used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading WAR TIMES At first the tremendous crisis filled everyone with a purely impersonal excitement and concern; but one fine morning we awoke to the fact that our opera season was paralysed.
absorbingadjectiveUS /əbˈzɔːrbɪŋ/
capable of arousing and holding the attention
From this reading The American people found the actual dramas of Bull Run, Big Bethel and Harpers Ferry more absorbing than any play or opera ever put upon the boards, and the airs of _Yankee Doodle_ and _The Girl I Left Behind Me_ more inspiring than the finest operatic _arias_ in the world.
presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible
From this reading The American people found the actual dramas of Bull Run, Big Bethel and Harpers Ferry more absorbing than any play or opera ever put upon the boards, and the airs of _Yankee Doodle_ and _The Girl I Left Behind Me_ more inspiring than the finest operatic _arias_ in the world.
airsnounUS /erz/
affected manners intended to impress others
From this reading The American people found the actual dramas of Bull Run, Big Bethel and Harpers Ferry more absorbing than any play or opera ever put upon the boards, and the airs of _Yankee Doodle_ and _The Girl I Left Behind Me_ more inspiring than the finest operatic _arias_ in the world.
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading The American people found the actual dramas of Bull Run, Big Bethel and Harpers Ferry more absorbing than any play or opera ever put upon the boards, and the airs of _Yankee Doodle_ and _The Girl I Left Behind Me_ more inspiring than the finest operatic _arias_ in the world.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading WAR TIMES At first the tremendous crisis filled everyone with a purely impersonal excitement and concern; but one fine morning we awoke to the fact that our opera season was paralysed.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The American people found the actual dramas of Bull Run, Big Bethel and Harpers Ferry more absorbing than any play or opera ever put upon the boards, and the airs of _Yankee Doodle_ and _The Girl I Left Behind Me_ more inspiring than the finest operatic _arias_ in the world.
ariasnounUS /ˈɑːriəz/
plural of “aria” — an elaborate song for solo voice
From this reading The American people found the actual dramas of Bull Run, Big Bethel and Harpers Ferry more absorbing than any play or opera ever put upon the boards, and the airs of _Yankee Doodle_ and _The Girl I Left Behind Me_ more inspiring than the finest operatic _arias_ in the world.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Every move in the big game of war that was being played by the ruling powers of our country was of thrilling interest, and as fast as things happened they were "posted."
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading WAR TIMES At first the tremendous crisis filled everyone with a purely impersonal excitement and concern; but one fine morning we awoke to the fact that our opera season was paralysed.
inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping
From this reading WAR TIMES At first the tremendous crisis filled everyone with a purely impersonal excitement and concern; but one fine morning we awoke to the fact that our opera season was paralysed.
BehindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The American people found the actual dramas of Bull Run, Big Bethel and Harpers Ferry more absorbing than any play or opera ever put upon the boards, and the airs of _Yankee Doodle_ and _The Girl I Left Behind Me_ more inspiring than the finest operatic _arias_ in the world.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Every move in the big game of war that was being played by the ruling powers of our country was of thrilling interest, and as fast as things happened they were "posted."
BethelnounUS /ˈbeθəl/
a house of worship (especially one for sailors)
From this reading The American people found the actual dramas of Bull Run, Big Bethel and Harpers Ferry more absorbing than any play or opera ever put upon the boards, and the airs of _Yankee Doodle_ and _The Girl I Left Behind Me_ more inspiring than the finest operatic _arias_ in the world.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The American people found the actual dramas of Bull Run, Big Bethel and Harpers Ferry more absorbing than any play or opera ever put upon the boards, and the airs of _Yankee Doodle_ and _The Girl I Left Behind Me_ more inspiring than the finest operatic _arias_ in the world.
