Chapter V · A New Way of Breaking into the Movies

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

From this reading Your true cloister of to-day is a moving-picture studio.

plural of “actor” — a theatrical performer

From this reading As John Compton, holding the hand of Bobby, made to enter the sacred precincts of the Lantry Studio at the entryway provided for the actors, the man on guard cast a severe and forbidding look at the youth.

the right to enter

From this reading The sign “No Admittance,” or some wording of similar meaning, greets the stranger at every door.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading To enter without the Open Sesame incurs an excommunication seldom incurred, for the reason that the dragons are always on duty.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading To enter without the Open Sesame incurs an excommunication seldom incurred, for the reason that the dragons are always on duty.

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

From this reading As John Compton, holding the hand of Bobby, made to enter the sacred precincts of the Lantry Studio at the entryway provided for the actors, the man on guard cast a severe and forbidding look at the youth.

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

From this reading There is, too, at each entry a dragon on guard, sometimes in the guise of a gracious but firm young woman, sometimes, it may be, in that of a forbidding old man; but no matter how various be the form of these dragons, they are there to see that you don’t go in.

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

From this reading As John Compton, holding the hand of Bobby, made to enter the sacred precincts of the Lantry Studio at the entryway provided for the actors, the man on guard cast a severe and forbidding look at the youth.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The sign “No Admittance,” or some wording of similar meaning, greets the stranger at every door.

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

From this reading There is, too, at each entry a dragon on guard, sometimes in the guise of a gracious but firm young woman, sometimes, it may be, in that of a forbidding old man; but no matter how various be the form of these dragons, they are there to see that you don’t go in.

an informal term for a British policeman

From this reading As John Compton, holding the hand of Bobby, made to enter the sacred precincts of the Lantry Studio at the entryway provided for the actors, the man on guard cast a severe and forbidding look at the youth.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading There is, too, at each entry a dragon on guard, sometimes in the guise of a gracious but firm young woman, sometimes, it may be, in that of a forbidding old man; but no matter how various be the form of these dragons, they are there to see that you don’t go in.

put or send forth

From this reading As John Compton, holding the hand of Bobby, made to enter the sacred precincts of the Lantry Studio at the entryway provided for the actors, the man on guard cast a severe and forbidding look at the youth.

surround with a cloister, as of a garden

From this reading Your true cloister of to-day is a moving-picture studio.

United States physicist noted for research on x-rays and gamma rays and nuclear energy

From this reading As John Compton, holding the hand of Bobby, made to enter the sacred precincts of the Lantry Studio at the entryway provided for the actors, the man on guard cast a severe and forbidding look at the youth.

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

From this reading There is, too, at each entry a dragon on guard, sometimes in the guise of a gracious but firm young woman, sometimes, it may be, in that of a forbidding old man; but no matter how various be the form of these dragons, they are there to see that you don’t go in.

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

From this reading The sign “No Admittance,” or some wording of similar meaning, greets the stranger at every door.

a creature of Teutonic mythology; usually represented as breathing fire and having a reptilian body and sometimes wings

From this reading There is, too, at each entry a dragon on guard, sometimes in the guise of a gracious but firm young woman, sometimes, it may be, in that of a forbidding old man; but no matter how various be the form of these dragons, they are there to see that you don’t go in.

plural of “dragon” — a creature of Teutonic mythology; usually represented as breathing fire and having a reptilian body and sometimes wings

From this reading There is, too, at each entry a dragon on guard, sometimes in the guise of a gracious but firm young woman, sometimes, it may be, in that of a forbidding old man; but no matter how various be the form of these dragons, they are there to see that you don’t go in.

the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading To enter without the Open Sesame incurs an excommunication seldom incurred, for the reason that the dragons are always on duty.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading There is, too, at each entry a dragon on guard, sometimes in the guise of a gracious but firm young woman, sometimes, it may be, in that of a forbidding old man; but no matter how various be the form of these dragons, they are there to see that you don’t go in.

