adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading We have, too, fleets in the Channel, one of ten battleships and eighteen cruisers, and the necessary smaller vessels, told off to engage the German fleet; and a second, a stronger force, of fourteen battleships and twenty-four cruisers, destined to annihilate the French fleet.
abandonedadjectiveUS /əˈbændənd/
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading The plan of sailing for Cronstadt has been abandoned, from the experiences of the Crimean War and the fear that we should be keeping our naval forces too far apart.
AdmiraltynounUS /ˈædmərəlti/
the department in charge of the navy (as in Great Britain)
From this reading “The British fleet,” replied the First Lord of the Admiralty, “is strong enough to crush the fleets of our enemies should they dare to show themselves on the open seas.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But the Russian, French, and German navies are clever enough to remain in harbour under the cover of the fortifications.
annihilateverbUS /əˈnaɪəleɪt/
kill in large numbers
From this reading We have, too, fleets in the Channel, one of ten battleships and eighteen cruisers, and the necessary smaller vessels, told off to engage the German fleet; and a second, a stronger force, of fourteen battleships and twenty-four cruisers, destined to annihilate the French fleet.
apartadverbUS /əˈpɑːrt/
separated or at a distance in place or position or time
From this reading The plan of sailing for Cronstadt has been abandoned, from the experiences of the Crimean War and the fear that we should be keeping our naval forces too far apart.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But the Russian, French, and German navies are clever enough to remain in harbour under the cover of the fortifications.
battleshipsnounUS /ˈbætəlʃɪps/
plural of “battleship” — large and heavily armoured warship
From this reading We have, too, fleets in the Channel, one of ten battleships and eighteen cruisers, and the necessary smaller vessels, told off to engage the German fleet; and a second, a stronger force, of fourteen battleships and twenty-four cruisers, destined to annihilate the French fleet.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The plan of sailing for Cronstadt has been abandoned, from the experiences of the Crimean War and the fear that we should be keeping our naval forces too far apart.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The plan of sailing for Cronstadt has been abandoned, from the experiences of the Crimean War and the fear that we should be keeping our naval forces too far apart.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading A third fleet is in the harbour of Copenhagen in order to prevent a union being effected between the Russian and German fleets.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading A third fleet is in the harbour of Copenhagen in order to prevent a union being effected between the Russian and German fleets.
BritishnounUS /ˈbrɪtɪʃ/
the people of Great Britain
From this reading “The British fleet,” replied the First Lord of the Admiralty, “is strong enough to crush the fleets of our enemies should they dare to show themselves on the open seas.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the Russian, French, and German navies are clever enough to remain in harbour under the cover of the fortifications.
ChannelnounUS /ˈtʃænəl/
a path over which electrical signals can pass
From this reading We have, too, fleets in the Channel, one of ten battleships and eighteen cruisers, and the necessary smaller vessels, told off to engage the German fleet; and a second, a stronger force, of fourteen battleships and twenty-four cruisers, destined to annihilate the French fleet.
cleveradjectiveUS /ˈklevər/
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
From this reading But the Russian, French, and German navies are clever enough to remain in harbour under the cover of the fortifications.
CopenhagennounUS /ˈkoʊpənheɪɡən/
the capital and largest city of Denmark; located on the island of Zealand
From this reading A third fleet is in the harbour of Copenhagen in order to prevent a union being effected between the Russian and German fleets.
coververbUS /ˈkʌvər/
provide with a covering or cause to be covered
From this reading But the Russian, French, and German navies are clever enough to remain in harbour under the cover of the fortifications.
Crimean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plan of sailing for Cronstadt has been abandoned, from the experiences of the Crimean War and the fear that we should be keeping our naval forces too far apart.
Cronstadt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plan of sailing for Cronstadt has been abandoned, from the experiences of the Crimean War and the fear that we should be keeping our naval forces too far apart.
cruisersnounUS /ˈkruːzərz/
plural of “cruiser” — a car in which policemen cruise the streets; equipped with radiotelephonic communications to headquarters
From this reading We have, too, fleets in the Channel, one of ten battleships and eighteen cruisers, and the necessary smaller vessels, told off to engage the German fleet; and a second, a stronger force, of fourteen battleships and twenty-four cruisers, destined to annihilate the French fleet.
crushverbUS /krʌʃ/
come down on or keep down by unjust use of one's authority
From this reading “The British fleet,” replied the First Lord of the Admiralty, “is strong enough to crush the fleets of our enemies should they dare to show themselves on the open seas.
dareverbUS /der/
take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading “The British fleet,” replied the First Lord of the Admiralty, “is strong enough to crush the fleets of our enemies should they dare to show themselves on the open seas.
