used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In the prime of his intellectual and physical strength, the Emperor Louis Napoleon was a man of active and subtle brain, and it was to his ingenious invention that the first ironclad ship of war owed its birth.
tending to become more severe or wider in scope
From this reading In the prime of his intellectual and physical strength, the Emperor Louis Napoleon was a man of active and subtle brain, and it was to his ingenious invention that the first ironclad ship of war owed its birth.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading No wooden vessel that could be constructed could be proof against the new guns that were now coming rapidly into use.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was becoming manifest that the great strides which were being made in the manufacture of cannon must necessitate an improved system of defensive armour for ships of war.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In the prime of his intellectual and physical strength, the Emperor Louis Napoleon was a man of active and subtle brain, and it was to his ingenious invention that the first ironclad ship of war owed its birth.
armournounUS /ˈɑːrmər/
a military unit consisting of armored fighting vehicles
From this reading It was becoming manifest that the great strides which were being made in the manufacture of cannon must necessitate an improved system of defensive armour for ships of war.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading But at last the day arrived when it became manifest that the glory of our "wooden walls" had set.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But at last the day arrived when it became manifest that the glory of our "wooden walls" had set.
batteriesnounUS /ˈbætəriz/
plural of “battery” — group of guns or missile launchers operated together at one place
From this reading Floating batteries protected with iron plates were first employed during the Crimean War.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading No wooden vessel that could be constructed could be proof against the new guns that were now coming rapidly into use.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading But at last the day arrived when it became manifest that the glory of our "wooden walls" had set.
according with custom or propriety
From this reading It was becoming manifest that the great strides which were being made in the manufacture of cannon must necessitate an improved system of defensive armour for ships of war.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading It was becoming manifest that the great strides which were being made in the manufacture of cannon must necessitate an improved system of defensive armour for ships of war.
the time when something begins (especially life)
From this reading In the prime of his intellectual and physical strength, the Emperor Louis Napoleon was a man of active and subtle brain, and it was to his ingenious invention that the first ironclad ship of war owed its birth.
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading In the prime of his intellectual and physical strength, the Emperor Louis Napoleon was a man of active and subtle brain, and it was to his ingenious invention that the first ironclad ship of war owed its birth.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But at last the day arrived when it became manifest that the glory of our "wooden walls" had set.
cannonnounUS /ˈkænən/
a large artillery gun that is usually on wheels
From this reading It was becoming manifest that the great strides which were being made in the manufacture of cannon must necessitate an improved system of defensive armour for ships of war.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading No wooden vessel that could be constructed could be proof against the new guns that were now coming rapidly into use.
constructedverbUS /kənˈstrʌktəd/
past form of “construct” — make by combining materials and parts
From this reading No wooden vessel that could be constructed could be proof against the new guns that were now coming rapidly into use.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading No wooden vessel that could be constructed could be proof against the new guns that were now coming rapidly into use.
Crimean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Floating batteries protected with iron plates were first employed during the Crimean War.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading But at last the day arrived when it became manifest that the glory of our "wooden walls" had set.
defensiveadjectiveUS /dɪˈfensɪv/
intended or appropriate for defending against or deterring aggression or attack
From this reading It was becoming manifest that the great strides which were being made in the manufacture of cannon must necessitate an improved system of defensive armour for ships of war.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Floating batteries protected with iron plates were first employed during the Crimean War.
the male ruler of an empire
From this reading In the prime of his intellectual and physical strength, the Emperor Louis Napoleon was a man of active and subtle brain, and it was to his ingenious invention that the first ironclad ship of war owed its birth.
having your services engaged for; or having a job especially one that pays wages or a salary
From this reading Floating batteries protected with iron plates were first employed during the Crimean War.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading In the prime of his intellectual and physical strength, the Emperor Louis Napoleon was a man of active and subtle brain, and it was to his ingenious invention that the first ironclad ship of war owed its birth.
