used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Bellevite had not fired a shot, or landed a force, in the enemy's country.
in actual fact
From this reading War had actually been declared against the Bellevite, and Major Pierson would undertake to perform the duty assigned to him by Colonel Passford.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading War had actually been declared against the Bellevite, and Major Pierson would undertake to perform the duty assigned to him by Colonel Passford.
(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 The young man was determined to be true to his colors under all possible circumstances; and therefore he could do nothing, directly or indirectly, to assist in the capture of the steamer.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading War had actually been declared against the Bellevite, and Major Pierson would undertake to perform the duty assigned to him by Colonel Passford.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Captain Passford, while he recognized the irregularity of his mission, had come into the waters of Mobile Bay with no intention of committing any depredations on the persons, property, or vessels of the Confederacy.
assignedadjectiveUS /əˈsaɪnd/
appointed to a post or duty
From this reading War had actually been declared against the Bellevite, and Major Pierson would undertake to perform the duty assigned to him by Colonel Passford.
assistverbUS /əˈsɪst/
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading The young man was determined to be true to his colors under all possible circumstances; and therefore he could do nothing, directly or indirectly, to assist in the capture of the steamer.
an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
From this reading Captain Passford, while he recognized the irregularity of his mission, had come into the waters of Mobile Bay with no intention of committing any depredations on the persons, property, or vessels of the Confederacy.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The young man was determined to be true to his colors under all possible circumstances; and therefore he could do nothing, directly or indirectly, to assist in the capture of the steamer.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading THE SICK CAPTAIN OF THE LEOPARD Christy Passford now realized, for the first time, that he had been taken by the enemy.
Bellevite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading War had actually been declared against the Bellevite, and Major Pierson would undertake to perform the duty assigned to him by Colonel Passford.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE SICK CAPTAIN OF THE LEOPARD Christy Passford now realized, for the first time, that he had been taken by the enemy.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading THE SICK CAPTAIN OF THE LEOPARD Christy Passford now realized, for the first time, that he had been taken by the enemy.
captureverbUS /ˈkæptʃər/
succeed in representing or expressing something intangible
From this reading The young man was determined to be true to his colors under all possible circumstances; and therefore he could do nothing, directly or indirectly, to assist in the capture of the steamer.
Christy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SICK CAPTAIN OF THE LEOPARD Christy Passford now realized, for the first time, that he had been taken by the enemy.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading The young man was determined to be true to his colors under all possible circumstances; and therefore he could do nothing, directly or indirectly, to assist in the capture of the steamer.
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading War had actually been declared against the Bellevite, and Major Pierson would undertake to perform the duty assigned to him by Colonel Passford.
colorsnounUS /ˈkʌlərz/
a flag that shows its nationality
From this reading The young man was determined to be true to his colors under all possible circumstances; and therefore he could do nothing, directly or indirectly, to assist in the capture of the steamer.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Captain Passford, while he recognized the irregularity of his mission, had come into the waters of Mobile Bay with no intention of committing any depredations on the persons, property, or vessels of the Confederacy.
committingverbUS /kəˈmɪtɪŋ/
inflected form of “commit” — perform an act, usually with a negative connotation
From this reading Captain Passford, while he recognized the irregularity of his mission, had come into the waters of Mobile Bay with no intention of committing any depredations on the persons, property, or vessels of the Confederacy.
ConfederacynounUS /kənˈfedərəsi/
the southern states that seceded from the United States in 1861
From this reading Captain Passford, while he recognized the irregularity of his mission, had come into the waters of Mobile Bay with no intention of committing any depredations on the persons, property, or vessels of the Confederacy.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The young man was determined to be true to his colors under all possible circumstances; and therefore he could do nothing, directly or indirectly, to assist in the capture of the steamer.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading The Bellevite had not fired a shot, or landed a force, in the enemy's country.
made known or openly avowed
From this reading War had actually been declared against the Bellevite, and Major Pierson would undertake to perform the duty assigned to him by Colonel Passford.
depredationsnounUS /ˌdeprəˈdeɪʃənz/
plural of “depredation” — an act of plundering and pillaging and marauding
From this reading Captain Passford, while he recognized the irregularity of his mission, had come into the waters of Mobile Bay with no intention of committing any depredations on the persons, property, or vessels of the Confederacy.
characterized by great determination
From this reading The young man was determined to be true to his colors under all possible circumstances; and therefore he could do nothing, directly or indirectly, to assist in the capture of the steamer.
