Chapter XX · Chapter 20

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

From this reading The stage was set for the introduction to the first act of _Rigoletto_, the curtain was down, the lights were already up in the house and a good many people were in their seats or standing about and chatting quietly.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The stage was set for the introduction to the first act of _Rigoletto_, the curtain was down, the lights were already up in the house and a good many people were in their seats or standing about and chatting quietly.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading It was a hot afternoon in July, and high up in the gallery the summer sunshine streamed through an open window full upon the blazing lights of the central chandelier, a straight, square beam of yellow gold thrown across a white fire, and clearly seen through it.

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

From this reading The stage was set for the introduction to the first act of _Rigoletto_, the curtain was down, the lights were already up in the house and a good many people were in their seats or standing about and chatting quietly.

plural of “actor” — a theatrical performer

From this reading While the play or the opera is actually going on, everything works quickly as in a real performance, but between the acts, or even between one scene and another, there is a tendency on the part of the actors and the invited public to treat the whole affair as a party of pleasure.

a New Testament book describing the development of the early church from Christ's Ascension to Paul's sojourn at Rome

From this reading While the play or the opera is actually going on, everything works quickly as in a real performance, but between the acts, or even between one scene and another, there is a tendency on the part of the actors and the invited public to treat the whole affair as a party of pleasure.

in actual fact

From this reading While the play or the opera is actually going on, everything works quickly as in a real performance, but between the acts, or even between one scene and another, there is a tendency on the part of the actors and the invited public to treat the whole affair as a party of pleasure.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading While the play or the opera is actually going on, everything works quickly as in a real performance, but between the acts, or even between one scene and another, there is a tendency on the part of the actors and the invited public to treat the whole affair as a party of pleasure.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading It was a hot afternoon in July, and high up in the gallery the summer sunshine streamed through an open window full upon the blazing lights of the central chandelier, a straight, square beam of yellow gold thrown across a white fire, and clearly seen through it.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading The stage was set for the introduction to the first act of _Rigoletto_, the curtain was down, the lights were already up in the house and a good many people were in their seats or standing about and chatting quietly.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading There is always a pleasant latitude about dress rehearsals, even when the piece is old and there is no new stage machinery to be tried.

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

From this reading It was a hot afternoon in July, and high up in the gallery the summer sunshine streamed through an open window full upon the blazing lights of the central chandelier, a straight, square beam of yellow gold thrown across a white fire, and clearly seen through it.

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

From this reading The stage was set for the introduction to the first act of _Rigoletto_, the curtain was down, the lights were already up in the house and a good many people were in their seats or standing about and chatting quietly.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading While the play or the opera is actually going on, everything works quickly as in a real performance, but between the acts, or even between one scene and another, there is a tendency on the part of the actors and the invited public to treat the whole affair as a party of pleasure.

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

From this reading While the play or the opera is actually going on, everything works quickly as in a real performance, but between the acts, or even between one scene and another, there is a tendency on the part of the actors and the invited public to treat the whole affair as a party of pleasure.

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

From this reading There is always a pleasant latitude about dress rehearsals, even when the piece is old and there is no new stage machinery to be tried.

a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather

From this reading It was a hot afternoon in July, and high up in the gallery the summer sunshine streamed through an open window full upon the blazing lights of the central chandelier, a straight, square beam of yellow gold thrown across a white fire, and clearly seen through it.

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

From this reading It was still afternoon when the dress rehearsal began, but the night would have come when it ended.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading While the play or the opera is actually going on, everything works quickly as in a real performance, but between the acts, or even between one scene and another, there is a tendency on the part of the actors and the invited public to treat the whole affair as a party of pleasure.

shining intensely

From this reading It was a hot afternoon in July, and high up in the gallery the summer sunshine streamed through an open window full upon the blazing lights of the central chandelier, a straight, square beam of yellow gold thrown across a white fire, and clearly seen through it.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was still afternoon when the dress rehearsal began, but the night would have come when it ended.

serving as an essential component

From this reading It was a hot afternoon in July, and high up in the gallery the summer sunshine streamed through an open window full upon the blazing lights of the central chandelier, a straight, square beam of yellow gold thrown across a white fire, and clearly seen through it.

