AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE HAND OF ETHELBERTA--A COMEDY IN CHAPTERS by Thomas Hardy.
acceptverbUS /ækˈsept/
consider or hold as true
From this reading A high degree of probability was not attempted in the arrangement of the incidents, and there was expected of the reader a certain lightness of mood, which should inform him with a good-natured willingness to accept the production in the spirit in which it was offered.
accuratelyadverbUS /ˈækjərətli/
with few mistakes
From this reading This somewhat frivolous narrative was produced as an interlude between stories of a more sober design, and it was given the sub-title of a comedy to indicate--though not quite accurately--the aim of the performance.
aimverbUS /eɪm/
point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards
From this reading This somewhat frivolous narrative was produced as an interlude between stories of a more sober design, and it was given the sub-title of a comedy to indicate--though not quite accurately--the aim of the performance.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading This somewhat frivolous narrative was produced as an interlude between stories of a more sober design, and it was given the sub-title of a comedy to indicate--though not quite accurately--the aim of the performance.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This somewhat frivolous narrative was produced as an interlude between stories of a more sober design, and it was given the sub-title of a comedy to indicate--though not quite accurately--the aim of the performance.
arrangementnounUS /ərˈeɪndʒmənt/
the thing arranged or agreed to
From this reading A high degree of probability was not attempted in the arrangement of the incidents, and there was expected of the reader a certain lightness of mood, which should inform him with a good-natured willingness to accept the production in the spirit in which it was offered.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading This somewhat frivolous narrative was produced as an interlude between stories of a more sober design, and it was given the sub-title of a comedy to indicate--though not quite accurately--the aim of the performance.
attemptedadjectiveUS /əˈtemptɪd/
tried unsuccessfully
From this reading A high degree of probability was not attempted in the arrangement of the incidents, and there was expected of the reader a certain lightness of mood, which should inform him with a good-natured willingness to accept the production in the spirit in which it was offered.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The characters themselves, however, were meant to be consistent and human.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading This somewhat frivolous narrative was produced as an interlude between stories of a more sober design, and it was given the sub-title of a comedy to indicate--though not quite accurately--the aim of the performance.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE HAND OF ETHELBERTA--A COMEDY IN CHAPTERS by Thomas Hardy.
celant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Vitae post-scenia celant."--Lucretius.
certainadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtən/
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading A high degree of probability was not attempted in the arrangement of the incidents, and there was expected of the reader a certain lightness of mood, which should inform him with a good-natured willingness to accept the production in the spirit in which it was offered.
CHAPTERSnounUS /ˈtʃæptərz/
plural of “chapter” — a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
From this reading THE HAND OF ETHELBERTA--A COMEDY IN CHAPTERS by Thomas Hardy.
charactersnounUS /ˈkærəktərz/
plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading The characters themselves, however, were meant to be consistent and human.
COMEDYnounUS /ˈkɑːmədi/
light and humorous drama with a happy ending
From this reading THE HAND OF ETHELBERTA--A COMEDY IN CHAPTERS by Thomas Hardy.
consistentadjectiveUS /kənˈsɪstənt/
(sometimes followed by “with”) in agreement or consistent or reliable
From this reading The characters themselves, however, were meant to be consistent and human.
degreenounUS /dɪˈɡriː/
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading A high degree of probability was not attempted in the arrangement of the incidents, and there was expected of the reader a certain lightness of mood, which should inform him with a good-natured willingness to accept the production in the spirit in which it was offered.
designnounUS /dɪˈzaɪn/
the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)
From this reading This somewhat frivolous narrative was produced as an interlude between stories of a more sober design, and it was given the sub-title of a comedy to indicate--though not quite accurately--the aim of the performance.
ETHELBERTA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HAND OF ETHELBERTA--A COMEDY IN CHAPTERS by Thomas Hardy.
expectedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspektəd/
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading A high degree of probability was not attempted in the arrangement of the incidents, and there was expected of the reader a certain lightness of mood, which should inform him with a good-natured willingness to accept the production in the spirit in which it was offered.
frivolousadjectiveUS /ˈfrɪvələs/
not serious in content or attitude or behavior
From this reading This somewhat frivolous narrative was produced as an interlude between stories of a more sober design, and it was given the sub-title of a comedy to indicate--though not quite accurately--the aim of the performance.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading This somewhat frivolous narrative was produced as an interlude between stories of a more sober design, and it was given the sub-title of a comedy to indicate--though not quite accurately--the aim of the performance.
good-naturedadjective
having an easygoing and cheerful disposition
From this reading A high degree of probability was not attempted in the arrangement of the incidents, and there was expected of the reader a certain lightness of mood, which should inform him with a good-natured willingness to accept the production in the spirit in which it was offered.
