Chapter I

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

From this reading _Humor of the Sixteenth Century_ The Fool’s Lesson When Eulenspiegel came to Magdeburg—the fame of his notorious pranks having preceded him—several of the best citizens asked him to give them a sample of his buffoonery.

the performance of a part or role in a drama

From this reading For some time Eulenspiegel stood on the low roof, moving his arms and acting as if he were going to fly, then he burst out laughing and cried: “I thought I was the only fool in the world, but I see that here are almost a whole city full of them.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading For some time Eulenspiegel stood on the low roof, moving his arms and acting as if he were going to fly, then he burst out laughing and cried: “I thought I was the only fool in the world, but I see that here are almost a whole city full of them.

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

From this reading He said he would do so, and promised to fly from the roof of a house on the market place.

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

From this reading For some time Eulenspiegel stood on the low roof, moving his arms and acting as if he were going to fly, then he burst out laughing and cried: “I thought I was the only fool in the world, but I see that here are almost a whole city full of them.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading For some time Eulenspiegel stood on the low roof, moving his arms and acting as if he were going to fly, then he burst out laughing and cried: “I thought I was the only fool in the world, but I see that here are almost a whole city full of them.

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

From this reading For some time Eulenspiegel stood on the low roof, moving his arms and acting as if he were going to fly, then he burst out laughing and cried: “I thought I was the only fool in the world, but I see that here are almost a whole city full of them.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading _Humor of the Sixteenth Century_ The Fool’s Lesson When Eulenspiegel came to Magdeburg—the fame of his notorious pranks having preceded him—several of the best citizens asked him to give them a sample of his buffoonery.

past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true

From this reading If you had told me that you were going to fly, I should not have believed you; and yet you believed me, a well-known fool.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading _Humor of the Sixteenth Century_ The Fool’s Lesson When Eulenspiegel came to Magdeburg—the fame of his notorious pranks having preceded him—several of the best citizens asked him to give them a sample of his buffoonery.

acting like a clown or buffoon

From this reading _Humor of the Sixteenth Century_ The Fool’s Lesson When Eulenspiegel came to Magdeburg—the fame of his notorious pranks having preceded him—several of the best citizens asked him to give them a sample of his buffoonery.

come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure

From this reading For some time Eulenspiegel stood on the low roof, moving his arms and acting as if he were going to fly, then he burst out laughing and cried: “I thought I was the only fool in the world, but I see that here are almost a whole city full of them.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading For some time Eulenspiegel stood on the low roof, moving his arms and acting as if he were going to fly, then he burst out laughing and cried: “I thought I was the only fool in the world, but I see that here are almost a whole city full of them.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading _Humor of the Sixteenth Century_ The Fool’s Lesson When Eulenspiegel came to Magdeburg—the fame of his notorious pranks having preceded him—several of the best citizens asked him to give them a sample of his buffoonery.

a period of 100 years

From this reading _Humor of the Sixteenth Century_ The Fool’s Lesson When Eulenspiegel came to Magdeburg—the fame of his notorious pranks having preceded him—several of the best citizens asked him to give them a sample of his buffoonery.

plural of “citizen” — a native or naturalized member of a state or other political community

From this reading _Humor of the Sixteenth Century_ The Fool’s Lesson When Eulenspiegel came to Magdeburg—the fame of his notorious pranks having preceded him—several of the best citizens asked him to give them a sample of his buffoonery.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading For some time Eulenspiegel stood on the low roof, moving his arms and acting as if he were going to fly, then he burst out laughing and cried: “I thought I was the only fool in the world, but I see that here are almost a whole city full of them.

inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading For some time Eulenspiegel stood on the low roof, moving his arms and acting as if he were going to fly, then he burst out laughing and cried: “I thought I was the only fool in the world, but I see that here are almost a whole city full of them.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading He said he would do so, and promised to fly from the roof of a house on the market place.

