Chapter I · Chapter 1

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Milton himself describes it simply as "A Mask"; by others it has been criticised and estimated as a lyrical drama, a drama in the epic style, a lyric poem in the _form_ of a play, a phantasy, an allegory, a philosophical poem, a suite of speeches or majestic soliloquies, and even a didactic poem.

a short moral story (often with animal characters)

From this reading Milton himself describes it simply as "A Mask"; by others it has been criticised and estimated as a lyrical drama, a drama in the epic style, a lyric poem in the _form_ of a play, a phantasy, an allegory, a philosophical poem, a suite of speeches or majestic soliloquies, and even a didactic poem.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Milton himself describes it simply as "A Mask"; by others it has been criticised and estimated as a lyrical drama, a drama in the epic style, a lyric poem in the _form_ of a play, a phantasy, an allegory, a philosophical poem, a suite of speeches or majestic soliloquies, and even a didactic poem.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Bold~ text is surrounded by tildes ~, _italic_ text by underscores The use of é and è to indicate stresses is inconsistent in this text, as is the use of œ and æ ligatures.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Bold~ text is surrounded by tildes ~, _italic_ text by underscores The use of é and è to indicate stresses is inconsistent in this text, as is the use of œ and æ ligatures.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading Such variety in the description of the poem is explained partly by its complex charm and many-sided interest, and partly by the desire to describe it from that point of view which should best reconcile its literary form with what we know of the genius and powers of its author.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading No changes have been made to the original.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading Such variety in the description of the poem is explained partly by its complex charm and many-sided interest, and partly by the desire to describe it from that point of view which should best reconcile its literary form with what we know of the genius and powers of its author.

fearless and daring

From this reading Bold~ text is surrounded by tildes ~, _italic_ text by underscores The use of é and è to indicate stresses is inconsistent in this text, as is the use of œ and æ ligatures.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Bold~ text is surrounded by tildes ~, _italic_ text by underscores The use of é and è to indicate stresses is inconsistent in this text, as is the use of œ and æ ligatures.

plural of “change” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another

From this reading No changes have been made to the original.

attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates

From this reading Such variety in the description of the poem is explained partly by its complex charm and many-sided interest, and partly by the desire to describe it from that point of view which should best reconcile its literary form with what we know of the genius and powers of its author.

a conceptual whole made up of complicated and related parts

From this reading Such variety in the description of the poem is explained partly by its complex charm and many-sided interest, and partly by the desire to describe it from that point of view which should best reconcile its literary form with what we know of the genius and powers of its author.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading } Few poems have been more variously designated than _Comus_.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Milton himself describes it simply as "A Mask"; by others it has been criticised and estimated as a lyrical drama, a drama in the epic style, a lyric poem in the _form_ of a play, a phantasy, an allegory, a philosophical poem, a suite of speeches or majestic soliloquies, and even a didactic poem.

give a description of

From this reading Such variety in the description of the poem is explained partly by its complex charm and many-sided interest, and partly by the desire to describe it from that point of view which should best reconcile its literary form with what we know of the genius and powers of its author.

third-person singular of “describe” — give a description of

From this reading Milton himself describes it simply as "A Mask"; by others it has been criticised and estimated as a lyrical drama, a drama in the epic style, a lyric poem in the _form_ of a play, a phantasy, an allegory, a philosophical poem, a suite of speeches or majestic soliloquies, and even a didactic poem.

a statement that represents something in words

From this reading Such variety in the description of the poem is explained partly by its complex charm and many-sided interest, and partly by the desire to describe it from that point of view which should best reconcile its literary form with what we know of the genius and powers of its author.

past form of “designate” — assign a name or title to

From this reading } Few poems have been more variously designated than _Comus_.

the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state

From this reading Such variety in the description of the poem is explained partly by its complex charm and many-sided interest, and partly by the desire to describe it from that point of view which should best reconcile its literary form with what we know of the genius and powers of its author.

instructive (especially excessively)

