used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
additionnounUS /əˈdɪʃən/
a component that is added to something to improve it
From this reading In the meantime the cannonade was kept briskly up on both sides, and presently the Spaniards began to pepper us with musketry in addition.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The bullets, fired at short range, flew thickly about us; and the casualties quickly increased, several of the unfortunate blacks falling victims to the first discharge.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Seeing this, Smellie ordered the schooner's boats, three in number, to be lowered and the slaves passed into them.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
blacksnounUS /blæks/
plural of “black” — the quality or state of the achromatic color of least lightness (bearing the least resemblance to white)
From this reading The bullets, fired at short range, flew thickly about us; and the casualties quickly increased, several of the unfortunate blacks falling victims to the first discharge.
plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading Seeing this, Smellie ordered the schooner's boats, three in number, to be lowered and the slaves passed into them.
the two together, not just one
From this reading In the meantime the cannonade was kept briskly up on both sides, and presently the Spaniards began to pepper us with musketry in addition.
brisklyadverbUS /ˈbrɪskli/
in a brisk manner
From this reading In the meantime the cannonade was kept briskly up on both sides, and presently the Spaniards began to pepper us with musketry in addition.
bulletsnounUS /ˈbʊləts/
plural of “bullet” — a projectile that is fired from a gun
From this reading The bullets, fired at short range, flew thickly about us; and the casualties quickly increased, several of the unfortunate blacks falling victims to the first discharge.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading This was done, our lads leaving the guns for a few minutes for the purpose; but--will it be credited?
cannonadenoun
intense and continuous artillery fire
From this reading In the meantime the cannonade was kept briskly up on both sides, and presently the Spaniards began to pepper us with musketry in addition.
casualtiesnounUS /ˈkæʒəwəltiz/
plural of “casualty” — someone injured or killed or captured or missing in a military engagement
From this reading The bullets, fired at short range, flew thickly about us; and the casualties quickly increased, several of the unfortunate blacks falling victims to the first discharge.
creditedadjectiveUS /ˈkredətəd/
(usually followed by “to”) given credit for
From this reading This was done, our lads leaving the guns for a few minutes for the purpose; but--will it be credited?
crouchedverbUS /kraʊtʃt/
past form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
disappearancenounUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪrəns/
the act of leaving secretly or without explanation
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
dischargeverbUS /dɪsˈtʃɑːrdʒ/
complete or carry out
From this reading The bullets, fired at short range, flew thickly about us; and the casualties quickly increased, several of the unfortunate blacks falling victims to the first discharge.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading This was done, our lads leaving the guns for a few minutes for the purpose; but--will it be credited?
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading The bullets, fired at short range, flew thickly about us; and the casualties quickly increased, several of the unfortunate blacks falling victims to the first discharge.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
firedadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪərd/
having lost your job
From this reading The bullets, fired at short range, flew thickly about us; and the casualties quickly increased, several of the unfortunate blacks falling victims to the first discharge.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading The bullets, fired at short range, flew thickly about us; and the casualties quickly increased, several of the unfortunate blacks falling victims to the first discharge.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This was done, our lads leaving the guns for a few minutes for the purpose; but--will it be credited?
plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading This was done, our lads leaving the guns for a few minutes for the purpose; but--will it be credited?
come to pass
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
hatchwaynoun
an entrance equipped with a hatch; especially a passageway between decks of a ship
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
helplesslyadverbUS /ˈhelpləsli/
in a helpless manner
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
made greater in size or amount or degree
From this reading The bullets, fired at short range, flew thickly about us; and the casualties quickly increased, several of the unfortunate blacks falling victims to the first discharge.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Seeing this, Smellie ordered the schooner's boats, three in number, to be lowered and the slaves passed into them.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This was done, our lads leaving the guns for a few minutes for the purpose; but--will it be credited?
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading In the meantime the cannonade was kept briskly up on both sides, and presently the Spaniards began to pepper us with musketry in addition.
ladsnounUS /lædz/
plural of “lad” — a boy or man
From this reading This was done, our lads leaving the guns for a few minutes for the purpose; but--will it be credited?
the act of departing
From this reading This was done, our lads leaving the guns for a few minutes for the purpose; but--will it be credited?
