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Anne Feversham
Anne Feversham

Chapter XXII

Cover illustration for Anne Feversham
Context Illustration Reading 1/24 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE inn courtyard was seething with excitement long before the play began.
Handbills had been distributed in the town for some days past, and notices of the performance had been set up in prominent places.
A love of the drama, amounting almost to a passion, had taken hold of all classes.
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.
Every phase of these strong and moving plays was followed with a breathless excitement.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Anne Feversham

Chapter XXII

Reading 1/24 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE inn courtyard was seething with excitement long before the play began.
Line 2
Handbills had been distributed in the town for some days past, and notices of the performance had been set up in prominent places.
Line 3
A love of the drama, amounting almost to a passion, had taken hold of all classes.
Line 4
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.
Line 5
Every phase of these strong and moving plays was followed with a breathless excitement.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Been auxiliary verb US /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.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “THE inn courtyard was seething with excitement long before the play began.”

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE inn courtyard was seething with excitement long before the play began.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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.”

Courtyard noun US /ˈkɔːrtjɑːrd/

an open area surrounded by the walls of a building

From this reading “THE inn courtyard was seething with excitement long before the play began.”

Every determiner US /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.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE inn courtyard was seething with excitement long before the play began.”

Standing noun US /ˈstanding/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

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.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

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.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

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.”

Wonderful noun US /ˈwonderful/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

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.”

All words in this reading · 77

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

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.

alehouse

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

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.

all

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A love of the drama, amounting almost to a passion, had taken hold of all classes.

almost

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A love of the drama, amounting almost to a passion, had taken hold of all classes.

amounting

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A love of the drama, amounting almost to a passion, had taken hold of all classes.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading THE inn courtyard was seething with excitement long before the play began.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE inn courtyard was seething with excitement long before the play began.

breathless

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Every phase of these strong and moving plays was followed with a breathless excitement.

buy

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

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.

classes

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A love of the drama, amounting almost to a passion, had taken hold of all classes.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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 /ˈkɔːrtjɑːrd/

an open area surrounded by the walls of a building

From this reading THE inn courtyard was seething with excitement long before the play began.

Crown

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

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.

days

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

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.

delight

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

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.

distributed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

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.

drama

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

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.

excitement

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE inn courtyard was seething with excitement long before the play began.

followed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Every phase of these strong and moving plays was followed with a breathless excitement.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

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.

FromprepositionUS /frʌm/

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.

Handbills

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

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.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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.

hedge

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

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.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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.

hold

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A love of the drama, amounting almost to a passion, had taken hold of all classes.

idler

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

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.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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.

inn

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE inn courtyard was seething with excitement long before the play began.

keenest

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

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.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE inn courtyard was seething with excitement long before the play began.

love

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A love of the drama, amounting almost to a passion, had taken hold of all classes.

midst

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

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.

moving

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Every phase of these strong and moving plays was followed with a breathless excitement.

new

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

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.

notices

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

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.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

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.

palace

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

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.

passion

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A love of the drama, amounting almost to a passion, had taken hold of all classes.

past

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

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.

penny

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

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.

performance

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

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.

phase

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Every phase of these strong and moving plays was followed with a breathless excitement.

places

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

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.

play

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE inn courtyard was seething with excitement long before the play began.

plays

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Every phase of these strong and moving plays was followed with a breathless excitement.

prominent

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

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.

provided

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

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.

Queen

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

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

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

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.

rising

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

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.

room

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

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.

seething

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE inn courtyard was seething with excitement long before the play began.

set

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

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.

some

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

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.

standingnounUS /ˈstanding/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

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.

strong

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Every phase of these strong and moving plays was followed with a breathless excitement.

taken

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A love of the drama, amounting almost to a passion, had taken hold of all classes.

Tavern

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

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.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

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.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

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.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

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.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

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.

town

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

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.

up

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

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.

village

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

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.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE inn courtyard was seething with excitement long before the play began.

wonderfulnounUS /ˈwonderful/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

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.

yard

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

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.