used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Here, for instance, by some trick of Fate, certain people had come together, certain passions had been aroused, and now that the drama had been set in motion, it seemed likely that it would play itself out to a tragical conclusion.
AfricanadjectiveUS /ˈæfrəkən/
of or relating to the nations of Africa or their peoples
From this reading African witchcraft, mysterious strangers, and barbaric women seem to be out of place when set in the sober framework of an English provincial town.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading African witchcraft, mysterious strangers, and barbaric women seem to be out of place when set in the sober framework of an English provincial town.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading African witchcraft, mysterious strangers, and barbaric women seem to be out of place when set in the sober framework of an English provincial town.
arousedadjectiveUS /ərˈaʊzd/
aroused to action
From this reading Here, for instance, by some trick of Fate, certain people had come together, certain passions had been aroused, and now that the drama had been set in motion, it seemed likely that it would play itself out to a tragical conclusion.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading So far the reader may wonder at the constituent elements of this story.
barbaricadjectiveUS /bɑːrˈbærɪk/
without civilizing influences
From this reading African witchcraft, mysterious strangers, and barbaric women seem to be out of place when set in the sober framework of an English provincial town.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading African witchcraft, mysterious strangers, and barbaric women seem to be out of place when set in the sober framework of an English provincial town.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Here, for instance, by some trick of Fate, certain people had come together, certain passions had been aroused, and now that the drama had been set in motion, it seemed likely that it would play itself out to a tragical conclusion.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But romance is not dependent upon landscape or on surroundings for its occurrence: it is to be found everywhere, and very often in the most unlikely places.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Here, for instance, by some trick of Fate, certain people had come together, certain passions had been aroused, and now that the drama had been set in motion, it seemed likely that it would play itself out to a tragical conclusion.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading Here, for instance, by some trick of Fate, certain people had come together, certain passions had been aroused, and now that the drama had been set in motion, it seemed likely that it would play itself out to a tragical conclusion.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Tragical, certainly; for herein the elements of comedy seem to be wanting.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Here, for instance, by some trick of Fate, certain people had come together, certain passions had been aroused, and now that the drama had been set in motion, it seemed likely that it would play itself out to a tragical conclusion.
comedynounUS /ˈkɑːmədi/
light and humorous drama with a happy ending
From this reading Tragical, certainly; for herein the elements of comedy seem to be wanting.
a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration
From this reading Here, for instance, by some trick of Fate, certain people had come together, certain passions had been aroused, and now that the drama had been set in motion, it seemed likely that it would play itself out to a tragical conclusion.
constituentnounUS /kənˈstɪtʃuːənt/
an artifact that is one of the individual parts of which a composite entity is made up; especially a part that can be separated from or attached to a system
From this reading So far the reader may wonder at the constituent elements of this story.
dependentadjectiveUS /dɪˈpendənt/
relying on or requiring a person or thing for support, supply, or what is needed
From this reading But romance is not dependent upon landscape or on surroundings for its occurrence: it is to be found everywhere, and very often in the most unlikely places.
dramanounUS /ˈdrɑːmə/
a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
From this reading Here, for instance, by some trick of Fate, certain people had come together, certain passions had been aroused, and now that the drama had been set in motion, it seemed likely that it would play itself out to a tragical conclusion.
elementsnounUS /ˈeləmənts/
violent or severe weather (viewed as caused by the action of the four elements)
From this reading So far the reader may wonder at the constituent elements of this story.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading African witchcraft, mysterious strangers, and barbaric women seem to be out of place when set in the sober framework of an English provincial town.
to or in any or all places
From this reading But romance is not dependent upon landscape or on surroundings for its occurrence: it is to be found everywhere, and very often in the most unlikely places.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading So far the reader may wonder at the constituent elements of this story.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading Here, for instance, by some trick of Fate, certain people had come together, certain passions had been aroused, and now that the drama had been set in motion, it seemed likely that it would play itself out to a tragical conclusion.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But romance is not dependent upon landscape or on surroundings for its occurrence: it is to be found everywhere, and very often in the most unlikely places.
set up or found
From this reading But romance is not dependent upon landscape or on surroundings for its occurrence: it is to be found everywhere, and very often in the most unlikely places.