HANDnounUS /hænd/
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading THE HAND OF ETHELBERTA--A COMEDY IN CHAPTERS by Thomas Hardy.
HardyadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrdi/
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
From this reading THE HAND OF ETHELBERTA--A COMEDY IN CHAPTERS by Thomas Hardy.
highadjectiveUS /haɪ/
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading A high degree of probability was not attempted in the arrangement of the incidents, and there was expected of the reader a certain lightness of mood, which should inform him with a good-natured willingness to accept the production in the spirit in which it was offered.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A high degree of probability was not attempted in the arrangement of the incidents, and there was expected of the reader a certain lightness of mood, which should inform him with a good-natured willingness to accept the production in the spirit in which it was offered.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading The characters themselves, however, were meant to be consistent and human.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading The characters themselves, however, were meant to be consistent and human.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE HAND OF ETHELBERTA--A COMEDY IN CHAPTERS by Thomas Hardy.
incidentsnounUS /ˈɪnsədənts/
plural of “incident” — a single distinct event
From this reading A high degree of probability was not attempted in the arrangement of the incidents, and there was expected of the reader a certain lightness of mood, which should inform him with a good-natured willingness to accept the production in the spirit in which it was offered.
indicateverbUS /ˈɪndəkeɪt/
be a signal for or a symptom of
From this reading This somewhat frivolous narrative was produced as an interlude between stories of a more sober design, and it was given the sub-title of a comedy to indicate--though not quite accurately--the aim of the performance.
informverbUS /ˌɪnˈfɔːrm/
impart knowledge of some fact, state of affairs, or event to
From this reading A high degree of probability was not attempted in the arrangement of the incidents, and there was expected of the reader a certain lightness of mood, which should inform him with a good-natured willingness to accept the production in the spirit in which it was offered.
interludenounUS /ˈɪntərluːd/
an intervening period or episode
From this reading This somewhat frivolous narrative was produced as an interlude between stories of a more sober design, and it was given the sub-title of a comedy to indicate--though not quite accurately--the aim of the performance.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This somewhat frivolous narrative was produced as an interlude between stories of a more sober design, and it was given the sub-title of a comedy to indicate--though not quite accurately--the aim of the performance.
lightnessnounUS /ˈlaɪtnəs/
a feeling of joy and pride
From this reading A high degree of probability was not attempted in the arrangement of the incidents, and there was expected of the reader a certain lightness of mood, which should inform him with a good-natured willingness to accept the production in the spirit in which it was offered.
Lucretiusnoun
Roman philosopher and poet; in a long didactic poem he tried to provide a scientific explanation of the universe (96-55 BC)
From this reading "Vitae post-scenia celant."--Lucretius.
meantverbUS /ment/
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading The characters themselves, however, were meant to be consistent and human.
moodnounUS /muːd/
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading A high degree of probability was not attempted in the arrangement of the incidents, and there was expected of the reader a certain lightness of mood, which should inform him with a good-natured willingness to accept the production in the spirit in which it was offered.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading This somewhat frivolous narrative was produced as an interlude between stories of a more sober design, and it was given the sub-title of a comedy to indicate--though not quite accurately--the aim of the performance.
narrativenounUS /ˈnærətɪv/
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading This somewhat frivolous narrative was produced as an interlude between stories of a more sober design, and it was given the sub-title of a comedy to indicate--though not quite accurately--the aim of the performance.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading This somewhat frivolous narrative was produced as an interlude between stories of a more sober design, and it was given the sub-title of a comedy to indicate--though not quite accurately--the aim of the performance.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE HAND OF ETHELBERTA--A COMEDY IN CHAPTERS by Thomas Hardy.
offeredverbUS /ˈɔːfərd/
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading A high degree of probability was not attempted in the arrangement of the incidents, and there was expected of the reader a certain lightness of mood, which should inform him with a good-natured willingness to accept the production in the spirit in which it was offered.
performancenounUS /pərˈfɔːrməns/
a dramatic or musical entertainment
From this reading This somewhat frivolous narrative was produced as an interlude between stories of a more sober design, and it was given the sub-title of a comedy to indicate--though not quite accurately--the aim of the performance.
post-scenia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Vitae post-scenia celant."--Lucretius.
