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William Wycherley [Four Plays]
William Wycherley [Four Plays]

Chapter I

Cover illustration for William Wycherley [Four Plays]
Context Illustration Reading 1/96 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
As long as men are false and women vain, Whilst gold continues to be virtue's bane, In pointed satire WYCHERLEY shall reign.
EVELYN.
_INTRODUCTION._ William Wycherley was, before Congreve arose to surpass him, the most eminent master of that artificial school of Comedy which commenced with the restoration of Charles II., and which may be said to have perished, in a blaze as of a funeral pyre, with Sheridan.
Abandoning the beaten paths of English drama, the writers of this school found, in the various intrigue of the Spanish theatre, in the verbal vivacity and piquant satire of the French, a new basis for their productions.
Their works, as a class, have been designated the Comedy of Manners, a title which aptly distinguishes them from the Comedy of Human Life, set forth by Shakespeare.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

William Wycherley [Four Plays]

Chapter I

Reading 1/96 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
As long as men are false and women vain, Whilst gold continues to be virtue's bane, In pointed satire WYCHERLEY shall reign.
Line 2
EVELYN.
Line 3
_INTRODUCTION._ William Wycherley was, before Congreve arose to surpass him, the most eminent master of that artificial school of Comedy which commenced with the restoration of Charles II., and which may be said to have perished, in a blaze as of a funeral pyre, with Sheridan.
Line 4
Abandoning the beaten paths of English drama, the writers of this school found, in the various intrigue of the Spanish theatre, in the verbal vivacity and piquant satire of the French, a new basis for their productions.
Line 5
Their works, as a class, have been designated the Comedy of Manners, a title which aptly distinguishes them from the Comedy of Human Life, set forth by Shakespeare.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Their works, as a class, have been designated the Comedy of Manners, a title which aptly distinguishes them from the Comedy of Human Life, set forth by Shakespeare.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “_INTRODUCTION._ William Wycherley was, before Congreve arose to surpass him, the most eminent master of that artificial school of Comedy which commenced with the restoration of Charles II., and which may be said to have perished, in a blaze as of a funeral pyre, with Sheridan.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Abandoning the beaten paths of English drama, the writers of this school found, in the various intrigue of the Spanish theatre, in the verbal vivacity and piquant satire of the French, a new basis for their productions.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “_INTRODUCTION._ William Wycherley was, before Congreve arose to surpass him, the most eminent master of that artificial school of Comedy which commenced with the restoration of Charles II., and which may be said to have perished, in a blaze as of a funeral pyre, with Sheridan.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Their works, as a class, have been designated the Comedy of Manners, a title which aptly distinguishes them from the Comedy of Human Life, set forth by Shakespeare.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As long as men are false and women vain, Whilst gold continues to be virtue's bane, In pointed satire WYCHERLEY shall reign.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “_INTRODUCTION._ William Wycherley was, before Congreve arose to surpass him, the most eminent master of that artificial school of Comedy which commenced with the restoration of Charles II., and which may be said to have perished, in a blaze as of a funeral pyre, with Sheridan.”

Shall modal verb US /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading “As long as men are false and women vain, Whilst gold continues to be virtue's bane, In pointed satire WYCHERLEY shall reign.”

Whilst conjunction US /waɪlst/

an old and formal word for “while”

From this reading “As long as men are false and women vain, Whilst gold continues to be virtue's bane, In pointed satire WYCHERLEY shall reign.”

All words in this reading · 91

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading _INTRODUCTION._ William Wycherley was, before Congreve arose to surpass him, the most eminent master of that artificial school of Comedy which commenced with the restoration of Charles II., and which may be said to have perished, in a blaze as of a funeral pyre, with Sheridan.

