used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading _THE COUNTRY WIFE._ ACT THE FIRST.
ALITHEA'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LUCY, ALITHEA'S Maid.
using the voice; not silently
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
on or to one side
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
bawdnounUS /bɔːd/
a woman who engages in sexual intercourse for money
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
the two together, not just one
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading _THE COUNTRY WIFE._ ACT THE FIRST.
dearly loved
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
wanted intensely
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
to come or go into
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
FIRSTadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading _THE COUNTRY WIFE._ ACT THE FIRST.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
hastauxiliary verbUS /hæst/
an old form of “have”, used with “thou”
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
helpersnounUS /ˈhelpərz/
plural of “helper” — a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
HornnounUS /hɔːrn/
a noisemaker (as at parties or games) that makes a loud noise when you blow through it
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
HORNER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
HORNER'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Old Lady SQUEAMISH.
LodgingnounUS /ˈlɑːdʒɪŋ/
structures collectively in which people are housed
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading SCENE--LONDON.
incomplete skeleton of female found in eastern Ethiopia in 1974
From this reading LUCY, ALITHEA'S Maid.
a female domestic
From this reading LUCY, ALITHEA'S Maid.
midwifenounUS /ˈmɪdwaɪf/
a woman skilled in aiding the delivery of babies
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Old Lady SQUEAMISH.
pimpnounUS /pɪmp/
someone who procures customers for whores (in England they call a pimp a ponce)
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
QuacknounUS /kwæk/
an untrained person who pretends to be a physician and who dispenses medical advice
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
the place where some action occurs
From this reading SCENE--LONDON.
SQUEAMISHadjectiveUS /ˈskwiːmɪʃ/
excessively fastidious and easily disgusted
From this reading Old Lady SQUEAMISH.
not in physical motion
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _THE COUNTRY WIFE._ ACT THE FIRST.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
an old word for “you”, as the subject, speaking to one person
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
(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 SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
used to ask for information about something
From this reading SCENE I.--HORNER'S _Lodging._ _Enter_ HORNER, _and_ Quack _following him at a distance._ _Horn._ [_Aside._] A quack is as fit for a pimp, as a midwife for a bawd; they are still but in their way, both helpers of nature.--[_Aloud._] Well, my dear doctor, hast thou done what I desired?
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading _THE COUNTRY WIFE._ ACT THE FIRST.
![William Wycherley [Four Plays]](/static/images/covers-gen/william-wycherley-four-plays.academy.webp)