used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The most extensive and careful preparations were in progress for the events which, a few days later, astonished the world even more than the splendid achievements of the fleet below New Orleans.
achievementsnounUS /əˈtʃiːvmənts/
plural of “achievement” — the action of accomplishing something
From this reading The most extensive and careful preparations were in progress for the events which, a few days later, astonished the world even more than the splendid achievements of the fleet below New Orleans.
activelyadverbUS /ˈæktɪvli/
in an active manner
From this reading The squadron off the mouth of Mobile Bay had been actively employed for several days in sending down top-masts, superfluous spars, and rigging.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The most extensive and careful preparations were in progress for the events which, a few days later, astonished the world even more than the splendid achievements of the fleet below New Orleans.
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading The most extensive and careful preparations were in progress for the events which, a few days later, astonished the world even more than the splendid achievements of the fleet below New Orleans.
bagsnounUS /bæɡz/
plural of “bag” — a flexible container with a single opening
From this reading Chains and sand bags were placed on the decks where plunging shot might disable the engines.
an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
From this reading The squadron off the mouth of Mobile Bay had been actively employed for several days in sending down top-masts, superfluous spars, and rigging.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The squadron off the mouth of Mobile Bay had been actively employed for several days in sending down top-masts, superfluous spars, and rigging.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading The most extensive and careful preparations were in progress for the events which, a few days later, astonished the world even more than the splendid achievements of the fleet below New Orleans.
possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
From this reading BRAVE OLD SALT.
cablesnounUS /ˈkeɪbəlz/
plural of “cable” — a telegram sent abroad
From this reading Chain cables had been extended over the sides of the ships where the machinery was exposed to injury from the shot and shell of the fort.
exercising caution or showing care or attention
From this reading The most extensive and careful preparations were in progress for the events which, a few days later, astonished the world even more than the splendid achievements of the fleet below New Orleans.
a series of things depending on each other as if linked together
From this reading Chain cables had been extended over the sides of the ships where the machinery was exposed to injury from the shot and shell of the fort.
ChainsnounUS /tʃeɪnz/
metal shackles; for hands or legs
From this reading Chains and sand bags were placed on the decks where plunging shot might disable the engines.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading The most extensive and careful preparations were in progress for the events which, a few days later, astonished the world even more than the splendid achievements of the fleet below New Orleans.
decksnounUS /deks/
plural of “deck” — any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading Chains and sand bags were placed on the decks where plunging shot might disable the engines.
disableverbUS /dɪˈseɪbəl/
make unable to perform a certain action
From this reading Chains and sand bags were placed on the decks where plunging shot might disable the engines.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The squadron off the mouth of Mobile Bay had been actively employed for several days in sending down top-masts, superfluous spars, and rigging.
having your services engaged for; or having a job especially one that pays wages or a salary
From this reading The squadron off the mouth of Mobile Bay had been actively employed for several days in sending down top-masts, superfluous spars, and rigging.
enginesnounUS /ˈendʒənz/
plural of “engine” — motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading Chains and sand bags were placed on the decks where plunging shot might disable the engines.
divisible by two
From this reading The most extensive and careful preparations were in progress for the events which, a few days later, astonished the world even more than the splendid achievements of the fleet below New Orleans.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading The most extensive and careful preparations were in progress for the events which, a few days later, astonished the world even more than the splendid achievements of the fleet below New Orleans.
exposedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspoʊzd/
with no protection or shield
From this reading Chain cables had been extended over the sides of the ships where the machinery was exposed to injury from the shot and shell of the fort.
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading Chain cables had been extended over the sides of the ships where the machinery was exposed to injury from the shot and shell of the fort.
extensiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈstensɪv/
large in spatial extent or range or scope or quantity
From this reading The most extensive and careful preparations were in progress for the events which, a few days later, astonished the world even more than the splendid achievements of the fleet below New Orleans.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The most extensive and careful preparations were in progress for the events which, a few days later, astonished the world even more than the splendid achievements of the fleet below New Orleans.
group of aircraft operating together under the same ownership
From this reading The most extensive and careful preparations were in progress for the events which, a few days later, astonished the world even more than the splendid achievements of the fleet below New Orleans.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The most extensive and careful preparations were in progress for the events which, a few days later, astonished the world even more than the splendid achievements of the fleet below New Orleans.
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading Chain cables had been extended over the sides of the ships where the machinery was exposed to injury from the shot and shell of the fort.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Chain cables had been extended over the sides of the ships where the machinery was exposed to injury from the shot and shell of the fort.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The squadron off the mouth of Mobile Bay had been actively employed for several days in sending down top-masts, superfluous spars, and rigging.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The most extensive and careful preparations were in progress for the events which, a few days later, astonished the world even more than the splendid achievements of the fleet below New Orleans.
injurynounUS /ˈɪndʒəri/
any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.
From this reading Chain cables had been extended over the sides of the ships where the machinery was exposed to injury from the shot and shell of the fort.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading The most extensive and careful preparations were in progress for the events which, a few days later, astonished the world even more than the splendid achievements of the fleet below New Orleans.
machinerynounUS /məˈʃiːnəri/
machines or machine systems collectively
From this reading Chain cables had been extended over the sides of the ships where the machinery was exposed to injury from the shot and shell of the fort.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Chains and sand bags were placed on the decks where plunging shot might disable the engines.
