used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The retort is inevitable and a modern playwriter—say, Shaw or Pinero—would leave the audience to make it, Lady Teazle answering merely with an ironical bow.
addressingverbUS /əˈdresɪŋ/
-ing form of “address” — speak to
From this reading But Sheridan was not addressing subtle intellects, and he doesn’t let us off from the lady’s answer in good blunt terms: “That’s very true indeed, Sir Peter!
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After having married you I should never pretend to taste again, I allow.”
anew
From this reading After having married you I should never pretend to taste again, I allow.”
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading All playwrights have them, and Sheridan uses them very cleverly, if rather transparently.
make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading After having married you I should never pretend to taste again, I allow.”
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The retort is inevitable and a modern playwriter—say, Shaw or Pinero—would leave the audience to make it, Lady Teazle answering merely with an ironical bow.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The retort is inevitable and a modern playwriter—say, Shaw or Pinero—would leave the audience to make it, Lady Teazle answering merely with an ironical bow.
react verbally
From this reading But Sheridan was not addressing subtle intellects, and he doesn’t let us off from the lady’s answer in good blunt terms: “That’s very true indeed, Sir Peter!
answeringadjectiveUS /ˈænsərɪŋ/
replying
From this reading The retort is inevitable and a modern playwriter—say, Shaw or Pinero—would leave the audience to make it, Lady Teazle answering merely with an ironical bow.
a gathering of spectators or listeners at a (usually public) performance
From this reading The retort is inevitable and a modern playwriter—say, Shaw or Pinero—would leave the audience to make it, Lady Teazle answering merely with an ironical bow.
bluntadjectiveUS /blʌnt/
having a broad or rounded end
From this reading But Sheridan was not addressing subtle intellects, and he doesn’t let us off from the lady’s answer in good blunt terms: “That’s very true indeed, Sir Peter!
a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading The retort is inevitable and a modern playwriter—say, Shaw or Pinero—would leave the audience to make it, Lady Teazle answering merely with an ironical bow.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Sheridan was not addressing subtle intellects, and he doesn’t let us off from the lady’s answer in good blunt terms: “That’s very true indeed, Sir Peter!
cleverlyadverbUS /ˈklevərli/
in a clever manner
From this reading All playwrights have them, and Sheridan uses them very cleverly, if rather transparently.
doesn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Sheridan was not addressing subtle intellects, and he doesn’t let us off from the lady’s answer in good blunt terms: “That’s very true indeed, Sir Peter!
exposeverbUS /ɪkˈspoʊz/
expose or make accessible to some action or influence
From this reading But why expose these tricks of the trade?
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But Sheridan was not addressing subtle intellects, and he doesn’t let us off from the lady’s answer in good blunt terms: “That’s very true indeed, Sir Peter!
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading But Sheridan was not addressing subtle intellects, and he doesn’t let us off from the lady’s answer in good blunt terms: “That’s very true indeed, Sir Peter!
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading All playwrights have them, and Sheridan uses them very cleverly, if rather transparently.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading After having married you I should never pretend to taste again, I allow.”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But Sheridan was not addressing subtle intellects, and he doesn’t let us off from the lady’s answer in good blunt terms: “That’s very true indeed, Sir Peter!
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading After having married you I should never pretend to taste again, I allow.”
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading All playwrights have them, and Sheridan uses them very cleverly, if rather transparently.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But Sheridan was not addressing subtle intellects, and he doesn’t let us off from the lady’s answer in good blunt terms: “That’s very true indeed, Sir Peter!
