abstractverbUS /æbˈstrækt/
consider a concept without thinking of a specific example; consider abstractly or theoretically
From this reading This does not seem so strange when we remember that religion is in connection with abstract thought, and with an exercise of the representative powers of the mind.
plural of “age” — how long something has existed
From this reading And if we ask how comedy could have been thus introduced, the reply must be that the ideal of former ages was very different from our own.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading This does not seem so strange when we remember that religion is in connection with abstract thought, and with an exercise of the representative powers of the mind.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Origin of Modern Comedy--Ecclesiastical Buffoonery--Jougleurs and Minstrels--Court Fools--Monks' Stories--The "Tournament of Tottenham"--Chaucer--Heywood--Roister Doister--Gammer Gurton.
inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading As the early drama of Greece arose from the celebration of religious rites, so that of modern times originated in the church.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As the early drama of Greece arose from the celebration of religious rites, so that of modern times originated in the church.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading And if we ask how comedy could have been thus introduced, the reply must be that the ideal of former ages was very different from our own.
awakenverbUS /əˈweɪkən/
cause to become awake or conscious
From this reading In the days when the mind was dull and inactive, striking illustrations were very necessary to awaken interest in moral and spiritual teaching.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading And if we ask how comedy could have been thus introduced, the reply must be that the ideal of former ages was very different from our own.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading And if we ask how comedy could have been thus introduced, the reply must be that the ideal of former ages was very different from our own.
Buffoonerynoun
acting like a clown or buffoon
From this reading Origin of Modern Comedy--Ecclesiastical Buffoonery--Jougleurs and Minstrels--Court Fools--Monks' Stories--The "Tournament of Tottenham"--Chaucer--Heywood--Roister Doister--Gammer Gurton.
celebrationnounUS /ˌseləˈbreɪʃən/
a joyful occasion for special festivities to mark some happy event
From this reading As the early drama of Greece arose from the celebration of religious rites, so that of modern times originated in the church.
ChaucernounUS /ˈtʃɔːsər/
English poet remembered as author of the Canterbury Tales (1340-1400)
From this reading Origin of Modern Comedy--Ecclesiastical Buffoonery--Jougleurs and Minstrels--Court Fools--Monks' Stories--The "Tournament of Tottenham"--Chaucer--Heywood--Roister Doister--Gammer Gurton.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading As the early drama of Greece arose from the celebration of religious rites, so that of modern times originated in the church.
ComedynounUS /ˈkɑːmədi/
light and humorous drama with a happy ending
From this reading Origin of Modern Comedy--Ecclesiastical Buffoonery--Jougleurs and Minstrels--Court Fools--Monks' Stories--The "Tournament of Tottenham"--Chaucer--Heywood--Roister Doister--Gammer Gurton.
a relation between things or events (as in the case of one causing the other or sharing features with it)
From this reading This does not seem so strange when we remember that religion is in connection with abstract thought, and with an exercise of the representative powers of the mind.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading And if we ask how comedy could have been thus introduced, the reply must be that the ideal of former ages was very different from our own.
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading Origin of Modern Comedy--Ecclesiastical Buffoonery--Jougleurs and Minstrels--Court Fools--Monks' Stories--The "Tournament of Tottenham"--Chaucer--Heywood--Roister Doister--Gammer Gurton.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading In the days when the mind was dull and inactive, striking illustrations were very necessary to awaken interest in moral and spiritual teaching.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading And if we ask how comedy could have been thus introduced, the reply must be that the ideal of former ages was very different from our own.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This does not seem so strange when we remember that religion is in connection with abstract thought, and with an exercise of the representative powers of the mind.
Doister
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Origin of Modern Comedy--Ecclesiastical Buffoonery--Jougleurs and Minstrels--Court Fools--Monks' Stories--The "Tournament of Tottenham"--Chaucer--Heywood--Roister Doister--Gammer Gurton.
dramanounUS /ˈdrɑːmə/
a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
From this reading As the early drama of Greece arose from the celebration of religious rites, so that of modern times originated in the church.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading In the days when the mind was dull and inactive, striking illustrations were very necessary to awaken interest in moral and spiritual teaching.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading As the early drama of Greece arose from the celebration of religious rites, so that of modern times originated in the church.
EcclesiasticaladjectiveUS /ɪˌkliːziˈæstɪkəl/
of or associated with a church (especially a Christian Church)
From this reading Origin of Modern Comedy--Ecclesiastical Buffoonery--Jougleurs and Minstrels--Court Fools--Monks' Stories--The "Tournament of Tottenham"--Chaucer--Heywood--Roister Doister--Gammer Gurton.
the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit
From this reading This does not seem so strange when we remember that religion is in connection with abstract thought, and with an exercise of the representative powers of the mind.
FoolsnounUS /fuːlz/
plural of “fool” — a person who lacks good judgment
From this reading Origin of Modern Comedy--Ecclesiastical Buffoonery--Jougleurs and Minstrels--Court Fools--Monks' Stories--The "Tournament of Tottenham"--Chaucer--Heywood--Roister Doister--Gammer Gurton.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading And if we ask how comedy could have been thus introduced, the reply must be that the ideal of former ages was very different from our own.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading As the early drama of Greece arose from the celebration of religious rites, so that of modern times originated in the church.