destinedadjectiveUS /ˈdestɪnd/
headed or intending to head in a certain direction; often used as a combining form as in “college-bound students”
From this reading We have, too, fleets in the Channel, one of ten battleships and eighteen cruisers, and the necessary smaller vessels, told off to engage the German fleet; and a second, a stronger force, of fourteen battleships and twenty-four cruisers, destined to annihilate the French fleet.
effectedadjectiveUS /ɪˈfektɪd/
settled securely and unconditionally
From this reading A third fleet is in the harbour of Copenhagen in order to prevent a union being effected between the Russian and German fleets.
eighteenadjectiveUS /eɪˈtiːn/
being one more than seventeen
From this reading We have, too, fleets in the Channel, one of ten battleships and eighteen cruisers, and the necessary smaller vessels, told off to engage the German fleet; and a second, a stronger force, of fourteen battleships and twenty-four cruisers, destined to annihilate the French fleet.
enemiesnounUS /ˈenəmiz/
plural of “enemy” — an opposing military force
From this reading “The British fleet,” replied the First Lord of the Admiralty, “is strong enough to crush the fleets of our enemies should they dare to show themselves on the open seas.
engageverbUS /enˈɡeɪdʒ/
carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in
From this reading We have, too, fleets in the Channel, one of ten battleships and eighteen cruisers, and the necessary smaller vessels, told off to engage the German fleet; and a second, a stronger force, of fourteen battleships and twenty-four cruisers, destined to annihilate the French fleet.
enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading “The British fleet,” replied the First Lord of the Admiralty, “is strong enough to crush the fleets of our enemies should they dare to show themselves on the open seas.
experiencesnounUS /ɪkˈspɪriənsɪz/
plural of “experience” — the accumulation of knowledge or skill that results from direct participation in events or activities
From this reading The plan of sailing for Cronstadt has been abandoned, from the experiences of the Crimean War and the fear that we should be keeping our naval forces too far apart.
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading The plan of sailing for Cronstadt has been abandoned, from the experiences of the Crimean War and the fear that we should be keeping our naval forces too far apart.
fearverbUS /fɪr/
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading The plan of sailing for Cronstadt has been abandoned, from the experiences of the Crimean War and the fear that we should be keeping our naval forces too far apart.
FirstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading “The British fleet,” replied the First Lord of the Admiralty, “is strong enough to crush the fleets of our enemies should they dare to show themselves on the open seas.
fleetnounUS /fliːt/
group of aircraft operating together under the same ownership
From this reading “The British fleet,” replied the First Lord of the Admiralty, “is strong enough to crush the fleets of our enemies should they dare to show themselves on the open seas.
fleetsnounUS /fliːts/
plural of “fleet” — group of aircraft operating together under the same ownership
From this reading “The British fleet,” replied the First Lord of the Admiralty, “is strong enough to crush the fleets of our enemies should they dare to show themselves on the open seas.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The plan of sailing for Cronstadt has been abandoned, from the experiences of the Crimean War and the fear that we should be keeping our naval forces too far apart.
forcenounUS /fɔːrs/
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading We have, too, fleets in the Channel, one of ten battleships and eighteen cruisers, and the necessary smaller vessels, told off to engage the German fleet; and a second, a stronger force, of fourteen battleships and twenty-four cruisers, destined to annihilate the French fleet.
forcesnounUS /ˈfɔːrsɪz/
plural of “force” — a powerful effect or influence
From this reading The plan of sailing for Cronstadt has been abandoned, from the experiences of the Crimean War and the fear that we should be keeping our naval forces too far apart.
fortificationsnounUS /ˌfɔːrtəfəˈkeɪʃənz/
plural of “fortification” — defensive structure consisting of walls or mounds built around a stronghold to strengthen it
From this reading But the Russian, French, and German navies are clever enough to remain in harbour under the cover of the fortifications.
fourteennounUS /ˈfɔːrˈtiːn/
the cardinal number that is the sum of thirteen and one
From this reading We have, too, fleets in the Channel, one of ten battleships and eighteen cruisers, and the necessary smaller vessels, told off to engage the German fleet; and a second, a stronger force, of fourteen battleships and twenty-four cruisers, destined to annihilate the French fleet.
FrenchnounUS /frentʃ/
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading But the Russian, French, and German navies are clever enough to remain in harbour under the cover of the fortifications.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The plan of sailing for Cronstadt has been abandoned, from the experiences of the Crimean War and the fear that we should be keeping our naval forces too far apart.
