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1586
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From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Dogberry is a country constable, simple as a child, and vain as a peacock--a well-meaning, timid, honest, good-natured blockhead.
addednounUS /added/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Some other characters Shakespeare has added, and they are among the most admirable of his comic creations: the peace-officer Dogberry, and his subordinate Verges.
admirable
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From this reading Some other characters Shakespeare has added, and they are among the most admirable of his comic creations: the peace-officer Dogberry, and his subordinate Verges.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Some other characters Shakespeare has added, and they are among the most admirable of his comic creations: the peace-officer Dogberry, and his subordinate Verges.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Some other characters Shakespeare has added, and they are among the most admirable of his comic creations: the peace-officer Dogberry, and his subordinate Verges.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Some other characters Shakespeare has added, and they are among the most admirable of his comic creations: the peace-officer Dogberry, and his subordinate Verges.
armed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Dogberry is a country constable, simple as a child, and vain as a peacock--a well-meaning, timid, honest, good-natured blockhead.
AskednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Asked what description they had received of the malefactors, they replied that one of them was said to have a crooked nose.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
blockhead
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From this reading Dogberry is a country constable, simple as a child, and vain as a peacock--a well-meaning, timid, honest, good-natured blockhead.
Burghley
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From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
characters
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From this reading Some other characters Shakespeare has added, and they are among the most admirable of his comic creations: the peace-officer Dogberry, and his subordinate Verges.
child
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From this reading Dogberry is a country constable, simple as a child, and vain as a peacock--a well-meaning, timid, honest, good-natured blockhead.
cited
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From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
comic
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From this reading Some other characters Shakespeare has added, and they are among the most admirable of his comic creations: the peace-officer Dogberry, and his subordinate Verges.
constable
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From this reading Dogberry is a country constable, simple as a child, and vain as a peacock--a well-meaning, timid, honest, good-natured blockhead.
country
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dogberry is a country constable, simple as a child, and vain as a peacock--a well-meaning, timid, honest, good-natured blockhead.
county
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
creations
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From this reading Some other characters Shakespeare has added, and they are among the most admirable of his comic creations: the peace-officer Dogberry, and his subordinate Verges.
crooked
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From this reading Asked what description they had received of the malefactors, they replied that one of them was said to have a crooked nose.
days
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From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
description
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From this reading Asked what description they had received of the malefactors, they replied that one of them was said to have a crooked nose.
Dogberry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some other characters Shakespeare has added, and they are among the most admirable of his comic creations: the peace-officer Dogberry, and his subordinate Verges.
Elizabeth's
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From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
functionaries
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From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
gate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
good-natured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dogberry is a country constable, simple as a child, and vain as a peacock--a well-meaning, timid, honest, good-natured blockhead.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Asked what description they had received of the malefactors, they replied that one of them was said to have a crooked nose.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Some other characters Shakespeare has added, and they are among the most admirable of his comic creations: the peace-officer Dogberry, and his subordinate Verges.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Asked what description they had received of the malefactors, they replied that one of them was said to have a crooked nose.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
helpless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
Henrik
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Some other characters Shakespeare has added, and they are among the most admirable of his comic creations: the peace-officer Dogberry, and his subordinate Verges.
honestadjectiveUS /ˈɑnɪst/
truthful and trustworthy
From this reading Dogberry is a country constable, simple as a child, and vain as a peacock--a well-meaning, timid, honest, good-natured blockhead.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
inquiring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On inquiring, he learned that they were stationed there to seize three young men, unknown.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Dogberry is a country constable, simple as a child, and vain as a peacock--a well-meaning, timid, honest, good-natured blockhead.
journeynounUS /ˈjourney/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
learned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On inquiring, he learned that they were stationed there to seize three young men, unknown.
letter
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From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
London
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
Lord
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
malefactors
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From this reading Asked what description they had received of the malefactors, they replied that one of them was said to have a crooked nose.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On inquiring, he learned that they were stationed there to seize three young men, unknown.
Minister
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some other characters Shakespeare has added, and they are among the most admirable of his comic creations: the peace-officer Dogberry, and his subordinate Verges.
nose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Asked what description they had received of the malefactors, they replied that one of them was said to have a crooked nose.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Some other characters Shakespeare has added, and they are among the most admirable of his comic creations: the peace-officer Dogberry, and his subordinate Verges.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Asked what description they had received of the malefactors, they replied that one of them was said to have a crooked nose.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some other characters Shakespeare has added, and they are among the most admirable of his comic creations: the peace-officer Dogberry, and his subordinate Verges.
peace-officer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some other characters Shakespeare has added, and they are among the most admirable of his comic creations: the peace-officer Dogberry, and his subordinate Verges.
peacock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dogberry is a country constable, simple as a child, and vain as a peacock--a well-meaning, timid, honest, good-natured blockhead.
persons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
poles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
Prime
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
real
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From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
received
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Asked what description they had received of the malefactors, they replied that one of them was said to have a crooked nose.
relates
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From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
repliednounUS /replied/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Asked what description they had received of the malefactors, they replied that one of them was said to have a crooked nose.
represented
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From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
said
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From this reading Asked what description they had received of the malefactors, they replied that one of them was said to have a crooked nose.
Schück
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
seize
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On inquiring, he learned that they were stationed there to seize three young men, unknown.
Shakespeare
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From this reading Some other characters Shakespeare has added, and they are among the most admirable of his comic creations: the peace-officer Dogberry, and his subordinate Verges.
show
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
simple
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dogberry is a country constable, simple as a child, and vain as a peacock--a well-meaning, timid, honest, good-natured blockhead.
Some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some other characters Shakespeare has added, and they are among the most admirable of his comic creations: the peace-officer Dogberry, and his subordinate Verges.
stationed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On inquiring, he learned that they were stationed there to seize three young men, unknown.
subordinate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some other characters Shakespeare has added, and they are among the most admirable of his comic creations: the peace-officer Dogberry, and his subordinate Verges.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
ten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Some other characters Shakespeare has added, and they are among the most admirable of his comic creations: the peace-officer Dogberry, and his subordinate Verges.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Asked what description they had received of the malefactors, they replied that one of them was said to have a crooked nose.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On inquiring, he learned that they were stationed there to seize three young men, unknown.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Some other characters Shakespeare has added, and they are among the most admirable of his comic creations: the peace-officer Dogberry, and his subordinate Verges.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On inquiring, he learned that they were stationed there to seize three young men, unknown.
timid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dogberry is a country constable, simple as a child, and vain as a peacock--a well-meaning, timid, honest, good-natured blockhead.
ToparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
twelve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
unknown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On inquiring, he learned that they were stationed there to seize three young men, unknown.
vain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dogberry is a country constable, simple as a child, and vain as a peacock--a well-meaning, timid, honest, good-natured blockhead.
Verges
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some other characters Shakespeare has added, and they are among the most admirable of his comic creations: the peace-officer Dogberry, and his subordinate Verges.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Asked what description they had received of the malefactors, they replied that one of them was said to have a crooked nose.
well-meaning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dogberry is a country constable, simple as a child, and vain as a peacock--a well-meaning, timid, honest, good-natured blockhead.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Asked what description they had received of the malefactors, they replied that one of them was said to have a crooked nose.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading To show that, in those days, such functionaries were almost as helpless in real life as they are here represented, Henrik Schück has cited a letter from Elizabeth's Prime Minister, Lord Burghley, in which he relates how, in 1586, on a journey from London into the county, he found at the gate of every town ten or twelve persons armed with long poles.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On inquiring, he learned that they were stationed there to seize three young men, unknown.