used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading His comedies lack everything that a comedy should have,--lightness, quickness of transition, unexpectedness of incident, easy cleverness of dialogue, and humorous contrast of character brought out by identity of situation.
(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 "_Tous les genres sont permis, hors le genre ennuyeux._" In the reading, at least, all Dryden's comic writing for the stage must be ranked with the latter class.
ampleadjectiveUS /ˈæmpəl/
more than enough in size or scope or capacity
From this reading The common quality, however, of all Dryden's comedies is their nastiness, the more remarkable because we have ample evidence that he was a man of modest conversation.
pleasantly occupied
From this reading He himself would fain make an exception of the "Spanish Friar," but I confess that I rather wonder at than envy those who can be amused by it.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He himself would fain make an exception of the "Spanish Friar," but I confess that I rather wonder at than envy those who can be amused by it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His comedies lack everything that a comedy should have,--lightness, quickness of transition, unexpectedness of incident, easy cleverness of dialogue, and humorous contrast of character brought out by identity of situation.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "_Tous les genres sont permis, hors le genre ennuyeux._" In the reading, at least, all Dryden's comic writing for the stage must be ranked with the latter class.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "_Tous les genres sont permis, hors le genre ennuyeux._" In the reading, at least, all Dryden's comic writing for the stage must be ranked with the latter class.
for the reason that
From this reading The common quality, however, of all Dryden's comedies is their nastiness, the more remarkable because we have ample evidence that he was a man of modest conversation.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading The comic parts of the "Maiden Queen" seem to me Dryden's best, but the merit even of these is Shakespeare's, and there is little choice where even the best is only tolerable.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading His comedies lack everything that a comedy should have,--lightness, quickness of transition, unexpectedness of incident, easy cleverness of dialogue, and humorous contrast of character brought out by identity of situation.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He himself would fain make an exception of the "Spanish Friar," but I confess that I rather wonder at than envy those who can be amused by it.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He himself would fain make an exception of the "Spanish Friar," but I confess that I rather wonder at than envy those who can be amused by it.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading He himself would fain make an exception of the "Spanish Friar," but I confess that I rather wonder at than envy those who can be amused by it.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading His comedies lack everything that a comedy should have,--lightness, quickness of transition, unexpectedness of incident, easy cleverness of dialogue, and humorous contrast of character brought out by identity of situation.
the person or thing chosen or selected
From this reading The comic parts of the "Maiden Queen" seem to me Dryden's best, but the merit even of these is Shakespeare's, and there is little choice where even the best is only tolerable.
a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading "_Tous les genres sont permis, hors le genre ennuyeux._" In the reading, at least, all Dryden's comic writing for the stage must be ranked with the latter class.
clevernessnounUS /ˈklev.ər.nəs/
The quality of being intelligent, quick to understand, and resourceful in danger.
From this reading His comedies lack everything that a comedy should have,--lightness, quickness of transition, unexpectedness of incident, easy cleverness of dialogue, and humorous contrast of character brought out by identity of situation.
comediesnounUS /ˈkɑːmədiz/
plural of “comedy” — light and humorous drama with a happy ending
From this reading His comedies lack everything that a comedy should have,--lightness, quickness of transition, unexpectedness of incident, easy cleverness of dialogue, and humorous contrast of character brought out by identity of situation.
comedynounUS /ˈkɑːmədi/
light and humorous drama with a happy ending
From this reading His comedies lack everything that a comedy should have,--lightness, quickness of transition, unexpectedness of incident, easy cleverness of dialogue, and humorous contrast of character brought out by identity of situation.
comicadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmɪk/
arousing or provoking laughter
From this reading "_Tous les genres sont permis, hors le genre ennuyeux._" In the reading, at least, all Dryden's comic writing for the stage must be ranked with the latter class.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading The common quality, however, of all Dryden's comedies is their nastiness, the more remarkable because we have ample evidence that he was a man of modest conversation.
confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading He himself would fain make an exception of the "Spanish Friar," but I confess that I rather wonder at than envy those who can be amused by it.
contrastnounUS /ˈkɑːntræst/
the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared
From this reading His comedies lack everything that a comedy should have,--lightness, quickness of transition, unexpectedness of incident, easy cleverness of dialogue, and humorous contrast of character brought out by identity of situation.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading The common quality, however, of all Dryden's comedies is their nastiness, the more remarkable because we have ample evidence that he was a man of modest conversation.
dialoguenounUS /ˈdaɪəlɔːɡ/
a conversation between two persons
From this reading His comedies lack everything that a comedy should have,--lightness, quickness of transition, unexpectedness of incident, easy cleverness of dialogue, and humorous contrast of character brought out by identity of situation.