boardsnounUS /bɔːrdz/
(used in the plural) the stage of a theater
From this reading The American people found the actual dramas of Bull Run, Big Bethel and Harpers Ferry more absorbing than any play or opera ever put upon the boards, and the airs of _Yankee Doodle_ and _The Girl I Left Behind Me_ more inspiring than the finest operatic _arias_ in the world.
uncastrated adult male of domestic cattle
From this reading The American people found the actual dramas of Bull Run, Big Bethel and Harpers Ferry more absorbing than any play or opera ever put upon the boards, and the airs of _Yankee Doodle_ and _The Girl I Left Behind Me_ more inspiring than the finest operatic _arias_ in the world.
bulletinnounUS /ˈbʊlɪtən/
a brief report (especially an official statement issued for immediate publication or broadcast)
From this reading They wanted to read the bulletin boards.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading WAR TIMES At first the tremendous crisis filled everyone with a purely impersonal excitement and concern; but one fine morning we awoke to the fact that our opera season was paralysed.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Every move in the big game of war that was being played by the ruling powers of our country was of thrilling interest, and as fast as things happened they were "posted."
something that interests you because it is important or affects you
From this reading WAR TIMES At first the tremendous crisis filled everyone with a purely impersonal excitement and concern; but one fine morning we awoke to the fact that our opera season was paralysed.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading Every move in the big game of war that was being played by the ruling powers of our country was of thrilling interest, and as fast as things happened they were "posted."
crisisnounUS /ˈkraɪsəs/
an unstable situation of extreme danger or difficulty
From this reading WAR TIMES At first the tremendous crisis filled everyone with a purely impersonal excitement and concern; but one fine morning we awoke to the fact that our opera season was paralysed.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading They did not want to go to the theatres in the evening.
DoodlenounUS /ˈduːdəl/
an aimless drawing
From this reading The American people found the actual dramas of Bull Run, Big Bethel and Harpers Ferry more absorbing than any play or opera ever put upon the boards, and the airs of _Yankee Doodle_ and _The Girl I Left Behind Me_ more inspiring than the finest operatic _arias_ in the world.
dramasnounUS /ˈdrɑːməz/
plural of “drama” — a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
From this reading The American people found the actual dramas of Bull Run, Big Bethel and Harpers Ferry more absorbing than any play or opera ever put upon the boards, and the airs of _Yankee Doodle_ and _The Girl I Left Behind Me_ more inspiring than the finest operatic _arias_ in the world.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading They did not want to go to the theatres in the evening.
at any time
From this reading The American people found the actual dramas of Bull Run, Big Bethel and Harpers Ferry more absorbing than any play or opera ever put upon the boards, and the airs of _Yankee Doodle_ and _The Girl I Left Behind Me_ more inspiring than the finest operatic _arias_ in the world.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every move in the big game of war that was being played by the ruling powers of our country was of thrilling interest, and as fast as things happened they were "posted."
every person
From this reading WAR TIMES At first the tremendous crisis filled everyone with a purely impersonal excitement and concern; but one fine morning we awoke to the fact that our opera season was paralysed.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading WAR TIMES At first the tremendous crisis filled everyone with a purely impersonal excitement and concern; but one fine morning we awoke to the fact that our opera season was paralysed.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading WAR TIMES At first the tremendous crisis filled everyone with a purely impersonal excitement and concern; but one fine morning we awoke to the fact that our opera season was paralysed.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading Every move in the big game of war that was being played by the ruling powers of our country was of thrilling interest, and as fast as things happened they were "posted."
