used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading |The world is a stage; men and women are the players; chance composes the piece; Fortune (blind jade!) distributes the parts; the fools shift the scenery; the philosophers are the spectators; the rich occupy the boxes; the powerful, the pit; and the poor, the gallery.
absurditiesnounUS /əbˈsɜːrdətiz/
plural of “absurdity” — a message whose content is at variance with reason
From this reading Though inclining to the example of Democritus,--for life is too short seriously to grapple with the thousand absurdities that daily demand refutation,--we take the middle course.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading |The world is a stage; men and women are the players; chance composes the piece; Fortune (blind jade!) distributes the parts; the fools shift the scenery; the philosophers are the spectators; the rich occupy the boxes; the powerful, the pit; and the poor, the gallery.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading |The world is a stage; men and women are the players; chance composes the piece; Fortune (blind jade!) distributes the parts; the fools shift the scenery; the philosophers are the spectators; the rich occupy the boxes; the powerful, the pit; and the poor, the gallery.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading To weep, like Heraclitus, might exalt us to philanthropists; to make the distresses of mankind a theme of derision would brand us as buffoons.
people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group
From this reading |The world is a stage; men and women are the players; chance composes the piece; Fortune (blind jade!) distributes the parts; the fools shift the scenery; the philosophers are the spectators; the rich occupy the boxes; the powerful, the pit; and the poor, the gallery.
boxesnounUS /ˈbɑːksəz/
plural of “box” — a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading |The world is a stage; men and women are the players; chance composes the piece; Fortune (blind jade!) distributes the parts; the fools shift the scenery; the philosophers are the spectators; the rich occupy the boxes; the powerful, the pit; and the poor, the gallery.
brandnounUS /brænd/
a name given to a product or service
From this reading To weep, like Heraclitus, might exalt us to philanthropists; to make the distresses of mankind a theme of derision would brand us as buffoons.
buffoons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To weep, like Heraclitus, might exalt us to philanthropists; to make the distresses of mankind a theme of derision would brand us as buffoons.
candlesnounUS /ˈkændəlz/
plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading The forsaken of Lady Fortune snuff the candles,--Folly makes the concert,--and Time drops the curtain!
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading |The world is a stage; men and women are the players; chance composes the piece; Fortune (blind jade!) distributes the parts; the fools shift the scenery; the philosophers are the spectators; the rich occupy the boxes; the powerful, the pit; and the poor, the gallery.
composesverbUS /kəmˈpoʊzɪz/
third-person singular of “compose” — form the substance of
From this reading |The world is a stage; men and women are the players; chance composes the piece; Fortune (blind jade!) distributes the parts; the fools shift the scenery; the philosophers are the spectators; the rich occupy the boxes; the powerful, the pit; and the poor, the gallery.
concertnounUS /ˈkɑːnsərt/
a performance of music by players or singers not involving theatrical staging
From this reading The forsaken of Lady Fortune snuff the candles,--Folly makes the concert,--and Time drops the curtain!
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Though inclining to the example of Democritus,--for life is too short seriously to grapple with the thousand absurdities that daily demand refutation,--we take the middle course.
hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading The forsaken of Lady Fortune snuff the candles,--Folly makes the concert,--and Time drops the curtain!
every day; without missing a day
From this reading Though inclining to the example of Democritus,--for life is too short seriously to grapple with the thousand absurdities that daily demand refutation,--we take the middle course.
an urgent or peremptory request
From this reading Though inclining to the example of Democritus,--for life is too short seriously to grapple with the thousand absurdities that daily demand refutation,--we take the middle course.
Democritusnoun
Greek philosopher who developed an atomistic theory of matter (460-370 BC)
From this reading Though inclining to the example of Democritus,--for life is too short seriously to grapple with the thousand absurdities that daily demand refutation,--we take the middle course.
derisionnounUS /dərˈɪʒən/
contemptuous laughter
From this reading To weep, like Heraclitus, might exalt us to philanthropists; to make the distresses of mankind a theme of derision would brand us as buffoons.
a statement that represents something in words
From this reading In a half sportive, half melancholy mood, we record this description of the tragi-comedy of human life.
distressesnounUS /dɪˈstresɪz/
plural of “distress” — psychological suffering
From this reading To weep, like Heraclitus, might exalt us to philanthropists; to make the distresses of mankind a theme of derision would brand us as buffoons.
