used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading WILLIAM--THE GREAT ACTOR It was announced in the village that the Literary Society was going to give a play on Christmas Eve.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It did not much matter who gave it or what it was about or what it was in aid of, but the village had begun to expect a play of some sort on Christmas Eve.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading So the Literary Society had stepped into the breach, and had announced that it was going to act a play in aid of its Cinematograph Fund.
ACTORnounUS /ˈæktər/
a theatrical performer
From this reading WILLIAM--THE GREAT ACTOR It was announced in the village that the Literary Society was going to give a play on Christmas Eve.
a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do
From this reading It did not much matter who gave it or what it was about or what it was in aid of, but the village had begun to expect a play of some sort on Christmas Eve.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading William’s sister Ethel and her friends had at first decided to do scenes from “As You Like It,” but this had fallen through partly because Ethel had succumbed to influenza as soon as the cast was arranged, and partly because of other complications too involved to enter into.
declared publicly; made widely known
From this reading WILLIAM--THE GREAT ACTOR It was announced in the village that the Literary Society was going to give a play on Christmas Eve.
disposed or placed in a particular kind of order
From this reading William’s sister Ethel and her friends had at first decided to do scenes from “As You Like It,” but this had fallen through partly because Ethel had succumbed to influenza as soon as the cast was arranged, and partly because of other complications too involved to enter into.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading William’s sister Ethel and her friends had at first decided to do scenes from “As You Like It,” but this had fallen through partly because Ethel had succumbed to influenza as soon as the cast was arranged, and partly because of other complications too involved to enter into.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading William’s sister Ethel and her friends had at first decided to do scenes from “As You Like It,” but this had fallen through partly because Ethel had succumbed to influenza as soon as the cast was arranged, and partly because of other complications too involved to enter into.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was a tradition that a play should be given in the village every Christmas Eve.
for the reason that
From this reading William’s sister Ethel and her friends had at first decided to do scenes from “As You Like It,” but this had fallen through partly because Ethel had succumbed to influenza as soon as the cast was arranged, and partly because of other complications too involved to enter into.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading It did not much matter who gave it or what it was about or what it was in aid of, but the village had begun to expect a play of some sort on Christmas Eve.
breachverbUS /briːtʃ/
act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises
From this reading So the Literary Society had stepped into the breach, and had announced that it was going to act a play in aid of its Cinematograph Fund.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It did not much matter who gave it or what it was about or what it was in aid of, but the village had begun to expect a play of some sort on Christmas Eve.
put or send forth
From this reading William’s sister Ethel and her friends had at first decided to do scenes from “As You Like It,” but this had fallen through partly because Ethel had succumbed to influenza as soon as the cast was arranged, and partly because of other complications too involved to enter into.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading WILLIAM--THE GREAT ACTOR It was announced in the village that the Literary Society was going to give a play on Christmas Eve.
Cinematograph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the Literary Society had stepped into the breach, and had announced that it was going to act a play in aid of its Cinematograph Fund.
complicationsnounUS /ˌkɑːmpləˈkeɪʃənz/
plural of “complication” — the act or process of complicating
From this reading William’s sister Ethel and her friends had at first decided to do scenes from “As You Like It,” but this had fallen through partly because Ethel had succumbed to influenza as soon as the cast was arranged, and partly because of other complications too involved to enter into.
recognizable; marked
From this reading William’s sister Ethel and her friends had at first decided to do scenes from “As You Like It,” but this had fallen through partly because Ethel had succumbed to influenza as soon as the cast was arranged, and partly because of other complications too involved to enter into.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading It did not much matter who gave it or what it was about or what it was in aid of, but the village had begun to expect a play of some sort on Christmas Eve.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading William’s sister Ethel and her friends had at first decided to do scenes from “As You Like It,” but this had fallen through partly because Ethel had succumbed to influenza as soon as the cast was arranged, and partly because of other complications too involved to enter into.
to come or go into
From this reading William’s sister Ethel and her friends had at first decided to do scenes from “As You Like It,” but this had fallen through partly because Ethel had succumbed to influenza as soon as the cast was arranged, and partly because of other complications too involved to enter into.
Ethel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading William’s sister Ethel and her friends had at first decided to do scenes from “As You Like It,” but this had fallen through partly because Ethel had succumbed to influenza as soon as the cast was arranged, and partly because of other complications too involved to enter into.
