Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Many philosophers and literary men have made passing observations upon it, but most writers are content to set it down as one of those things which cannot be understood, and care not to study and grapple with a subject which promises small results in return for considerable toil.

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

From this reading Subjective Character of the Ludicrous--The Subject little Studied--Obstacles to the Investigation--Evanescence--Mental Character of the Ludicrous--Distinction between Humour and the Ludicrous.

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

From this reading Many philosophers and literary men have made passing observations upon it, but most writers are content to set it down as one of those things which cannot be understood, and care not to study and grapple with a subject which promises small results in return for considerable toil.

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

From this reading Many philosophers and literary men have made passing observations upon it, but most writers are content to set it down as one of those things which cannot be understood, and care not to study and grapple with a subject which promises small results in return for considerable toil.

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

From this reading Many philosophers and literary men have made passing observations upon it, but most writers are content to set it down as one of those things which cannot be understood, and care not to study and grapple with a subject which promises small results in return for considerable toil.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Subjective Character of the Ludicrous--The Subject little Studied--Obstacles to the Investigation--Evanescence--Mental Character of the Ludicrous--Distinction between Humour and the Ludicrous.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Many philosophers and literary men have made passing observations upon it, but most writers are content to set it down as one of those things which cannot be understood, and care not to study and grapple with a subject which promises small results in return for considerable toil.

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

From this reading Many philosophers and literary men have made passing observations upon it, but most writers are content to set it down as one of those things which cannot be understood, and care not to study and grapple with a subject which promises small results in return for considerable toil.

the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading Many philosophers and literary men have made passing observations upon it, but most writers are content to set it down as one of those things which cannot be understood, and care not to study and grapple with a subject which promises small results in return for considerable toil.

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading Subjective Character of the Ludicrous--The Subject little Studied--Obstacles to the Investigation--Evanescence--Mental Character of the Ludicrous--Distinction between Humour and the Ludicrous.

large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Many philosophers and literary men have made passing observations upon it, but most writers are content to set it down as one of those things which cannot be understood, and care not to study and grapple with a subject which promises small results in return for considerable toil.

(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something

From this reading Many philosophers and literary men have made passing observations upon it, but most writers are content to set it down as one of those things which cannot be understood, and care not to study and grapple with a subject which promises small results in return for considerable toil.

a discrimination between things as different and distinct on the basis of their characteristics or attributes

From this reading Subjective Character of the Ludicrous--The Subject little Studied--Obstacles to the Investigation--Evanescence--Mental Character of the Ludicrous--Distinction between Humour and the Ludicrous.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Many philosophers and literary men have made passing observations upon it, but most writers are content to set it down as one of those things which cannot be understood, and care not to study and grapple with a subject which promises small results in return for considerable toil.

difficult to describe

From this reading The ludicrous is in its character so elusive and protean, and the field over which it extends is so vast, that few have ever undertaken the task of examining it systematically.

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 HISTORY OF ENGLISH HUMOUR.

the event of fading and gradually vanishing from sight

From this reading Subjective Character of the Ludicrous--The Subject little Studied--Obstacles to the Investigation--Evanescence--Mental Character of the Ludicrous--Distinction between Humour and the Ludicrous.

at any time

From this reading The ludicrous is in its character so elusive and protean, and the field over which it extends is so vast, that few have ever undertaken the task of examining it systematically.

-ing form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning

From this reading The ludicrous is in its character so elusive and protean, and the field over which it extends is so vast, that few have ever undertaken the task of examining it systematically.

third-person singular of “extend” — extend in scope or range or area

From this reading The ludicrous is in its character so elusive and protean, and the field over which it extends is so vast, that few have ever undertaken the task of examining it systematically.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading The ludicrous is in its character so elusive and protean, and the field over which it extends is so vast, that few have ever undertaken the task of examining it systematically.

a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed

From this reading The ludicrous is in its character so elusive and protean, and the field over which it extends is so vast, that few have ever undertaken the task of examining it systematically.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Many philosophers and literary men have made passing observations upon it, but most writers are content to set it down as one of those things which cannot be understood, and care not to study and grapple with a subject which promises small results in return for considerable toil.

succeed in doing, achieving, or producing (something) with the limited or inadequate means available

From this reading Many philosophers and literary men have made passing observations upon it, but most writers are content to set it down as one of those things which cannot be understood, and care not to study and grapple with a subject which promises small results in return for considerable toil.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The ludicrous is in its character so elusive and protean, and the field over which it extends is so vast, that few have ever undertaken the task of examining it systematically.

the aggregate of past events

From this reading HISTORY OF ENGLISH HUMOUR.

a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling

From this reading HISTORY OF ENGLISH HUMOUR.

