used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Beth smiled in a puzzled way, looking inquiringly at her uncle.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading If you like I’ll rehearse the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet and we’ll act it for Mr. Shakespeare when he comes.”
(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 “It is the custom of some people to ‘get up’ handy quotations from an author before meeting him, to have them ready to use; it’s supposed to please him, but all real authors hate it.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading “It is the custom of some people to ‘get up’ handy quotations from an author before meeting him, to have them ready to use; it’s supposed to please him, but all real authors hate it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading If you like I’ll rehearse the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet and we’ll act it for Mr. Shakespeare when he comes.”
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading THE SHROVE NIGHT MASQUE “Shall you be ready to meet Shakespeare when he comes here on Tuesday night, Beth?” asked Mr. Cortlandt unexpectedly, emerging from behind his morning paper.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Beth smiled in a puzzled way, looking inquiringly at her uncle.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading “It is the custom of some people to ‘get up’ handy quotations from an author before meeting him, to have them ready to use; it’s supposed to please him, but all real authors hate it.
authorsnounUS /ˈɔːθərz/
plural of “author” — writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading “It is the custom of some people to ‘get up’ handy quotations from an author before meeting him, to have them ready to use; it’s supposed to please him, but all real authors hate it.
balconynounUS /ˈbælkəni/
an upper floor projecting from the rear over the main floor in an auditorium
From this reading If you like I’ll rehearse the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet and we’ll act it for Mr. Shakespeare when he comes.”
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading THE SHROVE NIGHT MASQUE “Shall you be ready to meet Shakespeare when he comes here on Tuesday night, Beth?” asked Mr. Cortlandt unexpectedly, emerging from behind his morning paper.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading “It is the custom of some people to ‘get up’ handy quotations from an author before meeting him, to have them ready to use; it’s supposed to please him, but all real authors hate it.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading THE SHROVE NIGHT MASQUE “Shall you be ready to meet Shakespeare when he comes here on Tuesday night, Beth?” asked Mr. Cortlandt unexpectedly, emerging from behind his morning paper.
BethnounUS /beθ/
the 2nd letter of the Hebrew alphabet
From this reading THE SHROVE NIGHT MASQUE “Shall you be ready to meet Shakespeare when he comes here on Tuesday night, Beth?” asked Mr. Cortlandt unexpectedly, emerging from behind his morning paper.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “It is the custom of some people to ‘get up’ handy quotations from an author before meeting him, to have them ready to use; it’s supposed to please him, but all real authors hate it.
cluenounUS /kluː/
a slight indication
From this reading She knew there was some clue to the meaning of his nonsense, but she lacked it.
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading THE SHROVE NIGHT MASQUE “Shall you be ready to meet Shakespeare when he comes here on Tuesday night, Beth?” asked Mr. Cortlandt unexpectedly, emerging from behind his morning paper.
Cortlandt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SHROVE NIGHT MASQUE “Shall you be ready to meet Shakespeare when he comes here on Tuesday night, Beth?” asked Mr. Cortlandt unexpectedly, emerging from behind his morning paper.
accepted or habitual practice
From this reading “It is the custom of some people to ‘get up’ handy quotations from an author before meeting him, to have them ready to use; it’s supposed to please him, but all real authors hate it.
emergingadjectiveUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒɪŋ/
coming to maturity
From this reading THE SHROVE NIGHT MASQUE “Shall you be ready to meet Shakespeare when he comes here on Tuesday night, Beth?” asked Mr. Cortlandt unexpectedly, emerging from behind his morning paper.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading If you like I’ll rehearse the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet and we’ll act it for Mr. Shakespeare when he comes.”
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE SHROVE NIGHT MASQUE “Shall you be ready to meet Shakespeare when he comes here on Tuesday night, Beth?” asked Mr. Cortlandt unexpectedly, emerging from behind his morning paper.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading “It is the custom of some people to ‘get up’ handy quotations from an author before meeting him, to have them ready to use; it’s supposed to please him, but all real authors hate it.
handyadjectiveUS /ˈhændi/
easy to reach
From this reading “It is the custom of some people to ‘get up’ handy quotations from an author before meeting him, to have them ready to use; it’s supposed to please him, but all real authors hate it.