FloatingadjectiveUS /ˈfloʊtɪŋ/
borne up by or suspended in a liquid
From this reading Floating batteries protected with iron plates were first employed during the Crimean War.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was becoming manifest that the great strides which were being made in the manufacture of cannon must necessitate an improved system of defensive armour for ships of war.
a state of high honor
From this reading But at last the day arrived when it became manifest that the glory of our "wooden walls" had set.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading It was becoming manifest that the great strides which were being made in the manufacture of cannon must necessitate an improved system of defensive armour for ships of war.
plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading No wooden vessel that could be constructed could be proof against the new guns that were now coming rapidly into use.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But at last the day arrived when it became manifest that the glory of our "wooden walls" had set.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In the prime of his intellectual and physical strength, the Emperor Louis Napoleon was a man of active and subtle brain, and it was to his ingenious invention that the first ironclad ship of war owed its birth.
improvedadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvd/
made more desirable or valuable or profitable; especially made ready for use or marketing
From this reading It was becoming manifest that the great strides which were being made in the manufacture of cannon must necessitate an improved system of defensive armour for ships of war.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the prime of his intellectual and physical strength, the Emperor Louis Napoleon was a man of active and subtle brain, and it was to his ingenious invention that the first ironclad ship of war owed its birth.
ingeniousadjectiveUS /ɪnˈdʒiː.ni.əs/
Clever, original, and remarkably inventive in design and execution.
From this reading In the prime of his intellectual and physical strength, the Emperor Louis Napoleon was a man of active and subtle brain, and it was to his ingenious invention that the first ironclad ship of war owed its birth.
of or associated with or requiring the use of the mind
From this reading In the prime of his intellectual and physical strength, the Emperor Louis Napoleon was a man of active and subtle brain, and it was to his ingenious invention that the first ironclad ship of war owed its birth.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading No wooden vessel that could be constructed could be proof against the new guns that were now coming rapidly into use.
inventionnounUS /ˌɪnˈvenʃən/
the creation of something in the mind
From this reading In the prime of his intellectual and physical strength, the Emperor Louis Napoleon was a man of active and subtle brain, and it was to his ingenious invention that the first ironclad ship of war owed its birth.
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading Floating batteries protected with iron plates were first employed during the Crimean War.
ironcladadjectiveUS /ˈaɪərnklæd/
sheathed in iron plates for protection
From this reading In the prime of his intellectual and physical strength, the Emperor Louis Napoleon was a man of active and subtle brain, and it was to his ingenious invention that the first ironclad ship of war owed its birth.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But at last the day arrived when it became manifest that the glory of our "wooden walls" had set.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading In the prime of his intellectual and physical strength, the Emperor Louis Napoleon was a man of active and subtle brain, and it was to his ingenious invention that the first ironclad ship of war owed its birth.
immediately past
From this reading But at last the day arrived when it became manifest that the glory of our "wooden walls" had set.
United States prizefighter who was world heavyweight champion for 12 years (1914-1981)
From this reading In the prime of his intellectual and physical strength, the Emperor Louis Napoleon was a man of active and subtle brain, and it was to his ingenious invention that the first ironclad ship of war owed its birth.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading It was becoming manifest that the great strides which were being made in the manufacture of cannon must necessitate an improved system of defensive armour for ships of war.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading In the prime of his intellectual and physical strength, the Emperor Louis Napoleon was a man of active and subtle brain, and it was to his ingenious invention that the first ironclad ship of war owed its birth.
manifestverbUS /ˈmænəfest/
provide evidence for; stand as proof of; show by one's behavior, attitude, or external attributes
From this reading But at last the day arrived when it became manifest that the glory of our "wooden walls" had set.
manufactureverbUS /ˌmænjəˈfæktʃər/
put together out of artificial or natural components or parts
From this reading It was becoming manifest that the great strides which were being made in the manufacture of cannon must necessitate an improved system of defensive armour for ships of war.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading It was becoming manifest that the great strides which were being made in the manufacture of cannon must necessitate an improved system of defensive armour for ships of war.
