used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A love of the drama, amounting almost to a passion, had taken hold of all classes.
alehousenounUS /ˈeɪlhaʊs/
a tavern where ale is sold
From this reading From the Queen in her palace to the village idler in his hedge alehouse, provided he could raise a penny to buy standing room in the yard of the Crown Tavern, all took the keenest delight in the new and wonderful drama that was rising in their midst.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading A love of the drama, amounting almost to a passion, had taken hold of all classes.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading A love of the drama, amounting almost to a passion, had taken hold of all classes.
amountingverbUS /əˈmaʊntɪŋ/
-ing form of “amount” — be tantamount or equivalent to
From this reading A love of the drama, amounting almost to a passion, had taken hold of all classes.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Handbills had been distributed in the town for some days past, and notices of the performance had been set up in prominent places.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Handbills had been distributed in the town for some days past, and notices of the performance had been set up in prominent places.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading THE inn courtyard was seething with excitement long before the play began.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading THE inn courtyard was seething with excitement long before the play began.
breathlessadjectiveUS /ˈbreθləs/
not breathing or able to breathe except with difficulty
From this reading Every phase of these strong and moving plays was followed with a breathless excitement.
obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction
From this reading From the Queen in her palace to the village idler in his hedge alehouse, provided he could raise a penny to buy standing room in the yard of the Crown Tavern, all took the keenest delight in the new and wonderful drama that was rising in their midst.
classesnounUS /ˈklæsəz/
plural of “class” — a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading A love of the drama, amounting almost to a passion, had taken hold of all classes.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading From the Queen in her palace to the village idler in his hedge alehouse, provided he could raise a penny to buy standing room in the yard of the Crown Tavern, all took the keenest delight in the new and wonderful drama that was rising in their midst.
courtyardnounUS /ˈkɔːrt.jɑːrd/
An unroofed area that is completely or partially enclosed by the walls of a house.
From this reading THE inn courtyard was seething with excitement long before the play began.
the Crown (or the reigning monarch) as the symbol of the power and authority of a monarchy
From this reading From the Queen in her palace to the village idler in his hedge alehouse, provided he could raise a penny to buy standing room in the yard of the Crown Tavern, all took the keenest delight in the new and wonderful drama that was rising in their midst.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Handbills had been distributed in the town for some days past, and notices of the performance had been set up in prominent places.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading From the Queen in her palace to the village idler in his hedge alehouse, provided he could raise a penny to buy standing room in the yard of the Crown Tavern, all took the keenest delight in the new and wonderful drama that was rising in their midst.
distributedadjectiveUS /dɪˈstrɪbjətəd/
spread out or scattered about or divided up
From this reading Handbills had been distributed in the town for some days past, and notices of the performance had been set up in prominent places.
dramanounUS /ˈdrɑːmə/
a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
From this reading A love of the drama, amounting almost to a passion, had taken hold of all classes.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every phase of these strong and moving plays was followed with a breathless excitement.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading THE inn courtyard was seething with excitement long before the play began.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Every phase of these strong and moving plays was followed with a breathless excitement.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Handbills had been distributed in the town for some days past, and notices of the performance had been set up in prominent places.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From the Queen in her palace to the village idler in his hedge alehouse, provided he could raise a penny to buy standing room in the yard of the Crown Tavern, all took the keenest delight in the new and wonderful drama that was rising in their midst.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Handbills had been distributed in the town for some days past, and notices of the performance had been set up in prominent places.
HandbillsnounUS /ˈhændbɪlz/
plural of “handbill” — an advertisement (usually printed on a page or in a leaflet) intended for wide distribution
From this reading Handbills had been distributed in the town for some days past, and notices of the performance had been set up in prominent places.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading From the Queen in her palace to the village idler in his hedge alehouse, provided he could raise a penny to buy standing room in the yard of the Crown Tavern, all took the keenest delight in the new and wonderful drama that was rising in their midst.
hedgeverbUS /hedʒ/
avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
From this reading From the Queen in her palace to the village idler in his hedge alehouse, provided he could raise a penny to buy standing room in the yard of the Crown Tavern, all took the keenest delight in the new and wonderful drama that was rising in their midst.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading From the Queen in her palace to the village idler in his hedge alehouse, provided he could raise a penny to buy standing room in the yard of the Crown Tavern, all took the keenest delight in the new and wonderful drama that was rising in their midst.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading From the Queen in her palace to the village idler in his hedge alehouse, provided he could raise a penny to buy standing room in the yard of the Crown Tavern, all took the keenest delight in the new and wonderful drama that was rising in their midst.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading A love of the drama, amounting almost to a passion, had taken hold of all classes.
idlernounUS /ˈaɪdələr/
person who does no work
From this reading From the Queen in her palace to the village idler in his hedge alehouse, provided he could raise a penny to buy standing room in the yard of the Crown Tavern, all took the keenest delight in the new and wonderful drama that was rising in their midst.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Handbills had been distributed in the town for some days past, and notices of the performance had been set up in prominent places.
a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers
From this reading THE inn courtyard was seething with excitement long before the play began.
keenestadjectiveUS /ˈkiːnəst/
superlative of “keen” — having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading From the Queen in her palace to the village idler in his hedge alehouse, provided he could raise a penny to buy standing room in the yard of the Crown Tavern, all took the keenest delight in the new and wonderful drama that was rising in their midst.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading THE inn courtyard was seething with excitement long before the play began.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading A love of the drama, amounting almost to a passion, had taken hold of all classes.
