Chapter I

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

From this reading A. S. BARNES & CO., NEW YORK.

later than; following

From this reading But critics commonly “count it a bondage to fix a belief,” and after clothing their question in the complexity of disquisition, they rarely “stay” for a clear and decisive answer.

plural of “age” — how long something has existed

From this reading Is it the business of the dramatist, critics ask successively through the ages, to inspire the playgoer with a deeper interest in the external circumstances which mould the fortunes of his heroes and heroines than in their individual temperaments and the inner workings of their minds and hearts?

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

From this reading Is it the business of the dramatist, critics ask successively through the ages, to inspire the playgoer with a deeper interest in the external circumstances which mould the fortunes of his heroes and heroines than in their individual temperaments and the inner workings of their minds and hearts?

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading Literary critics have many times during the past two thousand years waged battle with one another over the question whether drama owes its excellence chiefly to plot or chiefly to character.

react verbally

From this reading But critics commonly “count it a bondage to fix a belief,” and after clothing their question in the complexity of disquisition, they rarely “stay” for a clear and decisive answer.

make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading Is it the business of the dramatist, critics ask successively through the ages, to inspire the playgoer with a deeper interest in the external circumstances which mould the fortunes of his heroes and heroines than in their individual temperaments and the inner workings of their minds and hearts?

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

From this reading A. S. BARNES & CO., NEW YORK.

a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading Literary critics have many times during the past two thousand years waged battle with one another over the question whether drama owes its excellence chiefly to plot or chiefly to character.

any cognitive content held as true

From this reading But critics commonly “count it a bondage to fix a belief,” and after clothing their question in the complexity of disquisition, they rarely “stay” for a clear and decisive answer.

the state of being under the control of a force or influence or abstract power

From this reading But critics commonly “count it a bondage to fix a belief,” and after clothing their question in the complexity of disquisition, they rarely “stay” for a clear and decisive answer.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading Is it the business of the dramatist, critics ask successively through the ages, to inspire the playgoer with a deeper interest in the external circumstances which mould the fortunes of his heroes and heroines than in their individual temperaments and the inner workings of their minds and hearts?

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But critics commonly “count it a bondage to fix a belief,” and after clothing their question in the complexity of disquisition, they rarely “stay” for a clear and decisive answer.

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading Literary critics have many times during the past two thousand years waged battle with one another over the question whether drama owes its excellence chiefly to plot or chiefly to character.

for the most part

From this reading Literary critics have many times during the past two thousand years waged battle with one another over the question whether drama owes its excellence chiefly to plot or chiefly to character.

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading Is it the business of the dramatist, critics ask successively through the ages, to inspire the playgoer with a deeper interest in the external circumstances which mould the fortunes of his heroes and heroines than in their individual temperaments and the inner workings of their minds and hearts?

rid of obstructions

From this reading But critics commonly “count it a bondage to fix a belief,” and after clothing their question in the complexity of disquisition, they rarely “stay” for a clear and decisive answer.

a covering designed to be worn on a person's body

From this reading But critics commonly “count it a bondage to fix a belief,” and after clothing their question in the complexity of disquisition, they rarely “stay” for a clear and decisive answer.

an odorless very poisonous gas that is a product of incomplete combustion of carbon

From this reading A. S. BARNES & CO., NEW YORK.

used of a height or viewpoint

From this reading The glimmering light of dialectics usually involves in shadow one or other commanding phase of the problem.

under normal conditions

From this reading But critics commonly “count it a bondage to fix a belief,” and after clothing their question in the complexity of disquisition, they rarely “stay” for a clear and decisive answer.

the quality of being intricate and compounded

From this reading But critics commonly “count it a bondage to fix a belief,” and after clothing their question in the complexity of disquisition, they rarely “stay” for a clear and decisive answer.

determine the number or amount of

From this reading But critics commonly “count it a bondage to fix a belief,” and after clothing their question in the complexity of disquisition, they rarely “stay” for a clear and decisive answer.

plural of “critic” — a person who is professionally engaged in the analysis and interpretation of works of art

From this reading Literary critics have many times during the past two thousand years waged battle with one another over the question whether drama owes its excellence chiefly to plot or chiefly to character.