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

From this reading _Humor of the Sixteenth Century_ The Fool’s Lesson When Eulenspiegel came to Magdeburg—the fame of his notorious pranks having preceded him—several of the best citizens asked him to give them a sample of his buffoonery.

the state or quality of being widely honored and acclaimed

From this reading _Humor of the Sixteenth Century_ The Fool’s Lesson When Eulenspiegel came to Magdeburg—the fame of his notorious pranks having preceded him—several of the best citizens asked him to give them a sample of his buffoonery.

travel through the air; be airborne

From this reading He said he would do so, and promised to fly from the roof of a house on the market place.

a person who lacks good judgment

From this reading For some time Eulenspiegel stood on the low roof, moving his arms and acting as if he were going to fly, then he burst out laughing and cried: “I thought I was the only fool in the world, but I see that here are almost a whole city full of them.

possessive form of “fool” — a person who lacks good judgment

From this reading _Humor of the Sixteenth Century_ The Fool’s Lesson When Eulenspiegel came to Magdeburg—the fame of his notorious pranks having preceded him—several of the best citizens asked him to give them a sample of his buffoonery.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For some time Eulenspiegel stood on the low roof, moving his arms and acting as if he were going to fly, then he burst out laughing and cried: “I thought I was the only fool in the world, but I see that here are almost a whole city full of them.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He said he would do so, and promised to fly from the roof of a house on the market place.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading For some time Eulenspiegel stood on the low roof, moving his arms and acting as if he were going to fly, then he burst out laughing and cried: “I thought I was the only fool in the world, but I see that here are almost a whole city full of them.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading _Humor of the Sixteenth Century_ The Fool’s Lesson When Eulenspiegel came to Magdeburg—the fame of his notorious pranks having preceded him—several of the best citizens asked him to give them a sample of his buffoonery.

the act of departing

From this reading For some time Eulenspiegel stood on the low roof, moving his arms and acting as if he were going to fly, then he burst out laughing and cried: “I thought I was the only fool in the world, but I see that here are almost a whole city full of them.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading If you had told me that you were going to fly, I should not have believed you; and yet you believed me, a well-known fool.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading If you had told me that you were going to fly, I should not have believed you; and yet you believed me, a well-known fool.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading _Humor of the Sixteenth Century_ The Fool’s Lesson When Eulenspiegel came to Magdeburg—the fame of his notorious pranks having preceded him—several of the best citizens asked him to give them a sample of his buffoonery.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He said he would do so, and promised to fly from the roof of a house on the market place.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading For some time Eulenspiegel stood on the low roof, moving his arms and acting as if he were going to fly, then he burst out laughing and cried: “I thought I was the only fool in the world, but I see that here are almost a whole city full of them.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading _Humor of the Sixteenth Century_ The Fool’s Lesson When Eulenspiegel came to Magdeburg—the fame of his notorious pranks having preceded him—several of the best citizens asked him to give them a sample of his buffoonery.

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

From this reading _Humor of the Sixteenth Century_ The Fool’s Lesson When Eulenspiegel came to Magdeburg—the fame of his notorious pranks having preceded him—several of the best citizens asked him to give them a sample of his buffoonery.

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

From this reading He said he would do so, and promised to fly from the roof of a house on the market place.

a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter

From this reading _Humor of the Sixteenth Century_ The Fool’s Lesson When Eulenspiegel came to Magdeburg—the fame of his notorious pranks having preceded him—several of the best citizens asked him to give them a sample of his buffoonery.

moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste

From this reading The news spread rapidly, and old and young hurried there to see him fly.

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

From this reading For some time Eulenspiegel stood on the low roof, moving his arms and acting as if he were going to fly, then he burst out laughing and cried: “I thought I was the only fool in the world, but I see that here are almost a whole city full of them.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading For some time Eulenspiegel stood on the low roof, moving his arms and acting as if he were going to fly, then he burst out laughing and cried: “I thought I was the only fool in the world, but I see that here are almost a whole city full of them.

