Defn: A Persian daric. Ezra ii. 69. Fluid dram, or Fluid drachm. See under Fluid.
DRAM
Dram, v. i. & t.
Defn: To drink drams; to ply with drams. [Low] Johnson. Thackeray.
DRAMA
Dra"ma, n. Etym: [L. drama, Gr. daryti.]
1. A composition, in prose or poetry, accommodated to action, and intended to exhibit a picture of human life, or to depict a series of grave or humorous actions of more than ordinary interest, tending toward some striking result. It is commonly designed to be spoken and represented by actors on the stage. A divine pastoral drama in the Song of Solomon. Milton.
2. A series of real events invested with a dramatic unity and interest. "The drama of war." Thackeray. Westward the course of empire takes its way; The four first acts already past, A fifth shall close the drama with the day; Time's noblest offspring is the last. Berkeley. The drama and contrivances of God's providence. Sharp.
3. Dramatic composition and the literature pertaining to or illustrating it; dramatic literature.
Note: The principal species of the drama are tragedy and comedy; inferior species are tragi-comedy, melodrama, operas, burlettas, and farces. The romantic drama, the kind of drama whose aim is to present a tale or history in scenes, and whose plays (like those of Shakespeare, Marlowe, and others) are stories told in dialogue by actors on the stage. J. A. Symonds.
DRAMATIC; DRAMATICAL
Dra*mat"ic, Dra*mat"ic*al, a. Etym: [Gr. dramatique.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to the drama; appropriate to, or having the
qualities of, a drama; theatrical; vivid.
The emperor . . . performed his part with much dramatic effect.
Motley.