Chapter III · Chapter 3

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

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

past form of “act” — perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading In spots, the people of the play acted like puppets; upon seven different occasions, by actual count, the entire matter would have been cleared up if someone had sharply spoken his mind.

something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading "The drama as a medium of expression is necessarily limited," the young man was saying to himself, "and of course, in fitting human action to its narrow bounds, the dramatist is sometimes tempted to ignore certain human elements.

presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible

From this reading In spots, the people of the play acted like puppets; upon seven different occasions, by actual count, the entire matter would have been cleared up if someone had sharply spoken his mind.

past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen

From this reading But he did not, and the thing was allowed to become hopelessly involved because of it."

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

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

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

From this reading "The drama as a medium of expression is necessarily limited," the young man was saying to himself, "and of course, in fitting human action to its narrow bounds, the dramatist is sometimes tempted to ignore certain human elements.

The powdery residue left after the burning of a substance.

From this reading He knocked the ashes from his cigar; and a smile came to his lips.

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

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

for the reason that

From this reading But he did not, and the thing was allowed to become hopelessly involved because of it."

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading But he did not, and the thing was allowed to become hopelessly involved because of it."

the past participle of “be”

From this reading In spots, the people of the play acted like puppets; upon seven different occasions, by actual count, the entire matter would have been cleared up if someone had sharply spoken his mind.

the line or plane indicating the limit or extent of something

From this reading "The drama as a medium of expression is necessarily limited," the young man was saying to himself, "and of course, in fitting human action to its narrow bounds, the dramatist is sometimes tempted to ignore certain human elements.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But he did not, and the thing was allowed to become hopelessly involved because of it."

showing who or what does the action

From this reading In spots, the people of the play acted like puppets; upon seven different occasions, by actual count, the entire matter would have been cleared up if someone had sharply spoken his mind.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading He knocked the ashes from his cigar; and a smile came to his lips.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading "The drama as a medium of expression is necessarily limited," the young man was saying to himself, "and of course, in fitting human action to its narrow bounds, the dramatist is sometimes tempted to ignore certain human elements.

a roll of tobacco for smoking

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

rid of objects or obstructions such as e.g. trees and brush

From this reading In spots, the people of the play acted like puppets; upon seven different occasions, by actual count, the entire matter would have been cleared up if someone had sharply spoken his mind.

a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

determine the number or amount of

From this reading In spots, the people of the play acted like puppets; upon seven different occasions, by actual count, the entire matter would have been cleared up if someone had sharply spoken his mind.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading "The drama as a medium of expression is necessarily limited," the young man was saying to himself, "and of course, in fitting human action to its narrow bounds, the dramatist is sometimes tempted to ignore certain human elements.

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

From this reading But he did not, and the thing was allowed to become hopelessly involved because of it."

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

From this reading In spots, the people of the play acted like puppets; upon seven different occasions, by actual count, the entire matter would have been cleared up if someone had sharply spoken his mind.

a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

someone who writes plays

From this reading "The drama as a medium of expression is necessarily limited," the young man was saying to himself, "and of course, in fitting human action to its narrow bounds, the dramatist is sometimes tempted to ignore certain human elements.

violent or severe weather (viewed as caused by the action of the four elements)

From this reading "The drama as a medium of expression is necessarily limited," the young man was saying to himself, "and of course, in fitting human action to its narrow bounds, the dramatist is sometimes tempted to ignore certain human elements.

constituting the full quantity or extent; complete

From this reading In spots, the people of the play acted like puppets; upon seven different occasions, by actual count, the entire matter would have been cleared up if someone had sharply spoken his mind.

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

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading "The drama as a medium of expression is necessarily limited," the young man was saying to himself, "and of course, in fitting human action to its narrow bounds, the dramatist is sometimes tempted to ignore certain human elements.

in harmony with the spirit of particular persons or occasion

From this reading "The drama as a medium of expression is necessarily limited," the young man was saying to himself, "and of course, in fitting human action to its narrow bounds, the dramatist is sometimes tempted to ignore certain human elements.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

destroyed or killed

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

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

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading In spots, the people of the play acted like puppets; upon seven different occasions, by actual count, the entire matter would have been cleared up if someone had sharply spoken his mind.

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

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

publicly announced

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading "The drama as a medium of expression is necessarily limited," the young man was saying to himself, "and of course, in fitting human action to its narrow bounds, the dramatist is sometimes tempted to ignore certain human elements.

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

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

in a hopeless manner

From this reading But he did not, and the thing was allowed to become hopelessly involved because of it."

characteristic of humanity

From this reading "The drama as a medium of expression is necessarily limited," the young man was saying to himself, "and of course, in fitting human action to its narrow bounds, the dramatist is sometimes tempted to ignore certain human elements.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading In spots, the people of the play acted like puppets; upon seven different occasions, by actual count, the entire matter would have been cleared up if someone had sharply spoken his mind.

refuse to acknowledge

From this reading "The drama as a medium of expression is necessarily limited," the young man was saying to himself, "and of course, in fitting human action to its narrow bounds, the dramatist is sometimes tempted to ignore certain human elements.

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

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

connected by participation or association or use

From this reading But he did not, and the thing was allowed to become hopelessly involved because of it."

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

From this reading "The drama as a medium of expression is necessarily limited," the young man was saying to himself, "and of course, in fitting human action to its narrow bounds, the dramatist is sometimes tempted to ignore certain human elements.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But he did not, and the thing was allowed to become hopelessly involved because of it."

