Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading The devil dresses himself up in the guise of a Sunday play-producing society.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading It is very badly acted by actors and actresses who have not been able to spare sufficient time from their daily work to learn their parts as well as they should have done.

past form of “act” — perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading It is very badly acted by actors and actresses who have not been able to spare sufficient time from their daily work to learn their parts as well as they should have done.

plural of “actor” — a theatrical performer

From this reading It is very badly acted by actors and actresses who have not been able to spare sufficient time from their daily work to learn their parts as well as they should have done.

plural of “actress” — a female actor

From this reading It is very badly acted by actors and actresses who have not been able to spare sufficient time from their daily work to learn their parts as well as they should have done.

the act of admitting someone to enter

From this reading The play is surreptitiously performed in a theatre to which admission can be obtained only by members banded together for just such emergencies.

Having no one else present.

From this reading The audience comes full of a smug self-satisfaction at the thought that it is excessively intellectual and select, and that it alone can appreciate blasphemy or the vagaries of neurotic young women.

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

From this reading It is very badly acted by actors and actresses who have not been able to spare sufficient time from their daily work to learn their parts as well as they should have done.

recognize with gratitude; be grateful for

From this reading The audience comes full of a smug self-satisfaction at the thought that it is excessively intellectual and select, and that it alone can appreciate blasphemy or the vagaries of neurotic young women.

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

From this reading It is very badly acted by actors and actresses who have not been able to spare sufficient time from their daily work to learn their parts as well as they should have done.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The audience comes full of a smug self-satisfaction at the thought that it is excessively intellectual and select, and that it alone can appreciate blasphemy or the vagaries of neurotic young women.

a gathering of spectators or listeners at a (usually public) performance

From this reading The audience comes full of a smug self-satisfaction at the thought that it is excessively intellectual and select, and that it alone can appreciate blasphemy or the vagaries of neurotic young women.

to a severe or serious degree

From this reading It is very badly acted by actors and actresses who have not been able to spare sufficient time from their daily work to learn their parts as well as they should have done.

identified with a band especially around a leg

From this reading The play is surreptitiously performed in a theatre to which admission can be obtained only by members banded together for just such emergencies.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading The play is surreptitiously performed in a theatre to which admission can be obtained only by members banded together for just such emergencies.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It is very badly acted by actors and actresses who have not been able to spare sufficient time from their daily work to learn their parts as well as they should have done.

blasphemous language (expressing disrespect for God or for something sacred)

From this reading The audience comes full of a smug self-satisfaction at the thought that it is excessively intellectual and select, and that it alone can appreciate blasphemy or the vagaries of neurotic young women.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The play is surreptitiously performed in a theatre to which admission can be obtained only by members banded together for just such emergencies.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading The play is surreptitiously performed in a theatre to which admission can be obtained only by members banded together for just such emergencies.

plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract

From this reading The audience comes full of a smug self-satisfaction at the thought that it is excessively intellectual and select, and that it alone can appreciate blasphemy or the vagaries of neurotic young women.

every day; without missing a day

From this reading It is very badly acted by actors and actresses who have not been able to spare sufficient time from their daily work to learn their parts as well as they should have done.

(Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell

From this reading The devil dresses himself up in the guise of a Sunday play-producing society.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading It is very badly acted by actors and actresses who have not been able to spare sufficient time from their daily work to learn their parts as well as they should have done.

plural of “dress” — a one-piece garment for a woman; has skirt and bodice

From this reading The devil dresses himself up in the guise of a Sunday play-producing society.

plural of “emergency” — a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action

From this reading The play is surreptitiously performed in a theatre to which admission can be obtained only by members banded together for just such emergencies.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading The audience comes full of a smug self-satisfaction at the thought that it is excessively intellectual and select, and that it alone can appreciate blasphemy or the vagaries of neurotic young women.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The play is surreptitiously performed in a theatre to which admission can be obtained only by members banded together for just such emergencies.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It is very badly acted by actors and actresses who have not been able to spare sufficient time from their daily work to learn their parts as well as they should have done.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading The audience comes full of a smug self-satisfaction at the thought that it is excessively intellectual and select, and that it alone can appreciate blasphemy or the vagaries of neurotic young women.

an artful or simulated semblance

From this reading The devil dresses himself up in the guise of a Sunday play-producing society.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It is very badly acted by actors and actresses who have not been able to spare sufficient time from their daily work to learn their parts as well as they should have done.

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

From this reading The devil dresses himself up in the guise of a Sunday play-producing society.

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

From this reading The devil dresses himself up in the guise of a Sunday play-producing society.

of or associated with or requiring the use of the mind

From this reading The audience comes full of a smug self-satisfaction at the thought that it is excessively intellectual and select, and that it alone can appreciate blasphemy or the vagaries of neurotic young women.

in an intellectual manner

From this reading It sits intellectually in the theatre, and watches the play.