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

From this reading The ludicrous is in its character so elusive and protean, and the field over which it extends is so vast, that few have ever undertaken the task of examining it systematically.

an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities

From this reading Subjective Character of the Ludicrous--The Subject little Studied--Obstacles to the Investigation--Evanescence--Mental Character of the Ludicrous--Distinction between Humour and the Ludicrous.

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

From this reading The ludicrous is in its character so elusive and protean, and the field over which it extends is so vast, that few have ever undertaken the task of examining it systematically.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The ludicrous is in its character so elusive and protean, and the field over which it extends is so vast, that few have ever undertaken the task of examining it systematically.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The ludicrous is in its character so elusive and protean, and the field over which it extends is so vast, that few have ever undertaken the task of examining it systematically.

of or relating to or characteristic of literature

From this reading Many philosophers and literary men have made passing observations upon it, but most writers are content to set it down as one of those things which cannot be understood, and care not to study and grapple with a subject which promises small results in return for considerable toil.

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

From this reading Subjective Character of the Ludicrous--The Subject little Studied--Obstacles to the Investigation--Evanescence--Mental Character of the Ludicrous--Distinction between Humour and the Ludicrous.

broadly or extravagantly humorous; resembling farce

From this reading Subjective Character of the Ludicrous--The Subject little Studied--Obstacles to the Investigation--Evanescence--Mental Character of the Ludicrous--Distinction between Humour and the Ludicrous.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Many philosophers and literary men have made passing observations upon it, but most writers are content to set it down as one of those things which cannot be understood, and care not to study and grapple with a subject which promises small results in return for considerable toil.

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 Many philosophers and literary men have made passing observations upon it, but most writers are content to set it down as one of those things which cannot be understood, and care not to study and grapple with a subject which promises small results in return for considerable toil.

the force of workers available

From this reading Many philosophers and literary men have made passing observations upon it, but most writers are content to set it down as one of those things which cannot be understood, and care not to study and grapple with a subject which promises small results in return for considerable toil.

involving the mind or an intellectual process

From this reading Subjective Character of the Ludicrous--The Subject little Studied--Obstacles to the Investigation--Evanescence--Mental Character of the Ludicrous--Distinction between Humour and the Ludicrous.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Many philosophers and literary men have made passing observations upon it, but most writers are content to set it down as one of those things which cannot be understood, and care not to study and grapple with a subject which promises small results in return for considerable toil.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Many philosophers and literary men have made passing observations upon it, but most writers are content to set it down as one of those things which cannot be understood, and care not to study and grapple with a subject which promises small results in return for considerable toil.

plural of “observation” — the act of making and recording a measurement

From this reading PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS.

plural of “obstacle” — something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted

From this reading Subjective Character of the Ludicrous--The Subject little Studied--Obstacles to the Investigation--Evanescence--Mental Character of the Ludicrous--Distinction between Humour and the Ludicrous.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading HISTORY OF ENGLISH HUMOUR.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Many philosophers and literary men have made passing observations upon it, but most writers are content to set it down as one of those things which cannot be understood, and care not to study and grapple with a subject which promises small results in return for considerable toil.

above and across; more than

From this reading The ludicrous is in its character so elusive and protean, and the field over which it extends is so vast, that few have ever undertaken the task of examining it systematically.

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading Many philosophers and literary men have made passing observations upon it, but most writers are content to set it down as one of those things which cannot be understood, and care not to study and grapple with a subject which promises small results in return for considerable toil.

plural of “philosopher” — a specialist in philosophy

From this reading Many philosophers and literary men have made passing observations upon it, but most writers are content to set it down as one of those things which cannot be understood, and care not to study and grapple with a subject which promises small results in return for considerable toil.

denoting an action or event preceding or in preparation for something more important

From this reading PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS.

plural of “promise” — a verbal commitment by one person to another agreeing to do (or not to do) something in the future

From this reading Many philosophers and literary men have made passing observations upon it, but most writers are content to set it down as one of those things which cannot be understood, and care not to study and grapple with a subject which promises small results in return for considerable toil.

taking on different forms

From this reading The ludicrous is in its character so elusive and protean, and the field over which it extends is so vast, that few have ever undertaken the task of examining it systematically.

plural of “result” — a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading Many philosophers and literary men have made passing observations upon it, but most writers are content to set it down as one of those things which cannot be understood, and care not to study and grapple with a subject which promises small results in return for considerable toil.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading Many philosophers and literary men have made passing observations upon it, but most writers are content to set it down as one of those things which cannot be understood, and care not to study and grapple with a subject which promises small results in return for considerable toil.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Many philosophers and literary men have made passing observations upon it, but most writers are content to set it down as one of those things which cannot be understood, and care not to study and grapple with a subject which promises small results in return for considerable toil.

