Chapter II · Chapter 2

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Parrington at once opened fire on the hostile ship, and in a few minutes the latter had to pay heavily for her carelessness.

matters of personal concern

From this reading It also seemed unlikely that four little gunboats should have run the blockade before Manila; it was far more natural to suppose that these ships, still ignorant of the true state of affairs, were bound on some expedition in connection with the rising of the natives.

in addition

From this reading It also seemed unlikely that four little gunboats should have run the blockade before Manila; it was far more natural to suppose that these ships, still ignorant of the true state of affairs, were bound on some expedition in connection with the rising of the natives.

plural of “american” — a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading Her commander had evidently reckoned upon the fact that the Americans were not yet aware of the outbreak of war, and had hoped to pass the gunboats under cover of a neutral flag.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Parrington at once opened fire on the hostile ship, and in a few minutes the latter had to pay heavily for her carelessness.

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading The firing had scarcely lasted ten minutes before the Japanese auxiliary cruiser, which had answered with a few shots from two light guns cleverly concealed behind the deck-house near the stern of the boat, sank stern first.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading It was at any rate a slight victory which greatly raised the spirits of the crews of the gunboats.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Parrington at once opened fire on the hostile ship, and in a few minutes the latter had to pay heavily for her carelessness.

functioning in a supporting capacity

From this reading The firing had scarcely lasted ten minutes before the Japanese auxiliary cruiser, which had answered with a few shots from two light guns cleverly concealed behind the deck-house near the stern of the boat, sank stern first.

(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception

From this reading Her commander had evidently reckoned upon the fact that the Americans were not yet aware of the outbreak of war, and had hoped to pass the gunboats under cover of a neutral flag.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It also seemed unlikely that four little gunboats should have run the blockade before Manila; it was far more natural to suppose that these ships, still ignorant of the true state of affairs, were bound on some expedition in connection with the rising of the natives.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading The firing had scarcely lasted ten minutes before the Japanese auxiliary cruiser, which had answered with a few shots from two light guns cleverly concealed behind the deck-house near the stern of the boat, sank stern first.

a war measure that isolates some area of importance to the enemy

From this reading It also seemed unlikely that four little gunboats should have run the blockade before Manila; it was far more natural to suppose that these ships, still ignorant of the true state of affairs, were bound on some expedition in connection with the rising of the natives.

a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading The firing had scarcely lasted ten minutes before the Japanese auxiliary cruiser, which had answered with a few shots from two light guns cleverly concealed behind the deck-house near the stern of the boat, sank stern first.

confined by bonds

From this reading It also seemed unlikely that four little gunboats should have run the blockade before Manila; it was far more natural to suppose that these ships, still ignorant of the true state of affairs, were bound on some expedition in connection with the rising of the natives.

the quality of not being careful or taking pains

From this reading Parrington at once opened fire on the hostile ship, and in a few minutes the latter had to pay heavily for her carelessness.

in a clever manner

From this reading The firing had scarcely lasted ten minutes before the Japanese auxiliary cruiser, which had answered with a few shots from two light guns cleverly concealed behind the deck-house near the stern of the boat, sank stern first.

an officer in command of a military unit

From this reading Her commander had evidently reckoned upon the fact that the Americans were not yet aware of the outbreak of war, and had hoped to pass the gunboats under cover of a neutral flag.

not accessible to view

From this reading The firing had scarcely lasted ten minutes before the Japanese auxiliary cruiser, which had answered with a few shots from two light guns cleverly concealed behind the deck-house near the stern of the boat, sank stern first.

a relation between things or events (as in the case of one causing the other or sharing features with it)

From this reading It also seemed unlikely that four little gunboats should have run the blockade before Manila; it was far more natural to suppose that these ships, still ignorant of the true state of affairs, were bound on some expedition in connection with the rising of the natives.

provide with a covering or cause to be covered

From this reading Her commander had evidently reckoned upon the fact that the Americans were not yet aware of the outbreak of war, and had hoped to pass the gunboats under cover of a neutral flag.

plural of “crew” — the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)

From this reading It was at any rate a slight victory which greatly raised the spirits of the crews of the gunboats.

a car in which policemen cruise the streets; equipped with radiotelephonic communications to headquarters

From this reading The firing had scarcely lasted ten minutes before the Japanese auxiliary cruiser, which had answered with a few shots from two light guns cleverly concealed behind the deck-house near the stern of the boat, sank stern first.

a superstructure on the upper deck of a ship

From this reading The firing had scarcely lasted ten minutes before the Japanese auxiliary cruiser, which had answered with a few shots from two light guns cleverly concealed behind the deck-house near the stern of the boat, sank stern first.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading Her commander had evidently reckoned upon the fact that the Americans were not yet aware of the outbreak of war, and had hoped to pass the gunboats under cover of a neutral flag.