FerryverbUS /ˈferi/
transport from one place to another
From this reading The American people found the actual dramas of Bull Run, Big Bethel and Harpers Ferry more absorbing than any play or opera ever put upon the boards, and the airs of _Yankee Doodle_ and _The Girl I Left Behind Me_ more inspiring than the finest operatic _arias_ in the world.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading WAR TIMES At first the tremendous crisis filled everyone with a purely impersonal excitement and concern; but one fine morning we awoke to the fact that our opera season was paralysed.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading WAR TIMES At first the tremendous crisis filled everyone with a purely impersonal excitement and concern; but one fine morning we awoke to the fact that our opera season was paralysed.
finestadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnəst/
superlative of “fine” — being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading The American people found the actual dramas of Bull Run, Big Bethel and Harpers Ferry more absorbing than any play or opera ever put upon the boards, and the airs of _Yankee Doodle_ and _The Girl I Left Behind Me_ more inspiring than the finest operatic _arias_ in the world.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading WAR TIMES At first the tremendous crisis filled everyone with a purely impersonal excitement and concern; but one fine morning we awoke to the fact that our opera season was paralysed.
set up or found
From this reading The American people found the actual dramas of Bull Run, Big Bethel and Harpers Ferry more absorbing than any play or opera ever put upon the boards, and the airs of _Yankee Doodle_ and _The Girl I Left Behind Me_ more inspiring than the finest operatic _arias_ in the world.
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading Every move in the big game of war that was being played by the ruling powers of our country was of thrilling interest, and as fast as things happened they were "posted."
a young female
From this reading The American people found the actual dramas of Bull Run, Big Bethel and Harpers Ferry more absorbing than any play or opera ever put upon the boards, and the airs of _Yankee Doodle_ and _The Girl I Left Behind Me_ more inspiring than the finest operatic _arias_ in the world.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading They did not want to go to the theatres in the evening.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading Every move in the big game of war that was being played by the ruling powers of our country was of thrilling interest, and as fast as things happened they were "posted."
HarpersnounUS /ˈhɑːrpərz/
plural of “harper” — someone who plays the harp
From this reading The American people found the actual dramas of Bull Run, Big Bethel and Harpers Ferry more absorbing than any play or opera ever put upon the boards, and the airs of _Yankee Doodle_ and _The Girl I Left Behind Me_ more inspiring than the finest operatic _arias_ in the world.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The American people found the actual dramas of Bull Run, Big Bethel and Harpers Ferry more absorbing than any play or opera ever put upon the boards, and the airs of _Yankee Doodle_ and _The Girl I Left Behind Me_ more inspiring than the finest operatic _arias_ in the world.
impersonaladjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɜːrsənəl/
not relating to or responsive to individual persons
From this reading WAR TIMES At first the tremendous crisis filled everyone with a purely impersonal excitement and concern; but one fine morning we awoke to the fact that our opera season was paralysed.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The American people found the actual dramas of Bull Run, Big Bethel and Harpers Ferry more absorbing than any play or opera ever put upon the boards, and the airs of _Yankee Doodle_ and _The Girl I Left Behind Me_ more inspiring than the finest operatic _arias_ in the world.
inspiringadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈspaɪrɪŋ/
stimulating or exalting to the spirit
From this reading The American people found the actual dramas of Bull Run, Big Bethel and Harpers Ferry more absorbing than any play or opera ever put upon the boards, and the airs of _Yankee Doodle_ and _The Girl I Left Behind Me_ more inspiring than the finest operatic _arias_ in the world.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading Every move in the big game of war that was being played by the ruling powers of our country was of thrilling interest, and as fast as things happened they were "posted."
