used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As soon as the Ticonderoga came within range, the guerrillas directed a volley against her; but, although her decks were crowded with men, the fire was without effect.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading As soon as the Ticonderoga came within range, the guerrillas directed a volley against her; but, although her decks were crowded with men, the fire was without effect.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading The boatswain's whistle, and the order, "All hands under cover," rang sharply through the ship, and the decks were instantly deserted.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading As soon as the Ticonderoga came within range, the guerrillas directed a volley against her; but, although her decks were crowded with men, the fire was without effect.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The second division--the one which Frank commanded--was at once called to quarters, and as soon as the gun could be cast loose and pointed, an eleven-inch shell went shrieking into the woods.
anchoredverbUS /ˈæŋkərd/
past form of “anchor” — fix firmly and stably
From this reading On the next day they arrived at Cypress Bend, where they found three "tin-clads" anchored, paying no attention to the perfect storm of bullets which the concealed rebels rained upon their decks from behind the levee.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The boatswain's whistle, and the order, "All hands under cover," rang sharply through the ship, and the decks were instantly deserted.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading On the next day they arrived at Cypress Bend, where they found three "tin-clads" anchored, paying no attention to the perfect storm of bullets which the concealed rebels rained upon their decks from behind the levee.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As soon as the Ticonderoga came within range, the guerrillas directed a volley against her; but, although her decks were crowded with men, the fire was without effect.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading On the next day they arrived at Cypress Bend, where they found three "tin-clads" anchored, paying no attention to the perfect storm of bullets which the concealed rebels rained upon their decks from behind the levee.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading On the next day they arrived at Cypress Bend, where they found three "tin-clads" anchored, paying no attention to the perfect storm of bullets which the concealed rebels rained upon their decks from behind the levee.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The second division--the one which Frank commanded--was at once called to quarters, and as soon as the gun could be cast loose and pointed, an eleven-inch shell went shrieking into the woods.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading On the next day they arrived at Cypress Bend, where they found three "tin-clads" anchored, paying no attention to the perfect storm of bullets which the concealed rebels rained upon their decks from behind the levee.
BendverbUS /bend/
form a curve
From this reading On the next day they arrived at Cypress Bend, where they found three "tin-clads" anchored, paying no attention to the perfect storm of bullets which the concealed rebels rained upon their decks from behind the levee.
boatswain's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boatswain's whistle, and the order, "All hands under cover," rang sharply through the ship, and the decks were instantly deserted.
bulletsnounUS /ˈbʊləts/
plural of “bullet” — a projectile that is fired from a gun
From this reading On the next day they arrived at Cypress Bend, where they found three "tin-clads" anchored, paying no attention to the perfect storm of bullets which the concealed rebels rained upon their decks from behind the levee.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading As soon as the Ticonderoga came within range, the guerrillas directed a volley against her; but, although her decks were crowded with men, the fire was without effect.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading The second division--the one which Frank commanded--was at once called to quarters, and as soon as the gun could be cast loose and pointed, an eleven-inch shell went shrieking into the woods.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading As soon as the Ticonderoga came within range, the guerrillas directed a volley against her; but, although her decks were crowded with men, the fire was without effect.
put or send forth
From this reading The second division--the one which Frank commanded--was at once called to quarters, and as soon as the gun could be cast loose and pointed, an eleven-inch shell went shrieking into the woods.
past form of “command” — be in command of
From this reading The second division--the one which Frank commanded--was at once called to quarters, and as soon as the gun could be cast loose and pointed, an eleven-inch shell went shrieking into the woods.
not accessible to view
From this reading On the next day they arrived at Cypress Bend, where they found three "tin-clads" anchored, paying no attention to the perfect storm of bullets which the concealed rebels rained upon their decks from behind the levee.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The second division--the one which Frank commanded--was at once called to quarters, and as soon as the gun could be cast loose and pointed, an eleven-inch shell went shrieking into the woods.
provide with a covering or cause to be covered
From this reading The boatswain's whistle, and the order, "All hands under cover," rang sharply through the ship, and the decks were instantly deserted.
overfilled or compacted or concentrated
From this reading As soon as the Ticonderoga came within range, the guerrillas directed a volley against her; but, although her decks were crowded with men, the fire was without effect.