Gammer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Origin of Modern Comedy--Ecclesiastical Buffoonery--Jougleurs and Minstrels--Court Fools--Monks' Stories--The "Tournament of Tottenham"--Chaucer--Heywood--Roister Doister--Gammer Gurton.
GreecenounUS /ɡriːs/
a republic in southeastern Europe on the southern part of the Balkan peninsula; known for grapes and olives and olive oil
From this reading As the early drama of Greece arose from the celebration of religious rites, so that of modern times originated in the church.
Gurton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Origin of Modern Comedy--Ecclesiastical Buffoonery--Jougleurs and Minstrels--Court Fools--Monks' Stories--The "Tournament of Tottenham"--Chaucer--Heywood--Roister Doister--Gammer Gurton.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading And if we ask how comedy could have been thus introduced, the reply must be that the ideal of former ages was very different from our own.
Heywood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Origin of Modern Comedy--Ecclesiastical Buffoonery--Jougleurs and Minstrels--Court Fools--Monks' Stories--The "Tournament of Tottenham"--Chaucer--Heywood--Roister Doister--Gammer Gurton.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And if we ask how comedy could have been thus introduced, the reply must be that the ideal of former ages was very different from our own.
idealadjectiveUS /aɪˈdiːl/
conforming to an ultimate standard of perfection or excellence; embodying an ideal
From this reading And if we ask how comedy could have been thus introduced, the reply must be that the ideal of former ages was very different from our own.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading And if we ask how comedy could have been thus introduced, the reply must be that the ideal of former ages was very different from our own.
illustrationsnounUS /ˌɪləˈstreɪʃənz/
plural of “illustration” — artwork that helps make something clear or attractive
From this reading In the days when the mind was dull and inactive, striking illustrations were very necessary to awaken interest in moral and spiritual teaching.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As the early drama of Greece arose from the celebration of religious rites, so that of modern times originated in the church.
inactiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnæktɪv/
(chemistry) not participating in a chemical reaction; chemically inert
From this reading In the days when the mind was dull and inactive, striking illustrations were very necessary to awaken interest in moral and spiritual teaching.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading In the days when the mind was dull and inactive, striking illustrations were very necessary to awaken interest in moral and spiritual teaching.
past form of “introduce” — cause to come to know personally
From this reading And if we ask how comedy could have been thus introduced, the reply must be that the ideal of former ages was very different from our own.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This does not seem so strange when we remember that religion is in connection with abstract thought, and with an exercise of the representative powers of the mind.
Jougleurs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Origin of Modern Comedy--Ecclesiastical Buffoonery--Jougleurs and Minstrels--Court Fools--Monks' Stories--The "Tournament of Tottenham"--Chaucer--Heywood--Roister Doister--Gammer Gurton.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading This does not seem so strange when we remember that religion is in connection with abstract thought, and with an exercise of the representative powers of the mind.
MinstrelsnounUS /ˈmɪnstrəlz/
plural of “minstrel” — a singer of folk songs
From this reading Origin of Modern Comedy--Ecclesiastical Buffoonery--Jougleurs and Minstrels--Court Fools--Monks' Stories--The "Tournament of Tottenham"--Chaucer--Heywood--Roister Doister--Gammer Gurton.
belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages
From this reading Origin of Modern Comedy--Ecclesiastical Buffoonery--Jougleurs and Minstrels--Court Fools--Monks' Stories--The "Tournament of Tottenham"--Chaucer--Heywood--Roister Doister--Gammer Gurton.
MonksnounUS /mʌŋks/
plural of “monk” — a male religious living in a cloister and devoting himself to contemplation and prayer and work
From this reading Origin of Modern Comedy--Ecclesiastical Buffoonery--Jougleurs and Minstrels--Court Fools--Monks' Stories--The "Tournament of Tottenham"--Chaucer--Heywood--Roister Doister--Gammer Gurton.
moraladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrəl/
concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles
From this reading In the days when the mind was dull and inactive, striking illustrations were very necessary to awaken interest in moral and spiritual teaching.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading And if we ask how comedy could have been thus introduced, the reply must be that the ideal of former ages was very different from our own.
absolutely essential
From this reading In the days when the mind was dull and inactive, striking illustrations were very necessary to awaken interest in moral and spiritual teaching.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading This does not seem so strange when we remember that religion is in connection with abstract thought, and with an exercise of the representative powers of the mind.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Origin of Modern Comedy--Ecclesiastical Buffoonery--Jougleurs and Minstrels--Court Fools--Monks' Stories--The "Tournament of Tottenham"--Chaucer--Heywood--Roister Doister--Gammer Gurton.