a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country

From this reading It also seemed unlikely that four little gunboats should have run the blockade before Manila; it was far more natural to suppose that these ships, still ignorant of the true state of affairs, were bound on some expedition in connection with the rising of the natives.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading Her commander had evidently reckoned upon the fact that the Americans were not yet aware of the outbreak of war, and had hoped to pass the gunboats under cover of a neutral flag.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading It also seemed unlikely that four little gunboats should have run the blockade before Manila; it was far more natural to suppose that these ships, still ignorant of the true state of affairs, were bound on some expedition in connection with the rising of the natives.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading Parrington at once opened fire on the hostile ship, and in a few minutes the latter had to pay heavily for her carelessness.

start firing a weapon

From this reading Parrington at once opened fire on the hostile ship, and in a few minutes the latter had to pay heavily for her carelessness.

the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy

From this reading The firing had scarcely lasted ten minutes before the Japanese auxiliary cruiser, which had answered with a few shots from two light guns cleverly concealed behind the deck-house near the stern of the boat, sank stern first.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The firing had scarcely lasted ten minutes before the Japanese auxiliary cruiser, which had answered with a few shots from two light guns cleverly concealed behind the deck-house near the stern of the boat, sank stern first.

emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design

From this reading Her commander had evidently reckoned upon the fact that the Americans were not yet aware of the outbreak of war, and had hoped to pass the gunboats under cover of a neutral flag.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Parrington at once opened fire on the hostile ship, and in a few minutes the latter had to pay heavily for her carelessness.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading It also seemed unlikely that four little gunboats should have run the blockade before Manila; it was far more natural to suppose that these ships, still ignorant of the true state of affairs, were bound on some expedition in connection with the rising of the natives.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The firing had scarcely lasted ten minutes before the Japanese auxiliary cruiser, which had answered with a few shots from two light guns cleverly concealed behind the deck-house near the stern of the boat, sank stern first.

to an extraordinary extent or degree

From this reading It was at any rate a slight victory which greatly raised the spirits of the crews of the gunboats.

plural of “gunboat” — a small shallow-draft boat carrying mounted guns; used by costal patrols

From this reading Her commander had evidently reckoned upon the fact that the Americans were not yet aware of the outbreak of war, and had hoped to pass the gunboats under cover of a neutral flag.

plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)

From this reading The firing had scarcely lasted ten minutes before the Japanese auxiliary cruiser, which had answered with a few shots from two light guns cleverly concealed behind the deck-house near the stern of the boat, sank stern first.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Parrington at once opened fire on the hostile ship, and in a few minutes the latter had to pay heavily for her carelessness.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It also seemed unlikely that four little gunboats should have run the blockade before Manila; it was far more natural to suppose that these ships, still ignorant of the true state of affairs, were bound on some expedition in connection with the rising of the natives.

to a considerable degree

From this reading Parrington at once opened fire on the hostile ship, and in a few minutes the latter had to pay heavily for her carelessness.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Parrington at once opened fire on the hostile ship, and in a few minutes the latter had to pay heavily for her carelessness.

past form of “hope” — expect and wish

From this reading Her commander had evidently reckoned upon the fact that the Americans were not yet aware of the outbreak of war, and had hoped to pass the gunboats under cover of a neutral flag.

characterized by enmity or ill will

From this reading Parrington at once opened fire on the hostile ship, and in a few minutes the latter had to pay heavily for her carelessness.

uneducated in general; lacking knowledge or sophistication

From this reading It also seemed unlikely that four little gunboats should have run the blockade before Manila; it was far more natural to suppose that these ships, still ignorant of the true state of affairs, were bound on some expedition in connection with the rising of the natives.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Parrington at once opened fire on the hostile ship, and in a few minutes the latter had to pay heavily for her carelessness.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It also seemed unlikely that four little gunboats should have run the blockade before Manila; it was far more natural to suppose that these ships, still ignorant of the true state of affairs, were bound on some expedition in connection with the rising of the natives.

a native or inhabitant of Japan

From this reading The firing had scarcely lasted ten minutes before the Japanese auxiliary cruiser, which had answered with a few shots from two light guns cleverly concealed behind the deck-house near the stern of the boat, sank stern first.

past form of “last” — persist for a specified period of time

From this reading The firing had scarcely lasted ten minutes before the Japanese auxiliary cruiser, which had answered with a few shots from two light guns cleverly concealed behind the deck-house near the stern of the boat, sank stern first.

referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)

From this reading Parrington at once opened fire on the hostile ship, and in a few minutes the latter had to pay heavily for her carelessness.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading The firing had scarcely lasted ten minutes before the Japanese auxiliary cruiser, which had answered with a few shots from two light guns cleverly concealed behind the deck-house near the stern of the boat, sank stern first.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading It also seemed unlikely that four little gunboats should have run the blockade before Manila; it was far more natural to suppose that these ships, still ignorant of the true state of affairs, were bound on some expedition in connection with the rising of the natives.

