A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter XIII
HOW NICK FOUND THE JEWELS. It certainly looked like sheer recklessness for this thief, whoever he might be, to play his game on Nick almost at the very moment when the great detective appeared upon the scene. Shrewd as Nick was, he had not expected this. His first thought, as the reader knows, was that it was a bold challenge, the defiance of a nervy criminal who thought himself absolutely safe from detection. But a moment's reflection made this seem less probable.
Reading 1/31 · 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.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “His first thought, as the reader knows, was that it was a bold challenge, the defiance of a nervy criminal who thought himself absolutely safe from detection.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “HOW NICK FOUND THE JEWELS.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “It certainly looked like sheer recklessness for this thief, whoever he might be, to play his game on Nick almost at the very moment when the great detective appeared upon the scene.”
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading “His first thought, as the reader knows, was that it was a bold challenge, the defiance of a nervy criminal who thought himself absolutely safe from detection.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “It certainly looked like sheer recklessness for this thief, whoever he might be, to play his game on Nick almost at the very moment when the great detective appeared upon the scene.”
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading “It certainly looked like sheer recklessness for this thief, whoever he might be, to play his game on Nick almost at the very moment when the great detective appeared upon the scene.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “His first thought, as the reader knows, was that it was a bold challenge, the defiance of a nervy criminal who thought himself absolutely safe from detection.”
a formal word for “on”
From this reading “It certainly looked like sheer recklessness for this thief, whoever he might be, to play his game on Nick almost at the very moment when the great detective appeared upon the scene.”
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 His first thought, as the reader knows, was that it was a bold challenge, the defiance of a nervy criminal who thought himself absolutely safe from detection.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His first thought, as the reader knows, was that it was a bold challenge, the defiance of a nervy criminal who thought himself absolutely safe from detection.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It certainly looked like sheer recklessness for this thief, whoever he might be, to play his game on Nick almost at the very moment when the great detective appeared upon the scene.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It certainly looked like sheer recklessness for this thief, whoever he might be, to play his game on Nick almost at the very moment when the great detective appeared upon the scene.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Shrewd as Nick was, he had not expected this.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It certainly looked like sheer recklessness for this thief, whoever he might be, to play his game on Nick almost at the very moment when the great detective appeared upon the scene.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It certainly looked like sheer recklessness for this thief, whoever he might be, to play his game on Nick almost at the very moment when the great detective appeared upon the scene.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His first thought, as the reader knows, was that it was a bold challenge, the defiance of a nervy criminal who thought himself absolutely safe from detection.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But a moment's reflection made this seem less probable.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It certainly looked like sheer recklessness for this thief, whoever he might be, to play his game on Nick almost at the very moment when the great detective appeared upon the scene.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His first thought, as the reader knows, was that it was a bold challenge, the defiance of a nervy criminal who thought himself absolutely safe from detection.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His first thought, as the reader knows, was that it was a bold challenge, the defiance of a nervy criminal who thought himself absolutely safe from detection.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His first thought, as the reader knows, was that it was a bold challenge, the defiance of a nervy criminal who thought himself absolutely safe from detection.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His first thought, as the reader knows, was that it was a bold challenge, the defiance of a nervy criminal who thought himself absolutely safe from detection.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It certainly looked like sheer recklessness for this thief, whoever he might be, to play his game on Nick almost at the very moment when the great detective appeared upon the scene.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shrewd as Nick was, he had not expected this.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His first thought, as the reader knows, was that it was a bold challenge, the defiance of a nervy criminal who thought himself absolutely safe from detection.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It certainly looked like sheer recklessness for this thief, whoever he might be, to play his game on Nick almost at the very moment when the great detective appeared upon the scene.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading HOW NICK FOUND THE JEWELS.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading His first thought, as the reader knows, was that it was a bold challenge, the defiance of a nervy criminal who thought himself absolutely safe from detection.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It certainly looked like sheer recklessness for this thief, whoever he might be, to play his game on Nick almost at the very moment when the great detective appeared upon the scene.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It certainly looked like sheer recklessness for this thief, whoever he might be, to play his game on Nick almost at the very moment when the great detective appeared upon the scene.