to come or go into

From this reading To enter without the Open Sesame incurs an excommunication seldom incurred, for the reason that the dragons are always on duty.

an item inserted in a written record

From this reading There is, too, at each entry a dragon on guard, sometimes in the guise of a gracious but firm young woman, sometimes, it may be, in that of a forbidding old man; but no matter how various be the form of these dragons, they are there to see that you don’t go in.

something that provides access (to get in or get out)

From this reading As John Compton, holding the hand of Bobby, made to enter the sacred precincts of the Lantry Studio at the entryway provided for the actors, the man on guard cast a severe and forbidding look at the youth.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading The sign “No Admittance,” or some wording of similar meaning, greets the stranger at every door.

the state of being excommunicated

From this reading To enter without the Open Sesame incurs an excommunication seldom incurred, for the reason that the dragons are always on duty.

marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable

From this reading There is, too, at each entry a dragon on guard, sometimes in the guise of a gracious but firm young woman, sometimes, it may be, in that of a forbidding old man; but no matter how various be the form of these dragons, they are there to see that you don’t go in.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading To enter without the Open Sesame incurs an excommunication seldom incurred, for the reason that the dragons are always on duty.

harshly uninviting or formidable in manner or appearance

From this reading There is, too, at each entry a dragon on guard, sometimes in the guise of a gracious but firm young woman, sometimes, it may be, in that of a forbidding old man; but no matter how various be the form of these dragons, they are there to see that you don’t go in.

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading There is, too, at each entry a dragon on guard, sometimes in the guise of a gracious but firm young woman, sometimes, it may be, in that of a forbidding old man; but no matter how various be the form of these dragons, they are there to see that you don’t go in.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading There is, too, at each entry a dragon on guard, sometimes in the guise of a gracious but firm young woman, sometimes, it may be, in that of a forbidding old man; but no matter how various be the form of these dragons, they are there to see that you don’t go in.

characterized by charm, good taste, and generosity of spirit

From this reading There is, too, at each entry a dragon on guard, sometimes in the guise of a gracious but firm young woman, sometimes, it may be, in that of a forbidding old man; but no matter how various be the form of these dragons, they are there to see that you don’t go in.

third-person singular of “greet” — express greetings upon meeting someone

From this reading The sign “No Admittance,” or some wording of similar meaning, greets the stranger at every door.

a person who keeps watch over something or someone

From this reading There is, too, at each entry a dragon on guard, sometimes in the guise of a gracious but firm young woman, sometimes, it may be, in that of a forbidding old man; but no matter how various be the form of these dragons, they are there to see that you don’t go in.

an artful or simulated semblance

From this reading There is, too, at each entry a dragon on guard, sometimes in the guise of a gracious but firm young woman, sometimes, it may be, in that of a forbidding old man; but no matter how various be the form of these dragons, they are there to see that you don’t go in.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading As John Compton, holding the hand of Bobby, made to enter the sacred precincts of the Lantry Studio at the entryway provided for the actors, the man on guard cast a severe and forbidding look at the youth.

the act of retaining something

From this reading As John Compton, holding the hand of Bobby, made to enter the sacred precincts of the Lantry Studio at the entryway provided for the actors, the man on guard cast a severe and forbidding look at the youth.

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

From this reading There is, too, at each entry a dragon on guard, sometimes in the guise of a gracious but firm young woman, sometimes, it may be, in that of a forbidding old man; but no matter how various be the form of these dragons, they are there to see that you don’t go in.

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

From this reading There is, too, at each entry a dragon on guard, sometimes in the guise of a gracious but firm young woman, sometimes, it may be, in that of a forbidding old man; but no matter how various be the form of these dragons, they are there to see that you don’t go in.

inflected form of “incur” — make oneself subject to; bring upon oneself; become liable to

From this reading To enter without the Open Sesame incurs an excommunication seldom incurred, for the reason that the dragons are always on duty.

third-person singular of “incur” — make oneself subject to; bring upon oneself; become liable to

From this reading To enter without the Open Sesame incurs an excommunication seldom incurred, for the reason that the dragons are always on duty.