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

From this reading The play is surreptitiously performed in a theatre to which admission can be obtained only by members banded together for just such emergencies.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is very badly acted by actors and actresses who have not been able to spare sufficient time from their daily work to learn their parts as well as they should have done.

and nothing more

From this reading The play is surreptitiously performed in a theatre to which admission can be obtained only by members banded together for just such emergencies.

gain knowledge or skills

From this reading It is very badly acted by actors and actresses who have not been able to spare sufficient time from their daily work to learn their parts as well as they should have done.

plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)

From this reading The play is surreptitiously performed in a theatre to which admission can be obtained only by members banded together for just such emergencies.

characteristic of or affected by neurosis

From this reading The audience comes full of a smug self-satisfaction at the thought that it is excessively intellectual and select, and that it alone can appreciate blasphemy or the vagaries of neurotic young women.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It is very badly acted by actors and actresses who have not been able to spare sufficient time from their daily work to learn their parts as well as they should have done.

past form of “obtain” — come into possession of

From this reading The play is surreptitiously performed in a theatre to which admission can be obtained only by members banded together for just such emergencies.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The devil dresses himself up in the guise of a Sunday play-producing society.

and nothing more

From this reading The play is surreptitiously performed in a theatre to which admission can be obtained only by members banded together for just such emergencies.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The audience comes full of a smug self-satisfaction at the thought that it is excessively intellectual and select, and that it alone can appreciate blasphemy or the vagaries of neurotic young women.

the local environment

From this reading It is very badly acted by actors and actresses who have not been able to spare sufficient time from their daily work to learn their parts as well as they should have done.

past form of “perform” — carry out or perform an action

From this reading The play is surreptitiously performed in a theatre to which admission can be obtained only by members banded together for just such emergencies.

participate in games or sport

From this reading The play is surreptitiously performed in a theatre to which admission can be obtained only by members banded together for just such emergencies.

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

From this reading The devil dresses himself up in the guise of a Sunday play-producing society.

of superior grade

From this reading The audience comes full of a smug self-satisfaction at the thought that it is excessively intellectual and select, and that it alone can appreciate blasphemy or the vagaries of neurotic young women.

the feeling you have when you are satisfied with yourself

From this reading The audience comes full of a smug self-satisfaction at the thought that it is excessively intellectual and select, and that it alone can appreciate blasphemy or the vagaries of neurotic young women.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading It is very badly acted by actors and actresses who have not been able to spare sufficient time from their daily work to learn their parts as well as they should have done.

third-person singular of “sit” — be seated

From this reading It sits intellectually in the theatre, and watches the play.

marked by excessive complacency or self-satisfaction

From this reading The audience comes full of a smug self-satisfaction at the thought that it is excessively intellectual and select, and that it alone can appreciate blasphemy or the vagaries of neurotic young women.

an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

From this reading The devil dresses himself up in the guise of a Sunday play-producing society.

refrain from harming

From this reading It is very badly acted by actors and actresses who have not been able to spare sufficient time from their daily work to learn their parts as well as they should have done.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The play is surreptitiously performed in a theatre to which admission can be obtained only by members banded together for just such emergencies.

of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant

From this reading It is very badly acted by actors and actresses who have not been able to spare sufficient time from their daily work to learn their parts as well as they should have done.

first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians

From this reading The devil dresses himself up in the guise of a Sunday play-producing society.

in a surreptitious manner

From this reading The play is surreptitiously performed in a theatre to which admission can be obtained only by members banded together for just such emergencies.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The audience comes full of a smug self-satisfaction at the thought that it is excessively intellectual and select, and that it alone can appreciate blasphemy or the vagaries of neurotic young women.

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

From this reading The devil dresses himself up in the guise of a Sunday play-producing society.

a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented

From this reading The play is surreptitiously performed in a theatre to which admission can be obtained only by members banded together for just such emergencies.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It is very badly acted by actors and actresses who have not been able to spare sufficient time from their daily work to learn their parts as well as they should have done.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It is very badly acted by actors and actresses who have not been able to spare sufficient time from their daily work to learn their parts as well as they should have done.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading The audience comes full of a smug self-satisfaction at the thought that it is excessively intellectual and select, and that it alone can appreciate blasphemy or the vagaries of neurotic young women.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading It is very badly acted by actors and actresses who have not been able to spare sufficient time from their daily work to learn their parts as well as they should have done.

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

From this reading The play is surreptitiously performed in a theatre to which admission can be obtained only by members banded together for just such emergencies.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading The play is surreptitiously performed in a theatre to which admission can be obtained only by members banded together for just such emergencies.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading The devil dresses himself up in the guise of a Sunday play-producing society.

plural of “vagary” — an unexpected and inexplicable change in something (in a situation or a person's behavior, etc.)

From this reading The audience comes full of a smug self-satisfaction at the thought that it is excessively intellectual and select, and that it alone can appreciate blasphemy or the vagaries of neurotic young women.

precisely as stated

From this reading It is very badly acted by actors and actresses who have not been able to spare sufficient time from their daily work to learn their parts as well as they should have done.

plural of “watch” — a small portable timepiece

From this reading It sits intellectually in the theatre, and watches the play.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading It is very badly acted by actors and actresses who have not been able to spare sufficient time from their daily work to learn their parts as well as they should have done.

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

From this reading The play is surreptitiously performed in a theatre to which admission can be obtained only by members banded together for just such emergencies.

which person or people

From this reading It is very badly acted by actors and actresses who have not been able to spare sufficient time from their daily work to learn their parts as well as they should have done.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading The audience comes full of a smug self-satisfaction at the thought that it is excessively intellectual and select, and that it alone can appreciate blasphemy or the vagaries of neurotic young women.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading It is very badly acted by actors and actresses who have not been able to spare sufficient time from their daily work to learn their parts as well as they should have done.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading The audience comes full of a smug self-satisfaction at the thought that it is excessively intellectual and select, and that it alone can appreciate blasphemy or the vagaries of neurotic young women.