A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter IX
THE CLERK'S QUEST For thirty years Edward Dempsey had worked low down in the list of clerks in the firm of Quin and Wee. He did his work so well that he seemed born to do it, and it was felt that any change in which Dempsey was concerned would be unlucky. Managers had looked at Dempsey doubtingly and had left him in his habits. New partners had come into the business, but Dempsey showed no sign of interest. He was interested only in his desk.
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 “He did his work so well that he seemed born to do it, and it was felt that any change in which Dempsey was concerned would be unlucky.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “New partners had come into the business, but Dempsey showed no sign of interest.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Managers had looked at Dempsey doubtingly and had left him in his habits.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Managers had looked at Dempsey doubtingly and had left him in his habits.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “He did his work so well that he seemed born to do it, and it was felt that any change in which Dempsey was concerned would be unlucky.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “He did his work so well that he seemed born to do it, and it was felt that any change in which Dempsey was concerned would be unlucky.”
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “He did his work so well that he seemed born to do it, and it was felt that any change in which Dempsey was concerned would be unlucky.”
Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE CLERK'S QUEST For thirty years Edward Dempsey had worked low down in the list of clerks in the firm of Quin and Wee.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did his work so well that he seemed born to do it, and it was felt that any change in which Dempsey was concerned would be unlucky.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Managers had looked at Dempsey doubtingly and had left him in his habits.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He did his work so well that he seemed born to do it, and it was felt that any change in which Dempsey was concerned would be unlucky.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He did his work so well that he seemed born to do it, and it was felt that any change in which Dempsey was concerned would be unlucky.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading New partners had come into the business, but Dempsey showed no sign of interest.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading New partners had come into the business, but Dempsey showed no sign of interest.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did his work so well that he seemed born to do it, and it was felt that any change in which Dempsey was concerned would be unlucky.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CLERK'S QUEST For thirty years Edward Dempsey had worked low down in the list of clerks in the firm of Quin and Wee.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CLERK'S QUEST For thirty years Edward Dempsey had worked low down in the list of clerks in the firm of Quin and Wee.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading New partners had come into the business, but Dempsey showed no sign of interest.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did his work so well that he seemed born to do it, and it was felt that any change in which Dempsey was concerned would be unlucky.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CLERK'S QUEST For thirty years Edward Dempsey had worked low down in the list of clerks in the firm of Quin and Wee.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was interested only in his desk.
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He did his work so well that he seemed born to do it, and it was felt that any change in which Dempsey was concerned would be unlucky.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading He did his work so well that he seemed born to do it, and it was felt that any change in which Dempsey was concerned would be unlucky.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Managers had looked at Dempsey doubtingly and had left him in his habits.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CLERK'S QUEST For thirty years Edward Dempsey had worked low down in the list of clerks in the firm of Quin and Wee.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CLERK'S QUEST For thirty years Edward Dempsey had worked low down in the list of clerks in the firm of Quin and Wee.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did his work so well that he seemed born to do it, and it was felt that any change in which Dempsey was concerned would be unlucky.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CLERK'S QUEST For thirty years Edward Dempsey had worked low down in the list of clerks in the firm of Quin and Wee.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE CLERK'S QUEST For thirty years Edward Dempsey had worked low down in the list of clerks in the firm of Quin and Wee.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Managers had looked at Dempsey doubtingly and had left him in his habits.
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE CLERK'S QUEST For thirty years Edward Dempsey had worked low down in the list of clerks in the firm of Quin and Wee.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He did his work so well that he seemed born to do it, and it was felt that any change in which Dempsey was concerned would be unlucky.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Managers had looked at Dempsey doubtingly and had left him in his habits.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He did his work so well that he seemed born to do it, and it was felt that any change in which Dempsey was concerned would be unlucky.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE CLERK'S QUEST For thirty years Edward Dempsey had worked low down in the list of clerks in the firm of Quin and Wee.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading New partners had come into the business, but Dempsey showed no sign of interest.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was interested only in his desk.
moving to the inside of something
From this reading New partners had come into the business, but Dempsey showed no sign of interest.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He did his work so well that he seemed born to do it, and it was felt that any change in which Dempsey was concerned would be unlucky.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Managers had looked at Dempsey doubtingly and had left him in his habits.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CLERK'S QUEST For thirty years Edward Dempsey had worked low down in the list of clerks in the firm of Quin and Wee.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Managers had looked at Dempsey doubtingly and had left him in his habits.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CLERK'S QUEST For thirty years Edward Dempsey had worked low down in the list of clerks in the firm of Quin and Wee.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Managers had looked at Dempsey doubtingly and had left him in his habits.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading New partners had come into the business, but Dempsey showed no sign of interest.
not any; not one
From this reading New partners had come into the business, but Dempsey showed no sign of interest.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE CLERK'S QUEST For thirty years Edward Dempsey had worked low down in the list of clerks in the firm of Quin and Wee.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was interested only in his desk.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading New partners had come into the business, but Dempsey showed no sign of interest.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CLERK'S QUEST For thirty years Edward Dempsey had worked low down in the list of clerks in the firm of Quin and Wee.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CLERK'S QUEST For thirty years Edward Dempsey had worked low down in the list of clerks in the firm of Quin and Wee.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He did his work so well that he seemed born to do it, and it was felt that any change in which Dempsey was concerned would be unlucky.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading New partners had come into the business, but Dempsey showed no sign of interest.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading New partners had come into the business, but Dempsey showed no sign of interest.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He did his work so well that he seemed born to do it, and it was felt that any change in which Dempsey was concerned would be unlucky.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He did his work so well that he seemed born to do it, and it was felt that any change in which Dempsey was concerned would be unlucky.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CLERK'S QUEST For thirty years Edward Dempsey had worked low down in the list of clerks in the firm of Quin and Wee.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CLERK'S QUEST For thirty years Edward Dempsey had worked low down in the list of clerks in the firm of Quin and Wee.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He did his work so well that he seemed born to do it, and it was felt that any change in which Dempsey was concerned would be unlucky.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did his work so well that he seemed born to do it, and it was felt that any change in which Dempsey was concerned would be unlucky.
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He did his work so well that he seemed born to do it, and it was felt that any change in which Dempsey was concerned would be unlucky.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CLERK'S QUEST For thirty years Edward Dempsey had worked low down in the list of clerks in the firm of Quin and Wee.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did his work so well that he seemed born to do it, and it was felt that any change in which Dempsey was concerned would be unlucky.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He did his work so well that he seemed born to do it, and it was felt that any change in which Dempsey was concerned would be unlucky.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did his work so well that he seemed born to do it, and it was felt that any change in which Dempsey was concerned would be unlucky.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CLERK'S QUEST For thirty years Edward Dempsey had worked low down in the list of clerks in the firm of Quin and Wee.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He did his work so well that he seemed born to do it, and it was felt that any change in which Dempsey was concerned would be unlucky.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CLERK'S QUEST For thirty years Edward Dempsey had worked low down in the list of clerks in the firm of Quin and Wee.
