Chapter II · Lamp-Lighting

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The occasion on which his father used the word was this,— One evening, Rollo’s mother was trying to light a little lamp, to go into her bedroom for something that she wanted.

anew

From this reading Perhaps he never would have thought of it again, if his father had not happened to use the word _combustible_ one evening, which reminded him of the term _combustion_, which Jonas had used.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading They were kept in this vase upon the mantel-piece in order to be always ready for use.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Rollo did not think to ask his father the reason why the philosophers use such learned language, or, as he expressed it, such hard words, for several days.

make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading Rollo did not think to ask his father the reason why the philosophers use such learned language, or, as he expressed it, such hard words, for several days.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading They were kept in this vase upon the mantel-piece in order to be always ready for use.

a room used primarily for sleeping

From this reading The occasion on which his father used the word was this,— One evening, Rollo’s mother was trying to light a little lamp, to go into her bedroom for something that she wanted.

a substance that can be burned to provide heat or power

From this reading Perhaps he never would have thought of it again, if his father had not happened to use the word _combustible_ one evening, which reminded him of the term _combustion_, which Jonas had used.

a process in which a substance reacts with oxygen to give heat and light

From this reading Perhaps he never would have thought of it again, if his father had not happened to use the word _combustible_ one evening, which reminded him of the term _combustion_, which Jonas had used.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Rollo did not think to ask his father the reason why the philosophers use such learned language, or, as he expressed it, such hard words, for several days.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Rollo did not think to ask his father the reason why the philosophers use such learned language, or, as he expressed it, such hard words, for several days.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading Perhaps he never would have thought of it again, if his father had not happened to use the word _combustible_ one evening, which reminded him of the term _combustion_, which Jonas had used.

communicated in words

From this reading Rollo did not think to ask his father the reason why the philosophers use such learned language, or, as he expressed it, such hard words, for several days.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading Rollo did not think to ask his father the reason why the philosophers use such learned language, or, as he expressed it, such hard words, for several days.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Rollo did not think to ask his father the reason why the philosophers use such learned language, or, as he expressed it, such hard words, for several days.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading The occasion on which his father used the word was this,— One evening, Rollo’s mother was trying to light a little lamp, to go into her bedroom for something that she wanted.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Perhaps he never would have thought of it again, if his father had not happened to use the word _combustible_ one evening, which reminded him of the term _combustion_, which Jonas had used.

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading Perhaps he never would have thought of it again, if his father had not happened to use the word _combustible_ one evening, which reminded him of the term _combustion_, which Jonas had used.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading Rollo did not think to ask his father the reason why the philosophers use such learned language, or, as he expressed it, such hard words, for several days.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Perhaps he never would have thought of it again, if his father had not happened to use the word _combustible_ one evening, which reminded him of the term _combustion_, which Jonas had used.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Rollo did not think to ask his father the reason why the philosophers use such learned language, or, as he expressed it, such hard words, for several days.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading The occasion on which his father used the word was this,— One evening, Rollo’s mother was trying to light a little lamp, to go into her bedroom for something that she wanted.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Perhaps he never would have thought of it again, if his father had not happened to use the word _combustible_ one evening, which reminded him of the term _combustion_, which Jonas had used.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Rollo did not think to ask his father the reason why the philosophers use such learned language, or, as he expressed it, such hard words, for several days.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Perhaps he never would have thought of it again, if his father had not happened to use the word _combustible_ one evening, which reminded him of the term _combustion_, which Jonas had used.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading There were, usually, in a little vase upon the mantel-piece, some lamp-lighters, which were long, slender rolls of paper, that Rollo had rolled up for this purpose.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The occasion on which his father used the word was this,— One evening, Rollo’s mother was trying to light a little lamp, to go into her bedroom for something that she wanted.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Rollo did not think to ask his father the reason why the philosophers use such learned language, or, as he expressed it, such hard words, for several days.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Perhaps he never would have thought of it again, if his father had not happened to use the word _combustible_ one evening, which reminded him of the term _combustion_, which Jonas had used.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading They were kept in this vase upon the mantel-piece in order to be always ready for use.

an artificial source of visible illumination

From this reading The occasion on which his father used the word was this,— One evening, Rollo’s mother was trying to light a little lamp, to go into her bedroom for something that she wanted.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There were, usually, in a little vase upon the mantel-piece, some lamp-lighters, which were long, slender rolls of paper, that Rollo had rolled up for this purpose.

a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols

From this reading Rollo did not think to ask his father the reason why the philosophers use such learned language, or, as he expressed it, such hard words, for several days.

