Search the Dictionary

To grow upon the view; to become larger; to expand. "Monarchs to behold the swelling scene!" Shak.

A representation of some scene by means of persons grouped in the proper manner, placed in appropriate postures, and remaining silent and motionless.

Deficient in spirit or animation; spiritless; dull; flat; insipid; as, a tame poem; tame scenery.

fifteenth century and later, in which scrolls and arabesques, and sometimes architectural scenes, landscapes, fruits, flowers, and the like, were produced by inlaying pieces of wood of different colors and shades into panels usually of walnut wood.

ng to Temple, a valley in Thessaly, celebrated by Greek poets on account of its beautiful scenery; resembling Temple; hence, beautiful; delightful; charming.

Rendering dark or gloomy; tenebrous; gloomy. It lightens, it brightens, The tenebrific scene. Burns. Where light Lay fitful in a tenebrific time. R. Browning.

A kind of drama representing some action in which serious and comic scenes are blended; a composition partaking of the nature both of tragedy and comedy. The noble tragi-comedy of "Measure for Measure." Macaulay.

Of or pertaining to tragi-comedy; partaking of grave and comic scenes. -- Trag`-com"ic*al*ly, adv. Julian felt toward him that tragi-comic sensation which makes us pity the object which excites it not the less that we are somewhat inclined to laugh amid our sympathy. Sir W. Scott.

Fatal to life; mournful; terrible; calamitous; as, the tragic scenes of the French revolution.

Passing before the sight or perception, or, as it were, moving over or across a space or scene viewed, and then disappearing; hence, of short duration; not permanent; not lasting or durable; not stationary; passing; fleeting; brief; transitory; as, transient pleasure. "Measured this transient world." Milton.…

The original object, or class of objects, scene, face, or conception, which becomes the subject of a copy; esp., the design on the face of a medal or a coin.

Changed; altered; various; diversified; as, a varied experience; varied interests; varied scenery. -- Va"ried*ly, adv. The varied fields of science, ever new. Cowper.

and hate. Waller. We are to vary the customs according to the time and country where the scene of action lies. Dryden.

That which is seen or beheld; sight presented to the natural or intellectual eye; scene; prospect; as, the view from a window. 'T is distance lends enchantment to the view. Campbell.

tual or moral conditions; something that poisons the mind or the soul; as, the virus of obscene books.

e; to dip or soak in a liquid; as, to wet a sponge; to wet the hands; to wet cloth. "[The scene] did draw tears from me and wetted my paper." Burke. Ye mists and exhalations, that now rise . . . Whether to deck with clouds the uncolored sky, Or wet the thirsty earth with falling showers. Milton. To wet one's whistle, t…

Any planet or heavenly body, especially when considered as inhabited, and as the scene of interests analogous with human interests; as, a plurality of worlds. "Lord of the worlds above." I. Watts. Amongst innumerable stars, that shone Star distant, but high-hand seemed other worlds. Milton. There may be other worlds, w…