Abandoning

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

From this reading Abandoning the beaten paths of English drama, the writers of this school found, in the various intrigue of the Spanish theatre, in the verbal vivacity and piquant satire of the French, a new basis for their productions.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading As long as men are false and women vain, Whilst gold continues to be virtue's bane, In pointed satire WYCHERLEY shall reign.

aptly

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

From this reading Their works, as a class, have been designated the Comedy of Manners, a title which aptly distinguishes them from the Comedy of Human Life, set forth by Shakespeare.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading As long as men are false and women vain, Whilst gold continues to be virtue's bane, In pointed satire WYCHERLEY shall reign.

arose

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

From this reading _INTRODUCTION._ William Wycherley was, before Congreve arose to surpass him, the most eminent master of that artificial school of Comedy which commenced with the restoration of Charles II., and which may be said to have perished, in a blaze as of a funeral pyre, with Sheridan.

artificial

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

From this reading _INTRODUCTION._ William Wycherley was, before Congreve arose to surpass him, the most eminent master of that artificial school of Comedy which commenced with the restoration of Charles II., and which may be said to have perished, in a blaze as of a funeral pyre, with Sheridan.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading As long as men are false and women vain, Whilst gold continues to be virtue's bane, In pointed satire WYCHERLEY shall reign.

bane

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

From this reading As long as men are false and women vain, Whilst gold continues to be virtue's bane, In pointed satire WYCHERLEY shall reign.

basis

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

From this reading Abandoning the beaten paths of English drama, the writers of this school found, in the various intrigue of the Spanish theatre, in the verbal vivacity and piquant satire of the French, a new basis for their productions.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading As long as men are false and women vain, Whilst gold continues to be virtue's bane, In pointed satire WYCHERLEY shall reign.

beaten

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

From this reading Abandoning the beaten paths of English drama, the writers of this school found, in the various intrigue of the Spanish theatre, in the verbal vivacity and piquant satire of the French, a new basis for their productions.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Their works, as a class, have been designated the Comedy of Manners, a title which aptly distinguishes them from the Comedy of Human Life, set forth by Shakespeare.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading _INTRODUCTION._ William Wycherley was, before Congreve arose to surpass him, the most eminent master of that artificial school of Comedy which commenced with the restoration of Charles II., and which may be said to have perished, in a blaze as of a funeral pyre, with Sheridan.

blaze

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

From this reading _INTRODUCTION._ William Wycherley was, before Congreve arose to surpass him, the most eminent master of that artificial school of Comedy which commenced with the restoration of Charles II., and which may be said to have perished, in a blaze as of a funeral pyre, with Sheridan.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Their works, as a class, have been designated the Comedy of Manners, a title which aptly distinguishes them from the Comedy of Human Life, set forth by Shakespeare.

Charles

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

From this reading _INTRODUCTION._ William Wycherley was, before Congreve arose to surpass him, the most eminent master of that artificial school of Comedy which commenced with the restoration of Charles II., and which may be said to have perished, in a blaze as of a funeral pyre, with Sheridan.

class

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

From this reading Their works, as a class, have been designated the Comedy of Manners, a title which aptly distinguishes them from the Comedy of Human Life, set forth by Shakespeare.

Comedy

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

From this reading _INTRODUCTION._ William Wycherley was, before Congreve arose to surpass him, the most eminent master of that artificial school of Comedy which commenced with the restoration of Charles II., and which may be said to have perished, in a blaze as of a funeral pyre, with Sheridan.

commenced

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

From this reading _INTRODUCTION._ William Wycherley was, before Congreve arose to surpass him, the most eminent master of that artificial school of Comedy which commenced with the restoration of Charles II., and which may be said to have perished, in a blaze as of a funeral pyre, with Sheridan.

Congreve

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

From this reading _INTRODUCTION._ William Wycherley was, before Congreve arose to surpass him, the most eminent master of that artificial school of Comedy which commenced with the restoration of Charles II., and which may be said to have perished, in a blaze as of a funeral pyre, with Sheridan.

continues

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

From this reading As long as men are false and women vain, Whilst gold continues to be virtue's bane, In pointed satire WYCHERLEY shall reign.

designated

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

From this reading Their works, as a class, have been designated the Comedy of Manners, a title which aptly distinguishes them from the Comedy of Human Life, set forth by Shakespeare.

distinguishes

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

From this reading Their works, as a class, have been designated the Comedy of Manners, a title which aptly distinguishes them from the Comedy of Human Life, set forth by Shakespeare.

drama

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

From this reading Abandoning the beaten paths of English drama, the writers of this school found, in the various intrigue of the Spanish theatre, in the verbal vivacity and piquant satire of the French, a new basis for their productions.

eminent

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

From this reading _INTRODUCTION._ William Wycherley was, before Congreve arose to surpass him, the most eminent master of that artificial school of Comedy which commenced with the restoration of Charles II., and which may be said to have perished, in a blaze as of a funeral pyre, with Sheridan.

