Chapter III

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

From this reading THE BRISTOL STOCK COMPANY The engagement at the Royalty was only a stopgap, and at its termination the wise Mr. Ben Terry took his daughter "to school," in one of the famous stock companies that then most happily existed in all the large provincial towns.

formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure

From this reading Alas! too many of them abjure school, and, with the awkwardness (though very little of the timidity) of half-fledged birds, flutter blindly on to the stage, and blunder under the unwonted glare of footlights, to the bewilderment of the theatrical _habitués_ and the despair of critics, but apparently to the great satisfaction of themselves and their foolishly admiring friends.

plural of “actor” — a theatrical performer

From this reading They were indeed "schools"--schools of a very practical order--and in them most of the leading actors of our generation graduated.

plural of “actress” — a female actor

From this reading Now that they have vanished, the great question among the would-be actors and actresses of to-day (or I should say among those who are in earnest) is "where can we find a true dramatic school?"

-ing form of “admire” — feel admiration for

From this reading Alas! too many of them abjure school, and, with the awkwardness (though very little of the timidity) of half-fledged birds, flutter blindly on to the stage, and blunder under the unwonted glare of footlights, to the bewilderment of the theatrical _habitués_ and the despair of critics, but apparently to the great satisfaction of themselves and their foolishly admiring friends.

used to show sadness, pity, or regret

From this reading Alas! too many of them abjure school, and, with the awkwardness (though very little of the timidity) of half-fledged birds, flutter blindly on to the stage, and blunder under the unwonted glare of footlights, to the bewilderment of the theatrical _habitués_ and the despair of critics, but apparently to the great satisfaction of themselves and their foolishly admiring friends.

(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 THE BRISTOL STOCK COMPANY The engagement at the Royalty was only a stopgap, and at its termination the wise Mr. Ben Terry took his daughter "to school," in one of the famous stock companies that then most happily existed in all the large provincial towns.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading I am inclined to think that theatre-lovers who never lived in a large town in the good old stock company days missed one of the joys of life.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Now that they have vanished, the great question among the would-be actors and actresses of to-day (or I should say among those who are in earnest) is "where can we find a true dramatic school?"

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

From this reading THE BRISTOL STOCK COMPANY The engagement at the Royalty was only a stopgap, and at its termination the wise Mr. Ben Terry took his daughter "to school," in one of the famous stock companies that then most happily existed in all the large provincial towns.

from appearances alone

From this reading Alas! too many of them abjure school, and, with the awkwardness (though very little of the timidity) of half-fledged birds, flutter blindly on to the stage, and blunder under the unwonted glare of footlights, to the bewilderment of the theatrical _habitués_ and the despair of critics, but apparently to the great satisfaction of themselves and their foolishly admiring friends.

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

From this reading Now that they have vanished, the great question among the would-be actors and actresses of to-day (or I should say among those who are in earnest) is "where can we find a true dramatic school?"

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE BRISTOL STOCK COMPANY The engagement at the Royalty was only a stopgap, and at its termination the wise Mr. Ben Terry took his daughter "to school," in one of the famous stock companies that then most happily existed in all the large provincial towns.

unskillfulness resulting from a lack of training

From this reading Alas! too many of them abjure school, and, with the awkwardness (though very little of the timidity) of half-fledged birds, flutter blindly on to the stage, and blunder under the unwonted glare of footlights, to the bewilderment of the theatrical _habitués_ and the despair of critics, but apparently to the great satisfaction of themselves and their foolishly admiring friends.

a mountain or tall hill

From this reading THE BRISTOL STOCK COMPANY The engagement at the Royalty was only a stopgap, and at its termination the wise Mr. Ben Terry took his daughter "to school," in one of the famous stock companies that then most happily existed in all the large provincial towns.

confusion resulting from failure to understand

From this reading Alas! too many of them abjure school, and, with the awkwardness (though very little of the timidity) of half-fledged birds, flutter blindly on to the stage, and blunder under the unwonted glare of footlights, to the bewilderment of the theatrical _habitués_ and the despair of critics, but apparently to the great satisfaction of themselves and their foolishly admiring friends.

plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading Alas! too many of them abjure school, and, with the awkwardness (though very little of the timidity) of half-fledged birds, flutter blindly on to the stage, and blunder under the unwonted glare of footlights, to the bewilderment of the theatrical _habitués_ and the despair of critics, but apparently to the great satisfaction of themselves and their foolishly admiring friends.

without seeing or looking

From this reading Alas! too many of them abjure school, and, with the awkwardness (though very little of the timidity) of half-fledged birds, flutter blindly on to the stage, and blunder under the unwonted glare of footlights, to the bewilderment of the theatrical _habitués_ and the despair of critics, but apparently to the great satisfaction of themselves and their foolishly admiring friends.

commit a faux pas or a fault or make a serious mistake

From this reading Alas! too many of them abjure school, and, with the awkwardness (though very little of the timidity) of half-fledged birds, flutter blindly on to the stage, and blunder under the unwonted glare of footlights, to the bewilderment of the theatrical _habitués_ and the despair of critics, but apparently to the great satisfaction of themselves and their foolishly admiring friends.

an industrial city and port in southwestern England near the mouth of the River Avon

From this reading THE BRISTOL STOCK COMPANY The engagement at the Royalty was only a stopgap, and at its termination the wise Mr. Ben Terry took his daughter "to school," in one of the famous stock companies that then most happily existed in all the large provincial towns.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Alas! too many of them abjure school, and, with the awkwardness (though very little of the timidity) of half-fledged birds, flutter blindly on to the stage, and blunder under the unwonted glare of footlights, to the bewilderment of the theatrical _habitués_ and the despair of critics, but apparently to the great satisfaction of themselves and their foolishly admiring friends.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading Now that they have vanished, the great question among the would-be actors and actresses of to-day (or I should say among those who are in earnest) is "where can we find a true dramatic school?"

plural of “company” — an institution created to conduct business

From this reading THE BRISTOL STOCK COMPANY The engagement at the Royalty was only a stopgap, and at its termination the wise Mr. Ben Terry took his daughter "to school," in one of the famous stock companies that then most happily existed in all the large provincial towns.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading THE BRISTOL STOCK COMPANY The engagement at the Royalty was only a stopgap, and at its termination the wise Mr. Ben Terry took his daughter "to school," in one of the famous stock companies that then most happily existed in all the large provincial towns.

plural of “critic” — a person who is professionally engaged in the analysis and interpretation of works of art

From this reading Alas! too many of them abjure school, and, with the awkwardness (though very little of the timidity) of half-fledged birds, flutter blindly on to the stage, and blunder under the unwonted glare of footlights, to the bewilderment of the theatrical _habitués_ and the despair of critics, but apparently to the great satisfaction of themselves and their foolishly admiring friends.

a female human offspring

From this reading THE BRISTOL STOCK COMPANY The engagement at the Royalty was only a stopgap, and at its termination the wise Mr. Ben Terry took his daughter "to school," in one of the famous stock companies that then most happily existed in all the large provincial towns.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading I am inclined to think that theatre-lovers who never lived in a large town in the good old stock company days missed one of the joys of life.

a state in which all hope is lost or absent

From this reading Alas! too many of them abjure school, and, with the awkwardness (though very little of the timidity) of half-fledged birds, flutter blindly on to the stage, and blunder under the unwonted glare of footlights, to the bewilderment of the theatrical _habitués_ and the despair of critics, but apparently to the great satisfaction of themselves and their foolishly admiring friends.

suitable to or characteristic of drama

From this reading Now that they have vanished, the great question among the would-be actors and actresses of to-day (or I should say among those who are in earnest) is "where can we find a true dramatic school?"

characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions

From this reading Now that they have vanished, the great question among the would-be actors and actresses of to-day (or I should say among those who are in earnest) is "where can we find a true dramatic school?"