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

From this reading Your true cloister of to-day is a moving-picture studio.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading There is, too, at each entry a dragon on guard, sometimes in the guise of a gracious but firm young woman, sometimes, it may be, in that of a forbidding old man; but no matter how various be the form of these dragons, they are there to see that you don’t go in.

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading As John Compton, holding the hand of Bobby, made to enter the sacred precincts of the Lantry Studio at the entryway provided for the actors, the man on guard cast a severe and forbidding look at the youth.

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

From this reading As John Compton, holding the hand of Bobby, made to enter the sacred precincts of the Lantry Studio at the entryway provided for the actors, the man on guard cast a severe and forbidding look at the youth.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading As John Compton, holding the hand of Bobby, made to enter the sacred precincts of the Lantry Studio at the entryway provided for the actors, the man on guard cast a severe and forbidding look at the youth.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading As John Compton, holding the hand of Bobby, made to enter the sacred precincts of the Lantry Studio at the entryway provided for the actors, the man on guard cast a severe and forbidding look at the youth.

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

From this reading There is, too, at each entry a dragon on guard, sometimes in the guise of a gracious but firm young woman, sometimes, it may be, in that of a forbidding old man; but no matter how various be the form of these dragons, they are there to see that you don’t go in.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading There is, too, at each entry a dragon on guard, sometimes in the guise of a gracious but firm young woman, sometimes, it may be, in that of a forbidding old man; but no matter how various be the form of these dragons, they are there to see that you don’t go in.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading There is, too, at each entry a dragon on guard, sometimes in the guise of a gracious but firm young woman, sometimes, it may be, in that of a forbidding old man; but no matter how various be the form of these dragons, they are there to see that you don’t go in.

the message that is intended or expressed or signified

From this reading The sign “No Admittance,” or some wording of similar meaning, greets the stranger at every door.

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

From this reading Your true cloister of to-day is a moving-picture studio.

not any; not one

From this reading The sign “No Admittance,” or some wording of similar meaning, greets the stranger at every door.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Your true cloister of to-day is a moving-picture studio.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading There is, too, at each entry a dragon on guard, sometimes in the guise of a gracious but firm young woman, sometimes, it may be, in that of a forbidding old man; but no matter how various be the form of these dragons, they are there to see that you don’t go in.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading There is, too, at each entry a dragon on guard, sometimes in the guise of a gracious but firm young woman, sometimes, it may be, in that of a forbidding old man; but no matter how various be the form of these dragons, they are there to see that you don’t go in.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading To enter without the Open Sesame incurs an excommunication seldom incurred, for the reason that the dragons are always on duty.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The sign “No Admittance,” or some wording of similar meaning, greets the stranger at every door.

plural of “precinct” — a district of a city or town marked out for administrative purposes

From this reading As John Compton, holding the hand of Bobby, made to enter the sacred precincts of the Lantry Studio at the entryway provided for the actors, the man on guard cast a severe and forbidding look at the youth.

past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to

From this reading As John Compton, holding the hand of Bobby, made to enter the sacred precincts of the Lantry Studio at the entryway provided for the actors, the man on guard cast a severe and forbidding look at the youth.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading To enter without the Open Sesame incurs an excommunication seldom incurred, for the reason that the dragons are always on duty.

concerned with religion or religious purposes

From this reading As John Compton, holding the hand of Bobby, made to enter the sacred precincts of the Lantry Studio at the entryway provided for the actors, the man on guard cast a severe and forbidding look at the youth.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading There is, too, at each entry a dragon on guard, sometimes in the guise of a gracious but firm young woman, sometimes, it may be, in that of a forbidding old man; but no matter how various be the form of these dragons, they are there to see that you don’t go in.

not often

From this reading To enter without the Open Sesame incurs an excommunication seldom incurred, for the reason that the dragons are always on duty.

A tropical plant whose seeds are used in food, and the famous magical password 'Open Sesame'.