branched lighting fixture; often ornate; hangs from the ceiling

From this reading It was a hot afternoon in July, and high up in the gallery the summer sunshine streamed through an open window full upon the blazing lights of the central chandelier, a straight, square beam of yellow gold thrown across a white fire, and clearly seen through it.

inflected form of “chat” — talk socially without exchanging too much information

From this reading The stage was set for the introduction to the first act of _Rigoletto_, the curtain was down, the lights were already up in the house and a good many people were in their seats or standing about and chatting quietly.

without doubt or question

From this reading It was a hot afternoon in July, and high up in the gallery the summer sunshine streamed through an open window full upon the blazing lights of the central chandelier, a straight, square beam of yellow gold thrown across a white fire, and clearly seen through it.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading It was still afternoon when the dress rehearsal began, but the night would have come when it ended.

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

From this reading The stage was set for the introduction to the first act of _Rigoletto_, the curtain was down, the lights were already up in the house and a good many people were in their seats or standing about and chatting quietly.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The stage was set for the introduction to the first act of _Rigoletto_, the curtain was down, the lights were already up in the house and a good many people were in their seats or standing about and chatting quietly.

put on clothes

From this reading It was still afternoon when the dress rehearsal began, but the night would have come when it ended.

having come or been brought to a conclusion

From this reading It was still afternoon when the dress rehearsal began, but the night would have come when it ended.

divisible by two

From this reading There is always a pleasant latitude about dress rehearsals, even when the piece is old and there is no new stage machinery to be tried.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading While the play or the opera is actually going on, everything works quickly as in a real performance, but between the acts, or even between one scene and another, there is a tendency on the part of the actors and the invited public to treat the whole affair as a party of pleasure.

start firing a weapon

From this reading It was a hot afternoon in July, and high up in the gallery the summer sunshine streamed through an open window full upon the blazing lights of the central chandelier, a straight, square beam of yellow gold thrown across a white fire, and clearly seen through it.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The stage was set for the introduction to the first act of _Rigoletto_, the curtain was down, the lights were already up in the house and a good many people were in their seats or standing about and chatting quietly.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The stage was set for the introduction to the first act of _Rigoletto_, the curtain was down, the lights were already up in the house and a good many people were in their seats or standing about and chatting quietly.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading It was a hot afternoon in July, and high up in the gallery the summer sunshine streamed through an open window full upon the blazing lights of the central chandelier, a straight, square beam of yellow gold thrown across a white fire, and clearly seen through it.

spectators at a golf or tennis match

From this reading It was a hot afternoon in July, and high up in the gallery the summer sunshine streamed through an open window full upon the blazing lights of the central chandelier, a straight, square beam of yellow gold thrown across a white fire, and clearly seen through it.

the act of departing

From this reading While the play or the opera is actually going on, everything works quickly as in a real performance, but between the acts, or even between one scene and another, there is a tendency on the part of the actors and the invited public to treat the whole affair as a party of pleasure.

coins made of gold

From this reading It was a hot afternoon in July, and high up in the gallery the summer sunshine streamed through an open window full upon the blazing lights of the central chandelier, a straight, square beam of yellow gold thrown across a white fire, and clearly seen through it.

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

From this reading The stage was set for the introduction to the first act of _Rigoletto_, the curtain was down, the lights were already up in the house and a good many people were in their seats or standing about and chatting quietly.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It was still afternoon when the dress rehearsal began, but the night would have come when it ended.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading It was a hot afternoon in July, and high up in the gallery the summer sunshine streamed through an open window full upon the blazing lights of the central chandelier, a straight, square beam of yellow gold thrown across a white fire, and clearly seen through it.

used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading It was a hot afternoon in July, and high up in the gallery the summer sunshine streamed through an open window full upon the blazing lights of the central chandelier, a straight, square beam of yellow gold thrown across a white fire, and clearly seen through it.

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

From this reading The stage was set for the introduction to the first act of _Rigoletto_, the curtain was down, the lights were already up in the house and a good many people were in their seats or standing about and chatting quietly.