From this reading Milton himself describes it simply as "A Mask"; by others it has been criticised and estimated as a lyrical drama, a drama in the epic style, a lyric poem in the _form_ of a play, a phantasy, an allegory, a philosophical poem, a suite of speeches or majestic soliloquies, and even a didactic poem.

a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

From this reading Milton himself describes it simply as "A Mask"; by others it has been criticised and estimated as a lyrical drama, a drama in the epic style, a lyric poem in the _form_ of a play, a phantasy, an allegory, a philosophical poem, a suite of speeches or majestic soliloquies, and even a didactic poem.

very imposing or impressive; surpassing the ordinary (especially in size or scale)

From this reading Milton himself describes it simply as "A Mask"; by others it has been criticised and estimated as a lyrical drama, a drama in the epic style, a lyric poem in the _form_ of a play, a phantasy, an allegory, a philosophical poem, a suite of speeches or majestic soliloquies, and even a didactic poem.

past form of “estimate” — judge tentatively or form an estimate of (quantities or time)

From this reading Milton himself describes it simply as "A Mask"; by others it has been criticised and estimated as a lyrical drama, a drama in the epic style, a lyric poem in the _form_ of a play, a phantasy, an allegory, a philosophical poem, a suite of speeches or majestic soliloquies, and even a didactic poem.

divisible by two

From this reading Milton himself describes it simply as "A Mask"; by others it has been criticised and estimated as a lyrical drama, a drama in the epic style, a lyric poem in the _form_ of a play, a phantasy, an allegory, a philosophical poem, a suite of speeches or majestic soliloquies, and even a didactic poem.

past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible

From this reading Such variety in the description of the poem is explained partly by its complex charm and many-sided interest, and partly by the desire to describe it from that point of view which should best reconcile its literary form with what we know of the genius and powers of its author.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading } Few poems have been more variously designated than _Comus_.

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading Milton himself describes it simply as "A Mask"; by others it has been criticised and estimated as a lyrical drama, a drama in the epic style, a lyric poem in the _form_ of a play, a phantasy, an allegory, a philosophical poem, a suite of speeches or majestic soliloquies, and even a didactic poem.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Such variety in the description of the poem is explained partly by its complex charm and many-sided interest, and partly by the desire to describe it from that point of view which should best reconcile its literary form with what we know of the genius and powers of its author.

someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality

From this reading Such variety in the description of the poem is explained partly by its complex charm and many-sided interest, and partly by the desire to describe it from that point of view which should best reconcile its literary form with what we know of the genius and powers of its author.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Milton himself describes it simply as "A Mask"; by others it has been criticised and estimated as a lyrical drama, a drama in the epic style, a lyric poem in the _form_ of a play, a phantasy, an allegory, a philosophical poem, a suite of speeches or majestic soliloquies, and even a didactic poem.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading No changes have been made to the original.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Milton himself describes it simply as "A Mask"; by others it has been criticised and estimated as a lyrical drama, a drama in the epic style, a lyric poem in the _form_ of a play, a phantasy, an allegory, a philosophical poem, a suite of speeches or majestic soliloquies, and even a didactic poem.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Bold~ text is surrounded by tildes ~, _italic_ text by underscores The use of é and è to indicate stresses is inconsistent in this text, as is the use of œ and æ ligatures.

displaying a lack of consistency

From this reading Bold~ text is surrounded by tildes ~, _italic_ text by underscores The use of é and è to indicate stresses is inconsistent in this text, as is the use of œ and æ ligatures.

be a signal for or a symptom of

From this reading Bold~ text is surrounded by tildes ~, _italic_ text by underscores The use of é and è to indicate stresses is inconsistent in this text, as is the use of œ and æ ligatures.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading Such variety in the description of the poem is explained partly by its complex charm and many-sided interest, and partly by the desire to describe it from that point of view which should best reconcile its literary form with what we know of the genius and powers of its author.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Bold~ text is surrounded by tildes ~, _italic_ text by underscores The use of é and è to indicate stresses is inconsistent in this text, as is the use of œ and æ ligatures.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Milton himself describes it simply as "A Mask"; by others it has been criticised and estimated as a lyrical drama, a drama in the epic style, a lyric poem in the _form_ of a play, a phantasy, an allegory, a philosophical poem, a suite of speeches or majestic soliloquies, and even a didactic poem.

