used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There is in the fine old town of Norwich, I believe, even to the present day, the remains of a whilom inn, which once stood not far from the River Wansum.
abominationnounUS /əˌbɑːməˈneɪʃən/
a person who is loathsome or disgusting
From this reading Hotels were an abomination unknown, although the name, descended from ancient times, still lingered in various parts of the country.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Hotels were an abomination unknown, although the name, descended from ancient times, still lingered in various parts of the country.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Hotels were an abomination unknown, although the name, descended from ancient times, still lingered in various parts of the country.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading Hotels were an abomination unknown, although the name, descended from ancient times, still lingered in various parts of the country.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Then, however, it was the principal inn in Norwich; and a great change had come over the state and condition of our inns since the time of Chaucer.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading There is in the fine old town of Norwich, I believe, even to the present day, the remains of a whilom inn, which once stood not far from the River Wansum.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading Now nothing remains of it but a gable or two, transmuted to purposes very much below the dignity of receiving two-legged guests.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Now nothing remains of it but a gable or two, transmuted to purposes very much below the dignity of receiving two-legged guests.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading Then, however, it was the principal inn in Norwich; and a great change had come over the state and condition of our inns since the time of Chaucer.
ChaucernounUS /ˈtʃɔːsər/
English poet remembered as author of the Canterbury Tales (1340-1400)
From this reading Then, however, it was the principal inn in Norwich; and a great change had come over the state and condition of our inns since the time of Chaucer.
climaxnounUS /ˈklaɪmæks/
the highest point of anything conceived of as growing or developing or unfolding
From this reading In that day, inns had reached, in England, very nearly the climax of perfection.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Then, however, it was the principal inn in Norwich; and a great change had come over the state and condition of our inns since the time of Chaucer.
a state at a particular time
From this reading Then, however, it was the principal inn in Norwich; and a great change had come over the state and condition of our inns since the time of Chaucer.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading Hotels were an abomination unknown, although the name, descended from ancient times, still lingered in various parts of the country.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading There is in the fine old town of Norwich, I believe, even to the present day, the remains of a whilom inn, which once stood not far from the River Wansum.
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading Hotels were an abomination unknown, although the name, descended from ancient times, still lingered in various parts of the country.
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading Now nothing remains of it but a gable or two, transmuted to purposes very much below the dignity of receiving two-legged guests.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading In that day, inns had reached, in England, very nearly the climax of perfection.
divisible by two
From this reading There is in the fine old town of Norwich, I believe, even to the present day, the remains of a whilom inn, which once stood not far from the River Wansum.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading There is in the fine old town of Norwich, I believe, even to the present day, the remains of a whilom inn, which once stood not far from the River Wansum.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading There is in the fine old town of Norwich, I believe, even to the present day, the remains of a whilom inn, which once stood not far from the River Wansum.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There is in the fine old town of Norwich, I believe, even to the present day, the remains of a whilom inn, which once stood not far from the River Wansum.
gablenounUS /ˈɡeɪbəl/
the vertical triangular wall between the sloping ends of gable roof
From this reading Now nothing remains of it but a gable or two, transmuted to purposes very much below the dignity of receiving two-legged guests.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Then, however, it was the principal inn in Norwich; and a great change had come over the state and condition of our inns since the time of Chaucer.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading Now nothing remains of it but a gable or two, transmuted to purposes very much below the dignity of receiving two-legged guests.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Then, however, it was the principal inn in Norwich; and a great change had come over the state and condition of our inns since the time of Chaucer.
HotelsnounUS /hoʊˈtelz/
plural of “hotel” — a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading Hotels were an abomination unknown, although the name, descended from ancient times, still lingered in various parts of the country.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Then, however, it was the principal inn in Norwich; and a great change had come over the state and condition of our inns since the time of Chaucer.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading There is in the fine old town of Norwich, I believe, even to the present day, the remains of a whilom inn, which once stood not far from the River Wansum.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There is in the fine old town of Norwich, I believe, even to the present day, the remains of a whilom inn, which once stood not far from the River Wansum.
a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers
From this reading There is in the fine old town of Norwich, I believe, even to the present day, the remains of a whilom inn, which once stood not far from the River Wansum.
innsnounUS /ɪnz/
plural of “inn” — a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers
From this reading Then, however, it was the principal inn in Norwich; and a great change had come over the state and condition of our inns since the time of Chaucer.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There is in the fine old town of Norwich, I believe, even to the present day, the remains of a whilom inn, which once stood not far from the River Wansum.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Now nothing remains of it but a gable or two, transmuted to purposes very much below the dignity of receiving two-legged guests.
lingeredverbUS /ˈlɪŋɡərd/
past form of “linger” — remain present although waning or gradually dying
From this reading Hotels were an abomination unknown, although the name, descended from ancient times, still lingered in various parts of the country.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Now nothing remains of it but a gable or two, transmuted to purposes very much below the dignity of receiving two-legged guests.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Hotels were an abomination unknown, although the name, descended from ancient times, still lingered in various parts of the country.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading In that day, inns had reached, in England, very nearly the climax of perfection.