OriginnounUS /ˈɔːrədʒən/
the place where something begins, where it springs into being
From this reading Origin of Modern Comedy--Ecclesiastical Buffoonery--Jougleurs and Minstrels--Court Fools--Monks' Stories--The "Tournament of Tottenham"--Chaucer--Heywood--Roister Doister--Gammer Gurton.
originatedverbUS /ərˈɪdʒəneɪtəd/
past form of “originate” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading As the early drama of Greece arose from the celebration of religious rites, so that of modern times originated in the church.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading And if we ask how comedy could have been thus introduced, the reply must be that the ideal of former ages was very different from our own.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading And if we ask how comedy could have been thus introduced, the reply must be that the ideal of former ages was very different from our own.
plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence
From this reading This does not seem so strange when we remember that religion is in connection with abstract thought, and with an exercise of the representative powers of the mind.
a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
From this reading This does not seem so strange when we remember that religion is in connection with abstract thought, and with an exercise of the representative powers of the mind.
concerned with sacred matters or religion or the church
From this reading As the early drama of Greece arose from the celebration of religious rites, so that of modern times originated in the church.
To recall to mind.
From this reading This does not seem so strange when we remember that religion is in connection with abstract thought, and with an exercise of the representative powers of the mind.
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading And if we ask how comedy could have been thus introduced, the reply must be that the ideal of former ages was very different from our own.
representativenounUS /ˌreprəˈzentətɪv/
a person who represents others
From this reading This does not seem so strange when we remember that religion is in connection with abstract thought, and with an exercise of the representative powers of the mind.
ritesnounUS /raɪts/
plural of “rite” — an established ceremony prescribed by a religion
From this reading As the early drama of Greece arose from the celebration of religious rites, so that of modern times originated in the church.
RoisterverbUS /ˈrɔɪstər/
engage in boisterous, drunken merrymaking
From this reading Origin of Modern Comedy--Ecclesiastical Buffoonery--Jougleurs and Minstrels--Court Fools--Monks' Stories--The "Tournament of Tottenham"--Chaucer--Heywood--Roister Doister--Gammer Gurton.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading This does not seem so strange when we remember that religion is in connection with abstract thought, and with an exercise of the representative powers of the mind.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading As the early drama of Greece arose from the celebration of religious rites, so that of modern times originated in the church.
concerned with sacred matters or religion or the church
From this reading In the days when the mind was dull and inactive, striking illustrations were very necessary to awaken interest in moral and spiritual teaching.
plural of “story” — 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 Origin of Modern Comedy--Ecclesiastical Buffoonery--Jougleurs and Minstrels--Court Fools--Monks' Stories--The "Tournament of Tottenham"--Chaucer--Heywood--Roister Doister--Gammer Gurton.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading This does not seem so strange when we remember that religion is in connection with abstract thought, and with an exercise of the representative powers of the mind.
sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect
From this reading In the days when the mind was dull and inactive, striking illustrations were very necessary to awaken interest in moral and spiritual teaching.
teachingnounUS /ˈtiːtʃɪŋ/
the profession of a teacher
From this reading In the days when the mind was dull and inactive, striking illustrations were very necessary to awaken interest in moral and spiritual teaching.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As the early drama of Greece arose from the celebration of religious rites, so that of modern times originated in the church.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Origin of Modern Comedy--Ecclesiastical Buffoonery--Jougleurs and Minstrels--Court Fools--Monks' Stories--The "Tournament of Tottenham"--Chaucer--Heywood--Roister Doister--Gammer Gurton.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This does not seem so strange when we remember that religion is in connection with abstract thought, and with an exercise of the representative powers of the mind.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading This does not seem so strange when we remember that religion is in connection with abstract thought, and with an exercise of the representative powers of the mind.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading And if we ask how comedy could have been thus introduced, the reply must be that the ideal of former ages was very different from our own.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading As the early drama of Greece arose from the celebration of religious rites, so that of modern times originated in the church.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In the days when the mind was dull and inactive, striking illustrations were very necessary to awaken interest in moral and spiritual teaching.
Tottenham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Origin of Modern Comedy--Ecclesiastical Buffoonery--Jougleurs and Minstrels--Court Fools--Monks' Stories--The "Tournament of Tottenham"--Chaucer--Heywood--Roister Doister--Gammer Gurton.
TournamentnounUS /ˈtʊrnəmənt/
a sporting competition in which contestants play a series of games to decide the winner
From this reading Origin of Modern Comedy--Ecclesiastical Buffoonery--Jougleurs and Minstrels--Court Fools--Monks' Stories--The "Tournament of Tottenham"--Chaucer--Heywood--Roister Doister--Gammer Gurton.
precisely as stated
From this reading And if we ask how comedy could have been thus introduced, the reply must be that the ideal of former ages was very different from our own.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And if we ask how comedy could have been thus introduced, the reply must be that the ideal of former ages was very different from our own.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading This does not seem so strange when we remember that religion is in connection with abstract thought, and with an exercise of the representative powers of the mind.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In the days when the mind was dull and inactive, striking illustrations were very necessary to awaken interest in moral and spiritual teaching.
at the time that
From this reading This does not seem so strange when we remember that religion is in connection with abstract thought, and with an exercise of the representative powers of the mind.
in the company of; together with
From this reading This does not seem so strange when we remember that religion is in connection with abstract thought, and with an exercise of the representative powers of the mind.