probabilitynounUS /ˌprɑːbəˈbɪlətiː/
a measure of how likely it is that some event will occur; a number expressing the ratio of favorable cases to the whole number of cases possible
From this reading A high degree of probability was not attempted in the arrangement of the incidents, and there was expected of the reader a certain lightness of mood, which should inform him with a good-natured willingness to accept the production in the spirit in which it was offered.
producedverbUS /prəˈduːst/
past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield
From this reading This somewhat frivolous narrative was produced as an interlude between stories of a more sober design, and it was given the sub-title of a comedy to indicate--though not quite accurately--the aim of the performance.
productionnounUS /prəˈdʌkʃən/
the act or process of producing something
From this reading A high degree of probability was not attempted in the arrangement of the incidents, and there was expected of the reader a certain lightness of mood, which should inform him with a good-natured willingness to accept the production in the spirit in which it was offered.
quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading This somewhat frivolous narrative was produced as an interlude between stories of a more sober design, and it was given the sub-title of a comedy to indicate--though not quite accurately--the aim of the performance.
readernounUS /ˈriːdər/
a person who enjoys reading
From this reading A high degree of probability was not attempted in the arrangement of the incidents, and there was expected of the reader a certain lightness of mood, which should inform him with a good-natured willingness to accept the production in the spirit in which it was offered.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading A high degree of probability was not attempted in the arrangement of the incidents, and there was expected of the reader a certain lightness of mood, which should inform him with a good-natured willingness to accept the production in the spirit in which it was offered.
soberadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊbər/
not affected by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
From this reading This somewhat frivolous narrative was produced as an interlude between stories of a more sober design, and it was given the sub-title of a comedy to indicate--though not quite accurately--the aim of the performance.
somewhatadverbUS /ˈsʌmˈwʌt/
to a small degree or extent
From this reading This somewhat frivolous narrative was produced as an interlude between stories of a more sober design, and it was given the sub-title of a comedy to indicate--though not quite accurately--the aim of the performance.
spiritnounUS /ˈspɪrət/
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading A high degree of probability was not attempted in the arrangement of the incidents, and there was expected of the reader a certain lightness of mood, which should inform him with a good-natured willingness to accept the production in the spirit in which it was offered.
storiesnounUS /ˈstɔːriz/
plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading This somewhat frivolous narrative was produced as an interlude between stories of a more sober design, and it was given the sub-title of a comedy to indicate--though not quite accurately--the aim of the performance.
sub-title
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This somewhat frivolous narrative was produced as an interlude between stories of a more sober design, and it was given the sub-title of a comedy to indicate--though not quite accurately--the aim of the performance.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE HAND OF ETHELBERTA--A COMEDY IN CHAPTERS by Thomas Hardy.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading The characters themselves, however, were meant to be consistent and human.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading A high degree of probability was not attempted in the arrangement of the incidents, and there was expected of the reader a certain lightness of mood, which should inform him with a good-natured willingness to accept the production in the spirit in which it was offered.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This somewhat frivolous narrative was produced as an interlude between stories of a more sober design, and it was given the sub-title of a comedy to indicate--though not quite accurately--the aim of the performance.
ThomasnounUS /ˈtɑːməs/
United States clockmaker who introduced mass production (1785-1859)
From this reading THE HAND OF ETHELBERTA--A COMEDY IN CHAPTERS by Thomas Hardy.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading This somewhat frivolous narrative was produced as an interlude between stories of a more sober design, and it was given the sub-title of a comedy to indicate--though not quite accurately--the aim of the performance.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This somewhat frivolous narrative was produced as an interlude between stories of a more sober design, and it was given the sub-title of a comedy to indicate--though not quite accurately--the aim of the performance.
Vitae
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Vitae post-scenia celant."--Lucretius.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This somewhat frivolous narrative was produced as an interlude between stories of a more sober design, and it was given the sub-title of a comedy to indicate--though not quite accurately--the aim of the performance.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The characters themselves, however, were meant to be consistent and human.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A high degree of probability was not attempted in the arrangement of the incidents, and there was expected of the reader a certain lightness of mood, which should inform him with a good-natured willingness to accept the production in the spirit in which it was offered.
willingnessnounUS /ˈwɪlɪŋnəs/
cheerful compliance
From this reading A high degree of probability was not attempted in the arrangement of the incidents, and there was expected of the reader a certain lightness of mood, which should inform him with a good-natured willingness to accept the production in the spirit in which it was offered.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading A high degree of probability was not attempted in the arrangement of the incidents, and there was expected of the reader a certain lightness of mood, which should inform him with a good-natured willingness to accept the production in the spirit in which it was offered.
