading FOILING THE FIRE I don't know what a record I made in climbing that tree--an aspen's bark is slick--but in a jiffy I was at the top and could peer out.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The ridge must be afire; the fire was spreading along our side; and if we tried for the opposite slope and the bare spot we might be caught halfway!
used to ask for information about something
From this reading FOILING THE FIRE I don't know what a record I made in climbing that tree--an aspen's bark is slick--but in a jiffy I was at the top and could peer out.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Something whisked through the trees under me.