determining or having the power to determine an outcome

From this reading But critics commonly “count it a bondage to fix a belief,” and after clothing their question in the complexity of disquisition, they rarely “stay” for a clear and decisive answer.

comparative of “deeply” — to a great depth psychologically or emotionally

From this reading Is it the business of the dramatist, critics ask successively through the ages, to inspire the playgoer with a deeper interest in the external circumstances which mould the fortunes of his heroes and heroines than in their individual temperaments and the inner workings of their minds and hearts?

a rationale for dialectical materialism based on change through the conflict of opposing forces

From this reading The glimmering light of dialectics usually involves in shadow one or other commanding phase of the problem.

an elaborate analytical or explanatory essay or discussion

From this reading But critics commonly “count it a bondage to fix a belief,” and after clothing their question in the complexity of disquisition, they rarely “stay” for a clear and decisive answer.

a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

From this reading Literary critics have many times during the past two thousand years waged battle with one another over the question whether drama owes its excellence chiefly to plot or chiefly to character.

someone who writes plays

From this reading Is it the business of the dramatist, critics ask successively through the ages, to inspire the playgoer with a deeper interest in the external circumstances which mould the fortunes of his heroes and heroines than in their individual temperaments and the inner workings of their minds and hearts?

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading Literary critics have many times during the past two thousand years waged battle with one another over the question whether drama owes its excellence chiefly to plot or chiefly to character.

the quality of excelling; possessing good qualities in high degree

From this reading Literary critics have many times during the past two thousand years waged battle with one another over the question whether drama owes its excellence chiefly to plot or chiefly to character.

happening or arising or located outside or beyond some limits or especially surface

From this reading Is it the business of the dramatist, critics ask successively through the ages, to inspire the playgoer with a deeper interest in the external circumstances which mould the fortunes of his heroes and heroines than in their individual temperaments and the inner workings of their minds and hearts?

restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken

From this reading But critics commonly “count it a bondage to fix a belief,” and after clothing their question in the complexity of disquisition, they rarely “stay” for a clear and decisive answer.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But critics commonly “count it a bondage to fix a belief,” and after clothing their question in the complexity of disquisition, they rarely “stay” for a clear and decisive answer.

plural of “fortune” — an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another

From this reading Is it the business of the dramatist, critics ask successively through the ages, to inspire the playgoer with a deeper interest in the external circumstances which mould the fortunes of his heroes and heroines than in their individual temperaments and the inner workings of their minds and hearts?

a slight suggestion or vague understanding

From this reading The glimmering light of dialectics usually involves in shadow one or other commanding phase of the problem.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Literary critics have many times during the past two thousand years waged battle with one another over the question whether drama owes its excellence chiefly to plot or chiefly to character.

a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades

From this reading Is it the business of the dramatist, critics ask successively through the ages, to inspire the playgoer with a deeper interest in the external circumstances which mould the fortunes of his heroes and heroines than in their individual temperaments and the inner workings of their minds and hearts?

plural of “hero” — a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength

From this reading Is it the business of the dramatist, critics ask successively through the ages, to inspire the playgoer with a deeper interest in the external circumstances which mould the fortunes of his heroes and heroines than in their individual temperaments and the inner workings of their minds and hearts?

plural of “heroine” — the main good female character in a work of fiction

From this reading Is it the business of the dramatist, critics ask successively through the ages, to inspire the playgoer with a deeper interest in the external circumstances which mould the fortunes of his heroes and heroines than in their individual temperaments and the inner workings of their minds and hearts?

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

From this reading Is it the business of the dramatist, critics ask successively through the ages, to inspire the playgoer with a deeper interest in the external circumstances which mould the fortunes of his heroes and heroines than in their individual temperaments and the inner workings of their minds and hearts?