a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading THE BRISTOL STOCK COMPANY The engagement at the Royalty was only a stopgap, and at its termination the wise Mr. Ben Terry took his daughter "to school," in one of the famous stock companies that then most happily existed in all the large provincial towns.

past form of “exist” — have an existence, be extant

From this reading THE BRISTOL STOCK COMPANY The engagement at the Royalty was only a stopgap, and at its termination the wise Mr. Ben Terry took his daughter "to school," in one of the famous stock companies that then most happily existed in all the large provincial towns.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading THE BRISTOL STOCK COMPANY The engagement at the Royalty was only a stopgap, and at its termination the wise Mr. Ben Terry took his daughter "to school," in one of the famous stock companies that then most happily existed in all the large provincial towns.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading Now that they have vanished, the great question among the would-be actors and actresses of to-day (or I should say among those who are in earnest) is "where can we find a true dramatic school?"

move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart

From this reading Alas! too many of them abjure school, and, with the awkwardness (though very little of the timidity) of half-fledged birds, flutter blindly on to the stage, and blunder under the unwonted glare of footlights, to the bewilderment of the theatrical _habitués_ and the despair of critics, but apparently to the great satisfaction of themselves and their foolishly admiring friends.

without good sense or judgment

From this reading Alas! too many of them abjure school, and, with the awkwardness (though very little of the timidity) of half-fledged birds, flutter blindly on to the stage, and blunder under the unwonted glare of footlights, to the bewilderment of the theatrical _habitués_ and the despair of critics, but apparently to the great satisfaction of themselves and their foolishly admiring friends.

theater light at the front of a stage that illuminate the set and actors

From this reading Alas! too many of them abjure school, and, with the awkwardness (though very little of the timidity) of half-fledged birds, flutter blindly on to the stage, and blunder under the unwonted glare of footlights, to the bewilderment of the theatrical _habitués_ and the despair of critics, but apparently to the great satisfaction of themselves and their foolishly admiring friends.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading Alas! too many of them abjure school, and, with the awkwardness (though very little of the timidity) of half-fledged birds, flutter blindly on to the stage, and blunder under the unwonted glare of footlights, to the bewilderment of the theatrical _habitués_ and the despair of critics, but apparently to the great satisfaction of themselves and their foolishly admiring friends.

all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age

From this reading They were indeed "schools"--schools of a very practical order--and in them most of the leading actors of our generation graduated.

a light within the field of vision that is brighter than the brightness to which the eyes are adapted

From this reading Alas! too many of them abjure school, and, with the awkwardness (though very little of the timidity) of half-fledged birds, flutter blindly on to the stage, and blunder under the unwonted glare of footlights, to the bewilderment of the theatrical _habitués_ and the despair of critics, but apparently to the great satisfaction of themselves and their foolishly admiring friends.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading I am inclined to think that theatre-lovers who never lived in a large town in the good old stock company days missed one of the joys of life.

marked with or divided into degrees

From this reading They were indeed "schools"--schools of a very practical order--and in them most of the leading actors of our generation graduated.

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

From this reading Now that they have vanished, the great question among the would-be actors and actresses of to-day (or I should say among those who are in earnest) is "where can we find a true dramatic school?"

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

From this reading Alas! too many of them abjure school, and, with the awkwardness (though very little of the timidity) of half-fledged birds, flutter blindly on to the stage, and blunder under the unwonted glare of footlights, to the bewilderment of the theatrical _habitués_ and the despair of critics, but apparently to the great satisfaction of themselves and their foolishly admiring friends.

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

From this reading Alas! too many of them abjure school, and, with the awkwardness (though very little of the timidity) of half-fledged birds, flutter blindly on to the stage, and blunder under the unwonted glare of footlights, to the bewilderment of the theatrical _habitués_ and the despair of critics, but apparently to the great satisfaction of themselves and their foolishly admiring friends.

in a joyous manner

From this reading THE BRISTOL STOCK COMPANY The engagement at the Royalty was only a stopgap, and at its termination the wise Mr. Ben Terry took his daughter "to school," in one of the famous stock companies that then most happily existed in all the large provincial towns.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Now that they have vanished, the great question among the would-be actors and actresses of to-day (or I should say among those who are in earnest) is "where can we find a true dramatic school?"