(Old Testament) Adam's wife in Judeo-Christian mythology: the first woman and mother of the human race; God created Eve from Adam's rib and placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden
From this reading WILLIAM--THE GREAT ACTOR It was announced in the village that the Literary Society was going to give a play on Christmas Eve.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading It was a tradition that a play should be given in the village every Christmas Eve.
regard something as probable or likely
From this reading It did not much matter who gave it or what it was about or what it was in aid of, but the village had begun to expect a play of some sort on Christmas Eve.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading William’s sister Ethel and her friends had at first decided to do scenes from “As You Like It,” but this had fallen through partly because Ethel had succumbed to influenza as soon as the cast was arranged, and partly because of other complications too involved to enter into.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading William’s sister Ethel and her friends had at first decided to do scenes from “As You Like It,” but this had fallen through partly because Ethel had succumbed to influenza as soon as the cast was arranged, and partly because of other complications too involved to enter into.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading William’s sister Ethel and her friends had at first decided to do scenes from “As You Like It,” but this had fallen through partly because Ethel had succumbed to influenza as soon as the cast was arranged, and partly because of other complications too involved to enter into.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading William’s sister Ethel and her friends had at first decided to do scenes from “As You Like It,” but this had fallen through partly because Ethel had succumbed to influenza as soon as the cast was arranged, and partly because of other complications too involved to enter into.
FundnounUS /fʌnd/
a reserve of money set aside for some purpose
From this reading So the Literary Society had stepped into the breach, and had announced that it was going to act a play in aid of its Cinematograph Fund.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading It did not much matter who gave it or what it was about or what it was in aid of, but the village had begun to expect a play of some sort on Christmas Eve.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading WILLIAM--THE GREAT ACTOR It was announced in the village that the Literary Society was going to give a play on Christmas Eve.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading It was a tradition that a play should be given in the village every Christmas Eve.
the act of departing
From this reading WILLIAM--THE GREAT ACTOR It was announced in the village that the Literary Society was going to give a play on Christmas Eve.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading WILLIAM--THE GREAT ACTOR It was announced in the village that the Literary Society was going to give a play on Christmas Eve.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It did not much matter who gave it or what it was about or what it was in aid of, but the village had begun to expect a play of some sort on Christmas Eve.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading William’s sister Ethel and her friends had at first decided to do scenes from “As You Like It,” but this had fallen through partly because Ethel had succumbed to influenza as soon as the cast was arranged, and partly because of other complications too involved to enter into.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading WILLIAM--THE GREAT ACTOR It was announced in the village that the Literary Society was going to give a play on Christmas Eve.
influenzanounUS /ˌɪnfluːˈenzə/
an acute febrile highly contagious viral disease
From this reading William’s sister Ethel and her friends had at first decided to do scenes from “As You Like It,” but this had fallen through partly because Ethel had succumbed to influenza as soon as the cast was arranged, and partly because of other complications too involved to enter into.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading William’s sister Ethel and her friends had at first decided to do scenes from “As You Like It,” but this had fallen through partly because Ethel had succumbed to influenza as soon as the cast was arranged, and partly because of other complications too involved to enter into.
involvedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɑːlvd/
connected by participation or association or use
From this reading William’s sister Ethel and her friends had at first decided to do scenes from “As You Like It,” but this had fallen through partly because Ethel had succumbed to influenza as soon as the cast was arranged, and partly because of other complications too involved to enter into.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading WILLIAM--THE GREAT ACTOR It was announced in the village that the Literary Society was going to give a play on Christmas Eve.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading So the Literary Society had stepped into the breach, and had announced that it was going to act a play in aid of its Cinematograph Fund.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading William’s sister Ethel and her friends had at first decided to do scenes from “As You Like It,” but this had fallen through partly because Ethel had succumbed to influenza as soon as the cast was arranged, and partly because of other complications too involved to enter into.
of or relating to or characteristic of literature
From this reading WILLIAM--THE GREAT ACTOR It was announced in the village that the Literary Society was going to give a play on Christmas Eve.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading It did not much matter who gave it or what it was about or what it was in aid of, but the village had begun to expect a play of some sort on Christmas Eve.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading It did not much matter who gave it or what it was about or what it was in aid of, but the village had begun to expect a play of some sort on Christmas Eve.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It did not much matter who gave it or what it was about or what it was in aid of, but the village had begun to expect a play of some sort on Christmas Eve.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It did not much matter who gave it or what it was about or what it was in aid of, but the village had begun to expect a play of some sort on Christmas Eve.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading WILLIAM--THE GREAT ACTOR It was announced in the village that the Literary Society was going to give a play on Christmas Eve.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It did not much matter who gave it or what it was about or what it was in aid of, but the village had begun to expect a play of some sort on Christmas Eve.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading William’s sister Ethel and her friends had at first decided to do scenes from “As You Like It,” but this had fallen through partly because Ethel had succumbed to influenza as soon as the cast was arranged, and partly because of other complications too involved to enter into.
