used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading FRANCIS DREAMS A DREAM.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading But our men kept firing into the medley on her decks, plying the stern-chasers in furious haste; and, ever as he was able, the enemy did shoot at us with muskets and pistols, and once--his ship having slewed right round--gave us a thundering great broadside.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading As it was, our ship took no great hurt, though the splinters flew, and six of her ports were battered in; yet many of our men were wounded after a dreadful manner, and one was killed outright.
aimingverbUS /ˈeɪmɪŋ/
-ing form of “aim” — point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards
From this reading But his gunners did much mistake, in that they hulled us (as the saying is), instead of aiming at our masts and tackling, whereby they might have crippled us, and, perhaps, brought us quite to a stand.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading We now rapidly left the floundering and mazed man-of-war.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But our men kept firing into the medley on her decks, plying the stern-chasers in furious haste; and, ever as he was able, the enemy did shoot at us with muskets and pistols, and once--his ship having slewed right round--gave us a thundering great broadside.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But our men kept firing into the medley on her decks, plying the stern-chasers in furious haste; and, ever as he was able, the enemy did shoot at us with muskets and pistols, and once--his ship having slewed right round--gave us a thundering great broadside.
batteredadjectiveUS /ˈbætərd/
damaged by blows or hard usage
From this reading As it was, our ship took no great hurt, though the splinters flew, and six of her ports were battered in; yet many of our men were wounded after a dreadful manner, and one was killed outright.
broadsidenounUS /ˈbrɔːdsaɪd/
an advertisement (usually printed on a page or in a leaflet) intended for wide distribution
From this reading But our men kept firing into the medley on her decks, plying the stern-chasers in furious haste; and, ever as he was able, the enemy did shoot at us with muskets and pistols, and once--his ship having slewed right round--gave us a thundering great broadside.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading But his gunners did much mistake, in that they hulled us (as the saying is), instead of aiming at our masts and tackling, whereby they might have crippled us, and, perhaps, brought us quite to a stand.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But our men kept firing into the medley on her decks, plying the stern-chasers in furious haste; and, ever as he was able, the enemy did shoot at us with muskets and pistols, and once--his ship having slewed right round--gave us a thundering great broadside.
crippledadjectiveUS /ˈkrɪpəld/
disabled in the feet or legs
From this reading But his gunners did much mistake, in that they hulled us (as the saying is), instead of aiming at our masts and tackling, whereby they might have crippled us, and, perhaps, brought us quite to a stand.
decksnounUS /deks/
plural of “deck” — any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading But our men kept firing into the medley on her decks, plying the stern-chasers in furious haste; and, ever as he was able, the enemy did shoot at us with muskets and pistols, and once--his ship having slewed right round--gave us a thundering great broadside.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But our men kept firing into the medley on her decks, plying the stern-chasers in furious haste; and, ever as he was able, the enemy did shoot at us with muskets and pistols, and once--his ship having slewed right round--gave us a thundering great broadside.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading As it was, our ship took no great hurt, though the splinters flew, and six of her ports were battered in; yet many of our men were wounded after a dreadful manner, and one was killed outright.
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading FRANCIS DREAMS A DREAM.
plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep
From this reading FRANCIS DREAMS A DREAM.
an opposing military force
From this reading But our men kept firing into the medley on her decks, plying the stern-chasers in furious haste; and, ever as he was able, the enemy did shoot at us with muskets and pistols, and once--his ship having slewed right round--gave us a thundering great broadside.
at any time
From this reading But our men kept firing into the medley on her decks, plying the stern-chasers in furious haste; and, ever as he was able, the enemy did shoot at us with muskets and pistols, and once--his ship having slewed right round--gave us a thundering great broadside.
firingnounUS /ˈfaɪrɪŋ/
the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy
From this reading But our men kept firing into the medley on her decks, plying the stern-chasers in furious haste; and, ever as he was able, the enemy did shoot at us with muskets and pistols, and once--his ship having slewed right round--gave us a thundering great broadside.
inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading As it was, our ship took no great hurt, though the splinters flew, and six of her ports were battered in; yet many of our men were wounded after a dreadful manner, and one was killed outright.
flounderingverbUS /ˈflaʊndərɪŋ/
-ing form of “flounder” — walk with great difficulty
From this reading We now rapidly left the floundering and mazed man-of-war.
