adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ALTHOUGH Ben Jonson's days ended sadly, although his later plays showed failing powers, he left behind him unfinished a Masque called The Sad Shepherd which is perhaps more beautiful and more full of music than anything he ever wrote.
admirablyadverbUS /ˈædmərəbli/
in an admirable manner
From this reading As another poet has said of him, "Ben as a rule--a rule which is proved by the exception--was one of the singers who could not sing; though, like Dryden, he could intone most admirably."* *Swinburne.
againadverbUS /əˈɡen/
anew
From this reading Here once more we find an old story being used again, for we have already heard of Robin Hood in the ballads.
alreadyadverbUS /ɔːlˈredi/
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Here once more we find an old story being used again, for we have already heard of Robin Hood in the ballads.
ALTHOUGHconjunctionUS /ˌɔːlˈðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading ALTHOUGH Ben Jonson's days ended sadly, although his later plays showed failing powers, he left behind him unfinished a Masque called The Sad Shepherd which is perhaps more beautiful and more full of music than anything he ever wrote.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Here once more we find an old story being used again, for we have already heard of Robin Hood in the ballads.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ALTHOUGH Ben Jonson's days ended sadly, although his later plays showed failing powers, he left behind him unfinished a Masque called The Sad Shepherd which is perhaps more beautiful and more full of music than anything he ever wrote.
anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading As another poet has said of him, "Ben as a rule--a rule which is proved by the exception--was one of the singers who could not sing; though, like Dryden, he could intone most admirably."* *Swinburne.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading ALTHOUGH Ben Jonson's days ended sadly, although his later plays showed failing powers, he left behind him unfinished a Masque called The Sad Shepherd which is perhaps more beautiful and more full of music than anything he ever wrote.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As another poet has said of him, "Ben as a rule--a rule which is proved by the exception--was one of the singers who could not sing; though, like Dryden, he could intone most admirably."* *Swinburne.
balladsnounUS /ˈbælədz/
plural of “ballad” — a narrative song with a recurrent refrain
From this reading Here once more we find an old story being used again, for we have already heard of Robin Hood in the ballads.
beautifuladjectiveUS /ˈbjuːtəfəl/
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading ALTHOUGH Ben Jonson's days ended sadly, although his later plays showed failing powers, he left behind him unfinished a Masque called The Sad Shepherd which is perhaps more beautiful and more full of music than anything he ever wrote.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading ALTHOUGH Ben Jonson's days ended sadly, although his later plays showed failing powers, he left behind him unfinished a Masque called The Sad Shepherd which is perhaps more beautiful and more full of music than anything he ever wrote.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Here once more we find an old story being used again, for we have already heard of Robin Hood in the ballads.
BennounUS /ben/
a mountain or tall hill
From this reading ALTHOUGH Ben Jonson's days ended sadly, although his later plays showed failing powers, he left behind him unfinished a Masque called The Sad Shepherd which is perhaps more beautiful and more full of music than anything he ever wrote.
Ben'snounUS /benz/
possessive form of “ben” — a mountain or tall hill
From this reading For Ben's charm did not lie in the music of his words but in the strength of his drawing of character.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading For Ben's charm did not lie in the music of his words but in the strength of his drawing of character.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As another poet has said of him, "Ben as a rule--a rule which is proved by the exception--was one of the singers who could not sing; though, like Dryden, he could intone most admirably."* *Swinburne.
calledverbUS /kɔːld/
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading ALTHOUGH Ben Jonson's days ended sadly, although his later plays showed failing powers, he left behind him unfinished a Masque called The Sad Shepherd which is perhaps more beautiful and more full of music than anything he ever wrote.
characternounUS /ˈkerɪktər/
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading For Ben's charm did not lie in the music of his words but in the strength of his drawing of character.
charmnounUS /tʃɑːrm/
attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates
From this reading For Ben's charm did not lie in the music of his words but in the strength of his drawing of character.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading As another poet has said of him, "Ben as a rule--a rule which is proved by the exception--was one of the singers who could not sing; though, like Dryden, he could intone most admirably."* *Swinburne.
daysnounUS /deɪz/
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading ALTHOUGH Ben Jonson's days ended sadly, although his later plays showed failing powers, he left behind him unfinished a Masque called The Sad Shepherd which is perhaps more beautiful and more full of music than anything he ever wrote.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading For Ben's charm did not lie in the music of his words but in the strength of his drawing of character.
drawingnounUS /ˈdrɔːɪŋ/
an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper
From this reading For Ben's charm did not lie in the music of his words but in the strength of his drawing of character.