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

From this reading For some time Eulenspiegel stood on the low roof, moving his arms and acting as if he were going to fly, then he burst out laughing and cried: “I thought I was the only fool in the world, but I see that here are almost a whole city full of them.

showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness

From this reading For some time Eulenspiegel stood on the low roof, moving his arms and acting as if he were going to fly, then he burst out laughing and cried: “I thought I was the only fool in the world, but I see that here are almost a whole city full of them.

a unit of instruction

From this reading _Humor of the Sixteenth Century_ The Fool’s Lesson When Eulenspiegel came to Magdeburg—the fame of his notorious pranks having preceded him—several of the best citizens asked him to give them a sample of his buffoonery.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading For some time Eulenspiegel stood on the low roof, moving his arms and acting as if he were going to fly, then he burst out laughing and cried: “I thought I was the only fool in the world, but I see that here are almost a whole city full of them.

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

From this reading _Humor of the Sixteenth Century_ The Fool’s Lesson When Eulenspiegel came to Magdeburg—the fame of his notorious pranks having preceded him—several of the best citizens asked him to give them a sample of his buffoonery.

the world of commercial activity where goods and services are bought and sold

From this reading He said he would do so, and promised to fly from the roof of a house on the market place.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading If you had told me that you were going to fly, I should not have believed you; and yet you believed me, a well-known fool.

in motion

From this reading For some time Eulenspiegel stood on the low roof, moving his arms and acting as if he were going to fly, then he burst out laughing and cried: “I thought I was the only fool in the world, but I see that here are almost a whole city full of them.

information about recent and important events

From this reading The news spread rapidly, and old and young hurried there to see him fly.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading If you had told me that you were going to fly, I should not have believed you; and yet you believed me, a well-known fool.

known widely and usually unfavorably

From this reading _Humor of the Sixteenth Century_ The Fool’s Lesson When Eulenspiegel came to Magdeburg—the fame of his notorious pranks having preceded him—several of the best citizens asked him to give them a sample of his buffoonery.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _Humor of the Sixteenth Century_ The Fool’s Lesson When Eulenspiegel came to Magdeburg—the fame of his notorious pranks having preceded him—several of the best citizens asked him to give them a sample of his buffoonery.

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

From this reading The news spread rapidly, and old and young hurried there to see him fly.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He said he would do so, and promised to fly from the roof of a house on the market place.

and nothing more

From this reading For some time Eulenspiegel stood on the low roof, moving his arms and acting as if he were going to fly, then he burst out laughing and cried: “I thought I was the only fool in the world, but I see that here are almost a whole city full of them.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading For some time Eulenspiegel stood on the low roof, moving his arms and acting as if he were going to fly, then he burst out laughing and cried: “I thought I was the only fool in the world, but I see that here are almost a whole city full of them.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading He said he would do so, and promised to fly from the roof of a house on the market place.

plural of “prank” — acting like a clown or buffoon

From this reading _Humor of the Sixteenth Century_ The Fool’s Lesson When Eulenspiegel came to Magdeburg—the fame of his notorious pranks having preceded him—several of the best citizens asked him to give them a sample of his buffoonery.

past form of “precede” — be earlier in time; go back further

From this reading _Humor of the Sixteenth Century_ The Fool’s Lesson When Eulenspiegel came to Magdeburg—the fame of his notorious pranks having preceded him—several of the best citizens asked him to give them a sample of his buffoonery.

past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment

From this reading He said he would do so, and promised to fly from the roof of a house on the market place.

with speed

From this reading The news spread rapidly, and old and young hurried there to see him fly.

a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building

From this reading He said he would do so, and promised to fly from the roof of a house on the market place.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading He said he would do so, and promised to fly from the roof of a house on the market place.

a small part of something intended as representative of the whole

From this reading _Humor of the Sixteenth Century_ The Fool’s Lesson When Eulenspiegel came to Magdeburg—the fame of his notorious pranks having preceded him—several of the best citizens asked him to give them a sample of his buffoonery.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading The news spread rapidly, and old and young hurried there to see him fly.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading _Humor of the Sixteenth Century_ The Fool’s Lesson When Eulenspiegel came to Magdeburg—the fame of his notorious pranks having preceded him—several of the best citizens asked him to give them a sample of his buffoonery.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading If you had told me that you were going to fly, I should not have believed you; and yet you believed me, a well-known fool.

coming next after the fifteenth in position

From this reading _Humor of the Sixteenth Century_ The Fool’s Lesson When Eulenspiegel came to Magdeburg—the fame of his notorious pranks having preceded him—several of the best citizens asked him to give them a sample of his buffoonery.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He said he would do so, and promised to fly from the roof of a house on the market place.