frameworknounUS /ˈfreɪmwɜːrk/
a hypothetical description of a complex entity or process
From this reading African witchcraft, mysterious strangers, and barbaric women seem to be out of place when set in the sober framework of an English provincial town.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Here, for instance, by some trick of Fate, certain people had come together, certain passions had been aroused, and now that the drama had been set in motion, it seemed likely that it would play itself out to a tragical conclusion.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here, for instance, by some trick of Fate, certain people had come together, certain passions had been aroused, and now that the drama had been set in motion, it seemed likely that it would play itself out to a tragical conclusion.
hereinadverbUS /hɪˈrɪn/
in this place or thing or document
From this reading Tragical, certainly; for herein the elements of comedy seem to be wanting.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading African witchcraft, mysterious strangers, and barbaric women seem to be out of place when set in the sober framework of an English provincial town.
an occurrence of something
From this reading Here, for instance, by some trick of Fate, certain people had come together, certain passions had been aroused, and now that the drama had been set in motion, it seemed likely that it would play itself out to a tragical conclusion.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But romance is not dependent upon landscape or on surroundings for its occurrence: it is to be found everywhere, and very often in the most unlikely places.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But romance is not dependent upon landscape or on surroundings for its occurrence: it is to be found everywhere, and very often in the most unlikely places.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading But romance is not dependent upon landscape or on surroundings for its occurrence: it is to be found everywhere, and very often in the most unlikely places.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Here, for instance, by some trick of Fate, certain people had come together, certain passions had been aroused, and now that the drama had been set in motion, it seemed likely that it would play itself out to a tragical conclusion.
landscapenounUS /ˈlændskeɪp/
an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view
From this reading But romance is not dependent upon landscape or on surroundings for its occurrence: it is to be found everywhere, and very often in the most unlikely places.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading Here, for instance, by some trick of Fate, certain people had come together, certain passions had been aroused, and now that the drama had been set in motion, it seemed likely that it would play itself out to a tragical conclusion.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading So far the reader may wonder at the constituent elements of this story.
used to form the superlative
From this reading But romance is not dependent upon landscape or on surroundings for its occurrence: it is to be found everywhere, and very often in the most unlikely places.
the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals
From this reading Here, for instance, by some trick of Fate, certain people had come together, certain passions had been aroused, and now that the drama had been set in motion, it seemed likely that it would play itself out to a tragical conclusion.
of an obscure nature
From this reading African witchcraft, mysterious strangers, and barbaric women seem to be out of place when set in the sober framework of an English provincial town.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But romance is not dependent upon landscape or on surroundings for its occurrence: it is to be found everywhere, and very often in the most unlikely places.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Here, for instance, by some trick of Fate, certain people had come together, certain passions had been aroused, and now that the drama had been set in motion, it seemed likely that it would play itself out to a tragical conclusion.
occurrencenounUS /əˈkɜːrəns/
an event that happens
From this reading But romance is not dependent upon landscape or on surroundings for its occurrence: it is to be found everywhere, and very often in the most unlikely places.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading So far the reader may wonder at the constituent elements of this story.
many times at short intervals
From this reading But romance is not dependent upon landscape or on surroundings for its occurrence: it is to be found everywhere, and very often in the most unlikely places.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But romance is not dependent upon landscape or on surroundings for its occurrence: it is to be found everywhere, and very often in the most unlikely places.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But romance is not dependent upon landscape or on surroundings for its occurrence: it is to be found everywhere, and very often in the most unlikely places.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading African witchcraft, mysterious strangers, and barbaric women seem to be out of place when set in the sober framework of an English provincial town.
passionsnounUS /ˈpæʃənz/
plural of “passion” — a strong feeling or emotion
From this reading Here, for instance, by some trick of Fate, certain people had come together, certain passions had been aroused, and now that the drama had been set in motion, it seemed likely that it would play itself out to a tragical conclusion.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Here, for instance, by some trick of Fate, certain people had come together, certain passions had been aroused, and now that the drama had been set in motion, it seemed likely that it would play itself out to a tragical conclusion.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading African witchcraft, mysterious strangers, and barbaric women seem to be out of place when set in the sober framework of an English provincial town.