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading From the Queen in her palace to the village idler in his hedge alehouse, provided he could raise a penny to buy standing room in the yard of the Crown Tavern, all took the keenest delight in the new and wonderful drama that was rising in their midst.
in motion
From this reading Every phase of these strong and moving plays was followed with a breathless excitement.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading From the Queen in her palace to the village idler in his hedge alehouse, provided he could raise a penny to buy standing room in the yard of the Crown Tavern, all took the keenest delight in the new and wonderful drama that was rising in their midst.
noticesnounUS /ˈnoʊtəsəz/
plural of “notice” — an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading Handbills had been distributed in the town for some days past, and notices of the performance had been set up in prominent places.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Handbills had been distributed in the town for some days past, and notices of the performance had been set up in prominent places.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading From the Queen in her palace to the village idler in his hedge alehouse, provided he could raise a penny to buy standing room in the yard of the Crown Tavern, all took the keenest delight in the new and wonderful drama that was rising in their midst.
a strong feeling or emotion
From this reading A love of the drama, amounting almost to a passion, had taken hold of all classes.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Handbills had been distributed in the town for some days past, and notices of the performance had been set up in prominent places.
a fractional monetary unit of Ireland and the United Kingdom; equal to one hundredth of a pound
From this reading From the Queen in her palace to the village idler in his hedge alehouse, provided he could raise a penny to buy standing room in the yard of the Crown Tavern, all took the keenest delight in the new and wonderful drama that was rising in their midst.
performancenounUS /pərˈfɔːrməns/
a dramatic or musical entertainment
From this reading Handbills had been distributed in the town for some days past, and notices of the performance had been set up in prominent places.
phasenounUS /feɪz/
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading Every phase of these strong and moving plays was followed with a breathless excitement.
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Handbills had been distributed in the town for some days past, and notices of the performance had been set up in prominent places.
participate in games or sport
From this reading THE inn courtyard was seething with excitement long before the play began.
plural of “play” — a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
From this reading Every phase of these strong and moving plays was followed with a breathless excitement.
prominentadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːmənənt/
having a quality that thrusts itself into attention
From this reading Handbills had been distributed in the town for some days past, and notices of the performance had been set up in prominent places.
past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to
From this reading From the Queen in her palace to the village idler in his hedge alehouse, provided he could raise a penny to buy standing room in the yard of the Crown Tavern, all took the keenest delight in the new and wonderful drama that was rising in their midst.
the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs
From this reading From the Queen in her palace to the village idler in his hedge alehouse, provided he could raise a penny to buy standing room in the yard of the Crown Tavern, all took the keenest delight in the new and wonderful drama that was rising in their midst.
raise the level or amount of something
From this reading From the Queen in her palace to the village idler in his hedge alehouse, provided he could raise a penny to buy standing room in the yard of the Crown Tavern, all took the keenest delight in the new and wonderful drama that was rising in their midst.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading From the Queen in her palace to the village idler in his hedge alehouse, provided he could raise a penny to buy standing room in the yard of the Crown Tavern, all took the keenest delight in the new and wonderful drama that was rising in their midst.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading From the Queen in her palace to the village idler in his hedge alehouse, provided he could raise a penny to buy standing room in the yard of the Crown Tavern, all took the keenest delight in the new and wonderful drama that was rising in their midst.
seethingadjectiveUS /ˈsiːðɪŋ/
in constant agitation
From this reading THE inn courtyard was seething with excitement long before the play began.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Handbills had been distributed in the town for some days past, and notices of the performance had been set up in prominent places.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Handbills had been distributed in the town for some days past, and notices of the performance had been set up in prominent places.
having a supporting base
From this reading From the Queen in her palace to the village idler in his hedge alehouse, provided he could raise a penny to buy standing room in the yard of the Crown Tavern, all took the keenest delight in the new and wonderful drama that was rising in their midst.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading Every phase of these strong and moving plays was followed with a breathless excitement.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading A love of the drama, amounting almost to a passion, had taken hold of all classes.
TavernnounUS /ˈtævərn/
a building with a bar that is licensed to sell alcoholic drinks
From this reading From the Queen in her palace to the village idler in his hedge alehouse, provided he could raise a penny to buy standing room in the yard of the Crown Tavern, all took the keenest delight in the new and wonderful drama that was rising in their midst.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading From the Queen in her palace to the village idler in his hedge alehouse, provided he could raise a penny to buy standing room in the yard of the Crown Tavern, all took the keenest delight in the new and wonderful drama that was rising in their midst.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE inn courtyard was seething with excitement long before the play began.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading From the Queen in her palace to the village idler in his hedge alehouse, provided he could raise a penny to buy standing room in the yard of the Crown Tavern, all took the keenest delight in the new and wonderful drama that was rising in their midst.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Every phase of these strong and moving plays was followed with a breathless excitement.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A love of the drama, amounting almost to a passion, had taken hold of all classes.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading From the Queen in her palace to the village idler in his hedge alehouse, provided he could raise a penny to buy standing room in the yard of the Crown Tavern, all took the keenest delight in the new and wonderful drama that was rising in their midst.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Handbills had been distributed in the town for some days past, and notices of the performance had been set up in prominent places.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Handbills had been distributed in the town for some days past, and notices of the performance had been set up in prominent places.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading From the Queen in her palace to the village idler in his hedge alehouse, provided he could raise a penny to buy standing room in the yard of the Crown Tavern, all took the keenest delight in the new and wonderful drama that was rising in their midst.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE inn courtyard was seething with excitement long before the play began.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE inn courtyard was seething with excitement long before the play began.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading From the Queen in her palace to the village idler in his hedge alehouse, provided he could raise a penny to buy standing room in the yard of the Crown Tavern, all took the keenest delight in the new and wonderful drama that was rising in their midst.
a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading From the Queen in her palace to the village idler in his hedge alehouse, provided he could raise a penny to buy standing room in the yard of the Crown Tavern, all took the keenest delight in the new and wonderful drama that was rising in their midst.