distributesverbUS /dɪˈstrɪbjuːts/
third-person singular of “distribute” — administer or bestow, as in small portions
From this reading |The world is a stage; men and women are the players; chance composes the piece; Fortune (blind jade!) distributes the parts; the fools shift the scenery; the philosophers are the spectators; the rich occupy the boxes; the powerful, the pit; and the poor, the gallery.
dropsnounUS /drɑːps/
plural of “drop” — a shape that is spherical and small
From this reading The forsaken of Lady Fortune snuff the candles,--Folly makes the concert,--and Time drops the curtain!
exaltverbUS /ɪɡˈzɔːlt/
praise, glorify, or honor
From this reading To weep, like Heraclitus, might exalt us to philanthropists; to make the distresses of mankind a theme of derision would brand us as buffoons.
an item of information that is typical of a class or group
From this reading Though inclining to the example of Democritus,--for life is too short seriously to grapple with the thousand absurdities that daily demand refutation,--we take the middle course.
the trait of acting stupidly or rashly
From this reading The forsaken of Lady Fortune snuff the candles,--Folly makes the concert,--and Time drops the curtain!
foolsnounUS /fuːlz/
plural of “fool” — a person who lacks good judgment
From this reading |The world is a stage; men and women are the players; chance composes the piece; Fortune (blind jade!) distributes the parts; the fools shift the scenery; the philosophers are the spectators; the rich occupy the boxes; the powerful, the pit; and the poor, the gallery.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Though inclining to the example of Democritus,--for life is too short seriously to grapple with the thousand absurdities that daily demand refutation,--we take the middle course.
forsakenverbUS /fɔːrˈseɪkən/
inflected form of “forsake” — leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading The forsaken of Lady Fortune snuff the candles,--Folly makes the concert,--and Time drops the curtain!
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading |The world is a stage; men and women are the players; chance composes the piece; Fortune (blind jade!) distributes the parts; the fools shift the scenery; the philosophers are the spectators; the rich occupy the boxes; the powerful, the pit; and the poor, the gallery.
gallerynounUS /ˈɡæləri/
spectators at a golf or tennis match
From this reading |The world is a stage; men and women are the players; chance composes the piece; Fortune (blind jade!) distributes the parts; the fools shift the scenery; the philosophers are the spectators; the rich occupy the boxes; the powerful, the pit; and the poor, the gallery.
grappleverbUS /ˈɡræpəl/
succeed in doing, achieving, or producing (something) with the limited or inadequate means available
From this reading Though inclining to the example of Democritus,--for life is too short seriously to grapple with the thousand absurdities that daily demand refutation,--we take the middle course.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading In a half sportive, half melancholy mood, we record this description of the tragi-comedy of human life.
Heraclitusnoun
a presocratic Greek philosopher who said that fire is the origin of all things and that permanence is an illusion as all things are in perpetual flux (circa 500 BC)
From this reading To weep, like Heraclitus, might exalt us to philanthropists; to make the distresses of mankind a theme of derision would brand us as buffoons.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading In a half sportive, half melancholy mood, we record this description of the tragi-comedy of human life.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In a half sportive, half melancholy mood, we record this description of the tragi-comedy of human life.
incliningnoun
the act of inclining; bending forward
From this reading Though inclining to the example of Democritus,--for life is too short seriously to grapple with the thousand absurdities that daily demand refutation,--we take the middle course.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading |The world is a stage; men and women are the players; chance composes the piece; Fortune (blind jade!) distributes the parts; the fools shift the scenery; the philosophers are the spectators; the rich occupy the boxes; the powerful, the pit; and the poor, the gallery.
jadenounUS /dʒeɪd/
a semiprecious gemstone that takes a high polish; is usually green but sometimes whitish; consists of jadeite or nephrite
From this reading |The world is a stage; men and women are the players; chance composes the piece; Fortune (blind jade!) distributes the parts; the fools shift the scenery; the philosophers are the spectators; the rich occupy the boxes; the powerful, the pit; and the poor, the gallery.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading The forsaken of Lady Fortune snuff the candles,--Folly makes the concert,--and Time drops the curtain!