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

From this reading THE BRISTOL STOCK COMPANY The engagement at the Royalty was only a stopgap, and at its termination the wise Mr. Ben Terry took his daughter "to school," in one of the famous stock companies that then most happily existed in all the large provincial towns.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading Now that they have vanished, the great question among the would-be actors and actresses of to-day (or I should say among those who are in earnest) is "where can we find a true dramatic school?"

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

From this reading THE BRISTOL STOCK COMPANY The engagement at the Royalty was only a stopgap, and at its termination the wise Mr. Ben Terry took his daughter "to school," in one of the famous stock companies that then most happily existed in all the large provincial towns.

(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency

From this reading I am inclined to think that theatre-lovers who never lived in a large town in the good old stock company days missed one of the joys of life.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading They were indeed "schools"--schools of a very practical order--and in them most of the leading actors of our generation graduated.

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

From this reading Now that they have vanished, the great question among the would-be actors and actresses of to-day (or I should say among those who are in earnest) is "where can we find a true dramatic school?"

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading THE BRISTOL STOCK COMPANY The engagement at the Royalty was only a stopgap, and at its termination the wise Mr. Ben Terry took his daughter "to school," in one of the famous stock companies that then most happily existed in all the large provincial towns.

plural of “joy” — the emotion of great happiness

From this reading I am inclined to think that theatre-lovers who never lived in a large town in the good old stock company days missed one of the joys of life.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading THE BRISTOL STOCK COMPANY The engagement at the Royalty was only a stopgap, and at its termination the wise Mr. Ben Terry took his daughter "to school," in one of the famous stock companies that then most happily existed in all the large provincial towns.

indicating the most important performer or role

From this reading They were indeed "schools"--schools of a very practical order--and in them most of the leading actors of our generation graduated.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading I am inclined to think that theatre-lovers who never lived in a large town in the good old stock company days missed one of the joys of life.

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

From this reading Alas! too many of them abjure school, and, with the awkwardness (though very little of the timidity) of half-fledged birds, flutter blindly on to the stage, and blunder under the unwonted glare of footlights, to the bewilderment of the theatrical _habitués_ and the despair of critics, but apparently to the great satisfaction of themselves and their foolishly admiring friends.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading I am inclined to think that theatre-lovers who never lived in a large town in the good old stock company days missed one of the joys of life.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Alas! too many of them abjure school, and, with the awkwardness (though very little of the timidity) of half-fledged birds, flutter blindly on to the stage, and blunder under the unwonted glare of footlights, to the bewilderment of the theatrical _habitués_ and the despair of critics, but apparently to the great satisfaction of themselves and their foolishly admiring friends.

not caught with the senses or the mind

From this reading I am inclined to think that theatre-lovers who never lived in a large town in the good old stock company days missed one of the joys of life.

used to form the superlative

From this reading THE BRISTOL STOCK COMPANY The engagement at the Royalty was only a stopgap, and at its termination the wise Mr. Ben Terry took his daughter "to school," in one of the famous stock companies that then most happily existed in all the large provincial towns.

a form of address for a man

From this reading THE BRISTOL STOCK COMPANY The engagement at the Royalty was only a stopgap, and at its termination the wise Mr. Ben Terry took his daughter "to school," in one of the famous stock companies that then most happily existed in all the large provincial towns.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading I am inclined to think that theatre-lovers who never lived in a large town in the good old stock company days missed one of the joys of life.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Now that they have vanished, the great question among the would-be actors and actresses of to-day (or I should say among those who are in earnest) is "where can we find a true dramatic school?"

