used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading If the stage is useful as a school of instruction, it is no less so as a source of amusement.
actornounUS /ˈæktər/
a theatrical performer
From this reading The merits of a new play, or of a new actor, are always among the first topics of polite conversation.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading It is the source of the greatest enjoyment at the time, and a never-failing fund of agreeable reflection afterwards.
conforming to your own liking or feelings or nature
From this reading It is the source of the greatest enjoyment at the time, and a never-failing fund of agreeable reflection afterwards.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading The merits of a new play, or of a new actor, are always among the first topics of polite conversation.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading The merits of a new play, or of a new actor, are always among the first topics of polite conversation.
a feeling of delight at being entertained
From this reading If the stage is useful as a school of instruction, it is no less so as a source of amusement.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It is the source of the greatest enjoyment at the time, and a never-failing fund of agreeable reflection afterwards.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The merits of a new play, or of a new actor, are always among the first topics of polite conversation.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading If the stage is useful as a school of instruction, it is no less so as a source of amusement.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It is the source of the greatest enjoyment at the time, and a never-failing fund of agreeable reflection afterwards.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading One way in which public exhibitions contribute to refine and humanise mankind, is by supplying them with ideas and subjects of conversation and interest in common.
civilisationnoun
the social process whereby societies achieve an advanced stage of development and organization
From this reading The progress of civilisation is in proportion to the number of common-places current in society.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading One way in which public exhibitions contribute to refine and humanise mankind, is by supplying them with ideas and subjects of conversation and interest in common.
common-places
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The progress of civilisation is in proportion to the number of common-places current in society.
contributeverbUS /kənˈtrɪbjuːt/
bestow a quality on
From this reading One way in which public exhibitions contribute to refine and humanise mankind, is by supplying them with ideas and subjects of conversation and interest in common.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading The merits of a new play, or of a new actor, are always among the first topics of polite conversation.
a flow of electricity through a conductor
From this reading The progress of civilisation is in proportion to the number of common-places current in society.
enjoymentnounUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪmənt/
the pleasure felt when having a good time
From this reading It is the source of the greatest enjoyment at the time, and a never-failing fund of agreeable reflection afterwards.
exhibitionsnounUS /ˌeksəˈbɪʃənz/
plural of “exhibition” — the act of exhibiting
From this reading One way in which public exhibitions contribute to refine and humanise mankind, is by supplying them with ideas and subjects of conversation and interest in common.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The merits of a new play, or of a new actor, are always among the first topics of polite conversation.
fundnounUS /fʌnd/
a reserve of money set aside for some purpose
From this reading It is the source of the greatest enjoyment at the time, and a never-failing fund of agreeable reflection afterwards.
highest in quality
From this reading It is the source of the greatest enjoyment at the time, and a never-failing fund of agreeable reflection afterwards.
humaniseverb
make more humane
From this reading One way in which public exhibitions contribute to refine and humanise mankind, is by supplying them with ideas and subjects of conversation and interest in common.
plural of “idea” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading One way in which public exhibitions contribute to refine and humanise mankind, is by supplying them with ideas and subjects of conversation and interest in common.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If the stage is useful as a school of instruction, it is no less so as a source of amusement.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading One way in which public exhibitions contribute to refine and humanise mankind, is by supplying them with ideas and subjects of conversation and interest in common.
instructionnounUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌkʃən/
a message describing how something is to be done
From this reading If the stage is useful as a school of instruction, it is no less so as a source of amusement.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading One way in which public exhibitions contribute to refine and humanise mankind, is by supplying them with ideas and subjects of conversation and interest in common.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If the stage is useful as a school of instruction, it is no less so as a source of amusement.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If the stage is useful as a school of instruction, it is no less so as a source of amusement.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading If the stage is useful as a school of instruction, it is no less so as a source of amusement.