FRANCIS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FRANCIS DREAMS A DREAM.
furiousadjectiveUS /ˈfjʊriəs/
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading But our men kept firing into the medley on her decks, plying the stern-chasers in furious haste; and, ever as he was able, the enemy did shoot at us with muskets and pistols, and once--his ship having slewed right round--gave us a thundering great broadside.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading But our men kept firing into the medley on her decks, plying the stern-chasers in furious haste; and, ever as he was able, the enemy did shoot at us with muskets and pistols, and once--his ship having slewed right round--gave us a thundering great broadside.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading But our men kept firing into the medley on her decks, plying the stern-chasers in furious haste; and, ever as he was able, the enemy did shoot at us with muskets and pistols, and once--his ship having slewed right round--gave us a thundering great broadside.
gunnersnounUS /ˈɡʌnərz/
plural of “gunner” — a serviceman in the artillery
From this reading But his gunners did much mistake, in that they hulled us (as the saying is), instead of aiming at our masts and tackling, whereby they might have crippled us, and, perhaps, brought us quite to a stand.
overly eager speed (and possible carelessness)
From this reading But our men kept firing into the medley on her decks, plying the stern-chasers in furious haste; and, ever as he was able, the enemy did shoot at us with muskets and pistols, and once--his ship having slewed right round--gave us a thundering great broadside.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But his gunners did much mistake, in that they hulled us (as the saying is), instead of aiming at our masts and tackling, whereby they might have crippled us, and, perhaps, brought us quite to a stand.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading But our men kept firing into the medley on her decks, plying the stern-chasers in furious haste; and, ever as he was able, the enemy did shoot at us with muskets and pistols, and once--his ship having slewed right round--gave us a thundering great broadside.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But our men kept firing into the medley on her decks, plying the stern-chasers in furious haste; and, ever as he was able, the enemy did shoot at us with muskets and pistols, and once--his ship having slewed right round--gave us a thundering great broadside.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading But our men kept firing into the medley on her decks, plying the stern-chasers in furious haste; and, ever as he was able, the enemy did shoot at us with muskets and pistols, and once--his ship having slewed right round--gave us a thundering great broadside.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But our men kept firing into the medley on her decks, plying the stern-chasers in furious haste; and, ever as he was able, the enemy did shoot at us with muskets and pistols, and once--his ship having slewed right round--gave us a thundering great broadside.
hulledverbUS /hʌld/
past form of “hull” — remove the hulls from
From this reading But his gunners did much mistake, in that they hulled us (as the saying is), instead of aiming at our masts and tackling, whereby they might have crippled us, and, perhaps, brought us quite to a stand.
be the source of pain
From this reading As it was, our ship took no great hurt, though the splinters flew, and six of her ports were battered in; yet many of our men were wounded after a dreadful manner, and one was killed outright.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But our men kept firing into the medley on her decks, plying the stern-chasers in furious haste; and, ever as he was able, the enemy did shoot at us with muskets and pistols, and once--his ship having slewed right round--gave us a thundering great broadside.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading But his gunners did much mistake, in that they hulled us (as the saying is), instead of aiming at our masts and tackling, whereby they might have crippled us, and, perhaps, brought us quite to a stand.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading But our men kept firing into the medley on her decks, plying the stern-chasers in furious haste; and, ever as he was able, the enemy did shoot at us with muskets and pistols, and once--his ship having slewed right round--gave us a thundering great broadside.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But his gunners did much mistake, in that they hulled us (as the saying is), instead of aiming at our masts and tackling, whereby they might have crippled us, and, perhaps, brought us quite to a stand.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As it was, our ship took no great hurt, though the splinters flew, and six of her ports were battered in; yet many of our men were wounded after a dreadful manner, and one was killed outright.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading But our men kept firing into the medley on her decks, plying the stern-chasers in furious haste; and, ever as he was able, the enemy did shoot at us with muskets and pistols, and once--his ship having slewed right round--gave us a thundering great broadside.
past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
From this reading As it was, our ship took no great hurt, though the splinters flew, and six of her ports were battered in; yet many of our men were wounded after a dreadful manner, and one was killed outright.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading We now rapidly left the floundering and mazed man-of-war.
man-of-warnoun
a warship intended for combat
From this reading We now rapidly left the floundering and mazed man-of-war.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading As it was, our ship took no great hurt, though the splinters flew, and six of her ports were battered in; yet many of our men were wounded after a dreadful manner, and one was killed outright.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading As it was, our ship took no great hurt, though the splinters flew, and six of her ports were battered in; yet many of our men were wounded after a dreadful manner, and one was killed outright.
mastsnounUS /mæsts/
plural of “mast” — a vertical spar for supporting sails
From this reading But his gunners did much mistake, in that they hulled us (as the saying is), instead of aiming at our masts and tackling, whereby they might have crippled us, and, perhaps, brought us quite to a stand.