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

From this reading Many philosophers and literary men have made passing observations upon it, but most writers are content to set it down as one of those things which cannot be understood, and care not to study and grapple with a subject which promises small results in return for considerable toil.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The ludicrous is in its character so elusive and protean, and the field over which it extends is so vast, that few have ever undertaken the task of examining it systematically.

produced or marked by conscious design or premeditation

From this reading Subjective Character of the Ludicrous--The Subject little Studied--Obstacles to the Investigation--Evanescence--Mental Character of the Ludicrous--Distinction between Humour and the Ludicrous.

a detailed critical inspection

From this reading Many philosophers and literary men have made passing observations upon it, but most writers are content to set it down as one of those things which cannot be understood, and care not to study and grapple with a subject which promises small results in return for considerable toil.

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading Subjective Character of the Ludicrous--The Subject little Studied--Obstacles to the Investigation--Evanescence--Mental Character of the Ludicrous--Distinction between Humour and the Ludicrous.

taking place within the mind and modified by individual bias

From this reading Subjective Character of the Ludicrous--The Subject little Studied--Obstacles to the Investigation--Evanescence--Mental Character of the Ludicrous--Distinction between Humour and the Ludicrous.

in a systematic or consistent manner

From this reading The ludicrous is in its character so elusive and protean, and the field over which it extends is so vast, that few have ever undertaken the task of examining it systematically.

any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

From this reading The ludicrous is in its character so elusive and protean, and the field over which it extends is so vast, that few have ever undertaken the task of examining it systematically.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The ludicrous is in its character so elusive and protean, and the field over which it extends is so vast, that few have ever undertaken the task of examining it systematically.

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

From this reading Subjective Character of the Ludicrous--The Subject little Studied--Obstacles to the Investigation--Evanescence--Mental Character of the Ludicrous--Distinction between Humour and the Ludicrous.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading Many philosophers and literary men have made passing observations upon it, but most writers are content to set it down as one of those things which cannot be understood, and care not to study and grapple with a subject which promises small results in return for considerable toil.

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

From this reading Many philosophers and literary men have made passing observations upon it, but most writers are content to set it down as one of those things which cannot be understood, and care not to study and grapple with a subject which promises small results in return for considerable toil.

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

From this reading Subjective Character of the Ludicrous--The Subject little Studied--Obstacles to the Investigation--Evanescence--Mental Character of the Ludicrous--Distinction between Humour and the Ludicrous.

work hard

From this reading Many philosophers and literary men have made passing observations upon it, but most writers are content to set it down as one of those things which cannot be understood, and care not to study and grapple with a subject which promises small results in return for considerable toil.

fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation

From this reading Many philosophers and literary men have made passing observations upon it, but most writers are content to set it down as one of those things which cannot be understood, and care not to study and grapple with a subject which promises small results in return for considerable toil.

inflected form of “undertake” — enter upon an activity or enterprise

From this reading The ludicrous is in its character so elusive and protean, and the field over which it extends is so vast, that few have ever undertaken the task of examining it systematically.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Many philosophers and literary men have made passing observations upon it, but most writers are content to set it down as one of those things which cannot be understood, and care not to study and grapple with a subject which promises small results in return for considerable toil.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading The ludicrous is in its character so elusive and protean, and the field over which it extends is so vast, that few have ever undertaken the task of examining it systematically.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The ludicrous is in its character so elusive and protean, and the field over which it extends is so vast, that few have ever undertaken the task of examining it systematically.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Many philosophers and literary men have made passing observations upon it, but most writers are content to set it down as one of those things which cannot be understood, and care not to study and grapple with a subject which promises small results in return for considerable toil.

plural of “writer” — writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading Many philosophers and literary men have made passing observations upon it, but most writers are content to set it down as one of those things which cannot be understood, and care not to study and grapple with a subject which promises small results in return for considerable toil.