used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading KENELM.--"When you go to the theatre, and see one of the pieces which appear now to be the fashion, which would you rather be,--an actor or a looker-on?"
actornounUS /ˈæktər/
a theatrical performer
From this reading KENELM.--"When you go to the theatre, and see one of the pieces which appear now to be the fashion, which would you rather be,--an actor or a looker-on?"
admitsverbUS /ədˈmɪts/
third-person singular of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading Life admits of no lookers-on.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading (After a pause.)--"But though I used a stage metaphor when I expressed my hope that you would take no mean part in the world, the world is not really a theatre.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading KENELM.--"When you go to the theatre, and see one of the pieces which appear now to be the fashion, which would you rather be,--an actor or a looker-on?"
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading KENELM.--"When you go to the theatre, and see one of the pieces which appear now to be the fashion, which would you rather be,--an actor or a looker-on?"
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading (After a pause.)--"But though I used a stage metaphor when I expressed my hope that you would take no mean part in the world, the world is not really a theatre.
dearly loved
From this reading LADY GLENALVON.--"My dear young friend, your question saddens me."
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
communicated in words
From this reading (After a pause.)--"But though I used a stage metaphor when I expressed my hope that you would take no mean part in the world, the world is not really a theatre.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading KENELM.--"When you go to the theatre, and see one of the pieces which appear now to be the fashion, which would you rather be,--an actor or a looker-on?"
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading LADY GLENALVON.--"My dear young friend, your question saddens me."
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
Glenalvon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading KENELM.--"When you go to the theatre, and see one of the pieces which appear now to be the fashion, which would you rather be,--an actor or a looker-on?"
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading (After a pause.)--"But though I used a stage metaphor when I expressed my hope that you would take no mean part in the world, the world is not really a theatre.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading (After a pause.)--"But though I used a stage metaphor when I expressed my hope that you would take no mean part in the world, the world is not really a theatre.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
the quality of being just or fair
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
KENELM
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading KENELM.--"When you go to the theatre, and see one of the pieces which appear now to be the fashion, which would you rather be,--an actor or a looker-on?"
a polite name for any woman
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Life admits of no lookers-on.
looker-onnoun
someone who looks on
From this reading KENELM.--"When you go to the theatre, and see one of the pieces which appear now to be the fashion, which would you rather be,--an actor or a looker-on?"
lookers-on
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life admits of no lookers-on.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading LADY GLENALVON.--"My dear young friend, your question saddens me."
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
metaphornounUS /ˈmetəfɔːr/
a figure of speech in which an expression is used to refer to something that it does not literally denote in order to suggest a similarity
From this reading (After a pause.)--"But though I used a stage metaphor when I expressed my hope that you would take no mean part in the world, the world is not really a theatre.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading LADY GLENALVON.--"My dear young friend, your question saddens me."
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
not any; not one
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading (After a pause.)--"But though I used a stage metaphor when I expressed my hope that you would take no mean part in the world, the world is not really a theatre.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading KENELM.--"When you go to the theatre, and see one of the pieces which appear now to be the fashion, which would you rather be,--an actor or a looker-on?"
on one occasion
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading KENELM.--"When you go to the theatre, and see one of the pieces which appear now to be the fashion, which would you rather be,--an actor or a looker-on?"
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
From this reading (After a pause.)--"But though I used a stage metaphor when I expressed my hope that you would take no mean part in the world, the world is not really a theatre.
plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole
From this reading KENELM.--"When you go to the theatre, and see one of the pieces which appear now to be the fashion, which would you rather be,--an actor or a looker-on?"
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading LADY GLENALVON.--"My dear young friend, your question saddens me."
on the contrary
From this reading KENELM.--"When you go to the theatre, and see one of the pieces which appear now to be the fashion, which would you rather be,--an actor or a looker-on?"
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading (After a pause.)--"But though I used a stage metaphor when I expressed my hope that you would take no mean part in the world, the world is not really a theatre.
saddensverbUS /ˈsædənz/
third-person singular of “sadden” — make unhappy
From this reading LADY GLENALVON.--"My dear young friend, your question saddens me."
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading (After a pause.)--"But though I used a stage metaphor when I expressed my hope that you would take no mean part in the world, the world is not really a theatre.
carry out
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
talentsnounUS /ˈtælənts/
plural of “talent” — natural abilities or qualities
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented
From this reading KENELM.--"When you go to the theatre, and see one of the pieces which appear now to be the fashion, which would you rather be,--an actor or a looker-on?"
in spite of the fact that
From this reading (After a pause.)--"But though I used a stage metaphor when I expressed my hope that you would take no mean part in the world, the world is not really a theatre.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
something (as property) held by one party (the trustee) for the benefit of another (the beneficiary)
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading (After a pause.)--"But though I used a stage metaphor when I expressed my hope that you would take no mean part in the world, the world is not really a theatre.
at the time that
From this reading KENELM.--"When you go to the theatre, and see one of the pieces which appear now to be the fashion, which would you rather be,--an actor or a looker-on?"
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading KENELM.--"When you go to the theatre, and see one of the pieces which appear now to be the fashion, which would you rather be,--an actor or a looker-on?"
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading LADY GLENALVON.--"My dear young friend, your question saddens me."
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
