A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter VI
I perceived, therefore, that if I could get the three measurements, I could soon tell the capacity of my butt; but therein lay the difficulty. How were these measurements to be obtained? I might have obtained the length, for that was before me from end to end; but how should I get the circumference either of the middle or of either end? I could not reach over the top, nor around the ends. Both directions were blocked up against me.
Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading “Both directions were blocked up against me.”
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading “I could not reach over the top, nor around the ends.”
earlier than; in front of
From this reading “I might have obtained the length, for that was before me from end to end; but how should I get the circumference either of the middle or of either end?”
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading “I perceived, therefore, that if I could get the three measurements, I could soon tell the capacity of my butt; but therein lay the difficulty.”
one or the other of two
From this reading “I might have obtained the length, for that was before me from end to end; but how should I get the circumference either of the middle or of either end?”
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “I might have obtained the length, for that was before me from end to end; but how should I get the circumference either of the middle or of either end?”
a period of time or extent
From this reading “I might have obtained the length, for that was before me from end to end; but how should I get the circumference either of the middle or of either end?”
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading “I might have obtained the length, for that was before me from end to end; but how should I get the circumference either of the middle or of either end?”
above and across; more than
From this reading “I could not reach over the top, nor around the ends.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I perceived, therefore, that if I could get the three measurements, I could soon tell the capacity of my butt; but therein lay the difficulty.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I perceived, therefore, that if I could get the three measurements, I could soon tell the capacity of my butt; but therein lay the difficulty.”
for that reason; as a result
From this reading “I perceived, therefore, that if I could get the three measurements, I could soon tell the capacity of my butt; but therein lay the difficulty.”
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading “How were these measurements to be obtained?”
Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Both directions were blocked up against me.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading I could not reach over the top, nor around the ends.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading How were these measurements to be obtained?
earlier than; in front of
From this reading I might have obtained the length, for that was before me from end to end; but how should I get the circumference either of the middle or of either end?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both directions were blocked up against me.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Both directions were blocked up against me.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I perceived, therefore, that if I could get the three measurements, I could soon tell the capacity of my butt; but therein lay the difficulty.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I perceived, therefore, that if I could get the three measurements, I could soon tell the capacity of my butt; but therein lay the difficulty.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I perceived, therefore, that if I could get the three measurements, I could soon tell the capacity of my butt; but therein lay the difficulty.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I might have obtained the length, for that was before me from end to end; but how should I get the circumference either of the middle or of either end?
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I perceived, therefore, that if I could get the three measurements, I could soon tell the capacity of my butt; but therein lay the difficulty.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I perceived, therefore, that if I could get the three measurements, I could soon tell the capacity of my butt; but therein lay the difficulty.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both directions were blocked up against me.
one or the other of two
From this reading I might have obtained the length, for that was before me from end to end; but how should I get the circumference either of the middle or of either end?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I might have obtained the length, for that was before me from end to end; but how should I get the circumference either of the middle or of either end?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not reach over the top, nor around the ends.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I might have obtained the length, for that was before me from end to end; but how should I get the circumference either of the middle or of either end?
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I might have obtained the length, for that was before me from end to end; but how should I get the circumference either of the middle or of either end?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I perceived, therefore, that if I could get the three measurements, I could soon tell the capacity of my butt; but therein lay the difficulty.
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I might have obtained the length, for that was before me from end to end; but how should I get the circumference either of the middle or of either end?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How were these measurements to be obtained?
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I perceived, therefore, that if I could get the three measurements, I could soon tell the capacity of my butt; but therein lay the difficulty.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading I perceived, therefore, that if I could get the three measurements, I could soon tell the capacity of my butt; but therein lay the difficulty.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I perceived, therefore, that if I could get the three measurements, I could soon tell the capacity of my butt; but therein lay the difficulty.
a period of time or extent
From this reading I might have obtained the length, for that was before me from end to end; but how should I get the circumference either of the middle or of either end?
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I might have obtained the length, for that was before me from end to end; but how should I get the circumference either of the middle or of either end?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I perceived, therefore, that if I could get the three measurements, I could soon tell the capacity of my butt; but therein lay the difficulty.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I might have obtained the length, for that was before me from end to end; but how should I get the circumference either of the middle or of either end?
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading I might have obtained the length, for that was before me from end to end; but how should I get the circumference either of the middle or of either end?
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I perceived, therefore, that if I could get the three measurements, I could soon tell the capacity of my butt; but therein lay the difficulty.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading I could not reach over the top, nor around the ends.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I could not reach over the top, nor around the ends.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How were these measurements to be obtained?
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I perceived, therefore, that if I could get the three measurements, I could soon tell the capacity of my butt; but therein lay the difficulty.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I might have obtained the length, for that was before me from end to end; but how should I get the circumference either of the middle or of either end?
above and across; more than
From this reading I could not reach over the top, nor around the ends.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I perceived, therefore, that if I could get the three measurements, I could soon tell the capacity of my butt; but therein lay the difficulty.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not reach over the top, nor around the ends.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading I might have obtained the length, for that was before me from end to end; but how should I get the circumference either of the middle or of either end?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I perceived, therefore, that if I could get the three measurements, I could soon tell the capacity of my butt; but therein lay the difficulty.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I perceived, therefore, that if I could get the three measurements, I could soon tell the capacity of my butt; but therein lay the difficulty.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I perceived, therefore, that if I could get the three measurements, I could soon tell the capacity of my butt; but therein lay the difficulty.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I perceived, therefore, that if I could get the three measurements, I could soon tell the capacity of my butt; but therein lay the difficulty.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading I perceived, therefore, that if I could get the three measurements, I could soon tell the capacity of my butt; but therein lay the difficulty.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I perceived, therefore, that if I could get the three measurements, I could soon tell the capacity of my butt; but therein lay the difficulty.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading How were these measurements to be obtained?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I perceived, therefore, that if I could get the three measurements, I could soon tell the capacity of my butt; but therein lay the difficulty.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading How were these measurements to be obtained?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not reach over the top, nor around the ends.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both directions were blocked up against me.
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I might have obtained the length, for that was before me from end to end; but how should I get the circumference either of the middle or of either end?
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading How were these measurements to be obtained?