NapoleonnounUS /nəˈpoʊliən/
French general who became emperor of the French (1769-1821)
From this reading In the prime of his intellectual and physical strength, the Emperor Louis Napoleon was a man of active and subtle brain, and it was to his ingenious invention that the first ironclad ship of war owed its birth.
necessitateverbUS /nəˈsesəteɪt/
require as useful, just, or proper
From this reading It was becoming manifest that the great strides which were being made in the manufacture of cannon must necessitate an improved system of defensive armour for ships of war.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading No wooden vessel that could be constructed could be proof against the new guns that were now coming rapidly into use.
not any; not one
From this reading No wooden vessel that could be constructed could be proof against the new guns that were now coming rapidly into use.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading No wooden vessel that could be constructed could be proof against the new guns that were now coming rapidly into use.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But at last the day arrived when it became manifest that the glory of our "wooden walls" had set.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading But at last the day arrived when it became manifest that the glory of our "wooden walls" had set.
owedverbUS /oʊd/
past form of “owe” — be obliged to pay or repay
From this reading In the prime of his intellectual and physical strength, the Emperor Louis Napoleon was a man of active and subtle brain, and it was to his ingenious invention that the first ironclad ship of war owed its birth.
involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit
From this reading In the prime of his intellectual and physical strength, the Emperor Louis Napoleon was a man of active and subtle brain, and it was to his ingenious invention that the first ironclad ship of war owed its birth.
platesnounUS /pleɪts/
plural of “plate” — (baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score
From this reading Floating batteries protected with iron plates were first employed during the Crimean War.
primeadjectiveUS /praɪm/
first in rank or degree
From this reading In the prime of his intellectual and physical strength, the Emperor Louis Napoleon was a man of active and subtle brain, and it was to his ingenious invention that the first ironclad ship of war owed its birth.
any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something
From this reading No wooden vessel that could be constructed could be proof against the new guns that were now coming rapidly into use.
protectedadjectiveUS /prəˈtektɪd/
kept safe or defended from danger or injury or loss
From this reading Floating batteries protected with iron plates were first employed during the Crimean War.
with speed
From this reading No wooden vessel that could be constructed could be proof against the new guns that were now coming rapidly into use.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading But at last the day arrived when it became manifest that the glory of our "wooden walls" had set.
transport commercially
From this reading In the prime of his intellectual and physical strength, the Emperor Louis Napoleon was a man of active and subtle brain, and it was to his ingenious invention that the first ironclad ship of war owed its birth.
plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight
From this reading It was becoming manifest that the great strides which were being made in the manufacture of cannon must necessitate an improved system of defensive armour for ships of war.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading In the prime of his intellectual and physical strength, the Emperor Louis Napoleon was a man of active and subtle brain, and it was to his ingenious invention that the first ironclad ship of war owed its birth.
stridesnounUS /straɪdz/
plural of “stride” — a step in walking or running
From this reading It was becoming manifest that the great strides which were being made in the manufacture of cannon must necessitate an improved system of defensive armour for ships of war.
subtleadjectiveUS /ˈsʌtəl/
difficult to detect or grasp by the mind or analyze
From this reading In the prime of his intellectual and physical strength, the Emperor Louis Napoleon was a man of active and subtle brain, and it was to his ingenious invention that the first ironclad ship of war owed its birth.
instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity
From this reading It was becoming manifest that the great strides which were being made in the manufacture of cannon must necessitate an improved system of defensive armour for ships of war.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But at last the day arrived when it became manifest that the glory of our "wooden walls" had set.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But at last the day arrived when it became manifest that the glory of our "wooden walls" had set.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In the prime of his intellectual and physical strength, the Emperor Louis Napoleon was a man of active and subtle brain, and it was to his ingenious invention that the first ironclad ship of war owed its birth.
the act of using
From this reading No wooden vessel that could be constructed could be proof against the new guns that were now coming rapidly into use.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading No wooden vessel that could be constructed could be proof against the new guns that were now coming rapidly into use.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading But at last the day arrived when it became manifest that the glory of our "wooden walls" had set.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading In the prime of his intellectual and physical strength, the Emperor Louis Napoleon was a man of active and subtle brain, and it was to his ingenious invention that the first ironclad ship of war owed its birth.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In the prime of his intellectual and physical strength, the Emperor Louis Napoleon was a man of active and subtle brain, and it was to his ingenious invention that the first ironclad ship of war owed its birth.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Floating batteries protected with iron plates were first employed during the Crimean War.
at the time that
From this reading But at last the day arrived when it became manifest that the glory of our "wooden walls" had set.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was becoming manifest that the great strides which were being made in the manufacture of cannon must necessitate an improved system of defensive armour for ships of war.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Floating batteries protected with iron plates were first employed during the Crimean War.
made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood
From this reading But at last the day arrived when it became manifest that the glory of our "wooden walls" had set.