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading But Sheridan was not addressing subtle intellects, and he doesn’t let us off from the lady’s answer in good blunt terms: “That’s very true indeed, Sir Peter!
inevitableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnevətəbəl/
incapable of being avoided or prevented
From this reading The retort is inevitable and a modern playwriter—say, Shaw or Pinero—would leave the audience to make it, Lady Teazle answering merely with an ironical bow.
intellectsnounUS /ˈɪntəlekts/
plural of “intellect” — knowledge and intellectual ability
From this reading But Sheridan was not addressing subtle intellects, and he doesn’t let us off from the lady’s answer in good blunt terms: “That’s very true indeed, Sir Peter!
ironicaladjectiveUS /aɪˈrɑːnɪkəl/
characterized by often poignant difference or incongruity between what is expected and what actually is
From this reading The retort is inevitable and a modern playwriter—say, Shaw or Pinero—would leave the audience to make it, Lady Teazle answering merely with an ironical bow.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The retort is inevitable and a modern playwriter—say, Shaw or Pinero—would leave the audience to make it, Lady Teazle answering merely with an ironical bow.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The retort is inevitable and a modern playwriter—say, Shaw or Pinero—would leave the audience to make it, Lady Teazle answering merely with an ironical bow.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading The retort is inevitable and a modern playwriter—say, Shaw or Pinero—would leave the audience to make it, Lady Teazle answering merely with an ironical bow.
lady'snounUS /ˈleɪdiz/
possessive form of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading But Sheridan was not addressing subtle intellects, and he doesn’t let us off from the lady’s answer in good blunt terms: “That’s very true indeed, Sir Peter!
go away from a place
From this reading The retort is inevitable and a modern playwriter—say, Shaw or Pinero—would leave the audience to make it, Lady Teazle answering merely with an ironical bow.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading But Sheridan was not addressing subtle intellects, and he doesn’t let us off from the lady’s answer in good blunt terms: “That’s very true indeed, Sir Peter!
engage in
From this reading The retort is inevitable and a modern playwriter—say, Shaw or Pinero—would leave the audience to make it, Lady Teazle answering merely with an ironical bow.
joined in matrimony
From this reading After having married you I should never pretend to taste again, I allow.”
and nothing more
From this reading The retort is inevitable and a modern playwriter—say, Shaw or Pinero—would leave the audience to make it, Lady Teazle answering merely with an ironical bow.
belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages
From this reading The retort is inevitable and a modern playwriter—say, Shaw or Pinero—would leave the audience to make it, Lady Teazle answering merely with an ironical bow.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading After having married you I should never pretend to taste again, I allow.”
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But Sheridan was not addressing subtle intellects, and he doesn’t let us off from the lady’s answer in good blunt terms: “That’s very true indeed, Sir Peter!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But why expose these tricks of the trade?
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading But Sheridan was not addressing subtle intellects, and he doesn’t let us off from the lady’s answer in good blunt terms: “That’s very true indeed, Sir Peter!
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The retort is inevitable and a modern playwriter—say, Shaw or Pinero—would leave the audience to make it, Lady Teazle answering merely with an ironical bow.
disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading But Sheridan was not addressing subtle intellects, and he doesn’t let us off from the lady’s answer in good blunt terms: “That’s very true indeed, Sir Peter!
Pinero
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The retort is inevitable and a modern playwriter—say, Shaw or Pinero—would leave the audience to make it, Lady Teazle answering merely with an ironical bow.
playwrightsnounUS /ˈpleɪraɪts/
plural of “playwright” — someone who writes plays
From this reading All playwrights have them, and Sheridan uses them very cleverly, if rather transparently.
playwriter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The retort is inevitable and a modern playwriter—say, Shaw or Pinero—would leave the audience to make it, Lady Teazle answering merely with an ironical bow.
pretendverbUS /priˈtend/
make believe with the intent to deceive
From this reading After having married you I should never pretend to taste again, I allow.”
on the contrary
From this reading All playwrights have them, and Sheridan uses them very cleverly, if rather transparently.
retortnounUS /ˈriːtɔːrt/
a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one)
From this reading The retort is inevitable and a modern playwriter—say, Shaw or Pinero—would leave the audience to make it, Lady Teazle answering merely with an ironical bow.
express in words
From this reading The retort is inevitable and a modern playwriter—say, Shaw or Pinero—would leave the audience to make it, Lady Teazle answering merely with an ironical bow.