CypressnounUS /ˈsaɪprəs/
wood of any of various cypress trees especially of the genus Cupressus
From this reading On the next day they arrived at Cypress Bend, where they found three "tin-clads" anchored, paying no attention to the perfect storm of bullets which the concealed rebels rained upon their decks from behind the levee.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading On the next day they arrived at Cypress Bend, where they found three "tin-clads" anchored, paying no attention to the perfect storm of bullets which the concealed rebels rained upon their decks from behind the levee.
decksnounUS /deks/
plural of “deck” — any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading On the next day they arrived at Cypress Bend, where they found three "tin-clads" anchored, paying no attention to the perfect storm of bullets which the concealed rebels rained upon their decks from behind the levee.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading The boatswain's whistle, and the order, "All hands under cover," rang sharply through the ship, and the decks were instantly deserted.
(often used in combination) having a specified direction
From this reading As soon as the Ticonderoga came within range, the guerrillas directed a volley against her; but, although her decks were crowded with men, the fire was without effect.
divisionnounUS /dɪˈvɪʒən/
an army unit large enough to sustain combat
From this reading The second division--the one which Frank commanded--was at once called to quarters, and as soon as the gun could be cast loose and pointed, an eleven-inch shell went shrieking into the woods.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading As soon as the Ticonderoga came within range, the guerrillas directed a volley against her; but, although her decks were crowded with men, the fire was without effect.
eleven-inch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second division--the one which Frank commanded--was at once called to quarters, and as soon as the gun could be cast loose and pointed, an eleven-inch shell went shrieking into the woods.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading The Fight in the Woods.
start firing a weapon
From this reading As soon as the Ticonderoga came within range, the guerrillas directed a volley against her; but, although her decks were crowded with men, the fire was without effect.
set up or found
From this reading On the next day they arrived at Cypress Bend, where they found three "tin-clads" anchored, paying no attention to the perfect storm of bullets which the concealed rebels rained upon their decks from behind the levee.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading The second division--the one which Frank commanded--was at once called to quarters, and as soon as the gun could be cast loose and pointed, an eleven-inch shell went shrieking into the woods.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading On the next day they arrived at Cypress Bend, where they found three "tin-clads" anchored, paying no attention to the perfect storm of bullets which the concealed rebels rained upon their decks from behind the levee.
guerrillasnounUS /ɡərˈɪləz/
plural of “guerrilla” — a member of an irregular armed force that fights a stronger force by sabotage and harassment
From this reading As soon as the Ticonderoga came within range, the guerrillas directed a volley against her; but, although her decks were crowded with men, the fire was without effect.
a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading The second division--the one which Frank commanded--was at once called to quarters, and as soon as the gun could be cast loose and pointed, an eleven-inch shell went shrieking into the woods.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading The boatswain's whistle, and the order, "All hands under cover," rang sharply through the ship, and the decks were instantly deserted.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading As soon as the Ticonderoga came within range, the guerrillas directed a volley against her; but, although her decks were crowded with men, the fire was without effect.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Fight in the Woods.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading The boatswain's whistle, and the order, "All hands under cover," rang sharply through the ship, and the decks were instantly deserted.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The second division--the one which Frank commanded--was at once called to quarters, and as soon as the gun could be cast loose and pointed, an eleven-inch shell went shrieking into the woods.
leveenounUS /ˈlevi/
a formal reception of visitors or guests (as at a royal court)
From this reading On the next day they arrived at Cypress Bend, where they found three "tin-clads" anchored, paying no attention to the perfect storm of bullets which the concealed rebels rained upon their decks from behind the levee.