Dryden's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "_Tous les genres sont permis, hors le genre ennuyeux._" In the reading, at least, all Dryden's comic writing for the stage must be ranked with the latter class.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading His comedies lack everything that a comedy should have,--lightness, quickness of transition, unexpectedness of incident, easy cleverness of dialogue, and humorous contrast of character brought out by identity of situation.
ennuyeux
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "_Tous les genres sont permis, hors le genre ennuyeux._" In the reading, at least, all Dryden's comic writing for the stage must be ranked with the latter class.
envynounUS /ˈenvi/
a feeling of grudging admiration and desire to have something that is possessed by another
From this reading He himself would fain make an exception of the "Spanish Friar," but I confess that I rather wonder at than envy those who can be amused by it.
divisible by two
From this reading The comic parts of the "Maiden Queen" seem to me Dryden's best, but the merit even of these is Shakespeare's, and there is little choice where even the best is only tolerable.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading His comedies lack everything that a comedy should have,--lightness, quickness of transition, unexpectedness of incident, easy cleverness of dialogue, and humorous contrast of character brought out by identity of situation.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading The common quality, however, of all Dryden's comedies is their nastiness, the more remarkable because we have ample evidence that he was a man of modest conversation.
exceptionnounUS /ɪkˈsepʃən/
a deliberate act of omission
From this reading He himself would fain make an exception of the "Spanish Friar," but I confess that I rather wonder at than envy those who can be amused by it.
fainadjectiveUS /feɪn/
having made preparations
From this reading He himself would fain make an exception of the "Spanish Friar," but I confess that I rather wonder at than envy those who can be amused by it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "_Tous les genres sont permis, hors le genre ennuyeux._" In the reading, at least, all Dryden's comic writing for the stage must be ranked with the latter class.
FriarnounUS /ˈfraɪər/
a male member of a religious order that originally relied solely on alms
From this reading He himself would fain make an exception of the "Spanish Friar," but I confess that I rather wonder at than envy those who can be amused by it.
genrenounUS /ˈʒɑːnrə/
a kind of literary or artistic work
From this reading "_Tous les genres sont permis, hors le genre ennuyeux._" In the reading, at least, all Dryden's comic writing for the stage must be ranked with the latter class.
genresnounUS /ˈʒɑːnrəz/
plural of “genre” — a kind of literary or artistic work
From this reading "_Tous les genres sont permis, hors le genre ennuyeux._" In the reading, at least, all Dryden's comic writing for the stage must be ranked with the latter class.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading His comedies lack everything that a comedy should have,--lightness, quickness of transition, unexpectedness of incident, easy cleverness of dialogue, and humorous contrast of character brought out by identity of situation.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He himself would fain make an exception of the "Spanish Friar," but I confess that I rather wonder at than envy those who can be amused by it.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He himself would fain make an exception of the "Spanish Friar," but I confess that I rather wonder at than envy those who can be amused by it.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His comedies lack everything that a comedy should have,--lightness, quickness of transition, unexpectedness of incident, easy cleverness of dialogue, and humorous contrast of character brought out by identity of situation.
hors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "_Tous les genres sont permis, hors le genre ennuyeux._" In the reading, at least, all Dryden's comic writing for the stage must be ranked with the latter class.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading The common quality, however, of all Dryden's comedies is their nastiness, the more remarkable because we have ample evidence that he was a man of modest conversation.
humorousadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmərəs/
full of or characterized by humor
From this reading His comedies lack everything that a comedy should have,--lightness, quickness of transition, unexpectedness of incident, easy cleverness of dialogue, and humorous contrast of character brought out by identity of situation.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading He himself would fain make an exception of the "Spanish Friar," but I confess that I rather wonder at than envy those who can be amused by it.
identitynounUS /aɪˈdentɪtiː/
the distinct personality of an individual regarded as a persisting entity
From this reading His comedies lack everything that a comedy should have,--lightness, quickness of transition, unexpectedness of incident, easy cleverness of dialogue, and humorous contrast of character brought out by identity of situation.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "_Tous les genres sont permis, hors le genre ennuyeux._" In the reading, at least, all Dryden's comic writing for the stage must be ranked with the latter class.
a single distinct event
From this reading His comedies lack everything that a comedy should have,--lightness, quickness of transition, unexpectedness of incident, easy cleverness of dialogue, and humorous contrast of character brought out by identity of situation.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The comic parts of the "Maiden Queen" seem to me Dryden's best, but the merit even of these is Shakespeare's, and there is little choice where even the best is only tolerable.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He himself would fain make an exception of the "Spanish Friar," but I confess that I rather wonder at than envy those who can be amused by it.
