used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading UNDER SPECIAL ORDERS It was like bombarding a whale with bomb lances.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading One after another the shells from the destroyer's guns shrieked over the sea to fall around the more sluggishly manoeuvring U-boat.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Torpedoes could not be used against the destroyer, for the latter was steaming too swiftly.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading One after another the shells from the destroyer's guns shrieked over the sea to fall around the more sluggishly manoeuvring U-boat.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading One after another the shells from the destroyer's guns shrieked over the sea to fall around the more sluggishly manoeuvring U-boat.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Torpedoes could not be used against the destroyer, for the latter was steaming too swiftly.
bombnounUS /bɑːm/
an explosive device fused to explode under specific conditions
From this reading UNDER SPECIAL ORDERS It was like bombarding a whale with bomb lances.
bombardingverbUS /bɑːmˈbɑːrdɪŋ/
-ing form of “bombard” — cast, hurl, or throw repeatedly with some missile
From this reading UNDER SPECIAL ORDERS It was like bombarding a whale with bomb lances.
the two together, not just one
From this reading They kept both the U-boat's deckguns smoking; but the shots went wild.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The captain of the submarine handled his craft with skill; but his gunners were poor marksmen.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading The captain of the submarine handled his craft with skill; but his gunners were poor marksmen.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Torpedoes could not be used against the destroyer, for the latter was steaming too swiftly.
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading The captain of the submarine handled his craft with skill; but his gunners were poor marksmen.
deckguns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They kept both the U-boat's deckguns smoking; but the shots went wild.
destroyernounUS /dɪˈstrɔɪər/
a small fast lightly armored but heavily armed warship
From this reading Torpedoes could not be used against the destroyer, for the latter was steaming too swiftly.
destroyer's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One after another the shells from the destroyer's guns shrieked over the sea to fall around the more sluggishly manoeuvring U-boat.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading One after another the shells from the destroyer's guns shrieked over the sea to fall around the more sluggishly manoeuvring U-boat.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Torpedoes could not be used against the destroyer, for the latter was steaming too swiftly.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading One after another the shells from the destroyer's guns shrieked over the sea to fall around the more sluggishly manoeuvring U-boat.
gunnersnounUS /ˈɡʌnərz/
plural of “gunner” — a serviceman in the artillery
From this reading The captain of the submarine handled his craft with skill; but his gunners were poor marksmen.
plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading One after another the shells from the destroyer's guns shrieked over the sea to fall around the more sluggishly manoeuvring U-boat.
handledadjectiveUS /ˈhændəld/
having a usually specified type of handle
From this reading The captain of the submarine handled his craft with skill; but his gunners were poor marksmen.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The captain of the submarine handled his craft with skill; but his gunners were poor marksmen.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading UNDER SPECIAL ORDERS It was like bombarding a whale with bomb lances.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading They kept both the U-boat's deckguns smoking; but the shots went wild.
lances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNDER SPECIAL ORDERS It was like bombarding a whale with bomb lances.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading Torpedoes could not be used against the destroyer, for the latter was steaming too swiftly.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading UNDER SPECIAL ORDERS It was like bombarding a whale with bomb lances.
manoeuvring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One after another the shells from the destroyer's guns shrieked over the sea to fall around the more sluggishly manoeuvring U-boat.
marksmennounUS /ˈmɑːrksmen/
plural of “marksman” — someone skilled in shooting
From this reading The captain of the submarine handled his craft with skill; but his gunners were poor marksmen.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading One after another the shells from the destroyer's guns shrieked over the sea to fall around the more sluggishly manoeuvring U-boat.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Torpedoes could not be used against the destroyer, for the latter was steaming too swiftly.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The captain of the submarine handled his craft with skill; but his gunners were poor marksmen.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One after another the shells from the destroyer's guns shrieked over the sea to fall around the more sluggishly manoeuvring U-boat.
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 UNDER SPECIAL ORDERS It was like bombarding a whale with bomb lances.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading One after another the shells from the destroyer's guns shrieked over the sea to fall around the more sluggishly manoeuvring U-boat.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading The captain of the submarine handled his craft with skill; but his gunners were poor marksmen.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading One after another the shells from the destroyer's guns shrieked over the sea to fall around the more sluggishly manoeuvring U-boat.
shellsnounUS /ʃelz/
plural of “shell” — ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading One after another the shells from the destroyer's guns shrieked over the sea to fall around the more sluggishly manoeuvring U-boat.
shotsnounUS /ʃɑːts/
plural of “shot” — the act of firing a projectile
From this reading They kept both the U-boat's deckguns smoking; but the shots went wild.
shriekedadjectiveUS /ʃriːkt/
uttered in a shrill scream as of pain or terror
From this reading One after another the shells from the destroyer's guns shrieked over the sea to fall around the more sluggishly manoeuvring U-boat.
an ability that has been acquired by training
From this reading The captain of the submarine handled his craft with skill; but his gunners were poor marksmen.
sluggishlyadverbUS /ˈslʌɡɪʃli/
in a sluggish manner
From this reading One after another the shells from the destroyer's guns shrieked over the sea to fall around the more sluggishly manoeuvring U-boat.
the act of smoking tobacco or other substances
From this reading They kept both the U-boat's deckguns smoking; but the shots went wild.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading UNDER SPECIAL ORDERS It was like bombarding a whale with bomb lances.
steamingadjectiveUS /ˈstiːmɪŋ/
filled with steam or emitting moisture in the form of vapor or mist
From this reading Torpedoes could not be used against the destroyer, for the latter was steaming too swiftly.
submarinenounUS /ˈsʌbməriːn/
a submersible warship usually armed with torpedoes
From this reading The captain of the submarine handled his craft with skill; but his gunners were poor marksmen.
in a swift manner
From this reading Torpedoes could not be used against the destroyer, for the latter was steaming too swiftly.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading One after another the shells from the destroyer's guns shrieked over the sea to fall around the more sluggishly manoeuvring U-boat.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They kept both the U-boat's deckguns smoking; but the shots went wild.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading One after another the shells from the destroyer's guns shrieked over the sea to fall around the more sluggishly manoeuvring U-boat.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Torpedoes could not be used against the destroyer, for the latter was steaming too swiftly.
TorpedoesnounUS /tɔːrˈpiːdoʊz/
plural of “torpedo” — a professional killer who uses a gun
From this reading Torpedoes could not be used against the destroyer, for the latter was steaming too swiftly.
U-boatnoun
a submersible warship usually armed with torpedoes
From this reading One after another the shells from the destroyer's guns shrieked over the sea to fall around the more sluggishly manoeuvring U-boat.
U-boat's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They kept both the U-boat's deckguns smoking; but the shots went wild.
UNDERprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading UNDER SPECIAL ORDERS It was like bombarding a whale with bomb lances.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading Torpedoes could not be used against the destroyer, for the latter was steaming too swiftly.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading UNDER SPECIAL ORDERS It was like bombarding a whale with bomb lances.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading They kept both the U-boat's deckguns smoking; but the shots went wild.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The captain of the submarine handled his craft with skill; but his gunners were poor marksmen.
whalenounUS /weɪl/
a very large person; impressive in size or qualities
From this reading UNDER SPECIAL ORDERS It was like bombarding a whale with bomb lances.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading They kept both the U-boat's deckguns smoking; but the shots went wild.
in the company of; together with
From this reading UNDER SPECIAL ORDERS It was like bombarding a whale with bomb lances.
