used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A few rebel soldiers had taken possession of the fortifications, and the vessel had scarcely dropped her anchor when they opened upon her with muskets.
admiralnounUS /ˈædmərəl/
the supreme commander of a fleet; ranks above a vice admiral and below a fleet admiral
From this reading The next day, in obedience to orders from the admiral, the Michigan steamed up Red River, and came to an anchor in front of Fort De Russy.
anew
From this reading The bullets, which constantly whistled over the deck, did no damage beyond cutting down the flag--which, however was promptly hoisted again--and battering up the officers' rooms on the quarter-deck, which were not iron-clad.
(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 All hands were ordered under cover, and for two days were kept closely confined below.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The next day, in obedience to orders from the admiral, the Michigan steamed up Red River, and came to an anchor in front of Fort De Russy.
anchornounUS /ˈæŋkər/
a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving
From this reading The next day, in obedience to orders from the admiral, the Michigan steamed up Red River, and came to an anchor in front of Fort De Russy.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The next day, in obedience to orders from the admiral, the Michigan steamed up Red River, and came to an anchor in front of Fort De Russy.
batteringnounUS /ˈbætərɪŋ/
the act of subjecting to strong attack
From this reading The bullets, which constantly whistled over the deck, did no damage beyond cutting down the flag--which, however was promptly hoisted again--and battering up the officers' rooms on the quarter-deck, which were not iron-clad.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading All hands were ordered under cover, and for two days were kept closely confined below.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading The bullets, which constantly whistled over the deck, did no damage beyond cutting down the flag--which, however was promptly hoisted again--and battering up the officers' rooms on the quarter-deck, which were not iron-clad.
bulletsnounUS /ˈbʊləts/
plural of “bullet” — a projectile that is fired from a gun
From this reading The bullets, which constantly whistled over the deck, did no damage beyond cutting down the flag--which, however was promptly hoisted again--and battering up the officers' rooms on the quarter-deck, which were not iron-clad.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The next day, in obedience to orders from the admiral, the Michigan steamed up Red River, and came to an anchor in front of Fort De Russy.
in a close relation or position in time or space
From this reading All hands were ordered under cover, and for two days were kept closely confined below.
confinedadjectiveUS /kənˈfaɪnd/
not invading healthy tissue
From this reading All hands were ordered under cover, and for two days were kept closely confined below.
without variation or change, in every case
From this reading The bullets, which constantly whistled over the deck, did no damage beyond cutting down the flag--which, however was promptly hoisted again--and battering up the officers' rooms on the quarter-deck, which were not iron-clad.
provide with a covering or cause to be covered
From this reading All hands were ordered under cover, and for two days were kept closely confined below.
cuttingnounUS /ˈkʌtɪŋ/
the activity of selecting the scenes to be shown and putting them together to create a film
From this reading The bullets, which constantly whistled over the deck, did no damage beyond cutting down the flag--which, however was promptly hoisted again--and battering up the officers' rooms on the quarter-deck, which were not iron-clad.
damagenounUS /ˈdæmədʒ/
the occurrence of a change for the worse
From this reading The bullets, which constantly whistled over the deck, did no damage beyond cutting down the flag--which, however was promptly hoisted again--and battering up the officers' rooms on the quarter-deck, which were not iron-clad.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The next day, in obedience to orders from the admiral, the Michigan steamed up Red River, and came to an anchor in front of Fort De Russy.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading All hands were ordered under cover, and for two days were kept closely confined below.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading The next day, in obedience to orders from the admiral, the Michigan steamed up Red River, and came to an anchor in front of Fort De Russy.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading The bullets, which constantly whistled over the deck, did no damage beyond cutting down the flag--which, however was promptly hoisted again--and battering up the officers' rooms on the quarter-deck, which were not iron-clad.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The bullets, which constantly whistled over the deck, did no damage beyond cutting down the flag--which, however was promptly hoisted again--and battering up the officers' rooms on the quarter-deck, which were not iron-clad.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The bullets, which constantly whistled over the deck, did no damage beyond cutting down the flag--which, however was promptly hoisted again--and battering up the officers' rooms on the quarter-deck, which were not iron-clad.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading A few rebel soldiers had taken possession of the fortifications, and the vessel had scarcely dropped her anchor when they opened upon her with muskets.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A few rebel soldiers had taken possession of the fortifications, and the vessel had scarcely dropped her anchor when they opened upon her with muskets.
flagnounUS /flæɡ/
emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design
From this reading The bullets, which constantly whistled over the deck, did no damage beyond cutting down the flag--which, however was promptly hoisted again--and battering up the officers' rooms on the quarter-deck, which were not iron-clad.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading All hands were ordered under cover, and for two days were kept closely confined below.