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading The American people found the actual dramas of Bull Run, Big Bethel and Harpers Ferry more absorbing than any play or opera ever put upon the boards, and the airs of _Yankee Doodle_ and _The Girl I Left Behind Me_ more inspiring than the finest operatic _arias_ in the world.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The American people found the actual dramas of Bull Run, Big Bethel and Harpers Ferry more absorbing than any play or opera ever put upon the boards, and the airs of _Yankee Doodle_ and _The Girl I Left Behind Me_ more inspiring than the finest operatic _arias_ in the world.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The American people found the actual dramas of Bull Run, Big Bethel and Harpers Ferry more absorbing than any play or opera ever put upon the boards, and the airs of _Yankee Doodle_ and _The Girl I Left Behind Me_ more inspiring than the finest operatic _arias_ in the world.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading WAR TIMES At first the tremendous crisis filled everyone with a purely impersonal excitement and concern; but one fine morning we awoke to the fact that our opera season was paralysed.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Every move in the big game of war that was being played by the ruling powers of our country was of thrilling interest, and as fast as things happened they were "posted."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They did not want to go to the theatres in the evening.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The American people found the actual dramas of Bull Run, Big Bethel and Harpers Ferry more absorbing than any play or opera ever put upon the boards, and the airs of _Yankee Doodle_ and _The Girl I Left Behind Me_ more inspiring than the finest operatic _arias_ in the world.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading WAR TIMES At first the tremendous crisis filled everyone with a purely impersonal excitement and concern; but one fine morning we awoke to the fact that our opera season was paralysed.
operanounUS /ˈɑːprə/
a drama set to music; consists of singing with orchestral accompaniment and an orchestral overture and interludes
From this reading WAR TIMES At first the tremendous crisis filled everyone with a purely impersonal excitement and concern; but one fine morning we awoke to the fact that our opera season was paralysed.
operaticadjectiveUS /ˌɑːpərˈætɪk/
of or relating to or characteristic of opera
From this reading The American people found the actual dramas of Bull Run, Big Bethel and Harpers Ferry more absorbing than any play or opera ever put upon the boards, and the airs of _Yankee Doodle_ and _The Girl I Left Behind Me_ more inspiring than the finest operatic _arias_ in the world.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The American people found the actual dramas of Bull Run, Big Bethel and Harpers Ferry more absorbing than any play or opera ever put upon the boards, and the airs of _Yankee Doodle_ and _The Girl I Left Behind Me_ more inspiring than the finest operatic _arias_ in the world.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading WAR TIMES At first the tremendous crisis filled everyone with a purely impersonal excitement and concern; but one fine morning we awoke to the fact that our opera season was paralysed.
paralysed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WAR TIMES At first the tremendous crisis filled everyone with a purely impersonal excitement and concern; but one fine morning we awoke to the fact that our opera season was paralysed.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading The American people found the actual dramas of Bull Run, Big Bethel and Harpers Ferry more absorbing than any play or opera ever put upon the boards, and the airs of _Yankee Doodle_ and _The Girl I Left Behind Me_ more inspiring than the finest operatic _arias_ in the world.
participate in games or sport
From this reading The American people found the actual dramas of Bull Run, Big Bethel and Harpers Ferry more absorbing than any play or opera ever put upon the boards, and the airs of _Yankee Doodle_ and _The Girl I Left Behind Me_ more inspiring than the finest operatic _arias_ in the world.
(of games) engaged in
From this reading Every move in the big game of war that was being played by the ruling powers of our country was of thrilling interest, and as fast as things happened they were "posted."
postedadjectiveUS /ˈpoʊstɪd/
publicly displayed
From this reading Every move in the big game of war that was being played by the ruling powers of our country was of thrilling interest, and as fast as things happened they were "posted."
plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence
From this reading Every move in the big game of war that was being played by the ruling powers of our country was of thrilling interest, and as fast as things happened they were "posted."
purelyadverbUS /ˈpjʊrli/
restricted to something
From this reading WAR TIMES At first the tremendous crisis filled everyone with a purely impersonal excitement and concern; but one fine morning we awoke to the fact that our opera season was paralysed.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The American people found the actual dramas of Bull Run, Big Bethel and Harpers Ferry more absorbing than any play or opera ever put upon the boards, and the airs of _Yankee Doodle_ and _The Girl I Left Behind Me_ more inspiring than the finest operatic _arias_ in the world.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading They wanted to read the bulletin boards.
rulingnounUS /ˈruːlɪŋ/
the reason for a court's judgment (as opposed to the decision itself)
From this reading Every move in the big game of war that was being played by the ruling powers of our country was of thrilling interest, and as fast as things happened they were "posted."
