Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • English playwright: William Wycherley was an English dramatist of the Restoration period, known for writing comedies that humorously and sharply critique the manners and morals of his contemporary society.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The plays of William Wycherley are studied for their witty dialogue and social satire.
  • "The Country Wife" is perhaps the most famous comedy by William Wycherley.

Advanced Usage

• As a representative figure: The name "William Wycherley" is often used to represent the style and themes of late 17th-century English comedy.
  • The course on Restoration comedy will cover William Wycherley and his contemporaries.

Variants and Related Words

• Wycherleyan (adj): Characteristic of or resembling the style, themes, or wit found in the works of William Wycherley.
  • The modern play had a distinctly Wycherleyan cynicism about marriage.

Synonyms

• Dramatist: A writer of plays.
• Playwright: A person who writes plays.
• Satirist: A writer who uses humor, irony, or ridicule to criticize.

Related Phrases and Contexts

• Restoration playwright: A phrase often used to categorize William Wycherley within the historical period following the restoration of the English monarchy in 1660.
  • As a Restoration playwright, William Wycherley's work reflects the libertine spirit of the age.

Noun

1. English playwright noted for his humorous and satirical plays (1640-1716)