mazedadjective
perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment
From this reading We now rapidly left the floundering and mazed man-of-war.
medleynounUS /ˈmedli/
a musical composition consisting of a series of songs or other musical pieces from various sources
From this reading But our men kept firing into the medley on her decks, plying the stern-chasers in furious haste; and, ever as he was able, the enemy did shoot at us with muskets and pistols, and once--his ship having slewed right round--gave us a thundering great broadside.
the force of workers available
From this reading But our men kept firing into the medley on her decks, plying the stern-chasers in furious haste; and, ever as he was able, the enemy did shoot at us with muskets and pistols, and once--his ship having slewed right round--gave us a thundering great broadside.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading But his gunners did much mistake, in that they hulled us (as the saying is), instead of aiming at our masts and tackling, whereby they might have crippled us, and, perhaps, brought us quite to a stand.
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading But his gunners did much mistake, in that they hulled us (as the saying is), instead of aiming at our masts and tackling, whereby they might have crippled us, and, perhaps, brought us quite to a stand.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading But his gunners did much mistake, in that they hulled us (as the saying is), instead of aiming at our masts and tackling, whereby they might have crippled us, and, perhaps, brought us quite to a stand.
muskets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But our men kept firing into the medley on her decks, plying the stern-chasers in furious haste; and, ever as he was able, the enemy did shoot at us with muskets and pistols, and once--his ship having slewed right round--gave us a thundering great broadside.
not any; not one
From this reading As it was, our ship took no great hurt, though the splinters flew, and six of her ports were battered in; yet many of our men were wounded after a dreadful manner, and one was killed outright.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading We now rapidly left the floundering and mazed man-of-war.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But his gunners did much mistake, in that they hulled us (as the saying is), instead of aiming at our masts and tackling, whereby they might have crippled us, and, perhaps, brought us quite to a stand.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But our men kept firing into the medley on her decks, plying the stern-chasers in furious haste; and, ever as he was able, the enemy did shoot at us with muskets and pistols, and once--his ship having slewed right round--gave us a thundering great broadside.
on one occasion
From this reading But our men kept firing into the medley on her decks, plying the stern-chasers in furious haste; and, ever as he was able, the enemy did shoot at us with muskets and pistols, and once--his ship having slewed right round--gave us a thundering great broadside.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading As it was, our ship took no great hurt, though the splinters flew, and six of her ports were battered in; yet many of our men were wounded after a dreadful manner, and one was killed outright.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading But our men kept firing into the medley on her decks, plying the stern-chasers in furious haste; and, ever as he was able, the enemy did shoot at us with muskets and pistols, and once--his ship having slewed right round--gave us a thundering great broadside.
outrightadverbUS /ˈaʊˈtraɪt/
without restrictions or stipulations or further payments
From this reading As it was, our ship took no great hurt, though the splinters flew, and six of her ports were battered in; yet many of our men were wounded after a dreadful manner, and one was killed outright.
by chance
From this reading But his gunners did much mistake, in that they hulled us (as the saying is), instead of aiming at our masts and tackling, whereby they might have crippled us, and, perhaps, brought us quite to a stand.
pistolsnounUS /ˈpɪstəlz/
plural of “pistol” — a firearm that is held and fired with one hand
From this reading But our men kept firing into the medley on her decks, plying the stern-chasers in furious haste; and, ever as he was able, the enemy did shoot at us with muskets and pistols, and once--his ship having slewed right round--gave us a thundering great broadside.
plyingverbUS /ˈplaɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “ply” — give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance
From this reading But our men kept firing into the medley on her decks, plying the stern-chasers in furious haste; and, ever as he was able, the enemy did shoot at us with muskets and pistols, and once--his ship having slewed right round--gave us a thundering great broadside.
portsnounUS /pɔːrts/
plural of “port” — a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country
From this reading As it was, our ship took no great hurt, though the splinters flew, and six of her ports were battered in; yet many of our men were wounded after a dreadful manner, and one was killed outright.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading But his gunners did much mistake, in that they hulled us (as the saying is), instead of aiming at our masts and tackling, whereby they might have crippled us, and, perhaps, brought us quite to a stand.
with speed
From this reading We now rapidly left the floundering and mazed man-of-war.
precisely, exactly
From this reading But our men kept firing into the medley on her decks, plying the stern-chasers in furious haste; and, ever as he was able, the enemy did shoot at us with muskets and pistols, and once--his ship having slewed right round--gave us a thundering great broadside.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading But our men kept firing into the medley on her decks, plying the stern-chasers in furious haste; and, ever as he was able, the enemy did shoot at us with muskets and pistols, and once--his ship having slewed right round--gave us a thundering great broadside.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading But his gunners did much mistake, in that they hulled us (as the saying is), instead of aiming at our masts and tackling, whereby they might have crippled us, and, perhaps, brought us quite to a stand.