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE BRISTOL STOCK COMPANY The engagement at the Royalty was only a stopgap, and at its termination the wise Mr. Ben Terry took his daughter "to school," in one of the famous stock companies that then most happily existed in all the large provincial towns.

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

From this reading I am inclined to think that theatre-lovers who never lived in a large town in the good old stock company days missed one of the joys of life.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Alas! too many of them abjure school, and, with the awkwardness (though very little of the timidity) of half-fledged birds, flutter blindly on to the stage, and blunder under the unwonted glare of footlights, to the bewilderment of the theatrical _habitués_ and the despair of critics, but apparently to the great satisfaction of themselves and their foolishly admiring friends.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading THE BRISTOL STOCK COMPANY The engagement at the Royalty was only a stopgap, and at its termination the wise Mr. Ben Terry took his daughter "to school," in one of the famous stock companies that then most happily existed in all the large provincial towns.

and nothing more

From this reading THE BRISTOL STOCK COMPANY The engagement at the Royalty was only a stopgap, and at its termination the wise Mr. Ben Terry took his daughter "to school," in one of the famous stock companies that then most happily existed in all the large provincial towns.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Now that they have vanished, the great question among the would-be actors and actresses of to-day (or I should say among those who are in earnest) is "where can we find a true dramatic school?"

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading They were indeed "schools"--schools of a very practical order--and in them most of the leading actors of our generation graduated.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading They were indeed "schools"--schools of a very practical order--and in them most of the leading actors of our generation graduated.

concerned with actual use or practice

From this reading They were indeed "schools"--schools of a very practical order--and in them most of the leading actors of our generation graduated.

of or associated with a province

From this reading THE BRISTOL STOCK COMPANY The engagement at the Royalty was only a stopgap, and at its termination the wise Mr. Ben Terry took his daughter "to school," in one of the famous stock companies that then most happily existed in all the large provincial towns.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading Now that they have vanished, the great question among the would-be actors and actresses of to-day (or I should say among those who are in earnest) is "where can we find a true dramatic school?"

payment to the holder of a patent or copyright or resource for the right to use their property

From this reading THE BRISTOL STOCK COMPANY The engagement at the Royalty was only a stopgap, and at its termination the wise Mr. Ben Terry took his daughter "to school," in one of the famous stock companies that then most happily existed in all the large provincial towns.

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

From this reading Alas! too many of them abjure school, and, with the awkwardness (though very little of the timidity) of half-fledged birds, flutter blindly on to the stage, and blunder under the unwonted glare of footlights, to the bewilderment of the theatrical _habitués_ and the despair of critics, but apparently to the great satisfaction of themselves and their foolishly admiring friends.

express in words

From this reading Now that they have vanished, the great question among the would-be actors and actresses of to-day (or I should say among those who are in earnest) is "where can we find a true dramatic school?"

an educational institution

From this reading THE BRISTOL STOCK COMPANY The engagement at the Royalty was only a stopgap, and at its termination the wise Mr. Ben Terry took his daughter "to school," in one of the famous stock companies that then most happily existed in all the large provincial towns.

plural of “school” — an educational institution

From this reading They were indeed "schools"--schools of a very practical order--and in them most of the leading actors of our generation graduated.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Now that they have vanished, the great question among the would-be actors and actresses of to-day (or I should say among those who are in earnest) is "where can we find a true dramatic school?"

any distinct time period in a sequence of events

From this reading Alas! too many of them abjure school, and, with the awkwardness (though very little of the timidity) of half-fledged birds, flutter blindly on to the stage, and blunder under the unwonted glare of footlights, to the bewilderment of the theatrical _habitués_ and the despair of critics, but apparently to the great satisfaction of themselves and their foolishly admiring friends.

the capital raised by a corporation through the issue of shares entitling holders to an ownership interest

From this reading THE BRISTOL STOCK COMPANY The engagement at the Royalty was only a stopgap, and at its termination the wise Mr. Ben Terry took his daughter "to school," in one of the famous stock companies that then most happily existed in all the large provincial towns.