mankindnounUS /ˈmænˈkaɪnd/
all of the living human inhabitants of the earth
From this reading One way in which public exhibitions contribute to refine and humanise mankind, is by supplying them with ideas and subjects of conversation and interest in common.
meritsnounUS /ˈmerəts/
plural of “merit” — any admirable quality or attribute
From this reading The merits of a new play, or of a new actor, are always among the first topics of polite conversation.
never-failing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the source of the greatest enjoyment at the time, and a never-failing fund of agreeable reflection afterwards.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The merits of a new play, or of a new actor, are always among the first topics of polite conversation.
not any; not one
From this reading If the stage is useful as a school of instruction, it is no less so as a source of amusement.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading The progress of civilisation is in proportion to the number of common-places current in society.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading If the stage is useful as a school of instruction, it is no less so as a source of amusement.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One way in which public exhibitions contribute to refine and humanise mankind, is by supplying them with ideas and subjects of conversation and interest in common.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The merits of a new play, or of a new actor, are always among the first topics of polite conversation.
participate in games or sport
From this reading The merits of a new play, or of a new actor, are always among the first topics of polite conversation.
politeadjectiveUS /pəˈlaɪt/
showing regard for others in manners, speech, behavior, etc.
From this reading The merits of a new play, or of a new actor, are always among the first topics of polite conversation.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading The progress of civilisation is in proportion to the number of common-places current in society.
proportionnounUS /prəˈpɔːrʃən/
the quotient obtained when the magnitude of a part is divided by the magnitude of the whole
From this reading The progress of civilisation is in proportion to the number of common-places current in society.
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading One way in which public exhibitions contribute to refine and humanise mankind, is by supplying them with ideas and subjects of conversation and interest in common.
refineverbUS /rəˈfaɪn/
improve or perfect by pruning or polishing
From this reading One way in which public exhibitions contribute to refine and humanise mankind, is by supplying them with ideas and subjects of conversation and interest in common.
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading It is the source of the greatest enjoyment at the time, and a never-failing fund of agreeable reflection afterwards.
an educational institution
From this reading If the stage is useful as a school of instruction, it is no less so as a source of amusement.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading If the stage is useful as a school of instruction, it is no less so as a source of amusement.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading The progress of civilisation is in proportion to the number of common-places current in society.
the place where something begins, where it springs into being
From this reading If the stage is useful as a school of instruction, it is no less so as a source of amusement.
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading If the stage is useful as a school of instruction, it is no less so as a source of amusement.
plural of “subject” — the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading One way in which public exhibitions contribute to refine and humanise mankind, is by supplying them with ideas and subjects of conversation and interest in common.
supplyingnounUS /səˈplaɪɪŋ/
the activity of supplying or providing something
From this reading One way in which public exhibitions contribute to refine and humanise mankind, is by supplying them with ideas and subjects of conversation and interest in common.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading If the stage is useful as a school of instruction, it is no less so as a source of amusement.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading One way in which public exhibitions contribute to refine and humanise mankind, is by supplying them with ideas and subjects of conversation and interest in common.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It is the source of the greatest enjoyment at the time, and a never-failing fund of agreeable reflection afterwards.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading One way in which public exhibitions contribute to refine and humanise mankind, is by supplying them with ideas and subjects of conversation and interest in common.
topicsnounUS /ˈtɑːpɪks/
plural of “topic” — the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading The merits of a new play, or of a new actor, are always among the first topics of polite conversation.
being of use or service
From this reading If the stage is useful as a school of instruction, it is no less so as a source of amusement.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading One way in which public exhibitions contribute to refine and humanise mankind, is by supplying them with ideas and subjects of conversation and interest in common.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading One way in which public exhibitions contribute to refine and humanise mankind, is by supplying them with ideas and subjects of conversation and interest in common.
in the company of; together with
From this reading One way in which public exhibitions contribute to refine and humanise mankind, is by supplying them with ideas and subjects of conversation and interest in common.
