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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Nay then, quoth the merchant, thou art not for mee: Nor, quoth the innholder, my wiffe thou shalt bee: I lothe, sayd the gentle, a beggars degree, And therefore, adewe, my pretty Bessee!
adew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nay soft, quoth his kinsmen, it must not be soe; A poor beggars daughter noe ladye shal bee, Then take thy adew of pretty Bessee.
adewe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nay then, quoth the merchant, thou art not for mee: Nor, quoth the innholder, my wiffe thou shalt bee: I lothe, sayd the gentle, a beggars degree, And therefore, adewe, my pretty Bessee!
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading But soone after this, by breake of the day, The knight had from Rumford stole Bessy away.
AndconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Nay then, quoth the merchant, thou art not for mee: Nor, quoth the innholder, my wiffe thou shalt bee: I lothe, sayd the gentle, a beggars degree, And therefore, adewe, my pretty Bessee!
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading Nay then, quoth the merchant, thou art not for mee: Nor, quoth the innholder, my wiffe thou shalt bee: I lothe, sayd the gentle, a beggars degree, And therefore, adewe, my pretty Bessee!
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But soone after this, by breake of the day, The knight had from Rumford stole Bessy away.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Nay soft, quoth his kinsmen, it must not be soe; A poor beggars daughter noe ladye shal bee, Then take thy adew of pretty Bessee.
bee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nay then, quoth the merchant, thou art not for mee: Nor, quoth the innholder, my wiffe thou shalt bee: I lothe, sayd the gentle, a beggars degree, And therefore, adewe, my pretty Bessee!
beggars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nay then, quoth the merchant, thou art not for mee: Nor, quoth the innholder, my wiffe thou shalt bee: I lothe, sayd the gentle, a beggars degree, And therefore, adewe, my pretty Bessee!
Bessee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nay then, quoth the merchant, thou art not for mee: Nor, quoth the innholder, my wiffe thou shalt bee: I lothe, sayd the gentle, a beggars degree, And therefore, adewe, my pretty Bessee!
Bessy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But soone after this, by breake of the day, The knight had from Rumford stole Bessy away.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why then, quoth the knight, hap better or worse, I waighe not true love by the waight of my pursse, And bewtye is bewtye in every degree; Then welcome unto me, my prettye Bessee.
bewtye
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why then, quoth the knight, hap better or worse, I waighe not true love by the waight of my pursse, And bewtye is bewtye in every degree; Then welcome unto me, my prettye Bessee.
breake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But soone after this, by breake of the day, The knight had from Rumford stole Bessy away.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But soone after this, by breake of the day, The knight had from Rumford stole Bessy away.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Why then, quoth the knight, hap better or worse, I waighe not true love by the waight of my pursse, And bewtye is bewtye in every degree; Then welcome unto me, my prettye Bessee.
daughter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nay soft, quoth his kinsmen, it must not be soe; A poor beggars daughter noe ladye shal bee, Then take thy adew of pretty Bessee.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But soone after this, by breake of the day, The knight had from Rumford stole Bessy away.
degree
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nay then, quoth the merchant, thou art not for mee: Nor, quoth the innholder, my wiffe thou shalt bee: I lothe, sayd the gentle, a beggars degree, And therefore, adewe, my pretty Bessee!
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Why then, quoth the knight, hap better or worse, I waighe not true love by the waight of my pursse, And bewtye is bewtye in every degree; Then welcome unto me, my prettye Bessee.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With thee to thy father forthwith I will goe.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Nay then, quoth the merchant, thou art not for mee: Nor, quoth the innholder, my wiffe thou shalt bee: I lothe, sayd the gentle, a beggars degree, And therefore, adewe, my pretty Bessee!
forthwith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With thee to thy father forthwith I will goe.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But soone after this, by breake of the day, The knight had from Rumford stole Bessy away.
gentle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nay then, quoth the merchant, thou art not for mee: Nor, quoth the innholder, my wiffe thou shalt bee: I lothe, sayd the gentle, a beggars degree, And therefore, adewe, my pretty Bessee!
goe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With thee to thy father forthwith I will goe.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But soone after this, by breake of the day, The knight had from Rumford stole Bessy away.
hap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why then, quoth the knight, hap better or worse, I waighe not true love by the waight of my pursse, And bewtye is bewtye in every degree; Then welcome unto me, my prettye Bessee.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Nay soft, quoth his kinsmen, it must not be soe; A poor beggars daughter noe ladye shal bee, Then take thy adew of pretty Bessee.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Nay then, quoth the merchant, thou art not for mee: Nor, quoth the innholder, my wiffe thou shalt bee: I lothe, sayd the gentle, a beggars degree, And therefore, adewe, my pretty Bessee!