From this reading To enter without the Open Sesame incurs an excommunication seldom incurred, for the reason that the dragons are always on duty.

intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality

From this reading As John Compton, holding the hand of Bobby, made to enter the sacred precincts of the Lantry Studio at the entryway provided for the actors, the man on guard cast a severe and forbidding look at the youth.

a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading The sign “No Admittance,” or some wording of similar meaning, greets the stranger at every door.

marked by correspondence or resemblance

From this reading The sign “No Admittance,” or some wording of similar meaning, greets the stranger at every door.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading The sign “No Admittance,” or some wording of similar meaning, greets the stranger at every door.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading There is, too, at each entry a dragon on guard, sometimes in the guise of a gracious but firm young woman, sometimes, it may be, in that of a forbidding old man; but no matter how various be the form of these dragons, they are there to see that you don’t go in.

anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading The sign “No Admittance,” or some wording of similar meaning, greets the stranger at every door.

workplace for the teaching or practice of an art

From this reading Your true cloister of to-day is a moving-picture studio.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading There is, too, at each entry a dragon on guard, sometimes in the guise of a gracious but firm young woman, sometimes, it may be, in that of a forbidding old man; but no matter how various be the form of these dragons, they are there to see that you don’t go in.

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

From this reading The sign “No Admittance,” or some wording of similar meaning, greets the stranger at every door.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There is, too, at each entry a dragon on guard, sometimes in the guise of a gracious but firm young woman, sometimes, it may be, in that of a forbidding old man; but no matter how various be the form of these dragons, they are there to see that you don’t go in.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading There is, too, at each entry a dragon on guard, sometimes in the guise of a gracious but firm young woman, sometimes, it may be, in that of a forbidding old man; but no matter how various be the form of these dragons, they are there to see that you don’t go in.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading There is, too, at each entry a dragon on guard, sometimes in the guise of a gracious but firm young woman, sometimes, it may be, in that of a forbidding old man; but no matter how various be the form of these dragons, they are there to see that you don’t go in.

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

From this reading There is, too, at each entry a dragon on guard, sometimes in the guise of a gracious but firm young woman, sometimes, it may be, in that of a forbidding old man; but no matter how various be the form of these dragons, they are there to see that you don’t go in.

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

From this reading Your true cloister of to-day is a moving-picture studio.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading There is, too, at each entry a dragon on guard, sometimes in the guise of a gracious but firm young woman, sometimes, it may be, in that of a forbidding old man; but no matter how various be the form of these dragons, they are there to see that you don’t go in.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading Your true cloister of to-day is a moving-picture studio.

of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity

From this reading There is, too, at each entry a dragon on guard, sometimes in the guise of a gracious but firm young woman, sometimes, it may be, in that of a forbidding old man; but no matter how various be the form of these dragons, they are there to see that you don’t go in.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading To enter without the Open Sesame incurs an excommunication seldom incurred, for the reason that the dragons are always on duty.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading There is, too, at each entry a dragon on guard, sometimes in the guise of a gracious but firm young woman, sometimes, it may be, in that of a forbidding old man; but no matter how various be the form of these dragons, they are there to see that you don’t go in.

the manner in which something is expressed in words

From this reading The sign “No Admittance,” or some wording of similar meaning, greets the stranger at every door.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading There is, too, at each entry a dragon on guard, sometimes in the guise of a gracious but firm young woman, sometimes, it may be, in that of a forbidding old man; but no matter how various be the form of these dragons, they are there to see that you don’t go in.

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

From this reading There is, too, at each entry a dragon on guard, sometimes in the guise of a gracious but firm young woman, sometimes, it may be, in that of a forbidding old man; but no matter how various be the form of these dragons, they are there to see that you don’t go in.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Your true cloister of to-day is a moving-picture studio.

a young person (especially a young man or boy)

From this reading As John Compton, holding the hand of Bobby, made to enter the sacred precincts of the Lantry Studio at the entryway provided for the actors, the man on guard cast a severe and forbidding look at the youth.