ShawnounUS /ʃɔː/
United States clarinetist and leader of a swing band (1910-2004)
From this reading The retort is inevitable and a modern playwriter—say, Shaw or Pinero—would leave the audience to make it, Lady Teazle answering merely with an ironical bow.
SheridannounUS /ˈʃerɪdən/
Irish playwright remembered for his satirical comedies of manners (1751-1816)
From this reading But Sheridan was not addressing subtle intellects, and he doesn’t let us off from the lady’s answer in good blunt terms: “That’s very true indeed, Sir Peter!
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading After having married you I should never pretend to taste again, I allow.”
term of address for a man
From this reading But Sheridan was not addressing subtle intellects, and he doesn’t let us off from the lady’s answer in good blunt terms: “That’s very true indeed, Sir Peter!
subtleadjectiveUS /ˈsʌtəl/
difficult to detect or grasp by the mind or analyze
From this reading But Sheridan was not addressing subtle intellects, and he doesn’t let us off from the lady’s answer in good blunt terms: “That’s very true indeed, Sir Peter!
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading After having married you I should never pretend to taste again, I allow.”
Teazle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The retort is inevitable and a modern playwriter—say, Shaw or Pinero—would leave the audience to make it, Lady Teazle answering merely with an ironical bow.
status with respect to the relations between people or groups
From this reading But Sheridan was not addressing subtle intellects, and he doesn’t let us off from the lady’s answer in good blunt terms: “That’s very true indeed, Sir Peter!
That's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Sheridan was not addressing subtle intellects, and he doesn’t let us off from the lady’s answer in good blunt terms: “That’s very true indeed, Sir Peter!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The retort is inevitable and a modern playwriter—say, Shaw or Pinero—would leave the audience to make it, Lady Teazle answering merely with an ironical bow.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading All playwrights have them, and Sheridan uses them very cleverly, if rather transparently.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading But why expose these tricks of the trade?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The retort is inevitable and a modern playwriter—say, Shaw or Pinero—would leave the audience to make it, Lady Teazle answering merely with an ironical bow.
the commercial exchange (buying and selling on domestic or international markets) of goods and services
From this reading But why expose these tricks of the trade?
transparentlyadverbUS /trænˈsperəntli/
so as to be easily understood or seen through
From this reading All playwrights have them, and Sheridan uses them very cleverly, if rather transparently.
tricksnounUS /trɪks/
plural of “trick” — a cunning or deceitful action or device
From this reading But why expose these tricks of the trade?
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading But Sheridan was not addressing subtle intellects, and he doesn’t let us off from the lady’s answer in good blunt terms: “That’s very true indeed, Sir Peter!
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But Sheridan was not addressing subtle intellects, and he doesn’t let us off from the lady’s answer in good blunt terms: “That’s very true indeed, Sir Peter!
usesnounUS /ˈjuːsəz/
plural of “use” — the act of using
From this reading All playwrights have them, and Sheridan uses them very cleverly, if rather transparently.
precisely as stated
From this reading But Sheridan was not addressing subtle intellects, and he doesn’t let us off from the lady’s answer in good blunt terms: “That’s very true indeed, Sir Peter!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But Sheridan was not addressing subtle intellects, and he doesn’t let us off from the lady’s answer in good blunt terms: “That’s very true indeed, Sir Peter!
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading But why expose these tricks of the trade?
in the company of; together with
From this reading The retort is inevitable and a modern playwriter—say, Shaw or Pinero—would leave the audience to make it, Lady Teazle answering merely with an ironical bow.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The retort is inevitable and a modern playwriter—say, Shaw or Pinero—would leave the audience to make it, Lady Teazle answering merely with an ironical bow.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading After having married you I should never pretend to taste again, I allow.”