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Why then, quoth the knight, hap better or worse, I waighe not true love by the waight of my pursse, And bewtye is bewtye in every degree; Then welcome unto me, my prettye Bessee.
innholder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nay then, quoth the merchant, thou art not for mee: Nor, quoth the innholder, my wiffe thou shalt bee: I lothe, sayd the gentle, a beggars degree, And therefore, adewe, my pretty Bessee!
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Why then, quoth the knight, hap better or worse, I waighe not true love by the waight of my pursse, And bewtye is bewtye in every degree; Then welcome unto me, my prettye Bessee.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Nay soft, quoth his kinsmen, it must not be soe; A poor beggars daughter noe ladye shal bee, Then take thy adew of pretty Bessee.
kinsmen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nay soft, quoth his kinsmen, it must not be soe; A poor beggars daughter noe ladye shal bee, Then take thy adew of pretty Bessee.
knight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why then, quoth the knight, hap better or worse, I waighe not true love by the waight of my pursse, And bewtye is bewtye in every degree; Then welcome unto me, my prettye Bessee.
ladye
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nay soft, quoth his kinsmen, it must not be soe; A poor beggars daughter noe ladye shal bee, Then take thy adew of pretty Bessee.
lothe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nay then, quoth the merchant, thou art not for mee: Nor, quoth the innholder, my wiffe thou shalt bee: I lothe, sayd the gentle, a beggars degree, And therefore, adewe, my pretty Bessee!
love
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why then, quoth the knight, hap better or worse, I waighe not true love by the waight of my pursse, And bewtye is bewtye in every degree; Then welcome unto me, my prettye Bessee.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Why then, quoth the knight, hap better or worse, I waighe not true love by the waight of my pursse, And bewtye is bewtye in every degree; Then welcome unto me, my prettye Bessee.
mee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nay then, quoth the merchant, thou art not for mee: Nor, quoth the innholder, my wiffe thou shalt bee: I lothe, sayd the gentle, a beggars degree, And therefore, adewe, my pretty Bessee!
merchantnounUS /ˈmɜːr.tʃənt/
A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.
From this reading Nay then, quoth the merchant, thou art not for mee: Nor, quoth the innholder, my wiffe thou shalt bee: I lothe, sayd the gentle, a beggars degree, And therefore, adewe, my pretty Bessee!
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Nay soft, quoth his kinsmen, it must not be soe; A poor beggars daughter noe ladye shal bee, Then take thy adew of pretty Bessee.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Nay then, quoth the merchant, thou art not for mee: Nor, quoth the innholder, my wiffe thou shalt bee: I lothe, sayd the gentle, a beggars degree, And therefore, adewe, my pretty Bessee!
NayexclamationUS /neɪ/
an old word for “no”
From this reading Nay then, quoth the merchant, thou art not for mee: Nor, quoth the innholder, my wiffe thou shalt bee: I lothe, sayd the gentle, a beggars degree, And therefore, adewe, my pretty Bessee!
noe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nay soft, quoth his kinsmen, it must not be soe; A poor beggars daughter noe ladye shal bee, Then take thy adew of pretty Bessee.
NorconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Nay then, quoth the merchant, thou art not for mee: Nor, quoth the innholder, my wiffe thou shalt bee: I lothe, sayd the gentle, a beggars degree, And therefore, adewe, my pretty Bessee!
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Nay then, quoth the merchant, thou art not for mee: Nor, quoth the innholder, my wiffe thou shalt bee: I lothe, sayd the gentle, a beggars degree, And therefore, adewe, my pretty Bessee!
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Why then, quoth the knight, hap better or worse, I waighe not true love by the waight of my pursse, And bewtye is bewtye in every degree; Then welcome unto me, my prettye Bessee.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Why then, quoth the knight, hap better or worse, I waighe not true love by the waight of my pursse, And bewtye is bewtye in every degree; Then welcome unto me, my prettye Bessee.
poornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Nay soft, quoth his kinsmen, it must not be soe; A poor beggars daughter noe ladye shal bee, Then take thy adew of pretty Bessee.
pretty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nay then, quoth the merchant, thou art not for mee: Nor, quoth the innholder, my wiffe thou shalt bee: I lothe, sayd the gentle, a beggars degree, And therefore, adewe, my pretty Bessee!
prettye
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why then, quoth the knight, hap better or worse, I waighe not true love by the waight of my pursse, And bewtye is bewtye in every degree; Then welcome unto me, my prettye Bessee.
pursse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why then, quoth the knight, hap better or worse, I waighe not true love by the waight of my pursse, And bewtye is bewtye in every degree; Then welcome unto me, my prettye Bessee.
quoth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nay then, quoth the merchant, thou art not for mee: Nor, quoth the innholder, my wiffe thou shalt bee: I lothe, sayd the gentle, a beggars degree, And therefore, adewe, my pretty Bessee!
