adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The state of affairs was now changed at one stroke so completely to the disadvantage of the English, that a British victory had become an impossibility.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The intervention of the French squadron, still perfectly intact, consisting of ten battleships, ten large and ten small cruisers, was bound to bring about the annihilation of the English fleet.
AdmiralnounUS /ˈædmərəl/
the supreme commander of a fleet; ranks above a vice admiral and below a fleet admiral
From this reading The relief was so much the greater when it was seen to be no fresh hostile force, but Admiral Courtille’s squadron, advancing at full speed, just at the right moment to decide the issue.
advancingadjectiveUS /ədˈvænsɪŋ/
moving forward
From this reading The relief was so much the greater when it was seen to be no fresh hostile force, but Admiral Courtille’s squadron, advancing at full speed, just at the right moment to decide the issue.
affairsnounUS /əˈferz/
matters of personal concern
From this reading The state of affairs was now changed at one stroke so completely to the disadvantage of the English, that a British victory had become an impossibility.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The state of affairs was now changed at one stroke so completely to the disadvantage of the English, that a British victory had become an impossibility.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The moments that passed until the question was definitely settled were moments of the keenest suspense and excitement for those on board the German vessels.
annihilationnounUS /əˌnaɪəˈleɪʃən/
destruction by annihilating something
From this reading The intervention of the French squadron, still perfectly intact, consisting of ten battleships, ten large and ten small cruisers, was bound to bring about the annihilation of the English fleet.
approachingnounUS /əˈproʊtʃɪŋ/
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading The English Admiral was quickwitted enough to gauge the situation correctly, as soon as he had recognised the approaching ships as the French fleet and assured himself of the enemy’s strength.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The English Admiral was quickwitted enough to gauge the situation correctly, as soon as he had recognised the approaching ships as the French fleet and assured himself of the enemy’s strength.
assuredadjectiveUS /əˈʃʊrd/
marked by assurance; exhibiting confidence
From this reading The English Admiral was quickwitted enough to gauge the situation correctly, as soon as he had recognised the approaching ships as the French fleet and assured himself of the enemy’s strength.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The relief was so much the greater when it was seen to be no fresh hostile force, but Admiral Courtille’s squadron, advancing at full speed, just at the right moment to decide the issue.
battleshipsnounUS /ˈbætəlʃɪps/
plural of “battleship” — large and heavily armoured warship
From this reading The intervention of the French squadron, still perfectly intact, consisting of ten battleships, ten large and ten small cruisers, was bound to bring about the annihilation of the English fleet.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The relief was so much the greater when it was seen to be no fresh hostile force, but Admiral Courtille’s squadron, advancing at full speed, just at the right moment to decide the issue.
becomeverbUS /bɪˈkʌm/
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading The state of affairs was now changed at one stroke so completely to the disadvantage of the English, that a British victory had become an impossibility.
boardnounUS /bɔːrd/
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading The moments that passed until the question was definitely settled were moments of the keenest suspense and excitement for those on board the German vessels.
boundadjectiveUS /baʊnd/
confined by bonds
From this reading The intervention of the French squadron, still perfectly intact, consisting of ten battleships, ten large and ten small cruisers, was bound to bring about the annihilation of the English fleet.
bringverbUS /brɪŋ/
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading The intervention of the French squadron, still perfectly intact, consisting of ten battleships, ten large and ten small cruisers, was bound to bring about the annihilation of the English fleet.
BritishnounUS /ˈbrɪtɪʃ/
the people of Great Britain
From this reading The state of affairs was now changed at one stroke so completely to the disadvantage of the English, that a British victory had become an impossibility.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The relief was so much the greater when it was seen to be no fresh hostile force, but Admiral Courtille’s squadron, advancing at full speed, just at the right moment to decide the issue.
changedadjectiveUS /tʃeɪndʒd/
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading The state of affairs was now changed at one stroke so completely to the disadvantage of the English, that a British victory had become an impossibility.
completelyadverbUS /kəmˈpliːtli/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading The state of affairs was now changed at one stroke so completely to the disadvantage of the English, that a British victory had become an impossibility.
consistingverbUS /kənˈsɪstɪŋ/
-ing form of “consist” — originate
From this reading The intervention of the French squadron, still perfectly intact, consisting of ten battleships, ten large and ten small cruisers, was bound to bring about the annihilation of the English fleet.
correctlyadverbUS /kərˈektli/
in an accurate manner
From this reading The English Admiral was quickwitted enough to gauge the situation correctly, as soon as he had recognised the approaching ships as the French fleet and assured himself of the enemy’s strength.