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

From this reading The stage was set for the introduction to the first act of _Rigoletto_, the curtain was down, the lights were already up in the house and a good many people were in their seats or standing about and chatting quietly.

the act of beginning something new

From this reading The stage was set for the introduction to the first act of _Rigoletto_, the curtain was down, the lights were already up in the house and a good many people were in their seats or standing about and chatting quietly.

past form of “invite” — increase the likelihood of

From this reading While the play or the opera is actually going on, everything works quickly as in a real performance, but between the acts, or even between one scene and another, there is a tendency on the part of the actors and the invited public to treat the whole affair as a party of pleasure.

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

From this reading There is always a pleasant latitude about dress rehearsals, even when the piece is old and there is no new stage machinery to be tried.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a hot afternoon in July, and high up in the gallery the summer sunshine streamed through an open window full upon the blazing lights of the central chandelier, a straight, square beam of yellow gold thrown across a white fire, and clearly seen through it.

the month following June and preceding August

From this reading It was a hot afternoon in July, and high up in the gallery the summer sunshine streamed through an open window full upon the blazing lights of the central chandelier, a straight, square beam of yellow gold thrown across a white fire, and clearly seen through it.

the angular distance between an imaginary line around a heavenly body parallel to its equator and the equator itself

From this reading There is always a pleasant latitude about dress rehearsals, even when the piece is old and there is no new stage machinery to be tried.

plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation

From this reading The stage was set for the introduction to the first act of _Rigoletto_, the curtain was down, the lights were already up in the house and a good many people were in their seats or standing about and chatting quietly.

machines or machine systems collectively

From this reading There is always a pleasant latitude about dress rehearsals, even when the piece is old and there is no new stage machinery to be tried.

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 The stage was set for the introduction to the first act of _Rigoletto_, the curtain was down, the lights were already up in the house and a good many people were in their seats or standing about and chatting quietly.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading There is always a pleasant latitude about dress rehearsals, even when the piece is old and there is no new stage machinery to be tried.

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

From this reading It was still afternoon when the dress rehearsal began, but the night would have come when it ended.

not any; not one

From this reading There is always a pleasant latitude about dress rehearsals, even when the piece is old and there is no new stage machinery to be tried.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The stage was set for the introduction to the first act of _Rigoletto_, the curtain was down, the lights were already up in the house and a good many people were in their seats or standing about and chatting quietly.

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

From this reading There is always a pleasant latitude about dress rehearsals, even when the piece is old and there is no new stage machinery to be tried.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading While the play or the opera is actually going on, everything works quickly as in a real performance, but between the acts, or even between one scene and another, there is a tendency on the part of the actors and the invited public to treat the whole affair as a party of pleasure.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading While the play or the opera is actually going on, everything works quickly as in a real performance, but between the acts, or even between one scene and another, there is a tendency on the part of the actors and the invited public to treat the whole affair as a party of pleasure.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading It was a hot afternoon in July, and high up in the gallery the summer sunshine streamed through an open window full upon the blazing lights of the central chandelier, a straight, square beam of yellow gold thrown across a white fire, and clearly seen through it.

a drama set to music; consists of singing with orchestral accompaniment and an orchestral overture and interludes

From this reading While the play or the opera is actually going on, everything works quickly as in a real performance, but between the acts, or even between one scene and another, there is a tendency on the part of the actors and the invited public to treat the whole affair as a party of pleasure.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The stage was set for the introduction to the first act of _Rigoletto_, the curtain was down, the lights were already up in the house and a good many people were in their seats or standing about and chatting quietly.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading While the play or the opera is actually going on, everything works quickly as in a real performance, but between the acts, or even between one scene and another, there is a tendency on the part of the actors and the invited public to treat the whole affair as a party of pleasure.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading While the play or the opera is actually going on, everything works quickly as in a real performance, but between the acts, or even between one scene and another, there is a tendency on the part of the actors and the invited public to treat the whole affair as a party of pleasure.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading The stage was set for the introduction to the first act of _Rigoletto_, the curtain was down, the lights were already up in the house and a good many people were in their seats or standing about and chatting quietly.

a dramatic or musical entertainment

From this reading While the play or the opera is actually going on, everything works quickly as in a real performance, but between the acts, or even between one scene and another, there is a tendency on the part of the actors and the invited public to treat the whole affair as a party of pleasure.