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

From this reading Is it the business of the dramatist, critics ask successively through the ages, to inspire the playgoer with a deeper interest in the external circumstances which mould the fortunes of his heroes and heroines than in their individual temperaments and the inner workings of their minds and hearts?

being or characteristic of a single thing or person

From this reading Is it the business of the dramatist, critics ask successively through the ages, to inspire the playgoer with a deeper interest in the external circumstances which mould the fortunes of his heroes and heroines than in their individual temperaments and the inner workings of their minds and hearts?

located inward

From this reading Is it the business of the dramatist, critics ask successively through the ages, to inspire the playgoer with a deeper interest in the external circumstances which mould the fortunes of his heroes and heroines than in their individual temperaments and the inner workings of their minds and hearts?

heighten or intensify

From this reading Is it the business of the dramatist, critics ask successively through the ages, to inspire the playgoer with a deeper interest in the external circumstances which mould the fortunes of his heroes and heroines than in their individual temperaments and the inner workings of their minds and hearts?

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading Is it the business of the dramatist, critics ask successively through the ages, to inspire the playgoer with a deeper interest in the external circumstances which mould the fortunes of his heroes and heroines than in their individual temperaments and the inner workings of their minds and hearts?

third-person singular of “involve” — connect closely and often incriminatingly

From this reading The glimmering light of dialectics usually involves in shadow one or other commanding phase of the problem.

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

From this reading Is it the business of the dramatist, critics ask successively through the ages, to inspire the playgoer with a deeper interest in the external circumstances which mould the fortunes of his heroes and heroines than in their individual temperaments and the inner workings of their minds and hearts?

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Is it the business of the dramatist, critics ask successively through the ages, to inspire the playgoer with a deeper interest in the external circumstances which mould the fortunes of his heroes and heroines than in their individual temperaments and the inner workings of their minds and hearts?

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Literary critics have many times during the past two thousand years waged battle with one another over the question whether drama owes its excellence chiefly to plot or chiefly to character.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading The glimmering light of dialectics usually involves in shadow one or other commanding phase of the problem.

of or relating to or characteristic of literature

From this reading Literary critics have many times during the past two thousand years waged battle with one another over the question whether drama owes its excellence chiefly to plot or chiefly to character.

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 Literary critics have many times during the past two thousand years waged battle with one another over the question whether drama owes its excellence chiefly to plot or chiefly to character.

plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason

From this reading Is it the business of the dramatist, critics ask successively through the ages, to inspire the playgoer with a deeper interest in the external circumstances which mould the fortunes of his heroes and heroines than in their individual temperaments and the inner workings of their minds and hearts?

form in clay, wax, etc

From this reading Is it the business of the dramatist, critics ask successively through the ages, to inspire the playgoer with a deeper interest in the external circumstances which mould the fortunes of his heroes and heroines than in their individual temperaments and the inner workings of their minds and hearts?

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading A. S. BARNES & CO., NEW YORK.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Is it the business of the dramatist, critics ask successively through the ages, to inspire the playgoer with a deeper interest in the external circumstances which mould the fortunes of his heroes and heroines than in their individual temperaments and the inner workings of their minds and hearts?

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Literary critics have many times during the past two thousand years waged battle with one another over the question whether drama owes its excellence chiefly to plot or chiefly to character.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Literary critics have many times during the past two thousand years waged battle with one another over the question whether drama owes its excellence chiefly to plot or chiefly to character.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading The glimmering light of dialectics usually involves in shadow one or other commanding phase of the problem.

above and across; more than

From this reading Literary critics have many times during the past two thousand years waged battle with one another over the question whether drama owes its excellence chiefly to plot or chiefly to character.

third-person singular of “owe” — be obliged to pay or repay

From this reading Literary critics have many times during the past two thousand years waged battle with one another over the question whether drama owes its excellence chiefly to plot or chiefly to character.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading Literary critics have many times during the past two thousand years waged battle with one another over the question whether drama owes its excellence chiefly to plot or chiefly to character.

any distinct time period in a sequence of events

From this reading The glimmering light of dialectics usually involves in shadow one or other commanding phase of the problem.

someone who attends the theater

From this reading Is it the business of the dramatist, critics ask successively through the ages, to inspire the playgoer with a deeper interest in the external circumstances which mould the fortunes of his heroes and heroines than in their individual temperaments and the inner workings of their minds and hearts?

a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)

From this reading Literary critics have many times during the past two thousand years waged battle with one another over the question whether drama owes its excellence chiefly to plot or chiefly to character.

a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved

From this reading The glimmering light of dialectics usually involves in shadow one or other commanding phase of the problem.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading Literary critics have many times during the past two thousand years waged battle with one another over the question whether drama owes its excellence chiefly to plot or chiefly to character.

not often

From this reading But critics commonly “count it a bondage to fix a belief,” and after clothing their question in the complexity of disquisition, they rarely “stay” for a clear and decisive answer.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading A. S. BARNES & CO., NEW YORK.