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading In a half sportive, half melancholy mood, we record this description of the tragi-comedy of human life.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading To weep, like Heraclitus, might exalt us to philanthropists; to make the distresses of mankind a theme of derision would brand us as buffoons.
engage in
From this reading To weep, like Heraclitus, might exalt us to philanthropists; to make the distresses of mankind a theme of derision would brand us as buffoons.
plural of “make” — a recognizable kind
From this reading The forsaken of Lady Fortune snuff the candles,--Folly makes the concert,--and Time drops the curtain!
mankindnounUS /ˈmænˈkaɪnd/
all of the living human inhabitants of the earth
From this reading To weep, like Heraclitus, might exalt us to philanthropists; to make the distresses of mankind a theme of derision would brand us as buffoons.
a feeling of thoughtful sadness
From this reading In a half sportive, half melancholy mood, we record this description of the tragi-comedy of human life.
the force of workers available
From this reading |The world is a stage; men and women are the players; chance composes the piece; Fortune (blind jade!) distributes the parts; the fools shift the scenery; the philosophers are the spectators; the rich occupy the boxes; the powerful, the pit; and the poor, the gallery.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading Though inclining to the example of Democritus,--for life is too short seriously to grapple with the thousand absurdities that daily demand refutation,--we take the middle course.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading To weep, like Heraclitus, might exalt us to philanthropists; to make the distresses of mankind a theme of derision would brand us as buffoons.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading In a half sportive, half melancholy mood, we record this description of the tragi-comedy of human life.
occupyverbUS /ˈɑːkjəpaɪ/
keep busy with
From this reading |The world is a stage; men and women are the players; chance composes the piece; Fortune (blind jade!) distributes the parts; the fools shift the scenery; the philosophers are the spectators; the rich occupy the boxes; the powerful, the pit; and the poor, the gallery.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The forsaken of Lady Fortune snuff the candles,--Folly makes the concert,--and Time drops the curtain!
the local environment
From this reading |The world is a stage; men and women are the players; chance composes the piece; Fortune (blind jade!) distributes the parts; the fools shift the scenery; the philosophers are the spectators; the rich occupy the boxes; the powerful, the pit; and the poor, the gallery.
philanthropistsnounUS /fɪˈlænθrəpɪsts/
plural of “philanthropist” — someone who makes charitable donations intended to increase human well-being
From this reading To weep, like Heraclitus, might exalt us to philanthropists; to make the distresses of mankind a theme of derision would brand us as buffoons.
philosophersnounUS /fəˈlɑːsəfərz/
plural of “philosopher” — a specialist in philosophy
From this reading |The world is a stage; men and women are the players; chance composes the piece; Fortune (blind jade!) distributes the parts; the fools shift the scenery; the philosophers are the spectators; the rich occupy the boxes; the powerful, the pit; and the poor, the gallery.
a separate part of a whole
From this reading |The world is a stage; men and women are the players; chance composes the piece; Fortune (blind jade!) distributes the parts; the fools shift the scenery; the philosophers are the spectators; the rich occupy the boxes; the powerful, the pit; and the poor, the gallery.
pitnounUS /pɪt/
A large hole in the ground, or an abyss of darkness and peril.
From this reading |The world is a stage; men and women are the players; chance composes the piece; Fortune (blind jade!) distributes the parts; the fools shift the scenery; the philosophers are the spectators; the rich occupy the boxes; the powerful, the pit; and the poor, the gallery.
playersnounUS /ˈpleɪərz/
plural of “player” — a person who participates in or is skilled at some game
From this reading |The world is a stage; men and women are the players; chance composes the piece; Fortune (blind jade!) distributes the parts; the fools shift the scenery; the philosophers are the spectators; the rich occupy the boxes; the powerful, the pit; and the poor, the gallery.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading |The world is a stage; men and women are the players; chance composes the piece; Fortune (blind jade!) distributes the parts; the fools shift the scenery; the philosophers are the spectators; the rich occupy the boxes; the powerful, the pit; and the poor, the gallery.
having great power or force or potency or effect
From this reading |The world is a stage; men and women are the players; chance composes the piece; Fortune (blind jade!) distributes the parts; the fools shift the scenery; the philosophers are the spectators; the rich occupy the boxes; the powerful, the pit; and the poor, the gallery.
anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events
From this reading In a half sportive, half melancholy mood, we record this description of the tragi-comedy of human life.
refutationnounUS /ˌrefjuːˈteɪʃən/
the speech act of answering an attack on your assertions
From this reading Though inclining to the example of Democritus,--for life is too short seriously to grapple with the thousand absurdities that daily demand refutation,--we take the middle course.
possessing material wealth
From this reading |The world is a stage; men and women are the players; chance composes the piece; Fortune (blind jade!) distributes the parts; the fools shift the scenery; the philosophers are the spectators; the rich occupy the boxes; the powerful, the pit; and the poor, the gallery.
