Chapter III · Chapter 3

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

From this reading PROLOGUE, Written by a Person of Quality.

be in accord; be in agreement

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

(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 WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

surrounded by; in the company of

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.

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

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

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

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

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

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.

the two together, not just one

From this reading Thus, like a learned Conclave, Poets sit Catholick Judges both of Sense and Wit, And damn or save, as they themselves think fit.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Yet those who to others Faults are so severe, Are not so perfect, but themselves may err.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading PROLOGUE, Written by a Person of Quality.

a clique (often secret) that seeks power usually through intrigue

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

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

From this reading Thus, like a learned Conclave, Poets sit Catholick Judges both of Sense and Wit, And damn or save, as they themselves think fit.

harsh criticism or disapproval

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.

a confidential or secret meeting

From this reading Thus, like a learned Conclave, Poets sit Catholick Judges both of Sense and Wit, And damn or save, as they themselves think fit.

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

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

used as expletives

From this reading Thus, like a learned Conclave, Poets sit Catholick Judges both of Sense and Wit, And damn or save, as they themselves think fit.

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

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.

argue with one another

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

disagreeing, especially with a majority

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

plural of “doctor” — a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

plural of “drop” — a shape that is spherical and small

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

an acronym for emissions of light and very low frequency perturbations due to electromagnetic pulse sources

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.

to make a mistake or be incorrect

From this reading Yet those who to others Faults are so severe, Are not so perfect, but themselves may err.

plural of “fault” — a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention

From this reading Yet those who to others Faults are so severe, Are not so perfect, but themselves may err.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

be agreeable or acceptable to

From this reading Thus, like a learned Conclave, Poets sit Catholick Judges both of Sense and Wit, And damn or save, as they themselves think fit.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.

of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.

the emotion of intense dislike; a feeling of dislike so strong that it demands action

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.

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

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.

cause to move by striking

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.

a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.

expressing extreme contempt

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

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

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

determine the result of (a competition)

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.

a book of the Old Testament that tells the history of Israel under the leaders known as judges

From this reading Thus, like a learned Conclave, Poets sit Catholick Judges both of Sense and Wit, And damn or save, as they themselves think fit.

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.

feeling a need to see others suffer

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Yet those who to others Faults are so severe, Are not so perfect, but themselves may err.

the force of workers available

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.

plural of “monkey” — any of various long-tailed primates (excluding the prosimians)

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.

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

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

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

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading PROLOGUE, Written by a Person of Quality.

many times at short intervals

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.

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

From this reading Yet those who to others Faults are so severe, Are not so perfect, but themselves may err.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish

From this reading Yet those who to others Faults are so severe, Are not so perfect, but themselves may err.

a human being

From this reading PROLOGUE, Written by a Person of Quality.

plural of “physician” — a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

participate in games or sport

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

plural of “play” — a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.

a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.

plural of “poet” — a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)

From this reading Thus, like a learned Conclave, Poets sit Catholick Judges both of Sense and Wit, And damn or save, as they themselves think fit.

having great power or force or potency or effect

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

a feeling of self-respect and personal worth

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

an introduction to a play

From this reading PROLOGUE, Written by a Person of Quality.

plural of “purse” — a container used for carrying money and small personal items or accessories (especially by women)

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone

From this reading PROLOGUE, Written by a Person of Quality.

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

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.

action taken in return for an injury or offense

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.

inspiring scornful pity

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.

precisely, exactly

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.

except for; apart from

From this reading Thus, like a learned Conclave, Poets sit Catholick Judges both of Sense and Wit, And damn or save, as they themselves think fit.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading Thus, like a learned Conclave, Poets sit Catholick Judges both of Sense and Wit, And damn or save, as they themselves think fit.

intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality

From this reading Yet those who to others Faults are so severe, Are not so perfect, but themselves may err.

be seated

From this reading Thus, like a learned Conclave, Poets sit Catholick Judges both of Sense and Wit, And damn or save, as they themselves think fit.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.

an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

feeling a need to see others suffer

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.

institute legal proceedings against; file a suit against

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

carry out

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.

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

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.

in or at that place or location

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.

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

From this reading Thus, like a learned Conclave, Poets sit Catholick Judges both of Sense and Wit, And damn or save, as they themselves think fit.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading Thus, like a learned Conclave, Poets sit Catholick Judges both of Sense and Wit, And damn or save, as they themselves think fit.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading Thus, like a learned Conclave, Poets sit Catholick Judges both of Sense and Wit, And damn or save, as they themselves think fit.

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

From this reading Yet those who to others Faults are so severe, Are not so perfect, but themselves may err.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

not known

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

at the time that

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

which person or people

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

belonging to which person

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.

a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.

in the company of; together with

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

the basic human power of intelligent thought and perception

From this reading WITS, like Physicians, never can agree, When of a different Society; And _Rabel’s_ Drops were never more cry’d down By all the Learned Doctors of the Town, Than a new Play, whose Author is unknown: Nor can those Doctors with more Malice sue (And powerful Purses) the dissenting Few, Than those with an insulting Pride do rail At all who are not of their own Cabal.

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading PROLOGUE, Written by a Person of Quality.

but in spite of that

From this reading Yet those who to others Faults are so severe, Are not so perfect, but themselves may err.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading If a Young Poet hit your Humour right, You judge him then out of Revenge and Spite; So amongst Men there are ridiculous Elves, Who Monkeys hate for being too like themselves: So that the Reason of the Grand Debate, Why Wit so oft is damn’d, when good Plays take, Is, that you censure as you love or hate.