used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Fifteen minutes after the battle began between the Spanish gunboat and the "Yankee," the former beat a hasty retreat, steaming back into the harbor.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Fifteen minutes after the battle began between the Spanish gunboat and the "Yankee," the former beat a hasty retreat, steaming back into the harbor.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The well-directed fire of the forts at the entrance to Cienfuegos was rapidly making the "Yankee's" position untenable, and it soon became apparent that we would have to give way before overwhelming odds.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading The well-directed fire of the forts at the entrance to Cienfuegos was rapidly making the "Yankee's" position untenable, and it soon became apparent that we would have to give way before overwhelming odds.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was plainly evident, however, that she had been badly hulled, as she yawed wildly while passing from sight behind the headlands.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The well-directed fire of the forts at the entrance to Cienfuegos was rapidly making the "Yankee's" position untenable, and it soon became apparent that we would have to give way before overwhelming odds.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Fifteen minutes after the battle began between the Spanish gunboat and the "Yankee," the former beat a hasty retreat, steaming back into the harbor.
to a severe or serious degree
From this reading It was plainly evident, however, that she had been badly hulled, as she yawed wildly while passing from sight behind the headlands.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading Fifteen minutes after the battle began between the Spanish gunboat and the "Yankee," the former beat a hasty retreat, steaming back into the harbor.
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading Fifteen minutes after the battle began between the Spanish gunboat and the "Yankee," the former beat a hasty retreat, steaming back into the harbor.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading The well-directed fire of the forts at the entrance to Cienfuegos was rapidly making the "Yankee's" position untenable, and it soon became apparent that we would have to give way before overwhelming odds.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was plainly evident, however, that she had been badly hulled, as she yawed wildly while passing from sight behind the headlands.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The well-directed fire of the forts at the entrance to Cienfuegos was rapidly making the "Yankee's" position untenable, and it soon became apparent that we would have to give way before overwhelming odds.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Fifteen minutes after the battle began between the Spanish gunboat and the "Yankee," the former beat a hasty retreat, steaming back into the harbor.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading It was plainly evident, however, that she had been badly hulled, as she yawed wildly while passing from sight behind the headlands.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Fifteen minutes after the battle began between the Spanish gunboat and the "Yankee," the former beat a hasty retreat, steaming back into the harbor.
Cienfuegos
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The well-directed fire of the forts at the entrance to Cienfuegos was rapidly making the "Yankee's" position untenable, and it soon became apparent that we would have to give way before overwhelming odds.
COALING
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading COALING IN THE TROPICS.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading This of itself was victory enough for the present, and at the end of twenty minutes' firing, we withdrew out of range.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading This of itself was victory enough for the present, and at the end of twenty minutes' firing, we withdrew out of range.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading The well-directed fire of the forts at the entrance to Cienfuegos was rapidly making the "Yankee's" position untenable, and it soon became apparent that we would have to give way before overwhelming odds.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading It was plainly evident, however, that she had been badly hulled, as she yawed wildly while passing from sight behind the headlands.
the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one
From this reading Fifteen minutes after the battle began between the Spanish gunboat and the "Yankee," the former beat a hasty retreat, steaming back into the harbor.
start firing a weapon
From this reading The well-directed fire of the forts at the entrance to Cienfuegos was rapidly making the "Yankee's" position untenable, and it soon became apparent that we would have to give way before overwhelming odds.
firingnounUS /ˈfaɪrɪŋ/
the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy
From this reading This of itself was victory enough for the present, and at the end of twenty minutes' firing, we withdrew out of range.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This of itself was victory enough for the present, and at the end of twenty minutes' firing, we withdrew out of range.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading Fifteen minutes after the battle began between the Spanish gunboat and the "Yankee," the former beat a hasty retreat, steaming back into the harbor.
fortsnounUS /fɔːrts/
plural of “fort” — a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading The well-directed fire of the forts at the entrance to Cienfuegos was rapidly making the "Yankee's" position untenable, and it soon became apparent that we would have to give way before overwhelming odds.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was plainly evident, however, that she had been badly hulled, as she yawed wildly while passing from sight behind the headlands.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading The well-directed fire of the forts at the entrance to Cienfuegos was rapidly making the "Yankee's" position untenable, and it soon became apparent that we would have to give way before overwhelming odds.
