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Chapter II
A REMINISCENT HOUR. The policeman's shoulders stiffened, and he put one foot on the keg. He made no other move; but if ever a man's back was eloquent of determination, his was. From where I lay I could see the fingers of his left hand shut tight over his thumb, pressing till the knuckles were white and the cords in the back of his hand stood out in little ridges. I'd seen _that_ before, and I recalled with a start when and where I'd heard that soft, drawly voice.
Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading “I'd seen _that_ before, and I recalled with a start when and where I'd heard that soft, drawly voice.”
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading “From where I lay I could see the fingers of his left hand shut tight over his thumb, pressing till the knuckles were white and the cords in the back of his hand stood out in little ridges.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “He made no other move; but if ever a man's back was eloquent of determination, his was.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “The policeman's shoulders stiffened, and he put one foot on the keg.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “From where I lay I could see the fingers of his left hand shut tight over his thumb, pressing till the knuckles were white and the cords in the back of his hand stood out in little ridges.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “From where I lay I could see the fingers of his left hand shut tight over his thumb, pressing till the knuckles were white and the cords in the back of his hand stood out in little ridges.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “From where I lay I could see the fingers of his left hand shut tight over his thumb, pressing till the knuckles were white and the cords in the back of his hand stood out in little ridges.”
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “The policeman's shoulders stiffened, and he put one foot on the keg.”
above and across; more than
From this reading “From where I lay I could see the fingers of his left hand shut tight over his thumb, pressing till the knuckles were white and the cords in the back of his hand stood out in little ridges.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I'd seen _that_ before, and I recalled with a start when and where I'd heard that soft, drawly voice.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “From where I lay I could see the fingers of his left hand shut tight over his thumb, pressing till the knuckles were white and the cords in the back of his hand stood out in little ridges.”
up to a particular time
From this reading “From where I lay I could see the fingers of his left hand shut tight over his thumb, pressing till the knuckles were white and the cords in the back of his hand stood out in little ridges.”
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 A REMINISCENT HOUR.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The policeman's shoulders stiffened, and he put one foot on the keg.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He made no other move; but if ever a man's back was eloquent of determination, his was.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading I'd seen _that_ before, and I recalled with a start when and where I'd heard that soft, drawly voice.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He made no other move; but if ever a man's back was eloquent of determination, his was.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From where I lay I could see the fingers of his left hand shut tight over his thumb, pressing till the knuckles were white and the cords in the back of his hand stood out in little ridges.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading From where I lay I could see the fingers of his left hand shut tight over his thumb, pressing till the knuckles were white and the cords in the back of his hand stood out in little ridges.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He made no other move; but if ever a man's back was eloquent of determination, his was.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I'd seen _that_ before, and I recalled with a start when and where I'd heard that soft, drawly voice.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He made no other move; but if ever a man's back was eloquent of determination, his was.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He made no other move; but if ever a man's back was eloquent of determination, his was.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From where I lay I could see the fingers of his left hand shut tight over his thumb, pressing till the knuckles were white and the cords in the back of his hand stood out in little ridges.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The policeman's shoulders stiffened, and he put one foot on the keg.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From where I lay I could see the fingers of his left hand shut tight over his thumb, pressing till the knuckles were white and the cords in the back of his hand stood out in little ridges.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From where I lay I could see the fingers of his left hand shut tight over his thumb, pressing till the knuckles were white and the cords in the back of his hand stood out in little ridges.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The policeman's shoulders stiffened, and he put one foot on the keg.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I'd seen _that_ before, and I recalled with a start when and where I'd heard that soft, drawly voice.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He made no other move; but if ever a man's back was eloquent of determination, his was.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A REMINISCENT HOUR.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading From where I lay I could see the fingers of his left hand shut tight over his thumb, pressing till the knuckles were white and the cords in the back of his hand stood out in little ridges.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I'd seen _that_ before, and I recalled with a start when and where I'd heard that soft, drawly voice.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He made no other move; but if ever a man's back was eloquent of determination, his was.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading From where I lay I could see the fingers of his left hand shut tight over his thumb, pressing till the knuckles were white and the cords in the back of his hand stood out in little ridges.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The policeman's shoulders stiffened, and he put one foot on the keg.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From where I lay I could see the fingers of his left hand shut tight over his thumb, pressing till the knuckles were white and the cords in the back of his hand stood out in little ridges.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From where I lay I could see the fingers of his left hand shut tight over his thumb, pressing till the knuckles were white and the cords in the back of his hand stood out in little ridges.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading From where I lay I could see the fingers of his left hand shut tight over his thumb, pressing till the knuckles were white and the cords in the back of his hand stood out in little ridges.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading From where I lay I could see the fingers of his left hand shut tight over his thumb, pressing till the knuckles were white and the cords in the back of his hand stood out in little ridges.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He made no other move; but if ever a man's back was eloquent of determination, his was.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He made no other move; but if ever a man's back was eloquent of determination, his was.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He made no other move; but if ever a man's back was eloquent of determination, his was.