a style of handwriting with the letters slanting to the right

From this reading Bold~ text is surrounded by tildes ~, _italic_ text by underscores The use of é and è to indicate stresses is inconsistent in this text, as is the use of œ and æ ligatures.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Such variety in the description of the poem is explained partly by its complex charm and many-sided interest, and partly by the desire to describe it from that point of view which should best reconcile its literary form with what we know of the genius and powers of its author.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Such variety in the description of the poem is explained partly by its complex charm and many-sided interest, and partly by the desire to describe it from that point of view which should best reconcile its literary form with what we know of the genius and powers of its author.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Bold~ text is surrounded by tildes ~, _italic_ text by underscores The use of é and è to indicate stresses is inconsistent in this text, as is the use of œ and æ ligatures.

of or relating to or characteristic of literature

From this reading Such variety in the description of the poem is explained partly by its complex charm and many-sided interest, and partly by the desire to describe it from that point of view which should best reconcile its literary form with what we know of the genius and powers of its author.

expressing deep emotion

From this reading Milton himself describes it simply as "A Mask"; by others it has been criticised and estimated as a lyrical drama, a drama in the epic style, a lyric poem in the _form_ of a play, a phantasy, an allegory, a philosophical poem, a suite of speeches or majestic soliloquies, and even a didactic poem.

suitable for or suggestive of singing

From this reading Milton himself describes it simply as "A Mask"; by others it has been criticised and estimated as a lyrical drama, a drama in the epic style, a lyric poem in the _form_ of a play, a phantasy, an allegory, a philosophical poem, a suite of speeches or majestic soliloquies, and even a didactic poem.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading No changes have been made to the original.

majestic in manner or bearing; superior to mundane matters

From this reading Milton himself describes it simply as "A Mask"; by others it has been criticised and estimated as a lyrical drama, a drama in the epic style, a lyric poem in the _form_ of a play, a phantasy, an allegory, a philosophical poem, a suite of speeches or majestic soliloquies, and even a didactic poem.

having many parts or sides

From this reading Such variety in the description of the poem is explained partly by its complex charm and many-sided interest, and partly by the desire to describe it from that point of view which should best reconcile its literary form with what we know of the genius and powers of its author.

hide under a false appearance

From this reading Milton himself describes it simply as "A Mask"; by others it has been criticised and estimated as a lyrical drama, a drama in the epic style, a lyric poem in the _form_ of a play, a phantasy, an allegory, a philosophical poem, a suite of speeches or majestic soliloquies, and even a didactic poem.

English poet; remembered primarily as the author of an epic poem describing humanity's fall from grace (1608-1674)

From this reading Milton himself describes it simply as "A Mask"; by others it has been criticised and estimated as a lyrical drama, a drama in the epic style, a lyric poem in the _form_ of a play, a phantasy, an allegory, a philosophical poem, a suite of speeches or majestic soliloquies, and even a didactic poem.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading } Few poems have been more variously designated than _Comus_.

not any; not one

From this reading No changes have been made to the original.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Bold~ text is surrounded by tildes ~, _italic_ text by underscores The use of é and è to indicate stresses is inconsistent in this text, as is the use of œ and æ ligatures.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Milton himself describes it simply as "A Mask"; by others it has been criticised and estimated as a lyrical drama, a drama in the epic style, a lyric poem in the _form_ of a play, a phantasy, an allegory, a philosophical poem, a suite of speeches or majestic soliloquies, and even a didactic poem.

preceding all others in time or being as first made or performed

From this reading No changes have been made to the original.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Milton himself describes it simply as "A Mask"; by others it has been criticised and estimated as a lyrical drama, a drama in the epic style, a lyric poem in the _form_ of a play, a phantasy, an allegory, a philosophical poem, a suite of speeches or majestic soliloquies, and even a didactic poem.