Courtille's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The relief was so much the greater when it was seen to be no fresh hostile force, but Admiral Courtille’s squadron, advancing at full speed, just at the right moment to decide the issue.
cruisersnounUS /ˈkruːzərz/
plural of “cruiser” — a car in which policemen cruise the streets; equipped with radiotelephonic communications to headquarters
From this reading The intervention of the French squadron, still perfectly intact, consisting of ten battleships, ten large and ten small cruisers, was bound to bring about the annihilation of the English fleet.
decideverbUS /ˌdɪˈsaɪd/
reach, make, or come to a decision about something
From this reading The relief was so much the greater when it was seen to be no fresh hostile force, but Admiral Courtille’s squadron, advancing at full speed, just at the right moment to decide the issue.
definitelyadverbUS /ˈdefənətli/
without question and beyond doubt
From this reading The moments that passed until the question was definitely settled were moments of the keenest suspense and excitement for those on board the German vessels.
disadvantagenounUS /ˌdɪsədˈvæntɪdʒ/
the quality of having an inferior or less favorable position
From this reading The state of affairs was now changed at one stroke so completely to the disadvantage of the English, that a British victory had become an impossibility.
enemy'snounUS /ˈenəmiz/
possessive form of “enemy” — an opposing military force
From this reading The English Admiral was quickwitted enough to gauge the situation correctly, as soon as he had recognised the approaching ships as the French fleet and assured himself of the enemy’s strength.
EnglishnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading The state of affairs was now changed at one stroke so completely to the disadvantage of the English, that a British victory had become an impossibility.
enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading The English Admiral was quickwitted enough to gauge the situation correctly, as soon as he had recognised the approaching ships as the French fleet and assured himself of the enemy’s strength.
excitementnounUS /ɪkˈsaɪtmənt/
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading The moments that passed until the question was definitely settled were moments of the keenest suspense and excitement for those on board the German vessels.
fleetnounUS /fliːt/
group of aircraft operating together under the same ownership
From this reading The intervention of the French squadron, still perfectly intact, consisting of ten battleships, ten large and ten small cruisers, was bound to bring about the annihilation of the English fleet.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The moments that passed until the question was definitely settled were moments of the keenest suspense and excitement for those on board the German vessels.
forcenounUS /fɔːrs/
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading The relief was so much the greater when it was seen to be no fresh hostile force, but Admiral Courtille’s squadron, advancing at full speed, just at the right moment to decide the issue.
FrenchnounUS /frentʃ/
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading The intervention of the French squadron, still perfectly intact, consisting of ten battleships, ten large and ten small cruisers, was bound to bring about the annihilation of the English fleet.
freshadjectiveUS /freʃ/
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading The relief was so much the greater when it was seen to be no fresh hostile force, but Admiral Courtille’s squadron, advancing at full speed, just at the right moment to decide the issue.
fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading The relief was so much the greater when it was seen to be no fresh hostile force, but Admiral Courtille’s squadron, advancing at full speed, just at the right moment to decide the issue.
gaugeverbUS /ɡeɪdʒ/
judge tentatively or form an estimate of (quantities or time)
From this reading The English Admiral was quickwitted enough to gauge the situation correctly, as soon as he had recognised the approaching ships as the French fleet and assured himself of the enemy’s strength.
GermannounUS /ˈdʒɜːrmən/
a person of German nationality
From this reading The moments that passed until the question was definitely settled were moments of the keenest suspense and excitement for those on board the German vessels.
greateradjectiveUS /ˈɡreɪtər/
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading The relief was so much the greater when it was seen to be no fresh hostile force, but Admiral Courtille’s squadron, advancing at full speed, just at the right moment to decide the issue.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The state of affairs was now changed at one stroke so completely to the disadvantage of the English, that a British victory had become an impossibility.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The English Admiral was quickwitted enough to gauge the situation correctly, as soon as he had recognised the approaching ships as the French fleet and assured himself of the enemy’s strength.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The English Admiral was quickwitted enough to gauge the situation correctly, as soon as he had recognised the approaching ships as the French fleet and assured himself of the enemy’s strength.
hostileadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːstəl/
characterized by enmity or ill will
From this reading The relief was so much the greater when it was seen to be no fresh hostile force, but Admiral Courtille’s squadron, advancing at full speed, just at the right moment to decide the issue.
impossibilitynounUS /ˌɪmpɔːsɪˈbɪlɪti/
incapability of existing or occurring
From this reading The state of affairs was now changed at one stroke so completely to the disadvantage of the English, that a British victory had become an impossibility.
intactadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtækt/
constituting the undiminished entirety; lacking nothing essential especially not damaged
From this reading The intervention of the French squadron, still perfectly intact, consisting of ten battleships, ten large and ten small cruisers, was bound to bring about the annihilation of the English fleet.
interventionnounUS /ˌɪntərˈvenʃən/
the act of intervening (as to mediate a dispute, etc.)
From this reading The intervention of the French squadron, still perfectly intact, consisting of ten battleships, ten large and ten small cruisers, was bound to bring about the annihilation of the English fleet.
issueverbUS /ˈɪʃuː/
prepare and issue for public distribution or sale
From this reading The relief was so much the greater when it was seen to be no fresh hostile force, but Admiral Courtille’s squadron, advancing at full speed, just at the right moment to decide the issue.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The relief was so much the greater when it was seen to be no fresh hostile force, but Admiral Courtille’s squadron, advancing at full speed, just at the right moment to decide the issue.
justadverbUS /dʒʌst/
and nothing more
From this reading The relief was so much the greater when it was seen to be no fresh hostile force, but Admiral Courtille’s squadron, advancing at full speed, just at the right moment to decide the issue.
keenestadjectiveUS /ˈkiːnəst/
superlative of “keen” — having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading The moments that passed until the question was definitely settled were moments of the keenest suspense and excitement for those on board the German vessels.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The intervention of the French squadron, still perfectly intact, consisting of ten battleships, ten large and ten small cruisers, was bound to bring about the annihilation of the English fleet.
momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/
a particular point in time
From this reading The relief was so much the greater when it was seen to be no fresh hostile force, but Admiral Courtille’s squadron, advancing at full speed, just at the right moment to decide the issue.
momentsnounUS /ˈmoʊmənts/
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading The moments that passed until the question was definitely settled were moments of the keenest suspense and excitement for those on board the German vessels.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The relief was so much the greater when it was seen to be no fresh hostile force, but Admiral Courtille’s squadron, advancing at full speed, just at the right moment to decide the issue.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading The relief was so much the greater when it was seen to be no fresh hostile force, but Admiral Courtille’s squadron, advancing at full speed, just at the right moment to decide the issue.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The state of affairs was now changed at one stroke so completely to the disadvantage of the English, that a British victory had become an impossibility.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The moments that passed until the question was definitely settled were moments of the keenest suspense and excitement for those on board the German vessels.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The moments that passed until the question was definitely settled were moments of the keenest suspense and excitement for those on board the German vessels.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The state of affairs was now changed at one stroke so completely to the disadvantage of the English, that a British victory had become an impossibility.
passedverbUS /pæst/
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading The moments that passed until the question was definitely settled were moments of the keenest suspense and excitement for those on board the German vessels.
perfectlyadverbUS /ˈpɜːrfəktli/
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading The intervention of the French squadron, still perfectly intact, consisting of ten battleships, ten large and ten small cruisers, was bound to bring about the annihilation of the English fleet.
questionverbUS /ˈkwestʃən/
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading The moments that passed until the question was definitely settled were moments of the keenest suspense and excitement for those on board the German vessels.
quickwitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The English Admiral was quickwitted enough to gauge the situation correctly, as soon as he had recognised the approaching ships as the French fleet and assured himself of the enemy’s strength.
recognisedadjectiveUS /ˈrekəɡnaɪzd/
provided with a secure reputation
From this reading The English Admiral was quickwitted enough to gauge the situation correctly, as soon as he had recognised the approaching ships as the French fleet and assured himself of the enemy’s strength.
reliefnounUS /rɪˈliːf/
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading The relief was so much the greater when it was seen to be no fresh hostile force, but Admiral Courtille’s squadron, advancing at full speed, just at the right moment to decide the issue.