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

From this reading For some time Eulenspiegel stood on the low roof, moving his arms and acting as if he were going to fly, then he burst out laughing and cried: “I thought I was the only fool in the world, but I see that here are almost a whole city full of them.

distribute or disperse widely

From this reading The news spread rapidly, and old and young hurried there to see him fly.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading For some time Eulenspiegel stood on the low roof, moving his arms and acting as if he were going to fly, then he burst out laughing and cried: “I thought I was the only fool in the world, but I see that here are almost a whole city full of them.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading For some time Eulenspiegel stood on the low roof, moving his arms and acting as if he were going to fly, then he burst out laughing and cried: “I thought I was the only fool in the world, but I see that here are almost a whole city full of them.

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

From this reading _Humor of the Sixteenth Century_ The Fool’s Lesson When Eulenspiegel came to Magdeburg—the fame of his notorious pranks having preceded him—several of the best citizens asked him to give them a sample of his buffoonery.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading _Humor of the Sixteenth Century_ The Fool’s Lesson When Eulenspiegel came to Magdeburg—the fame of his notorious pranks having preceded him—several of the best citizens asked him to give them a sample of his buffoonery.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading For some time Eulenspiegel stood on the low roof, moving his arms and acting as if he were going to fly, then he burst out laughing and cried: “I thought I was the only fool in the world, but I see that here are almost a whole city full of them.

in or at that place or location

From this reading The news spread rapidly, and old and young hurried there to see him fly.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading For some time Eulenspiegel stood on the low roof, moving his arms and acting as if he were going to fly, then he burst out laughing and cried: “I thought I was the only fool in the world, but I see that here are almost a whole city full of them.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading For some time Eulenspiegel stood on the low roof, moving his arms and acting as if he were going to fly, then he burst out laughing and cried: “I thought I was the only fool in the world, but I see that here are almost a whole city full of them.

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

From this reading _Humor of the Sixteenth Century_ The Fool’s Lesson When Eulenspiegel came to Magdeburg—the fame of his notorious pranks having preceded him—several of the best citizens asked him to give them a sample of his buffoonery.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading If you had told me that you were going to fly, I should not have believed you; and yet you believed me, a well-known fool.

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

From this reading For some time Eulenspiegel stood on the low roof, moving his arms and acting as if he were going to fly, then he burst out laughing and cried: “I thought I was the only fool in the world, but I see that here are almost a whole city full of them.

widely or fully known

From this reading If you had told me that you were going to fly, I should not have believed you; and yet you believed me, a well-known fool.

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

From this reading For some time Eulenspiegel stood on the low roof, moving his arms and acting as if he were going to fly, then he burst out laughing and cried: “I thought I was the only fool in the world, but I see that here are almost a whole city full of them.

at the time that

From this reading _Humor of the Sixteenth Century_ The Fool’s Lesson When Eulenspiegel came to Magdeburg—the fame of his notorious pranks having preceded him—several of the best citizens asked him to give them a sample of his buffoonery.

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

From this reading For some time Eulenspiegel stood on the low roof, moving his arms and acting as if he were going to fly, then he burst out laughing and cried: “I thought I was the only fool in the world, but I see that here are almost a whole city full of them.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading For some time Eulenspiegel stood on the low roof, moving his arms and acting as if he were going to fly, then he burst out laughing and cried: “I thought I was the only fool in the world, but I see that here are almost a whole city full of them.

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

From this reading He said he would do so, and promised to fly from the roof of a house on the market place.

but in spite of that

From this reading If you had told me that you were going to fly, I should not have believed you; and yet you believed me, a well-known fool.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading If you had told me that you were going to fly, I should not have believed you; and yet you believed me, a well-known fool.

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

From this reading The news spread rapidly, and old and young hurried there to see him fly.