to some extent; in some degree; not wholly

From this reading Such variety in the description of the poem is explained partly by its complex charm and many-sided interest, and partly by the desire to describe it from that point of view which should best reconcile its literary form with what we know of the genius and powers of its author.

something many people believe that is false

From this reading Milton himself describes it simply as "A Mask"; by others it has been criticised and estimated as a lyrical drama, a drama in the epic style, a lyric poem in the _form_ of a play, a phantasy, an allegory, a philosophical poem, a suite of speeches or majestic soliloquies, and even a didactic poem.

of or relating to philosophy or philosophers

From this reading Milton himself describes it simply as "A Mask"; by others it has been criticised and estimated as a lyrical drama, a drama in the epic style, a lyric poem in the _form_ of a play, a phantasy, an allegory, a philosophical poem, a suite of speeches or majestic soliloquies, and even a didactic poem.

participate in games or sport

From this reading Milton himself describes it simply as "A Mask"; by others it has been criticised and estimated as a lyrical drama, a drama in the epic style, a lyric poem in the _form_ of a play, a phantasy, an allegory, a philosophical poem, a suite of speeches or majestic soliloquies, and even a didactic poem.

a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines

From this reading Milton himself describes it simply as "A Mask"; by others it has been criticised and estimated as a lyrical drama, a drama in the epic style, a lyric poem in the _form_ of a play, a phantasy, an allegory, a philosophical poem, a suite of speeches or majestic soliloquies, and even a didactic poem.

plural of “poem” — a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines

From this reading } Few poems have been more variously designated than _Comus_.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading Such variety in the description of the poem is explained partly by its complex charm and many-sided interest, and partly by the desire to describe it from that point of view which should best reconcile its literary form with what we know of the genius and powers of its author.

plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence

From this reading Such variety in the description of the poem is explained partly by its complex charm and many-sided interest, and partly by the desire to describe it from that point of view which should best reconcile its literary form with what we know of the genius and powers of its author.

make (one thing) compatible with

From this reading Such variety in the description of the poem is explained partly by its complex charm and many-sided interest, and partly by the desire to describe it from that point of view which should best reconcile its literary form with what we know of the genius and powers of its author.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Such variety in the description of the poem is explained partly by its complex charm and many-sided interest, and partly by the desire to describe it from that point of view which should best reconcile its literary form with what we know of the genius and powers of its author.

and nothing more

From this reading Milton himself describes it simply as "A Mask"; by others it has been criticised and estimated as a lyrical drama, a drama in the epic style, a lyric poem in the _form_ of a play, a phantasy, an allegory, a philosophical poem, a suite of speeches or majestic soliloquies, and even a didactic poem.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Milton himself describes it simply as "A Mask"; by others it has been criticised and estimated as a lyrical drama, a drama in the epic style, a lyric poem in the _form_ of a play, a phantasy, an allegory, a philosophical poem, a suite of speeches or majestic soliloquies, and even a didactic poem.

plural of “speech” — the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience

From this reading Milton himself describes it simply as "A Mask"; by others it has been criticised and estimated as a lyrical drama, a drama in the epic style, a lyric poem in the _form_ of a play, a phantasy, an allegory, a philosophical poem, a suite of speeches or majestic soliloquies, and even a didactic poem.

plural of “stress” — the relative prominence of a syllable or musical note (especially with regard to stress or pitch)

From this reading Bold~ text is surrounded by tildes ~, _italic_ text by underscores The use of é and è to indicate stresses is inconsistent in this text, as is the use of œ and æ ligatures.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Milton himself describes it simply as "A Mask"; by others it has been criticised and estimated as a lyrical drama, a drama in the epic style, a lyric poem in the _form_ of a play, a phantasy, an allegory, a philosophical poem, a suite of speeches or majestic soliloquies, and even a didactic poem.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Such variety in the description of the poem is explained partly by its complex charm and many-sided interest, and partly by the desire to describe it from that point of view which should best reconcile its literary form with what we know of the genius and powers of its author.