DrydennounUS /ˈdraɪdən/
the outstanding poet and dramatist of the Restoration (1631-1700)
From this reading As another poet has said of him, "Ben as a rule--a rule which is proved by the exception--was one of the singers who could not sing; though, like Dryden, he could intone most admirably."* *Swinburne.
endedadjectiveUS /ˈendəd/
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading ALTHOUGH Ben Jonson's days ended sadly, although his later plays showed failing powers, he left behind him unfinished a Masque called The Sad Shepherd which is perhaps more beautiful and more full of music than anything he ever wrote.
everadverbUS /ˈevər/
at any time
From this reading ALTHOUGH Ben Jonson's days ended sadly, although his later plays showed failing powers, he left behind him unfinished a Masque called The Sad Shepherd which is perhaps more beautiful and more full of music than anything he ever wrote.
exceptionnounUS /ɪkˈsepʃən/
a deliberate act of omission
From this reading As another poet has said of him, "Ben as a rule--a rule which is proved by the exception--was one of the singers who could not sing; though, like Dryden, he could intone most admirably."* *Swinburne.
failingnounUS /ˈfeɪlɪŋ/
a flaw or weak point
From this reading ALTHOUGH Ben Jonson's days ended sadly, although his later plays showed failing powers, he left behind him unfinished a Masque called The Sad Shepherd which is perhaps more beautiful and more full of music than anything he ever wrote.
findverbUS /faɪnd/
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Here once more we find an old story being used again, for we have already heard of Robin Hood in the ballads.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For Ben's charm did not lie in the music of his words but in the strength of his drawing of character.
fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading ALTHOUGH Ben Jonson's days ended sadly, although his later plays showed failing powers, he left behind him unfinished a Masque called The Sad Shepherd which is perhaps more beautiful and more full of music than anything he ever wrote.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As another poet has said of him, "Ben as a rule--a rule which is proved by the exception--was one of the singers who could not sing; though, like Dryden, he could intone most admirably."* *Swinburne.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Here once more we find an old story being used again, for we have already heard of Robin Hood in the ballads.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading ALTHOUGH Ben Jonson's days ended sadly, although his later plays showed failing powers, he left behind him unfinished a Masque called The Sad Shepherd which is perhaps more beautiful and more full of music than anything he ever wrote.
heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Here once more we find an old story being used again, for we have already heard of Robin Hood in the ballads.
HereadverbUS /hiːr/
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here once more we find an old story being used again, for we have already heard of Robin Hood in the ballads.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading ALTHOUGH Ben Jonson's days ended sadly, although his later plays showed failing powers, he left behind him unfinished a Masque called The Sad Shepherd which is perhaps more beautiful and more full of music than anything he ever wrote.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading ALTHOUGH Ben Jonson's days ended sadly, although his later plays showed failing powers, he left behind him unfinished a Masque called The Sad Shepherd which is perhaps more beautiful and more full of music than anything he ever wrote.
HoodnounUS /hʊd/
an aggressive and violent young criminal
From this reading The Sad Shepherd is a tale of Robin Hood.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For Ben's charm did not lie in the music of his words but in the strength of his drawing of character.
intoneverbUS /ˌɪnˈtoʊn/
utter monotonously and repetitively and rhythmically
From this reading As another poet has said of him, "Ben as a rule--a rule which is proved by the exception--was one of the singers who could not sing; though, like Dryden, he could intone most admirably."* *Swinburne.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ALTHOUGH Ben Jonson's days ended sadly, although his later plays showed failing powers, he left behind him unfinished a Masque called The Sad Shepherd which is perhaps more beautiful and more full of music than anything he ever wrote.
