A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter XXVI
Happiness! Miss Forster was silent. That her visitor's words had affected her disagreeably her behaviour showed. Showing Miss Spurrier her back, facing the mantelshelf, she pretended to be interested by the trifles which were on it, but to an observant eye few things can be more eloquent than a person's back; the twitching of her shoulders was in itself more than sufficiently eloquent. Even her speech betrayed her; it faltered.
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 “Even her speech betrayed her; it faltered.”
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading “Showing Miss Spurrier her back, facing the mantelshelf, she pretended to be interested by the trifles which were on it, but to an observant eye few things can be more eloquent than a person's back; the twitching of her shoulders was in itself more than sufficiently eloquent.”
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 Showing Miss Spurrier her back, facing the mantelshelf, she pretended to be interested by the trifles which were on it, but to an observant eye few things can be more eloquent than a person's back; the twitching of her shoulders was in itself more than sufficiently eloquent.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That her visitor's words had affected her disagreeably her behaviour showed.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Showing Miss Spurrier her back, facing the mantelshelf, she pretended to be interested by the trifles which were on it, but to an observant eye few things can be more eloquent than a person's back; the twitching of her shoulders was in itself more than sufficiently eloquent.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Showing Miss Spurrier her back, facing the mantelshelf, she pretended to be interested by the trifles which were on it, but to an observant eye few things can be more eloquent than a person's back; the twitching of her shoulders was in itself more than sufficiently eloquent.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Showing Miss Spurrier her back, facing the mantelshelf, she pretended to be interested by the trifles which were on it, but to an observant eye few things can be more eloquent than a person's back; the twitching of her shoulders was in itself more than sufficiently eloquent.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That her visitor's words had affected her disagreeably her behaviour showed.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even her speech betrayed her; it faltered.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Showing Miss Spurrier her back, facing the mantelshelf, she pretended to be interested by the trifles which were on it, but to an observant eye few things can be more eloquent than a person's back; the twitching of her shoulders was in itself more than sufficiently eloquent.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Showing Miss Spurrier her back, facing the mantelshelf, she pretended to be interested by the trifles which were on it, but to an observant eye few things can be more eloquent than a person's back; the twitching of her shoulders was in itself more than sufficiently eloquent.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Showing Miss Spurrier her back, facing the mantelshelf, she pretended to be interested by the trifles which were on it, but to an observant eye few things can be more eloquent than a person's back; the twitching of her shoulders was in itself more than sufficiently eloquent.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That her visitor's words had affected her disagreeably her behaviour showed.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Showing Miss Spurrier her back, facing the mantelshelf, she pretended to be interested by the trifles which were on it, but to an observant eye few things can be more eloquent than a person's back; the twitching of her shoulders was in itself more than sufficiently eloquent.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Even her speech betrayed her; it faltered.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Showing Miss Spurrier her back, facing the mantelshelf, she pretended to be interested by the trifles which were on it, but to an observant eye few things can be more eloquent than a person's back; the twitching of her shoulders was in itself more than sufficiently eloquent.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Showing Miss Spurrier her back, facing the mantelshelf, she pretended to be interested by the trifles which were on it, but to an observant eye few things can be more eloquent than a person's back; the twitching of her shoulders was in itself more than sufficiently eloquent.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even her speech betrayed her; it faltered.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Showing Miss Spurrier her back, facing the mantelshelf, she pretended to be interested by the trifles which were on it, but to an observant eye few things can be more eloquent than a person's back; the twitching of her shoulders was in itself more than sufficiently eloquent.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Forster was silent.
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That her visitor's words had affected her disagreeably her behaviour showed.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Happiness!