a musical composition of several movements only loosely connected

From this reading Milton himself describes it simply as "A Mask"; by others it has been criticised and estimated as a lyrical drama, a drama in the epic style, a lyric poem in the _form_ of a play, a phantasy, an allegory, a philosophical poem, a suite of speeches or majestic soliloquies, and even a didactic poem.

confined on all sides

From this reading Bold~ text is surrounded by tildes ~, _italic_ text by underscores The use of é and è to indicate stresses is inconsistent in this text, as is the use of œ and æ ligatures.

the words of something written

From this reading Bold~ text is surrounded by tildes ~, _italic_ text by underscores The use of é and è to indicate stresses is inconsistent in this text, as is the use of œ and æ ligatures.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading } Few poems have been more variously designated than _Comus_.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Such variety in the description of the poem is explained partly by its complex charm and many-sided interest, and partly by the desire to describe it from that point of view which should best reconcile its literary form with what we know of the genius and powers of its author.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Bold~ text is surrounded by tildes ~, _italic_ text by underscores The use of é and è to indicate stresses is inconsistent in this text, as is the use of œ and æ ligatures.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Bold~ text is surrounded by tildes ~, _italic_ text by underscores The use of é and è to indicate stresses is inconsistent in this text, as is the use of œ and æ ligatures.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Bold~ text is surrounded by tildes ~, _italic_ text by underscores The use of é and è to indicate stresses is inconsistent in this text, as is the use of œ and æ ligatures.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Bold~ text is surrounded by tildes ~, _italic_ text by underscores The use of é and è to indicate stresses is inconsistent in this text, as is the use of œ and æ ligatures.

plural of “underscore” — a line drawn underneath (especially under written matter)

From this reading Bold~ text is surrounded by tildes ~, _italic_ text by underscores The use of é and è to indicate stresses is inconsistent in this text, as is the use of œ and æ ligatures.

the act of using

From this reading Bold~ text is surrounded by tildes ~, _italic_ text by underscores The use of é and è to indicate stresses is inconsistent in this text, as is the use of œ and æ ligatures.

a collection containing a variety of sorts of things

From this reading Such variety in the description of the poem is explained partly by its complex charm and many-sided interest, and partly by the desire to describe it from that point of view which should best reconcile its literary form with what we know of the genius and powers of its author.

in diverse ways

From this reading } Few poems have been more variously designated than _Comus_.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading Such variety in the description of the poem is explained partly by its complex charm and many-sided interest, and partly by the desire to describe it from that point of view which should best reconcile its literary form with what we know of the genius and powers of its author.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Such variety in the description of the poem is explained partly by its complex charm and many-sided interest, and partly by the desire to describe it from that point of view which should best reconcile its literary form with what we know of the genius and powers of its author.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Such variety in the description of the poem is explained partly by its complex charm and many-sided interest, and partly by the desire to describe it from that point of view which should best reconcile its literary form with what we know of the genius and powers of its author.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Such variety in the description of the poem is explained partly by its complex charm and many-sided interest, and partly by the desire to describe it from that point of view which should best reconcile its literary form with what we know of the genius and powers of its author.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Such variety in the description of the poem is explained partly by its complex charm and many-sided interest, and partly by the desire to describe it from that point of view which should best reconcile its literary form with what we know of the genius and powers of its author.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Bold~ text is surrounded by tildes ~, _italic_ text by underscores The use of é and è to indicate stresses is inconsistent in this text, as is the use of œ and æ ligatures.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Bold~ text is surrounded by tildes ~, _italic_ text by underscores The use of é and è to indicate stresses is inconsistent in this text, as is the use of œ and æ ligatures.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Bold~ text is surrounded by tildes ~, _italic_ text by underscores The use of é and è to indicate stresses is inconsistent in this text, as is the use of œ and æ ligatures.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Bold~ text is surrounded by tildes ~, _italic_ text by underscores The use of é and è to indicate stresses is inconsistent in this text, as is the use of œ and æ ligatures.