used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There is, of course, no deliberate presentation of a problem in any of these plays of the second period, though a problem of some sort is implicit in every one.
abstractverbUS /æbˈstrækt/
consider a concept without thinking of a specific example; consider abstractly or theoretically
From this reading And if it be protested that that is altogether too vague and abstract as a motive for drama, the reply is, of course, that it is by no means presented as theory.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading And if it be protested that that is altogether too vague and abstract as a motive for drama, the reply is, of course, that it is by no means presented as theory.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It is not, in the trilogy, capable of statement as one clear force fighting another to a single issue; but as the complex, fluctuating, diverse elements of the epoch, making for conflict of morals, of religion, of class, of political and Imperial interests.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading It is not, in the trilogy, capable of statement as one clear force fighting another to a single issue; but as the complex, fluctuating, diverse elements of the epoch, making for conflict of morals, of religion, of class, of political and Imperial interests.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading There is, of course, no deliberate presentation of a problem in any of these plays of the second period, though a problem of some sort is implicit in every one.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It is not, in the trilogy, capable of statement as one clear force fighting another to a single issue; but as the complex, fluctuating, diverse elements of the epoch, making for conflict of morals, of religion, of class, of political and Imperial interests.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading And if it be protested that that is altogether too vague and abstract as a motive for drama, the reply is, of course, that it is by no means presented as theory.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It is not, in the trilogy, capable of statement as one clear force fighting another to a single issue; but as the complex, fluctuating, diverse elements of the epoch, making for conflict of morals, of religion, of class, of political and Imperial interests.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading And if it be protested that that is altogether too vague and abstract as a motive for drama, the reply is, of course, that it is by no means presented as theory.
(usually followed by “of”) having capacity or ability
From this reading It is not, in the trilogy, capable of statement as one clear force fighting another to a single issue; but as the complex, fluctuating, diverse elements of the epoch, making for conflict of morals, of religion, of class, of political and Imperial interests.
a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading It is not, in the trilogy, capable of statement as one clear force fighting another to a single issue; but as the complex, fluctuating, diverse elements of the epoch, making for conflict of morals, of religion, of class, of political and Imperial interests.
rid of obstructions
From this reading It is not, in the trilogy, capable of statement as one clear force fighting another to a single issue; but as the complex, fluctuating, diverse elements of the epoch, making for conflict of morals, of religion, of class, of political and Imperial interests.
Commodus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first play of the trilogy, _The Race of Leaves_, is concerned simply with the downfall of Commodus.
complexnounUS /ˈkɑːmpleks/
a conceptual whole made up of complicated and related parts
From this reading It is not, in the trilogy, capable of statement as one clear force fighting another to a single issue; but as the complex, fluctuating, diverse elements of the epoch, making for conflict of morals, of religion, of class, of political and Imperial interests.
feeling or showing worry or solicitude
From this reading The first play of the trilogy, _The Race of Leaves_, is concerned simply with the downfall of Commodus.
conflictnounUS /ˈkɑːnflɪkt/
an open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals)
From this reading It is not, in the trilogy, capable of statement as one clear force fighting another to a single issue; but as the complex, fluctuating, diverse elements of the epoch, making for conflict of morals, of religion, of class, of political and Imperial interests.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading There is, of course, no deliberate presentation of a problem in any of these plays of the second period, though a problem of some sort is implicit in every one.
deliberateadjectiveUS /dɪˈlɪbərət/
carefully thought out in advance
From this reading There is, of course, no deliberate presentation of a problem in any of these plays of the second period, though a problem of some sort is implicit in every one.
diverseadjectiveUS /daɪˈvɜːrs/
many and different
From this reading It is not, in the trilogy, capable of statement as one clear force fighting another to a single issue; but as the complex, fluctuating, diverse elements of the epoch, making for conflict of morals, of religion, of class, of political and Imperial interests.
downfallnounUS /ˈdaʊnfɔːl/
failure that results in a loss of position or reputation
From this reading The first play of the trilogy, _The Race of Leaves_, is concerned simply with the downfall of Commodus.
dramanounUS /ˈdrɑːmə/
a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
From this reading And if it be protested that that is altogether too vague and abstract as a motive for drama, the reply is, of course, that it is by no means presented as theory.
elementsnounUS /ˈeləmənts/
violent or severe weather (viewed as caused by the action of the four elements)
From this reading It is not, in the trilogy, capable of statement as one clear force fighting another to a single issue; but as the complex, fluctuating, diverse elements of the epoch, making for conflict of morals, of religion, of class, of political and Imperial interests.