a separate part of a whole

From this reading There is always a pleasant latitude about dress rehearsals, even when the piece is old and there is no new stage machinery to be tried.

participate in games or sport

From this reading While the play or the opera is actually going on, everything works quickly as in a real performance, but between the acts, or even between one scene and another, there is a tendency on the part of the actors and the invited public to treat the whole affair as a party of pleasure.

affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings

From this reading There is always a pleasant latitude about dress rehearsals, even when the piece is old and there is no new stage machinery to be tried.

a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience

From this reading While the play or the opera is actually going on, everything works quickly as in a real performance, but between the acts, or even between one scene and another, there is a tendency on the part of the actors and the invited public to treat the whole affair as a party of pleasure.

people in general considered as a whole

From this reading While the play or the opera is actually going on, everything works quickly as in a real performance, but between the acts, or even between one scene and another, there is a tendency on the part of the actors and the invited public to treat the whole affair as a party of pleasure.

with speed

From this reading While the play or the opera is actually going on, everything works quickly as in a real performance, but between the acts, or even between one scene and another, there is a tendency on the part of the actors and the invited public to treat the whole affair as a party of pleasure.

with low volume

From this reading The stage was set for the introduction to the first act of _Rigoletto_, the curtain was down, the lights were already up in the house and a good many people were in their seats or standing about and chatting quietly.

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading While the play or the opera is actually going on, everything works quickly as in a real performance, but between the acts, or even between one scene and another, there is a tendency on the part of the actors and the invited public to treat the whole affair as a party of pleasure.

a practice session in preparation for a public performance (as of a play or speech or concert)

From this reading It was still afternoon when the dress rehearsal began, but the night would have come when it ended.

plural of “rehearsal” — a practice session in preparation for a public performance (as of a play or speech or concert)

From this reading There is always a pleasant latitude about dress rehearsals, even when the piece is old and there is no new stage machinery to be tried.

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

From this reading The stage was set for the introduction to the first act of _Rigoletto_, the curtain was down, the lights were already up in the house and a good many people were in their seats or standing about and chatting quietly.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading While the play or the opera is actually going on, everything works quickly as in a real performance, but between the acts, or even between one scene and another, there is a tendency on the part of the actors and the invited public to treat the whole affair as a party of pleasure.

an area that includes places where several people can sit

From this reading The stage was set for the introduction to the first act of _Rigoletto_, the curtain was down, the lights were already up in the house and a good many people were in their seats or standing about and chatting quietly.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading It was a hot afternoon in July, and high up in the gallery the summer sunshine streamed through an open window full upon the blazing lights of the central chandelier, a straight, square beam of yellow gold thrown across a white fire, and clearly seen through it.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The stage was set for the introduction to the first act of _Rigoletto_, the curtain was down, the lights were already up in the house and a good many people were in their seats or standing about and chatting quietly.

make square

From this reading It was a hot afternoon in July, and high up in the gallery the summer sunshine streamed through an open window full upon the blazing lights of the central chandelier, a straight, square beam of yellow gold thrown across a white fire, and clearly seen through it.

any distinct time period in a sequence of events

From this reading The stage was set for the introduction to the first act of _Rigoletto_, the curtain was down, the lights were already up in the house and a good many people were in their seats or standing about and chatting quietly.

having a supporting base

From this reading The stage was set for the introduction to the first act of _Rigoletto_, the curtain was down, the lights were already up in the house and a good many people were in their seats or standing about and chatting quietly.

not in physical motion

From this reading It was still afternoon when the dress rehearsal began, but the night would have come when it ended.

successive (without a break)

From this reading It was a hot afternoon in July, and high up in the gallery the summer sunshine streamed through an open window full upon the blazing lights of the central chandelier, a straight, square beam of yellow gold thrown across a white fire, and clearly seen through it.

past form of “stream” — to extend, wave or float outward, as if in the wind

From this reading It was a hot afternoon in July, and high up in the gallery the summer sunshine streamed through an open window full upon the blazing lights of the central chandelier, a straight, square beam of yellow gold thrown across a white fire, and clearly seen through it.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading It was a hot afternoon in July, and high up in the gallery the summer sunshine streamed through an open window full upon the blazing lights of the central chandelier, a straight, square beam of yellow gold thrown across a white fire, and clearly seen through it.

the rays of the sun

From this reading It was a hot afternoon in July, and high up in the gallery the summer sunshine streamed through an open window full upon the blazing lights of the central chandelier, a straight, square beam of yellow gold thrown across a white fire, and clearly seen through it.

an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others

From this reading While the play or the opera is actually going on, everything works quickly as in a real performance, but between the acts, or even between one scene and another, there is a tendency on the part of the actors and the invited public to treat the whole affair as a party of pleasure.