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading That her visitor's words had affected her disagreeably her behaviour showed.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Showing Miss Spurrier her back, facing the mantelshelf, she pretended to be interested by the trifles which were on it, but to an observant eye few things can be more eloquent than a person's back; the twitching of her shoulders was in itself more than sufficiently eloquent.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Showing Miss Spurrier her back, facing the mantelshelf, she pretended to be interested by the trifles which were on it, but to an observant eye few things can be more eloquent than a person's back; the twitching of her shoulders was in itself more than sufficiently eloquent.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Showing Miss Spurrier her back, facing the mantelshelf, she pretended to be interested by the trifles which were on it, but to an observant eye few things can be more eloquent than a person's back; the twitching of her shoulders was in itself more than sufficiently eloquent.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Showing Miss Spurrier her back, facing the mantelshelf, she pretended to be interested by the trifles which were on it, but to an observant eye few things can be more eloquent than a person's back; the twitching of her shoulders was in itself more than sufficiently eloquent.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Showing Miss Spurrier her back, facing the mantelshelf, she pretended to be interested by the trifles which were on it, but to an observant eye few things can be more eloquent than a person's back; the twitching of her shoulders was in itself more than sufficiently eloquent.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Forster was silent.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Showing Miss Spurrier her back, facing the mantelshelf, she pretended to be interested by the trifles which were on it, but to an observant eye few things can be more eloquent than a person's back; the twitching of her shoulders was in itself more than sufficiently eloquent.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Showing Miss Spurrier her back, facing the mantelshelf, she pretended to be interested by the trifles which were on it, but to an observant eye few things can be more eloquent than a person's back; the twitching of her shoulders was in itself more than sufficiently eloquent.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Showing Miss Spurrier her back, facing the mantelshelf, she pretended to be interested by the trifles which were on it, but to an observant eye few things can be more eloquent than a person's back; the twitching of her shoulders was in itself more than sufficiently eloquent.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Showing Miss Spurrier her back, facing the mantelshelf, she pretended to be interested by the trifles which were on it, but to an observant eye few things can be more eloquent than a person's back; the twitching of her shoulders was in itself more than sufficiently eloquent.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Showing Miss Spurrier her back, facing the mantelshelf, she pretended to be interested by the trifles which were on it, but to an observant eye few things can be more eloquent than a person's back; the twitching of her shoulders was in itself more than sufficiently eloquent.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Showing Miss Spurrier her back, facing the mantelshelf, she pretended to be interested by the trifles which were on it, but to an observant eye few things can be more eloquent than a person's back; the twitching of her shoulders was in itself more than sufficiently eloquent.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Showing Miss Spurrier her back, facing the mantelshelf, she pretended to be interested by the trifles which were on it, but to an observant eye few things can be more eloquent than a person's back; the twitching of her shoulders was in itself more than sufficiently eloquent.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Showing Miss Spurrier her back, facing the mantelshelf, she pretended to be interested by the trifles which were on it, but to an observant eye few things can be more eloquent than a person's back; the twitching of her shoulders was in itself more than sufficiently eloquent.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That her visitor's words had affected her disagreeably her behaviour showed.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Showing Miss Spurrier her back, facing the mantelshelf, she pretended to be interested by the trifles which were on it, but to an observant eye few things can be more eloquent than a person's back; the twitching of her shoulders was in itself more than sufficiently eloquent.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Forster was silent.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even her speech betrayed her; it faltered.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Showing Miss Spurrier her back, facing the mantelshelf, she pretended to be interested by the trifles which were on it, but to an observant eye few things can be more eloquent than a person's back; the twitching of her shoulders was in itself more than sufficiently eloquent.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Showing Miss Spurrier her back, facing the mantelshelf, she pretended to be interested by the trifles which were on it, but to an observant eye few things can be more eloquent than a person's back; the twitching of her shoulders was in itself more than sufficiently eloquent.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Showing Miss Spurrier her back, facing the mantelshelf, she pretended to be interested by the trifles which were on it, but to an observant eye few things can be more eloquent than a person's back; the twitching of her shoulders was in itself more than sufficiently eloquent.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That her visitor's words had affected her disagreeably her behaviour showed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Showing Miss Spurrier her back, facing the mantelshelf, she pretended to be interested by the trifles which were on it, but to an observant eye few things can be more eloquent than a person's back; the twitching of her shoulders was in itself more than sufficiently eloquent.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Showing Miss Spurrier her back, facing the mantelshelf, she pretended to be interested by the trifles which were on it, but to an observant eye few things can be more eloquent than a person's back; the twitching of her shoulders was in itself more than sufficiently eloquent.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Showing Miss Spurrier her back, facing the mantelshelf, she pretended to be interested by the trifles which were on it, but to an observant eye few things can be more eloquent than a person's back; the twitching of her shoulders was in itself more than sufficiently eloquent.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Showing Miss Spurrier her back, facing the mantelshelf, she pretended to be interested by the trifles which were on it, but to an observant eye few things can be more eloquent than a person's back; the twitching of her shoulders was in itself more than sufficiently eloquent.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Showing Miss Spurrier her back, facing the mantelshelf, she pretended to be interested by the trifles which were on it, but to an observant eye few things can be more eloquent than a person's back; the twitching of her shoulders was in itself more than sufficiently eloquent.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That her visitor's words had affected her disagreeably her behaviour showed.
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Miss Forster was silent.
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Showing Miss Spurrier her back, facing the mantelshelf, she pretended to be interested by the trifles which were on it, but to an observant eye few things can be more eloquent than a person's back; the twitching of her shoulders was in itself more than sufficiently eloquent.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Showing Miss Spurrier her back, facing the mantelshelf, she pretended to be interested by the trifles which were on it, but to an observant eye few things can be more eloquent than a person's back; the twitching of her shoulders was in itself more than sufficiently eloquent.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That her visitor's words had affected her disagreeably her behaviour showed.