the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable
From this reading His comedies lack everything that a comedy should have,--lightness, quickness of transition, unexpectedness of incident, easy cleverness of dialogue, and humorous contrast of character brought out by identity of situation.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading "_Tous les genres sont permis, hors le genre ennuyeux._" In the reading, at least, all Dryden's comic writing for the stage must be ranked with the latter class.
a chronic inflammatory collagen disease affecting connective tissue (skin or joints)
From this reading "_Tous les genres sont permis, hors le genre ennuyeux._" In the reading, at least, all Dryden's comic writing for the stage must be ranked with the latter class.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading "_Tous les genres sont permis, hors le genre ennuyeux._" In the reading, at least, all Dryden's comic writing for the stage must be ranked with the latter class.
lesnounUS /les/
plural of “le” — a chronic inflammatory collagen disease affecting connective tissue (skin or joints)
From this reading "_Tous les genres sont permis, hors le genre ennuyeux._" In the reading, at least, all Dryden's comic writing for the stage must be ranked with the latter class.
lightnessnounUS /ˈlaɪtnəs/
a feeling of joy and pride
From this reading His comedies lack everything that a comedy should have,--lightness, quickness of transition, unexpectedness of incident, easy cleverness of dialogue, and humorous contrast of character brought out by identity of situation.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The comic parts of the "Maiden Queen" seem to me Dryden's best, but the merit even of these is Shakespeare's, and there is little choice where even the best is only tolerable.
an unmarried girl (especially a virgin)
From this reading The comic parts of the "Maiden Queen" seem to me Dryden's best, but the merit even of these is Shakespeare's, and there is little choice where even the best is only tolerable.
engage in
From this reading He himself would fain make an exception of the "Spanish Friar," but I confess that I rather wonder at than envy those who can be amused by it.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The common quality, however, of all Dryden's comedies is their nastiness, the more remarkable because we have ample evidence that he was a man of modest conversation.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The comic parts of the "Maiden Queen" seem to me Dryden's best, but the merit even of these is Shakespeare's, and there is little choice where even the best is only tolerable.
meritnounUS /ˈmerət/
any admirable quality or attribute
From this reading The comic parts of the "Maiden Queen" seem to me Dryden's best, but the merit even of these is Shakespeare's, and there is little choice where even the best is only tolerable.
marked by simplicity; having a humble opinion of yourself
From this reading The common quality, however, of all Dryden's comedies is their nastiness, the more remarkable because we have ample evidence that he was a man of modest conversation.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The common quality, however, of all Dryden's comedies is their nastiness, the more remarkable because we have ample evidence that he was a man of modest conversation.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "_Tous les genres sont permis, hors le genre ennuyeux._" In the reading, at least, all Dryden's comic writing for the stage must be ranked with the latter class.
nastinessnounUS /ˈnæstinəs/
a state characterized by foul or disgusting dirt and refuse
From this reading The common quality, however, of all Dryden's comedies is their nastiness, the more remarkable because we have ample evidence that he was a man of modest conversation.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He himself would fain make an exception of the "Spanish Friar," but I confess that I rather wonder at than envy those who can be amused by it.
and nothing more
From this reading The comic parts of the "Maiden Queen" seem to me Dryden's best, but the merit even of these is Shakespeare's, and there is little choice where even the best is only tolerable.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading His comedies lack everything that a comedy should have,--lightness, quickness of transition, unexpectedness of incident, easy cleverness of dialogue, and humorous contrast of character brought out by identity of situation.
the local environment
From this reading The comic parts of the "Maiden Queen" seem to me Dryden's best, but the merit even of these is Shakespeare's, and there is little choice where even the best is only tolerable.
permis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "_Tous les genres sont permis, hors le genre ennuyeux._" In the reading, at least, all Dryden's comic writing for the stage must be ranked with the latter class.
an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading The common quality, however, of all Dryden's comedies is their nastiness, the more remarkable because we have ample evidence that he was a man of modest conversation.
the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs
From this reading The comic parts of the "Maiden Queen" seem to me Dryden's best, but the merit even of these is Shakespeare's, and there is little choice where even the best is only tolerable.
quicknessnounUS /ˈkwɪknəs/
skillful performance or ability without difficulty
From this reading His comedies lack everything that a comedy should have,--lightness, quickness of transition, unexpectedness of incident, easy cleverness of dialogue, and humorous contrast of character brought out by identity of situation.
rankedadjectiveUS /ræŋkt/
arranged in a sequence of grades or ranks
From this reading "_Tous les genres sont permis, hors le genre ennuyeux._" In the reading, at least, all Dryden's comic writing for the stage must be ranked with the latter class.
on the contrary
From this reading He himself would fain make an exception of the "Spanish Friar," but I confess that I rather wonder at than envy those who can be amused by it.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading "_Tous les genres sont permis, hors le genre ennuyeux._" In the reading, at least, all Dryden's comic writing for the stage must be ranked with the latter class.
unusual or striking
From this reading The common quality, however, of all Dryden's comedies is their nastiness, the more remarkable because we have ample evidence that he was a man of modest conversation.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The comic parts of the "Maiden Queen" seem to me Dryden's best, but the merit even of these is Shakespeare's, and there is little choice where even the best is only tolerable.