MobileadjectiveUS /ˈmoʊbəl/
migratory
From this reading The squadron off the mouth of Mobile Bay had been actively employed for several days in sending down top-masts, superfluous spars, and rigging.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The most extensive and careful preparations were in progress for the events which, a few days later, astonished the world even more than the splendid achievements of the fleet below New Orleans.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The most extensive and careful preparations were in progress for the events which, a few days later, astonished the world even more than the splendid achievements of the fleet below New Orleans.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading The squadron off the mouth of Mobile Bay had been actively employed for several days in sending down top-masts, superfluous spars, and rigging.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The most extensive and careful preparations were in progress for the events which, a few days later, astonished the world even more than the splendid achievements of the fleet below New Orleans.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The most extensive and careful preparations were in progress for the events which, a few days later, astonished the world even more than the splendid achievements of the fleet below New Orleans.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The squadron off the mouth of Mobile Bay had been actively employed for several days in sending down top-masts, superfluous spars, and rigging.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading BRAVE OLD SALT.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Chains and sand bags were placed on the decks where plunging shot might disable the engines.
OrleansnounUS /ˈɔːrliənz/
a city on the Loire river in north central France; site of the siege of Orleans by the English (1428-1429)
From this reading The most extensive and careful preparations were in progress for the events which, a few days later, astonished the world even more than the splendid achievements of the fleet below New Orleans.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Chain cables had been extended over the sides of the ships where the machinery was exposed to injury from the shot and shell of the fort.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading Chains and sand bags were placed on the decks where plunging shot might disable the engines.
plungingverbUS /ˈplʌndʒɪŋ/
-ing form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into
From this reading Chains and sand bags were placed on the decks where plunging shot might disable the engines.
preparationsnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “preparation” — the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading The most extensive and careful preparations were in progress for the events which, a few days later, astonished the world even more than the splendid achievements of the fleet below New Orleans.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading The most extensive and careful preparations were in progress for the events which, a few days later, astonished the world even more than the splendid achievements of the fleet below New Orleans.
riggingnounUS /ˈrɪɡɪŋ/
gear consisting of ropes etc. supporting a ship's masts and sails
From this reading The squadron off the mouth of Mobile Bay had been actively employed for several days in sending down top-masts, superfluous spars, and rigging.
a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts like a metal)
From this reading BRAVE OLD SALT.
a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral
From this reading Chains and sand bags were placed on the decks where plunging shot might disable the engines.
the act of causing something to go (especially messages)
From this reading The squadron off the mouth of Mobile Bay had been actively employed for several days in sending down top-masts, superfluous spars, and rigging.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading The squadron off the mouth of Mobile Bay had been actively employed for several days in sending down top-masts, superfluous spars, and rigging.
shellnounUS /ʃel/
ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading Chain cables had been extended over the sides of the ships where the machinery was exposed to injury from the shot and shell of the fort.
plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight
From this reading Chain cables had been extended over the sides of the ships where the machinery was exposed to injury from the shot and shell of the fort.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading Chain cables had been extended over the sides of the ships where the machinery was exposed to injury from the shot and shell of the fort.
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Chain cables had been extended over the sides of the ships where the machinery was exposed to injury from the shot and shell of the fort.
spars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The squadron off the mouth of Mobile Bay had been actively employed for several days in sending down top-masts, superfluous spars, and rigging.
having great beauty and splendor
From this reading The most extensive and careful preparations were in progress for the events which, a few days later, astonished the world even more than the splendid achievements of the fleet below New Orleans.
squadronnounUS /ˈskwɑːdrən/
a cavalry unit consisting of two or more troops and headquarters and supporting arms
From this reading The squadron off the mouth of Mobile Bay had been actively employed for several days in sending down top-masts, superfluous spars, and rigging.
superfluousadjectiveUS /ˈsuːpərflwʌs/
serving no useful purpose; having no excuse for being
From this reading The squadron off the mouth of Mobile Bay had been actively employed for several days in sending down top-masts, superfluous spars, and rigging.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The most extensive and careful preparations were in progress for the events which, a few days later, astonished the world even more than the splendid achievements of the fleet below New Orleans.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The most extensive and careful preparations were in progress for the events which, a few days later, astonished the world even more than the splendid achievements of the fleet below New Orleans.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Chain cables had been extended over the sides of the ships where the machinery was exposed to injury from the shot and shell of the fort.
top-masts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The squadron off the mouth of Mobile Bay had been actively employed for several days in sending down top-masts, superfluous spars, and rigging.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Chain cables had been extended over the sides of the ships where the machinery was exposed to injury from the shot and shell of the fort.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The most extensive and careful preparations were in progress for the events which, a few days later, astonished the world even more than the splendid achievements of the fleet below New Orleans.
in or at the place that
From this reading Chain cables had been extended over the sides of the ships where the machinery was exposed to injury from the shot and shell of the fort.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The most extensive and careful preparations were in progress for the events which, a few days later, astonished the world even more than the splendid achievements of the fleet below New Orleans.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading The most extensive and careful preparations were in progress for the events which, a few days later, astonished the world even more than the splendid achievements of the fleet below New Orleans.