the emotion of intense dislike; a feeling of dislike so strong that it demands action
From this reading “It is the custom of some people to ‘get up’ handy quotations from an author before meeting him, to have them ready to use; it’s supposed to please him, but all real authors hate it.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “It is the custom of some people to ‘get up’ handy quotations from an author before meeting him, to have them ready to use; it’s supposed to please him, but all real authors hate it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE SHROVE NIGHT MASQUE “Shall you be ready to meet Shakespeare when he comes here on Tuesday night, Beth?” asked Mr. Cortlandt unexpectedly, emerging from behind his morning paper.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Beth smiled in a puzzled way, looking inquiringly at her uncle.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading THE SHROVE NIGHT MASQUE “Shall you be ready to meet Shakespeare when he comes here on Tuesday night, Beth?” asked Mr. Cortlandt unexpectedly, emerging from behind his morning paper.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “It is the custom of some people to ‘get up’ handy quotations from an author before meeting him, to have them ready to use; it’s supposed to please him, but all real authors hate it.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE SHROVE NIGHT MASQUE “Shall you be ready to meet Shakespeare when he comes here on Tuesday night, Beth?” asked Mr. Cortlandt unexpectedly, emerging from behind his morning paper.
I'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you like I’ll rehearse the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet and we’ll act it for Mr. Shakespeare when he comes.”
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If you like I’ll rehearse the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet and we’ll act it for Mr. Shakespeare when he comes.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Beth smiled in a puzzled way, looking inquiringly at her uncle.
inquiringlyadverb
in an inquiring manner
From this reading Beth smiled in a puzzled way, looking inquiringly at her uncle.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “It is the custom of some people to ‘get up’ handy quotations from an author before meeting him, to have them ready to use; it’s supposed to please him, but all real authors hate it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “It is the custom of some people to ‘get up’ handy quotations from an author before meeting him, to have them ready to use; it’s supposed to please him, but all real authors hate it.
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is the custom of some people to ‘get up’ handy quotations from an author before meeting him, to have them ready to use; it’s supposed to please him, but all real authors hate it.
Juliet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you like I’ll rehearse the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet and we’ll act it for Mr. Shakespeare when he comes.”
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading She knew there was some clue to the meaning of his nonsense, but she lacked it.
lackedverbUS /lækt/
past form of “lack” — be without
From this reading She knew there was some clue to the meaning of his nonsense, but she lacked it.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading If you like I’ll rehearse the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet and we’ll act it for Mr. Shakespeare when he comes.”
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Beth smiled in a puzzled way, looking inquiringly at her uncle.
MASQUEnoun
a party of guests wearing costumes and masks
From this reading THE SHROVE NIGHT MASQUE “Shall you be ready to meet Shakespeare when he comes here on Tuesday night, Beth?” asked Mr. Cortlandt unexpectedly, emerging from behind his morning paper.
the message that is intended or expressed or signified
From this reading She knew there was some clue to the meaning of his nonsense, but she lacked it.
come together
From this reading THE SHROVE NIGHT MASQUE “Shall you be ready to meet Shakespeare when he comes here on Tuesday night, Beth?” asked Mr. Cortlandt unexpectedly, emerging from behind his morning paper.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading “It is the custom of some people to ‘get up’ handy quotations from an author before meeting him, to have them ready to use; it’s supposed to please him, but all real authors hate it.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading THE SHROVE NIGHT MASQUE “Shall you be ready to meet Shakespeare when he comes here on Tuesday night, Beth?” asked Mr. Cortlandt unexpectedly, emerging from behind his morning paper.
a form of address for a man
From this reading THE SHROVE NIGHT MASQUE “Shall you be ready to meet Shakespeare when he comes here on Tuesday night, Beth?” asked Mr. Cortlandt unexpectedly, emerging from behind his morning paper.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading THE SHROVE NIGHT MASQUE “Shall you be ready to meet Shakespeare when he comes here on Tuesday night, Beth?” asked Mr. Cortlandt unexpectedly, emerging from behind his morning paper.
a message that seems to convey no meaning
From this reading She knew there was some clue to the meaning of his nonsense, but she lacked it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “It is the custom of some people to ‘get up’ handy quotations from an author before meeting him, to have them ready to use; it’s supposed to please him, but all real authors hate it.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE SHROVE NIGHT MASQUE “Shall you be ready to meet Shakespeare when he comes here on Tuesday night, Beth?” asked Mr. Cortlandt unexpectedly, emerging from behind his morning paper.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading THE SHROVE NIGHT MASQUE “Shall you be ready to meet Shakespeare when he comes here on Tuesday night, Beth?” asked Mr. Cortlandt unexpectedly, emerging from behind his morning paper.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading “It is the custom of some people to ‘get up’ handy quotations from an author before meeting him, to have them ready to use; it’s supposed to please him, but all real authors hate it.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading “It is the custom of some people to ‘get up’ handy quotations from an author before meeting him, to have them ready to use; it’s supposed to please him, but all real authors hate it.
filled with bewilderment
From this reading Beth smiled in a puzzled way, looking inquiringly at her uncle.