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading Rollo did not think to ask his father the reason why the philosophers use such learned language, or, as he expressed it, such hard words, for several days.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading The occasion on which his father used the word was this,— One evening, Rollo’s mother was trying to light a little lamp, to go into her bedroom for something that she wanted.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The occasion on which his father used the word was this,— One evening, Rollo’s mother was trying to light a little lamp, to go into her bedroom for something that she wanted.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading There were, usually, in a little vase upon the mantel-piece, some lamp-lighters, which were long, slender rolls of paper, that Rollo had rolled up for this purpose.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There were, usually, in a little vase upon the mantel-piece, some lamp-lighters, which were long, slender rolls of paper, that Rollo had rolled up for this purpose.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading The occasion on which his father used the word was this,— One evening, Rollo’s mother was trying to light a little lamp, to go into her bedroom for something that she wanted.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Perhaps he never would have thought of it again, if his father had not happened to use the word _combustible_ one evening, which reminded him of the term _combustion_, which Jonas had used.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Rollo did not think to ask his father the reason why the philosophers use such learned language, or, as he expressed it, such hard words, for several days.

an event that occurs at a critical time

From this reading The occasion on which his father used the word was this,— One evening, Rollo’s mother was trying to light a little lamp, to go into her bedroom for something that she wanted.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Perhaps he never would have thought of it again, if his father had not happened to use the word _combustible_ one evening, which reminded him of the term _combustion_, which Jonas had used.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The occasion on which his father used the word was this,— One evening, Rollo’s mother was trying to light a little lamp, to go into her bedroom for something that she wanted.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Perhaps he never would have thought of it again, if his father had not happened to use the word _combustible_ one evening, which reminded him of the term _combustion_, which Jonas had used.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Rollo did not think to ask his father the reason why the philosophers use such learned language, or, as he expressed it, such hard words, for several days.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading They were kept in this vase upon the mantel-piece in order to be always ready for use.

a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses

From this reading There were, usually, in a little vase upon the mantel-piece, some lamp-lighters, which were long, slender rolls of paper, that Rollo had rolled up for this purpose.

by chance

From this reading Perhaps he never would have thought of it again, if his father had not happened to use the word _combustible_ one evening, which reminded him of the term _combustion_, which Jonas had used.

plural of “philosopher” — a specialist in philosophy

From this reading Rollo did not think to ask his father the reason why the philosophers use such learned language, or, as he expressed it, such hard words, for several days.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading There were, usually, in a little vase upon the mantel-piece, some lamp-lighters, which were long, slender rolls of paper, that Rollo had rolled up for this purpose.

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading They were kept in this vase upon the mantel-piece in order to be always ready for use.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading Rollo did not think to ask his father the reason why the philosophers use such learned language, or, as he expressed it, such hard words, for several days.

past form of “remind” — put in the mind of someone

From this reading Perhaps he never would have thought of it again, if his father had not happened to use the word _combustible_ one evening, which reminded him of the term _combustion_, which Jonas had used.

especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward

From this reading There were, usually, in a little vase upon the mantel-piece, some lamp-lighters, which were long, slender rolls of paper, that Rollo had rolled up for this purpose.

Norse chieftain who became the first duke of Normandy (860-931)

From this reading Rollo did not think to ask his father the reason why the philosophers use such learned language, or, as he expressed it, such hard words, for several days.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The occasion on which his father used the word was this,— One evening, Rollo’s mother was trying to light a little lamp, to go into her bedroom for something that she wanted.

plural of “roll” — rotary motion of an object around its own axis

From this reading There were, usually, in a little vase upon the mantel-piece, some lamp-lighters, which were long, slender rolls of paper, that Rollo had rolled up for this purpose.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading Rollo did not think to ask his father the reason why the philosophers use such learned language, or, as he expressed it, such hard words, for several days.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The occasion on which his father used the word was this,— One evening, Rollo’s mother was trying to light a little lamp, to go into her bedroom for something that she wanted.