GermannounUS /ˈdʒɜːrmən/
a person of German nationality
From this reading But the Russian, French, and German navies are clever enough to remain in harbour under the cover of the fortifications.
harbourverbUS /ˈhɑːrbər/
secretly shelter (as of fugitives or criminals)
From this reading But the Russian, French, and German navies are clever enough to remain in harbour under the cover of the fortifications.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The plan of sailing for Cronstadt has been abandoned, from the experiences of the Crimean War and the fear that we should be keeping our naval forces too far apart.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading We have, too, fleets in the Channel, one of ten battleships and eighteen cruisers, and the necessary smaller vessels, told off to engage the German fleet; and a second, a stronger force, of fourteen battleships and twenty-four cruisers, destined to annihilate the French fleet.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But the Russian, French, and German navies are clever enough to remain in harbour under the cover of the fortifications.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “The British fleet,” replied the First Lord of the Admiralty, “is strong enough to crush the fleets of our enemies should they dare to show themselves on the open seas.
keepingnounUS /ˈkiːpɪŋ/
conformity or harmony
From this reading The plan of sailing for Cronstadt has been abandoned, from the experiences of the Crimean War and the fear that we should be keeping our naval forces too far apart.
LordnounUS /lɔːrd/
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading “The British fleet,” replied the First Lord of the Admiralty, “is strong enough to crush the fleets of our enemies should they dare to show themselves on the open seas.
navaladjectiveUS /ˈneɪvəl/
connected with or belonging to or used in a navy
From this reading The plan of sailing for Cronstadt has been abandoned, from the experiences of the Crimean War and the fear that we should be keeping our naval forces too far apart.
naviesnounUS /ˈneɪviz/
plural of “navy” — an organization of military vessels belonging to a country and available for sea warfare
From this reading But the Russian, French, and German navies are clever enough to remain in harbour under the cover of the fortifications.
necessaryadjectiveUS /ˈnesəseri/
absolutely essential
From this reading We have, too, fleets in the Channel, one of ten battleships and eighteen cruisers, and the necessary smaller vessels, told off to engage the German fleet; and a second, a stronger force, of fourteen battleships and twenty-four cruisers, destined to annihilate the French fleet.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “The British fleet,” replied the First Lord of the Admiralty, “is strong enough to crush the fleets of our enemies should they dare to show themselves on the open seas.
offadverbUS /ɔːf/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading We have, too, fleets in the Channel, one of ten battleships and eighteen cruisers, and the necessary smaller vessels, told off to engage the German fleet; and a second, a stronger force, of fourteen battleships and twenty-four cruisers, destined to annihilate the French fleet.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “The British fleet,” replied the First Lord of the Admiralty, “is strong enough to crush the fleets of our enemies should they dare to show themselves on the open seas.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading We have, too, fleets in the Channel, one of ten battleships and eighteen cruisers, and the necessary smaller vessels, told off to engage the German fleet; and a second, a stronger force, of fourteen battleships and twenty-four cruisers, destined to annihilate the French fleet.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading “The British fleet,” replied the First Lord of the Admiralty, “is strong enough to crush the fleets of our enemies should they dare to show themselves on the open seas.
ordernounUS /ˈɔːrdər/
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading A third fleet is in the harbour of Copenhagen in order to prevent a union being effected between the Russian and German fleets.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading “The British fleet,” replied the First Lord of the Admiralty, “is strong enough to crush the fleets of our enemies should they dare to show themselves on the open seas.
planverbUS /plæn/
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading The plan of sailing for Cronstadt has been abandoned, from the experiences of the Crimean War and the fear that we should be keeping our naval forces too far apart.
preventverbUS /prɪˈvent/
keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading A third fleet is in the harbour of Copenhagen in order to prevent a union being effected between the Russian and German fleets.
remainverbUS /rɪˈmeɪn/
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading But the Russian, French, and German navies are clever enough to remain in harbour under the cover of the fortifications.
repliedverbUS /rɪˈplaɪd/
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading “The British fleet,” replied the First Lord of the Admiralty, “is strong enough to crush the fleets of our enemies should they dare to show themselves on the open seas.