Rumford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But soone after this, by breake of the day, The knight had from Rumford stole Bessy away.
sayd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nay then, quoth the merchant, thou art not for mee: Nor, quoth the innholder, my wiffe thou shalt bee: I lothe, sayd the gentle, a beggars degree, And therefore, adewe, my pretty Bessee!
shal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nay soft, quoth his kinsmen, it must not be soe; A poor beggars daughter noe ladye shal bee, Then take thy adew of pretty Bessee.
shaltmodal verbUS /ʃælt/
an old form of “shall”, used with “thou”
From this reading Nay then, quoth the merchant, thou art not for mee: Nor, quoth the innholder, my wiffe thou shalt bee: I lothe, sayd the gentle, a beggars degree, And therefore, adewe, my pretty Bessee!
soe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nay soft, quoth his kinsmen, it must not be soe; A poor beggars daughter noe ladye shal bee, Then take thy adew of pretty Bessee.
soft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nay soft, quoth his kinsmen, it must not be soe; A poor beggars daughter noe ladye shal bee, Then take thy adew of pretty Bessee.
soone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But soone after this, by breake of the day, The knight had from Rumford stole Bessy away.
stole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But soone after this, by breake of the day, The knight had from Rumford stole Bessy away.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Nay soft, quoth his kinsmen, it must not be soe; A poor beggars daughter noe ladye shal bee, Then take thy adew of pretty Bessee.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Nay then, quoth the merchant, thou art not for mee: Nor, quoth the innholder, my wiffe thou shalt bee: I lothe, sayd the gentle, a beggars degree, And therefore, adewe, my pretty Bessee!
theepronounUS /ðiː/
an old word for “you”, as the object, speaking to one person
From this reading With thee to thy father forthwith I will goe.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nay then, quoth the merchant, thou art not for mee: Nor, quoth the innholder, my wiffe thou shalt bee: I lothe, sayd the gentle, a beggars degree, And therefore, adewe, my pretty Bessee!
thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/
for that reason; as a result
From this reading Nay then, quoth the merchant, thou art not for mee: Nor, quoth the innholder, my wiffe thou shalt bee: I lothe, sayd the gentle, a beggars degree, And therefore, adewe, my pretty Bessee!
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But soone after this, by breake of the day, The knight had from Rumford stole Bessy away.
thoupronounUS /ðaʊ/
an old word for “you”, as the subject, speaking to one person
From this reading Nay then, quoth the merchant, thou art not for mee: Nor, quoth the innholder, my wiffe thou shalt bee: I lothe, sayd the gentle, a beggars degree, And therefore, adewe, my pretty Bessee!
thydeterminerUS /ðaɪ/
an old word for “your”, speaking to one person
From this reading With thee to thy father forthwith I will goe.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading With thee to thy father forthwith I will goe.
true
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why then, quoth the knight, hap better or worse, I waighe not true love by the waight of my pursse, And bewtye is bewtye in every degree; Then welcome unto me, my prettye Bessee.
untoprepositionUS /ˈʌntuː/
an old word for “to”
From this reading Why then, quoth the knight, hap better or worse, I waighe not true love by the waight of my pursse, And bewtye is bewtye in every degree; Then welcome unto me, my prettye Bessee.
waighe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why then, quoth the knight, hap better or worse, I waighe not true love by the waight of my pursse, And bewtye is bewtye in every degree; Then welcome unto me, my prettye Bessee.
waight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why then, quoth the knight, hap better or worse, I waighe not true love by the waight of my pursse, And bewtye is bewtye in every degree; Then welcome unto me, my prettye Bessee.
welcome
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why then, quoth the knight, hap better or worse, I waighe not true love by the waight of my pursse, And bewtye is bewtye in every degree; Then welcome unto me, my prettye Bessee.
Why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why then, quoth the knight, hap better or worse, I waighe not true love by the waight of my pursse, And bewtye is bewtye in every degree; Then welcome unto me, my prettye Bessee.
wiffe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nay then, quoth the merchant, thou art not for mee: Nor, quoth the innholder, my wiffe thou shalt bee: I lothe, sayd the gentle, a beggars degree, And therefore, adewe, my pretty Bessee!
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading With thee to thy father forthwith I will goe.
WithprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading With thee to thy father forthwith I will goe.
worse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why then, quoth the knight, hap better or worse, I waighe not true love by the waight of my pursse, And bewtye is bewtye in every degree; Then welcome unto me, my prettye Bessee.