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading The next day, in obedience to orders from the admiral, the Michigan steamed up Red River, and came to an anchor in front of Fort De Russy.
fortificationsnounUS /ˌfɔːrtəfəˈkeɪʃənz/
plural of “fortification” — defensive structure consisting of walls or mounds built around a stronghold to strengthen it
From this reading A few rebel soldiers had taken possession of the fortifications, and the vessel had scarcely dropped her anchor when they opened upon her with muskets.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The next day, in obedience to orders from the admiral, the Michigan steamed up Red River, and came to an anchor in front of Fort De Russy.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading The next day, in obedience to orders from the admiral, the Michigan steamed up Red River, and came to an anchor in front of Fort De Russy.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A few rebel soldiers had taken possession of the fortifications, and the vessel had scarcely dropped her anchor when they opened upon her with muskets.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading All hands were ordered under cover, and for two days were kept closely confined below.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A few rebel soldiers had taken possession of the fortifications, and the vessel had scarcely dropped her anchor when they opened upon her with muskets.
hoistedverbUS /ˈhɔɪstəd/
past form of “hoist” — raise or haul up with or as if with mechanical help
From this reading The bullets, which constantly whistled over the deck, did no damage beyond cutting down the flag--which, however was promptly hoisted again--and battering up the officers' rooms on the quarter-deck, which were not iron-clad.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading The bullets, which constantly whistled over the deck, did no damage beyond cutting down the flag--which, however was promptly hoisted again--and battering up the officers' rooms on the quarter-deck, which were not iron-clad.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The next day, in obedience to orders from the admiral, the Michigan steamed up Red River, and came to an anchor in front of Fort De Russy.
iron-clad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bullets, which constantly whistled over the deck, did no damage beyond cutting down the flag--which, however was promptly hoisted again--and battering up the officers' rooms on the quarter-deck, which were not iron-clad.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading All hands were ordered under cover, and for two days were kept closely confined below.
MichigannounUS /ˈmɪʃɪɡən/
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading The next day, in obedience to orders from the admiral, the Michigan steamed up Red River, and came to an anchor in front of Fort De Russy.
muskets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few rebel soldiers had taken possession of the fortifications, and the vessel had scarcely dropped her anchor when they opened upon her with muskets.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The next day, in obedience to orders from the admiral, the Michigan steamed up Red River, and came to an anchor in front of Fort De Russy.
not any; not one
From this reading The bullets, which constantly whistled over the deck, did no damage beyond cutting down the flag--which, however was promptly hoisted again--and battering up the officers' rooms on the quarter-deck, which were not iron-clad.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The bullets, which constantly whistled over the deck, did no damage beyond cutting down the flag--which, however was promptly hoisted again--and battering up the officers' rooms on the quarter-deck, which were not iron-clad.
obediencenounUS /oʊˈbiːdiəns/
the act of obeying; dutiful or submissive behavior with respect to another person
From this reading The next day, in obedience to orders from the admiral, the Michigan steamed up Red River, and came to an anchor in front of Fort De Russy.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The next day, in obedience to orders from the admiral, the Michigan steamed up Red River, and came to an anchor in front of Fort De Russy.
plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading The bullets, which constantly whistled over the deck, did no damage beyond cutting down the flag--which, however was promptly hoisted again--and battering up the officers' rooms on the quarter-deck, which were not iron-clad.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The bullets, which constantly whistled over the deck, did no damage beyond cutting down the flag--which, however was promptly hoisted again--and battering up the officers' rooms on the quarter-deck, which were not iron-clad.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading A few rebel soldiers had taken possession of the fortifications, and the vessel had scarcely dropped her anchor when they opened upon her with muskets.
having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule
From this reading All hands were ordered under cover, and for two days were kept closely confined below.