being of delicate or slender build

From this reading There were, usually, in a little vase upon the mantel-piece, some lamp-lighters, which were long, slender rolls of paper, that Rollo had rolled up for this purpose.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading There were, usually, in a little vase upon the mantel-piece, some lamp-lighters, which were long, slender rolls of paper, that Rollo had rolled up for this purpose.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading The occasion on which his father used the word was this,— One evening, Rollo’s mother was trying to light a little lamp, to go into her bedroom for something that she wanted.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Rollo did not think to ask his father the reason why the philosophers use such learned language, or, as he expressed it, such hard words, for several days.

a word or expression used for some particular thing

From this reading Perhaps he never would have thought of it again, if his father had not happened to use the word _combustible_ one evening, which reminded him of the term _combustion_, which Jonas had used.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The occasion on which his father used the word was this,— One evening, Rollo’s mother was trying to light a little lamp, to go into her bedroom for something that she wanted.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Rollo did not think to ask his father the reason why the philosophers use such learned language, or, as he expressed it, such hard words, for several days.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There were, usually, in a little vase upon the mantel-piece, some lamp-lighters, which were long, slender rolls of paper, that Rollo had rolled up for this purpose.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They were kept in this vase upon the mantel-piece in order to be always ready for use.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading Rollo did not think to ask his father the reason why the philosophers use such learned language, or, as he expressed it, such hard words, for several days.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading The occasion on which his father used the word was this,— One evening, Rollo’s mother was trying to light a little lamp, to go into her bedroom for something that she wanted.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Perhaps he never would have thought of it again, if his father had not happened to use the word _combustible_ one evening, which reminded him of the term _combustion_, which Jonas had used.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Rollo did not think to ask his father the reason why the philosophers use such learned language, or, as he expressed it, such hard words, for several days.

hard to endure

From this reading The occasion on which his father used the word was this,— One evening, Rollo’s mother was trying to light a little lamp, to go into her bedroom for something that she wanted.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading There were, usually, in a little vase upon the mantel-piece, some lamp-lighters, which were long, slender rolls of paper, that Rollo had rolled up for this purpose.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading There were, usually, in a little vase upon the mantel-piece, some lamp-lighters, which were long, slender rolls of paper, that Rollo had rolled up for this purpose.

the act of using

From this reading Rollo did not think to ask his father the reason why the philosophers use such learned language, or, as he expressed it, such hard words, for several days.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading Perhaps he never would have thought of it again, if his father had not happened to use the word _combustible_ one evening, which reminded him of the term _combustion_, which Jonas had used.

under normal conditions

From this reading There were, usually, in a little vase upon the mantel-piece, some lamp-lighters, which were long, slender rolls of paper, that Rollo had rolled up for this purpose.

an open jar of glass or porcelain used as an ornament or to hold flowers

From this reading There were, usually, in a little vase upon the mantel-piece, some lamp-lighters, which were long, slender rolls of paper, that Rollo had rolled up for this purpose.

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading The occasion on which his father used the word was this,— One evening, Rollo’s mother was trying to light a little lamp, to go into her bedroom for something that she wanted.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The occasion on which his father used the word was this,— One evening, Rollo’s mother was trying to light a little lamp, to go into her bedroom for something that she wanted.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading There were, usually, in a little vase upon the mantel-piece, some lamp-lighters, which were long, slender rolls of paper, that Rollo had rolled up for this purpose.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Perhaps he never would have thought of it again, if his father had not happened to use the word _combustible_ one evening, which reminded him of the term _combustion_, which Jonas had used.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading Rollo did not think to ask his father the reason why the philosophers use such learned language, or, as he expressed it, such hard words, for several days.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading Perhaps he never would have thought of it again, if his father had not happened to use the word _combustible_ one evening, which reminded him of the term _combustion_, which Jonas had used.

the words that are spoken

From this reading Rollo did not think to ask his father the reason why the philosophers use such learned language, or, as he expressed it, such hard words, for several days.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Perhaps he never would have thought of it again, if his father had not happened to use the word _combustible_ one evening, which reminded him of the term _combustion_, which Jonas had used.