epochnounUS /ˈepək/
a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
From this reading It is not, in the trilogy, capable of statement as one clear force fighting another to a single issue; but as the complex, fluctuating, diverse elements of the epoch, making for conflict of morals, of religion, of class, of political and Imperial interests.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading There is, of course, no deliberate presentation of a problem in any of these plays of the second period, though a problem of some sort is implicit in every one.
the act of fighting; any contest or struggle
From this reading It is not, in the trilogy, capable of statement as one clear force fighting another to a single issue; but as the complex, fluctuating, diverse elements of the epoch, making for conflict of morals, of religion, of class, of political and Imperial interests.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The first play of the trilogy, _The Race of Leaves_, is concerned simply with the downfall of Commodus.
fluctuatingadjectiveUS /ˈflʌktʃəweɪtɪŋ/
having unpredictable ups and downs
From this reading It is not, in the trilogy, capable of statement as one clear force fighting another to a single issue; but as the complex, fluctuating, diverse elements of the epoch, making for conflict of morals, of religion, of class, of political and Imperial interests.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It is not, in the trilogy, capable of statement as one clear force fighting another to a single issue; but as the complex, fluctuating, diverse elements of the epoch, making for conflict of morals, of religion, of class, of political and Imperial interests.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading It is not, in the trilogy, capable of statement as one clear force fighting another to a single issue; but as the complex, fluctuating, diverse elements of the epoch, making for conflict of morals, of religion, of class, of political and Imperial interests.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading And if it be protested that that is altogether too vague and abstract as a motive for drama, the reply is, of course, that it is by no means presented as theory.
impels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is wrought into the persons of the drama and impels them.
ImperialadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɪriəl/
relating to or associated with an empire
From this reading It is not, in the trilogy, capable of statement as one clear force fighting another to a single issue; but as the complex, fluctuating, diverse elements of the epoch, making for conflict of morals, of religion, of class, of political and Imperial interests.
implicitadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈplɪsət/
implied though not directly expressed; inherent in the nature of something
From this reading There is, of course, no deliberate presentation of a problem in any of these plays of the second period, though a problem of some sort is implicit in every one.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There is, of course, no deliberate presentation of a problem in any of these plays of the second period, though a problem of some sort is implicit in every one.
plural of “interest” — a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading It is not, in the trilogy, capable of statement as one clear force fighting another to a single issue; but as the complex, fluctuating, diverse elements of the epoch, making for conflict of morals, of religion, of class, of political and Imperial interests.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It is wrought into the persons of the drama and impels them.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The first play of the trilogy, _The Race of Leaves_, is concerned simply with the downfall of Commodus.
issueverbUS /ˈɪʃuː/
prepare and issue for public distribution or sale
From this reading It is not, in the trilogy, capable of statement as one clear force fighting another to a single issue; but as the complex, fluctuating, diverse elements of the epoch, making for conflict of morals, of religion, of class, of political and Imperial interests.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is not, in the trilogy, capable of statement as one clear force fighting another to a single issue; but as the complex, fluctuating, diverse elements of the epoch, making for conflict of morals, of religion, of class, of political and Imperial interests.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading The first play of the trilogy, _The Race of Leaves_, is concerned simply with the downfall of Commodus.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading It is not, in the trilogy, capable of statement as one clear force fighting another to a single issue; but as the complex, fluctuating, diverse elements of the epoch, making for conflict of morals, of religion, of class, of political and Imperial interests.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading And if it be protested that that is altogether too vague and abstract as a motive for drama, the reply is, of course, that it is by no means presented as theory.
moralsnounUS /ˈmɔːrəlz/
motivation based on ideas of right and wrong
From this reading It is not, in the trilogy, capable of statement as one clear force fighting another to a single issue; but as the complex, fluctuating, diverse elements of the epoch, making for conflict of morals, of religion, of class, of political and Imperial interests.
motivenounUS /ˈmoʊtɪv/
the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
From this reading And if it be protested that that is altogether too vague and abstract as a motive for drama, the reply is, of course, that it is by no means presented as theory.
not any; not one
From this reading There is, of course, no deliberate presentation of a problem in any of these plays of the second period, though a problem of some sort is implicit in every one.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It is not, in the trilogy, capable of statement as one clear force fighting another to a single issue; but as the complex, fluctuating, diverse elements of the epoch, making for conflict of morals, of religion, of class, of political and Imperial interests.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The first play of the trilogy, _The Race of Leaves_, is concerned simply with the downfall of Commodus.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There is, of course, no deliberate presentation of a problem in any of these plays of the second period, though a problem of some sort is implicit in every one.
an amount of time
From this reading There is, of course, no deliberate presentation of a problem in any of these plays of the second period, though a problem of some sort is implicit in every one.