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading But romance is not dependent upon landscape or on surroundings for its occurrence: it is to be found everywhere, and very often in the most unlikely places.
participate in games or sport
From this reading Here, for instance, by some trick of Fate, certain people had come together, certain passions had been aroused, and now that the drama had been set in motion, it seemed likely that it would play itself out to a tragical conclusion.
provincialadjectiveUS /prəˈvɪnʃəl/
of or associated with a province
From this reading African witchcraft, mysterious strangers, and barbaric women seem to be out of place when set in the sober framework of an English provincial town.
a person who enjoys reading
From this reading So far the reader may wonder at the constituent elements of this story.
a relationship between two lovers
From this reading But romance is not dependent upon landscape or on surroundings for its occurrence: it is to be found everywhere, and very often in the most unlikely places.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading African witchcraft, mysterious strangers, and barbaric women seem to be out of place when set in the sober framework of an English provincial town.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Here, for instance, by some trick of Fate, certain people had come together, certain passions had been aroused, and now that the drama had been set in motion, it seemed likely that it would play itself out to a tragical conclusion.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading African witchcraft, mysterious strangers, and barbaric women seem to be out of place when set in the sober framework of an English provincial town.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So far the reader may wonder at the constituent elements of this story.
soberadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊbər/
not affected by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
From this reading African witchcraft, mysterious strangers, and barbaric women seem to be out of place when set in the sober framework of an English provincial town.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Here, for instance, by some trick of Fate, certain people had come together, certain passions had been aroused, and now that the drama had been set in motion, it seemed likely that it would play itself out to a tragical conclusion.
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 So far the reader may wonder at the constituent elements of this story.
plural of “stranger” — anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading African witchcraft, mysterious strangers, and barbaric women seem to be out of place when set in the sober framework of an English provincial town.
surroundingsnounUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋz/
the environmental condition
From this reading But romance is not dependent upon landscape or on surroundings for its occurrence: it is to be found everywhere, and very often in the most unlikely places.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Here, for instance, by some trick of Fate, certain people had come together, certain passions had been aroused, and now that the drama had been set in motion, it seemed likely that it would play itself out to a tragical conclusion.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading So far the reader may wonder at the constituent elements of this story.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading So far the reader may wonder at the constituent elements of this story.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading African witchcraft, mysterious strangers, and barbaric women seem to be out of place when set in the sober framework of an English provincial town.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading Here, for instance, by some trick of Fate, certain people had come together, certain passions had been aroused, and now that the drama had been set in motion, it seemed likely that it would play itself out to a tragical conclusion.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading African witchcraft, mysterious strangers, and barbaric women seem to be out of place when set in the sober framework of an English provincial town.
tragicaladjective
very sad; especially involving grief or death or destruction
From this reading Here, for instance, by some trick of Fate, certain people had come together, certain passions had been aroused, and now that the drama had been set in motion, it seemed likely that it would play itself out to a tragical conclusion.
a cunning or deceitful action or device
From this reading Here, for instance, by some trick of Fate, certain people had come together, certain passions had been aroused, and now that the drama had been set in motion, it seemed likely that it would play itself out to a tragical conclusion.
unlikelyadjectiveUS /ənˈlaɪkli/
not likely to be true or to occur or to have occurred
From this reading But romance is not dependent upon landscape or on surroundings for its occurrence: it is to be found everywhere, and very often in the most unlikely places.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading But romance is not dependent upon landscape or on surroundings for its occurrence: it is to be found everywhere, and very often in the most unlikely places.
precisely as stated
From this reading But romance is not dependent upon landscape or on surroundings for its occurrence: it is to be found everywhere, and very often in the most unlikely places.
nonexistent
From this reading Tragical, certainly; for herein the elements of comedy seem to be wanting.
at the time that
From this reading African witchcraft, mysterious strangers, and barbaric women seem to be out of place when set in the sober framework of an English provincial town.
witchcraftnounUS /ˈwɪtʃkræft/
the art of sorcery
From this reading African witchcraft, mysterious strangers, and barbaric women seem to be out of place when set in the sober framework of an English provincial town.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading African witchcraft, mysterious strangers, and barbaric women seem to be out of place when set in the sober framework of an English provincial town.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading So far the reader may wonder at the constituent elements of this story.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Here, for instance, by some trick of Fate, certain people had come together, certain passions had been aroused, and now that the drama had been set in motion, it seemed likely that it would play itself out to a tragical conclusion.