Norwich
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is in the fine old town of Norwich, I believe, even to the present day, the remains of a whilom inn, which once stood not far from the River Wansum.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There is in the fine old town of Norwich, I believe, even to the present day, the remains of a whilom inn, which once stood not far from the River Wansum.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Now nothing remains of it but a gable or two, transmuted to purposes very much below the dignity of receiving two-legged guests.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now nothing remains of it but a gable or two, transmuted to purposes very much below the dignity of receiving two-legged guests.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There is in the fine old town of Norwich, I believe, even to the present day, the remains of a whilom inn, which once stood not far from the River Wansum.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading There is in the fine old town of Norwich, I believe, even to the present day, the remains of a whilom inn, which once stood not far from the River Wansum.
on one occasion
From this reading There is in the fine old town of Norwich, I believe, even to the present day, the remains of a whilom inn, which once stood not far from the River Wansum.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Now nothing remains of it but a gable or two, transmuted to purposes very much below the dignity of receiving two-legged guests.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Then, however, it was the principal inn in Norwich; and a great change had come over the state and condition of our inns since the time of Chaucer.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Then, however, it was the principal inn in Norwich; and a great change had come over the state and condition of our inns since the time of Chaucer.
the local environment
From this reading Hotels were an abomination unknown, although the name, descended from ancient times, still lingered in various parts of the country.
perfectionnounUS /pərˈfekʃən/
the state of being without a flaw or defect
From this reading In that day, inns had reached, in England, very nearly the climax of perfection.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading There is in the fine old town of Norwich, I believe, even to the present day, the remains of a whilom inn, which once stood not far from the River Wansum.
the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated
From this reading Then, however, it was the principal inn in Norwich; and a great change had come over the state and condition of our inns since the time of Chaucer.
purposesnounUS /ˈpɜːrpəsəz/
plural of “purpose” — an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading Now nothing remains of it but a gable or two, transmuted to purposes very much below the dignity of receiving two-legged guests.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading In that day, inns had reached, in England, very nearly the climax of perfection.
receivingverbUS /rəˈsiːvɪŋ/
-ing form of “receive” — get something; come into possession of
From this reading Now nothing remains of it but a gable or two, transmuted to purposes very much below the dignity of receiving two-legged guests.
any object that is left unused or still extant
From this reading There is in the fine old town of Norwich, I believe, even to the present day, the remains of a whilom inn, which once stood not far from the River Wansum.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading There is in the fine old town of Norwich, I believe, even to the present day, the remains of a whilom inn, which once stood not far from the River Wansum.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Then, however, it was the principal inn in Norwich; and a great change had come over the state and condition of our inns since the time of Chaucer.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading Then, however, it was the principal inn in Norwich; and a great change had come over the state and condition of our inns since the time of Chaucer.
not in physical motion
From this reading Hotels were an abomination unknown, although the name, descended from ancient times, still lingered in various parts of the country.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading There is in the fine old town of Norwich, I believe, even to the present day, the remains of a whilom inn, which once stood not far from the River Wansum.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In that day, inns had reached, in England, very nearly the climax of perfection.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There is in the fine old town of Norwich, I believe, even to the present day, the remains of a whilom inn, which once stood not far from the River Wansum.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then, however, it was the principal inn in Norwich; and a great change had come over the state and condition of our inns since the time of Chaucer.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There is in the fine old town of Norwich, I believe, even to the present day, the remains of a whilom inn, which once stood not far from the River Wansum.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Then, however, it was the principal inn in Norwich; and a great change had come over the state and condition of our inns since the time of Chaucer.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading Hotels were an abomination unknown, although the name, descended from ancient times, still lingered in various parts of the country.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There is in the fine old town of Norwich, I believe, even to the present day, the remains of a whilom inn, which once stood not far from the River Wansum.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading There is in the fine old town of Norwich, I believe, even to the present day, the remains of a whilom inn, which once stood not far from the River Wansum.
transmuted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now nothing remains of it but a gable or two, transmuted to purposes very much below the dignity of receiving two-legged guests.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Now nothing remains of it but a gable or two, transmuted to purposes very much below the dignity of receiving two-legged guests.
two-legged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now nothing remains of it but a gable or two, transmuted to purposes very much below the dignity of receiving two-legged guests.
not known
From this reading Hotels were an abomination unknown, although the name, descended from ancient times, still lingered in various parts of the country.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading Hotels were an abomination unknown, although the name, descended from ancient times, still lingered in various parts of the country.
precisely as stated
From this reading Now nothing remains of it but a gable or two, transmuted to purposes very much below the dignity of receiving two-legged guests.
Wansum
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is in the fine old town of Norwich, I believe, even to the present day, the remains of a whilom inn, which once stood not far from the River Wansum.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Then, however, it was the principal inn in Norwich; and a great change had come over the state and condition of our inns since the time of Chaucer.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Hotels were an abomination unknown, although the name, descended from ancient times, still lingered in various parts of the country.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There is in the fine old town of Norwich, I believe, even to the present day, the remains of a whilom inn, which once stood not far from the River Wansum.
whilom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is in the fine old town of Norwich, I believe, even to the present day, the remains of a whilom inn, which once stood not far from the River Wansum.