English

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

From this reading Abandoning the beaten paths of English drama, the writers of this school found, in the various intrigue of the Spanish theatre, in the verbal vivacity and piquant satire of the French, a new basis for their productions.

EVELYN

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

From this reading EVELYN.

false

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

From this reading As long as men are false and women vain, Whilst gold continues to be virtue's bane, In pointed satire WYCHERLEY shall reign.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Abandoning the beaten paths of English drama, the writers of this school found, in the various intrigue of the Spanish theatre, in the verbal vivacity and piquant satire of the French, a new basis for their productions.

forth

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

From this reading Their works, as a class, have been designated the Comedy of Manners, a title which aptly distinguishes them from the Comedy of Human Life, set forth by Shakespeare.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Abandoning the beaten paths of English drama, the writers of this school found, in the various intrigue of the Spanish theatre, in the verbal vivacity and piquant satire of the French, a new basis for their productions.

French

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

From this reading Abandoning the beaten paths of English drama, the writers of this school found, in the various intrigue of the Spanish theatre, in the verbal vivacity and piquant satire of the French, a new basis for their productions.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Their works, as a class, have been designated the Comedy of Manners, a title which aptly distinguishes them from the Comedy of Human Life, set forth by Shakespeare.

funeral

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

From this reading _INTRODUCTION._ William Wycherley was, before Congreve arose to surpass him, the most eminent master of that artificial school of Comedy which commenced with the restoration of Charles II., and which may be said to have perished, in a blaze as of a funeral pyre, with Sheridan.

gold

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

From this reading As long as men are false and women vain, Whilst gold continues to be virtue's bane, In pointed satire WYCHERLEY shall reign.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading _INTRODUCTION._ William Wycherley was, before Congreve arose to surpass him, the most eminent master of that artificial school of Comedy which commenced with the restoration of Charles II., and which may be said to have perished, in a blaze as of a funeral pyre, with Sheridan.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading _INTRODUCTION._ William Wycherley was, before Congreve arose to surpass him, the most eminent master of that artificial school of Comedy which commenced with the restoration of Charles II., and which may be said to have perished, in a blaze as of a funeral pyre, with Sheridan.

Human

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

From this reading Their works, as a class, have been designated the Comedy of Manners, a title which aptly distinguishes them from the Comedy of Human Life, set forth by Shakespeare.

II

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

From this reading _INTRODUCTION._ William Wycherley was, before Congreve arose to surpass him, the most eminent master of that artificial school of Comedy which commenced with the restoration of Charles II., and which may be said to have perished, in a blaze as of a funeral pyre, with Sheridan.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading As long as men are false and women vain, Whilst gold continues to be virtue's bane, In pointed satire WYCHERLEY shall reign.

intrigue

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

From this reading Abandoning the beaten paths of English drama, the writers of this school found, in the various intrigue of the Spanish theatre, in the verbal vivacity and piquant satire of the French, a new basis for their productions.

INTRODUCTION

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

From this reading _INTRODUCTION._ William Wycherley was, before Congreve arose to surpass him, the most eminent master of that artificial school of Comedy which commenced with the restoration of Charles II., and which may be said to have perished, in a blaze as of a funeral pyre, with Sheridan.

LifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Their works, as a class, have been designated the Comedy of Manners, a title which aptly distinguishes them from the Comedy of Human Life, set forth by Shakespeare.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As long as men are false and women vain, Whilst gold continues to be virtue's bane, In pointed satire WYCHERLEY shall reign.

Manners

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

From this reading Their works, as a class, have been designated the Comedy of Manners, a title which aptly distinguishes them from the Comedy of Human Life, set forth by Shakespeare.

master

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

From this reading _INTRODUCTION._ William Wycherley was, before Congreve arose to surpass him, the most eminent master of that artificial school of Comedy which commenced with the restoration of Charles II., and which may be said to have perished, in a blaze as of a funeral pyre, with Sheridan.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading _INTRODUCTION._ William Wycherley was, before Congreve arose to surpass him, the most eminent master of that artificial school of Comedy which commenced with the restoration of Charles II., and which may be said to have perished, in a blaze as of a funeral pyre, with Sheridan.

men

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

From this reading As long as men are false and women vain, Whilst gold continues to be virtue's bane, In pointed satire WYCHERLEY shall reign.

