aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading They were quickly so close that the hull of the iron-clad loomed darkly above them.
(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 Upon that vessel all was commotion.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The unanswered hail was followed by the springing of rattles, ringing of bells, running of men, and shouting of orders.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Muskets were fired at random at the dimly seen black object.
bellsnounUS /belz/
plural of “bell” — a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading The unanswered hail was followed by the springing of rattles, ringing of bells, running of men, and shouting of orders.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Muskets were fired at random at the dimly seen black object.
BulletsnounUS /ˈbʊləts/
plural of “bullet” — a projectile that is fired from a gun
From this reading Bullets whizzed past the devoted crew.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The unanswered hail was followed by the springing of rattles, ringing of bells, running of men, and shouting of orders.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading They were quickly so close that the hull of the iron-clad loomed darkly above them.
commotionnounUS /kəˈmoʊʃən/
a disorderly outburst or tumult
From this reading Upon that vessel all was commotion.
the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)
From this reading Bullets whizzed past the devoted crew.
darklyadverbUS /ˈdɑːrkli/
without light
From this reading They were quickly so close that the hull of the iron-clad loomed darkly above them.
zealous in devotion or affection
From this reading Bullets whizzed past the devoted crew.
dimlyadverbUS /ˈdɪmli/
in a dim indistinct manner
From this reading Muskets were fired at random at the dimly seen black object.
firedadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪərd/
having lost your job
From this reading Muskets were fired at random at the dimly seen black object.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading The unanswered hail was followed by the springing of rattles, ringing of bells, running of men, and shouting of orders.
hailverbUS /heɪl/
praise vociferously
From this reading The unanswered hail was followed by the springing of rattles, ringing of bells, running of men, and shouting of orders.
hullnounUS /hʌl/
dry outer covering of a fruit or seed or nut
From this reading They were quickly so close that the hull of the iron-clad loomed darkly above them.
iron-clad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were quickly so close that the hull of the iron-clad loomed darkly above them.
loomedverbUS /luːmd/
past form of “loom” — come into view indistinctly, often threateningly
From this reading They were quickly so close that the hull of the iron-clad loomed darkly above them.
the force of workers available
From this reading The unanswered hail was followed by the springing of rattles, ringing of bells, running of men, and shouting of orders.
Muskets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Muskets were fired at random at the dimly seen black object.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading Muskets were fired at random at the dimly seen black object.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They were quickly so close that the hull of the iron-clad loomed darkly above them.
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 unanswered hail was followed by the springing of rattles, ringing of bells, running of men, and shouting of orders.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Bullets whizzed past the devoted crew.
with speed
From this reading They were quickly so close that the hull of the iron-clad loomed darkly above them.
randomadjectiveUS /ˈrændəm/
lacking any definite plan or order or purpose; governed by or depending on chance
From this reading Muskets were fired at random at the dimly seen black object.
rattlesnounUS /ˈrætəlz/
plural of “rattle” — a rapid series of short loud sounds (as might be heard with a stethoscope in some types of respiratory disorders)
From this reading The unanswered hail was followed by the springing of rattles, ringing of bells, running of men, and shouting of orders.
ringingnounUS /ˈrɪŋɪŋ/
the sound of a bell ringing
From this reading The unanswered hail was followed by the springing of rattles, ringing of bells, running of men, and shouting of orders.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading The unanswered hail was followed by the springing of rattles, ringing of bells, running of men, and shouting of orders.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Muskets were fired at random at the dimly seen black object.
encouragement in the form of cheers from spectators
From this reading The unanswered hail was followed by the springing of rattles, ringing of bells, running of men, and shouting of orders.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading They were quickly so close that the hull of the iron-clad loomed darkly above them.
springingverbUS /ˈsprɪŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading The unanswered hail was followed by the springing of rattles, ringing of bells, running of men, and shouting of orders.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They were quickly so close that the hull of the iron-clad loomed darkly above them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading They were quickly so close that the hull of the iron-clad loomed darkly above them.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They were quickly so close that the hull of the iron-clad loomed darkly above them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were quickly so close that the hull of the iron-clad loomed darkly above them.
unansweredadjectiveUS /ˌʌˈnænsərd/
not returned in kind
From this reading The unanswered hail was followed by the springing of rattles, ringing of bells, running of men, and shouting of orders.
UponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Upon that vessel all was commotion.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading Upon that vessel all was commotion.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Upon that vessel all was commotion.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were quickly so close that the hull of the iron-clad loomed darkly above them.
whizzedverbUS /wɪzd/
inflected form of “whiz” — make a soft swishing sound
From this reading Bullets whizzed past the devoted crew.