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

From this reading The stage was set for the introduction to the first act of _Rigoletto_, the curtain was down, the lights were already up in the house and a good many people were in their seats or standing about and chatting quietly.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The stage was set for the introduction to the first act of _Rigoletto_, the curtain was down, the lights were already up in the house and a good many people were in their seats or standing about and chatting quietly.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There is always a pleasant latitude about dress rehearsals, even when the piece is old and there is no new stage machinery to be tried.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading It was a hot afternoon in July, and high up in the gallery the summer sunshine streamed through an open window full upon the blazing lights of the central chandelier, a straight, square beam of yellow gold thrown across a white fire, and clearly seen through it.

caused to fall to the ground

From this reading It was a hot afternoon in July, and high up in the gallery the summer sunshine streamed through an open window full upon the blazing lights of the central chandelier, a straight, square beam of yellow gold thrown across a white fire, and clearly seen through it.

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

From this reading The stage was set for the introduction to the first act of _Rigoletto_, the curtain was down, the lights were already up in the house and a good many people were in their seats or standing about and chatting quietly.

interact in a certain way

From this reading While the play or the opera is actually going on, everything works quickly as in a real performance, but between the acts, or even between one scene and another, there is a tendency on the part of the actors and the invited public to treat the whole affair as a party of pleasure.

tested and proved useful or correct

From this reading There is always a pleasant latitude about dress rehearsals, even when the piece is old and there is no new stage machinery to be tried.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading The stage was set for the introduction to the first act of _Rigoletto_, the curtain was down, the lights were already up in the house and a good many people were in their seats or standing about and chatting quietly.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading It was a hot afternoon in July, and high up in the gallery the summer sunshine streamed through an open window full upon the blazing lights of the central chandelier, a straight, square beam of yellow gold thrown across a white fire, and clearly seen through it.

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

From this reading The stage was set for the introduction to the first act of _Rigoletto_, the curtain was down, the lights were already up in the house and a good many people were in their seats or standing about and chatting quietly.

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

From this reading The stage was set for the introduction to the first act of _Rigoletto_, the curtain was down, the lights were already up in the house and a good many people were in their seats or standing about and chatting quietly.

at the time that

From this reading It was still afternoon when the dress rehearsal began, but the night would have come when it ended.

during the time that

From this reading While the play or the opera is actually going on, everything works quickly as in a real performance, but between the acts, or even between one scene and another, there is a tendency on the part of the actors and the invited public to treat the whole affair as a party of pleasure.

a Caucasian

From this reading It was a hot afternoon in July, and high up in the gallery the summer sunshine streamed through an open window full upon the blazing lights of the central chandelier, a straight, square beam of yellow gold thrown across a white fire, and clearly seen through it.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading While the play or the opera is actually going on, everything works quickly as in a real performance, but between the acts, or even between one scene and another, there is a tendency on the part of the actors and the invited public to treat the whole affair as a party of pleasure.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading It was a hot afternoon in July, and high up in the gallery the summer sunshine streamed through an open window full upon the blazing lights of the central chandelier, a straight, square beam of yellow gold thrown across a white fire, and clearly seen through it.

buildings for carrying on industrial labor

From this reading While the play or the opera is actually going on, everything works quickly as in a real performance, but between the acts, or even between one scene and another, there is a tendency on the part of the actors and the invited public to treat the whole affair as a party of pleasure.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading It was still afternoon when the dress rehearsal began, but the night would have come when it ended.

of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk

From this reading It was a hot afternoon in July, and high up in the gallery the summer sunshine streamed through an open window full upon the blazing lights of the central chandelier, a straight, square beam of yellow gold thrown across a white fire, and clearly seen through it.