most

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

From this reading _INTRODUCTION._ William Wycherley was, before Congreve arose to surpass him, the most eminent master of that artificial school of Comedy which commenced with the restoration of Charles II., and which may be said to have perished, in a blaze as of a funeral pyre, with Sheridan.

new

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

From this reading Abandoning the beaten paths of English drama, the writers of this school found, in the various intrigue of the Spanish theatre, in the verbal vivacity and piquant satire of the French, a new basis for their productions.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _INTRODUCTION._ William Wycherley was, before Congreve arose to surpass him, the most eminent master of that artificial school of Comedy which commenced with the restoration of Charles II., and which may be said to have perished, in a blaze as of a funeral pyre, with Sheridan.

paths

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

From this reading Abandoning the beaten paths of English drama, the writers of this school found, in the various intrigue of the Spanish theatre, in the verbal vivacity and piquant satire of the French, a new basis for their productions.

perished

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

From this reading _INTRODUCTION._ William Wycherley was, before Congreve arose to surpass him, the most eminent master of that artificial school of Comedy which commenced with the restoration of Charles II., and which may be said to have perished, in a blaze as of a funeral pyre, with Sheridan.

piquant

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

From this reading Abandoning the beaten paths of English drama, the writers of this school found, in the various intrigue of the Spanish theatre, in the verbal vivacity and piquant satire of the French, a new basis for their productions.

pointed

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

From this reading As long as men are false and women vain, Whilst gold continues to be virtue's bane, In pointed satire WYCHERLEY shall reign.

productions

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

From this reading Abandoning the beaten paths of English drama, the writers of this school found, in the various intrigue of the Spanish theatre, in the verbal vivacity and piquant satire of the French, a new basis for their productions.

pyre

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

From this reading _INTRODUCTION._ William Wycherley was, before Congreve arose to surpass him, the most eminent master of that artificial school of Comedy which commenced with the restoration of Charles II., and which may be said to have perished, in a blaze as of a funeral pyre, with Sheridan.

reign

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

From this reading As long as men are false and women vain, Whilst gold continues to be virtue's bane, In pointed satire WYCHERLEY shall reign.

restoration

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

From this reading _INTRODUCTION._ William Wycherley was, before Congreve arose to surpass him, the most eminent master of that artificial school of Comedy which commenced with the restoration of Charles II., and which may be said to have perished, in a blaze as of a funeral pyre, with Sheridan.

said

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

From this reading _INTRODUCTION._ William Wycherley was, before Congreve arose to surpass him, the most eminent master of that artificial school of Comedy which commenced with the restoration of Charles II., and which may be said to have perished, in a blaze as of a funeral pyre, with Sheridan.

satire

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

From this reading As long as men are false and women vain, Whilst gold continues to be virtue's bane, In pointed satire WYCHERLEY shall reign.

school

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

From this reading _INTRODUCTION._ William Wycherley was, before Congreve arose to surpass him, the most eminent master of that artificial school of Comedy which commenced with the restoration of Charles II., and which may be said to have perished, in a blaze as of a funeral pyre, with Sheridan.

set

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

From this reading Their works, as a class, have been designated the Comedy of Manners, a title which aptly distinguishes them from the Comedy of Human Life, set forth by Shakespeare.

Shakespeare

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

From this reading Their works, as a class, have been designated the Comedy of Manners, a title which aptly distinguishes them from the Comedy of Human Life, set forth by Shakespeare.

shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading As long as men are false and women vain, Whilst gold continues to be virtue's bane, In pointed satire WYCHERLEY shall reign.

Sheridan

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

From this reading _INTRODUCTION._ William Wycherley was, before Congreve arose to surpass him, the most eminent master of that artificial school of Comedy which commenced with the restoration of Charles II., and which may be said to have perished, in a blaze as of a funeral pyre, with Sheridan.