without deviation
From this reading The young man was determined to be true to his colors under all possible circumstances; and therefore he could do nothing, directly or indirectly, to assist in the capture of the steamer.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The young man was determined to be true to his colors under all possible circumstances; and therefore he could do nothing, directly or indirectly, to assist in the capture of the steamer.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading War had actually been declared against the Bellevite, and Major Pierson would undertake to perform the duty assigned to him by Colonel Passford.
an opposing military force
From this reading THE SICK CAPTAIN OF THE LEOPARD Christy Passford now realized, for the first time, that he had been taken by the enemy.
enemy'snounUS /ˈenəmiz/
possessive form of “enemy” — an opposing military force
From this reading The Bellevite had not fired a shot, or landed a force, in the enemy's country.
firedadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪərd/
having lost your job
From this reading The Bellevite had not fired a shot, or landed a force, in the enemy's country.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading THE SICK CAPTAIN OF THE LEOPARD Christy Passford now realized, for the first time, that he had been taken by the enemy.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE SICK CAPTAIN OF THE LEOPARD Christy Passford now realized, for the first time, that he had been taken by the enemy.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading The Bellevite had not fired a shot, or landed a force, in the enemy's country.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE SICK CAPTAIN OF THE LEOPARD Christy Passford now realized, for the first time, that he had been taken by the enemy.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE SICK CAPTAIN OF THE LEOPARD Christy Passford now realized, for the first time, that he had been taken by the enemy.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading War had actually been declared against the Bellevite, and Major Pierson would undertake to perform the duty assigned to him by Colonel Passford.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The young man was determined to be true to his colors under all possible circumstances; and therefore he could do nothing, directly or indirectly, to assist in the capture of the steamer.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The young man was determined to be true to his colors under all possible circumstances; and therefore he could do nothing, directly or indirectly, to assist in the capture of the steamer.
indirectlyadverbUS /ˌɪndərˈektliː/
not in a forthright manner
From this reading The young man was determined to be true to his colors under all possible circumstances; and therefore he could do nothing, directly or indirectly, to assist in the capture of the steamer.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading Captain Passford, while he recognized the irregularity of his mission, had come into the waters of Mobile Bay with no intention of committing any depredations on the persons, property, or vessels of the Confederacy.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Captain Passford, while he recognized the irregularity of his mission, had come into the waters of Mobile Bay with no intention of committing any depredations on the persons, property, or vessels of the Confederacy.
irregularitynounUS /ˌɪreɡjəˈlerəti/
behavior that breaches the rule or etiquette or custom or morality
From this reading Captain Passford, while he recognized the irregularity of his mission, had come into the waters of Mobile Bay with no intention of committing any depredations on the persons, property, or vessels of the Confederacy.
owning or consisting of land or real estate
From this reading The Bellevite had not fired a shot, or landed a force, in the enemy's country.
LEOPARDnounUS /ˈlepərd/
the pelt of a leopard
From this reading THE SICK CAPTAIN OF THE LEOPARD Christy Passford now realized, for the first time, that he had been taken by the enemy.
MajoradjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/
of greater importance or stature or rank
From this reading War had actually been declared against the Bellevite, and Major Pierson would undertake to perform the duty assigned to him by Colonel Passford.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The young man was determined to be true to his colors under all possible circumstances; and therefore he could do nothing, directly or indirectly, to assist in the capture of the steamer.
an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work
From this reading Captain Passford, while he recognized the irregularity of his mission, had come into the waters of Mobile Bay with no intention of committing any depredations on the persons, property, or vessels of the Confederacy.
MobileadjectiveUS /ˈmoʊbəl/
migratory
From this reading Captain Passford, while he recognized the irregularity of his mission, had come into the waters of Mobile Bay with no intention of committing any depredations on the persons, property, or vessels of the Confederacy.
not any; not one
From this reading Captain Passford, while he recognized the irregularity of his mission, had come into the waters of Mobile Bay with no intention of committing any depredations on the persons, property, or vessels of the Confederacy.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The Bellevite had not fired a shot, or landed a force, in the enemy's country.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The young man was determined to be true to his colors under all possible circumstances; and therefore he could do nothing, directly or indirectly, to assist in the capture of the steamer.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading THE SICK CAPTAIN OF THE LEOPARD Christy Passford now realized, for the first time, that he had been taken by the enemy.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE SICK CAPTAIN OF THE LEOPARD Christy Passford now realized, for the first time, that he had been taken by the enemy.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Captain Passford, while he recognized the irregularity of his mission, had come into the waters of Mobile Bay with no intention of committing any depredations on the persons, property, or vessels of the Confederacy.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The young man was determined to be true to his colors under all possible circumstances; and therefore he could do nothing, directly or indirectly, to assist in the capture of the steamer.
