Chapter XIX · Where’s My Light?

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

From this reading The setting sun, streaming in through the windows, revealed a strange sight in the big living room.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading For a moment surprise and wonder held them all dumb, then Jack burst out with:

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

used to indicate that a statement explains or supports a previous statement

From this reading “Say! who did this monkey-business, anyhow?”

plural of “article” — nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

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

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Crowding up behind Cora, the others peered over her shoulders.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The setting sun, streaming in through the windows, revealed a strange sight in the big living room.

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure

From this reading For a moment surprise and wonder held them all dumb, then Jack burst out with:

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

(Greek mythology) daughter of Zeus and Demeter; made queen of the underworld by Pluto in ancient mythology; identified with Roman Proserpina

From this reading Crowding up behind Cora, the others peered over her shoulders.

an upholstered seat for more than one person

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

a situation in which people or things are crowded together

From this reading Crowding up behind Cora, the others peered over her shoulders.

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

From this reading “Say! who did this monkey-business, anyhow?”

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

slow to learn or understand; lacking intellectual acuity

From this reading For a moment surprise and wonder held them all dumb, then Jack burst out with:

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For a moment surprise and wonder held them all dumb, then Jack burst out with:

a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

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

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading For a moment surprise and wonder held them all dumb, then Jack burst out with:

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

From this reading Crowding up behind Cora, the others peered over her shoulders.

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

From this reading The setting sun, streaming in through the windows, revealed a strange sight in the big living room.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

a small worthless amount

From this reading For a moment surprise and wonder held them all dumb, then Jack burst out with:

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading The setting sun, streaming in through the windows, revealed a strange sight in the big living room.

the power or ability to move

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

plural of “magazine” — a periodic publication containing pictures and stories and articles of interest to those who purchase it or subscribe to it

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

imaginative intellectual play

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

a particular point in time

From this reading For a moment surprise and wonder held them all dumb, then Jack burst out with:

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

From this reading “Say! who did this monkey-business, anyhow?”

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

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

From this reading Crowding up behind Cora, the others peered over her shoulders.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

above and across; more than

From this reading Crowding up behind Cora, the others peered over her shoulders.

having been turned so that the bottom is no longer the bottom

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

past form of “peer” — look searchingly

From this reading Crowding up behind Cora, the others peered over her shoulders.

past form of “perch” — sit, as on a branch

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

past form of “pile” — arrange in stacks

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

the act of playing a musical instrument

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

take the place of or be parallel or equivalent to

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

past form of “reveal” — make visible

From this reading The setting sun, streaming in through the windows, revealed a strange sight in the big living room.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading The setting sun, streaming in through the windows, revealed a strange sight in the big living room.

express in words

From this reading “Say! who did this monkey-business, anyhow?”

the context and environment in which something is set

From this reading The setting sun, streaming in through the windows, revealed a strange sight in the big living room.

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

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm

From this reading Crowding up behind Cora, the others peered over her shoulders.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading The setting sun, streaming in through the windows, revealed a strange sight in the big living room.

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

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

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

a large coach-and-four formerly used to carry passengers and mail on regular routes between towns

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

a boat propelled by a steam engine

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading The setting sun, streaming in through the windows, revealed a strange sight in the big living room.

exuding a bodily fluid in profuse amounts

From this reading The setting sun, streaming in through the windows, revealed a strange sight in the big living room.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading The setting sun, streaming in through the windows, revealed a strange sight in the big living room.

the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you

From this reading For a moment surprise and wonder held them all dumb, then Jack burst out with:

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

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

From this reading Crowding up behind Cora, the others peered over her shoulders.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading For a moment surprise and wonder held them all dumb, then Jack burst out with:

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading For a moment surprise and wonder held them all dumb, then Jack burst out with:

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

From this reading “Say! who did this monkey-business, anyhow?”

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The setting sun, streaming in through the windows, revealed a strange sight in the big living room.

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

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

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

From this reading Crowding up behind Cora, the others peered over her shoulders.

the highest or uppermost side of anything

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

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

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

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

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

which person or people

From this reading “Say! who did this monkey-business, anyhow?”

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading The setting sun, streaming in through the windows, revealed a strange sight in the big living room.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Several chairs were overturned, a large couch that had been against the wall was out in the middle of the floor, a table that had been piled with magazines and books was turned on its side, and turned upside down on the overturned table was perched a chair, as though children had been playing some simple game, like stagecoach or steamboat, with the table and chair to represent make-believe articles of locomotion.

the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising

From this reading For a moment surprise and wonder held them all dumb, then Jack burst out with: