Chapter XXIX · Chapter 29

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

From this reading There were laughter, talk, greetings from one part of the house to another, as much movement to and fro as could be accomplished in so crowded a space.

highly skilled

From this reading There were laughter, talk, greetings from one part of the house to another, as much movement to and fro as could be accomplished in so crowded a space.

perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

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

From this reading The musicians began to play and more candles were lighted.

feeling or showing anger

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading There were laughter, talk, greetings from one part of the house to another, as much movement to and fro as could be accomplished in so crowded a space.

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

From this reading The manners of the London playhouses were aped not unsuccessfully.

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

From this reading There were laughter, talk, greetings from one part of the house to another, as much movement to and fro as could be accomplished in so crowded a space.

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

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading To compare small things with great, it might have been Drury Lane upon a gala night.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading The musicians began to play and more candles were lighted.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

the act of buying

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle

From this reading The musicians began to play and more candles were lighted.

a timepiece that shows the time of day

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

examine and note the similarities or differences of

From this reading To compare small things with great, it might have been Drury Lane upon a gala night.

-ing form of “contend” — maintain or assert

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading There were laughter, talk, greetings from one part of the house to another, as much movement to and fro as could be accomplished in so crowded a space.

overfilled or compacted or concentrated

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

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

From this reading To compare small things with great, it might have been Drury Lane upon a gala night.

being one more than seven

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

any material that fills a space or container

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

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

From this reading There were laughter, talk, greetings from one part of the house to another, as much movement to and fro as could be accomplished in so crowded a space.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

a gay festivity

From this reading To compare small things with great, it might have been Drury Lane upon a gala night.

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

From this reading To compare small things with great, it might have been Drury Lane upon a gala night.

plural of “greeting” — (usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)

From this reading There were laughter, talk, greetings from one part of the house to another, as much movement to and fro as could be accomplished in so crowded a space.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading To compare small things with great, it might have been Drury Lane upon a gala night.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

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

From this reading There were laughter, talk, greetings from one part of the house to another, as much movement to and fro as could be accomplished in so crowded a space.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

a narrow way or road

From this reading To compare small things with great, it might have been Drury Lane upon a gala night.

immediately past

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

the sound of laughing

From this reading There were laughter, talk, greetings from one part of the house to another, as much movement to and fro as could be accomplished in so crowded a space.

set afire or burning

From this reading The musicians began to play and more candles were lighted.

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading The manners of the London playhouses were aped not unsuccessfully.

social deportment

From this reading The manners of the London playhouses were aped not unsuccessfully.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading The musicians began to play and more candles were lighted.

a change of position that does not entail a change of location

From this reading There were laughter, talk, greetings from one part of the house to another, as much movement to and fro as could be accomplished in so crowded a space.

a form of address for a man

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading There were laughter, talk, greetings from one part of the house to another, as much movement to and fro as could be accomplished in so crowded a space.

plural of “musician” — someone who plays a musical instrument (as a profession)

From this reading The musicians began to play and more candles were lighted.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading To compare small things with great, it might have been Drury Lane upon a gala night.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The manners of the London playhouses were aped not unsuccessfully.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading There were laughter, talk, greetings from one part of the house to another, as much movement to and fro as could be accomplished in so crowded a space.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading There were laughter, talk, greetings from one part of the house to another, as much movement to and fro as could be accomplished in so crowded a space.

-ing form of “peer” — look searchingly

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

participate in games or sport

From this reading The musicians began to play and more candles were lighted.

plural of “playhouse” — plaything consisting of a small model of a house that children can play inside of

From this reading The manners of the London playhouses were aped not unsuccessfully.

with speed

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

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

From this reading To compare small things with great, it might have been Drury Lane upon a gala night.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading There were laughter, talk, greetings from one part of the house to another, as much movement to and fro as could be accomplished in so crowded a space.

the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

From this reading There were laughter, talk, greetings from one part of the house to another, as much movement to and fro as could be accomplished in so crowded a space.

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

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

(sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading There were laughter, talk, greetings from one part of the house to another, as much movement to and fro as could be accomplished in so crowded a space.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

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

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

in or at that place or location

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading To compare small things with great, it might have been Drury Lane upon a gala night.

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

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

without success

From this reading The manners of the London playhouses were aped not unsuccessfully.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

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

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

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

From this reading The musicians began to play and more candles were lighted.

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

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.

but in spite of that

From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.