rightadverbUS /raɪt/
precisely, exactly
From this reading The relief was so much the greater when it was seen to be no fresh hostile force, but Admiral Courtille’s squadron, advancing at full speed, just at the right moment to decide the issue.
seenverbUS /siːn/
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The relief was so much the greater when it was seen to be no fresh hostile force, but Admiral Courtille’s squadron, advancing at full speed, just at the right moment to decide the issue.
settledadjectiveUS /ˈsetəld/
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading The moments that passed until the question was definitely settled were moments of the keenest suspense and excitement for those on board the German vessels.
shipsnounUS /ʃɪps/
plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight
From this reading The English Admiral was quickwitted enough to gauge the situation correctly, as soon as he had recognised the approaching ships as the French fleet and assured himself of the enemy’s strength.
situationnounUS /ˌsɪtʃuːˈeɪʃən/
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading The English Admiral was quickwitted enough to gauge the situation correctly, as soon as he had recognised the approaching ships as the French fleet and assured himself of the enemy’s strength.
smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The intervention of the French squadron, still perfectly intact, consisting of ten battleships, ten large and ten small cruisers, was bound to bring about the annihilation of the English fleet.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The relief was so much the greater when it was seen to be no fresh hostile force, but Admiral Courtille’s squadron, advancing at full speed, just at the right moment to decide the issue.
soonadverbUS /suːn/
in the near future
From this reading The English Admiral was quickwitted enough to gauge the situation correctly, as soon as he had recognised the approaching ships as the French fleet and assured himself of the enemy’s strength.
speedverbUS /spiːd/
move hurridly
From this reading The relief was so much the greater when it was seen to be no fresh hostile force, but Admiral Courtille’s squadron, advancing at full speed, just at the right moment to decide the issue.
squadronnounUS /ˈskwɑːdrən/
a cavalry unit consisting of two or more troops and headquarters and supporting arms
From this reading The relief was so much the greater when it was seen to be no fresh hostile force, but Admiral Courtille’s squadron, advancing at full speed, just at the right moment to decide the issue.
statenounUS /steɪt/
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading The state of affairs was now changed at one stroke so completely to the disadvantage of the English, that a British victory had become an impossibility.
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading The intervention of the French squadron, still perfectly intact, consisting of ten battleships, ten large and ten small cruisers, was bound to bring about the annihilation of the English fleet.
strengthnounUS /streŋkθ/
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading The English Admiral was quickwitted enough to gauge the situation correctly, as soon as he had recognised the approaching ships as the French fleet and assured himself of the enemy’s strength.
strokenounUS /stroʊk/
(sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand
From this reading The state of affairs was now changed at one stroke so completely to the disadvantage of the English, that a British victory had become an impossibility.
suspensenounUS /səˈspens/
apprehension about what is going to happen
From this reading The moments that passed until the question was definitely settled were moments of the keenest suspense and excitement for those on board the German vessels.
tennounUS /ten/
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading The intervention of the French squadron, still perfectly intact, consisting of ten battleships, ten large and ten small cruisers, was bound to bring about the annihilation of the English fleet.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The moments that passed until the question was definitely settled were moments of the keenest suspense and excitement for those on board the German vessels.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The moments that passed until the question was definitely settled were moments of the keenest suspense and excitement for those on board the German vessels.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The moments that passed until the question was definitely settled were moments of the keenest suspense and excitement for those on board the German vessels.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The relief was so much the greater when it was seen to be no fresh hostile force, but Admiral Courtille’s squadron, advancing at full speed, just at the right moment to decide the issue.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The moments that passed until the question was definitely settled were moments of the keenest suspense and excitement for those on board the German vessels.
vesselsnounUS /ˈvesəlz/
plural of “vessel” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading The moments that passed until the question was definitely settled were moments of the keenest suspense and excitement for those on board the German vessels.
victorynounUS /ˈvɪktəri/
a successful ending of a struggle or contest
From this reading The state of affairs was now changed at one stroke so completely to the disadvantage of the English, that a British victory had become an impossibility.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The moments that passed until the question was definitely settled were moments of the keenest suspense and excitement for those on board the German vessels.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The moments that passed until the question was definitely settled were moments of the keenest suspense and excitement for those on board the German vessels.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The relief was so much the greater when it was seen to be no fresh hostile force, but Admiral Courtille’s squadron, advancing at full speed, just at the right moment to decide the issue.