something contrived to meet an urgent need or emergency

From this reading THE BRISTOL STOCK COMPANY The engagement at the Royalty was only a stopgap, and at its termination the wise Mr. Ben Terry took his daughter "to school," in one of the famous stock companies that then most happily existed in all the large provincial towns.

a coming to an end of a contract period

From this reading THE BRISTOL STOCK COMPANY The engagement at the Royalty was only a stopgap, and at its termination the wise Mr. Ben Terry took his daughter "to school," in one of the famous stock companies that then most happily existed in all the large provincial towns.

English actress (1847-1928)

From this reading THE BRISTOL STOCK COMPANY The engagement at the Royalty was only a stopgap, and at its termination the wise Mr. Ben Terry took his daughter "to school," in one of the famous stock companies that then most happily existed in all the large provincial towns.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE BRISTOL STOCK COMPANY The engagement at the Royalty was only a stopgap, and at its termination the wise Mr. Ben Terry took his daughter "to school," in one of the famous stock companies that then most happily existed in all the large provincial towns.

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

From this reading THE BRISTOL STOCK COMPANY The engagement at the Royalty was only a stopgap, and at its termination the wise Mr. Ben Terry took his daughter "to school," in one of the famous stock companies that then most happily existed in all the large provincial towns.

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

From this reading I am inclined to think that theatre-lovers who never lived in a large town in the good old stock company days missed one of the joys of life.

of or relating to the theater

From this reading Alas! too many of them abjure school, and, with the awkwardness (though very little of the timidity) of half-fledged birds, flutter blindly on to the stage, and blunder under the unwonted glare of footlights, to the bewilderment of the theatrical _habitués_ and the despair of critics, but apparently to the great satisfaction of themselves and their foolishly admiring friends.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Alas! too many of them abjure school, and, with the awkwardness (though very little of the timidity) of half-fledged birds, flutter blindly on to the stage, and blunder under the unwonted glare of footlights, to the bewilderment of the theatrical _habitués_ and the despair of critics, but apparently to the great satisfaction of themselves and their foolishly admiring friends.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading They were indeed "schools"--schools of a very practical order--and in them most of the leading actors of our generation graduated.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading Alas! too many of them abjure school, and, with the awkwardness (though very little of the timidity) of half-fledged birds, flutter blindly on to the stage, and blunder under the unwonted glare of footlights, to the bewilderment of the theatrical _habitués_ and the despair of critics, but apparently to the great satisfaction of themselves and their foolishly admiring friends.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading THE BRISTOL STOCK COMPANY The engagement at the Royalty was only a stopgap, and at its termination the wise Mr. Ben Terry took his daughter "to school," in one of the famous stock companies that then most happily existed in all the large provincial towns.

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

From this reading They were indeed "schools"--schools of a very practical order--and in them most of the leading actors of our generation graduated.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading I am inclined to think that theatre-lovers who never lived in a large town in the good old stock company days missed one of the joys of life.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Now that they have vanished, the great question among the would-be actors and actresses of to-day (or I should say among those who are in earnest) is "where can we find a true dramatic school?"

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Alas! too many of them abjure school, and, with the awkwardness (though very little of the timidity) of half-fledged birds, flutter blindly on to the stage, and blunder under the unwonted glare of footlights, to the bewilderment of the theatrical _habitués_ and the despair of critics, but apparently to the great satisfaction of themselves and their foolishly admiring friends.

fear of the unknown or unfamiliar or fear of making decisions

From this reading Alas! too many of them abjure school, and, with the awkwardness (though very little of the timidity) of half-fledged birds, flutter blindly on to the stage, and blunder under the unwonted glare of footlights, to the bewilderment of the theatrical _habitués_ and the despair of critics, but apparently to the great satisfaction of themselves and their foolishly admiring friends.

