Chapter XII · Chapter 12

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

From this reading He had learned readily what was expected of him, and though it seemed rather odd to make his gestures, his exits and entrances before nothing more than the eye of a camera, he soon had become accustomed to it after the days of rehearsal.

commonly used or practiced; usual

From this reading He had learned readily what was expected of him, and though it seemed rather odd to make his gestures, his exits and entrances before nothing more than the eye of a camera, he soon had become accustomed to it after the days of rehearsal.

something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading In his time he had played many parts, so the necessary action, or "business," as it is called, was not hard for him.

a theatrical performer

From this reading THE PHOTO DRAMA Mr. DeVere was an excellent actor.

later than; following

From this reading He had learned readily what was expected of him, and though it seemed rather odd to make his gestures, his exits and entrances before nothing more than the eye of a camera, he soon had become accustomed to it after the days of rehearsal.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading THE PHOTO DRAMA Mr. DeVere was an excellent actor.

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

From this reading He had learned readily what was expected of him, and though it seemed rather odd to make his gestures, his exits and entrances before nothing more than the eye of a camera, he soon had become accustomed to it after the days of rehearsal.

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

From this reading In his time he had played many parts, so the necessary action, or "business," as it is called, was not hard for him.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Or, at the most, when some vital part of the little play called for speaking, he had only to whisper to give the "cue" to the others.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading He had learned readily what was expected of him, and though it seemed rather odd to make his gestures, his exits and entrances before nothing more than the eye of a camera, he soon had become accustomed to it after the days of rehearsal.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He had learned readily what was expected of him, and though it seemed rather odd to make his gestures, his exits and entrances before nothing more than the eye of a camera, he soon had become accustomed to it after the days of rehearsal.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading In his time he had played many parts, so the necessary action, or "business," as it is called, was not hard for him.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading In his time he had played many parts, so the necessary action, or "business," as it is called, was not hard for him.

equipment for taking photographs (usually consisting of a lightproof box with a lens at one end and light-sensitive film at the other)

From this reading He had learned readily what was expected of him, and though it seemed rather odd to make his gestures, his exits and entrances before nothing more than the eye of a camera, he soon had become accustomed to it after the days of rehearsal.

an actor's line that immediately precedes and serves as a reminder for some action or speech

From this reading Or, at the most, when some vital part of the little play called for speaking, he had only to whisper to give the "cue" to the others.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading He had learned readily what was expected of him, and though it seemed rather odd to make his gestures, his exits and entrances before nothing more than the eye of a camera, he soon had become accustomed to it after the days of rehearsal.

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

From this reading THE PHOTO DRAMA Mr. DeVere was an excellent actor.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading And the great point was that he did not have to use his voice.

a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

From this reading THE PHOTO DRAMA Mr. DeVere was an excellent actor.

plural of “entrance” — something that provides access (to get in or get out)

From this reading He had learned readily what was expected of him, and though it seemed rather odd to make his gestures, his exits and entrances before nothing more than the eye of a camera, he soon had become accustomed to it after the days of rehearsal.

very good; of the highest quality

From this reading THE PHOTO DRAMA Mr. DeVere was an excellent actor.

plural of “exit” — an opening that permits escape or release

From this reading He had learned readily what was expected of him, and though it seemed rather odd to make his gestures, his exits and entrances before nothing more than the eye of a camera, he soon had become accustomed to it after the days of rehearsal.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading He had learned readily what was expected of him, and though it seemed rather odd to make his gestures, his exits and entrances before nothing more than the eye of a camera, he soon had become accustomed to it after the days of rehearsal.

the organ of sight

From this reading He had learned readily what was expected of him, and though it seemed rather odd to make his gestures, his exits and entrances before nothing more than the eye of a camera, he soon had become accustomed to it after the days of rehearsal.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In his time he had played many parts, so the necessary action, or "business," as it is called, was not hard for him.

plural of “gesture” — motion of hands or body to emphasize or help to express a thought or feeling

From this reading He had learned readily what was expected of him, and though it seemed rather odd to make his gestures, his exits and entrances before nothing more than the eye of a camera, he soon had become accustomed to it after the days of rehearsal.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading Or, at the most, when some vital part of the little play called for speaking, he had only to whisper to give the "cue" to the others.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading And the great point was that he did not have to use his voice.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading In his time he had played many parts, so the necessary action, or "business," as it is called, was not hard for him.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading In his time he had played many parts, so the necessary action, or "business," as it is called, was not hard for him.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading And the great point was that he did not have to use his voice.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading In his time he had played many parts, so the necessary action, or "business," as it is called, was not hard for him.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading In his time he had played many parts, so the necessary action, or "business," as it is called, was not hard for him.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading In his time he had played many parts, so the necessary action, or "business," as it is called, was not hard for him.

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

From this reading In his time he had played many parts, so the necessary action, or "business," as it is called, was not hard for him.

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

From this reading In his time he had played many parts, so the necessary action, or "business," as it is called, was not hard for him.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading In his time he had played many parts, so the necessary action, or "business," as it is called, was not hard for him.