not compact or dense in structure or arrangement
From this reading The second division--the one which Frank commanded--was at once called to quarters, and as soon as the gun could be cast loose and pointed, an eleven-inch shell went shrieking into the woods.
the force of workers available
From this reading As soon as the Ticonderoga came within range, the guerrillas directed a volley against her; but, although her decks were crowded with men, the fire was without effect.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading On the next day they arrived at Cypress Bend, where they found three "tin-clads" anchored, paying no attention to the perfect storm of bullets which the concealed rebels rained upon their decks from behind the levee.
not any; not one
From this reading On the next day they arrived at Cypress Bend, where they found three "tin-clads" anchored, paying no attention to the perfect storm of bullets which the concealed rebels rained upon their decks from behind the levee.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading On the next day they arrived at Cypress Bend, where they found three "tin-clads" anchored, paying no attention to the perfect storm of bullets which the concealed rebels rained upon their decks from behind the levee.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the next day they arrived at Cypress Bend, where they found three "tin-clads" anchored, paying no attention to the perfect storm of bullets which the concealed rebels rained upon their decks from behind the levee.
on one occasion
From this reading The second division--the one which Frank commanded--was at once called to quarters, and as soon as the gun could be cast loose and pointed, an eleven-inch shell went shrieking into the woods.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The second division--the one which Frank commanded--was at once called to quarters, and as soon as the gun could be cast loose and pointed, an eleven-inch shell went shrieking into the woods.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading The boatswain's whistle, and the order, "All hands under cover," rang sharply through the ship, and the decks were instantly deserted.
yielding a fair profit
From this reading On the next day they arrived at Cypress Bend, where they found three "tin-clads" anchored, paying no attention to the perfect storm of bullets which the concealed rebels rained upon their decks from behind the levee.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading On the next day they arrived at Cypress Bend, where they found three "tin-clads" anchored, paying no attention to the perfect storm of bullets which the concealed rebels rained upon their decks from behind the levee.
having a point
From this reading The second division--the one which Frank commanded--was at once called to quarters, and as soon as the gun could be cast loose and pointed, an eleven-inch shell went shrieking into the woods.
housing available for people to live in
From this reading The second division--the one which Frank commanded--was at once called to quarters, and as soon as the gun could be cast loose and pointed, an eleven-inch shell went shrieking into the woods.
rainedverbUS /reɪnd/
past form of “rain” — precipitate as rain
From this reading On the next day they arrived at Cypress Bend, where they found three "tin-clads" anchored, paying no attention to the perfect storm of bullets which the concealed rebels rained upon their decks from behind the levee.
inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading The boatswain's whistle, and the order, "All hands under cover," rang sharply through the ship, and the decks were instantly deserted.
an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"
From this reading As soon as the Ticonderoga came within range, the guerrillas directed a volley against her; but, although her decks were crowded with men, the fire was without effect.
rebelsnounUS /ˈrebəlz/
plural of “rebel” — “Johnny” was applied as a nickname for Confederate soldiers by the Federal soldiers in the American Civil War; “greyback” derived from their grey Confederate uniforms
From this reading On the next day they arrived at Cypress Bend, where they found three "tin-clads" anchored, paying no attention to the perfect storm of bullets which the concealed rebels rained upon their decks from behind the levee.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading The second division--the one which Frank commanded--was at once called to quarters, and as soon as the gun could be cast loose and pointed, an eleven-inch shell went shrieking into the woods.
in an aggressive manner
From this reading The boatswain's whistle, and the order, "All hands under cover," rang sharply through the ship, and the decks were instantly deserted.
shellnounUS /ʃel/
ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading The second division--the one which Frank commanded--was at once called to quarters, and as soon as the gun could be cast loose and pointed, an eleven-inch shell went shrieking into the woods.
transport commercially
From this reading The boatswain's whistle, and the order, "All hands under cover," rang sharply through the ship, and the decks were instantly deserted.