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Shrewd as Nick was, he had not expected this.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It certainly looked like sheer recklessness for this thief, whoever he might be, to play his game on Nick almost at the very moment when the great detective appeared upon the scene.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading His first thought, as the reader knows, was that it was a bold challenge, the defiance of a nervy criminal who thought himself absolutely safe from detection.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It certainly looked like sheer recklessness for this thief, whoever he might be, to play his game on Nick almost at the very moment when the great detective appeared upon the scene.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW NICK FOUND THE JEWELS.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It certainly looked like sheer recklessness for this thief, whoever he might be, to play his game on Nick almost at the very moment when the great detective appeared upon the scene.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW NICK FOUND THE JEWELS.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His first thought, as the reader knows, was that it was a bold challenge, the defiance of a nervy criminal who thought himself absolutely safe from detection.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But a moment's reflection made this seem less probable.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It certainly looked like sheer recklessness for this thief, whoever he might be, to play his game on Nick almost at the very moment when the great detective appeared upon the scene.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It certainly looked like sheer recklessness for this thief, whoever he might be, to play his game on Nick almost at the very moment when the great detective appeared upon the scene.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But a moment's reflection made this seem less probable.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading It certainly looked like sheer recklessness for this thief, whoever he might be, to play his game on Nick almost at the very moment when the great detective appeared upon the scene.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It certainly looked like sheer recklessness for this thief, whoever he might be, to play his game on Nick almost at the very moment when the great detective appeared upon the scene.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But a moment's reflection made this seem less probable.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His first thought, as the reader knows, was that it was a bold challenge, the defiance of a nervy criminal who thought himself absolutely safe from detection.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW NICK FOUND THE JEWELS.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Shrewd as Nick was, he had not expected this.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His first thought, as the reader knows, was that it was a bold challenge, the defiance of a nervy criminal who thought himself absolutely safe from detection.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It certainly looked like sheer recklessness for this thief, whoever he might be, to play his game on Nick almost at the very moment when the great detective appeared upon the scene.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It certainly looked like sheer recklessness for this thief, whoever he might be, to play his game on Nick almost at the very moment when the great detective appeared upon the scene.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But a moment's reflection made this seem less probable.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His first thought, as the reader knows, was that it was a bold challenge, the defiance of a nervy criminal who thought himself absolutely safe from detection.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It certainly looked like sheer recklessness for this thief, whoever he might be, to play his game on Nick almost at the very moment when the great detective appeared upon the scene.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But a moment's reflection made this seem less probable.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His first thought, as the reader knows, was that it was a bold challenge, the defiance of a nervy criminal who thought himself absolutely safe from detection.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It certainly looked like sheer recklessness for this thief, whoever he might be, to play his game on Nick almost at the very moment when the great detective appeared upon the scene.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But a moment's reflection made this seem less probable.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It certainly looked like sheer recklessness for this thief, whoever he might be, to play his game on Nick almost at the very moment when the great detective appeared upon the scene.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shrewd as Nick was, he had not expected this.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading His first thought, as the reader knows, was that it was a bold challenge, the defiance of a nervy criminal who thought himself absolutely safe from detection.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HOW NICK FOUND THE JEWELS.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It certainly looked like sheer recklessness for this thief, whoever he might be, to play his game on Nick almost at the very moment when the great detective appeared upon the scene.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It certainly looked like sheer recklessness for this thief, whoever he might be, to play his game on Nick almost at the very moment when the great detective appeared upon the scene.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His first thought, as the reader knows, was that it was a bold challenge, the defiance of a nervy criminal who thought himself absolutely safe from detection.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It certainly looked like sheer recklessness for this thief, whoever he might be, to play his game on Nick almost at the very moment when the great detective appeared upon the scene.
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It certainly looked like sheer recklessness for this thief, whoever he might be, to play his game on Nick almost at the very moment when the great detective appeared upon the scene.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It certainly looked like sheer recklessness for this thief, whoever he might be, to play his game on Nick almost at the very moment when the great detective appeared upon the scene.
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Shrewd as Nick was, he had not expected this.
at the time that
From this reading It certainly looked like sheer recklessness for this thief, whoever he might be, to play his game on Nick almost at the very moment when the great detective appeared upon the scene.
which person or people
From this reading His first thought, as the reader knows, was that it was a bold challenge, the defiance of a nervy criminal who thought himself absolutely safe from detection.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It certainly looked like sheer recklessness for this thief, whoever he might be, to play his game on Nick almost at the very moment when the great detective appeared upon the scene.