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading The American people found the actual dramas of Bull Run, Big Bethel and Harpers Ferry more absorbing than any play or opera ever put upon the boards, and the airs of _Yankee Doodle_ and _The Girl I Left Behind Me_ more inspiring than the finest operatic _arias_ in the world.
a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading WAR TIMES At first the tremendous crisis filled everyone with a purely impersonal excitement and concern; but one fine morning we awoke to the fact that our opera season was paralysed.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The American people found the actual dramas of Bull Run, Big Bethel and Harpers Ferry more absorbing than any play or opera ever put upon the boards, and the airs of _Yankee Doodle_ and _The Girl I Left Behind Me_ more inspiring than the finest operatic _arias_ in the world.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading WAR TIMES At first the tremendous crisis filled everyone with a purely impersonal excitement and concern; but one fine morning we awoke to the fact that our opera season was paralysed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WAR TIMES At first the tremendous crisis filled everyone with a purely impersonal excitement and concern; but one fine morning we awoke to the fact that our opera season was paralysed.
theatresnounUS /ˈθiːətərz/
plural of “theatre” — a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented
From this reading They did not want to go to the theatres in the evening.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They did not want to go to the theatres in the evening.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Every move in the big game of war that was being played by the ruling powers of our country was of thrilling interest, and as fast as things happened they were "posted."
thrillingadjectiveUS /ˈθrɪlɪŋ/
causing a surge of emotion or excitement
From this reading Every move in the big game of war that was being played by the ruling powers of our country was of thrilling interest, and as fast as things happened they were "posted."
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading WAR TIMES At first the tremendous crisis filled everyone with a purely impersonal excitement and concern; but one fine morning we awoke to the fact that our opera season was paralysed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading WAR TIMES At first the tremendous crisis filled everyone with a purely impersonal excitement and concern; but one fine morning we awoke to the fact that our opera season was paralysed.
extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree
From this reading WAR TIMES At first the tremendous crisis filled everyone with a purely impersonal excitement and concern; but one fine morning we awoke to the fact that our opera season was paralysed.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The American people found the actual dramas of Bull Run, Big Bethel and Harpers Ferry more absorbing than any play or opera ever put upon the boards, and the airs of _Yankee Doodle_ and _The Girl I Left Behind Me_ more inspiring than the finest operatic _arias_ in the world.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading They did not want to go to the theatres in the evening.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading They wanted to read the bulletin boards.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading WAR TIMES At first the tremendous crisis filled everyone with a purely impersonal excitement and concern; but one fine morning we awoke to the fact that our opera season was paralysed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading WAR TIMES At first the tremendous crisis filled everyone with a purely impersonal excitement and concern; but one fine morning we awoke to the fact that our opera season was paralysed.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading WAR TIMES At first the tremendous crisis filled everyone with a purely impersonal excitement and concern; but one fine morning we awoke to the fact that our opera season was paralysed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Every move in the big game of war that was being played by the ruling powers of our country was of thrilling interest, and as fast as things happened they were "posted."
in the company of; together with
From this reading WAR TIMES At first the tremendous crisis filled everyone with a purely impersonal excitement and concern; but one fine morning we awoke to the fact that our opera season was paralysed.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading The American people found the actual dramas of Bull Run, Big Bethel and Harpers Ferry more absorbing than any play or opera ever put upon the boards, and the airs of _Yankee Doodle_ and _The Girl I Left Behind Me_ more inspiring than the finest operatic _arias_ in the world.
YankeenounUS /ˈjæŋki/
an American who lives in the North (especially during the American Civil War)
From this reading The American people found the actual dramas of Bull Run, Big Bethel and Harpers Ferry more absorbing than any play or opera ever put upon the boards, and the airs of _Yankee Doodle_ and _The Girl I Left Behind Me_ more inspiring than the finest operatic _arias_ in the world.