Shakespeare'snounUS /ˈʃeɪkspiːrz/
possessive form of “shakespeare” — English poet and dramatist considered one of the greatest English writers (1564-1616)
From this reading The comic parts of the "Maiden Queen" seem to me Dryden's best, but the merit even of these is Shakespeare's, and there is little choice where even the best is only tolerable.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading His comedies lack everything that a comedy should have,--lightness, quickness of transition, unexpectedness of incident, easy cleverness of dialogue, and humorous contrast of character brought out by identity of situation.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading His comedies lack everything that a comedy should have,--lightness, quickness of transition, unexpectedness of incident, easy cleverness of dialogue, and humorous contrast of character brought out by identity of situation.
sont
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "_Tous les genres sont permis, hors le genre ennuyeux._" In the reading, at least, all Dryden's comic writing for the stage must be ranked with the latter class.
the Romance language spoken in most of Spain and the countries colonized by Spain
From this reading He himself would fain make an exception of the "Spanish Friar," but I confess that I rather wonder at than envy those who can be amused by it.
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading "_Tous les genres sont permis, hors le genre ennuyeux._" In the reading, at least, all Dryden's comic writing for the stage must be ranked with the latter class.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He himself would fain make an exception of the "Spanish Friar," but I confess that I rather wonder at than envy those who can be amused by it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He himself would fain make an exception of the "Spanish Friar," but I confess that I rather wonder at than envy those who can be amused by it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "_Tous les genres sont permis, hors le genre ennuyeux._" In the reading, at least, all Dryden's comic writing for the stage must be ranked with the latter class.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The common quality, however, of all Dryden's comedies is their nastiness, the more remarkable because we have ample evidence that he was a man of modest conversation.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The comic parts of the "Maiden Queen" seem to me Dryden's best, but the merit even of these is Shakespeare's, and there is little choice where even the best is only tolerable.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The comic parts of the "Maiden Queen" seem to me Dryden's best, but the merit even of these is Shakespeare's, and there is little choice where even the best is only tolerable.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading He himself would fain make an exception of the "Spanish Friar," but I confess that I rather wonder at than envy those who can be amused by it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The comic parts of the "Maiden Queen" seem to me Dryden's best, but the merit even of these is Shakespeare's, and there is little choice where even the best is only tolerable.
tolerableadjectiveUS /ˈtɑːlərəbəl/
capable of being borne or endured
From this reading The comic parts of the "Maiden Queen" seem to me Dryden's best, but the merit even of these is Shakespeare's, and there is little choice where even the best is only tolerable.
Tous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "_Tous les genres sont permis, hors le genre ennuyeux._" In the reading, at least, all Dryden's comic writing for the stage must be ranked with the latter class.
transitionnounUS /trænˈzɪʃən/
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading His comedies lack everything that a comedy should have,--lightness, quickness of transition, unexpectedness of incident, easy cleverness of dialogue, and humorous contrast of character brought out by identity of situation.
unexpectednessnoun
extraordinariness by virtue of being unexpected
From this reading His comedies lack everything that a comedy should have,--lightness, quickness of transition, unexpectedness of incident, easy cleverness of dialogue, and humorous contrast of character brought out by identity of situation.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The common quality, however, of all Dryden's comedies is their nastiness, the more remarkable because we have ample evidence that he was a man of modest conversation.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The common quality, however, of all Dryden's comedies is their nastiness, the more remarkable because we have ample evidence that he was a man of modest conversation.
in or at the place that
From this reading The comic parts of the "Maiden Queen" seem to me Dryden's best, but the merit even of these is Shakespeare's, and there is little choice where even the best is only tolerable.
which person or people
From this reading He himself would fain make an exception of the "Spanish Friar," but I confess that I rather wonder at than envy those who can be amused by it.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "_Tous les genres sont permis, hors le genre ennuyeux._" In the reading, at least, all Dryden's comic writing for the stage must be ranked with the latter class.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading He himself would fain make an exception of the "Spanish Friar," but I confess that I rather wonder at than envy those who can be amused by it.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He himself would fain make an exception of the "Spanish Friar," but I confess that I rather wonder at than envy those who can be amused by it.
the act of creating written works
From this reading "_Tous les genres sont permis, hors le genre ennuyeux._" In the reading, at least, all Dryden's comic writing for the stage must be ranked with the latter class.