shriekingnounUS /ˈʃriːkɪŋ/
sharp piercing cry
From this reading The second division--the one which Frank commanded--was at once called to quarters, and as soon as the gun could be cast loose and pointed, an eleven-inch shell went shrieking into the woods.
in the near future
From this reading As soon as the Ticonderoga came within range, the guerrillas directed a volley against her; but, although her decks were crowded with men, the fire was without effect.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading On the next day they arrived at Cypress Bend, where they found three "tin-clads" anchored, paying no attention to the perfect storm of bullets which the concealed rebels rained upon their decks from behind the levee.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Fight in the Woods.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading On the next day they arrived at Cypress Bend, where they found three "tin-clads" anchored, paying no attention to the perfect storm of bullets which the concealed rebels rained upon their decks from behind the levee.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading On the next day they arrived at Cypress Bend, where they found three "tin-clads" anchored, paying no attention to the perfect storm of bullets which the concealed rebels rained upon their decks from behind the levee.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading On the next day they arrived at Cypress Bend, where they found three "tin-clads" anchored, paying no attention to the perfect storm of bullets which the concealed rebels rained upon their decks from behind the levee.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The boatswain's whistle, and the order, "All hands under cover," rang sharply through the ship, and the decks were instantly deserted.
TiconderoganounUS /taɪˌkɑːndərˈoʊɡə/
a pitched battle in which American revolutionary troops captured Fort Ticonderoga from the British in 1775
From this reading As soon as the Ticonderoga came within range, the guerrillas directed a volley against her; but, although her decks were crowded with men, the fire was without effect.
tin-clads
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the next day they arrived at Cypress Bend, where they found three "tin-clads" anchored, paying no attention to the perfect storm of bullets which the concealed rebels rained upon their decks from behind the levee.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading On the next day they arrived at Cypress Bend, where they found three "tin-clads" anchored, paying no attention to the perfect storm of bullets which the concealed rebels rained upon their decks from behind the levee.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The boatswain's whistle, and the order, "All hands under cover," rang sharply through the ship, and the decks were instantly deserted.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading On the next day they arrived at Cypress Bend, where they found three "tin-clads" anchored, paying no attention to the perfect storm of bullets which the concealed rebels rained upon their decks from behind the levee.
volleynounUS /ˈvɑːli/
rapid simultaneous discharge of firearms
From this reading As soon as the Ticonderoga came within range, the guerrillas directed a volley against her; but, although her decks were crowded with men, the fire was without effect.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As soon as the Ticonderoga came within range, the guerrillas directed a volley against her; but, although her decks were crowded with men, the fire was without effect.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The second division--the one which Frank commanded--was at once called to quarters, and as soon as the gun could be cast loose and pointed, an eleven-inch shell went shrieking into the woods.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As soon as the Ticonderoga came within range, the guerrillas directed a volley against her; but, although her decks were crowded with men, the fire was without effect.
in or at the place that
From this reading On the next day they arrived at Cypress Bend, where they found three "tin-clads" anchored, paying no attention to the perfect storm of bullets which the concealed rebels rained upon their decks from behind the levee.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading On the next day they arrived at Cypress Bend, where they found three "tin-clads" anchored, paying no attention to the perfect storm of bullets which the concealed rebels rained upon their decks from behind the levee.
whistleverbUS /ˈwɪsəl/
make whistling sounds
From this reading The boatswain's whistle, and the order, "All hands under cover," rang sharply through the ship, and the decks were instantly deserted.
in the company of; together with
From this reading As soon as the Ticonderoga came within range, the guerrillas directed a volley against her; but, although her decks were crowded with men, the fire was without effect.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading As soon as the Ticonderoga came within range, the guerrillas directed a volley against her; but, although her decks were crowded with men, the fire was without effect.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading As soon as the Ticonderoga came within range, the guerrillas directed a volley against her; but, although her decks were crowded with men, the fire was without effect.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading The Fight in the Woods.
