3
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Footnote 3: The comic or grotesque character of the Italian ballet, from which the English "Punch" takes his origin.]
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "When Pulcinella was in very bad spirits, she was the only one who could force a hearty burst of laughter, or even a smile from him: first she would be melancholy with him, then quieter, and at last quite cheerful and happy.
inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense
From this reading 'I and Love!' he cried, 'that would have an absurd look.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading 'I and Love!' he cried, 'that would have an absurd look.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "When Pulcinella was in very bad spirits, she was the only one who could force a hearty burst of laughter, or even a smile from him: first she would be melancholy with him, then quieter, and at last quite cheerful and happy.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "When Pulcinella was in very bad spirits, she was the only one who could force a hearty burst of laughter, or even a smile from him: first she would be melancholy with him, then quieter, and at last quite cheerful and happy.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading "When Pulcinella was in very bad spirits, she was the only one who could force a hearty burst of laughter, or even a smile from him: first she would be melancholy with him, then quieter, and at last quite cheerful and happy.
balletnounUS /bæˈleɪ/
a theatrical representation of a story that is performed to music by trained dancers
From this reading [Footnote 3: The comic or grotesque character of the Italian ballet, from which the English "Punch" takes his origin.]
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "When Pulcinella was in very bad spirits, she was the only one who could force a hearty burst of laughter, or even a smile from him: first she would be melancholy with him, then quieter, and at last quite cheerful and happy.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading "When Pulcinella was in very bad spirits, she was the only one who could force a hearty burst of laughter, or even a smile from him: first she would be melancholy with him, then quieter, and at last quite cheerful and happy.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading [Footnote 3: The comic or grotesque character of the Italian ballet, from which the English "Punch" takes his origin.]
being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits
From this reading "When Pulcinella was in very bad spirits, she was the only one who could force a hearty burst of laughter, or even a smile from him: first she would be melancholy with him, then quieter, and at last quite cheerful and happy.
comicadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmɪk/
arousing or provoking laughter
From this reading [Footnote 3: The comic or grotesque character of the Italian ballet, from which the English "Punch" takes his origin.]
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading "When Pulcinella was in very bad spirits, she was the only one who could force a hearty burst of laughter, or even a smile from him: first she would be melancholy with him, then quieter, and at last quite cheerful and happy.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading 'I and Love!' he cried, 'that would have an absurd look.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading [Footnote 3: The comic or grotesque character of the Italian ballet, from which the English "Punch" takes his origin.]
divisible by two
From this reading "When Pulcinella was in very bad spirits, she was the only one who could force a hearty burst of laughter, or even a smile from him: first she would be melancholy with him, then quieter, and at last quite cheerful and happy.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading "When Pulcinella was in very bad spirits, she was the only one who could force a hearty burst of laughter, or even a smile from him: first she would be melancholy with him, then quieter, and at last quite cheerful and happy.
a printed note placed below the text on a printed page
From this reading [Footnote 3: The comic or grotesque character of the Italian ballet, from which the English "Punch" takes his origin.]
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading "When Pulcinella was in very bad spirits, she was the only one who could force a hearty burst of laughter, or even a smile from him: first she would be melancholy with him, then quieter, and at last quite cheerful and happy.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading [Footnote 3: The comic or grotesque character of the Italian ballet, from which the English "Punch" takes his origin.]
grotesqueadjectiveUS /ɡroʊˈtesk/
distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
From this reading [Footnote 3: The comic or grotesque character of the Italian ballet, from which the English "Punch" takes his origin.]
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading "When Pulcinella was in very bad spirits, she was the only one who could force a hearty burst of laughter, or even a smile from him: first she would be melancholy with him, then quieter, and at last quite cheerful and happy.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading 'I and Love!' he cried, 'that would have an absurd look.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And he could not help laughing.
heartyadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrti/
showing warm and heartfelt friendliness
From this reading "When Pulcinella was in very bad spirits, she was the only one who could force a hearty burst of laughter, or even a smile from him: first she would be melancholy with him, then quieter, and at last quite cheerful and happy.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading And he could not help laughing.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "When Pulcinella was in very bad spirits, she was the only one who could force a hearty burst of laughter, or even a smile from him: first she would be melancholy with him, then quieter, and at last quite cheerful and happy.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading [Footnote 3: The comic or grotesque character of the Italian ballet, from which the English "Punch" takes his origin.]
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading 'I know very well what is the matter with you,' she said; 'yes, you're in love!'
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "When Pulcinella was in very bad spirits, she was the only one who could force a hearty burst of laughter, or even a smile from him: first she would be melancholy with him, then quieter, and at last quite cheerful and happy.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading 'I know very well what is the matter with you,' she said; 'yes, you're in love!'
a native or inhabitant of Italy
From this reading [Footnote 3: The comic or grotesque character of the Italian ballet, from which the English "Punch" takes his origin.]
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading 'I know very well what is the matter with you,' she said; 'yes, you're in love!'
immediately past
From this reading "When Pulcinella was in very bad spirits, she was the only one who could force a hearty burst of laughter, or even a smile from him: first she would be melancholy with him, then quieter, and at last quite cheerful and happy.
showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness
From this reading And he could not help laughing.
the sound of laughing
From this reading "When Pulcinella was in very bad spirits, she was the only one who could force a hearty burst of laughter, or even a smile from him: first she would be melancholy with him, then quieter, and at last quite cheerful and happy.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading 'I and Love!' he cried, 'that would have an absurd look.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading 'I know very well what is the matter with you,' she said; 'yes, you're in love!'
