used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The fact is, the public make use of the classics of a country as a means of checking the progress of Art.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading If they saw the beauties, they would not object to the development of the drama; and if they saw the defects, they would not object to the development of the drama either.
Artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading The fact is, the public make use of the classics of a country as a means of checking the progress of Art.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The fact is, the public make use of the classics of a country as a means of checking the progress of Art.
authoritiesnounUS /əˈθɔːrətiz/
the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit
From this reading They degrade the classics into authorities.
beautiesnounUS /ˈbjuːtiz/
plural of “beauty” — the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading But in the case of Shakespeare it is quite obvious that the public really see neither the beauties nor the defects of his plays.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading They use them as bludgeons for preventing the free expression of Beauty in new forms.
bludgeons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They use them as bludgeons for preventing the free expression of Beauty in new forms.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But in the case of Shakespeare it is quite obvious that the public really see neither the beauties nor the defects of his plays.
an occurrence of something
From this reading But in the case of Shakespeare it is quite obvious that the public really see neither the beauties nor the defects of his plays.
checkingverbUS /ˈtʃekɪŋ/
-ing form of “check” — examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
From this reading The fact is, the public make use of the classics of a country as a means of checking the progress of Art.
classicsnounUS /ˈklæsɪks/
study of the literary works of ancient Greece and Rome
From this reading The fact is, the public make use of the classics of a country as a means of checking the progress of Art.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading The fact is, the public make use of the classics of a country as a means of checking the progress of Art.
defectsnounUS /ˈdiːfekts/
plural of “defect” — an imperfection in a bodily system
From this reading But in the case of Shakespeare it is quite obvious that the public really see neither the beauties nor the defects of his plays.
degradeverbUS /dɪˈɡreɪd/
reduce the level of land, as by erosion
From this reading They degrade the classics into authorities.
developmentnounUS /dɪˈveləpmənt/
act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining
From this reading If they saw the beauties, they would not object to the development of the drama; and if they saw the defects, they would not object to the development of the drama either.
dramanounUS /ˈdrɑːmə/
a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
From this reading If they saw the beauties, they would not object to the development of the drama; and if they saw the defects, they would not object to the development of the drama either.
one or the other of two
From this reading If they saw the beauties, they would not object to the development of the drama; and if they saw the defects, they would not object to the development of the drama either.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading They use them as bludgeons for preventing the free expression of Beauty in new forms.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading The fact is, the public make use of the classics of a country as a means of checking the progress of Art.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They use them as bludgeons for preventing the free expression of Beauty in new forms.
plural of “form” — the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading They use them as bludgeons for preventing the free expression of Beauty in new forms.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading They use them as bludgeons for preventing the free expression of Beauty in new forms.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But in the case of Shakespeare it is quite obvious that the public really see neither the beauties nor the defects of his plays.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If they saw the beauties, they would not object to the development of the drama; and if they saw the defects, they would not object to the development of the drama either.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But in the case of Shakespeare it is quite obvious that the public really see neither the beauties nor the defects of his plays.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading They degrade the classics into authorities.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But in the case of Shakespeare it is quite obvious that the public really see neither the beauties nor the defects of his plays.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But in the case of Shakespeare it is quite obvious that the public really see neither the beauties nor the defects of his plays.
engage in
From this reading The fact is, the public make use of the classics of a country as a means of checking the progress of Art.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading The fact is, the public make use of the classics of a country as a means of checking the progress of Art.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading But in the case of Shakespeare it is quite obvious that the public really see neither the beauties nor the defects of his plays.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading They use them as bludgeons for preventing the free expression of Beauty in new forms.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading But in the case of Shakespeare it is quite obvious that the public really see neither the beauties nor the defects of his plays.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading If they saw the beauties, they would not object to the development of the drama; and if they saw the defects, they would not object to the development of the drama either.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading If they saw the beauties, they would not object to the development of the drama; and if they saw the defects, they would not object to the development of the drama either.
obviousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːbviəs/
easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind
From this reading But in the case of Shakespeare it is quite obvious that the public really see neither the beauties nor the defects of his plays.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But in the case of Shakespeare it is quite obvious that the public really see neither the beauties nor the defects of his plays.
plural of “play” — a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
From this reading But in the case of Shakespeare it is quite obvious that the public really see neither the beauties nor the defects of his plays.
preventingverbUS /prɪˈventɪŋ/
-ing form of “prevent” — keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading They use them as bludgeons for preventing the free expression of Beauty in new forms.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading The fact is, the public make use of the classics of a country as a means of checking the progress of Art.
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading But in the case of Shakespeare it is quite obvious that the public really see neither the beauties nor the defects of his plays.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading But in the case of Shakespeare it is quite obvious that the public really see neither the beauties nor the defects of his plays.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading But in the case of Shakespeare it is quite obvious that the public really see neither the beauties nor the defects of his plays.
cut with a saw
From this reading If they saw the beauties, they would not object to the development of the drama; and if they saw the defects, they would not object to the development of the drama either.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading But in the case of Shakespeare it is quite obvious that the public really see neither the beauties nor the defects of his plays.
ShakespearenounUS /ˈʃeɪkspiːr/
English poet and dramatist considered one of the greatest English writers (1564-1616)
From this reading But in the case of Shakespeare it is quite obvious that the public really see neither the beauties nor the defects of his plays.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But in the case of Shakespeare it is quite obvious that the public really see neither the beauties nor the defects of his plays.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But in the case of Shakespeare it is quite obvious that the public really see neither the beauties nor the defects of his plays.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They use them as bludgeons for preventing the free expression of Beauty in new forms.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If they saw the beauties, they would not object to the development of the drama; and if they saw the defects, they would not object to the development of the drama either.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading If they saw the beauties, they would not object to the development of the drama; and if they saw the defects, they would not object to the development of the drama either.
the act of using
From this reading The fact is, the public make use of the classics of a country as a means of checking the progress of Art.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If they saw the beauties, they would not object to the development of the drama; and if they saw the defects, they would not object to the development of the drama either.