scenerynounUS /ˈsiːnəri/
the painted structures of a stage set that are intended to suggest a particular locale
From this reading |The world is a stage; men and women are the players; chance composes the piece; Fortune (blind jade!) distributes the parts; the fools shift the scenery; the philosophers are the spectators; the rich occupy the boxes; the powerful, the pit; and the poor, the gallery.
in a serious manner
From this reading Though inclining to the example of Democritus,--for life is too short seriously to grapple with the thousand absurdities that daily demand refutation,--we take the middle course.
shiftverbUS /ʃɪft/
make a shift in or exchange of
From this reading |The world is a stage; men and women are the players; chance composes the piece; Fortune (blind jade!) distributes the parts; the fools shift the scenery; the philosophers are the spectators; the rich occupy the boxes; the powerful, the pit; and the poor, the gallery.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Though inclining to the example of Democritus,--for life is too short seriously to grapple with the thousand absurdities that daily demand refutation,--we take the middle course.
snuffnounUS /snʌf/
the charred portion of a candlewick
From this reading The forsaken of Lady Fortune snuff the candles,--Folly makes the concert,--and Time drops the curtain!
spectatorsnounUS /ˈspekteɪtərz/
plural of “spectator” — a close observer; someone who looks at something (such as an exhibition of some kind)
From this reading |The world is a stage; men and women are the players; chance composes the piece; Fortune (blind jade!) distributes the parts; the fools shift the scenery; the philosophers are the spectators; the rich occupy the boxes; the powerful, the pit; and the poor, the gallery.
sportiveadjective
relating to or interested in sports
From this reading In a half sportive, half melancholy mood, we record this description of the tragi-comedy of human life.
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading |The world is a stage; men and women are the players; chance composes the piece; Fortune (blind jade!) distributes the parts; the fools shift the scenery; the philosophers are the spectators; the rich occupy the boxes; the powerful, the pit; and the poor, the gallery.
carry out
From this reading Though inclining to the example of Democritus,--for life is too short seriously to grapple with the thousand absurdities that daily demand refutation,--we take the middle course.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Though inclining to the example of Democritus,--for life is too short seriously to grapple with the thousand absurdities that daily demand refutation,--we take the middle course.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading |The world is a stage; men and women are the players; chance composes the piece; Fortune (blind jade!) distributes the parts; the fools shift the scenery; the philosophers are the spectators; the rich occupy the boxes; the powerful, the pit; and the poor, the gallery.
themenounUS /θiːm/
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading To weep, like Heraclitus, might exalt us to philanthropists; to make the distresses of mankind a theme of derision would brand us as buffoons.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In a half sportive, half melancholy mood, we record this description of the tragi-comedy of human life.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Though inclining to the example of Democritus,--for life is too short seriously to grapple with the thousand absurdities that daily demand refutation,--we take the middle course.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading Though inclining to the example of Democritus,--for life is too short seriously to grapple with the thousand absurdities that daily demand refutation,--we take the middle course.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The forsaken of Lady Fortune snuff the candles,--Folly makes the concert,--and Time drops the curtain!
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To weep, like Heraclitus, might exalt us to philanthropists; to make the distresses of mankind a theme of derision would brand us as buffoons.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Though inclining to the example of Democritus,--for life is too short seriously to grapple with the thousand absurdities that daily demand refutation,--we take the middle course.
tragi-comedy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a half sportive, half melancholy mood, we record this description of the tragi-comedy of human life.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading To weep, like Heraclitus, might exalt us to philanthropists; to make the distresses of mankind a theme of derision would brand us as buffoons.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading In a half sportive, half melancholy mood, we record this description of the tragi-comedy of human life.
weepverbUS /wiːp/
shed tears because of sadness, rage, or pain
From this reading To weep, like Heraclitus, might exalt us to philanthropists; to make the distresses of mankind a theme of derision would brand us as buffoons.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Though inclining to the example of Democritus,--for life is too short seriously to grapple with the thousand absurdities that daily demand refutation,--we take the middle course.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading |The world is a stage; men and women are the players; chance composes the piece; Fortune (blind jade!) distributes the parts; the fools shift the scenery; the philosophers are the spectators; the rich occupy the boxes; the powerful, the pit; and the poor, the gallery.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading |The world is a stage; men and women are the players; chance composes the piece; Fortune (blind jade!) distributes the parts; the fools shift the scenery; the philosophers are the spectators; the rich occupy the boxes; the powerful, the pit; and the poor, the gallery.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading To weep, like Heraclitus, might exalt us to philanthropists; to make the distresses of mankind a theme of derision would brand us as buffoons.