quotationsnounUS /kwoʊˈteɪʃənz/
plural of “quotation” — a short note recognizing a source of information or of a quoted passage
From this reading “It is the custom of some people to ‘get up’ handy quotations from an author before meeting him, to have them ready to use; it’s supposed to please him, but all real authors hate it.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading THE SHROVE NIGHT MASQUE “Shall you be ready to meet Shakespeare when he comes here on Tuesday night, Beth?” asked Mr. Cortlandt unexpectedly, emerging from behind his morning paper.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading “It is the custom of some people to ‘get up’ handy quotations from an author before meeting him, to have them ready to use; it’s supposed to please him, but all real authors hate it.
rehearseverbUS /riˈhɜːrs/
engage in a rehearsal
From this reading If you like I’ll rehearse the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet and we’ll act it for Mr. Shakespeare when he comes.”
RomeonounUS /ˈroʊmioʊ/
an ardent male lover
From this reading If you like I’ll rehearse the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet and we’ll act it for Mr. Shakespeare when he comes.”
the place where some action occurs
From this reading If you like I’ll rehearse the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet and we’ll act it for Mr. Shakespeare when he comes.”
ShakespearenounUS /ˈʃeɪkspiːr/
English poet and dramatist considered one of the greatest English writers (1564-1616)
From this reading THE SHROVE NIGHT MASQUE “Shall you be ready to meet Shakespeare when he comes here on Tuesday night, Beth?” asked Mr. Cortlandt unexpectedly, emerging from behind his morning paper.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading THE SHROVE NIGHT MASQUE “Shall you be ready to meet Shakespeare when he comes here on Tuesday night, Beth?” asked Mr. Cortlandt unexpectedly, emerging from behind his morning paper.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She knew there was some clue to the meaning of his nonsense, but she lacked it.
SHROVE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SHROVE NIGHT MASQUE “Shall you be ready to meet Shakespeare when he comes here on Tuesday night, Beth?” asked Mr. Cortlandt unexpectedly, emerging from behind his morning paper.
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading Beth smiled in a puzzled way, looking inquiringly at her uncle.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading “It is the custom of some people to ‘get up’ handy quotations from an author before meeting him, to have them ready to use; it’s supposed to please him, but all real authors hate it.
required or under orders
From this reading “It is the custom of some people to ‘get up’ handy quotations from an author before meeting him, to have them ready to use; it’s supposed to please him, but all real authors hate it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SHROVE NIGHT MASQUE “Shall you be ready to meet Shakespeare when he comes here on Tuesday night, Beth?” asked Mr. Cortlandt unexpectedly, emerging from behind his morning paper.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading “It is the custom of some people to ‘get up’ handy quotations from an author before meeting him, to have them ready to use; it’s supposed to please him, but all real authors hate it.
in or at that place or location
From this reading She knew there was some clue to the meaning of his nonsense, but she lacked it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE SHROVE NIGHT MASQUE “Shall you be ready to meet Shakespeare when he comes here on Tuesday night, Beth?” asked Mr. Cortlandt unexpectedly, emerging from behind his morning paper.
TuesdaynounUS /ˈtuːzdi/
the third day of the week; the second working day
From this reading THE SHROVE NIGHT MASQUE “Shall you be ready to meet Shakespeare when he comes here on Tuesday night, Beth?” asked Mr. Cortlandt unexpectedly, emerging from behind his morning paper.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading Beth smiled in a puzzled way, looking inquiringly at her uncle.
unexpectedlyadverbUS /ˌʌnɪkˈspektɪdli/
in a way that was not expected
From this reading THE SHROVE NIGHT MASQUE “Shall you be ready to meet Shakespeare when he comes here on Tuesday night, Beth?” asked Mr. Cortlandt unexpectedly, emerging from behind his morning paper.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading “It is the custom of some people to ‘get up’ handy quotations from an author before meeting him, to have them ready to use; it’s supposed to please him, but all real authors hate it.
the act of using
From this reading “It is the custom of some people to ‘get up’ handy quotations from an author before meeting him, to have them ready to use; it’s supposed to please him, but all real authors hate it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She knew there was some clue to the meaning of his nonsense, but she lacked it.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Beth smiled in a puzzled way, looking inquiringly at her uncle.
we'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you like I’ll rehearse the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet and we’ll act it for Mr. Shakespeare when he comes.”
at the time that
From this reading THE SHROVE NIGHT MASQUE “Shall you be ready to meet Shakespeare when he comes here on Tuesday night, Beth?” asked Mr. Cortlandt unexpectedly, emerging from behind his morning paper.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading THE SHROVE NIGHT MASQUE “Shall you be ready to meet Shakespeare when he comes here on Tuesday night, Beth?” asked Mr. Cortlandt unexpectedly, emerging from behind his morning paper.