Jonson's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ALTHOUGH Ben Jonson's days ended sadly, although his later plays showed failing powers, he left behind him unfinished a Masque called The Sad Shepherd which is perhaps more beautiful and more full of music than anything he ever wrote.
lateradverbUS /ˈleɪtər/
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading ALTHOUGH Ben Jonson's days ended sadly, although his later plays showed failing powers, he left behind him unfinished a Masque called The Sad Shepherd which is perhaps more beautiful and more full of music than anything he ever wrote.
leftnounUS /left/
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading ALTHOUGH Ben Jonson's days ended sadly, although his later plays showed failing powers, he left behind him unfinished a Masque called The Sad Shepherd which is perhaps more beautiful and more full of music than anything he ever wrote.
lieverbUS /laɪ/
be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading For Ben's charm did not lie in the music of his words but in the strength of his drawing of character.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading As another poet has said of him, "Ben as a rule--a rule which is proved by the exception--was one of the singers who could not sing; though, like Dryden, he could intone most admirably."* *Swinburne.
Masquenoun
a party of guests wearing costumes and masks
From this reading ALTHOUGH Ben Jonson's days ended sadly, although his later plays showed failing powers, he left behind him unfinished a Masque called The Sad Shepherd which is perhaps more beautiful and more full of music than anything he ever wrote.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading ALTHOUGH Ben Jonson's days ended sadly, although his later plays showed failing powers, he left behind him unfinished a Masque called The Sad Shepherd which is perhaps more beautiful and more full of music than anything he ever wrote.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading As another poet has said of him, "Ben as a rule--a rule which is proved by the exception--was one of the singers who could not sing; though, like Dryden, he could intone most admirably."* *Swinburne.
musicnounUS /ˈmjuːzɪk/
an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
From this reading ALTHOUGH Ben Jonson's days ended sadly, although his later plays showed failing powers, he left behind him unfinished a Masque called The Sad Shepherd which is perhaps more beautiful and more full of music than anything he ever wrote.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading For Ben's charm did not lie in the music of his words but in the strength of his drawing of character.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ALTHOUGH Ben Jonson's days ended sadly, although his later plays showed failing powers, he left behind him unfinished a Masque called The Sad Shepherd which is perhaps more beautiful and more full of music than anything he ever wrote.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Here once more we find an old story being used again, for we have already heard of Robin Hood in the ballads.
onceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading Here once more we find an old story being used again, for we have already heard of Robin Hood in the ballads.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading As another poet has said of him, "Ben as a rule--a rule which is proved by the exception--was one of the singers who could not sing; though, like Dryden, he could intone most admirably."* *Swinburne.
perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/
by chance
From this reading ALTHOUGH Ben Jonson's days ended sadly, although his later plays showed failing powers, he left behind him unfinished a Masque called The Sad Shepherd which is perhaps more beautiful and more full of music than anything he ever wrote.
playsnounUS /pleɪz/
plural of “play” — a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
From this reading ALTHOUGH Ben Jonson's days ended sadly, although his later plays showed failing powers, he left behind him unfinished a Masque called The Sad Shepherd which is perhaps more beautiful and more full of music than anything he ever wrote.
poetnounUS /ˈpoʊət/
a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)
From this reading As another poet has said of him, "Ben as a rule--a rule which is proved by the exception--was one of the singers who could not sing; though, like Dryden, he could intone most admirably."* *Swinburne.
powersnounUS /ˈpaʊərz/
plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence
From this reading ALTHOUGH Ben Jonson's days ended sadly, although his later plays showed failing powers, he left behind him unfinished a Masque called The Sad Shepherd which is perhaps more beautiful and more full of music than anything he ever wrote.
provedadjectiveUS /pruːvd/
established beyond doubt
From this reading As another poet has said of him, "Ben as a rule--a rule which is proved by the exception--was one of the singers who could not sing; though, like Dryden, he could intone most admirably."* *Swinburne.
RobinnounUS /ˈrɑːbən/
small Old World songbird with a reddish breast
From this reading The Sad Shepherd is a tale of Robin Hood.
rulenounUS /ruːl/
a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading As another poet has said of him, "Ben as a rule--a rule which is proved by the exception--was one of the singers who could not sing; though, like Dryden, he could intone most admirably."* *Swinburne.
