Chapter VI · Chapter 6

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

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

the supreme commander of a fleet; ranks above a vice admiral and below a fleet admiral

From this reading By some means the names of these persons became known to the admiral, who issued a general order, calling on all the officers of the squadron to kill or capture them wherever found.

later than; following

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

a town in Louisiana on the Red River

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

(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 By some means the names of these persons became known to the admiral, who issued a general order, calling on all the officers of the squadron to kill or capture them wherever found.

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

From this reading The same day the order was issued Frank obtained shore liberty, and while roaming about the town, espied a name on a sign that immediately attracted his attention.

accomplishment of an objective

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading The same day the order was issued Frank obtained shore liberty, and while roaming about the town, espied a name on a sign that immediately attracted his attention.

past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes

From this reading The same day the order was issued Frank obtained shore liberty, and while roaming about the town, espied a name on a sign that immediately attracted his attention.

plural of “barge” — a flatbottom boat for carrying heavy loads (especially on canals)

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

happiness felt in a secure relationship

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

inflected form of “bear” — have

From this reading It was one of the names borne in the general order.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

the particular occupation for which you are trained

From this reading By some means the names of these persons became known to the admiral, who issued a general order, calling on all the officers of the squadron to kill or capture them wherever found.

succeed in representing or expressing something intangible

From this reading By some means the names of these persons became known to the admiral, who issued a general order, calling on all the officers of the squadron to kill or capture them wherever found.

fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the Carboniferous period

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

plural of “contrivance” — a device or control that is very useful for a particular job

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

-ing form of “destroy” — do away with, cause the destruction or undoing of

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

a police officer who investigates crimes

From this reading Frank turns Detective.

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

From this reading The same day the order was issued Frank obtained shore liberty, and while roaming about the town, espied a name on a sign that immediately attracted his attention.

group of aircraft operating together under the same ownership

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

set up or found

From this reading By some means the names of these persons became known to the admiral, who issued a general order, calling on all the officers of the squadron to kill or capture them wherever found.

characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion

From this reading Frank turns Detective.

provide with a combustible substance that provides energy

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading By some means the names of these persons became known to the admiral, who issued a general order, calling on all the officers of the squadron to kill or capture them wherever found.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading The same day the order was issued Frank obtained shore liberty, and while roaming about the town, espied a name on a sign that immediately attracted his attention.

-ing form of “hover” — be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

From this reading The same day the order was issued Frank obtained shore liberty, and while roaming about the town, espied a name on a sign that immediately attracted his attention.

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

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

past form of “issue” — prepare and issue for public distribution or sale

From this reading By some means the names of these persons became known to the admiral, who issued a general order, calling on all the officers of the squadron to kill or capture them wherever found.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly

From this reading By some means the names of these persons became known to the admiral, who issued a general order, calling on all the officers of the squadron to kill or capture them wherever found.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.

From this reading The same day the order was issued Frank obtained shore liberty, and while roaming about the town, espied a name on a sign that immediately attracted his attention.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading By some means the names of these persons became known to the admiral, who issued a general order, calling on all the officers of the squadron to kill or capture them wherever found.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The same day the order was issued Frank obtained shore liberty, and while roaming about the town, espied a name on a sign that immediately attracted his attention.

verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument

From this reading By some means the names of these persons became known to the admiral, who issued a general order, calling on all the officers of the squadron to kill or capture them wherever found.

past form of “obtain” — come into possession of

From this reading The same day the order was issued Frank obtained shore liberty, and while roaming about the town, espied a name on a sign that immediately attracted his attention.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading By some means the names of these persons became known to the admiral, who issued a general order, calling on all the officers of the squadron to kill or capture them wherever found.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading By some means the names of these persons became known to the admiral, who issued a general order, calling on all the officers of the squadron to kill or capture them wherever found.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It was one of the names borne in the general order.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading By some means the names of these persons became known to the admiral, who issued a general order, calling on all the officers of the squadron to kill or capture them wherever found.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

plural of “person” — a human being

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

“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 A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

appear like; be similar or bear a likeness to

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

-ing form of “roam” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

From this reading The same day the order was issued Frank obtained shore liberty, and while roaming about the town, espied a name on a sign that immediately attracted his attention.

Identical; not different.

From this reading The same day the order was issued Frank obtained shore liberty, and while roaming about the town, espied a name on a sign that immediately attracted his attention.

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

work done by one person or group that benefits another

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

the land along the edge of a body of water

From this reading The same day the order was issued Frank obtained shore liberty, and while roaming about the town, espied a name on a sign that immediately attracted his attention.

a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading The same day the order was issued Frank obtained shore liberty, and while roaming about the town, espied a name on a sign that immediately attracted his attention.

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

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

a cavalry unit consisting of two or more troops and headquarters and supporting arms

From this reading By some means the names of these persons became known to the admiral, who issued a general order, calling on all the officers of the squadron to kill or capture them wherever found.

inflected form of “supply” — give something useful or necessary to

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

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

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading By some means the names of these persons became known to the admiral, who issued a general order, calling on all the officers of the squadron to kill or capture them wherever found.

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

From this reading By some means the names of these persons became known to the admiral, who issued a general order, calling on all the officers of the squadron to kill or capture them wherever found.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

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

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

plural of “torpedo” — a professional killer who uses a gun

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading The same day the order was issued Frank obtained shore liberty, and while roaming about the town, espied a name on a sign that immediately attracted his attention.

plural of “turn” — a circular segment of a curve

From this reading Frank turns Detective.

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

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

plural of “vessel” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

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

From this reading The same day the order was issued Frank obtained shore liberty, and while roaming about the town, espied a name on a sign that immediately attracted his attention.

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

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

in or to any place at all

From this reading By some means the names of these persons became known to the admiral, who issued a general order, calling on all the officers of the squadron to kill or capture them wherever found.

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

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.

during the time that

From this reading The same day the order was issued Frank obtained shore liberty, and while roaming about the town, espied a name on a sign that immediately attracted his attention.

which person or people

From this reading By some means the names of these persons became known to the admiral, who issued a general order, calling on all the officers of the squadron to kill or capture them wherever found.

in the company of; together with

From this reading A day or two after the arrival of the fleet at Alexandria, it became known that several persons belonging to the rebel secret service were hovering about in the vicinity of the village, with the intention of destroying some of the vessels by torpedoes--contrivances made to resemble pieces of coal--which were to be placed in those barges out of which the boats were supplied with fuel.