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading It is wrought into the persons of the drama and impels them.
participate in games or sport
From this reading The first play of the trilogy, _The Race of Leaves_, is concerned simply with the downfall of Commodus.
plural of “play” — a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
From this reading There is, of course, no deliberate presentation of a problem in any of these plays of the second period, though a problem of some sort is implicit in every one.
involving or characteristic of politics or parties or politicians
From this reading It is not, in the trilogy, capable of statement as one clear force fighting another to a single issue; but as the complex, fluctuating, diverse elements of the epoch, making for conflict of morals, of religion, of class, of political and Imperial interests.
presentationnounUS /ˌprezənˈteɪʃən/
the activity of formally presenting something (as a prize or reward)
From this reading There is, of course, no deliberate presentation of a problem in any of these plays of the second period, though a problem of some sort is implicit in every one.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading And if it be protested that that is altogether too vague and abstract as a motive for drama, the reply is, of course, that it is by no means presented as theory.
a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading There is, of course, no deliberate presentation of a problem in any of these plays of the second period, though a problem of some sort is implicit in every one.
past form of “protest” — utter words of protest
From this reading And if it be protested that that is altogether too vague and abstract as a motive for drama, the reply is, of course, that it is by no means presented as theory.
any competition
From this reading The first play of the trilogy, _The Race of Leaves_, is concerned simply with the downfall of Commodus.
a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
From this reading It is not, in the trilogy, capable of statement as one clear force fighting another to a single issue; but as the complex, fluctuating, diverse elements of the epoch, making for conflict of morals, of religion, of class, of political and Imperial interests.
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 it be protested that that is altogether too vague and abstract as a motive for drama, the reply is, of course, that it is by no means presented as theory.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading There is, of course, no deliberate presentation of a problem in any of these plays of the second period, though a problem of some sort is implicit in every one.
and nothing more
From this reading The first play of the trilogy, _The Race of Leaves_, is concerned simply with the downfall of Commodus.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading It is not, in the trilogy, capable of statement as one clear force fighting another to a single issue; but as the complex, fluctuating, diverse elements of the epoch, making for conflict of morals, of religion, of class, of political and Imperial interests.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading There is, of course, no deliberate presentation of a problem in any of these plays of the second period, though a problem of some sort is implicit in every one.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading There is, of course, no deliberate presentation of a problem in any of these plays of the second period, though a problem of some sort is implicit in every one.
a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc
From this reading It is not, in the trilogy, capable of statement as one clear force fighting another to a single issue; but as the complex, fluctuating, diverse elements of the epoch, making for conflict of morals, of religion, of class, of political and Imperial interests.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading And if it be protested that that is altogether too vague and abstract as a motive for drama, the reply is, of course, that it is by no means presented as theory.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The first play of the trilogy, _The Race of Leaves_, is concerned simply with the downfall of Commodus.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It is wrought into the persons of the drama and impels them.
a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena
From this reading And if it be protested that that is altogether too vague and abstract as a motive for drama, the reply is, of course, that it is by no means presented as theory.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There is, of course, no deliberate presentation of a problem in any of these plays of the second period, though a problem of some sort is implicit in every one.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading There is, of course, no deliberate presentation of a problem in any of these plays of the second period, though a problem of some sort is implicit in every one.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading There is, of course, no deliberate presentation of a problem in any of these plays of the second period, though a problem of some sort is implicit in every one.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It is not, in the trilogy, capable of statement as one clear force fighting another to a single issue; but as the complex, fluctuating, diverse elements of the epoch, making for conflict of morals, of religion, of class, of political and Imperial interests.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading And if it be protested that that is altogether too vague and abstract as a motive for drama, the reply is, of course, that it is by no means presented as theory.
trilogynounUS /ˈtrɪlədʒi/
a set of three literary or dramatic works related in subject or theme
From this reading The first play of the trilogy, _The Race of Leaves_, is concerned simply with the downfall of Commodus.
not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading And if it be protested that that is altogether too vague and abstract as a motive for drama, the reply is, of course, that it is by no means presented as theory.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The first play of the trilogy, _The Race of Leaves_, is concerned simply with the downfall of Commodus.
wroughtadjectiveUS /rɔːt/
shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or effort)
From this reading It is wrought into the persons of the drama and impels them.