transport commercially
From this reading But our men kept firing into the medley on her decks, plying the stern-chasers in furious haste; and, ever as he was able, the enemy did shoot at us with muskets and pistols, and once--his ship having slewed right round--gave us a thundering great broadside.
hit with a missile from a weapon
From this reading But our men kept firing into the medley on her decks, plying the stern-chasers in furious haste; and, ever as he was able, the enemy did shoot at us with muskets and pistols, and once--his ship having slewed right round--gave us a thundering great broadside.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading As it was, our ship took no great hurt, though the splinters flew, and six of her ports were battered in; yet many of our men were wounded after a dreadful manner, and one was killed outright.
slewed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But our men kept firing into the medley on her decks, plying the stern-chasers in furious haste; and, ever as he was able, the enemy did shoot at us with muskets and pistols, and once--his ship having slewed right round--gave us a thundering great broadside.
splintersnounUS /ˈsplɪntərz/
wood in small pieces or splinters
From this reading As it was, our ship took no great hurt, though the splinters flew, and six of her ports were battered in; yet many of our men were wounded after a dreadful manner, and one was killed outright.
be standing; be upright
From this reading But his gunners did much mistake, in that they hulled us (as the saying is), instead of aiming at our masts and tackling, whereby they might have crippled us, and, perhaps, brought us quite to a stand.
stern-chasers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But our men kept firing into the medley on her decks, plying the stern-chasers in furious haste; and, ever as he was able, the enemy did shoot at us with muskets and pistols, and once--his ship having slewed right round--gave us a thundering great broadside.
tacklingverbUS /ˈtæklɪŋ/
-ing form of “tackle” — accept as a challenge
From this reading But his gunners did much mistake, in that they hulled us (as the saying is), instead of aiming at our masts and tackling, whereby they might have crippled us, and, perhaps, brought us quite to a stand.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But his gunners did much mistake, in that they hulled us (as the saying is), instead of aiming at our masts and tackling, whereby they might have crippled us, and, perhaps, brought us quite to a stand.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading We now rapidly left the floundering and mazed man-of-war.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But his gunners did much mistake, in that they hulled us (as the saying is), instead of aiming at our masts and tackling, whereby they might have crippled us, and, perhaps, brought us quite to a stand.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading As it was, our ship took no great hurt, though the splinters flew, and six of her ports were battered in; yet many of our men were wounded after a dreadful manner, and one was killed outright.
thunderingadjectiveUS /ˈθʌndərɪŋ/
sounding like thunder
From this reading But our men kept firing into the medley on her decks, plying the stern-chasers in furious haste; and, ever as he was able, the enemy did shoot at us with muskets and pistols, and once--his ship having slewed right round--gave us a thundering great broadside.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But his gunners did much mistake, in that they hulled us (as the saying is), instead of aiming at our masts and tackling, whereby they might have crippled us, and, perhaps, brought us quite to a stand.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading As it was, our ship took no great hurt, though the splinters flew, and six of her ports were battered in; yet many of our men were wounded after a dreadful manner, and one was killed outright.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But our men kept firing into the medley on her decks, plying the stern-chasers in furious haste; and, ever as he was able, the enemy did shoot at us with muskets and pistols, and once--his ship having slewed right round--gave us a thundering great broadside.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But our men kept firing into the medley on her decks, plying the stern-chasers in furious haste; and, ever as he was able, the enemy did shoot at us with muskets and pistols, and once--his ship having slewed right round--gave us a thundering great broadside.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We now rapidly left the floundering and mazed man-of-war.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As it was, our ship took no great hurt, though the splinters flew, and six of her ports were battered in; yet many of our men were wounded after a dreadful manner, and one was killed outright.
whereby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But his gunners did much mistake, in that they hulled us (as the saying is), instead of aiming at our masts and tackling, whereby they might have crippled us, and, perhaps, brought us quite to a stand.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But our men kept firing into the medley on her decks, plying the stern-chasers in furious haste; and, ever as he was able, the enemy did shoot at us with muskets and pistols, and once--his ship having slewed right round--gave us a thundering great broadside.
people who are wounded
From this reading As it was, our ship took no great hurt, though the splinters flew, and six of her ports were battered in; yet many of our men were wounded after a dreadful manner, and one was killed outright.
but in spite of that
From this reading As it was, our ship took no great hurt, though the splinters flew, and six of her ports were battered in; yet many of our men were wounded after a dreadful manner, and one was killed outright.
