Chapter I

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.

-ing form of “abandon” — forsake, leave behind

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.

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.

with competence; in a competent capable manner

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.

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.

inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape

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.

contrived by art rather than nature

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.

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.

something causing misery or death

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.

a relation that provides the foundation for something

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.

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.

formed or made thin by hammering

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.

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.

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.

a strong flame that burns brightly

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.

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.

King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)

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.

a collection of things sharing a common attribute

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.

light and humorous drama with a happy ending

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.

past form of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

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 playwright remembered for his comedies (1670-1729)

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.

third-person singular of “continue” — continue a certain state, condition, or activity

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.

past form of “designate” — assign a name or title to

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.

third-person singular of “distinguish” — mark as different

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.

a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

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.

standing above others in quality or position

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.

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 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.

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

From this reading EVELYN.

not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality

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.

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.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

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.

set up or found

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.

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

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.

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.

a ceremony at which a dead person is buried or cremated

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.

coins made of gold

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.

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.

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.

characteristic of humanity

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.

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

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.

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.

a crafty and involved plot to achieve your (usually sinister) ends

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.

the act of beginning something new

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.

a characteristic state or mode of living

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.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

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.

social deportment

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.

an artist of consummate skill

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.

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.

the force of workers available

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.

used to form the superlative

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.

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

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.

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.

plural of “path” — a course of conduct

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.

past form of “perish” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

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.

having an agreeably pungent taste

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.

having a point

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.

plural of “production” — the act or process of producing something

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.

wood heaped for burning a dead body as a funeral rite

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.

have sovereign power

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.

the reign of Charles II in England; 1660-1685

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.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken 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.

witty language used to convey insults or scorn

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.

an educational institution

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.

put into a certain place or abstract location

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.

English poet and dramatist considered one of the greatest English writers (1564-1616)

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.

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.

Irish playwright remembered for his satirical comedies of manners (1751-1816)

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.

the Romance language spoken in most of Spain and the countries colonized by Spain

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.

distinguish oneself

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.

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.

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.

a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented

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.

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.

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.

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.

a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with

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.

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.

characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance

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.

of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity

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.

communicated in the form of words

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.

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.

characterized by high spirits and animation

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

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.

buildings for carrying on industrial labor

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.

plural of “writer” — writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

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.

English playwright noted for his humorous and satirical plays (1640-1716)

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.