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading He had learned readily what was expected of him, and though it seemed rather odd to make his gestures, his exits and entrances before nothing more than the eye of a camera, he soon had become accustomed to it after the days of rehearsal.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Or, at the most, when some vital part of the little play called for speaking, he had only to whisper to give the "cue" to the others.

engage in

From this reading He had learned readily what was expected of him, and though it seemed rather odd to make his gestures, his exits and entrances before nothing more than the eye of a camera, he soon had become accustomed to it after the days of rehearsal.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading In his time he had played many parts, so the necessary action, or "business," as it is called, was not hard for him.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading He had learned readily what was expected of him, and though it seemed rather odd to make his gestures, his exits and entrances before nothing more than the eye of a camera, he soon had become accustomed to it after the days of rehearsal.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Or, at the most, when some vital part of the little play called for speaking, he had only to whisper to give the "cue" to the others.

a form of address for a man

From this reading THE PHOTO DRAMA Mr. DeVere was an excellent actor.

absolutely essential

From this reading In his time he had played many parts, so the necessary action, or "business," as it is called, was not hard for him.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading In his time he had played many parts, so the necessary action, or "business," as it is called, was not hard for him.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading He had learned readily what was expected of him, and though it seemed rather odd to make his gestures, his exits and entrances before nothing more than the eye of a camera, he soon had become accustomed to it after the days of rehearsal.

not divisible by two

From this reading He had learned readily what was expected of him, and though it seemed rather odd to make his gestures, his exits and entrances before nothing more than the eye of a camera, he soon had become accustomed to it after the days of rehearsal.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He had learned readily what was expected of him, and though it seemed rather odd to make his gestures, his exits and entrances before nothing more than the eye of a camera, he soon had become accustomed to it after the days of rehearsal.

and nothing more

From this reading Or, at the most, when some vital part of the little play called for speaking, he had only to whisper to give the "cue" to the others.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading In his time he had played many parts, so the necessary action, or "business," as it is called, was not hard for him.

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

From this reading Or, at the most, when some vital part of the little play called for speaking, he had only to whisper to give the "cue" to the others.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading Or, at the most, when some vital part of the little play called for speaking, he had only to whisper to give the "cue" to the others.

the local environment

From this reading In his time he had played many parts, so the necessary action, or "business," as it is called, was not hard for him.

a representation of a person or scene in the form of a print or transparent slide or in digital format

From this reading THE PHOTO DRAMA Mr. DeVere was an excellent actor.

participate in games or sport

From this reading Or, at the most, when some vital part of the little play called for speaking, he had only to whisper to give the "cue" to the others.

(of games) engaged in

From this reading In his time he had played many parts, so the necessary action, or "business," as it is called, was not hard for him.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading And the great point was that he did not have to use his voice.

on the contrary

From this reading He had learned readily what was expected of him, and though it seemed rather odd to make his gestures, his exits and entrances before nothing more than the eye of a camera, he soon had become accustomed to it after the days of rehearsal.

without much difficulty

From this reading He had learned readily what was expected of him, and though it seemed rather odd to make his gestures, his exits and entrances before nothing more than the eye of a camera, he soon had become accustomed to it after the days of rehearsal.

a practice session in preparation for a public performance (as of a play or speech or concert)

From this reading He had learned readily what was expected of him, and though it seemed rather odd to make his gestures, his exits and entrances before nothing more than the eye of a camera, he soon had become accustomed to it after the days of rehearsal.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading He had learned readily what was expected of him, and though it seemed rather odd to make his gestures, his exits and entrances before nothing more than the eye of a camera, he soon had become accustomed to it after the days of rehearsal.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading In his time he had played many parts, so the necessary action, or "business," as it is called, was not hard for him.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Or, at the most, when some vital part of the little play called for speaking, he had only to whisper to give the "cue" to the others.

in the near future

From this reading He had learned readily what was expected of him, and though it seemed rather odd to make his gestures, his exits and entrances before nothing more than the eye of a camera, he soon had become accustomed to it after the days of rehearsal.

the utterance of intelligible speech

From this reading Or, at the most, when some vital part of the little play called for speaking, he had only to whisper to give the "cue" to the others.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading He had learned readily what was expected of him, and though it seemed rather odd to make his gestures, his exits and entrances before nothing more than the eye of a camera, he soon had become accustomed to it after the days of rehearsal.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading And the great point was that he did not have to use his voice.

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

From this reading THE PHOTO DRAMA Mr. DeVere was an excellent actor.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading He had learned readily what was expected of him, and though it seemed rather odd to make his gestures, his exits and entrances before nothing more than the eye of a camera, he soon had become accustomed to it after the days of rehearsal.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading In his time he had played many parts, so the necessary action, or "business," as it is called, was not hard for him.

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

From this reading He had learned readily what was expected of him, and though it seemed rather odd to make his gestures, his exits and entrances before nothing more than the eye of a camera, he soon had become accustomed to it after the days of rehearsal.

the act of using

From this reading And the great point was that he did not have to use his voice.

urgently needed; absolutely necessary

From this reading Or, at the most, when some vital part of the little play called for speaking, he had only to whisper to give the "cue" to the others.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading And the great point was that he did not have to use his voice.

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

From this reading THE PHOTO DRAMA Mr. DeVere was an excellent actor.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading He had learned readily what was expected of him, and though it seemed rather odd to make his gestures, his exits and entrances before nothing more than the eye of a camera, he soon had become accustomed to it after the days of rehearsal.

at the time that

From this reading Or, at the most, when some vital part of the little play called for speaking, he had only to whisper to give the "cue" to the others.

speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords

From this reading Or, at the most, when some vital part of the little play called for speaking, he had only to whisper to give the "cue" to the others.