Spanish

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

From this reading Abandoning the beaten paths of English drama, the writers of this school found, in the various intrigue of the Spanish theatre, in the verbal vivacity and piquant satire of the French, a new basis for their productions.

surpass

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

From this reading _INTRODUCTION._ William Wycherley was, before Congreve arose to surpass him, the most eminent master of that artificial school of Comedy which commenced with the restoration of Charles II., and which may be said to have perished, in a blaze as of a funeral pyre, with Sheridan.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading _INTRODUCTION._ William Wycherley was, before Congreve arose to surpass him, the most eminent master of that artificial school of Comedy which commenced with the restoration of Charles II., and which may be said to have perished, in a blaze as of a funeral pyre, with Sheridan.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading _INTRODUCTION._ William Wycherley was, before Congreve arose to surpass him, the most eminent master of that artificial school of Comedy which commenced with the restoration of Charles II., and which may be said to have perished, in a blaze as of a funeral pyre, with Sheridan.

theatre

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

From this reading Abandoning the beaten paths of English drama, the writers of this school found, in the various intrigue of the Spanish theatre, in the verbal vivacity and piquant satire of the French, a new basis for their productions.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Abandoning the beaten paths of English drama, the writers of this school found, in the various intrigue of the Spanish theatre, in the verbal vivacity and piquant satire of the French, a new basis for their productions.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Their works, as a class, have been designated the Comedy of Manners, a title which aptly distinguishes them from the Comedy of Human Life, set forth by Shakespeare.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Abandoning the beaten paths of English drama, the writers of this school found, in the various intrigue of the Spanish theatre, in the verbal vivacity and piquant satire of the French, a new basis for their productions.

title

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

From this reading Their works, as a class, have been designated the Comedy of Manners, a title which aptly distinguishes them from the Comedy of Human Life, set forth by Shakespeare.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading As long as men are false and women vain, Whilst gold continues to be virtue's bane, In pointed satire WYCHERLEY shall reign.

vain

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

From this reading As long as men are false and women vain, Whilst gold continues to be virtue's bane, In pointed satire WYCHERLEY shall reign.

various

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

From this reading Abandoning the beaten paths of English drama, the writers of this school found, in the various intrigue of the Spanish theatre, in the verbal vivacity and piquant satire of the French, a new basis for their productions.

verbal

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

From this reading Abandoning the beaten paths of English drama, the writers of this school found, in the various intrigue of the Spanish theatre, in the verbal vivacity and piquant satire of the French, a new basis for their productions.

virtue's

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

From this reading As long as men are false and women vain, Whilst gold continues to be virtue's bane, In pointed satire WYCHERLEY shall reign.

vivacity

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

From this reading Abandoning the beaten paths of English drama, the writers of this school found, in the various intrigue of the Spanish theatre, in the verbal vivacity and piquant satire of the French, a new basis for their productions.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading _INTRODUCTION._ William Wycherley was, before Congreve arose to surpass him, the most eminent master of that artificial school of Comedy which commenced with the restoration of Charles II., and which may be said to have perished, in a blaze as of a funeral pyre, with Sheridan.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading _INTRODUCTION._ William Wycherley was, before Congreve arose to surpass him, the most eminent master of that artificial school of Comedy which commenced with the restoration of Charles II., and which may be said to have perished, in a blaze as of a funeral pyre, with Sheridan.

WhilstconjunctionUS /waɪlst/

an old and formal word for “while”

From this reading As long as men are false and women vain, Whilst gold continues to be virtue's bane, In pointed satire WYCHERLEY shall reign.

William

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

From this reading _INTRODUCTION._ William Wycherley was, before Congreve arose to surpass him, the most eminent master of that artificial school of Comedy which commenced with the restoration of Charles II., and which may be said to have perished, in a blaze as of a funeral pyre, with Sheridan.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading _INTRODUCTION._ William Wycherley was, before Congreve arose to surpass him, the most eminent master of that artificial school of Comedy which commenced with the restoration of Charles II., and which may be said to have perished, in a blaze as of a funeral pyre, with Sheridan.

women

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

From this reading As long as men are false and women vain, Whilst gold continues to be virtue's bane, In pointed satire WYCHERLEY shall reign.

works

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

From this reading Their works, as a class, have been designated the Comedy of Manners, a title which aptly distinguishes them from the Comedy of Human Life, set forth by Shakespeare.

writers

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

From this reading Abandoning the beaten paths of English drama, the writers of this school found, in the various intrigue of the Spanish theatre, in the verbal vivacity and piquant satire of the French, a new basis for their productions.

WYCHERLEY

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

From this reading As long as men are false and women vain, Whilst gold continues to be virtue's bane, In pointed satire WYCHERLEY shall reign.