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

From this reading THE BRISTOL STOCK COMPANY The engagement at the Royalty was only a stopgap, and at its termination the wise Mr. Ben Terry took his daughter "to school," in one of the famous stock companies that then most happily existed in all the large provincial towns.

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

From this reading Now that they have vanished, the great question among the would-be actors and actresses of to-day (or I should say among those who are in earnest) is "where can we find a true dramatic school?"

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Alas! too many of them abjure school, and, with the awkwardness (though very little of the timidity) of half-fledged birds, flutter blindly on to the stage, and blunder under the unwonted glare of footlights, to the bewilderment of the theatrical _habitués_ and the despair of critics, but apparently to the great satisfaction of themselves and their foolishly admiring friends.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading THE BRISTOL STOCK COMPANY The engagement at the Royalty was only a stopgap, and at its termination the wise Mr. Ben Terry took his daughter "to school," in one of the famous stock companies that then most happily existed in all the large provincial towns.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading I am inclined to think that theatre-lovers who never lived in a large town in the good old stock company days missed one of the joys of life.

plural of “town” — an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading THE BRISTOL STOCK COMPANY The engagement at the Royalty was only a stopgap, and at its termination the wise Mr. Ben Terry took his daughter "to school," in one of the famous stock companies that then most happily existed in all the large provincial towns.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading Now that they have vanished, the great question among the would-be actors and actresses of to-day (or I should say among those who are in earnest) is "where can we find a true dramatic school?"

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Alas! too many of them abjure school, and, with the awkwardness (though very little of the timidity) of half-fledged birds, flutter blindly on to the stage, and blunder under the unwonted glare of footlights, to the bewilderment of the theatrical _habitués_ and the despair of critics, but apparently to the great satisfaction of themselves and their foolishly admiring friends.

unaccustomed or unusual

From this reading Alas! too many of them abjure school, and, with the awkwardness (though very little of the timidity) of half-fledged birds, flutter blindly on to the stage, and blunder under the unwonted glare of footlights, to the bewilderment of the theatrical _habitués_ and the despair of critics, but apparently to the great satisfaction of themselves and their foolishly admiring friends.

having passed out of existence

From this reading Now that they have vanished, the great question among the would-be actors and actresses of to-day (or I should say among those who are in earnest) is "where can we find a true dramatic school?"

precisely as stated

From this reading They were indeed "schools"--schools of a very practical order--and in them most of the leading actors of our generation graduated.

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

From this reading THE BRISTOL STOCK COMPANY The engagement at the Royalty was only a stopgap, and at its termination the wise Mr. Ben Terry took his daughter "to school," in one of the famous stock companies that then most happily existed in all the large provincial towns.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Now that they have vanished, the great question among the would-be actors and actresses of to-day (or I should say among those who are in earnest) is "where can we find a true dramatic school?"

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

From this reading They were indeed "schools"--schools of a very practical order--and in them most of the leading actors of our generation graduated.

in or at the place that

From this reading Now that they have vanished, the great question among the would-be actors and actresses of to-day (or I should say among those who are in earnest) is "where can we find a true dramatic school?"

which person or people

From this reading Now that they have vanished, the great question among the would-be actors and actresses of to-day (or I should say among those who are in earnest) is "where can we find a true dramatic school?"

having or prompted by wisdom or discernment

From this reading THE BRISTOL STOCK COMPANY The engagement at the Royalty was only a stopgap, and at its termination the wise Mr. Ben Terry took his daughter "to school," in one of the famous stock companies that then most happily existed in all the large provincial towns.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Alas! too many of them abjure school, and, with the awkwardness (though very little of the timidity) of half-fledged birds, flutter blindly on to the stage, and blunder under the unwonted glare of footlights, to the bewilderment of the theatrical _habitués_ and the despair of critics, but apparently to the great satisfaction of themselves and their foolishly admiring friends.

unfulfilled or frustrated in realizing an ambition

From this reading Now that they have vanished, the great question among the would-be actors and actresses of to-day (or I should say among those who are in earnest) is "where can we find a true dramatic school?"