gunboatnounUS /ˈɡʌnboʊt/
a small shallow-draft boat carrying mounted guns; used by costal patrols
From this reading Fifteen minutes after the battle began between the Spanish gunboat and the "Yankee," the former beat a hasty retreat, steaming back into the harbor.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was plainly evident, however, that she had been badly hulled, as she yawed wildly while passing from sight behind the headlands.
harborverbUS /ˈhɑːrbər/
maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)
From this reading Fifteen minutes after the battle began between the Spanish gunboat and the "Yankee," the former beat a hasty retreat, steaming back into the harbor.
hastyadjectiveUS /ˈheɪsti/
excessively quick
From this reading Fifteen minutes after the battle began between the Spanish gunboat and the "Yankee," the former beat a hasty retreat, steaming back into the harbor.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The well-directed fire of the forts at the entrance to Cienfuegos was rapidly making the "Yankee's" position untenable, and it soon became apparent that we would have to give way before overwhelming odds.
headlands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was plainly evident, however, that she had been badly hulled, as she yawed wildly while passing from sight behind the headlands.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading It was plainly evident, however, that she had been badly hulled, as she yawed wildly while passing from sight behind the headlands.
hulledverbUS /hʌld/
past form of “hull” — remove the hulls from
From this reading It was plainly evident, however, that she had been badly hulled, as she yawed wildly while passing from sight behind the headlands.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading COALING IN THE TROPICS.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Fifteen minutes after the battle began between the Spanish gunboat and the "Yankee," the former beat a hasty retreat, steaming back into the harbor.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The well-directed fire of the forts at the entrance to Cienfuegos was rapidly making the "Yankee's" position untenable, and it soon became apparent that we would have to give way before overwhelming odds.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading This of itself was victory enough for the present, and at the end of twenty minutes' firing, we withdrew out of range.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading The well-directed fire of the forts at the entrance to Cienfuegos was rapidly making the "Yankee's" position untenable, and it soon became apparent that we would have to give way before overwhelming odds.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading Fifteen minutes after the battle began between the Spanish gunboat and the "Yankee," the former beat a hasty retreat, steaming back into the harbor.
oddsnounUS /ɑːdz/
the likelihood of a thing occurring rather than not occurring
From this reading The well-directed fire of the forts at the entrance to Cienfuegos was rapidly making the "Yankee's" position untenable, and it soon became apparent that we would have to give way before overwhelming odds.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The well-directed fire of the forts at the entrance to Cienfuegos was rapidly making the "Yankee's" position untenable, and it soon became apparent that we would have to give way before overwhelming odds.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading This of itself was victory enough for the present, and at the end of twenty minutes' firing, we withdrew out of range.
overwhelmingadjectiveUS /ˌoʊvərˈwelmɪŋ/
so strong as to be irresistible
From this reading The well-directed fire of the forts at the entrance to Cienfuegos was rapidly making the "Yankee's" position untenable, and it soon became apparent that we would have to give way before overwhelming odds.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading It was plainly evident, however, that she had been badly hulled, as she yawed wildly while passing from sight behind the headlands.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading It was plainly evident, however, that she had been badly hulled, as she yawed wildly while passing from sight behind the headlands.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading The well-directed fire of the forts at the entrance to Cienfuegos was rapidly making the "Yankee's" position untenable, and it soon became apparent that we would have to give way before overwhelming odds.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading This of itself was victory enough for the present, and at the end of twenty minutes' firing, we withdrew out of range.
an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"
From this reading This of itself was victory enough for the present, and at the end of twenty minutes' firing, we withdrew out of range.
with speed
From this reading The well-directed fire of the forts at the entrance to Cienfuegos was rapidly making the "Yankee's" position untenable, and it soon became apparent that we would have to give way before overwhelming odds.