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
loweredadjectiveUS /ˈloʊərd/
below the surround or below the normal position
From this reading Seeing this, Smellie ordered the schooner's boats, three in number, to be lowered and the slaves passed into them.
most important element
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
engage in
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
the time between one event, process, or period and another
From this reading In the meantime the cannonade was kept briskly up on both sides, and presently the Spaniards began to pepper us with musketry in addition.
leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
musketrynoun
musketeers and their muskets collectively
From this reading In the meantime the cannonade was kept briskly up on both sides, and presently the Spaniards began to pepper us with musketry in addition.
not any; not one
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading Seeing this, Smellie ordered the schooner's boats, three in number, to be lowered and the slaves passed into them.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule
From this reading Seeing this, Smellie ordered the schooner's boats, three in number, to be lowered and the slaves passed into them.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading This was done, our lads leaving the guns for a few minutes for the purpose; but--will it be credited?
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Seeing this, Smellie ordered the schooner's boats, three in number, to be lowered and the slaves passed into them.
pepperverbUS /ˈpepər/
add pepper to
From this reading In the meantime the cannonade was kept briskly up on both sides, and presently the Spaniards began to pepper us with musketry in addition.
perilousadjectiveUS /ˈperələs/
fraught with danger
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
in the near future
From this reading In the meantime the cannonade was kept briskly up on both sides, and presently the Spaniards began to pepper us with musketry in addition.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading This was done, our lads leaving the guns for a few minutes for the purpose; but--will it be credited?
with speed
From this reading The bullets, fired at short range, flew thickly about us; and the casualties quickly increased, several of the unfortunate blacks falling victims to the first discharge.
an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"
From this reading The bullets, fired at short range, flew thickly about us; and the casualties quickly increased, several of the unfortunate blacks falling victims to the first discharge.
schooner's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seeing this, Smellie ordered the schooner's boats, three in number, to be lowered and the slaves passed into them.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading Seeing this, Smellie ordered the schooner's boats, three in number, to be lowered and the slaves passed into them.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading The bullets, fired at short range, flew thickly about us; and the casualties quickly increased, several of the unfortunate blacks falling victims to the first discharge.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading The bullets, fired at short range, flew thickly about us; and the casualties quickly increased, several of the unfortunate blacks falling victims to the first discharge.
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading In the meantime the cannonade was kept briskly up on both sides, and presently the Spaniards began to pepper us with musketry in addition.
plural of “slave” — a person who is owned by someone
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
Smellie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seeing this, Smellie ordered the schooner's boats, three in number, to be lowered and the slaves passed into them.
SpaniardsnounUS /ˈspænjərdz/
plural of “spaniard” — a native or inhabitant of Spain
From this reading In the meantime the cannonade was kept briskly up on both sides, and presently the Spaniards began to pepper us with musketry in addition.
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
terrifiedadjectiveUS /ˈterəfaɪd/
thrown into a state of intense fear or desperation
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
thicklyadverbUS /ˈθɪkli/
spoken with poor articulation as if with a thick tongue
From this reading The bullets, fired at short range, flew thickly about us; and the casualties quickly increased, several of the unfortunate blacks falling victims to the first discharge.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Seeing this, Smellie ordered the schooner's boats, three in number, to be lowered and the slaves passed into them.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Seeing this, Smellie ordered the schooner's boats, three in number, to be lowered and the slaves passed into them.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
not favored by fortune; marked or accompanied by or resulting in ill fortune
From this reading The bullets, fired at short range, flew thickly about us; and the casualties quickly increased, several of the unfortunate blacks falling victims to the first discharge.
experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading In the meantime the cannonade was kept briskly up on both sides, and presently the Spaniards began to pepper us with musketry in addition.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In the meantime the cannonade was kept briskly up on both sides, and presently the Spaniards began to pepper us with musketry in addition.
victimsnounUS /ˈvɪktəmz/
plural of “victim” — an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance
From this reading The bullets, fired at short range, flew thickly about us; and the casualties quickly increased, several of the unfortunate blacks falling victims to the first discharge.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In the meantime the cannonade was kept briskly up on both sides, and presently the Spaniards began to pepper us with musketry in addition.
in or at the place that
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
in or to any place at all
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading This was done, our lads leaving the guns for a few minutes for the purpose; but--will it be credited?
WilliamsnounUS /ˈwɪljəmz/
United States country singer and songwriter (1923-1953)
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In the meantime the cannonade was kept briskly up on both sides, and presently the Spaniards began to pepper us with musketry in addition.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Williams lost no time in setting about his perilous work of mercy; and a few minutes after his disappearance down the main hatchway the unhappy slaves began to make their appearance on deck, where they first stared in terrified wonder about them, and then crouched down helplessly on the deck wherever they might happen to find themselves.
