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William Shakespeare: A Critical Study
William Shakespeare: A Critical Study

Chapter XI

Cover illustration for William Shakespeare: A Critical Study
Context Illustration Reading 1/78 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
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.
Dogberry is a country constable, simple as a child, and vain as a peacock--a well-meaning, timid, honest, good-natured blockhead.
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.
On inquiring, he learned that they were stationed there to seize three young men, unknown.
Asked what description they had received of the malefactors, they replied that one of them was said to have a crooked nose.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

William Shakespeare: A Critical Study

Chapter XI

Reading 1/78 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
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.
Line 2
Dogberry is a country constable, simple as a child, and vain as a peacock--a well-meaning, timid, honest, good-natured blockhead.
Line 3
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.
Line 4
On inquiring, he learned that they were stationed there to seize three young men, unknown.
Line 5
Asked what description they had received of the malefactors, they replied that one of them was said to have a crooked nose.

Learner Dictionary

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

Added noun US /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.”

Among preposition US /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.”

Asked noun US /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.”

Every determiner US /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.”

Found noun US /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.”

Has auxiliary verb US /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.”

Have auxiliary verb US /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.”

Here noun US /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.”

Honest adjective US /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.”

Journey noun US /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.”

Life noun US /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.”

Long noun US /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.”

One pronoun US /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.”

Replied noun US /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.”

Those determiner US /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.”

All words in this reading · 106

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

1586

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Burghley

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.

characters

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.

child

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.

cited

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.

comic

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.

constable

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.

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

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.

crooked

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.

days

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.

description

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

said

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.

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

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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.

simple

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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.

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

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From this reading On inquiring, he learned that they were stationed there to seize three young men, unknown.

subordinate

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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.

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

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From this reading On inquiring, he learned that they were stationed there to seize three young men, unknown.

timid

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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.

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.