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading The next day, in obedience to orders from the admiral, the Michigan steamed up Red River, and came to an anchor in front of Fort De Russy.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The bullets, which constantly whistled over the deck, did no damage beyond cutting down the flag--which, however was promptly hoisted again--and battering up the officers' rooms on the quarter-deck, which were not iron-clad.
the act of having and controlling property
From this reading A few rebel soldiers had taken possession of the fortifications, and the vessel had scarcely dropped her anchor when they opened upon her with muskets.
PromotionnounUS /prəˈmoʊʃən/
a message issued in behalf of some product or cause or idea or person or institution
From this reading The Promotion.
promptlyadverbUS /ˈprɑːmptli/
with little or no delay
From this reading The bullets, which constantly whistled over the deck, did no damage beyond cutting down the flag--which, however was promptly hoisted again--and battering up the officers' rooms on the quarter-deck, which were not iron-clad.
quarter-deck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bullets, which constantly whistled over the deck, did no damage beyond cutting down the flag--which, however was promptly hoisted again--and battering up the officers' rooms on the quarter-deck, which were not iron-clad.
rebelnounUS /ˈrebəl/
“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 few rebel soldiers had taken possession of the fortifications, and the vessel had scarcely dropped her anchor when they opened upon her with muskets.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading The next day, in obedience to orders from the admiral, the Michigan steamed up Red River, and came to an anchor in front of Fort De Russy.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading The next day, in obedience to orders from the admiral, the Michigan steamed up Red River, and came to an anchor in front of Fort De Russy.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading The bullets, which constantly whistled over the deck, did no damage beyond cutting down the flag--which, however was promptly hoisted again--and battering up the officers' rooms on the quarter-deck, which were not iron-clad.
Russy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day, in obedience to orders from the admiral, the Michigan steamed up Red River, and came to an anchor in front of Fort De Russy.
only a very short time before
From this reading A few rebel soldiers had taken possession of the fortifications, and the vessel had scarcely dropped her anchor when they opened upon her with muskets.
plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading A few rebel soldiers had taken possession of the fortifications, and the vessel had scarcely dropped her anchor when they opened upon her with muskets.
steamedadjectiveUS /stiːmd/
cooked in steam
From this reading The next day, in obedience to orders from the admiral, the Michigan steamed up Red River, and came to an anchor in front of Fort De Russy.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading A few rebel soldiers had taken possession of the fortifications, and the vessel had scarcely dropped her anchor when they opened upon her with muskets.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Promotion.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A few rebel soldiers had taken possession of the fortifications, and the vessel had scarcely dropped her anchor when they opened upon her with muskets.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The next day, in obedience to orders from the admiral, the Michigan steamed up Red River, and came to an anchor in front of Fort De Russy.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading All hands were ordered under cover, and for two days were kept closely confined below.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading All hands were ordered under cover, and for two days were kept closely confined below.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The next day, in obedience to orders from the admiral, the Michigan steamed up Red River, and came to an anchor in front of Fort De Russy.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading A few rebel soldiers had taken possession of the fortifications, and the vessel had scarcely dropped her anchor when they opened upon her with muskets.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading A few rebel soldiers had taken possession of the fortifications, and the vessel had scarcely dropped her anchor when they opened upon her with muskets.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The bullets, which constantly whistled over the deck, did no damage beyond cutting down the flag--which, however was promptly hoisted again--and battering up the officers' rooms on the quarter-deck, which were not iron-clad.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading All hands were ordered under cover, and for two days were kept closely confined below.
at the time that
From this reading A few rebel soldiers had taken possession of the fortifications, and the vessel had scarcely dropped her anchor when they opened upon her with muskets.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The bullets, which constantly whistled over the deck, did no damage beyond cutting down the flag--which, however was promptly hoisted again--and battering up the officers' rooms on the quarter-deck, which were not iron-clad.
whistledverbUS /ˈwɪsəld/
past form of “whistle” — make whistling sounds
From this reading The bullets, which constantly whistled over the deck, did no damage beyond cutting down the flag--which, however was promptly hoisted again--and battering up the officers' rooms on the quarter-deck, which were not iron-clad.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A few rebel soldiers had taken possession of the fortifications, and the vessel had scarcely dropped her anchor when they opened upon her with muskets.