RussiannounUS /ˈrʌʃən/
a native or inhabitant of Russia
From this reading But the Russian, French, and German navies are clever enough to remain in harbour under the cover of the fortifications.
sailingnounUS /ˈseɪlɪŋ/
the work of a sailor
From this reading The plan of sailing for Cronstadt has been abandoned, from the experiences of the Crimean War and the fear that we should be keeping our naval forces too far apart.
seasnounUS /siːz/
plural of “sea” — a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading “The British fleet,” replied the First Lord of the Admiralty, “is strong enough to crush the fleets of our enemies should they dare to show themselves on the open seas.
secondnounUS /ˈsekənd/
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading We have, too, fleets in the Channel, one of ten battleships and eighteen cruisers, and the necessary smaller vessels, told off to engage the German fleet; and a second, a stronger force, of fourteen battleships and twenty-four cruisers, destined to annihilate the French fleet.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading “The British fleet,” replied the First Lord of the Admiralty, “is strong enough to crush the fleets of our enemies should they dare to show themselves on the open seas.
showverbUS /ʃoʊ/
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading “The British fleet,” replied the First Lord of the Admiralty, “is strong enough to crush the fleets of our enemies should they dare to show themselves on the open seas.
smalleradjectiveUS /ˈsmɔːlər/
small or little relative to something else
From this reading We have, too, fleets in the Channel, one of ten battleships and eighteen cruisers, and the necessary smaller vessels, told off to engage the German fleet; and a second, a stronger force, of fourteen battleships and twenty-four cruisers, destined to annihilate the French fleet.
strongadjectiveUS /strɔːŋ/
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading “The British fleet,” replied the First Lord of the Admiralty, “is strong enough to crush the fleets of our enemies should they dare to show themselves on the open seas.
strongeradjectiveUS /ˈstrɔːŋər/
comparative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading We have, too, fleets in the Channel, one of ten battleships and eighteen cruisers, and the necessary smaller vessels, told off to engage the German fleet; and a second, a stronger force, of fourteen battleships and twenty-four cruisers, destined to annihilate the French fleet.
tennounUS /ten/
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading We have, too, fleets in the Channel, one of ten battleships and eighteen cruisers, and the necessary smaller vessels, told off to engage the German fleet; and a second, a stronger force, of fourteen battleships and twenty-four cruisers, destined to annihilate the French fleet.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The plan of sailing for Cronstadt has been abandoned, from the experiences of the Crimean War and the fear that we should be keeping our naval forces too far apart.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “The British fleet,” replied the First Lord of the Admiralty, “is strong enough to crush the fleets of our enemies should they dare to show themselves on the open seas.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading “The British fleet,” replied the First Lord of the Admiralty, “is strong enough to crush the fleets of our enemies should they dare to show themselves on the open seas.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “The British fleet,” replied the First Lord of the Admiralty, “is strong enough to crush the fleets of our enemies should they dare to show themselves on the open seas.
thirdnounUS /θɜːrd/
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading A third fleet is in the harbour of Copenhagen in order to prevent a union being effected between the Russian and German fleets.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “The British fleet,” replied the First Lord of the Admiralty, “is strong enough to crush the fleets of our enemies should they dare to show themselves on the open seas.
toldverbUS /toʊld/
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading We have, too, fleets in the Channel, one of ten battleships and eighteen cruisers, and the necessary smaller vessels, told off to engage the German fleet; and a second, a stronger force, of fourteen battleships and twenty-four cruisers, destined to annihilate the French fleet.
tooadverbUS /tuː/
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading We have, too, fleets in the Channel, one of ten battleships and eighteen cruisers, and the necessary smaller vessels, told off to engage the German fleet; and a second, a stronger force, of fourteen battleships and twenty-four cruisers, destined to annihilate the French fleet.
twenty-fouradjectiveUS /ˈtwentifɔːr/
being four more than twenty
From this reading We have, too, fleets in the Channel, one of ten battleships and eighteen cruisers, and the necessary smaller vessels, told off to engage the German fleet; and a second, a stronger force, of fourteen battleships and twenty-four cruisers, destined to annihilate the French fleet.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading But the Russian, French, and German navies are clever enough to remain in harbour under the cover of the fortifications.
unionnounUS /ˈjuːnjən/
an organization of employees formed to bargain with the employer
From this reading A third fleet is in the harbour of Copenhagen in order to prevent a union being effected between the Russian and German fleets.
vesselsnounUS /ˈvesəlz/
plural of “vessel” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading We have, too, fleets in the Channel, one of ten battleships and eighteen cruisers, and the necessary smaller vessels, told off to engage the German fleet; and a second, a stronger force, of fourteen battleships and twenty-four cruisers, destined to annihilate the French fleet.
WarnounUS /wɔːr/
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading The plan of sailing for Cronstadt has been abandoned, from the experiences of the Crimean War and the fear that we should be keeping our naval forces too far apart.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We have, too, fleets in the Channel, one of ten battleships and eighteen cruisers, and the necessary smaller vessels, told off to engage the German fleet; and a second, a stronger force, of fourteen battleships and twenty-four cruisers, destined to annihilate the French fleet.