(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat
From this reading Fifteen minutes after the battle began between the Spanish gunboat and the "Yankee," the former beat a hasty retreat, steaming back into the harbor.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was plainly evident, however, that she had been badly hulled, as she yawed wildly while passing from sight behind the headlands.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading It was plainly evident, however, that she had been badly hulled, as she yawed wildly while passing from sight behind the headlands.
in the near future
From this reading The well-directed fire of the forts at the entrance to Cienfuegos was rapidly making the "Yankee's" position untenable, and it soon became apparent that we would have to give way before overwhelming odds.
the Romance language spoken in most of Spain and the countries colonized by Spain
From this reading Fifteen minutes after the battle began between the Spanish gunboat and the "Yankee," the former beat a hasty retreat, steaming back into the harbor.
steamingadjectiveUS /ˈstiːmɪŋ/
filled with steam or emitting moisture in the form of vapor or mist
From this reading Fifteen minutes after the battle began between the Spanish gunboat and the "Yankee," the former beat a hasty retreat, steaming back into the harbor.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The well-directed fire of the forts at the entrance to Cienfuegos was rapidly making the "Yankee's" position untenable, and it soon became apparent that we would have to give way before overwhelming odds.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading COALING IN THE TROPICS.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This of itself was victory enough for the present, and at the end of twenty minutes' firing, we withdrew out of range.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The well-directed fire of the forts at the entrance to Cienfuegos was rapidly making the "Yankee's" position untenable, and it soon became apparent that we would have to give way before overwhelming odds.
TROPICSnounUS /ˈtrɑːpɪks/
the part of the Earth's surface between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn; characterized by a hot climate
From this reading COALING IN THE TROPICS.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading This of itself was victory enough for the present, and at the end of twenty minutes' firing, we withdrew out of range.
untenableadjectiveUS /ənˈtenəbəl/
(of theories etc) incapable of being defended or justified
From this reading The well-directed fire of the forts at the entrance to Cienfuegos was rapidly making the "Yankee's" position untenable, and it soon became apparent that we would have to give way before overwhelming odds.
a successful ending of a struggle or contest
From this reading This of itself was victory enough for the present, and at the end of twenty minutes' firing, we withdrew out of range.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The well-directed fire of the forts at the entrance to Cienfuegos was rapidly making the "Yankee's" position untenable, and it soon became apparent that we would have to give way before overwhelming odds.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The well-directed fire of the forts at the entrance to Cienfuegos was rapidly making the "Yankee's" position untenable, and it soon became apparent that we would have to give way before overwhelming odds.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The well-directed fire of the forts at the entrance to Cienfuegos was rapidly making the "Yankee's" position untenable, and it soon became apparent that we would have to give way before overwhelming odds.
well-directed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The well-directed fire of the forts at the entrance to Cienfuegos was rapidly making the "Yankee's" position untenable, and it soon became apparent that we would have to give way before overwhelming odds.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading It was plainly evident, however, that she had been badly hulled, as she yawed wildly while passing from sight behind the headlands.
wildlyadverbUS /ˈwaɪldli/
to an extreme or greatly exaggerated degree
From this reading It was plainly evident, however, that she had been badly hulled, as she yawed wildly while passing from sight behind the headlands.
withdrewverbUS /wɪθˈdruː/
inflected form of “withdraw” — pull back or move away or backward
From this reading This of itself was victory enough for the present, and at the end of twenty minutes' firing, we withdrew out of range.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The well-directed fire of the forts at the entrance to Cienfuegos was rapidly making the "Yankee's" position untenable, and it soon became apparent that we would have to give way before overwhelming odds.
YankeenounUS /ˈjæŋki/
an American who lives in the North (especially during the American Civil War)
From this reading Fifteen minutes after the battle began between the Spanish gunboat and the "Yankee," the former beat a hasty retreat, steaming back into the harbor.
Yankee'snounUS /ˈjæŋkiz/
possessive form of “yankee” — an American who lives in the North (especially during the American Civil War)
From this reading The well-directed fire of the forts at the entrance to Cienfuegos was rapidly making the "Yankee's" position untenable, and it soon became apparent that we would have to give way before overwhelming odds.
yawed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was plainly evident, however, that she had been badly hulled, as she yawed wildly while passing from sight behind the headlands.