not any; not one
From this reading He made no other move; but if ever a man's back was eloquent of determination, his was.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He made no other move; but if ever a man's back was eloquent of determination, his was.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The policeman's shoulders stiffened, and he put one foot on the keg.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The policeman's shoulders stiffened, and he put one foot on the keg.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He made no other move; but if ever a man's back was eloquent of determination, his was.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From where I lay I could see the fingers of his left hand shut tight over his thumb, pressing till the knuckles were white and the cords in the back of his hand stood out in little ridges.
above and across; more than
From this reading From where I lay I could see the fingers of his left hand shut tight over his thumb, pressing till the knuckles were white and the cords in the back of his hand stood out in little ridges.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The policeman's shoulders stiffened, and he put one foot on the keg.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From where I lay I could see the fingers of his left hand shut tight over his thumb, pressing till the knuckles were white and the cords in the back of his hand stood out in little ridges.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The policeman's shoulders stiffened, and he put one foot on the keg.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I'd seen _that_ before, and I recalled with a start when and where I'd heard that soft, drawly voice.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A REMINISCENT HOUR.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From where I lay I could see the fingers of his left hand shut tight over his thumb, pressing till the knuckles were white and the cords in the back of his hand stood out in little ridges.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From where I lay I could see the fingers of his left hand shut tight over his thumb, pressing till the knuckles were white and the cords in the back of his hand stood out in little ridges.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I'd seen _that_ before, and I recalled with a start when and where I'd heard that soft, drawly voice.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The policeman's shoulders stiffened, and he put one foot on the keg.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From where I lay I could see the fingers of his left hand shut tight over his thumb, pressing till the knuckles were white and the cords in the back of his hand stood out in little ridges.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I'd seen _that_ before, and I recalled with a start when and where I'd heard that soft, drawly voice.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I'd seen _that_ before, and I recalled with a start when and where I'd heard that soft, drawly voice.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The policeman's shoulders stiffened, and he put one foot on the keg.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading From where I lay I could see the fingers of his left hand shut tight over his thumb, pressing till the knuckles were white and the cords in the back of his hand stood out in little ridges.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I'd seen _that_ before, and I recalled with a start when and where I'd heard that soft, drawly voice.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The policeman's shoulders stiffened, and he put one foot on the keg.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From where I lay I could see the fingers of his left hand shut tight over his thumb, pressing till the knuckles were white and the cords in the back of his hand stood out in little ridges.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From where I lay I could see the fingers of his left hand shut tight over his thumb, pressing till the knuckles were white and the cords in the back of his hand stood out in little ridges.
up to a particular time
From this reading From where I lay I could see the fingers of his left hand shut tight over his thumb, pressing till the knuckles were white and the cords in the back of his hand stood out in little ridges.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I'd seen _that_ before, and I recalled with a start when and where I'd heard that soft, drawly voice.
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He made no other move; but if ever a man's back was eloquent of determination, his was.
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading From where I lay I could see the fingers of his left hand shut tight over his thumb, pressing till the knuckles were white and the cords in the back of his hand stood out in little ridges.
at the time that
From this reading I'd seen _that_ before, and I recalled with a start when and where I'd heard that soft, drawly voice.
in or at the place that
From this reading From where I lay I could see the fingers of his left hand shut tight over his thumb, pressing till the knuckles were white and the cords in the back of his hand stood out in little ridges.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From where I lay I could see the fingers of his left hand shut tight over his thumb, pressing till the knuckles were white and the cords in the back of his hand stood out in little ridges.
in the company of; together with
From this reading I'd seen _that_ before, and I recalled with a start when and where I'd heard that soft, drawly voice.
