Word: strained
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Dates: during 1880-1880
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...short, the representation will follow the antique tradition where possible; but it is not intended, in any case, to strain a point and run the risk of being ridiculous. Thus, there will be no attempt to make the theatre seem open to the sky, and no masks will be worn. It is well established that the object of the mask was to make the features of the actors seem distinct to those who sat in the furthest part of the immense theatres, and also to help the adjustment of the mouth-piece, which was necessary to give sufficient distinctness...
Still let me pay, in the accustomed strain...
...Freshman year is entirely given over to studies which, in themselves important, are absolutely valueless compared with the advantages of a thorough knowledge of English. The evil is the greater in that the preparatory schools - as far as the classical courses are concerned - are obliged, by the strain and worry of preparing boys for their severe entrance-examinations, to omit or neglect, in great degree, the study of English composition and grammar; while the lack of time for gaining even an elementary knowledge of our own literature brings about a most deplorable result, - young men enter college skilled in mathematics...
TONY TOUGH (condescendingly). Well done, my classmates, noble is the strain...
...poems are usually written in a strain just the contrary of my feelings. For instance, just after a delightful dinner (and it takes a poet to appreciate the dainties that a good cook can prepare), when I felt perfectly at peace with man and beast, I wrote the following somewhat dolorous effusion...