a strong paper or thin cardboard with a smooth light brown finish made from e.g. Manila hemp

From this reading It also seemed unlikely that four little gunboats should have run the blockade before Manila; it was far more natural to suppose that these ships, still ignorant of the true state of affairs, were bound on some expedition in connection with the rising of the natives.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading Parrington at once opened fire on the hostile ship, and in a few minutes the latter had to pay heavily for her carelessness.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading It also seemed unlikely that four little gunboats should have run the blockade before Manila; it was far more natural to suppose that these ships, still ignorant of the true state of affairs, were bound on some expedition in connection with the rising of the natives.

plural of “native” — an indigenous person who was born in a particular place

From this reading It also seemed unlikely that four little gunboats should have run the blockade before Manila; it was far more natural to suppose that these ships, still ignorant of the true state of affairs, were bound on some expedition in connection with the rising of the natives.

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading It also seemed unlikely that four little gunboats should have run the blockade before Manila; it was far more natural to suppose that these ships, still ignorant of the true state of affairs, were bound on some expedition in connection with the rising of the natives.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading The firing had scarcely lasted ten minutes before the Japanese auxiliary cruiser, which had answered with a few shots from two light guns cleverly concealed behind the deck-house near the stern of the boat, sank stern first.

having no personal preference

From this reading Her commander had evidently reckoned upon the fact that the Americans were not yet aware of the outbreak of war, and had hoped to pass the gunboats under cover of a neutral flag.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Her commander had evidently reckoned upon the fact that the Americans were not yet aware of the outbreak of war, and had hoped to pass the gunboats under cover of a neutral flag.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Her commander had evidently reckoned upon the fact that the Americans were not yet aware of the outbreak of war, and had hoped to pass the gunboats under cover of a neutral flag.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Parrington at once opened fire on the hostile ship, and in a few minutes the latter had to pay heavily for her carelessness.

on one occasion

From this reading Parrington at once opened fire on the hostile ship, and in a few minutes the latter had to pay heavily for her carelessness.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading Parrington at once opened fire on the hostile ship, and in a few minutes the latter had to pay heavily for her carelessness.

a sudden violent spontaneous occurrence (usually of some undesirable condition)

From this reading Her commander had evidently reckoned upon the fact that the Americans were not yet aware of the outbreak of war, and had hoped to pass the gunboats under cover of a neutral flag.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Parrington at once opened fire on the hostile ship, and in a few minutes the latter had to pay heavily for her carelessness.

go across or through

From this reading Her commander had evidently reckoned upon the fact that the Americans were not yet aware of the outbreak of war, and had hoped to pass the gunboats under cover of a neutral flag.

give money, usually in exchange for goods or services

From this reading Parrington at once opened fire on the hostile ship, and in a few minutes the latter had to pay heavily for her carelessness.

located or moved above the surround or above the normal position

From this reading It was at any rate a slight victory which greatly raised the spirits of the crews of the gunboats.

a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit

From this reading It was at any rate a slight victory which greatly raised the spirits of the crews of the gunboats.

past form of “reckon” — expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading Her commander had evidently reckoned upon the fact that the Americans were not yet aware of the outbreak of war, and had hoped to pass the gunboats under cover of a neutral flag.

advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status

From this reading It also seemed unlikely that four little gunboats should have run the blockade before Manila; it was far more natural to suppose that these ships, still ignorant of the true state of affairs, were bound on some expedition in connection with the rising of the natives.

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading It also seemed unlikely that four little gunboats should have run the blockade before Manila; it was far more natural to suppose that these ships, still ignorant of the true state of affairs, were bound on some expedition in connection with the rising of the natives.

inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level

From this reading The firing had scarcely lasted ten minutes before the Japanese auxiliary cruiser, which had answered with a few shots from two light guns cleverly concealed behind the deck-house near the stern of the boat, sank stern first.

only a very short time before

From this reading The firing had scarcely lasted ten minutes before the Japanese auxiliary cruiser, which had answered with a few shots from two light guns cleverly concealed behind the deck-house near the stern of the boat, sank stern first.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading It also seemed unlikely that four little gunboats should have run the blockade before Manila; it was far more natural to suppose that these ships, still ignorant of the true state of affairs, were bound on some expedition in connection with the rising of the natives.

transport commercially

From this reading Parrington at once opened fire on the hostile ship, and in a few minutes the latter had to pay heavily for her carelessness.

plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight

From this reading It also seemed unlikely that four little gunboats should have run the blockade before Manila; it was far more natural to suppose that these ships, still ignorant of the true state of affairs, were bound on some expedition in connection with the rising of the natives.

plural of “shot” — the act of firing a projectile

From this reading The firing had scarcely lasted ten minutes before the Japanese auxiliary cruiser, which had answered with a few shots from two light guns cleverly concealed behind the deck-house near the stern of the boat, sank stern first.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading It also seemed unlikely that four little gunboats should have run the blockade before Manila; it was far more natural to suppose that these ships, still ignorant of the true state of affairs, were bound on some expedition in connection with the rising of the natives.

a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)

From this reading It was at any rate a slight victory which greatly raised the spirits of the crews of the gunboats.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading It also seemed unlikely that four little gunboats should have run the blockade before Manila; it was far more natural to suppose that these ships, still ignorant of the true state of affairs, were bound on some expedition in connection with the rising of the natives.

an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented

From this reading It was at any rate a slight victory which greatly raised the spirits of the crews of the gunboats.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading It also seemed unlikely that four little gunboats should have run the blockade before Manila; it was far more natural to suppose that these ships, still ignorant of the true state of affairs, were bound on some expedition in connection with the rising of the natives.

of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect

From this reading The firing had scarcely lasted ten minutes before the Japanese auxiliary cruiser, which had answered with a few shots from two light guns cleverly concealed behind the deck-house near the stern of the boat, sank stern first.

not in physical motion

From this reading It also seemed unlikely that four little gunboats should have run the blockade before Manila; it was far more natural to suppose that these ships, still ignorant of the true state of affairs, were bound on some expedition in connection with the rising of the natives.

express a supposition

From this reading It also seemed unlikely that four little gunboats should have run the blockade before Manila; it was far more natural to suppose that these ships, still ignorant of the true state of affairs, were bound on some expedition in connection with the rising of the natives.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading The firing had scarcely lasted ten minutes before the Japanese auxiliary cruiser, which had answered with a few shots from two light guns cleverly concealed behind the deck-house near the stern of the boat, sank stern first.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Her commander had evidently reckoned upon the fact that the Americans were not yet aware of the outbreak of war, and had hoped to pass the gunboats under cover of a neutral flag.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Parrington at once opened fire on the hostile ship, and in a few minutes the latter had to pay heavily for her carelessness.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading It also seemed unlikely that four little gunboats should have run the blockade before Manila; it was far more natural to suppose that these ships, still ignorant of the true state of affairs, were bound on some expedition in connection with the rising of the natives.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Parrington at once opened fire on the hostile ship, and in a few minutes the latter had to pay heavily for her carelessness.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading It also seemed unlikely that four little gunboats should have run the blockade before Manila; it was far more natural to suppose that these ships, still ignorant of the true state of affairs, were bound on some expedition in connection with the rising of the natives.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading The firing had scarcely lasted ten minutes before the Japanese auxiliary cruiser, which had answered with a few shots from two light guns cleverly concealed behind the deck-house near the stern of the boat, sank stern first.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Her commander had evidently reckoned upon the fact that the Americans were not yet aware of the outbreak of war, and had hoped to pass the gunboats under cover of a neutral flag.

not likely to be true or to occur or to have occurred

From this reading It also seemed unlikely that four little gunboats should have run the blockade before Manila; it was far more natural to suppose that these ships, still ignorant of the true state of affairs, were bound on some expedition in connection with the rising of the natives.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Her commander had evidently reckoned upon the fact that the Americans were not yet aware of the outbreak of war, and had hoped to pass the gunboats under cover of a neutral flag.

a successful ending of a struggle or contest

From this reading It was at any rate a slight victory which greatly raised the spirits of the crews of the gunboats.

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading Her commander had evidently reckoned upon the fact that the Americans were not yet aware of the outbreak of war, and had hoped to pass the gunboats under cover of a neutral flag.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It also seemed unlikely that four little gunboats should have run the blockade before Manila; it was far more natural to suppose that these ships, still ignorant of the true state of affairs, were bound on some expedition in connection with the rising of the natives.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Her commander had evidently reckoned upon the fact that the Americans were not yet aware of the outbreak of war, and had hoped to pass the gunboats under cover of a neutral flag.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The firing had scarcely lasted ten minutes before the Japanese auxiliary cruiser, which had answered with a few shots from two light guns cleverly concealed behind the deck-house near the stern of the boat, sank stern first.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It also seemed unlikely that four little gunboats should have run the blockade before Manila; it was far more natural to suppose that these ships, still ignorant of the true state of affairs, were bound on some expedition in connection with the rising of the natives.

but in spite of that

From this reading Her commander had evidently reckoned upon the fact that the Americans were not yet aware of the outbreak of war, and had hoped to pass the gunboats under cover of a neutral flag.