City of Orphans: Chapters 52–91

by Avi
Maks, a newsboy living in New York City in the late 19th century, tries to prove his sister's innocence after she is accused of theft.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–22, Chapters 23–34, Chapters 35–51, Chapters 52–91
20 words 11 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. lush
    characterized by extravagance and profusion
    There are fancy chairs, huge tables, clusters of electric lights hanging from ceilings, plants in pots. It’s all smooth, thick, lush.
  2. fare
    proceed, get along, or succeed
    “How is she faring?”
  3. suppress
    control and refrain from showing
    Packwood suppresses a smile.
  4. placard
    a sign posted in a public place
    Each table is topped with a placard reading:
    Supper: Steak, Potatoes, Bread & Butter
  5. flustered
    thrown into a state of agitated confusion
    “I don’t know what Papa will do,” says a flustered Mama.
  6. persist
    refuse to stop
    “Mama, what does it matter? This isn’t gonna help me!”
    Willa persists. “Mr. Donck wants to know what room you were cleaning—where the man spoke to you.”
  7. groggy
    stunned or confused and slow to react
    A frantic Jacob jumps up, runs after the gang, only to be knocked down again. He’s hit so hard, he’s groggy.
  8. furrow
    make or become wrinkled or creased
    Miss Foley’s brow furrows.
  9. giddy
    having or causing a whirling sensation; liable to falling
    It’s like that elevator he was on—only instead of going up and down, it’s going flat. City lights whiz by as fast as shooting stars. Makes Maks feel giddy, but he loves the feeling.
  10. drab
    lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
    And the rows of drab tenement houses make him think of tombstones with windows.
  11. plod
    walk heavily and firmly, as when weary, or through mud
    Even the plodding horses, heading for their stables, look exhausted.
  12. hawk
    sell or offer for sale from place to place
    Maks barely finishes hawking when he’s heading uptown.
  13. rile
    disturb, especially by minor irritations
    The newsies, like riled rats, are milling round the front of the old building, sticks and stones in hand.
  14. muddle
    mix up or confuse
    They’re looking scared, shocked, and muddled, with eyes like slices of cold potatoes.
  15. bedlam
    a state of extreme confusion and disorder
    There’s pushing, punching, kicking, tumbling, everyone yelling and screaming, with enough cursing to peel off whatever paint is left on the walls. It’s a bursting bedlam in there.
  16. smolder
    burn slowly and without a flame
    Those sounds he heard—it was the old house collapsing into a pile of black-gray, smoldering wood, the heap spiked by small cat-tongues of flames, the ground covered with muddy puddles crusted with ash.
  17. seethe
    be in an agitated emotional state
    His anger seething, frustration building, he leans ’gainst a wall.
  18. commotion
    a disorderly outburst or tumult
    Maks ain’t certain what’s going on. It’s a commotion. But where? What? Then Maks realizes the shouting, which continues, is coming from the front of the lobby, near the main entrance.
  19. pretense
    the act of giving a false appearance
    He then proceeded to ask Emma Geless her name—under pretense of commending her to her superior—so Emma gave it.
  20. commend
    express a good opinion of
    He then proceeded to ask Emma Geless her name—under pretense of commending her to her superior—so Emma gave it.
Created on Fri Nov 06 12:11:27 EST 2020 (updated Mon Nov 09 15:05:50 EST 2020)

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