Passford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SICK CAPTAIN OF THE LEOPARD Christy Passford now realized, for the first time, that he had been taken by the enemy.
performverbUS /pərˈfɔːrm/
carry out or perform an action
From this reading War had actually been declared against the Bellevite, and Major Pierson would undertake to perform the duty assigned to him by Colonel Passford.
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading Captain Passford, while he recognized the irregularity of his mission, had come into the waters of Mobile Bay with no intention of committing any depredations on the persons, property, or vessels of the Confederacy.
Pierson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading War had actually been declared against the Bellevite, and Major Pierson would undertake to perform the duty assigned to him by Colonel Passford.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading The young man was determined to be true to his colors under all possible circumstances; and therefore he could do nothing, directly or indirectly, to assist in the capture of the steamer.
something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone
From this reading Captain Passford, while he recognized the irregularity of his mission, had come into the waters of Mobile Bay with no intention of committing any depredations on the persons, property, or vessels of the Confederacy.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading THE SICK CAPTAIN OF THE LEOPARD Christy Passford now realized, for the first time, that he had been taken by the enemy.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading Captain Passford, while he recognized the irregularity of his mission, had come into the waters of Mobile Bay with no intention of committing any depredations on the persons, property, or vessels of the Confederacy.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading The Bellevite had not fired a shot, or landed a force, in the enemy's country.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading THE SICK CAPTAIN OF THE LEOPARD Christy Passford now realized, for the first time, that he had been taken by the enemy.
steamernounUS /ˈstiːmər/
a clam that is usually steamed in the shell
From this reading The young man was determined to be true to his colors under all possible circumstances; and therefore he could do nothing, directly or indirectly, to assist in the capture of the steamer.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading THE SICK CAPTAIN OF THE LEOPARD Christy Passford now realized, for the first time, that he had been taken by the enemy.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE SICK CAPTAIN OF THE LEOPARD Christy Passford now realized, for the first time, that he had been taken by the enemy.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SICK CAPTAIN OF THE LEOPARD Christy Passford now realized, for the first time, that he had been taken by the enemy.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading The young man was determined to be true to his colors under all possible circumstances; and therefore he could do nothing, directly or indirectly, to assist in the capture of the steamer.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading THE SICK CAPTAIN OF THE LEOPARD Christy Passford now realized, for the first time, that he had been taken by the enemy.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading War had actually been declared against the Bellevite, and Major Pierson would undertake to perform the duty assigned to him by Colonel Passford.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading The young man was determined to be true to his colors under all possible circumstances; and therefore he could do nothing, directly or indirectly, to assist in the capture of the steamer.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The young man was determined to be true to his colors under all possible circumstances; and therefore he could do nothing, directly or indirectly, to assist in the capture of the steamer.
undertakeverbUS /ˈʌndərteɪk/
enter upon an activity or enterprise
From this reading War had actually been declared against the Bellevite, and Major Pierson would undertake to perform the duty assigned to him by Colonel Passford.
vesselsnounUS /ˈvesəlz/
plural of “vessel” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading Captain Passford, while he recognized the irregularity of his mission, had come into the waters of Mobile Bay with no intention of committing any depredations on the persons, property, or vessels of the Confederacy.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading War had actually been declared against the Bellevite, and Major Pierson would undertake to perform the duty assigned to him by Colonel Passford.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The young man was determined to be true to his colors under all possible circumstances; and therefore he could do nothing, directly or indirectly, to assist in the capture of the steamer.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading Captain Passford, while he recognized the irregularity of his mission, had come into the waters of Mobile Bay with no intention of committing any depredations on the persons, property, or vessels of the Confederacy.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Captain Passford, while he recognized the irregularity of his mission, had come into the waters of Mobile Bay with no intention of committing any depredations on the persons, property, or vessels of the Confederacy.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Captain Passford, while he recognized the irregularity of his mission, had come into the waters of Mobile Bay with no intention of committing any depredations on the persons, property, or vessels of the Confederacy.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading War had actually been declared against the Bellevite, and Major Pierson would undertake to perform the duty assigned to him by Colonel Passford.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading The young man was determined to be true to his colors under all possible circumstances; and therefore he could do nothing, directly or indirectly, to assist in the capture of the steamer.