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading The glimmering light of dialectics usually involves in shadow one or other commanding phase of the problem.

stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading But critics commonly “count it a bondage to fix a belief,” and after clothing their question in the complexity of disquisition, they rarely “stay” for a clear and decisive answer.

in proper order or sequence

From this reading Is it the business of the dramatist, critics ask successively through the ages, to inspire the playgoer with a deeper interest in the external circumstances which mould the fortunes of his heroes and heroines than in their individual temperaments and the inner workings of their minds and hearts?

plural of “temperament” — your usual mood

From this reading Is it the business of the dramatist, critics ask successively through the ages, to inspire the playgoer with a deeper interest in the external circumstances which mould the fortunes of his heroes and heroines than in their individual temperaments and the inner workings of their minds and hearts?

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Is it the business of the dramatist, critics ask successively through the ages, to inspire the playgoer with a deeper interest in the external circumstances which mould the fortunes of his heroes and heroines than in their individual temperaments and the inner workings of their minds and hearts?

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

From this reading Literary critics have many times during the past two thousand years waged battle with one another over the question whether drama owes its excellence chiefly to plot or chiefly to character.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Is it the business of the dramatist, critics ask successively through the ages, to inspire the playgoer with a deeper interest in the external circumstances which mould the fortunes of his heroes and heroines than in their individual temperaments and the inner workings of their minds and hearts?

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

From this reading But critics commonly “count it a bondage to fix a belief,” and after clothing their question in the complexity of disquisition, they rarely “stay” for a clear and decisive answer.

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading Literary critics have many times during the past two thousand years waged battle with one another over the question whether drama owes its excellence chiefly to plot or chiefly to character.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Is it the business of the dramatist, critics ask successively through the ages, to inspire the playgoer with a deeper interest in the external circumstances which mould the fortunes of his heroes and heroines than in their individual temperaments and the inner workings of their minds and hearts?

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading Literary critics have many times during the past two thousand years waged battle with one another over the question whether drama owes its excellence chiefly to plot or chiefly to character.

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

From this reading Literary critics have many times during the past two thousand years waged battle with one another over the question whether drama owes its excellence chiefly to plot or chiefly to character.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Literary critics have many times during the past two thousand years waged battle with one another over the question whether drama owes its excellence chiefly to plot or chiefly to character.

under normal conditions

From this reading The glimmering light of dialectics usually involves in shadow one or other commanding phase of the problem.

past form of “wage” — carry on (wars, battles, or campaigns)

From this reading Literary critics have many times during the past two thousand years waged battle with one another over the question whether drama owes its excellence chiefly to plot or chiefly to character.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading Literary critics have many times during the past two thousand years waged battle with one another over the question whether drama owes its excellence chiefly to plot or chiefly to character.

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

From this reading Is it the business of the dramatist, critics ask successively through the ages, to inspire the playgoer with a deeper interest in the external circumstances which mould the fortunes of his heroes and heroines than in their individual temperaments and the inner workings of their minds and hearts?

in the company of; together with

From this reading Literary critics have many times during the past two thousand years waged battle with one another over the question whether drama owes its excellence chiefly to plot or chiefly to character.

the internal mechanism of a device

From this reading Is it the business of the dramatist, critics ask successively through the ages, to inspire the playgoer with a deeper interest in the external circumstances which mould the fortunes of his heroes and heroines than in their individual temperaments and the inner workings of their minds and hearts?

a late time of life

From this reading Literary critics have many times during the past two thousand years waged battle with one another over the question whether drama owes its excellence chiefly to plot or chiefly to character.

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading A. S. BARNES & CO., NEW YORK.