used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But it was a long way in those days from the palace at Richmond to the famous hostelry in Eastcheap.
(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 All the regular frequenters of the place were eager for news of Will’s new comedy.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading IT was an important evening at the Mermaid Tavern.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading IT was an important evening at the Mermaid Tavern.
AuthenticadjectiveUS /əˈθentɪk/
conforming to fact and therefore worthy of belief
From this reading Authentic information was tardy in coming that evening.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Long before supper time the spacious upper chamber with the sanded floor began to fill.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Long before supper time the spacious upper chamber with the sanded floor began to fill.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But it was a long way in those days from the palace at Richmond to the famous hostelry in Eastcheap.
a natural or artificial enclosed space
From this reading Long before supper time the spacious upper chamber with the sanded floor began to fill.
comedynounUS /ˈkɑːmədi/
light and humorous drama with a happy ending
From this reading All the regular frequenters of the place were eager for news of Will’s new comedy.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading Authentic information was tardy in coming that evening.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading But it was a long way in those days from the palace at Richmond to the famous hostelry in Eastcheap.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading All the regular frequenters of the place were eager for news of Will’s new comedy.
Eastcheap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was a long way in those days from the palace at Richmond to the famous hostelry in Eastcheap.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading IT was an important evening at the Mermaid Tavern.
widely known and esteemed
From this reading But it was a long way in those days from the palace at Richmond to the famous hostelry in Eastcheap.
make full, also in a metaphorical sense
From this reading Long before supper time the spacious upper chamber with the sanded floor began to fill.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading Long before supper time the spacious upper chamber with the sanded floor began to fill.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading All the regular frequenters of the place were eager for news of Will’s new comedy.
frequenters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the regular frequenters of the place were eager for news of Will’s new comedy.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But it was a long way in those days from the palace at Richmond to the famous hostelry in Eastcheap.
hostelrynoun
a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers
From this reading But it was a long way in those days from the palace at Richmond to the famous hostelry in Eastcheap.
of great significance or value
From this reading IT was an important evening at the Mermaid Tavern.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But it was a long way in those days from the palace at Richmond to the famous hostelry in Eastcheap.
a message received and understood
From this reading Authentic information was tardy in coming that evening.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading IT was an important evening at the Mermaid Tavern.
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 Long before supper time the spacious upper chamber with the sanded floor began to fill.
MermaidnounUS /ˈmɜːrmeɪd/
half woman and half fish; lives in the sea
From this reading IT was an important evening at the Mermaid Tavern.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading All the regular frequenters of the place were eager for news of Will’s new comedy.
information about recent and important events
From this reading All the regular frequenters of the place were eager for news of Will’s new comedy.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading All the regular frequenters of the place were eager for news of Will’s new comedy.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading But it was a long way in those days from the palace at Richmond to the famous hostelry in Eastcheap.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading All the regular frequenters of the place were eager for news of Will’s new comedy.
in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle
From this reading All the regular frequenters of the place were eager for news of Will’s new comedy.
RichmondnounUS /ˈrɪtʃmənd/
capital of the state of Virginia located in the east central part of the state; was capital of the Confederacy during the American Civil War
From this reading But it was a long way in those days from the palace at Richmond to the famous hostelry in Eastcheap.
sandedverbUS /ˈsændɪd/
past form of “sand” — rub with sandpaper
From this reading Long before supper time the spacious upper chamber with the sanded floor began to fill.
spaciousadjectiveUS /ˈspeɪʃəs/
very large in expanse or scope
From this reading Long before supper time the spacious upper chamber with the sanded floor began to fill.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading Long before supper time the spacious upper chamber with the sanded floor began to fill.
tardyadjectiveUS /ˈtɑːrdi/
after the expected or usual time; delayed
From this reading Authentic information was tardy in coming that evening.
TavernnounUS /ˈtævərn/
a building with a bar that is licensed to sell alcoholic drinks
From this reading IT was an important evening at the Mermaid Tavern.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Authentic information was tardy in coming that evening.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IT was an important evening at the Mermaid Tavern.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading But it was a long way in those days from the palace at Richmond to the famous hostelry in Eastcheap.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Long before supper time the spacious upper chamber with the sanded floor began to fill.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Long before supper time the spacious upper chamber with the sanded floor began to fill.
the topmost one of two
From this reading Long before supper time the spacious upper chamber with the sanded floor began to fill.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IT was an important evening at the Mermaid Tavern.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading But it was a long way in those days from the palace at Richmond to the famous hostelry in Eastcheap.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading All the regular frequenters of the place were eager for news of Will’s new comedy.
Will'snounUS /wɪlz/
possessive form of “will” — the capability of conscious choice and decision and intention
From this reading All the regular frequenters of the place were eager for news of Will’s new comedy.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Long before supper time the spacious upper chamber with the sanded floor began to fill.