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading "The drama as a medium of expression is necessarily limited," the young man was saying to himself, "and of course, in fitting human action to its narrow bounds, the dramatist is sometimes tempted to ignore certain human elements.

past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push

From this reading He knocked the ashes from his cigar; and a smile came to his lips.

the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

a room where books are kept

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading In spots, the people of the play acted like puppets; upon seven different occasions, by actual count, the entire matter would have been cleared up if someone had sharply spoken his mind.

small in range or scope

From this reading "The drama as a medium of expression is necessarily limited," the young man was saying to himself, "and of course, in fitting human action to its narrow bounds, the dramatist is sometimes tempted to ignore certain human elements.

plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking

From this reading He knocked the ashes from his cigar; and a smile came to his lips.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading "The drama as a medium of expression is necessarily limited," the young man was saying to himself, "and of course, in fitting human action to its narrow bounds, the dramatist is sometimes tempted to ignore certain human elements.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading In spots, the people of the play acted like puppets; upon seven different occasions, by actual count, the entire matter would have been cleared up if someone had sharply spoken his mind.

a means or instrumentality for storing or communicating information

From this reading "The drama as a medium of expression is necessarily limited," the young man was saying to himself, "and of course, in fitting human action to its narrow bounds, the dramatist is sometimes tempted to ignore certain human elements.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading In spots, the people of the play acted like puppets; upon seven different occasions, by actual count, the entire matter would have been cleared up if someone had sharply spoken his mind.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading "The drama as a medium of expression is necessarily limited," the young man was saying to himself, "and of course, in fitting human action to its narrow bounds, the dramatist is sometimes tempted to ignore certain human elements.

in an essential manner

From this reading "The drama as a medium of expression is necessarily limited," the young man was saying to himself, "and of course, in fitting human action to its narrow bounds, the dramatist is sometimes tempted to ignore certain human elements.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But he did not, and the thing was allowed to become hopelessly involved because of it."

something you have to do

From this reading In spots, the people of the play acted like puppets; upon seven different occasions, by actual count, the entire matter would have been cleared up if someone had sharply spoken his mind.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading In spots, the people of the play acted like puppets; upon seven different occasions, by actual count, the entire matter would have been cleared up if someone had sharply spoken his mind.

participate in games or sport

From this reading In spots, the people of the play acted like puppets; upon seven different occasions, by actual count, the entire matter would have been cleared up if someone had sharply spoken his mind.

plural of “portrait” — a word picture of a person's appearance and character

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

plural of “puppet” — a small figure of a person operated from above with strings by a puppeteer

From this reading In spots, the people of the play acted like puppets; upon seven different occasions, by actual count, the entire matter would have been cleared up if someone had sharply spoken his mind.

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations

From this reading "The drama as a medium of expression is necessarily limited," the young man was saying to himself, "and of course, in fitting human action to its narrow bounds, the dramatist is sometimes tempted to ignore certain human elements.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one

From this reading In spots, the people of the play acted like puppets; upon seven different occasions, by actual count, the entire matter would have been cleared up if someone had sharply spoken his mind.

in an aggressive manner

From this reading In spots, the people of the play acted like puppets; upon seven different occasions, by actual count, the entire matter would have been cleared up if someone had sharply spoken his mind.

change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading He knocked the ashes from his cigar; and a smile came to his lips.

past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

(used especially of meats and fish) dried and cured by hanging in wood smoke

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

a person, without saying who

From this reading In spots, the people of the play acted like puppets; upon seven different occasions, by actual count, the entire matter would have been cleared up if someone had sharply spoken his mind.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading "The drama as a medium of expression is necessarily limited," the young man was saying to himself, "and of course, in fitting human action to its narrow bounds, the dramatist is sometimes tempted to ignore certain human elements.

uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination

From this reading In spots, the people of the play acted like puppets; upon seven different occasions, by actual count, the entire matter would have been cleared up if someone had sharply spoken his mind.

spots before the eyes caused by opaque cell fragments in the vitreous humor and lens

From this reading In spots, the people of the play acted like puppets; upon seven different occasions, by actual count, the entire matter would have been cleared up if someone had sharply spoken his mind.

act of expanding by lengthening or widening

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

past form of “tempt” — dispose or incline or entice to

From this reading "The drama as a medium of expression is necessarily limited," the young man was saying to himself, "and of course, in fitting human action to its narrow bounds, the dramatist is sometimes tempted to ignore certain human elements.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

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

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

a special situation

From this reading But he did not, and the thing was allowed to become hopelessly involved because of it."

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

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

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

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

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

From this reading In spots, the people of the play acted like puppets; upon seven different occasions, by actual count, the entire matter would have been cleared up if someone had sharply spoken his mind.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading In spots, the people of the play acted like puppets; upon seven different occasions, by actual count, the entire matter would have been cleared up if someone had sharply spoken his mind.

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

From this reading "The drama as a medium of expression is necessarily limited," the young man was saying to himself, "and of course, in fitting human action to its narrow bounds, the dramatist is sometimes tempted to ignore certain human elements.

United States film actor who played tough heroes (1907-1979)

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

at the time that

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

in or at the place that

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

someone who sees an event and reports what happened

From this reading THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where he had gone to witness a much heralded new drama, he sat with a cigar, in his library; and stretching out his length in great comfort, he smoked and smiled and thought of what he had seen and heard.

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

From this reading In spots, the people of the play acted like puppets; upon seven different occasions, by actual count, the entire matter would have been cleared up if someone had sharply spoken his mind.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading "The drama as a medium of expression is necessarily limited," the young man was saying to himself, "and of course, in fitting human action to its narrow bounds, the dramatist is sometimes tempted to ignore certain human elements.