to some extent; in some degree; not wholly
From this reading William’s sister Ethel and her friends had at first decided to do scenes from “As You Like It,” but this had fallen through partly because Ethel had succumbed to influenza as soon as the cast was arranged, and partly because of other complications too involved to enter into.
participate in games or sport
From this reading WILLIAM--THE GREAT ACTOR It was announced in the village that the Literary Society was going to give a play on Christmas Eve.
plural of “scene” — the place where some action occurs
From this reading William’s sister Ethel and her friends had at first decided to do scenes from “As You Like It,” but this had fallen through partly because Ethel had succumbed to influenza as soon as the cast was arranged, and partly because of other complications too involved to enter into.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It was a tradition that a play should be given in the village every Christmas Eve.
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading William’s sister Ethel and her friends had at first decided to do scenes from “As You Like It,” but this had fallen through partly because Ethel had succumbed to influenza as soon as the cast was arranged, and partly because of other complications too involved to enter into.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So the Literary Society had stepped into the breach, and had announced that it was going to act a play in aid of its Cinematograph Fund.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading WILLIAM--THE GREAT ACTOR It was announced in the village that the Literary Society was going to give a play on Christmas Eve.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading It did not much matter who gave it or what it was about or what it was in aid of, but the village had begun to expect a play of some sort on Christmas Eve.
in the near future
From this reading William’s sister Ethel and her friends had at first decided to do scenes from “As You Like It,” but this had fallen through partly because Ethel had succumbed to influenza as soon as the cast was arranged, and partly because of other complications too involved to enter into.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading It did not much matter who gave it or what it was about or what it was in aid of, but the village had begun to expect a play of some sort on Christmas Eve.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading So the Literary Society had stepped into the breach, and had announced that it was going to act a play in aid of its Cinematograph Fund.
succumbedverbUS /səˈkʌmd/
past form of “succumb” — consent reluctantly
From this reading William’s sister Ethel and her friends had at first decided to do scenes from “As You Like It,” but this had fallen through partly because Ethel had succumbed to influenza as soon as the cast was arranged, and partly because of other complications too involved to enter into.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading WILLIAM--THE GREAT ACTOR It was announced in the village that the Literary Society was going to give a play on Christmas Eve.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WILLIAM--THE GREAT ACTOR It was announced in the village that the Literary Society was going to give a play on Christmas Eve.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading William’s sister Ethel and her friends had at first decided to do scenes from “As You Like It,” but this had fallen through partly because Ethel had succumbed to influenza as soon as the cast was arranged, and partly because of other complications too involved to enter into.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading William’s sister Ethel and her friends had at first decided to do scenes from “As You Like It,” but this had fallen through partly because Ethel had succumbed to influenza as soon as the cast was arranged, and partly because of other complications too involved to enter into.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading WILLIAM--THE GREAT ACTOR It was announced in the village that the Literary Society was going to give a play on Christmas Eve.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading William’s sister Ethel and her friends had at first decided to do scenes from “As You Like It,” but this had fallen through partly because Ethel had succumbed to influenza as soon as the cast was arranged, and partly because of other complications too involved to enter into.
traditionnounUS /trəˈdɪʃən/
an inherited pattern of thought or action
From this reading It was a tradition that a play should be given in the village every Christmas Eve.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading WILLIAM--THE GREAT ACTOR It was announced in the village that the Literary Society was going to give a play on Christmas Eve.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading WILLIAM--THE GREAT ACTOR It was announced in the village that the Literary Society was going to give a play on Christmas Eve.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It did not much matter who gave it or what it was about or what it was in aid of, but the village had begun to expect a play of some sort on Christmas Eve.
which person or people
From this reading It did not much matter who gave it or what it was about or what it was in aid of, but the village had begun to expect a play of some sort on Christmas Eve.
WILLIAM
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WILLIAM--THE GREAT ACTOR It was announced in the village that the Literary Society was going to give a play on Christmas Eve.
William'snounUS /ˈwɪljəmz/
possessive form of “williams” — United States country singer and songwriter (1923-1953)
From this reading William’s sister Ethel and her friends had at first decided to do scenes from “As You Like It,” but this had fallen through partly because Ethel had succumbed to influenza as soon as the cast was arranged, and partly because of other complications too involved to enter into.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading William’s sister Ethel and her friends had at first decided to do scenes from “As You Like It,” but this had fallen through partly because Ethel had succumbed to influenza as soon as the cast was arranged, and partly because of other complications too involved to enter into.