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading 'I know very well what is the matter with you,' she said; 'yes, you're in love!'
a feeling of thoughtful sadness
From this reading "When Pulcinella was in very bad spirits, she was the only one who could force a hearty burst of laughter, or even a smile from him: first she would be melancholy with him, then quieter, and at last quite cheerful and happy.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading And he could not help laughing.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading [Footnote 3: The comic or grotesque character of the Italian ballet, from which the English "Punch" takes his origin.]
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "When Pulcinella was in very bad spirits, she was the only one who could force a hearty burst of laughter, or even a smile from him: first she would be melancholy with him, then quieter, and at last quite cheerful and happy.
and nothing more
From this reading "When Pulcinella was in very bad spirits, she was the only one who could force a hearty burst of laughter, or even a smile from him: first she would be melancholy with him, then quieter, and at last quite cheerful and happy.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading [Footnote 3: The comic or grotesque character of the Italian ballet, from which the English "Punch" takes his origin.]
originnounUS /ˈɔːrədʒən/
the place where something begins, where it springs into being
From this reading [Footnote 3: The comic or grotesque character of the Italian ballet, from which the English "Punch" takes his origin.]
Pulcinella
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When Pulcinella was in very bad spirits, she was the only one who could force a hearty burst of laughter, or even a smile from him: first she would be melancholy with him, then quieter, and at last quite cheerful and happy.
PunchverbUS /pʌntʃ/
deliver a quick blow to
From this reading [Footnote 3: The comic or grotesque character of the Italian ballet, from which the English "Punch" takes his origin.]
quieteradjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪətər/
comparative of “quiet” — characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading "When Pulcinella was in very bad spirits, she was the only one who could force a hearty burst of laughter, or even a smile from him: first she would be melancholy with him, then quieter, and at last quite cheerful and happy.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading "When Pulcinella was in very bad spirits, she was the only one who could force a hearty burst of laughter, or even a smile from him: first she would be melancholy with him, then quieter, and at last quite cheerful and happy.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading 'I know very well what is the matter with you,' she said; 'yes, you're in love!'
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "When Pulcinella was in very bad spirits, she was the only one who could force a hearty burst of laughter, or even a smile from him: first she would be melancholy with him, then quieter, and at last quite cheerful and happy.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading "When Pulcinella was in very bad spirits, she was the only one who could force a hearty burst of laughter, or even a smile from him: first she would be melancholy with him, then quieter, and at last quite cheerful and happy.
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading "When Pulcinella was in very bad spirits, she was the only one who could force a hearty burst of laughter, or even a smile from him: first she would be melancholy with him, then quieter, and at last quite cheerful and happy.
plural of “take” — the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property
From this reading [Footnote 3: The comic or grotesque character of the Italian ballet, from which the English "Punch" takes his origin.]
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading 'I and Love!' he cried, 'that would have an absurd look.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading [Footnote 3: The comic or grotesque character of the Italian ballet, from which the English "Punch" takes his origin.]
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading "When Pulcinella was in very bad spirits, she was the only one who could force a hearty burst of laughter, or even a smile from him: first she would be melancholy with him, then quieter, and at last quite cheerful and happy.
precisely as stated
From this reading "When Pulcinella was in very bad spirits, she was the only one who could force a hearty burst of laughter, or even a smile from him: first she would be melancholy with him, then quieter, and at last quite cheerful and happy.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "When Pulcinella was in very bad spirits, she was the only one who could force a hearty burst of laughter, or even a smile from him: first she would be melancholy with him, then quieter, and at last quite cheerful and happy.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading 'I know very well what is the matter with you,' she said; 'yes, you're in love!'
used to ask for information about something
From this reading 'I know very well what is the matter with you,' she said; 'yes, you're in love!'
at the time that
From this reading "When Pulcinella was in very bad spirits, she was the only one who could force a hearty burst of laughter, or even a smile from him: first she would be melancholy with him, then quieter, and at last quite cheerful and happy.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading [Footnote 3: The comic or grotesque character of the Italian ballet, from which the English "Punch" takes his origin.]
which person or people
From this reading "When Pulcinella was in very bad spirits, she was the only one who could force a hearty burst of laughter, or even a smile from him: first she would be melancholy with him, then quieter, and at last quite cheerful and happy.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "When Pulcinella was in very bad spirits, she was the only one who could force a hearty burst of laughter, or even a smile from him: first she would be melancholy with him, then quieter, and at last quite cheerful and happy.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "When Pulcinella was in very bad spirits, she was the only one who could force a hearty burst of laughter, or even a smile from him: first she would be melancholy with him, then quieter, and at last quite cheerful and happy.
an affirmative
From this reading 'I know very well what is the matter with you,' she said; 'yes, you're in love!'
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading 'I know very well what is the matter with you,' she said; 'yes, you're in love!'
you're
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'I know very well what is the matter with you,' she said; 'yes, you're in love!'