SadadjectiveUS /sæd/
experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading ALTHOUGH Ben Jonson's days ended sadly, although his later plays showed failing powers, he left behind him unfinished a Masque called The Sad Shepherd which is perhaps more beautiful and more full of music than anything he ever wrote.
sadlyadverbUS /ˈsædli/
in an unfortunate way
From this reading ALTHOUGH Ben Jonson's days ended sadly, although his later plays showed failing powers, he left behind him unfinished a Masque called The Sad Shepherd which is perhaps more beautiful and more full of music than anything he ever wrote.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading As another poet has said of him, "Ben as a rule--a rule which is proved by the exception--was one of the singers who could not sing; though, like Dryden, he could intone most admirably."* *Swinburne.
ShepherdnounUS /ˈʃepərd/
a clergyman who watches over a group of people
From this reading ALTHOUGH Ben Jonson's days ended sadly, although his later plays showed failing powers, he left behind him unfinished a Masque called The Sad Shepherd which is perhaps more beautiful and more full of music than anything he ever wrote.
showedverbUS /ʃoʊd/
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading ALTHOUGH Ben Jonson's days ended sadly, although his later plays showed failing powers, he left behind him unfinished a Masque called The Sad Shepherd which is perhaps more beautiful and more full of music than anything he ever wrote.
singverbUS /sɪŋ/
deliver by singing
From this reading As another poet has said of him, "Ben as a rule--a rule which is proved by the exception--was one of the singers who could not sing; though, like Dryden, he could intone most admirably."* *Swinburne.
singersnounUS /ˈsɪŋərz/
plural of “singer” — a person who sings
From this reading As another poet has said of him, "Ben as a rule--a rule which is proved by the exception--was one of the singers who could not sing; though, like Dryden, he could intone most admirably."* *Swinburne.
storynounUS /ˈstɔːri/
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading Here once more we find an old story being used again, for we have already heard of Robin Hood in the ballads.
strengthnounUS /streŋkθ/
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading For Ben's charm did not lie in the music of his words but in the strength of his drawing of character.
Swinburnenoun
English poet (1837-1909)
From this reading As another poet has said of him, "Ben as a rule--a rule which is proved by the exception--was one of the singers who could not sing; though, like Dryden, he could intone most admirably."* *Swinburne.
talenounUS /teɪl/
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading The Sad Shepherd is a tale of Robin Hood.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading ALTHOUGH Ben Jonson's days ended sadly, although his later plays showed failing powers, he left behind him unfinished a Masque called The Sad Shepherd which is perhaps more beautiful and more full of music than anything he ever wrote.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ALTHOUGH Ben Jonson's days ended sadly, although his later plays showed failing powers, he left behind him unfinished a Masque called The Sad Shepherd which is perhaps more beautiful and more full of music than anything he ever wrote.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading As another poet has said of him, "Ben as a rule--a rule which is proved by the exception--was one of the singers who could not sing; though, like Dryden, he could intone most admirably."* *Swinburne.
unfinishedadjectiveUS /ənˈfɪnɪʃt/
not brought to the desired final state
From this reading ALTHOUGH Ben Jonson's days ended sadly, although his later plays showed failing powers, he left behind him unfinished a Masque called The Sad Shepherd which is perhaps more beautiful and more full of music than anything he ever wrote.
usedadjectiveUS /juːzd/
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading Here once more we find an old story being used again, for we have already heard of Robin Hood in the ballads.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As another poet has said of him, "Ben as a rule--a rule which is proved by the exception--was one of the singers who could not sing; though, like Dryden, he could intone most admirably."* *Swinburne.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Here once more we find an old story being used again, for we have already heard of Robin Hood in the ballads.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading ALTHOUGH Ben Jonson's days ended sadly, although his later plays showed failing powers, he left behind him unfinished a Masque called The Sad Shepherd which is perhaps more beautiful and more full of music than anything he ever wrote.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading As another poet has said of him, "Ben as a rule--a rule which is proved by the exception--was one of the singers who could not sing; though, like Dryden, he could intone most admirably."* *Swinburne.
wordsnounUS /wɜːrdz/
the words that are spoken
From this reading For Ben's charm did not lie in the music of his words but in the strength of his drawing of character.
wroteverbUS /roʊt/
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading ALTHOUGH Ben Jonson's days ended sadly, although his later plays showed failing powers, he left behind him unfinished a Masque called The Sad Shepherd which is perhaps more beautiful and more full of music than anything he ever wrote.
